Road to Rio will be decided soon

South Korean players congratulate after substitute Hwang Hee Chan, center, scored the second goal against the United Arab Emirates in a friendly match in Dubai, on Jan. 4. / AP-Yonhap

By John Duerden

No country has sent a men’s football team to the Olympics eight times, but South Korea aims to do just that. The road to Rio this summer goes through Qatar and the Asian Under-23 Championship. If these young Taeguk Warriors can finish in the top three in the tournament that starts this week, then they can look forward to Brazil.

The country has a fine record at the Olympics, with memories of London in 2012 still fresh and warm. Then, under Hong Myung-bo, the team took bronze, famously eliminating the British hosts at the quarter final stage and then defeating Japan to finish on the podium.

Four years on and Shin Tae-yong is in charge. The former midfielder already has an impressive resume. He took Seongnam FC to the Asian Champions League title in 2010 and most recently has been assistant to senior national team coach Uli Stielike.

Now Shin has a chance to grab some national team glory for himself and add to his reputation. First Korea must get out of the group. It starts with a match against Uzbekistan on Wednesday, then Yemen and then Iraq. It is not an easy group, but could have been tougher.

Finishing in the top two is the initial target to then progress to the knockout stage. As you would expect from this Asian powerhouse, there is talent and some decent experience, too. Most of the squad is made up of K-League players, which means they are out of season -- they are fresh but a little rusty.

That was the case in the warm-up games in the Middle East last week. First there was a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates in Dubai. Shin used all but two of his 23 players, so it was a case of giving them a run and clearing the cobwebs. Then there was a goalless tie with Saudi Arabia.

Two of the most exciting talents are based far from the K-League. Ryu Seung-woo, one of the bigger names to take part in the tournament, currently plays with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. He did not score against the UAE but will be expected to lend his considerable skill in attack. Ryu may be helped by Hwang Hee-chan. The country has high hopes that Hwang could be “the one,” a genuine goalscorer, and he showed some of this talent in netting in the first friendly match.

If he can find the goals to shoot the team to Rio, Hwang will repair his reputation at home. Raised at Pohang Steelers, he upset some by leaving for Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in 2014 with what seemed to be little thought to the K-League club that helped him develop and grow. This could be a big tournament for Hwang, who is still a teenager.

The same is true for Kwon Chang-hoon. The Suwon Bluewings midfielder has already appeared for the full national team, and he was impressive. He is clever and slick with a bright future. Qatar should be an excellent stage to show what he can do.

Motivation is not going to be a problem. Not only is there a record eighth appearance but the class of 2012 earned exemption from military service after winning bronze.

That is still a long way away for these youngsters as they first must qualify for Rio. It will be decided soon.