Association football

Football: Seven hurt in China stampede at Beckham event

Agence France-PresseJune 20, 2013 07:02

Seven people were hurt in a stampede Thursday as hundreds of fans rushed to see football superstar David Beckham at an event in China's commercial hub Shanghai, police and local media said. Beckham, who was visiting Shanghai in his role as ambassador to the troubled Chinese Super League (CSL), expressed hope that the injured would recover quickly after the event had to be called off. The stampede occurred when hundreds of students and spectators tried to rush onto the grounds of the football pitch at Tongji University in northeastern Shanghai, the Xinmin Evening News said.

FC Seoul to face Al Ahli in AFC Champions League quarters

Yonhap News AgencyJune 20, 2013 06:08

SEOUL, June 20 (Yonhap) -- FC Seoul, the only South Korean club remaining at the AFC Champions League, will take on Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals. At a draw held at the AFC headquarters in Malaysia on Thursday, FC Seoul of the K League Classic, the top South Korean league, was pitted against the runner-up from last year's Champions League. FC Seoul is in the final eight of the top Asian club football competition for the third time. Last year, Al Ahli lost to Ulsan Hyundai Tigers of the K League Classic in the final.

Football? Japan must learn from Confed exit - media

Agence France-PresseJune 20, 2013 06:08

Japan's narrow 4-3 Confederations Cup defeat to Italy is a lesson the Blue Samurai should use to toughen up before next year's World Cup, the country's media said Thursday. The Asian champions, bouncing back from a lopsided 3-0 loss to Brazil in the weekend opener, led 2-0 and flirted with the hope of a shock win over the four-time world champions. Italy substitute Sebastian Giovinco struck the winner four minutes from time that knocked Japan out of the tournament of continental champions.

Football: Beckham sees 'bright' future for China game

Agence France-PresseJune 20, 2013 05:01

Football superstar David Beckham said Thursday he sees a "bright" future for the Chinese game despite past corruption scandals and the dismal performance of the national team. Visiting Shanghai as ambassador to the Chinese Super League (CSL), the recently-retired former England captain defended his decision to take up the role, which has been viewed as an ambitious attempt by the football authorities to improve the battered image of the Chinese game.

Football: Kagawa rues missed chances for Japan

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 21:32

Shinji Kagawa scored and hit the woodwork in an extraordinary Confederations Cup match with Italy but all his efforts came to naught Wednesday as Japan crashed out of the event. "At 2-0 up we felt there were some chances for us but it was psychologically hard for us," said Manchester United star Kagawa after Japan had raced out of the blocks seeking a first ever win over the Azzurri before eventually losing 4-3. "Finally we had the late blow of their winner and so we are sad. But Italy seized the chances they had and that was the difference," said the man of the match.

Football: Forlan set to play 100th game for Uruguay

Agence France-PresseJune 20, 2013 00:02

Diego Forlan spoke of his "great pride" on Wednesday as he contemplated the prospect of becoming the first player to make 100 international appearances for Uruguay. The 34-year-old striker will reach the landmark in Thursday's Confederations Cup encounter with Nigeria, 11 years after pulling on the light blue shirt for the first time against Saudi Arabia in March 2002. "It's a matter of pride, being the first player to play all these matches for the Uruguay team," said the former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker.

Footballer Park Ji-sung admits to dating TV announcer

Yonhap News AgencyJune 19, 2013 23:32

SUWON, South Korea, June 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean football star Park Ji-sung on Thursday admitted to dating a local television personality, giving the public a rare peek into his personal life. At a press conference in his hometown of Suwon, south of Seoul, the 32-year-old said he has been dating announcer Kim Min-ji, 27, since the beginning of this summer. This was Park's first public appearance since photos were published by an online newspaper on Wednesday showing him and Kim out on a date in Seoul.

Football: Neymar brilliance all but puts Brazil into semis

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 22:40

Brazil superstar Neymar scored one goal and set up the other to give hosts Brazil a 2-0 win over Mexico in their Group A game and all but assure them of a place in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup in Fortaleza on Wednesday. The 21-year-old took his tally to 13 goals in his last 15 games for his country with a superb left-footed volley early in the first-half, and then produced a brilliant shimmy between two Mexican defenders in second-half stoppage time to set up Jo for the second goal.

Football: Neymar brilliance all but put Brazil into semis

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 22:40

Football: English ref Webb 'moved' by Brazil singing

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 21:33

English referee Howard Webb was "really moved" by the a cappella rendition of the Brazilian national anthem sung by fans before Brazil's 2-0 Confederations Cup win over Mexico on Wednesday, according to Selecao coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. The match at Fortaleza's Estadio Castelao took place amid a highly charged atmosphere after some 15,000 demonstrators assembled outside the stadium before the game, prompting violent skirmishes with police.