South Korea

South Korea

By Richard Pedler

JAKARTA (JP): South Korea's record fourth Asian appearance at
the finals owes much to World Cup 2002 rival Japan's generosity
in allowing a last-minute Iraqi equalizer, which let the Koreans
through on goal difference.

In their first attempt back in 1954, the Koreans were hammered
9-0 by Hungary. In Mexico '86, the team was entertaining and
unpredictable. Four years on, one wonderful free-kick against
Spain was Korea's only bright moment in a series of well-drilled
but dour displays, all ending in defeat. Coach Lee-Hoe-taik
reacted candidly to the storm of criticism back home.

"We trained on synthetic surfaces and so we didn't know how to
do sliding tackles. We were not used to how the ball moved and
had difficulty in controlling it. We also didn't know how to
tackle from behind." Not surprisingly, South Korea have still
not won a finals match.

Tactical Isolation

This year's Korean side is the best prepared yet, and the
squad's target is Round Two for the first time in Korean history.
But tactical isolation continues because virtually no European or
Latin American soccer can be seen on TV. The team is one-
dimensional, lack of creativity resulting in predictable
patterns. As matches progress, opponents learn to anticipate the
team's moves and Korea become vulnerable to second-half collapse.

National coach Kim Ho is assisted by technical advisor Anatoli
Byshovets (the former C.I.S. boss) in attempting to mold a team
capable of holding out against Germany, Spain and Bolivia to
strengthen the country's 2002 bid.

Key Players

World-class keeper Choi In-young is protected by the Korean
league's 1992 MVP, sweeper Hong Myung-bo. The link to attack is
ballplayer Shin Hong-gi, who will depend on his colleagues' off-
the-ball running for creative opportunities. The midfield
contains three converted club forwards and the Bundesliga's Kim
Joo-sung, twice voted Asia's player of the year and now recalled
for his third World Cup.

A possible star of the USA'94 team, tall striker Hwang Sun-
hong has finally recovered from a two-year injury which needed
three operations. So the Koreans look to have a far more
creative selection than ever before. Perhaps it is time for the
South of Korea to match their Northern neighbors, who crushed
Italian hopes in 1966.

Tomorrow: Spanish Matadors