South Korea and Greece will kick off Group B of the World Cup in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Park and Lee boost for South Koreans; Moras out for Greece
South Korea and Greece will kick off Group B of the World Cup in Port Elizabeth on Saturday as both teams look to start their campaigns on a high note.
As Asia's most successful team in the World Cup, South Korea will be hoping to emulate their 2002 display when they reached the semi-finals of the tournament co-hosted by themselves and Japan.
The Taeguk Warriors, who have featured in the showpiece event since 1986, were less successful four years ago as they failed to advance past the group stages.
But after drawing against Argentina and Nigeria as well as Greece, Huh Jung-moo's side will have their sights set on at least the runners-up spot in their group.
Greece, meanwhile, have not featured in the World Cup finals since their debut appearance in 1994, when they endured a disastrous campaign in the USA.
The Greeks lost all three of their group matches that year, conceding a massive 10 goals and not once finding the back of the net.
Of all the European teams to have played at the tournament, Otto Rehhagel's men are the only side without a single goal.
Greece enter the competition on the back of a dispiriting 2-0 loss to Paraguay in their final warm-up match, but they were crowned European Champions under Rehhagel in 2004 and could be looking to spring another surprise.
South Korea news
The South Koreans will be boosted by the recovery of two of their star players, captain Park Ji-sung and striker Lee Dong-gook.
Former Middlesbrough forward Lee suffered a hamstring injury last month but is expected to play some part on Saturday after returning to fitness, and could even start for the Warriors.
Talismanic skipper Park, meanwhile, will play a crucial role in midfield after also recovering from a hamstring problem that forced him to miss the side's final friendly against Spain.
Veteran Lee Woon-jae is likely to retain his spot between the posts as Huh's No.1 goalkeeper.
Greece news
Defender Vangelis Moras is ruled out of the opener for Greece due to an ankle injury, with midfielder Kostantinos Katsouranis likely to drop into his position.
However, Rehhagel could choose to keep Katsouranis in midfield and consider other options for his central defence.
Vasilis Torosidis and Giourkas Seitaridis are both expected to start after overcoming their own injury problems.
Goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas could start ahead of the more experienced Kostas Chalkias after being first-choice for the majority of the Greek friendlies.
