Drogba’s two strikes secure Chelsea last 16 place LONDON (AP) ― With Chelsea’s Champions League progress secured with a ruthless victory over Valencia, Andre Villas-Boas had the confidence ― after weeks of pent-up frustration ― to take on his critics. Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli reacts after missing a scoring chance. (AP-Yonhap News) The manager declared that his players had delivered a “slap ...

Brazilian duo strikes to beat Ulsan 2-1 in the final Brazilian forwards Luiz Da Silva Alves and Enio Oliveira scored to see Jeonbuk Motors reclaim the K-League title, beating Ulsan Hyundai 2-1 (4-2 on aggregate) in the league final on Sunday at Jeonju World Cup stadium. The Motors were always in control, but missed a couple of first-half chances before the visitors took the lead in the early se...

MANILA (AP) ― David Beckham said he has a “big decision to make’’ after his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy expires and reiterated his desire to play for for the British team in the London Olympics next year. The former England captain arrived in Manila on Thursday with his Galaxy teammates for the second leg of a series of friendlies. “I’m very proud of the time that I’ve spent with the G...

Jeonbuk midfielder Eninho celebrates his goal. (Yonhap News) ULSAN (Yonhap News) ― Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors edged Ulsan Hyundai FC 2-1 in the opening leg of the championship soccer series. Playing in driving rain in the K-League championship series at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, some 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Brazilian midfielder Eninho scored both goals for Jeonbuk in the second ha...

The Samsung Lions pose for photos after winning the Asia Series. (Yonhap News) TAICHUNG, Taiwan (Yonhap News) ― South Korea’s Samsung Lions beat SoftBank Hawks of Japan 5-3 to capture the Asia Series tournament in a battle of league champions. At Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, the Lions, the 2011 champions of the Korea Baseball Organization, overcame an early deficit against the Ha...

Barcelona returns to its winning ways with an easy victory over Rayo Vallecano LONDON (AP) ― An emotional Craig Bellamy set up two goals in his first game following the suicide of friend Gary Speed, helping Liverpool win 2-0 at Chelsea on Tuesday night to advance to the English League Cup semifinals. Bellamy missed Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester City because he was too upset t...

Jeonbuk head coach Choi Kang-hee (left) and Ulsan head coach Kim Ho-gon pose with the K-League trophy in Seoul on Monday. (Yonhap News) The final in South Korea’s first-division football this year will pit the league’s biggest offensive juggernaut against the little engine that could. The regular season champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will take on Ulsan Hyundai FC in the two-game championship ...

Liverpool holds City to 1-1 draw LONDON (AP) ― The death of Wales manager Gary Speed cast a shadow over the English Premier League games on Sunday. Liverpool and Manchester City observed a moment of silence before their 1-1 draw at Anfield hours after news broke that Speed had been found dead at age 42. Asked to do the same, the fans at Swansea’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa instead opted for an i...

LONDON (AP) _ Gary Speed, who took over as Wales football coach just 11 months ago after playing for his country a record 85 times, has died. He was 42. Gary Speed (AP) The Football Association of Wales announced Speed's death Sunday without giving the cause. Local police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Speed's death. Speed is survived by his wife and two children. ``...