Midfielder Hwang In-beom becomes hot commodity as FIFA extends Russian club contract rules

In light of a recent decision by FIFA to prolong rules to accommodate foreign players based in Russia, South Korean midfielder Hwang In-beom is once again poised to become a coveted figure in the open market. Hwang, a go-to midfielder for the South Korean national team, signed a short-term deal with FC Seoul in the K League 1 in April. He had been playing for the top-division Russian club Rubin Kazan since 2020, but he faced an uncertain future with the team following Russia‘s invasion

June 22, 2022

Jeonbuk beat Ulsan to add more drama to K League title race

In danger of fading away in their bid for a sixth consecutive title in South Korean football, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors rode a rare goal barrage to defeat first-place Ulsan Hyundai FC over the weekend. Takahiro Kunimoto netted twice as part of Jeonbuk's three-goal explosion in a 13-minute span, helping the five-time defending K League 1 champs to a 3-1 victory on Sunday at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan. Um Won-sang had the lone Ulsan goal in the 40th minute, but Jeonbuk had already scored th

June 20, 2022

Daegu FC forward Cesinha named K League's top player for May

Daegu FC's Brazilian forward Cesinha was named South Korean football's best player for May on Thursday, capturing his fourth career monthly prize. The Korea Professional Football League (K League) announced that Cesinha beat out three nominees for the Player of the Month prize for May. The winner was chosen based on votes by the K League's technical study group (60 percent), fans (25 percent) and players of "FIFA Online 4" (15 percent) by Electronic Arts (EA) Sports, the

June 16, 2022

K League 1 season resumes as contenders clash for 2nd time

After more than two weeks off during the FIFA international match window, the top South Korean football league will be back in action on the weekend, with two title contenders set for their second showdown of the season. Ulsan Hyundai FC entered the break atop the K League 1 tables with 36 points, 10 ahead of Jeju United. Ulsan are undefeated in their past five matches. One point behind Jeju in third place are Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the team that crushed Ulsan's title dreams in each of the

June 16, 2022

S. Korea looking to right defensive ship vs. Salah-less Egypt

After three decidedly mixed results, South Korea's international match window for June will close on Tuesday against Egypt missing their biggest star. The kickoff between 29th-ranked South Korea and No. 32 Egypt will be 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The 18th meeting between the two countries had potential for some intrigue, with the two captains, Son Heung-min for South Korea and Mohamed Salah for Egypt, having shared the Premier League's Golden Boot this past season. However, Sal

June 12, 2022

S. Korea seeking 2nd straight win, better defense vs. Paraguay in football friendly

After a successful bounce back from a demoralizing defeat, South Korea will chase their second straight victory in men's football on Friday against Paraguay while also seeking much-needed improvements from their defense. The kickoff between 29th-ranked South Korea and No. 50 Paraguay is 8 p.m. at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, some 35 kilometers south of Seoul. This will be the third of four friendly matches that South Korea will play in June. They lost to Brazil 5-1 last Thursday but bl

June 8, 2022

Guus Hiddink to S. Korean football: Don't change

Former South Korean men's football head coach Guus Hiddink liked what he saw from his old team Thursday night, even in a 5-1 defeat to Brazil in a pre-World Cup friendly match in Seoul -- to a degree that the Dutchman doesn't think the Taeguk Warriors should change much in the way they play. The current bench boss, Paulo Bento, has come under fire for sticking to the same style of play, perhaps stubbornly so, even when the strategy that has worked against some underdogs in the past won't be as

June 3, 2022

Yoon awards Son Heung-min with highest nat'l honor for sports

President Yoon Suk-yeol awarded an order of merit to Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean forward Son Heung-min on Thursday in recognition of his achievement in sports. Yoon awarded the Cheongnyong Medal to Son at Seoul World Cup Stadium before he took part in a friendly match against Brazil. The Cheongnyong ranks the highest among five medals that are awarded to an individual for their achievement in sports or their contribution to promoting national sports. Son made history last month by becom

June 2, 2022

Neymar questionable for friendly vs. S. Korea with foot injury

Brazil superstar Neymar is questionable for a friendly match against South Korea on Thusday after sustaining a right foot injury during training in Seoul on the eve of the game. Brazil held an open training session at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Wednesday. The visiting South Americans will take on the Taeguk Warriors at the same venue Thursday, for an 8 p.m. kickoff. During the session, Neymar collided with a teammate and then grabbed his right foot as he dropped to the pitch. He took off his r

June 1, 2022

Captained by Golden Boot winner, S. Korea to test mettle vs. top-ranked Brazil

South Korea's first friendly match since qualifying for the FIFA World Cup earlier this year should also be their toughest test, as the Taeguk Warriors are set to host world No. 1 Brazil in the nation's capital Thursday. The kickoff is 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium. This will be the first of four friendly matches for the 29th-ranked South Korea in June. They will next face No. 28 Chile on June 6 in Daejeon, some 160 kilometers south of Seoul, and then No. 50 Paraguay on June 10 in

May 31, 2022

Teams battling for 2nd place set for 2nd showdown in K League 1 season

Clubs jostling for second place in the top South Korean football league will meet for the second time on the weekend. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, five-time defending K League 1 champions, will host Jeju United at 7 p.m. Saturday at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, some 240 kilometers south of Seoul. Through 14 matches, Jeonbuk are eight points behind the leaders, Ulsan Hyundai FC, at 25 points. Jeju United are right on Jeonbuk's heels at 23 points. Jeju won their first meeting of the season

May 27, 2022

Defending champions eliminated early in natl. football tournament

The defending champions Jeonnam Dragons have been sent home early from the top national football tournament. Busan Transportation Corp., a third-tier semi-pro club playing out of the K3 League, stunned the K League 2's Jeonnam 5-4 in a penalty shootout in their round of 16 match at the FA Cup on Wednesday night. Busan exacted revenge on Jeonnam after falling to the same club on penalties in the round of 16 a year ago. Jeonnam then went on to become the first second division club to win the

May 26, 2022

Premier League Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min receives hero's welcome home

With the shining Golden Boot in tow, Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean star Son Heung-min received a hero's welcome home on Tuesday.    Son arrived at Incheon International Airport with dozens of fans celebrating his historic Premier League scoring title.    In the season finale on Sunday, Son scored twice in the second half of a 5-0 win over Norwich City, finishing tied for the league lead with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool at 23 goals. In the top English competition, the Go

May 24, 2022

Tottenham to take on Sevilla in 2nd summer exhibition match in S. Korea

Tottenham Hotspur announced Tuesday they will face Sevilla FC in the second of their two exhibition matches in South Korea this summer. Tottenham, featuring the reigning Golden Boot winner from South Korea, Son Heung-min, said their game against the Spanish club will kick off at 8 p.m. on July 16 at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, some 45 kilometers south of Seoul. Tottenham had announced in April they will take on an All-Star team of the K League players in their first exhibition match on Jul

May 24, 2022

[Newsmaker] Is Son the best footballer S. Korea has ever produced?

With Son Heung-min becoming the first Asian player ever to win the Golden Boot in Premier League history, debate about the best soccer player South Korea has ever produced seems all but obsolete. Joining the Tottenham Hotspur in 2015 as the 13th player in the country’s history to play in one of the world’s top soccer leagues, Son had exceeded expectations by becoming the lead goal-getter of the English league on Sunday. The 29-year-old shares the coveted trophy with Mohamed Salah o

May 23, 2022

S. Korea coach predicts 'most difficult training camp' ahead of June World Cup tuneups

In normal times, it would be difficult enough for South Korea to take on Brazil, world No. 1 in men's football and a team that the Taeguk Warriors haven't beaten in more than two decades. But these aren't normal times for head coach Paulo Bento and his 20th-ranked South Korea. The team will be missing a few mainstays to injuries, including sturdy center back Kim Min-jae and playmaking midfielder Lee Jae-sung. With South Korea set to host Brazil on June 2 as the first of four frien

May 23, 2022

Coach sticks to familiar faces for World Cup tuneups amid injuries

South Korea will mostly roll with familiar names as they host four friendly matches next month in preparation for this year's FIFA World Cup. Head coach Paulo Bento unveiled a 28-man roster for the men's national team Monday ahead of June matches. They will host Brazil on June 2, Chile on June 6 and Paraguay on June 10. South Korea are also set to play on June 14, likely against an African opponent. The Korea Football Association had tried to schedule a match against Argentina, but tho

May 23, 2022

With historic Golden Boot, Son Heung-min cements case as greatest S. Korean footballer ever

This is no longer a controversial thing to say, and it really shouldn't have been for some time now: Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur may just be the GOAT in South Korean football history, as in, the greatest of all time. The 29-year-old further cemented his case by becoming the first Asian player to win the Golden Boot in Premier League history. Son grabbed a brace in a 5-0 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road in Norwich, England, on Sunday (local time), finishing the season with 23

May 23, 2022

Son Heung-min becomes 1st Asian scoring champion in Premier League history

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean attacker Son Heung-min has become the first Asian player to win the scoring title in the Premier League, the latest piece of history for a player who has made a career out of setting records and milestones. Son scored twice in Tottenham's 5-0 rout of Norwich City at Carrow Road in Norwich, England, on Sunday (local time), and finished the 2021-2022 season with a career-high 23 goals. Son shared the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, who scored

May 23, 2022

K League 1 champions Jeonbuk looking to extend undefeated run vs. pesky underdogs

A quick glance at the K League 1 tables will show Ulsan Hyundai FC leading the pack by eight points after 13 matches. That lead seems comfortable enough, but Ulsan players are probably hearing the footsteps of five-time defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who have climbed into third place with 22 points, on the strength of an eight-match undefeated run. Jeonbuk will look to close that gap further on the weekend, while Ulsan, runners-up to Jeonbuk in each of the past three seasons, will t

May 20, 2022