If you’re looking for some do-or-die games to get excited for, look no further. South Korea finds itself in a sticky situation needing to win against Belgium, while Belgium needs at least a draw to top Group H at the 2014 World Cup. The World Cup has been full of surprises and high-scoring games so far, and given the way these two teams have played, anything could happen.
This is far from the only exciting match on Thursday. The other critical game in Group H takes place at the same time as Algeria takes on Russia, while earlier in the day Germany takes on the United States for first in Group G. The fate of these two groups are linked, of course, as the top finisher in each group will take on the runner-up of the other in the Round of 16.
It will be a huge day of World Cup action on Thursday – read on for everything you need to know about this Group H match between South Korea and Belgium and create a betting account now to cash in on the excitement.
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South Korea vs. Belgium, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Predictions and Betting Preview
To survive beyond this game, South Korea needs a great deal of help. Not only do they need to defeat Belgium, but they need to do so while scoring at least three more goals than the Red Devils to bring their goal differential to a positive score. South Korea would then need Russia to win against Algeria by just one goal for a sure spot in the second stage of the World Cup.
On the other hand, Belgium is in a comfortable spot needing just a draw to top Group H, having already secured their spot in the next round.
Betting on South Korea
The Taegeuk Warriors are in a scoring rut at this year’s World Cup. Their scoring problems were evident in their first two World Cup games. South Korea’s star midfielder Son Heung Min faded against Russia and couldn’t crack the scoresheet. Against Algeria, South Korea didn’t generate a single shot in the first half. South Korea is currently last in the group with a loss to Algeria and a draw with Russia.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Still, South Korea can find consolation in the resilience they showed against Algeria. After halftime, Son managed to slip past defenders and convert a long cross into a goal. The attacking midfielder later played a significant role finding striker Koo Ja-Cheol unmarked for an easy goal. After scoring against Algeria, South Korea have scored at least once in nine of their last 10 World Cup games.
South Korea’s sloppy defense has hurt them more than anything. Against Algeria, they were caught sleeping on more than one occasion, leaving their opponents unmarked for effortless attempts to score. In the end, they conceded four goals from six shots on-target. They were also outshot 31-19 over their past two games.
South Korea needs to play their best game yet to keep their World Cup dreams alive, and with the Belgians potentially coming in somewhat complacent with the group in hand, they may find an opportunity to steal a result.
Grab a result or two of your own when you create a betting account and get in on the final group games of the 2014 World Cup.
Betting on Belgium
Belgium is poised to sweep their Group Stage games at this year’s World Cup.
The Red Devils have won back-to-back games against Russia and Algeria even while lacking star power in their frontline. All three of Belgium’s goals scored in this World Cup were by substitutes – Divock Origi, Marouane Fellaini, and Dries Mertens.
Fellaini’s goal was his first for the entire season, while Origi has played more games this year as a substitute than as a starter. Mertens is the only one of the three with experience as a starter with 21 appearances for Napoli in Serie A, scoring 11 goals.
Although they haven’t won high-scoring games like most of the tournament favorites, Belgium has taken advantage of every opportunity presented in going 2-0 through their first two games. The Red Devils avoided a draw with Russia when they scored with their first shot on target just a few minutes away from the end of the match. Against Algeria, they came back in the second half to steal the match 2-1.
Belgium makes up for their lack of offense with excellent defense. The Red Devils have just conceded one goal, a penalty, in two matches, and limited Algeria to just three total shots for their whole match (something South Korea couldn’t do). Their taut defense is led by team captain, center back Vincent Kompany. Kompany is adept at stealing the ball from attacking strikers to give his teammates a great chance for a fast-paced counter-attack.
Kompany and company will need to be in top form to hold back a desperate South Korean side that knows how to score. Having already conceded a penalty in the tournament, the South Koreans will be driving into (and diving within) the box in this game at will. Standing strong here would put the Belgians in a confident position heading into the tougher Round of 16.
Writer’s prediction
The way the Red Devils have played isn’t tantalizing, but they’re very efficient. Take Belgium -132 to crush South Korea’s hopes of making it to the second stage with just one decisive goal.
