Korean teams to take on Japanese foes

Four South Korean teams will each compete against Japanese opponents at the top club competition on the continent this week.FC Seoul, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Pohang Steelers and Suwon Samsung Bluewings will each play their third group-stage match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League, representing the top-flight domestic circuit, the K League Classic.FC Seoul will host Vegalta Sendai of the J-League in Group E action on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. On the same day, Pohang will visit Group

April 1, 2013

Man United inches toward EPL title

LONDON (AP) ― Manchester United’s record-breaking surge to a 20th English title gathered more steam with a 1-0 win at Sunderland on Saturday, and Gareth Bale helped Tottenham seize the initiative in the race for Champions League qualification by scoring another spectacular goal.Titus Bramble’s own goal earned United an English-record 25th win in 30 league games and kept the team 15 points ahead of reigning champion Manchester City, which thrashed Newcastle 4-0 to tighten its grip on second place

March 31, 2013

Ki Sung-yueng confirms relationship with actress Han

Star soccer player Ki Sung-yueng has confirmed his relationship with actress Han Hye-jin via Twitter. The 24-year-old player wrote on his Twitter account that he’s dating Han, 32, and happy about it. He added that “we wanted to see each other without hiding it to the public, as our relationship gives us a lot of energy.” Ki, a midfielder for the Premier League club Swansea City, has earned popularity among young Korean women for his handsome looks and easygoing attitude. A paparazzi photo of Ki

March 27, 2013

S. Korea edges past Qatar in World Cup qualifier

South Korea squeezed past Qatar 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, taking an important step toward making another appearance in the quadrennial tournament.At Seoul World Cup Stadium, second-half substitute Son Heung-min scored as the last-minute winner for the home team. In Group A in the final Asian qualifying stage, South Korea improved to 10 points after five games with three wins, one loss and one draw. Winger Lee Keun-ho headed in the first goal for the home team in the 59th minut

March 26, 2013

Question marks for Korea in WC qualifier

South Korea will host Qatar in a World Cup qualification match this week with some question marks hanging above the team.Korea will take on the Middle East visitors at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Choi Kang-hee, the much-maligned head coach, hasn’t been able to find his ideal combination on offense. Against Qatar, Choi left off Park Chu-young, a forward with Celta Vigo in the top Spanish league, an admission that his experiment of pairing Park with Lee Dong-gook has failed. Choi wi

March 25, 2013

On shaky ground

Spain and Portugal were held to draws that hurt their chances of qualifying automatically for next year’s World Cup, while England routed San Marino 8-0 for its biggest victory margin in 26 years and New Zealand clinched a playoff berth against the fourth-place nation from North and Central America and the Caribbean.Fans greeted the visitors with chants that included “Kill, Kill the Serbs!” as Croatia beat Serbia 2-0 at Zagreb in the first soccer meeting between the Balkan rivals since their war

March 24, 2013

Kwak hurt ahead of qualifier

South Korea may not have the service of veteran defensive back Kwak Tae-hwi for an upcoming World Cup qualifier against Qatar, national team officials said Thursday, as the country may be forced to juggle its lineup once again.Officials said Kwak, also the national team captain, underwent a test on Monday that revealed torn quadriceps. The 31-year-old hasn’t taken part in recent team practices as the 23-man squad prepares to host Qatar next Tuesday in Seoul in the final round of Asian qualifying

March 21, 2013

Messi, Barcelona rule soccer poll

LONDON (AP) ― Barcelona received the maximum points in AP’s global soccer rankings on Tuesday, with the team’s striker, Lionel Messi, coming close to top marks.The Catalan team was rewarded by the Associated Press’ panel of 20 soccer journalists for its 4-0 rout of AC Milan to overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit and qualify for the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the sixth season in a row.“We rediscovered the best Barcelona at the best possible moment,” Cedric Rouquette of Eurosport in Fr

March 20, 2013

Pohang and Seoul unexpected stories in early pro season

In the early going of the 2013 season of the K League Classic, a team once considered a heavy underdog has charged up to first place, while the defending champion, a constant serious title contender, has yet to win a game, all part of an unexpected tale of mixed fortunes.The Pohang Steelers have taken the lead three matches into the new season in South Korea’s first-division football league. Pohang is one of three undefeated teams so far with two wins and a draw and has taken first place thanks

March 19, 2013

Messi’s streak reaches 18

BARCELONA (AP) ― Lionel Messi extended his Spanish league scoring streak record to 18 games, getting two goals to move into seventh place on the La Liga career list and lead Barcelona over visiting Rayo Vallecano 3-1 Sunday.Messi set up David Villa for Barcelona’s opener in the 25th minute, and Villa returned the favor in the 40th. Messi made it 3-0 in the 57th with a delicate chip, his league-leading 42nd goal this season and 55th overall.With his 19th multigoal game this season, Messi increase

March 18, 2013

Korea replaces 3 injured players

South Korea on Monday replaced three injured players on the national soccer team roster ahead of a World Cup qualification match.The Korea Football Association said Hwang Ji-soo, of the Pohang Steelers in the domestic K League Classic, will replace Kim Do-heon in midfield. Kim, playing for another K League Classic side the Suwon Samsung Bluewings, tore a knee ligament during a league game against Pohang Sunday and has been ruled out for six months.Also, Choi Chul-soon, a defensive back for the s

March 18, 2013

Greek player denies gving Nazi salute

A Greek soccer player says the seeming Nazi salute he gave after scoring a goal was no Nazi salute.Giorgos Katidis of EK Athens received a lifetime ban even though he insisted he wasn‘t thinking fascism when he stripped off his jersey raised his arm to the crowd while celebrating a goal against Veria during a Super League match Saturday.“I despise fascism,” Katidis remarked on Twitter after reportedly being peppered with criticism from other players and various Greek politicians.“I would not hav

March 18, 2013

Chelsea through, Inter falls in Europa League

LONDON (AP) ― Chelsea staged a thrilling comeback to beat Steaua Bucharest 3-1 and reach the Europa League quarterfinals, but Inter Milan failed to advance despite a second-leg recovery of its own on a breathless night of last-16 action on Thursday. John Terry and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to help Chelsea, the reigning European champion, squeeze past Steaua 3-2 on aggregate at Stamford Bridge. Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Inter thrashed Tottenham 4-1 at the San Siro for a 4-4

March 15, 2013