Korean football prospect to sign with Italian side Verona

FC Barcelona's South Korean prospect Lee Seung-woo will move to the Italian side Hellas Verona FC, a source close to the player said Wednesday. The source said Lee decided to join the Serie A outfit on a four-year deal and will complete his medical later Wednesday. Italian media reported that Verona agreed to pay Barca a transfer fee of 1.5 million euros (US$1.79 million), while the Catalans retain a buy-back option on the South Korean for two years. If the transfer is completed, Lee will be the

Aug. 30, 2017

Iran football coach not afraid of playing in front of big S. Korean crowd

Iran's national football team head coach Carlos Queiroz said Tuesday his side is not afraid of playing the World Cup qualifier this week at a stadium packed with South Korean fans.Iran and South Korea will go head-to-head at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday. Both teams are in Group A in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.The Korea Football Association earlier said it expects some 60,000 fans at the 66,704-seat stadium, and they will boost the energy for South Korean

Aug. 29, 2017

More than 50,000 tickets sold for Korea's World Cup qualifier vs. Iran

South Korea's football governing body said Tuesday more than 50,000 tickets have been sold for the national team's World Cup qualifier against Iran later this week.The Korea Football Association said some 54,000 tickets were sold as of 3 p.m. Tuesday for South Korea's showdown against Iran at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Thursday. This is the second-fastest pace for a national team match since October 2013, when 58,000 tickets were sold two days before South Korea's clash against Brazil i

Aug. 29, 2017

With new coach, Korea face Iran in crucial World Cup qualifier

With a new boss at the helm, South Korea will face Iran in a crucial match this week that may determine their World Cup fate. The men's national football team, now led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, will host Iran at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul at 9 p.m. Thursday for their ninth match in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Both teams are in Group A, where they are also paired with Uzbekistan, Syria, Qatar and China. In Asia, the top two teams from Group A and B will

Aug. 29, 2017

Post-arm injury, Son Heung-min declares self fit for World Cup qualifiers

PAJU -- Having returned to action after an arm fracture two months ago, South Korean football attacker Son Heung-min on Monday declared himself fit for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.The Tottenham Hotspur star joined the national team at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul, where players from the domestic and Asian leagues opened camp last Monday. They will take on Iran on Thursday and Uzbekistan next Tuesday in South Korea's final two World Cup qualifying matches.These are e

Aug. 29, 2017

David Beckham to visit Korea

Retired soccer player David Beckham will visit Korea in September to attend 30th anniversary events hosted by AIA Korea as the group's global ambassador. AIA Korea announced Monday that Beckham will grace its Grand Festival 2017 on Sept. 20 to talk about his healthy lifestyle as well as various corporate outreach initiatives he’ll participate in on behalf of AIA.Beckham was quoted as saying he‘s very excited to visit Korea. He said, “I’m excited to encourage individuals to live longer, healthier

Aug. 28, 2017

Korea natl. football team set to train with full squad

South Korea's national football team will train with a full squad this week as Europe-based players are to return home Monday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.South Korea, led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, called up 26 players for their last two matches in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Taeguk Warriors are scheduled to host Iran on Thursday and take on Uzbekistan five days later.Sixteen players -- mostly domestic K League Classic-based -- have been training

Aug. 28, 2017

Veteran midfielder determined to set up strikers in World Cup qualifiers

PAJU -- South Korean midfielder Yeom Ki-hun said Friday he is ready to provide assists to strikers in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.Yeom is one of the 26 players called up by head coach Shin Tae-yong for South Korea's last two matches in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. South Korea will host Iran next Thursday and take on Uzbekistan five days later in Tashkent."The national team training is exciting," Yeom said to reporters at the National Football Center in Paju

Aug. 27, 2017

Towering striker says natl. football team is changing with new coach

South Korean striker Kim Shin-wook said the national football team is evolving with the new head coach, emphasizing that they will display a different style of football in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.Kim is one of the 26 players called up by head coach Shin Tae-yong for South Korea's last two matches in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. South Korea will host Iran next Thursday and take on Uzbekistan five days later in Tashkent.Kim, who returned to the national t

Aug. 27, 2017

Korean football club given stadium ban over violent fans

A second division club in the South Korean football league on Thursday was ordered to play its next home match behind closed doors after its supporters' violent behavior. The disciplinary committee of the K League decided that Bucheon FC will have to play their home match against Asan Mugunghwa FC on Sept. 3 without supporters following an incident last Saturday. Bucheon were also ordered to pay 10 million won ($8,800) in fines. In a K League Challenge match between Bucheon and Gyeongnam FC, som

Aug. 24, 2017

Natl. football team trying to schedule friendlies in Europe in Oct.

South Korea's national football team is trying to schedule friendly matches on the road in October if it qualifies for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, an official with the Korea Football Association said Wednesday.The KFA official told Yonhap News Agency that South Korea will have two friendly matches in Europe during FIFA's international match period in October. The official said the KFA is currently in search of opponents, who will likely be non-European nations."During the FIFA match day in October,

Aug. 23, 2017

Natl. football coach tries to implement 'tiki taka' style of play

New South Korean football head coach Shin Tae-yong wants his team to play a "tiki-taka" style of football, as he aims to speed up the game with quick passing and movement.Shin, who succeeded Uli Stielike last month, opened camp at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul, on Monday for South Korea's last two matches in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Taeguk Warriors, currently second in Group A, the last automatic qualification spot, are scheduled to

Aug. 23, 2017

Korean football club Gangwon to move to new home next season

South Korean football club Gangwon FC said Tuesday they will move into a new home stadium next season.Gangwon currently uses the Olympic Ski Jumping Centre in PyeongChang, the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Gangwon Province, as their home. But for next season, Gangwon said they will play at Songam Stadium in Chuncheon, also a city in Gangwon Province, located some 85 kilometers east of Seoul, after reaching an agreement with Chuncheon city government."We've received offers from se

Aug. 22, 2017

Korean football prospect Paik Seung-ho moves to Girona

South Korean football prospect Paik Seung-ho has joined newly promoted La Liga outfit Girona FC.The club announced Monday (local time) that Paik signed a three-year deal, although he will spend this season with Girona's B side, Peralada, in the third-tier Segunda Division B."I'm very happy to start my new career at Girona FC," Paik wrote on his Instagram. "I want to give back to fans for their support with hard work."The move ends Paik's stint with FC Barcelona, where he has spent the last seven

Aug. 22, 2017

Veteran striker urges players to sacrifice for natl. football team

PAJU, South Korea -- After returning to the national football team for the first in nearly three years, South Korean striker Lee Dong-gook said Monday the players need to sacrifice themselves for the team in the World Cup qualifying campaign.Lee, 38, will become the second-oldest player to appear in an international match for South Korea if he takes the field either against Iran on Aug. 31 or Uzbekistan on Sept. 5 in World Cup qualifiers.Lee, who last appeared on the national team in October 201

Aug. 21, 2017

Korea football coach aims to beef up defense for World Cup qualifiers

PAJU, South Korea -- South Korea football coach Shin Tae-yong said Monday the national team's primary focus will be on organizing defense in practices ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifiers.Shin's side began training with 16 players at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul, for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Iran on Aug. 31 and Uzbekistan on Sept. 5. For this early call-up, which is one week ahead of the usual schedule, Shin will work with players based in the Asian

Aug. 21, 2017

Korea's 2nd most expensive footballer readies for solid natl. team career

PAJU, South Korea -- South Korean footballer Kwon Kyung-won said Monday he is ready to build up a solid national team career after joining the senior squad for the first time.Kwon is one of 26 players selected for South Korea's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Uzbekistan. South Korea will host Iran on Aug. 31 and take on Uzbekistan five days later in Tashkent for the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.Kwon, 25, became the second most expensive South Korean foo

Aug. 21, 2017

Korean Barca prospect nearing move to Italy: source

FC Barcelona's South Korean prospect Lee Seung-woo is nearing a move to Italy, a source close to the player said Monday.The source said FC Barcelona are in talks with Italian club Hellas Verona FC over Lee's transfer and added the move could be finalized sometime this week.Lee has been training with Barca's "B" team, the Spanish giants' reserve squad, but he wasn't expected to receive much playing time. With Honduran forward Choco Lozano and Brazilian attacking midfielder Vitinho having filled B

Aug. 21, 2017

Young forward in fine form ahead of natl. team duty

Austria-based South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan showed he is in fine form ahead of his national team duty later this month, as he scored a goal in a playoff for a European club competition.Hwang struck the opening goal in Red Bull Salzburg's 3-1 win over Viitorul Constanta in their first leg of the UEFA Europa League playoff tie at Central Stadium Hagi Academy in Ovidiu, Romania, on Friday. The 21-year-old found the back of net with his right-footed shot just two minutes after the kickoff foll

Aug. 18, 2017

Park Ji-sung tells Korean footballers to overcome World Cup qualifying pressure

South Korean football icon Park Ji-sung said Thursday that the national team players should overcome World Cup qualifying pressure to earn good results in upcoming matches.South Korea, led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, will host Iran on Aug. 31 and take on Uzbekistan five days later on the road in their final World Cup qualifying campaign. Both are considered must-win matches for the Taeguk Warriors, who are barely holding on to the last automatic qualification spot in Group A in the final Asian

Aug. 17, 2017