In particular, Park Joo Ho was a standout for Mainz, having a huge hand in their Europa League qualification and earning plaudits around the Bundesliga. Yet when PJH had surgery on a problematic toe, he found himself outside the squad. His injury provided an excuse for HMB to not include him in favor of players that were either better fits for the squad or according to some in the press/fanbase, due to having favorites. Given that alternatives at LB have either failed to impress at the NT level (Kim Jin Su) or have had little club minutes (Yun Suk Young), this could be a decision that could backfire on HMB.
The other issue of note is that HMB appears to be fairly settled on a starting XI. This despite having key players having missed large parts of the season due to injury in Park Chu Young and Koo Ja Cheol. The former HMB praised as being one of his truly capable goal scorers, and the latter was given the captain's armband. While both players have proven themselves at the international level numerous times, both also have struggled with health and playing time. Giving these players such large responsibilities is another gamble HMB is taking though the lack of bright alternatives does diminish the shock of these decisions somewhat.
Strengths: While prior Korean squads may have gotten by on effort and workrate, this team has plenty of technical skill all over the pitch. While still a far cry from the Spain and Brazils of the world, Korea still has the ability to play attractive football both individually and as a team. There's also plenty of pace... most every attacker has the speed to get behind the opposition's back four or create opportunities on the counter. Also most of these players have played together for a long time for NT despite their young age. Chemistry should be very high both on and off the pitch.
Weaknesses: Many of these players are still very young and are still figuring out how to handle the pressure of leading roles. The other would be club form and injuries. Huge chunks of the starting XI have missed large parts of the season. While certainly there is time to get back into form, will they have confidence to play well, or have the endurance to press effectively for 90 minutes against top sides in a compressed schedule? Finally, the goalkeeper situation is a disaster. Jung Sung Ryong has gone backwards since the Asian Cup where he showed glimpses of turning into a decent GK. And it may be too late to rebuild around a more unproven option.
The Squad (projected starters in bold) - I will provide some commentary to the best of my ability on the squad which is drawn primarily from European and NT football.
Forwards:
- Park Chu Young - Korea's most proven center forward is also the most problematic. He's only had a handful of club minutes across three whole seasons now. Yet he showed at the Olympics two summers ago and vs. Greece this year that his ability to be a quality forward is still there even if he's having a hard time showing for his club. Intelligent distributing the ball, good in the air, and capable of scoring when called upon. If the Park Chu Young who has performed so well for the NT shows up, he's undoubtedly the starter but if he should be slow to start in friendlies and/or in opening match, HMB may be forced to look at alternatives
- Ji Dong Won - Ji has a high amount of skill and showed that at times in Augsburg. There's a hesitance in his game however that has so far prevented him from reaching his full potential. He earned a move to Dortmund but spent the second half of the year back at Augsburg to get playing time. Unfortunately, a leg injury set him back and he could only flash as a substitute. He may also be deployed out on the left where he may lack a winger's pace but can compensate with his intelligent movement and passing.
- Kim Shin Wook - The battering ram on the bench, HMB may bring him out when Korea wants to play more direct. He's large and has a great work ethic though sometimes it feels like he's a poor fit with the rest of the team in terms of playing style.
Attacking Midfielders:
- Lee Chung Yong - The most experienced of Korea's midfield, he has the tricks and pace to be incredibly dangerous in wide areas where he usually is on the right. A leg break three years ago has dampened some of his explosiveness, but he appears to be nearing full health. Not the best defender, and his trying too hard to sneak the ball past the goalkeeper reflects on his weakness in front of goal. Yet he's been the most reliable offensive threat that Korea has had for several years now and the team will be looking for him for his creativity.
- Son Heung Min - An incredibly gifted but raw attacker, he will be initially deployed on the left where he spent the season with Leverkusen. He has both incredible speed and the shooting ability to create goals out of nothing, yet his decision-making can be slow and his age shows in his variable confidence. HMB will be relying on him to be one of the key counter-attacking threats.
- Koo Ja Cheol - Koo was selected to be captain, and its his attitude that makes him a good leader. Intense and fearless, he's key to HMB's pressing scheme. Formerly a defensive midfielder, he can win possession back and lead the counter, while also showing his knack for scoring goals in traffic. Yet he's had a hard time finding his form over the past two seasons with injuries. His big move to Mainz has yet to pay off with his performances not matching his fee.
- Kim Bo Kyung - Incredibly one footed (left), he's most comfortable in the hole but can play on the left. Park Ji Sung had once praised him as a potential successor but he's found only moderate success with Cardiff. He seemed to be growing into becoming a key creative player over the second half of last season, but this season he's struggled to adapt to the premier league. Will be backing up Koo and perhaps Son, though Ji will also be in the mix for the latter.
- Lee Keun Ho - Was one of the few players to shine during qualification struggles before military service seemed to bring out some of his older flaws, particularly poor decision making in the final third. And his touch appears to have taken a turn for the worse with the distraction of military duties. Will be an option off the bench on the right.
Defensive Midfielders:
- Ki Sung Yueng - Ki is incredibly smooth and will be setting the tempo for Korea from a deep-lying playmaker role. He's always displayed the ability to build and keep possession at Swansea but he showed this year at Sunderland that given license to go forward, he can create offensively as well. Ki rarely makes mistakes and its that dependability that make him the foundation for the team.
- Han Kook Young - HMB will be looking to him to be the defensive complement to Ki. Not truly a destroyer but he can also take some of the distribution load off of Ki as well. This may be the most open competition over the upcoming friendlies.
- Park Jong Woo - (In)famous for his Olympic controversy, he will also be in contention for the other DM role. Apparently he's been a bit off form but will be looking to win that spot alongside Ki.
- Ha Dae Sung - Will be cover for Ki, and shown that he can do some of the similar things that Ki provides even if he lacks some of his brilliance.
Defenders:
- Yun Suk Young - A dynamic left-back, he has the pace and skills to provide width to compensate for Son's tendencies to drift inward. The biggest drawback has been his lack of minutes over the past two seasons, yet he's shown at the end of this season that he can still be quality despite this, winning MOTM awards and scoring. Not the best defender but that can be said of all fullbacks on this squad.
- Hong Jeong Ho - He's struggled a bit to establish himself at Augsburg since his move but he's shown well when called upon as the third CH. Skillful enough to fill in DM, but is still working on establishing the physical presence that characterizes top CHs .
- Kim Young Gwon - Has earned praises from Lippi in China, though how well he does against higher level competition remains to be seen.
- Lee Yong - A good passer from the right back role, he may be the biggest defensive liability this squad has based on recent KNT performances.
- Kim Jin Su - May start on the left. Perhaps more dependable defensively than Yun but also far less of the upside as well.
- Kim Chang Soo - Will be backing up the right. Solid defender but not much else.
- Kwak Tae Hwi - A good set piece threat but a pretty poor defender.
Goalkeepers:
- The weakness of the team. Neither on form nor all that great to begin with.
Summary: Korea struggled through qualification but many key players were alienated by HMB's predecessor and the scheme was disjointed at best. With HMB at the helm, there will be a lot more cohesiveness to the squad. There's plenty of talent to get out of the group stages and the players will have the confidence to do so. Yet their defending can have lapses, particularly in set pieces, and it remains to be seen if they can unlock the tighter defenses they will see at the World Cup. They're fortunate to be facing the strongest team last in Belgium, who may have already earned a spot in the knockout stages and will be looking to rest their dangerous players.
Russia and Algeria will be the key fixtures then, with Korea needing to at least draw and win respectively. Both are doable but both are also far from sure bets. Getting out of the group stages will be quite an accomplishment for this young side but its a reachable goal.
