Of all the stupid things to have a physical fight over, you would not thing going to play ping pong would be one of them:
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 semifinals match against Jordan in the Asian Cup 2023, resulting in Son dislocating his finger. The row occurred as the team captain tried to stop Lee and younger members of the team from going out to play ping-pong before the crucial match.
The Klinsmann talked things over with both players after the incident, but Son and other veterans reportedly asked the coach to remove Lee from the starting lineup. The coach did not agree and started Lee in the match, which ended in a disappointing 2-0 loss and another lost opportunity for the country to win an Asian Cup.
S. Korea secure spot in Asian Cup semifinals South Korean players celebrate their 2-1 win over Australia in the teams’ quarterfinal match at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, on Feb. 2, 2024. (Yonhap)
Jurgen Klinsmann named new S. Korea men’s football head coach This file photo, taken in 2014, shows Jurgen Klinsmann. The Korea Football Association said on Feb. 27, 2023, the German World Cup hero has been named the new head coach of the South Korean men’s national football team under a deal that will run until the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Yonhap)
South Korea’s World Cup team is in a tough spot after losing to Ghana:
Korea’s Kim Young-gwon during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Korea and Ghana, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Nov. 28. AP-Yonhap
Korea’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a slender thread after a 3-2 defeat against Ghana in Qatar on Monday. With just one point from the first two games in Group H, Paulo Bento’s men are going to need a convincing win over Portugal on Friday and hope that other results are favorable.
While the game had excitement for the neutral, there was, ultimately, disappointment for the Taeguk Warriors who will be left to regret defensive mistakes and missed chances. Ghana took a two goal lead in the first half, but the Taeguk Warriors came roaring back with two goals in the space of three second half minutes from Cho Gue-sung who became the first Korean to score more than once in a World Cup game. More defensive issues helped the Africans retake the lead and, this time, they held onto it despite plenty of pressure from the Reds.
North Korean football teams arrive in South Korea on Oct. 25, 2018, to compete in an international youth tournament. The North sent three teams to the 5th Ari Sports Cup, organized by the South-North Inter Korean Sports Association, that this year drew eight teams from six countries. (Yonhap)
I am sure it was sweet to beat Japan in the Asian Cup Finals, but the fact they don’t have to do their mandatory military service is probably the most satisfying part of this win for the players:
South KoreaĀ defeated Japan 2-1 to defend the menās football title at the Asian Games in Indonesia.
In the final match at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong on Saturday, the men’s football team finished the 90-minute main game in a scoreless draw.
During extra time, Lee Seung-woo scored the first goal and Hwang Hee-chan added another minutes later.
South Korea successfully defended its Asiad title following their victory at Incheon 2014 and came to hold the most Asiad titles in men’s football with five.
The victory alsoĀ gave the 20 Taegeuk Warriors, including captain Son Heung-min, exemption from mandatory military service that usually takes about two years. Ā [KBS World Radio]
A gold medal at the Asian Games will be extra memorable if the South Korean soccer team wins because they can avoid mandatory military service:
South Korea’s Lee Seung-woo, left, celebrates with Son Heung-min after scoring in the semifinal football match against Vietnam at the 18th Asian Games in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Wednesday. Korea won 3-1. Yonhap
South Korea’s soccer team is just 90 minutes away from gold at the 2018 Asian Games and that all-important military exemption thanks to a 3-1 win over Vietnam in the semifinal Wednesday.
On Saturday, Son Heung-min and his colleagues will meet either Japan or the United Arab Emirates in the final in Cibinong, south of Jakarta. If the young Taegeuk Warriors win that then the 20-man roster will not have to perform 21 months of military service. Ā [Korea Times]
