KOREAN REPUBLIC
Through their 14 qualifying games, Korea Republic drew seven and won seven matches, which included four games against their neighbours to the north, the Democratic Peoples Republic, commonly known as North Korea.
Though their away meetings in both the 3rd and 4th Qualifying phase were played in China, they didn't lose to their close rivals and even managed to defeat them in one of the home ties in the final qualifying round.South Korea were drawn in a difficult final qualifying round group along with Saudi Arabia, Iran and North Korea. The fact that they were able to go to Riyadh and win against Saudis, take a point off Iran in Tehran and four off North Korea speaks volumes of the mental toughness and sound tactics of the team also known as the ‘Asian Tigers’.
Credit must go to coach Huh Jung Moo, a former national team player who had a celebrated career at both club level, where he once played for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, and with the South Korean national team.
He played at the 1986 World Cup where he famously marked Diego Maradona in a group game against Argentina. Huh has used his vast experience and knowledge gained to build his teams self confidence and belief which has resulted in a more determined team picking up points against lesser and stronger opponents alike.
Though their away meetings in both the 3rd and 4th Qualifying phase were played in China, they didn't lose to their close rivals and even managed to defeat them in one of the home ties in the final qualifying round.South Korea were drawn in a difficult final qualifying round group along with Saudi Arabia, Iran and North Korea. The fact that they were able to go to Riyadh and win against Saudis, take a point off Iran in Tehran and four off North Korea speaks volumes of the mental toughness and sound tactics of the team also known as the ‘Asian Tigers’.
Credit must go to coach Huh Jung Moo, a former national team player who had a celebrated career at both club level, where he once played for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, and with the South Korean national team.
He played at the 1986 World Cup where he famously marked Diego Maradona in a group game against Argentina. Huh has used his vast experience and knowledge gained to build his teams self confidence and belief which has resulted in a more determined team picking up points against lesser and stronger opponents alike.
