With the 2010 FIFA World Cup less than 100 days away, its time to breakdown the nations that will be participating in The Great Tournament. It is now to time to take a look at Asian powerhouse Korea Republic.



Official Name: Korea Football Association

Nickname: Taegeuk Warriors

FIFA Confederation: AFC (Asia)

FIFA Code: KOR

How They Qualified: Won Group 2 of Asian Final Stage Qualifying

World Cup Appearances (Including 2010): 8

Best WC Finish: Korea/Japan 2002, 4th place

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 24: 4W - 7D - 13L

Head Coach: Huh Jung-Moo

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Hong Myung-Bo (136)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Cha Bum-Kun (55)

Brief Footballing History:
No team in Asia is more powerful than Korea Republic. They were the 1st nation to win the AFC Asian Cup and the 1st nation to win it back to back. Only Saudi Arabia has appeared in more Asian Cup finals than Korea Republic. The nation also known as South Korea has an excellent developmental youth & club system. The South Koreans dominant youth program has the most Asian U-19 Tournaments with 11 and the club teams have the most Asian Club titles.

Korea Republic has qualified for its 7th consecutive World Cup and Taeguk Warriors made history when they advanced to the semifinals of the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup it was the deepest run ever made by an Asian team. In fact, Korea Republic's 4th place finish in 2002 was the best finish for a non-European, non-South American team.

Player To Watch:
There is a new crop of Korean players that are catching the eyes of scouts and managers in the top leagues in Europe. The player to watch plays for one of Scotland's big two and could be on to bigger clubs in the future. His name is Ki Sung-Yong


The 2009 Asian Young Footballer of the Year is a key piece of Celtic's midfield and his style has earned him the moniker, "The Korean Gerrard" after Liverpool's talisman midfielder, Steven Gerrard. Ki is going to be the main playmaker and the heartbeat of the Korean midfield attack for this World Cup and future tournaments.

Outlook:
Korea Republic went undefeated in the final stage of Asian qualifying by incorporating experience with young talent. Ki Sung-Yong along with other rising stars like Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong and FC Seoul forward Lee Seung-Ryul will give fits to opposing defenses. Koreans are known for their fitness and being nearly flawless technically so it would be no surprise if they advance out of the group.

WC Group Schedule:
June 12 vs. Greece
June 17 vs. Argentina
June 22 vs. Nigeria

The final Group B to breakdown is Greece.