Korea seek their faith against qualifiers Portugal
MADRID, 1 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Group H already knows that Portugal has qualified, that they must confirm their leadership against a South Korea that does have a pass to the round of 16 at stake and that seeks to strengthen its faith against the Portuguese, whom they already beat in ‘ his’ 2002 World Cup.
Portugal is already classified for the round of 16 and a draw, and even a defeat, could be enough for them to access as first. So all the pressure is on a South Korea that has just lost to Ghana and thus complicate life.
For the Asians, led again by Son Heung-min, only victory is worth it. Not even a draw favors them, so they will have to go all out against a Portugal that, pulling their pride, will try to salvage the 1-0 loss they conceded in that meeting 20 years ago.
It was the only previous duel, the only precedent. Now they are not in Korea and it has rained a lot since then, since that goal by the historic Park Ji-sung that gave the ‘Taegeuk Warriors’ first place in the group and brought down Luis Figo and company.
The benchmark for Portugal is now Cristiano Ronaldo, although the spotlight in the last game, a controversy aside as to whether CR7 combed the ball or not, Bruno Fernandes took it with his brace in the win over Uruguay. They have previously beaten Ghana, and now they are looking for that ‘trio’ of wins.
With just one point, added in a draw with Uruguay, and after a painful 2-3 loss to Ghana, South Korea must seek faith –in a country where the majority of its inhabitants are atheists– to win and have any option to pass. For this, Ghana must lose against Uruguay and the ‘average’ with the ‘Celeste’ must be favorable to Korea. Complicated, but not impossible.
Kim Minjae, Napoli central defender, is doubtful with calf problems. After missing the first two games with a hamstring injury, Wolves striker Hwang Heechan is confident that he can be released and help his team this Friday, although it remains doubtful.
For his part, the Portuguese coach, Fernando Santos, could enter the rotations. Except for a last-minute surprise, Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira and Otavio would be out due to injury, while Ruben Dias, Ruben Neves, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix carry a yellow card from the first games and a second would leave them without the round of 16.
COREA DEL SUR: Seung-gyu; Moon-hwan, Jin-su, Young-gwon, Min-jae; Woo-young, In-beom, Jae-sung; Heung-min, Sang-ho and Gue-sung
PORTUGAL: Coast; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Warrior; Neves, William Carvalho; Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix; and Cristiano Ronaldo.
–REFEREE: Facundo Tello (ARG).
–STADIUM: Stadium of the City of Education.
–TIME: 16.00/World Goal.
