The football tournament at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games continues early Monday morning (Korea Time). Korea of course eased past Fiji in the first group game and now take on European Giants Germany. In the other group game Mexico take on Fiji, which you’d expect the Central Americans to win.
Before looking at that game lets quickly overview the Men’s 2016 Olympic Football Tournament;
Men’s Football at the Rio Summer Olympic Games 2016
As shown above 15 national plus hosts Brazil qualified for the Olympic Football Tournament. Sides are comprised of under 23 squads plus 3 overaged players. The tournament starts with 4 groups of 4, with the top 2 sides progressing to the knockout stages. Then it’s winner takes all going toward the goal medal final later this month.
Games take place in stadiums used during the 2014 World Cup, and with a country whose national sport is football you know this tournament will be well supported.
South Korea U23 vs. Germany – Preview and Prediction (Monday August 8th 2016)
South Korea U23:
South Korea will be looking to go 2 steps further these Olympic Games and a take a gold medal, bettering the Bronze they won in London. The U23 squad also won the Gold Medal 2 years ago at the Asian Games held in Incheon. They came runners-up in the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship back in January to qualify, and so have a proven track record. They’ve played 6 friendlies this year in preparation winning 4 and drawing 2, the last game a few days ago was against Sweden which they won 3-2. In the first group game they beat Pacific Island Minnows Fiji 8-0, however it was only 1-0 after 60mins. Korea showed better conditioning later in the match and start taking their chances.
Key Player: Tottenham Hotspur Striker Son Heung-Min (valued around $30million) will be a danger for any defence during this tournament. He’s played at the World Cup and Asian Cup, so he also brings in valuable experience. He played the final 20mins of the first game so will be ready to go here.
Germany U23:
This is the first time Germany have qualified for Football at the Olympic Games since 1988 (Seoul). They won a Bronze Medal back then and will be looking at medals here again. They qualified by reaching the semi finals of the UEFA U21 Championships. The U21 side is the base for this squad and have won their last 8 games straight. In their first group game they came from behind twice to draw 2-2 against Mexico.
Key Player: Nils Petersen had a great season for SC Freiburg scoring 21goals and securing them promotion. He’s 27years old and bring a good amount of experience to this youthful side.
Head-to-Head: They’ve never played each other before at U23 or U21 levels before. At full national team level the last time they played was back in 2004 played in Busan, a game which Korea won 3-1.
Prediction:
South Korea U23 1 – 1 Germany U23
South Korea got the job done against Fiji and now have a strong goal difference moving forward. Germany were unconvincing against Mexico and looked a little weak in certainly areas. Korea could edge this on a good day but the same could be said for Germany. Therefore we’re siding with a close draw as neither side can really afford to lose.
South Korea U23 vs. Germany U23 (Olympic Games Group C) Result & photos
South Korea U23 3 – 3 Germany U23
Both sides lead at different points and overall a draw may have been the fair result.
Finally
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Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 