Introduction
The South Korea national football team represents South Korea in international football and is governed by the Korea Football Association. The team has been a regular participant in the FIFA World Cup, having made 10 appearances in the tournament’s finals. South Korea’s best performance came in the 2002 World Cup, which they co-hosted with Japan, when they reached the semi-finals.
The South Korea national football team is currently ranked 28th in the FIFA World Rankings. The team’s head coach is Paulo Bento, who was appointed in 2018.
Key Players
Some of the key players in the South Korea national football team include:
- Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- Kim Min-jae (Napoli)
- Hwang In-beom (Olympiacos)
- Lee Kang-in (Mallorca)
Playing Style
The South Korea national football team is known for its attacking style of play. The team typically plays with a 4-3-3 formation, with Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan leading the line. The team’s midfield is composed of Hwang In-beom, Lee Kang-in, and Jung Woo-young, who provide creativity and support to the forwards.
History
The South Korea national football team was founded in 1928. The team’s first international match was against Japan in 1936, which South Korea lost 3-0. The team’s first major tournament was the 1954 FIFA World Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
South Korea’s best performance in the FIFA World Cup came in the 2002 World Cup, which they co-hosted with Japan. The team reached the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Germany.
Recent Results
In recent years, the South Korea national football team has struggled to maintain its consistency. The team failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and was eliminated in the group stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
However, the team has shown signs of improvement under head coach Paulo Bento. South Korea won the 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship and reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
Future Prospects
The South Korea national football team has a bright future. The team has a number of talented young players, including Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, and Kim Min-jae. The team also has a strong coaching staff, led by Paulo Bento.
If the team can continue to develop and improve, it has the potential to be a major force in international football.
Statistics
| Year | FIFA World Cup | AFC Asian Cup |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Group stage | Did not qualify |
| 1986 | Group stage | Fourth place |
| 1990 | Group stage | Runners-up |
| 1994 | Group stage | Quarter-finals |
| 1998 | Group stage | Quarter-finals |
| 2002 | Semi-finals | Quarter-finals |
| 2006 | Group stage | Third place |
| 2010 | Round of 16 | Semi-finals |
| 2014 | Group stage | Runners-up |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Quarter-finals |
| 2022 | Round of 16 | Quarter-finals |
Conclusion
The South Korea national football team is one of the most successful teams in Asia. The team has a number of talented players and a strong coaching staff. The team has the potential to be a major force in international football in the years to come.
Tables
Table 1: South Korea’s FIFA World Cup record
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 1954 | Group stage |
| 1986 | Group stage |
| 1990 | Group stage |
| 1994 | Group stage |
| 1998 | Group stage |
| 2002 | Semi-finals |
| 2006 | Group stage |
| 2010 | Round of 16 |
| 2014 | Group stage |
| 2018 | Did not qualify |
| 2022 | Round of 16 |
Table 2: South Korea’s AFC Asian Cup record
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 1956 | Did not qualify |
| 1960 | Did not qualify |
| 1964 | Did not qualify |
| 1968 | Fourth place |
| 1972 | Did not qualify |
| 1976 | Third place |
| 1980 | Fourth place |
| 1984 | Runners-up |
| 1988 | Did not qualify |
| 1990 | Runners-up |
| 1992 | Third place |
| 1996 | Quarter-finals |
| 2000 | Third place |
| 2004 | Quarter-finals |
| 2007 | Third place |
| 2011 | Third place |
| 2015 | Runners-up |
| 2019 | Quarter-finals |
| 2023 | Quarter-finals |
Table 3: South Korea’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship record
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Fourth place |
| 2005 | Runners-up |
| 2008 | Fourth place |
| 2010 | Runners-up |
| 2013 | Third place |
| 2015 | Champions |
| 2017 | Fourth place |
| 2019 | Third place |
| 2022 | Champions |
Table 4: South Korea’s top goalscorers
| Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Son Heung-min | 35 |
| 2 | Hwang Ui-jo | 16 |
| 3 | Lee Dong-gook | 15 |
| 4 | Park Ji-sung | 13 |
| 5 | Ahn Jung-hwan | 12 |
