[World Cup] Despite 1-0 loss, S. Korean goalkeeper makes impressive tournament debut

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo made an impressive World Cup debut on Monday, although his team fell to Sweden 1-0 in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F opener.Jo was South Korea's starting goalkeeper at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, which was somewhat of a surprise decision by head coach Shin Tae-yong.Jo has been competing with Kim Seung-gyu for the starting job in Russia but was thought to be a backup. While Kim had 33 caps and appeared at t

June 18, 2018

[World Cup] With stadium dominantly yellow, S. Korean supporters show their energy

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- It felt like Sweden's home. Yellow was the dominant color at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on Monday as Swedish fans packed the competition venue for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F match between South Korea and Sweden. South Koreans in red colors, however, didn't back down.  (Yonhap)Football fans flocked to the stadium even five hours before kickoff. With their families and friends and wearing national team shirts, fans raised their voices from t

June 18, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea fall to Sweden 1-0 in Group F showdown

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- South Korea fell to Sweden 1-0 in their World Cup Group F showdown on Monday, unable to put a shot on target after wasting a promising start.(Yonhap)Swedish captain Andreas Granqvist converted a 65th-minute penalty following a video review at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and the 24th-ranked Europeans held on for a clean sheet victory over 57th-ranked South Korea.This was South Korea's first loss in their World Cup opener since 1998.(Yonhap)South

June 18, 2018

[Photo News] Korean soccer fans react to loss against Sweden

Korean soccer fans reacted strongly as their national soccer team got beaten by Sweden 0-1 in World Cup Russia 2018 Group F match held in Nizhny Novgorod in Russia on Monday. Before the kickoff, thousands of Koreans took to outdoor cheering venues in the streets of South Korea and in Nizhny Novgorod, a city some 425 kilometers east of Moscow, to share their passion for the victory of its national teamAmid the sweltering summer heat here, a flurry of supporters in red uniforms gathered at venues,

June 18, 2018

[Video] Red Devils paint the town red to cheer national squad

[From the scene]Thousands of Korean football fans could not hide their enthusiasm as they flooded the streets nationwide to cheer for their team in the first Group F match against Sweden that began at 9 p.m. Monday.(Shot and edited by Park Ju-young / The Korea Herald)Lee Sung-wan, 36, could not hide his excitement as he carried his two 3-year-old children dressed up in soccer uniforms in front of Seoul City Hall.“I could not miss out on this historic event. This is my children’s first World Cup

June 18, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea, Sweden scoreless at halftime in Group F showdown

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- South Korea and Sweden found themselves scoreless at halftime in their World Cup Group F showdown on Monday.South Korea, ranked 57th, put on some early pressure before No. 24 Sweden turned the tide in their favor at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. For all their superior possession numbers early, South Korea made just one shot attempt, and none on target. Sweden had eight attempts, with two on target.(Yonhap)South Korea had a 4-3-3 formation to start

June 18, 2018

[World Cup] With towering striker upfront, S. Korea set to use back 4 vs. Sweden

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- Towering striker Kim Shin-wook will start in South Korea's 2018 FIFA World Cup opener against Sweden on Monday.The starting lineup released by FIFA shows South Korea are likely to use a 4-3-3 formation, with Kim, listed at 197 centimeters, as a surprising starter upfront in their Group F opening match against Sweden at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, some 425 kilometers east of Moscow. The kickoff time is 3 p.m. local time, or 9 p.m. Seoul time.(Yonhap)Sout

June 18, 2018

Now-TV commentator Park Ji-sung says S. Korea should watch out for Emil Forsberg

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- South Korean football icon Park Ji-sung, who now works as a commentator for local broadcaster SBS, said Monday the national football team should be aware of Sweden's playmaker Emil Forsberg when the two sides open their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign.  Park Ji-sung (Yonhap)South Korea and Sweden will go head-to-head in their Group F opener at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod later Monday. The match will start at 3 p.m. local time, or 9 p.m. Seoul time. Park, wh

June 18, 2018

Assistant coach Cha Du-ri to wear headset in match vs. Sweden

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- South Korea confirmed that their assistant coach Cha Du-ri will be wearing a headset to communicate with coaching staff on the bench during their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F opening match against Sweden on Monday.South Korea and Sweden will open their World Cup campaign at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, some 425 kilometers east of Moscow. The match will start at 3 p.m. local time, or 9 p.m. Seoul time. (Yonhap)A Korea Football Association official said Cha

June 18, 2018

[Graphic News] Stars to look out for 2018 FIFA World Cup

　Here is a look at the top soccer players in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

June 18, 2018

[Photo News] Red Devils get ready for the big match

The South Korean national soccer team is set to square off against Sweden on Monday at 9 p.m., and Korean fans, or “Red Devils” as they call themselves, are gearing up for the big match.Fans have already gathered at Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, where the game will take place. As world soccer governing body FIFA holds a fan festival in the city, World Cup fans flood the streets to cheer on their favorite teams. Meanwhile, a large outdoor screen was installed at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to greet lo

June 18, 2018

Where to go for watching S. Korea-Sweden match

The World Cup season is here again, and South Koreans are gearing up to cheer for the national football team ahead of the big match against Sweden which kicks off Monday at 9 p.m.South Korean football fans are well known for their distinctive street cheering culture, which features red clothing and cheerful songs. (Yonhap)The most significant street cheering event is expected to take place in Gwanghwamun Square, where a 500-inch screen has been installed to livestream the football game. Local me

June 18, 2018

More than half of Koreans believe team will miss knockout stage

More than half of South Koreans believe their national football team will fail to advance from the group stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia, a poll showed Monday.In a survey of 500 South Koreans aged 19 or older by Realmeter, 54.7 percent said they didn't think South Korea would survive Group F. South Korea will open their campaign later Monday against Sweden, and will face Mexico on Saturday and Germany on June 27.At 57th in the world, South Korea are the lowest-ranked team among the

June 18, 2018

Park Ji-sung expects Mexico to use different tactics vs. Korea

MOSCOW -- South Korean football legend Park Ji-sung believes Mexicans are likely to use different tactics against South Koreans, after watching Mexico's stunning win over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.Park is currently in Russia working as a commentator for South Korean broadcaster SBS. On Sunday, he was at Luzhniki Stadium to comment on the match between Germany and Mexico, the two opponents that South Korea will face in Group F after playing against Sweden on Monday.The Group F opener end

June 18, 2018

Sweden well prepared for S. Korea‘s various game plans: coach

Swedish football coach Janne Andersson said Sunday his side is well prepared for the various tactics South Korea have planned for their upcoming match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.　South Korea and Sweden will open their 2018 World Cup Group F campaign at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, some 425 kilometers east of Moscow, on Monday. Andersson said his team is all set to start the tournament.Sweden national football team head coach Janne Andersson speaks at a press conference at Nizhny N

June 17, 2018

[Graphic News] South Korea is ranked 57 in FIFA World Cup rankings

　As the FIFA World Cup started in Russia last week, here is how Asia- Pacific countries are ranked by the global football body.　On the global ranking, Australia is the only country from the Asia-Pacific that ranks in the top 50.　South Korea is ranked 57 and is the only Asian country that has qualified nine times for the world cup. It is also the only Asian country to win the most entertaining team award at 2002 FIFA world Cup. Two players from the team were also voted members of the MasterCard A

June 17, 2018

Troubled Germany look to make World Cup statement against Mexico

MOSCOW -- Germany must shrug off a rocky World Cup build-up as they begin the defence of their title on Sunday against a vastly experienced Mexico side jolted by their own pre-tournament scandal.While Manuel Neuer finally won his lengthy fitness battle after more than eight months out, Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan were jeered by Germany fans in recent friendlies after posing for a photograph alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos said what is discusse

June 17, 2018

'Naive' Nigeria youth schooled by Croatia master Modric

KALININGRAD, Russia -- Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr admitted his young team had been "naive" in a 2-0 loss to Croatia in their opening Group D game Saturday, continuing a dismal recent record at World Cups.A Luka Modric penalty 20 minutes from time and a first-half own goal sealed victory for a Croatia side brimming with technical ability, and the Super Eagles -- who brought the youngest squad to Russia -- have now won just one of their last 13 games on football's biggest stage.  "We are disappoint

June 17, 2018

Nat'l football team arrives in Nizhny Novgorod for Group F opener vs. Sweden

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia -- South Korea on Saturday arrived in the Russian city where they will play their first match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.South Korea's 23-man squad took a chartered flight from Saint Petersburg to land in Nizhny Novgorod, where they will take on Sweden for their Group F opening match at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Monday. South Korea, led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, arrived at their World Cup base camp in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Tuesday after training for a week in Aus

June 17, 2018

S. Korea looking to upset Sweden in Group F opener

South Korea will try to create an upset when they go head-to-head against Sweden in their 2018 FIFA World Cup opening match this week. (Yonhap)South Korea will take on Sweden in their Group F opener at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday. The match will start at 3 p.m., local time, or 9 p.m., Seoul time. South Korea, in their 10th World Cup, are certain underdogs in their group, where they are also paired with defending champions Germany and Latin American powerhouses Mexico. Ne

June 16, 2018