The Korea Herald

[World Cup] FIFA urged to tackle discrimination

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― A monitoring group has challenged FIFA to show leadership in tackling discrimination after the sport’s world governing body dropped an investigation of Mexico fans chanting an alleged gay slur.FIFA’s disciplinary panel ruled Monday that the chant heard during Mexico vs. Cameroon on June 13 “is not considered insulting in this specific context.”Closing that case ended potential FIFA action against Brazil’s football federation after fans exchanged the same chant during the ho

SoccerJune 24, 2014

The maturation of Wie

PINEHURST, North Carolina (AP) ― Michelle Wie put her table-top putting stance to good use in the late hours after she became a U.S. Women’s Open champion.In a photo she posted to Instagram, Wie is bent over so sharply that her back is parallel to the ground. Only instead of a hitting a putt ― like the 25-footer for birdie on the 17th hole at Pinehurst No. 2 that clinched her first major ― her head is buried in the Women’s Open trophy.A text message to Meg Mallon would seem to confirm what she w

GolfJune 24, 2014

[World Cup] Korean star says each player has to assume leadership

The young South Korean squad at this year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil may be lacking leadership, but the players shouldn't make an excuse out of their plight, one of the team's stars said Monday.South Korea dropped to Algeria 4-2 on Sunday in Group H, a loss that left the Asian side in last place among four teams at one point with the final group match versus Belgium set for Thursday.Algeria scored three goals in a 12-minute stretch midway through the first half and the match was even more lopsid

SoccerJune 24, 2014

[World Cup] Korean star says each player has to assume leadership

[World Cup] Without Vidal, Chile flat against the Netherlands

Without star midfielder Arturo Vidal, Chile looked nothing like the powerhouse that knocked defending champion Spain out of the World Cup.One of the most attacking and attractive teams at the tournament thus far, Chile started out with its trademark style but faded quickly as the Dutch established their dominance and earned a 2-0 victory Monday.Netherlands` Nigel de Jong stops Chile`s Alexis Sanchez`s attack during the group B World Cup soccer match between the Netherlands and Chile at the Itaqu

SoccerJune 24, 2014

[World Cup] Without Vidal, Chile flat against the Netherlands

[World Cup] Spain salvages pride with 3-0 win over Australia

Defending champion Spain salvaged some World Cup pride on Monday with a convincing 3-0 victory over Australia in their last match at the tournament.Spain`s David Villa fires wide with a shot during the group B World Cup soccer match between Australia and Spain at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, Monday. (AP)After losing their previous matches in Group B to the Netherlands and Chile, both teams took to Arena da Baixada in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba knowing they could not adv

SoccerJune 24, 2014

[World Cup] Spain salvages pride with 3-0 win over Australia

[World Cup] Brazil beats Cameroon 4-1, reaches 2nd round

Neymar knew the responsibility was his. An increasingly anxious host nation was relying on him to ensure Brazil avoided the almost inconceivable prospect of going out in the group stage of a World Cup on soil.The 22-year-old Barcelona striker delivered on the weighty expectations Monday, setting the Selecao on course to clinch its place in the knockout stage with two precision first-half goals in a 4-1 rout of Cameroon.“I have the responsibility to go out there and help my teammates, said Neymar

SoccerJune 24, 2014

[World Cup] Brazil beats Cameroon 4-1, reaches 2nd round

[World Cup] Korea routed by Algeria

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil ― South Korea’s defensive problems returned to the fore as it fell 4-2 to Algeria in Porto Alegre on Sunday, giving the African country its first World Cup victory in 32 years.Facing a far more aggressive opponent than in its opening match with Russia, Korea displayed a less careful and more desperate game against a heavy defense and speedy offense. Midfielder Son Heung-min and captain Koo Ja-cheol softened the blow with second-half goals, but the team’s weak defense could n

SoccerJune 23, 2014

[World Cup] Belgium powers through

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― Teenage forward Divock Origi turned a listless Belgian performance into a late 1-0 win over Russia on Sunday, enough to qualify for the next round of the World Cup with two straight victories.Belgium barely contained a reinvigorated Russia for most of the match, yet struck with a blistering final spurt of class and opportunism to turn a bad situation into a wild celebration for coach Marc Wilmots in the 88th minute and hugs all around at the fulltime.“It was not easy, but w

SoccerJune 23, 2014

[World Cup] Pitch invader was neo-Nazi sympathizer

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― The man who invaded the pitch during the Germany-Ghana match at the World Cup was a neo-Nazi sympathizer, according to a report that will be delivered to FIFA on Monday.The fans’ anti-discrimination network, Fare, is preparing a report on Saturday’s incident, when a shirtless fan interrupted play.Messages written on his chest and back included “HH,” signifying Heil Hitler, and “SS,” referring to the Nazi paramilitary unit.“There would be no other explanation for it,” Fare e

SoccerJune 23, 2014

[World Cup] Number crunching begins for Korea

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (Yonhap) ― It seems to be an unlikely scenario after South Korea was thoroughly defeated by Algeria 4-2 on Sunday at the FIFA World Cup, but the Asian side still has a fighting chance to reach the knockout stage.An earlier 1-1 draw with Russia and the loss Sunday leave South Korea with one point, last among the four teams in Group H. South Korea will face Belgium in its must-win finale on Thursday in Sao Paulo.Belgium already qualified for the knockout stage with a 1-0 win o

SoccerJune 23, 2014

[World Cup] Asia having a terrible World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― At midway point, the World Cup went from bad to worse for Asia and the tournament’s next host, Russia. But it went from great to even better for spectators hankering for goals.South Korea teeters on the verge of elimination after losing 4-2 to Algeria on Sunday. Asia is now at real risk of having no team in the next knockout round of football’s showcase.One of the four Asian nations ― Australia ― is already sure to be going home, regardless of whether it wins its last match

SoccerJune 23, 2014

[World Cup] Argentina’s only sparkle: Messi’s left foot

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) ― It’s hardly a secret weapon. Everyone knows Lionel Messi shoots with his left foot 9 times out of 10.Yet over 90 minutes there’s bound to be that one moment when he finds enough space to unleash a left-foot strike that can’t be stopped even if you see it coming.Against Bosnia, it was with 25 minutes left of the match. Against Iran, it happened in stoppage time.In fact, considering that Bosnia’s early own goal in the opening Group F match resulted from Messi’s free k

SoccerJune 23, 2014

Wie holds on to win Women’s Open

PINEHURST, North Carolina (AP) ― Michelle Wie finally delivered a performance worthy of the hype that has been heaped on her since she was a teenager.Wie bounced back from a late mistake at Pinehurst No. 2 to bury a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, sending the 24-year-old from Hawaii to her first major championship Sunday, a two-shot victory over Stacy Lewis in the U.S. Women’s Open.Wie closed with an even-par 70 and covered her mouth with her hand before thrusting both arms in the air.Lewi

GolfJune 23, 2014

Streelman prevails at Travelers, Choi in 2nd

CROMWELL, Connecticut (AP) ― As much as Kevin Streelman enjoys the back nine at TPC River Highlands, even he didn’t think he what he accomplished Sunday was possible.Streelman birdied the last seven holes to win the Travelers Championship by a stroke, shooting his second straight 6-under 64 to finish at 15-under 265.“It’s probably my favorite nine holes on the PGA Tour,” Streelman said. “But you can’t plan for something like that to happen. It just kind of falls into place.”He broke the tour rec

BaseballJune 23, 2014

Streelman prevails at Travelers, Choi in 2nd

Ryu handcuffs Padres in Dodgers’ 2-1 win

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin delivers in the first inning on Sunday. ( AFP-Yonhap)SAN DIEGO (AP) ― Ryu Hyun-jin pitched six solid innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Padres 2-1 Sunday soon after San Diego’s general manager Josh Byrnes was fired.Ryu (9-3) had few problems against the light-hitting Padres, as he won for the sixth time in seven starts since missing more than three weeks with shoulder inflammation.The left-handed Ryu gave up one runs and four hits, and he did no

BaseballJune 23, 2014

Ryu handcuffs Padres in Dodgers’ 2-1 win

[World Cup] Korean fans despondent after World Cup defeat

Cheers by tens of thousands South Koreans on the street across the country were muted early Monday following the national football team's defeat against Algeria in their second World Cup match.The Group H clash between South Korea and Algeria kicked off at 4 a.m. on Wednesday (Seoul Time) at Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, southeastern Brazil.Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul turned into a sea of red as fans packed the plaza, sporting their signature Red Devil shirts and hair bands, and ho

SoccerJune 23, 2014

Michelle Wie wins U.S. Women's Open

Michelle Wie won the US Women's Open on Sunday, firing an even-par final round of 70 at Pinehurst for the first major title of her career.The American, tipped for stardom even before she turned pro at the age of15 in 2005, finished with a two-under total of 278, two strokes in front of world number one Stacy Lewis, who kept the pressure on with a final-round 66 for 280.(AFP-Yonhap)"I just had a lot of fun out there," said Wie. "I woke up so excited. I was so grateful for this opportunity."Wie sa

GolfJune 23, 2014

[World Cup] Korea routed by Algeria 4-2

Korean player Son Heung-min reacts as the national team was defeated by Algeria 4-2 in the World Cup on Sunday. (AFP-Yonhap)PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil -- South Korea suffered a 4-2 defeat to Algeria on Sunday in its second group-stage match of the World Cup. Korean midfielder Son Heung-min and captain Koo Ja-cheol softened the blow with second-half goals, but the team’s persistent defensive weaknesses left them open to the ruthless Algerian attack.Islam Slimani took advantage of an inattentive Korean

SoccerJune 23, 2014

[World Cup] Belgium defeats Russia 1-0 to next round

Hours before South Korea would face Algeria in their second group match, Belgium broke a lackluster stalemate against Russia to score in the 88th minute, winning 1-0 on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro to see it through to the Round of 16. Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev (2R) fails to stop a shot from an obscured Belgium's forward Divock Origi to score a goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Russia at The Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on June 22, 2014, during the 2014 FIFA Wo

SoccerJune 23, 2014

[World Cup] Belgium defeats Russia 1-0 to next round

[World Cup] Messi scores winner, Klose ties Ronaldo’s record

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― Miroslav Klose scored a World Cup goal for the record books. Lionel Messi grabbed a late winner to put Argentina into the round of 16.Nigeria eliminated Bosnia-Herzegovina from its first World Cup with a 1-0 win, with Peter Odemwingie’s first-half goal getting the African champions closer to the knockout stage.Klose’s 15th World Cup goal matched Brazilian great Ronaldo’s record tally on football’s greatest stage, more importantly for his team, it secured a 2-2 draw for Germ

More SportsJune 22, 2014