The 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of Sixteen is set to be an exciting match-up between Brazil and South Korea. The Asian team were given the least odds to progress from Group H but defied it by beating Portugal by two goals to one in a dramatic fashion. Nevertheless, facing Brazil is a whole new dynamic and they will firmly arrive at the game as second favorites.
The five-time World Champions, meanwhile, faced a blip with a defeat against Cameroon in the dying minutes. However, much of the squad was rotated as they qualified in the second game. Brazil are tipped to go all the way but will face a resilient South Korean side, which will make for an interesting game.
When & Where?
Venue: Stadium 974, Qatar.
Date: Monday, 5th December 2022.
Time: 8:00 PM CET.
Team News
The big news coming out of the Brazil camp is that Neymar is back on the training pitch and will feature in this game after an ankle injury ruled him out in the group stages. The PSG man will offer a different dynamic to this side. However, Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles are ruled out of the tournament after suffering injuries. Danilo and Alex Sandro are set to return to the lineup.
For South Korea, star defender Kim-min Jae was rested against Portugal with a calf injury and still remains a doubt to play against Brazil. Lee Kang-in also had troubles after the last game but could feature in the all important knockout tie.
Brazil vs South Korea: Pre Match Analysis
Brazil have been structured throughout the tournament in terms of shape, with the full-backs not looking to overlap, while the creative burden falls on the wingers and the attacking midfielders. As a result, they limit counter-attacks from the opposition, which could serve them brilliantly in the knockout stages. They will rely on Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Neymar, and Richarlison to get them past a solid South Korean defense. Casemiro will hold the fort alongside Fred or Bruno Guimaraes.
South Korea have a good mix of talented players with Son- Heung Min, Hwang Hee-chan, and Kim Min-Jae to name a few. They will focus on their ability to keep the ball and make quick, decisive passes from the wide areas as they have all tournament. This is sure to be an exciting match as both teams will be fighting for a spot in the quarter-finals. South Korea are certainly not the favorites, but it will be interesting to see how they match up with Brazil.
Premier League players to watch out for
Brazil have a host of Premier League stars but Casemiro is their standout star. He is an integral part of the national team because of his strength, durability, and tactical awareness. He is a tireless worker who shields the defense while also contributing to the attack.
Moreover, the Manchester United player’s passing and defensive acumen have allowed him to become a leader in the midfield and provide the team with much-needed defensive security. Casemiro’s presence on the pitch allows the Brazilian national team to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game, which is integral to their success.
Son-Heung Min is South Korea’s and Premier League’s hero and will look to stamp his authority against Brazil. He was relatively quiet in the first three games, but the Spurs man showed his worth by assisting Hwang against Portugal. Brazil have to be wary of his speed and agility, which allows him to take on defenders and create space for others.
Predicted XI:
Brazil predicted lineup: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Silva, Sandro; Guimaraes, Casemiro; Neymar; Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius Jr.
South Korea predicted lineup: Seung-gyu; Moon-hwan, Kyung-won, Young-gwon, Jin-su; In-beom, Woo-young; Hwang, Kang-in, Son, Gue-sung.
