 |
| |
|
 |
 |
|
|
INCHEON, South Korea (Ticker) -- The Munhak Stadium will be a sea of red Friday, when co-host South Korea faces Portugal in a Group D match in which World Cup survival is at stake for both sides. South Korea needs at least a tie to avoid becoming the first World Cup host nation to fail to reach the second round. That may be particularly true after historic rival and co-host Japan already may advance earlier on Friday. The original Group D favorite, Portugal bounced back from its shock defeat to the United States, routing Poland, 4-0. Pauleta recorded a hat trick as Portugal displayed the sort of form it hopes will bring World Cup success. South Korea recorded its first-ever World Cup victory, 2-0 over Poland, in its sixth appearance. But the co-host wasted numerous scoring chances in its 1-1 draw against the United States. South Korea coach Guus Hiddink has instilled a Dutch flavor to the Korean game, creating an attacking brand of soccer. However, the Portuguese possess a prolific offense. They scored 33 goals during World Cup qualification, the most of any European team, and that scoring prowess was exhibited against Poland. Portugal coach Antonio Oliveira likely will stick with the same formation used against Poland. But he may include right fullback Abel Xavier, who has recovered from a leg injury. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
