South Korea Avoids Thorny Path in Qatar World Cup (Comprehensive)

Portugal, Uruguay, and Ghana Grouped in Group H
"Much to Prepare but Close to the Best Group"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The South Korean national football team (ranked 29th) will face Portugal (8th), Uruguay (13th), and Ghana (60th) in the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar. At the group stage draw held on the 2nd (Korean time) at the Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, these three countries were placed together in Group H. To advance to the round of 16 knockout stage, the team must finish in second place or higher in the group stage.

South Korea, assigned to Pot 3, was called third after Portugal (Pot 1) and Uruguay (Pot 2) were already placed in Group H. Ghana, the lowest-ranked among the confirmed World Cup finalists, joined last in Pot 4.

The biggest challenge is Portugal, the homeland of head coach Paulo Bento. The team boasts world-class players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes (both from Manchester United). Ronaldo is also the role model of team captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham). The two teams previously met in the final group stage match of Group F at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, where South Korea won 1-0 thanks to Park Ji-sung's winning goal.

South Korea faced Uruguay in the round of 16 at the 2010 South Africa World Cup and lost 1-2. Uruguay advanced to the semifinals that year. Their current squad is also formidable, especially the attack line featuring Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) and Luis Su?rez (Atl?tico Madrid), which is highly rated. South Korea and Ghana have never met in the World Cup. Their overall record is 3 wins and 3 losses.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Analyst Ahn Jung-hwan from MBC said, "There is a lot to prepare, but this is close to the best group." Lee Young-pyo, CEO of Gangwon FC, also said, "It's not bad," adding, "If we meet one team from Pot 1 excluding the host Qatar, it would be Portugal." He noted, "All three teams are better than us," but added, "Portugal is at a timing when Ronaldo's skills are declining, and Uruguay is also on the downward slope." He further explained, "Sometimes a golden generation holds on until the end but falls sharply on a stage like the World Cup. In that sense, this is positive."

The national team will play Uruguay first in the group stage. The second opponent will be Ghana, and the third will be Portugal. This tournament will be held from November 21 to December 18 at eight stadiums in Qatar. This is the first time the World Cup is held in November.

The team finished second in Group A of the Asian final qualifiers with 23 points (7 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss), behind Iran (25 points; 8 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss). This marks their 11th consecutive World Cup finals appearance since the 1986 Mexico tournament. After reaching the round of 16 for the first time in an away tournament at the 2010 South Africa World Cup, they aim to reach the round of 16 again after 12 years. The team’s record in away tournaments is 3 wins, 7 draws, and 17 losses.

Japan was unlucky to be drawn in Group E with Spain, Germany, and the intercontinental playoff winner (Costa Rica-New Zealand). Host Qatar was placed in Group A with the Netherlands, Senegal, and Ecuador. Group B includes England, the United States, Iran, and the European playoff winner (Wales-Scotland-Ukraine). Group C features Argentina, Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia competing to advance from the group stage. Group D has France, Denmark, Tunisia, and the intercontinental playoff winner (UAE-Australia-Peru). Group F consists of Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, and Canada. Group G sees Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, and Cameroon battling for a spot in the round of 16.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.