Nevertheless, with Son Heung-min – arguably Asia's finest footballer currently playing – and several other young attacking talents in the ranks, the Taeguk Warriors have the potential to excite.
Overview
Set for their ninth consecutive FIFA World Cup, Korea Republic have had a number of pre-Russia 2018 warm-up matches over the last six months with a wide variety of opponents and a series of mixed results. Wins over Moldova, Latvia and Honduras; a draw with Jamaica; losses to Northern Ireland, Poland and Bosnia and Herezegovina.
At the time of writing, Shin Tae-yong's side are yet to face Bolivia and Senegal in their final ties before they kick off their World Cup campaign against Sweden on June 18, but it seems the side are yet to settle on a line-up with a 3-5-2 formation the latest experiment in the defeat to Bosnia.
How They Got There
Despite their formidable record of qualifying for World Cups, Korea Republic were exceedingly fortunate to make it to their 10th. Poor away performances saw them fail to pick up a single victory on the road, with only their unbeaten home form ensuring their fate lay in their own hands in a winner-take-all showdown with Uzbekistan in Tashkent in the final qualifier.
As it transpired, a goalless stalemate proved enough to edge the Taeguk Warriors through as the second placed side in Group A, some seven points behind winners IR Iran. Midfielders Ki Sung-yueng and Koo Ja-cheol were the team's top scorers, with two goals apiece.
Key Players
Son Heung-min – The Tottenham Hotspur forward enjoyed another fine Premier League campaign and will be expected to transfer that form for his club to his country at Russia 2018.
Lee Jae-sung – A silky-skilled midfielder, Lee Jae-sung has shone again for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in this year's AFC Champions League. Comfortable in the centre or out wide, Lee's left-footed wizardry could see him as one of the World Cup's breakout stars.
Ki Sung-yueng – Korea Republic's captain and a fixture in the team – he recently earned his 100th cap – the midfielder possess superb vision, technique, long-range passing and is a threat on goal as he showed in the qualifiers.
Coach
One of the few in Asia to have won the continental club championship as both player and coach (for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in 1995 and 2010), Shin Tae-yong took over the national team helm for the final two World Cup qualifiers and helped Korea Republic progress to Russia 2018. Shin also spent some years in Australia at Queensland Roar FC as well as several stints in charge of the Korea Republic development sides.
Son needs to shine
While Asia's most expensive player has risen to the challenge of playing in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League with Tottenham, Son Heung-min has struggled at times with the national team, noticeably in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
In the vital penultimate tie at home to IR Iran, with Sardar Azmoun sitting out for the visitors, all eyes were on Son.
However, as his heatmap shows, Son was often forced out to the left flank, where he was overmatched by Iran's full-back Ramin Rezaeian, and his one off-target shot from outside the area and a team-low passing accuracy of just 54.5 percent from his 33 passes made was a disappointing return.
A single goal from the qualifiers was not the output expected and should Korea be able to progress from a tough group, the forward will need to raise his game.
Hwang Hee-chan's chance?
Red Bull Salzburg forward Hwang Hee-chan enjoyed a fine season at the Austrian club and was part of a memorable Europa League run to the semi-finals. While Son and Ki Sung-yueng may take most of the attention, 22-year-old Hwang could be one to go under the radar and shine.
In the crucial final World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan, Son was noticeably off-key and Hwang, then just 21, showed that he was ready to step up.
Hitting the woodwork in the opening minutes, the Pohang Steelers academy graduate went close on three further occasions and also played a key creative role for his side in creating five opportunities for teammates.
Interesting Stat
When attacking midfielder Lee Seung-woo was 13 he scored 39 goals in 29 games for Barcelona's Infantil A team. A record that had previously been set by one Lionel Messi.
Did You Know?
Korea Republic first entered the World Cup in 1954 as the second Asian team ever to compete in the global event, after the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). At Switzerland 1954, the Taeguk Warriors played and lost games against Hungary and Turkey.
