No , this isn't Kim Jong-Il's team. That's the other Korea
In what looks a relatively open group, both South Korea and Greece will feel they have to take three points from their first match if they are to progress.
"If we win, we are in a position to try to qualify for the next round," Greece midfielder Christos Patsatzoglou said. "It's very important not to lose, everybody knows that."
South Korea will feel confident of a victory and look the more likely to go through. Their final warm-up game brought a creditable 1-0 defeat to Spain, and they beat Ivory Coast 2-0 in March on neutral territory. For Greece, their best result in the warm-up games was a 2-2 draw with North Korea.
However, South Korea have a couple of injury doubts, to Park Ji-Sung and Park Chu-Young, which could affect their hopes. Both players are expected to be available but, given the former's importance to the team, Huh Jung-Moo will have cause for concern.
South Korea player in focus: Park Ji-Sung
"If we win, we are in a position to try to qualify for the next round," Greece midfielder Christos Patsatzoglou said. "It's very important not to lose, everybody knows that."
South Korea will feel confident of a victory and look the more likely to go through. Their final warm-up game brought a creditable 1-0 defeat to Spain, and they beat Ivory Coast 2-0 in March on neutral territory. For Greece, their best result in the warm-up games was a 2-2 draw with North Korea.
However, South Korea have a couple of injury doubts, to Park Ji-Sung and Park Chu-Young, which could affect their hopes. Both players are expected to be available but, given the former's importance to the team, Huh Jung-Moo will have cause for concern.
South Korea player in focus: Park Ji-SungHaving proved a vital player for Guus Hiddink for both South Korea and PSV Eindhoven, Park is now a hugely important part of the Manchester United squad. His work-rate is an obvious asset, but he is also capable of scoring goals. An injury scare has threatened to rule him out of the opener, but he is expected to return in time.
Greece player in focus: Sotirios KyrgiakosOtto Rehhagel relies completely on his defence remaining resolute so they can nick narrow victories from set-pieces and centre back Kyrgiakos, who joined Liverpool from AEK Athens last summer, is absolutely central to that aim.
Key battle: Lee Chung-Yong v Kostas Katsouranis
In a heavily defensive team, Panathinaikos' Katsouranis is the defensive midfield general. He will need to work hard to contain 21-year-old Bolton starlet Lee, whose skilful and inventive play from the midfield makes him a huge asset for South Korea.
Trivia:
Trivia:
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel, 71, will be the oldest coach at the World Cup.
Stats:
Stats:
Greece have never won a World Cup match, having qualified for just one previous tournament (USA '94). Greece striker Theofanis Gekas, though, was the top scorer in European qualification for this year's World Cup, scoring ten goals.
ZLBT Match Prediction
Argentina and Nigeria are going to qualify from this group - upsets inclusive. The Greek and Korean defences are gonna be overrun by the Nigerians and Argies awesome strike force. South Korea have a slight advantage with past World Cup games track record. They do not have Guus Hiddink now and that could scuttle their tactical advantage over the more physical Greeks.
THE PICK
DRAW
South Korea 1 - 1 Greece
FIXED ODDS BET
Take stalemate draw @3.13
TOTAL GOALS SCORED OVER & UNDER
Take UNDER 1 3/4 odds 2.075
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