Colombia W vs South Korea W prediction: WORLD: World Cup Women betting tips on match 2023-07-24 02:00.
If two-time winners Germany are to win Group H of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) as is widely tipped, this first round match between Colombia and South Korea could be crucial in determining who follows them into the knockout stage in second. Colombia qualified for their third WWC by reaching the final of the Copa América in 2022, and their progress between their first two appearances in the competition has been impressive.
The Powerpuff Girls went from a goalless group stage in 2011, to qualifying for the knockout phase in 2015 thanks to their first and only victory in a WWC – a 2-0 win against powerhouses France! To improve upon that Round of 16 exit, head coach Nelson AbadĂa will have a combination of youth and experience at his disposal, from 18-year-old Linda Caicedo all the way up to Catalina Usme, Colombia's all-time leading goalscorer (51 goals).
While Colombia managed a 2-2 draw with China in a recent warm-up game, South Korea’s 3-2 loss to the same opponents in last year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup final will be driving them to prove a point in this tournament, particularly as that denied them their first major trophy. Like their upcoming opponents, South Korea also reached the last 16 at the 2015 WWC, but they were disappointed not to advance beyond the group stage in 2019.
English head coach Colin Bell, who led South Korea to their fourth WWC finals appearance, has done an excellent job since arriving in October 2019, with forward Lee Geum-min explaining last weekend that he “changed” their team for the better. That’s a sentiment backed up by Bell himself, who believes his side have “definitely improved from that Asian Cup” and “on a good day are capable of beating anyone”. His most pressing task is to improve on poor starts in this competition given the Taegeuk Ladies have lost all three of their opening WWC matches without scoring.
Players to watch: Caicedo's form should be an asset for Colombia as she has contributed to seven goals in her last eight matches for club side Real Madrid (G2, A5). Meanwhile, Tottenham’s Cho So-Hyun, who found the net in South Korea's only win at a WWC back in 2015, has scored twice in three international appearances in 2023.
Hot streak: South Korea have conceded first before the half-hour mark in their previous six WWC matches.