World Cup 2010 profile: South Korea

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South Korea: Road to the World Cup Watch

World Cup History

Best Result: 2002, Semifinals

Korea Republic are regulars at the World Cup, having reached the finals on six previous occasions heading into South Africa 2010. The 2002 finals, which they co-hosted with Japan, stand out above all the campaigns. With 'Golden' Guus Hiddink at the helm, Korea Republic stunned the football world by reaching the semi-finals, beating European heavyweights Spain and Italy en route. Their wonderful journey came to end at the hands of pragmatic Germany, but Korea Republic ensured Asian teams would be treated with renewed respect in future tournaments. Unfortunately Korea Republic failed to live up to expectations at Germany 2006, bowing in at the group stage.

Road to World Cup

Qualified as first in AFC Group B

The South Korean FA looked into its own backyard for a coach to oversee the 2010 qualification process, appointing Huh Jung-Moo for his third stint at the helm. Jung-Moo enjoyed instant success, guiding his team to a 4-0 win over Turkmenistan to kick-start the first stage of qualifying.Consecutive draws then placed Korea Republic's progress in jeopardy before two away wins settled nerves and ensured qualification for the next phase.

Grouped with fierce rivals DPR Korea, along with Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the final qualifying stage, Korea Republic went through undefeated with four wins and four draws. They booked their ticket to South Africa via a comfortable 2-0 win over the UAE in June, qualification secured with two games in hand. The Taeguk Warriorseventually finished four points clear at the top of their group, with neighbour DPR Korea qualifying one place behind.

Star Men
Ji-Sung Park - The Manchester United star finished the qualification stage as Group B's leading scorer with five goals. Ji-Sung Park is coming off a stellar 2008/09 season at United, which earned him a new deal that will see him at Old Trafford for at least two more years. He is without doubt Korea Republic's most valuable commodity heading into the World Cup finals

Chu-Yung Park - The AS Monaco striker finished just one goal behind team-mate Ji-Sung Park in the qualifying stages, finding the back of the net on four occasions. The dead-ball specialist looms as one of the Taeguk Warriors' most potent weapons at South Africa 2010.

Stranger than Fiction
Korea Republic are by far Asia's most successful football nation, with 2010 to be their seventh successive appearance in the World Cup finals.