Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan Start... Kim Min-jae Also 'Returns to the Lineup'

Starting lineup for the Brazil match. Photo by Korea Football Association

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] South Korea's national football team 'defensive core' Kim Minjae (Napoli) returns for the match against Brazil. Son Heungmin (Tottenham) and Cho Gyuseong (Jeonbuk) will start as a two-striker formation, and Hwang Heechan (Wolverhampton) will also start. Lee Kangin (Mallorca) will begin the match on the bench.

Led by head coach Paulo Bento, the South Korean national football team made changes to the starting lineup ahead of the Round of 16 match against Brazil at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar, at 4 a.m. KST on the 6th. Coach Bento is expected to apply a formation close to 4-4-2 or 4-1-3-2.

First, central defender Kim Minjae, who missed the Portugal match due to a calf injury, will start against Brazil. The goal will be guarded by Kim Seunggyu (Al Shabab), continuing from the group stage. The back four defensive line will consist of Kim Minjae alongside Kim Youngkwon (Ulsan), Kim Jinsu (Jeonbuk), and Kim Moonhwan (Jeonbuk).

Hwang Inbeom (Olympiacos) and Jung Wooyoung (Al Sadd) will coordinate offense and defense in midfield. Lee Kangin, who started in the Portugal match, will begin on the bench, with Lee Jaesung (Mainz) on the right wing and Hwang Heechan on the left wing. Son Heungmin will lead the two-striker attack alongside Cho Gyuseong.

Captain Son Heungmin, who played full-time in all three group stage matches, will start for the fourth consecutive game. 'Hero of the Portugal match' Hwang Heechan will make his first start of the tournament.

Brazil will field 'superstar' Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) and focus all efforts on advancing to the quarterfinals. Neymar had previously suffered an ankle injury in the first group stage match against Serbia and missed the second and third matches, raising interest in his participation in this game.

Son Heungmin and Neymar, who are the same age, have faced each other twice in national team uniforms, with Neymar winning both matches decisively.

In a friendly match held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in 2013, Neymar scored two free-kick goals, leading Brazil to a 2-0 victory. In the rematch held at the same stadium this June, Neymar again led Brazil to a 5-1 victory by scoring two penalty goals.

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