The South Korean women’s soccer team will need to win their second group game against Morocco to advance to the round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. After playing a steady game with a three-back system in the first leg against Colombia (0-2), South Korea will look to be more aggressive against Morocco.
Morocco, ranked 72nd in the FIFA rankings, is considered the weakest team in Group H, which includes South Korea (17th in FIFA). They are winless in their last six games with two draws and four losses. The defending champions have been urged to be aggressive in training by head coach Colin Bell.
If they can exploit Morocco’s weaknesses, which were exposed in the first leg against Germany, they can expect a multi-goal victory. Belho will need to create plenty of set pieces and crosses. One of Morocco’s weaknesses that was exposed against Germany is their ability to fight high. Morocco lost 0-6 to Germany, and the only two goals they conceded were from corners and lateral crosses.
They conceded three goals, including two own goals, from opponents’ corner kicks, and three more from side crosses. They either lost possession or panicked at their opponents’ quick attacks and made mistakes that led to their own downfall. South Korea is no match for Morocco in terms of physicality.
If they use their main weapon, their quick feet, to constantly pound the Moroccan flanks, they can create multiple scoring chances. Above all, Belho has been working hard on set pieces in preparation for the World Cup. The variety of patterns will help him rattle the inexperienced Moroccan defense. In addition, the Moroccan players are likely to be paralyzed after losing their first game by a big score.
South Korea should capitalize on this and try to make more daring charges and passes than usual to force their opponents into mistakes. The role of Ji So-yeon and Lee Geum-min in the midfield will be crucial, as they will provide crisp passes. Then, a forward like Choi Yoo-ri, who moves around a lot and is good at making aggressive runs and crosses, will be able to create a crucial assist or goal. Choi Yoo-ri was in good form against Colombia, taking a few sharp shots on goal.
However, we can’t let our guard down. Morocco also has players with good skills. With ace striker Ayane Rossella at the helm, they’ll be looking to play a counter-attacking game. Since being called up to the Moroccan national team in 2021, she has scored a goal every two games (9 goals in 21 games). At 1.80 meters tall, he has good feet and speed. 꽁머니지급
He is also a teammate of Belo Horizonte midfielder Cho So-hyun, who plays for Tottenham in England. Morocco’s captain and ‘midfield commander’, Ghizlane Shebaq, will also need to intercept passes. She was first called up to the Moroccan national team in 2007 and has scored 21 goals in 61 games. She is the all-time leading scorer for Moroccan women.
Lee Min-ah (32, Incheon Hyundai Steel), a star midfielder for the South Korean women’s national soccer team, will provide commentary for JoongAng Ilbo during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. Since her call-up to the national team in 2012, Lee has been a regular fixture for the women’s national team, appearing at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. She has scored 17 goals in 76 international matches. This
