A LOT 5 dark horse countries ready to go crazy in the last 16 World Cup 2022 it will be discussed here. One of them successfully demonstrated his skills in the group stage by giving nightmares to two strong European sides.
The group stage has been completed and now the 2022 World Cup hosts the round of 16. Many surprises happened during the tournament.
There are at least five dark horse countries that top teams should pay attention to. who are they? Please refer to our discussion below.
Here are 5 Dark Horse countries ready to go crazy in the Top 16 of the 2022 World Cup
5. South Korea
South Korea Surprisingly successful escape from group hell. Before their final group stage match against Portugal, they were not favorites to qualify.
Uruguay and Ghana are considered more likely. However, South Korea surprisingly managed to beat Portugal 2-1, which made Uruguay’s 2-0 win over Ghana meaningless.
In the round of 16, South Korea will face one of the champion candidates of the tournament, Brazil. This match will be played at 974 Stadium on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, WIB.
4. Morocco
Morocco was unseeded at all before this tournament was held. They were expected to be eliminated with Canada in Group F because Croatia and Belgium were considered stronger.
However, surprisingly, Lion Atlas – nicknamed the Moroccan national team – finished the group stage in first place with a collection of seven points. A surprising 2-0 win over Belgium sent Kevin De Bruyne and company home.
Now Morocco is preparing to face another strong European team, Spain. This match will be played at Education City Stadium on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 WIB.
3. Switzerland
Switzerland’s success in Group G qualifying comes as no surprise. They have earned six points from three games and are behind Brazil only on goal difference in the final standings.
However, they will face a stronger side in the round of 16, namely Portugal. Switzerland are certainly not the favorites in this situation, but they are very capable of getting rid of Portugal as they did against France in the round of 16 of the 2020 European Cup.
The Rossocrociati – nicknamed the Swiss national team – forced Italy into the play-off path also in the qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup. For the record, the match against Portugal will be played at Lusail Stadium on Wednesday 7 December 2022, WIB.
2. Senegal
Senegal are considered favorites to qualify from Group A. Why did they go to World Cup 2022 as champion of Africa.
However, there were doubts about the progress of the Teranga Lions – nicknamed the Senegalese national team – in this tournament following Sadio Mane’s injury. The Bayern Munich striker was forced off a few days before the tournament and underwent surgery.
However, Senegal were indeed able to secure two wins from three games in Group A. They will now face England in the round of 16 in the match to be held on Monday 5 December 2022 in the early hours of the WIB.
1. Japan
Before World Cup 2022 held, who would have thought that Japan would qualify from Group E as group winners? Their quality on paper is far inferior to that of Spain and Germany.
Samurai Blue – nickname of the Japanese national team – however managed to overturn this prediction. They also beat the two strong European sides by scores of 2-1 each, both coming after trailing by a goal at half-time.
Now Japan will repeat their success by facing another European team, Croatia, in the round of 16. The match Asian fans have been waiting for will be held at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday 5th December 2022 starting at 10pm WIB.
