Reus must head-up full-scale onslaught
MARCO Reus has no intention of allowing South Korea to get in the way of Germany progressing to the last 16 at the 2018 Russia World Cup today – especially now that the World Cup holders have already saved their skins once.
‘Die Mannschaft’ play South Korea at the Kazan Arena, Kazan, later today.
Reus came on as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening match but, given a starting role against Sweden at the Fisht stadium, Sochi on Saturday, he bundled in a 48thminute equaliser to drag Germany back into the game.
With seconds remaining on the clock, Germany secured a vital 2-1 win, thanks to Toni Kroos’s superb curling shot from a free-kick in the 95th minute, with Reus setting it up in a set-piece move.
It meant Germany avoided the ignominy of becoming the sixth team to crash out as World Cup holders, but they are not safe yet to progress to the knockout round.
Four years after Spain became just the fifth champions sent packing, Joachim Loew’s pre-tournament favourites could still be stopped at the first round for the first time since 1938.
While the exuberant, post-match celebrations by Germany’s coaching staff upset Sweden, they belied the champions’ desire to show the rest of the world that their business in Russia is far from over.
However, the Germany team that won all 10 of their qualifiers with a whopping 39plus goal difference, has yet to convince many they deserve a place in the last 16, let alone the World Cup final. Germany’s path to the second round is littered with obstacles. Although South Korea sit bottom of the group without a point, following defeats to Mexico (2-1) and Sweden (1-0), all four teams can still qualify.
Germany will go through if they win by two or more clear goals against South Korea, who can qualify if they beat Germany and Sweden lose, and finish with a better goal difference than both teams. If Germany and Sweden draw their games, the team in the higherscoring game will finish second. If the matches finish with the same score, Germany will finish second because they beat Sweden.
After missing out on Brazil four years ago when Mario Goetze’s extra-time winner against Argentina handed Germany their fourth World Cup title, Reus arguably has more reason than most to make sure Germany avoid an early departure.
The Borussia Dortmund forward missed Brazil 2014 with torn ankle ligaments, Euro 2016 with a groin problem and Germany’s 2017 Confederations Cup triumph with torn knee ligaments.
“We have to do our duty and win the game, preferably not by just 1-0 but higher.” —