Troubles for national team continue amid reports of fights, possible sacking of coach

Woes for South Korean men's national soccer team continued as its members were found to have gotten into a physical fight with each other before the big match, and the country's soccer governing body reportedly contemplating whether to request resignation of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The Korea Football Association confirmed Wednesday earlier reports by UK media that the team captain Son Heung-min got into an altercation with midfielder Lee Kang-in ahead of the team's semifi

Feb. 14, 2024

Soccer authorities may request resignation of Klinsmann: reports

With the Korea Football Association slated to discuss the fate of men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann this week, local media outlets on Wednesday reported that the members of the South Korean soccer governing body have recommended its chief to request the beleaguered coach's resignation. In a first KFA meeting convened since South Korea's disappointing semifinal exit at the Asian Cup 2023, its executives have agreed that Klinsmann should be removed from his post, accor

Feb. 14, 2024

Son Heung-min injured finger in row before Asian Cup semifinals: federation

The South Korean football federation on Wednesday confirmed a British media report that South Korea captain Son Heung-min had injured his finger in a dustup with teammates on the eve of the country's shock loss at the top Asian tournament last week. The Sun reported Tuesday that Son dislocated his finger in a row that erupted over team dinner on Feb. 5 in Qatar, the night before South Korea's semifinal match against Jordan at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup. South Korea lost

Feb. 14, 2024

Lee Kang-in selected for Asian Cup's all-tournament team

South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in was tapped by the Asian Football Confederation as one of the top 11 players of the Asian Cup 2023, after the top continental tournament in Qatar concluded Saturday with the home team defending its title. The 22-year-old scored three goals for the national team in his first Asian Cup outing, tying for the team lead in scoring with the captain Son Heung-min, while also adding an assist. His two goals in the opening match for South Korea against Bahrain in the qu

Feb. 13, 2024

S. Korean football federation to discuss Klinsmann's fate this week

The South Korean football federation will hold a meeting this week to determine the fate of the beleaguered men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, days after the country's disappointing exit from the top continental tournament. The Korea Football Association announced Monday afternoon that its National Team Committee will hold a postmortem meeting "sometime this week," following South Korea's semifinal elimination at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup l

Feb. 13, 2024

FC Seoul sign ex-Man United midfielder Jesse Lingard

FC Seoul announced Thursday they have signed former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard. The K League 1 club finalized their contract with the English international three days after the 31-year-old midfielder arrived in South Korea to undergo his medical. Financial terms were not disclosed. "Based on respect for Korean football, I am excited to represent the K League as soon as possible by playing good football and dedication to my new team, FC Seoul," Lingard said in a statemen

Feb. 8, 2024

Messi starts on bench in Tokyo after Hong Kong controversy

Lionel Messi started on the bench for Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Tokyo Wednesday, days after his absence on the pitch in a recent Hong Kong friendly angered fans there. The decision not to come on in Hong Kong had prompted the ire of tens of thousands of fans, who booed the World Cup-winning Argentinian and the team's co-owner David Beckham. During a press event in Tokyo Tuesday, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said his leg injury was improving but refused to say w

Feb. 7, 2024

Korea's Asian Cup flop feeds fans' fury

South Korea's loss to Jordan in the Asian Cup is casting doubt on the future of the national team, and drawing online fury from soccer fans. Korea lost 2-0 in the early hours of Wednesday (Korea time), in the semifinals of the top continental tournament. With Korea's shot at the Asian cup dashed yet again, South Korean supporters are voicing their disdain. Some have been calling for head coach Juergen Klinsmann's resignation ever since his squad's shaky performance in the gro

Feb. 7, 2024

[Graphic News] South Korea to face Jordan in Asian Cup semis

The semifinals for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar have been set: Jordan will be facing South Korea at midnight Tuesday, and Iran will go against the host Qatar at midnight Wednesday. From the start, South Korea has made it clear that it was aiming for the Champion’s trophy. Still, it has limped its way into the semifinals in a series of disappointing matches that have brought significant criticism of the team’s head coach, Juergen Klinsmann. Still, the team has progressed to the point where

Feb. 6, 2024

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

Feb. 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

Feb. 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

Feb. 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

Feb. 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

Feb. 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

Feb. 2, 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

Feb. 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

Jan. 31, 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

Jan. 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

Jan. 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

Jan. 25, 2024