By virtue of his talent and club affiliation, Park Ji-Sung is undoubtedly South Korea's talisman and most recognizable star.
Yet as a result of a knee pain he won't be the focal point as his country host familiar rivals Japan in Seoul this evening, where a few fresh faces will make up manager Cho Kwang-Rae's matchday squad while the Manchester United man is sidelined.
The new South Korea boss has overseen a friendly victory over Nigeria and a deflating defeat at home against fellow Asian Cup contenders Iran, so a positive result and performance against the Blue Samurai will go a long way to lifting morale with Qatar 2011 around the corner.
Asia's showpiece event in January is where Korea will look to end a silverware drought at the tournament that extends back to 1960 and matches like this one present invaluable preparation against an opponent they could well face.
Cho was quick to point out that he is an advent of attractive football after his appointment, though he will be concerned that his team were frustrated by a comfortable Iran after an impressive victory over Nigeria.
Japan are in fine form and won't be any easier to beat than Afshin Ghotbi's side, though the Koreans were hugely impressive at the World Cup in South Africa.
Yoo Byung-Soo is the K-League's top scorer at only 22 years of age and has set the domestic scene alight, set also to make his international debut against the Japanese.
It'll be very much a baptism of fire if he does as his fellow countrymen never take this clash lightly; incredibly, it'll be the third time these two meet this year.
On their last meeting Park Ji-Sung was the catalyst for a 2-0 win over Japan in Saitama, just as the two sides prepared to depart for the World Cup.
A loss at home though and that result will be quickly forgotten; this is a sporting rivalry that has matured over the years and one that has never been taken lightly by the Koreans, which sets us up a tantalising affair despite its friendly tag.
It was back in May that beleaguered manager Takeshi Okada was the subject of heavy criticism for his conservative tactics, before he proved doubters wrong as he came within a whisker of taking the team to an unprecedented quarter final berth at the tournament.
Korea were by contrast rather more assured of themselves as they walked away with a huge win over their rivals back in May, though some might argue that the roles have been reversed somewhat as they prepare to meet again.
Japan have made a stunning start to life under Alberto Zaccheroni, beating heavyweights Argentina for the first time in their history earlier this week, with praise lavished on the Italian coach by the media.
There's a sense that this could be a coming of age for a team that is being encouraged by the former Scudetto winner to begin to believe in itself as a football power.
Certainly there is something of a golden generation coming through with Japanese players starring in Europe and announcing themselves both as individuals and a unit in South Africa.
The likes of CSKA Moscow's Keisuke Honda and Bundesliga starlet Shinji Kagawa represent a bright, immediate future.
Zaccheroni's 4-3-3 formation looks set to bring the best out of the attacking quality that is inherent in his squad all over the park, though he'll be employing it without first-choice centre-backs Tulio Tanaka and Yuji Nakazawa, who are both injured.
Shinji Okazaki will similarly miss out after netting the winner against Argentina, while his club teammate Takuya Honda is denied the chance to make his international debut.
Centre-back Yuzo Kurihara is struggling with injury, which leaves a slightly inexperienced back-line that will be patrolled on either flank by energetic duo Yuto Nagatomo and Atsuto Uchida.
Cultured midfielder Yasuhito Endo is seto to win his 100th cap for his country as the Japanese players look to prove their mental strength on a difficult trip and against an opponent whom they've struggled with in recent times.
Prediction
South Korea 2-1 Japan 
