Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: History has weighed heavy on the Korea Republic at the AFC Asian Cup, but young full-back Kim Jin-su prefers not to reflect on the country’s drought on the continental stage, but rather on happier times.
Korea’s run to the semi-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup on home soil remains the high-water mark for the national game, but its impact lasted far beyond those five heady weeks almost 13 years ago.
Watching avidly and intently, on the streets, in stadia or at home, children throughout Korea were being inspired by the exploits of Guus Hiddink and his team as some of the greatest names in world football were swept aside.
A generation later, and those kids who dared to dream of emulating Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo and Hong Myung-bo are beginning in ever-greater numbers to make their mark on the international stage.
Kim, who celebrated his 10th birthday the day before Korea defeated Portugal to advance to the Round of 16, is one of those who took up the sport in the aftermath of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and Korean football is now reaping the benefits.
“We can’t discuss Korean football without talking about the 2002 World Cup,” says the 22-year-old full-back, who joined German club TSV 1899 Hoffenheim last year. “It was after that moment that youth development improved in Korea.
“For me, the 2002 World Cup was a major moment, and it was when I wanted to get into football. I was in the fifth grade. Cha Du-ri played at that World Cup and he’s here now with us at the AFC Asian Cup, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to play alongside him.”
FC Seoul full-back Cha is the only member of the 2002 side still playing for the national team and he appeared in the Taeugk Warriors’ opening win over Kuwait in Canberra earlier in the competition.
The veteran, however, is making way for a generation of players who have been proving themselves steadily on the international stage over the last two or three years.
Korea won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in 2012 in London before going on to win the gold medal at the Asian Games in Incheon last year, the first time the country had won that title in 38 years.
Now all that remains is to break their AFC Asian Cup hoodoo, which is unbroken since the second of their two title wins in 1960, with the disappointing performance of the national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil in June standing almost as an aberration for a young, developing squad that has impressed more often than not.
“The past World Cup is not my favourite thing to talk about,” says Kim. “I was injured so it wasn’t the best situation for me, plus the team could’ve performed well. Watching that in Korea as a fan and as a player was quite difficult.
“But it’s a big driving force for this tournament. We just won the gold medal in Incheon at the Asian Games and we want to continue this success in the Asian Cup. We only have to win one more game to get to the final and I’m hoping Korea can achieve a great result.
“It was the first gold medal in 38 years, so it was a significant achievement for Korean football and for me personally, because it was my first major title. For the country, and for me, it was a great result and it’s given me a great confidence boost.”
The meeting with Iraq in Sydney on Monday will be the 22-year-old’s first AFC Asian Cup semi-final, and Kim believes the team best able to handle the situation psychologically will advance to a meeting with either Australia or the United Arab Emirates.
“We’re thinking about advancing to the final and we’re thinking about that goal, not just me but the team as well,” Kim says. “We all have the same goal, so there is some pressure in that regard.
“Korea and Iraq have played well and that’s why they’re in the semi-finals, but it depends who can handle the pressure better, and that will decide who goes through to the final.”