On Friday, December 2 in Al Rayyan at the stadium “Evolution City” will be the match of the third round of the World Cup, in which South Korea will play with the leader of the group, the team of Portugal.
South Korea
The South Korean team is approaching the third round of the World Cup with only one point in the asset. “Warriors of Taejo” in the first round rolled up a boring goalless draw with Uruguay, and then in a rather fun and spectacular match they lost 2:3 to the team of Ghana, which both matches at the current World Cup in Qatar turned out to be very boring.
And South Korea is approaching the third round with ghostly chances of reaching the playoffs. We need to beat Portugal and hope that Uruguay beats Ghana, but not by a very large score. Both outcomes, frankly, do not look very likely separately, but together – even more so. Does not add chances to the Asian team and damage to the leader of the defense, Kim Min Jae from Napoli, whose fate in the match is in question.
The upcoming match will be special for South Korea’s head coach, Paulo Bento, who as a player made 35 appearances for Portugal between 1992 and 2002. True, the 53-year-old specialist will watch this match from the stands. He argued too actively with the referee at the end of the match against Ghana and received a red card.
Portugal
The Portuguese national team scored 6 points and, along with France and Brazil, ahead of schedule secured access to the playoffs after two rounds. But the first place for the team of Fernando Santos is not yet guaranteed. And his loss promises a meeting with Brazil already at the stage of 1/8 finals. The Portuguese, of course, would like to avoid such a scenario.
In two starting rounds, the Portuguese first defeated Ghana with a score of 3:2 in a very tense duel, and then beat Uruguay much calmer and more confidently – 2:0. The team of Fernando Santos also has personnel problems. Danilo and Otaviu are injured. The participation in the match of another PSG player, flank defender Nuno Mendes, is also questionable.
Meeting history
The national teams of South Korea and Portugal met each other only once, and also at the World Cup, and also in the third round of the group stage: in 2002 at the home world championship for the Koreans. Then the team of Guus Hiddink won 1:0 and threw the Portuguese out of the tournament. By the way, the current coach of South Korea, Paulo Bento, then spent all 90 minutes on the field as part of the Portuguese national team.
Forecast for confrontation
In order to secure the first place in the group and avoid such an undesired meeting with Brazil in the 1/8 finals, it is enough for the Portuguese team to draw, and not to lose to Portugal more than they can. Our bet is X2, coefficient 1.18.
Estimated compositions
South Korea: Kim Seung Kyu, Kim Jin Soo, Kim Yong Hwon, Kim Min Jae, Kim Moon Hwan, Hwang In Bum, Chun Woon Yoon, Song Joon Ho, Hwang Hee Chan, Hwang Eui Jo, Heung Min Song
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Cancelo, Ruben Neves, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo
December 2, Friday
South Korea – Portugal
Al Rayyan. Education City Stadium. 17:00 TV broadcast on MEGOGO video service Forecast Aroged — 0:1
