Korea Republic (South Korea)

Nickname: Taeguk Warriors
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking: 47

Korea Republic will be making their 8th World Cup appearance and their 7th consecutive, hoping to regain the form they showed in 2002 when they came in fourth. However, they will have a tough time getting out of Group B, where they’re matched up against Argentina (ranked 7th), Greece (ranked 13th) and Nigeria (ranked 21st).

Korea Republic has typically dominated their zone during qualification but had a more difficult time emerging from this zone this time. Their biggest competition were their neighbors Korea DPR, who held them to three draws before ultimately losing to them in the fourth match up.

Coach

Korea Republic is coached by Huh Jung-Moo, who took over from the Dutchman Guss Hiddink in 2007. Huh has a lot of experience at the World Cup, having played as a midfielder in 1986 and serving as a trainer in 1990 and an assistant coach in 1994. Korea Republic is hoping Huh’s extensive experience in this tournament will help him lead this team to be one of the big surprises of the World Cup, and if their recent 2-0 victory over the Ivory Coast in an international friendly is any indication, he might just do that.

Key Players

The Taeguk Warriors are led in the midfield by captain Park Ji-Sung, who will be playing in his third World Cup. Park exemplifies what the Korea Republic team loves: hard work and professionalism. Park plays so hard some have nicknamed him “Three Lungs.”

Another key figure for this team is forward Park Chu-Young, who, at the age of 24, is already making his second World Cup appearance. Chu-Young is a very intelligent player and has great quickness. He will be a big key to any success the South Koreans have at this World Cup.