Korea Republic (also known as South Korea) is Asia’s most successful football team with eight World Cup qualifications. Its World Cup high was when it reached the 2002 World Cup semi final in the World Cup that it co-hosted with Japan. That was even better than its Northern counterpart which had famously reached the 1966 World Cup quarter final after memorably eliminating Italy and losing to Portugal in a fantastic 5-3 score despite having led 3-0!
I remember the 2002 squad led by coach Guus Hiddink with its incredibly fast paced game where the Koreans successively eliminated Portugal, Italy and Spain. The Korean style of playing demands speed – even velocity I would say – technical skills and stamina. The Korean style is sometimes too predictable though and lacks tactical depth. I don’t see them making it to the 2nd round.
Korea Republic is part of Group B with Greece, which I already covered, Nigeria and Argentina.
Just look at the Seoul crowd going crazy in the game against Italy (see how the fans go wild but the street stays free of any havoc to let the cars go by !).
It is unbelievable, well no it isn’t for Maracanazos!
Maracanazos like South Korean frenzy.