[World Cup] Stars rise and fall in S. Korea's Russia 2018 journey

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea suffered an early exit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but even in their short time at football's showpiece event, the Taeguk Warriors saw new stars rising. South Korea were eliminated in the group stage at the 2018 World Cup after finishing third in Group F. They beat defending champions Germany 2-0 in their final group stage match, but fell 1-0 to Sweden and 2-1 to Mexico in the first two matches. Among South Korean players who made his name internationally was goalkee

June 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean players to resume club duties after early exit

KAZAN, Russia -- With their 2018 FIFA World Cup journey coming to an end, South Korea's national football team players will return home later this week and prepare for fresh starts with their respective clubs. South Korea failed to advance to the round of 16 despite their 2-0 win over defending champions Germany in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday. South Korea finished third in Group F with one win and two draws. South Korea's 23-man squad flew back to their World Cup base camp in Saint Petersburg ho

June 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea's 4-year journey to Russia 2018 ends with regrets

KAZAN, Russia -- Now, they have to wait another four years. South Korea's four-year quest to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia concluded with a stunning 2-0 win over defending champions Germany on Wednesday. Despite the historic win, South Korea couldn't smile as they failed to make the round of 16. The Taeguk Warriors ended up in third place in Group F. Before meeting Germany, they suffered a 1-0 loss to Sweden and fell 2-1 to Mexico.Considering what they've gone through for the last four years

June 28, 2018

[World Cup] Much-maligned player gets last laugh in win

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korean defender/midfielder Jang Hyun-soo knew he'd hit rock bottom, but he still tried to look on the bright side.The only way for him to go, after all, was up.After dismal performances against Sweden and Mexico at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Jang turned in a solid game as South Korea shocked Germany 2-0 on Wednesday. Though South Korea still missed out on the knockout play, the victory provided a feel-good  finish to what had been an extremely stressful competition for

June 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean coach's future uncertain despite win over Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea football coach Shin Tae-yong's future is still under a cloud of uncertainty even after the national football team's historic win over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.South Korea beat Germany 2-0 in their final Group F match at Kazan Arena. Even so, South Korea failed to advance to the round of 16 in their 10th World Cup. The Taeguk Warriors earlier lost 1-0 to Sweden and fell 2-1 to Mexico. Both Sweden and Mexico finished Group F with two wins and one

June 28, 2018

[World Cup] Son Heung-min's 2nd tournament experience ends in tears, but with different meaning

KAZAN, Russia -- Son Heung-min wept again at the FIFA World Cup, but this time for a different reason.Son, wearing the captain's armband, scored South Korea's second goal in the Taeguk Warriors' stunning 2-0 win over defending champions Germany in their Group F closing match on Wednesday. It was his second goal of the tournament, following his left-footed curler against Mexico in their second Group F match. Son burst into tears after the final whistle at Kazan Arena, and his tears had somewhat d

June 28, 2018

[World Cup] Defender transforms himself from ugly duckling to hero through Russia 2018

KAZAN, Russia -- Before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, South Korean defender Kim Young-gwon was one of those players who seemed to have more haters than fans. Now that ugly duckling has changed into a swan with his inspiring performance, especially with South Korea's 2-0 win over Germany at Kazan Arena on Wednesday.Kim scored South Korea's opening goal in the 94th minute from close range. His scoring was initially ruled offside, but after a video review, it was ruled a legitimate goal.  South Korea`s

June 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean keeper remains humble after blanking Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea did the nearly unthinkable at the FIFA World Cup here on Wednesday, blanking defending champions Germany 2-0 to close out Group F action behind yet another stellar performance from goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.Though South Korea were still eliminated from knockout contention, Jo was named the well-deserved Man of the Match. But he remained the picture of humility, saying any of the two other goalkeepers on the team, Kim Seung-gyu and Kim Jin-hyeon, would have done just as

June 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea avoid dishonorable records with win over Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea avoided dishonorable records in their football history with their historic win over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.South Korea blanked defending champions Germany 2-0 in their final Group F match at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow. This was South Korea's first win at the 2018 World Cup after losing 1-0 to Sweden and falling 2-1 to Mexico. Shin Tae-yong's side finished third in Group F ahead of Germany. The loss against the wo

June 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea stun Germany on way out of World Cup

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea stunned Germany 2-0 while being eliminated in the group stage at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, bringing the defending champions down with them.South Korea needed to beat Germany by at least two goals and have Mexico defeat Sweden in the other Group F match Wednesday. The Taeguk Warriors took care of their own end at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow, with Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min each scoring in second-half stoppage time. But Sweden

June 28, 2018

[Trending] Can South Korea pull off ‘miracle’ against Germany in World Cup?

With two losses and key players injured, South Korean fans have mixed feelings about the decisive game against Germany slated for Wednesday 11 p.m.“Our third or last opponent #Germany. Our only answer is victory!” said a Twitter user. Other tweets expressed how they will pray for a miracle.Another user was not optimistic, “I have already given up. Just hope that Germany does not win by 7:0.” The users also posted about how they were betting on foreign-based betting sites that Germany would win b

June 27, 2018

[World Cup] Kim Jong-un, Putin lookalikes stun soccer spectators

Just as Uruguay and Russia were about to face off for the Group A teams’ third match, the crowd went wild, as it appeared North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had made a sudden appearance at Samara Arena, local media outlets reported. According to 24 Horas, a Kim Jong-un lookalike, wearing thick-rimmed glasses and an all-black suit, turned heads as he walked into the stadium without a security detail. The crowd reportedly was hesitant at first, but soon surrounded him in hopes of getting a picture to

June 27, 2018

[World Cup] Can Son Heung-min earn pass on military service?

Online soccer platform Onefootball said Tuesday that there had been hopes for South Korean soccer players to be exempted from military service should they advance to the quarterfinals or further at the World Cup.A number of newspapers touched on Son Heung-min’s struggles to avoid military service upon discussing South Korea’s upcoming match against defending champion Germany on Wednesday.(Yonhap)As the speculation circulated, soccer media news publisher 101 Great Goals countered, saying the Worl

June 27, 2018

[World Cup] Son Heung-min honored to face Germany, still wants to win

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea's attacking ace Son Heung-min said Tuesday he feels honored to face the defending champions Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup but will try to collect a good result for his national team.South Korea will take on defending champions Germany in their final group stage match at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow, on Wednesday.South Korea sit in last place in Group F with two losses, but they're still in contention for the round of 16. If they beat

June 27, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea coach says team ready to beat odds vs. Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea football coach Shin Tae-yong said Tuesday his side will try to beat the odds against Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, though he knows it's not an easy task.South Korea will take on defending champions Germany in their final group stage match at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow, on Wednesday.South Korea sit in last place in Group F with two losses, but they're still in contention for the round of 16. If they beat Germany, and Sweden lose to

June 27, 2018

[World Cup] Preparing for a miracle, S. Korea polish up tactics for match vs. Germany

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia -- Trying to make a miracle, S. Korea on Monday conducted their tactical training for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup match against Germany behind closed doors.South Korea will face Germany at Kazan Arena in Kazan on Wednesday for their last match in Group F. Although chances appear to be slim, South Korea can still advance to the round of 16 even though they have dropped their last two matches.If they beat Germany and Sweden lose to Mexico, then the three teams excludi

June 26, 2018

[Trending] Why BJ Gamst’s World Cup coverage is wildly popular?

During every World Cup season, the broadcasting stations in Korea compete to feature the best commentators during live broadcasts. The list of top commentators includes former national team football players, coaches, announcers and analysts. This year, SBS got legendary football star Park Ji-sung as one of their commentators and KBS got former national team player Lee Young-pyo. MBC, however, added an exceptional figure on its commentator list, a top streamer “Gamst.” The TV network company expl

June 25, 2018

[World Cup] In bid to reach knockout stage, S. Korea also trying to make history

Even after losing their first two matches at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, South Korea are somehow still alive in the tournament, with a chance to book a knockout spot by beating Germany in its Group F finale.In Group F, Mexico are the leaders with six points, and Germany and Sweden each have three points, followed by South Korea with zero.But if South Korea beat Germany by at least two goals and Mexico defeat Sweden on Wednesday -- when both matches will be held simultaneously -- then South Kor

June 25, 2018

[World Cup] After painful defeat to Mexico, S. Korea conduct post-match training in rain

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia -- South Korea conducted a post-match training session in the rain on Sunday as they focused on recovery of the players' fitness ahead of their final group stage match against Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.South Korea's 23-man squad returned to their base camp in Saint Petersburg hours after they suffered a 2-1 loss to Mexico at Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Saturday. For Sunday's training at Spartak Stadium in Lomonosov, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, So

June 25, 2018

[World Cup] In desperation, S. Korean football coach vows to give all in match vs. Germany

South Korea football coach Shin Tae-yong said Sunday his side will give their all-out efforts to collect a win over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, although it's not going to be an easy mission.South Korea are last in Group F with two losses, but if they beat Germany and Sweden lose to Mexico, the Taeguk Warriors may advance to the round of 16 with Mexico. Germany and Sweden both have one win and one loss apiece, while Mexico are the leaders with two wins. Although chances are slim, Shin sai

June 25, 2018