Football

World Cup 2022: South Korea Refuse to Be Intimidated by Brazil

World Cup 2022: South Korea Refuse to Be Intimidated by Brazil
(l-r) Jinsu KIM of Korea Republic, Seunggyu KIM of Korea Republic and Heungim SON of Korea Republic during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Group H match between South Korea and Ghana at Education City Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport)

South Korea have claimed that they have nothing to fear or lose when they go up against Brazil in the World Cup 2022 quarter-finals on Monday. South Korea have become the wildcard team after a sensational group phase. Even though Brazil are the favourite among bookmakers going into the game on Monday, it is difficult to rule out a repeat of the shock results that unfolded in the group.

Despite being strong favourites for lifting the World Cup 2022 title, Brazil and Argentina ended up suffering shock losses in the group. After a strong start to the World Cup, Brazil suffered a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in the final group match while Argentina shocked the world by losing the opener against Saudi Arabia.

Impressive Bounce Back

South Korea might have begun the World Cup in disappointing fashion with no wins from the first two group matches, but they bounced back when it mattered the most. A 2-1 win over Portugal in the final group match has helped them set up a quarter-final date with Brazil. It is, however, one of the difficult quarter-final games for South Korea, who could have secured a far easier opponent had they finished as the group winners.

However, South Korea are faced with the challenge that awaits them at Stadium 974 in Doha. South Korea do have a lot of pedigree when it comes to eliminating big teams out of major tournaments. They were able to send Germany out of the competition from the group stages during the World Cup 2018 in Russia. Back in 2002 when they were the cohosts with Japan, South Korea were able to knock out Spain and Italy before reaching the semifinals.

A difficult encounter could play out at the Stadium 974 in Doha. There is a lot of counter-attacking potential among both teams. The Asian outfit clearly prefers playing on the counter-attack. There is also plenty of spirit within the team which needs to be at its best if Paulo Bento’s team are able to work around the numerous handicaps coming into the game.

Paulo Bento
ar-Rayyan, Katar, 24.11.2022: Trainer Paulo Bento (South Korea) schaut waehrend des Spiels der FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group G zwischen Uruguay und Suedkorea im Education City Stadion am 24. November 2022 in ar-Rayyan, Katar. (Foto von Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images) ar-Rayyan, Qatar, 24.11.2022: Trainer Paulo Bento (South Korea) looks on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group G match between Uruguay and South Korea at Education City Stadium on November 24, 2022 in ar-Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images) – Photo by Icon sport

South Korea only have a recovery period of just 72 hours coming into the match. Brazil have a much stronger squad and they have had the luxury of resting key players. However, Bento’s team had to play until the final whistle to get the win over Portugal that has seen them through to the quarter-finals.

South Korea vs Brazil H2H

This will be the first meeting between South Korea and Brazil since June 2022. The Asian outfit were thrashed 5-1 by the impressive South Americans back then. In fact, Brazil have a 10-1 aggregate score in the three meetings with South Korea and this is likely to provide a lot of psychological blow to the team.

South Korea have been trying their best to avoid any suggestions of intimidation in facing the five-time world champions. However, it will take a remarkable work ethic, quality, and spirit from South Korea to get a positive result on Monday. This, however, is South Korea’s best chance of repeating the glory days of 2002.


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