SOUTH KOREA VS GERMANY
SOUTH KOREA
After an impressive display at the 2002 world cup they co hosted with Japan, they came into this tournament hoping to go one better. They did make it to the semifinals last time out against all obstacles, but Russia had a different plan for them as they face an early exit.
Their woes all started against the Swedes as they lost by a lone goal in a match that wasn’t very entertaining. News did break out that the Korean manager, Shin Tae-Yong did ask his players to swap shirts during training. News making the rounds had it that the Sweden team was spying their sessions but this proactive measure had no impact on the final result.
Son Heung-Min was made to join the attacking lineup which did improve things upfront. Before this positional change was made the teams attack was nothing close to dangerous and in game two of the group stage they did lose again.
Mexico defeated them 2-1 ending all hopes of having a fairytale world cup in Russia. Nevertheless, Son did score an awesome goal worthy of making him smile when he looks back at Russia.
GERMANY
Moving on to their opponents who are the defending champions, who surprisingly lost their opening match to a very good Mexican side. So far Germany’s performance has been disappointing.
Conceding a goal in the first half against a Sweden team who then decided to sit in their own half. The pressure mounted on them did pay off as Marco Reus pulled one back to keep things leveled. Jerome Boateng got sent off but a resilient German team kept pressing.
With a man down it took a last minute strike from Toni Kroos to keep their chances alive . That been said Germany sit in the second position and stand to be eliminated. Anything less than a win would see the Swedes beat to qualification depending on the result of the final group match.
EXPECTATION
Their Asian opponents although not too dangerous upfront, are a really organized side and might just come to defend. This might further frustrate the German team, although we still see them beating the Koreans. It would be a low scoring affair as the Germans haven’t been leading at half time in their recent games.
The defending champions have only been able to score two goals at this world cup. Marco Reus replaced Mesut Ozil in the starting lineup and also showed more promise. The Dortmund guy would be hoping to add to his tally after an impressive game against Sweden.
HEAD TO HEAD
These sides have met three times with Germany coming up victorious in two of the games. Both wins came at the world cup in 1994 and 2002.
PREDICTED LINEUP
SOUTH KOREA
Cho, Y. Lee, Jang, Y. Kim, M. Kim, Ju, Ki, Moon, J. Lee, Hwang, Son.
GERMANY
Neuer, Kimmich, Rudiger, Hummels, Hector, Gundogan, Kroos, Muller, Draxler, Reus, Werner.
PICK
Germany to win and under 4.5
odd: 1.60
