Tottenham's Son scores twice as South Korea rout Singapore 7-0

SINGAPORE (AFP) -- PSG's Lee Kang-in and Tottenham's Son Heung-min both scored twice as South Korea trounced Singapore 7-0 on Thursday to seal their passage into the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Watched by a crowd of 49,097 at Singapore's National Stadium, the visitors took the lead after nine minutes when Son was denied by a fine save by Hassan Sunny but Joo Min-kyu retrieved the loose ball and laid it off for Lee to fire home a fierce right-foot

June 6, 2024

Over 100 fans banned from K League matches over bottle-throwing incident

The South Korean football club Incheon United announced Thursday they have banned 124 fans from attending their home matches after throwing water bottles onto the field after a recent loss. Incheon said the 124 fans had reported themselves to the team and acknowledged their involvement in the incident in the aftermath of Incheon's 2-1 loss to FC Seoul at Incheon Football Stadium in Incheon, just west of the capital city, on May 11. They will be banned from coming to Incheon's home matc

May 23, 2024

S. Korean-coached Indonesia fall short of direct Olympic football spot

Coached by South Korean native Shin Tae-yong, Indonesia have just missed out on the final direct Asian berth in this year's Olympic men's football tournament. Indonesia lost to Iraq 2-1 in extra time in the third-place match of the Asian Football Confederation U-23 Asian Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha on Thursday. This AFC tournament also serves as the final Asian qualifying tournament for the Paris Olympics, and the top three countries each earned guaranteed spots in Fran

May 3, 2024

After bitter defeat, S. Korean soccer coach blames himself, calls for overhaul

Hwang Sun-hong, the head coach of the South Korean Olympic men's soccer team, said he shoulders the biggest share of the blame for the team's bitter defeat Friday at the hands of underdog Indonesia. The 55-year-old also urged for an overhaul of the U-23 national team system, speaking at a press conference after returning home at Incheon Airport on Saturday. Hwang stressed the need for a four-year plan for the youth squad without the pressure of midterm reviews after South Korea was kno

April 28, 2024

10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification

South Korea fell to Indonesia 11-10 on penalties to be eliminated from the Olympic men's football qualifiers in Qatar on Thursday, unable to grab a ticket to Paris after losing their best scorer and head coach in the second half. Indonesia's 12th kicker Pratama Arhan scored after Lee Kang-hee was denied by Ernando Ari in the nailbiting shootout in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation U-23 Asian Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. This tournament doubles as the

April 26, 2024

Football coach stresses cohesion ahead of Olympic qualifiers

With South Korea preparing for the Olympic men's football qualifying tournament kicking off in two weeks, head coach Hwang Sun-hong on Monday emphasized the importance of cohesion. "There will be no such thing as an easy opponent," Hwang told reporters before a training session at Icheon Stadium in Icheon, some 60 kilometers south of Seoul. "No matter whom we face, it's really up to how we prepare. Our players have a strong desire to play at the Olympics, and I have conf

April 1, 2024

Son Heung-min scores 15th goal of Premier League season

Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur scored in his first match back with his Premier League club following international duty, helping his side stay in the top-four battle. Son scored the 86th-minute winner in Spurs' 2-1 victory over Luton Town at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday. With four minutes of normal time left, Son collected a pass from Brennan Johnson and unleashed a shot that deflected off defender Daiki Hashioka on its way into the net. The victory gave Tottenham 56

March 31, 2024

Late-blooming football defender savors 1st int'l goal in World Cup qualifier

Three South Korean players scored a goal apiece in the team's 3-0 win over Thailand in their latest World Cup qualifying match Tuesday night in Bangkok, and defender Park Jin-seop had a particularly emphatic celebration. As soon as his right-footed shot from close range found the back of the net at Rajamangala Stadium, Park got down on both knees and raised his arms, and let out a primal scream of pure, unbridled joy. It was Park's first international goal in his sixth international ma

March 27, 2024

With Olympics looming, nat'l football caretaker coach not interested in double duty

For South Korea's two World Cup qualifying matches, Hwang Sun-hong was thrust into a difficult situation. Hwang, head coach of the South Korean under-23 men's team trying to qualify for the Olympics, was named the senior squad's caretaker manager for March. His job was to hold the fort for two matches against Thailand and keep South Korea atop their group in the Asian World Cup qualifying tournament, while the Korea Football Association continued its search for a full-time repla

March 27, 2024

S. Korean football player returns home after 10-month detention in China

South Korean football player Son Jun-ho returned home Monday after being detained in China for around 10 months, authorities here said. Son, a national team veteran who plays for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League, had been held in Liaoning province since last May on alleged bribery charges. The Korea Football Association confirmed Son's release, stating that he arrived in the country through Incheon International Airport, South Korea's main gateway, west of Seoul. "We

March 25, 2024

S. Korea held by Thailand in World Cup qualifying match at home

South Korea settled for a 1-1 draw against Thailand in their latest World Cup qualifying match at home Thursday, a disappointing result coming on the heels of off-field controversy for the national team. Captain Son Heung-min scored in the 42nd minute but Suphanat Mueanta had the answer for Thailand in the 61st minute at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Group C action of the second round in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. South Korea, world No. 22, s

March 21, 2024

[Graphic News] South Korean squad for World Cup qualifiers

On March 11, Hwang Sun-hong, the interim boss for the men’s national team, announced his 23-man squad for South Korea’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers. South Korea faces Thailand on Thursday on home turf, then again on March 26 in the Southeast Asian country. The two matches against Thailand will be the first time South Korea’s national team assembles again since losing to Jordan 2-0 in the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in was a

March 21, 2024

Spurs ace Son back on road to World Cup after turbulent Asian Cup

HONG KONG (AFP) -- Son Heung-min and South Korea must move on from their turbulent Asian Cup when they return to World Cup qualifying Thursday, while Japan face North Korea in a double-header that sees them travel to Pyongyang. Asian football is back on the road to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a month after Qatar retained the continental crown on home soil with a 3-1 victory over Jordan. Much has happened since South Korea were dumped out 2-0 by unfancied Jordan in

March 19, 2024

Politician continues bashing PSG's Lee Kang-in

In what appears to be another verbal attack against national soccer team player Lee Kang-in, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo on Thursday wrote and then deleted a series of controversial comments seemingly aimed at the Paris-Saint Germain midfielder. Hong, 70, wrote on his Facebook page earlier in the day that he "hates gapjil by gold spoons." "Gapjil" refers to the arrogant attitude or actions of people in positions of power against those below them. The term "gold spoon"

March 15, 2024

Red Devils vow support for national soccer team, despite recent dispute

The official supporters' group for the South Korean national soccer teams on Thursday vowed continued support for the men's team, in light of calls by some fans to boycott the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Red Devils posted on to the group's Instagram page a message of support for the team, saying it will not boycott the two matches against Thailand slated for later this month. In the aftermath of a feud among national team players during the Asian Cup in Qatar, several fans have

March 14, 2024

Soccer national team members engaged in late-night gambling before Asian Cup: report

Yet another revelation related to South Korea's ill-fated Asian Cup outing hit the local media Thursday, with reports that some members of the men's national soccer team had played cards for money late at night during the training for the tournament. According to reports, a few players and one of the staff of the team enjoyed light gambling in January, during the team's training at Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates in preparation for the Asian Cup. The players have not been verifi

March 14, 2024

PSG's Lee Kang-in makes national squad despite Asian Cup dispute

South Korean men's national soccer team head coach Hwang Sun-hong announced his 23-man squad Monday, which included Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in who fell from favor with the public for his recent scuffle with team captain Son Heung-min. The interim coach for the team acknowledged the public's concern over Lee, and said addressing the issue could provide a chance to strengthen team chemistry. "I've talked to both players, and resolving (such conflict) can bring (the team) close

March 11, 2024

Son Heung-min scores 1st Premier League goal in 2 months

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has scored his first Premier League goal in two months. Son scored the team's third goal in the 88th minute of their 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday. After pouncing on the loose ball in the opponent territory just past the halfway line, Son went on a mad dash toward the box and fired a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner for his team-leading 13th marker of the campaign. It was Son's first

March 3, 2024

Hwang Sun-hong chosen as caretaker boss of nat'l football team

U-23 Korean national team manager Hwang Sun-hong was chosen Tuesday to concurrently helm the senior national team as its interim manager. The Korea Football Association (KFA) made the announcement following a meeting of its National Team Committee, which is responsible for appointing coaches for national teams across different age brackets. "Hwang is a coach affiliated with the KFA and has recently demonstrated his achievements with his team's victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games,"

Feb. 27, 2024

National team's 'ping pong gate' comes to close after Son-Lee make up

South Korea's soccer governing body said it was "overjoyed" over recent news that Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in of the national team have buried the hatchet after their highly-publicized quarrel during the Asian Cup 2023, seemingly putting an end to what the public and the local media dubbed "ping pong gate." "After hearing the news (of Son-Lee's reconciliation), I was as happy and excited as if (the team) won in a tournament. ... As for whether the two players

Feb. 22, 2024