Day Six of World Cup 2014 closes with the final match of the first round, between Group H rivals Russia and South Korea. As I mentioned in the preview to the first match in Group H, which Belgium won 2-1 over Algeria, this is a relatively open group from which each team has a decent chance of advancing.
What’s At Stake
It’s hard to say which Group H side should have been favorite to progress from the group alongside Belgium, who are now the clear favorites. Algeria’s loss means the door is open for both Russia and South Korea, but Algeria’s performance means it’s only cracked; the North Africans proved difficult to break down and capable going forward, and neither Russia nor South Korea has a Plan B as useful as Belgium’s Marouane Fellaini.
That means today’s match is especially significant as perhaps the best chance either team has of picking up three points. That sounds strange – how can each side see this match as easy? – but it’s an effect of the unknown quality of both teams. Russia now count on few of the players who were hailed as a golden generation six years ago – think of Andrei Arshavin’s decline, for example – and South Korea have the usual assortment of intelligent playmakers who don’t quite come together. Neither team should be afraid of the other; let’s hope for an interesting game until the first goal.
I mentioned South Korea’s attackers; they’ll be counted on to provide creativity ahead of two solid defensive holders in a true 4-2-3-1. Fortunately, there are genuinely good players in this side, including the familiar Park Chu-Young, Son Heung-Min, and ex-Arsenal man Lee Chung-Yong. Watch Lee, who can be explosive and unpredictable with his movement, for some flashes of brilliance.
It’s hard to know how Russia will play. They recently lost their captain and best player, attacking midfielder Roman Shirokov, and they don’t have a lot of attacking or goal-scoring quality up top, barring an incredible return to form by the once-good Alan Dzagoev. The three most recognizable names in the Russian side are goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and the two central defenders, Sergey Ignashevich and Vasily Berezutsky. Those last two might have problems against pace, which the South Koreans don’t necessarily have (though Algeria and Belgium do). They might need to be protected; we’ll see how defensively coach Fabio Capello wants to play.
Daniel Mann and Kasey Keller. Keller has done well so far, but pronouncing Russian and Korean names…there must be a drinking game in here somewhere…
Match-specific Drinking Games
Park Ji…Kim…Jung…Um: Take a drink any time Kasey Keller gives up on a Korean name and says something offensive.
Missing Star: Take a shot every time a commentator mentions the injured Shirokov. Shotgun a beer if his image appears onscreen. How drunk? If you don’t watch the pregame, you’ll be all right.
Up: Down a bottle of vodka in the event that Fabio Capello’s entire house is lifted into the sky by thousands of balloons. How drunk? This probably won’t happen, but no one saw it coming the first time, either…
Russia: No points for guessing the Russian drink. It’s vodka. My Belorussian friend Sergei told me drinking pepper-sprinkled vodka and wrapping up in a thick blanket can cure any illness. Try it!
South Korea: Soju. I had this stuff when I worked in Korea briefly. Perfect for working late, going out for co-ed “karaoke,” and forgetting you have a wife and children.
For more:
– Read my general World Cup watching guide.
– Check out Zonal Marking, my favorite tactics website.
– See a commentary schedule or a review of each commentator.
– See where I’m getting my national drink recommendations.
– Check out other match previews from this group: Belgium vs. Algeria
Picture credit: cnn.com, jlcauvin.com
Comments are closed.