[World Cup] After beating Germany, Japanese players wish S. Korea best vs. Uruguay

AL RAYYAN -- Putting aside their countries' bitter sporting rivalry, Japanese players wished South Koreans the best in their upcoming FIFA World Cup match, following their dramatic rally past Germany on Wednesday in Qatar. Japan netted two second-half goals to take down Germany 2-1 in Group E action at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. This was the second surprise win by an Asian team in two days, following Saudi Arabia's shock victory over world No. 3 Arge

Nov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] German players stage apparent protest vs. FIFA ban over armband

AL RAYYAN -- Football and politics collided on the pitch at the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday, with German players apparently protesting FIFA's ban on an armband signifying diversity, tolerance and inclusion. During their team photo session before taking on Japan at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha, the 11 German starting players covered their mouths with their right hands. It appeared to be a response to FIFA's threat of penalty against Germany and six o

Nov. 24, 2022

[Graphic News] World Cup Group H

　South Korea will be playing the country's 10th consecutive FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 　Its pursuit of only a third trip to the knockout phase begins Thursday against Uruguay, the first Group H match for both countries. 　South Korea will then play Ghana on Nov. 28 and Portugal on Dec. 2. 　Portugal, at No. 9, is the highest-ranked team in Group H, followed by Uruguay at No. 14, South Korea at No. 28 and Ghana at No. 61. 　South Korea should have a fighting chance to make it out of Group H, but

Nov. 24, 2022

[World Cup] S. Korea coach sees no need for his underdog team to feel pressure

AL RAYYAN, Qatar -- Aware of South Korea's checkered history at the FIFA World Cup, South Korea head coach Paulo Bento said Wednesday he doesn't think his players should put any burden on their own shoulders. Bento and his 26-man squad will open their 2022 World Cup against Uruguay at 4 p.m. Thursday at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha. Against the 14th-ranked Uruguay, South Korea, at No. 28, will be the underdogs. At his prematch press conference at the Main Media Centre,

Nov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] Look out for Kim Min-jae

Having blossomed into an elite defender, Napoli centerback Kim Min-jae is set to prove that Tottenham superstar Son Heung-min is not the only player to watch out for in the South Korean national team. Qatar is Kim's first World Cup, after the bitter memory of being cut from the team just a month before the previous tournament due to injury. Prior to the team’s first match against Uruguay on Thursday, Kim voiced his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. “I’m ready to

Nov. 23, 2022

[World Cup] Uruguay midfielder Torreira not underestimating S. Korea

DOHA -- Uruguay may be favored against South Korea when they square off in their first Group H match this week, but that does not mean the South Americans will take their Asian foes lightly, Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira said Tuesday. "We are always facing each match with the same mentality, no matter if it is South Korea or Portugal," Torreira said after a training session at Al Erssal Training Site in Doha, referring to two of Uruguay's three opponents in the group stage of

Nov. 23, 2022

South Korea’s most memorable World Cup moments

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is the 11th time South Korea has participated in the event. Although it has never been considered a realistic contender for the soccer world’s top trophy, the Reds have proved that they can't be ignored, reaching semifinals in 2002 and beating defending champion Germany in 2018. Here’s a look back at South Korea’s history at the World Cup. Humble beginnings Before the turn of the century, South Korea used to be among the smallest of fishes

Nov. 22, 2022

[World Cup] Three things you may not know about Son Heung-min

Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min is a one of the best-known players in the world of soccer, but the 30-year-old striker has said one match stands out in his memory, and for a very particular, personal reason. Read on to find what match it was, plus a couple of other tidbits about the South Korean superstar that fans may not be familiar with. Son's finest hour Son has said that his finest moment was the South Korean national team beating Germany 2-0 in the final group-stage match of t

Nov. 22, 2022

[World Cup] All eyes on Sonny as S. Korea gear up for opening match vs. Uruguay

DOHA -- As South Korea prepare to kick off their 2022 FIFA World Cup against Uruguay on Thursday, all eyes will be on their captain, Son Heung-min, or, more specifically, his face. The Tottenham Hotspur talisman has been training with a protective mask covering his injured face in Qatar. He suffered multiple fractures around his left eye in a collision during a match on Nov. 1 and underwent surgery three days later. The opening Group H match between South Korea and Uruguay will be played exactly

Nov. 22, 2022

[World Cup] German legend Matthaus expects 'surprises' from Asian teams in Qatar

DOHA -- When South Korea stunned then-defending champions Germany 2-0 in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, knocking the European giants out of the tournament, it left a bitter taste in the mouth of many fans in the proud football nation. Lothar Matthaus, one of football's all-time greats, was no exception. In a media roundtable on Monday in Doha, with Yonhap News Agency as the only South Korean outlet, Matthaus was asked about that fateful match in 2018. Before the quest

Nov. 22, 2022

[World Cup] Injured Son Heung-min heads ball in training for first time

DOHA -- Recovering from a facial injury that has limited him in the buildup for the FIFA World Cup, South Korean captain Son Heung-min headed the ball for the first time in training on Monday. Son and the rest of the South Korean team returned to Al Egla Training Site in Doha on Monday, after enjoying their first day off Sunday. The Taegeuk Warriors' first match in Group H is against Uruguay at 4 p.m. Thursday at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha, or 10 p.m. the same da

Nov. 22, 2022

[World Cup] Factors for South Korean team in World Cup

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicked off Sunday, and the South Korean national team is now putting the final touches ahead of its first game against Uruguay on Thursday. South Korea faces an uphill battle with powerhouses like Portugal and Uruguay in the same group, who are widely considered contenders for the coveted World Cup. Ghana is hardly a pushover either, despite being the lowest FIFA-ranked team of the group at No. 61, with stars like Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey in the mix. Koreans

Nov. 21, 2022

[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

Nov. 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

Nov. 21, 2022

[Photo News] Injured star Son Heung-min trains for FIFA World Cup in Qatar

South Korean World Cup squad captain Son Heung-min trains at Al Egla Training Facility in Doha, Qatar on Friday. South Korea will kick off its 10th consecutive World Cup against Uruguay on Thursday.

Nov. 19, 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

Nov. 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

Nov. 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

Nov. 16, 2022

Injured captain Son Heung-min ready for 'unforgettable' World Cup

DOHA -- Sporting black-rimmed glasses over his injured face, South Korea captain Son Heung-min landed in Doha in the early hours of Wednesday, becoming the last member of his country's World Cup squad to arrive in the host country. Son, the Tottenham Hotspur star and South Korea's top offensive weapon, is recovering from multiple fractures around his left eye after a collision with an opponent during a match two weeks ago. He underwent surgery on Nov. 4 and has since expressed a willin

Nov. 16, 2022

Injured star Son Heung-min named to Korean World Cup squad

The injured South Korean football star Son Heung-min was named to the country's World Cup squad Saturday, as the football-crazed nation waits with bated breath to see if the beloved captain will be able to compete in Qatar. Head coach Paulo Bento unveiled his 26-man roster in Seoul on Saturday, 12 days before South Korea's first Group H match against Uruguay in Qatar. South Korea will also play Ghana on Nov. 28 and then Portugal on Dec. 2. Son underwent surgery on Nov. 4 after sufferin

Nov. 12, 2022