Sweden vs Korea Rep
Venue: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
Kick off: 1:00pm
Sweden and South Korea get their World Cup campaigns underway when they meet in Nizhny Novgorod this afternoon.
The game could be crucial for both sides’ chances of qualification as they will also face holders Germany and Mexico in Group F.
However, neither side comes into the tournament in encouraging form.
Sweden, who are without the internationally-retired Zlatan Ibrahimovic, failed to score in their last three warm-up matches and have not won a game since beating Italy in the first leg of their play-off qualifier last November.
South Korea have had similar struggles over the last month – losing to Senegal and Bosnia and Herzegovina in friendlies.
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However, while Sweden don’t have Ibrahimovic, South Korea do have their talisman, Heung-Min Son.
The Tottenham forward scored 18 goals in all competitions last season and South Korea will be hoping he can deliver as they prepare for their ninth successive World Cup.
“I feel great when people say good things about me but what’s important is that I have to show it on the pitch,” said Son.
“I know lots of people’s expectations are on me, so I also feel a responsibility.”
South Korea only picked up a point at the last World Cup while Sweden made the last 16 in their last World Cup appearance in 2006.
