[Sports Round-up] S. Korea's men's team get EAFF E-1 Championship underway vs. China

Time now to take a look at what's been happening in the world of sports.

Joining us in the studio is our sports editor Paul Neat.

Hello, Paul.

Hello.

Let's begin with football.

The EAFF E-1 Championships got underway today.

In fact, the South Korean men's match with China kicked off at 8 PM.

That's right, and the score is currently 1-0. Lee Dong-gyeong after 9 minutes.

At Yongin Mireu Stadium, South Korea are getting their EAFF campaign up and running, as they look to regain the title they lost to Japan in 2022.

Some team news from earlier today, as Jeon Jin-woo, the K League 1 top scorer, was forced to withdraw due to illness.

He was complaining of feeling dizzy, and FC Seoul's Jeong Seung-won was brought in as a replacement.

South Korea are the most successful team in the competition with five titles overall, and won it three times in a row from 2015 to 2019.

But they lost 3-0 to Japan in the final group game in 2022 to surrender their crown, and will be looking to make amends this time around.

Up next is Hong Kong on July 11th, then Japan on the 15th.

Moving on to baseball now.

In the KBO, the Hanwha Eagles are having their best season in decades.

Yes, they are top of the standings at the halfway point for the first time in 33 years.

This was confirmed thanks to a 10-1 win over the Kiwoom Heroes on Sunday, to make it 49 wins.

The Eagles are now looking for 50 wins at this stage for the first time since 1992, when they last won the regular season.

71-point-4 percent of teams that earn 50 wins at the halfway point go on to win the regular season.

Such a good showing has been helped by the team's pitchers with Cody Ponce and Ryan Weiss each earning 10 wins.

The Eagles will face the in-form Kia Tigers in the last series before the summer break.

During which, on July 12th in Daejeon, there'll be the All-Star game, but LG Twins first baseman Austin Dean and Kia Tigers pitcher Adam Oller will both miss out through injury.

And now to MLB, mixed fortunes for two South Korean stars.

Yes, Kim Hye-seong was back in the starting lineup for the LA Dodgers on Sunday.

And by all accounts, he put on an impressive display both at the plate and in the field.

He started as hitter number six and second baseman against the Houston Astros, going 1-for-4.

His defensive plays in the first two innings earned him standing ovations, getting hold of a Christian Walker hit down the middle before firing it to first base to end the inning.

A leaping throw resulted in a similar fate for Yainer Diaz in the second.

But, despite this, the Dodgers lost the match 5-1.

Meanwhile, Kim Ha-seong of the Tampa Bay Rays returned from injury but is out again.

Kim made his first appearance for the Rays and first in MLB in 11 months on Friday, going 1-for-3 with a stolen base against the Minnesota Twins, marking his return from a shoulder injury.

However, he missed the next two games with cramp in his right calf.

The Rays haven't commented on when he'll be back.

Alright, thanks for that, Paul.

See you again next week.

Thanks.