May 26, 2006
FOREIGN SOIL
Can Korea avoid losing ways in Germany?

So, which South Korea are we going to see in Germany?

Will it be the side that could not buy a win in its first 14 World Cup matches?

Or will it be the team that was virtually invincible when it hosted the World Cup in 2002?

If you're a betting man or woman, lean toward the former because there are few, if any signs that the Koreans haven improved substantially to make a dent in a European-based World Cup.

For some reason, the Korea Football Association likes to go Dutch -- as in the preferred choice of coaches it has used the past five years.

Guus Hiddink was directed the Koreans to a stunning fourth-place finish in 2002.

He was succeeded by Jo Bonfrere, who guided the team into the 2006 World Cup.

He was replaced by Dick Advocaat, who hopes to emulate the success of Hiddink.

"We will try to get as far as Guus did," he told Reuters. "It must be possible. There is more experience than three years ago and that's an advantage."

Of course, there is one big difference this time around. The Koreans won't be hosts, but rather in Europe, where they have never won a WC match.

"We won't be at home this time so that is a disadvantage,“ Advocaat said. “With full support from fans and the players we can do a good job.

"Definitely, let's try to do what Guus did."

Of course, that's easier said that done.

South Korea finds itself in Group G with France, Switzerland and first-timer Togo. France and Switzerland were neck-to-neck in the same European qualifying group, so the Koreans will have to hope for some kind of miracle or upset to move on this time.

Hiddink might have spoiled the Koreans because they went through coaches fast and furiously.
After only 15 months on the job in April 2004, Portuguese coach Humberto Coelho, who directed Portugal to the Euro 2000 semifinals, had a mutual parting of the ways with the Korean Football Federation. He was replaced by Park sung-Hwa, who was a caretaker coach for 66 days before he resigned following a 2-0 victory over Vietnam. Park reportedly felt he had fulfilled his duties.

Bonfrere became the next coach and he lasted until last August.

Korea doesn't necessarily have one big player who has been head and shoulders over the rest of the squad. Rather, several hard-working players and teamwork have been a major reason behind its success.

But if we're going to name names, let's start with defender Choi Jin-Cheul, who is expected to be the anchor of the backline after a spate of international retirements in recent years. That included former Los Angeles Galaxy defender Hong Myung-Bo.

Another key defender Lee Young-Pyo, who made 81 international appearances, the most of any current player, also is expected to be a key figure in the back.

Goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae had allowed only 82 goals in 92 international appearances through the spring.

Korea's one major weakness is having a striker or midfielder who can put the ball in the net on a fairly regular basis. Lee Dong-Gook, who led the side with five qualifying goals, several of them key ones, has scored 21 international goals in 55 appearances.

Forward Ahn Jung-Hwan (MSV Duisburg), who was bounced by Serie A side after his goal eliminated Italy in 2002, is also a dangerous player.

Korea has enjoyed some recent success against World Cup-bound sides.

In October, Korea defeated Iran, 1-0 and played Sweden to a 2-2 draw.

On Nov. 16, the Koreans blanked Serbia & Montenegro, 2-0, in Seoul.

And on March 1, the Koreans bested Angola, 1-0, on a goal by Park Ji-Sung at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea.

"I think the first half was very good, the way we played in difficult circumstances," Advocaat told a post-match news conference, referring to the sub-freezing conditions. "The pitch was very difficult . . . but the way we played, passing, moving, defensively (was) excellent. Only one problem, we just scored one goal.”

Added Advocaat: "We have a team that likes to work, that likes to run and is a danger to every team in the world."

An interesting bit of information for World Cup history buffs

Asian teams have never fared well in the World Cup, compiling a 4-31-8 mark before the 2002 competition, in which Asian teams finished at 6-9-2. The breakdown from 2002: Korea (4-2-1), Japan (2-1-1), China (0-3-0), Saudi Arabia (0-3-0).