South Korea have some exciting young talent but a brittle defence could cost them dearly in Brazil.
Top Man
Lee Chung-Yong might ply his trade for Bolton Wanderers but he remains the heartbeat of this South Korean team. The 25-year-old has six goals for his country in 54 caps, and has been a central figure for the Trotters since joining from FC Seoul in 2009.
Lee created 79 chances for team-mates last season and would likely have already moved on from Bolton had it not been for a bad leg break in 2011.
He has long had the look of a player that’s far too good for the Championship and a good tournament in Brazil could hasten a move to one of the Premier League’s lesser lights next season.
Rising star
If you’re not excited at the prospect of seeing Son-Heung Min in action, you really should be.
The 21-year-old can play in a number of positions but is best utilised as a second striker cum winger. Son plays for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and scored an impressive ten times in the league last year, while managing four assists.
Son possesses a strong shot with both feet and has been linked with a move to Liverpool, among others, once proceedings in Brazil come to a finish.
Did you know?
The South Koreans have nine World Cup appearances behind them, qualifying regularly, with the best finish coming when they co-hosted the event in 2002 with Japan. South Korea finished fourth in that tournament, famously dumping out Italy in the process.
Reasons for Irish fans to support them
In the past five years the number of Irish living in South Korea has doubled to almost 1,000, with a large contingent from this country moving to the Far East to teach English.
Seoul even has its own GAA team.
If they were a TV series
Nationwide.
Solid, dependable, unspectacular. You’ll watch them if there’s nothing better on and might just be surprised.
Prediction
Very likely to be also rans in Group H. Belgium should run away witht the group, with Russia just about pipping Hong-Myung Bo’s side to the last 16. South Korea have a couple of tricky players and an excellent team ethic, but their defence is questionable and they lack a truly world class out and out striker.
Ladbrokes betting odds: 500/1
