Wales and South Korea will face off in a friendly at the Cardiff Stadium. The hosts are looking to avenge two straight losses. South Korea is still looking for their first win under Jurgen Klinsmann.
Preview (Wales vs. South Korea)
Even though Wales’ match against England on Thursday is simply a friendly, manager Rob Page will be desperate to win after having his job called into doubt due to the team’s dismal start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. The early indications were really encouraging because Wales beat Latvia by a score of 1-0 after scoring a late equalizer to steal a point from Croatia. However, Wales is now in fourth place in Group D after an unexpected 4-2 home loss to Armenia and a 2-0 away loss to Turkey. It has put more pressure on Page. Prior to Monday’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Latvia, Wales will be looking to regain some confidence. They have won just two of their previous 15 international games (D4, L9).
The fact that the Dragons have lost their past four friendlies (D3, L1) since defeating Mexico 1-0 in March 2021 will, however, demoralize them. When South Korea travels to Cardiff this week, they’ll be going for their first victory since defeating Portugal in the 2022 World Cup group stage. The former United States manager’s stint has had a rough beginning.
Hwang Ui-jo’s goal in a June friendly match against El Salvador appeared to give the 59-year-old manager of South Korea his first win, but Alex Roldan tied the score in the 87th minute to deny Klinsmann his first victory. The Taegeuk Warriors must strengthen their defense if they hope to win their next two friendlies against Wales and Saudi Arabia after conceding in each of their last eight internationals.
Team News
Tom Lockyer and Dan James are both out with injuries, therefore Wales is unable to use their talents. Rabbi Matondo, a forward for Rangers with 11 caps, has been called up after not making Page’s initial team. The three uncapped players Tom King, Morgan Fox, and Liam Cullen have also been selected by Wales’ head coach. Josh Sheehan has been reinstated to the team for the first time since 2021. Regarding South Korea, Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain has remained with his team. He is recovering from a muscular ailment that has prevented him from playing in the past two Ligue 1 games.
Son Heung-min will serve as the team’s captain. He will be feeling good after helping Tottenham Hotspur defeat Burnley 5-2 at the weekend with a hat-trick. The two nations will want to leave Cardiff City Stadium with a victory. Since neither team is playing with much self-assurance, we predict a tense draw in the Welsh capital.
Wales 1 – 1 South Korea
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