data-mm-id=”_wjg3l26bb”>Four games into the KBO season, we've seen the cream rise to the top, all teams find their way to victory, and Americans embrace early call times and a steep learning curve. Though the sample size is small, it's enough to cobble together some power rankings. And yeah, your new adopted side isn't being shown enough respect.10. Samsung Lions (1-3): The Lions notched their first win of the year today against the Kia Tigers as six pitchers combined for a five-hitter. A lackluster offense has stumbled out of the gate as there is only one Samsung batter hitting over .200 thus far.9. Kia Tigers (1-3): The Tigers have been toothless as well, failing to push more than two runs across in three of the four games this year. Former Astro Preston Tucker has shown promise, slashing .364/.417/.636 with a homer and 4 RBI. 8. KT Wiz (1-3): Really worrying signs from MY WIZ as the pitching staff is surrendering 6.5 runs per contest. An offensive explosion today against Doosan, though, could be just what the doctor ordered.7. LG Twins (1-3): Kim Hyun-soo has led the way at the plate but the Twinkies have dropped three in a row after a season-opening win. A weekend against the juggernaut Dinos could extend that streak to five.6. Doosan Bears (2-2): Little controversy here but they haven't really played anybody, Paul. José Miguel Fernández has a delightful .615/.615/.692 line going, which is unsustainable but fun to look at. Now, to be clear, I like the Bears to emerge as the toast of Seoul eventually yet it's way too early to crown them. 5. SK Wyverns (1-3): Bullpen blew a golden opportunity against Lotte this morning. Han Dong-min is tied for the league-lead with two longballs. 4. Hanwha Eagles (2-2): Former Major Leaguer Warwick Saupold has twirled nine scoreless innings and has a WHIP of 0.33. Song Kwang-min carries a stunning 667/.692/1.083 slashie. Why is the media ignoring the Eagles? Underrated team.3. Kiwoom Heroes (3-1): Best nickname, not corporately owned, salt of the Earth stuff. Pains me to put them this low but the top two have earned it.2. Lotte Giants (4-0): The Giants have scored at least seven runs in all their games. If they keep that up, they'll win 100 games. And the production has been universal. Only one regular batter has an average under .250.1. NC Dinos (4-0): Koo Chang-mo and the pitching staff have been electric, allowing only 2.5 runs per contest. It's a long year but one has to like the matchup against the Giants, if it comes to that, because great defense beats great offense come playoff time.
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The South Koreans gave him free international flights for life after the 2002 World Cup, Russia s offered him honorary citizenship for his exploits at Euro 2008 if Guus Hiddink ever took charge of Saudi Arabia he could end up with his very own oil well.
Hiddink or the wizard as he s been christened by the grateful Russian media, has once again proved he s the master at polishing a rough diamond to make it sparkle like never before.
In 2002 he led an unheralded South Korea side all the way to the World Cup semi-finals, the co-hosts counting Spain among their scalps.
Spain got revenge for that in Thursday s Euro 2008 semi-final but that is a rare blot on his record.
Such was the adulation heaped on him by South Korean fans according to The Wall Street …
Spain coach Luis Aragones criticised his employers on the eve of Sunday s Euro 2008 final for not sounding him out about a new contract.
Aragones is leaving the post he s held since 2004 having got Spain to their first major final in 24 years to return to club football with Turkish side Fenerbahce.
But the 69-year-old made it clear here Saturday that if it had been left up to him he might have stayed on to build on his success here and guide the team to the 2010 World Cup.
Without mentioning the Spanish Football Federation by name he told the eve of final press conference: I m standing down because nobody asked me anything. So I decided to go and there s no turning back.
I don t want it to be used that I wanted to go.
He added: I ve had fou…
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been left hurt by fan protests, even though he would have understood if the club decided to sack him after a dismal run of form.
The Hoops, who are chasing a 10th straight league title, have managed just two wins from their past 10 matches in all competitions, with a 35-game unbeaten cup run coming to an end with a defeat to Ross County on Sunday.
Lennon s side sit second in the Scottish Premiership, 11 points adrift of Steven Gerrard s Rangers, and the loss to County sparked angry demonstrations from fans outside Celtic Park.
While understanding of the fans frustrations, Lennon – who has the support of Celtic s board – admitted he has been hit hard by the protests against him and the club.
On the scenes on Sunday, we r…
Emery claims Jordi Alba already sold
Departing Valencia coach Unai Emery has revealed that star player Jordi Alba has already been sold.
The highly rated full-back has been repeatedly linked with a summer move to Barcelona, but there have been no official reports that the transfer has been completed.
Nonetheless, Unai Emery, who has already agreed to take over the reigns at Spartak Moscow ahead of the new season, claims that Alba is to leave the club at the end of the season.
Valencia is a team that buys players who are not the finished article and then, when they are finished, possibly sells them on, as has happened with Jordi Alba, Emery told Spanish radio Onda Cero.
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Victim of High Expectations
Former Borussia Dortmund hit the wall of high expectations from the very first moment he stepped on the hot Catalan soil and was burdened with huge pressure which boiled during his official club presentation.
What was supposed to be a ceremonial manifestation during which one of the world’s most talented players was supposed to strut some of his stuff in front of the anticipating fans, turned into a grotesque performance.
More than 17,000 Barcelona supporters gathered on Camp Nou on a warm August afternoon �…
When news broke on Thursday of Jose Mourinho signing a new deal, Manchester United supporters weren t the only ones punching the air and shouting back of the net!
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Mourinho s decision to live in the hotel since joining United has been well-documented, with some claiming it to be evidence of an apparent lack of long-term interest in staying at the club.
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Aymeric Laporte has no intention of leaving Athletic Bilbao during the close-season, despite reported interest from Europe s top clubs.
The French defender has been linked with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Manchester United, but he has outlined his desire to stay at Bilbao.
Laporte made 35 La Liga appearances last season as Bilbao finished fourth and secured a place in the UEFA Champions League play-offs for 2014-15.
After moving to Spain aged 16, Laporte worked his way through the youth system before breaking into the first team in 2012.
And he is adamant his future lies at the San Mames.
Am I going to leave this summer? No, I am happy at Bilbao, he told L Equipe.
I have a €36million release clause and if one day a departure could become…
Spain international midfielder Isco has revealed that he would leave Malaga if the club s well-documented financial problems forced a sale, .
Isco, 20, put pen to paper on a new long-term deal in January, amid interest from English Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City.
The new deal ballooned the Spain international s release clause from €20 million to around €40 million, and could prove to be a lucrative, strategic extension.
Isco, who joined Malaga from Valencia in 2011, is happy to stay at the Estadio La Rosaleda, but is bracing himself for a potential departure in the summer.
I m not worried as I m only thinking about being here, the 20-year-old told AS.
If a team does come to pay a lot of money for me, it will …
John Stones was omitted from the Manchester City squad to face Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday after he was injured during the Manchester derby.
Stones limped off in the second half of Saturday s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United, which dealt another blow to City s fading hopes of winning a third straight Premier League crown.
The England defender missed training on Tuesday and was subsequently left out of the group for the trip to Croatia s capital, with David Silva and Sergio Aguero also missing out alongside long-term absentees Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte.
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Looking to extend their stay at the top of the Premier League table, Tottenham will make the trip across London on Sunday afternoon when they meet Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace
Starting with the hosts, while Crystal Palace might have suffered sluggish back-to-back defeats against Burnley and Newcastle when drawing a close to November, the Eagles did manage to make a return to winning ways in thumping fashion last weekend. Eventually putting on a real clinic away at a 10-man West Brom, Roy Hodgson s men picked up a 5-1 romp against the Premier League returners and they once again find themselves sat just a single point adrift of breaking back into the top-half. Landing their biggest win of the season last time out, th…