Bento aims to end South Korea's Asian Cup drought

Soccer Football - International Friendly - South Korea v Panama - Cheonan Stadium, Cheonan, South Korea - October 16, 2018 South Korea's Hwang Hee-Chan in action with Panama's Luis Ovalle as South Korea coach Paulo Bento looks on REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea are making a habit of replacing their coach in the run-up to Asian Cup tournaments but if Paulo Bento can emulate Uli Stielike's performance four years ago then the reward will have been well worth the risk for the two-times champions.

Stielike was appointed manager in September 2014, just four months prior to the region's top international tournament, but still managed to guide Korea to the final in Australia where they lost 2-1 in extra time to the hosts.