Match: Ghana vs. South Korea
Time: 11:30pm
Venue: Sun Life Stadium
Date: 9th June 2014
The Ghana Black Stars will be hoping to improve upon their lackluster showing against the Netherlands when they play South Korea in their last warm-up game before they head to Brazil.
Ghana lost by a lone goal to the Netherlands last Friday courtesy a 5th minute Robin Van Persie strike.
Heading into today’s game, Coach Kwesi Appiah and his troops will be hoping to end their three game-winless streak and pick the needed win before they face the U.S.A, Portugal and Germany in Group G of the World Cup.
It is expected that the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Daniel Opare, John Boye and Emanuel Agyemang Badu who did not feature in the Netherlands game will get a taste of football action before the team jets off to Brazil.
Today’s warm-up game will be the third time both teams play each other, with the last two encounters providing a draw and a win each for both Ghana and Korea respectively.
On other hand, just like the Black Stars, South Korea have also been in a similarly poor form wining 1 out of their 4 warm up games. They lost 1-0 to Tunisia, 2-0 to the USA and 4-0 to Greece.
Team News
South Korea
The South Korean squad was hit by a virus last week and several players were made to sit out of training.
Ghana
The Ghana team received a massive boost on Thursday as goal keeper Adam Kwarasey recovered from a thigh strain and returned to training on Monday to allay fears of him missing the World Cup.
Tactics
South Korea
Just like the Black Stars, the South Korean will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation where they will rely on quick play down the flanks and counter attacks.
Ghana
The Black Stars on the other hand are also expected to employ their usual 4-2-3-1 formation where they will build up play in slow fashion and try to catch their opponents on counter attack using their wingers.
Probable line-ups
Korea (4-2-3-1)
Jung Sung Ryong (GK) – Lee Yong (RB) – Kim Yong Kwon(RCB) – Hong Jeong-Ho(LCB) Yun Suk Young(LB) –Han Kook Young(CDM) – Ki Sung Yeung (CDM) – Lee Chuu Yong – Koo Ja Cheol – Son Heung Min- Park Chu Young (ST)
Ghana (4-2-3-1)
Adam Kwarasey (GK) – Opare(RB )- J. Mensah (RCB) – J. Boye(LCB) – H. Afful (LB) – Essien(CDM) Sulley Muntari(CM) – A. Ayew (LM) C. Atsu(RM) – Kevin-Prince Boateng (AM) – Asamoah Gyan (CF)
By: Benjamin Epton Owusu/citifmonline.com/Ghana