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Korea in 6th among 3rd-place teams with 2 matchdays left
Korea remained in position to sneak into the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup on Thursday with two more matchdays left in the group stage. Korea are in sixth among the 12 third-place teams after Groups D, E and F finished up their play Thursday across the United States. Korea finished third in Group A on three points from a win and two losses. They fell to South Africa 1-0 in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico, on Wednesday, when a win or a draw would have sent them directly to the round of 32 as the Group A runner-up. Korea's knockout status is now at the mercy of other teams. With the tournament having expanded from 32 to 48 nations, eight best third-place teams get to play in the knockout stage, along with the top two countries from each of the 12 groups. Korea began Thursday in fourth place among third-ranked teams, with Bosnia and Herzegovina, after finishing third in Group B on Wednesday, having already secured their knockout spot with four points. Then on Thursday, Ecuador and Sweden joined them at four points — with the former upsetting Germany 2-1 and the latter playing Japan to
2 MIN READBy Yonhap

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Belgium spoils Canada's World Cup return with 1-0 win

Belgium forward Michy Batshuayi, front, scores in front of Canada defender Kamal Miller (4) during the first half of a World Cup group F soccer match between Belgium and Canada at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23. AP-YonhapThibaut Courtois saved an early penalty and Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal to give Belgium a 1-0 win over Canada at the World Cup on Wednesday, spoiling the North American team's return to the tournament after 36 years.The Canadians have yet to collect a point or even score a goal in four World Cup matches, which includes the three games from their debut in 1986.Still, they outplayed second-ranked Belgium at times at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, with Alphonso Davies ― the star of Canada's team ― squandering the best chance when his penalty was blocked by Courtois.With Eden Hazard ineffective and Kevin De Bruyne's passing unusually awry, Belgium often relied on the long ball from the back and that tactic led to the 44th-minute goal. Center back Toby Alderweireld split the defense with his pass and Batshuayi ran through to guide a lef

Belgium spoils Canada's World Cup return with 1-0 win

Japan gets 2 late goals to upset Germany 2-1 at World Cup

Teen Gavi leads Spain to 7-0 rout of Costa Rica

Spain's Gavi, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's fifth goal during the World Cup group E soccer match between Spain and Costa Rica, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23. AP-YonhapNot since Pele in 1958 had someone as young as Gavi scored a goal at the World Cup.The 18-year-old midfielder led the way Wednesday as Spain pulled off the biggest World Cup victory in its history, routing Costa Rica 7-0.``I could never have imagined it,'' said Gavi, who was named the game's most valuable player. ``I know I'm the youngest in the team and I respect everyone, but on the field it's different and I bring out my best.''Pele scored two goals in the 1958 final, when Brazil won its first World Cup by beating Sweden 5-2.``I'm proud to be in that podium,`` he said. ``Not even in my dreams I had imagined this.``Gavi only managed to score one goal on Wednesday, but his teammates added plenty of others.Spain's Dani Olmo, left, scores his side's opening goal during the World Cup group E soccer match between Spain and Costa Rica, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Do

Teen Gavi leads Spain to 7-0 rout of Costa Rica

Japan gets 2 late goals to upset Germany 2-1 at World Cup

Japan gets 2 late goals to upset Germany 2-1 at World Cup

Japan players celebrate after Japan's Ritsu Doan scored his side's opening goal during the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23. AP-YonhapAnother World Cup day, another World Cup shock.Substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored late goals Wednesday to help Japan come from behind and upset Germany 2-1.Both Doan and Asano play for German clubs.``I believe it's a historic moment, a historic victory. If I think about the development of Japanese soccer, thinking of players, for them this was a big surprise,'' said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, who had five Germany-based players in his starting lineup and three, including the scorers, on the bench.``They're fighting in a very strong, tough, prestigious league. They've been building up their strength. In that context we believe that those divisions (Bundesliga and second division) have been contributing to the development of Japanese players,'' Moriyasu said. ``I'm very grateful for that.''Japan's Takuma Asano, center, scores his side's second go

Japan gets 2 late goals to upset Germany 2-1 at World Cup

Stuttering Croatia held by Morocco in goalless stalemate

Croatia's Luka Modric, left, and Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli challenge for the ball during the World Cup group F soccer match between Morocco and Croatia, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday. AP-YonhapCroatia's World Cup campaign got off to a stuttering start with a 0-0 draw against a battling Morocco on Wednesday as the 2018 runners-up lacked the punch of the side that went so close in Russia.Chances were at a premium at Al Bayt Stadium as an even Group F contest produced little goalmouth action, and ended in the third goalless draw in nine games at the World Cup so far.There were glimpses of goal for both sides, with Nikola Vlasic going close for Croatia at the end of the first half while Noussair Mazraoui had a header saved for Morocco.Croatia, who were beaten by France in the final four years ago, will now turn their attentions to their game against Canada on Sunday, when Morocco will face Belgium.Croatia's best moments predictably hinged on Luka Modric, who was given the freedom of the park, floating effortlessly from back to front, with football's traditional midf

Stuttering Croatia held by Morocco in goalless stalemate

Korea hold official prematch practice with injured winger still sidelined

Korean players train for the FIFA World Cup at Al Egla Training Site in Doha, Nov. 23. YonhapKorea on Wednesday held their final training session before their first group stage match against Uruguay, with a nicked-up winger still unable to join the rest of his teammates.Head coach Paulo Bento ran the official "Match Day-1" training session at Al Egla Training Site in Doha Wednesday morning, with only the first 15 minutes of the one-hour session open to the media. Korea will begin Group H play against Uruguay at 4 p.m. Thursday at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha, or 10 p.m. Thursday in Korea.Korean captain Son Heung-min adjusts his mask during a training session for the FIFA World Cup at Al Egla Training Site in Doha, Nov. 23. YonhapCaptain Son Heung-min was back out there in his protective mask, as he is recovering from multiple facial fractures. His match fitness remains a concern but all signs point to the Tottenham Hotspur talisman being available in some capacity against Uruguay.While Son has been making progress in his recovery, Wolverhampton Wanderers att

Korea hold official prematch practice with injured winger still sidelined

Korea looks to score 1st win against S. America in pursuit of knockout berth

Son Heung-min of South Korea, center, trains for the FIFA World Cup at Al Egla Training Site in Doha, Nov. 22. YonhapKorea will try to snap their FIFA World Cup winless skid against a South American team when they take on Uruguay to start their 2022 tournament in Qatar on Thursday.The Taegeuk Warriors have had one draw and four losses against South American foes in their previous World Cup appearances. The last such game happened to have come against Uruguay in the round of 16 at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.Luis Suarez scored a brace in Uruguay's 2-1 win then, and the veteran forward is back on his national team this time.Other Asian teams have long struggled against South American teams. According to FIFA, Asian countries have only managed two wins, three draws and 17 losses against South American foes.The first win came courtesy of Japan in 2018, when they beat Colombia 2-1. Saudi Arabia got the next one Tuesday with a stunning 2-1 victory over Argentina.Korea head coach Paulo Bento, center, watches his players Kim Min-jae, left, and Son Heung-min during a training session

Korea looks to score 1st win against S. America in pursuit of knockout berth

Hwang Hee-chan likely out in game against Uruguay

Hwang Hee-chan likely out in game against Uruguay

Korean World Cup player Hwang Hee-chan celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London, Feb. 24. AFP-YonhapWith his recovery from a hamstring injury almost grounding to a halt, South Korean winger Hwang Hee-chan appears doubtful for the team's first Group H match against Uruguay on Thursday.The physical attacker for Wolverhampton Wanderers has been dealing with some left hamstring discomfort since before arriving in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup. Hwang's recovery has gone more slowly than expected and will likely force head coach Paulo Bento to seek an alternative at the winger position.The Korea Football Association (KFA) has not officially listed Hwang as "injured," but he missed the team training session Tuesday, instead riding a stationary bicycle and doing individual workouts indoors. This was four days after Hwang had taken part in some strategic drills with the rest of the team.Thanks to his aggressive style and ability to fight through defenders, Hwang is an imp

Hwang Hee-chan likely out in game against Uruguay

Bruno Fernandes: From tough defender to Portugal's World Cup playmaker

Portugal's defender Ruben Dias, left, midfielder Bruno Fernandes, second from left, forward Cristiano Ronaldo, second from right, and Portugal's defender Pepe take part in a training session at Shahaniya Sports Club in Al Samriya, northwest of Doha on Nov. 20, during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. AFP-YonhapBruno Fernandes has excelled at Manchester United and is expected to be a similarly creative force for Portugal at the World Cup ― a far cry from his days as a bit of a journeyman and even a defender in his youth.That sometimes haphazard journey began in the suburbs of Porto, where Fernandes played between the rows of low-rise council houses and in the playground of his primary school."That toughened him up because he was playing with his big brother or with us, and we were all two years older than him. He had character," recalls Lucio Fernandes, who is no relation.With the help of Lucio, Fernandes was given a trial by the local team in the town of Sao Mamede de Infesta, whose outdated facilities are wedged between rows of houses and a motorway interchange."After tr

Bruno Fernandes: From tough defender to Portugal's World Cup playmaker

Saudis stun Messi, Argentina 2-1

Uruguay midfielder Torreira not underestimating Korea

Uruguay's midfielder Lucas Torreira gives a press confernce at Al Erssal in Doha during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament, Nov. 22. AFP-YonhapUruguay may be favored against Korea when they square off in their first Group H match this week, but that does not mean the South Americans will take their Asian foes lightly, Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira said Tuesday."We are always facing each match with the same mentality, no matter if it is Korea or Portugal," Torreira said after a training session at Al Erssal Training Site in Doha, referring to two of Uruguays' three opponents in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup. They will also play Ghana. The Uruguay- Korea match is set for 4 p.m. Thursday at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha."Every time we wear the Uruguay jersey, the most important for us is the respect for our rival, and obviously trying to win the match. We know the first match can set the course of a good or bad World Cup. We are clear in what we want to do, and I think we are going to be ready for Thursday."Torreira said he and his teammate

Uruguay midfielder Torreira not underestimating Korea

Kim Min-jae: Korea's highly rated 'Monster' World Cup defender

Napoli's Kim Min-Jae during the warm up before the match, Nov.12 / Reuters-YonhapSon Heung-min's facial injury has dominated Korea's build-up to the World Cup, but it's a "Monster" at the heart of their defence who could prove just as critical in Qatar.Imposing central defender Kim Min-jae has earned rave reviews since moving from Fenerbahce in Turkey to Napoli in the summer for just over 18 million euros.The 26-year-old has since played a crucial role in Napoli going unbeaten in Serie A and streaking away at the top before the league paused for the World Cup.Standing 1.9 metres (over 6ft 2ins), Kim has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and Manchester United are just the latest English club said to be interested.Underlining just how good he has been in Italy, Serie A named Kim player of the month in September.In October he was the Italian Footballers' Association player of the month.It remains to be seen if Spurs forward Son plays against Uruguay on Thursday as he recovers from surgery, but Korea's Yonhap news agency said: "Against opponents like Uruguay and Portugal

Kim Min-jae: Korea's highly rated 'Monster' World Cup defender

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