Spain has one last throw of the dice against South Korea. The squad know that a win or possibly even a draw may be enough to see them through to the next round of the Canada World Cup. The squad is optimistic and aiming for the win. After the slip-up in the opening game against Costa Rica and Saturdays defeat to Brazil, the Spanish team is obliged to beat South Korea. A Brazil win over Costa Rica by more than one goal could see a draw for the Spanish team as being enough to secure a last 16 place.
Spain has enough quality to make it through. They showed this in a convincing performance against Brazil. They took the game to one of the experienced pre-tournament favorites and were unlucky to come away with nothing from the match. Tonight they can address this against South Korea and show just how good they are.
The Asian side is no push-over however and a are a strong, physical team. Ji Soyun, is the star player for the Korean team and she is currently on the books at English side, Chelsea. Both Natalia Pablos and Vicky Losada who play for Arsenal have come up against her in the English domestic league and she’ll be tightly marked this evening. Korea are an extremely well organized side. Midfielder and captain, Cho Sohyun is the lynch-pin in front of the defense and most of the Korean build-up play goes through her. This is Korea’s first World Cup appearance in 12 years and the Koreans will make life difficult as they too are pushing for a place in the round of 16.
Ignacio Quereda is looking for the team to play in a similar manner as in the Brazil game and he is unexpected to make changes in the starting formation. Natalia, who has managed to shake off a muscle tweak, will be the lone striker. 11 players on the pitch at the Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa, 12 others on the bench and a whole country watching on television hoping for a result that will see Spain keep the World Cup dream alive. #SoñarEnGrande is the hash tag and we’ll all be ‘dreaming big’ tonight at 0100 (CET).