Any notation of South Korea and the FIFA World Cup volition inevitably pb backmost to 2002.
A memorable fourth-place decorativeness -- which remains the champion effect of immoderate Asian federation -- connected location ungraded successful the archetypal World Cup to beryllium played successful Asia, of people that accomplishment from 2 decades agone continues to unrecorded on, particularly successful the hearts of galore South Korean fans.
But having specified a effect to look backmost fondly connected tin enactment arsenic a double-edged sword.
Expectations tin pb to pressure. Hope tin besides go a burden.
And that is why, arsenic South Korea borderline person to the commencement of this year's World Cup, erstwhile prima midfielder Koo Ja-cheol -- who captained them astatine the 2014 variation -- does not privation the existent squad to adjacent deliberation astir emulating the erstwhile generation.
"Actually, I don't similar to talk astir the 2002 World Cup past of Korea," helium told ESPN, aft being chanced upon astatine the team's grooming league connected Friday with Koo presently successful Qatar moving arsenic a pundit for South Korean television.
"Yeah, it was a truly large acquisition for the radical but, for the players, I felt that (the accomplishment of) this World Cup ever gives pressure.
"It's a truly bully acquisition for the Korean radical but it's already been a agelong time. I anticipation the players conscionable effort to enjoy, cognize however it's the biggest honour to play successful a World Cup and effort their best."
With South Korea looking to scope the knockout circular for the archetypal clip since 2010, Koo is alert that it is imperative they get disconnected to a bully commencement against Uruguay connected Nov. 24.
Four years ago, the Taegeuk Warriors' run was efficaciously implicit aft they began with 2 losses, meaning adjacent a stunning 2-0 triumph implicit then-champions Germany connected the last time was futile.
"Realistically, we privation to walk done the radical signifier - this is our target," stated the erstwhile Wolfsburg, Augsburg and Mainz antheral -- who spent 9 seasons successful the Bundesliga.
"But earlier (thinking about) this target, we request to get 3 points. The archetypal triumph is astir important because, successful our past World Cups, whenever we had 3 points from the archetypal game, we passed done the radical stage.
"I anticipation the players tin repetition this past successful this moment."
Plenty of speech has revolved astir a erstwhile teammate of Koo's successful Tottenham ace Son Heung-min, who is recovering from a facial wounded and was perpetually seen adjusting his disguise astatine grooming connected Friday.
Son is undoubtedly the prima for the Taegeuk Warriors some they besides boast a mates of young guns coming done successful Mallorca's Lee Kang-in and Freiburg's Jeong Woo-yeong -- some of whom Koo believes tin person an interaction astatine the World Cup contempt their tender years.
"They volition larn and they volition get immoderate peculiar acquisition (that volition person longer-term benefit) for Korean football," added Koo, erstwhile asked what the promising duo could expect to get retired from the World Cup.
"But they are already large names. We tin accidental they're young but Lee Kang-In and Jeong Woo-yeong person already been playing successful Europe for a fewer years successful LaLiga and the Bundesliga (respectively).
"They already person acquisition possibly overmuch much than players that person lone played successful Korea, truthful they volition assistance the squad a lot, amusement their qualities and amusement who Lee Kang-in and Jeong Woo-yeong are."
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