South Korea will play in Group F at the World Cup 2018. It is the most difficult group at this year's tournament and deservedly gets the nickname 'Group of Death'. South Korea will play Sweden, Mexico and Germany during the group stage.
Many of South Korea's squad members play in South Korea's K-League Classic. Twelve members of the national team ply their trades in South Korea while the rest is made up of players competing in Japan and leagues across Europe.
South Korea will rely heavily on Tottenham Hotspurs forward Son Heung-Min. The striker has scored 21 goals in 65 international appearances. Son has had back-to-back club seasons in which he has tallied 18 or more goals. The forward will be crucial at getting beyond Germany's defence and in on Manuel Neuer's goal.
Son will need South Korea's rising star striker Hwang Hee-Chan to contribute goals and assists. The player is still new to the international senior level and the World Cup could be his breakout moment. Hwang has spent the last three seasons playing for Red Bull Salzburg. He tallied 13 goals in 36 matches for the Austrians last term.
Midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng is South Korea's most experienced player. Ki is currently without a club after his Swansea contract expired. He will be motivated this summer to perform well and earn a move to a new club. Ki has 100 caps for the national team and will be the heart and soul of the team's midfield.
Manager Shin Tae-Yong has been in the job for just one year. He was appointed as national team boss in 2017 after Uli Stielike was sacked. Shin had managed at various youth levels of the South Korean international setup and rose through the ranks. Results under Shin in 2018 have been mixed. The Taeguk Warriors have managed to win and gain draws against world football's lesser teams. However, South Korea have struggled against stronger competition. Most recently, South Korea lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 in World Cup preparation. South Korea will play one more friendly before the World Cup kicks off when they take on Bolivia.
South Korea is a good team of solid professionals. The national team would have a better chance of getting through the group stage had it been drawn in a different group. There are question marks around the quality of the overall midfield and defence. Can it hold up to the competition?
South Korea will struggle against the physical Swedish players and the technical Mexican team. Shin's squad will have its problems. Just twice in nine World Cup appearances have South Korea made the knockout round. It will be very difficult for South Korea to advance from Group F.