<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-107301" title="SkoreaBelgium" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/SkoreaBelgium.jpg" alt="" width="620" height="350" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053402/SkoreaBelgium.jpg 620w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053402/SkoreaBelgium-150x84.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053402/SkoreaBelgium-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053402/SkoreaBelgium-600x338.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px"></figure>
The pre-tournament excitement about this very talented Belgium squad has sobered after two narrow and uninspiring wins in Brazil. This has put them top of Group G and through to the Round of 16, yet it’s hardly been satisfying or convincing.
The arc of slow starts, flat middles, and late highs is not a path to dominance. The defense has proven consistent, but the problems lie in front of the strong defense and the best midfield combination seems yet to be determined. After going down 1-0 to Algeria, Moussa Dembélé and Nacer Chadli made manager Marc Wilmot’s decision to start them a poor one, but his substitutions inspired – one being Marouane Fellaini, the Everton version. Most surprising has been an ineffectual attack led by Romelu Lukaku’s absenteeism and behind him, Eden Hazard is still searching for influence. The three Belgian goals have been scored by substitutes, including the winner against Russia by 19 year-old Divock Origi.
South Korea could provide Belgium with an opportunity to successfully work some kinks out and improve as they advance at the expense of a vulnerable opponent.
South Korea’s qualifying campaign and lead-up to Brazil failed to impress. In their final warm-up matches they lost to Tunisia and, to given a sense of where they stand against teams that actually qualified for the World Cup, they lost to Ghana 4-0. They haven’t been given much of a chance to move on.
Then suddenly the whole sputtering journey looked buoyant following an opening 1-1 draw with Russia. A survey revealed that 7 out of 10 Koreans believed the team would get out of the group stage. Then the Algerians embarrassed them 4-2 and that confident majority was left crushed and angry. Some prayed, while others, walked:
“I requested vacation days for the first and third matches to cheer on the team properly, but now I’m planning on canceling my vacation day and just going to work on Thursday.”
South Korea can still qualify but with most of the tiebreakers unfavorable, chances are slim and vacation time precious. Nevertheless, there are those who carry on.
In the Korean Times, the battle cry came in the byline: “Belgian Waffles for Lunch!” The Hardworking and well-respected midfielder Han kook-young, distraught over his poor performance against Algeria, said he would be devastated to go home without making amends.
“I don’t really care if I get injured against Belgium and if it ends up being the last game of my career. I want to give everything I have until the final whistle.” Belgium are overwhelming favorites, yet odds matter little against the foolishly hopeful and blindly determined.

Belgium vs South Korea Preview

Belgium vs South Korea Preview - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105779" title="uruguay" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140619_CMS_105761_uruguay_73d333ef.webp&amp;width=599&amp;height=400" alt="" width="599" height="400" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053814/uruguay.jpg 599w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053814/uruguay-150x100.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053814/uruguay-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px"></figure>
England’s disappointing <a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/06/14/watch-italy-2-1-england-match-highlights-video/">1-2 loss to Italy</a> in Manaus should be tempered by the excitement generated by a genuinely <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/15/englands-positive-performance-against-italy-reveals-unanswered-questions/">fine performance</a>, despite the defeat.
Although nothing was gained against Italy, England should be heartened by the fact that nothing was definitively lost. The smiles, harmony, and bonhomie (yes, even bonhomie) of an England camp whose preparation was described as the “happiest, most straightforward England build-up to a major tournament for years,” England had the feel of a good news story.
The genuine good vibes and positive world view <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/04/englands-experimental-squad-and-tactics-against-ecuador-give-hodgson-plenty-to-ponder/">displayed in South Florida</a> should carry them into the temperate environment of Sao Paolo for the mutual do-or-die engagement with a shell-shocked Uruguay who were <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/14/uruguay-1-3-costa-rica-masterclass-by-the-ticos/">torn to pieces by an inspired Costa Rica</a>.
Uruguay is the oldest squad in the tournament and it showed in the second half collapse. Luis Suarez’s absence, particularly when Costa Rice snatched a 2-1 lead, raises some doubt about his emphatic declaration of being 100% fit.
England’s energetic performance should make Roy Hodgson’s team selection a no brainer. Without the equivalent of Andrea Pirlo, Uruguay’s midfield won’t dominate the middle of the pitch. Hodgson retains the liberty to stick with the same XI in a 4-2-3-1, with <a title="Wayne Rooney" href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/19/wayne-rooney-must-deliver-against-uruguay-and-reward-roy-hodgsons-trust/">Wayne Rooney</a> swapping places with Raheem Sterling. In his favored central position, Rooney gains creative license while being relieved of defensive duties that he neither liked nor performed well. Hodgson is aware that Rooney’s assist against Italy came about once he jettisoned defensive duties. The youthful energy and confidence of Sturridge, Sterling, and Welbeck will be encouraged here once again to take the game to their opponents. Hodgson’s conservatism looks to have not made the flight to Brazil.
Uruguay’s tactics will be determined by Suarez’s fitness and to some degree by Maxi Pereira’s red card. As we witnessed against Costa Rica, a Suarez-less Uruguay is swagger-less Uruguay. Diego Forlan, well past his prime, was a poor proxy and Edison Cavani was even more isolated than poor Suarez on the sideline. With Suarez on the pitch, Forlan returns to the bench and Cavani will likely drop deeper.
Suarez’s presence and energy reverberate throughout the lineup and Uruguay is better from back to front with him stirring things up. But will it be enough to overcome a new-look England squad who may grow stronger even in defeat? Belief had withered in the long awaited dominance of the Golden Generation that never arrived. Now belief has a chance to return sooner than expected with the emergence of England’s new class of international elite who will take one step closer to qualification at expense of a Uruguay squad who, with Suarez, can never be written off.
The match has the potential to continue a run of exciting matches that have made this World Cup so immediately memorable.

England vs Uruguay Preview: Three Lions Look to Regain Control of World Cup Future

England vs Uruguay Preview: Three Lions Look to Regain Control of World Cup Future - World Soccer Talk

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England vs Uruguay Preview: Three Lions Look to Regain Control of World Cup Future