Historic final berth 'an upgrade' for S. Korean football: coach

A small step for the South Korean men's youth team, but a giant leap for the country's entire football program.That's how Chung Jung-yong, South Korean head coach at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, views his side's advance to the final at the biennial tournament. South Korea knocked off Ecuador 1-0 to reach the championship match against Ukraine on Saturday, with Choi Jun scoring the lone goal in the 39th minute. It is South Korea's first trip to any final at a men's FIFA tournament. The coun

June 12, 2019

Cinderella at the show: S. Korea complete unlikely march into final

The march goes on.South Korea's Cinderella run at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland will extend all the way to the championship final, after their 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Tuesday's semifinals.Wing back Choi Jun played the unlikely hero, scoring his first goal of the tournament to send the young Taeguk Warriors to the ultimate stage.Before the tournament, when South Korean players talked confidently about making the final four, their bravado was mostly dismissed as a product of the players' y

June 12, 2019

Referees from 2 Koreas to reunite in group stage match

Football referees from the two Koreas will reunite on the pitch Monday as they are set to collaborate in the group stage at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.FIFA said that North Korea's Ri Hyang-ok will serve as referee for the Group E match between Canada and Cameroon, with her compatriot Hong Kum-nyo and South Korea's Kim Kyoung-min working as assistant referees. The match will kick off 9 p.m. Monday (local time) at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, France. They are three of the 12 Asian refer

June 10, 2019

S. Korea seeking 2nd straight win over Ecuador with final berth at stake

One more win over a familiar foe in a familiar city, and South Korea will reach unfamiliar territory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup: the championship final.South Korea will take on Ecuador in the semifinals at Lublin Stadium in Lublin, Poland, at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday (local time), or 3:30 a.m. Wednesday (Seoul time).  South Korea have never finished higher than fourth at the biennial youth tournament. In 1983, they advanced to the semifinals but lost to Brazil, and then fell to Poland in the third

June 10, 2019

Precocious midfielder delivers memorable performance in quarterfinals thriller

South Korea's youngest player at the FIFA U-20 World Cup has also been their best player, and midfielder Lee Kang-in put on a dominant show when the team needed it the most.The 18-year-old scored a goal and assisted on two others as South Korea knocked off Senegal 3-2 on penalties in the quarterfinals at Bielsko-Biala Stadium in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, on Saturday. The teams were deadlocked at 3-3 after 120 minutes of action, and Lee was involved in all three South Korean goals. For the past two

June 9, 2019

S. Korea beat Senegal on penalties to reach semifinals

South Korea advanced to the semifinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup on Saturday after knocking off Senegal on penalties in a heart-stopping contest.After the teams ended 120 minutes of regulation and extra time knotted at 3-3, South Korea prevailed 3-2 in the penalty shootout in the quarterfinals at Bielsko-Biala Stadium in Bielsko-Biala, Poland.The first two South Korean kickers missed before the fifth taker, Oh Se-hun, converted the decisive chance. Cavin Diagne, Senegal's last kicker, missed th

June 9, 2019

France beats S. Korea 4-0 in Women’s World Cup opener

France’s women took a first step to follow in the World Cup footsteps of the French men. 　  Wendie Renard, at 6-foot-2 the tallest player in the tournament, scored twice on headers off corner kicks, and Les Bleues overwhelmed South Korea 4-0 Friday night in a gala World Cup opener.　 Eugenie Le Sommer and Amandine Henry also got goals on a cool, windy night at Parc des Princes, the home of Paris Saint-Germain. French pop star Jain provided the pregame entertainment for the sellout crow

June 8, 2019

S. Korea to begin training on Monday for Olympic football qualifiers

South Korea will start preparing for the Olympic men's football qualifying tournament early next week, officials announced Tuesday.The Korea Football Association said head coach Kim Hak-bum on Monday will call up 26 players for the first training camp ahead of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation U-23 Championship, scheduled for Jan. 8-26 next year in Thailand.That competition will also serve as the Asian qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The top three teams in Thailand will pu

May 28, 2019

Jeonbuk wrap up AFC Champions League group stage with draw

South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors ended the group stage of the continent's top club football tournament with a draw on Tuesday.Jeonbuk were held to a scoreless tie by Buriram United in their final Group G match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League on Tuesday at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul.The result meant nothing to Jeonbuk, who had already clinched the top seed in Group G with a victory two weeks ago. After posting 13 points on four w

May 21, 2019

[Video] Bonghwangdang: Where you’ll meet Seoul’s biggest Liverpool fans

In Seoul’s bustling college district of Hongdae, there is a pub by the name of Bonghwangdang, or the Phoenix Hall. With the neon Liverpool Football Club emblem and the liver bird sign, it makes a conspicuous statement as an LFC supporters’ pub.Bonghwangdang, which opened its doors in 2016, is where you will meet the city’s biggest Liverpool fans. On game nights, the underground pub is crowded with soccer fans looking to catch the game with drinks. Videos shot and edited by Kim Arin/The Korea Her

April 26, 2019

Ulsan blow late lead, fail to clinch knockout berth at AFC Champions League

South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai FC squandered a late lead and fell just short of clinching a knockout spot in the top continental club football competition on Tuesday.Ulsan played Kawasaki Frontale to a 2-2 draw n Group H action at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League at Todoroki Athletics Stadium in Kawasaki, Japan.Ulsan blew a 2-1 lead in the 82nd minute when Kei Chinen scored the equalizer for Kawasaki. A victory would have given Ulsan 10 points on three wins and a draw, along

April 23, 2019

Son Heung-min makes history as Tottenham reach Champions League semis

Son Heung-min has made UEFA Champion League scoring history as he helped send Tottenham Hotspur into the semifinals of the top European club competition.Son grabbed a brace against Manchester City in the Spurs' thrilling 4-3 loss in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on Wednesday (local time). Tottenham, having taken the first leg 1-0 at home, still knocked off Man City on away goals and will go on to face Ajax in the semifinals.With 12

April 18, 2019

S. Korea drops joint bid proposal with N. Korea for Women’s World Cup

South Korea has submitted a bid to be the sole host of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, dropping an earlier proposal to co-host the event with North Korea due to a lack of prior coordination.FIFA on Wednesday announced the list of a record nine member associations that have submitted formal bidding registrations.South Korea’s Korea Football Association was listed as a sole entry, though FIFA noted the KFA’s “expressing interest in a joint bid with” North Korea. (Yonhap)Also in the running are Ar

April 17, 2019

Women's national football team to reassemble in May for World Cup prep

After playing two friendly matches against Iceland, the South Korean women's national football team will reassemble in May to resume their preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The Korea Football Association said Wednesday that the women's team, led by head coach Yoon Duk-yeo, will gather at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul, on May 7, a month before the opening of the Women's World Cup, where South Korea face Norway, Nigeria and hosts France in Group A.  (Yonhap)S

April 10, 2019

Son Heung-min makes history by scoring Tottenham's 1st goal at new home stadium

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean forward Son Heung-min has engraved his name in history as he scored the club's first-ever goal at their new home stadium.Son became the first player to score a goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Wednesday (local time) after he hit the net against Crystal Palace in the 55th minute with his left foot.It was also his 12th goal in the English Premier League this season. He now has 17 goals for Spurs across all competitions this season. (Yonhap)With his hi

April 4, 2019

Hellas Verona attacker enjoys competing for nat'l football team starting spot

Hellas Verona attacker Lee Seung-woo said Sunday competition for national football team starting spots is making him a better player as he eyes more international action for South Korea.Lee earned his 10th cap for South Korea when he played against Bolivia in a friendly match on Friday. He will try to make his 11th international appearance when South Korea take on Colombia in Seoul on Tuesday.Lee, an FC Barcelona youth product, has been struggling to get playing time since head coach Paulo Bento

March 24, 2019

S. Korean striker vows to show finisher’s instinct vs. Colombia

South Korean striker Hwang Ui-jo said Sunday he is ready to show a finisher’s instinct when his side take on Colombia in an upcoming friendly match. South Korea will host Colombia at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Tuesday. The two sides are meeting for the first time since November 2017.The Taeguk Warriors are coming off a 1-0 win over Bolivia on Friday. Hwang didn’t score a goal, but he contributed to the national football team’s first home win of 2019 by playing about 30 minutes as a seco

March 24, 2019

Ex-midfielder gets warm reception from S. Korean football fans in retirement ceremony

Former South Korean midfielder Kim Jung-woo received a warm reception at his retirement ceremony on Friday as fans gave a standing ovation for his service to the national football team. Kim officially bid goodbye to his playing career and thanked fans for their support in his retirement ceremony prepared by the Korea Football Association (KFA) during halftime of the men's national football team friendly against Bolivia at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, some 400 kilometers south of Seoul. Kim J

March 22, 2019

Back from injury, S. Korean midfielder looking to create synergy with young players

South Korean midfielder Kwon Chang-hoon said Thursday that he is looking to create synergy with young players in his national football team return match.After a yearlong absence due to a right Achilles injury, Kwon earned the opportunity to resume his international duty after making it on the South Korean football squad for friendly matches against Bolivia and Colombia this month. The Dijon FCO attacker will make his first appearance under head coach Paulo Bento if he plays against Bolivia at Mu

March 21, 2019

Koreas formally express interest in co-hosting 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA announced Tuesday that South Korea and North Korea have formally expressed their interest in co-hosting the 2023 Women's World Cup.In a press release, FIFA said it has received a record nine expressions of interest for the top global event in women's football.Joining the Koreas in the ring are Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds a soccer ball as he speaks during a press conference after the FIFA Council

March 19, 2019