Second behind Iran to whom they lost home and away in their group and could only manage draws in Lebanon and Uzbekistan, qualifying automatically at the latter’s expense on goal difference.

World Cup high

Carried to fourth place in 2002 by astonishingly fervent home support and some astoundingly dubious refereeing during their victories over Italy and Spain.

World Cup low

In 1954 Hungary defeated them 9-0 and Turkey 7-0, the second drubbing the more ignominious given West Germany thrashed the Turks 7-2.

Familiar faces

Kim Bo-kyung (Cardiff City), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton), Ki Sung-yeung (Sunderland), Ji Dong-won (Sunderland), Yun Suk-young (Doncaster), Park Chu-young (Arsenal).

The manager

Hong Myung-bo, their most capped player with 136 appearances, succeeded Choi Kang-hee, who resigned in shame in June after the lacklustre qualification campaign. Hong led the Olympic side to bronze at London 2012, knocking out Team GB on penalties with a little help from Daniel Sturridge’s miss.

How in danger is he?

The establishment man, he has only just been appointed, is yet to play a competitive match and has been groomed for the job for the past eight years. 1/10

Most likely to light up Brazil

In a young squad Bayer Leverkusen’s clever attacking midfielder Son Heung-min, who is agile, technically versatile, fast and a good finisher, will pull the strings.

Most likely to be sent home in disgrace

Again, indiscipline and dissent is taboo, though Paolo Di Canio will be willing to dispatch Sunderland’s Ji Dong-won across the Pacific with the toe of his loafer should he duck out of a header again.

Title odds: 250/1

The stereotype is …

Well-drilled running machines who will hound teams to distraction before launching sneaky counter-attacks and winning with the help of indulgent referees.

The reality is ...

Technically adept side with plenty of midfield flair but rubbish forwards and a dodgy keeper in Jung Sung-ryung.

What they’re known for?

Gangnam Style 44 per cent

Screeching fans 27 per cent

Unusual delicacies 18 per cent

38th parallel 9 per cent

How Brazilian are they?

Fans are positively Brazilian in their enthusiasm and the squad has players with the silkiest of skill but like Brazil 82 they are let down up front and in goal.

How Google translates the national anthem

The vast autumn sky is without clouds but the bright moon in the first-generation is single-minded in our hearts.

Duration

One minute and one second for the inappropriate and immature to shout out: “Hey, sexy lady, Op, op, op, op!”

How to dress like their fans

Red and blue Taeguks face-painted on to cheeks, red shirts, pockets full of Lockets for the inevitable sore throats from all the screaming.

Commentator\'s go-to stat

Sales of male make-up in South Korea account for £900m of the cosmetics market. Twenty per cent of men use foundation cream.