2010 World Cup Team Preview: South Korea

As a result of their surprise run to the 2002 World Cup semifinals, South Korea has broken onto the international scene as a formidable squad that cannot be overlooked. With their 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates, the team qualified for the seventh successive time, emerging as the only team in Asian qualification to remain undefeated. 

Schedule

Greece: June 12 

Argentina: June 17

Nigeria June 22

The draw placed South Korea in an intriguing place in Group B. Joined by Nigeria, Greece and Argentina, the Taeguk Warriors will look to solidify their place on the world stage by advancing to the final 16.

Argentina are no doubt the favorite of the group, despite having extreme difficulties throughout their qualifiers under manager Diego Maradona. The rest of the table, however, find themselves equally matched with very contrasting styles, making this grouping a very good indication of where the Greek, Nigerian, and South Korean teams really stand.

South Korea’s first match against Greece on June 12 will take place in Port Elizabeth, with a five-day break leading to the clash against favorites Argentina in Johannesburg. Their final match, in Durban, will see them against a highly skilled attacking side in Nigeria.

Look for a close match against the tightly packed Greek squad in the first game. The South Korean’s will have to try and test Argentina in light of their recent dip in form, but are more than likely hoping to draw with the group favorites. The final match against Nigeria could be a shootout, with both teams entering the World Cup looking to emphasize their attacking abilities.

Key Players

Manchester United’s Park Ji -Sung is no doubt the driving force of the team. He is not a player who will wow spectators with flash and gaud, but his work rate is undeniable, and his service is spot on.

It will not be hard to keep an eye on Park, as he manages to take place in the majority of the team’s successes in the final third of the pitch. He was the lone goal scorer in South Korea’s 2002 World Cup victory over Portugal, and again in the 2006 draw against eventual runners-up France.

Three young and exciting players to watch out for are Júbilo Iwata’s Lee Keun-Ho, the technically savvy, sometimes erratic AS Monaco striker Park Chu-Young, and Bolton’s 21-year-old Lee Chung-Yong.

The South Koreans possess the creativity to create opportunities against any opposing team, but it is their finishing that has been suspect as of late. That will need to change if they look to advance through of the group stages.

Strengths and Weaknesses

South Korea’s quality lies in their midfield, and new manager Huh Jong-Moo will look to take advantage of that in his new 3-5-2 system. The team has traditionally used a 4-4-2, which saw them to great success at the 2002 World Cup with Guus Hiddink at the helm. The new system will rely heavily on the midfield to maintain possession and stay on the attack.

The main weakness for the team will be their vulnerability to counter-attacks in a group full of attacking malice. Argentina hitmen Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, and “Kun” Aguero, along with Nigeria’s Yakubu and Obafemi Martins, will all be looking to capitalize on the thin South Korean defense.

Look to see how the altitude affects the South Korean side, particularly in their match against Argentina in Johannesburg at around 1700 meters (5577 feet). Huh Jong-Moo recently requested oxygen masks for his players in an effort to help acclimatize them before the tournament. Reports from South Korea’s 4-2 loss in Zambia on January 9 suggested that the team suffered greatly from the elevation there.

It Would Be a Great World Cup If...

South Korea look to establish themselves as a top Asian side by advancing through the group stages. The captain Park Ji-Sung must have a dominant presence for his side in order for success to be had. In advancing, the team will show that their recent World Cup accomplishments were not accidental.

It Would Be a Disaster If…

South Korea fails to win a game. The group has stiff competition, and the team has only won one World Cup match away from their home soil. It seems that Argentina will take the group, leaving the other three teams in a toss-up.

Nigeria need further assistance for John Obi Mikel in the midfield, but will be looking to advance through sheer firepower. Also, Greece will look to make a similar push to their 2004 Euro run when they were crowned champions after bravely squeezing out victories against France, and twice against hosts Portugal.

My Prediction

Park Ji -Sung is one of the few consistent pieces for the South Korean side, and I feel that they will rely on him too much. Also, Keeper Lee Woon-Jae will have show up for all three matches in order for the team to advance.

I predict South Korea wins one match, but fails to advance out of Group B. The change to the 3-5-2 will allow the pace of the rest of the group to expose the South Korean defense.

Overall, I believe that South Korea cannot be named as second favorites behind Argentina because there are too many questions to be answered; an untested manager, an untried formation, a lack of goal scoring threats, and a suspect and aging defense.