South Korea's squad for the World Cup finals in Germany comprises the following 23 players:
(Statistics up to and including May 22 2006)
GOALKEEPERS
1-Lee Woon-jae (Suwon Samsung) Born: 26.4.73 Caps: 93 Goals: 0
South Korea's captain. Excellent shot stopper and a calming influence at the back. Reads the game well and is quick off his line to clear any danger. Stellar record in penalty shootouts and rarely misses a game.
21-Kim Young-kwang (Chunnam Dragons) Born: 28.6.83 Caps: 5 Goals: 0
Former Olympic team keeper has hardly had a look in at the top level due to consistency of Lee Woon-jae. Excellent form behind shaky Chunnam defence in domestic K-League earned him a shot at South Korea's number two spot.
20-Kim Yong-dae (Busan I.Park) Born: 10.11.79 Caps: 15 Goals: 0
Back in the international fold after some top-class displays behind one of the K-League's most porous defences. Battling for second spot but likely to be third choice.
DEFENDERS
18-Kim Sang-shik (Seongnam) Born: 17.12.76 Caps: 39 Goals: 2.
Recalled to the squad by Dick Advocaat after previously playing at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and Asian Games in Lebanon. Missed out on the World Cup in 2002, but has played superbly for his club side all season.
12-Lee Young-pyo (Tottenham Hotspur, England) Born: 23.4.77 Caps: 81 Goals: 5
After a successful stint at PSV Eindhoven with former South Korea coach Guus Hiddink, signed for Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the 2005 summer transfer window. Always keen to support on the overlap and has bags of pace. Likely first choice at left-back or left side of midfield in 3-4-3.
6-Kim Jin-kyu (Jubilo Iwata, Japan) Born: 16.2.85 Caps: 19 Goals: 3
Established himself in the international set-up with a series of poised displays in otherwise jittery Korean defence. Keen to get forward and a danger from long-range free kicks.
4-Choi Jin-cheul (Chonbuk Hyundai) Born: 26.3.71 Caps: 59 Goals: 4
A pillar of South Korea's 2002 World Cup side but fell out of the picture under Humberto Coelho and Jo Bonfrere. Former captain Hong Myung-bo's selection as assistant coach was a key factor in his international resurrection.
23-Cho Won-hee (Suwon Samsung) Born: 17.4.83 Caps: 11 Goals: 1
Youngster who made a good first impression by scoring against Iran in Advocaat's first game in charge. Not afraid to get stuck in but positional awareness and lack of experience could be a problem.
2-Kim Young-chul (Seongnam Ilwha) Born: 30.6.76 Caps: 8 Goals: 1
Sturdy centre back with plenty of experience at club level. Made huge strides last year with Seongnam to force his way into Advocaat's squad.
MIDFIELDERS
7-Park Ji-sung (Manchester United, England) Born: 25.2.81 Caps: 58 Goals: 5
A standout at PSV Eindhoven and revelation at Manchester United since his switch last year. Has tremendous movement, energy and guile. Plays off the main striker for South Korea but is equally dangerous down either flank. One of the first names on Advocaat's team sheet.
8-Kim Do-heon (Seongnam Ilwha) Born: 14.7.82 Caps: 29 Goals: 4
Economical in possession and offers a steadying influence in front of defence. Covers huge amounts of ground to mop up danger and is a perfect foil for Park Ji-sung. Weighs in with the occasional goal.
22-Song Chong-gug (Suwon Samsung) Born: 20.2.79 Caps: 49 Goals: 3
His tough tackling and marauding runs down the right during the 2002 World Cup prompted Feyenoord to shell out nearly $4 million for the midfielder. But a string of injuries halted his progress and he returned to South Korea looking to rebuild his career. Advocaat saw enough of him in the Netherlands to give him a chance.
5-Kim Nam-il (Suwon Samsung) Born: 14.3.77 Caps: 63 Goals: 2
The combative central midfielder is at his best when asked to sit deep in midfield, but he can break open a game with surging runs from deep. Speculation about a move to England after the 2002 World Cup came to nothing and he had a brief and unspectacular sojourn at Dutch strugglers Excelsior.
13-Lee Eul-yong (Trabzonspor, Turkey) Born: 8.9.75 Caps: 44 Goals: 2
Cultured left-sided midfielder with a range of deadly free kicks. Has shuttled between Turkey's Trabzonspor, FC Seoul and back again since the 2002 World Cup. In the squad as Advocaat needed to blend experience with the host of younger players in the mix.
3-Kim Dong-jin (FC Seoul) Born: 21.1.82 Caps: 31 Goals: 2
Provides another solid option on the left side of midfield. Full of running and inventive going forward. Delivery sometimes lets him down but his commitment cannot be faulted.
17-Lee Ho (Ulsan Hyundai) Born: 22.10.84 Caps: 9 Goals: 0
A series of robust displays in the centre of midfield with Ulsan earned him a call-up but he is still something of an unknown quantity. Lack of experience could be a problem.
15-Baek Ji-hoon (FC Seoul) Born: 28.2.85 Caps: 10 Goals:0
Former captain of South Korea's youth team who has been an instant success with FC Seoul since his transfer from Chunnam a year ago. Still developing physically and may need more time before making an impact at full international level.
FORWARDS
9-Ahn Jung-hwan (MSV Duisburg, Germany) Born: 27.1.76 Caps: 57 Goals: 16
Has bundles of skill and natural talent but lacks the pace to trouble top-class defenders. Became one of the most hated men in Italy after his golden goal knocked the Azzurri out of the 2002 World Cup. Was playing for Perugia at the time and left them soon afterwards. Has been on the fringes under Advocaat but the likely option to start as striker Lee Dong-guk will miss the World Cup due to injury.
14-Lee Chun-soo (Ulsan Hyundai) Born: 9.7.81 Caps: 50 Goals: 5
Returned to South Korea last year after an unsuccessful stint in Spain with Real Sociedad and Numancia. Tricky winger with a good burst of pace and decent delivery. Outspoken and very much his own man, he does not have the most harmonious relationship with Advocaat.
16-Chung Kyung-ho (Gwangju Sangmu) Born: 22.5.80 Caps: 30 Goals: 6
Speedy wide player with good close control who does not shirk defensive duties. Has largely been overlooked by previous coaches but his discipline could appeal to Advocaat.
10-Park Chu-young (FC Seoul) Born: 10.7.85 Caps: 15 Goals: 5
Heralded as South Korea's next striking sensation but still an unproven talent at international level. Has terrific acceleration and times his runs like a seasoned professional. But frail build could mean he will struggle against more physical defenders.
11-Seol Ki-hyeon (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England) Born: 8.1.79 Caps: 63 Goals: 12
Joined Wolves in 2004 after stints at Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp in Belgium. His bulky, powerful frame makes him an unlikely wide man but he has terrific acceleration, close control and outstanding delivery.
19-Cho Jae-jin (Shimizu S-Pulse, Japan) Born: 9.7.81 Caps: 13 Goals: 3
Starred for South Korea's 2004 Olympic team but has struggled to impose himself at full international level. No shortage of skill and technique but Lee Chun-soo is often preferred instead.
