FWC-South Korea
South Korea:-
The “Taegeuk Warriors” are the second-worst team, after Australia, at this WC (according to FIFA’s latest rankings) and it will take some really hard work if they are to sign-off from Brazil with a “respectable” campaign!
Only AFTER South Korea’s SECOND group-stage match against Algeria would head Coach Hong Myung-Bo have been at his position for an entire year; a very difficult thing to swallow for a nation so proud of its own football.
However, it might not be as bad as it first seems; because, for starters, coach Hong already knows most of his young players very well; having worked with them as head coach of South Korea’s U-23 national football team from 2009 to 2012.
In fact, almost half of the entire (most-probable) line-up of players consist of the same players with whom coach Hong was able to win the bronze medal in football at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. A great feat considering the fact that they first drew with eventual gold medalists Mexico, beat the 2011 UEFA U-21 Euro finalists Switzerland and even went neck-to-neck with a Great Britain team boasting the likes of Ryan Giggs, Daniel Sturridge and Aaron Ramsey!
Sadly though, that inexperience causes the team more harm than good; as the team have averaged a GCPG ratio of ca. 1.33 over the course of 15 games (12 of which were friendlies) under coach Hong. Given their GSPG of 1.0 over the same period, it seems wise enough to deploy EITHER Kim Young-Gwon OR Hong Jeong-Ho ALONGSIDE the more experienced Kwak Tae-Hwi; rather than Coach Myung-Bo Hong’s tendency to allow BOTH young CBs to start simultaneously during the majority of the games in which he has been in charge.
In midfield, South Korea’s most-likely midfield-trio boast immense talent among themselves but, again, their inexperience (they’re all 25 years old) might prove to be their undoing; especially considering their more experienced and physical opponents (think Russia and Belgium!).
Coach Hong might look to implement a pivot-like attacking lay-out of a main striker supported by an inverted-winger CF; where he’ll want to enforce a small dose of high-pressure on their opponents. Which would, in turn, place a big chunk of responsibility on his attacking midfielders’ shoulders to go forward on surging runs and try to penetrate opposition defenders and push them into their own final-third when having the ball.
Their wingers either sides of the pitch WILL cause the opposition trouble and South Korea’s chances of grabbing a result or two will significantly increase if those wide players are offered enough space on the flanks; where they’ll look to cross to their target man or simply attempt to force themselves into the opposition’s box to unleash a shot on target. A good focus will also be placed on set-pieces; as some of their players have great accuracy with long-ball deliveries and might look to make the most of their dead-ball situations.
Their main-striker choices', namely Lee Keun-Ho and Park Chu-Young, lack of game time this previous season might also be a cause for worry; whether inexperience will take its toll on coach Hong’s youthful squad or whether they’ll spring a surprise or two is still up in the air!
Main man: Son Heung-Min: The “jewel in the crown” of South Korea’s extremely talented squad! His electric pace, brilliant technique and lethal shot are just a small part of his repertoire of skills and much of South Korea’s performance up-front will depend on this future star.
Odds (average from top 24 betting firms): 403
The “Taegeuk Warriors” are the second-worst team, after Australia, at this WC (according to FIFA’s latest rankings) and it will take some really hard work if they are to sign-off from Brazil with a “respectable” campaign!
Only AFTER South Korea’s SECOND group-stage match against Algeria would head Coach Hong Myung-Bo have been at his position for an entire year; a very difficult thing to swallow for a nation so proud of its own football.
However, it might not be as bad as it first seems; because, for starters, coach Hong already knows most of his young players very well; having worked with them as head coach of South Korea’s U-23 national football team from 2009 to 2012.
In fact, almost half of the entire (most-probable) line-up of players consist of the same players with whom coach Hong was able to win the bronze medal in football at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. A great feat considering the fact that they first drew with eventual gold medalists Mexico, beat the 2011 UEFA U-21 Euro finalists Switzerland and even went neck-to-neck with a Great Britain team boasting the likes of Ryan Giggs, Daniel Sturridge and Aaron Ramsey!
Sadly though, that inexperience causes the team more harm than good; as the team have averaged a GCPG ratio of ca. 1.33 over the course of 15 games (12 of which were friendlies) under coach Hong. Given their GSPG of 1.0 over the same period, it seems wise enough to deploy EITHER Kim Young-Gwon OR Hong Jeong-Ho ALONGSIDE the more experienced Kwak Tae-Hwi; rather than Coach Myung-Bo Hong’s tendency to allow BOTH young CBs to start simultaneously during the majority of the games in which he has been in charge.
In midfield, South Korea’s most-likely midfield-trio boast immense talent among themselves but, again, their inexperience (they’re all 25 years old) might prove to be their undoing; especially considering their more experienced and physical opponents (think Russia and Belgium!).
Coach Hong might look to implement a pivot-like attacking lay-out of a main striker supported by an inverted-winger CF; where he’ll want to enforce a small dose of high-pressure on their opponents. Which would, in turn, place a big chunk of responsibility on his attacking midfielders’ shoulders to go forward on surging runs and try to penetrate opposition defenders and push them into their own final-third when having the ball.
Their wingers either sides of the pitch WILL cause the opposition trouble and South Korea’s chances of grabbing a result or two will significantly increase if those wide players are offered enough space on the flanks; where they’ll look to cross to their target man or simply attempt to force themselves into the opposition’s box to unleash a shot on target. A good focus will also be placed on set-pieces; as some of their players have great accuracy with long-ball deliveries and might look to make the most of their dead-ball situations.
Their main-striker choices', namely Lee Keun-Ho and Park Chu-Young, lack of game time this previous season might also be a cause for worry; whether inexperience will take its toll on coach Hong’s youthful squad or whether they’ll spring a surprise or two is still up in the air!
Main man: Son Heung-Min: The “jewel in the crown” of South Korea’s extremely talented squad! His electric pace, brilliant technique and lethal shot are just a small part of his repertoire of skills and much of South Korea’s performance up-front will depend on this future star.
Odds (average from top 24 betting firms): 403
Ahmad Al-Omar - 7. Jun, 06:27
