Although it often goes unnoticed, the Republic of Korea has had consistent success at reaching the world's greatest football tournament in the past two decades. Following their debut in the 1954 FIFA World Cup Switzerland™, this will be their fifth straight appearance, solidifying their top-dog status in Asia.

Their performances in the finals, however, are another thing, with ten losses, four draws and not one single win to their credit. And while Korea will be looking to give their "Red Devil" fans something to shout about as host nation, they will be eager to achieve the minimum at least and record that elusive victory to help them progress to the knock-out stages.

To reach that goal, Korea have left few stones unturned. In the knowledge that they had automatically qualified as host country for the finals, they contracted experienced Dutchman Guus Hiddink as the first non-Korean coach for the national team. And after a slowish start, the team appears to have made sound improvement of late, which, together with home advantage, is boosting Korea's chances of reaching the second round for the first time in their football history.

The nucleus in attack lies with Yong Soo Choi and Sun Hong Hwang, who scored two goals in a recent friendly against Finland. In defence, the burden will fall on experienced campaigners Myung Bo Hong and goalkeeper Byung Ji Kim. Along with these older hands, emerging star players are likely to make their mark in the upcoming finals. In particular, Doo Ri Cha, son of Korea's legendary football hero Bum Kun Cha, has raised expectations.

But what sets the current Korean squad apart from their predecessors is their physical strength and improved defence. And much of this must go down to the efforts of Hiddink, who has also placed heavy emphasis on tactics and technique.

Korea are drawn in Group D along with USA, Poland and Portugal. Although Korea have never faced the latter two in official competition before, they appear to have the upper hand in previous confrontations against the U.S. with a record of four wins, two draws and two losses. However in their most recent encounter in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in January this year, the Americans came out on top 2-1.

If Korea are to satisfy their fanatical local support, they will have to draw on all their skill and potential, the experience of their coach as well as the elements afforded to home advantage. But with the first Asian finals making tournament history, the winds of change could be upon international football, and Korea could just be the team to demonstrate this.

Significant past players:

Cha Bum-kun, Huh Jung-moo

Achievements:

-- Champion 1956, 1960 Asian Cup
-- 2nd 1972, 1980, 1988 Asian Cup
-- FIFA World Cup™ final appearances: 1954, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998