Korea Republic

Korea Republic

 

Team Facts

 

Name: Korea Republic

Coach: Huh Jung-Moo

Captain: Park Ji-Sung

Star players: Park Ji-Sung, Park Chu-Young

Mascot Name:

Team nickname: Taegeuk Warriors

Titles held: AFC Asian Cup champion 2003 and 2008

Fifa ranking: 52

Team best known for: T-shirt fans wear with the slogan – “Reds Go Together”

 

 

Asia’s most successful team, Korea Republic, will make their seventh consecutive appearance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup taking place in South Africa. The team, also known as the Taegeuk Warriors, has won two consecutive AFC Asian Cup champion and has qualified for this year’s world cup with ease.

 

Korea is Asia’s most frequent visitor to the World Cup final tournament and this year they are planning to go all the way. Korean coach, Huh Jung-Moo, is determined to achieve good results at this year’s event, "This will be the last chapter in my football life. I will put in all my energy to achieve good results in the World Cup,” he recently said (according to Fifa.com).  

 

Korean fans can look forward to seeing their superstar, Park Ji-Sung in action this June. He will be showing off his functionality against Greece at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 12 June 2010. Park Ji-Sung will be assisted by Park Chu-Young who is known for his problem solving ability in front of the goal.

 

Korea is a spirited team that has not given up. After suffering big losses at the 1954 World Cup, they persevered. It took them 23 years to qualify for their next tournament. In 1986, they played to a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria, lost 3-1 to Argentina and lost narrowly to Italy 3-2.

 

Until 2002, when Korea co-hosted the Fifa World Cup with Japan, the team had not yet won a single match. In 2002 the team reached the semi-finals by beating Portugal, Italy and Spain in very controversial matches. Korea became the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals. The skills of players were noticed by many and some were transferred to European premier leagues.

 

In Germany at the 2006 Fifa World Cup, the Taegeuk Warriors achieved their first win outside Asia against Togo. However they were knocked out of the World Cup by Switzerland in the second round.

 

While in Nelson Mandela Bay, take the time to indulge in the pleasure of being in a place that combines big city living with small town values:

 

See the sun set on a veld covered with flowers and wild plants, watch wild animals run free and experience the thrill of watching a shark pass your boat; all this can be done in the malaria free area of Nelson Mandela Bay. The Addo Elephant National Park, an hour’s drive from the city centre, caters for all animal lovers. Enjoy the Big 7, consisting of elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark, in their natural habitat in an open vehicle or guided walk.

 

If marine life fascinates you, then diving in Nelson Mandela Bay is a must. Beautiful reefs, interesting shipwrecks from years gone by, colourful soft coral species and the warm water of Algoa Bay will keep you in the water for hours. Surfing, wind surfing, jet skiing and sailing can also be enjoyed in the Bay.

 

A delicious steak covered in a creamy mushroom sauce, chicken and prawn curry, an espetada done in a red wine sauce, sushi, or a decadent piece of double chocolate cake; will satisfy the fussiest palate. Nelson Mandela Bay has the highest capita ratio of restaurants per population in South Africa and with all that variety; everyone will definitely find something to suite their taste.

 

A vibrant array of night clubs to dance the night away, pubs where you can enjoy a beer and a game of pool, and award-winning cocktail bars that serve anything from a banana split martini to bubblegum bazooka; make Nelson Mandela Bay a popular party destination.

 

For the art lover, there are many theatre shows, museums, and art galleries in and around the Bay. Cinemas that show both the new and the old invite all for time to escape to a world that fulfills all your dreams.

 

For more information on the above activities or more activities on offer in Nelson Mandela Bay contact Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism on +27 (0) 41 582 2575 or email info@nmbt.co.za.