Emil Forsberg to take on Zlatan mantle and more Sweden v South Korea Group F talking points

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  • It is somewhat remarkable this is Sweden’s first World Cup since 2006.

    On the flip side, South Korea have qualified for each and every one of football’s showpiece events since 1986.

    Group F is one of the most competitive quartets in the 2018 edition of the event, with these two sides and Mexico also vying for a likely second-place qualifying berth behind defending champions Germany.

    Here, we assess the key talking points as the two teams go head-to-head at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Monday (16:00 kick-off).

    Sweden have done well to move on from Zlatan

    When Sweden stride out onto the turf in Nizhny Novgorod, they will simultaneously step out of Zlatan Ibrahmimovic’s shadow for good. Replacing a record of 62 goals in 116 appearances is no mean feat for the Scandinavian side, he has after all, been a staple part of their diet in tournament play since 2000.

    Watching the Blagult (Blue Yellows) without their long-term retired talisman, will be strange, but they fared just fine without the veteran in qualifying, beating Italy in a play-off en-route to the finals.

    Emil Forsberg is the closest man Sweden have at their disposal to rival Zlatan’s talent. The 26-year-old, who plies his trade with RB Leipzig, is crucial to the cause and should see this as his chance to make sure people come away from the World Cup knowing his name.

    The winger, who has been tipped to move to Arsenal this summer for big money, has substance in the form of goals and assists, as well as tremendous work-rate and pace from the left-flank. His style very much appeases that of coach Janne Andersson, who is no-nonsense and will demand total commitment from a set of players devoid of quality generally.

    Forsberg will be charged with driving this team forward while Al Ain hitman Marcus Berg is always good for a goal having struck 34 of them last term for the UAE-based club.

    Sweden's midfielder Emil Forsberg looks on as he takes part in a training session of Swedish national football team on June 13, 2018 at the Spartak stadium in Gelendzhik, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    Bright hope: Emil Forsberg.

    Korean hopes rest with Son

    Few players carry the type of burden and weight of expectation that the Tottenham ace does.

    Off the back of a strong season with Mauricio Pochettino’s men, in which he netted 18 times, the 25-year-old simply has to turn up and perform if his nation are to stand any chance of progressing beyond Group F.

    Appearing in their 10th World Cup – a record for an Asian side – Son will be charged with trying to overturn Korea’s wretched recent run in World Cup competition which has seen them win just once in nine matches.

    Coach Shin Tae-young has given the Spurs star a free reign to attack from the right-hand side, where we have often seen him have such a telling impact in the Premier League.

    Although South Korea don’t lack any endeavour, energy or work-rate, apart from Son, quality is at a real premium, and as such, makes it doubly difficult for their best player to affect the game in the way in which he would want to do.

    Expect Son to try and combine with emerging youngster Hwang Hee-Chan, a forward who enjoyed a decent season with Salzburg and should have a say in the goalscoring charts should chances fall his way.

    Leaving Al Duhail star Nam Tae-hee at home was a surprising move but perhaps went some way to showing that Korea want to give Son centre stage.
    TOPSHOT - South Korea's forward Son Heung-min takes part in a training session at Saint Petersburg's Spartak Lomonosov Stadium on June 16, 2018, during the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by Christophe SIMON / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images)

    South Korean idol: Son Heung-min.

    Opening clash crucial to both teams’ chances
    If, as expected, Germany cruise to top spot in this quartet – the race very much remains wide open for second spot.
    There is little, on paper and current form at least, to split Sweden and Mexico, with South Korea’s lack of star quality and varying results in warm-up play, probably making them the weakest outfit. As such, it makes Monday’s contest a winner-takes-all match-up and one that could well come down to who wants it more.
    Sweden's midfielder Emil Forsberg (R) attends a training session on June 14, 2018 at Spartak stadium in Gelendzhik, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    It is all to play for.

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