Latest news with #PohangSteelers
The National
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
I'm a Celtic cult hero - here's why I'm making shock retirement U-turn
The South Korean, who played 87 times for the Parkhead club, was deemed surplus to requirements at FC Seoul in his homeland. After manager Gi-dong Kim told Ki that he was no longer in his plans, the 36-year-old decided to hang up his boots and told Kim as much. He has since made a surprising U-turn, though, and will now play on with Pohang Steelers. Read more: The midfielder explained the situation on Instagram: "I am posting this with a heavy and sorry heart, thinking of the fans who support me," wrote Ki. "Recently, in a conversation with my coach, I heard that I am not in the team's plans for the future. I thought that it was the time to retire, so I told my coach that I would retire and he respected my intentions. "However, family, and footballers I trust and rely on have yet to do more as a player, and in confusion, they have looked into me worried for a few days. And I realised that I still have more and the will to walk more is strong. It was very painful and difficult for me as a player to force myself to have this heart that I want to have. "Of course, I thought deeply whether this is my greed as a military officer. However, when I concentrate only on my mind, 'I want to and I can do it'. Maybe this is selfish, but I think it's my most honest mind. I also thought that if I had a chance to finish my last career as a player so that I could do my best to lay down on the ground and retire in a good shape. "While I told my heart to the club and was waiting for a team that needed me, Pohang coach Park Tae-ha contacted me first that I needed him and decided to transfer. It may not have been an easy decision, but I am very grateful to coach Tae-ha Park for embracing me. "I know all too well that you will be surprised by the sudden news and it will be hard to accept. When I came back to Korea, I never imagined my life as a player in a place other than Seoul, and I am still confused by this situation. My heart hurts when I think about Seoul fans and I still can't sleep well. I'm just sorry that I'm not good enough that I've come to this situation. "It was a very difficult time for me to make this decision. "I dare you to understand my decision and cheer me on so that I can pay off everything I have left as a football player and play football happily. "FC Seoul is my hometown. It is also my pride. I was obsessed with this team as much as I wanted to burn my last here and I loved it so much. My colleagues and FC Seoul fans who l've been with have been so precious to me in my life. "I was always touched by your love that always lifted me up with deep affection and support. I also promise that my heart towards you will never change, and I will hold you in my heart forever. Please support our players in the future! "I'm so sorry to stop greeting you with this news. Thank you."
Associated Press
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Asian Champions League winners
1967 Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel 1969 Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel 1970 Taj Tehran, Iran 1971 Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel 1972 Cancelled 1986(Jan) Daewoo Royals, South Korea 1986(Dec) Furukawa Electric, Japan 1987 Yomiuri, Japan 1989 Al-Sadd, Qatar 1990 Liaoning, China 1991(Jul) Esteghlal, Iran 1991(Dec) Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia 1993 PAS Tehran, Iran 1994 Thai Farmers Bank, Thailand 1995(Jan) Thai Farmers Bank, Thailand 1995(Dec) Ilhwa Chunma, South Korea 1997 Pohang Steelers, South Korea 1998 Pohang Steelers, South Korea 1999 Jubilo Iwata, Japan 2000 Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia 2001 Suwon Samsung Bluewings, South Korea 2002 Suwon Samsung Bluewings, South Korea 2003 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates 2004 Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia 2005 Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia 2006 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, South Korea 2007 Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan 2008 Gamba Osaka, Japan 2009 Pohang Steelers, South Korea 2010 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, South Korea 2011 Al-Sadd, Qatar 2012 Ulsan Hyundai, South Korea 2013 Guangzhou Evergrande, China 2014 Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia 2015 Guangzhou Evergrande, China 2016 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, South Korea 2017 Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan 2018 Kashima Antlers, Japan 2019 Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia 2020 Ulsan Hyundai, South Korea 2021 Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia 2023 Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan 2024 Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates 2025 Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia Note: Asian Club Championship to 2002
Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Soccer-Club champions of Asia
Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Final - Al Ahli v Kawasaki Frontale - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - May 3, 2025 The Asian Champions League trophy is display inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Stringer List of Asia's club champions after Al-Ahli beat Kawasaki Frontale in the 2024-25 Asian Champions League Elite final on Saturday: 2024-25 Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) 2023-24 Al-Ain (UAE) 2022 Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) 2021 Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 2020 Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) 2019 Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 2018 Kashima Antlers (Japan) 2017 Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) 2016 Jeonbuk Motors (South Korea) 2015 Guangzhou Evergrande (China) 2014 Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia) 2013 Guangzhou Evergrande (China) 2012 Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) 2011 Al-Sadd (Qatar) 2010 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea) 2009 Pohang Steelers (South Korea) 2008 Gamba Osaka (Japan) 2007 Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) 2006 Jeonbuk Motors (South Korea) 2005 Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) 2004 Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) 2002-03 Al-Ain (UAE) 2001-02 Suwon Bluewings (South Korea) 2000-01 Suwon Bluewings (South Korea) 1999-2000 Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 1998-99 Jubilo Iwata (Japan) 1997-98 Pohang Steelers (South Korea) 1996-97 Pohang Steelers (South Korea) 1995 Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea) 1994-95 Thai Farmers Bank (Thailand) 1993-94 Thai Farmers Bank (Thailand) 1992-93 PAS Tehran (Iran) 1991 Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 1990-91 Esteghlal (Iran) 1989-90 Liaoning FC (China) 1988-89 Al-Sadd (Qatar) 1987 Yomiuri FC (Japan) 1986 Furukawa Electric (Japan) 1985-86 Daewoo Royals (South Korea) 1972-1984 COMPETITION NOT HELD 1971 Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) 1970 Taj Tehran (Iran) 1969 Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) 1968 Competition not played 1967 Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel) REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Club champions of Asia
May 3 (Reuters) - List of Asia's club champions after Al-Ahli beat Kawasaki Frontale in the 2024-25 Asian Champions League Elite final on Saturday: 2024-25 Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) 2023-24 Al-Ain (UAE) 2022 Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) 2021 Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 2020 Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) 2019 Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 2018 Kashima Antlers (Japan) 2017 Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) 2016 Jeonbuk Motors (South Korea) 2015 Guangzhou Evergrande (China) 2014 Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia) 2013 Guangzhou Evergrande (China) 2012 Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) 2011 Al-Sadd (Qatar) 2010 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea) 2009 Pohang Steelers (South Korea) 2008 Gamba Osaka (Japan) 2007 Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) 2006 Jeonbuk Motors (South Korea) 2005 Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) 2004 Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) 2002-03 Al-Ain (UAE) 2001-02 Suwon Bluewings (South Korea) 2000-01 Suwon Bluewings (South Korea) 1999-2000 Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 1998-99 Jubilo Iwata (Japan) 1997-98 Pohang Steelers (South Korea) 1996-97 Pohang Steelers (South Korea) 1995 Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea) 1994-95 Thai Farmers Bank (Thailand) 1993-94 Thai Farmers Bank (Thailand) 1992-93 PAS Tehran (Iran) 1991 Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 1990-91 Esteghlal (Iran) 1989-90 Liaoning FC (China) 1988-89 Al-Sadd (Qatar) 1987 Yomiuri FC (Japan) 1986 Furukawa Electric (Japan) 1985-86 Daewoo Royals (South Korea) 1972-1984 COMPETITION NOT HELD 1971 Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) 1970 Taj Tehran (Iran) 1969 Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) 1968 Competition not played 1967 Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grant savours Socceroos call he feared would never come
Alex Grant concedes he had lost hope of ever representing Australia and claims his maiden call-up for the Socceroos at the age of 31 is the perfect tonic to one of the worst years of his professional career. The Sydney FC centre back is the beneficiary of Australia's defensive injury crisis and is in line to win his debut cap after being called up by Tony Popovic for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China. Grant never featured for Australia under Popovic's predecessor Graham Arnold despite regularly impressing in South Korea with high-flying Pohang Steelers. But Popovic and Grant know each other from their time together at A-League Men side Perth Glory and the uncapped defender's selection is a massive show of faith from the Socceroos boss. After a very tough last 12 months, Alex Grant receives his maiden call-up to the Socceroos 🆙🇦🇺But for him it is the result of many more years of hard work 🎥#SydneyIsSkyBlue — Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) March 14, 2025 Grant says the call-up was particularly satisfying after he discovered he had been deregistered by Chinese Super League side Tianjin Jinmen Tiger via social media midway through last year. The defender was unable to secure a move until he landed at Sydney in January where he has helped solidify Ufuk Talay's back four and earn national team selection. "I got pretty emotional with the missus when I found out, because it's just been such a s*** year," Grant told AAP. "I felt like I deserved this opportunity years ago and it never came. "You do lose hope sometimes, but it's that drive that keeps you going. "I've got my kids and they may get to watch me play for my country, that's what I play for, my family, it's an amazing opportunity." Grant had been in dialogue with Popovic's No.2 Hayden Foxe earlier this year and knows the back-three system the Socceroos boss has deployed in his four games in charge so far. The centre back, who has played just four times since arriving at Sydney, will compete with Kye Rowles, Jason Geria, Cameron Burgess and fellow uncapped defender Kai Trewin for a place in Popovic's starting side for Thursday March 20's home clash with Indonesia. Grant's experience of playing in China could also prove valuable for the Tuesday March 25 clash in Hangzhou. "I spoke to Foxy a few months ago and I think the key for me was getting back playing," Grant said. "It (a Socceroos call-up) was always at the back end of my mind because I'd done well under them in the past. "I've been back playing and playing well, the four games I've played - I know it's not loads of games - but I feel good and feel fit and I'm really looking forward to it."
