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| Members of the South Korean men's football team train at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 16, ahead of a friendly match against Brazil. Yonhap |
By John Duerden
South Korea is ranked 39 in the world and goes from facing a team that was 91 last Thursday to one that is, according to FIFA, number three. From Lebanon in Beirut to Brazil in Abu Dhabi, the second game is going to be a lot more exciting and glamorous than the first though less important.
The 0-0 tie in Lebanon was another disappointing result in what has been a disappointing year in competitive games. The difficulties involved in going to Lebanon to play against a solid team on a poor playing surface can be forgotten and fans and media can be a little too demanding.
Yet it should not be the case that Korea has to always play well and look smooth ― no team does that. But the problem is that, unlike rivals such as Japan and Australia, Korea is failing to get results while not playing well.
There were some encouraging signs against Lebanon. Unlike past games which saw predictable attacks often launched from the wings, there was more determination to try and pass through the middle. It just did not quite work.
"We just didn't play well today," Bento said at his post-match press conference. "In particular, we were worse in the second half than we'd have liked, and we didn't get the result we wanted. We tried to penetrate up the middle but it didn't work out. We have to be better."
The Portuguese coach, who has been in place for 15 months or so, is honest. There need to be improvements and he has to show that he is the right man to make them happen.
Playing Brazil will be an interesting experience. In Asia ― like the last two games against Lebanon and North Korea ― South Korea often faces defensive opposition. These weaker teams sit deep and are more focused on stopping the Taegeuk Warriors, and trying to nick a goal, than taking the initiative.
Brazil will be different, of course. The five-time world champion will be expecting to win and fans at home will be thinking the same.
Star striker Neymar is absent through injury but there are still plenty of world-class names in the Brazilian roster. Roberto Firmino played a major part in Liverpool winning the UEFA Champions League in June and is one of the top forwards in Europe. Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City is not bad either.
There is then talent such as Bayern Munich's Philippe Coutinho, Paris's Thaigo Silva and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. Brazil lost to Argentina in Saudi Arabia at the weekend and will be keen to avoid another defeat.
These games are good for the players, especially those who play domestic football in Korea and Japan and thus rarely face some of the best players in the world. But there is still a lot of work for Bento and his staff to do with the players. Korea is still on course for the third round of qualification but if the team is going to qualify for a tenth successive World Cup then improvements need to be made.
