Korean U-20 football team to play against Argentina

Korea's under-20 national football team led by head coach Shin Tae-yong will play against Argentina, the most winning team, at the second game of Group A at the Under 20 World Cup group league. Argentina has grabbed six victories including the Canada competition in 2007. It has shown weakness since 2010 as it failed at the group league in the New Zealand competition in 2015, but its offense power based on unique individual talents remains powerful.

Argentina lost 0-3 at the first game in the group league with England on Saturday, but still maintained a robust game. In ball possession rate Argentina had 59-41, shooting number 22-7 and corner kick 9-2. In the offense, pass success rate also topped 70 percent. "All players boasted of their individual techniques, "Shin said,

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez, who had recorded the most scores (five) at the Latin America preliminaries, cannot play against the Korean team as he got a red card in the game with England. Still, striker Ezequiel Ponce and midfielder Santiago Lionel Ascacibar from Granada of Spain's Primera Liga have strong attack capability.

Argentina is weak in defense. At the game with England, it missed the rival team's player in the front of the goal gate several times. Argentina lost 14 goals in nine games in the first and second preliminary games. Except for Marcos Senesi, Argentia has no players over 180 centimeters in height, showing weakness in the air battle at goal.

Jong-Seok Lee wing@donga.com