South Korea
The Reds: Asia's most consistent World Cup qualifiers and 2002 semi-finalists.
The South Korea national football team (Korean: 대한민국 축구 국가대표팀; recognized as Korea Republic by FIFA) represents South Korea in men's international football. The team is commonly nicknamed the "Reds" by both fans and the media due to the color of their primary kit. South Korea has emerged as a major football power in Asia since the 1980s, having participated in eleven consecutive and twelve overall FIFA World Cup tournaments, the most for any Asian country. They became the first (and so far only) Asian team to reach the semi-finals when they co-hosted the 2002 tournament with Japan.
- first_meeting_year
- 1954
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
South Korea's World Cup journey began in 1954, when they qualified by beating Japan 7–3 on aggregate, becoming the first fully-independent Asian nation to compete. They lost their only two games by heavy margins: 9–0 against Hungary (the joint-heaviest defeat in World Cup history) and 7–0 against Turkey. It took thirty-two years before South Korea participated again. In 1986, Cha Bum-kun led a golden generation; Park Chang-sun scored the first-ever South Korean World Cup goal in a 3–1 loss to eventual champion Argentina. They drew 1–1 with Bulgaria and lost 3–2 to defending champion Italy despite Choi Soon-ho's equalizer. At the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Ha Seok-ju scored a deflected free kick for the opening goal against Mexico but was sent off three minutes later. South Korea then lost 5–0 to the Netherlands in Marseille, leading to coach Cha Bum-kun's sacking. Goalkeeper Kim Byung-ji was the only player praised from that match, having conceded five of the Netherlands' 17 shots on target.
In Their Own Story
On 18 December 2000, the KFA named Dutch coach Guus Hiddink as manager for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted in South Korea. After a 5–0 loss to France at the 2001 Confederations Cup and another 5–0 loss to the Czech Republic, journalists gave Hiddink the nickname "Oh-dae-ppang" (meaning five to nothing in Korean). But when the World Cup began, South Korea achieved their first ever World Cup victory, 2–0 against Poland. A 1–1 draw with the United States followed, with Ahn Jung-hwan scoring a late equalizer. Against Portugal, who received two red cards, Park Ji-sung scored in a 1–0 victory, sending South Korea to the second round for the first time. In the round of 16, Italy led 1–0 through Christian Vieri until Seol Ki-hyeon equalized in the 88th minute. Francesco Totti was controversially sent off, and Ahn Jung-hwan scored a golden goal header to win 2–1. In the quarter-final against Spain, two Spanish goals were disallowed; South Korea won 5–3 on penalties, becoming the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals. Their run ended with a 1–0 loss to Germany, and they finished fourth after a 3–2 loss to Turkey in the third-place match.
Reader's Guide
South Korea won the inaugural AFC Asian Cup in 1956 and successfully retained the title as hosts in 1960, beating South Vietnam, Israel, and Republic of China. However, players received fake medals instead of gold, and returned them to the KFA. The KFA promised real medals but did not deliver until 2019. South Korea have not won the AFC Asian Cup since, a drought attributed to the "curse of the fake gold medals." The team also won three gold medals and three silver medals at the senior Asian Games. In 1967, the South Korean Central Intelligence Agency founded Yangzee FC, collecting footballers to train intensively with benefits like exemption from military service and overseas training. Yangzee finished as runners-up in the 1969 Asian Champion Club Tournament and won the 1970 Asian Games, but was dissolved in March 1970 without ever playing against North Korea. The national team's supporting group is officially referred to as the Red Devils.
Did You Know?
- South Korea's first international debut was a 5–3 win against Mexico at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.
- Kim Yong-sik, who later became KFA vice-president, played for Japan at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- South Korea withdrew from 1966 World Cup qualification to avoid possibly playing North Korea.
- The 9–0 loss to Hungary in 1954 is the joint-heaviest defeat in World Cup history.
- South Korea's 2002 semi-final run was the first time an Asian team reached that stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is South Korea in the context of Japanese football?
They represent Japan's most intense and historic rival within East Asian football. Matches between these two nations are widely considered the definitive test of regional supremacy.
Why is this rivalry known as The Asian Derby?
This nickname reflects the deep cultural, political, and historical weight attached to every encounter between the teams. Fans on both sides treat each match with a passion that transcends standard sporting competition.
When did Japan and South Korea first meet on the pitch?
The two national teams played their inaugural competitive fixture against one another in 1958. This long-standing history has built decades of memorable moments and fierce competition since then.
In which tournaments do these clashes typically occur?
Key encounters often happen during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the AFC Asian Cup, and the EAFF E-1 Football Championship. These high-stakes contexts ensure that every result carries significant weight for both federations.
How does this rivalry impact Japan's international standing?
Outcomes in these matches frequently serve as decisive factors for World Cup qualification and continental dominance. Maintaining an edge over South Korea remains a primary objective for the Japanese national team hierarchy.
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