Preview:

Korea Republic - Germany By Rune Gjerulff

After the last-gasp victory over Sweden, Germany will aim to win confidently against Korea Republic and earn a spot in the round of 16.

German national team coach Joachim Löw. Photo: Danilo Borges/copa2014.gov.br/Creative Commons

When Toni Kroos scored the 2-1 winner against Sweden in the eleventh hour last Saturday, it obviously came as a huge relief for the German players.





But, actually, the goal also ensured that their opponents on Wednesday, Korea Republic, still have a chance of advancing to the round of 16 despite losing their two first matches.



Mexico have booked a spot in the round of 16 after taking six points from two games, but it is still open if Germany, Sweden or Korea Republic will take the second place in Group F.



While Germany and Sweden are currently tied at second place with three points and a goal difference of 2-2, Korea Republic are rock bottom with 0 points and a goal difference of 1-3. That means the Korean side will proceed if they beat Germany by a minimum of two goals and Sweden lose to Mexico.



However, Germany are adamant not to let that happen and hope to take a confident win to make sure Sweden stay behind them, Marco Reus said at a press conference yesterday.



"I hope we can play with even more freedom and produce more and better chances. We must do our duty and win the game. Hopefully with more than 1-0," Reus said.´





The Dortmund star, who scored and made an assist against Sweden, also said he expects Korea Republic to attack on the counter.



"We expect them to be focusing on counter-attacks and to stand defensively tight and safe on the pitch. They have extremely fast and agile players. They definitely have a certain quality, but I'm convinced we will win the game if we play with freedom and if we do like we did against Sweden. I assume the national coach will give us a plan again and will prepare us well for the opponent," Reus said.



After the disappointing 0-1 defeat to Mexico that caused a lot of criticism, the 2-1 win against Sweden has heightened the spirits in the German squad according to Timo Werner.



"The team have moved closer together again. The game showed that we are a team, and that everybody fights for the others until the last minute," the German striker said at the press conference yesterday.



Mats Hummels is back after recovering from a neck problem, and he is expected to replace the suspended Jerome Boateng in the line-up on Wednesday.



Sebastian Rudy, who broke his nose against Sweden, is a doubt and is likely to be replaced by Sami Khedira in the starting eleven. Khedira wasn't involved against Sweden, but could be back as Ilkay Gündogan, who was sent on the pitch when Rudy was injured versus Sweden, didn't do enough to convince that he deserves to start on Wednesday.



Predicted line-ups:

Korea Republic (4-2-2-2): H.-W. Cho - Y. Lee, H.-S. Jang, Y.-G. Kim, M.-W. Kim - S.-J. Ju, J.-C. Koo - J.-S. Lee, S.-M. Moon - H.-C. Hwang, Son.



Germany (4-2-3-1): Neuer - Kimmich, Rüdiger, Hummels, Hector - Khedira, Kroos - Müller, Reus, Draxler - Werner.



Where and when:

The match will be played on June 27, 16:00 (UTC +2) at the Kazan Arena, Kazan.



Predicted result:

Germany will take a clear 3-0 win against a Korean side who need to come forward if they want to advance to the round of 16.





