S. Korean midfielder considers pressure to win 'privilege'

As the pressure mounts on his team to end the country's decadeslong title drought at the top Asian football tournament, South Korean midfielder Hwang In-beom said Monday he wouldn't have it any other way. South Korea, world No. 23, will take on 87th-ranked Jordan in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Qatar at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Qatar, or midnight Wednesday in Seoul. They are two wins away from capturing their first Asian Cup title since 1960. South Kor

SoccerFeb. 5, 2024

Klinsmann's message to S. Korea before semifinals: 'stay relaxed'

With South Korea set to face Jordan in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup this week, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Monday he wants his players not to feel stressed about the occasion. "Just stay relaxed and look forward to it," Klinsmann said at his pre-match press conference at the Main Media Centre in Doha, when asked about his message to his squad. The match between world No. 23 South Korea and 87th-ranked Jordan will kick off at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in

SoccerFeb. 5, 2024

[Photo News] Ex-Premier Leaguer Lingard in Seoul

Jesse Lingard, former Manchester United midfielder and England men’s national football team member, arrived at Incheon International Airport on Monday afternoon as he is expected to finalize a deal with FC Seoul of the K League 1, South Korea’s highest professional football league, later this week. If the deal with FC Seoul goes through, the former English Premier Leaguer will become the biggest international football star with the highest name value that the Korean league has ever s

SoccerFeb. 5, 2024

Speed skater Kim Min-sun finishes 2nd in World Cup standings with silver in finale

South Korean speed skater Kim Min-sun has finished second in the World Cup standings after grabbing a silver medal in her finale in Canada. Kim finished second to Femke Kok of the Netherlands in the second of two women's 500-meter races with a time of 37.91 seconds at the International Skating Union World Cup Speed Skating at Centre de Glaces in Quebec City on Sunday (local time). Kok beat the South Korean by 0.20 second for the gold. On Saturday, it was Kim beating Kok for the gold in the

More SportsFeb. 5, 2024

Minus top defender, S. Korea looking to continue magical ride vs. Jordan in semifinals

No matter how you slice it, South Korea's run to the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Qatar, featuring late equalizers and a shootout win, has been an exhilarating one, certainly not for the faint-hearted. After staving off elimination with last-gasp goals in back-to-back matches, the Taegeuk Warriors will try to extend their magical run toward their first Asian Cup title since 1960, when they take on Jordan in the semifinals this week. South Korea, ranked 2

SoccerFeb. 4, 2024

Son Heung-min's late free kick sends S. Korea into semifinals

Captain Son Heung-min scored a free kick goal in extra time as South Korea defeated 10-man Australia 2-1 to reach the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Qatar on Friday. Hwang Hee-chan scored a last-gasp equalizer on a penalty drawn by Son at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, south of Doha, before Son himself got in on the scoring act in the 104th minute. South Korea moved within two wins of ending their 64-year title drought at the top continental tournament. They will no

SoccerFeb. 3, 2024

FC Seoul in talks to acquire ex-Premier Leaguer Jesse Lingard

South Korean football club FC Seoul said Friday they are in contract negotiations with former Manchester United midfielder and English international Jesse Lingard. An official with the K League 1 side confirmed that they have been in contact with Lingard's camp over a potential contract. Earlier in the day, British media reported that Lingard was close to joining FC Seoul on a two-year deal with an option for a third season. Lingard, 31, has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Fore

SoccerFeb. 2, 2024

[Graphic News] New rules to be implemented in KBO

The Korea Baseball Organization looks like it will be implementing most of the same changes in rules that heated up the MLB in 2023. The Automatic Ball-Strike System, larger bases and limits on defensive shifts are part of seven major rule changes that will be implemented in the 2024 season. The KBO, however, has put the brakes on the introduction of a pitch clock. If implemented, a pitch clock would force pitchers to deliver a pitch within 15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with run

BaseballFeb. 2, 2024

4th Winter Youth Olympics celebrates growth of young athletes in closing ceremony

The fourth edition of the Winter Youth Olympics wrapped up in eastern South Korea on Thursday, as the closing ceremony marked the growth of teenage athletes during the two-week competition. Gangwon Province hosted a record 1,802 athletes from 78 nations during the first Winter Youth Games to take place outside Europe. They got to compete at many of the same facilities that held events for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games across Gangwon. Host South Korea finished with seven gold, six silver and

More SportsFeb. 1, 2024

Host S. Korea grabs 2 gold medals on final day of Winter Youth Olympics

South Korea picked up two gold medals on the final day of the Winter Youth Olympics on home soil Thursday, producing a pair of double gold medalists in the process. South Korea captured the gold medal in figure skating's team event at Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung, some 160 kilometers east of Seoul, over the United States and Canada. South Korea earned 13 points, with a victory in each discipline worth five points. The U.S. had 12 points and Canada finished with nine. Kim, who won the me

More SportsFeb. 1, 2024

Klinsmann hoping S. Korea can play to strengths vs. Australia in quarterfinals

South Korea head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Thursday he will try to get his side to play to their strengths against Australia in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Qatar. "We're excited to play them. It will be a 50-50 match. It will be a hard-fought match. We're ready for the battle," Klinsmann said at the Main Media Centre in Doha on the eve of the clash against the Socceroos. "We have to be very alert for their counterattacks. They

SoccerFeb. 1, 2024

S. Korea defeat Saudi Arabia on penalties to reach quarterfinals

South Korea knocked off Saudi Arabia 4-2 on penalties to advance to the quarterfinals at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Qatar on Tuesday. South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo made two stops in the shootout, while the first four South Korean shooters all converted their kicks at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of Doha, in the round of 16 at the top AFC tournament. Abdullah Radif gave Saudi Arabia the lead less than a minute into the second half, and the Green Falcons were

SoccerJan. 31, 2024

S. Korean Shin Ji-a captures women's figure skating silver at Winter Youth Olympics

South Korean teenager Shin Ji-a won the silver medal in the women's singles figure skating at the Winter Youth Olympics on home ice Tuesday. Shin, 15, became the second straight South Korean medalist in this event, following the 2020 Youth Olympic champion, You Young. Shin scored 191.83 points overall, with 125.35 points in Tuesday's free skate added to 66.48 points from Sunday's short program. Mao Shimada of Japan, the leader after the short program with 71.05 points, earned 125.

More SportsJan. 30, 2024

Tickets for 1st MLB regular season game in S. Korea sold out in 8 minutes: marketer

Tickets for the first Major League Baseball regular season game to be played in South Korea were sold out just eight minutes after going on sale last week, the event's marketing partner said Monday. Coupang Play, a South Korean streaming service and the official presenting partner for the MLB World Tour Seoul Series, announced that all tickets for the March 20 clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres were snatched up online soon after the window opened at 8 p.m. last F

BaseballJan. 29, 2024

With key players back, S. Korea taking on Saudi Arabia in round of 16

With two key veterans back from injuries, South Korea's quest to end a 64-year title drought at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup will begin in earnest this week, with the first knockout stage match against Saudi Arabia on the horizon. The round of 16 clash between the two rivals will kick off at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of Doha, at 7 p.m. Tuesday (local time), or 1 a.m. Wednesday (Seoul time). South Korea, the third-highest ranked AFC team at No. 23, finished as t

SoccerJan. 28, 2024

Son Heung-min pleads with fans to tone down vitriol

South Korea limping into the knockout stage of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup after a string of uninspiring group matches in Qatar, members of the famously passionate fan base have been voicing their displeasure online. Aware of the mounting criticism against his team, captain Son Heung-min has asked fans to tone down their vitriol. Son made his plea Thursday after South Korea's 3-3 draw with the minnows Malaysia in Group E action at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, south of Doha

SoccerJan. 26, 2024

S. Korea taking new-look defense to final group match vs. Malaysia

South Korea will have a new-look backline against Malaysia in their final group match of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Qatar on Thursday. Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann made two changes to his defense compared to the first two matches of the group stage. Seol Young-woo, who started as the right back in the first two games, will take over on the left side for the injured Lee Ki-je. Kim Tae-hwan, subbed in as the right back in earlier matches, will get the start on the right side Th

SoccerJan. 25, 2024

Snowboarder Lee Chae-un wins slopestyle gold at Winter Youth Olympics

South Korean snowboarder Lee Chae-un grabbed the gold medal in the men's slopestyle at the Winter Youth Olympics at home Thursday, the third gold for the host country of the two-week competition. In the final held at Welli Hilli Park Ski Resort in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, Lee scored 96.00 points for the first of what could be as many as three gold medals at the Gangwon Winter Youth Games. Eli Bouchard of Canada got the silver medal with 90.00 points, and Romain Allemand of France ear

More SportsJan. 25, 2024

S. Korea not trying to avoid Japan in knockouts: Klinsmann

With one group match remaining at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, South Korea face a rather interesting conundrum. If they beat Malaysia convincingly to close out Group E play Thursday in Qatar, South Korea could win their group and face Japan, the likely runner-up in Group D after a shock loss to Iraq, in the round of 16. Playing the highest-ranked Asian team in the first knockout match isn't ideal for the so-far underperforming Taegeuk Warriors. On the other hand, South Korea,

SoccerJan. 24, 2024

Snow disrupts Youth Olympics in Gangwon; Cold wave alert issued in Seoul

Heavy snowfall pounded the mountainous Gangwon Province on Sunday, where the Winter Youth Olympics are underway, disrupting outdoor competitions and scheduled side events. In the capital Seoul, a cold wave advisory was to take effect from 9 p.m. Sunday, with a significant decline in temperatures expected throughout Monday and Tuesday. According to the Games’ official website, the starting time of the men’s super-G final for Alpine skiing, originally to be held in Jeongseon at 1:30 p.

More SportsJan. 21, 2024