South Korean football is dead, said the angry fans

South Korea’s love of soccer kicked into full gear in 2011. In 2002, the country was hosting the World Cup with Japan. The team’s remarkable run to the semi-finals drew millions into the streets and lifted the spirits of a nation still reeling from the Asian financial crisis.

But since then, Japan has raced forward. In the FIFA rankings, South Korea fell to 32nd, their lowest position in four years, after their exit from the World Cup, while Japan climbed to 17th to become the top Asian team.

The two teams have been rivals for a long time, but at this point, many South Korean fans were not confident in their own team’s chances against Japan.

Some South Koreans mocked their own team after it was reported that Japan would have a chance to reach the quarter-finals despite facing South Korea in the last 16, with one fan writing on social media: “It’s kind of you to think South Korea will make it.”

“The Japanese national team seems to have found a clear answer to the basic question of what the team should strive for,” said sports critic Choi, noting that Japan has long built strong teamwork.

“On the other hand, South Korea seems to start from scratch every four years,” he said, pointing to more than 10 coaches who have arrived since 2002.

All this, he said, “makes it difficult for the national team to build experience or develop a coherent long-term strategy. The KFA has not been able to create a clear football identity based on a long-term philosophy.”

Many fans, including President Lee, seem to agree that the KFA needs a comprehensive overhaul. “I hope the current controversy sparks that change because that’s what they’re asking for — transparency and more focus on long-term strategy,” said a supporter who did not want to be named.

As the youth struggle to compete in the world, they are developing a sense of unfairness, he said. But now, “even in sport – where fairness is more important than anything else – we’ve seen football managers ignore that principle. People can’t accept that.”