South Korea v Germany: Champions to make the most of second chance

After narrow defeats to Mexico and Sweden, South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong summed up his team’s situation neatly, describing them as”a drowning man clutching at a straw.” The late heroics of Germany’s Toni Kroos against Sweden spared Shin’s side the ignominy of elimination using a game to spare, but a win on Wednesday afternoon and a success for Mexico against Sweden gives them any chance of progress.
Although South Korea have been aggressive in the tackle and willing to cover lots of ground, they have really struggled to develop any attacking momentum. A magnificent late strike from a mostly isolated Son Heung-min against Mexico has become the sum total of the offensive efforts so far, and they didn’t even manage a shot on goal in their Group F opener from Sweden.
Opta inform us that South Korea have now lost their past four games at World Cup finals. It’s also worth noting that they have lost their past two World Cup games against Germany, a set match in 1994 and also the semi-final in 2002.
The cause of south Korea won’t be helped by skipper Ki Sung-yeung’s loss to harm, and full-back Park Joo-ho remains sidelined. Shin has to find a way to get Tottenham forwards Son more support in attack – he had eight shots against Mexico, and carried the entire offensive burden on his shoulders.

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