South Korea manager has stated his desire to make South Korea play football in the way Spanish play. Cho Kwang-Rae, 56, who was appointed Wednesday by the Korea Football Association, praised the skilful Spanish passes and quick movement between defence and attack.

"South Korean football (players) should move and run faster with short passes to narrow the gap with world-class football teams," Cho was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying.

"I want to emulate Spain."

South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo has named his final World Cup squad of 23 players with Japan-based striker Lee Keun-ho missing the cut along with midfielders Ku Ja-cheol and Shin Hyung-min.

Defender Kang Min-soo was restored to the squad to replace Kwak Tae-hwi, who injured his knee in Sunday's 1-0 warm-up loss to Belarus.

Striker Lee Dong-gook made the final team despite not being fully recovered from a hamstring injury.

The final squad was released early on Tuesday by the Korea Football Association in Seoul to meet FIFA's June 1 deadline.

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South Korea coach Huh Jong-moo believes his side's impressive victory over the Ivory Coast leaves them perfectly positioned to make an impact at this year's World Cup.

Goals from Lee Dong-gook and Kwak Tae-hwi secured a 2-0 win against the Elephants at Loftus Road as South Korea impressed on the counter-attack at the home of second division Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday.

The 2002 World Cup semi-finalists face Argentina, Nigeria and Greece in their Pool in South Africa, and Huh is adamant his side's preparations are going to plan perfectly.

Pohang Steelers' newly-acquired Seol Ki-hyeon quit his 10-year stint in European leagues, including the Premiership, to take a shot at his third World Cup appearance.

But even before stepping on K-League turf, the 31-year-old's hope of playing in football's biggest tournament has nearly been dashed due to injury.

According to the K-League team Wednesday, the attacking midfielder was evaluated to have torn cartilage in his left knee after complaining of pain there during practice two days earlier. A second examination also showed that surgery is likely necessary.