South Korea’s Football History
South Korea national football team is controlled by Korea Football Association and represents country in international football tournaments. The team is also known as among the fans and media by the nickname “The Reds” due to the color of their primary kit.
South Korea is the most successful team in Asia and has successfully qualified in eight consecutive World Football Cup tournaments (1986-2014) besides appearing once in 1954. In the Confederations Cup, it happens to appear only once in 2001. In AFC Asian Cup the team started participating from the year 1956 and is still playing with decent success rate. In EAFF East Asian Cup, the team started contesting from 2003 and appeared five times since then.
Olympic participation started from the year 1948 and continued till 1988. Since the year 1992, football at the Olympics became an under-23 tournament for all teams. The under 23-football team’s best result was in 2012 Summer Olympics when they grabbed Bronze medal. In Asian Games, record of national football team is excellent so far grabbing three gold medals in 1970, 1978 and 1986. They also grabbed three times silver medal consecutively from 1954-1962 and bronze medal once in the year 1990. The team also won the Dynasty Cup title once in 1990.
South Korea success story
In the year 2002, South Korea national football team became first in Asia to reach the semi-finals of the World Football Cup which they co-hosted with Japan. In AFC Asian Cup, the team became champions twice in a row in 1956 and 1960 and finished runners-up thrice. In EAFF East Asian Cup, the team has got significant achievement winning title twice in 2003 and 2008 and finishing as runners-up in 2013. The team was also awarded with the title of World Football Cup’s Most Entertaining Team in the year 2002. South Korean national football team has qualified for the upcoming World Football Cup which will be held in Brazil.
Korea Republic squad |
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| Goalkeepers: | Jung Sungryong (Suwon Bluewings) Kim Seunggyu (Ulsan Hyundai) Lee Bumyoung (Busan IPark) |
Defenders: | Hong Jeongho (Augsburg/Germany) Hwang Seoho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima/Japan) Kim Changsoo (Kashiwa Reysol/Japan) Kim Jinsoo (Albirex Niigata/Japan) Kim Younggwon (Guangzhou Evergrande/China PR) Kwak Taehwi (Al Hilal/Saudi Arabia) Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai) Yun Sukyoung (Queens Park Rangers/England) |
| Midfielders: | Ha Daesung (Beijing Guoan/China PR) Han Kookyoung (Kashiwa Reysol/Japan) Ji Dongwon (Augsburg/Germany) Ki Sungyueng (Sunderland/England) Kim Bokyung (Cardiff City/England) Lee Chungyong (Bolton Wanderers/England) Park Jongwoo (Guangzhou R&F/China PR) Son Heungmin (Bayer Leverkusen/Germany) |
Forwards: | Kim Shinwook (Ulsan Hyundai) Koo Jacheol (Mainz/Germany) Lee Keunho (Sangju Sangmu) Park Chuyoung (Watford/England) |
South Korea performance in all World Football Cups :
| World Cup Year | World Cup Hosting Nation | FIFA Qualification | Quarter Final Birth | Semi Final Birth | Third Place Secured | Reached Final | Title Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | South Africa | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 2006 | Germany | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 2002 | South Korea | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | – |
| 1998 | France | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 1994 | United States | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 1990 | Italy | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 1986 | Mexico | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 1982 | Spain | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1978 | Argentina | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1974 | West Germany | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1970 | Mexico | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1966 | England | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1962 | Chile | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1958 | Sweden | Entry Denied | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1954 | Switzerland | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 1950 | Brazil | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1938 | France | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1934 | Italy | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1930 | Uruguay | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 19 World Cups | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
