National team's 'ping pong gate' comes to close after Son-Lee make up

South Korea's soccer governing body said it was "overjoyed" over recent news that Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in of the national team have buried the hatchet after their highly-publicized quarrel during the Asian Cup 2023, seemingly putting an end to what the public and the local media dubbed "ping pong gate." "After hearing the news (of Son-Lee's reconciliation), I was as happy and excited as if (the team) won in a tournament. ... As for whether the two players

Feb. 22, 2024

Football federation leaning toward hiring full-time men's coach despite tight schedule

South Korea's national football federation will likely appoint a full-time head coach to fill the vacancy at the men's national team instead of a temporary one as rumored, a senior executive in charge of the process said Wednesday. Chung Hae-sung, named the new head of the National Teams Committee at the Korea Football Association (KFA) on Tuesday, met with new members of his committee Wednesday to discuss the hiring of the new men's national team bench boss. The KFA fired the pre

Feb. 21, 2024

Lee Kang-in apologizes to Son for Asian Cup scuffle

Soccer star Lee Kang-in said Wednesday that he recently visited national team captain Son Heung-min in London to apologize for his actions in a scuffle during the Asian Cup 2023 earlier this month. "I thought it was important to visit (Son) Heung-min and apologize in person, and through a long conversation with him, I came to understand the weight he shoulders as the captain and look back upon myself," he wrote in the official apology posted on in Instagram page, saying that he paid a

Feb. 21, 2024

Klinsmann fired as national team soccer coach

South Korean men's national soccer team head coach Juergen Klinsmann was fired on Friday, following the team's disappointing semifinal exit at the Asian Cup 2023 in the previous week. Chung Mong-gyu, chief of the Korea Football Association, held a press conference at the KFA headquarters in Seoul to announce the German coach's sacking. "As the head of the organization operating the national team, I humbly accept the criticism toward the KFA and me. ... The KFA decided to replace the nationa

Feb. 16, 2024

Lee Kang-in's 'mutiny' frowned upon in country with strict pecking order

Soccer star Lee Kang-in is facing mounting criticism over his highly-publicized altercation with the men's national soccer team captain Son Heung-min, with some going as far as to call for him to be permanently banned from playing for the country ever again. According to the Korea Football Association, petitions asking for a lifetime ban from the national team for Lee have been submitted, along with petitions for the resignation of KFA Chief Chung Mong-gyu and national team head coach Juerg

Feb. 16, 2024

S. Korean soccer federation committee calls for Klinsmann's dismissal

National Team Committee of the Korea Football Association said Thursday that its members have agreed that Jurgen Klinsmann should be replaced as the men's national team head coach, following the team's disappointing performance at the Asian Cup 2023. The committee pointed out the coach's insufficient tactical preparation for South Korea's disappointing semifinals match against Jordan, his lack of commitment as the national team coach, and questioned his leadership over the recent quarrel among k

Feb. 15, 2024

Jeonbuk beat K League rival Pohang to open AFC Champions League round of 16

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defeated their South Korean league foe Pohang Steelers 2-0 to begin their round of 16 series at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League on Wednesday. Hernandes scored the opening goal in the 17th minute, and Ahn Hyun-beom's diving header in the 64th minute rounded out the scoring at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, some 200 kilometers south of Seoul. The return leg between the two K League 1 clubs is next Tuesday at Pohang Steel Yard in Pohang, 260

Feb. 14, 2024

Troubles for national team continue amid reports of fights, possible sacking of coach

Woes for South Korean men's national soccer team continued as its members were found to have gotten into a physical fight with each other before the big match, and the country's soccer governing body reportedly contemplating whether to request resignation of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The Korea Football Association confirmed Wednesday earlier reports by UK media that the team captain Son Heung-min got into an altercation with midfielder Lee Kang-in ahead of the team's semifi

Feb. 14, 2024

Soccer authorities may request resignation of Klinsmann: reports

With the Korea Football Association slated to discuss the fate of men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann this week, local media outlets on Wednesday reported that the members of the South Korean soccer governing body have recommended its chief to request the beleaguered coach's resignation. In a first KFA meeting convened since South Korea's disappointing semifinal exit at the Asian Cup 2023, its executives have agreed that Klinsmann should be removed from his post, accor

Feb. 14, 2024

Son Heung-min injured finger in row before Asian Cup semifinals: federation

The South Korean football federation on Wednesday confirmed a British media report that South Korea captain Son Heung-min had injured his finger in a dustup with teammates on the eve of the country's shock loss at the top Asian tournament last week. The Sun reported Tuesday that Son dislocated his finger in a row that erupted over team dinner on Feb. 5 in Qatar, the night before South Korea's semifinal match against Jordan at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup. South Korea lost

Feb. 14, 2024

Lee Kang-in selected for Asian Cup's all-tournament team

South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in was tapped by the Asian Football Confederation as one of the top 11 players of the Asian Cup 2023, after the top continental tournament in Qatar concluded Saturday with the home team defending its title. The 22-year-old scored three goals for the national team in his first Asian Cup outing, tying for the team lead in scoring with the captain Son Heung-min, while also adding an assist. His two goals in the opening match for South Korea against Bahrain in the qu

Feb. 13, 2024

S. Korean football federation to discuss Klinsmann's fate this week

The South Korean football federation will hold a meeting this week to determine the fate of the beleaguered men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, days after the country's disappointing exit from the top continental tournament. The Korea Football Association announced Monday afternoon that its National Team Committee will hold a postmortem meeting "sometime this week," following South Korea's semifinal elimination at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup l

Feb. 13, 2024

FC Seoul sign ex-Man United midfielder Jesse Lingard

FC Seoul announced Thursday they have signed former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard. The K League 1 club finalized their contract with the English international three days after the 31-year-old midfielder arrived in South Korea to undergo his medical. Financial terms were not disclosed. "Based on respect for Korean football, I am excited to represent the K League as soon as possible by playing good football and dedication to my new team, FC Seoul," Lingard said in a statemen

Feb. 8, 2024

Messi starts on bench in Tokyo after Hong Kong controversy

Lionel Messi started on the bench for Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Tokyo Wednesday, days after his absence on the pitch in a recent Hong Kong friendly angered fans there. The decision not to come on in Hong Kong had prompted the ire of tens of thousands of fans, who booed the World Cup-winning Argentinian and the team's co-owner David Beckham. During a press event in Tokyo Tuesday, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner said his leg injury was improving but refused to say w

Feb. 7, 2024

Korea's Asian Cup flop feeds fans' fury

South Korea's loss to Jordan in the Asian Cup is casting doubt on the future of the national team, and drawing online fury from soccer fans. Korea lost 2-0 in the early hours of Wednesday (Korea time), in the semifinals of the top continental tournament. With Korea's shot at the Asian cup dashed yet again, South Korean supporters are voicing their disdain. Some have been calling for head coach Juergen Klinsmann's resignation ever since his squad's shaky performance in the gro

Feb. 7, 2024

[Graphic News] South Korea to face Jordan in Asian Cup semis

The semifinals for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar have been set: Jordan will be facing South Korea at midnight Tuesday, and Iran will go against the host Qatar at midnight Wednesday. From the start, South Korea has made it clear that it was aiming for the Champion’s trophy. Still, it has limped its way into the semifinals in a series of disappointing matches that have brought significant criticism of the team’s head coach, Juergen Klinsmann. Still, the team has progressed to the point where

Feb. 6, 2024

S. Korean midfielder considers pressure to win 'privilege'

As the pressure mounts on his team to end the country's decadeslong title drought at the top Asian football tournament, South Korean midfielder Hwang In-beom said Monday he wouldn't have it any other way. South Korea, world No. 23, will take on 87th-ranked Jordan in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Qatar at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Qatar, or midnight Wednesday in Seoul. They are two wins away from capturing their first Asian Cup title since 1960. South Kor

Feb. 5, 2024

Klinsmann's message to S. Korea before semifinals: 'stay relaxed'

With South Korea set to face Jordan in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup this week, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Monday he wants his players not to feel stressed about the occasion. "Just stay relaxed and look forward to it," Klinsmann said at his pre-match press conference at the Main Media Centre in Doha, when asked about his message to his squad. The match between world No. 23 South Korea and 87th-ranked Jordan will kick off at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in

Feb. 5, 2024

[Photo News] Ex-Premier Leaguer Lingard in Seoul

Jesse Lingard, former Manchester United midfielder and England men’s national football team member, arrived at Incheon International Airport on Monday afternoon as he is expected to finalize a deal with FC Seoul of the K League 1, South Korea’s highest professional football league, later this week. If the deal with FC Seoul goes through, the former English Premier Leaguer will become the biggest international football star with the highest name value that the Korean league has ever s

Feb. 5, 2024

Minus top defender, S. Korea looking to continue magical ride vs. Jordan in semifinals

No matter how you slice it, South Korea's run to the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Qatar, featuring late equalizers and a shootout win, has been an exhilarating one, certainly not for the faint-hearted. After staving off elimination with last-gasp goals in back-to-back matches, the Taegeuk Warriors will try to extend their magical run toward their first Asian Cup title since 1960, when they take on Jordan in the semifinals this week. South Korea, ranked 2

Feb. 4, 2024