What: FIFA 2010 World Cup
Who: Argentina vs South Korea (Group B)
When: Thursday 17th June, 2010, at 12:30 UK Time
Where: Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa
La Albiceleste Seeking That Clinical Touch
Argentina were by far the more dominant team in their opener against Nigeria, yet only won 1-0 and in truth were hanging on towards the end. La Albiceleste created chances frequently throughout the 90 minutes, but squandered all but one of them. Gonzalo Higuain was the most wasteful with Lionel Messi also going close on a number of occasions. The two times world champions will want to me more clinical in front of goal against South Korea as they bid to get the victory and step closer to the last 16.
Tigers of Asia Roaring
Even though South Korea came up against a mediocre Greek side, the 2002 semi-finalists showed enough to suggest they can be a genuine threat in 2010. The Taeguk Warriors moved the ball around with good purpose, were positive in their approach, full of energy and desire and emerged from their opening match with a deserved 2-0 victory. The Asian giants now travel to Johannesburg for a clash with Argentina with top spot in Group B very much up for grabs and full of belief that it could actually be possible.
Recent form
Argentina:
Argentina 4-0 Haiti (06/05; Friendly)
Argentina 5-0 Canada (24/05; Friendly)
Argentina 1-0 Nigeria (12/06; World Cup – Group B)
South Korea:
Belarus 1-0 South Korea (30/05; Friendly)
Spain 1-0 South Korea (03/06; Friendly)
South Korea 2-0 Greece (12/06; World Cup – Group B)
Players to watch
Argentina – Gonzalo Higuain: The Real Madrid man was the main culprit as Argentina squandered a sequence of excellent chances in their World Cup opener against the Super Eagles. With the in-form Inter striker Diego Milito waiting in the wings Higuain will not want to continue to miss clear goal scoring opportunities again. Can he open his World Cup account against the Taeguk Warriors?
South Korea – Cha Du-Ri: South Korea’s right back had a comfortable afternoon against the non-threatening Greeks in the opener, but he is likely to have increased workload against the South Americans. The 29-year-old, who plays his club football in Germany with Freiburg, will be marking Benfica’s highly coveted winger Angel di Maria and will also have to contend with the free-roaming Lionel Messi. If the Bundesliga player can keep those around him quiet then South Korea may be able to spring a surprise result.
Match prediction
This will be the Taeguk Warriors’ first game on the Highveld; their opener against Greece was at sea level in Port Elizabeth, so it will be interesting to see if there is any obvious advantage for Argentina who have already played in Johannesburg. Altitude aside, South Korea’s pressing game will unsettle Diego Maradona’s team, but they should have enough quality on the ball to secure victory. It’s set up to be a good game which Argentina will win 3-2.
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