Preview: Argentina – Korea Republic

(GSM) – With three points already in hand for both sides, Argentina and Korea Republic will both seek to put a stranglehold on Group B when they meet in World Cup play on Thursday at Soccer City.

Argentina got an early goal in their opener against Nigeria on Saturday, and that held up for a less-than-impressive 1-0 victory over the African side.

The players, fans and manager Diego Maradona will likely be looking for an improved performance though the objective is still to just claim three points and all but assure a berth in the knockout rounds.

The Koreans, meanwhile, put on an impressive showing that same day against Greece in a 2-0 win with goals by Park Ji-Sung and Lee Jung-Soo seven minutes into either half doing the trick.

Finishing has been a problem for many sides in this tournament, and the Argentineans were not excluded from that.

Juan Sebastián Verón has been declared unfit for the game with a calf injury, and Maxi Rodríguez will be expected to start in his stead.

It is unlikely, less Verón, that Maradona will make any significant changes as Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín and Carlos Tévez are expected to start. If one doesn’t go, Diego Milito is sure to get the call.

For the Koreans, it would not be likely that they make any changes from the side that beat Greece, though they may get a boost from striker Lee Dong-Gook after he missed the opener with a hamstring problem.

The only player in this game on a yellow card will be Argentina’s Jonas Gutiérrez.