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WORLD CUP 2018 | ||
SWEDEN |
vs | REP KOREA | |
| FIFA RANKING 23 | FIFA RANKING 61 | ||
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| TEAM PROFILES |
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| SWEDEN Sweden had just stunned Italy in the play-offs to qualify for their first World Cup finals since 2006 when a tweet was posted by the country's best player: "We are Zweden." The shadow of Zlatan Ibrahimovic hangs over the national team. The Manchester United striker retired from international soccer after last year's European Championship, but the obvious question is now being asked: Will Ibrahimovic be tempted to come out of retirement for one last World Cup? And will the Swedes accept him back? Without Ibrahimovic, Sweden seem more united and well-structured, but he can do things no other Swedish player can. Watch this space. REP KOREAEvery World Cup since 1986 has featured South Korea. This time looks likelier to be a repeat of 2014's meek group-stage exit than 2002's swashbuckling run to the semi-finals. Qualifying was tricky, with a place only secured thanks to a tense 0-0 draw against fellow qualifying contenders Uzbekistan on the final day of the Asian group stages, combined with Syria's failure to beat Iran. Much will depend on a trio of English Premier League players - Tottenham's Son Heung-min, Swansea's Ki Sung-yeung and Crystal Palace's Lee Chung-yong - who bring valuable experience of top-level football. |
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STAR PLAYERS |
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| SWEDEN | KOREA | ||
| Emil Forsberg (Leipzig) Has replaced Ibrahimovic as Sweden's inspiration in attack. |
Son Heung-min (Tottenham) - The top-scoring Asian player in Premier League history. |
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