Argentina v South Korea

TEAM NEWS

Argentina will not risk playmaker Juan Veron, who is carrying a calf problem. Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is set to replace the 35-year-old.
Coach Diego Maradona is tipped to recall Nicolas Burdisso following Jonas Gutierrez's unconvincing performance at right-back in the win against Nigeria.
South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo is unlikely to make many changes after the impressive victory against Greece. Monaco striker Park Chu-young will lead the line, with captain Park Ji-sung providing support from midfield.
One booking from suspension: Gutierrez (Argentina)

MATCH PREVIEW

After encouraging displays in their opening games, both Argentina and South Korea know victory at Soccer City will leave them on the brink of qualification for the last 16. Argentina will become the first side to reach the knock-out stage if they win and Greece fail to beat Nigeria a few hours later. Similarly, the Koreans will advance if they defeat the South Americans and Nigeria are unable to collect three points.
Diego Maradona switched to a 4-3-3 formation against Nigeria on Saturday to get the best out of Lionel Messi, and the ploy certainly paid off. The Barcelona star did everything but score against the Super Eagles, for whom goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was in inspired form.
Argentina's six strikers have scored 170 club goals in the past 12 months, but it was a defender, Gabriel Heinze, who made the breakthrough when he headed in unmarked from a corner. Many have questioned Maradona's coaching credentials, but midfielder Juan Veron says the credit for Heinze's goal belongs to the 49-year-old. He spotted that the Nigerians flood the six-yard box when defending corners but leave space at the edge of the penalty area.
South Korea should be better organised, judging by their impressive win against Greece. Victory made Huh Jung-moo the first non-foreign coach to lead South Korea to victory in a World Cup game. He played against Argentina at 1986 World Cup, collecting a booking for a kung fu-style lunge on Maradona in a 3-1 defeat. The Argentine boss said last year "the Korean played taekwondo, not football against us - I still remember Huh."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
- Argentina have recorded victories in both of their previous matches against South Korea. They won 1-0 in a friendly in Seoul in 2003 and beat the Koreans 3-1 in a group match at the 1986 World Cup. Argentina coach Diego Maradona and Korean counterpart Huh-Jung moo both played in that game in Mexico City.
ARGENTINA
- The Argentines have yet to draw a game under Diego Maradona. They have won 15 of 20 games since he took charge.
- Gabriel Heinze's sixth-minute opener was a good omen for Argentina's World Cup chances. The last time they won the tournament, in 1986, they also scored six minutes into their first game, Jorge Valdano netting in the win against South Korea.
South Korea
- Park Ji-sung's goal against Greece made him the first South Korean to score at three World Cups. He netted against Portugal in 2002 and France in 2006.
- Thursday's match is the 56th anniversary of South Korea's first World Cup match. They lost 9-0 to Hungary on 17 June 1954.

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)
Assistants: Peter Hermans and Walter Vromans (both Belgium)
Fourth official: Jerome Damon (South Africa)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_18/default.stm

cnt help bt feel sorry for the guy when that happens.. especially as that could work out knocking them out of world cup.. presumptuous i know but still

Messi to score in first 20 mins

Offside ?

Oh crap. Gutierrez gets a yellow card and misses the next match