Asian giants South Korea will be the opening test for Uruguay, who begin the 2022 World Cup with a lot of expectations. They clash at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Thursday 24 November, with the outcome of topping the group weighing heavily on this result for both nations
To Win Match
Uruguay 8/11 | Draw 5/2 | South Korea 21/5
In Qatar, La Celeste will look to continue their excellent run in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where they reached the quarter-finals stage but got knocked out by eventual tournament winners, France. On their way to the knockout stages, Uruguay won all of its group fixtures, scoring five and letting in none.
It will be the last chance for their recent golden generation, boasting the likes of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, and Diego Godin, to light up the World Cup.
Their task will also be to guide the new and promising generation of players already making a name for themselves in world football, such as Darwin Nunez (Liverpool), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), and Ronald Araujo (Barcelona).
Uruguay head into the game with a very good record against South Korea. In the last six meetings between the two teams, Uruguay have come out successful on five occasions.
Crucially, though, South Korea picked up a victory – their only one in the last six games against Uruguay – in the recent meeting back in 2018. Uruguay go up against a tough opponent in the form of Portugal in the second match and any bit of confidence from this game helps.
South Korea are preparing for their 10th consecutive World Cup since 1986 as they aim to make it past the group stage for just the third time in their history, having reached the knockout rounds just once since their famous run to the semi-finals in 2002.
The Taegeuk Warriors will look to improve their last World Cup showing, having managed to win only once in Russia. One could argue they faced an easier task back then, but they will head into this clash with a sense of optimism.
While Son could be out due to a recent injury, they still have Jeong Woo-Yeong, who has featured consistently for SC Freiburg this season and last season in the Bundesliga.
They also have Hwang Hee-Chan, who did well in his first Premier League season with Wolves last season, even though he has featured sparingly this season.
Verdict: Uruguay Win (8/11)
Uruguay may have too much firepower for South Korea to handle. I’m backing a win for La Celeste.
