How will 2010 be for Korean Sports?

The year 2010 is shaping up to be big for Korean sports. The Winter Olympics, the World Cup and the Asian Games will all take place in the next 12 months. Also, FIFA will name two more World Cup hosts and four Korean teams will vie for the Asian Champions League crown. Here are five of the biggest questions on the minds of sports fans for 2010:

1. Will Korea Win Its Bid for the 2022 World Cup?

South Korea, the co-host of the 2002 World Cup, has been bidding to bring the tournament back to the Asian continent.

The nation, which declared its bid in February, will compete against nine candidates - Australia, England, Japan, the United States, Russia, Indonesia and Qatar, along with joint bids from Belgium and the Netherlands, and Spain and Portugal.

2. Will Korea reach the 2nd Round in South Africa?

With the exception of the 2002 World Cup held on home soil, South Korea has had little to show for its seven trips to the tournament. The nation has never advanced beyond the group stage on foreign soil and had just one victory, a 2-1 triumph against Togo in Germany, four years ago.

But South Korea has received a manageable draw at the South Africa World Cup in June, as Huh Jung-moo's side will face Argentina, Nigeria and Greece.

3. Can Choo Shin-soo Lead Korea to Victory at Asian Games?

Cleveland Indians' budding star Choo Shin-soo is expected to provide a big boost to South Korea's drive for its third gold medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November.

4. Will Korea Win More Medals than Ever Before at the Winter Olympics?

With an emerging long track speed skating team and a gold medal favorite in women's figure skating, South Korea could record its biggest medal haul ever at the Winter Olympic Games this February in Vancouver.

5. Which Korean team has the best chance at winning the AFC Champions League?

Four K-League sides ― Pohang Steelers, Jeonbuk Motors, Seongnam Chunma and Suwon BlueWings ― will compete at the 2010 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, scheduled to start on Feb. 23.

 

Full Article: 2010 Shaping Up to Be Big for Korean Sports

by Kang Seung-woo (ksw@koreatimes.co.kr )

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2010/04/136_58383.html