'Son Heung-min to start for second consecutive match' Hong Myung-bo's expected lineup revealed... 'Captain sent off → ineligible' Mexico in 'critical emergency' [World Cup Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

In fact, attention from overseas media is focused on what is effectively a match to decide the group's top spot. The expected lineups and predicted scores for the Group A second-round matches between the South Korean national football team and Mexico have been released.

On the 17th (Korea time), the British outlet 'Sporting News' predicted a 2-2 draw in the Group A second-round match between South Korea and Mexico. The outlet argued that "both teams will share one point each after a tight back-and-forth battle."

Along with this, the expected starting lineup for the South Korean national football team predicted by 'Sporting News' is the same as in the first-round match against Czech Republic. Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Vienna), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), and Son Heung-min (LAFC) were named.

Sports specialty outlet 'ESPN' also focused on this matchup in a report on the same day. The outlet reported that "Mexico, which completely defeated South Africa 2-0 in the World Cup opener, and South Korea, which came from behind to beat Czech Republic 2-1, will clash in Guadalajara to secure their place in the next round."

The lineup for Hong Myung-bo's team predicted by 'ESPN' is also the same as 'Sporting News'. Starting with goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, Lee Ki-hyuk, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Han-beom are expected to form a back three, with Lee Tae-seok, Baek Seung-ho, Hwang In-beom, and Seol Young-woo forming the midfield. Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung are expected to play in the second line, with Son Heung-min positioned at the front.

In particular, overseas media have focused on the presence of captain Son Heung-min. 'ESPN' stated, "Son Heung-min will start for the second consecutive match against Mexico following the Czech Republic game, leading the national team's attack." It added, "With Son Heung-min starting consecutively amidst one-sided pressure from the host nation's home fans, he will be South Korea's strongest weapon in stabilizing the team."

On the other hand, the opposing team Mexico is in a state of losing key personnel. 'ESPN' analyzed that "Mexico's key defender and captain Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow) was sent off in the previous South Africa match and cannot participate in this match against South Korea."

Accordingly, both 'ESPN' and 'Sporting News' predicted that Mexico would field Raul Angel (Guadalajara) as goalkeeper, Israel Reyes (America), Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), Joaquin Vasquez (Genoa), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Erick Lira (Cruz Azul), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez (both from Guadalajara), Alvaro Pidalgo (Real Betis), Julian Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), and Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) as starters.

Both outlets appear to have judged that South Korea can fully engage in a firepower battle against Mexico, which is missing its key defender.

The Group A second-round match between South Korea and Mexico will be refereed by Gustavo Tejera, who holds Uruguayan nationality. The match will be held at 10 a.m. Korea time on the 19th.

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*This content was translated by AI.