TEAM NEWS
Mexico head coach Juan Carlos Osorio admitted a flu bug hit the Mexico camp before their game with Germany, which affected his substitutions.
But Osorio is expected to stick with the same starting line-up for his team’s second game in Group F.
South Korean keeper Jo Hyeonwoo, a surprise call-up, should keep his place after a solid performance in the 1-0 defeat by Sweden.
The South Koreans may look to reshuffle their attacking 4-3-3 formation.
South Korea will be desperate to stop their World Cup losing streak, which now stands at three games after losing their opening match in Russia.
But after failing to keep a clean sheet in 12 of their previous 13 World Cup matches, keeping Mexico out could be as hard to come by as a goal at the other end.
The South Koreans have not scored in their last two games, but they have never gone three consecutive matches without scoring a goal in the competition.
Mexico will be buoyed by their impressive victory over defending champions Germany in their opening game, and Osorio’s side – and resolute defence – will be tough to beat.
Hirving Lozano scored El Tri’s winner against the Germans and the striker is in red-hot form, following 17 goals and eight assist in 29 appearances for PSV in the Dutch top flight last season.
South Korean midfielder Ki Sungyueng will move to joint-sixth on his country’s all-time appearances list if he picks up his 104th cap on Saturday.
VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS
South Korean midfielder Jung Woo-young: “You can compare the two teams on paper, but we know we have to produce results that can [disprove] people’s predictions.
“We just think about how we can stop Mexico from playing their style of game.”
Mexico coach Osorio said: “It’s time for Mexico to show that we can take the initiative.
“We are, supposedly, superior to our opponents. We have to impose our (own) conditions.”
Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian said: “We reached our first target and have beaten Germany, but we can’t sit back. Some consider us to be group favourites now, and that’s a compliment – but it’s one we shouldn’t believe. There are no favourites in this World Cup.”
Mexico were hugely impressive in their win against Germany. In contrast, South Korea were disappointing in their defeat by Sweden and they will need to offer much more of a threat in this game if they are going to turn that bad start around.
Prediction: 1-1
Source – BBC
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