Association football

Football: Bayern expect thousands for Guardiola's debut

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 07:30

Champions League winners Bayern Munich are catering for up to 25,000 fans to watch Pep Guardiola's first two training sessions next week as the hype around the arrival of the ex-Barcelona coach builds. Guardiola, 42, will give his first press conference as Bayern's head coach next Monday, then oversees his first two training sessions the following Wednesday and Thursday, with both to be held at the Allianz Arena.

Son Heung-min 'upset' over failing to live up to words against Iran

Yonhap News AgencyJune 19, 2013 06:33

SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- Following South Korea's loss to Iran in a World Cup qualifier, national team forward Son Heung-min said Wednesday he was mad at himself for having failed to live up to his words. South Korea was blanked by Iran 1-0 on Tuesday in the teams' last qualification match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Despite the loss, South Korea still clinched one of the four automatic berths at the tournament and made it to the World Cup for the eighth consecutive occasion.

Football: S. Korea media blame Iran for angry scenes

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 05:00

South Korean media blamed Iran Wednesday for angry scenes at a tense World Cup qualifier which ended with fans pelting debris on to the pitch and the visiting coach under fire for a rude gesture. Local newspapers said Iran's players had goaded the crowd with wild celebrations as their 1-0 win in Ulsan on Tuesday saw them qualify for the 2014 World Cup after an acrimonious build-up to the match. Hundreds of fans hurled plastic water bottles and drinks cans as delighted Iranian players grabbed their national flag and ran around the pitch to celebrate with their fans.

Football legend Hong Myung-bo shortlisted for national head coaching job

Yonhap News AgencyJune 19, 2013 03:03

By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- Hong Myung-bo, a South Korean football legend who guided the country to the Olympic football bronze medal last year, was shortlisted for the vacant national head coaching job on Wednesday. A day after South Korea qualified for its eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced that Hong and three others will be vying for the senior national team post, following Choi Kang-hee's resignation.

Football officials to meet over naming new national team coach

Yonhap News AgencyJune 19, 2013 02:31

By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- A day after South Korea qualified for its eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced a Wednesday meeting for football officials to discuss the naming of the new men's national team head coach.

Football: Record-tying Altidore lifts US over Honduras

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 00:30

Jozy Altidore matched an American record by scoring a goal for the fourth match in a row to give the United States a 1-0 victory over Honduras on Tuesday in a World Cup 2014 North American qualifier. Altidore, who plays for Dutch side AK Alkmaar, found the net in the 73rd minute off a centering pass from Fabian Johnson to allow the US squad to avenge a 2-1 loss at Honduras in their CONCACAF final-round qualifying opener.

Football officials to meet over naming new national team coach

Yonhap News AgencyJune 18, 2013 22:30

By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- A day after South Korea qualified for its eight consecutive FIFA World Cup, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced a Wednesday meeting for football officials to discuss the naming of the new men's national team head coach.

Football: Zaccheroni urges Japanese to play to strengths

Agence France-PresseJune 18, 2013 21:30

Asian champions Japan must use brains not brawn if they are to reignite their Confederations Cup dreams, the Blue Samurais' Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni said Tuesday. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli had previously insisted he saw the Japanese -- having enjoyed an extra day's rest -- as favourites for only the third encounter in history between the two sides.

Football: Pearce pays price for England U21 flop

Agence France-PresseJune 18, 2013 20:33

Stuart Pearce's reign as England Under-21 coach came to an end on Tuesday as it was announced he would not be offered a new contract following the side's humiliating first round exit at the European championships this month. The 51-year-old former England defender has been in charge for six years guiding them to the 2007 semi-finals and the 2009 final where they lost heavily to a German side that contained the likes of Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira.

Football: Spain stars salute under-21s' European crown

Agence France-PresseJune 18, 2013 20:32

Spain's players took to social networking websites on Tuesday to send congratulations to their junior counterparts, who claimed a second continental title at the Under-21 European Championship in Jerusalem. "Congratulations to the under-21s!! Special thoughts for my Barca team-mates and for Thiago Alcantara, who scored a hat-trick!!!!" wrote midfielder Andres Iniesta on his Twitter account. "You are great!" tweeted Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.