FIFA World Cup: Germany vs South Korea- Match Preview
What's the story
Germany would take on South Korea in their final group match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The defending champions secured a last-minute victory, courtesy of a brilliant injury-time goal from Toni Kroos. The victory has kept their qualification hopes alive. The Germans now need to match or better Sweden's result against Mexico, if they have to make it to the last 16.
Information
Where can you watch this fixture?
Germany vs South Korea match begins at 7:30 PM IST and will be telecast live on Sony Ten 2 SD and HD, Sony Ten 1 HD and SD and Sony ESPN SD. You can also live stream the game on Sony LIV.
Must win game
Odds favor Germany but they need to match Sweden's result
Germany are level on points as well as goal difference with Sweden. Sweden will face Mexico tonight. If Germany and Sweden draw against their respective opponents, then the qualification would be determined by the goal difference. If the records are identical then the team, which had the better result, in the head-to-head tie, will go through In this case, it would be Germany.
Hope
South Korea can still make it to the knock-out stages
South Korea, on the other hand, have the faintest of chances of making it past the group stage. They not only need to beat the Germans by a comfortable margin, to amass the goal difference, but will have to hope that Sweden lose to Mexico. It's all or nothing for the Koreans and Shin Tae-yong and his men will give it all against Germany.
Team news
Hummels returns but Boateng remains suspended
Both sides will be without key stars. For Germany, Jerome Boateng is suspended following his red card against Sweden and Sebastian Rudy, who broke his nose in the fixture, is expected to sit this game out. However, Mats Hummels should return form his neck injury to fill Boateng's void. The Koreans will be without their captain Sung-yueng Ki who picked up a calf injury.
Head-to-head
South Korea have beaten Germany once
The two sides have met thrice before with two of the encounters being at the World Cups in 1994 and 2002. Both of the World Cup matches have been won by Germany. In 2002 World Cup, Germany beat hosts Korea in the semi-final. Korea's only victory, against the Germans, came in a friendly back in 2004, where they won the fixture 3-1.
Information
Korea Republic: Probable Starting XI
Jo Hyeonwoo, Lee Yong, Kim Younggwon, Jang Hyunsoo, Hong Chul, Hwang Heechan, Koo Jacheol, Jeong Wooyoung, Lee Seungwoo, Lee Jaesung and Son Heung-Min
Information
Germany: Probable Starting XI
Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Sule, Mats Hummels, Jonas Hector, Ilkay Gundogan, Toni Kroos; Thomas Muller, Marco Reus, Timo Werner and Mario Gomez.