S. Korean captain Son Heung-min to miss World Cup qualifier vs. Lebanon with leg injury

South Korean captain Son Heung-min was ruled out of a World Cup qualifying match against Lebanon on Tuesday with a leg injury, a devastating blow to the team already struggling to find offense. The Korea Football Association said Son experienced discomfort in his right leg after Monday's practice, and was later diagnosed with strained right calf. The KFA added that the decision to keep the Tottenham Hotspur star out of Tuesday's match was reached for precautionary reasons. The kickoff against

SoccerSept. 8, 2021

S. Korean Im Sung-jae sets PGA Tour record for most birdies in a season

With five birdies in the final round of the 2020-2021 PGA Tour season, South Korean golfer Im Sung-jae has broken a scoring record that stood for 21 years. Im sank a 21-foot putt for a birdie on the second hole during the closing round of the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta on Sunday (local time). It was Im's 494th birdie, helping him eclipse the previous record of 493 birdies by Steve Flesch in 2000. The tour began tracking records in 1980. Im finished with

GolfSept. 6, 2021

Cardinals' Kim Kwang-hyun takes loss in shortest outing of season

St. Louis Cardinals' starter Kim Kwang-hyun suffered his seventh loss of the season following the shortest start of his major league career, unable to survive an early onslaught by the Milwaukee Brewers. Kim gave up four runs on seven hits in just 1 2/3 innings against the Brewers at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Saturday (local time). Kim got the hook with the Cardinals trailing 4-0 in the second inning, and they lost by the same score. The South Korean left-hander fell to 6-7 for the

BaseballSept. 5, 2021

S. Korea chasing 1st win of final World Cup qualifying round vs. Lebanon

There is no time to mope or dwell on what could have been. After a disappointing, scoreless draw against Iraq to open the final Asian qualifying campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup last Thursday, South Korea will pursue their first win of the phase against Lebanon on Tuesday. The kickoff for the teams' second Group A match is 8 p.m. at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. Lebanon also had a 0-0 draw in their first match Thursday against the United Arab Emirates in D

SoccerSept. 5, 2021

S. Korean volleyball MVP under investigation for assault charges

The reigning South Korean men's volleyball MVP Jung Ji-seok is under police investigation for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, sources said Thursday. According to the sources, Jung, a star outside hitter for the Korean Air Jumbos in the V-League, was recently questioned by police on charges of assaulting his ex-girlfriend and installing a hidden camera in the home the two share. The sources said the girlfriend recently reported Jung's alleged assault to police. A woman who claimed to be

More SportsSept. 2, 2021

Iraq coach praises S. Korean football's growth, vows tough fight in World Cup qualifier

  It has been 15 years since Dick Advocaat last coached the South Korean men's national football team. And the 73-year-old Dutchman finds himself on his old stomping grounds this month, not to have any reunion with old pals, but to prepare for a battle against his former team with a World Cup berth at stake.    Advocaat will make his Iraq coaching debut at 8 p.m. Thursday against South Korea in the third round of the Asian qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It will be the f

SoccerSept. 1, 2021

One S. Korean player called up to MLB, another sent down to minors

One South Korean player has been called back up to the majors, while another player has been sent down to the minors after just one appearance on the big league mound. The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Tuesday (US local time) that they have recalled infielder Park Hoy-jun from the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. The 25-year-old had been optioned to the minors on Aug. 23, after getting mired in a 0-for-20 slump at the plate, but the Pirates had room for an extra infielder after second baseman Mic

BaseballSept. 1, 2021

Another crooked number, another loss for Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin

It's a funny game, this thing called baseball. A pitcher can feel like he has the stuff to shut down the opponents, but in the blink of an eye, a lead can evaporate and the pitcher can end up with a loss. Up against the Baltimore Orioles, the worst team in the majors, Toronto Blue Jays' starter Ryu Hyun-jin had confidence in all of his pitches. And he looked the part through two outs in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Tuesday (local time), as he had held the Orioles without a hi

BaseballSept. 1, 2021

Nat'l women's football roster announced for Asian Cup qualifiers

The South Korean squad for the upcoming qualifiers for Asia's top women's football tournament was unveiled Tuesday, highlighted by a trio of veterans plying their trade in England. The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced a 23-player squad for head coach Colin Bell ahead of the qualifying tournament for the 2022 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup. South Korea will be in Group E against Mongolia and Uzbekistan, and only the winner of the group will reach the Women's Asia

SoccerAug. 31, 2021

KT Wiz looking to pad lead in KBO pennant race, weather permitting

As teams approach the century mark in games played this season, the KT Wiz will set its sights on padding its lead atop the South Korean baseball standings. The Wiz is coming off a 4-2 week. Its most recent victory, on Sunday against the Samsung Lions, must have been particularly gratifying for the leaders of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). After allowing two runs in the top of the first inning, the Wiz put up a seven-spot in the fifth inning. It pounded out 12 hits, with every member of

BaseballAug. 31, 2021

S. Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in joins RCD Mallorca

Moving from one Spanish club to another, South Korea international Lee Kang-in has joined RCD Mallorca. RCD Mallorca announced Monday (local time) that Lee, 20, has agreed to a four-year contract that will keep him on the club's namesake island through 2025. Lee spent the past 10 years with Valencia CF, all the way from their youth academy to their first team. The midfielder had been rumored to be on his way out of Valencia for days, if not weeks. Spanish media reported earlier that Valencia

SoccerAug. 31, 2021

Damwon defeats T1 to win LCK Summer

Defending champion Damwon Kia took home the LCK trophy, beating T1 3-1 in the finals on Saturday evening and winning prize money of 200 million won ($171,800). Although Damwon was the clear favorite leading up to the finals, strong performances from both teams in their quarterfinals raised expectations for a competitive match. Damwon clearly dominated the game, however. Despite T1’s comeback on the third game, Damwon took down the challenger in a convincing 3-1 victory. Damwon&rsqu

More SportsAug. 30, 2021

Tottenham's Son Heung-min quells injury concerns with 2nd goal of season

With his second goal in three Premier League matches in the young season, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur has quieted any lingering injury concerns. Son's first-half free kick stood as the winner for Tottenham in their 1-0 victory over Watford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday (local time). Son also became the first Asian player in Premier League history to reach the 200th match milestone. Tottenham now sit atop the Premier League tables with three straight wins, all of them

SoccerAug. 30, 2021

Three foreign coaches to head S. Korea's national curling team

A Canadian coach who guided the South Korean women's curling team to a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics will return to the post to seek another medal at the upcoming Beijing Winter Games. The Korea Curling Federation said Saturday that three coaches will lead the country's national team for the 2021-2022 season. Peter Gallant from Canada was named the coach of the women's national curling team, better known by its nickname Team Kim, comprised of skip Kim Eun-jung, lead Kim Yeon

More SportsAug. 28, 2021

[Weekender] Young players breathe new life into golf

Five months after taking up the sport, Kim Arum finds herself more frequently at golf ranges -- real or virtual -- than at restaurants or cafes. She often hangs out with friends on the green, practices almost every other day at an indoor golf studio after work and splurges on golf hats, golf shirts and pants. It has become her favorite pastime these days, said Kim, who works at a TV station in Seoul. While many indoor sports suffered a blow from the virus crisis, this particular one has foun

GolfAug. 28, 2021

S. Korean pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong recalled to big leagues due to COVID-19 infections on Rangers

South Korean left-hander Yang Hyeon-jong has been recalled to the big leagues for the first time in nearly 70 days. The Texas Rangers said Tuesday (US time) they have called up three minor league players, including Yang, to fill open roster spots due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the team. Yang joined the 26-man major league roster for the first time in 69 days since he was sent to the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, Round Rock Express, on June 17. In his first major league stint in April, Yang went

BaseballAug. 25, 2021

Paralympics open in empty stadium -- just like Olympics

TOKYO (AP) -- The Paralympics began Tuesday in the same empty National Stadium -- during the same pandemic -- as the opening and closing ceremonies of the recently completed Tokyo Olympics. Japanese Emperor Naruhito got it all started again, this time under the theme "We Have Wings." Among the few on hand were Douglas Emhoff, husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris, International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons and International Olympic President Thomas Bach. It

Olympic GamesAug. 24, 2021

Damwon Kia and T1 to clash for LCK Summer title

All eyes are on Damwon Kia and T1 as the two head to the 2021 League of Legends Champions Korea summer season finals on Aug. 28. At an online press conference for the LCK Summer Finals held on Tuesday afternoon, both coach Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun of Damwon Kia and Son “Stardust” Seok-hee of T1 were confident of winning the last match of the summer. “I certainly recognize T1 as a strong opponent, but because we are in the finals I will make my utmost effort to win

More SportsAug. 24, 2021

[Graphic News] Tokyo Paralympics by numbers

  Here are some key figures related to the Tokyo Paralympics, which kick off Tuesday after a year’s pandemic delay:    4,400 Paralympians 　Around 4,400 competitors from nearly 160 countries and territories will be in Japan for the Paralympics, with 12,000 staff, officials and journalists also taking part in the 13-day event. 22 sports 　From archery to wheelchair tennis, medals are up for grabs in 22 sports, with two new events this year -- taekwondo and badminton. 10 el

SportsAug. 24, 2021

S. Korea football coach focusing on controllable ahead of World Cup qualifiers

No football coach is a fan of time-wasting tactics by opponents, and South Korea boss Paulo Bento has also publicly voiced his displeasure over them. But with his team likely to get a healthy dose of those frustrating antics in the upcoming World Cup qualifying round, Bento wants to make sure his players aren't distracted by them. South Korea will face five Middle Eastern opponents, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Syria and Lebanon, in Group A of the third Asian qualifying round fo

SoccerAug. 23, 2021