World Cup News : South Korean Coach Huh looks to fix team’s defensive gap on right side

South Korea’s coach Huh Jung-moo has a critical decision to make in his defense lineup for Saturday’s World Cup match against Uruguay — who to pick to stymie the South American opponent’s skilled attack on the right.

A true testament to South Korea’s football would be to reach the quarterfinals, although the team already has left its mark by advancing to the knock-off stage for the first time in an away tournament, finishing second in its group. The last time Korea reached the second round was when it co-hosted the event with Japan in 2002.

Uruguay already seems to know which weakness to prey on. Its coach, Oscar Tabarez, said bluntly South Korea has “defensive problems.”

Huh needs a clever way to organize a more effective defensive line, which conceded six goals in three group matches. Uruguay’s offense is led by skilled and versatile forwards Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez, who combined for three of the team’s four goals in the three group matches.

The six goals South Korea has given up came after critical defensive errors, namely by right fullbacks Cha Du-ri and Oh Beom-seok.

Cha, who had two starts in the position, failed to mark Kalu Uche in Wednesday’s South Korea-Nigeria match.

In the group match against Argentina, Oh was singled out as a major reason for South Korea’s 4-1 defeat.

“I’m not fully satisfied with it. But I’ve come up with some different lineups,” Huh said after a training session in Rustenburg, South Africa, where his team’s base camp is located.

Veteran defender Lee Young-pyo, who plays mainly at left wing, could be an alternative. But the option is still risky as he is more solid and stable on the left. If Lee is switched to the right, the other left wing defender, Kim Dong-jin, who has only played one minute at the World Cup, will most likely have to fill in on the left side.

Related posts:

  1. Fifa World Cup : Uruguay coach commends South Koreans but notes ‘defense problems’
  2. World Cup News : South Korea draws with Nigeria but advances to second round
  3. South Korean football team regret loss to Uruguay
  4. FIFA World Cup Updates : South Korea aiming at Uruguay’s rear flank zones : midfielder
  5. World Cup : Uruguayan striker expects tough fight from South Korea
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