The Korea Herald

[World Cup] Mueller’s 9th career World Cup goal lifts Germany over U.S.

Jun 27, 2014

RECIFE, Brazil (AP) ― With Thomas Mueller in a perfect position to pounce on a rebound, American cheers for yet another spectacular Tim Howard save didn’t last long. The U.S. goalkeeper was unable to cut down the angle after diving to punch away a deflected ball, and Mueller did what he does so well ― calmly drive a first-time shot inside the far post for his ninth goal in nine career World Cup games, giving Germany a 1-0 victory. “I saw the ball ricochet toward me, away from the goal keeper,” M
[World Cup] Algeria into second round after 1-1 draw with Russia

Jun 27, 2014

CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) ― Algeria qualified for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, with Islam Slimani’s headed equalizer giving his team a 1-1 draw against Russia on Thursday and enough competition points to move into the second round.Algeria was the last team to secure a spot in the Round of 16 when it placed second to Belgium in Group H. Its progress means Africa has two representatives in the second round for the first time ― Nigeria qualified on Wednesday. The Algerians next pla
[World Cup] FIFA bans Suarez for 4 months for biting opponent

Jun 27, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― Luis Suarez exits the World Cup with one of the longest bans in tournament history, and his reputation once again in tatters.The Uruguay forward, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, was banned by FIFA from all football for four months on Thursday for biting an Italian opponent in an incident that marred the team’s victory and progression to the second round.It is the third time he has served a suspension for biting an opponent ― after similar incidents
[World Cup] S. Korea gutsy without polish in loss to Belgium

Jun 27, 2014

In their 1-0 loss to Belgium that knocked them out of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil on Thursday, the South Koreans did everything offensively but to score a goal.Statistically and aesthetically, there was little question about which was the superior offensive side at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo. South Korea outshot Belgium, 18-16, and also held the edge in shots on goal, 12-11. South Korea also attempted more passes than Belgium, 501-421, and was more accurate, with a 73 percent success rate c
[World Cup] S. Korean coach blames himself for World Cup exit

Jun 27, 2014

After his team was eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with a 1-0 loss to Belgium, South Korean head coach Hong Myung-bo on Thursday blamed no one but himself. Hong Myeong-bo (Yonhap)"I think our players did the best they could," he said at the post-match press conference. "More than anyone else, I had the most shortcomings. I have no problem with our players."He declined to grade either himself or the team after South Korea went winless in matches in Group H. South Korea opened wi
[World Cup] 10-man Belgium sends Korea home 1-0

Jun 27, 2014

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- South Korea’s World Cup campaign ended Thursday in Sao Paulo as a 10-man Belgium secured a late 1-0 victory over the Taeguk Warriors. Meanwhile, Algeria secured its first-ever ticket to the round of 16 by drawing 1-1 against Russia in Curitiba.Belgian captain Jan Vertonghen pounced on a rebound off goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu to score in the 78th minute – the third game in a row that Belgium has scored the winner in the last 20 minutes. Korea’s coach Hong Myung-bo made two chan
[World Cup] Messi ‘from Jupiter’

Jun 26, 2014

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) ― About a dozen Argentine fans couldn’t get enough of the smell of victory in the Beira-Rio Stadium, dancing and singing in their seats more than than an hour after their team beat Nigeria 3-2.They had good reason to celebrate.Once again Lionel Messi had put on a World Cup show with two goals, but this time his whole team ― aside from a couple of defensive blunders ― was part of the performance.In its third straight win, Argentina attacked with more flair than previousl
[World Cup] Belgium won’t rest on its laurels

Jun 26, 2014

SAO PAULO, Brazil ― Belgium may be sitting comfortably atop Group H, but the team’s quest for points ahead of the round of 16 means it will play as hard in its match against South Korea as in any other game, coach Marc Wilmots said Wednesday.After victories over Algeria and Russia, Belgium has sealed its entry to the knockout rounds even before its final group match against a struggling South Korea.Wilmots said the team nonetheless has prepared for the match just like any other and aim to rack u
[World Cup] Hong’s team playing to give Koreans ‘hope’

Jun 26, 2014

SAO PAULO, Brazil ― South Korean football coach Hong Myung-bo does not have a religion. If his squad won the unlikely victory against the widely favored Belgium on Thursday in their final Brazil World Cup group match, he would not call it a miracle, he said at a press conference in Sao Paulo on the eve of the big game. Instead, he said he simply wanted his players to do their best and to play for the Korean people.“Right now, for us to go to the round of 16, of course the conditions are not favo
[World Cup] Uruguay defends Luis Suarez as FIFA scrambles

Jun 26, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― As the world was judging Uruguay’s Luis Suarez for biting a player in the World Cup, his teammates, coaches and fans in his soccer-crazy country defended the star, blaming the foreign media, his Italian opponents and uneven treatment. World Cup organizers scrambled Wednesday to quickly decide on a punishment before Uruguay plays Colombia Saturday in the round of 16. “We have to resolve it either today or tomorrow,” FIFA disciplinary panel member Martin Hong told reporters W
[World Cup] Ex-Espanyol boss Aguirre on Japan radar

Jun 26, 2014

TOKYO (AFP) ― Japan turned their attention Thursday to the hunt for a new national football coach after Alberto Zaccheroni resigned in the wake of a winless World Cup, with former Mexico and Espanyol manager Javier Aguirre seen in the frame.The Japan Football Association has offered the Mexican veteran, who led his nation to the last-16 twice in 2002 and 2010, a four-year deal with an annual wage of 1.5 million euros ($2 million), the Nikkan Sports daily reported.Japan went to Brazil brimful of
[World Cup] Belgium won’t rest on its laurels

Jun 26, 2014

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Belgium may be sitting comfortably atop Group H, but the team’s quest for points ahead of the round of 16 means it will play as hard in its match against South Korea as in any other game, coach Marc Wilmots said Wednesday.After victories over Algeria and Russia, Belgium has sealed its entry to the knockout stages even before its final group match against a struggling South Korea, which is on the brink of elimination.(Yonhap)But Wilmots said the team nonetheless has prepared
[World Cup] Hong’s team playing to give Koreans ‘hope’

Jun 26, 2014

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- South Korean football coach Hong Myung-bo does not have a religion, and if his squad won the unlikely victory against the widely favored Belgium on Thursday in their final Brazil World Cup group match, he would not call it a miracle, he said at a press conference in Sao Paulo on the eve of the big game. Instead, he said he simply wanted his players to do their best and to play for the Korean people.“Right now, for us to go to the round of 16, of course the conditions are not
[World Cup] Scoreless Park Chu-young creates ‘balance’

Jun 26, 2014

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- South Korean football coach Hong Myung-bo said Wednesday that his squad’s balance was thanks to forward Park Chu-young, whose contentious inclusion on the World Cup squad had yet to pay off with a goal.Hong defended the Arsenal striker-turned-free agent’s performance in Korea’s 1-1 draw with Russia and 4-2 loss to Algeria, saying the team was not able to create chances for him. In each match Park went scoreless, fumbled passes and was brought off before the hour mark, which
[World Cup] Honduras coach quits after World Cup elimination

Jun 26, 2014

Honduras lost all three of its matches at the World Cup, and then lost its coach.Luis Fernando Suarez, a Colombian who led Ecuador to the second round of the 2006 World Cup, quit his job Wednesday following a third straight loss in Brazil.“I'm sorry I didn't manage more,” said Suarez, who has been Honduras coach since March 2011. “I'm sad because I had a dream about this World Cup.”Honduras` head coach Luis Suarez instructs his players from the sideline during the group E World Cup soccer match