Rio just around corner for football stars

The Korean national football team’s Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring a goal in the Asian Cup quarterfinal match against Uzbekistan at the Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 22, 2015. The 23-year-old football star is likely to be included on the country’s Olympic football team, as three overage players are being allowed to compete. / Yonhap

By John Duerden

On Wednesday, we will be just 100 days from the start of the 2016 Rio Olympics. For those of a football persuasion, it is time to start thinking seriously about the chances of South Korea’s men ― the women did not manage to qualify ― and whether they can match the heroics of the 2012 vintage.

Four years earlier in London, the young Taegeuk Warriors thrilled the nation by winning bronze. The fact it came courtesy of a 2-0 win over Japan was a bonus. It also gave the roster an exemption from mandatory military service.

This time, the head coach is Shin Tae-yon, not Hong Myong-bo. Shin led Seongnam to the 2010 Asian Champions League but a medal in Brazil would be another fine addition to his coaching resume.

Sixteen teams entered the draw for the group stage in mid-April. They were divided into four groups of four, with the top two progressing to the quarterfinals.

Korea will take on Fiji, Germany and Mexico. Because the first game comes against Fiji, it gives the East Asians a great chance to start the campaign with three points. Then comes what is regarded as the tough game of the three against Germany. It all finishes with the Mexicans, the gold medal winner from 2012.

“We should collect at least two wins and a draw in order to avoid Argentina in the quarterfinals,” coach Shin said after returning home following the long trip back from the draw. “We must beat Fiji in the first match and put our best efforts forward against Germany to get a good result, whether it is a win or a draw.”

Shin identified Germany as the main threat, although Mexico won gold in 2012. Korea played Mexico in the group stage four years ago and while it ended 0-0, Korea was the better team.

“South Korea have played against Mexico many times, including tournaments like the FIFA World Cup,” he said. “If we can show our unique South Korean mentality, I think we can play at the same level as Mexico.”

Just because Mexico won in 2012 does not mean it will do so again. Things change in Olympic football as this is an age-specific tournament, reserved for the Under-23s, though each team is allowed to select three overage, “wild-card” players.

Son Heung-min, 23, will be one. He may not have been playing much for Tottenham Hotspur lately but unlike the coach of the senior team, Uli Stielike, the lack of time on the field will not be an issue.

The identity of the other two overage players will be decided in the next few weeks. One could well be Hong Jeong-ho. The German-based defender was the captain of the 2012 Olympic team but broke his leg just before the tournament started.

Korea does have certain advantages when it comes to the Olympics. The team ― and the country ― takes the tournament very seriously. It is not an official FIFA-recognized tournament, so clubs do not have to release their players and this is a problem for many European and South American teams that often find their stars are busy.

The likes of Kwon Chang-hoon and Moon Chang-jin stood out in January’s Asia U23 Championships, when Korea let a 2-0 lead slip in the final against Japan. It was great tournament experience.

If Shin can get the players he wants, and he should, then Korea has a real chance.