After the wins over Serbia (2:0) and Switzerland (1:0) and with certainty of progress, the Brazilian coach Tite could use substitutes for the final match of Group G. Although the South Americans lost to Cameroon 0:1, they still narrowly held the lead in the group by a score.
“It’s a warning. No match in today’s football is easy. This also applies to the round of 16, we can’t choose opponents and claim that a draw is easier,” pointed out the sixty-one-year-old coach, whose team lost after 17 matches.
Editing of the World Cup match Cameroon – BrazilVideo: Czech television
Striker Gabriel Jesus and left back Alex Telles will no longer play in Qatar due to knee injuries. Other wing backs Alex Sandro and Danilo also have problems. That leaves 39-year-old Daniel Alves, who became the oldest Brazilian to start at the World Cup against Cameroon, on the edge of the defense.
“The physical load keeps increasing, the time for regeneration is short. The World Cup is also demanding mentally, it drains you. It’s not just about the matches, but also the preparation or the pressure of the public,” Tite listed the reasons for the health problems. Against Korea, he will have only five fully healthy defenders available, including four stoppers.
At today’s press conference before the match, the coach confirmed that he will already have Neymar at his disposal. The 30-year-old forward practiced with the ball for the first time on Saturday and posted on social media that he was feeling good.
Neymar is rehabilitating in the poolVideo: Reuters
The five-time world champions would repeat their performance from the last championship in Russia by advancing to the quarterfinals. They are waiting for the title 20 years after the tournament in Japan and Korea, where the home team also shone. Korea finished fourth, the only advance of any Asian team to the semi-finals.
Portuguese coach Paul Bento’s men made it to the round of 16 only thanks to a goal by substitute Hwang Hi-chan in the setup for the duel with Portugal (2:1). After a previous goalless draw with Uruguay and a 2-3 defeat with Ghana, four points and a slightly better score were enough for them to advance from the second place in Group H. Uruguay did not add another goal in the hectic end and defeated Ghana only 2-0.
Editing of the World Cup match South Korea – PortugalVideo: Czech television
“It was the longest six minutes of my life,” said captain Son Hung-min while waiting for the result, according to which the Koreans will rely on team performance even in the round of 16. “Some of the players have been here together for over a month. We’re all very close and we support each other. Even those who don’t get on the pitch, we’re a great team,” said the Tottenham striker.
Coach Bento, who will return after a disciplinary punishment, will be on the bench again during the duel with Brazil. Korea will be looking to improve their unflattering head-to-head record, beating Brazil just once and losing six times. The last time the teams met was in June in Seoul, the “Canaries” won 5:1.
