Organised yet fluid, unbeaten in qualification yet vulnerable in friendlies, with young stars but an ageing backbone, South Korea are a mass of contradictions...
With eight appearances on the global stage to their name, South Korea can be proud of their World Cup finals appearance record. In South Africa, the Asian Tigers will be desperate to match that quantity with quality - and prove that they’ve got the ability to warrant global respect as a team.
Their home tournament in 2002 saw South Korea clock their first ever tournament win, and bag a place in the last four. Last time provided a debut victory on foreign soil. This one is all about surviving the first round for the first time ever overseas. For Korea, the second round equals success.
The omens so far are mixed. Qualification from Asia’s Group of Death was smooth: they were unbeaten against their northern neighbours, westerly giants Saudi Arabia and Iran, plus whipping-boys UAE.
However, the Seoul media and public are uncertain at the moment as to whether this is a good team or not. Calls for Guus Hiddink’s return in February after a chaotic 3-0 defeat against China was followed by fulsome praise as Ivory Coast were beaten 2-0 in London.
Much hope rests on the ‘Fab Four’. This offensive quartet consists of Manchester United’s Park Ji-sung, Lee Chung-yong of Bolton Wanderers, Celtic’s Ki Sung-young and AS Monaco star Park Chu-young.
Park aside, the Fab Four are young. But as the competition approaches, more 2002 veterans are crawling out of the woodwork. Goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae is still there at 36, Lee Young-pyo is now a likely left-back starter and Frieburg’s Cha Du-ri has just been recalled to the right-back spot. Further forward, Ahn Jung-Hwan (now 34) and Kim Nam-il (33) are both in the frame.
Strengths
The Fab Four’s fine form gives hope that one of Korea’s traditional weaknesses – an inability to convert chances into goals - is now not a problem. Especially as the stamina, pace, teamwork and never-say-die attitude are all still there, a clinical Korea would pose problems for all Group B opponents and the movement in attack – from the two Parks and the skilful Lee - is a part of Korea’s game that has improved over the years.
Weaknesses
Ask any Red Devil what concerns them about the World Cup – apart from the fact that the Seoul media seems to believe that a trip to Johannesburg means almost certain death – and they will all say the defence.
The country has failed to produce a commanding centre-back since ‘the Eternal Libero’ Hong Myong-bo retired in 2002 and the number of different partnerships tried over the years would surprise even the most itchy-fingered tinkerman. It’s still hard to predict exactly which two stoppers will take the pitch against Greece but whoever it is, recent inability to defend set pieces is a gift that the Greeks (and others) would gratefully accept.
Interesting fact
South Korea were the 17th best performers at the 2006 World Cup.
The Coach: Huh Jung-moo
Hiddink’s predecessor returned in December 2007 to an underwhelming reception – hardly surprising as he was, at the very best, third-choice after public rejections from Mick McCarthy and Gerard Houllier. It didn’t start too well but a willingness to trust in young players and a knack for getting a result gained the respect – if not affection – from the fans.
Key Player: Park Chu-young
He’s always been able to link midfield and attack, and now the intelligent striker has added goals to his CV. One of Asia’s best.
Probable Team (4-4-2): Lee Woon-jae; Cha Duri, Cho Yong-hyong, Lee Jung-soo, Lee Young-pyo; Lee Chung-young, Ki
Song-yong, Kim Jung-woo, Park Ji-sung; Park Chu-young, Lee Dong-gook
Goalkeepers: Kim Young-kwang (Ulsan), Lee Woon-jae (Suwon), Jung Sung-ryong (Seongnam)
Defenders: Kim Dong-jin (Ulsan), Kim Hyung-il (Pohang), Oh Beom-seok (Ulsan), Lee Young-pyo (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Lee Jung-soo (Kashima, Japan), Cha Doo-ri (Freiburg, Germany) Cho Yong-hyung (Jeju), Kang Min-soo (Suwon)
Midfielders: Ki Sung-yong (Celtic, Scotland), Kim Bo-kyung (Oita, Japan), Kim Nam-il (Tomsk, Russia), Kim Jae-sung (Pohang), Kim Jung-woo (Gwangju), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton, England), Park Ji-sung (Manchester United, England)
Forwards: Park Chu-young (Monaco, France), Ahn Jung-hwan (Dalian, China), Lee Seung-ryul (Seoul), Yeom Ki-hun (Suwon), Lee Dong-gook (Jeonbuk).
Ri Myong-guk (Pyongyang City). Goalkeeper. Born Sept. 9 1986. Caps 27.
North Korea's "Gatekeeper of the Iron Wall" is reported to belt out the national anthem when the chips are down to inspire his team mates. Originally joined Pyongyang as a striker but when coaches suggested he try goalkeeping as a way to help the country's national team he threw himself into the position.
Kim Myong-won (Amrokgang). Goalkeeper. Born July 15 1983. Caps 9.
Like many of his international team mates, plays for Amrokgang who won the North Korean league title in 2007.
Kim Myong-gil (Amrokgang). Goalkeeper. Born Oct. 16 1984. Caps 10.
He was the number one keeper until Ri graduated to the side. Was part of North Korea's failed attempt to reach the 2006 World Cup finals.
Cha Jong-hyok (Amrokgang). Defender. Born Sept. 25 1985. Defender. Caps 30. Goals 0.
Made a brief appearance during the qualifiers four years ago, when North Korea failed to reach the finals, and has now established himself as a regular.
Ri Jun-il (Sobaeksu). Defender. Born Aug. 24 1987. Caps 25. Goals 0.
Usually deployed as a sweeper and controls the defence. Has been a fixture in the side throughout World Cup qualifying.
Ri Kwang-chon (April 25). Defender. Born Sept. 4 1985. Caps 39. Goals 1.
Usually one of the first names coach Kim Jong-hun's puts on his team sheet. Was on the side that failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals.
Nam Song-chol (April 25). Defender. Born May 7 1982. Caps 41. Goals 1.
A fixture on the left side of the team's five-man defence. Shared the job of captain with Hong Yong-jo during the qualifiers.
Ri Kwang-hyok (Kyonggongop). Defender. Born Aug. 17 1987. Caps 15. Goals 0.
Came up through North Korea's youth system and was one of the squad at the 2007 under-20 World Cup.
Pak Chol-jin (Amrokgang). Defender. Born Sept. 5 1985. Caps 33. Goals 0.
Experienced central defender who was part of the failed attempt to qualify for the World Cup four years ago.
Pak Nam-chol (Amrokgang). Defender. Born Oct. 3 1988.
The younger of two players with the same name, he played four of North Korea's World Cup qualifiers but has yet to win a regular starting spot.
Ryang Yong-gi (Vegalta Sendai). Midfielder. Born Jan. 7 1982. Caps 10. Goals 8.
Osaka-born dynamo who has been named captain of his Japanese club. Small in stature but has great technique and is a tireless worker. Was outstanding in North Korea's victory at the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup, which earned his country a place in next year's Asian Cup. Finished top goalscorer and was named the tournament's most valuable player.
An Yong-hak (Omiya Ardija). Midfielder. Born Aug. 25 1978. Caps 23. Goals 2.
Veteran presence in the North's midfield, An plays the anchor role to good effect but can also support the forwards in a more advanced role. Spent three years in South Korea with Busan and Suwon before joining J-League side Omiya this season.
Kim Yong-jun (Pyongyang). Midfielder. Born July 19 1983. Caps 52. Goals 7.
Right-footed defensive midfielder who played two seasons in China with second division club Yanbian in an ethnic Korean area close to the North Korea border. Moved to top-flight Chengdu Blades, who are owned by England's Sheffield United, in 2008 but left the club after one season.
Ji Yun-nam (April 25). Midfielder. Born Nov. 20 1976. Caps 20. Goals 2.
Left wing-back who returned to the team only in the later stages of the qualifiers, after being part of the 2006 squad.
Mun In-guk (April 25). Midfielder. Born Sept. 29 1978. Caps 40. Goals 6.
Dynamic player whose hard work is vital to North Korea's midfield.
Ri Chol-myong (Pyongyang City). Midfielder. Born Feb. 18 1988. Caps 12. Goals 1.
Played only one of North Korea's qualifiers for this World Cup. Was a member of the team that finished runners-up in the 2004 Asian under-17 championship.
Pak Nam-chol (April 25). Midfielder. Born July 2 1985. Caps 34. Goals 5.
The older Pak Nam-chol has been a fixture of North Korea's midfield since 2005.
Kim Kyong-il (Rimyongsu). Midfielder. Born Dec. 11 1988. Caps 1. Goals 0.
Played at the under-17 world championships in 2005 and the under-20 World Cup in 2007.
Hong Yong-jo (Rostov). Forward. Born May 22 1982. Caps 38. Goals 11.
The North Korea captain leads from the front and his European experience with Russian club FC Rostov will be vital in South Africa. Delivered some key goals in qualifying including a penalty in the 1-1 draw against bitter rivals South Korea.
Jong Tae-se (Kawasaki Frontale). Forward. Born March 2 1984. Caps 20. Goals 12.
Dubbed the 'People's Wayne Rooney' by Asian media, Jong's bustling, all-action style keeps defenders on their toes for 90 minutes. The Japan-based striker is his team's main goal threat and needs no invitation to have a crack at goal.
Kim Kum-il (April 25). Forward. Born Oct. 10 1987. Caps 11. Goals 1.
Bagged four goals in North Korea's AFC Youth Championship-winning side in 2006 and was named player of the tournament. Captained the side at the FIFA under-20 World Cup in 2007 in Canada, scoring against Czech Republic.
An Chol-hyok (Rimyongsu). Forward. Born June 27 1985. Caps 14. Goals 7.
Four of his goals for the national side came in one match, against Guam in an East Asian championship game. Not a regular starter for the team.
Choe Kum-chol (Rimyongsu). Forward. Born Feb. 9 1987. Caps 15. Goals 5.
Rarely starts a game for the national side but coach Kim likes to send him on to bolster the attack if one of the regular strikers is off form.
Post time 9-6-2010 12:18 AM
变色卡
Author
