Korea will go up against gold-medal favorite Brazil on Wednesday morning in the football semifinals of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Although taking out Great Britain was an enormous task for Olympic team coach Hong Myung-bo, the team’s next task is even greater.

Most predictions point in favor of Brazil, some ending with a conservative 2-1 win. But Korea has a chance at causing an upset, as Brazil’s defense has left open almost as many opportunities as its offense has taken.

It is no secret that Olympic coach Mano Menezes’ defense is considered poor, with goalkeeper Gabriel Vasconcelos Ferreira the weakest link. On the way to the semifinals after the Games kicked off, Brazil let in five goals while semifinalists Korea, Japan and Mexico gave up four goals combined. 

Brazil’s past games leave hope for Korea as well, as the Latin country barely beat Honduras despite its Central American neighbor playing with nine men. And for most of the game, Brazil had to work to stay with Honduras.

While playing against Egypt on July 27, the Brazilian team led 3-0 but allowed Egypt to get dangerously close, ending at 3-2.

But Brazil won’t be underestimating the Koreans, according to Brazilian captain Thiago Silva. “South Korea is a strong team that runs a lot and never gives up,” Silva said Sunday.

“In extra time against Britain they didn’t stop working for one another even though they had every right to be exhausted,” he said, adding that Koreans pass well, make few mistakes and play smart.

On the other end of the pitch, as Korea is famous for its tenacity and tight defense, it will be pushed to the breaking point when it faces the heavily offensive South American team. During this Olympics, Brazil has scored 12 goals, nearly as much as the 15 netted by rest of the semifinalists combined.

The Latin American team’s midfield and attack roster is just as good as it is deep, with superstars like Leandro Damiao, Neymar da Silva Santos, Oscar Dos Santos Emoaba and Lucas Rodrigues Moura Silva. Also Brazil’s 18-man lineup is worth an estimated 295.5 million euros ($366 million), more than 10 times that of Korea’s own 24.9 million euros, according to German player evaluating site Transfermarkt.

Brazil has been a strong gold medal contender since the start of the Games, and more so after Spain, Uruguay and now Britain have been knocked out of event. And the football powerhouse will be looking for its long overdue first Olympic gold in the sport.

By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)