Appearances: 8 (Last appearance in 2006)
Current FIFA Ranking (As of March 3): 53
Captain: Park Ji-Sung (Midfielder/Winger)
Leading Scorer in Qualifying: Park Ji-Sung (5 goals)
Key Injuries: No significant injuries.
Key retirements since 2006: Choi Jin-Cheul (Center Back), Lee Eul-Yong (Midfielder)
Team Overview:
After a semifinal finish in the 2002 World Cup, hopes were high for the South Koreans, but they could only be disappointed when they were knocked out during the group stages in 2006. As a result of this, former head coach Huh Jung-Moo returned to the team and guided them to a first place qualifying position. Jung-Moo was originally the head coach during the 1998-2000 seasons and he discovered many of the star players that Korea now employs. They were able to get through qualifying without a single loss, although the number of times they won and had a draw were equal.
The 2010 South Korean team is one of the most experienced in the entire tournament. There are only four starting players that are under the age of 26 and even those players have played at least 20 international games. Experience and crumbling under the pressure will not come into play for the South Koreans this year.
Their oldest and most experienced player, Lee Woon-Jae, is the goalkeeper for the team. A veteran of three World Cup teams, dating all the way back to 1994, Woon-Jae is known for his uncanny ability to stop penalty shots, which is undoubtedly a result of his 16 years of time in the net. He only played in six qualifying matches, but tallied four clean sheets in those games. In the other two games, both against Iran, he allowed one goal each game.
The defense for the Korean team is an experienced group but the center backs for the team are smaller and will be easier to exploit when they have to face set pieces. Lee Young-Pyo is the name to watch from the group. The 5'9" left back is one of the fastest backs in the game and he will have the ability to cause havoc when he overlaps. Crosses from him will be crucial because South Korea is not a team that will score a lot of goals.
Midfield is where the South Korean stars play. Captain Park Ji-Sung is the leader of the team and will be counted on to be the playmaker for the team. All offense will run through him. His stamina and workrate have not diminished. Joining him around the midfield will be the two of the three rising stars of the South Korean team. Lee Chung-Yong and Ki Sung-Yong are the future for the South Korean midfield and playing alongside Park Ji-Sung will only enhance their abilities. The pair, unrelated but known as the "Double Dragons", are 21-years-old and have a wealth of ability. Chung-Yong is a quick player and has fantastic vision and passing ability.
Sung-Yong has much of the same talent and is one of the best set-piece takers on the team. His ability has caused many Koreans, and other fans, to dub him the "Korean Gerrard", an homage to the English midfielder Steven Gerrard.
The forward position has been a disappointing spot for the South Koreans. They have only one goal scorer that they can count on, Park Chu-Young. The other starter, Lee Keun-Ho has found recent success with the insertions of the Double Dragons into the starting lineup, and will need to continue his success with the offensive struggles that South Korea has had. 2002 World Cup hero Ahn Jung-Hwan makes a return to the teamand will be counted on to provide support as a super sub.
Player to Watch: Park Chu-Young
Chu-Young will be the man that South Korea counts on. . In 39 total games, he has scored 13 goals, four of them in qualifying. At times, he will be called upon to be the lone striker, a role that he does not flourish in but the recent uptick in midfield play has helped his game. Chu-Young is the most agile and one of the fastest players on the Korean team. He has solid passing and is a dead ball specialist. He will be taking nearly all of the free kicks for the South Korean team. For South Korea to succeed, he absolutely has to have an impact on the game.
Prediction: Knocked out during group stages.
The final squad will not be announced until June 10 but here is a small list of players in the running to make the team.
Match Schedule
Sports Illustrated Profile
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