The Korea Herald

[World Cup] Asia having a terrible World Cup

SoccerJun 23, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― At midway point, the World Cup went from bad to worse for Asia and the tournament’s next host, Russia. But it went from great to even better for spectators hankering for goals.South Korea teeters on the verge of elimination after losing 4-2 to Algeria on Sunday. Asia is now at real risk of having no team in the next knockout round of football’s showcase.One of the four Asian nations ― Australia ― is already sure to be going home, regardless of whether it wins its last match
[World Cup] Argentina’s only sparkle: Messi’s left foot

SoccerJun 23, 2014

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) ― It’s hardly a secret weapon. Everyone knows Lionel Messi shoots with his left foot 9 times out of 10.Yet over 90 minutes there’s bound to be that one moment when he finds enough space to unleash a left-foot strike that can’t be stopped even if you see it coming.Against Bosnia, it was with 25 minutes left of the match. Against Iran, it happened in stoppage time.In fact, considering that Bosnia’s early own goal in the opening Group F match resulted from Messi’s free k
Wie holds on to win Women’s Open

GolfJun 23, 2014

Korean-American now has four career victories
Streelman prevails at Travelers, Choi in 2nd

BaseballJun 23, 2014

CROMWELL, Connecticut (AP) ― As much as Kevin Streelman enjoys the back nine at TPC River Highlands, even he didn’t think he what he accomplished Sunday was possible.Streelman birdied the last seven holes to win the Travelers Championship by a stroke, shooting his second straight 6-under 64 to finish at 15-under 265.“It’s probably my favorite nine holes on the PGA Tour,” Streelman said. “But you can’t plan for something like that to happen. It just kind of falls into place.”He broke the tour rec
Ryu handcuffs Padres in Dodgers’ 2-1 win

BaseballJun 23, 2014

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin delivers in the first inning on Sunday. ( AFP-Yonhap)SAN DIEGO (AP) ― Ryu Hyun-jin pitched six solid innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Padres 2-1 Sunday soon after San Diego’s general manager Josh Byrnes was fired.Ryu (9-3) had few problems against the light-hitting Padres, as he won for the sixth time in seven starts since missing more than three weeks with shoulder inflammation.The left-handed Ryu gave up one runs and four hits, and he did no
[World Cup] Korean fans despondent after World Cup defeat

SoccerJun 23, 2014

Cheers by tens of thousands South Koreans on the street across the country were muted early Monday following the national football team's defeat against Algeria in their second World Cup match.The Group H clash between South Korea and Algeria kicked off at 4 a.m. on Wednesday (Seoul Time) at Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, southeastern Brazil.Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul turned into a sea of red as fans packed the plaza, sporting their signature Red Devil shirts and hair bands, and ho
Michelle Wie wins U.S. Women's Open

GolfJun 23, 2014

Michelle Wie won the US Women's Open on Sunday, firing an even-par final round of 70 at Pinehurst for the first major title of her career.The American, tipped for stardom even before she turned pro at the age of15 in 2005, finished with a two-under total of 278, two strokes in front of world number one Stacy Lewis, who kept the pressure on with a final-round 66 for 280.(AFP-Yonhap)"I just had a lot of fun out there," said Wie. "I woke up so excited. I was so grateful for this opportunity."Wie sa
[World Cup] Korea routed by Algeria 4-2

SoccerJun 23, 2014

Korean player Son Heung-min reacts as the national team was defeated by Algeria 4-2 in the World Cup on Sunday. (AFP-Yonhap)PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil -- South Korea suffered a 4-2 defeat to Algeria on Sunday in its second group-stage match of the World Cup. Korean midfielder Son Heung-min and captain Koo Ja-cheol softened the blow with second-half goals, but the team’s persistent defensive weaknesses left them open to the ruthless Algerian attack.Islam Slimani took advantage of an inattentive Korean
[World Cup] Belgium defeats Russia 1-0 to next round

SoccerJun 23, 2014

Hours before South Korea would face Algeria in their second group match, Belgium broke a lackluster stalemate against Russia to score in the 88th minute, winning 1-0 on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro to see it through to the Round of 16. Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev (2R) fails to stop a shot from an obscured Belgium's forward Divock Origi to score a goal during the Group H football match between Belgium and Russia at The Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on June 22, 2014, during the 2014 FIFA Wo
[World Cup] Messi scores winner, Klose ties Ronaldo’s record

More sportsJun 22, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― Miroslav Klose scored a World Cup goal for the record books. Lionel Messi grabbed a late winner to put Argentina into the round of 16.Nigeria eliminated Bosnia-Herzegovina from its first World Cup with a 1-0 win, with Peter Odemwingie’s first-half goal getting the African champions closer to the knockout stage.Klose’s 15th World Cup goal matched Brazilian great Ronaldo’s record tally on football’s greatest stage, more importantly for his team, it secured a 2-2 draw for Germ
Choo goes deep but Rangers fall in 10

BaseballJun 22, 2014

ANAHEIM, California (AP) ― Howie Kendrick hit an RBI double in the 10th inning and C.J. Cron homered, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.Josh Hamilton led off the 10th with an infield single against Neal Cotts (2-4), and Kendrick greeted Jason Frasor with a drive to the fence in left-center on a 3-2 pitch.Mike Morin (1-1) pitched one inning for his first major league victory, striking out three and hitting a batter.Jered Weaver allowed a run
Federer, Nadal eager to put 2013 behind at Wimbledon

More sportsJun 22, 2014

LONDON (AP) ― Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal ― and sometimes both ― appeared in all 10 Wimbledon finals from 2003-12, combining to claim nine of those titles.Neither made it that far in 2013. Not even close. Federer lost his second match at the All England Club. Nadal exited in the first round, a year after bowing out in the second.With play at Wimbledon starting Monday, Federer and Nadal are eager to return to the heights they once reached with regularity at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament
Wie, Yang sit atop leaderboard

GolfJun 22, 2014

Michelle Wie tees off on the ninth hole at the U.S. Women’s Open on Saturday. ( AFP-Yonhap)PINEHURST, North Carolina (AP) ― In the midst of throwing away a four-shot lead, Michelle Wie never lost sight of the big picture at Pinehurst No. 2.The U.S. Women’s Open rarely goes according to plan, and Saturday was no exception. Wie knows that from experience long ago, and she settled down with four important pars to wind up with a 54-hole share of the lead for the third time in her career.Wie was a te
[World Cup] Rooney tells teammates to remember WC pain

SoccerJun 22, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― As England endures its worst World Cup for more than 50 years, Wayne Rooney wants his teammates to remember the pain of this campaign.England is already out of contention after losses to Italy and Uruguay, its run lasting less than a week. Not since 1958 had England failed to make it to the second round of a World Cup it qualified for.This is considered a debacle in a country where expectations, as the game’s inventor and host of the richest league, seemingly surpass its fo
[World Cup] France deals with new pressure

SoccerJun 22, 2014

RIBEIRAO PRETO, Brazil (AP) ― Having captured people’s attention at the World Cup with some scintillating attacking football, France’s players are now in unknown territory after raising expectations back home.“Vertigineux” (Vertiginous) was the front page headline of sports daily L’Equipe on Saturday, illustrating how France has hit new heights with a photo of striker Olivier Giroud leaping into the arms of his teammates after scoring in Friday’s 5-2 rout of Switzerland. The emphatic victory fol