Coach: Dick Advocaat

Star Players: Park Ji Sung, Ahn Jung Hwan, Lee Young Pyo

Tournament Best: 4th Place 2002

Last Time: Lost to Germany in Semi-Finals

Qualifying: 2nd in Asian Group A

Top Scorer In Qualifying: Lee Dong Gook 5

South Korea will be attending their sixth successive World Cup finals, but none of them were more memorable than 2002 when they finished fourth against all odds.

They beat established footballing nations Spain, Portugal and Italy on the way before finally losing to Germany in the last four.

They scraped through qualifying having lost some experienced players to retirement, but most of the stars of 2002 are still there.

Park Ji-Sung has made huge strides at club level and has had a good first season at Manchester United, while Lee Young-Pyo has also established himself in the Premiership with Tottenham Hotspur.

South Korea's main goal threat Ahn Jung-Hwan remains at the heart of their attack, but they will struggle to match the heroics of last time out.

Reaching the second round would still be an achievement for them, even if expectations have been dramatically raised.

The group match against Switzerland could prove crucial in deciding who qualifies behind France.