Automatic qualifiers as co-hosts four years ago, South Korea rode a wave of passionate home support into the last four, the best ever achievement by an Asian side.

Reality was quick to bite after the finals.

The Koreans appeared burdened by expectation in a disappointing 2006 qualifying campaign that shattered the team's confidence and led to the departure of two unconvincing managers.

Both Portuguese Humberto Coelho and Dutchman Jo Bonfrere were hounded from the job by a highly critical media and fans expecting the same brand of free-flowing football that took the perennial first-round casualties to the semi-finals under Guus Hiddink, the Dutchman now in charge of Australia.

The return of Hiddink to the Netherlands as coach of PSV Eindhoven and the retirement of inspirational captain Hong Myung-bo and talismanic striker Hwang Sun-hong did little to dampen fans' expectations for similar success in 2006.

In September, Korea entrusted their World Cup fortunes to another Dutchman, Dick Advocaat, hoping the former Netherlands manager would bring much-needed stability and discipline to a talented but inexperienced young squad.

South Korea have impressed under Advocaat's guidance, racking up wins against powerful opposition such as Serbia, Croatia, Iran and Mexico, but doing well in Germany will require finding another gear.

While Park Ji-sung of Manchester United and Lee Young-pyo of Tottenham Hotspur bring experience and a dash of world-class talent to the mix, the bulk of the squad comprises youngsters plying their trade in a comparatively dull domestic league.

Advocaat's organisational skills will be pushed to the limit in the search for a sturdy combination at the back capable of fending off some of the world's best strikers.