Korea vs. South Africa: The first 10 minutes could decide it all

With Korea set to face South Africa in their Group A finale on Thursday at 10 a.m. Korean Standard Time, analysts say the opening exchanges could prove decisive. South Africa have looked shaky in the early stages of both their matches so far, making a fast start the most promising path to victory for coach Hong Myung-bo's side.

Korea and South Africa enter the third match ranked second and fourth in Group A, respectively. Korea beat Czech Republic 2-1 in their opener before falling 1-0 to Mexico, leaving them on three points. South Africa lost to Mexico in their opener and drew 1-1 with Czech Republic, but sit bottom of the group on one point due to an inferior goal difference.

Despite the gap in the standings, both teams find themselves in a similar position: this match is the gateway to the round of 32. A draw is enough for Korea to advance, while South Africa must win to stay alive. For Korea, defeat is not an option; for South Africa, nothing less than three points will do.

South Africa showed they can compete at this level by holding Czech Republic — ranked 20 places above them in the FIFA standings — to a draw, and they are likely to press hard from the first whistle against Korea. With their tournament lives on the line, an aggressive, high-intensity start from South Africa seems all but certain.

What makes that prospect particularly significant is that South Africa have conceded early in both of their matches at this tournament, and those early goals have cost them dearly.

In their opener against Mexico, South Africa struggled under heavy early pressure and conceded to Julian Quiñones in the ninth minute — a goal that proved to be the winner. Against Czech Republic, they again fell behind early, giving up a goal to Michal Sadílek in the sixth minute.

The pattern stretches back further: throughout the Africa Cup of Nations from last December to January this year, South Africa conceded in the first half in all four of their matches before being eliminated in the round of 16. For Hong's side, seizing control early could be the blueprint for victory.

South Africa are aware of the problem and appear to be working to sharpen their concentration in the opening stages.

Captain Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns struck a determined tone ahead of the Korea match. "In the first 20 minutes, we need to be fully focused," he said. "We cannot keep conceding in that period — if you give away a goal at this level, it is very hard to come back."