South Korea

Asian Cup 2011 Teams: South Korea

Road to Qatar


South Korea Copyright © Soccerphile	South Korea Copyright © Soccerphile

South Korea qualified with the minimum of fuss. South Korea's third place at the 2007 edition in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia came with an automatic place in Qatar.

Fixtures

Group C

South Korea v Bahrain; 10 January 2011, Al-Gharafa, Doha

South Korea v Australia; 14 January 2011, Al-Gharafa, Doha

South Korea v India; 18 January 2011, Al-Gharafa, Doha

Analysis

South Korea will be familiar to anyone who watched the team at the 2010 World Cup with the exception of attack. The goalkeeper and back four could be exactly the same as South Africa though defensive midfielder Kim Jung-woo may not make the opener against Bahrain. Lee Yong-rae has stepped in to good effect in the warm-up and may keep his place.

The biggest difference is the absence of striker Park Chu-young due to injury sustained when celebrating a December goal for French club AS Monaco. Intelligent and able to link play well with the rest of the team, Park's absence, as well as his goalscoring prowess and ability from set pieces will be missed.

The strikers in the squad are young and inexperienced. Two are still not yet out of their teens and at the time the squad was announced, the quartet had just three caps between them.

This all increases the pressure on the three playing just behind the front striker and Park Ji-sung will likely be moved from the left to play just behind which ever young pup is selected to lead the line.

It remains to be seen if the team can adjust to the short passing game of new coach Cho Kwang-rae in time to secure a first continental win since 1960.

Key player: Park Ji-sung

His dad says that the Asian Cup will be his final duty for the national team and as the player will pass the century mark if Korea progress to the latter stages, then you couldn't blame him if he did hang up his sweat-stained Taeguk Warrior shirt.

Park is captain, leader and inspiration for what will be a fairly young team in Qatar. All look up to him and all welcome his movement, hard-work and goals.

He missed the 2007 tournament and is raring to go.

One to watch: Son Heung-min

The Hamburg attacker only made his debut for his country in the December 30 win over Syria and at 18 has a bright future ahead. That may be shown in West Asia over the next few weeks. He scored a fine goal on his Bundesliga debut in October and then added a brace in November. Earmarked in Germany as a star, Son could make his name in Asia.

Coach: Cho Kwang-rae

The former international player has been in the hotseat since July taking over from Huh Jung-moo after the World Cup. Friendly results have been mixed and performances haven't yet impressed. Cho is trying to instill more of a 'pass and move' groove into the Korean team and the fruits, if they ever arrive, have not done so yet. Has experimented with three at the back and is by no means afraid to give youth a chance, Cho's reign is going to be interesting but may not last long if Korea fails badly in Qatar.

Record

Champions 1956, 1960, runners-up 1972, 1980, 1988

Soccerphile says

Can go all the way and win it but needs some of the young players to step up in order for that to happen. There is always the feeling that Korea look to use the Asian Cup as preparation for the global version and this may hold the team back a little.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Jung Sung-Ryong (Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma), Kim Yong-Dae (FC Seoul), Kim Jin-Hyeon (Cerezo Osaka)
Defenders: Choi Hyo-Jin (Sangju Sangmu), Hwang Jae-Won (Suwon Bluewings), Cho Yong-Hyung (Al-Rayyan), Kwak Tae-Hwi (Kyoto Sanga), Lee Young-Pyo (Al-Hilal), Lee Jung-Soo (Al-Sadd), Hong Jeong-Ho (Jeju United), Cha Du-Ri (Celtic)
Midfielders: Lee Yong-Rae (Suwon Bluewings), Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United), Yoon Bit-Garam (Gyeongnam FC), Koo Ja-Cheol (Jeju United), Ki Sung-Yueng (Celtic), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers), Kim Bo-Kyung (Oita Trinita), Yeom Ki-Hun (Suwon Bluewings)
Forwards: Yoo Byung-Soo (Incheon United), Ji Dong-Won (Chunnam Dragons), Son Heung-Min (Hamburger SV), Kim Shin-Wook (Ulsan Hyundai)

The winner of the Asian Cup takes part in the Confederations Cup.

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