History
Korea Republic (South Korea) were the first team to represent Asia at the FIFA World Cup in 1954, but it took more than three decades for them to make their second appearance at Mexico 1986. In their most successful tournament to date, Korea/Japan 2002, they beat Portugal 1-0 to reach the second round and went on to defeat Italy and Spain to advance to the semi-finals, where they lost 1-0 to Germany. But their following journey to Germany four years later came to an abrupt end, as the Taeguk Warriors made an early exit from the group stage.

Qualification
South Korea qualified comfortably for their seventh consecutive World Cup, topping both qualification groups, not losing a game and conceding just seven goals in 14 matches. The Red Devils were twice held to a draw by neighbours and fellow qualifiers North Korea in the third stage of Asian qualifying, but still managed to top the group on goal difference to ensure top seed status for the final round of qualifying. Once again, South Korea faced their neighbours, but after a draw away from home, a 1-0 win in Seoul put Huh Jung-Moo’s side in control of Group B. Inspired by midfielder Park Ji-Sung, Korea finished top with four points to spare.

Prospects
South Korea stunned the world when they beat Portugal, Italy and Spain to reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2002. That performance was comfortably the country’s best at any World Cup, but it is unlikely that they will come close to repeating the feat in South Africa. Led by Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung, they are an solid outfit, who are extremely hard to break down and concede very few goals. However they lack the striking firepower that sparked their success eight years ago, which is likely to prove their undoing in South Africa. Alongside Argentina, Nigeria and Greece in Group B, South Korea still certainly have a chance of progressing, but will have to be at their best to do so.