The Korea Herald

[World Cup] Di Maria steps into WC spotlight

SoccerJul 2, 2014

Argentina’s Angel di Maria celebrates his goal against Switzerland at the World Cup on Tuesday. (EPA-Yonhap)SAO PAULO (AP) ― Angel di Maria’s first goal of this World Cup couldn’t have come at a better time for Argentina, or for himself.Overshadowed by the efforts of captain Lionel Messi, the winger showed his importance to the team on Tuesday and came through when Argentina really needed him.He scored two minutes before the end of extra time to avoid penalties and secure a 1-0 win over Switzerl
[World Cup] Van Gaal’s substitutes key to success

SoccerJul 2, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― No one can argue that the Netherlands coach, Louis van Gaal, isn’t earning his salary.The Dutch are have recovered from 1-0 down to win three times in Brazil, and four of the seven goals the Oranje have scored over the past three games have come from van Gaal’s second-half substitutes.“Our strength this World Cup is that we have shown that everyone from the bench can have a big impact on the game. Everyone is sharp,” says forward Arjen Robben.Striker Klaas Van Huntelaar epi
[World Cup] Long faces but chins up for U.S. fans

SoccerJul 2, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― It was all long faces, but heads held high, for the legion of American fans who traveled to Brazil for the World Cup, only to watch their team lose 2-1 to Belgium in extra time.Upward of 20,000 people, mostly Americans, packed the golden sands of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro in front of a giant TV screen set up in the FIFA Fan Fest watch area in Rio.Fans stood and cheered the entire time, packed tightly and with barely any wiggle room to get through the crowd.Like man
[World Cup] Belgium holds on to beat US 2-1 in extra time

SoccerJul 2, 2014

Kevin De Bruyne turned a heroic night for U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard into defeat on Tuesday with an extra-time goal and an assist that gave Belgium a 2-1 victory and a quarterfinal match against Lionel Messi and Argentina.With three extra-time goals in a thrilling match, De Bruyne and substitute Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium a big lead before Julian Green closed the gap with 12 minutes to go.``For my heart, please don't give me too many games like this,'' said Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, who must n
[World Cup] Argentina sticks to script with late winner

SoccerJul 2, 2014

Argentina's theme at this World Cup seems to be scrappy wins with Lionel Messi pulling through at the last minute to save the day.This time he didn't score on his own, but set the stage for Angel Di Maria to score an extra-time winner against Switzerland.``It doesn't matter if it's beautiful or ugly,'' Di Maria said. ``Only that Argentina won and will play another game in the tournament.''Argentina will play Belgium in the quarterfinals.(AFP-Yonhap)Except for its final group-stage win over Niger
Murray, Djokovic nearing rematch

More sportsJul 1, 2014

LONDON (AP) ― As the rain wreaks havoc on the Wimbledon schedule and players start to complain, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have found little reason to worry about the weather.It helped that both got to play Monday on Centre Court, the only spot at the All England Club with a retractable roof.And with back-to-back, straight-set victories, they moved closer to a semifinal showdown that would be a rematch of the final last year, when Murray beat Djokovic to become the first British man since 19
Park seeks to stay in Europe

SoccerJul 1, 2014

Korean forward Park Chu-young (Yonhap)His English Premier League club having announced its plan to part ways with him, South Korean forward Park Chu-young hopes to stay in Europe to continue his club career, his agent said Tuesday.Last week, Arsenal announced it would not retain the little-used forward when his contract expires at the end of June.The news came just hours before Park and South Korea were to face Belgium in their FIFA World Cup match in Brazil.Park watched from the bench in Sao Pa
Top soccer official to meet with coach Hong

SoccerJul 1, 2014

Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo (File photo)The head of the South Korean soccer governing body will soon meet with the men’s national team head coach to discuss the coach’s future in the wake of his team’s disappointing World Cup in Brazil, a senior official said Tuesday.Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, will schedule a meeting with coach Hong Myung-bo “within this week” over the coach’s status, the official said.South Korea had two losses and one draw in three group ma
North Korean archers to train in the South

More sportsJul 1, 2014

Archers from North Korea are scheduled to train in South Korea this summer in their preparations for the Asian Games to be held south of the border, officials here said on Tuesday.According to the Korea Archery Association in Seoul, the North Koreans are set to arrive in Incheon, the host of the Asian Games located west of the capital city, in early August and train for about two weeks.The association said the North Koreans will be the beneficiaries of a joint program by the Asian Games organize
[World Cup] Germany survives Algeria 2-1

SoccerJul 1, 2014

France sinks Nigeria 2-0
[World Cup] Suarez apologizes for biting opponent

SoccerJul 1, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― After a few days of reflection, Luis Suarez acknowledged what millions saw on TV ― he did bite an opponent during a game at the World Cup. In addition, he said he’s sorry about it, and promised it will never happen again.Ending a unified protest in Uruguay by everyone from Suarez to teammates, fans and even the country’s president that the star striker had done nothing wrong, the Liverpool player on Monday offered an apology to Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.“I deeply reg
[World Cup] Netherlands’ defense holding up well at WC

SoccerJul 1, 2014

FORTALEZA, Brazil (AP) ― The inexperienced Dutch defense looked to be the weak link coming into the World Cup. So far, though, it’s holding up well enough to keep the team winning.Again showing he is not afraid to make changes, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal gave defender Paul Verhaegh only his third international appearance against Mexico in the second round, replacing Daryl Janmaat at right back. The Augsburg player struggled early against pacey Mexico wingback Miguel Layun, but the Netherla
[World Cup] Scolari: Young Brazil feeling the pressure

SoccerJul 1, 2014

TERESOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) ― Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admits that a lack of experience is hurting Brazil’s young squad at the World Cup.The coach is also blaming the some of the team’s struggles, which include a disappointing performance that nearly led to its elimination by Chile in the second round, on the pressure of needing to succeed in front of the home fans.Brazil has only six players with experience of past World Cups. Some of its top stars, including Neymar, are playing on football’s big
[World Cup] France into last eight as Nigeria downed

SoccerJul 1, 2014

France qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals here Monday after a late Paul Pogba header and a Joseph Yobo own goal clinched a 2-0 victory over Nigeria.Juventus star Pogba made the key breakthrough for France 11 minutes from time, punishing a rare mistake by Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.Nigeria's Juwon Oshaniwa, left, and France's Paul Pogba challenge for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Nigeria at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monda
[World Cup] Germany survives Algeria 2-1 in extra time

SoccerJul 1, 2014

When it comes to the knockout stages of the World Cup, wins are worth more than style.That was on full display Monday when Germany labored to a 2-1 extra-time win over an aggressive Algeria side to reach the tournament's quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive time.``You don't have to play fantastic every match,'' Germany coach Joachim Loew said. ``You have to win.''Germany's Mesut Ozil, right, holds off Algeria's Saphir Taider and Sofiane Feghouli during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match b