Uruguay vs South Korea

uruguay vs south korea: 0-0

After seeing fellow Asian contenders Saudi Arabia and Japan pull off beautiful wins over Argentina and Germany respectively previously two days, South Korea did not make it three in a row for the continent as they started their 2022 FIFA World Cup marketing campaign with a 0-0 draw in opposition to Uruguay on Thursday.

In a keenly-contested encounter at Schooling City Stadium that was bereft of many clear openings, South Korea’s greatest probability got here within the first half when Hwang Ui-jo blazed wildly over from a respectable place following a well-worked transfer down the suitable.

Nonetheless, it was Uruguay who got here closest to breaking the impasse after however the woodwork twice got here to South Korea’s rescue to disclaim Diego Godin and Federico Valverde and depart each side with a share of the spoils.

Given how aggressive Group H is shaping as much as be, with Portugal and Ghana finishing the quartet, to some extent the opening match may not be a really perfect beginning however, it is usually removed from a devastating blow.

There have been actually positives for South Korea coach Paulo Bento. Chief of all, talismanic captain Son Heung-min was not solely a match to begin the match, however appeared vigorous all through and was match sufficient to final the 90 minutes regardless of it being his first match motion since struggling with a facial fracture initially of the month.

Whereas he beforehand was seen continuously adjusting his protecting masks in coaching classes forward of Thursday, the Tottenham man appeared unbothered by the facial protecting as he persistently tried to create openings within the closing third in opposition to Uruguay.

There’s additionally the truth that Bento’s midfield trio of Jung Woo-young, Hwang In-beam and Lee Jae-sung labored to perfection.

With Jung sitting simply at the entrance of the defense and doing much of the soiled work, Hwang and Lee had been in a position to assist the attackers to supply the primary line of stress on the opposition excessively up the sector, whereas additionally trying to present drive ahead as soon as the South Koreans had the ball.

Whereas the ultimate possession depend was 56% to 44% in Uruguay’s favor, South Korea largely managed proceedings within the opening hour and hardly allowed their opponents to search out any actual fluidity.

Then, there’s additionally the truth that the Taegeuk Warriors had been in a position to hold at bay a crew boasting well-known names comparable to Luis Suarez, Darwin Nunez, Edinson Cavani, Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Granted, they did have the woodwork to thank for 2 shut shaves however goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu was a dependable presence between the sticks, whereas Kim Min-Jae and Kim Younger-Gwon mixed effectively to nullify any risk from the wily Suarez.

There are nonetheless areas that want enchancment. Primarily, it stays to be seen if both Hwang Ui-jo and Cho Gue-sung could be the focus in an assault that leads the South Koreans to the knockout spherical of the World Cup.

Each won’t ever fail to place in a tireless shift and are joyful to place their physique on the road and sacrifice their very own play to be able to convey others like Son, Lee and Hwang into play – however, there will likely be occasions when they are going to be wanted to search out the again of the web too.

As illustrated by Hwang’s gilt-edged miss, his international file of 16 targets from 50 caps is simply not one that instills confidence that he could possibly be the person for the large second when the Taegeuk Warriors really want him.

General, such a show on Thursday in opposition to a crew 14 spots greater than them within the FIFA world rankings bodes effectively for South Korea forward of their subsequent recreation on Monday, once they tackle Ghana.

Three factors in opposition to the Ghanaians — the lowest-placed crew on the event in 61st place on the earth rankings should particularly be given their closing group recreation will likely be up in opposition to Portugal.

So, one level in opposition to Uruguay is certainly all right. One level in opposition to Ghana in 4 days’ time won’t be.