South Korea, Japan and Iraq look to Olympics to erase World Cup agony

The last time Asia went to Brazil its four representatives failed to win a single game between them. The 2016 Olympics should be a happier hunting ground than the 2014 World Cup. But then it couldn't be any worse.

All three Asian teams -- South Korea, Japan and Iraq -- preparing for the men's football tournament at the Olympics have finished in the last four of the competition in the past. The continent would love to have such a record at the World Cup.

Asia likes the Olympics; it is a big deal for the world's biggest continent. In some parts of Europe, little notice is taken of which team wins medals and, with the start of a new domestic season ahead, there are other things on their minds.

To the East, it is different. For South Korea, the Olympics are second only to the World Cup, outranking the Asian Cup. As the team won bronze in 2012, the country's football family rejoiced and the players were granted exemption (as all who win an Olympic medal are) from the 21-month military service that all able-bodied males have to undertake before they are 30.

"We kept challenging in the Olympics from its early history," South Korea's Olympic squad goalkeeper Gu Sung-Yun told ESPN FC. "And so Korea winning a medal at the 2012 Olympics was something special."

Korea are just as keen to get on the podium in Rio but their group is far from easy. An opening game against Fiji is winnable (though the comments from coach Shin Tae-Yong that any of the 16 teams are capable of winning a medal "except Fiji" may come back to haunt him) and then there are tests against Germany and 2012 gold medallists Mexico.

Much pressure is on overage stars Son Heung-Min of Tottenham and FC Porto's Suk Hyun-Juk. These two attacking players are expected to score the goals to take the Taeguk Warriors to the last four, though the reality may be somewhat different.

The Korean Football Association (KFA) is very happy the pair have been released by their European clubs, who are not obliged to do so as this is not a FIFA-recognised competition. Korean teams don't give a second thought to releasing those called-up.

Japan too. There may not be a military exemption but there is a similar desire to succeed on this stage, especially after losing out on bronze at the hands of Korea in 2012. Gu plays his club football in the J.League for Consadole Sapporo and adds: "In Japan, they were sad to fail to win a medal in the last Olympics. So there will be a stronger desire to win a medal in Rio than ever."

The defeat from four years ago has been used as motivation for coach Makoto Teguramori. Japan won the Asian Under-23 title earlier this year, coming back from two goals down in the final to defeat South Korea.

"To become No. 1 by getting even with the teams that have been beating us, there can't be a better situation," Teguramori said.

It was a measure of revenge for the Samurai Blue and getting on the podium in Brazil would be a major achievement.

Unlike his Korean counterpart, coach Teguramori has gone domestic with his overage players. All three are based in the J.League but more attention will be on Takuma Asano, recently signed by Arsenal and scorer of two goals in that dramatic comeback against Korea.

The boss has targeted the opening game against Nigeria as must-win. "It will make or break our medal chances," he said upon leaving Tokyo.

Then comes a game against Colombia and their group campaign ends vs. Sweden. Every game could go either way but the Japan team are full of technically talented players all eager to impress. Getting a medal would rank alongside the achievement of the 1968 team which took bronze in Mexico.

Iraq finished fourth in 2004 in Athens. The talent has always been there and they have the ability to achieve something special. But the opposite is also possible too.

The group is a tough one. It starts with a game vs. Denmark but then comes the test of Brazil. If Korea have more motivation than most to perform in the Olympics due to the military exemption, Brazil are just as desperate to win on home soil. Barcelona told Brazil they could have Neymar for the Copa America or the Olympics, but not both. Brazil chose the Olympics.

Iraq have long been happy to call up youngsters to the senior team, leading to plenty of international experience. Striker Mohannad Abdul-Raheem has already scored five goals for the senior side; Humam Tariq, an inconsistent but gifted midfielder, has played over 30 times; while Ali Adnan plays for Udinese in Serie A.

Preparations can be tricky for the country given its political turmoil but the team is streetwise and talented. Group A may be tough but then so is this group. If coach Saad Abdul-Amir can get them to click, Iraq could go far but the "if" is a pretty big one.

Ultimately, all three Asian teams have a good chance of going back to the scene of the continent's worst nightmare to rebuild the continent's reputation.

John Duerden covers Asian football for ESPN FC.