The Taeguk Warriors take on the Desert Foxes at Porto Alegre’s Estadio Beira-Rio tonight in Group H in an encounter which promises to bubble over  into a real firework display, depending on the result of the other, preceding game in the group between Russia and group favourites Belgium. Should Belgium be held to a draw or even beaten then the Korean Republic could go top or joint top respectively. Algeria for their part, could go second with a triumph over the Korean Republic and if Belgium are beaten.

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If Belgium win tonight then they are through to the next round having taken 6 points from two matches. Only Russian Kerzhakov’s goal against them stopped the Korean Republic from sitting in joint first next to Belgium, however they will still definitely be looking for top points this evening  as they seek to gain  entrance into the round of sixteen. They have beaten Algeria before in December 1985 running out 2-0 winners in an international friendly. Also in their favour is that before Algeria’s penalty  goal last week, they haven’t scored in over five hundred minutes in international competition.

Algeria however did look quite strong defensively, against a Belgian side that was expected to run riot against supposedly lesser opposition, given that it’s squad is absolutely chock full of top English Premier League stars from clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and current champions Manchester City. Should they decide to defend deep again this evening, the Taeguk Warriors may just find it hard to break through given that their side isn’t really renowned for goalscoring prowess. On that note,  Lee Keun-Ho and Park Chu-Young may be expected to do the business up front this evening, being their country’s top two scorers momentarily.

Physical fitness will be tested to the maximum tonight for both teams, however on that front the Koreans  look to have the edge, with Vahid Halilhodzic’s men seeming to run out of steam against Belgium in the second half. Algerian winger Sofiane Feghouli has said of their chances against the Republic of Korea: “We have to fight like lions. It will be historic if  manage to qualify. We will do absolutely everything we can to go through.” Korea however will be expecting an onslaught from the optimistic foxes whose World Cup history does not make  for very good bedtime reading.

Republic of Korea defender Park Joo-Ho is expecting a hard fought  match saying: “I don’t thihnk either team will have a lot of chances in attack. If we can score on the chances that we do get, we should have a very good shot at winning the game.” Korean striker Ji Dong-Won has implied that there is a good feeling in the squad and that the signs are good. “I watched the game this week between Algeria and Belgium,” he said. “Algeria’s attacking players are quick and each has his own unique quality. They are not an easy team to beat.”

He went on to say “We didn’t have a lot of players with World Cup experience, but after getting the first match out of the way, I think we have regained our confidence.”