Korea Republic 0-1 Belgium - Five talking points

Ten-man Belgium battled to victory over South Korea, ensuring that they topped the group and avoided Germany in the Round of 16.While only a solitary Jan Vertonghen goal separated the two teams, the Koreans did manage to hit the woodwork throughSon Heung-Min.Midfielder Steven Defour was sent off for a rash challenge onKim Shin-wook. But the Koreans were unable to take advantage of their greater numbers, and crashed out of the group stage, far from replicating their dream run from 12 years ago.

#1 Belgium need to start acting like dark horses

If the tag of ‘dark horse’ starts slipping from one’s neck, it is probably because of poor performaces.

Belgium may have topped their group, but have been rather unconvincing in their play, having to depend on late goals, a majority of them from substitutes, to earn them hard-fought victories against opponents limited in quality.

With the Round of 16 up next, Belgium will have to get their act together if they want to pose serious questions to the US. While the Americans may not be able to match the Belgians in terms of depth and talent in the squad, they have a certain togetherness and team ethic.

Although it does not matter at the end of the day if the goals came in the 1st minute or the 90th, it’s indicative of Belgium’s ineffectiveness in front of goal that they take so long to score.

#2 Divock Origi - remember the name

An injury to Chritian Benteke was supposed to provide Romelu Lukaku the sort of undisputed first-choice striking role that he has not been presented at Chelsea, forcing him to go out on loan for two consecutive years to ‘smaller’ clubs.

However, Lukaku has faltered in the international arena, and eyes are slowly turning towards 19-year-old Divock Origi, who became the first teenager to score a World Cup goal after a certain Lionel Messi hit one against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006.

The Lille striker may have scored only one goal for the national team at the World Cup, but has contributed handsomely to Belgium’s progress. And if reports are to be believed, his showing in Brazil has convinced serveral clubs to spend millions on him.

Could a case be made for Origi’s inclusion ahead of Lukaku? Given the general tendency to trust experienced players – not that Lukaku has much experience himself – over the callowness of youth, coach Marc Wilmots will prefer to bring him on from the bench as an impact player.

But Origi won’t care if he is not started against the US in the round of 16 considering he did not expect to be even chosen for the World Cup, let alone star in it.

#3 Captain Kompany is needed

Vincent Kompany missed the match due to a groin injury, and although Belgium managed to keep a clean sheet with ten men, Wilmots would prefer to have his captain in the starting eleven.

In a collection of highly skilled and talented individuals, Kompany is one of the few natural leaders, and the skipper will be needed at his fighting best to ensure the US do not breach Belgium’s defences.

Vincent Kompany

Belgium’s back-line, with Kompany leading them, were instrumental in the qualification campaign. They were unbeaten for the entire ten-match qualification process, dropping points only against Wales and Croatia.

Although the strikers were rather frugal in front of goal, scoring just 18 goals in 10 games, it was the defence again that made sure that the lack of goals did not hurt them as they conceded just four goals, keeping six cleansheets.

Kompany’s role is even more important considering the Belgium back-four is devoid of full backs, with central defenders taking the full-back positions as well. Organisation, then, will be key, and Kompany has proved he is one of the very best at it.

#4 What team does Wilmots pick?

Having the luxury to rest some key players would have delighted coach Marc Wilmots. A strong squad meant that replacements could be brought in without appreciably weakening the starting eleven.

However, the uninspiring performances of the first two games meant that some changes were probably needed to not just freshen things up, but to give fringe players a chance to prove themselves.

In the absence of Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens had an off day, while teenager Divock Origi further helped his chances of starting. In mid-field, Steven Defour was sent off, and Adnan Januzaj did not lift his national side as he lifted Manchester United in the recent past.

While most of the spots in Wilmots’ starting eleven are sewn up due to his preference for a 4-2-3-1, wobbly showings by players in key positions could further compound the issue of unconvincing victories. But hey, a victory is a victory.

#5 Asian no-show a worry

South Korea’s defeat meant that all four Asian nations at the World Cup have exited at the group stage itself – a far cry from 2002 when the co-hosts had a remarkable run to the semi-finals, where they lost to Germany.

A fortunate draw with Russia in the opening game meant that the Koreans would not go home empty-handed.

However, the thrashing at the hands of Algeria, and today’s loss to Belgium despite a numerical advantage for just over half the game has shown why Asia may remain an attraction for clubs only for its television audience, rather than the players they produce.

That is not to say the Koreans lack quality players. In Son Heung-Min they have a potentially world-class striker, while a mid-field of Kim Bo-Kyung, Ki Sung-Yueng and Lee Chung-Yong is more than adequate to cause an upset or two.

Greater and prolonged exposure to a higher level of football for more members of the squad can be the only way to progress on the international stage.