Hernandez brace sends United into quarters; Inter also move on

Hernandez brace sends United into quarters; Inter also move onLONDON (AP) ― Holder Inter Milan staged a second-half comeback to oust Bayern Munich on away goals in a repeat of last season’s final and Manchester United advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive season by beating Marseille 2-1 on Tuesday.Goran Pandev’s 88th-minute goal for Inter earned a 3-2 victory at

March 16, 2011

Roster tweaked for national team

Cho Kwang-rae to test more young talent ahead of 2014 World CupIt’s been over six months since Cho Kwang-rae took over the national football team, but the manager said he is still not satisfied with the team’s performances so far. “The team is now only half-way to becoming my ideal team,” Cho said Tuesday at the KFA’s office in Seoul, while announcing his new squad members. Since he took the reins

March 16, 2011

Lee sends Bolton into FA Cup semis

Korean midfielder heads winner in 90th minuteLONDON (AFP) ― Lee Chung-yong fired Bolton into the FA Cup last four as the South Korean’s late goal clinched a 3-2 win over Birmingham in the quarterfinals at St. Andrew’s on Saturday.Owen Coyle’s side looked to have been denied a place in the last four when Kevin Phillips hit a late equalizer for Birmingham, but Bolton midfielder Lee headed the winner

March 13, 2011

Resolute Tottenham

Spurs survive Milan to roar into Champions League quartersLONDON (AP) ― Tottenham kept up its impressive debut in the Champions League by ousting AC Milan on Wednesday, while Felix Magath’s future as Schalke coach remains uncertain despite the German side reaching the quarterfinals with a victory over Valencia.Tottenham protected its 1-0 first-leg lead over seven-time European champion Milan by ho

March 10, 2011

Messi, Barca maul Arsenal 3-1

Shakhtar join Spanish giants in quarterfinalsLONDON (AP) ― Barcelona overwhelmed Arsenal with a 3-1 victory following Lionel Messi’s double and Shakhtar Donetsk reached the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time after beating AS Roma 3-0 on Tuesday.While Barcelona outclassed Arsenal for the second successive season, the match turned in the Spanish champions’ favor in a three-minute spel

March 9, 2011

Ognenovski sets bigger goals

Last year was one to remember for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma. The team from just south of Seoul not only won the Asian Champions League but went on to finish in third place at the FIFA Club World Cup after meeting European champion Inter Milan.It was even better for Sasa Ognenovski, a man looking forward to his third K-League season. The Australian was the man handed the trophy in Tokyo in November. He

March 8, 2011

Race for championship wide open in Korea’s soccer league

It’s finally here. Three months after FC Seoul defeated Jeju United to bring home the K-League title, the 2011 season starts Saturday with a record 16 teams looking for success.How success is defined depends on the team, but almost half will be dreaming of the golden trophy. The serious contenders are the usual suspects and teams that have all won it in the last decade: Seoul, Jeonbuk, Suwon, Poha

March 1, 2011

Korean clubs set for Asian Champions League

The Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League, the continent’s premier club tournament, kicks off Tuesday, with four South Korean teams in the battle for regional bragging rights.On Tuesday, Jeju United of the K-League, the first division South Korean league, hosts Tianjin Teda of China in Group E action.In Group F, FC Seoul travels to the United Arab Emirates to take on Al Ain.Then on Wedne

Feb. 28, 2011

Park scores brace in draw

In Monaco, South Korea striker Park Chu-young converted a penalty kick in the 35th after Caen defender Thomas Heurtaux handled the ball inside the area.Park doubled the lead in the 62nd with a powerful drive from the edge of the box.Monaco’s Park Chu-young (center) is congratulated by teammate Thomas Mangani after his goal. (AFP-Yonhap News)But Youssef El-Arabi pulled one back for Caen in the 67th

Feb. 27, 2011

Southeastern teams seek soccer glory

K-League title hasn’t come to region since 2007 when Pohang lifted the trophySouth Korea is a highly centralized country. In soccer terms, you can extend that from the capital to the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. In 2010, the three big prizes all came to the northwest. The FA Cup was won by Suwon, the K-League trophy now resides in Seoul and Seongnam became the champion of Asia.Still, there is an

Feb. 22, 2011

Many changes in store as K-League season set to kick off

The fixtures for the new K-League season have finally been announced and the 29th edition kicks off on March 5. There is much to look forward to in 2011 but it is a case of getting in at the deep end for the nation’s soccer fans as the opening weekend sees a clash between the country’s two biggest rivals FC Seoul and Suwon Bluewings.More than 60,000 are expected at Seoul World Cup Stadium and it p

Feb. 17, 2011

Arsenal stun Barca 2-1

Boltonclip Wigan 1-0 in FA Cup 4th-round replayLONDON (AP) ― Arsenal rallied in the second half to beat Spanish giant Barcelona 2-1 in a thrilling first-leg match in the last 16 of the Champions League and three Brazilians scored for Shakhtar Donetsk in its 3-2 victory in Roma.Russia captain Andrey Arshavin came off the bench and capped a flowing length-of-the-field move with the winner for Arsena

Feb. 17, 2011

Nam breaks language barrier

VALENCIENNES, France (AFP) ― Having overcome difficulties with the language barrier, Valenciennes’ South Korean youngster Nam Tae-hee has begun to play a central role in his side’s battle to avoid relegation.With two assists in nine appearances this season, the 19-year-old is starting to make his presence felt ― a little over two years since he arrived in France in January 2009.He has also earned

Feb. 17, 2011

Park, Cha out with injuries

South Korean soccer players Park Ji-sung and Cha Du-ri have been ruled out for about a month with injuries, their respective European clubs said Tuesday.Park, a midfielder for Manchester United in the English Premier League, will miss about four weeks of action with a hamstring injury, the team announced on its website. Celtic’s Cha Du-ri“We got a blow on Saturday morning with the news that Park J

Feb. 16, 2011

S. Korean footballers Park, Cha out with injuries

South Korean football players Park Ji-sung and Cha Du-ri have been ruled out for about a month with injuries, their respective European clubs said Tuesday.Park, a midfielder for Manchester United in the English Premier League, will miss about four weeks of action with a hamstring injury, the team announced on its Web site.Park Ji-sung (Yonhap News)"We got a blow on Saturday morning with the news t

Feb. 16, 2011

So long, Ronaldo

SAO PAULO (AP) ― A tearful Ronaldo said goodbye to soccer, having finally met an opponent he couldn’t overcome.His body no longer able to meet the demands of the game, the 34-year-old striker retired Monday. He ends a magnificent career in which he won two World Cups with Brazil and thrived with some of Europe’s top teams. He played 18 years despite repeated knee trouble and leaves as a three-time

Feb. 15, 2011

Report: Ronaldo set to announce his retirement

SAO PAULO (AP) _ Three-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldo will announce his retirement from football on Monday, according to a Brazilian newspaper.``It's time,'' Ronaldo was quoted as saying by the website of the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper on Sunday. ``I can't keep going. I wanted to continue but I can't. I think about making a play but I can't execute it.'' (AP)Ronaldo's agent, Fabiano Farah,

Feb. 14, 2011

Park scores as Monaco sink Lorient

In Monaco, defender Igor Lolo opened the scoring for the hosts with a bouncing shot after three minutes.France international Kevin Gameiro leveled for Lorient in the 22nd with a first-time strike into the top corner off a long pass from Morgan Amalfitano. Monaco forward Park Chu-young (right) celebrates his goal against Lorient. (AFP-Yonhap News)Thomas Mangani outpaced the Lorient defense to give

Feb. 13, 2011