Korea Republic – The country, the football
South Korea, officially referred to as the Republic of Korea or simply Korea, is an Asian country located in the east of the continent. Being situated in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, the territory’s neighboring countries are China, Japan, and North Korea.
Korea’s capital Seoul emerges as the second largest metropolitan city in the world. Its population is estimated to be made of around 48,379,392 inhabitants all living within a total area of about 100,140 km2.
The Korea Republic national football team – also called “Red Devils”, “Tigers of Asia”, or “Taegeuk Jeonsa" – is regarded as Asia’s most successful team, having qualified 8 times for the FIFA World Cup in all, and reaching the tournament’s semifinals in 2002.
By joining the 2010 edition of the competition, Korea Republic are the only Asian team in football’s history to have participated in the FIFA World Cup 7 times in a row. Taking this record into account, the Red Devils are clearly not ready to give up their preeminence on the Asian continent.
Now, the only task ahead of the South Koreans is nothing else but elevating their standard at a world level.
Korea Republic – The road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals
Third Round:
Korea Republic directly started their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign from the Third Round, as they were among Asia’s top 5 seeds, together with Australia, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Iran.
After the two initial rounds, the 11 highest-ranked teams in Round 1, as well as the 4 winners of the Second Round joined the top seeds ahead of the Third Round. Fortunately, the Tigers of Asia were explicably seeded in Pot A, which of course increased their chances of playing in South Africa 2010.
In the end, North Korea, Jordan, and Turkmenistan all ended up in the Third Round’s Group C with Korea Republic, and at that point, everyone thought the South Koreans were their table’s hot favorite. Perhaps they were, but their road through the next round didn’t appear to be an easy one at all.
The first game of the Red Devils in their group took place in 2008 on February 6 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, and there seemed to be no problem at all for the hosts, who crushed Turkmenistan 4-0 on home soil.
Two consecutive draws against North Korea and Jordan left the Korea Republic followers unhappy. However, a redeeming 1-0 return leg victory away to the Amman Stadium in Jordan helped the South Koreans regain their form temporarily.
Next, a 3-1 win in Turkmenistan gave the Koreans 3 more points to top their table, and despite being held 0-0 on another occasion by North Korea in their final Third Round encounter, the Asian giants Korea Republic had nothing to worry about, as they still managed to finish as the Group C’s leaders with 12 points, (surpassing North Korea on goal difference).
Fourth Round:
After that, the Fourth Round was ready to take place. Once again, the Korea Republic were placed in Pot 1 before the draw which occurred on June 27, 2008, in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
As Round 4 consisted of 10 teams divided into 2 groups, Korea Republic were joined by North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
In their first Fourth Round qualifier, South Korea were unable to get a victory, settling for a 1-1 draw against rivals Korea DPR at the Kim II-Sung Stadium. As a result, for a third time in a row, the two Korean rivals had drawn against each other.
The Tigers of Asia then scored six goals and conceded only one in their next two games against the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, to take away 6 points in their table.
A 1-1 draw away to Iran on February 11 2009 unfortunately slowed down the pace of the South Koreans’ qualification into the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, before North Korea finally lost the fight 1-0 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on April 1, 2009. Afterward, the Korea Republic won only one of their last three World Cup qualifying matches; that run icluded a triumph in the United Arab Emirates, and two last draws against Saudi Arabia and Iran.
South Korea however topped Group B with 16 points, either 4 points ahead of North Korea and Saudi Arabia who both finished with 12 points.
Korea Republic – The 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage
Having qualified for the finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the South Koreans were definitely uncertain about their run in the tournament’s group stage. As always, all teams have to wait until the draw for the competition’s first round are announced. But the Red Devils didn’t have to be patient for too long, as their destiny was exposed on December 4 2009.
Subsequent to the great event which was staged at the Cape Town International Convention Centre that night, Korea Republic were inserted in the 2010 FIFA World Cup’s Group B along with top seeds Argentina, in addition to Nigeria and Greece.
Not including Argentina, one might think that the three other teams in the table arguably possess an equal chance of reaching the knockout phase, and thus, as Asian giants, Korea Republic could well be the favored side in the long run.
Match-day 1: Korea Republic vs Greece
Korea Republic are expected to welcome Euro 2004 champions Greece at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on June 12, at 13:30 South African local time.
Greece are recognized as a dangerous European side capable of making any kind of upset. However, thanks to previous significant efforts, the Koreans have reasons to consider themselves as an experienced team in the tournament. The South Koreans are therefore well aware of the threat which is ahead of them, and theyseem ready to face it and succeed in that particular game.
Match-day 2: Argentina vs Korea Republic
The clash on June 17 between Argentina and Korea Republic at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, at 13:30 local time, is anticipated to be one of the hottest games in Group B.
Argentina are clear favorites to progress in the 2010 FIFA World Cup last 16 (should they avoid any major shock). Consequently, their invasion in the table could be a risk to other sides, and this regards South Korea.
At that same stage of the tournament (match-day 2), the Red Devils only picked up a draw in a controversial game against France four years back. It followed with defeat against Switzerland which ousted Korea Republic.
Match-day 3: Nigeria vs Korea Republic
Nigeria will be the Koreans last opponents in Group B, and the match between both sides is scheduled to take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium at 18:30 GMT.
Nigeria are among Africa’s greatest football teams, and their determination in major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup is immeasurable. Self-esteem is probably one of their most effective weapons; yet, ruthlessness from the Tigers of Asia could be an ideal key to match the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Korea Republic – Quick Analysis: Expectations from the country and its top stars
The Red Devils have had a good team over the years, and it is undeniable that this time around, they have players talented enough to go for the best at the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa.
Park Ji-Sung:
Park Ji-Sung is an English Premier League star currently playing for European giants Manchester United. The attacking midfielder is regarded as the rock of the Korean national football team, and for sure, this comes as no surprise.
Park Ji-Sung has featured over 80 times for the Tigers of Asia, and with several highly-respected European trophies in hands, the winger’s experience is certainly not to be put into doubts. His inclusion his country’s 23-man squad can absolutely turn things around positively for the Taegeuk Jeonsa.
Korea Republic – Current 2010 FIFA World Cup squad
Goalkeepers:
Jung Sung-ryong; Lee Woon-jae; Kim Young-kwang
Defenders:
Kang Min-soo; Cho Yong-hyung; Cha Doo-ri; Lee Jung-soo; Lee Young-pyo; Oh Beom-seok; Kim Hyung-il; Kim Dong-jin
Midfielders:
Ji-sung Park; Lee Chung-yong; Kim Jung-woo; Kim Jae-sung; Kim Nam-il; Kim Bo-kyung; Ki Sung-yong
Forwards:
Lee Dong-gook; Yeom Ki-hun; Lee Seung-ryul; Ahn Jung-hwan; Park Chu-young
Korea Republic – Relevant Quote
Huh Jung-Moo: “Lessons from the past have made us better”
Korea Republic coach Huh Jung-Moo has admitted that his side had been drawn in a very difficult group, being place with Argentina, Nigeria and Greece.
However, the manager was quick to add that, with all that his side have gained through history, he believes Korea Republic can eventually prevail over their challenges. Below is Hug Jung-Moo’s quote on this issue:
“In a World Cup, there are no easy matches, so I do not see why I should be complaining about our group. We are up against very strong teams, and of course, every game we will play is difficult; but we also had tough assignments in the Asian qualifying rounds (FIFA World Cup qualifiers).”
“Obviously a team like Argentina will start as favorites; indeed, they have very good players who are famous, but that is not a big deal for us. We are used to starting from the back, and we played against them at the 1986 World Cup. Unfortunately, we lost, but with the experience gained and lessons learned, we hope we can do better this time around.”
“In 2002, no one gave Korea Republic a chance to succeed, but we went to the semi-finals. Now, some people will say we are not one of the tournament’s favorites, and that is fine. What we learned the 2002 World Cup is that good preparations are always very important and we have to be fully prepared and ready ahead of all the games we will play.”
Korea Republic – 2010 FIFA World Cup record
In all their history, the South Koreans have qualified for the FIFA World Cup tournament on eight occasions, which is not a bad record at all. Below are the years in which they took part in the tournament, as well as the stages they reached in the competition.
2010: Qualified as participants
2006, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986, 1954: Round 1
2002: Fourth Place
Korea Republic – 2010 FIFA World Cup Coverage
Don’t hesitate to visit LiveSoccerTV.com for the latest information around Korea Republic throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa! The site brings you all the news including fixtures, results, profiles, previews, and videos on the Tigers of Asia.
