Yoo Sang-Chul, who starred for South Korea during their run to the World Cup semi-final in 2002, has tragically passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The former midfielder, who made FIFA’s All-Star team of the tournament when his country co-hosted 19 years ago, was only 49.
The Korean FA confirmed his passing on Monday, following an 18 month battle with the disease, declaring: “We will forever remember the shouts and glory of the day with you.”
Sang-Chul made 124 appearances for his national side, and was a mainstay of the side that shocked the world under Guus Hiddink.
He would scored in the group stage game against Poland, and impressed as the co-hosts dumped Italy and Spain out of the competition.
The Asian side would eventually lose in the semi-final to runners-up Germany.
He had previously also featured at France '98, where he scored against Belgium.
He spent his entire 16-year club career in Asia, spending time in both Japan's J-League and his home nation.
He would also go on to be a manager, most latterly at Incheaon United in 2019.
However, on November 21 that year he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic hospital.
He commented: "I've been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
"I had jaundiced eyes and abnormalities in the body in late October. Shortly afterward I underwent a thorough health checkup and I was diagnosed."
Although it would ultimately force him to step away from management, he led the team until the end of the season, keeping them in Korea's top-flight, only starting treatment after the season was finished.
Yoo passed away in a hospital in Seoul on Monday.
