THE GROUP-F MATCH BEGINS WITH SWEDEN TAKING ON SOUTH KOREA - Googly Mania

		
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
								
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
							
					
				
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
				
		
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

	
        

        
        

        
        

	
        

        
        
		














		

    

    
        
        
        

THE GROUP-F MATCH BEGINS WITH SWEDEN TAKING ON SOUTH KOREA

In a way, both the countries Sweden and South Korea are in a very tough group. Hence, a great deal of diligence needs to be undertaken in order steamroll the other teams. However, in their first fixture, they will be facing each other.

Sweden is without Zlatan Ibrahimovic this year and it's quite unsettling. They put a positive spin on their stellar striker's absence by finishing ahead of Netherlands and then beating Italy in a play-off to qualify for Russia. Maybe life won't be so bad without Ibrahimovich, whose dominance in the team might have been as much of a hindrance than help. South Korea reached the semifinals at home in 2002 and the last 16 in 2010, but the 2014 World Cup in Brazil brought no wins along with a humiliating return home.

The opening game is crucial for both teams with defending champion Germany and Mexico, who meet in Moscow on Sunday, waiting in Group F.

sweden-content-1

Sweden’s top frontman post of Ibrahimovic is now held by Marcus Berg. Under coach Janne Andersson, there's a feeling that this team, with defender and captain Andreas Granqvist and attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg, is more balanced. Not so reliant on one player, albeit an exceptional player.

On the other hand, South Korea is playing with a comparatively less-stronger team this year. The main focus will obviously be on Son Heung-min. this Tottenham Hotspur star is the main focus. Extremely versatile Son, can play at any position in the forward, as he has shown his talent in being the second striker and the main striker. Son has garnered a reputation since his move to Tottenham as an elite finisher and one who displays excellent attitude and work rate, exemplified in his forward pressure and off-ball movement. Also, Koo Ja-Cheol is a name that most football fans may not be familiar with. A midfielder who currently plays in Germany for Augsburg, Koo has exceptional technique and vision, and an often Lampard-like ability to make the late run and find the back of the net from midfield.

sweden-content-2

A legend of South Korean football, Lee Keun-ho won’t be going to the World Cup due to injury, ruled out after being named in the preliminary squad. A winger by trade, Lee has played most of his career in his native Korea, racking up 63 league goals in 210 league appearances.

Despite all the odds and having a little number of good players on the team, there is really not that much that the Korean international team can do to create a huge amount of pressure especially when Germany is in the same group. Their fate will be decided today in Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

You can share this post!

...