What: South Korea vs. Greece, Group B, Match 1
When: Saturday, 7:30 am ET
Where: Port Elizabeth Stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
TV: ESPN, Univisión
South Korea and Greece open up play for Group B when they take the pitch at Port Elizabeth. The two teams have faced each other twice before, resulting in a win and a draw for the Taeguk Warriors, but this will be the first time they meet in a World Cup. As the first game, this match will set the tone for the group. Although a win by one team doesn’t necessarily mean they will go on to the playoff rounds, it would certainly give them a fighting chance to qualify; a defeat, on the other hand, will probably leave the loser with no sign of daylight.
South Korea
This matchup probably plays best into South Korea’s strengths. The “Fab Four” —consisting of midfielders of Park Ji-Sung (WATCH: Park profile), Lee Chung-Yong, Ki Sung-Yueng and forward Park Chu-Young— will look to unlock the defensive bolt that is Greece’s defense. Considering the high level of play they can create when in rhythm, Greece will have a long afternoon ahead of them.
WATCH: SOUTH KOREA: TEAM PROFILE
But what the best Asian nation has in speed and grit on offense, they lack on defense. Arguably one of the easiest teams to beat from set pieces, Greece will look to exploit this deficiency come Saturday.
Greece
The Pirate Ship have long been known for their stout defense; that, however, hasn’t been the case as of late, losing friendlies against Paraguay and Senegal and drawing against North Korea prior to the World Cup.
WATCH: GREECE: TEAM PROFILE
Furthermore, center back Vangelis Moras, who’s been out recovering from injury, said he doesn’t want to play against South Korea and risk injury going into the Nigeria match. But Greece do have some offensive options with Eintracht Frankfurt's Theofanis Gekas, who led Europe with 10 goals in qualifying (WATCH: Gekas profile), and Andreas Charisteas, hero of the side's 2004 European Championship.
Key Players
South Korea: Lee Chung-Yong. Greece present a defensive puzzle, and Lee has the tools to solve it. He’s got the speed, moves and technique to thread the ball through to his teammates on the attack.
Greece: Georgios Karagounis. The Greek captain and playmaker is the all-important link between his side’s defense and attack. He cannot afford to have an off-night or it could be game over for the Europeans.
Final Analysis
South Korea’s speed and interminable stamina will give Greece a massive headache, but the European’s size and discipline could ultimately prove to be the difference.
