The Korea Herald

German-based S. Korean footballers excited about World Cup

South Korean footballers plying their trade in the top-flight German league said Thursday they're excited about the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil, adding they will try to build good momentum in the second half of their European season.Son Heung-min, a dynamic scorer for Bayer Leverkusen, and Park Joo-ho, a steady defensive back for Mainz 05, wrapped up their mid-season winter break from the Bundesliga and flew back to Germany on Thursday. The second half of the season there will begin on Jan

Jan. 2, 2014

FC Seoul offers defender Adi coaching position

South Korean football club FC Seoul has offered its defensive back Adilson dos Santos a coaching position starting next season, officials said Thursday, asking the Brazilian veteran to contribute to the team in another capacity.The K League Classic club said it recommended the player, affectionately called Adi, retire and begin a new chapter in his football life as coach. Adi turns 38 in May, and FC Seoul said it believes he may no longer be the same player because of his declining stamina.A tea

Jan. 2, 2014

‘World Cup roster close to completion’

With the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil merely months away, Hong Myung-bo, the head coach of the South Korean men’s national football team, said he has almost completed his lineup for the quadrennial tournament.In a joint interview with local media on Monday, Hong said “about 80 percent” of his roster has been determined for the sport’s grandest event set to kick off in June. He added he plans to fill the remaining 20 percent during the team’s winter training in January, in Brazil and then in the

Jan. 1, 2014

Sherwood vows to go for broke at United

LONDON (AFP) ― Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has vowed to continue his attacking philosophy against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.Sherwood tasted victory for the first time as the permanent successor to Andre Villas-Boas when Stoke were beaten 3-0 in the Premier League at White Hart Lane on Sunday.Roberto Soldado’s 37th minute penalty, awarded when Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross blocked an acrobatic effort from Emmanuel Adebayor with raised arms, gave Tottenham a deserved first-h

Dec. 30, 2013

City, United earn close wins

MANCHESTER, England (AP) ― Manchester City rode its luck in beating Crystal Palace 1-0 to move provisionally top of the English Premier League, while Manchester United won by the same score at Norwich to stay in the title picture on Saturday.The Manchester giants dipped into their reserves for a second game in three days and produced disjointed displays that were rescued by second-half winners.Edin Dzeko’s 66th-minute goal maintained City’s record of scoring in every home game in more than three

Dec. 29, 2013

Arsenal goes top of EPL as Liverpool loses at City

Arsenal is back on top of the Premier League with the season about to reach its halfway point as manager Arsene Wenger looks to win the trophy for the first time in a decade.Theo Walcott's double ensured Liverpool's stay atop the standings lasted less than a week as Arsenal came from behind to win 3-1 at West Ham and its title rival lost 2-1 at Manchester City on Thursday.As Liverpool dropped to fourth, City climbed a place to second to sit a point behind Arsenal after the traditional Boxing Day

Dec. 27, 2013

Lee voted top Korean footballer

Bolton Wanderers’ midfielder Lee Chung-yong was voted the top South Korean footballer of 2013 in a national survey released on Thursday.The Korea Football Association said Lee drew 1,369 out of 2,776 votes cast by fans in its annual survey. Playing for the second-division English side, Lee has made a successful comeback after suffering a career-threatening leg injury before the 2011-12 season.Lee has also been a pillar in the South Korean midfield during the country’s run through the Asian quali

Dec. 26, 2013

Park Ji-sung hopes Korea can reach knockout stage

SUWON (Yonhap News) ― Park Ji-sung, former captain of the South Korean men’s national football team, said Thursday he hopes to see the country reach the knockout stage at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.Attending a charity event organized by his own foundation, Park told reporters that he was pleased to see South Korea avoid traditional powers, and draw Belgium, Russia and Algeria in Group H.“Fortunately, South Korea has avoided the so-called ‘group of death,’” Park said at Suwon World Cup Sta

Dec. 26, 2013

Leading the league, Liverpool a resurgent force

Through financial turmoil, court battles and humbling setbacks in recent years, Liverpool has risen to the top this season and reached a noteworthy milestone in England.Ahead of Arsenal on goal difference, the Reds lead the Premier League heading into the traditional Boxing Day games on Thursday.“It is a nostalgic time and people always want to know where the team is at around Christmas Day,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said Tuesday. “It is brilliant for supporters. I am not going to deny

Dec. 25, 2013

Hard-fought stalemate

LONDON (AP) ― Arsene Wenger failed for the 10th time to get the better of Jose Mourinho as Arsenal was held to a 0-0 draw by Chelsea on Monday, missing a chance to return to the top of the Premier League.The London derby, played with rain swirling around the Emirates Stadium, failed to produce the drama expected, with few attempts on goal.“They defended well, were well organized, and we didn’t find our zippy movements to play between the lines as we can,” said Wenger, whose side lost 6-3 at Manc

Dec. 24, 2013

Andres Iniesta signs with Barcelona until 2018

Andres Iniesta signed a three-year contract extension Monday that will keep him at Barcelona at least through the end of the 2017-18 season.The contract includes a clause that from 2018 the midfielder will automatically extend his contract on a yearly basis if he plays in a non-disclosed number of games per season.The 29-year-old Iniesta has helped Barcelona win 21 trophies, including three Champions League titles and six Spanish league titles. He has scored 48 goals for Barcelona.Iniesta has al

Dec. 23, 2013

Pedro fills Messi void with hat trick

BARCELONA (AP) ― Pedro Rodriguez ensured Barcelona didn’t miss the injured Lionel Messi, scoring three goals in 10 minutes before setting up Cesc Fabregas twice in a 5-2 comeback victory at Getafe on Sunday.The entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions remained tied with Atletico Madrid. Also Sunday, Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to beat Valencia 3-2 and stay in third place, five points behind its title rivals.With Barcelona’s strike-duo Messi and

Dec. 23, 2013

Manning sets TD mark as Broncos win West

HOUSTON (AP) ― Peyton Manning had to prepare for a 2-point conversion and couldn’t celebrate when he set the NFL record for touchdown passes in a season in 2004.On Sunday, when Denver’s quarterback regained the record against the Houston Texans, he was able to soak in the historic moment.“It was very special,” he said. “Very rarely during an NFL game do you get to have a moment like that.”Manning regained his record with 51 when he threw for 400 yards and four touchdowns, including three in the

Dec. 23, 2013

Manning sets TD mark as Broncos win West

Pedro nets 3, Barca rallies for 5-2 win at Getafe

Pedro Rodriguez filled in for Barcelona's missing star forwards by netting a hat trick in 10 minutes before setting up Cesc Fabregas twice as the visitors erased a two-goal deficit in a wild 5-2 win at Getafe on Sunday.Barcelona's entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital.Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to s

Dec. 23, 2013

Suarez carries Liverpool to top

LONDON (AP) ― With 10 goals in December alone, Luis Suarez has propelled Liverpool up the English Premier League and enhanced the team’s title credentials with each game.The Uruguayan striker had two goals Saturday in a 3-1 victory over Cardiff, and also set up Raheem Sterling’s goal.Liverpool moved to the top of the standings, for now, having finished seventh last season.Manchester City was a point behind after winning 4-2 at Fulham, with substitutes Jesus Navas and James Milner scoring key goa

Dec. 22, 2013

Bayern wins Club World Cup

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) ― Bayern Munich capped the greatest year in club history by beating Raja Casablanca 2-0 Saturday for its first Club World Cup.The European champion added a record fifth title to its trophy cabinet at the tournament of continental champions to go with the Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup, and European Super Cup triumphs.“I think we knew how to approach each game and that was key,” said coach Pep Guardiola, who won the event for the third time, including twice befor

Dec. 22, 2013

Juventus to play A-League all-star team next year

SYDNEY (AP) ― Reigning Serie A champion Juventus will play an Australian A-League all-star team next August in Sydney. New South Wales state Premier Barry O‘Farrell said Friday the Italian team’s appearance on Aug. 10 will follow up on the successful Australian appearance by Manchester United in July. More than 83,000 fans attended a match at the former Olympic stadium in Sydney won 5-1 by the reigning Premier League champion over an A-League all-star side. One of the A-League’s marquee players

Dec. 20, 2013

Police detain 19 involved in Brazil fan violence

SAO PAULO (AP) ― Brazilian authorities have detained 19 people for their alleged involvement in fan violence that marked the final round of the Brazilian league this month, with some of them likely to be charged with attempted murder. Police in three states had arrest warrants for nearly 30 people in a joint operation being called “Red Card,” with detentions made throughout the day on Thursday. Authorities used television images and photographs to identify the fans, among them a former council m

Dec. 20, 2013

United, West Ham advance in cup

LONDON (AP) ― Tottenham dropped out of the League Cup on Wednesday, allowing two goals in the final 10 minutes in a 2-1 home loss to West Ham in the quarterfinals.Manchester United advanced with a 2-0 victory at Stoke on goals from Ashley Young and Patrice Evra. The Red Devils will face Sunderland, with a potential final against rival Manchester City after the Blues were drawn against West Ham in the other semifinal.Tottenham interim manager Tim Sherwood made six lineup changes in the team’s fir

Dec. 19, 2013

Hong to rest key defender for training

South Korea’s key defensive back Kim Young-gwon will be rested for the national team’s winter training camp in Brazil and the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup, his head coach said Thursday.Hong Myung-bo, the national team bench boss, told reporters that Kim, who plays for Guangzhou Evergrande in China, will not be traveling with the rest of the team when South Korea sets up its pre-World Cup training camp on Jan. 13.Kim, 23, played 28 out of 30 matches for Guangzhou in the Chinese Super

Dec. 19, 2013