Korea to fine-tune World Cup preparation with Iraq friendly

South Korea will fine-tune their preparation for a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier when they face Iraq in a friendly this week.South Korea, led by head coach Uli Stielike, will take on Iraq at the 5,200-capacity Emirates Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirates, at 9 p.m. Wednesday (local time), or 2 a.m. Thursday in Seoul.This match is a tune-up for South Korea's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha on June 13. With three matches remaining in the final Asian quali

June 5, 2017

Midfielder determined to show his character in long-awaited nat'l team return

RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates -- After making a long-awaited national football team return, Lee Myung-joo is ready to give his all even if he doesn't play.Lee made the national football team return for the first time since January 2015 after head coach Uli Stielike included the hard-working midfielder for South Korea's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha on June 13. With only three matches remaining, South Korea are second in Group A in the final Asian qualifying round

June 5, 2017

Korea football coach says quick passing key in World Cup qualifier vs. Qatar

PAJU -- South Korea football coach Uli Stielike said Friday executing a quick passing game will be a key to beat Qatar in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier. South Korea will take on Qatar in Doha on June 13 in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. With only three matches remaining, South Korea are second in Group A with 13 points from four wins, one draw and two losses. They trail Iran by four points and sit just one point above Uzbekistan.  South Korea`s men`s nation

June 2, 2017

Nat'l football team captain says World Cup qualifier vs. Qatar turning point

PAJU -- South Korean football captain Ki Sung-yueng said Friday that the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar will serve as a turning point for the national team.Ki is one of the 24 members called up by head coach Uli Stielike for South Korea's crucial World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Doha on June 13. With only three matches remaining, South Korea are second in Group A in the final Asian qualifying round for the FIFA World Cup in Russia. With 13 points from four wins, one draw and

June 2, 2017

FC Augsburg forward Ji Dong-won to get married this month

FC Augsburg's South Korean forward Ji Dong-won will tie the knot with his longtime girlfriend later this month, a local wedding planning service said Friday.Ji will marry an older sister of Kang Ji-young, a former member of K-pop girl group Kara, after dating her for about two years, iwedding said. The wedding will take place at Hotel Shilla in Seoul on June 16, but only family members and close friends will be invited to attend.  In this photo provided by iwedding on June 2, 2017, South Korean

June 2, 2017

FC Augsburg's Korean forward energized by healthy season

FC Augsburg's South Korean forward Ji Dong-won said Thursday he will try to score more goals and get more assists in the Bundesliga after completing a healthy season.Ji played in all 34 league matches for Augsburg -- starting in 24 -- in the 2016-17 season. This is the first time that the 26-year-old appeared in all league matches since he moved to Europe in 2011. He also featured in two German Cup matches this past season. In this file photo taken on March 20, 2017, South Korean forward Ji Dong

June 1, 2017

Korean defender eager to leave Chinese football club

South Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo said Thursday he is eager to leave his Chinese club to get more playing time elsewhere.Jang, who plays with Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese Super League, is one of the 24 players called up by national football head coach Uli Stielike for South Korea's friendly match against Iraq on June 7 and their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar on June 13. South Korean defender Jang Hyun-soo (left) tries to defend Son Heung-min during the national football team's trainin

June 1, 2017

Football club files suit against league to amend promotion playoff result

South Korean football club Seongnam FC said on Thursday they've recently filed a suit against the K League, the operator of the country's professional football leagues, to amend the promotion playoff result in 2016.Seongnam said they previously requested that the K League fofeit the second leg of the promotion playoffs on Nov. 20, 2016, due to Gangwon FC's use of an ineligible player. But since the league didn't take any action, they decided to take the case to court on May 23. In this file phot

June 1, 2017

Nat'l team footballer trains on wedding day, puts off honeymoon for World Cup qualification

South Korean football defender Kim Jin-su is scheduled to marry his girlfriend of 18 months on Wednesday.So what did the 24-year-old do for preparation? He trained for two hours with the rest of the national team in the morning. South Korean fullback Kim Jin-su (L) jogs with teammate Son Heung-min at the National Football Training Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on May 29, 2017. (Yonhap)"After the wedding ceremony today, I'll be back here for training tomorrow," Kim told reporters at the Nati

May 31, 2017

Korea's elimination big blow to ticket sales

Hosts South Korea's exit will serve as a big blow to ticket sales for the FIFA U-20 World Cup as the organizers now hope South Koreans still fill the seats for other nations' matches.South Korea ended their U-20 World Cup journey in the round of 16 on Tuesday after losing to Portugal 3-1 at Cheonan Sports Complex in Cheonan, some 90 kilometers south of Seoul. South Korea's under-20 national football team players give their respect to supporters in the stands after losing to Portugal 3-1 in the F

May 31, 2017

Head coach laments Korea's exit

CHEONAN -- South Korean football coach Shin Tae-young lamented his side's exit from the FIFA U-20 World Cup after losing 3-1 to Portugal on Tuesday.The tournament hosts failed to reach the quarterfinals after conceding three goals in front of 21,361 fans at Cheonan Sports Complex in Cheonan, some 90 kilometers south of Seoul. Second-half substitute Lee Sang-heon cut the deficit to two in the 81st, but South Korea didn't have enough time to create the miracle."It's really sad," Shin said. "Althou

May 31, 2017

Korean dreams come crushing down in 1st knockout match

CHEONAN -- As the host nation of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, South Korea harbored dreams of going deep into the 24-nation tournament. They hoped, however cautiously, to match the country's best performance at this competition -- the semifinals appearance in Mexico in 1983.But those dreams came crashing down on Tuesday in a 3-1 loss to Portugal in the round of 16.Before more than 21,000 fans at Cheonan Sports Complex in Cheonan, 90 kilometers south of Seoul, South Korea picked the worst moment

May 31, 2017

Veteran forward not hyped up about nat'l football team return

Veteran South Korean forward Lee Keun-ho said Tuesday he is not too hyped about his national team return, emphasizing that South Korea's victory in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier is the most important thing.Lee returned to the national team for the first time since January 2015 after he was included in the 24-man squad for South Korea's FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Qatar in Doha next month. South Korean national football team forward Lee Keun-ho controls the ball during team pr

May 30, 2017

Korean midfielder eager to prove his talent on nat'l football team

South Korean midfielder Lee Chung-yong said Tuesday he is determined to prove that he is still a player worthy of a place on the national team.Lee is one of 24 members selected by head coach Uli Stielike for South Korea's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar next month. With three matches remaining in Group A, South Korea are currently in second place, the last automatic qualification spot, with 13 points from four wins, one draw and two losses, four behind leaders Iran.  In this file photo ta

May 30, 2017

Jeju United on verge of quarterfinals berth at AFC Champions League

South Korean outfit Jeju United are on the verge of reaching the  quarterfinals at the top continental club football competition.Jeju will take on Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday in the second leg of their round of 16 series at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan.Jeju United's Hwang Il-su (left) dribbles past Yuki Abe of Urawa Red Diamonds in the opening leg of the round of 16 series at the Asian Footba

May 30, 2017

Korean goalkeeper determined to block shots in penalty shootouts

CHEONAN -- South Korean goalkeeper Song Bum-keun said Monday he is confident of making saves in penalty shootouts if his team enters such situations at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.Host South Korea will face Portugal on Tuesday in the round of 16 at the U-20 World Cup at Cheonan Sports Complex in Cheonan, some 90 kilometers south of Seoul. From this knockout stage, teams have to go to penalty shootouts if they are tied after the regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time. South Korea`s under-20 nat

May 30, 2017

Korea should stay alert at all times vs. Portugal: coach

CHEONAN -- South Korean football coach Shin Tae-yong said Monday his side will have to stay alert at all times when they play against Portugal in their first knockout match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.Hosts South Korea will face Portugal on Tuesday in the round of 16 at the U-20 World Cup at Cheonan Sports Complex in Cheonan, some 90 kilometers south of Seoul. The young Taeguk Warriors finished second in Group A with two wins and one loss, while Portugal were runners-up in Group C with one win, o

May 30, 2017

Captain says Korea still have lot more to show

CHEONAN -- South Korea's under-20 national football team captain Lee Sang-min said the players have so far showed only half of the things that they've prepared for the U-20 World Cup.Host South Korea will face Portugal on Tuesday in the round of 16 at the U-20 World Cup at Cheonan Sports Complex in Cheonan, some 90 kilometers south of Seoul. The young Taeguk Warriors finished second in Group A with two wins and one loss, while Portugal were runners-up in Group C with one win, one draw and one lo

May 30, 2017

Korea int'l Lee Myung-joo expected to leave UAE for home

South Korean midfielder Lee Myung-joo is expected to leave his United Arab Emirates side and return home to continue his club career.Local reports said Tuesday the 27-year-old midfielder will not re-sign with Al Ain. The second leg of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League round of 16 series against Esteghlal on Monday was Lee's last match. In this EPA photo taken on May 22, 2017, Lee Myung-joo of Al Ain (left) battles Majid Hosseini of Esteghlal (center) during their round of 16 matc

May 30, 2017

Korean football All-Star Game to take place in Vietnam

The 2017 All-Star Game for the top South Korean professional football league will take place in Vietnam, officials said Monday.The K League, operator of the national pro competition, said the annual All-Star Game will be held at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on July 29. (Yonhap)A team of All-Stars from the top-flight K League Classic will take on the Vietnamese national team set to compete at the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur in August.The Vietnamese squad will include Luong Xua

May 29, 2017