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One reason every team at the World Cup can win

By Ty Finch

MOSCOW, RUSSIA DECEMBER 1, 2017: Winner's trophy at the Final Draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup at the State Kremlin Palace. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov\TASS via Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA DECEMBER 1, 2017: Winner's trophy at the Final Draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup at the State Kremlin Palace. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov\TASS via Getty Images) /
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BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – MARCH 24: Son Heung-min of South Korea during an International Friendly fixture between Northern Ireland and Korea Republic at Windsor Park on March 24, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – MARCH 24: Son Heung-min of South Korea during an International Friendly fixture between Northern Ireland and Korea Republic at Windsor Park on March 24, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

South Korea: Magic, luck, divine intervention

South Korea are the third lowest FIFA-ranked national team behind Saudi Arabia and Russia to qualify for the World Cup, and Russia only made it because they’re the host country. This doesn’t inspire much hope for head coach Shin Tae-young and the rest of the country.

Korea are a mainstay in the World Cup, having qualified every year since 1990, even finishing in fourth place in 2002 when they co-hosted the tournament. That fourth place finish was a massive outlier, however, as they’ve only made it out of the group stage one other time. Unfortunately for them, it’s hard to see Korea making it out of the group this year either.

Unless, of course, a combination of magic, luck and divine intervention collide and allow them to make one of the greatest runs in World Cup history.

Some of that magic can come in the form of Korea’s two best players: Ki Sung-yueng and Heung-min Son. Ki is a regular starter for Swansea and the team captain, and will hit 100 caps before the tournament starts in June. Son has had his best season as a professional for Tottenham this year, and is second on the team in goals scored with 12, behind Harry Kane.

The rest? Well, at least one person is hoping some luck comes with … a new kit?

Hong Myung-bo, a former coach and now secretary of the Korea Football Association is placing his hope on their competitive spirit (that every national team has to have to make it this far) and believes that the fabric of the new kit can bring out the best in the team.

So yeah, even if you’re not a religious person, praying for wins might be the best way to go.

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