South Korea play Ghana at the World Cup in Al Rayyan on Monday.
When: Monday, Nov. 28, 7pm BST
Where: Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
KEY STATS
* South Korea are the only Asian country to have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, when they were co-hosts in 2002, while Ghana share the distinction of being one of three African countries to have gone furthest at the World Cup when they got to the quarter-finals in 2010.
* South Korea have been to more World Cups than any other Asian country with their trip to Qatar their 11th appearance, since the first in 1954. The last 10 have all been consecutive, since 1986.
* South Korea have met African opposition at the World Cup on three occasions – beating Togo in 2006, drawing with Nigeria in 2010 and losing to Algeria in 2014. Ghana's only Asian opponent at a World Cup finals tournament was Australia in 2010, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
* Ghana made their first World Cup appearance in 2006 and are now competing at the finals for a fourth time. The Black Stars had won four Africa Cup of Nations titles before they qualified for their first World Cup.
* Ghana have a 4-3 edge over South Korea in the win count of their past seven head-to-head clashes, all in friendly internationals. The two countries first met in 1982 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and last clashed in a friendly in the U.S. ahead of the 2014 Brazil World Cup, which Ghana won 4-0 with a hattrick from Jordan Ayew.
PREVIEW
South Korea were proud of their effort in the stalemate with Uruguay in their World Cup opener but would need to find the much-needed clinical edge when they face Ghana in Monday's game, where both teams will be desperate for victory.
Playing at their 11th World Cup, South Korea began their campaign with a gritty 0-0 draw with Uruguay, putting on a lively display.
However, even though they created opportunities in attack, the ability to finish off chances was missing as the Asian side had no shots on target.
South Korea tend to over-rely on attacking midfielder and captain Son Heung-min , who is slowly re-adapting after a recent facial surgery and had little impact in their opening match of the tournament.
Head coach Paulo Bento was happy with the aggression showed by the team against the experienced Uruguayans and expects to see the same in their upcoming games — against Ghana on Monday and Portugal four days later.
The Koreans are tied with Uruguay on one point in Group H, which Portugal lead after beating Ghana 3-2.
For Monday's game at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Bento will be sweating over the fitness of defender Kim Min-jae, who was struggling after picking up a knock in their opening game.
Ghana, the first African team to score at the global showpiece event in Qatar, were disappointed to suffer defeat at the first hurdle but could gain confidence from their performance against Portugal in the second half.
Ghana reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2010 but should they suffer defeat against South Korea, they risk getting knocked out in the first round.
After a miserable showing at the Cup of Nations this year, where they were dumped out in the group stage with only one point, Ghana are hoping for a brighter run in Qatar.
"We have to win now and we are under pressure but then so are they," Ghana coach Otto Addo said of South Korea.
Captain Andre Ayew has belief in his team, saying they always come out of difficult situations.
"We need to stay calm, relax and increase our performance. We need to try and score more and concede less," the 32-year-old said.
