Road to Qatar: how South Korea qualified for World Cup 2022

South Korea made it an impressive 10 World Cups in a row after qualifying for the finals in Qatar with two group games still to play.

A 2-0 win over Syria in Dubai, coming hot-on-the-heels of a 1-0 victory over Lebanon, meant Paulo Bento's side became the 15th nation to qualify for the 32-team tournament.

Talismanic striker Son Heung-min led the way in both the qualification groups scoring seven goals in total and the Tottenham Hotspur attacker now has 34 in 103 appearances for his country.

“[Son’s] always motivated to play for the national team and has ambitions to make good things happen and make people happy. And, of course, he has the support of all the other players which makes his job easier,” said Portuguese coach Bento of his star striker.

“But the most important thing is we all work together and play as a team, and the good results the players are achieving make the role of captain much easier.”

In Qatar, South Korea were drawn in Group alongside H alongside Portugal, Ghana and Uruguay.

November 24 Uruguay v South Korea – Education City Stadium (5pm)

November 28 South Korea v Ghana – Education City Stadium (5pm)

December 2 South Korea v Portugal – Education City Stadium (7pm)

South Korea manager Paulo Bento celebrates with his players after qualifying for the Qatar World Cup. EPA

Second round (Group H)

September 10, 2019 Turkmenistan 0 South Korea 2 (Na Sang-ho 13', Jung Woo-young 82')

October 10, 2019 South Korea 8 (Son Heung-min 10', pen 45+5', Kim Shin-wook 17', 30', 54', 64', Hwang Hee-chan 20', Kwon Chang-hoon 76') Sri Lanka 0

October 15, 2019 North Korea 0 South Korea 0 (Match voided after North Korea withdrew from competition)

November 14, 2019 Lebanon 0 South Korea 0

June 5, 2021 South Korea 5 (Hwang