South Korea
Manager: Huh Jung-Moo
Best: Fourth (2002)
South Korea shocked the world in 2002 when, on home turf, they defied the odds to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, proving that a team willing to run harder and surpass the tactical discipline of more gifted opponents could carry the day in tournament soccer. Coach Huh Jung-Moo may set more modest expectations this time (nor does he possess the acumen of 2002 coach Guus Hiddink), but the European experience of some of his key players — Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung, Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong and Monaco's Park Chu-Young — mean they're no pushover.
Player to watch: Lee Chung-Yong. The attacking threat posed by the Bolton winger has impressed some of England's top teams this past season, and the World Cup will be the perfect showcase for his talents.