It was by no surprise that legendary captain turned coach Hong Myung-Bo was sacked in the aftermath of Brazil. South Korea lacked ideas, composure and to be honest individual talent; all adding up to a predictable campaign where they returned home with a solitary point.
Hong’s replacement, former German international Uli Stielike, did more than just steady the ship, going onto to push hosts Australia through to extra time in the following January’s Asian Cup final. The progression was built on defensive solitary, conceding only twice in six games (both in the final), compared to the same number in half as many games in Brazil. At home however, there was an early indication that the style of play wasn’t necessarily to everyone’s tastes.
While results continued unabated through the early stages of qualification, Stielike’s relationship with the media and fan base slowly broke down, culminating in his sacking after a 3-2 reverse in Doha to Qatar left them in a precarious position of missing out on World Cup qualification for the first time in over 35 years.
Stielike’s replacement felt familiar; following Hong’s track record of coaching various Korean youth sides, Shin Tae-Yong, coach of Korea’s recent Olympic and U20 World Cup sides was seen as the safest of short term picks. Two goalless draws inched them over the line bringing to an end a thoroughly forgetful qualification campaign.
Shin’s track record to date has almost solely been under the KFA's wing; his employers can hardly be questioned for not knowing what type of coach they've appointed. Both high profile campaigns he managed ended short of their potential after initially impressive group stages, illustrating what Shin is capable of at his very best (and conversely at his very worst). That being said, a round robin specialist based on previous experience would very much suffice for this senior crop, after progressing only once past the group phase away from their homeland in their history.
While Korea finished World Cup qualification with only one win from five, the Shin effect only kicked in at the end of the year winning the East Asian Cup in Japan. Playing a more typical “Korean” brand of football, with inventiveness and energy in attack, this was a world away from the conservative Stielike days of the previous three years.
That success, is built unsurprisingly around their talisman Son Heung-Min. Four years on from his tears in Sao Paulo, he’s older, wiser and a hell of a better footballer, developing not only into Asia’s leading player, but a credible match winner at the very highest level in Europe. While he got away with it to a certain degree in Brazil where he was still only 21, any team failure in Russia will strongly see criticism fall at his feet.
Son won't be alone in receiving pressure, the question will still be pointed at his supporting cast in Taegurk Warrior red. Hopes were high that we’d see Son link up with attacking midfielder Kwon Chang-Hoon after a sensational season with Dijon in France. An Achilles injury put paid to that chance however, one of many injuries that have plagued this squad over the last few months (first choice left back Kim Jin-Su and Crystal Palace's Lee Chung-Yong, the latest duo to pull out of the squad reckoning.)
For every closed door, comes an opportunity for another to open. In steps Lee Seung-Woo, a long time tipped, heir to Son in many ways. After a seemingly never ending stint in the Barcelona youth ranks followed by a move away to Italy, all seemed to go quiet on the young Korean’s career, that is until this last month.
A stunning goal against AC Milan at the start of May, followed by a first senior call up in Shin’s provisional World Cup squad and a positive debut against Honduras to boot - Korean fans are already lining him up as their next best attacking option. He’s proven at youth level, most notably at last year’s home U20 World Cup under Shin, but he’s by and large an unknown package at senior level. Something that may play into his and Korea's hands.
Their chances will also depend on the manager’s tactical choices. Kwon’s injury has seen their preferred set up thrown out, bringing to the fore a number of last minute tinkerings that have had mixed results in the past few weeks; including a forward heavy 442 deployed against Honduras and a makeshift 352 against Bosnia.
Initially it looks like a case of fitting square pegs in round holes. The casualty list has created openings with few capable options to fill them. Captain Ki Seung-Yueng, the side's creative hub was unsuccessfully trialed at centre back against Bosnia, while East Asia’s brightest domestic star Lee Jae-Sung may be forced to play deeper to compensate a shift in system.
The philosophy at least will start on a positive footing, and so it should be; aside from Germany, a group including Sweden and Mexico is favourable in comparison to most. Having an in form Son, flanked with willing interplay and there is as good a chance as any of progression. The issue remains in their delivery, something Korean fans on the build up to Russia are questioning Shin regularly over.
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