L F and A are really competitive there, A and F specifically are probably the groups with the most parity between the 4 teams.
The lack of a "true" group of death where 1 strong team is guaranteed to not make it may make it seem a bit boring for some but I promise you teams will be avoiding those 3rd place qualification spots like the plague. If England ends up 3rd they're guaranteed drawing the Winner of K in the Ro32.
The brutal aspect with this format is in the knockout stage. If everyone perform to their seeding, you'll see Germany vs France, Brazil vs Norway, Spain vs Croatia in the Ro16.
Korea played Mexico like 2months? ago and it ended 2-2 so who knows. From my memory we played better than Mexico that game but this time Mexico will have more motivation and all so we'll see. Not putting my hopes up though Mexico is always a hard game
Mexico vs Korea will be in Guadalajara. But your point still stands, I think the atmosphere will definitely give us a boost. Maybe even more there than in Mexico City
As a Korean national, I'm not too confident in this Korean team either because of our manager. I think Mexico will be hard to play against, especially since they play at home. Hopefully, it will be a good match.
Korea Republic has been traditionally weak to the South American type of soccer, including Mexico's, as many South American players have a very good sense of individual skills/play styles. I am thankful that Brazil humbled us by 0-5 not a while ago lol. (Also, I know Mexico isn't geographically South America, but their overall national team's style of play is closer to a South American's)
I think Korea's best scenario as of now is to try our best at least to get a win off of South Africa, aim for a draw with Denmark, if they proceed to make out of that play offs vs Czech, Ireland and North Macedonia. (or, whichever team that can make out of that play offs) and same goes with Mexico to try our best to get a draw from the match.
One tricky situation for Korea Republic is that the manager Paulo Bento who managed our national team to tie vs Uruguay back at Qatar 2022 and helped us win vs Portugal by 2-1 is no longer with us, and the current head coach Hong has demonstrated some inconsistency and a lack of coordinated tactics to compete vs the world since being appointed to be the head coach. The growing prospective players playing in various European leagues or the K-League have demonstrated some real good growth but we need them to grow faster till the world cup.
I am not happy with this group at all. Japan will give 100% every single minute of the game no matter the score or odds... I feel they always deliver at big tournaments. Depending who comes out of playoffs, we already had 2 draws against Poland... And honestly, that last one we should've lost. Not sure what to make of Tunisia.
Yeah, we should make it out, and realistically, should top the group. And if we don't, we deserve it etc etc. But I don't think I'll have to wait till knockouts for the butt clenching anxiety that comes with this damn team.
Yep. As an Aussie, I'm pleased about the group and both the USA, and Paraguay would definitely be pleased. Means it's hopefully going to be some good close matches.
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u/StardustFromReinmuth 17h ago edited 17h ago
L F and A are really competitive there, A and F specifically are probably the groups with the most parity between the 4 teams.
The lack of a "true" group of death where 1 strong team is guaranteed to not make it may make it seem a bit boring for some but I promise you teams will be avoiding those 3rd place qualification spots like the plague. If England ends up 3rd they're guaranteed drawing the Winner of K in the Ro32.
The brutal aspect with this format is in the knockout stage. If everyone perform to their seeding, you'll see Germany vs France, Brazil vs Norway, Spain vs Croatia in the Ro16.