Outright percentages : 250/1
Group G Winners : 10/1
South Korea shocked the soccer world four years ago when they beat Italy and Spain to get to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup. It definitely was a remarkable achievement. In the group stage, an opening match win over Poland and a shock 1-0 triumph over Portugal made sure they became the 1st Asian team to qualify from the group stage since Saudi Arabia in 1994.
In the second round they defeated Italy in additional time, a result which saw winning goal scorer Ahn Jung-Hwan sacked by his employers at Serie A club Perugia. They rimmed past Spain on penalties in the quarter-final before a narrow 1-0 defeat against Germany in the semis brought their fairytale run to a close.
expectancies have risen considerably since that time and Guus Hiddink is a hard act to follow. During qualification Korea went thru 2 coaches before fellow Dutchman Dick Advocaat took control of in preparation for the finals in Germany.
South Korea were some distance from convincing during qualification and Hiddkink’s inheritor, HUmberto Coelho, lasted only two qualifying matches. He resigned after a shameful goalless draw against the Maldives whose contemporary pedigree includes a 12-0 defeat to Syria and 17-0 hammering against Iran.
Jo Bonfrere usurped and notwithstanding guiding the team to their fifth successive World Cup finals, quit in August 2005 following lacklustre performances. Korea finished as runners up in their qualifying group but endured home and away defeats to Saudi Arabia and an away draw to lowly Uzbekistan.
While Hiddink enjoyed nearly half a season with the team 4 years ago in preparation for the 2002 finals, Advocaat, in comparison, has barely had a chance to start to know his squad.
South Korea will no longer be seen as an unknown quantity and a number of players are excelling at club level in Europe. Hiddink took a number of quality players with him to PSV Eindoven following the last contest while Park Ji-Sung secured a move to Manchester United.
it may also be debated that Korea have fought defensively since some of their vet defenders retired since the last World Cup. Notably former captain and defensive lynchpin Myung Bo Hong who participated in the 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002 finals, eventually retiring with 135 caps.
counseled Bet
Following a remarkable run four years back, South Korea could go back to their old ways of not making it past the group stage. Expectation is at an {all-time record} high but they could suffer with a shock against Togo in their opening match who could be good enough for a draw.
Togo vs South Korea draw 9/4.
How would you like to see the top 100 wonders in the world? Visit famouswonders.com and browse through the top destinations in the world and be sure to check out Changdeokgung Palace.
Tags: Advocaat, Seoul, South Korea, World Cup