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Road to World Cup 26 - Ep20 - Korea Republic
3 Plays1 day ago
Join your hosts Nick Britten Ken Davies as we take the deepest of deep dives into everything related to the FIFA World Cup 2026 held in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
All the news, analysis and comment from every team, every qualification process and of course the tournament itself. The biggest festival of soccer in the world.
This week we take a deep dive into World Cup debutants The Korea Republic, or South Korea, – who are they, who are the key players and how will they get on next year? Plus your World Cup news roundup, Kenny’s Quiz and much, much more.
Your weekly guide to the pinnacle of world soccer brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network
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Transcript
Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, bonjour, ciao, ni hao, привет, hola, good day, and today, oi hi, you're listening to the Road to the World Cup 26 podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only place to find your regular soccer content on the top English Premier League teams, other football stuff, and well, as you well know, because you're listening to this, the World Cup 2026, and we've got some exciting plans ahead of next season, which will be ah bringing to you very, very soon.
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm your host, Nick Britton. As always, I'm and joined by my esteemed colleague. And he's got his he's got his smart hat on today because he's been researching a lot on what our postbag was last week.
00:00:46
Ken Davies
Whoa.
00:00:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we're we're going to come to that in a bit. ah But hello, Mr. Ken Davis.
00:00:51
Ken Davies
Hello, how you doing? had nice week?
Podcast Network Plans and World Cup Focus
00:00:54
Ken Davies
Better than last week, let's be honest.
00:00:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
i've i've It's been a very busy week because we put in at, and you know this because we've been talking to each other all the time on this, lots of plans for the Global Sports Podcast Network ah for next season.
00:00:59
Ken Davies
Mm.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lots of plans for the Road to World Cup podcast after next week when we have finished this current cohort of teams that are qualified and what we're going to do then. We'll be telling you more about that and next week.
00:01:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so lots lots on the go, my friend. Lots on the go.
00:01:21
Ken Davies
It's almost like we plan this stuff, isn't it? It's not just like off the cuff.
00:01:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
you but
00:01:26
Ken Davies
we jump We're not winging it. We're actually, this is meticulously curated.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
the amount of like
00:01:31
Ken Davies
It's like one day this will win a Pulitzer Prize, and that's why.
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It should do, ah should do because the hours I spend researching all of this. ah But the reason I do it, folks, is because you don't have to. So we bring you everything you need so you
South Korea's World Cup Prospects
00:01:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't have to worry about it. all you need to do sit back, chill out, grab ah a beer or a cup of tea or whatever takes your fancy,
00:01:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And enjoy the next 45 minutes because we are continuing our deep dive into teams who have qualified for the World Cup 2026. And today we're having a look at one of the bookies' favourites of the Asian teams to progress into the ah competition next year. They may be known as the Korean Republic or you may know them as South Korea.
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
What reckon, Kenny?
00:02:43
Ken Davies
I reckon it's very nice, actually. It's very melodic. The only criticism I'd make, doesn't sound very Korean. It sounds a bit Western. I'd like, and I'm always on this this particular hobby horse, I
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
was going to say, yeah, it's one of your favourite topics, isn't it?
00:03:01
Ken Davies
yeah im much preferred i much prefer anthem to sound like it's from the country that but it's actually from.
00:03:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Okay.
00:03:08
Ken Davies
And that sounds a bit Western to me, but it was a perfectly pretty tune.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that's probably it, it? It's bit pretty.
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
and That's it. That's it. It's not not stirring, really. Not stirring.
00:03:15
Ken Davies
No.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But we'll see where that gum comes in next year's World Cup of National Anthems that we will be doing ahead of the Real World Cup. Thank you.
00:03:19
Ken Davies
no
The Role and Impact of Extra Time in Football
00:03:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
as always we're going to do a little bit of a roundup of world cup news for you ken is going to be having a look at the history of south korean football i'll be picking out five key players who we want to keep an eye out for ahead of next year and kenm will tell you which formation they're likely to play in we've got a little bit we had a post bag last last week actually and if you're listening last week michelle from houston raise the raise the the the issue of essentially what is the point of extra time?
00:03:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
What is the point of it? And Ken was so taken by this that he's gone away and done a load of research in terms of how many goals are scored in extra time and all of that, Ken. Is that right?
00:04:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And so we'll be...
00:04:03
Ken Davies
That's right, I've been doing some homework.
00:04:05
Ken Davies
i i love ah I love a deep dive down a rabbit hole. But that's another story. i yeah I like also analyzing mathematical things. And I thought, ooh, that really floats my boat.
00:04:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
o
00:04:18
Ken Davies
That's another thing. And i yeah I thought I'd have a proper look at this.
00:04:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
the same time. um
00:04:21
Ken Davies
And so I had a proper look at it. And I can report back. And I'll be reporting back in the second half of the show.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good, good. We're taking a bit of a deep dive into Ken's dark side, I think. We will, as always, have everybody's favourite time of week, which is Kenny's quiz. I'll be having a look the South Korean manager. And then, to finish
World Cup Qualification Process and AFC Draw
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
the podcast, as we always do, we will we will guess, we will stab in the dark where we think South Korea, Korea Republic, call them what you want, ah they will come in next year's World Cup. We did talk about this last week very briefly, didn't we? What are they actually called?
00:04:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
The official name...
00:04:53
Ken Davies
I think I'm going to go with, I'm going with Korea Republic.
00:04:56
Ken Davies
I'm not, we're not going to be doing South Korea Republic every time we refer to them. I'm going to call them the Korea Republic.
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, that's fine. I'll call them South Korea then. ah The... yeah the yeah The official name, I took a deep dive into this. I did some proper research. And and the the answer to our question is very simple.
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Korea Republic refers to the football team or anything that's specific to to Korea. South Korea refers to the kind of geographical area.
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And over the last, you know, however many years, it's just become very, very muddled. So everybody just kind of knows it as South Korea. So I don't mind. we can We can call it what you want.
00:05:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you want to go down? will it she douglas express Okay, so we're going to call it South Korea, but for the purposes of all that, you also know that we are talking about the Korea Republic, which is its formal name. Right, let's kick off, as we always do, with a little bit of World Cup news.
00:05:36
Ken Davies
South Korea then, South Korea.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to stop it there, which is a bit earlier than normally because I think Ken's going to explode. He's shuffling his papers with such enthusiasm that so or anything could happen. Anything happen.
00:06:13
Ken Davies
Well, I know what's coming up.
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
His papers...
00:06:14
Ken Davies
It's interesting news. So I got quite excited to fill me papers.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
They look like... you did You're getting really well, as long as that's all you're shuffling. You were looking very excited there. Very excited.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
i was worried your papers were going to combust. So let's get on with the World Cup news, because some good news this week, people, some interesting news to talk about. Firstly, just yesterday, so 24 hours ago, the draw for the fourth round of the AFC, so the Asian Football Confederation, qualifiers for the World Cup has put the teams into various groups, so we know who is going to be playing who. Now, you'll know that if you're a regular listener to this podcast,
00:06:25
Ken Davies
Oh, my God.
00:06:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
The labyrinthine, that's the only way to put it, the labyrinthine qualifying ah competition for Asia, which has gone on and on and on.
00:06:53
Ken Davies
It is.
00:06:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, if you do finally get there, boy, do you deserve it. We're now into round four of the qualifiers.
00:07:04
Ken Davies
and a four and last, I think.
00:07:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Six teams from Asia.
00:07:06
Ken Davies
The last one, this is.
00:07:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Six teams from Asia have already qualified. um We're left with six teams now that have been split up to two groups of three. They'll play a little round robin and the winner of those two groups will progress into the finals to make eight.
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the best second place team out of those two groups will go into next year's regional playoff. but So that's kind of where we're at. So the draw was made yesterday. So Group A is going to consist of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And those little round-robin competition, which is only played over a matter of days, will be taking place in Qatar.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in Group B...
00:07:46
Ken Davies
Nick, I've got some bad news.
00:07:47
Ken Davies
I've got some bad news to add. There's a round five.
00:07:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have you?
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, there is a round-robin.
00:07:52
Ken Davies
There's a round five.
00:07:54
Ken Davies
I've just checked my notes from the Asian conference.
00:07:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought this...
00:07:57
Ken Davies
The round five is where the runners-up of those two groups play off in round five.
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, and then the winner goes into the playoffs.
00:08:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, okay. Yes, you're right, you're right actually. yeah i had it in my mind. It was best place, second place, but you're right. Okay. Oh, goodness me. It's never going to end, is it? you think they're actually going to get finished? What will happen is a team will celebrate.
00:08:06
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:08:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
That last team will celebrate getting to the World Cup and they'll go, yeah, sorry, lads, that's finished. That was that that was last year.
00:08:22
Ken Davies
Yeah. This is for 2030. This 2030 now.
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's taking so long.
00:08:23
Ken Davies
Yeah. it twenty thirty now
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's now 2037 and on board.
00:08:27
Ken Davies
yeah
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So thanks a lot. see like So, ah well, okay. So let's stick with round four. So, um yes, we've got UAE and Amman and Qatar and then Group B in Saudi Arabia, which is hosting these three games, and they will welcome Iraq and Indonesia.
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So all of those games take place over a matter of days in October. So we'll bring you news of all of that as and when it happens. And just reminder that the six teams that have already qualified from The Asian group are Japan, Iran, Australia, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and the team we're talking about today, Korea Republic, Stroke South Korea.
Potential New Rules for VAR and Penalties
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's that. um Secondly, and this is really interesting news, broken this week, is that IFAB, which is, of course, the body that looks at the rules of football and makes the rules of football, in brackets, up, in close brackets, they're looking at introducing new rules ahead of the just ahead of next year's World Cup, which will come into play really
00:09:21
Ken Davies
And will it apply for the World Cup? Will it apply? Will they apply?
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, yeah.
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
well yeah Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. They'll come into place on June the 1st next year.
00:09:25
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:09:29
Ken Davies
Ooh.
00:09:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So as of the World Cup next year, this is likely what's going to happen. I mean, it has to be voted on, but normally when these things are trailed in such such a way, they're a little bit of ah a done deal. ah So first one involves VR.
00:09:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So VAR will be able to intervene on more things than it can do at a moment. So for the first time, it's going be able to intervene on more what they call factor-based decisions, such as corners.
00:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if a ball's gone out for a corner and the referee signals a corner and it's not a corner, blatantly, VAR can interject and go, of ref, you've got this wrong, and and they can give a goal kick. So that. I don't know whether that's going to be the case for throw-ins, but certainly looking at that for corners.
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean there's so many throw-ins, it's just been nightmare. But corners are... I mean, i saw one last night when i was watching the England versus Sweden women's European Cup quarterfinals. There was a moment where an England player crossed the ball.
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It hit the top of the bar and went out.
00:10:23
Ken Davies
Mm, saw that. Mm.
00:10:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
The referee inexplicably gave the corner.
00:10:25
Ken Davies
Yeah, the corner. I know.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And everybody's going, what what are you looking at
00:10:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Literally, how have you seen that as ah as a player? as a goal I think they literally thought the goalkeeper had touched the ball, but the goalie was nowhere one near it. So there's that. VAR could also be allowed to review second yellow cards, where currently they're not allowed to do that. They can rule on red, but they can rule on second yellow cards.
00:10:30
Ken Davies
Mm.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah First of all, let me just get your let me let me get your view on that because there is one more rule, but that's let's just talk about VAR for a moment.
00:10:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
what do you What do you think of the...
00:10:51
Ken Davies
Well...
00:10:52
Ken Davies
Well, it's interesting, and it's and it's a slightly confused picture, that, because I am a massive fan of VAR on fact-based decisions. Offside, ball being over the line for a goal, ball being over the line for a corner.
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I saw
00:11:07
Ken Davies
I'm all over that. I think that's brilliant, and I think ah I welcome it with open arms.
00:11:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:11:13
Ken Davies
And then, though, having IFAB saying we're we're increasing the amount of VAR in fact-based decisions... They then say, but we're gonna start looking at second yellers.
00:11:26
Ken Davies
Second yellers to me is not a fact-based decision. It's an opinion-based decision because based on intent, based on violence, based on loads of things, it's complicated.
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
and stop um
00:11:37
Ken Davies
It's not fact. It's not, was that person a millimeter beyond this line? It's more about what judgments are we making based on those circumstances? I don't like VAR getting involved in those things. I i think referees should have absolute clarity and responsibility for those things.
00:11:56
Ken Davies
So I am massively in favor of the first one.
00:11:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:00
Ken Davies
I'm against the second one. And I don't really see how both of those things are fact-based. One of them is, one of them isn't. That's my view.
00:12:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think that they should be involved in in red card decisions, in straight red card decisions?
00:12:13
Ken Davies
No, not really.
00:12:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. It's interesting because you see some in football that you go, yeah, the referee's missed that and that was a clear red and you're thankful for VAR's involvement. But you also see some where and we know this, when you slow something down and look at it, you know, frame by frame by frame, it can look a hell of a lot worse than when it does in real life, real time.
00:12:32
Ken Davies
And they do.
00:12:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
It can look an awful lot worse. and And that's where I don't, it's a really funny one because you do look at it and you go, well, it looks okay. And then you look at the, you look at the kind of freeze frame and you go, ooh, that looks terrible. But actually sometimes that freeze frame doesn't actually tell picture of of of what's happened in in real speed.
00:12:50
Ken Davies
I agree, I'm 100% and you're a qualified ref.
00:12:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's really,
00:12:52
Ken Davies
I'm 100% behind you on that. Brilliant for fact-based, take it out of opinion-based.
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was always surprised that they didn't do things like corners and things. I mean, it doesn't often happen where referees get corners wrong. It's very rare, but why not?
00:13:06
Ken Davies
No.
00:13:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why not use it? I agree with you. if it's ah If it's a black and white issue, if it's a kind of strict liability issue whereby it's either right or wrong and there is zero room for interpretation, that's what VAR is perfect for.
00:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely perfect for. Yeah, red cards.
00:13:17
Ken Davies
Yeah, if it's a metric-based thing, it's a measurement-based thing, brilliant.
00:13:23
Ken Davies
Have it everywhere.
00:13:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
red cards
00:13:23
Ken Davies
I'd have throw-ins as well, to be honest, but but nothing else, please.
00:13:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
so Straight reds, right? Straight reds are a very, very bad foul. Okay? And you can see they're a very bad foul. And therefore, I can kind of understand why VAR might look at those because they are way over and above. You're giving a straight red for something.
00:13:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are way over and above 99.9% of every other challenge you'll see in a game. Okay? Yellow cards are not... Yellow cards can be given for all manner of things that are sometimes barely even fouls.
00:13:56
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:14:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
is but But there's lots of other things going in and around there. So intent, for example. If somebody's on a breakaway, you can barely touch them. But because they're on a breakaway and because you're interfering with a promising attack, that's a yellow card, as long as you stop the game.
00:14:14
Ken Davies
Yeah, it makes no sense because at the end of the day, second yellows will end up being first yellows.
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:14:18
Ken Davies
That's slippery slope.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's really difficult. I'm with you. I don't agree this I don't agree on this. this when When there is interpretation, you've got to allow ah got to allow the referee to interpret, I think.
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got to allow the referee to.
00:14:30
Ken Davies
Yeah, great.
00:14:31
Ken Davies
On the same page there.
00:14:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Right, okay. and the the The second thing that I've been looking at ahead of the World Cup next year is ah to prevent any rebounds from penalties. So when a penalty is taken, if the goalkeeper saves it, and I presume, although I don't know, this still is relevant to if it hits the post or the bar and comes back, ah the ball is dead.
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you're not going to be allowed to run in and and and finish it ah from a a save. And I presume, although I don't know, ah from if it hits the post or the bar.
00:15:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you make it
00:15:02
Ken Davies
Yeah, I'm generally okay with that.
00:15:03
Ken Davies
I'm generally in in agreement with that. a That but essentially brings it in line with penalty shootouts.
00:15:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
it up?
00:15:09
Ken Davies
And I can't see why there'd be two different things for penalty shootouts and penalties and open play. So I would agree with...
00:15:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but there's a massive difference, isn't there? Because penalties in penalty shootouts, it is just that. It's a penalty kick to score a goal. Penalties in in in game time, if you like, are part of open play. as soon as the ball's kicked from the from the penalty kicker and is active, the game is active again.
00:15:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there is a huge difference. There's a huge
00:15:35
Ken Davies
Yeah, there there is a difference, but don't see why I don't really see why it should be allowed.
00:15:43
Ken Davies
different
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't see the point of changing it. I'm not quite sure what's wrong with the current system.
00:15:49
Ken Davies
it It will be to bring it in line it'll be be to bring it in line with the other penalty scenarios.
00:15:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
The current system is
00:15:54
Ken Davies
But ah yeah yeah, I can't get exercised about this. I'm not going be lying in bed at two in the morning thinking, oh, Really, should they change that? like I'm kind of comfortable with it, to be honest. i haven't got a big issue with it.
00:16:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Speaking of penalties, though, speaking of penalty shootouts, as I said earlier on, I was watching the yeah Women's European Cup quarterfinals, European Championships, rather, quarterfinals between England and Sweden last night. The game finished two two And it then went to penalty shootout.
00:16:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think it was probably, I don't know if you saw it, Ken, it was probably the one...
00:16:28
Ken Davies
I did. I watched it. I was on the edge of my seat.
00:16:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Well, ah yeah, um for lots of reasons. ah It was the worst penalty shootout I've ever seen in well over 40 years of watching football.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I include, by the way, in that any school game that I've watched my kids in, any one that I've taken part of in the garden... ah My club teams, ah the teams that I've coached, and I've coached lots of teams down the years, ah games where I've refereed, where I've refereed penalties. I include every single every single football interaction I've ever had.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think I've seen a worse penalty shootout than I did between England and Sweden. 14 penalties. five goals scored. And it wasn't the fact that the goalkeepers were having, I mean, the Swedish goalkeepers saved quite few, but they were rubbish penalties.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they were absolutely terrible. They were easy saves. And there were one or two where where the Swedish goalkeeper dived like like way before the ball was kicked and the penalty taker still kicked it straight to where they were diving to.
00:17:11
Ken Davies
Terrible.
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know, in the men's game, I know,
00:17:25
Ken Davies
Some of them hardly reached the goal.
00:17:28
Ken Davies
It was absolutely abysmal.
00:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the run-ups were dead straight. So you we know penalties is, there's a bit of an art in taking penalties.
00:17:32
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And when you look at penalty takers in the men's game, and I'm not comparing men's and women's game here, by the way, but when you see them, there is tactics involved. So the player will look at the goalkeeper. Often they'll stutter. wait for the goalkeeper move.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
They'll change their mind at the last time, depending on what the goalkeeper's doing. All of that kind of stuff, yeah? All of that. is the The runners, the England players particularly, they had a run-up. Ran out straight. I could tell from watching it TV exactly where that ball was going to go.
00:18:00
Ken Davies
Exactly. You tell from the where they plant the foot.
00:18:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
forty language
00:18:03
Ken Davies
You tell where they plant the foot and their body shape.
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
The goalkeeper knew.
00:18:05
Ken Davies
They couldn't kick in any other direction.
00:18:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and the goalkeeper knew because every single penalty she saved, she saved quite a few, she was really well on her way before the ball had even left the foot of the kicker.
00:18:11
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:18:15
Ken Davies
I'd rate my chances of saving quite a few of them. It was a but he was abysmal.
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Terrible.
00:18:20
Ken Davies
There's no excuse for it. And if I was England manager, i'd be all I'd be doing is practicing penalties for the rest of the 48 hours. No, they weren't. forty eight hours
00:18:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I'll be practicing quite a lot more because they weren't very good, England.
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
if they weren I mean, they're they're the the holders of the title. If they want to progress, they need to improve. Anyway, look, this is the World Cup podcast, not the Women's European Championships podcast. So we are having a look at the Korea Republic today.
00:18:34
Ken Davies
no they anyway
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
and let's have a look at the history, shall we? Let's have a let's have a look at the history of Korea Republic. Kenny, over to you.
South Korea's World Cup History and Key Players
00:18:55
Ken Davies
Yeah, I'm going to a quick history, quick form, quick ranking as I normally do. So history of South Korea participated in 10 consecutive World Cups, ah of which this one will be actually number 11.
00:19:09
Ken Davies
In fact, they've been qualified ah for now 12 in total. They're the only Asian team ever to reach the semifinals. ah when they actually when they hosted it co-hosted it in 2002 with Japan reputedly here's an interest interesting fact took this one away if things get a bit quiet in the snug in the pub tonight Nick you can introduce this reputedly it was introduced to South Korea that is the game of football when the Royal Navy sailors from the HMS Flying Fish were stationed in the port of Incheon
00:19:46
Ken Davies
And they thought, what are we going to There's nothing to do. It's nice sunny day. We went out of a game of football. And everyone was amazed by this game that they were playing. And it caught on in South Korea. So...
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did they have a flying fishing goal? he would have been brilliant. He would have reached all four corners of the goal, no problem at all.
00:20:00
Ken Davies
and
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know you You know when you bang one in from about 15 yards, you go, top bins, that's going in. You know from the moment it's left your foot. They had a flying fishing goal, which just like leaps up and flaps it over with his fins.
00:20:11
Ken Davies
Do you remember, was it Billy the Fish in Viz?
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really interesting.
00:20:14
Ken Davies
Didn't he play in goal at some point? ah Okay.
00:20:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was. was guy.
00:20:18
Ken Davies
he was he was he was He was a great keeper. So the first time World Cup qualification when they tried were as an independent nation, because remember before World War II, they were kind of part of Japan. And that wasn't a particularly happy period in Korean existence. But they first tried in 1954, which they qualified for.
00:20:38
Ken Davies
But they didn't have a particularly good time in 1954. They played the Hungarians, lost 9-0. Hungary were a good team back then.
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:20:46
Ken Davies
But then they lost 7-0 to Turkey. They never even played the third game. 1954 World Cup, by the way, had this weird system where, all dependent on seeding, they were supposed to play West Germany, ah but they never got to play even like play the game.
00:21:01
Ken Davies
So ah they conceded 16, didn't score.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:21:03
Ken Davies
Their next qualification was 32 years later and nineteen in 1986, and they've qualified every time ever since. Form. Interesting. Since the start of 2024,
00:21:16
Ken Davies
They've played 13, they've won eight, they've drawn four, they've lost one. But that kind of looks good on paper.
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know to that.
00:21:22
Ken Davies
Let's dig into a bit of detail on that.
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just saying, know how do don't how to
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know how I don't how that.
00:21:25
Ken Davies
um
00:21:26
Ken Davies
Let's look at the draws. Look at the teams that they've drawn with in those games in 2024, 2025. They drew twice, home and away, with palestine ranked 98th.
00:21:39
Ken Davies
They drew it home against Oman, ranked 79th.
00:21:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't how do that. know how to
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know don't know how
00:21:43
Ken Davies
They drew it home against Jordan.
00:21:45
Ken Davies
Jordan are qualified, but Jordan is still ranked 64th. So in my opinion, and in the official opinion of, and we're about to find out at the end, I suppose, of Road to World Cup 26, this is a team that appears better on paper than it is in reality, in my opinion.
00:22:03
Ken Davies
ah By the way, they lost to Japan earlier on Tuesday in the East Asian Football Championship final.
00:22:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah.
00:22:10
Ken Davies
So they're ranked They had a high of 17th 1998. They've been as low as 69th in 2015. But I've got feeling that... sixty ninth in two thousand and fifteen but i've got a finger in that They're not playing top-class opposition. Very difficult to gauge their true strength.
00:22:28
Ken Davies
They are currently ah third in rankings in the AFC. Japan 17th, Iran 20th, Korea 23rd, Australia 24th. australia twenty fourth But I don't think they're as good as that.
00:22:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:22:43
Ken Davies
So in my opinion, South Korea look good on paper. They've already qualified. But I don't think there is as outstanding a team as as many others we've talked about.
00:22:54
Ken Davies
So that's the history form of South Korea.
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
they Yeah, they are a ah new nation, really, in terms of of playing on the global stage. if they If they only start playing in the late 1950s, they are ah pretty pretty new to it compared to a lot of teams who have been playing for a lot longer than that.
00:23:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they they they seem to kind of do well. I remember when they had a breakthrough tournament, was it 2002 World Cup? And yeah, I mean, we'll see. We'll come to the predictions and a little bit later on. In fact, we're going to have a look at five key players in just a moment. But before we do, Ken, maybe a word from our partners.
00:23:13
Ken Davies
yeah
00:23:31
Ken Davies
Yeah, why not? Because as they know in South Korea, it pays to get your team selection right.
00:23:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:36
Ken Davies
And here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spend a lot of time doing that, selecting our delivery partner. And we chose, as you know, if you're a regular listener, Zencastr, because Zencastr makes it very easy to bring your vision to life.
00:23:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to
00:23:49
Ken Davies
Share it with your audience. Full video recording, really easy editing tools and fantastic distribution.
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
go to next one. I'm going to go to the next
00:23:56
Ken Davies
And it's there all in one place. So if you've got a story to tell, tell it with Zencastr.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
one.
00:24:01
Ken Davies
Go and check the show notes for more details. You won't regret it. Nikolai.
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You won't regret it. You won't regret it. I am sure we are big fans here at the Global Sports Podcast Network. Right. Let's have a look, shall we? Let's have a look at ah five key players for the Korea Republic.
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's only one place to start, isn't there? There is really only, only, only one place to start. You got your pipe out a bit too early, Ken.
00:24:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not the quiz yet.
00:24:26
Ken Davies
Oh, sorry.
00:24:26
Ken Davies
I was enjoying it. I was enjoying your your contribution there.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Chill.
00:24:29
Ken Davies
I was relaxing into it.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:24:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that makes another change. I will. ah The only place to start has to be Hyun Min Son and what a player he is, by the way. Spurs captain who just lifted the Europa League.
00:24:32
Ken Davies
Tell me more, Tell me morning tell me more.
00:24:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's such a good player. And over the last 10 years, he's been one of the Premier League's best players, regardless the fact he plays for Tottenham. He's been the Premier League's one of the best players. I had the chance to see him, by the way.
00:24:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah live when I went to the Tottenham Hotspur in January when they they played one of the European games.
00:24:55
Ken Davies
Did you?
00:24:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah He's mesmerising. When he's running at players, yeah, he's both feet.
00:25:02
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:25:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He goes this way, he goes that way. He's mesmerising. I just thought he was absolutely brilliant.
00:25:06
Ken Davies
He is. Great player.
00:25:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Love him.
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's top Asian goal scorer.
00:25:09
Ken Davies
But it's not the best season though, is it?
00:25:10
Ken Davies
It's not the best season this year, I don't think.
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
but done nothing I know. I think probably, you know, his career is starting to kind of go in the...
00:25:18
Ken Davies
His career.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
in
00:25:20
Ken Davies
His career. see what he did there.
00:25:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
you very much indeed. ah So, yeah, he so he's been injured quite a lot. Obviously, Tottenham had a terrible season last year in the Premier League. He's never quite been the same since Harry Kane left because his partnership with Harry Kane was sensational.
00:25:34
Ken Davies
Mm. Mm.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two or three seasons, unbelievable.
00:25:38
Ken Davies
I do. Great play.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's the top Asian goal scorer in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League history. He's widely regarded, quite rightly, as one of the asian greatest Asian players of all time. And he just seems like a really nice bloke.
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I remember, don't this was a little while ago, but going back to 2019, when he he was involved in a really quite nasty challenge with Andre Gomez at Goodison Park when Tottenham were playing Everton.
00:25:59
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:26:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Gomez, do you remember this? Gomez was running down line and some came in from behind. And I don't think it was a really, really malicious challenge, but Gomez suffered a really bad injury and some got off.
00:26:08
Ken Davies
He did?
00:26:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he was absolutely gutted. And... The red card was actually rescinded on appeal because it wasn't a red card offence. It was one of those where you send somebody off based on the injury that the other players got rather than the challenge itself, if you know what I mean.
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But when he scored a few days later in ah one of the European games against Red Star Belgrade, instead of celebrating, he sort of apologised on camera for what he had done.
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm just like, a guy. ah Yeah, and that's what I like about him. And it's what I like about the South Korea culture, to be honest with you. They're just really nice people. ah He spent a reported £11 million pounds of his own money opening a soccer academy at his hometown. He's involved in anti-racism campaigns with FIFA.
00:26:34
Ken Davies
Oh, what lovely blow.
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah know he's he's just He's got an awful lot to offer off the pitch as well as on it. um On the pitch, he's been capped by South Korea for 134 games.
00:27:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And within those, he's scored 51 goals. And for Tottenham, where he's been for 10 years now, although he won't be for much longer, don't think, ah he's played 454 games in the Premier League for Tottenham, 173 goals. So he looks like he's going to be on his way out.
00:27:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's into his last year of his contract coming up. um Talk that he might be on the move to potentially Fenerbahce or ah the Saudi League. and But what a but what ah what a player he's been in the Premier League. What a player he is for Korea. And it would be lovely if he had a great World Cup next year as a bit of a sansol.
00:27:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
A bit of a sansol. Even better.
00:27:39
Ken Davies
Yeah, I...
00:27:41
Ken Davies
Neth. a
00:27:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll take it you as rubbish gag.
00:27:44
Ken Davies
hi He's a universally liked guy. he yeah He's been a great, great player. He's been a machine for for Spurs. Connell thinking if he'd been at a better team, what he might have achieved actually domestic in terms of domestic achievements.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hope
00:27:58
Ken Davies
But he's been he's been an amazing talisman for South Korea. And yeah, just just just we we we wish you know that he has a fantastic World Cup because he kind of deserves it.
00:28:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
you enjoyed this.
00:28:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Well, he's 33 now. i'll be 34 next year. So you do kind of think this his last one.
00:28:13
Ken Davies
Yeah, this will be a nice one.
00:28:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And fingers crossed. I love watching him play. Good luck to you, my friend. Good luck to you.
00:28:18
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah second Second player, I'd always like to have a look at the goalkeepers, as you know, to get a sense of what what they're all about. And continuing the theme of what i would call older goalkeepers, which seem to be a ah real ah real trend in the team.
00:28:30
Ken Davies
I think.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah ah The Korea Republic goalkeeper is Jo Hyun-woo. He's aged 33 years old. He is the mainstay of the ah Korean team. So he's been in goal there for a long time. He plays in the K League 1, K League Division 1 for Alsan HD.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's only played for two clubs since turning professional in 2013. Daegu FC, who he played for 209 times before moving to Alsan in 2020. And he's played 190 times there.
00:28:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's the main goalkeeper for the Korea Republic. He's six foot two or three, played 44 times for the Korea Republic. And interestingly, he's been named in the K League One Best 11 for eight years running now.
00:29:00
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he is the best goalkeeper in that league as well as the best goalkeeper in the country. So good luck to him. ah The second player is, sorry, the third player i'm looking at is Kim Min Yeh.
00:29:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Orkin Minjie, one or the other, probably the second one, 28 years old. Don't. ah Don't. and
00:29:37
Ken Davies
Kim Min Ye, I think you were right the first time.
00:29:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, let's stick with that one. think I probably was. 28 years old, 69 caps, four goals of which. Six foot three. He's a powerhouse centre-half, plays for Bayern Munich. So he's got good European pedigree.
00:29:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Looks like he's going to be leaving after two years in Germany, with Chelsea being the favourites to sign him.
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then again, Chelsea...
00:29:59
Ken Davies
Chelsea buy everyone, don't they?
00:30:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
real isn I had a note saying Chelsea were favourites to sign you, Ken. They are looking at every every single player. He is technically excellent. he's a he's a big He's a big, strong lad. There are questions about his pace and his ability to play in a high line, which is why I don't think career paid it play like that.
00:30:01
Ken Davies
Just hoover everyone up
00:30:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's certainly the glue that holds that that back line together. So he's one we expect to see a lot of next year. Number four is Lee Kang-In, who is a recent Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, 24-year-old attacking midfielder, could also play out wide.
00:30:30
Ken Davies
Thank
00:30:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
he hasn't I say he's a recent he's a recent Champions League winner. That makes him sound amazing. The reality is he hasn't really made his mark. He's been at PSG for two years now. hasn't really done much. He's only played 18 times each season.
00:30:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been in and out of the team and certainly the second half of his season, he hasn't really played very much at all. He's become a bit of a bit part player. ah Roma are sniffing around him this summer. Arsenal are sniffing around him.
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's probable that he's going to leave PSG in the next next few weeks. Didn't start any of the games at the recent Club World Cup.
00:31:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was used off the bench. ah Played only 60 minutes in four games, so he was used off the bench. But sat on a bench for the entire game in the final against Chelsea. Now, considering Chelsea were 3-0 up within about half an hour, you'd think, well, you ought to get the attacking players on the pitch, don't you?
00:31:06
Ken Davies
Right.
00:31:17
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:31:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah And the fact that he didn't probably tells tells its own story. So, ah likely to be moving away, but or equally likely to be playing at the World Cup next year. And one, again, to keep an eye on.
00:31:20
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:31:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then my last player is a wildcard entry for you, a bit of a wildcard, because he's a player who doesn't even feature in the World Cup squad at the moment. But my question to you is, will he next summer?
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because he's the wonder kid.
00:31:43
Ken Davies
Oh yeah, yes you will, without question.
00:31:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
He doesn't even know who it is yet.
00:31:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
um He's one the wonder kid of ah the South Korean.
00:31:55
Ken Davies
Hang on, hang on. are wait I know where you're going with this.
00:31:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
sir
00:31:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah So he's dubbed. You can finish this sentence, Kenny. He's dubbed by many as the Korean.
00:32:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go on.
00:32:07
Ken Davies
Messi.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Incorrect, but close.
00:32:11
Ken Davies
hi
00:32:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's dubbed by many as the Korean Mbappe. I don't know why, opposed the Korean Messi.
00:32:16
Ken Davies
He's the only one.
00:32:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
so You'll know if you've listened to this podcast before, and I hope you hope you're a regular listener, but you'll know that every every country we visit, there's a player who's dubbed the such-and-such Messi.
00:32:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we've had the Australian Messi, the Jordanian Messi, the Uzbekistan Messi, the Argentinian Messi. I do this gag every week, shouldn't. and and And so I don't know why this is the Korean Mbappe and not the Korean Messi, but we are...
00:32:28
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:32:40
Ken Davies
What's his name again?
00:32:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I haven't got there yet.
00:32:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But I'll tell you, his name sorry his name is Park Sung-soo.
00:32:44
Ken Davies
Oh.
00:32:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:32:49
Ken Davies
Well, Park Sung-soo, as far as we're concerned, is the South Korean Messi.
00:32:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so, because next... yeah Yeah, we're putting a team of Messies together next year and he's going to be in it.
00:32:53
Ken Davies
he enter's He's on the Messi team.
00:32:58
Ken Davies
Hmm. Hmm.
00:33:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we're looking at a team of Messies who aren't actually Messi, but who are dubbed the Messi of their own nation. And let's see what a good team we can come up with.
00:33:06
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So this kid is dubbed the Korean Messi for the purpose of this podcast. 18 years old. As I say, continue ah considered by many to be the top ah youth talent coming out of the country and to hopefully see him in the next World Cup.
00:33:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
He has just signed in the Premier League. So we will be seeing a lot more of him here in the UK. He's just signed for Newcastle United.
00:33:24
Ken Davies
Who with? Oh, Newcastle, not Chelsea, then at least.
00:33:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, not Chelsea, yes. He's just signed for Newcastle United and he becomes the 20th South Korean player to play for a Premier League club.
00:33:32
Ken Davies
Oh, very good.
00:33:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That may or not be a hint at Kenny's quiz late coming up later on.
00:33:38
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:33:41
Ken Davies
Oh, no.
00:33:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
He becomes...
00:33:44
Ken Davies
Quickly Googles.
00:33:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
A lot of teams are in for this lad. Bayern in for him, Marseille are in for him, and a few others. But he's gone for Newcastle.
00:33:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And interestingly, i mean, I'm not being cynical here, but if I was, because Newcastle have tried to sign a couple of South Korean players before, and Park Sung-soo signs just before the Magpies go on a very, very high-profile tour of...
00:34:08
Ken Davies
ah Japan.
00:34:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
South Korea. Exactly. South Korea. So he'll be playing back in his home nation in the black and white of Newcastle. But Newcastle needs some attacking ah talent in their team, I think, if they're going to progress next year. And we wish them well. I'm excited.
00:34:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm excited to see them. I am excited to see them.
00:34:27
Ken Davies
right Very good.
00:34:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hope that they're up in the North East and keeps them where they belong, which is in the top four of the Premier League. Right, so there are five players that we are looking at. Ken, what sort of formation do South Korea play?
South Korea's Tactical Approach
00:34:42
Ken Davies
Well, it's an interesting one, actually. I've looked back over the last five games. Don't worry. I'm not going to take you through all of the lineup of the last five games. Essentially, when they play better teams, Japan, they've just played in the East Asia Cup final.
00:34:57
Ken Davies
Iran, as we know, Iran are already qualified. And Kuwait, they play a 4-2-3-1.
00:35:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:35:04
Ken Davies
So they played some other formations against Hong Kong, ah they can play what they want against Hong Kong, let's be honest. ah They play the different formations against China, to be honest. They can play what they want against China.
00:35:16
Ken Davies
But against the more stiffer competition, they tend to go to the slightly defensive 4-2-3-1. ah I won't take you through the players. Nick has already done that. So that's what you're looking forward to. So manager Hong Myung-bo tends to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation.
00:35:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I like a 4-2-3.
00:35:35
Ken Davies
You heard it first here.
00:35:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I love it.
00:35:36
Ken Davies
We all love a 4-2-3-1.
00:35:38
Ken Davies
I only...
00:35:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
love it.
00:35:40
Ken Davies
I prefer 3-4-3, quite honestly, if you've got the players to play it. But I like a 4-2-3-1 myself.
00:35:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
3-4-3 seems to be a bit of a trendy formation. We haven't really seen much of it. haven't seen much of it. um But, yeah, i like a 4-2-3 one.
00:35:55
Ken Davies
I think Ecuador fancied a 3-4-3.
00:35:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
way yeah Anybody to this who's a Newcastle fan or anything else, and I should say, if they're going, well, you didn't tell me where the where the Korean Messi stroke Mbappé comes, where he plays.
00:36:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah The answer is he plays on the wing. He plays on the wing. So he's a winger at Park Sung Soo. And he's got going to provide competition for Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes up there, which is good because they need a bit of competition in those positions.
00:36:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Let's have, Ken, a quick word from our sponsor. And then we're going to take a little look at the post bag slot.
00:36:34
Ken Davies
Okay, well, Global Sports Podcast Network is partnered with Bionique. Now, you know, if you're a regular listener, what they do. They're the world's most personalized supplements. It means that the supplements you get are designed specifically for you.
00:36:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's very good thing. It's a good thing.
00:36:47
Ken Davies
So it's better than taking off the shelf supplements because with those, they don't know your body.
00:36:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's thing. It's very good thing. want to be a
00:36:53
Ken Davies
They've not analyzed your body. You don't know whether you're getting too much or too little of the nutrients you need. because Bionique provide 100% tailor-made supplements, so you get in exactly the right levels.
00:37:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
good thing. I want good thing. want to be good thing. I want to a good thing.
00:37:05
Ken Davies
So click the show notes, use the code GSPN2025, you'll get a 40% discount on your first order.
00:37:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:37:11
Ken Davies
What's not to like? So that is our friends at Bionique.
00:37:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very well.
00:37:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent. Very, very good. Thank you very much, Ken. Right, last week we talked about a letter we'd had in from Michelle in Houston, who raised the issue of extra time and whether or not it was worth it. We had a good chat about what we think of extra time. Is it worth doing? What's the attitude of players doing? Are they just simply, is extra time just 30 minutes of absolute waste of time as all players just prepare for penalties, which some teams preparing to do, you know, even in normal time with 10, 15 minutes to go.
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what is the point of extra time? And Ken said, well, you know what, it'd be really interesting to see how many goals are played in extra time, to kind of try and assess what the mental attitude is of players and teams.
00:37:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Ken, I think you've done exactly that.
00:37:58
Ken Davies
I've done a little bit homework. So sit down, make yourself a cup of tea, get yourself a biscuit, because you've got you've got me for two minutes on the subject of goals. Now, I think it's interesting because we were having a conversation about...
00:38:12
Ken Davies
ah Well, yeah it should be the most exciting period of the game, fatigue setting. we should be There should be a load of goals. Everyone's looking forward to extra time. In fact, as we suspected, it doesn't work like that.
00:38:27
Ken Davies
So I've gone looking over the extra time goals in the last four World Cups.
00:38:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
think. not.
00:38:33
Ken Davies
That's the kind of that's the kind of service you're getting for free here. I spent a bit of time on each of the World Cups trying to work out the number of goals scored in extra time and in the first half and in the second half just to see if there's any patterns there.
00:38:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not.
00:38:46
Ken Davies
And there is. And this is what's interesting.
00:38:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
not. not. not. I'm
00:38:49
Ken Davies
So...
00:38:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
not. I'm I'm not. not. not. not.
00:38:52
Ken Davies
Over the course of the last two World Cups, it's been pretty consistent.
00:38:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not. not. not. I'm not.
00:38:57
Ken Davies
168, 169 goals scored at each one of those World Cups. 39% in the first half, 61% or 62% in the second half. That's pretty consistent.
00:39:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
think
00:39:07
Ken Davies
And seems to be consistent across lots of World Cups.
00:39:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
able
00:39:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
do think
00:39:10
Ken Davies
And you would make the argument, well, that makes sense.
00:39:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
think I'm I'm going to
00:39:13
Ken Davies
In the second half, the fatigue will set in.
00:39:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
to be to be going
00:39:16
Ken Davies
At the second half, teams are chasing the game.
00:39:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
think to able do think
00:39:19
Ken Davies
In the second half, ah you can have substitutes who are fresh against players who are fatigued, and you're going to get more goals.
00:39:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
able going to going
00:39:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
think able think I'm going
00:39:27
Ken Davies
That makes sense.
00:39:28
Ken Davies
And that's actually what what happens.
00:39:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
be going to it.
00:39:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think think able going able think I'm I'm do it.
00:39:30
Ken Davies
Now, you would imagine that same pattern would carry on in extra time.
00:39:37
Ken Davies
You would imagine at least... that more goals would be scored per minute, if you like, of the game than would be in second half and would be in the first half.
00:39:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean,
00:39:46
Ken Davies
It doesn't work like that. So let's look at the last four World Cups.
00:39:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
i
00:39:51
Ken Davies
In the last four World Cups, there have been 21 games that have gone to extra time. Obviously, extra time doesn't apply in group stages. It only applies in the knockout stages. And in those four World Cups, there have been 21 games that went to extra time.
00:40:06
Ken Davies
How many goals have been scored in those 21 games in extra time, Nick?
00:40:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it's going to be low, isn't it? Otherwise, we wouldn't be discussing this. So, 21 games worth of extra time. That's quite a lot of football. Seven? Seven?
00:40:24
Ken Davies
Well, it's not quite as low as that, 15. ah So 15 goals have been scored in extra time. So that's 0.7 goals per game of extra time. ah In 12 of those games, of the 21 games, so 60% of them effectively, no goals.
00:40:41
Ken Davies
So what you tend to get is more than half the games, way more than half the games that will go to extra time, don't yield any goals at all because they just everyone just turns defensive.
00:40:52
Ken Davies
In fact, what you find is that per minute played, i remember extra time is only 30 minutes and first half is 45 and second half is 45. There are less goals scored per minute in extra time than either the first half or the second half.
00:41:09
Ken Davies
So one should expect more goals scored per minute than the second half because all the all the things apply of extra fatigue, ah substitutes on against fatigue players, people chasing the game.
00:41:22
Ken Davies
You would expect more goals per minute than in the second half. In fact, you get less than the second half. In fact, you get less than the first half. So we've got some data now to support the argument that extra time turns teams defensive, not offensive.
00:41:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
saying. I'm not what
00:41:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
not sure what sure I'm I'm not what
00:41:40
Ken Davies
And therefore, there's a lot big argument now to say extra time is actually not worth the paper it's written on.
00:41:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Interesting. Yeah, really interesting that because, i mean, of course, ah guess there's a sense here that nobody's chasing the game because the game must have been drawn on 90 minutes for extra time to be taking place.
00:42:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's that, it just becomes a little bit of a chess match.
00:42:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, no, very interesting stats.
00:42:03
Ken Davies
It does, and everyone's playing for penalties.
00:42:07
Ken Davies
Everyone's playing for penalties. You might as well just go straight to penalties.
00:42:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very good. Thank you very much indeed. And I hope Michelle and Houston, you appreciate that excellent little bit of research from Ken.
00:42:14
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:42:19
Ken Davies
Bless you.
00:42:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
It
00:42:37
Ken Davies
can only mean one thing.
00:42:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah can mean one thing. and
00:42:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It can only mean one thing. ah Get your pipe out, get your hat out. Your reward for that excellent piece of research, Ken, is Kenny's quiz, ladies and gentlemen. It's everybody's favorite time of the week. Play along at home.
00:42:42
Ken Davies
Get the pipe out, Ken.
00:42:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shout out the answer at your mobile telephone, your laptop, wherever you are listening to this podcast. Whatever you're listening to on, shout out the answer. Here we go Kenny's quiz on South Korea. this is I've got to say, I put in as much effort into Kenny's quiz as I do the rest of this podcast.
00:43:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as part of my research, I kind of take part in quizzes of online quizzes of this particular country to kind of get a sense of what one what the answers
00:43:17
Ken Davies
Oh no.
00:43:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I took place in several South Korea kind of cultural quizzes. Mate, it's hard.
00:43:26
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:43:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's hard. So I try to make these as easy as possibly can because somebody else is is just ridiculous.
00:43:29
Ken Davies
It's like a foreign country, isn't it?
00:43:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who would have thought? Right. Question number one. In what year did Seoul host the Summer Olympics?
00:43:36
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:43:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
In what year did Seoul host the Summer Olympics?
00:43:42
Ken Davies
Ooh, so to the Olympics. I'm gonna guess. olympic Olympics happened two years after the World Cup. So if I know there's a World Cup, gonna 2006.
00:43:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Close. yeah that's do too i have to accept that's the so The real shame about this is that have to accept your first answer. And if you'd said 2008 first, you still would have been miles out.
00:43:59
Ken Davies
No, that was the World Cup year, 2008.
00:44:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah yeah The answer is 1988.
00:44:17
Ken Davies
Ah, and doesn't time fly?
00:44:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
North Korea, this is question of two. I thought that was gettable, that one. Honestly, it's a lot more gettable than something else.
00:44:25
Ken Davies
You're about to ask me a question on North Korea now. We're talking specifically about South Korea.
00:44:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. We are. North Korea? Yeah, but didn't that's the only question I had on South Korea, so I thought i'll go try something else. Have you been swatting up on your borders, by the way, Ken?
00:44:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you haven't, have you?
00:44:39
Ken Davies
ah
00:44:41
Ken Davies
No. I haven't been swatting up on anything. I don't see the point of swatting up because I never get the things to swat up on.
00:44:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:44:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair days.
00:44:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
North Korea, is I mean, there's no borders. Yeah, yeah, well, we can tell.
00:44:48
Ken Davies
And winging all this...
00:44:51
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:44:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah North Korea and South Korea? formally separated in 1948. And you talked a little bit about this earlier on.
00:44:57
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:44:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
You referenced the end of the Second World War and Japanese occupation and stuff like that.
00:45:01
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:45:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
They formally separated in 1948. In the run-up to that, the two countries were, so North Korea and South Korea, were military occupation zones controlled by which two superpowers?
00:45:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you'll notice straight away.
00:45:19
Ken Davies
Well, I would imagine it would be America and China. I would imagine it would be America and China. The other moment we're thinking about this, and no, think back about that. China wasn't really a superpower then.
00:45:30
Ken Davies
It's either America and Russia, maybe. But I don't think of Russia really got involved in chaska in North Korea. I'm going to say America and China.
00:45:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I've got my hand over the cheering button here, but I'm not going to press it ah because the answer was the Soviet Union, which controlled North Korea and the USA, which controlled South Korea.
00:45:52
Ken Davies
Can't believe I got that wrong.
00:45:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't believe you got that one.
00:45:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this is an easy one.
00:45:56
Ken Davies
I thought you got ask me about the border.
00:45:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
What's the book?
00:46:00
Ken Davies
You said about border.
00:46:01
Ken Davies
Is it the 51st parallel? I've got a feeling they were separated across the 51st parallel.
00:46:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:46:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
but yeah is it this Yeah, it is. it is It is. But I mean, I think a question of which country does South Korea border with might be a little bit too easy for you.
00:46:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although although on I'm not sure. I'm not sure I might ask that. And you might still get it wrong.
00:46:15
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:46:20
Ken Davies
North Korea.
00:46:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
In fact, if I ask you, if I ask you what country South Korea ah on the border with that begins with North and starts with a K, I think you might still struggle.
00:46:29
Ken Davies
That's right. North Q8.
00:46:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
right so no Right, last question.
00:46:30
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah.
00:46:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this this plays into your musical sensibility. So I think i think i do think you'll get this.
00:46:38
Ken Davies
oh yeah
00:46:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is right up your musical street. ah South Korea spawned the global phenomenon of K-pop, which... love it when you put your head in your hands.
00:46:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Which is the most famous K-pop act? I love it when you look like that. Everybody around the world is shouting this answer out. Everybody knows this. What is the most famous K-pop act?
00:47:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
You must know the answer this. Come on, Kenny.
00:47:05
Ken Davies
ah I kind of know the thingy... Is it Guangdong style or something? Something? Guang something style?
00:47:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you mean Gangnam's?
00:47:12
Ken Davies
qua Gangnam style!
00:47:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but that's not a K-pop act. That was just a song based on a song of career.
00:47:16
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah, that was a... Oh, yeah, this is these five lads, isn't it? These five young lads.
00:47:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a song of song called...
00:47:20
Ken Davies
This is these five young lads, K-pop.
00:47:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, seven...
00:47:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's seven...
00:47:23
Ken Davies
I think they're called this...
00:47:25
Ken Davies
The seven... This is these five... These seven young lads, isn't it? I... Oh, I had no idea what called, though. Uh... K-pop, lads.
00:47:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do
00:47:39
Ken Davies
Oh my word. ah
00:47:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
you want me to help you out here? Do you want me to give you clue?
00:47:43
Ken Davies
Yeah, give us your clue.
00:47:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. So three letters. Okay. Three letters.
00:47:49
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:47:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, go on.
00:47:52
Ken Davies
KLM, JLS, ABC. they're all but They're all bands with three letters. at
00:47:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah what Do you mean other than the Dutch airline? Yeah.
00:48:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
KLM.
00:48:01
Ken Davies
WTF.
00:48:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah No, you're close. But no cigar.
00:48:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
The answer is, of course, and everybody knows this, BTS. BTS is the answer. They are, and they're a massive global phenomenon. I know loads of people went see him in London not long ago. They're huge.
00:48:08
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:48:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they're not huge. They're quite they're quite small.
00:48:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they're massive. But they are so popular and so famous.
00:48:21
Ken Davies
yeah four four eleven
00:48:26
Ken Davies
not not Not with me, they're not. I wish they'd be called WTF. That would be much better.
00:48:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, maybe you and I should start a band called, a two-man band called WTF.
00:48:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe we should rename this podcast. ah Right, not out three, K, not a great week.
00:48:37
Ken Davies
Yeah, maybe.
00:48:43
Ken Davies
That was appalling, wasn't it?
00:48:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not a great week. That was appalling. Yeah, you're back to your early season relegation form.
00:48:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, before we do our predictions, a very, very, very quick look at the manager of Korea, Hyeong Myung-boe. Considered one of the greatest Asian players of all time, Hong played in four World Cups for South Korea.
00:48:48
Ken Davies
Sorry, mate.
00:49:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Four World Cups. And he was the first Asian player ever to receive the bronze ball at the FIFA World Cup.
00:49:09
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah. yeah
00:49:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the bronze ball, if you don't know what that is...
00:49:10
Ken Davies
What's that?
00:49:12
Ken Davies
Well, i did it I did suffer from it, but it cleared up after a couple of weeks with a bit of cream.
00:49:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
is okay
00:49:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
The bronze ball is for the third so best player at the World Cup.
00:49:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a bronze silver one.
00:49:24
Ken Davies
um happy
00:49:25
Ken Davies
That's rubbish, though, isn't it? That's like being therere like the second best trumpeter in Ashbourne, isn't it?
00:49:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, but imagine what the 33rd player gets.
00:49:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
pakistan yeah um
00:49:36
Ken Davies
dead ball
00:49:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So anyway, look, the quote the point is that, you know, as a player, he was very, very highly recognised and very well, very well. ah pedigreed really, isn't it? Because he played in four World Cups, so fair play to him. Even though you might snarl at his bronze ball.
00:49:40
Ken Davies
bull
00:49:56
Ken Davies
I see.
00:49:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's a great thing. No other no other South Korean players got it. so Or had it at the time. He took over his current job as head of the national team last year. It's not his first rodeo on this effect because he's been around the national set-up for quite a long time. He's been an assistant to the men's team, ah which which which happened not long after he retired from playing in 2005. He's coached under 23s. He's coached the men's B team, because there's a career like the reserves, the B team.
00:50:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um His first spell as the main head of the South Korea team was in 2013, when he took them on ahead of the 2014 World Cup. So he had that kind of eight or nine months to get them ready for the 2014 World Cup.
00:50:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But they didn't win a game, I'm afraid, at that tournament.
00:50:39
Ken Davies
Oh dear.
00:50:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we've resigned. Poor effort.
00:50:42
Ken Davies
and In disgrace.
00:50:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Poor effort. Well, it wasn't quite in disgrace, but it was ah it wasn't it wasn't great. It wasn't great. ah I was going to make a gag there, but this is a family show, so I can't say what i was about to say. Just literally just appealed to them.
00:50:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
and So I'll gloss over that very very quickly. He seems to be doing better this time, of course. ah They've qualified unbeaten, six wins, four draws. He's seen them over the line pretty, very comfortably.
00:51:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
He emphasizes a high energy, very Korean style kind of approach. I think we know exactly what like you're going to get with his team. They're going to run around a lot.
00:51:15
Ken Davies
Super fitness.
00:51:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Discipline, defense, transition to attack. They'll swarm all over you. They'll do it at pace. And that's that's what you'll kind of expect. That's his coaching style. And he's been around that so for a long time.
00:51:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I don't think we're going to see many surprises in terms of how they play again.
00:51:30
Ken Davies
And 4-2-3-1 suits that. Loads of transition, loads defense into attack.
00:51:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
but it was if you
00:51:36
Ken Davies
It's going to be, they we we can envisage it, can't we?
00:51:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, one of the great things about 4-2-3-1, if you've got a player to play it, is that you can just say to the front four, Just go and go and don't don't worry about your defensive duties. We've got four four defenders and and two DMs.
00:51:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just go and play. Equally, you can also say, which is why I like it because it's so fluid. You can also say to the two DMs, look, you just sit and a full-back's bomb on.
00:51:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
so And the centre-halves just push a bit wider. So you kind of create that three-man defence, if you like, with with a DM sitting in front. Or, likewise, you can also get, if you're doing well on it,
00:52:00
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:52:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
and and the game's going well, or indeed if you need to, you can just sit one of the the DMs can pivot pivot. So one can sit, one can go. so it becomes a five-man attack. There's just lots of variation you can do with a 4-2-3-1.
00:52:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I always liked to play it when I was a coach. I just think it's a great formation. It's just, it's very, very, very changeable depending on any circumstance, not just circumstance of games, but circumstance within yeah five minutes of games, 10 minutes games.
00:52:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can just move stuff around quite easily.
00:52:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very flexible.
00:52:35
Ken Davies
It's certainly the most popular formation that we've come across in our review of the World Cup teams, no doubt about that.
00:52:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
and the no and that Yeah, and that tells its its own story. Right, we're going to finish, as we always do, with predictions. I went first last time, so, ken I'm going to
00:52:41
Ken Davies
It's very popular.
Predictions for South Korea's World Cup Performance
00:52:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
hand over to you. How do you think the Korean Republic are going to get on at next year's World Cup?
00:52:53
Ken Davies
Well, somewhat controversially, I think they're to have a pretty poor tournament. I don't expect great things from South Korea. I've been spent a lot of time looking at the their results.
00:53:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:53:04
Ken Davies
they're actually pretty unconvincing and they're pretty unconvincing against pretty pretty ordinary opposition.
00:53:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
which is in the committee could be all in that position.
00:53:10
Ken Davies
So I think when they come across ah much stronger opposition, I think they're going to they got to get found out.
00:53:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think
00:53:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're going to have a question.
00:53:16
Ken Davies
So my opinion, and...
00:53:19
Ken Davies
I think a lot is riding on Son Heung-min. I think he's he's obviously their talisman. He is definitely on the wane, though we love him to pieces. He's definitely not the player he was three years ago.
00:53:33
Ken Davies
ah And so, you know, I just think they haven't got the talent that's really going to trouble the better team.
00:53:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
account
00:53:40
Ken Davies
So I'm going to go for, they are exiting, they'll get through the group stages, they're coming out in round 32.
00:53:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
a
00:53:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, yeah, i've got I've got to say, I wholeheartedly concur. I had them going out in the round of 32 as well for the same reasons. I just don't think they're that good. They'll be good enough. They're they're better than the kind of lower level of teams.
00:54:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we've talked about Jordan. we've talked about Uzbekistan, who I don't expect to get out of groups. I think they will get out of the groups, but... They might get through to the 16s if they get a really favourable draw, but I don't expect them to necessarily win the group, which means they're going to come up against a better team in the round of 32. And I think that's the that's where they will exit. not with any Not with any disgrace. I just don't think they're that good.
00:54:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah don't think they're that good at the moment. And that'll be that.
00:54:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
That'll be that. So we're both on a green page, mate.
00:54:29
Ken Davies
yeah we and Yeah.
00:54:33
Ken Davies
I'm just looking at the predictions we've made already. We're not far off on most of them. We're not far off on most of them. We don't really have massive disagreements. ah And next time, we're off to the the the land down under.
00:54:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. i'm I'm interested to know that. yeah I mean, obviously we do predictions. When we talk about the predictions the end the podcast, it's probably the one bit of the podcast that we don't share information on. Because believe it or not, we do a lot of planning. We do we we rehearse. we know We know the running order, et cetera, cetera, cetera.
00:54:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the one thing we never discuss, obviously, is Kenny's quiz, but we never discuss predictions. And yet we do seem to be quite aligned.
00:55:04
Ken Davies
No.
00:55:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we're either football geniuses or or we know nothing about this game whatsoever. Time will tell. Time will tell.
00:55:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that...
00:55:11
Ken Davies
Well, of the 12 teams we've had so far, I think we've agreed on nine of them, where they're going now.
00:55:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really? That's extraordinary. Very good. Well, there's loads more to come, though. There's 48 teams this week.
00:55:16
Ken Davies
Hmm.
Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode
00:55:21
Ken Davies
Hmm. It's true.
00:55:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Right, that brings to the end of this episode. So listen, I hope you've enjoyed that deep dive into whatever you call it whether you call it Korea Republic, whether you call it South Korea, it's all up to you. Lots of information about there for you to take away and impress all your friends and family with.
00:55:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Next week is our last, last look at at the current qualifying teams because it comes to the end of the, until more teams qualify, we've done them all. And as Ken says, we're going to take a trip down under. I shall get my kangaroo sound effects ready and I should be bouncing all the way through next week.
00:55:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Looking forward to a trip to Australia. ah Australia, Ken. That will be good. That is definitely one that we should do on location.
00:56:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for now...
00:56:04
Ken Davies
Imagine.
00:56:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hope you've enjoyed this. Hope you've enjoyed this. Have a fabulous week, everybody. Look after each other. Look after yourselves from us. It's goodbye.
00:56:13
Ken Davies
Bye-bye.