The irrepressible Cristiano Ronaldo scored a dazzling hat trick to send Portugal into the 2014 World Cup finals at the expense of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden on Tuesday, while France advanced by conjuring a remarkable turnaround against Ukraine.There was disappointment in the playoffs for Iceland, however, after the Nordic country failed in its bid to become the least populous nation to reach football's biggest stage after losing to Croatia on a thrilling final night in European qualification.Ro

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) ― Ryo Ishikawa is making his second trip to Royal Melbourne, with fond memories of the course from the 2011 Presidents Cup and as part of a strong Asian contingent for this week’s ISPS Handa World Cup. Equally strong are Ishikawa’s recollections as a 10-year-old of watching on television his first World Cup at Gotemba City, Japan, in 2001 when Ernie Els and Retief Goosen won for South Africa over a field that included Tiger Woods. “I was very excited and, yes, this is d

LONDON (AP) ― An international human rights group has cataloged alleged human rights abuses in Qatar in connection to construction projects for the 2022 World Cup, and called on FIFA to ensure the exploitation of migrant workers ends.In a report published Sunday, Amnesty International warned that migrant workers in the tiny Gulf nation are exposed to dangerous working conditions, poor standards of accommodation and the non-payment of wages.“It is simply inexcusable in one of the richest countrie

DUBAI (Yonhap News) ― A confident South Korea will chase its third straight international football victory when it faces Russia here in Dubai on Tuesday.The match will start at Zabeel Stadium at 6 p.m. local time, or 11 p.m. in South Korea.Coached by Hong Myung-bo, the 56th-ranked South Korea came from behind to stun the world No. 7 Switzerland 2-1 at home last Friday.The win came on the heels of a 3-1 home victory over Mali in October.This will be the last friendly match for South Korea in 2013

Nigeria and Ivory Coast have qualified for the World Cup.The Nigerians became the first African team to qualify for next year’s showcase, beating Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff Saturday. Nigeria, playing at home Calabar, won 4-1 on total goals.Ivory Coast played to a tense 1-1 draw with Senegal for a 4-2 total-goals victory in neutral Casablanca, Morocco. Ivory Coast won the first leg 3-1. It made its World Cup debut in 2006 and will be going to the tournament for the third stra

South Korea stunned Switzerland with a 2-1 victory in their football friendly match here on Friday, erasing an earlier deficit in the spirited second half.At Seoul World Cup Stadium, Bolton Wanderers winger Lee Chung-yong headed in the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute, as the 56th-ranked hosts upset the world No. 7.   South Korea's record under head coach Hong Myung-bo improved to three wins, three losses and three draws.It was the first clash between the two countries since Switzerland defeated

South Korea will host Switzerland on Friday in the last football friendly match of 2013 on home soil.The match between the 56th-ranked South Korea and the world No. 7 Switzerland will kick off at 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium.After this match, South Korea will fly to Dubai to face Russia next Tuesday.This is the first clash between South Korea and Switzerland since 2006. At the FIFA World Cup that year in Germany, Switzerland blanked South Korea 2-0 in the last Group G match, knocking the As

South Korean footballers on Tuesday vowed to avenge an earlier World Cup loss to Switzerland when the two countries meet for a friendly this week.The 23 national team players reported to the training camp at National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul, to start preparing for the friendly match against Switzerland on Friday. The match will kick off at 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Both nations have qualified for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.This will be the first clash between the tw

South Korea on Monday replaced two injured players on its national soccer team ahead of two upcoming friendly matches.The Korea Football Association said defensive back Yun Suk-young and midfielder Han Kook-young will miss matches against Switzerland and Russia this month. The 56th-ranked South Korea will host world No. 7 Switzerland on Friday at Seoul World Cup Stadium and will take on the 19th-ranked Russia in Dubai on Nov. 19.Yun, who plays for the Doncaster Rovers in the second-division Foot

Fresh off his first career hat trick in Germany, South Korean footballer Son Heung-min said Monday he will now shift his focus to the country's two upcoming friendly matches.Son landed at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, early Monday, to join the national team training camp set to open on Tuesday. South Korea will host Switzerland at 8 p.m. Friday at Seoul World Cup Stadium, and will travel to Dubai to face Russia on Nov. 19.Playing for Bayer Leverkusen in the top German league Bund