Nigeria v South Korea, Tuesday 22nd June, 7.30pm
Despite losing both of their opening Group B matches, there’s a reasonable chance that Nigeria will find themselves playing Uruguay or Mexico in the last sixteen stage of the 2010 World Cup. The Super Eagles managed to keep Argentina to a 1-0 scoreline in Johannesburg and that result could actually make all the difference, or goal difference to be exact. A victory for Lars Lagerback’s team in this match coupled with a Greek defeat against Argentina will mean that the African team receive an almight reprieve and they are 10/3 (Paddy Power) to make it to the knockout stage with just three points.
Nigeria are a decent footballing team who probably wouldn’t have lost against Greece if Sani Kaita hadn’t stupidly got himself sent off for a studs up challenge in the first half. At that stage, Kala Uche’s free kick was the difference between the two teams and the Almeria midfielder is 12/1 (William Hill) to break the deadlock in Durban and take his team a step closer to realising their dream. They are 9/5 (Stan James) to win this match and there’s not a lot to choose between the two sides on paper, although South Korea did beat Ivory Coast in March and will hope that this result stands them in good stead against another physical African team.
Jung-Moo Huh declared himself disappointed by the way his team allowed Argentina to cut them apart so easily and he will be looking for them to return to their rock-like defending that saw them beat Greece in the opening match. Bet365 offer 8/5 that it’s the Taegeuk Warriors who are celebrating come the final whistle with a win, although a draw (23/10 Ladbrokes) might be enough to book their place in the last sixteen.
Bolton’s Lee Chung-yong was the man on target against the Argentines and he’s 12/1 (William Hill) to break the deadlock against the Nigerians, while Lagerback will almost certainly continue with Peter Odemwingie (12/1 Bet Fred) in a supporting role behind Yakubu (8/1 Stan James).
