Soccer World Cup Japan Saudi Arabia

Feb 1, 2022

Saudi Arabia's Khalid Alghannam, center, and Yasser Gharsan Alshahrani, second right, battle for the ball against Japan's Daizen Maeda, right, during their World Cup 2022 group B qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

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Nat'l football team looking to end year on winning note vs. Qatar

Nov 15, 2026

Nat'l football team looking to end year on winning note vs. Qatar

DOHA — The men's national football team will try to end 2026 on a winning note when they face Qatar in their final friendly match of the year this week. The match between 32nd-ranked South Korea and world No. 60 Qatar at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha will kick off at 5 p.m. Tuesday (local time), or 11 p.m. Tuesday (South Korean time). This will be the last international match in 2026 for South Korea, as they try to pick up the pieces following a 3-2 loss to 55th-ranked Saudi Arabia last Friday. South Korea never led in that loss — their first against Saudi Arabia since 2005 — and missed a slew of opportunities in the second half to at least get a draw. After the match, Robert Moreno, caretaker manager for South Korea, said the team had to improve "in every aspect." Tuesday's match is Moreno's sixth and likely his last one for South Korea. The Spanish tactician was hired in early September to replace Hong Myung-bo, who had resigned at the end of June in light of an early World Cup exit. Instead of rushing to find a successor to Hong, the Korea Football Association (KFA) broug

Korea football team stuck in limbo

Nov 15, 2026

Korea football team stuck in limbo

There is a well-known saying, "comparison is the thief of joy." The meaning is self-evident, and just 24 hours after Korea lost 3-2 to Saudi Arabia, rival Japan defeated Brazil by the same scoreline. The saying does not quite apply, however, as there wasn’t much joy to be stolen anyway. It is a sober reminder of the gap between the Taeguk Warriors and the Samurai Blue. It was the second time in 13 months that Japan has defeated the five-time world champion and the first time in 21 years that Korea has lost to the team from Riyadh. It was a deserved defeat. Saudi Arabia was the better team for much of the match against the lackluster visitor. In last week’s column, I wrote that Korea’s results in this international break did not matter so much, but that was a mistake. Tuesday’s game against Qatar is now hugely important for the team because it is hugely important for coach Robert Moreno. It is the last of Moreno's six games that he has to prove himself. Of the five so far, there have been two wins, a draw and two defeats. Friday’s was the worst. Saudi Arabia started the game ran

Australia falls to record one-day defeat as England level series

Nov 15, 2026

Australia falls to record one-day defeat as England level series

Australia have slumped to a record one-day international loss at home to England, with the series now level at 1-1.

‘Everyone wrote us off’: Historic night as Kangaroos, Jillaroos beat Kiwis to make it four in a row

Nov 15, 2026

‘Everyone wrote us off’: Historic night as Kangaroos, Jillaroos beat Kiwis to make it four in a row

Thanks to a brace of tries from Jack Bostock and Liam Martin, Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos have followed the lead of the Jillaroos by smashing the Kiwis to win their fourth straight World Cup.

Rugby League World Cup: Kangaroos bounce Kiwis for fourth-straight Cup title

Nov 15, 2026

Rugby League World Cup: Kangaroos bounce Kiwis for fourth-straight Cup title

The Kangaroos have won a fourth-straight Rugby League World Cup, toppling New Zealand 32-12 in Brisbane.

India clinch ODI series after NZ collapse

Nov 15, 2026

India clinch ODI series after NZ collapse

India have sealed their ODI series in New Zealand after a great escape in game five.

Martin crashes over

Nov 15, 2026

Martin crashes over

Liam Martin bashes through three Kiwi defenders to claim the opening try of the World Cup final.

JackJumpers outgun Bullets in NBL showdown

Nov 15, 2026

JackJumpers outgun Bullets in NBL showdown

Star point guard Raul Neto has suffered a leg injury, adding injury to insult for Brisbane who suffered a 12-point home loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers.

The Wallabies desperately need more power. A missing weapon is nearing his return

Nov 15, 2026

The Wallabies desperately need more power. A missing weapon is nearing his return

Les Kiss’ team was exposed up front against England. In France, back-rower Langi Gleeson is closing in on a return after nine months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

Korea stuck in limbo

Nov 15, 2026

Korea stuck in limbo

There is a well-known saying, "comparison is the thief of joy." The meaning is self-evident, and just 24 hours after Korea lost 3-2 to Saudi Arabia, rival Japan defeated Brazil by the same scoreline. The saying does not quite apply, however, as there wasn’t much joy to be stolen anyway. It is a sober reminder of the gap between the Taeguk Warriors and the Samurai Blue. It was the second time in 13 months that Japan has defeated the five-time world champion and the first time in 21 years that Korea has lost to the team from Riyadh. It was a deserved defeat. Saudi Arabia was the better team for much of the match against the lackluster visitor. In last week’s column, I wrote that Korea’s results in this international break did not matter so much, but that was a mistake. Tuesday’s game against Qatar is now hugely important for the team because it is hugely important for coach Robert Moreno. It is the last of Moreno's six games that he has to prove himself. Of the five so far, there have been two wins, a draw and two defeats. Friday’s was the worst. Saudi Arabia started the game ran

‘I can’t lead a normal life’: Why this former Bulldog is fighting for his future

Nov 15, 2026

‘I can’t lead a normal life’: Why this former Bulldog is fighting for his future

A former Western Bulldogs player medically retired because of concussion remains aghast at a diagnosis that has him fighting for what he believes he deserves.

Shark attack hero breaks through for Iron Series win

Nov 15, 2026

Shark attack hero breaks through for Iron Series win

Charlie Verco has claimed his maiden Iron Series win five months after the paddleboarder helped save a woman attacked by a shark at a Sydney beach.

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