Group B still wide open with Nigeria taking on South Korea

Nigeria has to win its final Group B game against South Korea at Durban Stadium in Durban on June 22 to have any chance of advancing to the next round. Nigeria needs to win and hope that Argentina beats Greece in the other group matchup. If this happens, Nigeria, Greece, and South Korea will all be deadlocked for second place with three points each. In this case, the goal difference formula will be used first to break the tie. Going into the games, South Korea and Greece are minus 1 and Nigeria is -2.

Another scenario could see Greece beating Argentina and South Korea beating Nigeria, to give Argentina, Greece, and South Korea six points each. However, Greece and South Korea would have to win by a large margin to take first place in the group as Argentina sits at a plus 4 goal difference. If Argentina beats Greece, South Korea can advance with a draw.

Nigeria has no choice here other than to attack and it should make for an interesting game to see if South Korea will be happy to defend or apply the pressure. The African nation lost its first two games by scores of 1-0 to Argentina and 2-1 to Greece. South Korea beat Greece 2-0 in their opener and was then humbled 4-1 by Argentina.

South Korean manger Huh Jung-Moo said he was surprised his team lost by three goals to Argentina, but the good thing is they still have a chance to redeem themselves and go through. He added that the defeat was a good lesson for his players and they have to learn from it for their match against Nigeria.

South Korea will again be relying on captain and midfielder Park Ji-Sung to lead the way and hope that defender Lee Jung-Soo and midfielder Kim Jung-Woo can continue their fine play. However, Nigeria is physically stronger and will be looking to midfielder Kalu Uche and keeper Vincent Enyeama to keep up their superb performances. However, Nigeria will be missing midfielder Sani Kaita for the game as he was sent off with a red card against Greece. Nigerian fans weren’t too happy Kaita as Greece scored both goals after he was sent off and it was reported that he received hundreds of death threats by email.

After that game, captain Joseph Yobo was distraught and said his team wouldn’t advance even if they win the last game, but that outlook has now changed with the group still wide open. Manager Lars Lagerback realizes his team needs help from Argentina, but realizes that scenario is better than no hope at all.

Odds and Betting Tips

The teams have played each other three times with South Korea winning two and drawing the other.

Expekt.com has the odds of a Nigeria win listed at 9/5 with a South Korean victory at 31/20 and a draw coming in at odds of 23/10.

Look for 21st-ranked Nigeria to be inspired in this game, but 47th-ranked South Korea should be able to match them goal for goal and this one could end up in a 2-2 draw. This result pays 15 times the money at Bodog and any draw gives 3.15 (+215, 43/20) at BetUS.

Claim your bonus at BetUS here!