[Photo News] Seoul lights up on night of match against Germany

In what became both the first win and the last match for South Korea in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, a number of Korean fans gathered in various venues across the country and lit up the night with chants and screams.The Group F match between South Korea and Germany took place from 11 p.m., Wednesday in Korea.Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul was packed from corner to corner with people clad in red, praying for a “miracle.”According to Soccer Power Index, the chances of South Korea winni

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] Mexican soccer fans burst out brotherly love for Korea

Mexico desperately needed South Korea to beat Germany in order to qualify for the next round in the 2018 World Cup. Surprisingly, Mexico got what it wished for. South Korea’s 2-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday united South Korean and Mexican soccer fans all around the world. Hundreds of Mexican fans flocked to the South Korean embassy in Mexico City to show their gratitude for helping Mexico progress to the knockout stage despite its defeat against Sweden. With some holding the South Korean f

SoccerJune 28, 2018

Merkel ‘very sad’ over Germany’s World Cup loss to Korea

Chancellor Angela Merkel said that German people are “very sad” over the country’s stunning 2-0 loss to South Korea on Wednesday, as the defending champion got kicked out of the World Cup. Merkel was quoted as saying, “Honestly, all of us are very sad tonight,” during a conversation with humanoid robot Sophia at a robotics conference, just hours after Germany was defeated by Korea, resulting in its failure to advance to the next round.Her spokesman Steffen Seibert also expressed disappointment,

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[Newsmaker] Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, ‘Man of the Match’ against Germany

In South Korea’s surprise 2:0 win against Germany in the World Cup match on Wednesday, the most notable player was Korea’s goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, who was made the Man of the Match by FIFA. Jo saved all six clean shoots by Germany, demonstrating quick reflexes with some astounding saves. Fans observed Jo must have “magnet hands.” German team made 10 other off target shoots. “Congratulations, Jo Hyeon-woo, you have been admitted to the ‘Do You Know’ club,” “BREAKING- Jo Hyeon-woo joins ‘Do You K

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea end Russia 2018 with stunning win, 2 painful losses

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea's 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign can be summarized with this: one stunning win and two painful losses.In their 10th World Cup, South Korea had to fight with Sweden, Mexico and Germany in Group F. And as many would have expected, reaching the knockout stage ahead of football powerhouses wasn't an easy mission.South Korea, led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, entered Russia as certain underdogs in their group. At only No. 57 in the FIFA rankings, South Korea had to fight an

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] Stars rise and fall in S. Korea's Russia 2018 journey

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea suffered an early exit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but even in their short time at football's showpiece event, the Taeguk Warriors saw new stars rising. South Korea were eliminated in the group stage at the 2018 World Cup after finishing third in Group F. They beat defending champions Germany 2-0 in their final group stage match, but fell 1-0 to Sweden and 2-1 to Mexico in the first two matches. Among South Korean players who made his name internationally was goalkee

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean players to resume club duties after early exit

KAZAN, Russia -- With their 2018 FIFA World Cup journey coming to an end, South Korea's national football team players will return home later this week and prepare for fresh starts with their respective clubs. South Korea failed to advance to the round of 16 despite their 2-0 win over defending champions Germany in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday. South Korea finished third in Group F with one win and two draws. South Korea's 23-man squad flew back to their World Cup base camp in Saint Petersburg ho

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea's 4-year journey to Russia 2018 ends with regrets

KAZAN, Russia -- Now, they have to wait another four years. South Korea's four-year quest to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia concluded with a stunning 2-0 win over defending champions Germany on Wednesday. Despite the historic win, South Korea couldn't smile as they failed to make the round of 16. The Taeguk Warriors ended up in third place in Group F. Before meeting Germany, they suffered a 1-0 loss to Sweden and fell 2-1 to Mexico.Considering what they've gone through for the last four years

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] Much-maligned player gets last laugh in win

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korean defender/midfielder Jang Hyun-soo knew he'd hit rock bottom, but he still tried to look on the bright side.The only way for him to go, after all, was up.After dismal performances against Sweden and Mexico at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Jang turned in a solid game as South Korea shocked Germany 2-0 on Wednesday. Though South Korea still missed out on the knockout play, the victory provided a feel-good  finish to what had been an extremely stressful competition for

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean coach's future uncertain despite win over Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea football coach Shin Tae-yong's future is still under a cloud of uncertainty even after the national football team's historic win over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.South Korea beat Germany 2-0 in their final Group F match at Kazan Arena. Even so, South Korea failed to advance to the round of 16 in their 10th World Cup. The Taeguk Warriors earlier lost 1-0 to Sweden and fell 2-1 to Mexico. Both Sweden and Mexico finished Group F with two wins and one

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] Son Heung-min's 2nd tournament experience ends in tears, but with different meaning

KAZAN, Russia -- Son Heung-min wept again at the FIFA World Cup, but this time for a different reason.Son, wearing the captain's armband, scored South Korea's second goal in the Taeguk Warriors' stunning 2-0 win over defending champions Germany in their Group F closing match on Wednesday. It was his second goal of the tournament, following his left-footed curler against Mexico in their second Group F match. Son burst into tears after the final whistle at Kazan Arena, and his tears had somewhat d

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] Defender transforms himself from ugly duckling to hero through Russia 2018

KAZAN, Russia -- Before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, South Korean defender Kim Young-gwon was one of those players who seemed to have more haters than fans. Now that ugly duckling has changed into a swan with his inspiring performance, especially with South Korea's 2-0 win over Germany at Kazan Arena on Wednesday.Kim scored South Korea's opening goal in the 94th minute from close range. His scoring was initially ruled offside, but after a video review, it was ruled a legitimate goal.  South Korea`s

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean keeper remains humble after blanking Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea did the nearly unthinkable at the FIFA World Cup here on Wednesday, blanking defending champions Germany 2-0 to close out Group F action behind yet another stellar performance from goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.Though South Korea were still eliminated from knockout contention, Jo was named the well-deserved Man of the Match. But he remained the picture of humility, saying any of the two other goalkeepers on the team, Kim Seung-gyu and Kim Jin-hyeon, would have done just as

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea avoid dishonorable records with win over Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea avoided dishonorable records in their football history with their historic win over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.South Korea blanked defending champions Germany 2-0 in their final Group F match at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow. This was South Korea's first win at the 2018 World Cup after losing 1-0 to Sweden and falling 2-1 to Mexico. Shin Tae-yong's side finished third in Group F ahead of Germany. The loss against the wo

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea stun Germany on way out of World Cup

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea stunned Germany 2-0 while being eliminated in the group stage at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, bringing the defending champions down with them.South Korea needed to beat Germany by at least two goals and have Mexico defeat Sweden in the other Group F match Wednesday. The Taeguk Warriors took care of their own end at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow, with Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min each scoring in second-half stoppage time. But Sweden

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[Trending] Can South Korea pull off ‘miracle’ against Germany in World Cup?

With two losses and key players injured, South Korean fans have mixed feelings about the decisive game against Germany slated for Wednesday 11 p.m.“Our third or last opponent #Germany. Our only answer is victory!” said a Twitter user. Other tweets expressed how they will pray for a miracle.Another user was not optimistic, “I have already given up. Just hope that Germany does not win by 7:0.” The users also posted about how they were betting on foreign-based betting sites that Germany would win b

SoccerJune 27, 2018

[World Cup] Kim Jong-un, Putin lookalikes stun soccer spectators

Just as Uruguay and Russia were about to face off for the Group A teams’ third match, the crowd went wild, as it appeared North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had made a sudden appearance at Samara Arena, local media outlets reported. According to 24 Horas, a Kim Jong-un lookalike, wearing thick-rimmed glasses and an all-black suit, turned heads as he walked into the stadium without a security detail. The crowd reportedly was hesitant at first, but soon surrounded him in hopes of getting a picture to

SoccerJune 27, 2018

Park Tae-hwan qualifies for 4th straight Asian Games

The 2008 Olympic swimming champion Park Tae-hwan will compete in his fourth consecutive Asian Games for South Korea, the sport's national governing body said Wednesday.The Korea Swimming Federation announced a roster of 31 male and 28 female athletes to represent the country at the Aug. 18-Sept. 2 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.Park, who won the Olympic title in the men's 400-meter freestyle 10 years ago, will be racing in his fourth consecutive Asiad. (Yonhap)The 28-year-old ma

More SportsJune 27, 2018

Rangers' Choo Shin-soo extends on-base streak to 39 games with 9th inning hit

Texas Rangers' South Korean outfielder Choo Shin-soo has extended his career-high on-base streak to 39 games.Batting leadoff and playing right field, Choo picked up a ninth inning single against the San Diego Padres to keep his streak alive at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday (local time).He has been on base safely in every game since May 13 against the Houston Astros. This is the longest active streak in Major League Baseball, and the second longest of the season after a 40-game

BaseballJune 27, 2018

[World Cup] Can Son Heung-min earn pass on military service?

Online soccer platform Onefootball said Tuesday that there had been hopes for South Korean soccer players to be exempted from military service should they advance to the quarterfinals or further at the World Cup.A number of newspapers touched on Son Heung-min’s struggles to avoid military service upon discussing South Korea’s upcoming match against defending champion Germany on Wednesday.(Yonhap)As the speculation circulated, soccer media news publisher 101 Great Goals countered, saying the Worl

SoccerJune 27, 2018