Mourinho: Ronaldo thinks he knows it all

MADRID (AFP) ― Former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has taken a parting shot at his old team’s biggest star Cristiano Ronaldo, saying the striker thought he knew it all.Mourinho, who is returning to Chelsea next season after three divisive years at the Santiago Bernabeu, was asked why relations between the two Portuguese compatriots had deteriorated.“Cristiano had three fantastic seasons with me, all of them,” the 50-year-old Mourinho told Spanish television Intereconomia’s sports program Punt

June 6, 2013

‘Son Heung-min may move to Bayer Leverkusen’

Son Heung-min, a striker for Hamburg SV and one of South Korea’s top soccer prospects, may move to Bayer Leverkusen, German media reported Wednesday.According to Kicker Online, Son is close to reaching a deal with Leverkusen, the team on which Korean soccer star Cha Bum-kun used to play.The website expected Son’s transfer fee to be about 10 million euros ($13 million).Leverkusen’s spokesman Dirk Mesch told Goal.com that the club could not confirm this report. Son’s agent Thies Bliemeister was un

June 6, 2013

Japan first team to reach WC

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) ― Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, tying Australia 1-1 Tuesday night on Keisuke Honda’s penalty kick in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.Before a crowd of 62,172, Tommy Oar put Australia ahead in the 82nd minute. But Matthew McKay’s hand ball set up the penalty kick for Honda, who beat goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer with a left-footed shot to the top corner.

June 5, 2013

Deep problems linger for Korean national team

As soccer draws go, this was as dramatic as it could get. South Korea managed a 1-1 tie against Lebanon in the countries’ World Cup qualifier in Beirut Tuesday, as Kim Chi-woo netted the equalizer on a free kick just moments from the whistle.The score brought South Korea back from the brink of a stunning loss to a heavy underdog, but the last-gasp goal masked deeper problems. South Korea entered the game ranked 42nd in the FIFA table, 87 spots ahead of Lebanon. On paper, the match should have be

June 5, 2013

Korea, FIFA discussing moving World Cup qualifier in Lebanon

South Korea and international football officials are discussing moving the country's upcoming World Cup qualifier in Lebanon to a third location because of security concerns in the Middle East country, a football official here said Friday.South Korea is scheduled to play Lebanon in Beirut next Tuesday local time, in the ongoing final round of the Asian qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The South Korean team is currently training in Dubai and is set to fly to Lebanon on the wee

May 31, 2013

Soccer star offers to adopt Chinese baby rescued from sewers

Romanian soccer star Adrian Mutu offered to adopt a Chinese newborn who was rescued from a sewer pipe last week, British media reported Thursday.“When I saw the baby I said, ‘I must adopt him, he has been sent to me by God,’” Mutu was quoted as saying. “I told my wife we have to help him, we have to do everything we can.”The father of three said that he felt he “had to help” the child, who “accidently” fell into the toilet immediately after his birth. The 34-year-old striker, playing for AC Ajac

May 31, 2013

Bayern passes United as world’s most valuable soccer brand

Bayern Munich, which won the Champions League title four days ago, has ousted Manchester United from first place in brand value, according to a survey of the world’s top soccer teams. Brand Finance Plc gave Bayern a brand valuation of 668 million euros ($860 million), up 8 percent from last year, the company said in an emailed statement, citing its annual report. Manchester United, which won a record 20 English league titles, fell to second place with a brand estimated at 650 million euros. “Bay

May 29, 2013

Neymar signs 5-year agreement with Barcelona

Brazilian striker Neymar says he is officially a Barcelona player.Neymar said he signed a five-year contract agreement with the Spanish powerhouse on Monday, two days after announcing that he decided to pick the Catalan club instead of Real Madrid. “I'm sad to be leaving Santos, but it's a great honor to be signing with a club like Barcelona and to be able to play with some of the best players in the world,” Neymar said. The 21-year-old Brazilian will be joining a star-filled roster that already

May 28, 2013

Lazio beats Roma 1-0 to win Italian Cup final

Lazio took city bragging rights by beating Roma 1-0 Sunday in a derby to win a heated Italian Cup final and maintain its recent edge in the series.Senad Lulic scored in the 71st minute at the Stadio Olimpico after goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont failed to clear a cross from Antonio Candreva, leaving the unmarked Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder to put the ball into the net at the far post.“This victory won't be forgotten,” Lulic said. “I found myself there in the right moment. I dedicate this goal to my w

May 27, 2013

Bayern wins Champions League

LONDON (AP) ― Arjen Robben found redemption at Wembley Stadium. Robben scored a go-ahead goal in the 89th minute to give Bayern Munich a 2-1 victory over German rival Borussia Dortmund on Saturday night in the Champions League final, ending four years of frustration for his team in club soccer’s biggest tournament.“I don’t know how many times I dreamed about it,” Robben said. “Everybody I spoke to before the game, I said, ‘Today is going to be the night and we’re going to do it.’ To do it in the

May 26, 2013

Neymar says he is joining Barcelona on 5-year deal

SAO PAULO (AP) ― Neymar said Saturday he will be joining Barcelona after the Confederations Cup, the latest addition to a star-filled roster that already includes four-time FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.The decision came a day after Neymar’s Brazilian club, Santos, said it had accepted offers from Barcelona and Spanish rival Real Madrid, and that it was up to him to pick where he wanted to play.The 21-year-old striker made the announcement on Twitter and

May 26, 2013