Brazil Seeks Redemption in Friendly Against South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea — Brazil aims to bounce back from a disappointing defeat in Bolivia as they prepare to face South Korea in an international friendly on Friday. The Seleção, who secured their place in the World Cup this past June, struggled during the CONMEBOL qualifiers and finished fifth in the final table.

Brazil’s most recent match saw them lose to Bolivia on September 10, a setback attributed to lackluster performances throughout the qualifying campaign. Since Carlo Ancelotti took over as head coach, Brazil has played four matches, winning just twice.

The friendly against South Korea, followed by another match against Japan, provides Brazil an opportunity to regain their competitive edge before the World Cup. Currently, they do not rank among the favorites for the tournament, making these games crucial for building momentum.

South Korea also looks to impress, having qualified for the World Cup by topping their group. They come into this match with an impressive 16-match unbeaten streak, including a recent victory over the United States and a draw with Mexico. Historically, Brazil has dominated their encounters with South Korea, winning 11 out of 13 matches.

Son Heung-min, the South Korean captain and star forward, is set to play in the upcoming friendly. After a successful stint with LAFC, Son has quickly become a key player for his national team. Coach Hong Myung-bo has built his squad with both experience and youth, emphasizing a robust defensive strategy.

On Brazil’s side, key players such as goalkeeper Alisson are sidelined with injuries, hinting at challenges for coach Ancelotti. Despite this, star player Vinícius Júnior returns to the lineup, bolstering Brazil’s attack. Ancelotti hopes for a cohesive performance from his team, who will likely adopt an aggressive style against the home side.

With the stakes high for both teams, this friendly promises to provide an exciting matchup as Brazil looks to establish dominance and regain confidence ahead of the World Cup.

The match is not expected to be televised in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, or Mexico, with only domestic broadcasters in Brazil providing coverage.