Korea Republic made their first appearance at the World Cup in 1954, but did not make it out of the group stage.
They then failed to make it out of the groups in their following four World Cup appearances between 1986 and 1998. Their best showing at the tournament came in 2002, when they were the hosts along with Japan. Korea Republic finished 4th after being knocked out in the semi-finals by Germany and then losing a third-place play-off to Turkey.
Following their impressive showing in 2002, they have reached the group stage, Round of 16 and the group stage twice in the ensuing World Cups.
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Korea Republic World Cup 2022 Tips
Read the latest Korea Republic odds ahead of the World Cup, including their odds to win the tournament, odds to claim the golden boot, 101 Great Goals’ top tip and more 2022 World Cup predictions and tips.
Korea Republic World Cup Predictions
World Cup betting tips
Despite the presence of the greatest player to ever come out of their country, hopes are not high for Korea Republic are they were drawn in Group H along with Portugal, Ghana and Uruguay. While none of those sides are likely to lift the whole thing – though Portugal could go far – they are all strong sides capable of upsetting stronger nations, leaving South Korea as the weakest side in the group.
Korea Republic Golden Boot Prediction
World Cup betting tips
Son is one of the most lethal attackers in Europe at the moment, forming a lethal strike partnership with Harry Kane at club level and establishing himself as a national hero as captain of his country. The issue he will find on international duty is the lack of supply that he usually gets with Spurs, and while he has a good record for his country (35 in 104), it is nothing compared to his club form. He will show glimpses of his quality, but in a tough group will find it hard to fire Korea Republic into the knockouts.
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Manager
Paulo Bento
He has overseen 50 matches in that time – winning 32, drawing seven and losing seven. However, he has not overseen much success. Granted Korea Republic made it the World Cup under Bento, but he was also in charge when they lost to Qatar in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup in 2019.
Bento’s favoured formations are the 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1, though he has preferred the latter in recent times.
Record
Total appearances: 11
First qualification: 1954
Most recent: 2018
Best achievement: Fourth place (2002)
World Ranking: 28
Overall record: P34, W6, D9, L19
Key players
Heung-min Son
Heung-min Son is arguably the greatest footballer to every play for Korea Republic.
He has spent years in the Premier League making a name for himself as one of the best wingers in Europe. Son is a clinical goalscorer, but he is also a great provider, forming an excellent partnership with fellow Tottenham forward, Harry Kane. Son and Kane beat Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba’s record for a PL duo setting up each other’s goals last season.
For Korea, meanwhile, Son is the country’s top scorer with 37 goals from 100 outings, which is five better than second-place, Chu-young Park.
Fan expectation for Korea Republic in the World Cup
Journalist Steve Price told 101: “Smaller nations often don’t have the strength of depth of their larger rivals, and can be quite reliant on their star players. That is certainly true of Korea Republic who suffered badly in 2018 when key defender Kim Min-jae and midfielder Kwon Chang-hoon got injured just ahead of the World Cup.
“Korea Republic could do with some better luck with injuries this time around and need Kim Min-jae to be fit if they want a chance of escaping Group H. The Taeguk Warriors’ attack is full of threat from the likes of Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan and Hwang Ui-jo, but their defense is nowhere near the same quality, making the squad rather unbalanced. Kim Min-jae makes up for a lot of his teammates’ frailties though.
“The Napoli defender has been sensational in Serie A this season, and his passing range can also help South Korea launch effective attacks. His performances more than anyone else will decide whether Korea Republic can get out of what is one of the more closely matched groups of this year’s World Cup.”
101′s Korea Republic World Cup Tip
Korea Republic can be backed at 9/4 to make it out of their 2022 World Cup group with bet365.
They have been drawn in a group alongside Portugal, Uruguay and Ghana. Though it is not impossible they make it into the knockout rounds, South Korea will have a tough against that trio.
They can also be backed at 1/3 not to make it out of their group.
101’s Top Tip
Korea Republic stats, fixtures and results
Follow our Korea Republic page for the latest statistics, live odds, fixtures, results and match facts of every game at the World Cup.
