Summer is usually time for a rest for the European football league, but for U23 national team manager Hong Myung-bo, it is crucial: Hong’s U23 team is preparing for the 2012 London Olympic qualifiers. But the former national team captain admitted that he was having difficulty preparing for the qualifying matches. Hong named Thursday a 23-man squad for their Asian qualifier against Jordan this mont

South Korea’s rising young striker Ji Dong-won of Chunnam Dragons is set to join Sunderland in the English Premier League, an official from Chunnam said Thursday.Chunnam has agreed on a fee with Sunderland for the sale of the 20-year-old striker, according to the club official. The signing fee has not been disclosed but it is reportedly between $1 million and $1.3 million.Sunderland finished 10th

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (AP) ― Tiger Woods pulled out of the U.S. Open on Tuesday because of lingering issues with his left leg, leaving him uncertain how soon he can resume his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record for major titles.It will be the first time Woods has missed the U.S. Open since 1994, when he had just graduated high school.“I am extremely disappointed that I won’t be playing in the U.S. O

He finally seems happy. For manager Cho Kwang-rae, one of the biggest tasks has been how to fill the void left by Park Ji-sung of Manchester United. The indispensable midfielder retired from the national team earlier this year to focus on playing for his club. Cho was not content with several players he had tested. But on Tuesday night, the hard-nosed manager finally found the right man ― forward

South Korea edged out Ghana 2-1 in Tuesday's friendly at Jeonju Worldcup Stadium in North Jeolla Province thanks to a late goal from Koo Ja-cheol. Cho Kwang-rae's team took the lead after Ji Dong-won of Chunnam Dragons scored 10 minutes in. The Africans equalized through Asamoah Gyan 17 minutes into the second half. Ji Dong-won (right) congratulates Koo Ja-cheol after he scored the winning goal ag

PARIS (AP) ― Rafael Nadal is gaining on Roger Federer. Quickly. By winning four of the past five Grand Slam tournaments ― capped by a victory over Federer in the French Open final ― Nadal has raised his career haul to 10 major championships. That’s only six fewer than Federer’s proudly held record of 16.“Ten Grand Slams is a lot,” Federer said. “He knows this. I know this. Everybody knows this.”Se

CLEVELAND (AP) ― Choo Shin-soo says his arrest on a drunken-driving charge has affected his play.“I know what the problem is: I try too hard, I think too much. I need to slow down my mind,” Choo said Sunday as he returned to the Cleveland Indians’ lineup against Texas after getting a game off.Choo said he is no longer worried about the legal problems stemming from his arrest, but is concerned with

Korean national team striker Park Chu-young could join former captain Park Ji-sung in the Premier League next season. Several English clubs have opened talks with him about a possible summer move. In the European football leagues, the summer is the time when clubs sign new players and ship others out. In a recent summer transfer rumor, the AS Monaco striker is linked to Tottenham Hotspur.Tottenham

Spain's Rafael Nadal holds the cup after defeating Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's final match for the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, Sunday, June 5, 2011, in Paris. (AP-Yonhap News)PARIS (AP) _ Regardless of the setting or the surface, Rafael Nadal confounds Roger Federer the way no other man can.Put the two greats of the game on opposite ends of a court in a

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (AP) ― Cristie Kerr was in the zone on the range before the second round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic and even a double bogey on the 12th hole didn’t cause her to lose focus.“Yeah, I think it’s maturity,” the 33-year-old Kerr said Saturday after shooting a 6-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Catriona Matthew heading into the final round.Korea’s Shin Ji-yai hits

BRUSSELS (AP) ― Guus Hiddink left the possibility of a return to Chelsea open and his future with Turkey uncertain.The 64-year-old Dutchman put a hand over his heart when recollections of Chelsea came up and said “it was a beautiful time.” Despite his contract with Turkey till next year, he did not rule out reliving them soon.When asked after Turkey’s 1-1 draw with Belgium late Friday whether he w

PARIS (AP) ― As China’s Li Na tossed the ball while serving at match point in the French Open final, a cry from a fan in the stands pierced the silence at Court Philippe Chatrier.Distracted, Li stopped and let the ball drop. The words of support were in Mandarin: “Jia you!” ― which loosely translates to “Let’s go!” After so many years of “Come on” and “Allez” and “Vamos,” there’s a new language on