[World Cup] Uruguay goalkeeper prepared vs. Sonny, other S. Korean attackers

DOHA -- Ahead of what should be his FIFA World Cup debut against South Korea this week, Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet feels he is prepared to stare down the opposition's top offensive weapon, Son Heung-min. And even if Son, who's recovering from multiple facial fractures, cannot play, Rochet believes other South Koreans will pick up the slack and not miss a beat. And he will be ready for them too. "Son Heung-min is a player of high quality. I've been watching him and study

SoccerNov. 21, 2022

[World Cup] Host country's undefeated streak ends as Qatar fall to Ecuador in opener

AL KHOR, Qatar -- The streak has ended. Qatar are now the first FIFA World Cup host country to lose their opening match. No host nation had ever dropped their first match at the quadrennial tournament, dating back to 1934, until Sunday night, when Ecuador crashed Qatar's party with a 2-0 victory in the opening Group A showdown. Captain Enner Valencia grabbed a brace for Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, about 50 kilometers north of Doha, where Qatar did not put a shot on target. Qatari

SoccerNov. 21, 2022

[World Cup] BTS star Jungkook unveils new single to kick off 2022 World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Sunday with BTS star Jungkook performing a new single in an opening ceremony built on a message of inclusion and diversity. Jungkook, a member of the award-winning K-pop group, performed the song "Dreamers" with Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, some 50 kilometers north of Doha. "Dreamers," produced by Grammy Award winner RedOne at Katara Studios in Doha, is the latest single off the official World Cup soundtra

K-popNov. 21, 2022

[World Cup] Season of chimac: Chicken stocks getting World Cup boost

With the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, stocks related to chicken are performing strongly on the Korean stock market in anticipation of a surge in demand. As of 2 p.m. Friday, Kyochon F&B shares were trading at around 12,600 won apiece on the main Kospi bourse, up 2 percent from the previous close. That is nearly 27 percent higher from a month ago. The operator of Kyochon, one of the most popular chicken brands in South Korea, has mounted a strong rally since Oct. 13 when it dipped t

Hashtag KoreaNov. 18, 2022

[World Cup] Red Devils seek mass street cheering for World Cup

The official supporters club for the South Korean national soccer team is seeking to organize mass street cheering events at Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul, but prospects remain unclear as of now in the aftermath of last month’s Itaewon tragedy. The Red Devils submitted an application to the Seoul Metropolitan Government to use the square on Nov. 24 and 28, and Dec. 2, when the national team is scheduled to play in the FIFA World Cup against Uruguay, Ghana and Portugal, respectively. I

SoccerNov. 18, 2022

[World Cup] No pork, no problem for S. Korean players in Qatar

DOHA -- With all pork products banned in Qatar, the two chefs who traveled with the South Korean national team for the FIFA World Cup to the Muslim country have had to find creative ways to prepare nutritious and delicious meals for the players. The Korea Football Association shared the national team's menu for the first week of their stay in Doha, from Monday to Saturday, mostly based on the traditional Korean cuisine with some Asian dishes also thrown in. In the absence of pork, the playe

SoccerNov. 18, 2022

[World Cup] Captain Son Heung-min willing to risk health for fans

It would be too risky for any athlete to return to competition less than a month after suffering facial fractures. But Son Heung-min, the beloved captain of the South Korean men's national football team, says he is willing to put his own health on the line as long as he can make fans happy. Son had his first training session with South Korea in Doha on Wednesday, after landing in the Qatari capital as the last South Korean player in the host country of the upcoming World Cup. The Tottenham

SoccerNov. 16, 2022

[World Cup] With flags, song, pride, French celebrate unifying victory

PARIS -- It was a victory for all of France and the home crowd did it justice, pouring into Paris’ Champs-Elysees Avenue by the tens of thousands to celebrate in an explosion of joy.France’s 4-2 win over Croatia in the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday marked the second time in 20 years that France has won the World Cup, and came at a time when the people feel needy.“It represents enormous things,” said Goffrey Hamsik, dressed in a hat resembling a rooster — the French national symbol — and a

SoccerJuly 16, 2018

[World Cup] France wins 2nd World Cup title, beats Croatia 4-2

MOSCOW - With Vladimir Putin watching from the stands, France won its second World Cup title in a match that was interrupted by an on-field protest during the second half that Russian punk band Pussy Riot later took credit for. French players celebrate at the end of the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AP)Nineteen-year-old Kylian Mbappe became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup fin

SoccerJuly 16, 2018

[World Cup] As World Cup ends, Russia's stadiums face uncertain future

Russian President Vladimir Putin knows the legacy of his World Cup will be judged partly by the fate of the stadiums after the tournament and he is determined they are put to good use.Russia has spent at least $4 billion on arena construction and refurbishments for the month-long showpiece.Stunning venues rose from the ground in developed cities far from Moscow such as Nizhny Novogrod on the Volga River and in small and isolated places like Saransk.Putin's last TV phone-in show held a week befor

SoccerJuly 15, 2018

[World Cup] England’s Kane misses out on golden shot at World Cup title

MOSCOW -- Harry Kane will likely come home from the World Cup with the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer and a burnished reputation as a feared forward.Had Kane added to his six goals in Russia with either of his back-to-back chances in the first half against Croatia on Wednesday, when England was dominating and led 1-0, he could yet be lifting the trophy on Sunday.Or the header in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes when the score was 1-1 and a goal would likely have brought England

SoccerJuly 13, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean goalkeeper hoping for stint in Europe after star turn in Russia

INCHEON -- After enjoying a star turn at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo is hoping to get calls from some European clubs.When South Korea opened Group F play against Sweden on June 18, Jo was a surprise starter ahead of the more experienced Kim Seung-gyu and Kim Jin-hyeon. Jo made some spectacular saves, allowing one goal on a penalty kick as South Korea went down 1-0.The starting job remained Jo's. He was back in net in a 2-1 loss to Mexico, and enjoyed his fi

SoccerJune 29, 2018

[World Cup] Son Heung-min says S. Korea 'won't be drunk with success' after beating Germany

South Korea shocked the football world by defeating Germany 2-0 at the FIFA World Cup in Russia earlier this week, but Son Heung-min, South Korea's star forward, insisted on Friday he and the rest of the team won't stay content.Son and his teammates returned home on Friday, after their stunning victory over the defending champions was enough to get them out of Group F. South Korea finished third behind Sweden and Mexico with three points, from one win and two losses.Son netted two goals in the t

SoccerJune 29, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean World Cup team returns to warm welcome after shock win vs. Germany

INCHEON -- The South Korean World Cup team returned home to a warm welcome on Friday, its two early losses long forgotten after a stunning win over Germany.South Korea shocked the football world by blanking the world No. 1 and defending World Cup champions 2-0 on Wednesday to close out Group F play at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Though the Taeguk Warriors still missed out on the round of 16, they were widely lauded for the valiant effort in pulling off the monumental upset against the European

SoccerJune 29, 2018

[World Cup] Fans cry out ‘Free Son Heung-min’

While Mexican soccer fans are celebrating Mexico’s advancement to the World Cup’s knockout stage, thousands of South Korean fans are more concerned about Son Heung-min’s now inevitable enlistment in the nation’s army. South Korea’s victory against Germany on Wednesday eliminated Son’s chance of bypassing the 2-year military duty, which is required for all abled-bodied men before they turn 28. Son Heung-min (Yonhap)Titled “I will serve in the military on behalf of Son Heung-min,” a petition on th

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] Mexican soccer fans burst out brotherly love for Korea

Mexico desperately needed South Korea to beat Germany in order to qualify for the next round in the 2018 World Cup. Surprisingly, Mexico got what it wished for. South Korea’s 2-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday united South Korean and Mexican soccer fans all around the world. Hundreds of Mexican fans flocked to the South Korean embassy in Mexico City to show their gratitude for helping Mexico progress to the knockout stage despite its defeat against Sweden. With some holding the South Korean f

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea end Russia 2018 with stunning win, 2 painful losses

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea's 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign can be summarized with this: one stunning win and two painful losses.In their 10th World Cup, South Korea had to fight with Sweden, Mexico and Germany in Group F. And as many would have expected, reaching the knockout stage ahead of football powerhouses wasn't an easy mission.South Korea, led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, entered Russia as certain underdogs in their group. At only No. 57 in the FIFA rankings, South Korea had to fight an

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[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

SoccerJune 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

SoccerJune 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

SoccerJune 28, 2018