[World Cup] Injury bug bites S. Korea hard in Qatar

DOHA -- Injuries have always been part of football, but the injury bug has stung teams particularly hard at this year's FIFA World Cup, being held in the middle of European club seasons for the first time. South Korea have not been immune, with some key players dealing with injuries of varying severity throughout the month. The most notable injury was to their captain Son Heung-min, who suffered facial fractures in a freak collision with an opponent during a match. He played South Korea

SoccerNov. 27, 2022

[World Cup] S. Korea looking to exploit Ghana defense in virtual must-win

After holding Uruguay scoreless in a spirited draw to begin their World Cup campaign on Thursday, South Korea will next take on Ghana in an essentially must-win match. The Group H showdown between 28th-ranked South Korea and world No. 61 Ghana is 4 p.m. Thursday at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of Doha, or 10 p.m. the same day in Korea. It's the same venue where South Korea submitted a strong defensive effort to keep the likes of Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez at bay on Thursday.

SoccerNov. 26, 2022

[World Cup] South Korea keeps hopes alive with draw against Uruguay

South Korea held Uruguay to a scoreless draw in the opening match in Group H, keeping alive its hopes of making the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Stifling defense and some luck played a part in Koreans stopping the offensive push of Uruguay, ranked 14th in the world, who struck the woodwork twice during the match at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Diego Godin’s header from a Federico Valverde corner thudded off the inside of the post on 43 minut

SoccerNov. 25, 2022

[World Cup] World Cup street event held in orderly fashion due to stricter security measures

"Please don't stop. This is a walking path," said a volunteer worker dispatched to the public screening event of the South Korea vs Uruguay Group H opener of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul on Thursday. An estimated 15,000 soccer fans gathered at the square in Jongno-gu, central Seoul with the total of 1,300 officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Jongno Police Station and the hosting Red Devils official supporters club of the South Korean nat

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] Can S. Korean goalkeeper help continue the Asian success streak?

As South Korea prepares to take the field in the upcoming opening match against Uruguay, eyes of the fans have fallen on the Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu as it was the stellar performance by goalkeepers that carried Saudi Arabia and Japan to shocking upsets in their earlier matches. South Korea and Uruguay will open Group H of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with their match at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. at 4 p.m. local time, 10 p.m. in Korean time. Ranked 28th in the w

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] Third time's a charm: Son Heung-min seeks success on his 3rd World Cup outing

Although Son Heung-min is considered one of the best forwards in the world, thanks to his stellar performance with Tottenham Hotspur, the South Korean captain has yet to play in the knockout stages of the World Cup. South Korean manager Paulo Bento confirmed Wednesday that Son will play in the team's first game of the group stage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Uruguay on Thursday, and Son is seeking to lead his team to the second round of the World Cup for the first time since 201

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] S. Korea looking to complete Asian hat trick in Qatar

AL RAYYAN -- Shaking off a rocky start to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Asia has stolen the show on football's biggest stage. Now it will be up to South Korea to keep the good vibes going for the continent Thursday, when they open Group H play against Uruguay at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. The kickoff is 4 p.m. in Qatar, and 10 p.m. in South Korea. The Taegeuk Warriors have a tough act to follow, with Saudi Arabia having shocked world No. 3 Argentina on Tuesday an

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] After beating Germany, Japanese players wish S. Korea best vs. Uruguay

AL RAYYAN -- Putting aside their countries' bitter sporting rivalry, Japanese players wished South Koreans the best in their upcoming FIFA World Cup match, following their dramatic rally past Germany on Wednesday in Qatar. Japan netted two second-half goals to take down Germany 2-1 in Group E action at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. This was the second surprise win by an Asian team in two days, following Saudi Arabia's shock victory over world No. 3 Arge

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] German players stage apparent protest vs. FIFA ban over armband

AL RAYYAN -- Football and politics collided on the pitch at the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday, with German players apparently protesting FIFA's ban on an armband signifying diversity, tolerance and inclusion. During their team photo session before taking on Japan at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha, the 11 German starting players covered their mouths with their right hands. It appeared to be a response to FIFA's threat of penalty against Germany and six o

SoccerNov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] Injured Premier League attacker Hwang Hee-chan out vs. Uruguay

DOHA -- With his recovery from a hamstring injury almost grounding to a halt, South Korean winger Hwang Hee-chan will not be available for team's first Group H match against Uruguay on Thursday. The physical attacker for Wolverhampton Wanderers has been dealing with some left hamstring discomfort since before arriving in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup. Hwang's recovery has gone more slowly than expected and head coach Paulo Bento said at his prematch press conference Wednesday that Hwang "wil

BaseballNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] S. Korea coach sees no need for his underdog team to feel pressure

AL RAYYAN, Qatar -- Aware of South Korea's checkered history at the FIFA World Cup, South Korea head coach Paulo Bento said Wednesday he doesn't think his players should put any burden on their own shoulders. Bento and his 26-man squad will open their 2022 World Cup against Uruguay at 4 p.m. Thursday at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. Against the 14th-ranked Uruguay, South Korea, at No. 28, will be the underdogs. At his prematch press conference at the Main Media Centre,

SoccerNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] Sonny 'will be able to play' vs. Uruguay: coach

AL RAYYAN, Qatar -- Injured South Korean captain Son Heung-min will be able to play against Uruguay in the team's first World Cup match on Thursday, head coach Paulo Bento said on the eve of the contest. "Sonny will be able to play," Bento said at his prematch press conference at the Main Media Centre in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha, on Wednesday. Son has been training while wearing a protective mask, after suffering fractures around his left eye in a collision with an opposing player

SportsNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] Look out for Kim Min-jae

Having blossomed into an elite defender, Napoli centerback Kim Min-jae is set to prove that Tottenham superstar Son Heung-min is not the only player to watch out for in the South Korean national team. Qatar is Kim's first World Cup, after the bitter memory of being cut from the team just a month before the previous tournament due to injury. Prior to the team’s first match against Uruguay on Thursday, Kim voiced his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. “I’m ready to

SoccerNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] 600 police to be deployed for World Cup screening

The National Police Agency said Wednesday it will dispatch around 600 personnel to a mass street cheering event for the South Korean men's soccer team's first game at the FIFA World Cup being played in Qatar on Thursday. A total of eight squads of riot police and 41 additional police officers will be deployed to maintain order at Gwanghwamun Square, located in Jongno, central Seoul, where fans plan to gather. The Seoul municipal government decided Tuesday evening to allow the Red Devil

Social AffairsNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] Uruguay midfielder Torreira not underestimating S. Korea

DOHA -- Uruguay may be favored against South Korea when they square off in their first Group H match this week, but that does not mean the South Americans will take their Asian foes lightly, Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira said Tuesday. "We are always facing each match with the same mentality, no matter if it is South Korea or Portugal," Torreira said after a training session at Al Erssal Training Site in Doha, referring to two of Uruguay's three opponents in the group stage of

SoccerNov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] Three things you may not know about Son Heung-min

Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min is a one of the best-known players in the world of soccer, but the 30-year-old striker has said one match stands out in his memory, and for a very particular, personal reason. Read on to find what match it was, plus a couple of other tidbits about the South Korean superstar that fans may not be familiar with. Son's finest hour Son has said that his finest moment was the South Korean national team beating Germany 2-0 in the final group-stage match of t

SoccerNov. 22, 2022

[World Cup] All eyes on Sonny as S. Korea gear up for opening match vs. Uruguay

DOHA -- As South Korea prepare to kick off their 2022 FIFA World Cup against Uruguay on Thursday, all eyes will be on their captain, Son Heung-min, or, more specifically, his face. The Tottenham Hotspur talisman has been training with a protective mask covering his injured face in Qatar. He suffered multiple fractures around his left eye in a collision during a match on Nov. 1 and underwent surgery three days later. The opening Group H match between South Korea and Uruguay will be played exactly

SoccerNov. 22, 2022

[World Cup] German legend Matthaus expects 'surprises' from Asian teams in Qatar

DOHA -- When South Korea stunned then-defending champions Germany 2-0 in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, knocking the European giants out of the tournament, it left a bitter taste in the mouth of many fans in the proud football nation. Lothar Matthaus, one of football's all-time greats, was no exception. In a media roundtable on Monday in Doha, with Yonhap News Agency as the only South Korean outlet, Matthaus was asked about that fateful match in 2018. Before the quest

SoccerNov. 22, 2022

[World Cup] Injured Son Heung-min heads ball in training for first time

DOHA -- Recovering from a facial injury that has limited him in the buildup for the FIFA World Cup, South Korean captain Son Heung-min headed the ball for the first time in training on Monday. Son and the rest of the South Korean team returned to Al Egla Training Site in Doha on Monday, after enjoying their first day off Sunday. The Taegeuk Warriors' first match in Group H is against Uruguay at 4 p.m. Thursday at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha, or 10 p.m. the same da

SoccerNov. 22, 2022

[World Cup] Factors for South Korean team in World Cup

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicked off Sunday, and the South Korean national team is now putting the final touches ahead of its first game against Uruguay on Thursday. South Korea faces an uphill battle with powerhouses like Portugal and Uruguay in the same group, who are widely considered contenders for the coveted World Cup. Ghana is hardly a pushover either, despite being the lowest FIFA-ranked team of the group at No. 61, with stars like Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey in the mix. Koreans

SoccerNov. 21, 2022