Diamond in the rough

SYDNEY (Yonhap) ― The improbable success story of South Korean forward Lee Jeong-hyeop became even more so on Monday at the AFC Asian Cup, as the 23-year-old forward scored his second goal of the tournament against Iraq, putting South Korea in the championship final.Lee headed in the team’s first goal in the 20th minute of the 2-0 semifinal victory in Sydney. Lee, who had previously never played in an international tournament, has now scored three times in his first six international matches.Wit

Jan. 27, 2015

Showdown looms

SYDNEY (AFP) ― South Korea will be praying lightning does not strike twice when it faces Iraq in the Asian Cup semi-finals on Monday, having limped to the last four battered and bruised.The Koreans have failed to win Asia’s showcase tournament since 1960 ― a curious anomaly for a country with a proud footballing pedigree and who famously reached the last four of the World Cup in 2002.But as coach Uli Stielike tries to rouse his injury-hit squad for Monday’s clash, memories of Iraq’s fairytale ru

Jan. 25, 2015

Messi scores late in Copa

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) ― Lionel Messi finished off his own missed penalty with five minutes left to give Barcelona a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal on Wednesday.Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak blocked Messi initial spot kick, but he couldn’t recover in time to stop Messi from rushing forward to slam home the rebound and ignite the Camp Nou. Messi was set up to get the winner after Juanfran Torres fouled Sergio Busquets in the area.“I still see the t

Jan. 22, 2015

Korea set for Uzbekistan in knockout clash

MELBOURNE, Australia (Yonhap) ― South Korea’s quest to end a 55-year title drought at the AFC Asian Cup will enter the knockout phase this week, as the country prepares to take on Uzbekistan in the quarterfinals.The kickoff at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium between the 69th-ranked South Korea and 71st-ranked Uzbekistan will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, or 4:30 p.m. in Seoul.South Korea had the top seed in Group A with three 1-0 victories over Oman, Kuwait and host Australia. Uzbekistan finished seco

Jan. 20, 2015

Uzbekistan up next for S. Korea

MELBOURNE, Australia (Yonhap) ― The banged-up and weary South Koreans received a day off from their AFC Asian Cup training Monday after arriving at the site of their upcoming quarterfinals showdown against Uzbekistan.The Korea Football Association said head coach Uli Stielike didn’t schedule any practice for the day here in Melbourne, where South Korea is scheduled to face Uzbekistan on Thursday.South Korea, chasing its first Asian Cup since 1960, claimed the top seed in Group A with three conse

Jan. 19, 2015

Lee comes through in key match

BRISBANE, Australia (Yonhap) ― Only last month, South Korean forward Lee Jeong-hyeop had been almost unknown in international football.After netting the winner in South Korea’s 1-0 victory over host Australia at the AFC Asian Cup on Saturday, the 23-year-old is about to become a tad more famous.The win clinched the top seed in Group A for South Korea, which will travel to Melbourne to face the yet-to-determined runner-up from Group B in the quarterfinals on Thursday.Lee was the most surprising s

Jan. 18, 2015

Never letting up

BRISBANE, Australia (Yonhap) ― Despite having already secured a berth in the quarterfinals at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup, South Korea will go all out against Australia in its upcoming Group A showdown, a national team official said Friday.The Korea Football Association official rejected the possibility that South Korea will rest some regulars against Australia, when the two countries meet Saturday at Brisbane Stadium.“Our plan is definitely to have the best players in our lineup to play the best

Jan. 16, 2015

Korea set for Australia clash

BRISBANE, Australia (Yonhap) ― With a quarterfinals berth already in the bag, South Korea will seek to clinch the top seed in Group A at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup with the final group match against host Australia on Saturday.The kickoff between the 69th-ranked South Korea and the 100th-ranked Australia will be at 8 p.m. Saturday at Brisbane Stadium, or 6 p.m. in Seoul. South Korea is seeking its first Asian Cup since 1960, while Australia is trying to win its first ever AFC title.Both teams have

Jan. 15, 2015

Stielike admits team got ‘lucky’ in win over Kuwait

CANBERRA (Yonhap) ― South Korea may have defeated Kuwait 1-0 at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup in Canberra on Tuesday, but South Korea’s head coach Uli Stielike said the loser was actually the better team.Nam Tae-hee headed in the winner in the 36th minute for South Korea, which had to hold on for dear life for most of the second half, as Kuwait kept pressure on the sloppy South Korean defense.“I hate to admit it but Kuwait was the better team in many aspects,” Stielike said. “They battled hard for t

Jan. 14, 2015

Midfielder Lee ruled out of Asian Cup

CANBERRA (Yonhap) ― South Korean midfielder Lee Chung-yong has been ruled out of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup with a hairline fracture to his right tibia, national team officials announced Tuesday, dealing a huge blow to the country’s hopes to end a half-century title drought at the continental tournament.The Korea Football Association said Lee, the team’s assistant captain, was diagnosed with the fracture Monday. Though he can engage in daily activities, doctors recommended that he sit out footbal

Jan. 13, 2015