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Korea Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
S. Korea coach tells players to relish rival match vs. Japan at E. Asian football tournament
On the eve of a high-stakes rival match against Japan at the ongoing regional football tournament, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo said Monday his players should try to enjoy the experience. South Korea, world No. 23, and Japan, ranked 17th, will square off in the final match of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship at 7:24 p.m. Tuesday at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, some 40 kilometers south of Seoul. Both teams won their first two matches of the tournament to collect six points, and Japan have the edge in goal difference, +7 to +5. Japan only need a draw against South Korea to win their second consecutive EAFF title. It is a must-win match for South Korea, who are chasing their sixth EAFF crown. South Korea have had 42 wins, 23 draws and 16 losses against Japan, but have lost each of the past two meetings by the same score of 3-0. Given the stakes and the history of the sporting rivalry between the two countries, the intensity level will likely be several notches higher than what South Korea experienced against China and Hong Kong. "Obviously, it's a crucial match and we want to win it," Hong told reporters before a training session at Seongnam Stadium in Seongnam, just south of Seoul. "I am confident our players will play a good match." Hong, no stranger to the heated rivalry from his playing days, also said his players shouldn't be stressing too much over the match. "In the past, the prevailing approach (to matches against Japan) was that we could not afford to lose. I was no different," he said, "But at some point, I realize just beating Japan isn't everything. Of course, our players must compete with a sense of pride in representing the country, but I also hope that they won't lose sight of important tactics or other aspects of the game. I hope they will enjoy the experience." Hong observed that the two teams play under similar sets of tactics. "They said Japan may be more detail oriented, but I believe we will have a chance to execute our plans and have a chance to score," the coach said. "We will have to be sharp on our defense and be prepared to make adjustments in the second half." With stars based in Europe and the Middle East not available here, Hong has put together a team of 23 players in the domestic K League 1 and three players in Japan's J1 League. They've been trying to make their case for inclusion on the squad for next year's FIFA World Cup. Hong said he has enjoyed working with the current group of players. "Having trained with these players for about 10 days has taught me a great deal," he said. "It may be premature to talk about what will happen a year from now, but a few players here have been incredible at this tournament. I don't know where they're going to be a year from now but I was able to see their potential to represent the country at the World Cup. I've had a great time with them." Jo Hyeon-woo, captain and first-choice goalkeeper for South Korea, said the players believe in themselves just as much as the coach believes in them. "We are confident that we can win the match if we can execute the way the coach wants us to," Jo said. "I will try to keep Japan off the board and help us finish this tournament on a winning note." Jo said the coach won't have to worry about his players feeling added pressure just because they will play Japan. "The mood in the team hasn't changed. If anything, we've grown more confident as the tournament has gone on," Jo said. "We've adjusted well to some tactical changes and I know we will take the field feeling pretty good tomorrow."
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Ex-Manchester United star's clothing firm struck off after failing to file accounts on time
FORMER Manchester United striker Jesse Lingard's clothing firm has been struck off by Companies House for failing to file accounts on time. Be Yourself Clothing Ltd, which has not submitted any since 2023, was fined £750 for the omission. 1 The firm was served a closure order in April. Its last financial details, for the year ending January 31, 2023, show it owed £53,953, had £4,772 banked, £25,126 of unsold stock and was owed £339. Lingard, 32, who played 32 times for England, scoring six, placed his fashion brand, JLingz Ltd, into voluntary liquidation in January after piling up a £276,000 debt. He now plays for South Korean club FC Seoul. Lingard spent eight months without a side after leaving the City Ground, before penning a two-year deal in the Korean capital. The former Manchester United star has scored four goals in 16 league matches for Seoul this season, who sit seventh in the K League 1. He has said "life's good" in Korea and believes he has rapidly adapted to the different style of football. The United academy star also admitted to scoffing McDonalds and Papa Johns since moving to Korea.
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Fluminense vs Al-Hilal prediction, odds and betting offer
A surprising quarter-final set up as both Inter Milan and Manchester City were kicked out in the previous round which now sees both Al-Hilal and Fluminense eyeing a semi-final spot In an unexpected twist of events, Fluminense and Al Hilal, having triumphed over European Hannes in the previous round, are now set to clash in the Club World Cup semi-finals this Friday night in Orlando. Fluminense kicked off their journey in the Club World Cup on a subdued note with a nil-nil standoff against Borussia Dortmund. However, they revved up their game by pulling a comeback from a 1-2 deficit to conquer K League 1 team Ulsan with a 4-2 victory. The team under the guidance of Renato Gaucho had to steer clear of defeat in their final group match against Mamelodi Sundowns to secure their spot in the last-16. They managed to do so by scraping through a tense nil-nil draw against the South African team. This outcome placed Flu as the runners-up in their group and pitted them against Champions League finalists Inter. Despite being perceived as underdogs, Fluminense emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over The Nerazurri, thanks to goals from German Capo and Hercules. On the other hand, Simone Inzaghi, former Inter manager, began his tenure as Al Hilal boss with consecutive draws against Real Madrid and FC Salzburg. He then led his team to a 2-0 victory over Mexican side Pachuca, securing second place in Group H and setting up a match against Manchester City. Contrary to popular expectations of Manchester City advancing further, it was Al Hilal who triumphed. The Saudi team clinched victory over the Citizens with a 4-3 scoreline in extra time after ending at a 2-2 draw post the regulation 90 minutes. Fluminense vs Al-Hilal Fluminense - 42/100 Draw - 15/4 Al-Hilal - 11/2 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Fluminense vs Al-Hilal Both teams to score - 4/5 Fluminense over 1.5 goals - 7/4 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Fluminense vs Al-Hilal Bookies CopyBet are offering new customers £60 free bets when they place a £20 qualifying bet. Simply register and bet £20 on a single bet on the match on minimum 1.9 odds and CopyBet will give you three free bets worth £20 each to place on football, horse racing and other popular sports too. Full T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a Single or Acca (2+ selections) bet, start at £20, have 1.9 or greater odds and must be settled within 7 days of opt-in. 3 Free bets include: 1 x £20 Free bet Racing (Horse Racing or Greyhound Racing); 1 x £20 Free Bet Live Football; 1 x £20 Free Bet Live. Max payout – £500. 7-day expiry. To unlock the offer, complete the first deposit via the banking app (Open banking). 18+. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
Korea Herald
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
FC Seoul to release veteran midfielder Ki Sung-yueng
FC Seoul announced Wednesday they will release veteran midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, granting their former captain his wish to play elsewhere in the top South Korean football league. "We have decided to pause our relationship with Ki Sung-yueng, our franchise star and eternal captain," FC Seoul said in a statement. "After confirming that he is no longer part of our club's plans, Ki Sung-yueng asked to be moved to another club where he can play more and have a meaningful end to his career. We decided to accept that." The K League 1 club insisted that they will not cut ties with Ki forever and said they will organize a retirement ceremony for the 36-year-old when he calls it a career. "We both agreed that the team will do its best to support his pursuit of a new career in coaching after his playing days are over," the club added. "We will reserve our utmost respect for Ki that he deserves as a legend for FC Seoul and ensure that he will be respected by many others." Ki made his professional debut with FC Seoul in 2006, and played for them until 2009 before leaving for Celtic in Scotland. It began an 11-year career in Europe for Ki, who later played for Swansea City, Sunderland, Newcastle United and Mallorca before rejoining FC Seoul in 2020. Ki had been losing his playing time since new head coach Kim Gi-dong took over in 2024. Ki has only played in eight out of 20 matches this season, even though he has resumed training after suffering a hamstring injury. Ki is believed to be nearing a move to Pohang Steelers. FC Seoul and Pohang will square off Sunday at Seoul World Cup Stadium. (Yonhap)
Malay Mail
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
South Korea's K-League ends decades-long ban on foreign goalkeepers
SEOUL, June 21 — K-League clubs will be allowed to register foreign players as goalkeepers for the first time in 27 years, starting with the 2026 season, the South Korean top division league said. The league banned its clubs from registering foreign players as keepers in 1999, when it had eight teams, in a bid to ensure domestic keepers get enough playing time. The K-League 1 now has 12 teams, with a second tier introduced in 2013. The decision to end the ban on foreign keepers was taken at a board meeting on Thursday, the league said in a statement yesterday. 'The board said it took into consideration the fact that foreign players were restricted from registering as goalkeepers, a specialised position, resulting in excessive salary increases for domestic players compared to field players,' it added. 'The number of clubs has increased significantly since the time the foreign goalkeeper restriction was introduced, so even if foreign goalkeepers were allowed, domestic goalkeepers would still have enough playing time. 'As a result, from 2026, the K-League will remove the stipulation that the goalkeeper must be a domestic player from the K-League's competition guidelines, which will apply to both the K-League 1 and K-League 2.' — Reuters
