[World Cup] Merkel to attend final

This 2010 file photo shows German Chancellor Angela Merkel celebrating after a goal at the World Cup in South Africa. (AP-Yonhap)BERLIN (AP) ― Chancellor Angela Merkel will travel to the World Cup final in Brazil, giving Germany’s most prominent fan perhaps her best chance yet to watch the team lift a trophy after eight years of very public support.Merkel has become a frequent sight at Germany matches since the country hosted the World Cup in 2006, a few months after she took office ― and a regu

SoccerJuly 10, 2014

[World Cup] Hong Myung-bo resigns as nat'l football coach after winless World Cup

(Yonhap)Hong Myung-bo, the embattled head coach of the South Korean men's national football team, announced his resignation from the post on Thursday in the wake of the country's winless World Cup, a stunning development only a week after receiving a vote of confidence from the sport's national governing body. At a press conference held at the Korea Football Association (KFA) headquarters in Seoul, Hong said he takes the blame for South Korea's disappointing campaign in Brazil, where the country

SoccerJuly 10, 2014

[World Cup] Nat'l football coach Hong Myung-bo to resign after winless World Cup: official

Hong Myung-bo, the embattled head coach of the South Korean men's national football team, is set to announce his resignation from the post on Thursday in the wake of the country's winless World Cup, a senior official from the sport's national governing body said.The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Wednesday evening that Hong would hold a press conference the following morning at its Seoul headquarters, without specifying what the coach would discuss. The KFA official, requesting anonymity,

SoccerJuly 10, 2014

[World Cup] Argentina reaches World Cup final after penalties

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved two penalties Wednesday to send Argentina into the World Cup final with a 4-2 shootout win over the Netherlands after the game finished in a 0-0 stalemate.  A day after Germany lit up the World Cup with its clinical 7-1 destruction of host Brazil, the Netherlands and Argentina could not manage a goal between them in 120 minutes before the shootout. Romero thought to be a weak link in this Argentine team and not even a starter for his Monaco club most of last season

SoccerJuly 10, 2014

[World Cup] Klose scores vs. Brazil to set World Cup record

Miroslav Klose found perhaps the only way to make matters worse for Brazil. On a night when Germany routed the host nation 7-1 in the World Cup semifinals, Klose also became the tournament's all-time record scorer _ eclipsing Brazil great Ronaldo. Klose scored Germany's second goal in the 23rd minute for his 16th career World Cup goal in his fourth tournament. It broke the mark of 15 goals he shared with the retired Ronaldo, who watched the game in the stadium as a TV commentator.  Germany's for

SoccerJuly 9, 2014

[World Cup] Germany run riot in record 7-1 defeat of Brazil

Germany crushed shambolic World Cup hosts Brazil with a record 7-1 defeat on Tuesday to book their place in the tournament final in a match that shook football's superpower to the core. Brazil were booed by their fans and gathered shell-shocked on the Mineirao pitch with coach Luiz Felipe Scolari after the worst defeat in their 100 years of competitive football. Brazil players sink to their knees after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Bel

SoccerJuly 9, 2014

[World Cup] FIFA: No action against Zuniga for Neymar tackle

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― FIFA will not take action against the Colombia player who injured Neymar and ended the Brazil star’s World Cup. FIFA said its disciplinary panel “cannot consider this matter” under the rules because the match referee saw the challenge by Camilo Zuniga and judged it at the time.“In this specific case, no retrospective action can be taken,” FIFA said in a statement on Monday, because the incident “did not escape the match officials’ attention.”In a separate decision, the pane

SoccerJuly 8, 2014

[World Cup] Messi, Robben face off in semifinal

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― The World Cup’s best dribblers ― Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben ― face off when Argentina and Netherlands meet in the semifinals.In Brazil, Robben has been quick, Messi has been quicksilver.On Wednesday in Sao Paulo, either one could turn the semifinal with a dazzling turn of pace or a weaving run to propel his team to the final.“We have to cut the supply line to Messi,” Dutch defender Bruno Martins Indi told Dutch website Nu.nl.The Barcelona star led Argentina through the g

SoccerJuly 8, 2014

[World Cup] Brazil tries to stay confident

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) ― Still coping with the loss of its biggest star, Brazil is trying to find ways to remain upbeat about its prospects at the World Cup.The medical helicopter that took Neymar home with a back injury also carried away much of the country’s hopes for a sixth world title, but the tournament isn’t over yet and Brazil is just days away from a difficult semifinal against Germany.“We have to try to be mature in a moment like this,” Brazil defender David Luiz said. “We are sad

SoccerJuly 7, 2014

[World Cup] Di Maria ruled out of World Cup semifinals

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) ― Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria has been ruled out of the World Cup semifinal against the Netherlands with a thigh injury while striker Sergio Aguero has been declared fit to play after recovering from a similar problem.Di Maria limped off the field in the first half of Argentina’s quarterfinal win over Belgium after straining a muscle in the back of his right thigh.Team doctor Daniel Martinez on Sunday said tests showed it was a “first-degree” strain ― the mild

SoccerJuly 7, 2014