Young, talented Korea could be competitive at World Cup

Korea’s Son Heung-min will be looked upon to provide offensive spark. (AFP-Yonhap)When announcing South Korea’s 23-man squad on Thursday for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, head coach Hong Myung-bo said his players may be young, but they don’t necessarily lack experience.And local analysts mostly agreed with Hong’s view, saying the players have enough talent to be competitive in Brazil, where South Korea will face Algeria, Belgium and Russia in Group H.Hong’s players are on average about 2

SoccerMay 9, 2014

Brazil, here we come

South Korea announced a youthful squad for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil on Thursday, with few surprises among the 23 players who will take part in soccer’s grandest extravaganza.Head coach Hong Myung-bo unveiled the roster at the National Football Center here in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, north of Seoul. Hong had repeatedly said he would not make surprises for the big tournament, and mostly lived up to his words, with the majority of the players having seen plenty of action under Hong sinc

SoccerMay 8, 2014

Strasburg lifts Nats over L.A.

Rangers’ DH Choo Shin-soo bats in the first inning on Wednesday. The Korean went 0 for 4. (AFP-Yonhap)WASHINGTON (AP) ― By the time Stephen Strasburg reached back and threw a 96 mph fastball for a strikeout to end the top of the seventh with his 106th pitch, his usual first-inning struggles seemed long ago ― and his day seemed over.When the next inning rolled around Wednesday, though, Nationals manager Matt Williams sent Strasburg to the mound to face the top of the Dodgers’ order in what would

BaseballMay 8, 2014

Korea unveils youthful World Cup squad with few surprises

South Korea announced a youthful squad for this year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil on Thursday, with few surprises among the 23 players who will take part in football's grandest extravaganza.Head coach Hong Myung-bo unveiled the roster at the National Football Center (NFC) here in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, north of Seoul. Hong had repeatedly said he would not make surprises for the big tournament, and mostly lived up to his words, with the majority of the players having seen plenty of action under H

SoccerMay 8, 2014

Health-conscious

One South Korean World Cup hopeful after another has come down with injuries in recent weeks, a worrisome development that could potentially disrupt the country’s preparation for the summer’s big tournament.When head coach Hong Myung-bo announces his 23-man roster for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil on Thursday, as many as five players could remain on the mend.Sunderland midfielder Ki Sung-yueng became the latest to join the growing infirmary list on Tuesday. He returned home from his English club

SoccerMay 7, 2014

Kershaw tosses seven scoreless in Dodgers’ win

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Clayton Kershaw admitted he was nervous about making his first start in six weeks.Apparently it’s nothing new. He just hides it well.Kershaw pitched seven shutout innings in his first outing since opening day, and Hanley Ramirez and Drew Butera homered to help the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Washington Nationals 8-3 Tuesday night.“I’m always nervous, every time I start,” Kershaw said. “You want to do well. Same type of nerves tonight, but after the first inning I was able to

BaseballMay 7, 2014

Thunder star Durant wins first MVP

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) ― Kevin Durant has plenty of scoring titles. Now, he finally has an MVP trophy to go with them.The Oklahoma City Thunder star won the NBA’s top individual honor Tuesday, receiving 119 first-place votes. Miami’s LeBron James, who had won the last two MVP awards and four of the previous five, finished second with six first-place votes, and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers was third.“Everything in my life, I had to take it,” Durant said at a ceremony in Edmond. “They’re

More SportsMay 7, 2014

(Photo News) On track for games

Social AffairsMay 7, 2014

Figure Queen Kim Yu-na bids tearful farewell in ice shows

South Korea's figure skating icon Kim Yu-na bid emotional farewell Tuesday to her fans at home and abroad displaying perfect performances on her ice shows.  Kim made her last appearance on ice as a figure skater by holding the shows in Seoul for three days from Sunday, coming up with a new gala program with "Nessun Dorma" by Opera Turandot by Giacomo Puccini.Her flawless performance during the 2014 All That Skate under the title of "Adios, Gracias" was greeted with thundering applause. The 23-ye

More SportsMay 7, 2014

Liverpool title hopes crumble in 3-3 draw

LONDON (AP) ― Luis Suarez dropped into a crouch after the final whistle and sobbed, his chest heaving, until Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard walked over, pulled him up and tried to console him.The star forward pulled his jersey over his face, not wanting the world to see, and Gerrard tried to wave off a television cameraman. That elusive 19th title, so close eight days earlier, was now so far away.Liverpool wasted a three-goal lead in the final 16 minutes, crushing its Premier League title hope

SoccerMay 6, 2014

Tulowitzki’s 2 HRs flush Rangers

DENVER (AP) ― Troy Tulowitzki homered twice, Jordan Lyles pitched eight strong innings and the Colorado Rockies beat the Texas Rangers 8-2 on Monday night.Nolan Arenado also homered to extend his hitting streak to 25 games. It is the longest in the majors this season.Tulowitzki, who was named the NL Player of the Month for April before the game, had his first multi-homer game of the season and the ninth of his career. He hit a two-run shot off Texas starter Martin Perez in the fifth and hit anot

BaseballMay 6, 2014

Ki returns home before end of season

South Korean footballer Ki Sung-yueng, who plays for Sunderland on loan, returned home on Tuesday before the end of the Premier League season to recover from a knee injury, saying that he wants to play for South Korea in the upcoming World Cup.Ki is nursing tendinitis in his right knee and has missed the past three games. The veteran of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is an integral member of the South Korean midfield and should be among the easier choices for the World Cup team for this year

SoccerMay 6, 2014