South Korea or the Korea Republic as recognised by the world football governing body, FIFA, are one of the teams that are favourite to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup. South Korea are the only Asian team to have qualified for the World Cup seven times consecutively and currently holds the best FIFA World Cup record in Asia.

The 'Taegeuk Jeonsa' are two-time straight AFC Asian Cup champions. They have participated in seven World Cup final tournaments and became the first and only Asian team to reach the semifinals, doing so when it co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan.

But things have not always been rosy for South Korea especially when it comes to World Cup tournaments. In their first tournament, the 1954 World Cup, South Korea played games against Hungary and Turkey losing 0-9 and 0-7, respectively. It took 32 years before South Korea was again able to participate in the World Cup finals when they qualified for the 1986 World Cup held in Mexico City. They lost 3-1 to Argentina, held Bulgaria 1-1, and narrowly lost to Italy 3-2.

Until the 2002 World Cup, which it co-hosted with Japan, the South Korean team was unable to garner a single win at any of the tournaments. They registered famous wins in that same tournament when they defeated European powerhouses Portugal, Italy and Spain. They then went on to become the first Asian national team to reach the World Cup semifinals.

Coach: Korean Huh Jung-Moo

Korean Huh Jung-Moo has kept the fires burning for South Korea after they were ditched by the successful Guus Hiddink who led them to the semifinals in 2002. It remains to be seen if the 54-year-old former PSV Eindhoven player will be able to emulate Hiddink's success in South Africa.

Captain: Park Ji-Sung

Park Ji-Sung who plays for the English club Manchester United has led South Korea by example scoring vital goals for the team, including the late equaliser against Iran that ensured South Korea's participation in the 2010 World Cup. The South Koreans will once again pin their hopes on their captain in the World Cup.

Star Player: Park Ji-Sung