Top 5 surprise teams at the World Cup

South Korea (2002)

FUSSBALL: WM 2002 in JAPAN und KOREA, KOR - ITA 2:1 n.V.

Host nations often outperform expectations when given the opportunity of impressing on a world stage, yet few have done so as impressively as South Korea managed in 2002, when they made it all the way to the semi-finals.

Their run, however, was marred by numerous refereeing decisions of a questionable nature, most notably against Italy and Spain in the knockout stages. Both nations seemed to be harshly done by questionable calls that aided the co-hosts.

Led by Guus Hiddink, South Korea had been preparing for this competition for months, with their players gathered in a training camp before the competition had begun. The level of preparation that the Dutch coach had gone to prior to the competition was immediately made evident as his side won a competitive group that contained the USA, Portugal and Poland.

Formidable defensive strength, incredible industry and seemingly boundless levels of energy typified the Koreans’ style in this competition, which saw them only concede once in their opening three games.

Having negotiated the group stages, Italy were beaten after extra-time and then Spain were seen off on penalties, though not without a healthy dose of controversy.

Germany eventually proved too good for Hiddink's’ men, though only by a 1-0 margin in Seoul.

With their resources depleted, they were beaten 3-2 in the third-fourth playoff by Turkey, who had been the other revelation of the tournament. It is, however, South Korea’s run that will be remembered.