South Korea

/soccer/world/2002/world_cup/

FIFA World Ranking (November 2001): 43rd

2002 World Cup qualifying: Qualified as co-host

2001 Overall Record: 7-5-4

World Cup final appearances: 6 - 1954 (16th), 1986 (20th), 1990 (22nd), 1994 (20th), 1998 (30th), 2002

Overall Record in WC: 0-10-4

Record vs. U.S.: 2-0-1; 4 GF, 2 GA

Most Recent Match vs. U.S.: U.S. 1, South Korea 1, in Seogwipo, South Korea; Dec. 9, 2001 (Yoo Sang-chul)

Manager: Guus Hiddink (NED)

Championship Honors: 1956 & 1960 Asian Cup champions

Key Players: Hong Myung-Bo (D, Kashiwa Reysol), Ahn Jung-Hwan (F, Perugia)

Fast Facts: The more experienced of the two co-hosts, they are making their fifth straight appearance in a World Cup.... Their six overall World Cup appearances are the most of any Asian nation.... Led by Dutch head coach Guus Hiddink, they did not advance out of their four-team group in the 2001 FIFA Confederations' Cup, unlike co-host Japan who advanced to the finals.