South Korea has never won its second game of a World Cup
Neither Ghana have kept a clean sheet in any of their last eight games in this tournament
South Korea has never won its second game of a World Cup, in any of its ten appearances, nor has Ghana kept a clean sheet in any of its last eight games in this tournament, in which their meeting this Monday at the stadium City of Education checks what Son Heung Min and Iñaki Williams are capable of, before a revalidation, as the alternatives to Portugal and Uruguay for the first two positions.
The Asian team has already applied for it. His draw on the opening day of group H, with undoubted merit, because he dominated Uruguay with pressure, aggressiveness, dynamism and ambition throughout the first half, but also appeased them on his occasions in the second, he proposes it for everything; to be first, second or not at all, depending on their score against Ghana, who comes in a hurry to the appointment: either they win… Or they are eliminated.
There are no middle terms for the team coached by Otto Addo, whose defeat on the first day against Portugal (3-2), defeated their approach due to goals in the second half from Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Félix and Rafael Leao, three figures overall, he demands it more than anyone in the quartet at this point, aware that defeat is final for him, a draw does not completely eliminate him and victory makes him depend on himself.
In his debut at the World Cup, Iñaki Williams did not even shoot on goal (his only shot was outside the three sticks). The fast-paced Athletic Club striker, a scorer five times in 15 games played, has yet to beat the rival goal with the Ghanaian team, throughout his four commitments. He is needed by his team, whose plan calls for an offensive step forward against South Korea. And he needs it, to highlight all his potential.
Thursday’s game against Uruguay was not Son Heung Min’s best either. All of South Korea has been waiting on him since he suffered the orbital fracture on November 2 with Tottenham, the best South Korean footballer (107 appearances, 35 goals and 12 assists As an international), masked to limit the risks around the eye, he was inconsistent when he entered the game in Qatar 2022, without reaching his full height.
Because his dimension in the national team and for his teammates is enormous, reduced by the context in which he took action on the first date, hardly training with the group until the last days before, after being unemployed, without playing since the beginning of november. His coach, Paulo Bento, assumes it as normal because, after all these circumstances, it is not easy to reappear in the competition, in an environment as intense as the duel against Uruguay, and make a difference.
He didn’t, but he can. He proposes it this Monday at the Ciudad de la Educación stadium, the same scenario of the 0-0 against Uruguay, when he played the 90 minutes, he left the impression that everything that goes through his boots makes Korea better, but he barely assumed the determining mission that he did complete so many times with Tottenham: 136 goals, 69 assists (it is a contribution between the two of 205 goals) and 334 games.
“We are not worried. It is natural that he had some difficulty in the first game. He has had a period of adaptation to his own mask, first with contact with his teammates in training and then with rivals. This Monday’s game will be different. He already played 90 minutes against Uruguay and we will seek to do things better as a team so that he exploits his best qualities”, said Paulo Bento, his coach, at the press conference this Sunday.
The coach is looking out for his best central defender (Min-Jae Kim, from the incontestable Naples, the leader of Serie A, with whom he has played 20 games this season, winner of 13 of their last 14 games), who will decide for the tomorrow of the same day of the meeting whether or not he is available for the commitment this Monday. Forward Hwang Hee-Chan, who has already started training with the group, will not enter the competition yet, as confirmed by Bento.
– Probable lineups:
South Korea: Kim Seunggyu; Kim Moonhwan, Kim Minjae, Kim Younggwon, Kim Jinsu; Jeong Wooyeong, Jung Wooyoung; Na Shango, Lee Jaesung, Son Heung Min; Hwang Uijo.
Ghana: Zigi; Lamptey, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah; Jordan Ayew, Thomas, Abduel Samed, Kudus; Andre Ayew, Inaki Williams.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England).
Stadium: Education City.
Hour: 2:00 p.m.