2021: A year in review for Korean soccer

South Korean forward Son Heung-min Yonhap

By John Duerden

Another year is about to end for South Korean soccer and it has been, on the whole, quite a good one. Much of the attention, rightly or wrongly, focuses on the national team and as 2021 comes to a close, the big question is an obvious one: is South Korea going to be at the big event next year, the 2022 World Cup? If the answer is no, then 2021 will not be looked upon fondly in the history books ― but happily for fans, federations and footballers, the chances of going to Qatar are favorable.

Six games of the 10 have been played in the final round of qualification and there are four to go. The top two of the six-team Group A go to the World Cup automatically and the third-placed finisher heads into a play-off route.

Iran is in first place with 16 points and Korea is second with 14. It does not matter who finishes on top; the important part is finishing ahead of third place and at the moment, Korea is eight points clear of the United Arab Emirates. Five points from the final four games will guarantee a place at the World Cup regardless of what the UAE does. In truth, as the UAE has collected just six points from the first six games, it is hard to imagine the team getting eight or nine from the last four. It could well be that the Taeguk Warriors already have enough points on the board.

But there should be no complacency. The performances for the most part have not been great though the team has shown signs of improvement of late. Son Heung-min has also looked happier and more effective in the famous red shirt and that bodes well for the World Cup.

Son has had another fine season in the English Premier League though Tottenham Hotspur's fortunes have been up and down. He has been joined in England's top tier, which in 2021 was clearly the best in Europe, by Hwang Hee-chan who made an instant impact at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Defender Kim Min-jae has settled well into life in Turkey with Istanbul giant Fenerbahce. Hwang Ui-jo has still been doing well in Bordeaux though the club is struggling this season. Hwang was involved in the Olympics too when Korea won its group but then lost 6-3 to Mexico in the quarterfinal.

Back in the K League, the fact that the season progressed without any COVID-19 disruptions is a success. The top of the standings had a familiar feeling as Jeonbuk Motors won a fifth successive title and, for the third successive year, finished above Ulsan Horangi in second. Ulsan started the year as Asian champion but lost in the semifinal to Pohang Steelers. Pohang went to Riyadh for the final in November but lost 2-0 to Saudi Arabian giant Al-Hilal. At the bottom end, Gwangju FC was relegated to the second tier to be replaced by Gimcheon Sangmu.

Incheon's women won the WK League but South Korea had a quiet year on the international scene though that heart-breaking Olympic play-off loss to China will not be forgotten for some time. That will not be the case next year with the Asian Cup in January. A good performance in India and the team will also book a place at the World Cup which will take place the following year.