South Korea’s national football team continues to excite both its own fans and other nations across Asia with their success on the international scene despite an Asian Cup drought of several years.
After firing Juergen Klinsmann in February, the Korean Football Association appointed Hong Myung-bo as interim coach – having led his under-20 squad to a bronze medal at 2012 Olympics. In this article, we will discuss about the top teams and South Korea National Football Team.
Korea’s Biggest Rival
The Koreans share an often turbulent past, yet remain allies of the United States and host thousands of American troops. Additionally, both Koreas are facing growing concerns about China’s rise. Conservative pundits in Seoul favor adopting a pro-American balancing strategy against what they view as China’s expansionist tactics and revisionism; many South Koreans fear its territorial ambitions against Taiwan which Beijing claims as its own territory.
According to a Carnegie poll conducted in November 2019, three-quarters of South Koreans view China as a threat, although its influence remains relatively limited compared to countries like Japan and India who have openly opposed Beijing’s policies.
Although Seoul and Tokyo have developed into trading partners and tourism hubs, and K-pop music has found great favor among Japanese fans, many still regard Korea as first and foremost Japan’s longtime colony – never fully offering an apology or atonement for wartime treatment of its people during wartime comfort women issues. This stumbling block to normalization between both nations remains.
The United States is concerned about any division between South Korea and Japan, which hosts 80,000 American troops and is at the core of its Indo-Pacific strategy. Washington works closely with Seoul in pressuring North Korea to denuclearize, while viewing Korea as a key bulwark against Chinese influence in the region. Seoul doesn’t enjoy as much influence with Beijing due to being part of an alliance against terrorism and proliferation known as The Quad, while Japan and India both maintain robust defense cooperation agreements among themselves.
Japan
The Korean national team, commonly referred to as “Taegeuk Warriors” due to a symbol featured on South Korean flag that represents balance of yin and yang), has found great success in international football. Not only are their matches highly-attended by native Korean fans but they also draw many foreign fans; rivalry matches bring excitement for both camps; creating an amazing spectacle!
The national team has won two AFC Asian Cup championships and been runners-up four times, competing in 10 FIFA World Cup tournaments, twice reaching the semi-finals. Recognized as one of Asia’s strongest sides due to fast passing, aggressive attacking style, and defensive strength.
Korea national team recently defeated Australia 1-0 for their fourth victory in a row, thanks to an impressive defensive display and effective counterattacking abilities. Their previous two matches had resulted in two wins: over Greece 2-0 and Argentina.
This victory was particularly satisfying in that it disproved a widely held view among foreign pundits that Korea is an individual show. Instead, this win proved that their national team comprises talented players in multiple positions who all work towards a common goal – something many foreign pundits had long considered an inaccurate perception of Korean athletics.
However, the team still faces some weaknesses to overcome. One such weakness is their tendency to get injured during training sessions, which can hinder performance on the field. Hwang Hee Chan and Lee Jae-sung suffered injuries that hindered their performances during 2018. Hopefully, no additional setbacks occur over the remaining games.
Australia
South Korea and Australia share an intense rivalry that extends far beyond football. Their matches often end up tense, creating controversy. South Korea currently leads 9-11.
Australia and South Korea have met four times in the Asian Cup, with Australia winning each time. Both are known for their attacking prowess as well as strong defense; South Korea boasts the world’s highest success rate when it comes to stopping goals in the back third of the pitch.
However, despite these successes, the team has yet to win a major tournament. Yet they’ve made significant strides since World Cup qualifying – ranking 23rd globally now.
Though South Korean football may no longer be at its former level, it still boasts a talented squad with many members playing for top clubs abroad such as Tottenham Hotspur. Top scorer Son Heung-min currently hails from Tottenham Hotspur.
South Korean women’s national football team have also made strides towards qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup by beating Greece and Chile while drawing with France and Argentina during group stage play.
South Korea won both of their knockout round matches against Nigeria and Uruguay before losing to eventual champions United States – this being South Korea’s debut at a FIFA World Cup final match! South Korea finished sixth overall and coach Hong Myung-bo stepped down, and former Tottenham player Uli Stielike took over management responsibilities until 2026 World Cup, replacing Jurgen Klinsmann who left due to poor Asian Cup performances; The Korean FA expects to hire new head coaches by Fall 2022.
China
South Korea and China have had an ongoing football rivalry throughout history. They have met in ten FIFA World Cup matches with South Korea claiming four wins to two draws while also facing off at Asian Cup finals and Summer Olympic tournaments; South Korea boasting an overall dominant record against their northern neighbors, losing 28 times out of 29 competitive encounters before drawing only once during that period. Finally, four AFC Asian Cup finals saw South Korea come out victorious two times while drawing once.
In 1954, Korea national football team captured a bronze medal in the inaugural World Cup competition despite not being an elite professional tournament. Their success caused widespread celebrations with over 6 million people turning out to watch their game live!
The team continued its success at subsequent Olympic games and in 1960 became the first Asian team to advance past the quarter-finals in FIFA World Cup competition. Unfortunately at Rome and Moscow Olympics they struggled badly finishing bottom of their group without medaling; qualifying again only when led by Pak Doo-ik until 1974 when Pak led his own squad into competition at World Championship level.
The success of Seoul garnered huge public support, leading to professional leagues such as K-League. Individual stars like Choi Yong-won, Son Heung-min and Ki Sung-yueng saw their star rise and international recognition through K-League performances that led them onward towards greater glory on world stages – creating an international force in South Korean national football team today.
North Korea
South Korean team returned to Pyongyang since 1990 for the first time since 1990 as part of 2022 World Cup qualification process, to play against North Korean opponent at Kim Il Sung Stadium which can hold 50,000 spectators and played out in spite of North’s attempts at stopping game from happening, concluding in 0-0 tie.
At the game was watched by a North Korean delegation led by Son Ho-sung, their chief of sport. According to reporters, Son said North Korean players had played as though “waging war”, swinging their elbows and hands violently at each other while competing for air balls. Furthermore, foreign fans and media were banned from attending and its state TV station refused to broadcast live coverage of the match.
Though relations were already at their lowest between North Korea and South Korea, the KFA approached this match with seriousness, hoping to make it as professional as possible. They planned on sending fans to the stadium as well as offering broadcast coverage of it; both proposals were declined as it could jeopardize players’ chances for military exemption by forming joint teams with North Korean players which would force them away from playing sports that they love for four years at least.
However, the game was an overwhelming success, marking a new chapter of South-North Korea football rivalry and showing how far its effects extend beyond football into other aspects of life for both countries. If friendly matches between South and North Koreans take place on neutral territory in future matches then their rivalry could become even stronger and meaningful to both parties involved.
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