With January’s AFC U23 Championship edging ever closer, join the-afc.com as we continue our look at the teams who will be vying for honours in Qatar, at a tournament that also doubles as the qualifiers for the men’s football tournament at the 2016 Olympic Games.

KOREA REPUBLIC

Korea Republic will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky in AFC competition after having to settle for runners-up finishes at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where they lost in extra-tine in the final to hosts Australia, and at the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship, in which they were pipped to the crown by neighbours DPR Korea.

The Taeguek Warriors’ marched into the AFC U23 Championship in convincing fashion after topping Group H of the qualifiers with a 100% record having kicked off their campaign with a 5-0 rout of Brunei, defeating Timor-Leste 3-0, and finishing off with a 4-0 win over Indonesia.

Three wins, 12 goals and none conceded makes for good reading but coach Shin Tae-yong will be aware that tougher challenges await in Qatar, with his side facing defending champions Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Yemen in the group stage.

The good news for Shin, who led Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma to the 2010 AFC Champions League title, is that there is plenty of attacking options in his squad with Jeong Seung-hyun, Kim Seung-jun and Moon Chang-jin all notching two goals each in the qualifiers.

In addition to the goal-scoring trio, Shin has talented youngsters Ryu Seung-woo, Moon Chang-jin, and Song Ju-hun at his disposal as the South Koreans look to improve on their fourth-place finish at the inaugural tournament in Oman.

Korea Republic’s Group B Fixtures

January 13: Korea Republic v Uzbekistan (Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha)

January 16: Korea Republic v Yemen (Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha)

January 19: Korea Republic v Iraq (Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha)....

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