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| South Korea are relying on Son Heung-Min and Jurgen Klinsmann to end the nation's 64-year trophy drought. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images |
South Korea rank among Asia's best sides, yet they last won the AFC Asian Cup in 1960; it's a fact that feels as if it must be wrong, incongruous as it is with their global footballing standing. Yet as former Germany and United States coach Jürgen Klinsmann prepares to lead the Taeguk Warriors into their latest attempt to win the trophyhe is working not only against the weight of history, but also significant domestic skepticism.
South Korea are one of the few teams competing at January's Asian Cup that most global observers will consider themselves somewhat familiar with. They have gone to every World Cup since 1986, finishing fourth as co-hosts in 2002 and progressing to the knockout phase twice since then. In 2022, they were part of a final matchday in Group H so gripping that it likely played a role in FIFA abandoning plans for three-team groups at the expanded 2026 tournament. South Korea's under-23 side, meanwhile, were bronze medalists at the 2012 Olympics, subsequently advancing to the quarterfinals in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, and won the past three Asian Games titles. The K1 League is one of Asia's strongest, and 12 AFC Champions League titles are more than those won any other nation.
Nevertheless, South Korea's Asian Cup drought stands at 64 years and counting.
