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