[The Day of Korea's Decisive Battle] ① Round of 16 Turning Point, Son Heung-min Is Back

First Match at 10 PM Against Uruguay in Qatar World Cup
1st Match Winner's 84% Chance to Advance to Round of 16, Korea's All-Out Effort

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jonggil Lee] The decisive day has dawned. The South Korean national football team will play its first match today (24th, Korean time) in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. At 10 PM, they will face Uruguay at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. This is the first match of Group H in the group stage, a crucial game to gauge whether they can achieve their goal of advancing to the Round of 16.

In fact, the success or failure of this tournament hinges on this match. From the 1998 France World Cup to the 2018 Russia World Cup, there have been ninety-six first matches in the group stage across six tournaments. Winners and losers were decided in seventy-three matches. Of those who advanced to the Round of 16, there were sixty-one teams, an impressive 84% probability. South Korea has recorded 3 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses in their last ten World Cup opening matches. They defeated Poland 2-0 in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, and beat Togo 2-1 in the 2006 Germany World Cup. In the 2010 South Africa World Cup, they overcame Greece 2-0.

Twice they achieved Round of 16 or better, and once they failed to advance. In 2002, they passed the group stage with 2 wins and 1 draw, finishing first in the group, and went on to create a semi-final legend. In 2006, they could not continue the joy of their first away World Cup victory and finished third in the group with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. In 2010, they recorded the same 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss as four years prior but finished second in the group, achieving the first-ever away Round of 16 success.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

If Coach Paulo Bento leads the team to victory in the first match of this tournament, South Korea can secure a favorable position for advancing to the Round of 16, just like 12 years ago. On the other hand, if they lose, the path to the Round of 16 becomes very narrow. South Korea has never advanced to the Round of 16 after drawing or losing their first match. They have often been held back by South American teams. In the ten World Cups they have participated in, they faced South American teams five times in the first match and never won, recording 1 draw and 4 losses.

This time also does not look easy. Uruguay surpasses South Korea in all aspects including technique, organization, and experience. Their FIFA ranking is also higher at 14th compared to South Korea's 28th. In their historical record, Uruguay leads with 6 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. They have met twice in the World Cup, with South Korea losing both times. In the 1990 Italy World Cup group stage, South Korea lost 0-1, and in the 2010 South Africa World Cup Round of 16, they lost 1-2. Coach Bento said at a press conference the day before, "They are a team that showed excellent skills in the South American qualifiers," and added, "South Korea had a very difficult match and lost when we met in the 2010 South Africa World Cup. Tomorrow, I hope we can play a more balanced game. We have prepared to make that happen."

There are elements that inspire hope. Son Heung-min (Tottenham), who underwent surgery for an orbital fracture earlier this month, has quickly recovered his condition. Coach Bento said, "He is in a condition to play," and added, "He does not find wearing a mask very uncomfortable. He seems to have gotten used to it." He also said, "I hope to execute the best tactics through Son Heung-min." Son is a goal scorer who poses a threat to opponents just by playing. Last season, he was the joint top scorer in the English Premier League (EPL).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Coach Bento has built his tactics around Son Heung-min. He has assigned roles in almost every attacking route including disrupting defense, penetrating spaces, and corner kicks. This time will be no different. Uruguay's defense is relatively slow. If the ball frequently connects behind the opponent's defensive line, Son Heung-min can seize decisive opportunities. If he scores, he will become the first Korean player to score in three consecutive World Cup matches and will set the record for the most goals by a Korean player with four. Son scored in the second and third group stage matches of the Russia World Cup four years ago.

Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), who can be a threat with his aggressive breakthroughs, will not play due to a hamstring injury. However, South Korea has many good wide players such as Na Sang-ho (Seoul) and Jung Woo-young (Freiburg). Their high work rate and speed can put pressure on Uruguay's flanks. Hwang Ui-jo (Olympiacos) and Jung Woo-young (Al Sadd), who scored against Uruguay in October 2018, are also always on standby. South Korea won that match 2-1. The strong presence of Kim Min-jae (Napoli), who is excelling in Italy's Serie A, and midfielder Hwang In-beom (Olympiacos), who understands Coach Bento's football well, raises expectations for earning points. Left-back Kim Jin-su (Jeonbuk) has also recovered from injury and is ready to play.

Coach Bento is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1 formation. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (Al Shabab) is likely to guard the goal, with Kim Jin-su, Kim Young-gwon (Ulsan), Kim Min-jae, and Yoon Jong-gyu (Seoul) forming the defensive line from left to right. In midfield, Jung Woo-young (Al Sadd) and Hwang In-beom are likely to play. In the attacking second line, Na Sang-ho, Jung Woo-young, and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) are expected, with Son Heung-min leading the front line. Coach Bento may also deploy a reserved three-back defense if Uruguay uses a two-striker formation. He expressed confidence, saying, "The players have approached the matches with confidence. They will do so tomorrow as well."