[World Cup] Dutch delight after Australia fright at World Cup

Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie scored as Netherlands came from behind to beat brave Australia 3-2 at the World Cup on Wednesday.(AFP-Yonhap)A second-half strike from Memphis Depay settled an electrifying Group B encounter at Porto Alegre's Beira-Rio Stadium after a stunning Tim Cahill volley and a Mile Jedinak penalty helped the Socceroos take a 2-1 lead.Netherlands -- who thrashed reigning champions Spain 5-1 in their opening match -- are now in pole position to finish top of the group with

June 19, 2014

[World Cup] Spain dethroned as Chile dazzle

Holders Spain sensationally crashed out of the World Cup on Wednesday with a 2-0 defeat to Chile that condemned them to become the fifth champions to fail to get past the first round.On a day when King Juan Carlos tearfully sealed his abdication after a four-decade reign, Spain's players were booted off their throne in 90 minutes after six years as the dominant force of world football.Chile's Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz administered the killer blows as a trophy-laden Spanish era was brou

June 19, 2014

[World Cup] Honors even

CUIABA, Brazil ― South Korea’s meticulous World Cup preparations paid off enough to stop its losing streak, as the Taeguk Warriors reached a 1-1 draw with Russia on Tuesday in the final opening group match in Brazil.Korean forward Lee Keun-ho scored the opening goal in the 68th minute, followed by a dramatic equalizer by Russia’s Aleksandr Kerzhakov just six minutes later.The draw stopped Korea’s painful pre-World Cup slide after being routed by Tunisia 1-0 and Ghana 4-0. It also marked Korea’s

June 18, 2014

[World Cup] Tik-Italia: Italy adapts passing game to the heat

MANGARATIBA, Brazil (AP) ― Call it tik-Italia.Italy has taken Spain’s famed “tiki-taka” system and revamped it to deal with Brazil’s heat and humidity.The Azzurri mesmerized England by completing an astounding 93.2 percent of their passes during a 2-1 win on Saturday according to data company Opta Sports ― the highest accuracy recorded in a World Cup match since the statistic began to be recorded in 1966. The previous record belonged to Denmark at 92.7 percent from a 6-1 win over Uruguay in 1986

June 18, 2014

[World Cup] Korean fans hail result

Groans and sighs of relief were mixed among South Korean fans on Wednesday as their national team played to a 1-1 draw against Russia in their first World Cup Group H match, a better-than-expected result.Despite the early commute hours, nearly 50,000 South Korean fans gathered in front of giant outdoor TV screens set up in the central Gwanghwamun Square and southern Yeongdong Boulevard areas, two major street cheering spots in Seoul.The street cheering squads erupted with joy and yells when Sout

June 18, 2014

[World Cup] Stadium stairs wobble under fans’ weight

Video of a staircase most people use to get to and from Rio’s famed Maracana stadium shows the structure built atop scaffolding wobbling under the weight of fans who attended the World Cup game between Argentina and Bosnia over the weekend.Fans of various nationalities said Tuesday that they were scared it might come crashing down. Fans take photographs as they gather outside Maracana stadium where the first 2014 World Cup match for Argentina's national soccer team will take place in Rio de Jane

June 18, 2014

[World Cup] Some stars shining, others remain dim

After just one match each, Robin van Persie and Lionel Messi have already equaled their goal tallies from their previous two World Cups combined. Robin van PersieTwo of football’s biggest stars are finally shining where it matters most.While it has taken van Persie and Messi three tournaments to find their feet, other strikers seem to thrive on the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the World Cup from day one.Thomas Mueller, joint tournament top scorer with five in South Africa four years ago, grabbe

June 18, 2014

[World Cup] Korea, Russia both happy with hard-fought draw

Head coaches for both South Korea and Russia said they were happy with the hard-fought 1-1 draw in their Group H match at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Brazil on Tuesday. Hong Myung-bo (Yonhap)Lee Keun-ho put South Korea up 1-0 in the 68th before Aleksandr Kerzhakov pulled Russia even six minutes later.Though his players blew a precious lead, South Korean coach Hong Myung-bo said they played "a smart game, tactically and physically." "We played a solid game and got a point, and there's no reason

June 18, 2014

[World Cup] Mexico holds host Brazil to 0-0 draw at World Cup

He was called a hero and a savior by his Mexican teammates. His Brazilian opponents said he produced miracles.There is no doubt that Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was the one responsible for spoiling Brazil's hopes of another World Cup victory at its home tournament.  Brazil's Paulinho (8) watches as Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa punches the ball clear of the goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Tuesday, Ju

June 18, 2014

[World Cup] Korea, Russia play out cautious 1-1 draw

CUIABA, Brazil -- South Korea and Russia played to a cautious 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener Tuesday in Brazil.Hours after Brazil and Mexico of Group A finished their game scoreless, South Korea’s Lee Keun-ho, a second-half substitute, and Russia’s Aleksandr Kerzhakov scored six minutes apart in the second half. Both sides took a conservative approach in the first half, avoiding long balls and risky passes. But late into the second half, Korea increased its scoring attempts and Lee broke the

June 18, 2014

[World Cup] Korea’s WC rival Belgium topples Algeria 2-1

Hours before South Korea and Russia’s World Cup opener, fellow Group H contender Belgium overcame Algeria 2-1 in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.Algeria opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Sofiane Feghouli converted a penalty kick down the center after Belgian Jan Vertonghen received a yellow card for tugging at the midfielder during an attempt on goal.Algeria played defensively in the second half, giving the Belgians little chance to find an opening.    Belgium's Dries Mertens celebrates after sco

June 18, 2014

[World Cup] Portugal deny Meireles gave referee 'double finger'

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) -- Portugal denied midfielder Raul Meireles gave a World Cup referee the finger in his side's stormy 4-0 defeat to Germany, insisting that he was merely gesturing a tactical switch. Portugal's Raul Meireles looks at the ball during the group G World Cup soccer match between Germany and Portugal at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Monday, June 16, 2014. (AP-Yonhap)Pictures on social media show Meireles, who sports a distinctive Mohawk hairstyle, raising the third fin

June 17, 2014

(Photo News) Reds vie in the morning

June 17, 2014

[World Cup] Germany dominates Portugal

SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) ― Thomas Mueller picked up where he left off at the World Cup, scoring a hat trick in Germany’s 4-0 victory over 10-man Portugal in the Group G opener on Monday.Mueller scored five goals at the 2010 World Cup, along with three other players, but he also had three assists and that gave the Bayern Munich forward the honor of top scorer in South Africa.“To score three goals in the World Cup opener against such an opponent is great,” Mueller said of his performance against Port

June 17, 2014

[World Cup] Spain hopes to reverse Maracana luck vs. Chile

CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) ― The Maracana is not filled with many fond memories for Spain, whose World Cup title is on the line at the iconic football stadium.Spain returns to the Maracana for Wednesday’s must-win match against Chile nearly one year after a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final.Spain’s 5-1 loss to the Netherlands to open Group B was its heaviest competitive defeat since a 6-1 defeat to Brazil at the famed stadium in Rio de Janeiro at the 1950 World Cup.Spain isn’t lett

June 17, 2014

[World Cup] Honda: Japan must play to strengths

Japan talisman Keisuke Honda said Monday the side must try to dominate possession if it is to keep its World Cup hopes alive after a defeat in their Group C opener.Honda gave the Asian champion the lead against Ivory Coast on Saturday but, inspired by Didier Drogba, the Africans hit back with two goals to leave the Blue Samurai’s tournament hopes in the balance.Alberto Zaccheroni’s side cannot afford to slip up in Natal on Thursday when it meets Greece, who lost their first match, 3-0 to Colombi

June 17, 2014

[World Cup] N. Korea airs taped versions of WC matches

Despite its failure to join the 2014 World Cup, North Korea broadcast the taped version of the match between England and Italy on Monday, pointing to the reclusive country’s World Cup fever. Italy's Mario Balotelli, left, challenges for the ball with England's Gary Cahill during the group D World Cup soccer match between England and Italy at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (Yonhap-AP)The England-Italy match was broadcast by the country’s official Korean Central

June 17, 2014

[World Cup] Korean national team ready to take on Russia

With less than 24 hours to kickoff, the South Korean World Cup team’s biggest hurdle to overcome now is to stay focused in order to avoid defeat, head coach Hong Myung-bo noted on Monday.Hong said that in many previous matches, goals were generally scored early on in the first half. Attackers would barrel through an inattentive defense, as was seen when Ghana trounced Korea 4-0 in their final World Cup friendly on June 9.“What is most important for us is concentration,” said Hong at a press conf

June 17, 2014

[World Cup] S. Korean coach hints at conservative approach vs. Russia

South Korean head coach Hong Myung-bo on Monday hinted at a conservative approach against Russia in the upcoming World Cup showdown, saying his team should "play not to lose." (Yonhap)The Group H kickoff between the 57th-ranked South Korea and the 19th-ranked Russia will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, in the central-west region of the host Brazil. At a pre-match press conference held at the stadium, Hong said it was as important to avoid a loss as it is to try to win the opene

June 17, 2014