Russia jinx? Lacklustre Germans knocked out by spirited South Korea, FT 2-0

Kim and Son's goal help Korea win against Germany

Germany vs South Korea had the ingredient to be one of the most entertaining matches of the Fifa World Cup 2018. For Germany, it was a must-win match to reach the knockout of the tournament. A win for South Korea is also possible for them to qualify provided Sweden lost. So the stakes were high. 

To sum it up quickly: The Germans lost with the same formula and team which won them the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

But the match has been identical to what Germany has been doing this world cup. Lacklustre, sober and without any intent. The midfield, as usual, had been useless possession as the attackers failed to find the dead ball. Timo Werner had to fill in the shoes of Miroslav Klose who was also at the stadium but Timo is not at that level. Ozil seems to be playing like the way he plays for Arsenal against Stoke City.

The Germans should find some motivation to get them going otherwise they will find elimination real soon.

The Germans had a reputation to finish it late but today they didn't change gears. It was all passing without any intent for the goal. However, few chances came for the Germans especially the long ball played by Ozil to Hummels who missed an open header. All the players on the team played their worst ever game and it was visually difficult to watch them play.

Trivia:

This is only the second time that Germany have been eliminated from the First Round at the World Cup having last done so in 1938. 

Germany haven't been leading at half-time in any of their group stage matches at the 2018 World Cup finals; the first time that they have failed to do so since 1986

Germany have won all five of their World Cup meetings with Asian opponents, by an aggregate score of 19-3.

Updates:

24 min: WIDE! Another chance for South Korea as a cross into the area is headed away but only as far as Son,

19 min: Neuer fumbles uncharacteristically but manages to damage control

10 min: Germany have enjoyed the early possession but the final ball is missing

1min: The match starts

Line-ups: 

Germany vs South Korea Line-up

Germany subs: Marc Andre ter-Stegen, Kevin Trapp, Antonio Rudiger, Julian Brandt, Sebastian Rudy, Marvin Plattenhardt, Thomas Muller, Julian Draxler, Mario Gomez, Matthias Ginter, Ilkay Gundogan.
 

South Korea subs: Kim Seung-gyu, Kim Jin-hyeon, Lee Seung-Woo, Park Joo-Ho, Ki Sung-yeung, Oh Ban-Suk, Ko Yo-han, Hwang Hee-Chan, Kim Shin-Wook, Kim Min-Woo, Jung Seung-Hyun, Ju Se-Jong.
 

Germany XI: Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Sule, Mats Hummels, Jonas Hector; Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos; Leon Goretzka, Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus; Timo Werner.
 

South Korea XI: Cho Hyun-Woo; Lee Yong, Yun Young-Sun, Kim Young-Gwon, Hong Chul; Lee Jae-Sung, Jung Woo-Young, Jang Hyun-Soo, Moon Seon-Min; Koo Ja-Cheol, Son Heung-Min. 

Trivia:

Mexico have lost just two of their last 19 World Cup group stage matches (W10 D7)

Germany have won all five of their World Cup meetings with Asian opponents, by an aggregate score of 19-3

German in Fifa World Cup 2018
 

Germany have three points from two games, while South Korea are currently last in Group F with two losses, but they still have a chance to advance to the Round of 16. If South Korea beat Germany and Sweden (three points) lose to Mexico (six points), then the three teams, excluding Mexico would be tied at one win and two losses, meaning the second and last position to qualify from the group will be down to goal difference, goal scored, head-to-head record and then fair play rules.

Even at the 2018 World Cup, those with two losses have all been denied entry to the knockout stage regardless of the last matches in their respective groups, with South Korea looking to become the only exception.

A brief history
 

Since Fifa has operated the World Cup with 32 teams, only Chile have advanced to the round of 16 after earning three points in the group stage. At the 1998 World Cup in France, Chile had three points from three draws and finished as the runners-up in Group B, reports Yonhap news agency.

However, no team has passed the group stage after losing its first two matches at a World Cup with 32 nations.

Here are the odds for Germany to qualify for the next round

Chances, however, appear to be very slim. Germany, four-time World Cup winners, are the top-ranked team in the world, while South Korea sit at only No.57 in the latest FIFA rankings.

 

Germany lost their opener to Mexico but they kept their chances alive by a Toni Kroos' last-minute winner against Sweden. It could be a turning point for the reigning champions and that all their problems in build up to the World Cup and against Mexico (and the previous 94 minutes against Sweden) were swept away by that magnificent free kick.

If that is the case, expect the Germans to hit top gear against a South Korean side that needs a miracle to qualify.

South Korea preview

South Korea will rely on the attacking prowess of Son Heung-min, who notched up the team's first goal in the tournament against Mexico on Saturday. Son is one of the players who is familiar with the Germans after having stints with German clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg before signing with London-based Tottenham Hotspur.

South Korea are likely to stick to their familiar 4-4-2 and try to bank on their counter-attacks using quick attackers like Son and Hwang Hee-chan.

The question, however, will be whether South Korea can feed attackers with accurate passes and make quick transitions from defence to offence.

South Korea will likely miss their captain and midfield control tower Ki Sung-yueng after he sustained a left calf injury during the match against Mexico. Ki's absence means South Korea will have to form a new combination in the central midfield.

 

Squad depth: One possibility is starting Koo Ja-cheol, who is also familiar with German football after playing for clubs like FC Augsburg, Mainz and Wolfsburg. Jung Woo-young and Ju Se-jong are also central midfielders who can feature in the match.

South Korea should have learned they should be more careful when defending in the box as they gave up opening goals to Sweden and Mexico on penalty kicks.

Germany are known for their star-studded squad featuring Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos, but certain players will not feature against South Korea. Ozil was benched for the match against Sweden and it will be interesting whether Joachim Loew picks him this time.

Germany will be without experienced centre-back Jerome Boateng, who was sent off during the match against Sweden. His partner Mats Hummels, however, has reportedly recovered from a neck injury and is looking to compete in the match. Boateng's absence is likely to be filled by Antonio Rudiger or Niklas Sule.

Sebastian Rudy is also likely to miss the match after he suffered a broken nose from taking a stray cleat to the face from Sweden's Ola Toivonen on Saturday. Germany, however, can easily replace the Bayern Munich midfielder with players like Ilkay Gundogan, Sami Khedira or Leon Goretzka.

Players have spoken
 

Germany forward Marco Reus is confident that his team can defeat the Korea Republic in the Germans’ crucial final group game, although he adds that they must be wary of the Koreans’ counter-attacks.

Korea Republic midfielder Lee Jaesung talks about his team’s chances against the defending champions, and his memories of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in his home country.

Korea Republic, meanwhile, have progressed to the knockout stages on only two of their previous nine World Cup appearances. They finished fourth when they co-hosted the tournament in 2002 and were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Uruguay at South Africa 2010.

Germany’s 23-man squad

Goalkeepers: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Kevin Trapp (Paris Saint-Germain).

Defenders: Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea), Niklas Süle (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Mönchengladbach).

Midfielders: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Mesut Özil (Arsenal), Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain), Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City), Leon Goretzka (Schalke), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich), Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen).

Forwards: Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Timo Werner (Leipzig), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich).

South Korea’s final 23-man World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-Gyu (Vissel Kobe, Japan), Kim Jin-Hyeon (Cerezo Osaka, Japan), Cho Hyun-Woo (Daegu FC)

Defenders: Kim Young-Gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande, China), Jang Hyun-Soo (FC Tokyo, Japan), Jung Seung-Hyun (Sagan Tosu, Japan), Yun Yong-Sun (Seongnam FC), Oh Ban-Suk (Jeju United), Kim Min-Woo (Sangju Sangmu), Park Joo-Ho (Ulsan Hyundai), Hong Chul (Sangju Sangmu), Go Yo-Han (FC Seoul), Lee Yong (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)

Midfielders: Ki Sung-Yueng (Swansea City, England), Jung Woo-Young (Vissel Kobe, Japan), Ju Se-Jong (Asan Mugunghwa FC), Koo Ja-Cheol (FC Augsburg, Germany), Lee Jae-Sung (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Seung-Woo (Hellas Verona, Italy), Moon Seon-Min (Incheon United),

Forwards: Kim Shin-Wook (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Hwang Hee-Chan (FC Red Bull Salzburg, Austria)

When and Where to watch: South Korea vs Germany

Time: 7:30 PM (IST)

In today's Group F match, South Korea vs Germany will be played in Kazan Arena on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 7:30 PM (IST).

South Korea vs Germany matches will be broadcast on Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony Six and Sony Six HD in English Commentary and Sony Ten 3 and Sony 3 HD in Hindi Commentary.

South Korea vs Germany matches will be available for live streaming on Sony Liv also. And Both Airtel and Jio would broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2018 matches for free to their respective subscribers.