Women’s World Cup: This is the Point of No Return for Korea

Korea Republic vs Morocco

When the Women’s World Cup kicked off two weeks ago, Group H had a fascinating look about it with Germany the favourites and South Korea, Colombia, and Morocco chasing second place.

South Korea were our SBOTOP dark horses for the competition, but they made a poor start, losing 2-0 to Colombia, and now they need to beat the Moroccans, who were hammered 6-0 by Germany.

So this is a clash between two teams which are yet to get off the mark. A win will keep their qualification hopes alive and a draw will be of little use to either.

Korea are the hot favourites and, with a crystal clear objective, I expect them to come through.   

Talking Points

Korea must rule out individual errors 

South Korea head coach Colin Bell has some serious work to do after a disappointing showing in their first outing, and he knows that even if his team does beat Morocco, their success still needs other results to go their way.   

Korea’s match with Colombia was pitched as a battle for second place in a group we all expect Germany to win, and the Women’s World Cup 2023 betting odds back us up. But individual errors cost the Koreans dearly and Colombia took full advantage.

The opener came on the half hour when Shim Seo-yen handled in the penalty area, and Catalina Usme slotted home the spot-kick. Before the break, Colombia doubled the lead when Korea keeper Yoon Young- geul made an error, and Linda Caicedo pounced to slam the ball into the net.

Lee Geum-min came close to halving the deficit, but Colombia keeper Catalia Perez made a stunning save. And then Korea made the big Women’s World Cup 2023 news of the tournament so far when they brought on 16-year-old Casey Phair, who became the youngest ever player in the World Cup, just 26 days into her 17^th year.

Korea really should have beaten a side which registered only its second ever win at a World finals, and the Asian team has now lost all four of its opening Women’s World Cup games.

Korea didn’t deserve anything, but Kang Chae-Rim and Moon Mi-Ra both put in strong performances, and if they can lift their teammates, then a victory is just around the corner.   

Morocco must go again

While Bell has work to do with the Koreans, Morocco head coach Reynald Pedros has a rather more straightforward task. He is just trying to improve his inexperienced team match by match, and now he will attempt to lift their spirits after a brutal hammering at the hands of Alexandra Popp and Germany, scoring two own goal in the process.

Pedros is a proven manager in the women’s game. As a former France international, he led Lyon to two Ligue 1 titles and two Women’s Champions League titles. Morocco’s qualification for their first ever tournament was a fine achievement in itself, and their profile skyrocketed after hosting the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022. 

In support of Pedros, Ghizlane Chebbak is an inspirational figure, nurturing the younger players and leading by example as top scorer with 21 goals.

“Moroccan people love watching football and they love supporting anyone who represents the country,” she said.

The Atlas Lions reached the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and now the women are trying their utmost to become a force in the women’s game.

While they were thrashed by Germany, Morocco put up a good fight and stretched the German defence at times, only losing the shots on target count by seven to four.

There is a long way to go, but the will and the passion for Morocco to succeed is there.            

History

At 17^th in the FIFA World Rankings, the Koreans are 55 places above the Moroccans in 72^nd. But Korea is a more established player in the women’s game, and Morocco are on the up.   

But it is still a tough world for the underdogs, and they are still on a steep learning curve. Over the past six games, Morocco have lost four and drawn two, while Korea have won three and drawn three.

In fact, Morocco haven’t picked up a victory in their last nine attempts.

Betting Tip

Korea are at 1.47 to win this game with the draw at 3.59, and Morocco are priced at 4.84 to cause an upset.

The Koreans really should pick up three points here, but Bell will make his team fully aware that if they are sloppy at the back, then Morocco will be dangerous.

If they get it right, a scoreline of 2-0 to South Korea at odds of 5.41 will not be far off the mark.

 

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