VALENCIA, Spain, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - At first glance, the bulky white figure looks like a prancing astronaut -- until it turns round and its features reveal it to be a Korean scientist's concept of a 21st century Albert Einstein.

Then the robot 'speaks' and proves that, as Albert would himself doubtless have pointed out, matters such as gravity and resemblance are all relative.

'Hi. My name is Albert Hubo. I come from South Korea and I am very happy to be in Valencia,' says the creature, after having demonstrated some rather bizarre hip-hop moves.

PELAMBANG, Indonesia, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - After a gruelling tournament that ended in heartbreak, Japan and South Korea must lift for a match that will guarantee one of them qualification to the 2011 Asian Cup.

Aside from that carrot, the third-place play-off on Saturday in far-flung Pelambang on Sumatra island offers little in the way of motivation for two regional powers still reeling from their semi-final defeats.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26, 2007 (AFP) - Coach Pim Verbeek says crushed South Korean will recover from the anguish of their defeat on penalties to Iraq and regroup mentally for Saturday`s 'terrible' play-off for third place at the Asian Cup.

The spent Koreans were dumped from the tournament 4-3 on penalties in their second penalty shoot-out in three days here Wednesday as Iraq advanced to Sunday`s all-Arab final against Saudi Arabia in Jakarta.

BAGHDAD, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Bombers murdered at least 21 Iraqi football fans Wednesday as they cheered their team`s victory in the Asia Cup semi-finals but failed to stop thousands more from sharing a rare moment of national joy.

After the national team beat South Korea in a tense penalty shoot-out in Kuala Lumpur, thousands of Iraqis poured into the streets of Baghdad cheering, waving flags and firing assault rifles wildly into the air.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Iraq`s goalkeeping hero Noor Sabri dedicated his team`s fighting win here Wednesday to reach the Asian Cup final to his beleaguered compatriots in his war-ravaged homeland.

Noor made a crucial save to steer Iraq to a 4-3 win on penalties over South Korea to advance to their first tournament final, in Jakarta on Sunday.

The Iraqis, the inspirational story of the Asian Cup, will play off for the trophy against either defending champions Japan or former titleholders Saudi Arabia.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Iraq stunned South Korea 4-3 on penalties to make the Asian Cup final for the first time after a match of excruciating tension Wednesday that sparked wild celebrations in Baghdad.

The epic went to a shootout after both sides failed to score in over two hours` of sustained committed football.

It is Iraq`s first-ever Asian Cup final after getting as far as the 1976 semi-final against Kuwait, while South Korea failed once again to make the decider of a major event.

BAGHDAD, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Iraq`s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in the semi-final of football`s Asian Cup sparked a barrage of gunfire on Wednesday as Baghdadis celebrated with volley after volley of shots in the air.

The beleaguered Iraqi capital was rocked by the sound of assault rifle and machine-gun fire as security forces, militant groups, insurgents and residents put aside their differences and fired skywards.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Iraq stunned South Korea 4-3 on penalties to win their way into the Asian Cup final for the first time after match of excruciating tension Wednesday.

Tournament surprises Iraq will play either defending champions Japan or Saudi Arabia in Sunday`s decider in Jakarta.

The epic match went to a shootout after both sides failed to score in over two hours` of sustained committed football.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Iraq upset South Korea to book their place in the final of the Asian Cup on Wednesday by beating them 4-3 on penalties after the game finished scoreless after extra-time.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Iraq upset South Korea to book their place in the final of the Asian Cup on Wednesday by beating them 4-3 on penalties after the game finished scoreless after extra-time.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - Result of Asian Cup semi-final between South Korea and Iraq played here Wednesday:

Iraq win 4-3 on penalties after extra-time

READING, England, July 24, 2007 (AFP) - English Premiership club Reading have agreed a deal with the Korean Football Association to sign three of the country`s best young players.

The trio of South Korean youth internationals, strikers Nam Taehee and Ji Dongwon and midfielder Kim Wonsik, will join the Royals Academy for a season as part of Korea`s youth development programme.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24, 2007 (AFP) - Something has to give when South Korea, chasing their first finals` appearance in 19 years, and Iraq, playing in only their second-ever Asian Cup semi-final, collide here Wednesday.

The Koreans, two-time winners but bidding for their first success since 1960, are backing up from last Sunday`s exhausting win on penalties over Iran.

They take on tournament surprises Iraq, who have thrilled their war-ravaged people with their successes.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24, 2007 (AFP) - South Korea received a boost Tuesday with news that Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-guk will be fit for their Asian Cup semi-final here Wednesday against Iraq.

Lee took a kick to the calf after just five minutes of Korea`s gruelling quarter-final victory over Iran on Sunday and was pulled off at half-time by coach Pim Verbeek.

He has been struggling, but the Dutchman is confident his star forward will be ready.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23, 2007 (AFP) - South Korea`s elation at staying alive in the Asian Cup has been tempered by only two days` recovery from their draining two-hour win over Iran on penalties.

The Koreans, bidding for their first tournament success since 1960, have to regroup for Wednesday`s semi-final with Iraq and a crack at the July 29 final in Jakarta.

The big task for Dutch coach Pim Verbeek is to get his players mentally and physically refreshed for the looming battle with a side who count Australia among their tournament scalps so far.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23, 2007 (AFP) - South Korea`s elation at staying alive in the Asian Cup has been tempered by only two days` recovery from their draining two-hour win over Iran on penalties.

The Koreans, bidding for their first tournament success since 1960, have to regroup for Wednesday`s semi-final with Iraq and a crack at the July 29 final in Jakarta.

The big task for Dutch coach Pim Verbeek is to get his players mentally and physically refreshed for the looming battle with a side who count Australia among their tournament scalps so far.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - KJ Choi vowed to return to the British Open and improve on the top ten finish he clinched for the first time on Sunday.

A closing 71 allowed the Korean to end the tournament in a tie for eighth place. That was his best to date but still slightly disappointing for a player who had been second after two rounds and harboured high hopes of becoming the first Asian to win a major tournament.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - South Korea won a gruelling and fluctuating epic 4-2 on penalties against Iran here Sunday to set up an Asian Cup semi-final with Iraq.

The shoot-out became the circuit-breaker after both teams had played themselves to a standstill over the regulation 90 minutes and 30 minutes` extra time without scoring a goal.

The Koreans held their nerve with their veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae proving the hero when he saved efforts from Mehdi Mahdavikia and Rasoul Khatibi to acclaim from the chanting Korean supporters.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21, 2007 (AFP) - Result of Asian Cup quarter-final between Iran and South Korea played here on Sunday:

South Korea win 4-2 on penalties after extra-time

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22, 2007 (AFP) - The Asian Cup quarter-final between three-time champions Iran and South Korea went into 30 minutes` extra-time Sunday after it was scoreless at full-time.

Both teams had their chances to pinch a win in the drizzling rain in a closely-fought game at Bukit Jalil Stadium, but neither could conjure the killer touch.