Korea: Hong Myung-bo

As a player whose heroic qualities are revered in both host countries, it is fitting that South Korea and Japan should provide Hong Myung-bo with the stage to make World Cup history.

At 32, he is already the most decorated player in Korean football history, with a record 123 caps earned during more than a decade of sterling service to his country’s cause.

The cornerstone of South Korea’s defence, Hong - who has played in the last three World Cups - is on the verge of becoming the first Asian player to play in four consecutive finals.

Such an achievement would put him in an elite band including Pele and Diego Maradona, with only Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal and Germany’s Lothar Matthaus having appeared in five, but the gifted libero is already used to mixing it with the best.

Indeed, Hong shared a platform with Pele as recently as early December, when he helped make the draw for next summer’s finals alongside the Brazilian legend in Busan.

It was the third time he had been present at FIFA’s four-yearly extravaganza, having been invited to attend the draw for USA ’94 and then acting as Korea’s official representative for the event prior to France four years ago.

He also memorably lined up alongside Ronaldo, Gabriel Batistuta, Zinedine Zidane and a galaxy of players of worldwide repute in the All-Star game that preceded the draw for that tournament.

Having featured at Italia ’90 as a 21-year-old, Hong came to prominence four years later in America by playing a major role in South Korea’s best World Cup showing, scoring against both Spain, to inspire his side to a 2-2 draw, and Germany in the group stages.

But it is also his contribution since leaving Korea and taking his skills across the Sea of Japan that have cemented his reputation as an ambassador for not only Korea but Asian football as a whole.

Having made a name for himself in the Republic’s top flight with Korea United and then Pohang Steelers, Hong made the highly sensitive political, social and cultural switch to Japan’s J-League in May 1997, initially with Bellmare Hiratsuka.

An elegant sweeper renowned for breaking up opposition attacks with well-timed tackles and comfortable on the ball launching his own side forward, Hong’s star has shone brightest since switching to Kashiwa Reysol in 1999.

Reysol, who had previously recruited foreign mercenaries such as Brazil striker Careca and the explosive Bulgarian Hristo Stoichkov, were an attacking side full of goals but consistently undone by a weak defence.

But Hong’s arrival transformed the perennial cellar-dwellers into championship contenders, winning a host of admirers among his fellow players, coaches and fans in Japan and Korea.

‘‘He has great respect among the team, on and off the field,’’ said Tomokazu Myojin, a Japanese team-mate at Reysol.

‘‘He is our captain and is always right at your side when you need him. He cares a lot about you. He is very strong mentally and we have all learned a lot from him.’’

Hong has also used his high profile off the field, offering articulate and sincere thoughts on footballing and social matters that have helped soften attitudes between the two host countries, traditionally sworn enemies, in the run-up to the World Cup.

One Japanese commentator reckoned Hong had done much to improve relations between the two, to the extent that ‘‘because of Hong we now believe Koreans have a very warm soul,’’ while the man himself believes his on-field actions speak louder than any words.

‘‘The languages between Korea and Japan are different, and it is very difficult sometimes to find the right words to communicate,’’ Hong mused.

‘‘But the language isn’t a problem for me because I have the heart to try to say what I want from my body. This has given me the strength to overcome these kind of barriers.

‘‘Life in Japan has been a really good experience for me. I am very grateful for the love and support of the fans.’’

Injury prevented Hong participating in his final match for Kashiwa recently, but thousands stayed behind for a farewell ceremony to show their appreciation for his efforts during his three years at the club.

He has now returned to Korea to see out his playing career with his old side, the Pohang Steelers, and will be given a coaching role at the club on his retirement.

But before that day, there remains a last major challenge for Hong on the big stage. Guiding South Korea to a first-ever World Cup victory, on home soil, would provide a fitting finale.