Flashback: Park Hang-seo relives Korea Republic’s amazing 2002 feat

Fri, 04 Nov, 2022

Flashback: Park Hang-seo relives Korea Republic’s amazing 2002 feat

Kuala Lumpur: Outgoing head coach Park Hang-seo’s achievements with Vietnam have captured the imagination of the continent’s football fans and it has slipped the minds of many that he was part of the Korea Republic coaching staff in the FIFA World Cup Korea Republic/Japan 2002. 

The first FIFA World Cup to be held in Asia and also the first to be co-hosted - with Korea Republic and Japan sharing the responsibility - it was a tournament that showcased the very best of Asian football.

As the-AFC.com continues the buildup to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we reproduce an interview with Park on June 22, 2020 in which he recollects Korea Republic's amazing run to the semi-finals.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/guus_hiddink-park_hang_seo-2002_world_cup-afp.html

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https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/korea_republic-training-2002_world_cup-afp.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/seol_ki-hyeon-korea_republic_v_italy-2002_world_cup-afp.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ahn_jung-hwan-korea_republic_vs_italy-2002_world_cup-afp.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/korea_republic-fans-2002_world_cup-afp.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/guus_hiddink-korea_rep_v_spain-2002_world_cup-afp.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/korea_rep_v_spain-2002_world_cup-afp.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/korea_rep-2002_world_cup_squad-2012_reunion-afp.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/park_hang_seo-vietnam-afp.html

Flashback: IR Iran defeat USA for historic victory

Thu, 03 Nov, 2022

Flashback: IR Iran defeat USA for historic victory

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran are set to face the United States of America in Group B of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Ahead of the November 30 clash at the Al Thumama Stadium, the-AFC.com has dug into its archives to look back at the first time the two teams met at the global showpiece, which ended in a historic win for Iran. 

This article was first published on 21 June 2020. 

Flashback: Australia end long wait, register first win

Wed, 02 Nov, 2022

Flashback: Australia end long wait, register first win

Kuala Lumpur: With the countdown for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 gaining pace, the-AFC.com has dug into its archives in search of classic matches and momentous occasions involving Asian teams.

Up next is an interview with John Aloisi, who played a prominent role in Australia ending a 32-year wait to return to the world stage in 2006. 

This article was first published on 12 June 2020.

Flashback: Saudi Arabia's Al Owairan recalls taking on the world in 1994

Fri, 28 Oct, 2022

Flashback: Saudi Arabia's Al Owairan recalls taking on the world in 1994

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia were not expected to make an impact when they made their FIFA World Cup Finals debut in USA '94.

While the West Asian nation had already made a name for themselves at the continental level, with two AFC Asian Cup titles in 1984 and 1988, a tough group meant expectations were low going into the global showpiece.

The tournament, however, did not go according to the script as forward Saeed Al Owairan fondly recalls in this 30 June 2020 interview with the-AFC.com. 

Flashback: Troussier relives Japan's amazing 2002 campaign

Mon, 31 Oct, 2022

Flashback: Troussier relives Japan's amazing 2002 campaign

Kuala Lumpur: With the countdown for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 gaining pace, the-AFC.com has dug into its archives in search of classic matches and momentous occasions involving Asian teams.

We kick-off the series with a look back at 2002 when the FIFA World Cup was first held in Asia. 

Co-hosting the global showpiece with Korea Republic, Japan were aiming to make heads turn on and off the pitch in. Philippe Troussier was the man in charge as head coach and we reproduce an interview with the Frenchman which was published on 14 June, 2020 to get a grip on how Japan's historical campaign unfolded.