Sweden have returned to the World Cup with an opening game win over a disappointing South Korea, who after a solid first half, failed to turn up in the second half. A second half penalty to Andreas Granqvist was the difference between the two sides.
This match was characterised by physicality. Both teams traded fouls throughout the match, the clash of bodies occurring in all parts of the field, at every stage of the match.
The match was also signified by the involvement of VAR, after Sweden had screamed at the referee for a penalty, screams which appeared to fall upon deaf ears. However, when the game next stopped, and the referee got the tell-tale touch on his ear, upon further viewing, he pointed to the spot. Granqvist making no mistake.
Korea will now truly be up against it to make the knock out stage of this tournament, particularly keeping in mind they have Germany to come. As for Sweden, with three points in the bank, they can look to the rest of the tournament with hope and vigour, they’re only concern being the 15 shots on goal that produced the single goal, and that one being a penalty.
Final score
Sweden 1
South Korea 0
Match 12 kicks off Day 5 at the FIFA World Cup with Sweden matching up against South Korea in the second group F match at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10pm (AEST).
If there is a group of death in this tournament, this is it for mine, with a reigning world champion, and a central American, Asian, and fellow European side making up the four teams in the group. Given that Germany have never failed to make the knockout tournament stage, that really leaves three teams vying for that last knockout spot.
The thing that these two nations have in common is they both did what they needed to do to qualify. Neither topped their respective qualification groups, but certainly showed enough to demonstrate that they have the quality to mix things up a little.
Sweden did what most thought they could not do to get here: beat Italy, meaning the four-time world champion did not qualify. So you would think that beating one world champion would give Sweden all the confidence in the world coming into the World Cup itself.
Belief, as demonstrated by the likes of Iran, Iceland, and even Australia, can sometimes be the key ingredient in any tournament based play, and it may well be the difference here. That belief also saw Sweden score goals galore in the qualification phase, managing 26 in their ten group qualification matches.
South Korea, on the other hand, are a team searching for an identity. The wonderland that was the 2002 World Cup seems like a lifetime ago.
While that tournament was seen as a turning point for the nation as a football powerhouse, Korea have never really pressed on from that performance. Entering this World Cup, they find themselves ranked 57th in the FIFA world rankings.
However, Korea have one ace up their sleeve, and that is their star player Son Heung-Min. A key player for London giant Tottenham Hotspur, the Korean frontman will be the main threat for the Asian nation against a well-drilled Swedish unit.
These two nations also have some history, having met four times in the past, though this will be their first World Cup meeting. Sweden to date are undefeated against Korea, having won two and drawn the others.
Prediction
The difference here will be the attack. Sweden know how to score, and Korea can only expect so much from Son. The other thing in Sweden’s favour is that they haven’t lost a World Cup match since Italia 90, and it is hard to see that streak coming to an end with this match.
Sweden 3 – Korea Republic 1.
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perry cox
Roar Guru
Germany will be right on the edge now. Their next game is vital.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Essentially MQ. Though the detail was a little more fascinating than that.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time Sweden have returned to the World Cup with an opening game win over a disappointing South Korea, who after a solid first half, failed to turn up in the second half. A penalty to Andreas Granqvist in the 65th minute being the difference between the two sides, as Sweden finished the match 1-nil winners, joining Mexico as first up winners in group F. This match was characterised by physicality. Both teams traded fouls throughout the match, the clash of bodies occurring in all parts of the field, at every stage of the match. South Korea played a disciplined first half, defending with strength and in good positions. Goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo putting in a commanding performance between the posts, as Sweden came in with shot after shot. Korea’s resistance could not be broken, instead, with every Swedish attack they withstood, you expected them to break and score a goal of their own. Alas, after half-time, Korea never turned up, and while it was a penalty that separated the sides, you always felt that Sweden’s time was coming. The match was also signified by the involvement of VAR, with Sweden screaming at the referee for a penalty after a tackle by Kim Min-Woo on Viktor Claesson, screams which appeared to fall upon deaf ears. However, when the game next stopped, and the referee got the telltale touch on his ear, upon further viewing, it was clear that the Korean defender had been nowhere near the ball, and heavily fouled his opponent. The referee had no hesitation upon further viewing in pointing to the spot. Granqvist made no mistake. Son Hweung-min was a standout for Korea, and involved in everything that Korea did well. However, it was late in the game that Korea’s best, and admittedly only, chance came, when in late stoppage time, Hwang Hee-chan had a clean header on goal to salvage a point for the Asian giants. Alas, Hwang’s header would be off target, and the result essentially finished. Korea will now truly be up against it to make the knock out stage of this tournament, particularly keeping in mind they have Germany to come. As for Sweden, with three points in the bank, they can look to the rest of the tournament with hope and vigour, they're only concern being the 15 shots on goal that produced the single goal, and that one being a penalty.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
This makes things relatively interesting for the group, hey? You'd have to assume Germany - despite their loss - are still in contention to progress, whilst both Mexico and Sweden seem challenging.
MQ
Guest
In the end, a regulation 1-0 win for Sweden
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time 95' - Well that is it - referee blows full time. Game, set and match, Sweden.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
93' - The ball bobbles in the area, there's a deflection? Penalty? Not a chance. Instead, Sweden get a free kick to clear the danger. That might just do it.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yes it would have been more exciting on Optus. :-P
perry cox
Roar Guru
93' - Korea have been gifted a corner, which goes short.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
Maybe Optus know what they're doing.
perry cox
Roar Guru
92' - HWANG WITH A HEADER! It is well wide! Oh no - that was a free header, he needed to at least hit the target there. What a wasted opportunity, so late in the game.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0
MQ
Guest
That was the moment
TomC
Roar Guru
Wow, you just shouldn't miss those.
AGO74
Guest
Well this 2nd half has probably been the most underwhelming 45 minutes of the World Cup - I'd like to thank Optus for allowing SBS to show it!
perry cox
Roar Guru
91' - We will have 4 stoppage minutes, as that Korean attack breaks down. They just don't have the attack I'm afraid.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
90' - Berg fouls a Korean player, and the Asians come back again, holding a bit of possession, slowly building up a head of steam. They move the ball around a little, looking for that killer pass. Son heavily involved in the lead up here. This looks good actually.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0
Griffo
Roar Guru
3-1 in attack against a 5-2 defence. Korea just aren’t that skill full to overcome those odds and score an equaliser like that.
perry cox
Roar Guru
88' - Now Korea again foul a Swedish defender, and Sweden will easily clear the danger. It is now looking dire for Korea. They seem aimless and without ideas.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
87' - Korea make an important tackles as Sweden attack around the penalty area, and clear. Sweden though send a free kick straight back. Then Sweden foul Korea, and Korea will now send it straight back. It really has just been one of those games.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
86' - Korea need one chance here. It just doesn't look like materialising. They could be watching their world cup end before it has actually begun. 60% of possession for Sweden tonight. They've been in control, but will want to be more efficient and clinical in front of goal for their next matches.
Sweden: 1 South Korea: 0