Big Brazil clash signals start of World Cup prep

Brazilian winger Neymar Jr. trains at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province, Sunday. Yonhap

By John Duerden

The European football season has ended and that means that the preparations for the 2022 World Cup have begun. South Korea has arranged four warm-up games in the first half of June to prepare for the winter World Cup.

There is no question as to which is the most eagerly-awaited match. It is the first and it comes as Brazil visits the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday. It should be quite an event in front of a sell-out crowd of over 60,000. Korea will then play Chile and Paraguay before Egypt arrives to play on June 14.

Such a South American feast is designed to give the Taeguk Warriors the best possible chance of defeating Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup in the opening game of Group H. Korea has never beaten South American opposition before and there are few better than Brazil.

The five-time world champions have brought a strong roster to East Asia. Topping the bill is Neymar, the most expensive player in the world and then there is Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid who, along with Liverpool stars Fabinho and Alisson, jetted east after Saturday's UEFA Champions League final between the English team and the Spanish giant in Paris. Other English Premier League names will also be on display: Gabriel Jesus and Ederson just helped Manchester City win the Premier League and there are stars from Arsenal, Manchester United and other top teams in Europe that will be representing the Selecao.

It will be billed, in part, as a chance for Son Heung-min to show what he can do against the mighty Brazil. His confidence and form is sky-high after winning the Premier League golden boot on May 22, scoring 23 goals for Tottenham. There is more to the Korean team than its superstar however. This is a chance ― the first one for a long time ― to test themselves against world-class opposition. Due to COVID-19, the priority for all national teams around the world has been to finish qualification for the World Cup, and there has not been much opportunity for friendly games. Korea played Iceland and Moldova in January but these games were for the domestic-based players only.

Now, head coach Paulo Bento has his full squad available and it is a big game. Over the years, big teams have come to Seoul but when they come during the season, it often feels a bit half-hearted. Not now though. For Brazil too, this is a crucial game at the start of its World Cup preparations. That is why the strongest team is coming and it will be a little more committed than the usual friendlies it partakes in.

These four games will be important in getting the team up to speed. The European season starts in August and then there will be just one more chance in September to get together before the World Cup comes into view. A good performance now and a place in the starting eleven or, at least the roster, awaits. But first, it is time to enjoy the visit of the mighty Brazil to Seoul. For once this game is as big for the South Americans as it is for the Asian team.