[World Cup] Brazil could revert to formation from 2002

TERESOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) ― Luiz Felipe Scolari is contemplating adding another central defender to Brazil’s lineup against Colombia in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday, going back to the formation that earned his team the 2002 title.The Brazil coach has to make at least one change because midfielder Luiz Gustavo is suspended, and says he has a couple of options to replace him.“I have two options, either playing the same way we have been playing, just adding another player in the same sector

July 2, 2014

[World Cup] Lukaku rises to occasion

Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates his goal on Tuesday. (AFP-Yonhap)SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) ― Romelu Lukaku had a point to prove at the World Cup. After Belgium missed countless chances during the 90 minutes of regulation time in the match against the U.S. on Tuesday, the striker came off the bench and soon set up the opening goal for Kevin De Bruyne.As the U.S. pressed for an equalizer, De Bruyne swiftly returned the favor to Lukaku, who made it 2-0. Despite scoring key goals in cup qualifying, L

July 2, 2014

[World Cup] Di Maria steps into WC spotlight

Argentina’s Angel di Maria celebrates his goal against Switzerland at the World Cup on Tuesday. (EPA-Yonhap)SAO PAULO (AP) ― Angel di Maria’s first goal of this World Cup couldn’t have come at a better time for Argentina, or for himself.Overshadowed by the efforts of captain Lionel Messi, the winger showed his importance to the team on Tuesday and came through when Argentina really needed him.He scored two minutes before the end of extra time to avoid penalties and secure a 1-0 win over Switzerl

July 2, 2014

[World Cup] Belgium holds on to beat US 2-1 in extra time

Kevin De Bruyne turned a heroic night for U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard into defeat on Tuesday with an extra-time goal and an assist that gave Belgium a 2-1 victory and a quarterfinal match against Lionel Messi and Argentina.With three extra-time goals in a thrilling match, De Bruyne and substitute Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium a big lead before Julian Green closed the gap with 12 minutes to go.``For my heart, please don't give me too many games like this,'' said Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, who must n

July 2, 2014

[World Cup] Argentina sticks to script with late winner

Argentina's theme at this World Cup seems to be scrappy wins with Lionel Messi pulling through at the last minute to save the day.This time he didn't score on his own, but set the stage for Angel Di Maria to score an extra-time winner against Switzerland.``It doesn't matter if it's beautiful or ugly,'' Di Maria said. ``Only that Argentina won and will play another game in the tournament.''Argentina will play Belgium in the quarterfinals.(AFP-Yonhap)Except for its final group-stage win over Niger

July 2, 2014

Park seeks to stay in Europe

Korean forward Park Chu-young (Yonhap)His English Premier League club having announced its plan to part ways with him, South Korean forward Park Chu-young hopes to stay in Europe to continue his club career, his agent said Tuesday.Last week, Arsenal announced it would not retain the little-used forward when his contract expires at the end of June.The news came just hours before Park and South Korea were to face Belgium in their FIFA World Cup match in Brazil.Park watched from the bench in Sao Pa

July 1, 2014

Top soccer official to meet with coach Hong

Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo (File photo)The head of the South Korean soccer governing body will soon meet with the men’s national team head coach to discuss the coach’s future in the wake of his team’s disappointing World Cup in Brazil, a senior official said Tuesday.Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, will schedule a meeting with coach Hong Myung-bo “within this week” over the coach’s status, the official said.South Korea had two losses and one draw in three group ma

July 1, 2014

[World Cup] Germany survives Algeria 2-1

Germany’s Thomas Mueller takes a tumble against Algeria on Monday. (AP-Yonhap)PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) ― When it comes to the knockout stages of the World Cup, wins are worth more than style.That was on full display Monday when Germany labored to a 2-1 extra-time win over an aggressive Algeria side to reach the tournament’s quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive time.“You don’t have to play fantastic every match,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said. “You have to win.”All three goals came in extra

July 1, 2014

[World Cup] France into last eight as Nigeria downed

France qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals here Monday after a late Paul Pogba header and a Joseph Yobo own goal clinched a 2-0 victory over Nigeria.Juventus star Pogba made the key breakthrough for France 11 minutes from time, punishing a rare mistake by Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.Nigeria's Juwon Oshaniwa, left, and France's Paul Pogba challenge for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Nigeria at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monda

July 1, 2014

[World Cup] Germany survives Algeria 2-1 in extra time

When it comes to the knockout stages of the World Cup, wins are worth more than style.That was on full display Monday when Germany labored to a 2-1 extra-time win over an aggressive Algeria side to reach the tournament's quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive time.``You don't have to play fantastic every match,'' Germany coach Joachim Loew said. ``You have to win.''Germany's Mesut Ozil, right, holds off Algeria's Saphir Taider and Sofiane Feghouli during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match b

July 1, 2014

[World Cup] Coach Hong noncommittal about future

Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport on Monday. (Yonhap)INCHEON (Yonhap) ― An apologetic Korean national team coach Hong Myung-bo on Monday was noncommittal about his immediate future in the wake of the team’s early exit from the FIFA World Cup.Hong and his 23-man team returned home to little fanfare after getting eliminated from the tournament in Brazil with a winless record in three group matches.South Korea played Russia to a 1-1 draw but lost to

June 30, 2014

[World Cup] Korean World Cup team returns home after early exit

INCHEON (Yonhap) ― The South Korean men’s soccer team returned home early Monday following an early exit from the FIFA World Cup in Brazil with a winless record.The 23-man squad, coached by Hong Myung-bo, arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, from Sao Paulo via Los Angeles a little before 5 a.m. to little fanfare.South Korea, which had set out to reach the knockout phase in South America, finished last among four nations in Group H with one draw and two losses. It opened the t

June 30, 2014

[World Cup] Refuse to quit

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― Regulation time doesn’t seem to mean much at this stage, judging by the way Netherlands, Costa Rica and Brazil have advanced through the first of the World Cup knockout rounds.The Dutch needed a penalty deep in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 comeback win over Mexico and advance to a match against a Costa Rica lineup that beat Greece on penalties later Sunday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. The Costa Ricans had to play for almost an hour with 10 men, an

June 30, 2014

[World Cup] Netherlands into last eight as Mexico sunk

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck a stoppage-time penalty as the Netherlands staged an incredible late fightback to beat Mexico 2-1 and reach the World Cup quarter-finals here Sunday.Huntelaar kept his cool in furnace-like conditions to fire Holland into the last eight after Wesley Sneijder had scored an 88th-minute equaliser to cancel out Giovani Dos Santos's goal for Mexico.The dramatic Dutch fightback left Mexico's players in tears as their last 16 jinx struck again.Netherlands' Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

June 30, 2014