South Korea vs Honduras
International Friendlies
Date: Monday, 28 May 2018
Kick-Off at 12:00 UK / 13:00 CET
Venue: Daegu Stadium, Daegu.
Korea Republic will begin their World Cup preparations hosting Honduras in a friendly on Monday at Daegu Stadium.
The head coach Shin Tae-Yong is aiming to raise the spirits in the camp after he lost two important players with injuries. Whilst the veteran striker Lee Keun-Ho might not be the biggest name in the squad, his absence will certainly be felt on the psychological side.
The second setback saw Dijon’s Kwon Chang-Hoon rupturing an Achilles tendon while playing the last round of Ligue 1 match last weekend. The attacking midfielder who had an amazing season with Dijon could have certainly added to team’s depth in Russia, but Shin Tae-Yong will have to find the way for success without him in the ranks.
This is why a win over Honduras would be of a huge importance for the hosts who need to get the momentum ahead of very tough challenges in Russia where they will battle the likes of Sweden, Mexico and Germany for one of top two spots in the group.
Honduras Team News:
The interim coach Carlos Tabora has called upon most of the players his predecessor had shown faith in. But the veteran defender and club captain Maynor Figueroa won’t be travelling with the squad for friendlies against South Korea and El Salvador.
However, the likes Brayan Beckeles, Alfredo Mejía, Luis Garrido, Alexander Lopez and Roger Rojas are all capable of putting in a useful shift.
Honduras Predicted Line-up (4-4-2):
Escober – Carlos Sanchez, Johnny Leverón, Henry Figueroa, Beckeles – Martinez, Mejia, Banegas, Lopez – Rojas, Lanza.
South Korea Team News:
Korea’s head-coach Shin Tae-yong still have the whole of preliminary squad available with him for selection and there will some players who are desperate to prove a point to get their name in the final 23.
There is talent and experience everywhere in the field, but the attack is the most impressive lead by Tottenham striker Heung-min Son supported by young Salzburg striker Hwang Hee-chan.
The midfield is also glamorous with Swansea’s Ki Sung-yueng partnering Lee Chung-yong who plays for the just relegated Crystal Palace.
South Korea Predicted Starting Line-up (4-3-3):
Kim Young-gwon, Jang Hyun-soo, Kim Jin-su, Lee Yong – Lee Jae-sung, Ki Sung-yueng, Lee Chung-yong – Heung-min Son, Hwang Hee-chan.
South Korea vs Honduras Head-to-head
The two sides met each other just once in the past. The clash happened seven years ago and it saw the Asian outfit snatch a demolishing 4-0 victory on the home soil in Seoul.
South Korea vs Honduras Prediction
The Koreans showed plenty of defensive vulnerabilities when they conceded as many as five goals in back-to-back losses in friendlies against the likes of Northern Ireland and Poland in March this year. Keeping things tight will be their biggest challenge here and it should not be a super tough task given the opposition comes in the likes of Honduras who bagged just 13 goals in 10 matches in the final round of the CONCACAF WC Qualifications.
Los Catrachos ended the campaign in fourth place which sent them top the inter-continental play-offs where they fell 3-1 on aggregate to Australia. In all, we have to see the value in backing the home win at the 1-55 odds given that the match has a much greater significance for the hosts.
South Korea vs Honduras Betting Tips
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Korea Republic to win @ 1.55
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Korea Republic to keep a clean sheet @ 1.85.
