World Cup Team Guide: South Korea

Matt Morley 5 years ago 951
South Korea have not missed a World Cup since 1986. Twitter

We take a look at everything you should know about South Korea ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Manager: Shin Tae-Yong

Key Player: Son Heung-Min - the Tottenham man is the undoubted star of the Korean national side and has more international goals than any other member of their World Cup squad. All eyes will be on the 25-year-old as he looks to replicate his domestic form on the biggest stage of them all.

Qualifying: 

A patchy qualifying campaign was enough to see South Korea secure a second-placed finish behind Iran in Asian qualifying, edging out Syria by two points with a record of four wins, three draws and three losses from 10 games.

Last time out:

2014 World Cup:

The 'Red Devils' endured a dismal campaign in Brazil, claiming just a point from their three games against Belgium, Algeria and Russia to finish bottom of Group H.

History:

The 'Warriors' have featured at every World Cup since 1986, whilst they did also feature in Switzerland back in 1954. Despite having played at nine tournaments they have only got out of the Group Stage on two occasions, in 2010, when they reached the round of 16 and on home turf in 2002 when they shocked onlookers to finish fourth. In 2002, they topped a group that included the USA, Portugal and Poland, before dumping out Italy on golden goal in the Round of 16 and Spain in the quarter-finals on penalties, before a narrow defeat to Germany in the semi-finals ended their fairy tale story.

Who will they face?

Sweden (1pm, June 18, Nizhny Novgorod), Mexico (4pm, June 23, Rostov-On-Don), Germany (3pm, June 27, Kazan).

Final squad:

Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu (Vissel Kobe), Kim Jin-hyeon (Cerezo Osaka), Cho Hyun-woo (Daegu FC).

Defenders: Kim young-gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Jang Hyun-soo (FC Tokyo), Jung Seung-hyun (Sagan Tosu), Yun Yong-sun (Seongnam FC), Oh Ban-suk (Jeju United), Kim Min-woo (Sangju Sangmu), Park Joo-ho (Ulsan Hyundai), Hong Chul (Sangju Sangmu), Go Yo-han (FC Seoul), Lee Yong (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors).

Midfielders: Ki Sung-yueng (Swansea City), Jung Woo-young (Vissel Kobe), Ju Se-jong (Asan Mugunghwa FC), Koo Ja-cheol (FC Augsburg), Lee Jae-sung (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Seung-woo (Hellas Verona), Moon Seon-min (Incheon United).

Forwards: Kim Shin-wook (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), Hwang Hee-chan (FC Red Bull Salzburg).

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