The Five Best Wins in South Korean Football History

Being widely considered the most successful team in Asia is not an easy title to live up to.

Despite never being ranked in the top 15 of the FIFA World rankings, the expectations for the South Korean National football team have been sky high ever since their semi-final appearance in the 2002 World Cup.

However, as the result in the 2002 World Cup would indicate, the Koreans have won their share of big games.

So, let's take a look at the top five wins in South Korean football history.

These games are presented in no particular order.

South Korea 1, Portugal 0 (14 June, 2002)

Going into the third and final game of the group stage at the 2002 World Cup, the South Koreans need at least a tie against the fifth ranked team in the World to advance to the knockout stage in front of the home crowd.

Instead, on the back of a second-half goal by their future captain, Park Ji-Sung, the Koreans advanced past the group stage of the tournament for the first time in history.

South Korea 1, Greece 0 (2 February, 2007)

In 2004, Greece surprised everyone and won the UEFA European Championship.

While continuing to ride that high into their match with South Korea in 2007, Greece was ranked 13th in the World when they were bested by the Koreans 1-0 in London, England.

The South Korean side will certainly be looking for a repeat performance when the two sides meet in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup.

South Korea 2, Italy 1 (18 June, 2002)

Coming into the first game of the knockout stage of the 2002 World Cup, the South Koreans appeared to be over-matched.

Having defeated the fifth ranked team in the World only days earlier, it seemed unlikely that lightning could strike twice. However, it seemed the South Korean's dream run was still in the cards.

Despite going down 1-0 in the 18th minute, the South Koreans fought back, scoring goals in both the 88th and 117th minutes to seal a victory.

South Korea 1, Brazil 0 (14 June, 1999)

Sure it may have been a friendly on their home soil, however, when you can pull off a win against the No. 1 ranked team in the World, it's a big deal.

Ranked 36th in the World at the time, South Korea managed to sneak out a 1-0 victory against a tough Brazilian side.

South Korea 0, Spain 0 (5-3 on PKs) (22 June, 2002)

In one of the most controversial games in World Cup history, South Korea played toe to toe with Spain, the eighth ranked team in the World, through regulation and overtime.

Finally, it came down to penalty kicks, with the edge going to South Korea in the end by a total of 5-3, catapulting them into the semi-finals for the first time in team history.