South Korea – Ghana

Both opponents will be determined to win, leading to a goal in the first half

On Monday, Group H teams will play their second round matches. Despite the Portuguese team's victory in the first leg, their chances of winning the title have not changed much in the eyes of the bookmakers. With three points to their name, Ronaldo and company are sixth on the list of Championship gold-medal contenders at odds of 14. Uruguay are eleventh and are quoted at 55. While the favourites of the group will find out in a head-to-head encounter, the Republic of Korea and Ghana will meet in the second leg of the quartet. Both teams showed character in the first round, with the Koreans even picking up one point, putting up a decent fight against the South Americans. In the upcoming match-up, the Asian team is offered as the favourite with the lowest of the odds. The Republic of Korea, along with Uruguay, played the first World Cup match in the 21st century without a single shot on goal. If excessive caution in playing the favourites is understandable for an Asian side, it is difficult to understand for a South American side that has Nunez, Luis Suárez, Cavani and ambitions of winning the group. The Koreans were content to play Uruguay 0-0, but a draw in the second leg would significantly reduce their chances of clinching a play-off spot. Without three points against Ghana in a group with Uruguay and Portugal, it is difficult to expect even second place. The encounter between Ghana and Portugal was very similar to the Group H encounter described above, but only in the first half when only the Portuguese were active. In the second half, the Europeans and Africans took a total of six shots at each other's goal, five of which resulted in goals. Despite the strength and talent of their opponents, Ayew and company played with dignity. With a few minutes to go before the final whistle, Ghana scored one goal and, in the final attack, almost took advantage of a mistake by Kosta to level the score. Obviously, such a game against Portugal will make the Ghanaians believe in their strength and strive to score as much as the Koreans. The clash of two ambitious and diligent teams, knowing that they are the most likely three-goal scorers in the group, will result in a goal in the first half.