South Korea's prolonged struggle in order to regain its position among Asia's best

South Korea has been an Asian football superpower for quite a long time, began in 1956 when the AFC Asian Cup was first organised. Yes, the world's second-oldest continental football competition, older than the more popular UEFA European Championship. The two first editions, 1956 and 1960, were won by the Koreans, and it stood as the country's only major international honours. Still now.

The same issue happens to the FIFA World Cup. South Korea has qualified ten times, the most among all Asian nations, the first in 1954, and from 1986 onward. In spite of this richness, South Korea only progressed from the group stage twice, first in 2002 held at home soil (with a lot of controversies surrounding) and second in 2010. Well, the 2002 World Cup fourth-place of South Korea, though remains scandalous, appears to be also the best of South Korea on the international football stage.

South Korea, in words and by some respect, a formidable football power somehow slides into the wrong path, denying them from becoming more glorious. The Koreans, still, set a standard that everyone desired to follow. The country, now one of the most advanced countries as well as being one of the high-tech leaders, has an elaborate system developed both from their youth to the senior level. South Korea, henceforth, always dreams big, bigger than the Asian continent can offer. It has exported superstars like Cha Bum-kun, Cha Du-ri and notably Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min; the latter is the country's most recent export.

South Korea's future also appears to be bright: think about Lee Seung-woo and the newest prospect Lee Kang-in, who plays in Spain's La Liga side Valencia. With an expensive yet capable system nurtured from the age of 10, South Korea can be proud to proclaim itself as a leading youth power in Asia too.

No shortage is like that, but life isn't that dreamy. South Korea's two recent qualifiers were problematic - they failed to overcome Iran, also struggled against smaller and weaker sides in order to reach Brazil and Russia, respectively. This helps to examine why South Korea's enduring difficulties are not likely to end. This has been made worse by the fact Iran has been South Korea's opponent for the fourth consecutive qualifier, this time for the road to Qatar. Already know that Iran's football fortune has dwindled in the recent second round when Iran only survived thanked for a 1-0 win over Iraq (who also assured a place in the third round), but Iran appears to be somehow immune to South Korea's play. This is a challenge that South Korea must find its key to breakthrough. Iran has no longer been able to facilitate the system that can give them talents - the only notable successor to the recent Iranian generation is Allahyar Sayyadmanesh - but Iran's physical squad as well as its aggressive nature can be very edgy to the Koreans. So while South Korea's goal is to qualify for the 11th FIFA World Cup, they must remove the Iranian obstacle, something they have all failed in three previous qualifiers (drawing 3, lost 3).

But while Iran is challenging, the other opponents, Arab-based Iraq, UAE, Syria and Lebanon may not seem to be problematic, though Iraq represents a bigger test. The fact that Iraq managed to beat Iran in the qualification demonstrated how improved the Iraqis are, yet at least the Koreans know well how paranoid Iraq is. In fact, South Korea has never lost to Iraq in a competitive match, claiming one win and two draws. While Iraq is team-based mostly on technique, South Korea is able to use its physical capabilities and discipline to its advantage. It is clear that going to Iraq will not be easy, but at least unlike Iran, Iraq is not that dangerous.

And then, South Korea may have some opportunities: the UAE, Lebanon and Syria aren't really that powerful. Though the UAE has naturalised a number of South Americans into their rank, and the presence of Ali Mabkhout, South Korea doesn't have anything to be afraid of the Emiratis. Syria and Lebanon have also improved, the way these two held South Korea at their grounds goalless emphasised this. But it should be noted that South Korea has also beaten Lebanon 3-0 in Sidon before, and can repeat the same way if they realise which style they can produce. Syria, meanwhile, seems to be unstable and the fact that Syria topped a group that composed only China as a serious rival showed more concerns rather than goods. Teams like the Philippines and the Maldives offer some resistance, but never at the pair of South Korea. And neither China is similar to South Korea. Moreover, Syria's underperformance in important fixtures, most recently being the last-place finish in the group stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, can offer South Korea something about how Palestine, Jordan and Australia disabled the attacking trio of Omar Kharbin, Omar Al Somah and Mardik Mardikian. 18 points from these teams is a must-goal for the Koreans.

In any way, the South Koreans are still rated lower than Iran in terms of having a chance to qualify, though they have over 80% to qualify. South Korea will need to fix their issues while hoping for its biggest opponent Iran to slip out. It is possible, based on the fact Iran is less consistent than their previous forms under Carlos Queiroz. South Korea also needs not to underestimate the remaining sides like Iraq, the UAE, Syria and Lebanon, both have the capabilities to produce surprises.

Travelling to the heated desert of the Middle East can be hard for South Korea, nonetheless... and it is even longer if the country can't prove why it is Asia's best. South Korea can't just make a historic victory over Germany and then suffered a shock loss to Qatar at the same time.

Yes, it is definitely a tough test for the Koreans...