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

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,

Jan. 24, 2024

S. Korea held by Jordan, stay 2nd in Group E

It took a late equalizer by their opponent for South Korea to come away with a point at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Qatar on Saturday -- a lucky point for a team that didn't really deserve it. South Korea, ranked 23rd, eked out a 2-2 draw against world No. 87 Jordan in their second group stage match at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. The Taegeuk Warriors were unable to stay in front after captain Son Heung-min converted his own penalty in the ninth minute. An own goal by

Jan. 20, 2024

S. Korea determined to fight for injured goalkeeper

In light of a devastating injury to their top goalkeeper, South Korea head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Friday the remaining players will be battling hard for their fallen teammate for the rest of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. Earlier on Friday, the eve of South Korea's second Group E match against Jordan in Doha, the Korea Football Association had announced first-choice goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu will miss the rest of the Asian Cup with a torn ligament in his right knee. T

Jan. 19, 2024

S. Korea looking to move closer to knockouts in 2nd group match vs. Jordan

Coming off a solid win over Bahrain earlier in the week, South Korea will try to move closer to a knockout berth at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup when they take on Jordan on Saturday in Qatar. The showdown between world No. 23 South Korea and No. 87 Jordan in Group E kicks off at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha at 2:30 p.m. Saturday local time, or 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Coached by Jurgen Klinsmann, South Korea are trying to win their first Asian Cup since 1960. Lee Kang-in's double car

Jan. 18, 2024

S. Korea defeat Bahrain to open group stage behind Lee Kang-in's brace

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in scored a brace as South Korea defeated Bahrain 3-1 to open their title bid at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Qatar on Monday. Lee broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 56th minute at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha and then netted an insurance marker a dozen minutes later for his sixth goal in the past six international matches. Midfielder Hwang In-beom scored the first goal for 23rd-ranked South Korea in the 38th minute, before Abdullah Al Hash

Jan. 15, 2024

Klinsmann expects 'very difficult game' vs. Bahrain to start group stage

South Korea may be the heavy favorites against Bahrain when the two countries clash to start Group E action at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in Qatar on Monday, but that is not how South Korea coach Jurgen Klinsmann sees the matchup. "Based on information we've collected, we'll have a very difficult game tomorrow," Klinsmann said at his prematch press conference in Doha on Sunday. The match between world No. 23 South Korea and No. 86 Bahrain kicks off at Jassim b

Jan. 14, 2024

Loaded with talent, S. Korea set to kick off Asian Cup title bid vs Bahrain

South Korea's quest to quench its 64-year title thirst at the top Asian men's football tournament will begin Monday against Bahrain, a team they have beaten 11 times out of 16 meetings so far. Loaded with Europe-based stars, South Korea will play their first Group E match of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. South Korea won the first two editions of the top AFC men's tournament, in 1956 and 1960, but have been shut out of titl

Jan. 14, 2024

[Graphic News] S. Korea’s Asian Cup squad

On Dec. 28, South Korean men’s soccer national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann announced his star-studded roster for the 26-man squad, which is seeking to win the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1960. There were few surprises for the team, which will be brandishing star players like Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan, Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich center back Kim Min-jae. South Korea’s arch-rival,

Jan. 12, 2024

S. Korea coach Klinsmann pays tribute to late Beckenbauer

Jurgen Klinsmann, German-born head coach of the South Korean men's national football team, bid an emotional farewell to his late former coach and German football legend Franz Beckenbauer on Tuesday, calling him a mentor and a father-like figure for players on the 1990 FIFA World Cup champion West Germany team. Beckenbauer passed away in Austria on Sunday at age 78. His family first sent a note to the German news agency dpa, and the German football federation later confirmed Beckenbauer�

Jan. 9, 2024