South Korea vs Ghana: Paulo Bento expects Son Heung-min to step up after Uruguay draw
South Korea and Ghana will fight for three crucial points when they face each other in their second outing in Group H of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Monday.
Despite Federico Valverde and Diego Godin hitting the woodwork, the Taegeuk Warriors impressed as they held two-time world champions Uruguay to a goalless draw in their opener at the same venue on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ghana put on a brave show against Portugal, but had no points to show for it as they went down 3-2 to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao.
Andre Ayew and Osman Bukari struck for the Black Stars and Inaki Williams could have stolen a point for Ghana in the dying minutes as he almost punished Portugal’s Diogo Costa for some slack goalkeeping.
However, Ghana head coach Otto Addo is adamant the defeat was a learning experience. “Maybe for the public we lost. But for us, we learned. I am happy to have a team that is ready to learn,” Addo said.
As a result, the Africans go into the game against South Korea needing a win to keep their World Cup campaign alive. A defeat will see them exit the tournament before the final round of matches.
A win for South Korea, on the other hand, will bolster their chances of a place in the Round of 16 for the first time since 2010 before going into their final group fixture against favourites Portugal.
“During the first game, we had a chance of at least ensuring a third-place finish. In the second game, we will keep this opportunity. We will enter the field with a focus on a win,” said South Korea coach Paulo Bento.
“I don’t feel any pressure whatsoever. I would love the players to feel the way I do, but I know they come from a different culture. We will have a difficult game but we are able to do well.”
Both coaches have a clean bill of health with Son Heung-min, playing with a fractured eye socket, expected to step up his game against Ghana, according to Bento.
[#생생포토] 적당한 긴장감과 여유로 가나전을 준비하는 #벤투호
✔2022 FIFA 카타르 월드컵 조별리그 2차전
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“He was recently injured and was also adapting, trying to feel comfortable with the face mask. First he needed to feel at ease with his teammates and afterwards with the opponents. The second game will be different,” he said.
For Ghana, Andre Ayew trained separately from the team along with right-back Alidu Seidu following a slight knock from their opener, but is expected to be back in the starting 11 on Monday.
Portugal will face Uruguay in the other Group H match later on Monday.
