Five things for Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to consider ahead of South Korea

Bafana know they need to win to stand a realistic chance of advancing to the round of 32 for the first time at a World Cup, but that is easier said than done against a polished and organised Korean outfit.

But going into the final game with a chance of advancing is all they would have hoped for ahead of the third match.

Here are five key questions for Broos to ponder.

Stick or twist?

Does he keep the same 4-3-3 set-up against the Koreans as he had versus the Czech Republic, which saw Bafana lead in possession and chance creation stats?

The big caveat is that he no longer has the services of suspended Teboho Mokoena, who will be a huge miss.

Mokoena is a big part of why that system works, with his box-to-box style and ability to get Bafana onto the front foot.

We have to assume Yaya Sithole will come into the team for him, but he is much more of a defensive-minded midfielder and far more limited as a player.

But it is a formation that Bafana know and are well drilled in, so the smart money says he goes again.

Does Mofokeng start?

Relebohile Mofokeng changed the game when he came on against the Czechs with his ability to get on the ball and bring others into the game.

Without him, or the suspended Themba Zwane, the build-up is all a bit slow and predictable, allowing teams to quite easily keep Bafana at bay.

Bringing him in would mean going to two defensive midfielders, we assume Sithole and one of Jayden Adams or Thalente Mbatha. You gain in attack but lose something in defence.

Or is Mofokeng the impact player off the bench to try and turn things around in the second half if needed? That is a risky game as Bafana will need to take every chance that comes their way.

Rayners or Foster … or Makgopa?

Lyle Foster started the tournament as the lead forward for Bafana but did not make it off the bench against the Czechs as Iqraam Rayners and Evidence Makgopa were used instead.

Does Broos go back to his most experienced forward? Rayners was largely ineffective but has the speed against a quick Korean defence. Makgopa gives you aerial ability.

Foster has guile and, on his day, is the best finisher of the three, even if we have not seen that so much of late.

It is a tough question to answer but you could probably make a case for any of the three to start.

Playing out from the back

Bafana’s troubles at this World Cup have been largely self-inflicted and a big part of that has been trying to play out from the back.

That perhaps works against the teams they are used to facing, but this is a different level.

Teams that press with pace and high up the pitch are able to put them under pressure and they do not have the players to pass their way out of it.

It creates unnecessary panic and they probably should have conceded more goals after coughing up possession.

We know why they do it, to try and draw the opponents towards you and then find the pockets of space that creates, but it is risky business and the percentages suggest they are better off going longer, especially against a Korean team who they should dominate in the air.

Countering Korea’s movement and energy

Broos has said himself that the Koreans run themselves into the ground and have the energy to do it over 90 minutes.

Expect the game to be played at pace and with high intensity, and Bafana need to find a way to counter that and perhaps slow it down where they can.

They will have little time on the ball and good decision-making will be key, as will a tactical plan to try and plug the spaces that the Koreans will look for with their movement.

All this is easier said than done, but a loose, open game probably suits the Asian side.