knockout round
That brings the day at the World Cup
Brazil’s Neymar (r) and Thiago Silva train. photo
© Andre Penner/AP/dpa
The favorites don’t show any weaknesses in the knockout stages of the World Cup on the first two matchdays. Brazil want to do the same and reach the quarter-finals – a big name is back.
So far there has been nothing for the underdogs in the knockout stages of the World Cup in Qatar. On Monday, South Korea will try the star ensemble of five-time world champions Brazil. Germany’s conqueror Japan previously challenged Vice World Champion Croatia.
Round of 16: Brazil – South Korea
He is back. Superstar Neymar can be back after his foot injury from the opening game against Serbia (2-0). It is still unclear whether it is enough for a place in the starting eleven. Elsewhere, the title favorites are plagued by injuries – especially in defence. With injuries to Alex Telles and Alex Sandro, coach Tite no longer has a left-back in the squad. Nevertheless: Brazil is going into the game as the clear favourite.
For South Korea, it’s the big bonus game. They had been eliminated in the preliminary round eight times before the Qatar tournament in ten appearances at the World Cup, and now they beat Portugal in the round of 16 with a goal in injury time. Of course, progressing would be a sensation, but Paulo Bento’s side were almost written off in the group stage – and they’re still there. Defense chief Min-Jae Kim should return to the starting XI, former Leipzig professional Hee-Chan Hwang will probably come back as a joker.
Round of 16: Japan – Croatia
After the victories over the former world champions Germany and Spain, the Japanese around Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada can do a lot. The goal given before the tournament quarterfinals is within reach. It will be exciting to see whether top joker Ritsu Doan from SC Freibrug will play from the start or come off the bench again. Gladbach centre-back Ko Itakura has been suspended after two yellow cards and is likely to be replaced by Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Vice World Champion Croatia will have to improve, it was only with a lot of luck that they made it into the knockout stages. Coach Zlatko Dalic warned his players about the unpleasant Japanese: “We will respect every opponent. If we underestimate someone, we’re out immediately. Japan have beaten two former world champions. That says it all.” Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa will probably be canceled this time. The left-back is ill and had a fever at the weekend.