by South Korea cruised through their qualifiers, losing just one game and finishing behind Iran in the group. Son Heung-min tied for the lead in Asian qualifying with four goals and no team conceded fewer than South Korea’s three goals in 10 games. But the competition in Qatar will be dramatically different to the qualifiers and the South Koreans will be well aware of that with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez lining up against them in the group stage.
The Taegeuk Warriors are led by coach Paulo Bento, who has a 63.5% win rate since taking over South Korea after the 2018 World Cup. His conservative style has rubbed some critics the wrong way, but after a full World Cup cycle, Bento will know what is needed from such a tight-knit group. (Fun fact: He also coached Portugal at the 2014 World Cup, which also included a match against current Group H rivals Ghana).
South Korea didn’t look particularly inspired in their last international window, drawing with Costa Rica and squeaking past an unimpressive Cameroon side with a 1–0 win. They were also crushed by Brazil, 5-1, in a friendly in the summer, but recent wins over Iran, Egypt and Chile should give them some hope. However, hope won’t be enough to get us through this group – especially with Son smarting from a recent fractured socket he suffered in the Champions League. He will be in Qatar, but his effectiveness is now a question mark for a team without much margin for error.
Group H Schedule (all times Eastern)
– Uruguay, 24 November 8 am
– Ghana, November 28, 8 am
– Portugal, December 2, 10am
Coach
Paulo Bentohired in August 2018
Sean was deemed fit enough to go to the World Cup despite recently suffering a facial fracture.
Seokyong Lee/Penta Press/Imago Images
Players to watch
Son Heung-min, striker
The Tottenham forward arrives in Qatar as South Korea’s golden star and one of the players to watch throughout the World Cup – provided he is able to perform at full capacity following his injury against Marseille. Son really burst onto the international scene at the 2018 World Cup when he scored twice, including an emotional 96th-minute goal against Germany. Since then, Sean has scored 89 goals for Spurs, including a league-leading 23 last season which saw him share the Premier League Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah. Expectations will be high in Qatar, but the 30-year-old star may struggle in his recovery.
Kim Min-jae, defender
The towering centre-back has been a revelation in his first season at Napoli. Essentially, Kim, who came in as a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, who joined Chelsea in the summer, has exceeded all expectations at Napoli and was even named Serie A Player of the Month for September in his first full month in the league. He is a fearless central defender who combines a relentless nose for the ball and excellent positioning with physical tools that could see him line up against any star striker.
Hwang Hee-chan, ext
The Wolves winger has plenty of experience at 26 and will soon make his 50th international appearance. Huang has bounced around Europe with stints in the Austrian Bundesliga, German Bundesliga and now the Premier League, and comes to Qatar having starred for South Korea four years ago in Russia. While he is yet to score for Wolves this year, Huang impressed on his Premier League debut a year ago with five goals.
Jeong has been a big hit in the Bundesliga and could make a name for himself at the World Cup.
Joeran Steinsiek/Imago Images
Split candidate
Jeong Woo-yeong, ext
Jeong was signed from South Korea by Bayern Munich at 17 and went on to star for Bayern Munich II the following year. In 2019, he moved to Freiburg with Bayern retaining the right to buy him back. Now 23, he has steadily become an integral force in the Bundesliga side’s attack with 10 goals in the past two-and-a-half seasons. Jeong will pair with Son in South Korea’s attack as Bento will look to use his pace and playmaking skills to create chances.
World Cup History
11th appearance
Last appearance: 2018 (Group stage)
Best finish: Fourth in 2002
Outlook and expectations:
Despite missing out on the knockout stage in Russia, South Korea will have fond memories of the 2018 World Cup. Its final minutes were spent celebrating the victory over Germany that knocked the reigning champions out of the World Cup in one of the biggest victories in the history of the country. South Korea will be pushing to take the next step after reaching the knockout stages twice in their history, including that stunning run to the semi-finals in 2002 as co-hosts.
But to make it to a 10th consecutive World Cup will require a highly organized effort, and perhaps a bit of luck along the way. Like 2018, most will have South Korea losing twice, although if they shock a group favorite again, the Taegeuk Warriors will be in good hands. However, picking up four points in this group would be a significant achievement as it means they will have to take points off Uruguay in Group One and/or Portugal in what could be a desperate group finale.
World Cup team
GOALKEEPERS: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Seung-gyu (Al Shabab), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Motors)
DEFENDERS: Cho Yu-min (Daejon Citizen), Hong Chul (Daegu FC), Kim Jin-su (Jeonbuk Motors), Kim Min-jae (Napoli), Kim Moon-hwan (Jeonbuk Motors), Kim Tae-hwan (Ulsan Hyundai ), Kim Young-gwon (Ulsan Hyundai), Kwon Kyung-won (Gamba Osaka), Yoon Jong-gyu (FC Seoul)
INSIDE: Hwang In-beom (Olympic), Jung Woo-young (Al Sadd), Kwon Chang-hoon (Gimcheon Sangmu), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Lee Kang-in (Mallorca), Na Sang-ho (FC Seoul ). ), Paik Seung-ho (Jeonbuk Motors), Son Jun-ho (Shandong Taishan), Song Min-kyu (Jeonbuk Motors)
FRONT: Cho Gue-sung (Jeonbuk Motors), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Hwang Ui-jo (Olympic), Jeong Woo-yeong (Freiburg), Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
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