World Cup 2022 : Brazil Beware the Tigers Bite!

Brazil vs South Korea

The World Cup 2022 moves into the knockout phase this week and the tournament favourites are in action on Monday, when Tite’s Brazil take on South Korea.

Having already won Group G, Brazil lost their final game against Cameroon while South Korea qualified in the most dramatic fashion, with a last gasp winner against Portugal, which meant they went through on goals scored as Uruguay crashed out. Hee-Chan Hwang’s 91^st minute strike was one of the biggest World Cup 2022 highlights so far as the Korean section of the 44,000 crowd at the Education City Stadium went justifiably wild.

When the Portugal/Korea game moved into injury time Paulo Bento’s team was out of the competition but the never-say-die running of Heung-Min Son gave Hwang the golden opportunity which he took brilliantly. The dramatic win will have taken quite some energy out of the Koreans and the question remains whether they can recover in time to take on the very best. Brazil coasted through their group and rested many of their front-line players in their final game and they will start as strong favourites…but there is no way that Tite will underestimate Asia’s most dangerous team.

Talking Points

Favourites have plenty of attacking options

At SBOTOP odds of 1.25 to win this game, the Selecao are hot, hot favourites and they will be virtually at full strength. Though they are waiting to see whether PSG striker Neymar will be fit in time, Tite has a wealth of attacking talent in his squad. The coach managed to make wholesale changes to his attacking line-up in the final game against Cameroon, handing a first start to Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli who was the standout performer on the day. His speed and direct running on the left troubled Cameroon and he certainly did enough to warrant a start against South Korea.

Martinelli’s clubmate Gabriel Jesus had a quiet game, while Rodrygo and Antony both struggled to make a big impact. There was too much individual play from Brazil’s front runners, though undoubtedly each player has limitless skill. So we can expect a return of Vinicius Junior to the starting line-up, with Richarlison likely to step in for Antony. Jesus may keep his place if Neymar doesn’t make it and Barcelona’s Raphinha is also in the mix.

Brazil coasted through the group stages with clinical victories over Serbia and Switzerland before resting key players for the dead rubber against Cameroon. Vincent Aboubakar’s late header was only the second goal conceded by the Samba Boys in six games and it won’t worry Tite too much. He’ll be concentrating on getting the right mix in attack.

Korea rely heavily on the Spirit of the Son

The Tigers of Asia are not a one-man team but I’d venture to say that if Heung-Min Son had not recovered from his eye injury in time for the World Cup, South Korea would already be out. The Tottenham Hotspur striker is yet to open his goal account in Qatar but the skipper refused to accept his team was dead and buried against Portugal and his lung-bursting run to set up Hwang’s winner was typical of his determination and skill, and the passion that courses through the veins of the group he leads. Hwang’s last goal for Wolves came back in February so head coach Paulo Bento started him on the bench, but he may just have bought himself a ticket to start in this blockbuster clash with Brazil.

But Son is the man who gives the Korean fans hope, even in this daunting situation. The captain won’t stop running until the final whistle and, as every Premier League defence knows, he has a match-winning moment in him.

History

These two teams have met four times in the past with the same outcome on each occasion, a win for the Samba Boys, the latest being a 5-1 exhibition display in June of this year as Neymar scored a brace.

In terms of recent form, with five wins and a defeat Brazil are in fine shape while the Koreans are in decent condition too, with three wins, two draws, and a single defeat.

Betting Tip

Brazil have been favourites to win this tournament from the off and the World Cup 2022 betting odds say they will make it to the last eight in relative comfort. I believe the Selecao will progress but not without a fight against the Tigers of Asia who have steadily improved at the Group stage.

The draw is at odds of 5.60 and a Korea win, within 90 minutes, is a tempting 10.50 for fans of the Asians. This game will be a brilliant watch for the neutrals as the artists of Brazil try to break down the warriors of South Korea and Tite will be relieved when it’s over…providing the Tigers don’t bite again.

 

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