Match Preview
South Korea let its emotions pour out when it lost a five-goal thriller to Ghana this week, but it can expect no sympathy on Friday from Portugal, which is determined to clinch the top spot in its World Cup group.
South Korea must beat the 2016 European champion - as it did at the 2002 World Cup on home soil - and hope that the result of the other final Group H match between Ghana and Uruguay goes its way too.
Striker Son Heung-min was in tears after Monday’s 3-2 loss to Ghana and coach Paulo Bento was shown a red card for arguing with the referee after he blew the final whistle with his team about to take a corner.
Bento will not be on the bench against Portugal.
Assistant coach Sergio Costa said South Korea would bounce back from their disappointment.
“We clearly deserved a win,” Costa said. “Count on us for the next match.”
South Korea has only one point after drawing its opening game against Uruguay and must beat Portugal to have any chance of progressing.
At the World Cup 20 years ago, South Korea beat a 10-man Portugal - whose team included Bento - in their final group game. The result meant Portugal did not qualify for the next round while the Koreans went on a run that took them to the semi-finals.
Portugal opened its campaign in Qatar with a 3-2 victory against Ghana before enjoying a more controlled 2-0 win over Uruguay on Monday.
But it is not assured of finishing top of its group, a position that would likely see it avoid Brazil in the last 16.
“First place isn’t guaranteed,” coach Fernando Santos said on Monday. “We will go for the top spot, and not just because of Brazil.”
Santos is likely to be forced into more changes to his starting 11 after left-back Nuno Mendes suffered an injury in the first half against Uruguay and was replaced by Raphael Guerreiro.
Centre half Danilo Pereira is sidelined with broken ribs so 39-year-old defender Pepe is likely to keep his place and be tasked with marking South Korean striker Cho Gue-sung, who scored twice in three minutes against Ghana.
Midfielder Otavio also missed the game against Uruguay due to an injury.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo will have a chance to equal the record of World Cup goals scored for Portugal held by Eusebio, who racked up nine goals in 1966 in England, the only tournament he played in.
Ronaldo has scored eight goals in his five World Cups and he claimed his ninth in the win over Uruguay on Monday, only for the goal to be awarded to teammate Bruno Fernandes.
-Reuters
South Korea vs Portugal Predicted XI
LIVE STREAMING INFO
When will the South Korea vs Portugal match kick-off?
The South Korea vs Portugal will kick-off at 8:30 PM IST, December 2.
Where will the South Korea vs Portugal match kick-off?
The South Korea vs Portugal match will kick-off at the Education City Stadium.
Where can you watch the South Korea vs Portugal match in India?
The South Korea vs Portugal match will be telecasted live on Sports18 and Sports18 HD. On Android and well as iOS, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be live streamed on JioCinema.
Where can you watch the South Korea vs Portugal match outside India?
Argentina – Live Stream: Telemundo
United States – TV: FOX, Telemundo; Live Stream: fuboTV, Fox Sports app, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
Canada – TV: CTV, TSN; Live Stream: fuboTV, TSN app
United Kingdom – TV: BBC One; Live Stream: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website
Australia – TV: SBS; Live Stream: SBS On Demand
New Zealand – TV: Sky Sports; Live Stream: Sky Sport
Malaysia – TV: RTM, Astro; Live Stream: Astro Go
Singapore – TV: Mediacorp Channel 5; Live Stream: StarHub TV+, IPTV, Singtel TV
Hong Kong – TV: BeIN Sports, ITV; Live Stream: Now TV, ViuTV
Nigeria – SuperSport and Showmax Pro.
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