2010 FIFA World Cup - Korea Republic
2010 FIFA World Cup - Korea Republic National Team
2010 FIFA World Cup Korea Republic National Team:
Goalkeepers:
1 LEE Woon Jae, 18 JUNG Sung Ryong and
21 KIM Young Kwang
Defenders:
2 OH Beom Seok, 3 KIM Hyung Il, 4 CHO Yong Hyung, 12 LEE Young Pyo, 14 LEE Jung Soo,
15 KIM Dong Jin, 22 CHA Du Ri and 23 KANG Min Soo
Midfielders:
5 KIM Nam Il, 6 KIM Bo Kyung, 7 PARK Ji Sung, 8 KIM Jung Woo, 13 KIM Jae Sung,
16 KI Sung Yueng, 17 LEE Chung Yong and 19 YEOM Ki Hun
Forwards:
9 AHN Jung Hwan, 10 PARK Chu Young, 11 LEE Seung Yeoul and 20 LEE Dong Gook
Coach:
HUH Jung Moo
Top Players Park Ji-Sung (KOR) and Park Chu-Young (KOR).
2010 FIFA World Cup Schedule & Scores
The star players
Park Ji-Sung has played a key role in Korea Republic's two previous FIFA World Cup campaigns and established himself
as the captain of his country in recent years. The multifunctional winger of Manchester United is now an indispensible
member of the Taeguk Warriors, with his ability to create space and chances for his team-mates.
A clinical forward, Park Chu-Young is widely tipped as the one to solve the problem in front of goal. After a below-par
performance against Switzerland at Germany 2006, the Monaco marksman is eager to redeem himself in the national team as
the No10 prepares for his second appearance at the showpiece event at the age of 24.
The coach
The appointment of Huh Jung-Moo in December 2007 put an end to the Dutch influence under the likes of Guus Hiddink
and Dick Advocaat. Despite a sluggish start in the Asian Zone qualifying, the former Korea Republic midfielder silenced
his critics by guiding his experimental side into the finals with two games to spare.
Having scored a goal against Italy at Mexico 1986, he is no stranger to this stage as he also took part in Italy 1990
and USA 1994 as fitness trainer and assistant coach respectively. Huh was an interim coach of Korea Republic twice before,
and led the U-23 side at the Men's Olympic Football Tournament Sydney 2000.
Previous FIFA World Cups
Although Korea Republic were the first team to represent Asia at the FIFA World Cup in 1954, it took more than three decades for them to make their second appearance at Mexico 1986. While the South Koreans have become regulars to the tournament since then, a victory in the competition remaining elusive until 2002, when the co-hosts got off to a winning start with a 2-0 reverse of Poland, before beating Portugal 1-0 to reach the second round. They went on to defeat Italy and Spain to advance to the semi-finals, where they lost 1-0 to Germany. But their subsequent journey to Germany four years later came to a premature end, as the Taeguk Warriors made an early exit from the group stage.
Records
Korea Republic are the most frequent visitors from Asia to the FIFA World Cup, and are set to make their eighth
appearance this time in South Africa.
The best result the Taeguk Warriors have achieved so far was at Korea/Japan 2002,
where they swept past European powerhouses Portugal, Italy, and Spain to reach the last four.
Korea Republic - 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 - Korea Republic
The outsiders Korea Republic: Under the steady guidance of coach Huh Jung-Moo, the South Koreans were less
than imperious during the qualifying phase, though they did end up topping their group in the final round. Clinching
a ticket to South Africa means they will become the Asian team with most appearances at the global showpiece, though
doubts remain over their ability to transfer their regional dominance on to the biggest stage of all. With their
experience and all-action style they could make a serious challenge for a top-two place, though a repeat of their
run to the 2002 semi-finals would appear beyond them.