South Korea national football team results (1990–1999)

The South Korea national football team experienced a period of significant participation and some success in international football competitions between 1990 and 1999. This decade saw them participate in two FIFA World Cups, two AFC Asian Cups, and numerous friendly matches and other tournaments.

FIFA World Cups:

• 1990 FIFA World Cup (Italy): South Korea qualified for the 1990 World Cup, their first appearance since 1986. They were drawn into Group E with Belgium, Uruguay, and Spain. They lost all three group matches, failing to advance to the knockout stage.

• 1994 FIFA World Cup (United States): South Korea again qualified for the 1994 World Cup. Drawn into Group C with Germany, Spain, and Bolivia, they recorded a draw against Bolivia and a memorable 3-2 loss to Germany after being down 3-0, showcasing their fighting spirit. However, they did not advance beyond the group stage.

• 1998 FIFA World Cup (France): South Korea participated in the 1998 World Cup held in France. They were placed in Group E alongside the Netherlands, Mexico, and Belgium. The team lost their first match to Mexico, followed by a heavy defeat against the Netherlands. In their final match, they managed a 1-1 draw against Belgium, again failing to progress to the knockout rounds.

AFC Asian Cups:

• 1992 AFC Asian Cup (Japan): South Korea participated in the 1992 AFC Asian Cup, reaching the quarter-finals where they were defeated by Saudi Arabia.

• 1996 AFC Asian Cup (United Arab Emirates): South Korea reached the quarter-finals of the 1996 AFC Asian Cup, losing to Iran.

Other Notable Events and Trends:

• This period saw the emergence of several notable players who became key figures in Korean football, contributing to the team's performance throughout the decade.
• The focus was on improving competitiveness on the world stage, with increased emphasis on tactical development and player conditioning.
• A significant number of friendly matches were played to prepare the team for major tournaments and to experiment with different formations and strategies.

Summary:

The 1990s were a period of consistent participation in major international tournaments for the South Korea national football team. While they consistently qualified for the FIFA World Cup, they were unable to advance past the group stage. They also made quarter-final appearances in both the 1992 and 1996 AFC Asian Cups. This decade laid the groundwork for future successes, as the team gained valuable experience on the international stage and continued to develop its footballing infrastructure.