https://www.scmp.com/rss/524266/feed The latest news and top stories on Hong Myung-bo. A legendary former sweeper, he is widely considered one of Asia’s greatest footballers, notably captaining South Korea to fourth place at the 2002 World Cup and earning the Bronze Ball. His coaching career includes leading the U-23 team to an Olympic bronze medal in 2012 and securing two K League 1 titles with Ulsan Hyundai. Recently reappointed to his current role, he has successfully guided the national team through undefeated World Cup... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters Wins over England and Scotland ⁠underline Japan’s status as the Asian nation most likely to make a major impact at the World Cup during an international window of mixed fortunes for the continent’s qualifiers for this summer’s finals. Iraq’s emotional 2-1 victory over Bolivia during the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico took the Gulf state to the World Cup for the ‌first time in 40 years and ensured Asia would have a record nine qualifiers at the tournament. But while Graham Arnold and his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349027/japan-underline-status-asias-best-world-cup-hope-fellow-qualifiers-get-mixed-results?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3349027/japan-underline-status-asias-best-world-cup-hope-fellow-qualifiers-get-mixed-results?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:52:18 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse South Korea captain Son Heung-min is set to break his country’s record for most appearances for the men’s national team when they host Brazil on Friday. The Los Angeles FC striker is poised to win his 137th cap in the glamour friendly in Seoul, which acts as a build-up towards the World Cup in North America next year. South Korea and Brazil have both qualified for the 2026 finals, for what will be the 33-year-old Son’s fourth World Cup. Former Tottenham skipper Son, who moved to Major League... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328318/son-heung-min-set-make-south-korean-history-glamour-brazil-friendly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3328318/son-heung-min-set-make-south-korean-history-glamour-brazil-friendly?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 05:41:10 +0000 Agencies Agencies South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo on Monday called up former German youth international Jens Castrop for next month’s friendlies against World Cup co-hosts the United States and Mexico – the first time a foreign-born, mixed-heritage player has been included in the men’s national squad. Hong named the Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder in his 26-man squad as the Koreans begin preparations for next year’s World Cup. The 22-year-old Castrop, who was born to a German father and a South Korean mother,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323095/south-korea-select-first-mens-player-mixed-heritage-pre-world-cup-friendlies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323095/south-korea-select-first-mens-player-mixed-heritage-pre-world-cup-friendlies?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:30:11 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong remained without a point and rooted to the bottom of the East Asian Championship after they lost 2-0 to South Korea in Seoul on Friday. But in a much more compact, disciplined and pragmatic display than they served up in losing 6-1 to Japan three days earlier, the city team gave their passionate travelling supporters reason to believe ahead of next Tuesday’s winnable clash with China. Even if that optimism might be dimmed by news that some of the Hong Kong players who ply their trade... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3317931/east-asian-football-championship-hong-kong-improve-lose-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3317931/east-asian-football-championship-hong-kong-improve-lose-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:54:17 +0000