South Korea v Uruguay: match preview

Round of 16
Uruguay v South Korea
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 3pm BST
With the winners of Ghana and the United States awaiting in the quarter-finals, both teams will view this tournament as a unique opportunity to progress to the semi-finals of a World Cup.
Uruguay have never lost to South Korea in four previous meetings; winning three and drawing once.
They are expected to stick with the three-pronged attack that so comprehensively dismantled South Africa during the group stages, while full-back Cha Du-Ri should keep his place in the South Korea team after being surprisingly recalled against Nigeria.

Key clash
Park Ji-Sung v Diego Perez: The success so far of South Korea has been built on their team ethic but they do possess one outstanding individual in Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung. He scored in the win against Greece and it will be the job of Uruguay’s experienced midfield enforcer Diego Perez to restric Park's possession as well as his penetrating runs from midfield.
Touchline duel
Oscar Tabarez v Huh Jung-Moo: Having been managed by Guus Hiddink and then Dick Advocaat at the two previous World Cups, the success of Huh Jung-Moo, who has based himself in South Korea throughout his career, is a boost to some of the lower profile managers in the emerging football nations.
Tabarez has managed all over the world, including at AC Milan, during his 30-year coaching career and also led Uruguay at the 1990 World Cup finals.
Talking tactics
A clash between the industry of South Korea and the slick passing of Uruguay. South Korea’s best chance will lie in dominating the midfield area and restricting the supply to Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez; a strike-force that is among the most effective in the entire World Cup.
What they say
Oscar Tabarez: “For me the World Cup starts in the second phase. Who remembers that Switzerland, at the 2006 World Cup, won their group? They went out in the first knockout round. Books are written about teams that played well and got to be champions.”
Huh Jung-Moo: “I haven’t thought about what will happen after the World Cup, but I will leave the national team even if we get a good result there. I hope whoever takes over from me will continue what I have been doing.”
Teams
Uruguay (4-3-3): 1 Muslera; 16 M Pereira, 2 Lugano, 3 Godin, 4 Fucile; 15 Perez, 17 Arevalo, 11 A Pereira; 9 Suarez 10 Forlan, 7 Cavani
Subs: 12 Castillo, 23 Silva, 5 Gargano, 6 Victorino, 8 Eguren, 13 Abreu, 14 Lodeiro, 18 Gonzalez, 19 Scotti, 20 A Fernandez, 21 S Fernandez, 22 Caceres
South Korea (4-4-2): 18 Jung S-R; 22 Cha D-R, 4 Cho Y-H, 14 Lee J-S, 12 Lee Y-P; 7 Park J-S, 8 Kim J-W, 16 Ki S-Y, 17 Lee C-Y; 10 Park C-Y, 19 Yeom K-H
Subs: 1 Lee W-J (G), 21 Kim Y-K (G), 3 Hyung-Il, 15 Kim D-J, , 23 Kang M-S, 5 Kim N-I, 6 Kim B-K, 13 Kim Jae-Sung, 9 Ahn, 11 Lee S-Y, 20 Lee D-G, 2 Oh B-S.
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)
Previous meetings
Played: 1 Uruguay 1, Draws 0, South Korea 0 wins
1990: (Udine, WC): Uruguay 1 South Korea 0
Fact: Uruguay are unbeaten in their last five World Cup games, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
Prediction: Uruguay have impressed; the Asian side will be disappointed.

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Nigeria 2 South Korea 2: match report

Another day, and another African disappointment at this World Cup.
Taking just one point from Group B means Nigeria - like Ivory Coast and hosts South Africa - will watch the rest of the action on television, a setback for the tournament's flavour, if not for its quality.
Indeed, while this match produced enough tension to keep a crowd of 60,000 gripped, it also bore witness to the miss of the tournament.

Ayegbeni Yakubu, the Everton striker, inexplicably stroked the most straightforward of opportunities wide of the post with the South Korea goalkeeper completely out of the picture.
It was the type of miss which made Scotland's Chris Iwelumo a laughing stock when he miscued in similar style against Norwa. Yakubu's however, was even worse.
Did they show impressive resolve, however, after falling behind when Kala Uche scored his second goal of the tournament.
Uche, the impressive Almeria forward, met Chidi Odiah's centre with a cute right-foot finish which beat Jung Sung-ryong at his near post.
Uche, who scored Nigeria's opener in their defeat against Greece, struck the foot of the post with a stinging drive shortly after the half-hour, but it was the Koreans who were in the ascendancy by the break.
Defender Lee Jung-soo volleyed home Ki Sung-yong's floated free-kick for his second goal of the tournament, but the goal won't be headed for the highlights DVD.
Lee stooped to head the dipping ball at the far post, but stuck out a boot at the last minute after he deciding he couldn't duck his head any lower.
Park Chu-young gave the Koreans the lead four minutes after the break when he curled a free kick around the wall. Yakubu then missed the chance which will forever haunt him, but made partial amends three minutes later when slotting home a penalty after Kim Nam-il had fouled Chinedu Obasi.

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Argentina 4:1 South Korea: match report

It could have been Valentine’s Day here the mood Diego Maradona was in. He began by embracing every one of his players in the tunnel, ended by kissing and making up with Michel Platini and had us all swooning over Argentine football again.

With Gonzalo Higuaín netting the first hat-trick in a World Cup since Gabriel Batistuta’s heyday, with Lionel Messi still playing dreamily and with one foot planted firmly in the last 16 following this impressive demolition of South Korea, Maradona was asked if the apparent close, loving bond he has created in his side was at the heart of their renaissance here.

Cue the guffaws as Maradona’s eyes blazed wide. “I prefer women,” he was keen to let us know. “I am dating Veronica, she is 31, she is blonde and she is beautiful. No, I’ve not gone limp-wristed!”


Ah, but the enthusiasm for his men is barely less disguised at the moment. Hell, they are making him look like some coach after all the barbs.

“If I have improved, it’s for the players to say,” he shrugged. “But it’s easy if you have such a sensational team.”

Sensational really was the word at times as the understanding, fluidity and interplay in the Argentine attacks left a Korean side, who had appeared so impressive against Greece, looking about as bewildered as their 1986 World Cup team in which current coach Huh Jung-Moo could only stop Maradona with a flying knee in the groin.

Real Madrid’s Higuaín may have earned the match ball but Carlos Tévez, Messi and even 15 dazzling minutes from Sergio Agüero demonstrated that it will take a superb defence to shackle such talent.

Fact: Messi has yet to score at this World Cup. It must be a mirage. “He showed again here why he’s the best in the world,” conceded an admiring if deflated Park Ji-Sung. His 76th-minute shot which hit a post and enabled Higuaín to tap in his second was the nearest he has come with 15 tremendous goal attempts. Heaven help teams when he finds his range.

It would not be Maradona’s Argentina, though, without a question or two to be answered at the other end. This time they hung over Martín Demichelis, the Bayern Munich centre back, whose mind went Awol on the stroke of half-time, allowing a game in which Argentina were strolling to become much more fraught than it needed to be.

Korea had been listless, as if hypnotised by the opposition’s pass-and-move quality, and faced a hammering after Messi’s 16th-minute curled free kick deflected off the hapless Park Chu-Young’s shin into the net and Higuaín had headed home from another free kick.

But when Demichelis slumbered, allowing Bolton’s Lee Chung-Yong to mug him and score, the game changed. Korea returned to the pitch reinvigorated and if Yeom

Ki-hun had converted one fine chance instead of firing into the side netting, Huh felt “it could have been different”.

Higuaín finished the job with a tap-in from Messi’s shot and a header from Agüero’s cross. “It’s an advantage that we’re now all but qualified while teams like England and Spain are struggling,” said Higuain.

“We can concentrate on the next round.” And Maradona can concentrate on winning another title instead of personal battles.

He was so chuffed that, ending his press conference with the sort of flourish only he can, he pulled a letter from his pocket and explained it was from Platini, whom he had insulted in grand fashion on Wednesday.

“Mr Platini sent me a letter, saying he never said what you [reporters] told me he had said,” explained Maradona, referring to suggestions that the Uefa president had criticised his managerial record. “I want to send my apologies to Mr Platini … but not Pele.”

Well, there’s a surprise; hell would have to freeze over before those two big kids ever whispered sweet nothings.

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Bet Of The Day: Argentina - South Korea

Match Odds: Argentina 1.45, Draw 4.10, South Korea 8.40

Kick-Off: Thursday, June 17, 13:30 CET.
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg.

At the time of writing it's the Asians and not the fancied South Americans which top Group B. An intriguing game awaits in Johannesburg and after last night's (comparative) goal fest in Pretoria we have the prospect of two positive teams willing to play open football at lunchtime.

Argentina as expected secured the three points against Nigeria. The dominant nature of the performance has piped down the criticism of Diego Maradona...for now. An early goal set La Albiceleste on their way and but for some wonderful goalkeeping they would surely have won by more than the single goal margin.


Scoring twice against Greece has put South Korea top of the group eyeing up the prospect of reaching the last 16 afer a dismal World Cup 2006. While their display against the wretched Greeks was impressive it must be borne in mind that Otto Rehhagel's side suffered a nose bleed anytime they left their own half.

Still, you can only beat what is put in front of you and South Korea showed more than enough inventiveness to suggest they can cause Argentina problems. Indications in the camp suggest they will implement a more defensive strategy while Argentina are set to be without Juan Sebastian Veron.

For the head to head record you need to go all the way back to Mexico '86. Both coaches featured in that game as Argentina won 3-1 with Maradona immense providing the assists for every goal. He would settle for that again today.

Suggested Bets
Both teams scored early in their opening game so the first goal to come in the opening 45 minutes has merit, if not value, at 1.30. For the goal to occur in the opening ten minutes as happened in both of their first games you'll get odds of 4.0.

Gabriel Heinze, who scored the winner against Nigeria, is a worthwhile 21.0 to score first and 7.50 at anytime. Park Ji-Sung, who has now scored in three consecutive World Cup tournaments, is 17.0 to score first and 6.50 to be on the mark at anytime. If you simply want to rely on the toss of a coin you can back which team you think will kick off - both are priced at 1.83 in one of the more random bets.

Best Bet
Argentina to win by one goal at 3.20. We are covering our bases if they concede here plus there is a value in this bet. With the exceptions of Haiti and Canada the South Americans have won by one goal in their last six games beating Nigeria, Germany, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Uruguay and Peru. Also, they have never drawn a game under Maradona. They may well let one in today but Argentina should be capable of overcoming the talented Koreans by one goal. If you fancy a two goal winning margin the odds stretch to 3.75.

Yesterday's Tips
Chile did the business against Honduras to start the day with a win. Then Spain. Uh-oh! In one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history the favourites were undone by a well organised Swiss outfit who were as much as 30.0 by some bookmakers to win. Fancying David Villa to score certainly didn't pay off as he appeared to leave his shooting boots in Barcelona. Bravo Switzerland. At least Diego Forlan scored as we suggested in Uruguay South Africa while our tip of under 2.5 goals fell shy as Uruguay ran riot spoiling the hosts hopes of reaching the knock out phase.

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Argentina v South Korea: match preview

Group B

Argentina v South Korea
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick-off: Thur June 17, 12.30pm BST
TV: ITV 12pm, ITV HD 12pm

Two of the better-looking sides from the opening round of matches, both are in a strong position to progress from Group B, after Argentina defeated Nigeria 1-0 with an early header from Gaby Heinze while the Koreans despatched a poor Greek side 2-0 with goals from Lee Jung-soo and Park Ji-sung.

Argentina have been forced to make one change this time with their playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron struggling with a right calf strain; Liverpool’s Maxi Rodriguez, says coach Diego Maradona, will do “a wonderful job” as a replacement.

Korean manager Huh Jung-Moo has decision whether to stick with the same starting XI or welcome back striker Lee Dong-Guk following his recovery from a thigh injury.

Key clash

How do you stop Lionel Messi? Who would be on the boots of Kim Jung-woo, the defensive midfielder who plays for the Korean army team Gwangju Sangmu and looks likely to be charged with stopping the Barca maestro at source?

Talking tactics

Maradona must have concerns about shoring up his backline, with Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez having been so exposed at right back against Nigeria, especially with the Koreans having the energy and pace to expose any disorganisation. Korea could go 4-5-1 if Lee Dong-Guk is fit. Touchline duel: A couple fo old foes re-acquainting themselves here, with


Maradona having played against Huh Jung-Moo in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Maradona would settle for the same 3-1 scoreline too.

What they say

Diego Maradona: “We had a practice game between the first team and the second team and there was hardly any difference between the two. They played at a great level; I was amazed and astonished at how great the guys are, the way they are playing.”
Huh Jung-Moo: “I have to admit back in 1986 when I played, we were very intimidated by Argentina. This is a very different time; we have a lot of experience now and a a lot of good players.”

Teams

Argentina (4-3-3): 22 Romero, 17 Gutiérrez, 2 Demichelis, 13 Samuel, 6 Heinze; 20 Maxi Rodriguez, 14 Mascherano, 7 di María; 10 Messi, 11 Tévez, 9 Higuaín.
South Korea (4-2-3-1): 18 Jung S R, 22 Cha D R, 4 Cho Y H, 14 Lee J-S, 12 Lee Y-P, 16 Ki S-Y, 8 Kim J W; 17 Lee C Y, 7 Park J S (c), 19 Yeom K-H, 10 Park C-Y.
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Previous meetings

Played 2: Argentina 2, Draws 0, South Korea 0

1986 (Mexico City, WC): Argentina 3 South Korea 1
2003 (Seoul, friendly): Argentina 1 South Korea 0

Fact: If Argentina win it will be their 35th victory in the finals. Only Italy, Germany and Brazil have more.

Prediction: The Koreans impressed against Greece but will find Argentina too tough. Another win for Diego Maradona.

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Condom sales rise as South Korea celebrates World Cup win

South Korea's 2-0 win in their opening World Cup game against Greece saw the sale of condoms jump five-fold back home as fans celebrated the victory






About a million South Korean fans, including 200,000 in Seoul, filled the boulevards, stadiums and parks on Saturday to cheer their team's 2-0 win over Euro 2004 champions Greece.
After the game, fans in celebratory mood bought five times more condoms than during the team's lacklustre 2006 World Cup performance, the JoongAng Daily reported on Monday.




Other winners were convenience stores and fried chicken outlets as fans took to the streets, the paper said.
It said Bokwang Family Mart chain stores saw a near doubling of sales in spots where fans had gathered.
Stores in residential areas also did well as those tuning in at home bought three times the usual amount of beer and more than twice the number of snacks.

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South Korea 2-0 Greece. Koreans hold all the aces

Korea Republic claimed the first victory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ as a goal early in each half made it a disappointing start for Group B opponents Greece.

The South Koreans were the dominant force for virtually all of the first half in the Port Elizabeth Stadium although they had to withstand some initial pressure from Greece with Vasileios Torosidis seeing an effort fly off target. The same player should then have scored following Georgios Karagounis's corner but he put a decent chance wide from nine yards.

Huh Jung-Moo's side shrugged off that scare and proceeded to pin their opponents back, and with only seven minutes gone they forged ahead. A free-kick from near the left-hand corner flag found the blue shirts all at sea and at the far post Lee Jung-Soo pounced to sidefoot home and become his country's fastest-ever scorer at a FIFA World Cup.

Greece, European champions in 2004, never recovered from that setback and Korea smelled the chance of further goals with Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung always a danger and Yeom Ki-Hun also pulling the strings. In the 28th minute the South Koreans, fast-raiding and adroit with their ball control, fashioned an outstanding chance to double their advantage as Park Ji-Sung slid a lovely ball into the feet of Park Chu-Young.

Park Chu-Young was clear of the last man but just as he attempted to seal his strong run with a scoring finish, a combination of the back-pedalling Loukas Vyntra and Alexandros Tzorvas denied him, the goalkeeper making a vital intervention to deflect the ball over. Greece had to change their approach and Otto Rehhagel decided to take off captain Karagounis at the break with Christos Patsatzoglou coming in. However with another goal seven minutes into the second period, Korea put the game as good as out of reach.

It was a disaster for Greek defending as they gave possession away inside their own half through Vyntra and were left helpless as Park Ji-Sung took ruthless advantage. There was strength, control and determination in his run as he tore into the penalty area before burying a left-footed shot past Tzorvas to become only the second Asian player to score in three different FIFA World Cups, having also found the net in 2002 and 2006. It should have been three minutes later as Park Chu-Young dashed between defenders to meet a cross from the right but he could not keep his header down.

Greece, who had not managed a goal in any of their three previous FIFA World Cup games – all of which had been lost in 1994 – had no option but to give everything to try and claw back the deficit. They looked to Theofanis Gekas, who with ten goals was the leading scorer in European qualifying, to inspire an recovery, and he tried an ambitious overhead kick which went over. Soon after Pantelis Kapetanos scooped the ball over as it was drilled in from the left while Gekas forced Jung Sung-Ryong into a fine save at the end. But there was no dispute that Korea were good value for their three points.

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Korea Republic-Greece preview

"The next game is always the most important." Coaches and footballers alike have been using this old adage to emphasise their focus on an upcoming match for decades. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, the phrase "the first game is the most important" is arguably more appropriate for the likes of Korea Republic and Greece, who go head to head on Saturday.

Considering the strength of the other two teams in Group B, Argentina and Nigeria, this clash could well prove decisive. La Albiceleste are undoubted group favourites, while the other three will all feel they are capable of claiming second spot and a place in the last 16.





The match
Korea Republic–Greece, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth (Port Elizabeth Stadium), Saturday 12 June, 13.30 (local time)

Although Saturday's clash will be the first time these two sides have met at a FIFA World Cup, there have been two previous encounters between the two nations. History favours the Asians, who ran out 1-0 friendly winners in February 2007, following a 1-1 draw in January 2006.

Korea Republic were the only team to remain undefeated in Asian Zone qualifying, with seven victories and a draw, and as a result go into the tournament full of confidence despite losing each of their final warm-up matches 1-0, against Belarus and Spain. The Greeks, meanwhile, took the long road to South Africa. The 2004 European champions had to come through a tricky play-off tie with Ukraine to book their place at the finals.

Players to watch
Ji-Sung Park vs Georgios Karagounis

Ji-Sung Park is the undisputed star of the Korea Republic team. Thanks to his exploits with Premier League powerhouse Manchester United, the attacking all-rounder is an idol in his homeland and in 2008 became the first ever Asian player to win the UEFA Champions League.

The 29-year-old faces an intriguing midfield battle with Georgios Karagounis at the Port Elizabeth Stadium. The Panathinaikos captain is hailed as the heartbeat of the Greece side and will be doing his best to break down the Koreans' attacking endeavours with another typically industrious display.

The stat
0 – Greece crashed out of their only FIFA World Cup to date in 1994 with zero points and zero goals. In the USA they lost 4-0 to Argentina, 2-0 to Nigeria and 4-0 to Bulgaria. They will now be hoping to put things right against the Albiceleste and the Super Eagles at South Africa 2010.

What they said
"Countries like South Korea have great team spirit and plenty of passion. We won't disappoint the Greek people. You feel as though you are among the best teams in the world, and that's no small thing." Otto Rehhagel, Greece coach

"In our eyes, the match against Greece is the most important of the group stage. If we can win that, we'll have the opportunity to play differently against Argentina and Nigeria." Lee-Young-Pyo, Korea Republic defender

Voice of the fans
"I can hardly wait to see who wins this game. The winner of this match will go through to the next round with Argentina." FIFA.com user jungho_hwang.

The question
Can the Greeks score their first ever FIFA World Cup goal or even pick up a maiden victory in only their second appearance on the biggest stage of all?

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Group B Betting Preview

Group B Outright Odds
Argentina 8.50
Nigeria 251.0
South Korea 151.0
Greece 251.0

This group is all about the race for second spot as we all expect Argentina and Diego Maradona to go through as winners. Granted, much has been written about El Diego's tenure in charge but he has enough talent at his disposal and the guaranteed respect of his players to ensure they top the group to set up a clash with the runners-up of Group A.

Argentina certainly may have made heavy weather of qualifying but there is no doubting the quality in the squad. Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain ran riot in La Liga last season and there is always Diego Milito to consider. Scoring goals won't be a problem for the Albiceleste. Keeping their suspect temperament in check and playing well for more than three games may be, though. Back them at 1.44 to win the group.

Greece ruined the summer of 2004 for many bookies when they charged to the European Championships at 151.0. Wily old Otto Rehhagel qualified Greece for their second World Cup in the play-offs and his side will be as resolute and dogged as always, which won't be pretty on the eye. If you want entertainment go to the cinema.

Nigeria have been beset with their regular mishaps in preparations, struggling to organise friendlies and hiring a new manager in February despite finishing third in the Africa Cup of Nations. Lars Lagerback has a major job on his hands and the absence of John Obi Mikel is another blow. The Nigerian FA have hopes of reaching the semi-finals but it's more likely they'll be home before the postcards arrive in Lagos.


South Korea lost their most recent friendly against favourites Spain 1-0 and gave La Roja a few scares. It took a screamer from Jesus Navas for Korea to be broken down and they've kept clean sheets in four of the last six. The team have been preparing using altitude tents and their destiny will likely be determined by their opener with Greece.

Betting Potential
Scoping around for value is all about who you fancy to finish second behind Argentina. All three sides are capable of beating each other and the bookies have their concerns about Greece, who have never scored in the World Cup, with Nigeria the favourites to progress and South Korea as outsiders. A dual forecast of Argentina/Nigeria progressing is valued at 2.20, Argentina/Greece 2.90 and Argentina/South Korea 5.17.

This is a tough group to call as the three lesser teams can all beat each other on their day. Argentina as group winners on the other hand at 1.44 should be safe money.

To Qualify
Argentina 1.10
Greece 2.35
Nigeria 1.95
South Korea 3.43

Not to qualify
Argentina 6.0
Greece 1.57
Nigeria 1.80
South Korea 1.25

Best Bet
Greece against South Korea is unlikely to be an epic. The Greeks played out a 2-2 draw with North Korea in May but this match with their rivals from the south will surely be a tighter affair. Don't expect many goals so I'm backing a half-time draw at 1.83, under 2 goals at 1.88 and Greece to win by one at 4.0.

Outside Bet
Argentina to notch up seven points at 3.25. The bookies have their doubts over Messi and co. taking maximum points with a 100% record in the group priced at 3.50. Expect them to slip up somewhere, perhaps in the last game against Greece if the European outfit need a result, which is likely.

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Video: World Cup 2010 profile - South Korea

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Team Profile - South Korea

Confederation:AFC

Star Players:Park Ji-Sung, Ki Sung-Yong

Best World Cup Finish:Fourth Place (2002)

Current FIFA Ranking:47

Strengths:Team unity & hard work

Weaknesses:Defending set-pieces & scoring goals

Fans:Passionate





Coach: Huh Jung-moo
Confederation: AFC
FIFA Ranking (Apr 10):47
Previous Appearances: 7 (1954, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006)


Background
It was the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland where the Republic of Korea (Korea) made its first appearance in the grandiose tournament. However, they were overwhelmed in the tournament, losing to Hungary(9-0) and Turkey(7-0) in the first round.

It then took 32 years for the squad to reach the tournament again. In the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Korea were grouped with Argentina, Italy and Bulgaria, and managed to finally earn their first point in the tournament after earning a draw with Bulgaria.

Based on this initial success, Korea went on to participate in seven consecutive World Cup finals from 1986 to the upcoming 2010 tournament in South Africa. Korea co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with Japan and shocked the world by becoming the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals.

In 2006 in Germany, Korea failed to reach the last 16. Korea beat Togo but lost to Switzerland and picked up a draw against France. It was somewhat disappointing for Korea as they were the only country who failed to qualify for the second phase despite earning +4 points in the group stage.

How They Qualified
Korea was grouped with Australia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Japan in the Asian qualifying stage for 2010 World Cup. In the third round, Korea met North Korea, Jordan and Turkmenistan in Group 3. Though Korea disappointedly picked up two draws with its political enemy North Korea, it went up to the final round easily with the record of three wins and three draws.

In the final qualifying round, Korea was allocated a much harder group with two strong Middle Eastern squads (Saudi Arabia and Iran), traditional rivals (North Korea) and one dark horse (United Arab Emirates). Even though Korea started off with a disappointing 1-1 draw versus North Korea, it was smooth sailing from there and they won four out of their next five games to qualify for the World Cup.

Strengths
Korea has good team chemistry which is comes from the characteristics of the Korean people who like to focus on the co-workers and the community. Another strength is the players' hard work rate. Players like Park Ji-Sung are very diligent. Finally, Korea has many versatile players.

Weaknesses
Defended set pieces has been a problem. The first choice goalkeeper (Lee Woon-Jae, 182cm) and two centre-backs, Cho Yong-Hyung(182cm) and Lee Jung-Soo(185cm) are relatively smaller than European players. Also there is a huge gap between regular players and substitutes in terms of performance. If the best goal scorer Park Chu-Young were injured, there is no proper replacement for him, and also Park Ji-Sung and Lee Chung-Yong in both wing positions are non-replaceable players too. Moreover, without Ki Sung-Yong there is no one who can dispatch the ball from the middle of the pitch to the frontline.

The Coach

Huh Jung-Moo was one of Korea's legendary players who had plied their trade in Europe (PSV) in early 80’s. As can be seen his nickname 'Jindo Dog', (Korea’s traditional dog famous with bravery) he has huge competitive spirit and is famous for his stern mentality. His team is hard to beat because he usually focuses on defence rather than offence. He established a 27-match unbeaten streak during his second stint in the Korean national team. (It ended in the friendly match against Serbia held in Craven Cottage in London mid November 2009)


Star Men
Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United)

Park Ji-Sung is famous for his high work rate as described by his nickname 'Three Lung Park'. As the most popular footballer in Korea, Park leads Korea's attack alongside with Park Chu-Young. Park had a few injures in the season just ended so should be fresh.

Park Chu-Young (AS Monaco)

Another Park who is much younger, Chu-Young has showed good performances as an ace in AS Monaco alongside with Nene. He also scored four goals in the World Cup qualifying stage. The first half of the season was impressive though of late, he has been hit by injuries.

Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers)

The 21-year-old Bolton Wanderers' midfielder is one of the rising stars in Korean football. He played well in his debut season in the Premier League. He is known as the future of Korea who can cross the ball extremely well and is also able to help out in the goals department.


Best Footballing Moment

Of course, it was during the 2002 World Cup when Korea advanced to the semi-finals. However, most Korean fans remember and talk about the golden goal against Italy in the last 16 stage when ‘Lord of Ring’ Ahn Jung-Hwan kissed his ring after scoring in injury time.

Off The Pitch
Famous for: Nationalism. In Korea every sport as well as football has strong nationalistic ties so that most Korean fans are crazy at the international matches. In 2002, the fanatical Korean supporters in City hall’s square were a fresh shock to the world football fans and media.

Most likely to: Provide massive groups of people in red to be found everywhere in South Korea during 2010 World Cup period. And ‘Red Devils (nickname of Korean supporters) make the most noise out of any supporters in the world.

World Cup Objective

To advance to the last 16 for the first time in a tournament away from home soil. Previously in Germany, Korea almost reached the second phase but unfortunately failed to achieve their dream.

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