Preview: South Korea vs Greece
May 21st 2010 04:44
Let's now look at the opening Group B game with South Korea vs Greece taking place live at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, June 12 2010. South Korea will come in as huge underdogs because let's face it - they are not the same team as they were under Guus Hiddink. It was clearly obvious the moment the Dutchman left. Sure, they continue to dominate Asian football along with Japan and Australia, but they have lacked a genuine game changing player, or the ability to produce them in any decent supply. Manchester United's Park Ji Sung will once again be their key player but they have relied on him for much too long now and familiarity breeds familiarity which means other teams know how to keep hold of a player that is known more for his energetic running and undying effort instead of creativity or vision.
Otto Rehhagel has never strayed far from his usual tactics with Greece and it will be a total focus on defending again. After their amazing, but ultimately less than inspiring, run to the Euro finals a couple years back, the Greek have been synonymous with dour football with the agenda on keeping clean sheets before trying their luck scoring a goal or two to get a win. In a group with the two main favourites hardly having had the best of preparations, Greece may actually have a realistic chance of getting through to the next round. But everything will depend on how well they do against the South Koreans whom many are tipping to prop up Group B with their lack of star appeal and the presence of Argentina and Nigeria completing the group.
South Korea will no doubt open with their strategy centred around tight defending and tireless hassling of players on and off the ball. It worked with great results in the 2002 World Cup but that was in the comfort of familiar surroundings and most have already gotten round to their methods. It could still prove effective against Greece but against the other two of Argentina and Nigeria, they may come undone although it is always unpredictable against those two countries. There has been a resurgence of Korean football at club level though as the K League has seen many of their clubs doing well against the region's best. But whether the best domestic players can make the next level internationally remains to be seen.
Greece may even be considered to be the South Korea of Europe with their style and tactics. Good, organised lineup with emphasis on tactical maneuvering in order to get the better of opponents. Yet they have an over reliance on making sure the other side does not score against them, and when that cannot be prevented, Greece usually end up doing no better than a draw, such is the lack of cutting edge upfront. What cannot be denied though is a very tough set of defenders best exemplified - at least publicly due to his greater exposure with Liverpool - in Sotiris Kyrgiakos. The loss of form this past season of Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras will be a concern although his flair will continue to be a key factor for Greek success.
Otto Rehhagel has never strayed far from his usual tactics with Greece and it will be a total focus on defending again. After their amazing, but ultimately less than inspiring, run to the Euro finals a couple years back, the Greek have been synonymous with dour football with the agenda on keeping clean sheets before trying their luck scoring a goal or two to get a win. In a group with the two main favourites hardly having had the best of preparations, Greece may actually have a realistic chance of getting through to the next round. But everything will depend on how well they do against the South Koreans whom many are tipping to prop up Group B with their lack of star appeal and the presence of Argentina and Nigeria completing the group.
South Korea will no doubt open with their strategy centred around tight defending and tireless hassling of players on and off the ball. It worked with great results in the 2002 World Cup but that was in the comfort of familiar surroundings and most have already gotten round to their methods. It could still prove effective against Greece but against the other two of Argentina and Nigeria, they may come undone although it is always unpredictable against those two countries. There has been a resurgence of Korean football at club level though as the K League has seen many of their clubs doing well against the region's best. But whether the best domestic players can make the next level internationally remains to be seen.
Greece may even be considered to be the South Korea of Europe with their style and tactics. Good, organised lineup with emphasis on tactical maneuvering in order to get the better of opponents. Yet they have an over reliance on making sure the other side does not score against them, and when that cannot be prevented, Greece usually end up doing no better than a draw, such is the lack of cutting edge upfront. What cannot be denied though is a very tough set of defenders best exemplified - at least publicly due to his greater exposure with Liverpool - in Sotiris Kyrgiakos. The loss of form this past season of Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras will be a concern although his flair will continue to be a key factor for Greek success.
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