Red-colored football fever heats up nation's largest stadium for World Cup qualifier

A red-colored football fever heated up the country's largest football-only stadium Thursday as more than 60,000 South Korean fans decked out in red national team jerseys packed the venue to see their team's crucial World Cup qualifier against Iran. The Korea Football Association said 63,124 fans were in attendance in South Korea's showdown against Iran in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup that started at 9 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium. This was the ninth largest cro

SoccerSept. 1, 2017

S. Korean World Cup hopes still up in air after draw vs. Iran

South Korea blew a chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup after getting held to an undermanned Iran at home on Thursday.South Korea failed to get past 10-man Iran in their World Cup qualifier at Seoul World Cup Stadium, and their hopes of securing their ninth consecutive trip to football's showpiece event remain up in the air with one match remaining in the final Asian qualifying round.South Korea are still in second place in Group A, thanks to Uzbekistan's 1-0 loss to China also on Thursday.S

SoccerSept. 1, 2017

Baseball club admits to giving money to umpire in snowballing scandal

A fourth baseball club admitted to giving money to an umpire in a rapidly-snowballing scandal on Thursday.The Nexen Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization issued an apology, saying one of its former executives wired 3 million won ($2,670) to the then umpire surnamed Choi on Nov. 22, 2013, after Choi had contacted him for cash."We'll accept any punishment that comes our way," the Seoul-based club said. "We'll cooperate with any future investigation by prosecutors."Financial transactions of any

BaseballAug. 31, 2017

Korean tennis player Chung Hyeon eliminated in 2nd round at US Open

South Korean tennis player Chung Hyeon has been eliminated in the second round at the US Open.　Chung, world No. 47, fell to the 15th-ranked American John Isner in straight sets at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Wednesday (local time). Isner dominated Chung in winning the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and 45 minutes.　 In this EPA photo, Chung Hyeon of South Korea hits a return to John Isner of the United States during their second round men`s singles match at the US Open

More SportsAug. 31, 2017

Dodgers' Ryu Hyun-jin suffers 1st loss in 2nd half

Los Angeles Dodgers' starter Ryu Hyun-jin suffered his first loss in the second half after getting torched by the Arizona Diamondbacks.The South Korean left-hander allowed a season-high six earned runs on eight hits, including three home runs, in four innings against the D-Backs at Chase Field in Phoenix on Wednesday (local time).With the Dodgers down 6-0 in the top fifth, Ryu was lifted for pinch hitter Adrian Gonzalez. The Dodgers lost 6-4 as their late rally came up short.Ryu dropped to 5-7 a

BaseballAug. 31, 2017

Baseball club admits to paying umpire as scandal snowballs

A South Korean baseball club on Wednesday admitted to paying an umpire only a day before winning a league title four years ago.The Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball Organization said a senior club employee wired 4 million won ($3,560) to the then umpire, surnamed Choi, in October 2013, after Choi had contacted the employee for some quick cash. The employee has since left the Lions, and Choi retired in 2014.Financial transactions of any kind between umpires and club employees are strictly prohi

BaseballAug. 30, 2017

Korean players on yellow card alert in World Cup qualifier

PAJU -- South Korea will have to be aware of their players getting yellow cards in the World Cup qualifying match against Iran this week, as some of their core members are just one caution away from suspension.Five South Korean players -- Kim Shin-wook, Ki Sung-yueng, Jang Hyun-soo, Choi Chul-soon and Kim Young-gwon -- are all carrying a yellow card heading into their crucial showdown against Iran at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday. If they receive another caution during the match against Ir

SoccerAug. 30, 2017

Despite securing World Cup spot, Iran football coach eager to beat Korea

PAJU -- Iran football coach Carlos Queiroz said Wednesday his side will try to collect a victory against South Korea in order to maintain their undefeated and clean sheet record in the World Cup qualifying campaign.Iran and South Korea will go head-to-head at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday. Both teams are in Group A in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.Queiroz said the match against South Korea is a great learning opportunity for Iran, but that doesn't mean his si

SoccerAug. 30, 2017

Natl. football coach says newly changed Korea will prevail vs. Iran

PAJU -- South Korea football coach Shin Tae-yong said Wednesday his side will prevail against Iran in the upcoming World Cup qualifier since their opponents will not have much information on the new national team after a coaching change. South Korea, ranked No. 49 in the world, will face No. 24 Iran at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul 9 p.m. Thursday. Both teams are in Group A in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Shin, who took over the helm last month after Uli Stiel

SoccerAug. 30, 2017

Baseball club owner questioned in money scandal involving ex-umpire

A South Korean baseball club owner has been questioned in connection with a money scandal involving a retired umpire, a source said Wednesday. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office recently summoned Lee Chang-suk, the owner and former CEO of the Nexen Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization, to investigate his connection with a former umpire surnamed Choi, who had allegedly contacted multiple team officials for quick cash, according to the source.Also on Wednesday, prosecutors said th

BaseballAug. 30, 2017

Pirates' Kang Jung-ho signs with Dominican club

Pittsburgh Pirates' third baseman Kang Jung-ho, his big league career in limbo following a drunk driving conviction, has signed with a Dominican Republic club.Aguilas Cibaenas, which competes in the Dominican Winter League, announced their signing of Kang on their Twitter page on Wednesday.The winter league season usually starts in late October and Dominican natives, prospects in search of playing time and major league veterans rehabbing from injuries often play there.Kang hasn't dressed for the

BaseballAug. 30, 2017

Korean football prospect to sign with Italian side Verona

FC Barcelona's South Korean prospect Lee Seung-woo will move to the Italian side Hellas Verona FC, a source close to the player said Wednesday. The source said Lee decided to join the Serie A outfit on a four-year deal and will complete his medical later Wednesday. Italian media reported that Verona agreed to pay Barca a transfer fee of 1.5 million euros (US$1.79 million), while the Catalans retain a buy-back option on the South Korean for two years. If the transfer is completed, Lee will be the

SoccerAug. 30, 2017

Iran football coach not afraid of playing in front of big S. Korean crowd

Iran's national football team head coach Carlos Queiroz said Tuesday his side is not afraid of playing the World Cup qualifier this week at a stadium packed with South Korean fans.Iran and South Korea will go head-to-head at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday. Both teams are in Group A in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.The Korea Football Association earlier said it expects some 60,000 fans at the 66,704-seat stadium, and they will boost the energy for South Korean

SoccerAug. 29, 2017

More than 50,000 tickets sold for Korea's World Cup qualifier vs. Iran

South Korea's football governing body said Tuesday more than 50,000 tickets have been sold for the national team's World Cup qualifier against Iran later this week.The Korea Football Association said some 54,000 tickets were sold as of 3 p.m. Tuesday for South Korea's showdown against Iran at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Thursday. This is the second-fastest pace for a national team match since October 2013, when 58,000 tickets were sold two days before South Korea's clash against Brazil i

SoccerAug. 29, 2017

Ex-MLB player James Loney leaves Korea after demotion

Former major league first baseman James Loney has cut his South Korean stint short after just 23 games, having returned to the United States in response to a demotion to the minors.The LG Twins in the Korea Baseball Organization said on Tuesday they have also placed Loney, 33, on the voluntarily retired list. Players on the list are ineligible to perform anywhere in the KBO without permission from their original club.The Twins signed Loney in July to replace injured infielder Luis Jimenez. A fir

BaseballAug. 29, 2017

LPGA rookie sensation reaches career-high in world rankings

Fresh off her second career LPGA victory, rookie sensation Park Sung-hyun has achieved a new career-high in the world rankings.The 23-year-old South Korean rose a spot to No. 3 in the latest world rankings announced Tuesday. She won the most recent LPGA event, Canadian Pacific Women's Open, last Sunday in Ottawa for her second win of the season.Park also leads the LPGA money list with a little over $1.87 million, and is a virtual lock to win the Rookie of the Year points race. She has earned 1,2

GolfAug. 29, 2017

With new coach, Korea face Iran in crucial World Cup qualifier

With a new boss at the helm, South Korea will face Iran in a crucial match this week that may determine their World Cup fate. The men's national football team, now led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, will host Iran at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul at 9 p.m. Thursday for their ninth match in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Both teams are in Group A, where they are also paired with Uzbekistan, Syria, Qatar and China. In Asia, the top two teams from Group A and B will

SoccerAug. 29, 2017

Post-arm injury, Son Heung-min declares self fit for World Cup qualifiers

PAJU -- Having returned to action after an arm fracture two months ago, South Korean football attacker Son Heung-min on Monday declared himself fit for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.The Tottenham Hotspur star joined the national team at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul, where players from the domestic and Asian leagues opened camp last Monday. They will take on Iran on Thursday and Uzbekistan next Tuesday in South Korea's final two World Cup qualifying matches.These are e

SoccerAug. 29, 2017

Korean tennis player Chung Hyeon advances to 2nd round at US Open

South Korean tennis player Chung Hyeon has reached the second round at the US Open.Chung, ranked 47th, defeated 58th-ranked Horacio Zeballos of Argentina 3-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-4, 6-3 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Monday (local time).After dropping the opening set, Chung took the second set in a tiebreak and finished off Zeballos by winning the next two sets. In this EPA photo, Chung Hyeon of South Korea returns a shot against Horacio Zeballos during their first round

More SportsAug. 29, 2017

[Newsmaker] LPGA rookie rides ‘perfect’ round to 2nd title

LPGA rookie phenom Park Sung-hyun has said she rode a “perfect” round to her second career victory in Canada.　Park shot a bogey-free round of seven-under 64 to win the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open on Sunday in Ottawa. At 13-under overall, Park defeated fellow South Korean Lee Mi-rim by two strokes.　The victory came a little over a month after Park’s monumental victory at the US Women‘s Open, the oldest major championship in women’s golf. Thanks to those two victories, Park now leads the money l

GolfAug. 28, 2017