Taeguk Warriors Goes From Strength To Strength; ESPN FC Calls South Korea National Football Team ‘Asia’s Number One’ In 2015

by Diana Tomale / Nov 01, 2015 10:56 PM EST

South Korean team head coach Uli Stielike says Taeguk Warriors needs to win more games to advance to the final stage of the qualifier round. (Photo by Chung Sung Jun / Getty Images)

South Korea's Taeguk Warriors reach the final of AFC Asian Cup in January after 27 years. The national team surpassed Iraq 2-0 in the first semi-final on January 26 in Sydney. South Korean striker Lee Jeong Hyeop scored in the 20th minute after defender Kim Jin Su sends in a free kick.

The team doubled their lead over Iraq in the 50th minute of the game. After the match, the contender failed to bounce back and failed to play in the third place consolation competition.

The South Korea national team last appeared in AFC Asian Cup finals in 1988, however, the team lost the final against Saudi Arabia on penalties 4-3.

Although Taeguk Warriors failed to win the title in the AFC Asian Cup early this year, the team is still considered as "Asia's number one" in 2015, as reported by ESPN FC on Sunday.

The website also adds that the team has proven that it is going from strength to strength after beating Kuwait 1-0 on October 8. The victory gave them their fourth consecutive win for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, as reported by Yonhap News Agency on Oct. 9.

"There's no doubt Kuwait were the toughest opponent we've faced so far in the qualification stage," says Coach Uli Stielike. "We weren't quite as aggressive as we should have been in the first half, but I think we got better in the second half. Considering the number of chances we generated and our advantage in ball possession, I think we deserved to win."

Reports reveal that the South Korea national football team dominates Group G in the second round of qualification for 2018 FIFA World Cup with a total of 12 goals.

"I think we're moving in the right direction, since we've won all of our matches without allowing a goal. We need to win more games to advance to the next round. I don't think 12 points will be enough," Stielike adds.

Further reports reveal that top teams from eight groups will proceed to the final round, including four best runners-up. If Taeguk Warriors proceeds to the final stage, the team is a step closer for their ninth appearance in the FIFA World Cup.