Qatar 2022: South Korea v Ghana preview; Black Stars aiming for a result that will enhance their bid for a last 16 spot
Ghana are facing the prospect of an early elimination from the 2022 World Cup in Group H when they travel to the Education City Stadium to face South Korea on Monday.
The Black Stars fell to an agonising 3-2 defeat to Portugal on the opening day while South Korea impressively held Uruguay to a goalless draw.
A total of four goalless draws were played out on matchday one of the 2022 World Cup, and while South Korea put in a good shift in their scoreless stalemate with Uruguay, the woodwork did have come to their aid on a couple of occasions.
Federico Valverde and Diego Godin both saw efforts crash off the frame of the goal as Paulo Bento’s side held on for a point demonstrating their defensive solidity that was also present in their most recent games before Qatar.
South Korea and Uruguay cannot be separated by points, goals or fair play points after matchday one, as the former seek to give their hopes of a top-two finish a major boost with victory over Ghana and edge closer to a knockout berth for the first time since 2010.
Another World Cup group game, another record for Cristiano Ronaldo, but the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could only watch on from the bench in despair as A Selecao very nearly threw away a two-goal lead against the Black Stars on Thursday evening.
Following Ronaldo’s controversial penalty, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao struck either side of Andre Ayew’s response before Osman Bukari reduced the deficit further, and the howler of the tournament award very nearly went to Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who rolled the ball out without knowing that Inaki Williams was behind him.
The Athletic Bilbao forward immediately tried to pounce on that chance right at the death, but he slipped at the vital moment as Ghana succumbed to a 3-2 loss, which leaves them bottom of the Group H standings and at real risk of an exit before the final matchday.
Ghana will need midfielder Mohammed Kudus to provide the spark as he was Ghana’s best player in the Portugal clash, setting up Andrew Ayew for their opening goal and was surprising to see both being withdrawn just after they had combined to temporarily level the scores.
No matter what transpires in Uruguay’s showdown with Portugal, Ghana will be out if they suffer defeat to South Korea at the Education City Stadium, but a six-game scoring streak at the World Cup does stand the Black Stars in good stead.
By avoiding defeat in their opening battle, South Korea come into the game having only lost one of their last 10 in all competitions, and the Kim Min-jae-marshalled defence has kept three clean sheets in succession during a four-game unbeaten run.
Despite their prowess in the defensive third, South Korea failed to post a shot on target for the second time in four World Cup games during the Uruguay stalemate, and Ghana certainly knew a thing or two about keeping teams at bay during the build-up to Qatar after a 2-0 win over Switzerland in their last friendly game before the start of the tournament.
Black Stars coach Otto Addo insists his side is hungry for victory ahead of their game against the Tigers at the World Cup.
“We will see a passionate team against South Korea. We will see the same passion in the last game. Everybody is hungry to play and training good making it difficult for me to make my decisions,” he said at the pre-match conference.
Head to Head
Monday’s game will mark the 10th meeting between South Korea and Ghana in all competitions, with the last six yielding three wins apiece for both nations, but Ghana ran out convincing 4-0 winners during the most recent battle in a 2014 friendly.
Team News
South Korea fans rejoiced in the return to fitness of Son Heung-min, who donned a protective mask against Uruguay after his recent eye socket fracture and came through the game unscathed.
Bento has no other concerns to report at this moment in time and should not be averse to naming an identical starting XI at the Education City Stadium, with Hwang Ui-jo spearheading the charge.
Otto Addo lined up in a defence-heavy formation for the showdown with Portugal, which very nearly paid dividends, but the need for victory could see the Black Stars shift to a four-man defence here.
Addo should be working with all 26 players for Monday’s meeting, where any change in system would likely put Alexander Djiku’s place at risk as Bukari pushes to return in a more attacking setup.
Andre Ayew won the battle of the brothers with Jordan Ayew to start in the loss to Portugal, and the Al-Sadd man’s goal last time out should be enough to see him retain his place alongside Inaki Williams.
Andre Ayew did train separately from the team alongside right-back Alidu Seidu on Friday, but there is nothing to suggest that the duo will not be ready for Monday.
South Korea possible starting lineup:
Seung-gyu; Moon-hwan, Min-jae, Young-gwon, Jin-su; Jung, In-beom; Na, Lee, Son; Ui-jo
Ghana possible starting lineup:
Ati Zigi; Seidu, Amartey, Salisu, Mensah; Partey, Abdul Samed; Bukari, Kudus, A. Ayew; Williams
Prediction
South Korea 1-1 Ghana
