‘My Career Changed After World Cup In South Africa’

Three South Korean veterans have revealed the positive impact the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa had on their respective careers.

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37-year-old Ki Sung-Yeung, 38-year-old Lee Chung-yong, and 37-year-old Koo Ja-cheol were in the early parts of their careers when South Korea qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

All three players were selected to the preliminary squad, but Ja-cheol was left out of the final squad while his friends and teammates were in the final 23-man team.

According to Korean publication News Nate, Koo was in Korea to watch Lee face Ki in a match between Incheon and Pohang, and the three met in the mixed zone to discuss the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"Facing powerhouses like Argentina, Nigeria, and Uruguay in South Africa, I felt a level of tension and loneliness unlike anything I had before," Ki explained.

"The experience I gained then gave me the strength to overcome hurdles.” He added,

"Winning the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and joining the English Premier League (EPL) would not have been possible without that experience," the ex-Swansea midfielder said.

Lee explained that his experience in South Africa helped him to gain confidence for the rest of his career.

"I gained confidence thanks to scoring goals and advancing through the group stage in my first World Cup. I think that is why I am still playing today," the former Crystal Palace man added.

It was a different story for Koo, who failed to make the final squad but revealed that missing the World Cup changed his career for the better.

"After the South Africa World Cup, I reflected on my shortcomings and played hard," he explained.

"Thanks to that, I was able to win the top scorer award at the 2011 Qatar Asian Cup, move to Europe, and participate in the World Cup."

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"My football career changed even more significantly after the South Africa World Cup than it did for Ki Sung-yong or Lee Chung-yong," he concluded.