FIFA World Cup 2010
Korea Republic
 Korea RepublicKorea Football Association (Korean: 대한 축구 협회 ) Confederation: AFC (Asia) Head coach: Huh Jung-Moo Captain: Park Ji-Sung Top scorer: Cha Bum-Kun FIFA ranking: 47 World Cup Appearances: 7 Team Colors: Best Results
World Cup Fourth Place, 2002 Asian Cup Champions 1956, 1960 |
The "Asian Tigers" were able to take the fourth place at Korea -Japan 2002 World Cup. They defeated Italy and Spain on their way to the semi-finals.
This team has lifted the Asian Cup twice and has played in eight World Cups. The tigers are about to take a go at the long-awaited World Cup South Africa 2010 hoping to once again surprise its rivals with their fast-paced and offensive play .
Qualifying Stage
Mathematically, South Korea was in a somewhat uncomfortable position during their qualification.
In 8 games, won four games and lost four. At this stage the team faced United Arabian Emirates. They got beat by UAE in both games with a global scoreboard of 6-1. In the game against North Korea they fell early in the second half with a goal by Yong-Jo Hong. Then the intense rivalry kicked in. After 69 minutes of play, Sung-Yueng Ki placed the ball in the net of goalkeeper Myong Dok Ri tying a great match by both teams.
Its other rivals did not mean any major obstacle to their qualifying. The South Korean team classified rather easily to the World Cup.
Players
Coach Huh Jung-Moo achieved a high performance with the tactical variations that he applied in the pitch. The young squad has figures on the front and in the midfield such as Chu-young Park, Keun-ho Lee, Ji-Sung Park; these players’ play in different european soccer leagues and are key-players of the Korean squad. Although they are not the favorites, if the South Koreans still have some of the talent and stamina they showed 4 years ago, they might very well make it as far or even take their team to the finals.
Head Coach
The former World Cup player, Huh Jung-Moo came with his team to the World Cup in Mexico 86, as a midfielder. History remembers him as the player that fouled one of the best players at that time, Diego Armando Maradona. Now both are coming together again, but this time, as the coaches of their respective teams.
The 55 years-old head coach has gained much experience during these years of professional career, going from assistant coach to finally becoming the head coach of his national team.