Choi Yong Soo - has a hip injury. (Allsport)

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South Korea coach Guus Hiddink is hoping the co-hosts can 'do a Senegal' and spring a World Cup upset.

The Koreans look to have a hard task in Group D where they face Portugal, Poland and the USA.

Hiddink's players also have to cope with the pressure of expectation from a demanding public who will be desperate to see their side make the second round at least.

South Korea, making their sixth appearance in a finals have yet to win a match but that run has to end some time and Hiddink is hopeful it could be against Poland in Busan on Tuesday.

"The big teams, who are highly ranked, have to play against the little teams and surprises can happen," warned Hiddink, who has been encouraged by Senegal's shock 1-0 win over holders France.

"I hope we can do the same and make surprises the outside world is not expecting.

"We are a good team but we are the little team in our group."

Hiddink said striker Choi Yong-soo is battling to overcome a hip injury.

"He wants to play - he got injured on the hip and it is very painful," said Hiddink, who rejects rumours of problems between Choi Yong-soo and his team-mates.

"When it's written that Choi Yong-soo is a kind of rebel, I get very angry.

"There is very good atmosphere inside the team and they want to offer the Korean public a very committed performance."