As South Korea opened its training camp Monday ahead of this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, those who have experienced the big tournament said their green teammates should bear down and put in even more work than before.
On the 23-man roster for this year’s tournament, five played at the previous World Cup in South Africa four years ago. Goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong was the No. 1 custodian then. Midfielders Ki Sung-yueng and Lee Chung-yong were integral pieces in South Korea’s run to the round of 16, with Ki setting up two goals on set pieces and Lee scoring twice. Forward Park Chu-young netted a crucial goal in the final group stage match against Nigeria, as South Korea secured a draw to advance to the knockout stage. Midfielder Kim Bo-kyung was the youngest member on that 2010 team at age 20.
On Monday, all but Kim reported to the start of the camp at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul. They spoke of feeling the sense of responsibility as the World Cup veterans joining a team that is on average almost two years younger than the 2010 squad.
Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng speaks to the media on Monday. (Yonhap)
Ki, only 25 himself, is considered a seasoned member on this year’s team, with 56 caps. He said he understands that the World Cup is a different animal than international friendlies or other tournament matches.
“Once the World Cup kicks off, I think the players will be even more nervous,” Ki said. “Unlike in friendlies, our opponents will come even more prepared. We have to keep in mind that those teams will be even stronger than we might think, and they’ll also have a lot of experienced players.”
Ki is among the 12 players on the World Cup roster who represented South Korea at the 2012 London Olympics. With the current World Cup head coach Hong Myung-bo at the helm in London, South Korea won the bronze medal for its first Olympic football medal.
Park, 28, will be playing in his third consecutive World Cup.
“Obviously, my experience will be important, and I know I have to put in extra effort to make it count,” he said. “I’d like to tell my teammates that they should forget about their previous international matches, whether they are friendlies or Olympics, because the World Cup is only a different level and will be much more difficult.”
Lee, 25, has played in 53 international matches, a total that could easily have been a lot bigger had it not been for a devastating leg injury he suffered in 2011. He said his teammates have built an impressive resume playing club football in Europe and other parts of Asia.
Lee did say, though, they should take advantage of the precious opportunity.
“They should relish playing against the best players in the world,” Lee said. “And then once they return to their clubs, they will get even more opportunities (to play on bigger stages).”
Korea eyes quarterfinalsWith the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup about a month away, South Korea has set its sights on a new milestone at football’s signature competition.
The quadrennial tournament will kick off in Brazil on June 12.
South Korea will be making its eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, and will take on Algeria, Belgium and Russia in Group H.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo last week announced his roster of 23 players, 17 of whom are based in foreign leagues. Compared to the previous World Cup squad from 2010, this year’s roster is younger, taller and bigger. And a dozen players on the club represented South Korea at the 2012 London Olympics, where they won the bronze medal with Hong at the helm.
Hong and his staff are hoping familiarity among players, most of who have also played together at the 2010 Asian Games or the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup, will breed success in Brazil.
South Korea has made it out of the group stage twice. It made an improbable run to the semifinals at the 2002 tournament it cohosted with Japan. Then eight years later, South Korea reached the round of 16 in South Africa before losing to Uruguay 2-1.
The objective for this year’s team is to take the next step and make the quarterfinals in Brazil, a tall order for coach Hong and his charge.
Hong, a former South Korean captain, will have to reach deep into his reservoir of leadership to get his team over the hump.
Hong, 45, played in four straight World Cups starting in 1990, and the former defensive back served as the captain at the 2002 event on home soil. He was an assistant coach at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and will be making his World Cup head coaching debut next month. (Yonhap)