Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Race for championship wide open in Korea's soccer league  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
 
 
 
Australia
China
India
 Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Race for championship wide open in Korea's soccer league
 
 
  
 
 ANN - Friday, March  4
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seoul (The Korea Herald/ANN) - It's finally here. Three months after FC Seoul defeated Jeju United to bring home the Korean-League title, the 2011 season starts Saturday (March 5) with a record 16 teams looking for success.
 
How success is defined depends on the team, but almost half will be dreaming of the golden trophy. The serious contenders are the usual suspects and teams that have all won it in the last decade: Seoul, Jeonbuk, Suwon, Pohang, Ulsan and Seongnam. Any of these six could be sitting pretty next December and all will be disappointed if they don't at least make the playoffs.
 
In the past two weeks, The Korea Herald has looked at the big two ? FC Seoul and Suwon Bluewings ? and the challenge from the five teams based in the Gyeongsang Province. Now it is time for the rest.
 
Jeju United fans would no doubt insist that after finishing second last season, and topping the standings for many weeks, the islanders have what it takes to go one better in 2011.
 
It is unlikely for two reasons. The team's exploits earned it a place in the Asian Champions League. That is a double-edged sword. The group stage alone feature six games home and away against 2008 continental champions Gamba Osaka, Australia's Melbourne Victory and China's Tianjin Teda. It is a tough group and tough traveling with K-League fixtures either side of midweek trips. It takes it out of a team.
 
Also out of the team is star midfielder Koo Ja-cheol. The 21-year-old has joined 2009 German champions VfL Wolfsburg. The midfielder scored five times in 2010 and made 12 assists. That, coupled with the fact that he finished the 2011 Asian Cup in January as tournament top scorer, led the Bundesliga club to make its move.
 
Others have continental commitments and departed stars to deal with, but the problem is that Jeju have little experience of these situations. Seoul, Suwon and Jeonbuk are also preparing for Asian action but are, in theory at least, better able to handle the situation. Despite that, the team that exits earliest may reap domestic benefits.
 
Jeonbuk has been relatively quiet in the transfer market unlike its two big-spending rivals and the team won't look too much different to 2010. Choi Kang-hee is still the coach. Lee Dong-guk is still the main marksman and Brazilians Eninho and Luiz are still there to provide the ammunition and do a little sharpshooting of their own. The big difference is that Kwon Sun-tae has left to become the goalkeeper for new military club Sangju Sangmu in North Gyeongsang Province.
 
The new club is another point of interest. North Gyeongsang soccer fans will be able to see how their new team handles Incheon United on the opening weekend. The team has brought in some good players, such as Kwon, FC Seoul pair Choi Hyo-jin and Kim Chi-woo and Ulsan's Kim Chi-gon but as always, the military men will take time to gel as a team. Incheon is led by Korea's 2010 World Cup coach Huh Jung-moo.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
China tightens reporting noose on foreign media Reuters - Friday, March  4
 
Pakistan vows to battle extremism after minister slain Reuters - Friday, March  4
 
Only 6 percent in China happy, survey finds ANN - Friday, March  4
 
Indonesians shopping less but spending more money ANN - Friday, March  4
 
Indonesian teenager arrested for condom possession ANN - Friday, March  4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
US jobless claims drop near three year low
Libya live report
ECB leaves key interest rate at 1%
Britain clears way for News Corp/BSkyB deal
No evidence yet of spying at Renault: French police
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
  
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
 
 
 
On the nose: Sharks are stunning navigators
 
Two US airmen shot dead at German airport
 
Kadhafi warns of bloodbath if West intervenes
 
Manchester City, Arsenal advance to FA Cup quarters
 
Libya live report
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo!
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network 
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
 
 
    
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Thursday,  3 March 2011 Libya: live report  
French court looms for designer Galliano despite apology  
In surprise appearance, Jobs unveils iPad 2  
Kadhafi warns of bloodbath if West intervenes  
US Congress OKs plan to avert shutdown, for now  
US-TECH Summary  
Gunman kills two U.S. airmen at Frankfurt airport
|  
Scores killed in Sudan flashpoint clashes  
Contact established with hostages, pirates: Denmark  
Kadhafi warns of bloodbath if West intervenes  
HBO Go expands TV and movie programming  
Merkel plays it safe after star minister quits  
US commander Petraeus apologises over Afghan deaths  
Witness: In fiery speech, Gaddafi says will not surrender
|  
Ireland's O'Brien hits fastest World Cup century  
Russia decorates Gorbachev on 80th birthday  
UAE to invest in poorer northern emirates  
Eye-controlled laptop turns heads at high-tech fair  
Gorbachev decorated with Russia's highest honour  
U.S. assault ships clear Suez, enter Mediterranean
|  
In 'E-stonia' election, mouseclick replaces pencil and paper  
Rival rallies demand reforms, back sultan in Oman
|  
S. Korea expands high-speed wireless coverage  
NATO apologizes for killing 9 Afghan civilians  
Iran ships to return via Suez Canal, says official
|  
'Telepresence' robot makes waves at tech fair  
NYTimes.com to start charging readers 'shortly'  
Pope book says Jews not guilty of Jesus Christ's death
|  
Eye-controlled laptop turns heads at high-tech fair  
Bangladesh orders Nobel laureate from microlender  
Kyrgyzstan may slap new tax on US base  
Kyrgyzstan wants to slap tax on US base  
Bangladesh microlender says founder is staying  
Japan scrambles F-15 as China jets near airspace  
Timeline: Apple milestones and product launches
|  
HBO Go expands TV and movie programming
|  
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee firms; o/n rates flat  
Galliano wins cyber-squatting case at U.N. agency
|  
Military to help develop energy storage device
|  
Turkmenistan to boost gas deliveries to China  
Judge bars Charlie Sheen from kids, ex-wife
|  
Keith Richard's daughter arrested for graffiti, drugs
|  
Purple Rain artist Prince sued by former lawyers
|  
Lindsay Lohan hopes to regain trust of Hollywood
|  
Designer Galliano to go on trial over racist insults
|  
Designer Galliano apologizes for behavior
|  
Iran ships to return via Suez Canal, says official  
Dutch government dealt election blow in Senate  
China rights group slams 'repression', web curbs  
World first artificial bronchus graft in France  
Asian shares make gains despite oil fears  
"Peregrine" to take flight as Japan's newest train  
Dutch government unlikely to get senate majority: exit poll  
Arab unrest sends oil higher in Asia trade  
In surprise appearance, Jobs unveils iPad 2  
Expressionism meets fashion on day two of Paris shows  
Adele earns first #1 album on Billboard with "21"  
Markets expect tough European bank inflation talk  
Gaddafi rebels look to Tripoli, peace plan mooted
|  
U.S. files 22 new charges against WikiLeaks soldier  
Timeline: Apple milestones and product launches  
Trial for accused CIA shooter resumes in Pakistan
|  
Galliano wins cyber-squatting case at U.N. agency  
Military to help develop energy storage device  
Pakistan media warns of growing chaos as minister slain
|  
Germany probes killings of US airmen  
Manchester City, Arsenal advance to FA Cup quarters  
Afghans, Western backers in contact with Taliban: Karzai
|  
Top U.S. officials cautious on Libya no-fly zone  
Two US airmen shot dead at German airport  
Q+A  
Bangladesh Nobel winner begins legal fight over removal
|  
Doubts surround Gaddafi's chemical weapons arsenal  
Two US airmen shot dead at German airport  
Pakistan media warns of growing chaos as minister slain  
US growth 'modest to moderate': Fed  
U.S. court allows military funeral anti-gay protests  
Special report  
Pakistan again delays trial of accused CIA shooter  
South Korea says 4 North Koreans defect
|  
New Zealand civil defence abandons search for quake survivors  
New Zealand civil defense abandons search for quake survivors
|  
Ivory Coast fighting spreads to southern Abidjan
|  
Malaysia lukewarm on Australia asylum centre plan  
Morocco frees jailed senior air force officer-lawyer
|  
Thousands doing all they can to flee Libya  
Diane Lane to play Superman's hot mom  
Journalist attacked in eastern Indonesia  
Police: 40 die in road crashes in Indian mountains  
Nepal's ex-rebels agree to join new government  
Seoul shares rebound on U.S. data, bargain-hunting  
China warns int'l media not to cover protest calls  
S.Korea T-bond futures sink on rate hike outlook  
Pakistan  
Asian models conquer world's catwalks and billboards  
NZ civil defence abandons search for quake survivors  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Seoul shares rebound as foreign buying returns  
Apple's Jobs puts on lively iPad 2 show
|  
Justin Bieber apologizes for middle-finger salute  
"Blade Runner" reboot in the works  
NZ 2019 govt bonds yield 5.43 pct at tender  
Seoul shares open up; Hyundai Motor, LG Elec rise  
Actor Mickey Rooney tells Congress of abuse  
U.S. files 22 new charges against WikiLeaks soldier
|  
Berkshire Hathaway enters India insurance market  
Diane Lane to play Superman's hot mom  
SKorea's reserves hit second straight record high  
Anthony Doerr wins Story Prize for short literature  
Peregrine to take flight as Japan's newest train
|  
Judge bars Charlie Sheen from kids, ex-wife  
Man who chomped on rival's ears after Facebook spat sentenced to prison  
Keith Richard's daughter arrested for graffiti, drugs  
Pizzeria owner in mice-planting case to seek psychiatric test  
Galliano faces trial, Dior keeps the show going  
Antique dealer sentenced for trafficking narwhal tusks  
Rutgers University latest school to offer co-ed rooming  
Former Attorney General claims immunity in lawsuit by Arab man  
Miley Cyrus goes "So Undercover" in October  
Local leaders, school officials react to WI governor's budget address  
Christina Hendricks is Vivienne Westwood's new muse for jewelry collection  
Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean to perform at ACM Awards  
FL lawmakers sue governor for rejecting high-speep rail money  
Justin Bieber apologizes for middle-finger salute
|  
Actor Mickey Rooney tells Congress of abuse
|  
Anthony Doerr wins Story Prize for short literature
|  
Blade Runner reboot in the works
|  
Diane Lane to play Superman's hot mom
|  
Dine-and-dash accusation against actor Gary Collins dismissed
|  
Chechen rebel urges 'total war' with Russia  
'Cyberwar' talk invades world's top high-tech fair  
Libya live report  
No evidence yet of spying at Renault: French police  
Santander, BlackRock 'eye' Citigroup unit  
Britain clears way for News Corp/BSkyB deal  
Egypt's prime minister quits after calls for purge
|  
WikiLeaks' Assange appeals against UK extradition
|  
Frankfurt attack may be linked to radical Islamism
|  
WikiLeaks' Assange appeals extradition  
China to unveil defense budget to nervous region
|  
Microfinance guru challenges dismissal from bank  
Yemen to respond on reforms, activists skeptical
|  
Bahrain opposition drops pre-conditions for talks
|  
WikiLeaks: How the Cola war was won in Libya
|  
Kyrgyz vote on US base postponed  
Race for championship wide open in Korea's soccer league  
Suicides by jobless young Japanese soar  
South says 4 North Koreans defect  
Australia wanted to curb China resource investment  
Approval for Bob Dylan China concerts pending  
Malaysia's Proton signs tech deal with Nissan  
Depp on Jolie: She's a 'shockingly great mother'  
Twitter's Stone: no IPO or funding talks
|  
Beyonce says she donated Gaddafi performance fee
|  
Galliano faces trial, Dior keeps the show going
|  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights