Uruguay did not lack motivation against South Korea. Only the success remained. A number of deserving players such as Diego Godin, Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Martin Caceres and Fernando Muslera, who are giving their World Cup farewell in Qatar, wanted to shine. Attacker Cavani only came on for Suarez in the 64th minute after an ankle injury. Defender Ronald Araujo didn’t recover in time after tearing his adductor.
Hwang Hee Chan, who is also known to Austrian football fans, was absent from the South Koreans. A thigh injury forced the ex-Salzburg striker to watch. Tottenham star Son Heung Min was there, who was supposed to cause an uproar in the opposing penalty area with a mask after his fracture in the eye area.
South Korea starts offensively
In fact, South Korea started and played, most recently in 2010 in the round of 16 at the World Cup, committed and aggressive in the duels – the guts should be bought from the favored Uruguayans. They also made representations in the penalty area. After Son’s corner kick (2nd), Uruguay goalie Sergio Rochet was able to prevent the worst, i.e. a goal against.
Uruguay was on the defensive. South Korea pushed forward vehemently, repeatedly creating dangerous moments with crosses. At first there were no actual chances. The Uruguayan defense withstood the initial pressure. South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung Gyu was on the ball in the first counterattack (14th) with Matias Vecino attempting to finish.
Goal chances remain scarce
Uruguay was slowly able to free itself. A deflected shot by Fede Valverde (19′) went wide of the target. Darwin missed Nunez three minutes later from a good position. Another attempt from Nunez after a counterattack and a slightly too steep pass from Mathias Olivera was saved by Kim Seung Gyu (27′).
South Korea’s team boss Paulo Bento could be satisfied. His team still had the big favorites under control. Possession was balanced, the mood in the stands at al-Rajjan’s Education City Stadium was good, but the tension was manageable as real scoring chances were stingy – until the 34th minute when Hwang Ui-Jo got the ball from close range by a hair’s breadth over the bar.
Diego Alonso, the Uruguay team boss, looked restless in the coaching zone. His eleven had problems – probably more than expected. With a shudder he may have thought of Argentina’s opening defeat by Saudi Arabia. And out of nowhere the huge chance: Godin placed the ball on the bar after a pass from Valverde (43rd). A glimmer of hope just before the break.
Nothing new after changing sides
How would Alonso react after changing sides? Initially not in terms of personnel, and Bento also trusted in the tried and tested forces. South Korea stayed on the trigger, Uruguay in distress. It also remained the same that there were hardly any chances. Kim Min Jae missed a half-chance after a corner kick from Son (53′). His header fell prey to Rochet.
Unexpectedly, as is often the case in football, Kim Seung Gyu suddenly had to stretch to neutralize a chance from Nunez in the penalty area when Uruguay quickly counter-attacked (63′). Cavani’s first possible chance after being substituted on was thwarted by Kim Min Jae (67′). On the other side, Bentancur later defused a dangerous cross into Son’s penalty area (75′).
In another action by Cavani, Nunez (81.) missed the goal by around two meters in the penalty area. Despite their best efforts, Uruguay found no remedy against South Korea’s involvement. A shot from the pole by Valverde (90th) didn’t change that. On the contrary – in return, Son missed the match ball when he shot from long range. It didn’t get richer.
Comments on the game:
Diego Godin (Uruguay captain): “In the beginning it was tough to get into the game properly. We didn’t have a clear action and had to find our way into the game through the fight. Then we made one or two counterattacks. Standards have also helped us. But somehow the precision was missing.”
Son Heung Min (South Korea captain): “It was a really tough game, both teams had chances. I think both are happy with the point. We should have taken our chances coldly. I’m very proud of my team.”
FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar
Group H, Thursday:
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
Al Rayyan, Education City Stadium, 41,633 spectators, SR Turpin (FRA)
Uruguay: Rochet – Caceres, Godin, Gimenez, Olivera (79. Vina) – Pellistri (88. Varela), Bentancur, Vecino (78. De la Cruz), Valverde – Suarez (64. Cavani), Nunez
South Korea: S. Kim – M. Kim, Minjae Kim, Y. Kim, J. Kim – J. Lee (75. J. Son), W. Jung, I. Hwang – Na (75. K. Lee), U. Hwang (74. Cho), H. Son
Yellow cards: Caceres or Cho
The best: Valverde, Bentancur and H. Son
