Jeonbuk remain undefeated in K League after winning rival match

Seven matches into the 2021 K League 1 season, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are the only undefeated club. Jeonbuk defeated Suwon Samsung Bluewings 3-1 on Saturday, a match contested against the backdrop of Jeonbuk's controversial acquisition of a former Suwon youth player Paik Seung-ho. Suwon have claimed that Paik, one-time FC Barcelona prospect, had contractual obligations to sign with them after returning from Europe. But Jeonbuk have countered that the midfielder was available because Suwon had

April 5, 2021

Tottenham's Son Heung-min held off score sheet in return from injury

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min has returned from a hamstring injury, playing the first half of a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in Premier League action on the weekend. Son didn't record a shot in his 45 minutes of action at St. James' Park in Newcastle upon Tyne in England on Sunday (local time). Carlos Vinicius started the second half in Son's place. It was Son's first match since injuring his left hamstring in a North London Derby against Arsenal on March 14. It only cost Son one Prem

April 5, 2021

Clubs caught up in signing controversy set for clash as K League season resumes

Two rival clubs at odds over a disputed player acquisition will square off in the K League 1 as the season resumes over the weekend following a brief international break. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, currently in first place with 14 points, will visit Suwon Samsung Bluewings, in fourth with 11 points, at 2 p.m. Saturday. The kickoff is at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul. It's a matchup between the league's most productive offense (Jeonbuk) and its stingiest defense (S

April 1, 2021

S. Korean defender wary of Japan's 'precise passing' ahead of football friendly

On the eve of his team's football friendly match against Japan, South Korean defender Kim Young-gwon said Wednesday he'll keep a close eye on the opposition's passing game. The two longtime rivals will square off at 7:20 p.m. Thursday at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. It's their first meeting since December 2019, and 80th head-to-head match overall. In an interview clip provided by the Korea Football Association (KFA) Wednesday, Kim reflected on what he learned from facing Japan o

March 24, 2021

[Newsmaker] Football star Ki Sung-yueng files damage claim against accusers

South Korean football star Ki Sung-yueng has filed a claim for damages against two former teammates who have accused him of sexual assault from over 20 years ago. Ki's legal representative, Song Sang-yeop of the Seoul-based law firm Seopyeong, put out a press release on Monday, announcing that Ki is seeking 500 million won ($442,530) in compensation for damages caused by what Ki has said are false accusations against him. Song said the claim was filed at the Seoul Central District Court. Separ

March 22, 2021

FC Seoul continue early-season surge behind captain's unexpected scoring prowess

FC Seoul captain Ki Sung-yueng has never been a goal scorer. The 32-year-old midfielder has built his career on setting up forwards with long passes and relying on his on-field vision to play solid two-way game. And yet, here is Ki, having scored in three straight matches for his K League 1 club. Ki's equalizer late in the first half helped pave the way for FC Seoul's 2-1 victory over Suwon Samsung Bluewings on Sunday in the season's first "Super Match" derby. Ki has three goals over

March 22, 2021

Decimated nat'l football team replaces injured midfielder

The South Korean men's national football team has been bitten hard by an injury bug ahead of a friendly match against Japan, with yet another key player getting cut with a leg injury Monday. The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Ulsan Hyundai FC midfielder Yoon Bitgaram suffered a left calf injury over the weekend and will be replaced by his K League 1 teammate, Lee Dong-gyeong. Yoon was hurt during a league match against Daegu FC on Sunday and was substituted early in the second half. Co

March 22, 2021

Injured Tottenham star Son Heung-min to miss Korean friendly vs. Japan

Tottenham Hotspur's injured Korean star Son Heung-min has been ruled out of his country's friendly match against Japan this week. The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced Sunday that Son will not be made available by the Premier League club for Thursday's match in Yokohama, just south of Tokyo. Son suffered a left hamstring injury during a Premier League match against Arsenal in London last Sunday. The match was played in the early hours of Monday in South Korea, and merely hours after

March 21, 2021

With 3rd straight win, titleholders Jeonbuk rise to 1st place in K League

Don't look now, but here come the champions. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, chasing a record fifth straight title in the K League 1, have climbed to the top of the tables this week. They defeated Daegu FC 3-2 on Tuesday for their third straight win and fourth in five matches in the young season. With 13 points -- they also have a draw -- Jeonbuk sit two points clear of Ulsan Hyundai FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Both Ulsan and Suwon have three wins and two draws, with Ulsan in second place thanks

March 18, 2021

Tottenham's Son Heung-min suffers hamstring injury vs. Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur didn't just lose to Arsenal in their latest North London derby; they also lost South Korean star Son Heung-min to a hamstring injury. Son pulled up clutching his left hamstring in the 19th minute of a 2-1 loss to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in London on Sunday (local time). The match was scoreless as Son walked off the pitch, and Tottenham failed to stay in front after Erik Lamela put them on the board in the 33rd minute. Arsenal tied things up late in the first half, and Alex

March 15, 2021

1st-year K League coach demands more from undefeated club

Ulsan Hyundai FC's first-year head coach Hong Myung-bo isn't yet 100 percent satisfied, not even after his K League 1 club won their third straight match of the 2021 season in convincing fashion. Ulsan beat Incheon United 3-1 Tuesday night at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, 415 kilometers southeast of Seoul. They're the only team this season to win three straight matches out of the gate, with Suwon Samsung Bluewings having a chance to join them later Wednesday. Ulsan have scored nine go

March 10, 2021

Juggernauts win 2nd straight match, embattled star shines in K League

In a bid to end a long K League 1 title drought, Ulsan Hyundai FC aren't messing around. Ulsan won their second straight match out of the gate in the 2021 season Saturday, when they beat Gwangju FC 1-0 behind rookie Kim Min-jun's first career goal in his first-ever start. With former South Korean national team boss Hong Myung-bo in charge, Ulsan have won their first two matches by a combined 6-0. Ulsan finished runners-up to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in each of the past two seasons. No K League

March 8, 2021

Tottenham's Son Heung-min sets Premier League single-season record for goal combinations

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean star Son Heung-min has put his name in Premier League record books. Son assisted on Harry Kane's goal in the 76th minute of a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday (local time). The duo have now combined for 14 goals in the 2020-2021 campaign, the most by any pair of teammates in a single season in league history. Son and Kane had been tied with Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton for Blackburn Rovers from the 1994-1995 seas

March 8, 2021

S. Korea, Japan discussing holding men's football friendly in March

South Korea and Japan are having discussions on holding a men's football friendly match in Japan later this month, an official here said Wednesday. The official with the Korea Football Association confirmed an earlier media report that the Japan Football Association has proposed a friendly match during the next FIFA international match window of March 22-30, despite obvious hurdles presented by the coronavirus pandemic.  Any football match between these two bitter rivals is a must-see

March 3, 2021

K League clubs exploiting new substitution rules

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors had just taken a 1-0 lead over FC Seoul in the 75th minute of their K League 1 season opener Saturday. Naturally, two minutes later, Jeonbuk's starting goalkeeper Song Bum-keun was replaced. So, what happened there? Jeonbuk head coach Kim Sang-sik sent in a 19-year-old goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon to tend the net for the final stretch. Fortunately for Jeonbuk, nothing disastrous happened in the teenager's K League debut, and Mo Barrow scored a late insurance goal to seal a

March 2, 2021

[Newsmaker] Court battle looms for football star Ki Sung-yueng in assault scandal

A bitter court battle is potentially on the horizon for the South Korean football star Ki Sung-yueng against his two former teammates accusing him of sexual and physical assault, following an about-face by the lawyer representing the two on Tuesday. Ki, midfielder for FC Seoul in the K League 1, has repeatedly denied those assault charges, first levied against him by two elementary school teammates last Wednesday. They claimed that Ki ordered them to perform sexual acts on him and beat them up

March 2, 2021

Four-time champions Jeonbuk blank FC Seoul to kick off new K League season

Four-time reigning champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors launched their South Korean football title defense with a victory on Saturday. Jeonbuk edged out FC Seoul 2-0 to kick open the K League 1 season at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers south of Seoul. FC Seoul defender Kim Won-gun headed in an own goal in the 75th minute, and Jeonbuk winger Mo Barrow rounded out the scoring with an injury-time goal. Jeonbuk's new bench boss Kim Sang-sik won his head coaching debut. The former t

Feb. 27, 2021

K League's Ki Sung-yueng reiterates denials of sexual assault claims on social media

South Korean football star Ki Sung-yueng took to social media on Thursday to once again deny allegations of sexual and physical assault on elementary school teammates. Ki, midfielder for FC Seoul in the K League 1, posted an Instagram message in response to claims put forward on Wednesday by two alleged victims of Ki's misconduct. In a press release by their attorney, the two charged that Ki forced them to perform sexual acts on him between January and June in 2000 and beat them up when they di

Feb. 25, 2021

Son Heung-min scores 18th of season in Europa League

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min has scored his 18th goal of 2020-2021 while setting a new career high in combined goals and assists for a season. Son opened the scoring for the Spurs in their 4-1 victory over the Austrian side Wolfsberger AC 4-1 in Budapest on Thursday (local time) in the first leg of the round of 32 at the UEFA Europa League. Son's header, set up by Gareth Bale, came in the 13th minute. The second leg is scheduled for next Thursday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. S

Feb. 19, 2021

Son Heung-min ends scoring drought, helps snap Tottenham's losing skid

Son Heung-min has ended his five-match Premier League scoring drought, while helping Tottenham Hotspur end their losing streak at three matches in the process. Son netted his 13th goal in the league -- 17th in all competitions -- in Tottenham's 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday. Son's last goal in any match had come in a League Cup match against Brentford on Jan. 5. Harry Kane, Son's favorite partner in crime who had been sidelined with an

Feb. 8, 2021