[World Cup] WC focuses on concussion management

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― Felled by an opponent’s knee to the head as they both chased the ball, a player is seemingly out cold on a World Cup pitch. The clock is ticking. Millions are watching. National honor, careers and sponsorship dollars are at stake.Groggily, the player wakes up and argues furiously with his team doctor that he must play on. For anyone attuned to the dangers of concussions and head injuries, this is when alarm bells ring ― just as they did when this scenario unfolded at the Wo

June 24, 2014

[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

June 24, 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

June 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

June 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

June 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

June 23, 2014

[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

June 23, 2014

[World Cup] France deals with new pressure

RIBEIRAO PRETO, Brazil (AP) ― Having captured people’s attention at the World Cup with some scintillating attacking football, France’s players are now in unknown territory after raising expectations back home.“Vertigineux” (Vertiginous) was the front page headline of sports daily L’Equipe on Saturday, illustrating how France has hit new heights with a photo of striker Olivier Giroud leaping into the arms of his teammates after scoring in Friday’s 5-2 rout of Switzerland. The emphatic victory fol

June 22, 2014

[World Cup] Spain looks to avoid having worst ever WC defense

CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) ― Spain will take on Australia in its final Group B match Monday in the knowledge that defeat will officially make its defense of the World Cup the worst in history.Following two straight defeats for both teams, neither can qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup.But Spain in particular has something to play for, despite having already made history of the wrong kind. It is the first defending champion in modern times to be eliminated after two matches, following a

June 22, 2014

[World Cup] Clashes keep city on alert

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) ― Brazilian police detained on Saturday two suspected members of Argentina’s infamous hooligan gangs ― known in Spanish as “Barras Bravas.”The pair were among nearly 20 Argentines detained inside the Mineirao stadium where Argentina beat Iran 1-0. All were turned loose by Brazil’s federal police, but the two tagged as being known hooligans were ordered to leave Brazil within 72 hours, and not return during the World Cup.Meanwhile, policing of a central Belo Horizonte

June 22, 2014