Why you should watch South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup: Son Heung-min team has talent to challenge world's best

As always heading into the AFC Asian Cup, South Korea are ranked among the favourites to win the competition.

It is a status the Taegeuk Warriors retain despite the fact they have not won the tournament since prevailing as hosts back in 1960.

As yet, South Korea have been unable to translate their performances in Under-23 tournaments — an Olympic bronze medal in 2012 followed by two quarterfinal appearances at the Games and three consecutive Asian Games golds — to the senior stage.

Now coached by former Germany and USA boss Jurgen Klinsmann, the challenge is for a country that has qualified for the past 10 FIFA World Cups to step into the winners' circle.

But the point of difference does not come from Klinsmann; on the contrary, the shambling end to his United States tenure and inauspicious record at club level means the head coach is a relative cause for concern.

The real reason to get excited and make sure you tune in for South Korea matches at the AFC showpiece is the concentration of elite talent in the team, including a couple of the very best players in the world in their positions, a prolific Premier League forward, and a rising young star seemingly destined for great things.

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These are some of the big stars on show for South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup. They begin their campaign against Bahrain on January 15.

This South Korea team is anything but a one-man band. However, Son remains the star attraction and he is enjoying a thrilling new lease of life at Tottenham this season.

After a disappointing campaign last time around, the 31-year-old has stepped into the void left by Harry Kane's departure to Bayern Munich. Son and Kane were a formidable duo in tandem