Previewingthe World Cup
May 23, 1998 - 0:0
Korea Hopes World Cup Turns Focus on Field ---PARIS - Besides a flagging economy and talk that the economic downturn may force South Korea to withdraw as a co-host of the 2002 tournament, Korean soccer has other concerns - namely winning a game in the World Cup finals. The approaching tourney gives South Korea a chance to momentarily push aside its financial woes and focus its attention along with the rest of the world on France for a month.
But when it gets to Europe, the South Koreans are still looking at a formidable task. In four trips to the finals, starting in 1954 and including the last three World Cups, South Korea has managed a mere three draws and nine goals in 11 matches. Despite an impressive 9-2-1 qualifying record, trying to end its record of futility and achieve its goal of reaching the second round will be an uphill struggle considering its first-round grouping with Belgium, the Netherlands and Mexico. Mexico and the Netherlands are both regularly among the top 15 in FIFA's rankings while Belgium is the weakling in the high 30s.
As co-host for 2002, South Korea will feel additional to become the first Asian nation to reach the second round. Coach Cha Bum-Kun, a former international who led Korea to the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, is now the man in charge of leading the South Koreans to their first victory. Cha took over as head coach from Park Jong-Hwan in January 1997 after the country was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Asian cup against Iran the year before.
Cha spent 10 years in Germany with Bayern Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt between 1979 and 1989, winning the UEFA Cup with both clubs. He has applied his philosophy that players must be fit and fast, injecting young blood into an aging team. One of his young additions, Choi Yong-Soo, South Korea's top scorer, has developed into the team's leader. The 24-year-old striker, who scored seven goals in as many games during the second round of qualifying, is the team's key attacker.
He will be flanked by the speedy Seo Jung-Won and Pohang Steeler Hwang Sun-Hong, one of South Korea's most prolific scorers with 43 goals in 74 international matches who has returned from injury. South Korea will depend on the flamboyant Kim Byung-Ji in goal. The 28-year-old keeper will have to be as dazzling as his colorful hairstyles if the Koreans hope to advance.
South Korea will rely heavily on the experience of veteran Hong Myong-Bo, one of Asia's best players and the Korean League's most valuable player in 1993. The 27-year-old veteran, who played in the Barcelona Olympics and at the 1994 World Cup, who will be responsible for South Krea's defense, a weak point in the past. Hong became the first Korean ever to sign with a French club at the start of the year when he joined Strasburg for $1.5 million.
But when it gets to Europe, the South Koreans are still looking at a formidable task. In four trips to the finals, starting in 1954 and including the last three World Cups, South Korea has managed a mere three draws and nine goals in 11 matches. Despite an impressive 9-2-1 qualifying record, trying to end its record of futility and achieve its goal of reaching the second round will be an uphill struggle considering its first-round grouping with Belgium, the Netherlands and Mexico. Mexico and the Netherlands are both regularly among the top 15 in FIFA's rankings while Belgium is the weakling in the high 30s.
As co-host for 2002, South Korea will feel additional to become the first Asian nation to reach the second round. Coach Cha Bum-Kun, a former international who led Korea to the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, is now the man in charge of leading the South Koreans to their first victory. Cha took over as head coach from Park Jong-Hwan in January 1997 after the country was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Asian cup against Iran the year before.
Cha spent 10 years in Germany with Bayern Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt between 1979 and 1989, winning the UEFA Cup with both clubs. He has applied his philosophy that players must be fit and fast, injecting young blood into an aging team. One of his young additions, Choi Yong-Soo, South Korea's top scorer, has developed into the team's leader. The 24-year-old striker, who scored seven goals in as many games during the second round of qualifying, is the team's key attacker.
He will be flanked by the speedy Seo Jung-Won and Pohang Steeler Hwang Sun-Hong, one of South Korea's most prolific scorers with 43 goals in 74 international matches who has returned from injury. South Korea will depend on the flamboyant Kim Byung-Ji in goal. The 28-year-old keeper will have to be as dazzling as his colorful hairstyles if the Koreans hope to advance.
South Korea will rely heavily on the experience of veteran Hong Myong-Bo, one of Asia's best players and the Korean League's most valuable player in 1993. The 27-year-old veteran, who played in the Barcelona Olympics and at the 1994 World Cup, who will be responsible for South Krea's defense, a weak point in the past. Hong became the first Korean ever to sign with a French club at the start of the year when he joined Strasburg for $1.5 million.