[Qatar World Cup] ① Taegeuk Warriors Challenge for Round of 16... 'Injury' Son Heung-min as a Variable

After Reaching the Round of 16 in the 2010 South Africa World Cup, Two Group Stage Exits
Uruguay, Portugal, Ghana Clash; Key Player Son Heung-min's Participation Crucial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The goal of the South Korean national football team for the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup is to reach the Round of 16 for the third time in history. South Korea has appeared in the World Cup finals eleven times, starting with the 1954 Switzerland tournament. Since the 1986 Mexico tournament, they have qualified for ten consecutive World Cups. However, they have only advanced past the group stage twice.

Under the leadership of coach Guus Hiddink, South Korea achieved their best-ever finish for an Asian country by placing 4th in the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament. After securing their first-ever World Cup finals win against Poland (2-0) in the group stage, they advanced all the way to the semifinals. Narrowing the scope to tournaments held outside of Asia, their best performance was reaching the Round of 16 in the 2010 South Africa tournament. They lost 1-2 to Uruguay, who scored two goals by Luis Su?rez, and thus did not advance to the quarterfinals. In the previous two World Cups, they were eliminated in the group stage. In the 2014 Brazil tournament, they drew 1-1 with Russia but lost 2-4 and 0-1 to Algeria and Belgium, respectively. In the 2018 Russia tournament, they were consecutively defeated 0-1 by Sweden and 1-2 by Mexico. However, they eased some disappointment by defeating the ‘defending champions’ Germany 2-0.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This group stage will be just as challenging. Ranked 28th in the FIFA rankings, South Korea will face 14th-ranked Uruguay (24th at 10 PM), 61st-ranked Ghana (28th at 10 PM), and 9th-ranked Portugal (December 3rd at 12 AM, all Korea Standard Time) in Group H. South Korean football has never beaten a South American team in the World Cup. A win against Uruguay would mark their first-ever victory over a South American team. The key challenge lies in the second group stage match, where South Korea has never won. Their opponent is Ghana, considered weaker than Uruguay and Portugal. Recently, Ghana’s strength has surged with the naturalization of players such as I?aki Williams (Bilbao) and Tariq Lamptey (Brighton).

South Korea is presenting its challenge with consistent preparation. Coach Paulo Bento took charge in August 2018. For the first time in South Korean football history, the team has prepared for four years and will compete in the World Cup finals. Being the first ‘winter World Cup,’ the tournament is physically demanding for players, but the team is well-equipped to effectively handle various variables.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Taegeuk Warriors have focused on so-called ‘build-up football,’ gradually developing attacks from the back. There have been no major changes in the lineup of players used. Some critics argue that this style of football lacks flexibility to adapt to opponents and is tough to face strong European and South American teams. However, the ‘Bento team’ qualified for the finals more comfortably than ever before. It is reported that players have a strong trust in Coach Bento. The eldest player Kim Tae-hwan (Ulsan) said, "The coach hasn’t changed for four years, and by maintaining the style, the team was built. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses well and prepared, which I think led to a good atmosphere."

Park Ji-sung, a member of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup semifinal team, said, "South Korea has never been coached by the same coach for this long. Therefore, the players must show through their performance what results four years of preparation can produce and prove that it was the right decision."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The player to watch is undoubtedly Son Heung-min (Tottenham), who was joint top scorer in last season’s English Premier League (EPL). Recently, he suffered an orbital fracture in a club match and underwent surgery, but he is determined to play wearing a facial protective mask. He said, "It might be too much for fans to see, but football players always play with such risks. It’s my responsibility to bear that. If I can bring even a little joy and hope to the fans, I can accept that level of risk."

If Son Heung-min is absent, the national team will suffer a serious loss in strength. Coach Bento has built tactics centered around Son. He has roles in almost every attacking route, including disrupting defense, penetrating spaces, and corner kicks. No suitable replacement has been prepared to fill the gap, so a quick recovery is urgently needed.

Son Heung-min has not yet participated in tactical training. He is increasing training intensity with ball circulation and shooting drills. If he cannot complete tactical training, it will be difficult for him to play in the first match against Uruguay. A Korea Football Association official said, "All information about Son Heung-min is confidential," adding, "Our official stance is that ‘there are no injured players who cannot complete training in the national team.’"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the first match approaches, Coach Bento is paying close attention to defense. He instructs each player on their individual positioning during pressing situations and discusses how to efficiently block the opponent. If Kim Jin-su returns safely, they will face Uruguay using their original four-back formation, but currently, the tactical system to be adopted remains uncertain. Since the team gathered at the Paju Training Center on the 28th of last month, training intensity has steadily increased, which is a positive sign. Physical coach Pedro Pereira has shifted from giving a day off after four days of training to a day off after three days of training. Now, only full sprints and match simulations remain.