The Korea Herald

[World Cup] Football governing body to retain beleaguered nat'l team coach

SoccerJul 3, 2014

South Korea's football governing body said Thursday it will retain beleaguered men's national team head coach Hong Myung-bo, despite the country's poor showing at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Huh Jung-moo, vice president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), said Hong will stay on board for the duration of his contract, which runs through the Asian Cup tournament in January next year. South...
[World Cup] Belgium, Argentina surge through

More sportsJul 2, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― The World Cup still has Lionel Messi. Tim Howard is heading home despite a heroic display of goalkeeping. A moment of Messi inspiration helped lift an unconvincing Argentina to a 1-0 win over Switzerland after extra time in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, creating the goal scored by Angel Di Maria in the 118th minute. Howard’s stunning shot-stopping performance could not stop ...
[World Cup] Brazil could revert to formation from 2002

SoccerJul 2, 2014

TERESOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) ― Luiz Felipe Scolari is contemplating adding another central defender to Brazil’s lineup against Colombia in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday, going back to the formation that earned his team the 2002 title. The Brazil coach has to make at least one change because midfielder Luiz Gustavo is suspended, and says he has a couple of options to replace him. “I have two...
[World Cup] Lukaku rises to occasion

SoccerJul 2, 2014

SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) ― Romelu Lukaku had a point to prove at the World Cup. After Belgium missed countless chances during the 90 minutes of regulation time in the match against the U.S. on Tuesday, the striker came off the bench and soon set up the opening goal for Kevin De Bruyne. As the U.S. pressed for an equalizer, De Bruyne swiftly returned the favor to Lukaku, who made it 2-0. Despite sco...
[World Cup] Di Maria steps into WC spotlight

SoccerJul 2, 2014

SAO PAULO (AP) ― Angel di Maria’s first goal of this World Cup couldn’t have come at a better time for Argentina, or for himself. Overshadowed by the efforts of captain Lionel Messi, the winger showed his importance to the team on Tuesday and came through when Argentina really needed him. He scored two minutes before the end of extra time to avoid penalties and secure a 1-0 win over Switzerland...
[World Cup] Van Gaal’s substitutes key to success

SoccerJul 2, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― No one can argue that the Netherlands coach, Louis van Gaal, isn’t earning his salary. The Dutch are have recovered from 1-0 down to win three times in Brazil, and four of the seven goals the Oranje have scored over the past three games have come from van Gaal’s second-half substitutes. “Our strength this World Cup is that we have shown that everyone from the bench can hav...
[World Cup] Long faces but chins up for U.S. fans

SoccerJul 2, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― It was all long faces, but heads held high, for the legion of American fans who traveled to Brazil for the World Cup, only to watch their team lose 2-1 to Belgium in extra time. Upward of 20,000 people, mostly Americans, packed the golden sands of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro in front of a giant TV screen set up in the FIFA Fan Fest watch area in Rio. Fans stood and ...
[World Cup] Belgium holds on to beat US 2-1 in extra time

SoccerJul 2, 2014

Kevin De Bruyne turned a heroic night for U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard into defeat on Tuesday with an extra-time goal and an assist that gave Belgium a 2-1 victory and a quarterfinal match against Lionel Messi and Argentina. With three extra-time goals in a thrilling match, De Bruyne and substitute Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium a big lead before Julian Green closed the gap with 12 minutes to go. ``F...
[World Cup] Argentina sticks to script with late winner

SoccerJul 2, 2014

Argentina's theme at this World Cup seems to be scrappy wins with Lionel Messi pulling through at the last minute to save the day. This time he didn't score on his own, but set the stage for Angel Di Maria to score an extra-time winner against Switzerland. ``It doesn't matter if it's beautiful or ugly,'' Di Maria said. ``Only that Argentina won and will play another game in the tournament.'' A...
[World Cup] Germany survives Algeria 2-1

SoccerJul 1, 2014

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) ― When it comes to the knockout stages of the World Cup, wins are worth more than style. That was on full display Monday when Germany labored to a 2-1 extra-time win over an aggressive Algeria side to reach the tournament’s quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive time. “You don’t have to play fantastic every match,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said. “You have to win.” ...
[World Cup] Suarez apologizes for biting opponent

SoccerJul 1, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― After a few days of reflection, Luis Suarez acknowledged what millions saw on TV ― he did bite an opponent during a game at the World Cup. In addition, he said he’s sorry about it, and promised it will never happen again. Ending a unified protest in Uruguay by everyone from Suarez to teammates, fans and even the country’s president that the star striker had done nothing wro...
[World Cup] Netherlands’ defense holding up well at WC

SoccerJul 1, 2014

FORTALEZA, Brazil (AP) ― The inexperienced Dutch defense looked to be the weak link coming into the World Cup. So far, though, it’s holding up well enough to keep the team winning. Again showing he is not afraid to make changes, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal gave defender Paul Verhaegh only his third international appearance against Mexico in the second round, replacing Daryl Janmaat at right...
[World Cup] Scolari: Young Brazil feeling the pressure

SoccerJul 1, 2014

TERESOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) ― Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admits that a lack of experience is hurting Brazil’s young squad at the World Cup. The coach is also blaming the some of the team’s struggles, which include a disappointing performance that nearly led to its elimination by Chile in the second round, on the pressure of needing to succeed in front of the home fans. Brazil has only six players w...
[World Cup] France into last eight as Nigeria downed

SoccerJul 1, 2014

France qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals here Monday after a late Paul Pogba header and a Joseph Yobo own goal clinched a 2-0 victory over Nigeria. Juventus star Pogba made the key breakthrough for France 11 minutes from time, punishing a rare mistake by Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. Then in the closing minutes, a low cross from Mathieu Valbuena was turned in by Yobo as he came u...
[World Cup] Germany survives Algeria 2-1 in extra time

SoccerJul 1, 2014

When it comes to the knockout stages of the World Cup, wins are worth more than style. That was on full display Monday when Germany labored to a 2-1 extra-time win over an aggressive Algeria side to reach the tournament's quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive time. ``You don't have to play fantastic every match,'' Germany coach Joachim Loew said. ``You have to win.'' All three goals came in ...