Japan vs. South Korea Statistical Preview
Goalkeeping and Defense
Japan is one of the best teams in this tournament, without a doubt, but they have looked suspect a number of times at the back. The only clean sheet in their four matches so far have come against a frankly terrible Saudi Arabian side in their 5-0 win, and they were the only one of the finalists to concede more than one goal in the quarters. If Qatar can get two past them, they can expect South Koreas Koo Ja-Cheol to be trouble. South Korea has been on decent form defensively, allowing only one goal from open play, but conceding two penalties in the group stage brings up some concerns about the discipline of their back line. They kept an Iran team from scoring in the quarterfinals that had been perfect with three wins up to that point.
Advantage: South Korea
Passing and Midfield
Japans midfield is impressive, especially going forward. Theyve completed a tournament second-best 1552 passes, only four less than leaders Uzbekistan. Kaisuke Honda may not be scoring a ton of goals, but he is running things very efficiently in the middle for Japan, who held 59% of possession in the quarters against Qatar. South Korea has been less impressive in this area, but has individuals whose work rate could have an effect no one ran more distance during the quarterfinal round than their Lee Yong-Rae, and no one was faster in that round than teammate Yeom Ki-Hun.
Advantage: Japan
Attack
Japan is the best attacking team of the tourna! ment so far, hands down. Their 11 goals are the most by any team, and three more than any other. This stat was heavily influenced by the aforementioned beatdown they handed Saudi Arabia, but they were also the most productive attack in the quarterfinals, putting three past a Qatar team that had only conceded two in the group stage. Honda, Kagawa, Okazaki, Maeda, Hasebe these are all players that can hurt you. On the Korean side is the tournaments joint lead scorer, Koo Ja-Cheol, who has had a great tournament but the team only has four different goalscorers so far this tournament, to Japans seven. South Korea has taken more shots on goal and provided more crosses, but have not finished them as well.
Advantage: Japan
What to Expect
Japan has to be the favorite, but not by much. Their defensive woes are a worry, and a team that has squeaked by several times already has to worry about this match. In their first two matches, it took very late goals to salvage a win and a draw, and against Qatar, they had to come back from behind and again left it until literally the last minute. One wonders if their luck will hold. South Korea has not been much more authoritative in their wins, needing an injury-time goal over Iran to pass through the quarters. Statistically, neither one stands out all that far from the other. After going back and forth between predicting each a winner, Im calling this one to go to extra time and leaving it at that.
For more on these two teams, check out our excellent Japan and South Korea blogs.
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