As the curtain comes down on 2015 with the Taeguk Warriors topping Group G of the joint qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup, having kicked things off in January with a runners-up finish at the 16th edition of Asia’s flagship tournament, Korea Republic coach Uli Stielike knows that fans of the East Asian nation have been accustomed to success and will not settle for anything less.

After a year that has seen Stielike’s side lose just once in 20 matches and boosting a 100% record in the joint-qualifiers having not conceded a goal, the German modestly declared himself ‘satisfied’ in an interview with FIFA.com, and focussed on the fact that his team cannot rest on their laurels.

"Our fans' expectations will continue to rise and we will come under increasing pressure not to lose," said, the German who replaced Hong Myung-bo in September 2014 following Korea Republic’s poor showing at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Having won all six of their qualifying matches so far, the Taeguk Warriors are marching strongly towards their target of an tenth appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals, Stielike knows that his side will face considerably stronger opponents in the third qualifying round.

That said, the former Qatar-based coach maintains that there is no need to tinker too much with the tactics that garnered 16 wins and three draws in 2015 along with the 2-1 extra-time defeat to hosts Australia in the final of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

"No matter who the opponents will be, we must not change our philosophy," he continued.

"We accomplished more than just a great win-loss record. We were able to play an aggressive brand of football. I don't think we should give up on all that just because we play a strong team.....

＞＞READ MORE "AFC Official site"