World Cup 2014 – Group H: Match Preview: South Korea – Belgium

When: Thursday, June 26 local time 5PM
Where: Sao Paulo
Stadium: Arena de Sao Paulo, home to Sao Paulo’s Corinthians club, also site of a crane collapse in November that killed two.
Stadium capacity: 65,807
Referee: Benjamin Williams (AUS)

Previous Meetings: Belgium has played South Korea three times with 2 wins and a tie to Belgium. The last meeting was in 1999.

Team weakness

Belgium has already qualified and it is expected that Coach Wilmots will rest some of his key players. This could allow Son and company to take advantage of any miscommunication in the back line. Belgium has not played with much pace so far and South Korea’s persistence could capitalize on a team already qualified and not as concerned with the final result. However, South Korea’s showing has been lackluster at best. While pride has to be an issue, South Korea’s finishing has been poor. Even distracted, Vincent Kompany and Daniel Van Buyten’s experience will probably cause them trouble.

Will Son salvage some South Korean pride?

Team Strengths

Belgium have a stronger bench than South Korea by a long shot. Even if Coach Wilmots goes with a “B” squad, the line up could include people like Adnan Januzaj, a promising young player with Manchester United, Everton’s Kevin Mirallas and Liverpool’s keeper Simon Mignolet. Belgium will also want to silence some of their critics who claim that the Red Devils’ performances of late show that they might be overrated and not have it in them to go deep into the tournament. South Korea meanwhile has all to play for. They are technically not out yet and have a tremendous work rate. For nothing else, they will want to give a good showing to their supportive fans and begin preparations for the upcoming Asian Cup.

Januzaj has the King’s approval

Prediction from International Business Times: 3-1 Belgium
My prediction: 2-1 Belgium

– ForzaSusan