(Sports) South Korea vows to end title draught in 55 year's Asian Cup participation

The South Korean football team has its eyes on the title of the Asian Cup, in which the team has been participating for the past 55 years but failed to win any champion, team captain Ki Sung Yueng said at a press conference in Canberra on Friday.

"It's a shame. We have participated in the most but never win. It's weird," said the star who currently plays in English Premium League club Swansea.

After disappointing performances in the World Cup last year in Brazil, the South Korean national team was painted by domestic media a negative image and has been since under great pressure.

"We want to bring confidence although we can't say that we are the strongest in Asia," Ki said.

"Tomorrow we will have the first game. If we win, there will be less pressure," Ki said.

Head Coach Uli Stielike refused to let the shadow of the defeats in World Cup affect the moral.

"Brazil is the past," said Stielike, "We have to look forward. We can change the (negative) atmosphere in South Korea in tomorrow 's game. We have big confidence in our players. As I said in South Korea, I will bring the team not only to the TV but also into the heart."

"You can only do that by playing good football with good result, " he said.

South Korea has some of Asia's best players who are playing in top European leagues, including Ki in Swansea, Son Heung Min for Leverkusen in Bundasliga, Lee Chung Yong for Bolton in the Championship League.

However, Stielike said it is not the Most Valuable Player (MVP) but the best team in the tournament that the team is looking after.

"If we don't run good as a team, the individuals can do nothing. We have to bring everybody together." Endi