[World Cup] Much-maligned player gets last laugh in win

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korean defender/midfielder Jang Hyun-soo knew he'd hit rock bottom, but he still tried to look on the bright side.The only way for him to go, after all, was up.After dismal performances against Sweden and Mexico at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Jang turned in a solid game as South Korea shocked Germany 2-0 on Wednesday. Though South Korea still missed out on the knockout play, the victory provided a feel-good  finish to what had been an extremely stressful competition for

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean coach's future uncertain despite win over Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea football coach Shin Tae-yong's future is still under a cloud of uncertainty even after the national football team's historic win over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.South Korea beat Germany 2-0 in their final Group F match at Kazan Arena. Even so, South Korea failed to advance to the round of 16 in their 10th World Cup. The Taeguk Warriors earlier lost 1-0 to Sweden and fell 2-1 to Mexico. Both Sweden and Mexico finished Group F with two wins and one

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] Son Heung-min's 2nd tournament experience ends in tears, but with different meaning

KAZAN, Russia -- Son Heung-min wept again at the FIFA World Cup, but this time for a different reason.Son, wearing the captain's armband, scored South Korea's second goal in the Taeguk Warriors' stunning 2-0 win over defending champions Germany in their Group F closing match on Wednesday. It was his second goal of the tournament, following his left-footed curler against Mexico in their second Group F match. Son burst into tears after the final whistle at Kazan Arena, and his tears had somewhat d

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] Defender transforms himself from ugly duckling to hero through Russia 2018

KAZAN, Russia -- Before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, South Korean defender Kim Young-gwon was one of those players who seemed to have more haters than fans. Now that ugly duckling has changed into a swan with his inspiring performance, especially with South Korea's 2-0 win over Germany at Kazan Arena on Wednesday.Kim scored South Korea's opening goal in the 94th minute from close range. His scoring was initially ruled offside, but after a video review, it was ruled a legitimate goal.  South Korea`s

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean keeper remains humble after blanking Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea did the nearly unthinkable at the FIFA World Cup here on Wednesday, blanking defending champions Germany 2-0 to close out Group F action behind yet another stellar performance from goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.Though South Korea were still eliminated from knockout contention, Jo was named the well-deserved Man of the Match. But he remained the picture of humility, saying any of the two other goalkeepers on the team, Kim Seung-gyu and Kim Jin-hyeon, would have done just as

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea avoid dishonorable records with win over Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea avoided dishonorable records in their football history with their historic win over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.South Korea blanked defending champions Germany 2-0 in their final Group F match at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow. This was South Korea's first win at the 2018 World Cup after losing 1-0 to Sweden and falling 2-1 to Mexico. Shin Tae-yong's side finished third in Group F ahead of Germany. The loss against the wo

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea stun Germany on way out of World Cup

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea stunned Germany 2-0 while being eliminated in the group stage at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, bringing the defending champions down with them.South Korea needed to beat Germany by at least two goals and have Mexico defeat Sweden in the other Group F match Wednesday. The Taeguk Warriors took care of their own end at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow, with Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min each scoring in second-half stoppage time. But Sweden

SoccerJune 28, 2018

[World Cup] Kim Jong-un, Putin lookalikes stun soccer spectators

Just as Uruguay and Russia were about to face off for the Group A teams’ third match, the crowd went wild, as it appeared North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had made a sudden appearance at Samara Arena, local media outlets reported. According to 24 Horas, a Kim Jong-un lookalike, wearing thick-rimmed glasses and an all-black suit, turned heads as he walked into the stadium without a security detail. The crowd reportedly was hesitant at first, but soon surrounded him in hopes of getting a picture to

SoccerJune 27, 2018

[World Cup] Can Son Heung-min earn pass on military service?

Online soccer platform Onefootball said Tuesday that there had been hopes for South Korean soccer players to be exempted from military service should they advance to the quarterfinals or further at the World Cup.A number of newspapers touched on Son Heung-min’s struggles to avoid military service upon discussing South Korea’s upcoming match against defending champion Germany on Wednesday.(Yonhap)As the speculation circulated, soccer media news publisher 101 Great Goals countered, saying the Worl

SoccerJune 27, 2018

[World Cup] Son Heung-min honored to face Germany, still wants to win

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea's attacking ace Son Heung-min said Tuesday he feels honored to face the defending champions Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup but will try to collect a good result for his national team.South Korea will take on defending champions Germany in their final group stage match at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow, on Wednesday.South Korea sit in last place in Group F with two losses, but they're still in contention for the round of 16. If they beat

SoccerJune 27, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea coach says team ready to beat odds vs. Germany

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea football coach Shin Tae-yong said Tuesday his side will try to beat the odds against Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, though he knows it's not an easy task.South Korea will take on defending champions Germany in their final group stage match at Kazan Arena in Kazan, some 800 kilometers east of Moscow, on Wednesday.South Korea sit in last place in Group F with two losses, but they're still in contention for the round of 16. If they beat Germany, and Sweden lose to

SoccerJune 27, 2018

[World Cup] Preparing for a miracle, S. Korea polish up tactics for match vs. Germany

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia -- Trying to make a miracle, S. Korea on Monday conducted their tactical training for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup match against Germany behind closed doors.South Korea will face Germany at Kazan Arena in Kazan on Wednesday for their last match in Group F. Although chances appear to be slim, South Korea can still advance to the round of 16 even though they have dropped their last two matches.If they beat Germany and Sweden lose to Mexico, then the three teams excludi

SoccerJune 26, 2018

[World Cup] In bid to reach knockout stage, S. Korea also trying to make history

Even after losing their first two matches at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, South Korea are somehow still alive in the tournament, with a chance to book a knockout spot by beating Germany in its Group F finale.In Group F, Mexico are the leaders with six points, and Germany and Sweden each have three points, followed by South Korea with zero.But if South Korea beat Germany by at least two goals and Mexico defeat Sweden on Wednesday -- when both matches will be held simultaneously -- then South Kor

SoccerJune 25, 2018

[World Cup] After painful defeat to Mexico, S. Korea conduct post-match training in rain

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia -- South Korea conducted a post-match training session in the rain on Sunday as they focused on recovery of the players' fitness ahead of their final group stage match against Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.South Korea's 23-man squad returned to their base camp in Saint Petersburg hours after they suffered a 2-1 loss to Mexico at Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Saturday. For Sunday's training at Spartak Stadium in Lomonosov, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, So

SoccerJune 25, 2018

[World Cup] In desperation, S. Korean football coach vows to give all in match vs. Germany

South Korea football coach Shin Tae-yong said Sunday his side will give their all-out efforts to collect a win over Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, although it's not going to be an easy mission.South Korea are last in Group F with two losses, but if they beat Germany and Sweden lose to Mexico, the Taeguk Warriors may advance to the round of 16 with Mexico. Germany and Sweden both have one win and one loss apiece, while Mexico are the leaders with two wins. Although chances are slim, Shin sai

SoccerJune 25, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean captain to miss Germany match with calf injury

South Korea on Sunday confirmed that their captain Ki Sung-yueng will not be able to play in their final group stage match against Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup due to injury.South Korea are scheduled to face defending champions Germany in their last Group F match at Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday. A national team official, however, said Ki, South Korea's midfield control tower, will miss the match with a calf injury. "A medical inspection at a hospital showed that Ki damaged hi

SoccerJune 25, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea to express regret over refereeing in match

The Korea Football Association said Sunday it will soon send a letter to FIFA to express its regret over a referee's decisions in South Korea's 2-1 loss to Mexico at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A KFA official claimed that referee Milorad Mazic missed a call before Mexico scored their second goal in their Group F match at Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Saturday."Regarding plays related with Mexico's second goal, we watched the video this morning and concluded that there was a foul on Ki S

SoccerJune 25, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korea's match pushes up sales at convenience stores

Sales at local convenience stores rose sharply as South Korean fans enjoyed seeing their national football team play their second match at the ongoing Russia World Cup, retailers said Sunday.BGF Retail Co., the operator of CU, the country's largest convenience store chain, said sales of major products at its stores from 6 p.m. Saturday to midnight more than doubled as South Korea took on Mexico in its second match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. People clean up after watching South Korea`s Group F m

IndustryJune 24, 2018

[World Cup] Korean soccer fans ruefully reminisce 2002 glory after 2nd straight loss in World Cup

Twitter in South Korea was inundated on Sunday with soccer fans ruefully commenting on the bygone glory of the 2002 World Cup, when the Korean national squad proudly made it to the semifinals. In this year’s Russia World Cup, Korea has already lost two games – one against Sweden and one against Mexico, with the outcome of its next game against Germany deciding if it will go to the next round.“Who in their right mind blows a vuvuzela at 2 a.m. for a goal? It’s not the 2002,” wrote a Twitter user,

SoccerJune 24, 2018

[World Cup] S. Korean captain doubtful for next match after leaving loss on crutches

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia -- South Korea's World Cup hopes may just have been dealt another blow after a 2-1 loss to Mexico on Saturday, with their captain Ki Sung-yueng leaving the match on crutches with a leg injury.Ki, a long-time midfield stalwart who won his 104th cap on Saturday, suffered a left calf injury during the match at Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don. He passed through the mixed zone on crutches without speaking to reporters. South Korean midfielder and captain Ki Sung-yueng controls the

SoccerJune 24, 2018