Preview: Romania Under-23s vs. South Korea Under-23s - prediction, team news, lineups

Romania Under-23s take on South Korea Under-23s in Group B of the Tokyo Olympic Games on Sunday, with the Asian side needing a positive result after losing to New Zealand Under-23s in their opening game.

Romania, meanwhile, can seal their progression to the knockout stages with victory after beating Honduras Under-23s on Thursday.

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Match preview

Despite not naming a single over-age player in their 22-man squad for the Olympics, Romania demonstrated plenty of experience in their 1-0 win over Honduras.

The CONCACAF outfit finished fourth in men's football at the 2016 Olympics, so could not afford to be taken for granted by their European opponents.

The match was ultimately settled by a bizarre moment in first-half injury time, with Andrei Ciobanu's inswinging corner appearing to go directly in.

On reflection, however, it was Elvin Oliva's glancing header which diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper, handing Romania victory in their first Olympic football match for 57 years.

Another three points on Sunday against South Korea will ensure their safe passage to the knockout stages with a game to spare.

South Korea, meanwhile, named their maximum quota of three over-age players for their Olympics squad, but fell to a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat to New Zealand on Thursday.

The Koreans had 12 shots compared to their opponents' tally of two, but could not find a breakthrough as West Ham United defender Winston Reid cleared a strike off the line in a particularly superb individual defensive performance.

Moments later, Burnley forward Chris Wood beat goalkeeper Song Bum-keun from 12 yards out in what proved to be the decisive goal of the game in the 70th minute.

There is now huge pressure on Kim Hak-bum's side's shoulders to beat Romania on Sunday, as they could crash out of the competition with a game to go should they fail to do so.

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Team News

Romania's only change is likely to be Radu Boboc coming in from the start in place of Florin Stefan at full-back.

Mirel Radoi switched the two players during half time, and it remains unclear whether this was tactical or due to an injury.

South Korea, meanwhile, could look to make a few changes in offensive areas in order to solve their problems in front of goal from the defeat to New Zealand.

Lee Dong-jun could replace Lee Kang-in, who plays for Valencia, after he looked to have a little too much pressure on his shoulders at 20 years of age.

Romania Under-23s possible starting lineup:

Aioani; Ratiu, Pascanu, Ghita, Boboc; Marin, Dulca; Dobre, Ciobanu, Gheorghe; Ganea

South Korea Under-23s possible starting lineup:

Bum-keun; You-hyeon, Tae-uk, Sang-min, Yoon-sung; Won-sang, Du-jea, Dong-hyun, Chang-hoon; Dong-jun; Ui-jo

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We say: Romania Under-23s 1-1 South Korea Under-23s

We can envisage a cagey, low-scoring affair ensuing on Sunday, especially given that neither side are exactly prolific in front of goal.

Romania know that a point will suit them down to the ground in terms of progressing in this competition, which means South Korea could struggle to break down another low-block side.

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