The Korea Republic will have a difficult job at surviving the group stage and not even the most passionate supporters expect them to replicate the 2002 performance. What happened in South Korea stays in South Korea, because 12 years after the Asian nation played for the third place, many still remember the match against Italy. The only thing that really matters now is how they will manage to fend off Russia and Belgium in the group stage, while earning as many points as possible against Algeria.

A few of the players who competed in 2002 will return to the starting formation, but the national team is largely changed. They no longer have the inspirational coach that disciplined the players and chose the perfect strategy for South Korea at the World Cup. The expectations are much lower as well, because without the support of their fans, they are unlikely to achieve anything memorable.

Group stage and event prospects

At a first glance, it might look like South Korea got lucky at the draw, because they will be playing against average opponents. Neither Belgium nor Russia ever won the trophy and they didn't even make the podium, but they will surely give the Asian nation a run for its money. Both these opponents have formidable offensive players and will be aiming for all three points in the direct match.

That's why the odds of South Korea advancing to the next stage are relatively low, with Bet365 giving them the third chance and odds of 8 to 1. This is the value for South Korea to win the group, which is not what they have in mind or what they honestly can expect to accomplish. Hong-Myung Bo will defend against both Belgium and Russia, while playing offensive football in the match against Algeria and hope that he is better opponents will stumble against the African nation.

Key players for South Korea at the World Cup

There are not many players that can single-handedly win games for Korea Republic and the key to success is to have everyone doing his part. There is weakness in every section and the offense looks toothless, with Son Heung Min being the one with the best chance of scoring goals. Even though he is not the most advanced forward, playing behind Kim Shin Wook he is definitely the most experienced one.

He spent enough time with Bayer Leverkusen to know how to penetrate some of the best defenses in the world, but he will need the support of teammates to do it. Wook is unlikely to come to his aid too often, but Min is expected to provide him with passes, while joining him up front as often as possible. If the two of them play well enough together, South Korea might score a handful of goals, especially against Algeria

Lee Chung Yong is another player that needs to compete at his top level, because he plays an important role in the defense. He will serve as acting captain and his job is to keep the team together, something easier said than done against the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard. Russia also has a handful of dangerous players that can overpower Yong and his back line, but Algeria shouldn't be a problem.

The bottom line

In case you're wondering, Lee Keun Ho is the player credited with the first chance to be the top scorer at the World Cup and Bet365 gives you odds of 301 to 1, the same as for South Korea to lift the trophy. There are better ways to throw money down the drain, so play it safe and bet against the Asian nation one game at the time, except maybe when they play against Algeria.