Sports Briefs

FOOTBALL

Korea limps back into top 60 in FIFA world ranking

Korea cracked the top 60 in the latest FIFA rankings announced on Thursday.

Korea moved up four spots to No. 57 with 544 points in FIFA’s world rankings for June. Korea opened the year at No. 59 and climbed to 58th in February before dropping back to 59th in March. They then dropped to 61st in April and remained in that position for May.

Korea’s Group F opponents at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia stayed in the same spots, except for Sweden, which fell one spot to No. 24. Defending champions Germany remained No. 1, while Mexico was ranked No. 15.

Among Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members, Korea had the third-highest ranking.

Yonhap

BASEBALL

Choo Shin-soo extends his on-base streak to 25 games

Choo Shin-soo of the Texas Rangers extended his on-base streak to 25 games on Saturday, during a game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers lost the game 3-4.

Choo, who appeared as the Rangers’ designated hitter, first in the batting order, was given three walks throughout the game. As of Saturday’s game, Choo’s batting average is at 0.268 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs.

This season, Choo has the ninth highest on-base percentage in the MLB’s American league. Choo’s career high for an on-base streak is at 35 games, set from Sep. 21, 2012 to April 26, 2013.

On May 27 during the Rangers’ game against the Kansas City Royals, Choo set a new record in the major league, hitting the highest number of home runs amongst Asian players in the majors, at 176. Choo continuously extended his own record, as his career home runs are now at 179.

By Kang Yoo-rim