South Korea vs Portugal – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is South Korea vs Portugal on and what time does it start? South Korea vs Portugal will take place on Friday 2nd December, 2022 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is South Korea vs Portugal taking place? South Korea vs Portugal will take place at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for South Korea vs Portugal? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for South Korea vs Portugal
What channel is South Korea vs Portugal on in the UK? South Korea vs Portugal will be televised live on BBC
Where can I stream South Korea vs Portugal in the UK? South Korea vs Portugal can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app
THE LOWDOWN
SOUTH KOREA
- South Korea scored a quick-fire double in the second half of their clash with Ghana as they were able to draw level having trailed 2-0 at the break but they subsequently conceded a third as they fell to defeat.
- They must now win this final game of the group against leaders Portugal to have any chance of progressing but they could still be without Hwang Hee-chan who continues to struggle with a hamstring issue.
PORTUGAL
- Portugal booked their spot in the Round of 16 as they secured a 2-0 victory over Uruguay to continue their 100% start to the tournament and they will now look to finish as group winners by claiming at least a point from this final clash.
- The Portuguese have the luxury of rotating if they wish but there are unlikely to be too many changes as they aim to carry some momentum into the knockout stages, although Nuno Mendes is out with the injury that forced him from the field against Uruguay and Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as a late doubt after missing training on Thursday.
THE TEAM NEWS
SOUTH KOREA
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Kim Seung-gyu; Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Jin-su; Hwang In-beom, Jeong Woo-young; Kwon Chang-hoon, Jeong Woo-yeong, Son Heung-min; Cho Gue-sung
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Hwang Hee-chan (Injured)
PORTUGAL
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Neves, Carvalho; Fernandes, Felix, Leao
UNAVAILABLE: Nuno Mendes (Injured), Danilo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Otavio (Injured), Ronaldo
THE KEY STATS
- Korea Republic defeated Portugal 1-0 in the group stage in 2002 in the only previous international match between these two nations
- Korea Republic have won only one of their last 11 World Cup matches (D3 L7)
- Five of Korea Republic’s six wins in the tournament have been against European teams, they defeated Poland, Portugal and Italy in 2002, Greece in 2010 and Germany in 2018
- Korea Republic have only failed to score in four of their last 16 World Cup matches
- Against Ghana, Cho Guesung became the first player to score two goals in a FIFA World Cup match for Korea Republic
- Portugal have lost only one of their last 14 World Cup group stage matches (W8 D5)
- Portugal have won two successive matches at the start of a World Cup final competition for the third time. On the two previous occasions they went on to win their third and match and then reached the semi-finals (1966 and 2006)
- Portugal have lost only one of their previous five World Cup matches against AFC nations (W3 D1). The sole defeat came against Korea Republic in 2002
- Against Uruguay, Portugal's Pepe became the oldest outfield player for a European team at the FIFA World Cup at the age of 39 years and 275 days
- Portugal have lost only three of their last 18 international matches (W13 D2)
- Portugal have kept five clean sheets in their last eight international matches
THE PREDICTION
South Korea know it is win or bust ahead of this final game in Group H. With just a point to their name from two matches, they must overcome already qualified Portugal in this clash or they will be eliminated while they also need the other game in the group to fall their way too. Portugal have impressed so far and will take some beating, regardless of the team they field. They could opt to rotate here but it is expected that they will still name a strong line-up and they should have enough to make it three wins from three which would see them top the group in convincing fashion.
TIP: PORTUGAL TO WIN
