Asian flag flying! South Korea follow Japan's lead in sensational qualification - will meet Brazil next

[webfact]

 

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by Rooster | ASEAN NOW

 

South Korea sensationally qualified against the odds for the last 16 at the World Cup with an injury time 2-1 victory over Portugal last night.

 

With the clock ticking down and Japan looking like the only Asian rep in the next round Son set up Hwang for a dramatic winner that sparked pandemonium in the crowd.

 

But they had to wait for almost ten agonising minutes as the Uruguay vs Ghana game continued elsewhere. Another goal for the South Americans would have meant they went through from Group H instead.

 

 

But it didn't come as Luis Suarez and co. were left beaten and eliminated despite winning 2-0.

 

In 2am (Thai time) action in Group G tournament favorites Brazil - already qualified and resting 10 players - lost 1-0 to Cameroon.

 

Aboubakar  header the winner in stoppage time then was sent off after getting a second yellow for removing his shirt in celebration. 

 

 

It marked the first time Brazil had been beaten by an African side at the World Cup. 

 

In the other game Switzerland overcame Serbia 3-2 in a topsy-turvy encounter. 

 

Brazil will meet the Koreans and the Swiss will play Portugal in the round of 16.

 

So that is the end of the group stages in Qatar, a tournament that has had more shocks than any previous 32 team tournament.

 

Football fans are now relishing the drama that the knockout stages will surely bring.

 

This begins today with the Netherlands taking on the USA at 10pm (Thai time) and Argentina meeting Australia at 2am.

 

Rooster predicted the Netherlands to go all the way at the start. I'm less confident now after their far from impressive group stage performances - for which coach Louis van Gaal criticized press coverage.

 

But I'll stick with them all the same. However, I expect the USA who have a great team spirit to provide a stern test tonight. 

 

Games will go to 30 minutes of extra time then penalties if drawn at 90 minutes. 

 

"90 minutes" has become a bit of a false number at this World Cup where referees have been instructed to add far more time on for delays and time-wasting.

 

Many games have seen up to 10 minutes added on and in the 48 games played so far the added time equates to an extra 6 matches having been played.

 

I'm hoping that this initiative will continue into the English Premier League on its resumption on Boxing Day; it's high time the public got a fair deal in this regard. 

 

Here are the other last 16 fixtures with Thai times:

 

Sunday 4th 10pm:

France vs Poland

 

Monday 5th 2am:

England vs Senegal

 

Monday 5th 10pm:

Japan vs Croatia

 

Tuesday 6th 2am:

Brazil vs South Korea

 

Tuesday 6th 10pm:

Morocco vs Spain

 

Wednesday 7th 2am:

Portugal vs Switzerland

 

There will then be a two day break before the quarter finals start on Friday 9th at 10pm and 2 am Thai time next morning, similarly on Saturday 10th/Sunday 11th. 

 

The semi finals are slated for Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th (both next days 2 am Thai time).

 

The 3rd/4th place playoff will be at 10pm Thai time on Saturday 17th with the final on the national day of Qatar at 10pm Thai time on Sunday December 18th. 

 

Here are the latest approximate odds from the Betfair exchange with a warning that football betting in Thailand is illegal:

 

Brazil 5-2
Argentina 5-1
France 11-2
Spain  7-1
England 9-1
Portugal 13-1
Netherlands 22-1
Croatia 41-1
Switzerland 84-1
Japan 90-1
Morocco 130-1
USA 140-1
Senegal 150-1
Australia 290-1
South Korea 300-1
Poland 350-1

 

It's still all to play for as the 2022 World Cup continues. 
 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-12-03

[alex8912]

The USA will beat Netherlands tonight. 2-1

[KhunLA]

wow ... Yanks are still in it ... ????

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

With the clock ticking down and Japan looking like the only Asian rep in the next round Son set up Hwang for a dramatic winner that sparked pandemonium in the crowd.

How are Thailand doing?????

[stevenl]

17 hours ago, alex8912 said:

The USA will beat Netherlands tonight. 2-1

 

17 hours ago, KhunLA said:

wow ... Yanks are still in it ... ????

Right.

[Haveasay]

Undoubtedly get responses but see increasing teams competing as increasing the dilemma teams face at being bundled out. Reducing teams better option to watching wet paint dry for 80 minutes or so with 5 minutes of actually shots at goal. After all kicking the ball between players up to 500 times each with no score is this what appeal's to so many?