Greece's Fanis Gekas will pose a tough challenge for South Korea. (Aris Messinis/Getty Images)

Day 2, Match 1

South Korea vs. Greece, Group B

Date and Location

June 12, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Broadcast details

Live on CBC and CBCSports.ca (7 am ET). Consult CBC's full broadcast schedule.

What's at stake

This match will be the tale of two teams still looking to convince the world they are not one-tournament wonders: skillful South Korea may be a power within Asia but its stature on the world stage is still up for debate, and stubborn Greece has yet to prove it can play a successful formation that doesn't require nine-men behind the ball.

Injuries and suspensions

Greek central defender Vangelis Moras has a nagging groin injury and even though he has recovered, he will sit out the game against South Korea.

Player to watch for South Korea

Ki Sung-Yong - Tall and powerful, the former FC Seoul midfielder harried defenders in the K-League and his impressive physique will make him a force with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.

Player to watch for Greece

Theofanis Gekas - Perhaps a symbol of Greece's attacking intentions, the potent Theofanis Gekas was the top scorer in Europe during World Cup qualifying. The solidly built forward has a delicate first touch and an excellent ability to head the ball toward the goal.

Key matchup

Georgios Samaras vs. Park Ji-Sung - Which one of these sparkplugs will take control of the midfield and ignite their team? Samaras, a lanky attacker, has tremendous balance, a keen positional sense and draws defenders like flies, allowing his countrymen to venture forward. Few midfielders in the world can boast the kind of stamina Park Ji-Sung can tap into — so often he runs himself into the ground from whistle to whistle.

South Korea perspective

"I'm not very nervous because it is my third visit to South Africa. We will work hard to produce good results." — Coach Huh Jung-moo

Greek perspective

"South Korea is an excellent team and as in every World Cup match, you must give a 100 per cent effort to accomplish a good result." — Coach Otto Rehhagel

History

Greece and South Korea's meeting in the group stage will be the first time the nations have met at the senior international level.