The AFC side South Korea, also known as Korea Republic, are ready for the FIFA World Cup 2022 as Paulo Bento announced the 26-member final squad on 12th November 2022.
The Qatar World Cup is going to be Korea Republic’s 11th FIFA World Cup tournament after becoming a FIFA member in the late 1940s. This AFC side has some memorable histories in the FIFA World Cup.
World Cup History
South Korea made their World Cup debut in 1954 as they were the second Asian team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup (after Dutch East Indies, presently known as Indonesia).
The FIFA World Cup 2022 is the 11th WC participation for the Korea Republic, their 10th consecutive WC appearance. Only twice they managed to cross the Group Stage mark.
As the co-hosts (with Japan) in the 2002 WC, the Taegeuk Warriors’ stunned the football world by playing in the semi-final of that tournament, where Germany beat them by 1-0. The Asian team finished that competition as the fourth-best team.
In the 2010 edition, South Korea reached the Round of 16, but Uruguay beat them by 2-1 in that knockout stage.
Last Tournament
In FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, though South Korea were eliminated from the Group Stage with three points in three games, it was still a really memorable tournament for them.
Korea Republic were in the Group F of that competition along with the defending champions Germany, Sweden and Mexico. After losing the first two matches against Sweden (1-0) and Mexico (2-1), the Taegeuk Warriors eliminated the defending champions Germany from that tournament with a stunning 2-0 victory. Though both Korea Republic and Germany finished with three points, the Asian team finished above the defending champions, thanks to a better goal difference.
In the AFC Asian Cup 2019, Korea Republic were eliminated from the quarter-finals.
Qualification for World cup 2022
In the FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC), South Korea earned a bye to the second round as they were the third-best team among the first 34 FIFA-ranked AFC teams.
In the Group H of that second round, Korea Republic played double-leg matches against Lebanon, Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka (In the middle of that round, North Korea withdrew due to safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic). Unbeaten Korea Republic finished on top of that group with 16 points (5 wins and only one draw), where they scored 22 goals and conceded only once.
After easily qualifying for the third round, the Taegeuk Warriors were in Group A along with Iran, UAE, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. At the end of that third round, Korea Republic directly qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2022 by standing in the second position in that Group A with 23 points in 10 games (7 wins, 2 draws and only defeat). In that overall third round, the Taegeuk Warriors conceded the least goals (3 goals) among the 12 teams.
Preparation for World Cup 2022
Since June, Korea Republic played 10 matches before the FIFA World Cup 2022. Out of those matches, they lost only twice (1-5 vs Brazil and 0-3 vs Japan), drew twice and won six games.
Last September, South Korea had a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica but clinched a 1-0 victory against Cameroon. On 11th November, Korea Republic beat Iceland by 1-0.
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South Korea FIFA World Cup squad 2022:
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu (Al-Shabab), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan Hyundai).
Defenders: Kim Min-jae (Napoles), Kim Young-gwon (Ulsan Hyundai), Kwon Kyung-won (Gamba Osaka), Cho Yu-min (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Kim Moon-hwan (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Yoon Jong-gyu (FC Seoul), Kim Tae-hwan (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Jin-su (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Hong Chul (Daegu FC).
Midfielders: Jung Woo-young (Al Sadd), Son Jun-ho (Shandong Taishan), Paik Seung-ho (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Hwang In-beom (Olympiakos), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05), Kwon Chang-hoon (Gimcheon Sangmu), Jeong Woo-yeong (Friburgo), Lee Kang-in (Mallorca), Na Sang-ho (FC Seoul), Song Min-kyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors).
Forwards: Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) [Catpain], Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Hwang Ui-jo (Olympiacos), Cho Gue-sung (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors).
Head Coach: Paulo Bento
Captain Son Heung-min isn’t fully fit yet.
Strength
Apart from the star Son Heung-min, Korea Republic have a solid defence line-up that conceded the least goals (3 goals) during the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC). Kim Min-jae and Kim Young-gwon have set up a strong centre-back partnership. Their attack is also seeming strong with the star Son and Hwang Hee-chan. Also, the team has other top players like Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Kang-in etc.
Weakness
While the Taegeuk Warriors’ successes are widely dependent on the skipper Son Heung-min, his doubtful fitness is a major concern for the team. Also, the experts are doubtful of their defensive abilities against stronger opponents.
Star Player: Son Heung-min
The Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min is the key factor for South Korea. Despite his injuries, the Spurs star is ready to give everything for his country in this World Cup. Although his availability for the entire competition is completely doubtful, Son and the entire Korea Republic are hoping for the best.
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How South Korea will line up at FIFA World Cup 2022?
Opponents & Fixtures
(Group H)
Uruguay vs South Korea – 24th November 2022, Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan (16:00 local time/18:30 IST)
South Korea vs Ghana – 28th November 2022, Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan (16:00 local time/18:30 IST)
South Korea vs Portugal – 2nd December 2022, Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan (18:00 local time/20:30 IST)
Prediction
Many experts aren’t confident enough about South Korea in the FIFA World Cup 2022 as they majorly believe that Korea Republic will end this tournament in the Group Stage.
However, the unpredictable Taegeuk Warriors have the ability to stun the football world in Qatar, just like their semi-final appearance in the 2002 edition or beating the defending champions Germany in the 2018 Group Stage to deny their qualification for the knockout stages.
