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Swans’ Ki scores season’s first goal

Swansea City’s Ki Sung-yueng celebrates scoring the opening goal against West Bromwich Albion during their English Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, Saturday. / AP-Yonhap

Swansea City’s midfielder Ki Sung-yueng scored his first goal of the season against West Bromwich Albion, Sunday, breaking his eight-month drought.

Ki scored the game’s only goal in the ninth minute, tapping in Angel Rangel’s right-foot attempt, which goalkeeper Boaz Myhill bobbled. The goal ended the Welsh club’s seven-game winless streak and helped the team climb out of the bottom three.

It was also the first victory under Alan Curtis, who is acting as caretaker after Garry Monk was sacked.

“It was a great Christmas present. It has been a long time coming, but I was desperate to score,” Ki told the club’s official website.

The Korean central midfielder scored eight goals last season, but seemed to lose his attacking edge this season. He has been scoreless since a Premier League game against Stoke City on May 2, with an assist in a Capital One Cup game in August being his only attacking outcome this season.

“Our season must start now -- this win will give us more confidence as we head into our next three games,” Ki said.

Choi Hong-man wins after 80 months

Fighter Choi Hong-man claimed his first win in six years and seven months, but the long-awaited victory came in a dull fashion after his opponent gave up.

In a quarterfinal bout of Road FC in China in Shanghai, the towering Korean took on 19-year-old Luo Quanahao, 19. In the first round, Choi struggled against the Chinese, but Choi’s knee kick during a clinch caused Luo to bleed, causing Luo to give up. Choi was awarded victory on a TKO.

It was Choi’s first mixed martial arts win since May 2009, when he beat former Major League Baseball player Jose Canseco. With the latest win, Choi goes 3-4 in his MMA career.

Korea names 23-men Olympic football roster

Korean men’s under-23 national football team coach Shin Tae-yong announced a 23-men roster for the 2016 Asian Football Confederation under-23 Championship, which will serve as the Rio Olympics final qualifier in Asia.

The 23-men roster is headlined by Bayer Leverkusen prospect Ryu Seung-woo and versatile Suwon Samsung Bluewings midfielder Kwon Chang-hoon, whose performance is also acknowledged by A team coach Uli Stielike.

Also making it into the squad is striker Hwang Hee-chan, who plays for Austria’s FC Red Bull Salzburg. Except for Yonesi University’s Hwang Ki-wook, 22 men play for professional clubs based in and outside of Korea.

The under-23 championship is scheduled to run through Jan. 12-30. A finish higher than third place will give the Koreans a spot in the Rio Olympics. For the tournament in DOHA, the Koreans will have two tune-up matches against United Arab Emirates under-23 team on Jan. 4 and Saudi Arabian A team on Jan. 7.

Along with Iraq, Uzbekistan and Yemen, Korea is in Group C, with its first group match against Uzbekistan scheduled for 1:30 a.m., Jan. 14 (Korean Standard Time). The Koreans will then play Yemen on Jan. 16 and Iraq on Jan. 20.