Sweden vs Korea Republic Soccer Preview
This opening match between Sweden and Korea Republic could well decide their future, with defending Germany looming large in Group F.
The Swedes are a solid and well-knit unit that has qualified for Russia 2018 at the expense of Italy no less. This is their first game in the world finals in 12 years. Sweden is making their return, but this time without their talisman for the last decade, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The South Koreans have a very clear objective, embarking on their tenth World Cup campaign. Their objective is to improve their performance, since in Brazil four years ago they went home early collecting a solitary point in the group stage.
Did you know that Sweden’s and Korea’s first face-off was back at the 1948 Olympic Games in London, where the Scandinavians won 12-0? Will Taeguk Warriors end their winless run against the Swedes in the first world finals encounter?
Possible line-ups:
Sweden: Forsberg, Olsen, Lindelof, Augustinsson, Berg, Toivonen, Lustig, Granqvist, Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal.
Korea Republic: Kim Younggwon, Jang Hyunsoo, Park Jooho, Hwang Heechan, Lee Jaesung, Son Heung-min, Kim Seunggyu, Lee Yong, Ki Sungyueng, Jung Wooyoung, Kim Shinwook.