SPORTS> Teams
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SPORTS> Teams
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Korea Republic (Group D)
Updated: 2007-07-07 20:25 Winners of the first two editions of the AFC Asian Cup, Korea Republic will be looking to end a title drought of 47 years at this year's tournament in South East Asia. The Taeguk Warriors were a dominant force in the early years of the competition, winning the inaugural Asian Cup in Hong Kong in 1956 when they topped a final round-robin group that included Israel, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Four years later, they retained their title in convincing fashion on home soil, sweeping through the round-robin group with victories in all three games against Vietnam, Israel and Chinese Taipei. That 1960 success remains their most recent victory although the Koreans have always found themselves amongst the leading contenders for the continental crown, reaching the semi-finals on four occasions before going on to lose in the final in 1972, 1980 and 1988. After their impressive run to the semi-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, much was expected of the Koreans at the AFC Asian Cup 2004 in China and Jo Bonfrere's side duly topped their group. That set up a quarter-final clash against Iran, a classic encounter that ranked amongst the best in the history of the competition as the Koreans battled back from deficits three times before finally succumbing to an Ali Karimi hat-trick in a heart-breaking 4-3 defeat. After a series of poor performances, Bonfrere was replaced by Dutch compatriot Dick Advocaat, who led the Koreans to last year's World Cup before leaving for Russian side Zenit St Petersburg. However the Dutch theme was continued as Pim Verbeek, an assistant under Advocaat and Guus Hiddink, stepped up into the top job. Verbeek's side were able to secure qualification for their 11th Asian Cup and fourth in a row although the team were far from impressive as they failed to manage a victory against Iran in Group B and were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Syria in their penultimate game. Injuries may rule out two of the team's best players, attacking midfielder Park Ji-sung and full-back Lee Young-pyo, but there is no certainly shortage of quality at Verbeek's disposal, particularly in attack where he has the likes of England-based forwards Seol Ki-hyun and Lee Dong-gook, Japan-based striker Cho Jae-jin, mercurial attacking midfielder Lee Chun-soo and former Asian Young Player of the Year Park Chu-young to call upon. Veteran defender Choi Jin-cheul has retired but the team has no shortage of good young defenders in Kim Jin-kyu and Kim Dong-jin and holding midfielder Lee Ho. While the heat and humidity of South East Asia could affect the team's usual high-intensity style, they will not be lacking in support with the team's passionate ‘Red Devil' fans certain to add a colourful atmosphere whenever the Taeguk Warriors play. There are few sides in the competition that can match the Koreans in terms of the quality of individual players and overall work-rate but Verbeek has to harness that ability in order to end the long drought. |
