Korea Republic have been pitted against New Zealand, Honduras and Romania in Group B of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, following the official draw for Tokyo 2020 finals at the FIFA Headquarters in Zürich, Switzerland on Wednesday.

Kim Hagbum’s charges were slotted in Pot 1 alongside hosts Japan, South American powerhouses Brazil and Argentina, as FIFA announced the procedures of the draw last week: The pot allocation was made according to the cumulated ranking points (W: 3 points, D: 1 point, L: 0 point) in the past five tournaments from Sydney 2000 to Rio de Janeiro 2016. Continental champions have been awarded five points additionally. Korea Republic had won the AFC U-23 Championship in Thailand in January 2020.

The principle for the draw was to ensure that no group has more than one team from the same confederation, and the result is regarded as relatively kind for the Taegeuk Warriors who are looking to finish on the podium for the first time in nine years since they won bronze at London 2012. 

However, coach Kim Hagbum remained cautious about the tasks ahead, as he said: “I don’t think there are weaker opponents, and we cannot afford to underestimate any of Honduras, Romania or New Zealand in our group. We should be well prepared for each of them, in order to advance from the group stage.”

Korea Republic have won all three matches against New Zealand in the past, whilst recording two wins, a draw and a defeat in four previous encounters with Honduras. But they have never met Romania at this age level.

Tokyo 2020 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament is scheduled from 22 July to 7 August. 16 teams including Korea Republic participate in the group stage, with the winners and the runners-up from each group advancing to the knockout phase. Korea Republic open their Group B campaign against New Zealand at Kashima Stadium in Ibaraki on 22 July, before taking on Romania at the same venue on 25 July. Their final group match against Honduras takes place at the International Stadium Yokohama on 28 July.