Uruguay vs Korea Republic – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Uruguay vs Korea Republic on and what time does it start? Uruguay vs Korea Republic will take place on Thursday 24th November, 2022 – 13:00 (UK)
Where is Uruguay vs Korea Republic taking place? Uruguay vs Korea Republic will take place at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Uruguay vs Korea Republic? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Uruguay vs Korea Republic
What channel is Uruguay vs Korea Republic on in the UK? Uruguay vs Korea Republic will be televised live on BBC
Where can I stream Uruguay vs Korea Republic in the UK? Uruguay vs Korea Republic can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app
THE LOWDOWN
URUGUAY
- Two-time World Cup winners, Uruguay are aiming to recapture former glories, having not made it further than the quarter-finals stage since back in 2010 and on paper, contain a formidable squad capable of mixing it with the very best at the tournament.
- Current Uruguay boss Diego Alonso boasts a plethora of riches to choose from in the striking department, with Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez all available for selection, but the likelihood is that Alonso will opt for Suarez and Nunez as his front two.
KOREA REPUBLIC
- Korea Republic, whilst failing to qualify for the knockout stage, shocked the footballing world four years ago in the group stage, when they beat Germany, thus knocking out the four-time World Cup winners, which serves as a timely reminder not to underestimate them.
- A fractured cheekbone suffered by Heung-Min Son whilst playing for Tottenham Hotspur, left the whole nation sweating over their talisman’s fitness, but having had surgery, the 30-year-old has trained with his teammates and should be fit to feature for his country from the start in this match, albeit in a special mask.
THE TEAM NEWS
URUGUAY
PREDICTED XI (4-3-1-2): Rochet; Nandez, Gimenez, Godin, Vina; Valverde, Vecino, Bentancur; De Arrascaeta; Suarez, Nunez
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Araujo (Injured), Cavani (Fitness)
KOREA REPUBLIC
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Kim Seung-gyu; Jong-gyu, Kim Min-jae, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Jin-su; Hwang In-beom, Woo-yeong, Chang-hoon; Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang Ui-jo, Son
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Son (Fitness)
THE KEY STATS
- Quarter-finalists in 2018, Uruguay have only failed to qualify for the knockout phase in one of their last six World Cup appearances
- Uruguay won both of the previous two World Cup matches between these two nations; 2-1 in 2010 (round of 16) and 1-0 in 1990 (group stage)
- Uruguay have lost only one of their last 11 World Cup group stage matches (W7 D3). They have won each of their last five group stage games
- Uruguay have only failed to score in two of their last 15 World Cup matches
- Uruguay have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine World Cup group stage matches. They have not conceded a goal in their last four group stage games
- Uruguay have kept six clean sheets in their last seven international matches
- Fernando Muslera, Martín Cáceres, Luis Suárez, Diego Godin and Edinson Cavani are all featuring at their fourth World Cup, a feat only previously achieved by one Uruguayan player – Pedro Rocha (1962-1974)
- Korea Republic have featured at the FIFA World Cup on more occasions than another Asian nation, and Qatar 2022 will be their 11th participation since they made their debut in 1954
- Qualification for the 2022 finals has extended their impressive run of successive FIFA World Cup appearances to ten in a row, every edition since 1986, which is a record for a country who have never lifted the trophy
- Five of Korea Republic’s six wins in the tournament have been against European teams, they defeated Poland, Portugal and Italy in 2002, Greece in 2010 and Germany in 2018. The only non-European nation they have defeated is Togo in 2006
- Korea Republic have lost their opening match at only one of the last five World Cup final tournaments (W3 D1), however, the sole defeat was last time out in 2018 vs Sweden (L 1-0)
- Korea Republic have lost four and drawn one of their previous five World Cup matches against South American opposition
- Korea Republic have only failed to score in three of their last 14 World Cup matches
- Eight of Korea Republic’s squad have previous World Cup experience
THE PREDICTION
If Uruguay are to progress from the group stage, then victory over a team who have failed to advance from this stage of the competition in three of their last four World Cup’s is vitally important. Their opponents will likely look to prioritise defensive stability and make themselves as difficult to break down as possible, with a view to unleashing the pace of Son on the counter-attack. But when taking into account the attacking prowess of this Uruguayan unit and the quality of players at their disposal going forward, the expectation is that ‘La Celeste’ will overwhelm the backline of Paulo Bento’s side and do enough to pick up the three points here.
TIP: URUGUAY TO WIN
