A little bit of midweek handbags at ten paces in the Asian Champions League. ManU takes part in the Crossbar Challenge. (Man Utd Offside) Newcastle thought Zizou wasn't quite second division material. (Dirty Tackle) Dunga's rooting against Brazilians in the CL. (Tim Vickery) A little World Cup primer. Click to continue reading...

It´s the 2002 World Cup, SPAIN is playing KOREA & playing well witheyes on the final stages. However, two controversial refereedecisions – disallowing two legitimate goals – sends Spain homemissing the semi-finals with a cruel sense of injustice once again.This is an ever present situation that we hope will be absent in thisyears 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa. Click to continue reading...

United States Women's coach Pia Sundhage has called 26 players into camp in preparation for the 2010 Algarve Cup in Portugal. The United States has been drawn into a group with Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The tournament kicks off on February 24th. The US will have two scrimmages against Korea during camp in Carson, California. Click to continue reading...

Group GMatchDate - TimeVenue1315/06 16:00Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth Côte d'Ivoire Portugal 1415/06 20:30Johannesburg - JEPBrazilKorea DPR2920/06 20:30Johannesburg - JSCBrazilCôte d'Ivoire3021/06 13:30Cape Town PortugalKorea DPR4525/06 16:00Durban PortugalBrazil4625/06 16:00Nelspruit Korea DPRCôte d'Ivoire Click to continue reading...

CONCACAF club champions Atlante advanced to the semis of the FIFA Club World Cup after defeating Auckland City 3-0 this morning. I didn't watch the match, but from match reports that I've read from Mexican and Argentine newspapers it was a comfortable victory for the Potros. Atlante will now play Barcelona one semifinal, and Korea's Pohang Steelers will play Estudiantes La Plata in the other. Click to continue reading...

Group A France , Mexico , South Africa , Uruguay Group B Argentina , Nigeria , Greece , South Korea Group C England , USA , Algeria , Slovenia Group D Germany , Serbia , Ghana , Australia Group E Holland , Cameroon , Denmark , Japan Group F Italy , Paraguay , Slovakia [...] Click to continue reading...

Yes, I know we have been so incredibly lucky lately, but for a bit of bad news, it looks like the deal with Kozonis might not go through, at least not yet.

Notias was supposed to meet with Kozonis yesterday, however, we started hearing things about rain in New York preventing Notias from flying out.

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Next part in our series will be Korea Cup 2002, hosted, run, and fixed by our lovely friends in Korea.

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U-17 World Cup on Galavision: Mexico - Korea at 10am. Europa League on GolTV: Hamburgh - Celtic at 1pm, Villarreal - Lazio at 3pm, and Everton - Benfica at 8pm. MLS playoffs on ESPN2: Salt Lake - Columbus at 8pm. Copa Sudamericana on Fox SPorts en Espanol: Universidad - Fluminense at 6pm and LDU Quito - Velez Sarsfield at 8:30pm. Click to continue reading...

I have a quick look at how my pre-tourney Under-20 World Cup predictions have done so far, plus my second chance knockout predictions.If you recall, this is what I had for the round of 16 match-ups (correct bracket slot = blue, correct knockout qualifier = green & big fat oops = red):Paraguay over USA (extra time)Ghana over Costa RicaSpain over Korea RepublicCzech Republic over Hungary (extra Click to continue reading...

The United Stats exited the Under-20 World Cup on Saturday, the day after losing their final group stage game to Korea. Costa Rica advanced to the next round in the final third-place wild card position. Click to continue reading...

The United States Under-20 National Team had a tough time in their final group stage game, falling to Korea 30. Korea opened the scoring in the 23rd through Kim Young-Gwon. Kim Bo-Kyung made it 2-0 in the 42nd. Koo Ja-Cheol finished off the scoring from the penalty spot in the 75th minute. The United States finished with ten men after Ike Opara was sent off in the 74th. Click to continue reading...

South Korea humbled the United States 3-0 on Friday night to advance to the round of 16 in the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. The result leaves the United States (1-2) � third in Group C with three points, ahead of Cameroon (1-2) on goal difference. As a result, they hold on to a slim chance of [...] Click to continue reading...

Sadly, I am beyond swamped with work, so I won't go into great detail explaining my prediction for today's game. I will keep it simple.The Baby 'Nats will win a tough scrap and finish second in the group. Bam.The reading room awaits:- U.S. U-20 match notes- FIFA match preview- FIFA profiles So. Korea F Cho Young Cheol- Cameroon v Germany match preview- U. Click to continue reading...

Under-20 World Cup on ESPN2: Korea - USA at 12:30pm. MLS on ESPN2: Chicago - Los Angeles at 11pm. Bundesliga on GolTV: Schalke 04 - Eintracht Frankfurt at 2:30pm. Mexican Liga on Galavision: U.A.G. - Atlas at 9pm. Click to continue reading...

Ha!
How you like that Cameroon? And our U-20 team supposedly sucks (look at that celebration!).
Though you do get props for having a guy named Banana Yaya on your team.
The Americans are still very much alive after two World Cup group stage games. They play last-place Korea in a couple days. Click to continue reading...

USsoccer.com announced the U-20 Men's television schedule yesterday. Here is the only problem, the first game is on-line only.

9/26: USA vs. Germany - LIVE at 9:55 a.m. ET on ESPN360.com, 9:55 a.m. ET/PT on Galavision
9/29: USA vs. Cameroon - LIVE at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, DELAYED at 5 p.

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Photo By Jeremy Olson - www.digitalgopher.net

At half time of Minnesota Golden Gophers home opener at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium Stadium on Friday evening, Cat Parkhill, freshman starting goalkeeper for the team, was honored in a ceremony.

The presentation in front of 987 home fans honored Parkhill for being the first Golden Gopher in history of the Minnesota Soccer program to play in International competition.

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Photo By Jeremy Olson - www.digitalgopher.net

At half time of Minnesota Golden Gophers home opener at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium Stadium on Friday evening, Cat Parkhill, freshman starting goalkeeper for the team, was honored in a ceremony.

The presentation in front of 987 home fans honored Parkhill for being the first Golden Gopher in history of the Minnesota Soccer program to play in International competition.

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So Jade North and his Asian mates couldn't fly in for an Asian Cup Qualifier v Kuwait in Canberra in March, and Australia lost as a result.
But he can head to Limerick.
And anyone knows there are no direct flights to Ireland from Korea or any other Asian city. Everyone has to fly through Heathrow or Europe, and then travel down fron Dublin to Limerick. Click to continue reading...

Diego showed wonderful poise in the penalty area to score on his Juventus debut, in the Italian team's Peace Cup match against Seongnam of Korea. This is the sort of ability he showed regularly in the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen:...

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Is this the only sports show where women outnumber men?
Is there any other show about male sports where there are more women than men on tv or the airwaves.
This is un-Australian and should be stopped immediately.
Tonight Lucy Zelic and Michella Bertrand join Aaron Walker on the Nearpost. Click to continue reading...

We bring for you this interview with Manchester United Korean star, Park Ji sung, who was in top form during FC Seoul game last Friday.
Don't be LAZY! Read the full article by visiting the site Click to continue reading...

Park Ji-Sung was playing in a Manchester United shirt in Korea for the first time. When the Korean star took to the pitch on the 73th minute, he was given a rapturous welcome by the 80,000 fans who packed the Olympic Stadium. After the match ended, Park said: "I am pleased to stand before my Korean fans in the United shirt for the first time. Click to continue reading...

Manchester United take on FC Seoul at midday today and if you're at work or can't get a stream, you can rely on the RoM live blog to keep you updated. It'll start at 11.30pm with any team news.

Meanwhile, Patrice Evra is very excited about the game and is hoping history will repeat itself, with him scoring a goal here just as he did two years ago.

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Patrice Evra has sung the praises of best mate Park Ji-Sung ahead of Manchester United's match against FC Seoul in the South Korean's home town.

"When Ji first arrived in Manchester he never talked and people didn't know much about him. But when we arrive in Seoul you can see he is the King of Korea!

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Lee Chung-Yong 이청용, Korea's brightest soccer prospect, is contemplating a Bolton Wanderers move. His football pedigree is clear for all to see. In January of 2009, Lee was named as one of the top 50 rising stars in football by the British daily, The Times. -WikiCurrently plying his trades with FC Seoul, who currently top the Korean K-League, Lee Chung-Yong is compared to Alexander Hleb by many in Click to continue reading...

Apologies no National Show podcast this week due to technical difficulties.
Local news and Peter Funnell interviews
Cap Football Tech Director Ian Shaw discusses changes, including costs,trials,games to Cap Football Academy and trip/trials for players to Korea coming up soon
Download

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No, I didn't conduct this interview. I only wish I did.
(If anyone has connections and can hook me up with Mr. Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of the South African World Cup organizing committee, I'd be happy to do it.)
Alas, I'm but a poor blogger in New York. But one day, I promise. Click to continue reading...

London- Watching the Miracle of Bloemfontein from England was doubly delightful as the BBC were forced to eat their words on the US for the first time since World Cup 2002.Korea was a flash in the pan, as the 2006 edition and the US defeat to England at Wembley last year confirmed, you see.3-0 and 4-0 to the Spanish, confidently predicted the punditry duo of former Arsenal and England defenders Click to continue reading...

Nearpost football hosts Russ and Aaron are convinced the Jets will lose, nay get pumped tonight against the Pohang Denilson led Steelers in the Asian Champions League one-off last 16 game in Korea.
I'm not. I think they can win.
Either way watching Ben Kantarovski, Jason Hoffman, Tarek Elrich, Brodie Mooy, Mark Jesic, Adam D'Apuzzo, Kaz Patafta and Sean Rooney all young Aussies being tested on the continental stage is a joy. Click to continue reading...

In the final podcast of the 2008-2009 season, Damon and Damian take a look back at the good, the bad and the ugly moments of another great footballing year. The next languagecaster.com season starts in August 2009 and it should be a great one with the World Cup in 2010 to look forward to.

********************************************************************************** Download the latest podcast - A look back at the 2008-9 season

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********************************************************************************** Check out our weekly football phrase - English for Football Click here for more football expressions and football cliches ********************************************************************************** This week's QUIZ QUESTION:

Which Asian nation was the first team to qualify for the South Africa 2010 World Cup?

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Let's hear it for the A-League. The A-Leagues worst club in Season 4, the Newcastle Jets, has made it into the last 16 of the Asian Champions League with a strong display of tactical and technical football
And they've been playing some great football in Asia. Why?
Because in Korea last night they didn't have to play on an Aussie cow paddock. Click to continue reading...

Park Ji-Sung missed out on last year's European Cup final after spending a large chunk of the season out injured. Sir Alex Ferguson didn't pick the Korean as one of his seven subs which was the hardest decision our manager has had to make, he has claimed. Park joined in with the celebrations in Moscow but did not collect a medal.

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The Central Coast Mariners will not advance to the knockout stages of the Asian Champions League after losing to the Pohang Steelers, 3-2, in Korea -- Read On -- ACL: Pohang Steelers End Central Coast Mariners' Asian Campaign Click to continue reading...

Afshin Ghotbi has been appointed the new national team coach of Iran, following the resignation of Mohammad Mayelikohan. Mayelikohan lasted less than two weeks in the hot seat after the sacking of Iranian football legend Ali Daei.
Iranian football is in turmoil as the national team are struggling to qualify from Asian Zone Group 2, headed by the two Koreas. Click to continue reading...

The United States Under-20 National Team will join Germany, Cameroon, and Korea in Group C play as part of the 2009 Under-20 World Cup. The tournament kicks off in Egypt on September 24th. "It's going to be a challenge for sure, but we had the same mentality heading into the 2007 U-20 World Cup," US goalkeeper Brian Perk said. Click to continue reading...

a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7975821.stm"The two Koreas are due to meet in the world cup qualifier/a, makes for an interesting fixture given the current political tensions.br /br /Liked these bits in particular :br /br /blockquoteThe two teams have played each other a number of times over the past year during the qualification stages for the next World Cup. Click to continue reading...

AS Monaco will probably go into Sunday night's match against Nice after the club announced that strikers Chu-Yong park and Freddy Adu have picked up similar injuries in training this week. Park is suffering from pain to the patellar tendon of the right knee while Adu is experiencing hip pain after taking some hard knocks during practice. Click to continue reading...