Already-qualified Portugal will certainly be bidding to secure leading place in Group H when they take on South Korea at the 2022 World Cup on Friday.
Fernando Santos's side only require a point to be certain of ending up at the top of the section, while South Korea need to overcome the European nation to stand any type of possibility of advancing to the round of 16.
South Korea opened their Team H campaign with a goalless draw against Uruguay on November 24 before enduring a 3-2 loss to Ghana in their second suit at the competitors on Monday.
Paulo Bento's side managed to combat back from two objectives behind to level the scores at 2-2 just past the hr at Education City Stadium, however Mohammed Kudus's second of the match in the 68th minute secured all 3 factors for Ghana, putting them in pole position to join Portugal in the round of 16.
South Korea are 3rd in the section on one factor, however they can still qualify for the knockout round of the competition. Undoubtedly, Bento's team will need to overcome Portugal to stand any type of chance of advancing; if they do defeat Santos's side and Uruguay overcome Ghana, then objective distinction would certainly separate both sides.
The Tigers of Asia last handled to reach the knockout round in 2010, with their last 2 World Cups ending in the team phase.
It was always mosting likely to be a difficult request for them to make it out of this area taking into consideration the stamina of their opposition, however they remain in the disagreement at this stage, and also the truth that Portugal have actually already qualified could work in their favour on Friday.
Portugal, as discussed, have already secured their place in the knockout round of the competition, yet they would certainly guarantee first spot in the team with a win or a reel in this match.
Santos's side started their World Cup with a 3-2 success over Ghana, as well as the suit saw Cristiano Ronaldo become the very first males's player to rating in five Globe Cups.
Portugal were after that 2-0 victors over Uruguay on Monday, with Bruno Fernandes racking up twice for the European nation to safeguard their spot in the last-16 stage of the tournament. Ahead of the last matchday, the group are leading of the section, three points clear of second-placed Ghana, that remain in lead to safeguard the 2nd qualification placement.
A Selecao finished third at the 1966 Globe Cup and also 4th at the 2006 competition, but they have actually not been past the round of 16 because the 2006 tournament, with 2 of their last three World Cups finishing in the initial knockout round, while they really stopped working to make it out of the group in 2014.
Ahead of the competition, Portugal were ruled out to be among the favourites, however they have thrilled in their opening up 2 matches and also will absolutely be wanting to finish their group-stage project with a strong outcome against South Korea.
South Korea have actually not been able to utilize Hwang Hee-chan in the tournament thus far as a result of a hamstring problem, and also the forward continues to be a significant question for Friday's competition.
Son Heung-min will certainly again be a particular starter for Bento's group in this suit, with the 30-year-old set to win his 107th cap for the nationwide side, while Napoli's Kim Min-jae will line up in the middle of the protection.
Cho Gue-sung racked up twice versus Ghana last break and will certainly once more lead the line for South Korea, while Kwon Chang-hoon should preserve his place in a broad position.
There need to likewise be a spot in the middle of the park for Hwang In-beom.
When it comes to Portugal, Nuno Mendes had to be substituted in the latter phases of the very first half against Uruguay last break, and also the defender has actually been eliminated of the remainder of the event.
Danilo is additionally out with broken ribs, while Otavio is a doubt with the injury that compelled him to sit out the game against Uruguay last break.
Raphael Guerreiro must come back in for Mendes at left-back, but Cristiano Ronaldo has been ranked as 50/50 for the suit after he missed out on Wednesday's training session.
Santos has actually confirmed that he will certainly make changes for this suit, with Diogo Dalot, Joao Palhinha and also Goncalo Ramos all potentially entering the beginning side.
South Korea feasible starting schedule:
Seung-gyu; Moon-hwan, Min-jae, Young-gwon, Jin-su; Woo-young, In-beom; Chang-hoon, Woo-yeong, Heung-min; Gue-sung
Portugal feasible starting lineup:
Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; Bernardo, Neves, Palhinha; Fernandes; Ronaldo, Ramos
We claim: South Korea 1-2 Portugal
This is likely to be a challenging match for Portugal, as South Korea will need to go for it in search of the three points. There is no question that Bento's side are capable of protecting a victory, but Portugal have the remarkable quality in their squad, and also we are expecting the European nation to relocate onto 9 points in the section.