World Cup Holders Germany will brace themselves for a tough battle when they face South Korea in their final Group fixture at Kazan Arena on Wednesday. Both the teams will look to end their group stages with positivity with the defending champions need a win at all costs from the South Korea vs Germany match to send themselves through to the knockout stage.
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The last couple of days have been nothing but dramatic…
Who's ready to do it all again? pic.twitter.com/P72pxbjNka
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 27, 2018
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Germany won their last match with Sweden in deep stoppage time,thanks to a Toni Kroos stunner in what was a very tight and thrilling fixture.
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South Korea,on the other hand have faced defeat in both of their games despite showing some great promise. Apparently they have still hopes to qualify if they beat the reigning champions by two or more goals and hope that Mexico beats Sweden.
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GERMANY:
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It will be D-Day for the holders as they face their day of reckoning at the tournament with the Germans need a victory in the South Korea vs Germany clash to be sure of reaching the knockout stages. They have shown vulnerability in the back conceding the same amount of goals they have scored this World Cup and will look forward to change that stat.
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They have three points from two games and are currently tied with Sweden on points but have a better goal difference. After an unsatisfactory performances in the last two games, Germany will hope to up the ante in the South Korea vs Germany clash in order to qualify for the round of 16.
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24 hours until it's our turn ????#DieMannschaft #ZSMMN #KORGER pic.twitter.com/hfrEHn7TQx
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 26, 2018
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KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
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MARCO REUS (Borussia Dortmund)
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After missing out the last World Cup and also the Euros due to injuries, Reus is relishing his chance to play in a major tournament and leading the German attack.
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The Borrusia Dortmund winger has shown a positive consistent performance in the last two games as the other german players failing to find their groove. He was a constant threat to the Swedish defence and used his pace and intelligence to produce some clever moments. He scored the all important equalizer early in second half against the blagult.
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Man of the match on his first start at the #WorldCup Take a bow Marco Reus #GER pic.twitter.com/WEQnkmS8lS
— BVB Buzz (@BVBBuzz) June 23, 2018
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Head Coach Low will surely reap the benefits of the talented attacker and expect him to produce another impressive display for his country in the South Korea vs Germany clash.
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TIMO WERNER (RB LEIPZEG)
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Although Werner did not have a good game in the first fixture vs Mexico and faced criticism, the RB Leipzeg forward was outstanding for the Germans in their game vs Sweden, especially in the second half.
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The 22 year old striker skipped away from his marker and crossed for Reus to equalise at 48th minute and also won the crucial free-kick in deep stoppage time which later was converted by Toni Kroos.
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Timo Werner: "I'm playing my first World cup. I wouldn't change the feeling of representing my country at this stage with all the money of the world. I've played Bundesliga and Champions League football but there is no comparison with the #WorldCup " #GER pic.twitter.com/5MITYBDEz5
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 25, 2018
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Werner was a threat to Sweden in the second half as he troubled the Swedish defence with his pace and was moved to the left wing after the introduction of Mario Gomez in the start of the second half which proved to be a good tactical change by Low.
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His attacking threat and link up play will be key for Germany to produce an Mesut Ozil assisted masterclass in South Korea vs Germany in order to secure their position in the round of 16
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SOUTH KOREA:
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Having lost both of their opening fixtures of the group stages, South Korea are likely to exit the tournament despite showing some good performances. Although,they still have a chance mathematically if they beat Germany by 2 or more goals and the other result go their way.
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Having lost by a small margin against Mexico and Sweden,1-0 and 2-1 respectively,the Taegeuk warriors will look to cover their mistakes in the last two games.
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Inspired as a child watching Korea/Japan 2002 on home soil
Lee Jaesung has realised his dream of playing at the #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/vnIKSD84iH
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 27, 2018
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KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
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SON HEUNG-MIN (Tottenham Hotspur)
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The biggest football star in the country, Son showed exactly why by having a good season with Tottenham and scoring some important goals for South Korea in the qualifier rounds.
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Heung min Son ?? pic.twitter.com/j2bfrQDspr
— WILLM #SócioTricolor (@WSociotricolor) June 23, 2018
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If South Korea are to produce an unlikely result,they need to score goals and their best hope in that regard is the 25 year old forward. Although he has been criticized for his performance in the last two games for lacking creativity, he has shown some bright sparks and needs to stand up for his country in South Korea vs Germany which is a do or die encounter.
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HEE-CHAN HWANG (RB SALZBURG)
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The promising striker who also featured for South Korea in 2016 Rio Olympics,sc0red 13 goals in 39 appearances for his club last season as the Austrian Side reached till the Semi finals of the Europa League.
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Scouting Korea's and Red Bull Salzburg Hwang Hee Chan VERSUS Mexico's PSV Hirving Lozano#LFC #Liverpool #CORMEX #worldcup pic.twitter.com/vGTdemskWQ
— Liverpoolzy (@Liverpool_zy) June 23, 2018
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He can also play through the middle or on the either wing and has shown some potential in the last two group fixtures. The 22 year old could be a threat to the German defense on the planks due to his pace and the german centre backs must keep an eye on him in the South Korea vs Germany clash.
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KEY FACTS:
Germany has won all five of its World Cup games against Asian opponents, scoring 19 goals in total and keeping clean sheets in its last three.
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— Son attempted eight shots in South Korea’s loss to Mexico — three more than Korea managed in its opening match against Sweden (five shots).
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— Germany’s victory over Sweden was its first at the World Cup when conceding first since 1998, a 2-1 win over Mexico.
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— Korea has lost its last four World Cup matches in a row, its joint-worst run – it also lost four in a row between 1986 and ’90.
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PREDICTED SCORE FOR SOUTH KOREA VS GERMANY:
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Germany 2-0 South Korea
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With Germany carrying all the momentum with their last gasp win against Sweden,they are expected to play with all their cylinders firing as they need a win to qualify for the knockout stages and it will be no surprise if they beat them in their final group stage fixture.
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Keep visiting Arsedevils for more news and updates on the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia.
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Confirmed Starting XI For South Korea vs Germany
Meanwhile, in Kazan…
The teams are out for #KORMEX! #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/j7ulbAO0Q5
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 27, 2018
[spacer height=”20px”]#GER XI: Neuer, Kimmich, Sule, Hummels, Hector, Khedira, Kroos, Goretzka, Ozil, Reus, Werner
