Korean Football Association - last updated on 3 December 2007
(Courtesy of Johnny Beaufays)
Association name: Korean Football Association (대한 축구 협회)
Foundation: September 19th 1933
Confederation The AFC
Colours: Red, white and blue
Website: www.kfa.or.kr
Honours:
Asian Cup - 2 (1956, 1960)
East Asian Cup - 1 (2003)
A bit of history:
The Korea Football Association is the governing body of football in Korea. The first governing body of Korean football was the Joseon Football Association, founded on 19 September 1933 as a direct imitation of the corresponding association of the Japanese colonialists. Park Seung-bin was the very first President of the KFA, charged with the task of promoting and spreading organised football on the Korean peninsula.
Korea has a long football-playing history. In ancient times, there was a Korean ball game called chuk-guk very similar in form to contemporary football. However, Koreans first saw the present version of football in 1882 when British crew members played a game while their vessel was visiting the port of Incheon.
In 1921, the first All Korea Football Tournament was held, and in 1928, The Korea Football Association was organized, which created a foundation to disseminate and develop the sport.
The Korea Football Association was reinstated in 1948, following the establishment of the Republic of Korea. The KFA became a member of FIFA, the international football governing body that same year. It later joined the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) in 1954.
With the Asian qualifiers for South Africa 2010 just around the corner, the evolution of powerhouses Korea Republic continues on as the East Asians attempt to book a seventh successive appearance on the world stage.
Asia's most frequent visitors to the FIFA World Cup finals, the Taeguk Warriors have also been known as the continent's most successful team at the showpiece event, their fourth place finish as co-hosts at Korea/Japan 2002 surpassing Korea DPR's quarter-final finish in England in 1966.
Under then-coach Guus Hiddink, the Koreans swept past the likes of Italy and Spain to storm through to the semi-finals, where their impressive campaign came to an end with a one-goal defeat to Germany. With the unprecedented success still fresh in the memory, the Koreans have kept faith with Dutch managers. First Jo Bonfrere took hold in the run-up to the previous FIFA World Cup, and then Dick Advocaat took charge and failed to take the team beyond the group stages at Germany 2006.
While both managers failed to emerge from Hiddink's giant shadow, the Koreans continued their trend of going Dutch by appointing Pim Verbeek, who had served as an assistant coach for the East Asians at the last two FIFA World Cups. However, Verbeek did no better than his predecessors and parted company with the team following their exit in the semis of the 2007 Asian Cup.
The 2007 continental competition saw the two-time Asian champions struggle at the group stage, where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Saudi Arabia before losing out 2-1 to Bahrain in their second game. Verbeek's new-look side - a mixture of youth complemented with several experienced old hands - only secured a place in the last eight with a slim victory over co-hosts Indonesia in the last group game.
Korea Republic's lackluster performance continued in the knockout stages, with their three matches ending in goalless draws after regular and extra time. However, it was the team's trademark brand of never-say-die spirit, coupled with a series of brilliant displays by veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae that ensured them a penalty shootout victory against Iran in the quarter-finals. After losing the crucial semi-final to Iraq they emerged victorious over Japan in the third-place playoff.
Despite poor recent results the Koreans remain one of Asia's top teams. Their lack of creativity during the Asian Cup was largely attributed to the absence of their two England-based stars: attacking midfielder Park Ji-sung and full-back Lee Young-pyo. Lee Chun-soo, who played a key role with the team at the last FIFA World Cup finals, also looked a shadow of his usual self.
Korea Republic will unquestionably be a team to beat if these star players can pick up their form. With oodles of youth talent coming through the ranks, they will be hoping to live up to ever-increasing expectations in qualifying for South Africa 2010.
Club crests: (roll on the crest to get more informations)
Korea Football Association
