[World Cup] S. Korea coach reflects on relationship with fans built on 'mutual respect'

AL RAYYAN -- Having been in charge for a little over four years, Paulo Bento is the longest-serving head coach of the South Korean men's national football team. The journey has not been without some rocky moments, but through thick and thin, the Portuguese tactician has led his adopted country to their 10th consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance. On Sunday, the eve of the Taegeuk Warriors' second Group H match against Ghana in Qatar, Bento took a moment to reflect on his relationship wi

SoccerNov. 28, 2022

[World Cup] Injured defender game time decision vs. Ghana; midfielder ruled out for 2nd game

AL RAYYAN, Qatar -- South Korea's injured center back Kim Min-jae will be a game time decision against Ghana when the two countries square off in Group H of the FIFA World Cup on Monday. At his prematch press conference Sunday, head coach Paulo Bento said the decision on Kim's status will be made on the day of the game at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of Doha. Kim picked up a right calf muscle injury against Uruguay last Thursday. "Tomorrow, in the morning, we will

SoccerNov. 27, 2022

[World Cup] S. Korea looking to grab record-setting win for Asian teams

DOHA -- Well before the end of the group stage, Asian teams have already tied the record for most victories at a single FIFA World Cup. South Korea will try to pick up the record-setting win when they face Ghana in their second Group H match on Monday. There are six members of the Asian Football Confederation in action at this year's World Cup, with the host Qatar joined by qualifiers South Korea, Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australia. Qatar have already been eliminated from knockout cont

SoccerNov. 27, 2022

[World Cup] Injury bug bites S. Korea hard in Qatar

DOHA -- Injuries have always been part of football, but the injury bug has stung teams particularly hard at this year's FIFA World Cup, being held in the middle of European club seasons for the first time. South Korea have not been immune, with some key players dealing with injuries of varying severity throughout the month. The most notable injury was to their captain Son Heung-min, who suffered facial fractures in a freak collision with an opponent during a match. He played South Korea

SoccerNov. 27, 2022

[World Cup] S. Korea looking to exploit Ghana defense in virtual must-win

After holding Uruguay scoreless in a spirited draw to begin their World Cup campaign on Thursday, South Korea will next take on Ghana in an essentially must-win match. The Group H showdown between 28th-ranked South Korea and world No. 61 Ghana is 4 p.m. Thursday at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of Doha, or 10 p.m. the same day in Korea. It's the same venue where South Korea submitted a strong defensive effort to keep the likes of Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez at bay on Thursday.

SoccerNov. 26, 2022

[World Cup] South Korea keeps hopes alive with draw against Uruguay

South Korea held Uruguay to a scoreless draw in the opening match in Group H, keeping alive its hopes of making the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Stifling defense and some luck played a part in Koreans stopping the offensive push of Uruguay, ranked 14th in the world, who struck the woodwork twice during the match at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Diego Godin’s header from a Federico Valverde corner thudded off the inside of the post on 43 minut

SoccerNov. 25, 2022

South Korea holds Uruguay to a 0-0 tie

South Korea managed to hold the heavily-favored Uruguay to a 0-0 draw in their first match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Thursday, keeping hopes of reaching the knockout round in the talent-packed Group H. Neither team managed to get through each other’s defense throughout the game held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just West of Doha. South Korean captain Son Heung-min braved health concerns by playing the entire game, despite the face injury he acquired in a UEFA Champ

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] World Cup street event held in orderly fashion due to stricter security measures

"Please don't stop. This is a walking path," said a volunteer worker dispatched to the public screening event of the South Korea vs Uruguay Group H opener of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul on Thursday. An estimated 15,000 soccer fans gathered at the square in Jongno-gu, central Seoul with the total of 1,300 officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Jongno Police Station and the hosting Red Devils official supporters club of the South Korean nat

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] Can S. Korean goalkeeper help continue the Asian success streak?

As South Korea prepares to take the field in the upcoming opening match against Uruguay, eyes of the fans have fallen on the Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu as it was the stellar performance by goalkeepers that carried Saudi Arabia and Japan to shocking upsets in their earlier matches. South Korea and Uruguay will open Group H of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with their match at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. at 4 p.m. local time, 10 p.m. in Korean time. Ranked 28th in the w

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] Third time's a charm: Son Heung-min seeks success on his 3rd World Cup outing

Although Son Heung-min is considered one of the best forwards in the world, thanks to his stellar performance with Tottenham Hotspur, the South Korean captain has yet to play in the knockout stages of the World Cup. South Korean manager Paulo Bento confirmed Wednesday that Son will play in the team's first game of the group stage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Uruguay on Thursday, and Son is seeking to lead his team to the second round of the World Cup for the first time since 201

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] S. Korea looking to complete Asian hat trick in Qatar

AL RAYYAN -- Shaking off a rocky start to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Asia has stolen the show on football's biggest stage. Now it will be up to South Korea to keep the good vibes going for the continent Thursday, when they open Group H play against Uruguay at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. The kickoff is 4 p.m. in Qatar, and 10 p.m. in South Korea. The Taegeuk Warriors have a tough act to follow, with Saudi Arabia having shocked world No. 3 Argentina on Tuesday an

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] After beating Germany, Japanese players wish S. Korea best vs. Uruguay

AL RAYYAN -- Putting aside their countries' bitter sporting rivalry, Japanese players wished South Koreans the best in their upcoming FIFA World Cup match, following their dramatic rally past Germany on Wednesday in Qatar. Japan netted two second-half goals to take down Germany 2-1 in Group E action at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. This was the second surprise win by an Asian team in two days, following Saudi Arabia's shock victory over world No. 3 Arge

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] German players stage apparent protest vs. FIFA ban over armband

AL RAYYAN -- Football and politics collided on the pitch at the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday, with German players apparently protesting FIFA's ban on an armband signifying diversity, tolerance and inclusion. During their team photo session before taking on Japan at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha, the 11 German starting players covered their mouths with their right hands. It appeared to be a response to FIFA's threat of penalty against Germany and six o

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[Graphic News] World Cup Group H

　South Korea will be playing the country's 10th consecutive FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 　Its pursuit of only a third trip to the knockout phase begins Thursday against Uruguay, the first Group H match for both countries. 　South Korea will then play Ghana on Nov. 28 and Portugal on Dec. 2. 　Portugal, at No. 9, is the highest-ranked team in Group H, followed by Uruguay at No. 14, South Korea at No. 28 and Ghana at No. 61. 　South Korea should have a fighting chance to make it out of Group H, but

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] Injured Premier League attacker Hwang Hee-chan out vs. Uruguay

DOHA -- With his recovery from a hamstring injury almost grounding to a halt, South Korean winger Hwang Hee-chan will not be available for team's first Group H match against Uruguay on Thursday. The physical attacker for Wolverhampton Wanderers has been dealing with some left hamstring discomfort since before arriving in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup. Hwang's recovery has gone more slowly than expected and head coach Paulo Bento said at his prematch press conference Wednesday that Hwang "wil

BaseballNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] S. Korea coach sees no need for his underdog team to feel pressure

AL RAYYAN, Qatar -- Aware of South Korea's checkered history at the FIFA World Cup, South Korea head coach Paulo Bento said Wednesday he doesn't think his players should put any burden on their own shoulders. Bento and his 26-man squad will open their 2022 World Cup against Uruguay at 4 p.m. Thursday at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. Against the 14th-ranked Uruguay, South Korea, at No. 28, will be the underdogs. At his prematch press conference at the Main Media Centre,

SoccerNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] Sonny 'will be able to play' vs. Uruguay: coach

AL RAYYAN, Qatar -- Injured South Korean captain Son Heung-min will be able to play against Uruguay in the team's first World Cup match on Thursday, head coach Paulo Bento said on the eve of the contest. "Sonny will be able to play," Bento said at his prematch press conference at the Main Media Centre in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha, on Wednesday. Son has been training while wearing a protective mask, after suffering fractures around his left eye in a collision with an opposing player

SportsNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] Look out for Kim Min-jae

Having blossomed into an elite defender, Napoli centerback Kim Min-jae is set to prove that Tottenham superstar Son Heung-min is not the only player to watch out for in the South Korean national team. Qatar is Kim's first World Cup, after the bitter memory of being cut from the team just a month before the previous tournament due to injury. Prior to the team’s first match against Uruguay on Thursday, Kim voiced his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. “I’m ready to

SoccerNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] Uruguay midfielder Torreira not underestimating S. Korea

DOHA -- Uruguay may be favored against South Korea when they square off in their first Group H match this week, but that does not mean the South Americans will take their Asian foes lightly, Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira said Tuesday. "We are always facing each match with the same mentality, no matter if it is South Korea or Portugal," Torreira said after a training session at Al Erssal Training Site in Doha, referring to two of Uruguay's three opponents in the group stage of

SoccerNov. 23, 2022

South Korea’s most memorable World Cup moments

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is the 11th time South Korea has participated in the event. Although it has never been considered a realistic contender for the soccer world’s top trophy, the Reds have proved that they can't be ignored, reaching semifinals in 2002 and beating defending champion Germany in 2018. Here’s a look back at South Korea’s history at the World Cup. Humble beginnings Before the turn of the century, South Korea used to be among the smallest of fishes

SoccerNov. 22, 2022