DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:41:33 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-liverpool-extend-perfect-start-with-derby-win-over-everton-639700.html London Sep 20 Liverpool maintained their flawless start to the clubs Premier League title defence with a fifth straight win overcoming crosstown rivals Everton 21 in the Merseyside derby at Anfield here on Saturday Arne Slots side seized control early as Ryan Gravenberch lifted Mohamed Salahs pass into the net after just 10 minutes The Dutch midfielder then turned provider before the halfhour mark slipping in Hugo Ekitike to beat Jordan Pickford with a precise low strikeLiverpools depth was underlined by the fact that 241 millionpound summer recruits Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak remained on the bench until the second halfEverton grew into the contest and struck back after 58 minutes Jack Grealishs cross reached Iliman Ndiaye at the far post who teed up Idrissa Gueye to smash home a powerful rising effort past AlissonThey tried for the equaliser but Liverpool thwarted their efforts and held them at bay With Everton on the attack it was a tense final half hour from which the Reds emerged with the points to maintain their perfect start to the defence of the title reports XinhuaManager Arne Slot was happy to come out with full points in this match as Liverpool faced an intense period playing in two different competitions emerging with three victoriesThis is also the reason why teams like us Chelsea all the ones that are playing in Europe need a squad like this because you need to play so many games Again its not an excuse we have to accept it as it is but we have had some issues with Alexander Isak not training for four months Alexis Mac Allister missing out a lot I can go on and on and on But the good thing is I do have the options to rotate throughout the week and the ones that played three times 90 are Virgil van Dijk Ibou Konate Mo Salah Ryan and Dom Szoboszlai the ones that are used to this intensity at this level and again they showed up really good said Slot IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-liverpool-extend-perfect-start-with-derby-win-over-everton-639700.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 22:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-haaland-sets-record-in-man-citys-win-over-napoli-639357.html London Sep 19 Erling Haaland set another milestone as Manchester City battled past Napoli 20 in their Champions League opener with the Norwegian becoming the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the competition Haaland needed just 49 games to achieve the feat heading in Phil Fodens clever pass in the 56th minute to put City ahead Nine minutes later Jeremy Doku added a second to seal the victoryThe night also marked Kevin De Bruynes muchanticipated return to the Etihad after leaving the club in the summer following 10 years of service Greeted warmly by City fans his comeback lasted only 26 minutes before Napoli coach Antonio Conte substituted him after Giovanni di Lorenzo was sent off for bringing down Haaland as the last defender reports XinhuaIt proved a measured opening with City quickly assuming territorial dominance and controlThe games first real flashpoint then arrived on 19 minutes when Napoli were reduced to 10 men after skipper Giovanni Di Lorenzo was sent off for bringing down Erling HaalandThe games first real flashpoint then arrived on 19 minutes when Napoli were reduced to 10 men after skipper Giovanni Di Lorenzo was sent off for bringing down Erling HaalandHaving been turned by Haaland the defender sought to atone but only succeeded in bringing the Norwegian down on the edge of the boxThough referee Zwayer initially waived play on he was advised by VAR to check again on the pitch side monitor and had no hesitation in showing the red cardKevin De Bruynes emotional return to the Etihad was then cut short on 26 minutesThe Belgian back on his old stomping ground four months after leaving was replaced by Mathias Olivera as Napoli boss Antonio Conte sought to shore up his back line and De Bruyne was afforded a rapturous sustained ovation from all four corners of the groundWith the pressure building City sought to make our numerical advantage tell and MilinkovicSavic produced a breathtaking 42nd minute save to deny Nico OReillys deft header the keeper diving low to his right to somehow claw the ball awayAnd the Serbian was there again in first half injury time to deny Tijjani Reijnders via a fortuitous touch off Politano which diverted a goal bound shot into the grateful keepers handsThe second half saw City continue to lay siege to the Napoli goal and the crucial breakthrough finally arrived on the 58 minutes through that man Erling HaalandThe big man maintained his stunning start to the season neatly latching onto Phil Fodens cute assist to head over MalinkovicSavic to chalk up his 50th career goal in the Champions League in record timeIt was his 12th goal of the season all told and also meant he was the quickest player in Champions League to reach the 50 landmark achieving it in just 49 gamesWith the Napoli dam breached City then further emphasised our dominance with Jeremy Doku doubling the advantage with a superb 62nd minute strikeThe Belgian winger waltzed through four challenges inside the visitors box before coolly despatching a precise finish to set the seal on a fine nights work for City IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-haaland-sets-record-in-man-citys-win-over-napoli-639357.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-rashfords-brace-inspires-barcelona-beat-newcastle-639360.html London Sep 19 Marcus Rashford made a dazzling Champions League debut for Barcelona inspiring them to a 21 victory as Newcastle Uniteds campaign began with defeat at St James Park On loan from Manchester United Rashford proved the difference with two quickfire secondhalf goals that silenced the home crowd and left England manager Thomas Tuchel watching on impressedThe breakthrough came on the 58th minute when he rose to meet Jules Koundes cross with a precise header past Nick Pope Nine minutes later he delivered an even better strike a thunderous 20yard effort that crashed in off the crossbar leaving Pope with no chance They were Rashfords first Champions League goals in nearly four years reports XinhuaIt was a standout performance from the 26yearold who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa in Europes top competition This time he was central to Barcelonas formidable attacking unit even in the absence of injured teenager Lamine YamalNewcastle boss Eddie Howe raised eyebrows with his team selection leaving 69 millionpound signing Nick Woltemade on the bench and opting for Anthony Gordon in a central role Gordon struggled to influence proceedings while Rashford punished Newcastle with ruthless finishingThe striker left the pitch to a standing ovation from the visiting supporters when he was substituted 10 minutes from timeGordon did pull one back for Newcastle deep into stoppage time but Barcelona held firm to secure the winIn another match Leverkusen twice came from behind to claim a share of the spoils in a dramatic 22 draw against Copenhagen in the Danish capitalCopenhagen went in front in the ninth minute via Jordan Larssons cushioned halfvolley and led until late in the contest with Alejandro Grimaldos exquisite freekick levelling eight minutes from timeSubstitute Roberts deft header appeared to have given the Danish Superliga outfit maximum points before Pantelis Hatzidiakos deflected a cross into his own net in added timeElsewhere Jonathan Burkardt scored twice as Frankfurt recovered from a slow start to ease past Galatasaray 51Yunus Akgun fired the visitors ahead in the eighth minute but a Davinson Sánchez own goal brought the hosts levelGoals from Can Uzun and Burkardt then turned the contest around in firsthalf stoppage time The latter headed in his second goal from Nathaniel Browns cross after the break while Ansgar Knauff rounded Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakır to complete a fine win IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-rashfords-brace-inspires-barcelona-beat-newcastle-639360.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/he-seems-to-break-every-record-foden-on-haalands-champions-league-goalscoring-milestone-639374.html Manchester Sep 19 Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden said that Erling Haalands goalscoring feats are unique after the Norwegian became the fastest player ever to score 50 Champions League goals in Citys 20 win over Napoli and added the Norwegian seems to break every record going forward After a goalless first half with the Italian champions at the Etihad Stadium Haaland broke the deadlock shortly after halftime when flicking home a Foden scoopIt means hes reached a half century in European footballs premier competition in just 49 matches surpassing Ruud van Nistelrooy who notched the same amount in 62 outingsHe seems to break every record going At his age as well its unheard of what hes done I dont think anyones going to break the records hes going to break if he carries on playing the way he is Foden said on TNT SportsHaalands scoring rate of more than one per game is significantly better than anyone else in the top 50 scorers in European Cup history 27 of his goals in the Champions League have come with City while he netted 15 times for Borussia Dortmund and on eight occasions for Red Bull Salzburg before moving to the EtihadFollowing Haalands historic header Jeremy Doku rubberstamped the success with a welltaken goal with 25 minutes remaining As City look to be crowned champions of Europe for the second time in their illustrious history Foden believes the team made the ideal start to that pursuitIts the perfect start a 20 win against a very tough opponent obviously they went down to 10 men early which helped us But theyre a nightmare team to break down and weve seen that today The structure how they stay so deep and they give you minimal spaces Its about playing the ball at the right time and breaking the lines I thought we were pretty clever we didnt give too many turnovers away in silly areas and overall it was a solid performance Foden said IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/he-seems-to-break-every-record-foden-on-haalands-champions-league-goalscoring-milestone-639374.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-van-dijk-heads-liverpool-to-dramatic-late-win-over-atletico-in-opener-639139.html Liverpool Sep 18 Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk powered home a stoppagetime header to snatch a 32 victory over Atletico Madrid in a pulsating Champions League groupstage opener on Wednesday night at Anfield The Dutchman rose highest to meet a corner in the 92nd minute sealing the points just as the game seemed destined for a draw after Marcos Llorentes brace had pulled the visitors back from two goals downMoments later Atletico manager Diego Simeone was shown a red card after clashing with the crowd in a fiery endingLiverpool had begun at breakneck speed scoring twice before the sixminute mark Andy Robertson opened the account in the fourth minute turning in Mohamed Salahs freekick after it ricocheted off him and looped past a stranded Jan Oblak Salah then doubled the lead moments later bulldozing through three Atletico defenders after a neat onetwo with Ryan Gravenberch before finishing crisply into the far cornerAtletico however clawed their way back Llorente struck just before halftime with a clinical finish to cut the deficit He returned in the 81st minute with a thunderous volley that took a deflection on its way into the net levelling the scores and evoking memories of his double at Anfield in 2020 which knocked Liverpool out of the competitionMarcos likes this stadium he repeated a fantastic performance here Simeone said afterwards I think our spirits are high We lost in the end sometimes its your turn to lose thats what happened todayBut Liverpools trademark resilience came to the fore yet again Having already won four Premier League matches this season with goals inside the final 10 minutes Van Dijks late intervention extended the habitWe kept pushing Van Dijk said We found a way again Im glad I got the winner You have to keep going and show the resilience we have been showing for many years It was another great European night here We have shown many times that we are capable of doing it and today I am the lucky one with the winnerRobertson while delighted with the victory urged his team to rediscover efficiency Its a great thing to keep going right to the end but when you are 20 up and playing so well it should have been a more comfortable night the leftback saidThe match also marked the debut of British record signing Alexander Isak who arrived from Newcastle United on deadline day for 125 million The Swedish striker lasted 58 minutes flashing one shot wide late in the first half before sending another straight at OblakLiverpool dominated statistically firing 20 shots to Atleticos 10 but Salah also struck the post with a closerange chance that nearly proved costly Still Arne Slots men extended their run of dramatic victories as they seek to build on last seasons strong leaguephase showing which ended with a last16 defeat to eventual winners Paris SaintGermain IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-van-dijk-heads-liverpool-to-dramatic-late-win-over-atletico-in-opener-639139.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-juventus-fight-back-to-draw-thriller-mbappe-inspires-real-madrid-638908.html New Delhi Sep 17 Juventus struck late to draw an eightgoal thriller against Borussia Dortmund and a Kylian Mbappe double helped Real Madrid past Marseille as the league phase of the 202526 UEFA Champions League kicked off Juventus and Borussia Dortmund shared the spoils after an eightgoal thriller in Turin that equalled the record for highestscoring Champions League draw Khephren Thuram and Lois Openda both went close for the hosts in the first half before Karim Adeyemis 52ndminute finish sparked the encounter into lifeKenan Yıldız Felix Nmecha and Dušan Vlahovi all scored in a fourminute flurry before Yan Coutos powerful finish made it 32 to Dortmund The visitors looked to have sealed victory through Ramy Bensebainis 85thminute penalty but Juventus rescued a draw in added time thanks to Dušan Vlahovis finish and a Lloyd Kelly headerMeanwhile a pair of penalties from Kylian Mbappe helped Real Madrid turn a deficit into victory in Xabi Alonsos first Champions League game at the helm After withstanding early pressure from the hosts Marseille struck first through Timothy Weahs emphatic finish but Alonsos side were quickly level when Mbappe converted from the spot following a foul by Geoffrey Kondogbia on RodrygoAlthough Madrid had Dani Carvajal sent off in the 72nd minute Mbappé struck again with nine minutes left after Facundo Medina was penalised for handballElsewhere substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard struck to give Arsenal a winning start in a tight contest in Bilbao with Athletic Club making their first Champions League appearance since 201415Neither goalkeeper was unduly troubled until Martinelli scored within seconds of his introduction collecting a Trossard flick from inside the visitors half and charging through to slot in Another blistering Martinelli run created the second goal teeing up Trossard to seal victory with a deflected finishMikel Artetas substitutions paid off brilliantly as Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to score and get Arsenals Champions League campaign off the perfect start with 20 win over Athletic ClubNeither goalkeeper was unduly troubled until Martinelli scored within seconds of his introduction collecting a Trossard flick from inside the visitors half and charging through to slot in Another blistering Martinelli run created the second goal teeing up Trossard to seal victory with a deflected finishUEFA Europa League holders Tottenham returned to the Champions League with a narrow 10 win over Villarreal The hosts needed less than five minutes to score what proved to be the winner Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Júnior inadvertently directing Lucas Bergvalls cross into his own netTajon Buchanan and Nicolas Pépé had chances to draw the visitors level but Tottenham were relatively comfortable as they held on to mark Thomas Franks managerial debut in the Champions League with a victory IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-juventus-fight-back-to-draw-thriller-mbappe-inspires-real-madrid-638908.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/mls-messis-inter-miami-claim-dominant-3-1-home-win-over-seattle-sounders-638919.html Fort Lauderdale Sep 17 Inter Miami CF returned to winning ways with a dominant 31 home win over Seattle Sounders FC Stellar performances from captain and Royal Caribbean Icon of the Match Lionel Messi and defender Jordi Alba who scored a goal and dished out an assist each and a goal from Academy product Ian Fray led Inter Miami to victory on the evening at Chase StadiumInter Miami got off to a quick start with Alba finding the opener early in the 12th minute Bright recovered possession close to the halfway line to kickstart a counter Messi subsequently picked up the ball and cleared his path before finding Alba on the left side where the Spanish defender took a touch before finding the back of the net with a leftfooted finishThe goal took Albas tally to three this regular season while the assist was the 11th for Messi this league campaign Inter Miami reportsFray had a good chance to extend Inter Miamis lead shortly after in the 16th minute but his shot from the right end of the box following a precise pass from Messi was met by a save from Seattles goalkeeperMessi nearly struck in the 28th minute bringing down a sublime ball from Busquets inside the box and hitting the left post with an outside of the foot finish Fray then had another dangerous attempt in the 33rd minute with a powerful header at the near post that was stopped by Seattles keeperMessi ultimately was able to double the lead for Inter Miami in the 41st minute Bright once again kickstarted the play winning possession and finding Alba on the left wing The leftback then fed a precise ball towards the center of the box where Messi slid to send the ball to the back of the netThe goal was the 20th for Messi in 21 regular season appearances while the assist was Albas ninth this regular seasonIt was an overall dominant performance for Inter Miami throughout the initial 45 minutes with six shots on target to two for Seattle while also controlling the ball with 53 of the possessionInter Miami opened the second half further extending its lead through Fray in the 52nd minute The Academy product headed home a delivery into the box from De Paul on a corner kick to bag his first goal of the campaign The assist on the other hand was De Pauls fourth this regular seasonSeattle shortened the deficit in the 69th minute with Obed Vargas scoring for the visitorsInter Miami later on made a substitution in the 81st minute with Silvetti coming on to replace Allende to make his debut for the ClubThe 31 scoreline would subsequently remain unchanged through the final whistle for Inter Miami to claim all three points at home IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/mls-messis-inter-miami-claim-dominant-3-1-home-win-over-seattle-sounders-638919.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/prados-season-ending-injury-major-setback-as-athletic-club-returns-to-champions-league-638729.html Madrid Sep 16 Athletic Bilbao received a major setback on the eve of its Champions League return after 11 years with confirmation that midfielder Benat Prados has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament The club announced that Prados sustained the injury to his left knee in training last week The 24yearold will miss the rest of the seasonTests carried out by Athletic Clubs medical services on firstteam player Benat Prados reveal that the footballer has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee The date for surgery will be determined in the near future and we will provide updates on his progress the clubs statement readA product of Athletics youth academy Prados made 45 appearances last season and 33 the previous campaign after returning from a loan at seconddivision side MirandesPrados was considered third choice in central midfield under coach Ernesto Valverde behind Mikel Jauregizar and the injuryprone veteran Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta His absence means he would have been expected to play an important role in a campaign that includes the Champions League La Liga Copa del Rey and Spanish Super CupValverde will now turn to another veteran Mikel Vesga along with Bteam product Alejandro Rego to cover for the midfielders lossAtheltic Club will play Premier League side Arsenal on Tuesday evening in their Champions League openerAthletic Clubs last participation in the group stageleague phase of the Champions League was in the 201415 season Their only other previous appearance was 199899The Spanish side won all four of their home matches in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League last season They also won their home leg in the round of 16 and quarterfinals against Roma 31 and Rangers 20 respectively but lost 30 against Manchester United at home in the first leg of the semifinals IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/prados-season-ending-injury-major-setback-as-athletic-club-returns-to-champions-league-638729.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenal-aiming-to-rewrite-uefa-champions-league-history-638750.html New Delhi Sep 16 Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta urged his side to rewrite UEFA Champions League history as they begin their campaign on Tuesday Arsenal has never won the UCL trophy their last appearance in the finals of the tournament came in 2006 against FC Barcelona Well that tells you with our long history how difficult it is because we havent won it yet and thats the opportunity Thats how I see it but pressure is the opportunity that drives that energy and that willingness to be better every single day Every decision has to be with that standard and with those expectations so lets give our best chance to try to do itThe big clubs who have won it they try seven eight nine times and they maybe win two So in this competition its going to be one that you fail much more than you succeed Thats the nature of it Thats the history of our club and thats what we want to change said Arteta in the pregame conferenceArteta has given an update on the fitness of Martin Odegaard Ben White and Bukayo Saka ahead of the match against Athletic ClubArsenals skipper suffered a shoulder injury in their 30 victory over Nottingham Forest and was substituted for Ethan Nwaneri after 18 minutes Ben hasnt featured since starting at Old Trafford on August 17 with Bukayo going off against Leeds United on August 23The Spaniard spoke with the media in Bilbao ahead of the clash at San Mames He said Gabi Kai Ben and Martin are still out unfortunatelyOn Sakas fitness Arteta added No I think there are still quite a lot of things to go through Its very early to understand when and which week hes going to be available But he will certainly be pushing to be available as quickly as possible IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenal-aiming-to-rewrite-uefa-champions-league-history-638750.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-legend-juan-mata-joins-melbourne-victory-for-202526-season-638789.html Melbourne Sep 16 Melbourne Victory have announced the signing of former Manchester United and Chelsea star Juan Mata ahead of the 202526 ALeague mens season With one of the finest careers in world football Mata is a FIFA World Cup UEFA Champions League and UEFA European Championship winner and has spent the greatest part of his career with the likes of Manchester United Chelsea Valencia and the Spanish National TeamMata said he is looking forward to working with the Club to contribute to onfield success while bringing people together and connecting the community through footballI am excited to be coming to Melbourne and to be part of one of the most respected clubs in the league and playing in front of the incredible members and fans I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies and to work with the Club as part of a longerterm plan to strengthen football in the country he said in a statementThe midfielder with iconic technical ability and a magical left foot Matas career began at Real Oviedo before earning the move to Real Madrids youth academy as a 15yearold in 2003After impressing in Los Blancos youth ranks Mata made the move to Valencia in 2007 and quickly became a key player for the La Liga club The Burgosborn wizard recorded 46 goals and 52 assists in 174 appearances for Valencia while most notably lifting the 2010 FIFA World Cup with SpainMata then moved to London giants Chelsea in 2011 and started exceptionally well for the Blues winning the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup within his first season while also being recognised as Chelseas Player of the YearOff the back of his club season Mata retained his place in Spains legendary squad for the UEFA Euros in 2012 and famously score the fourth goal in Spains 40 win in the final over ItalyHe went on to make the switch to Manchester United in January 2014 joining the Red Devils for a then clubrecord transfer fee Arriving at Old Trafford in a period of transition from legendary head coach Sir Alex Ferguson to David Moyes the Spaniard consistently became one of Uniteds bright sparks with his unparalleled creative ability and footballing intelligencePlaying a whopping 285 games for United Mata helped the club win the FA Cup League Cup FA Community Shield and their firstever UEFA Europa League in 201617 In 2022 and 2023 Mata won league titles in Turkey and Japan with Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe respectively before travelling down under last season IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-legend-juan-mata-joins-melbourne-victory-for-202526-season-638789.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/raphinha-lewandowski-lopez-grab-two-goals-each-as-barcelona-put-six-past-valencia-638572.html Barcelona Sep 15 FC Barcelona produced a performance of sheer brilliance as they swept aside Valencia CF 60 at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Sunday night Two goals apiece from Fermín López Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski ensured a commanding victory that underlined the Catalans dominance despite the absence of several key players including the injured Lamine Yamal The contest relocated from the iconic Camp Nou quickly turned into a showcase of Barcelonas attacking depth and authority Despite controlling 74 of firsthalf possession and registering 11 attempts without reply Barça reached the interval with only a single goalcourtesy of Fermín who converted superbly following Ferran Torres pinpoint assist Valencia offering little resistance were fortunate to trail by just one at the breakThe second half however saw Barcelona decisively shift gears Raphinha capitalised on a defensive lapse between Copete and goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala to double the advantage Moments later Fermín unleashed a thunderous strike from distance to claim his second of the night effectively sealing the pointsThe goals continued to flow as Raphinha added his brace with a powerful finish after excellent control from a lofted pass Lewandowski introduced late on marked his 150th appearance for the club with a spectacular strike into the top corner before completing the rout with a delicate chipped finish confirmed by VAR after initially being ruled offsideAmid the scoring frenzy the evenings most poignant moment arrived in the 81st minute Marc Bernal sidelined for over a year with a double injury returned to competitive action and provided the assist for Lewandowskis second goal The 18yearolds comeback drew a standing ovation from the crowd symbolising a fresh chapter in his promising careerWith the emphatic result Barcelona climb to second place in La Liga just as they prepare for their opening UEFA Champions League fixture away to Newcastle United on Thursday IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/raphinha-lewandowski-lopez-grab-two-goals-each-as-barcelona-put-six-past-valencia-638572.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/amorim-cannot-put-round-pegs-in-square-holes-danny-murphy-638643.html New Delhi Sep 15 Former England midfielder Danny Murphy believes the problem with Manchester United does not lay in the system that is being implemented by head coach Ruben Amorim rather the individuals he has in the team The Red Devils were second best at the Etihad Stadium as Phil Fodens firsthalf header and Erling Haalands secondhalf double gave Pep Guardiolas side the victory at Etihad Stadium on SundayIm not a fan of the shape but after the first four games I think it has improved they look like they know what they are doing more Their bigger problem has been the individuals he has been playing in that system Bruno Fernandes has been one of the best number 10s in Europe Amorim wants him to play as an 8 and do defensive work which he does not do wellAmorim cannot put round pegs in square holes You have got to have players who understand their role If you are a holding midfielder in that role you have got to be able to track runners and spot dangersThe manager has to take responsibility but in terms of just blaming the system No Palace play it well said Murphy on BBC Match of the DayAfter having finished 15th in the 202425 Premier League season United have once again gotten off to a stuttering start in the new campaign After having already been eliminated from the second round of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town the Red Devils have only won one of their four league games this season Despite the 03 defeat Amorim remained adamant that he will not change his footballing philosophyI understand and accept it is not a record you should have at Manchester United There are a lot of things you have no idea what happened during these months but I am not going to change When I want to change my philosophy I will change If not you have to change the man said Amorim in the postgame interview IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/amorim-cannot-put-round-pegs-in-square-holes-danny-murphy-638643.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/chhetri-returns-as-khalid-jamil-names-30-probables-for-asian-cup-qualifiers-638500.html New Delhi Sep 14 The head coach of the Indian senior mens national team Khalid Jamil on Sunday announced a list of 30 probables for the October FIFA International Window One of the biggest names of Indian football Sunil Chhetri has been added to the squad after sitting out Indias campaign at the CAFA Nations Cup The preparatory camp will begin in Bengaluru on September 20 with the squad reporting to the city a day priorPlayers from Mohun Bagan SG and FC Goa who have been shortlisted for the probables squad will be called up later after their AFC Champions League Two engagements are overApart from these five players have been kept on standby two from the U23 mens national team and three senior players Their names will be announced at a later dateThe camp is aimed at helping the Blue Tigers prepare for their two AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round Group C fixtures where they will play two backtoback matches against Singapore on October 9 at the National Stadium Singapore and on October 14 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Margao The final squad for the matches against Singapore will be selected from the probablesThis will be Indias second assignment under Jamil India marked their debut appearance in the CAFA Nations Cup with a thirdplace finish defeating higherranked Oman 32 on penalties after the proceedings ended 11 post extra time at the Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor TajikistanIndia probablesGoalkeepers Amrinder Singh Gurmeet Singh Gurpreet Singh SandhuDefenders Anwar Ali Bikash Yumnam Chinglensana Singh Konsham Hmingthanmawia Ralte Muhammed Uvais Pramveer Rahul Bheke Ricky Meetei Haobam Roshan Singh NaoremMidfielders Ashique Kuruniyan Danish Farooq Bhat Jeakson Singh Thounaojam Jithin MS Macarton Louis Nickson Mahesh Singh Naorem Mohammed Aimen Nikhil Prabhu Suresh Singh Wangjam Vibin MohananForwards Irfan Yadwad Lallianzuala Chhangte Manvir Singh jr Mohammed Sanan K Muhammed Suhail Parthib Gogoi Sunil Chhetri Vikram Partap Singh IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/chhetri-returns-as-khalid-jamil-names-30-probables-for-asian-cup-qualifiers-638500.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-carvalho-late-strike-helps-brentford-earn-2-2-draw-with-chelsea-638389.html Brentford Sep 14 Chelsea were denied a battling comefrombehind victory by Brentford as Fabio Carvalho came off the bench to score a stoppagetime equaliser in a thrilling 22 draw cancelling out excellent goals from Moises Caicedo and the returning Cole Palmer Chelsea looked set to take the points and move top of the Premier League standings for Saturday night after Moises Caicedo thundered in from the edge of the box in the 85th minuteCole Palmer making his return from injury had dragged his side level just after the hour cancelling out Kevin Schades 35thminute opener It was the Chelsea talismans first goal since a penalty against Liverpool in May and his first from open play since JanuaryKeith Andrews team came up with a leveller when substitute Carvalho bundled in from a long throwin in the third minute of stoppage timeCarvalhos late show means Chelsea now sit in fifth instead of first while Brentford are 12th with four points from their four gamesDelighted with the approach of the group the character we constantly show The equaliser came very late but its what I felt we deserved from the game in terms of the application the quality the players showed for large parts Inevitably theyre going to have periods where theyre on top but I felt we dealt with a lot of that really well tonight Brentford manager Andrews saidChelsea coach Maresca said Its a shame to concede late but it happens Probably we could manage that moment of the game better but in the end we concede and lose two pointsWe try to win every game but know we wont win every game Its a shame because we conceded so lateChelsea will put domestic matters briefly to one side as theor UEFA Champions League campaign begins with a mouthwatering trip to Bayern Munich on Wednesday eveningThe Blues then return to these domestic setup for another big away trip to Manchester United in the Premier League next Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-carvalho-late-strike-helps-brentford-earn-2-2-draw-with-chelsea-638389.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 10:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-benjamin-sesko-in-line-to-make-first-man-utd-start-in-manchester-derby-638399.html New Delhi Sep 14 Ruben Amorim is considering handing Benjamin Sesko his first Premier League start in Sundays Manchester derby against City The centreforward joined from RB Leipzig during the transfer window and appeared off the bench in each of Manchester Uniteds three league games so farHe played the full match against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup and scored his penalty in the shootout but has been eased into action at his new clubAfter gaining more minutes for Slovenia during the international break he could be ready to make the XI and face the Blues at the Etihad StadiumI think more than looking at exactly what he did during the games it is what he can bring to our team Amorim said of Sesko during the press conferenceIf you see against Burnley he had some movements especially inside the box that we dont have with Josh Zirkzee Matheus Cunha and even with Rasmus Hojlund in the pastWe have a guy who likes to go inside the box to have a header he can run we need to use him more as a runner Hes going to improve You can feel that he feels the pace is different hes going to get used to that but maybe against City its a good moment to start the gameAmorim also opened up on how he is helping Kobbie Mainoo with reduced minuted as he believes the midfielder can improve a lotWith the talented young midfielder having started only once so far this season Ruben was questioned about his view on Mainoos ability potential and futureLike a lot of guys he wants to play more I believe a lot in Kobbie but some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done I think he can do so much better He can improve in a lotAnd sometimes I think for some guys its the level hes playing at now enough For him its not enough Maybe its not fair but I think Im helping Kobbie Mainoo and thats it he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-benjamin-sesko-in-line-to-make-first-man-utd-start-in-manchester-derby-638399.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/they-punished-us-james-on-chelsea-conceding-late-equaliser-vs-brentford-638421.html New Delhi Sep 14 Reece James expressed his frustration at Chelseas failure to secure all three points after conceding a late equaliser in the 22 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium After a stopstart first half that saw the Blues trail at the break secondhalf goals from Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo turned the game in their favour heading into stoppage time But the hosts struck late to level leaving James frustrated that Chelsea had not claimed victory in west LondonWhile the skipper acknowledged the importance of extending their unbeaten Premier League run he felt his side deserved moreIts disappointing not to win We came here to win and we found ourselves a goal down and we adapted the way we played and got ourselves back into the game They are a strong team and they punished us Were not happy with drawing but well keep fighting Well have to accept the result and move forward said JamesThe fullback believes that a challenging opening half made it difficult for the Blues to take full control of the contestThere are many factors as to why the first half wasnt good enough Its a difficult place to come and were coming into games after an international break and thats always tough Its no excuse we have super high standards hereThey caught us on the counter in the first half and we were prepared for that but we didnt deal with it The second one is a setpiece where they are super strong and we didnt deal with it today he addedWith that noexcuse mindset James knows that the Blues will have to be better heading into Wednesdays Champions League contest against Bayern MunichWe came to win and we dropped points today We are disappointed but the game is done now Its time to focus on the next game he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/they-punished-us-james-on-chelsea-conceding-late-equaliser-vs-brentford-638421.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/i-cant-change-what-people-think-about-me-bruno-fernandes-638214.html Manchester Sep 13 Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes believes he cant change how he is perceived by the public but does not think too much about it United will face local rivals Manchester City in the first Manchester Derby of the season on Sunday and the Portuguese maestro has the chance to mark the occasion with his 100th goal for the clubPeople have an opinion about me and I cant change that Thats the way people want to judge you about what they see on the pitch or the television or interviews I cant change that They have the freedom to think the way they want about me as I have the freedom to think about them I dont judge people until I know them They can have an opinion about me thats fine we all have an opinion and thats why life is so good and so different If we all think the same way it would be so boring said Bruno to BBC SportBruno will be hoping to continue their winning ways with United having secured their first win of the season against Burnley before the international break The skipper missed the chance to step up for the team in the draw vs Fulham after failing to convert his penalty but redeemed himself by scoring a 97th minute spotkick against BurnleyWhen asked on what is the hardest thing in football Bruno repliedBeing consistent I think During 90 minutes you have to be so consistent in everything you do Sometimes it slips away from you and it can change everythingSo I think consistency in the first thing consistent in doing whatever you think is the best for the team because that has to come first of everything and you cant do anything without thinking of the team first Thats true in football and its what has to come above everything because theres nothing more important than the team he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/i-cant-change-what-people-think-about-me-bruno-fernandes-638214.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/leverkusen-claims-first-season-win-under-new-coach-638175.html New Delhi Sep 13 Bayer Leverkusen celebrated its first Bundesliga victory of the 202526 campaign with a 31 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt handing new coach Kasper Hjulmand a perfect debut to kick off the third round on Friday Despite coming into the encounter with confidence after two opening wins Frankfurt found themselves behind early Alejandro Grimaldo opened the scoring in the 10th minute when his freekick from distance struck the post and bounced off goalkeeper Michael Zetterer into the net The early goal gave the hosts momentum even though both teams were forced into quick changes due to injuries as per Xinhua As the first half progressed Leverkusen began to dominate and their pressure paid off just before the break Nathan Tella was brought down in the box by Frankfurt captain Robin Koch allowing Patrik Schick to calmly convert the resulting penalty in stoppage time for a 20 halftime leadThe visitors responded swiftly after the restart In the 52nd minute youngster Can Uzun halved the deficit with a deflected effort which marked his third league goal in a row Encouraged Frankfurt pushed forward and struck the crossbar through Nnamdi Collins just moments later while Uzun narrowly missed the target with another chanceLeverkusens situation worsened in the 59th minute when captain Robert Andrich was dismissed for a second yellow card Reduced to ten men the hosts had to defend deeper but still threatened on the counterattackFrankfurt introduced fresh attacking options in the final stages but their efforts were repeatedly thwarted by Leverkusens disciplined backlineIn stoppage time things looked even more precarious for the Werkself as Exequiel Fernandez also received a second booking leaving them with nine men on the pitch Yet instead of collapsing Hjulmands side delivered the knockout punch Grimaldo stepped up once more in the 98th minute curling a freekick over the wall and into the net to secure a 31 victoryThe result ends Leverkusens shaky start which had seen them collect only one point from their first two outings and provides a morale boost under their new Danish coach For Frankfurt the defeat continues their winless run in Leverkusen stretching back to December 2013 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/leverkusen-claims-first-season-win-under-new-coach-638175.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/manchester-united-goalkeeper-makes-loan-move-to-trabzonspor-637990.html Manchester Sep 12 Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has joined Trabzonspor on loan for the duration of the 202526 season subject to international clearance and registration The move has been completed ahead of the Turkish transfer window closing on FridayAn agreement has been with Manchester United regarding the free temporary transfer of professional footballer Andre Onana to our club for the 20252026 season said TrabzonsporThe 29yearold Cameroon international has made 102 appearances for the Reds since signing from Italian giants Inter in July 2023Onana featured in all but one game during his first campaign in Manchester and ended it an FA Cup winner following an excellent team performance against Manchester City in the final at WembleyHe continued to be first choice in the 202425 season and became the first keeper to win the Premier Leagues Save of the Month three timesOnana played 50 times in his second campaign and has now agreed a loan move to TrabzonsporThe goalkeeper made just one appearance for United so far this season which arrived in the defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town on penalties in the Carabao CupA hamstring injury prevented Onana from being involved with the team during preseason nd he made an error in his first game of the campaign as Uniteed suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at GrimsbyOnanas United spell has been further punctuated after United sign Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens 23 on deadline day from Royal Antwerp in a deal worth an initial 21 million euros 181m plus addonsRuben Amorim side who will visit Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday now has Lammens Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton as his goalkeeping options IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/manchester-united-goalkeeper-makes-loan-move-to-trabzonspor-637990.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 10:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/jack-grealish-named-pl-player-of-the-month-for-august-638075.html New Delhi Sep 12 Evertons Jack Grealish has been awarded the Premier Leagues Player of the Month for August The attacking midfielder who celebrated his 30th birthday earlier this week came out on top following a combination of a fan vote and votes from a panel of football experts He was presented his prize by Evertonian content creator Andy Castell at Finch Farm after beating competition from an eightman shortlist that included Riccardo Calafiori Hugo Ekitike Marc Guehi Erling Haaland Joao Pedro Antoine Semenyo and Dominik SzoboszlaiGrealish had a stunning debut month for Everton after joining on loan from Manchester City in the summer Grealish who turned 30 this week led the Premier League for assists in August with his total of four being double that of any other player in the competitionIndeed Grealishs four assists came in just two matches as he set up both goals as Everton beat Brighton amp Hove Albion 20 in their first match at Hill Dickinson Stadium before creating two more goals in Evertons following match a 32 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers that put the Toffees fifth in the tableHe became the first Everton player to ever record multiple assists in consecutive Premier League matches while in Matchweek 4 when he plays at home against former club Aston Villa he has the chance to be the first player in Premier League history to assist two or more goals in three consecutive appearancesGrealish is the first Everton player to claim the Player of the Month prize since Dominic CalvertLewin in September 2020Everton head coach David Moyes summed up his sentiments regarding Grealishs outstanding performances in the two games by saying the English forward is even better than what he had expectedTheres a wee bit to prove Im sure I think we all have I think in life youve always got something you have to strive to do And I think Jack wants to show that hes a good player I think hes showing it at the momentI think some of his football has been really good The biggest compliment I could probably give him is hes better than I thought he was You know hes so good I think what Jack gives us is something just on the edge which hopefully its on the edge of creativeness and maybe scoring goals said Moyes IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/jack-grealish-named-pl-player-of-the-month-for-august-638075.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/i-want-to-focus-on-the-pitch-maresca-on-chelsea-facing-74-charges-638077.html London Sep 12 Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said he had nothing to add on the 74 charges that were brought against Chelsea by the Football Association FA The club had revealed that they were aware of the potential charges and had personally reported the incidents and are expecting to not face any sporting sanctions given their cooperation Maresca said he wants to focus on the pitch which he can control unlike the situation outside it I know from the club that they are satisfied about the process Personally I have nothing to add I have no idea to be honest I want to focus on the pitch something I can control The rest is not in my hands said MarescaThe FA has charged Chelsea FC with breaches of Regulations J1 and C2 of The FA Football Agents Regulations Regulations A2 and A3 of The FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Regulations A1 and B3 of The FA Third Party Investment in Players RegulationsIn total 74 charges have been brought against Chelsea FC The charges range from between 2009 to 2022 and primarily relate to events which occurred between 201011 to 201516 playing seasonsDuring a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions and other potential breaches of FA rules Immediately upon the completion of the purchase the club selfreported these matters to all relevant regulators including the FAThe club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process including by giving comprehensive access to the clubs files and historical data read a statement by Chelsea as per BBC SportMaresca also confirmed a decision as to whether Cole Palmer is fit to face Brentford will be made after Fridays training session at CobhamAn issue sustained in the warmup to Chelseas victory over West Ham United ruled Palmer out of our win at the London Stadium The 23yearold was also absent as the Blues defeated Fulham before the international breakThe Blues head coach explained Cole took part in a session yesterday for the first time but not the entire session Today in the afternoon we have one more session and we are going to try with him and see if he is ok Otherwise he will be out tomorrow again IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/i-want-to-focus-on-the-pitch-maresca-on-chelsea-facing-74-charges-638077.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/wolfsburg-signs-eriksen-on-free-transfer-637789.html Berlin Sep 11 VfL Wolfsburg have strengthened their midfield with the signing of Danish veteran Christian Eriksen the Bundesliga side announced on Wednesday evening The 33yearold joins on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season and has signed a twoyear deal and will wear the number 24 shirtFor Eriksen Wolfsburg represents his first experience in German football following spells in the Netherlands England and ItalyVfL Wolfsburg is my first club in the Bundesliga I am really looking forward to this new adventure the Danish playmaker saidThe conversations with the management were very positive and I could immediately sense head coach Paul Simoniss clear vision for the team Having several teammates from the national side here makes this step particularly attractive for meEriksen arrives in Lower Saxony with a wealth of international and club experience Denmarks record appearance holder with 144 caps and 46 goals he has played in over 100 Champions League and Europa League matches and featured more than 300 times in the Premier League for Tottenham Brentford and United He also lifted the Serie A title with Inter Milan before returning to England in 2022Wolfsburg sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz hailed the midfielders arrival describing him as a leader who can make the difference on and off the pitch Schindzielorz added We deliberately invested in young talents this summer and Eriksen is the perfect complement to our captain Max Arnold His experience technical quality and personality will be invaluable especially for our younger playersThe move also reunites Eriksen with several compatriots In addition to CEO Peter Christiansen Wolfsburgs squad currently features five Denmark internationals Joakim Maehle Jesper Lindstrom Andreas Skov Olsen Adam Daghim and Jonas WindEriksens career has already been marked by a remarkable comeback At Euro 2020 he collapsed on the pitch due to a cardiac arrest but returned to toplevel football less than a year later Since then he has rebuilt his career with Brentford and Manchester United before taking on this new Bundesliga challengeThe midfielder could make his debut as early as this weekend when Wolfsburg hosts Cologne at the Volkswagen Arena IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/wolfsburg-signs-eriksen-on-free-transfer-637789.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/india-is-a-country-i-really-want-to-visit-says-arsenal-defender-riccardo-calafiori-637925.html New Delhi Sep 11 Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori opened up about his life on and off the pitch offering insights into his mindset as a footballer while also sharing personal quirks passions and even his admiration for India Calafiori who has quickly endeared himself to Arsenal supporters with his energy and composure described what he considers his biggest strength I think one thing I can say is that Im positive and I try to bring energy on the pitch to help my teammates he said on JioHotstarThe Italian admitted that defending gives him a unique sense of satisfaction especially in the Premier League Every action is crucial When you win a duel its almost like scoring a goal and the fans recognise it Thats what I likeAsked to sum up the feeling of representing Arsenal Calafiori used just one word happinessAway from matchdays the 22yearold revealed he has plenty of pregame rituals though one constant is a particular health habit I have so many it changes with the periods But one constant is drinking beetroot juice he shared with a smileHe also spoke about his hobbies and favourites outside football saying he enjoys tennis and follows Italian player Flavio Cobolli closely To relax after games he prefers a hot bath Music he says depends on his mood I like many different types of music but Id say jazz or pop One Italian artist I enjoy is MannarinoWhen asked about his sense of style Calafiori described it as mixed retro and modern and jokingly declared himself a different level when it comes to hairstyle battles in the Arsenal dressing room though he gave credit to Viktor Gyokeres Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard for having the best looksFinally the defender saved his warmest words for Arsenals Indian supporters I like spicy food so I enjoy Indian cuisine India has many different cultures and its really a country I want to visit Hopefully Ill meet you one day IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/india-is-a-country-i-really-want-to-visit-says-arsenal-defender-riccardo-calafiori-637925.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 20:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/well-use-this-as-a-starting-point-skipper-kane-on-englands-five-goal-win-over-serbia-637555.html New Delhi Sep 10 England skipper Harry Kane who became the fifthmost capped Three Lions player reflected on a 50 win over Serbia Kane reached yet another milestone with victory over Serbia in the Three Lions 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaignThe skipper surpassed Bobby Moore to become the fifthmost capped England player with 109 appearances and counting after featuring in tonights game in Belgrade scoring his 74th goal for his country in the processNevertheless the Bayern Munich forward was focused on the game and Englands performance in the aftermath of an impressive showingTheres been a lot of noise around the outside but weve been happy with what weve been doing said Kane Its not always been easy against opposition who are sitting in a block of eleven when we have to break them down and be patientWe knew tonight would be a really big test against better opposition and better players we said we wanted to show what we can do especially without the ball with the high pressure and make it difficult for themThey played a lot of long balls which we recovered well and with the ball we were electric in moments and made it really difficult in the onevone battles and we took our chances wellKane opened the scoring for England with 33 minutes on the watch before Thomas Tuchels side turned up the heat and came away with all three points and a 50 win away from homeWe made it fairly comfortable in the end so its credit to the boys and in an attacking sense I think we got everything right today with the ball movement the onevone battles and when I was dropping we had runners in behind and when others were dropping we still had runners continued KaneWe just used everything to our advantage and we knew with the pace and quality of players in our team we could dominate and thats what happenedIt was nice to get some setpiece goals too The setpiece coach Paul has been waiting for that one and we got a few tonightKane broke the deadlock in the first half to get England up and runningAnd with England entering the World Cup season Kane and his teammates have one eye on the tournament next summerThis is the time when the competition starts the formation and the way we play and the style is going to be set in stone noted KaneOf course there might be a few games where we have to change a little bit depending on opposition but we want to play our way we want to be on the front foot and win the ball back quick and when we lose the ball recover wellAnd with the ball lots of movement and lots of pace and playing out through the lines You could say today was the perfect template and were going to have difficult games from now until the World Cup but well use this as a starting point and the standards been really high IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/well-use-this-as-a-starting-point-skipper-kane-on-englands-five-goal-win-over-serbia-637555.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/sancho-is-ready-to-move-into-peak-years-of-his-career-with-aston-villa-637585.html New Delhi Sep 10 English forward Jadon Sancho will be hoping to hit the ground running at his new club The England international joined Aston Villa on a seasonlong loan and is now ready to move into the peak years of his career Sancho has been playing at the highest level of the club game since he was a teenager particularly impressing for Borussia Dortmund during his time in the Bundesliga before signing for Manchester UnitedLast term the winger was on loan at Chelsea where he helped the London club win the UEFA Europa Conference League scoring in the final against Real BetisHaving played for such huge clubs I feel ready to move into the peak years of my career Hopefully I can bring that experience to Villa I just cant wait to get started said Sancho to JioHotstarThe 25yearold also went on to reveal the huge influence Unai Emery had on his move to BirminghamWhen I first spoke to the manager he immediately gave me belief and confidence He showed me his vision and goals for this season and that really inspired me He definitely persuaded me I cant wait to work under himSancho should not have too much trouble settling into unfamiliar environments having already played with Villas new signing Victor Lindelof for Manchester United Lindelof has represented United 284 times since his arrival from Benfica in the summer of 2017 and won Emirates FA Cup and League Cup winners medals during his time with the Red DevilsIve shared the locker room with Victor for many years so it was really nice to see him as I came in he addedSancho also talked about his relation with his Villa teammates and is excited to get started with his teamIve played with Tyrone Mings at England and I know Ezri Konsa Morgan Rogers Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund Im really looking forward to meeting the boys and getting started Sancho concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/sancho-is-ready-to-move-into-peak-years-of-his-career-with-aston-villa-637585.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/ange-postecoglou-appointed-nottingham-forest-head-coach-637440.html New Delhi Sep 9 Nottingham Forest have confirmed the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as the Clubs First Team Head Coach The news follows just a day after the club relieved Nuno Espirito Santo from his duties Postecoglou has been in management for over 25 years arriving on Trentside with experience of regularly competing and winning trophies at the highest levelAfter enjoying very successful seasons with Brisbane Roar and Yokohama F Marinos winning the League with both clubs he was appointed manager of Celtic in June 2021 A successful tenure in Glasgow saw Postecoglou win the domestic double in his first season in Scotland and the treble in his second year which earned him a nomination for the FIFA World Coach of the Year in 2023Moving to England to take over at Tottenham Hotspur who finished fifth in his first season Postecoglou guided Spurs to their first major trophy in 17 years winning the Europa League in 202425 and qualifying for the Champions League However that was not enough as a 17th placed finish in the league saw him leave the North London clubOwner Evangelos Marinakis said of Postecoglous appointment We are bringing a coach to the Club who has a proven and consistent record of winning trophies His experience of coaching teams at the highest level along with his desire to build something special with us at Forest makes him a fantastic person to help us on our journey and achieve consistently all our ambitionsAfter gaining promotion to the Premier League then building consistently season after season to secure European football we now must take the right step to compete with the very best and challenge for trophies Ange has the credentials and the trackrecord to do this and we are excited he is joining us on our ambitious journey IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/ange-postecoglou-appointed-nottingham-forest-head-coach-637440.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/nottingham-forest-sack-head-coach-nuno-espirito-santo-637266.html London Sep 9 Nottingham Forest have sacked its head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after 21 months in charge He was in charge of Forest for 73 games winning 28 drawing 20 with 25 defeats The Portuguese coach had joined the club on a twoandahalfyear contract in December 2023 after the dismissal of Steve CooperSantos position had been uncertain for two weeks since he publicly declared his relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis has gone sourNottingham Forest Football Club confirms that following recent circumstances Nuno Espírito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as Head Coach the Premier League club said in a statementThe Club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground in particular his role in the 202425 season which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the Club it addedLast term Santo guided Forest to seventh in the Premier League their highest finish since 199495 as they qualified for Europe for the first time in three decades His success saw him sign a new threeyear deal in JuneAs someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season he will always hold a special place in our journey the club saidDespite the clubs success on the pitch during Nunos time as manager his relationship with Marinakis became increasingly strainedIn August Nuno revealed he feared for his job He had also criticised the clubs activity in the summer transfer window saying they had wasted a good chanceI always had a very good relationship with the owner last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis This season it is not so well Nuno had said Our relationship has changed and we are not as close Everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/nottingham-forest-sack-head-coach-nuno-espirito-santo-637266.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/marinakis-left-hurt-and-angered-by-nunos-comments-report-637302.html New Delhi Sep 9 Nottingham Forests decision to sack Nuno Espirito Santo follows after club owner Evangelos Marinakis decided his relationship with the Portuguese head coach was beyond repair Santos position had been uncertain for two weeks since he publicly declared his relationship with Marinakis had gone sourAs per a report by Sky Sports the Forest owner was deeply hurt and angered by his head coach speaking out against him and the club in public twice in the space of seven daysThe Portuguese coach had joined the club on a twoandahalfyear contract in December 2023 after the dismissal of Steve CooperLast term Santo guided Forest to seventh in the Premier League their highest finish since 199495 as they qualified for Europe for the first time in three decades His success saw him sign a new threeyear deal in JuneAhead of the clubs second league game of the season against Crystal Palace Nuno had revealed that his relationship with the Greek owner had gone sour but said he did not know why it had deterioratedI dont know exactly but Im being honest with you it is not the same The reason behind it I do not know What I said last week or two weeks ago was my concern and why I was worried about where we were going as a clubWhat I said I said it with respect The reality is that the relationship is not what it used to be It was a respectful relationship based on trust and sharing opinions but now it is not so good said NunoFormer Tottenham head coaches Ange Postecouglou Mauricio Pochettino Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner and Jose Mourinho are said to be the names linked with a move to Nottingham Forest IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/marinakis-left-hurt-and-angered-by-nunos-comments-report-637302.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/not-everyone-has-the-full-picture-isak-on-liverpool-move-637314.html New Delhi Sep 9 Alexander Isak stated not everyone has the full picture of his move to Liverpool after Swedens 02 defeat against Osovo Isak joined the Premier League champions as their new No9 on a longterm contract which he signed on deadline day in a move for a British record transfer fee of 125 million poundsIsak made his intentions of leaving Newcastle clear and did not participate in the preseason The tensions then arose which led to him being excluded from Eddie Howes first team training which ultimately led to Newcastle Uniteds faithful turning on the 25yearoldHis first appearance of the season came as a second half substitute in Swedens loss against OsovoNot everyone has the full picture but thats something for another day I cant control everything thats said or written But Im happy that I became a Liverpool player Its great that everything was settled before the camp and that I could focus on playing football again Isak said to Swedish media after the lossIts been a fairly new situation for me but you always learn and develop mentally off the pitch as well he addedIn the end Newcastle signed Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade as striker options and thus faciliated Isaks move to MerseysideFormer Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes the actions of Isak and Yoane Wissa who joined Newcastle as a replacement for the Swede in a similar manner were disgracefulPlayers sign contracts people in their everyday lives sign contracts and you adhere to those contracts It is absolutely despicable what they Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa have done They may well be happy tonight but it is a disgraceful way to behaveEddie Howe with Isak and his career Isak owes Howe a hell of a lot but he has treated him with total disrespect Saying that Newcastle have signed Wissa who has done the same as what Isak has done said Sutton on BBC IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/not-everyone-has-the-full-picture-isak-on-liverpool-move-637314.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/jay-gupta-joins-east-bengal-fc-on-four-year-deal-637401.html Kolkata Sep 9 East Bengal FC have officially confirmed the signing of India international defender Jay Gupta on a fouryear contract from FC Goa for an undisclosed transfer fee Gupta played an important role in FC Goas Kalinga Super Cup triumph earlier this year and backtoback ISL semifinal hauls including a secondplace finish in the league phase last season He will wear jersey number 27Gupta expressed his enthusiasm about joining the iconic club saying I am honored to join a massive institution like East Bengal I would like to express my gratitude to the Emami East Bengal management and Coach Oscar for showing faith in my abilities I made my national team debut in Kolkata last year so its indeed special to now play for a big club like East Bengal from this great cityI cant wait to make my debut for the Red amp Gold Brigade contribute to the teams success experience and win derbies and bring joy to all the East Bengal supporters Joy East BengalHailing from Pune Gupta is known for his football intelligence physicality and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively The 23yearold can operate as a leftback or left centreback thus bringing versatility to the Red amp Gold Brigades backlineWelcoming Gupta to the squad Thangboi Singto Head of Football at East Bengal FC said Jay is a young and dynamic defender with immense potential and proven quality at both club and international levels His arrival adds the versatility that weve been seeking in our first teams backlineAfter honing his skills in the youth ranks of the erstwhile FC Pune City Gupta ventured abroad training and playing in Portugal with clubs like GDS Cascais and Estoril Praia B and later in Spain with Ebre Escola EsportivaReturning to India in mid2023 Gupta quickly established himself at FC Goa where he made 52 appearances over two seasons In 42 Indian Super League ISL appearances so far Gupta has logged 2 goals 3 assists 10 clean sheets 23 interceptions 51 successful tackles 200 successful duels and 49 clearances across 2860 minutes His standout performance included earning the ISL Emerging Player of the Month award for October 2023East Bengal FC Head Coach Oscar Bruzon said Gupta is a talented leftfooted fullback His ability to push forward and contribute to the attack combined with his defensive solidity makes him a valuable asset His impressive performances for FC Goa and international exposure are strong indicators of his quality IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/jay-gupta-joins-east-bengal-fc-on-four-year-deal-637401.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/hazard-and-fabregas-nominated-for-premier-league-hall-of-fame-637211.html New Delhi Sep 8 Chelsea could soon see two more of their icons enshrined in the Premier League Hall of Fame with Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas both included in the 15man shortlist for the 2025 inductions The Hall of Fame launched in 2021 currently features 24 legends of the competition including five former Chelsea stars Petr Cech Didier Drogba Frank Lampard Ashley Cole and John Terry Cole and Terry were the most recent Blues to be honoured inducted in 2024Hazard who dazzled Stamford Bridge for seven seasons holds a special place in the hearts of Chelsea supporters Voted the clubs Player of the Year four times the Belgian winger combined flair creativity and decisive end product to become one of the Premier Leagues most watchable talentsCrowned Premier League Player of the Year in 201415 Hazard guided Chelsea to two league titles and became the only player of his era to surpass both 50 goals and 50 assists during his spell in England Beyond the numbers though it was the moments of brilliance solo runs matchwinning goals and dazzling skill that elevated him into club folkloreJoining Chelsea in 2014 Fabregas formed a devastating partnership with Hazard helping steer the Blues to titles in 2015 and 2017 The Spaniard already established at Arsenal and Barcelona returned to England as one of the finest passmasters in modern footballHe became the first player to record 15 or more assists in a Premier League season with two different clubs taking his overall tally to 111 That figure places him second on the alltime list underlining his reputation as one of the most creative midfielders in the competitions historyHazard and Fabregas face stiff competition for induction with the shortlist also featuring Sol Campbell Michael Carrick Jermain Defoe Patrice Evra Les Ferdinand Robbie Fowler Gary Neville Michael Owen Teddy Sheringham David Silva Yaya Touré Edwin van der Sar and Nemanja VidicCollectively the nominees have amassed over 5000 Premier League appearances scored more than 1000 goals and won 44 league titles Only two players will be inducted this year with the Premier League describing the Hall of Fame as its highest individual honour The results will be revealed at a special event on Tuesday November 4 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/hazard-and-fabregas-nominated-for-premier-league-hall-of-fame-637211.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/magical-night-that-i-will-never-forget-merino-on-scoring-first-hat-trick-637064.html New Delhi Sep 8 Spain breezed past Turkiye with a 60 win in their FIFA World Cup Qualifier with Mikel Merino scoring a superb hattrick to help Spain defeat Turkey in their World Cup qualifier in Konya The 29yearold labelled the occasion on which he scored his first international hattrick as a magical night The Arsenal midfielder netted his first of the night on the 22minute mark before finishing a fine team move just before halftime to double his personal tally Mikel rounded off his hattrick in superb fashion curling home from range to make it 50 on the night Ferran Torres and Pedri scored the other goals in the 60 victory for La RojaMerino believes Spain did enter the contest as favourites but did not expect the margin to be as large as it wasWell obviously when you face an opponent like Turkey you know its going to be a tough game We knew we were coming here to a very tough atmosphere with great fans that are always supporting them but at the same time we are confident that we are going to win every gameWe didnt expect to win with six goals but obviously we did an amazing game We played very well from the beginning respecting the opponent giving our all and we were lucky enough to score a couple of goals said MerinoWhen asked to reflect on his hattrick Merino said Its amazing obviously Im really really happy This is my first hattrick I am not used to scoring so many goals so scoring three with my national team on a night like this against a team like this is magical and I think its a night Ill remember for the rest of my lifeThe result leaves Spain top of Group E on six points with Merino having scored four of his nations nine goals in the group so far IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/magical-night-that-i-will-never-forget-merino-on-scoring-first-hat-trick-637064.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/tuchel-plots-old-school-tactics-for-englands-world-cup-push-637076.html London Sep 8 England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed his intention to adopt more traditional tactics such as long throwins and long balls as part of Englands strategy heading into next years World Cup England maintained their perfect start in Group K with a 20 victory over Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday making it four wins from four However the performance was far from convincing as Tuchels side struggled to break down the team ranked 174th in the worldThe breakthrough came in the first half thanks to an own goal but England were unable to add to their lead until the 67th minute when Declan Rice scored with a header to finally put the game beyond Andorras reach Despite the result the overall display raised questions about Englands fluency and creativity in breaking down deep defencesTuchel pointed to the importance of adopting a more pragmatic approach and emphasised that he intends to bring back certain oldschool football methods that can still be effective at the highest level He first hinted at this tactical shift when announcing his squad last weekI told you the long throwin is back Tuchel said But we do not have a lot of time But once we arrive at the World Cup all these things matter so we will also talk about long throwins we will talk about long kicks from the goalkeeper and not only playing shortBut we cannot put everything into four days of training But these things will matterTuchel who succeeded Gareth Southgate last October is now looking ahead to Englands next qualifier They face Serbia in Belgrade on Wednesday where Tuchel will be hoping for a more convincing display as he continues shaping his team in preparation for the tournament IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/tuchel-plots-old-school-tactics-for-englands-world-cup-push-637076.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/uefa-suspends-bilbao-defender-alvarez-for-10-months-after-failed-doping-test-637151.html Nyon Sep 8 Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez has been handed a 10month suspension after failing a doping test during the Europa League UEFA confirmed on Monday The 30yearold tested positive for Canrenone a banned substance both in and out of competition following Bilbaos 30 defeat to Manchester United in the semifinals of the tournament in MayAlvarez had already accepted a provisional suspension on June 2 In July he explained the failed test saying the substance entered his system unintentionally through medication prescribed for hair loss The Spaniard who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016 added that the treatment was part of his ongoing care for alopeciaAt its meeting on 19 August 2025 the relevant UEFA disciplinary body decided to suspend the player for ten 10 months starting from the date of the provisional suspension ie 2 June 2025 and ending on 2 April 2026 for committing a nonintentional antidoping rule violation UEFA saidIn accordance with Article 10142 of the UEFA AntiDoping Regulations the player may return to train with a team or use the facilities of a club in the last two months of his period of ineligibility ie as of 2 February 2026The ban will end on April 2 next year and applies to all competitions The 30yearold centre back previously stepped away from football in 2017 to undergo treatment for testicular cancer After returning to the game he began taking medication for alopecia He explained that his positive doping test was the result of having involuntarily took a medicine to prevent hair loss that contained a banned substanceAthletic Bilbao meanwhile will compete in the Champions League this season after securing a fourthplace finish in La Liga IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/uefa-suspends-bilbao-defender-alvarez-for-10-months-after-failed-doping-test-637151.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/psg-confirm-dembele-doue-set-for-spell-on-sideline-with-injuries-636920.html New Delhi Sep 7 Paris SaintGermain have confirmed that they have been rocked with injuries to Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue with the forwards having suffered respective injuries during Frances win over Ukraine PSG confirmed Dembele faces a spell on the sidelines with his return from a hamstring injury expected to take up to six weeks while Doues calf injury will keep him out of action for four weeksThe medical update on 6 September relates to Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue After leaving the pitch injured during the match between Ukraine France on Friday Ousmane Dembele has suffered a serious injury to his right hamstring He is expected to be unavailable for around six weeksAlso picking up an injury during the encounter Desire Doue suffered a strain in his right calf and will be out for around four weeks read the statement by Paris SaintGermainDembele was rested by PSG on the weekend as a precaution and had returned to training for France His injury comes a few days ahead of the beginning of the Parisians UCL title defence where they will take on Serie A side AtalantaThis news follows a day after Paris StGermain head coach Luis Enrique was involved in a cycling accident The 55yearold who led the French club to their first Champions League title last season suffered a fractured collarbone in the accident and will require surgeryFollowing a cycling accident on Friday Paris SaintGermain head coach Luis Enrique was treated by the emergency services and will undergo surgery for a fractured collarbone The Club expresses its full support and wishes him a swift recovery Further updates will be shared in due course the club had saidPSG defeated Toulouse 63 in their last Ligue 1 game ahead of the international break and extended their winning start to the new season IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/psg-confirm-dembele-doue-set-for-spell-on-sideline-with-injuries-636920.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 10:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/son-stars-as-korea-beat-usa-2-0-in-friendly-636924.html New York Sep 7 Son Heungmin scored one goal and set up another to spark South Korea to 20 victory over the United States in an international football friendly on Sunday IST The matchup between two teams bound for the 2026 World Cup was played at Harrison New Jersey in the home stadium of MLS side New York Red BullsSon scored in the 18th minute and Lee Donggyeong added another in the 43rd to secure South Koreas triumph against a US side coached by Mauricio Pochettino Sons former boss at Tottenham HotspurSon joined Major League Soccers Los Angeles FC in a blockbuster move last month that has energised Korean football fans in the United States as per AFCThe Americans coming off a 21 loss to Mexico in Julys CONCACAF Gold Cup final welcomed back Christian Pulisic But it was another disappointing setback for a team that has failed to gain momentum with the World Cup loomingSon opened the scoring in the 18th minute staying just onside and taking a pass from Lee Jaesung then rushing to the goal and firing a leftfooted blast from a tough angle past US goalkeeper Matt Freese into the far right side of the netKorea doubled the lead in the 43rd minute when Son worked a giveandgo play took the return pass in the heart of the penalty area then quickly flicked the ball to Lee Donggyeong who backheeled the ball with his left foot into the goal to give the visitors a 20 edge at halftimeSon was replaced by Oh Hyeongyu in the 63rd minute as both sides made multiple lineup changes Jo Hyeonwoo saved a closerange shot by Richards and denied Folarin Balogun in the fourth minute of stoppage time to preserve the clean sheetKorea will meet Mexico on Tuesday while the United States will meet JapanHajime Moriyasus Japan played to a goalless draw with Mexico who were reduced to 10 men late in the game following Cesar Montes sending off IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/son-stars-as-korea-beat-usa-2-0-in-friendly-636924.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/luis-suarez-handed-six-game-ban-for-spitting-on-staffer-636761.html New York Sep 6 Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez has been banned for six matches for spitting on a Seattle Sounders staff member after the Leagues Cup final organisers said on Friday The incident occurred during a scuffle that followed the Sounders titleclinching 30 win over the Florida outfit in Seattle last SundayIn a statement the Leagues Cup Organising Committee said it also banned Inter Miamis Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles for two and three games respectively for violent conduct during the melee Sounders assistant coach Steven Lenhart was handed a fivegame suspension for his role in the fracas reports XinhuaSuarezs punishment means he will miss next years Leagues Cup in full and because the group stage guarantees only three games per season the ban could carry into the 2027 editionWhile the ban will not impact his Major League Soccer availability the Leagues Cup committee said the MLS reserves the right to impose further disciplinary actions on the players and coaching staff involvedIt marks the latest in a long list of controversies that have stalked Suarez throughout his 20year professional career which has included spells at Liverpool Barcelona and Atletico Madrid among other clubsHe has served suspensions on three occasions for biting opponents including an incident in 2014 in which he clamped down on the shoulder of Italys Giorgio Chiellini during a World Cup match in BrazilSuarez apologised for his latest indiscretion in a social media post on ThursdayIt was a moment of much tension and frustration where just after the game ended things happened that shouldnt have happened but that doesnt justify my reaction he saidI made a mistake and sincerely apologise Its not the image I want to give in front of my family that suffers because of my mistakes in front of my club that also doesnt deserve seeing themselves affected by something like this IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/luis-suarez-handed-six-game-ban-for-spitting-on-staffer-636761.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 10:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/cafa-nations-cup-india-to-face-unbeaten-oman-in-third-place-playoff-clash-636783.html New Delhi Sep 6 The Indian mens football team will lock horns with Oman in the thirdplace playoff game of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan on Monday Oman finished second in Group A behind group leaders Uzbekistan on Friday despite securing the same number of points They will aim to end their campaign on a high by maintaining their undefeated streak in the tournament Meanwhile Uzbekistan will play the final against Group B toppers Iran The Blue Tigers secured their place in the thirdplace match after a goalless draw against Afghanistan in their last group fixture on Thursday Their qualification was confirmed only after Iran and Tajikistan played out a 22 draw later in the day as per the ISL websiteKhalid Jamils side concluded the group stage with four points from three matches having secured a win draw and a loss Iran finished first with seven points while hosts Tajikistan also collected four points but were edged out by India on the headtohead rule courtesy of the Blue Tigers 21 victory against them in the opening game Afghanistan with just one point exited the tournament without a winFor Jamils men the playoff clash offers a chance to finish on the podium while Oman will be eager to preserve their unbeaten run and cap off the tournament with a strong finishOn Friday the All India Football Federation AIFF and FC Goa said in a joint statement that Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan suffered a cheekbone fracture during Indias CAFA Nations Cup 2025 match against Iran Jhingan suffered the injury during the first half of the game against Iran which India 03 lost but continued on the pitch and played the entire 90 minutes once again proving to be a true warrior for the Men in Blue He was subsequently ruled out of the remaining CAFA Cup matches and returned to India on Wednesday IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/cafa-nations-cup-india-to-face-unbeaten-oman-in-third-place-playoff-clash-636783.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/i-dont-want-to-stop-mbappe-on-matching-henrys-france-goalscoring-record-636784.html New Delhi Sep 6 Kylian Mbappe equalled legendary forward Thierry Henrys record to become the secondhighest scorer in French football France strengthened their position in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 20 victory over Ukraine highlighted by Kylian Mbappes latest milestone The Madrid striker struck in the 82nd minute finishing off a brilliant long pass from Aurélien Tchouaméni Accelerating past his marker Mbappé powered his shot in off the post to seal the winIts an honour to equal a player like Thierry Henry Everyone knows what he represents for us French people and even more so for strikers He paved the way he achieved incredible things I have a lot of respect and admiration for him To reach this kind of milestone so early is surreal but I like it and I want to keep going I dont want to stop above all I want to keep winning matches and winning more titles said Kylian Mbappe to broadcasters TF1Earlier Michael Olise had given France the lead in the 10th minute setting the tone for a dominant display But the night belonged to Mbappe whose goal carried historical significance With his 51st international strike he equalled Henry as the secondhighest scorer in Frances history moving closer to Olivier Girouds record tally of 57Mbappe played the full 90 minutes and underlined his importance in Didier Deschamps side The result further strengthens Frances bid to secure direct qualification for the World Cup in North AmericaIn worrying news France and Paris Saint Germain forward Ousmane Dembele was subbed off with what seemed to be a hamstring injury Dembele was rested by PSG on the weekend as precaution and had returned to training for France His injury comes two weeks ahead of the beginning of the Parisians UCL title defence IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/i-dont-want-to-stop-mbappe-on-matching-henrys-france-goalscoring-record-636784.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/marcus-tavernier-signs-four-year-contract-extension-with-bournemouth-636797.html Bournemouth Sep 6 AFC Bournemouth confirmed that Marcus Tavernier has signed a contract extension with the club keeping him at Vitality Stadium until 2029 The 26yearold joined the club in the summer of 2022 and has made 93 appearances for the Cherries in all competitionsHis standout moments include netting the winner from 25 yards against Fulham in April 2023 while also scoring in last seasons fixture away at Southampton which saw the Cherries rise to fifth in the Premier League and achieve a record unbeaten run in the top flightMost recently Tavernier scored the only goal in a 10 win over Wolves at Vitality Stadium opening his account for the 202526 season and helping the Cherries to their first victory of the new campaignFollowing the extension AFC Bournemouths President of Football Operations Tiago Pinto shared his delight saying Marcus is a player who always gives his all whenever he wears the shirt and is someone that we thoroughly enjoy working withHe is a popular character within the dressing room and Im looking forward to seeing his leadership shine through over the next few seasons at AFC Bournemouth as the demands and challenges of the Premier League remain highTavernier added Im very grateful for everything Bournemouth have given me over the past few years Im just delighted that theyve shown their appreciation of me to sign a new extension and to stay at this club where Im having such a great timeIts a place that Ive come to love and its my home away from home so its a really good feeling not just for myself but my family as well Weve started the season off very well even in the first game where we gave a good showing against last seasons championsEver since then weve shown the capabilities that we showed last season so hopefully it can long continueTavernier has started all three of the clubs league fixtures this season so far IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/marcus-tavernier-signs-four-year-contract-extension-with-bournemouth-636797.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/germany-coach-nagelsmann-under-fire-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifier-636838.html Berlin Sep 6 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann is facing mounting criticism after a run of poor results with pundits and media questioning his constant tactical changes ahead of Sundays 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland The 38yearold former Bayern Munich coach oversaw a 20 defeat to Slovakia last week the fourtime World Cup winners firstever loss to that opponent Germany has won only once in the last six games while Nagelsmanns record stands at 12 victories from 24 matches nearly identical to predecessor Hansi Flick who was fired in 2023 after three straight defeats reports XinhuaFormer Germany greats Lothar Matthaus and Stefan Effenberg have led the criticism Matthaus capped 150 times said Nagelsmann was overchallenging the players with too many tactical tweaks He needs to go for one system and keep it Matthaus saidEffenberg who captained Bayern in the 1990s argued that Nagelsmanns micromanagement of running and passing paths was paralysing the squad He singled out midfielder Leon Goretzka who was deployed as a No 10 against Slovakia We all know he is a boxtobox performer not a ten said 35cap EffenbergGerman outlets echoed concerns over the coachs tinkering pointing to uncertainty and a lack of consistency with just nine months until the World Cup Nagelsmann who has a contract through 2028 has often demanded clublevel playing time from his internationals and has not hesitated to play them out of positionThe pressure has intensified after three consecutive defeats including Germanys disappointing Nations League campaign earlier this summerWhile Matthaus warned that talk of firing Nagelsmann so close to the tournament is unhelpful he and Effenberg admitted another setback against Northern Ireland could trigger a debate over his futureFormer Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger added his voice to the concerns warning that fans support could wane if the team continues to struggleNagelsmann for his part has called for a passionate display in Cologne To deliver a passionate performance should be a matter of course he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/germany-coach-nagelsmann-under-fire-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifier-636838.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/marc-guehi-handled-failed-liverpool-move-with-brilliant-attitude-says-tuchel-636674.html New Delhi Sep 5 England head coach Thomas Tuchel applauded defender March Guehi for handling his failed move to Liverpool with a brilliant attitude As per reports Liverpool had finalised a deal with Crystal Palace on deadline day with Guehi undergoing his medical but head coach Oliver Glasner absolutely refused to let his skipper leave without a viable backup optionOf course we had a chat with him He looks absolutely fine and impressive on the field he has a good couple of weeks behind him on the performance side He is the main driver of Crystal Palaces success he is the captain and the leader and he played very impressively at the end of last seasonHe has continued like that in camp and he handles it his transfer situation with respect and with and with brilliant attitude said Tuchel in the press conferenceEngland continue their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with the visit of Andorra to Villa Park on Saturday September 6 and a trip to face Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday September 9Newcastle United defender Dan Burns who was present with Tuchel to face the media admitted he views the Crystal Palace skipper as a direct competitior for the starting spot in the England playing XI but said it only pushes both players to do betterThe way the gaffer has divided up yes On if Guehi is his direct competitor Obviously Marc is a top player and very close to move to Liverpool as well I feel like it keeps us pushing and I feel like thats what the gaffer wants in possession and the patterns he wants us to get further up the pitch and it suits thatYeah right at this moment Id probably agree that he is the direct competition said Burns IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/marc-guehi-handled-failed-liverpool-move-with-brilliant-attitude-says-tuchel-636674.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/subroto-cup-sub-jr-boys-west-bengal-and-cisce-record-commanding-victories-on-day-two-636690.html Mumbai Sep 5 The second day of the SubJunior Boys U15 category of the 64th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament witnessed a mix of highscoring encounters and hardfought draws Minerva Public School CISCE vs Tashi Namgyal Academy IPSCThe day began with Minerva Public School CISCE producing a dominant display defeating Tashi Namgyal Academy IPSC 160 Mamesh led the charge with seven goals 1 11 16 21 24 28 39 supported by Mahesh 13 14 17 20 Akash 31 501 Bishwa Raj 19 and Bickson 27Shri Leelanand Secondary School Jharkhand vs Indira Modern High School HaryanaShri Leelanand Secondary School Jharkhand and Indira Modern High School Haryana played out a 22 draw Ashish scored a brace for Jharkhand 11 49 while Sukhvinder 35 and Aditya 45 were on target for HaryanaRiver Side Natural School Madhya Pradesh vs Mothers Pride Public School Himachal PradeshRiver Side Natural School Madhya Pradesh went down 12 against Mothers Pride Public School Himachal Pradesh Lokesh scored for MP in the 32nd minute but Sukhpreets goals 1 251 ensured Himachals victoryNV Pakur1 NVS vs Manikpara Vivekananda Vidyapith West BengalThe afternoon clash turned into a onesided affair as West Bengals Manikpara Vivekananda Vidyapith thrashed JNV Pakur1 NVS 140 Ramchandra 39 Sanjib Mandi 6 17 22 Abhijit Mandi 37 Soumen Chalak 20 Sanu Mahata 5 Budhu Murmu 2 12 Fagun Murmu 11 27 35 50 and Mahadev Murmu 31 all found the net in a commanding performance NVS remained goalless despite their efforts IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/subroto-cup-sub-jr-boys-west-bengal-and-cisce-record-commanding-victories-on-day-two-636690.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/india-eyes-big-step-in-afc-u23-asian-cup-qualifiers-against-hosts-qatar-636722.html Doha Qatar Sep 5 After beginning their AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a solid 20 win over Bahrain the Indian mens U23 team will now face hosts Qatar in their second Group H match on Saturday at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium The Blue Colts are aiming to create history by qualifying for the AFC U23 Asian Cup for the first time With the group winners assured of a direct ticket to Saudi Arabia 2026 and only four best secondplaced sides across all 11 groups joining them Thursdays clash against Qatar could prove pivotal in shaping Indias qualification hopesIts always a good thing to start with a win and get those three points said Moosa after the win over Bahrain That win gave us a lot of hope and belief that if we do well against Qatar well have the chance to qualify Its very important we go forward with a winning mentalityQatar began their campaign with a thumping 130 victory over Brunei Darussalam showcasing their attacking prowess Moosa acknowledged the challenge ahead saying Qatar are probably one of the best teams in Asia that we could face Their playing style is totally different from Bahrains They rely on short passes quick switches and a lot of wing play We need to focus on stopping those movements from the sidesReflecting on the Bahrain game Moosa credited Indias preparation and collective effort During the 20day camp in Bangalore followed by a few days in Malaysia where we played the friendlies against Iraq we worked a lot on teamwork The players were aggressive and played like a team which helped us a lot Against Qatar we cannot afford lapses We have to be strong and disciplined until the final whistleWhile Qatar enjoys the comfort of home conditions Moosa believes his boys have adjusted well in Doha Weve been here for almost a week played one game and trained regularly The players are acclimated to the weather Also since the match is at 8 pm later than the last one I dont think conditions will affect us muchLooking at the bigger picture Moosa underlined the importance of the campaign for the squads development This campaign is very important for us If we win we stand a good chance of advancing That would mean more camps more friendlies and better preparation for not just the AFC U23 Asian Cup but also future competitions like the 2026 Asian Games Continuity is the keyThe coach also praised the teams attitude and togetherness after the opening win I always tell the players to stay grounded and humble Tomorrows game is the most important one Im happy to see the boys are really serious about this game The team bonding is very strong and that togetherness is a big strength for us Hopefully well get a positive result tomorrow Moosa concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/india-eyes-big-step-in-afc-u23-asian-cup-qualifiers-against-hosts-qatar-636722.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 22:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/uruguay-colombia-paraguay-seal-fifa-wc-2026-berth-636587.html New Delhi Sep 5 Uruguay Colombia and Paraguay secured their places at the FIFA World Cup 26 on a decisive night in the South American Qualifiers while Lionel Messi lit up Argentinas farewell in Buenos Aires and Brazils prodigy Estevao dazzled at the Maracana In Barranquilla Colombia ended a painful wait for qualification with a commanding 30 win over Bolivia James Rodríguez opened the scoring to become his countrys alltime leading marksman in World Cup qualifying before Jhon Duran and Juan Quintero sealed the victory The Tricolor will return to the global stage after missing Qatar 2022 as per FIFAUruguay meanwhile marched into their fifth successive finals with a clinical 30 triumph over Peru Rodrigo Aguirre struck early and later set up Giorgian De Arrascaeta who controlled the tempo and added the second Federico Vinas completed the job to consign Perus hopes to dustParaguay booked their longawaited return to the World Cup despite being held to a goalless draw by Ecuador Gustavo Alfaros side built on defensive resilience clinched a place at the finals for the first time in 16 years registering their sixth clean sheet under the coachIn Buenos Aires Argentina extended their dominance with a 30 victory over Venezuela Lionel Messi scored twice either side of Lautaro Martinezs strike on what was likely his last competitive game on home soil for the AlbicelesteThe 38yearold also matched Cristiano Ronaldos tally of 36 World Cup qualifying goals moving into jointsecond place in the alltime charts Venezuelas defeat means they must now outlast Bolivia who trail by one point in the battle for the intercontinental playoff slotBrazil rounded off the evening with a stylish 30 success against Chile Eighteenyearold Estevao starting at the Maracana delivered a performance of flair and fearlessness opening the scoring before Lucas Paquetá and Bruno Guimaraes added further goals The Selecao confirmed they remain among the favourites for next years tournament IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/uruguay-colombia-paraguay-seal-fifa-wc-2026-berth-636587.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/alessia-russo-pens-long-term-deal-with-arsenal-636613.html New Delhi Sep 5 Alessia Russo has signed a new longterm contract with Arsenal after helping Arsenal Women win their second UEFA Champions League title the previous season Alessia joined Arsenal in July 2023 and has since scored 36 goals in 72 appearances for the club helping them to win the League Cup in 2024 and the UEFA Womens Champions League in 2025Arsenal feels like home said Alessia This is such a special club and it has felt that way to me from the moment I joined two years ago Playing for Arsenal is an honour and has pushed me to develop and grow as a player and I feel empowered with this badge on my chestIm so proud of everything weve achieved together as a club with our supporters driving us forward But Im still so hungry for more success and I know thats shared by everyone here at the club I cant wait to get started this season starting with this Saturday at Emirates Stadium she addedNow 26 Alessia has broken her personal scoring records in each of her two seasons with Arsenal so far She scored 16 goals in 31 appearances in her first campaign at the club before finding the net 20 times in 41 appearances last season Alessias 12 goals in 21 league appearances in the 202425 season saw her win the Barclays Womens Super League Golden BootAlessia played an integral role in the historic Champions League triumph last season scoring a decisive brace in the thrilling comeback victory over Real Madrid in the quarterfinals before finding the net again in the 53 aggregate semifinal defeat of eighttime winners LyonFollowing a stellar 202425 campaign Alessia was crowned Football Writers Association Player of the Year and was named in both the PFA and the UEFA Champions League Teams of the Year She has also been nominated for the 2025 Ballon dOrAt international level Alessia played a key role in Englands successive UEFA Womens European Championship title wins in 2022 and 2025 as well as the Lionesses run to the FIFA Womens World Cup final in 2023 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/alessia-russo-pens-long-term-deal-with-arsenal-636613.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/all-my-dreams-came-true-ederson-bids-farewell-to-man-city-636648.html New Delhi Sep 5 Ederson has admitted it is hard to say goodbye to Manchester City The Brazilian brought his eightyear stay with the Blues to an end by joining Fenerbahce on transfer deadline day After finalising his move to Turkey he then flew back to Manchester to say goodbye properly to teammates staff and friendsOne of Citys most popular goalkeepers of all time Ederson says the success the club enjoyed during his stay is a fitting testimony to his time at the EtihadSix Premier League titles in eight seasons I remember after my last Premier League title I spoke with Fred Caldeira TNT presenter and said after winning fourinarow its like normal now Its not normalIn the future when you stop you will see you made history with your team No other team has won fourinarowWe made history my team made history The players the staff this club made history Ederson saidEderson added that there will be no one specific moment or memory that jumps out for him as everything was specialIts difficult to say one feeling because I feel a lot For me I arrived in Manchester so young and with a lot of dreams to wear the shirt I had the mentality to work hard give everything and use the experience of the older guys that play and try to win the trophiesOur dreams came true and Im so happy for those moments Im happy at this moment in my life Its difficult to move after eight years theres a lot of stress to change the house and go to Turkey but Im happy and my family are happy Its the best decision for me and my family he addedEderson joined City in June 2017 in a 35 million transfer from Portuguese side Benfica He has enjoyed a glittering career in Manchester winning the Premier League six times and helping the club win the Champions League for the first time in 2023In totality he has made 372 appearances for the club keeping 168 clean sheets IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/all-my-dreams-came-true-ederson-bids-farewell-to-man-city-636648.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/john-stones-withdraws-from-england-squad-as-precautionary-measure-636653.html New Delhi Sep 5 John Stones has withdrawn from the England squad as a precautionary measure The City defender in his tenth season with the Club has featured in all three of Man Citys Premier League fixtures so far He was selected for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia England boss Thomas Tuchel revealed the news at his press conferenceUnfortunately John Stones has just left He came with minor muscle issues to camp and didnt progress the way we thought and hoped he would so he left camp this morning because we will not take the risk against Andorra and also unfortunately against SerbiaStones withdrawal is the latest change for the Three Lions after AC Milans Ruben LoftusCheek and Bayer Leverkusens Jarell Quansah were added to Englands senior squadThe pair arrived at St Georges Park on Tuesday as part of Thomas Tuchels squad with Crystal Palaces Adam Wharton not reporting through injuryMidfielder LoftusCheek last appeared for the Three Lions in November 2018 and has 10 caps to his nameU21 EUROwinning defender Quansah has featured in senior squads previously but remains uncappedEngland continue their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with the visit of Andorra to Villa Park on Saturday September 6 and a trip to face Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday September 9England SquadGoalkeepers Dean Henderson Crystal Palace Jordan Pickford Everton James Trafford Manchester CityDefenders Dan Burn Newcastle United Marc Guéhi Crystal Palace Reece James Chelsea Ezri Konsa Aston Villa Myles LewisSkelly Arsenal Tino Livramento Newcastle United Djed Spence Tottenham HotspurMidfielders Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest Morgan GibbsWhite Nottingham Forest Jordan Henderson Brentford Declan Rice Arsenal Morgan Rogers Aston Villa Adam Wharton Crystal PalaceForwards Jarrod Bowen West Ham United Eberechi Eze Arsenal Anthony Gordon Newcastle United Harry Kane Bayern Munich Noni Madueke Arsenal Marcus Rashford Barcelona loan from Manchester United Ollie Watkins Aston Villa IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/john-stones-withdraws-from-england-squad-as-precautionary-measure-636653.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/scaloni-tells-fans-to-enjoy-messis-last-home-qualifier-636328.html Buenos Aires Sep 4 Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has urged fans to savour what is likely to be Lionel Messis last home World Cup qualifier against Venezuela on Thursday Messi has not formally announced his retirement plans but confirmed last week that the clash at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires would be a very special match reports XinhuaYes this is a match which Leo has said will be emotional because its true that its our last home qualifying match Scaloni told a news conference on WednesdayWe have to enjoy it as weve always been saying More than anyone I will enjoy it Having been able to coach him has honestly been a pleasure and lets hope that fans who go to the stadium will also enjoy it because he truly deserves itTomorrow will be exciting for everyone Im sure that it wont be his last game in Argentina and well make sure that if he decides its the last game we play another because its obvious to do that in the right moment and because he deserves itArgentina leads the South American qualifying group with 35 points from 16 games and is already guaranteed a place at next years World Cup in the United States Mexico and CanadaVenezuela is seventh in the 10team standings as it seeks to qualify for its first ever World CupIts an uncomfortable difficult opponent that has achieved some very good results under Bocha manager Fernando Batista Scaloni saidThey are on the verge of playing or have the possibility of playing in a World Cup which would be something historic for them So we appreciate that and know that there is a lot at stake in tomorrows match That makes the game exciting to watch and as always we will try to win by playing our wayThe top six South American teams will earn direct entry to next years tournament while the seventhranked side will dispute an intercontinental playoffArgentinas last 2026 World Cup qualifier will be an away clash against Ecuador on Tuesday while Venezuela will host Colombia the same day IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/scaloni-tells-fans-to-enjoy-messis-last-home-qualifier-636328.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/brazil-to-deploy-four-forwards-against-chile-636343.html Rio de Janeiro Sep 4 Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti said Wednesday that he would deploy four forwards in the teams penultimate World Cup qualifier against Chile at Rios Maracana Stadium The fivetime world champion will be without established stars Vinicius Junior and Neymar for the last doubleheader of qualifiers as Ancelotti tests less familiar names reports XinhuaThe Italians starting lineup on Thursday is expected to feature an attacking quartet of Estevao Gabriel Martinelli Joao Pedro and RaphinhaI tried out four forwards in training and thats the idea to play without changing much of what we did in the last qualifier against Paraguay Ancelotti told a news conferenceWere going to have a lot of forwards but the important thing is that the team doesnt lose balance and defends well We want to play with intensity be strong defensively apply good offensive pressure and play quickly with the ball We hope the fans will be happy with our performanceAncelotti said the formation may change for the teams last qualifier on Tuesday against Bolivia in El Alto at more than 4000 meters above sea levelThis team can play with several systems he said It depends on the type of game we want to play and the opponent The system we use against Bolivia might be very differentBrazil is currently third in the 10team South American qualifying group having already secured its place in footballs showpiece event next yearAncelotti acknowledged the team had entered an important stage as it finetunes preparations for the tournament in the United States Mexico and CanadaIts true that were now in the final straight he said We have to take advantage of this time to try not to make mistakes with the 25 players who will play in the World CupMaking mistakes in this sense is easy to do Theres a lot of competition because Brazil has many players with a lot of quality We may have positions that are more covered than others but I dont think its a position that will define the success of the World Cup Its a team as a whole that will do that he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/brazil-to-deploy-four-forwards-against-chile-636343.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/goa-set-to-host-india-vs-singapore-afc-asian-cup-qualifier-clash-on-oct-14-636400.html New Delhi Sep 4 The All India Football Federation AIFF has confirmed that Goa will play host to Indias upcoming AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifier Group C home fixture against Singapore on October 14 The match will take place at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda a venue with a rich history of staging major international and domestic football encounters The AIFF made the announcement through its official social media channels on Thursday underlining the importance of the clash as India look to revive their qualifying campaign The AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifier Group C match between India and Singapore on October 14 will be held at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda Goa the federation statedThis will be the second meeting between the two nations in October The away leg is scheduled for October 9 at the National Stadium in Singapore making it a crucial doubleheader that could go a long way in shaping the fate of both teams in the qualification raceSingapore currently lead the group with a win and a draw giving them four points from two games India meanwhile sit at the bottom of the table having managed just one point after a draw and a defeat The Blue Tigers will need to turn things around quickly if they are to keep alive hopes of booking their spot in the continental showpieceThe group winners will earn direct qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia which will feature 24 teams including the host nation For India who have participated in the previous two editions of the tournament the qualifiers present an opportunity to continue building their presence on the Asian stage The Goa fixture is expected to attract strong local support with fans hopeful that the Blue Tigers can capitalise on home advantage to spark a muchneeded resurgence IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/goa-set-to-host-india-vs-singapore-afc-asian-cup-qualifier-clash-on-oct-14-636400.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/looking-to-bring-everything-i-have-learned-to-sunderland-brian-brobbey-636194.html New Delhi Sep 3 Deadline Day signing Brian Brobbey has spoken of his excitement after putting pen to paper on a fiveyear contract with Sunderland AFC Brobbey joined the club after Marc Guiu returned to Stamford Bridge following the injury to Liam Delap and the departure of Nicolas Jackson The Dutch forward was one of 15 players to arrive at the Club during a busy summer transfer window joining from Ajax with a growing reputation as a powerful striker Still only 23 he has already made eight appearances for the Netherlands national team scoring once at senior international levelSpeaking after his move was confirmed Brobbey shared his first impressions of life on WearsideIt feels really good to be here Im with my whole family and weve already been to the stadium its a really nice ground really big and it felt amazing to see it I chose Sunderland because its a really nice club and of course the Premier League is the biggest stage for the biggest players Thats why I wanted to come here said BrobbeyThe forward outlined what supporters can expect from him in red and white Im a team player I like to hold the ball so that my teammates can get involved and of course I want to score goals Ive played at the highest level in Europe and internationally and I want to bring everything Ive learned to Sunderland I will give full energy to this clubLooking ahead to walking out at the Stadium of Light Brobbey said the passion of the supporters will play a huge roleIm looking forward to scoring many goals but first of all its about the energy If the energy is right then everything will comeIn a soldout Stadium of Light I know I can take a lot from the supporters their energy will push me when Im in front of goal IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/looking-to-bring-everything-i-have-learned-to-sunderland-brian-brobbey-636194.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/back-to-midfield-bayerns-kimmich-turns-into-nagelsmanns-flagman-636217.html Berlin Germany Sep 3 German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann has set sail for a fundamental restructuring of his teams tactics Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying opener against Slovakia on Thursday the 38yearold turned his teams focus to a solid defense and a powerful game through the midfield Bayern Munichs Joshua Kimmich is set to become Nagelsmanns flagman as the 30yearold returns to his preferred midfield position after playing mainly as a fullback covering the right wing for a long timeAlong with the change there is a more defensive back row with Frankfurts Nnamdi Collins the national teams debutant presumably taking over the right side approaching the role with a less forwardbound style reports XinhuaThe UEFA Nations League quarterfinal against Italy is said to have sparked the change in perspective Nagelsmann saw his team squander a 30 lead after we couldnt maintain our dominance over the 90 minutesAhead of his second anniversary as Germanys head coach Nagelsmann renewed his goal to win the World Cup to be held in the United States Canada and Mexico in nine months To aim at the title is far from arrogant but a natural desire from my perspective he saidNagelsmann demanded a more dominant performance from former Bayern winger Leroy Sane who has joined Galatasaray as the Turkish league isnt one of the leading European leagues adding that doors remain open for SaneThe new approach seems to be the last attempt to improve things as there appears to be little time left for more testingWe have to work well right from the start Bayern defender Jonathan Tah said calling the short time frame an advantage as there is no time for further thinking about it IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/back-to-midfield-bayerns-kimmich-turns-into-nagelsmanns-flagman-636217.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 19:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/gundogan-respects-man-citys-need-to-rebuild-joins-childhood-club-galatasaray-636094.html New Delhi Sep 3 Ilkay Gundogan claimed he respects that Manchester City is undergoing a rebuild and is excited to represent his childhood favourite club Galatasaray Gundogan joined Ederson Kevin De Bruyne Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji in the list of veterans that have departed the club this summerDear Cityzens I want to be honest with you the reason why Im leaving is very simple I still want to play football as often as possible because thats what I love the most Ill turn 35 soon but I still feel very fit and I truly believe I can continue to perform at a high level for a Champions League teamAnd not just that I now have the opportunity to join my childhood favourite club in a country that means so much to meMan City want a new beginning after an incredible era something I can fully understand and respect I will never ever forget what this great club has done for me over so many years Gundagon said in social media postGundogan enjoyed two spells with City making 358 appearances across all competitions and scoring 65 goalsIlkay initially joined City from Borussia Dortmund in July 2016 and in his first stint in the sky blue the German won 14 trophies including a historic Treble of Premier League FA Cup and Champions League as captain in his final seasonThe German departed City for Barcelona following that memorable night in Istanbul but he rejoined the Blues for the 202425 campaign However after a solitary season back in the sky blue hes on the move again this time to link up with the Turkish Super Lig championsMost of my time here was absolutely fantastic and incredibly successful The club and the city of Manchester will always hold a very special place in my heartI want to thank all my teammates the chairman everyone working behind the scenes every fan and of course Pep who made this amazing time possible he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/gundogan-respects-man-citys-need-to-rebuild-joins-childhood-club-galatasaray-636094.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/man-city-sign-gianluigi-donnarumma-on-five-year-deal-635963.html Manchester Sep 2 Manchester City have signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris SaintGermain The 26yearold Italian goalkeeper has penned a fiveyear deal which will see him stay at the Etihad Stadium through to the summer of 2030 Over the course of a hugely impressive career to date the Italian has gone on to establish a reputation for being one of the finest goalkeepers operating in the European game Donnarumma arrives at the Etihad armed with a wealth of elitelevel experienceTo have signed for Manchester City is such a special and proud moment for me said DonnarummaI am joining a squad packed with worldclass talent and a team led by the one of the greatest managers in the history of football in Pep Guardiola This is a club every player in world football would love to joinI have admired watching Manchester City for many years so to now be able to play for the Club is a huge honour and a privilegeHe established his career with Italian giants AC Milan where after progressing through their youth ranks and making his senior debut as a 16yearold he went on to make more than 250 appearances in total helping Milan to lift the 2016 Italian Super CoppaDonnarumma then made the move across Europe to France in the summer of 2021 to further his career development opting to join Paris SaintGermain where he made an immediate and sustained impactOver the course of four seasons at the Parc des Princes Donnarumma went on to help PSG claim a quartet of Ligue One crowns two Coupe de France successes as well as a hattrick of Trophee des Champions titlesHis stay in the French capital was then crowned in May when he helped PSG claim a maiden UEFA Champions League title with Luis Enriques side beating Internazionale 50 in hugely impressive fashionDonnarummas influence and impact has been equally impressive on the international stage too His heroics in a dramatic penalty shootout memorably helped Italy beat England at Wembley 32 on penalties to claim EURO 2020 with Donnarumma also voted the Player of the TournamentI cannot wait to meet my new teammates the staff and the fans Playing at the Etihad Stadium will be very very special for me I am very excited for what lies ahead and can promise that I will give absolutely everything to try and help the Club achieve even more success he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/man-city-sign-gianluigi-donnarumma-on-five-year-deal-635963.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/when-it-doesnt-suit-the-club-contracts-mean-nothing-joe-hart-backs-isaks-forced-move-to-liverpool-635969.html New Delhi Sep 2 Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has defended Alexander Isaks manner of leaving Newcastle United and forcing a move to Liverpool for a record Premier League fee Isak refused to continue playing at Newcastle and was left out of the preseason training and the opening three Premier League fixtures while also having to train away from the first teamHart pointed out how clubs have not shown loyalty in the past when it comes to contracts hence why should the players respect the commitmentIf football was fair then he acted unacceptably If everyone honoured their contracts football clubs included this is how we are going to do it equal opportunity play while you continue to get paid and then shake hands great said Hart to BBCBut everyone knows it doesnt work like that We have all been stomped on when it suited someone else Whats wrong with Alexander Isak standing up and saying I want to go to LiverpoolYou can say that you want the contract to mean something but it doesnt because hes gone to Liverpool Im sure Isak doesnt care what any of us think right nowWhen it doesnt suit the club the contract means nothing Go and sit in that dressing room dont train when we come in all of those things happen So why when its the other way around do we need to respect the contractOn the other hand the former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes the actions of Isak and Yoane Wissa who joined Newcastle as a replacement for the Swede in a similar manner were disgracefulPlayers sign contracts people in their everyday lives sign contracts and you adhere to those contracts It is absolutely despicable what they Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa have done They may well be happy tonight but it is a disgraceful way to behaveEddie Howe with Isak and his career Isak owes Howe a hell of a lot but he has treated him with total disrespect Saying that Newcastle have signed Wissa who has done the same as what Isak has done said Sutton to BBC IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/when-it-doesnt-suit-the-club-contracts-mean-nothing-joe-hart-backs-isaks-forced-move-to-liverpool-635969.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/grimsby-town-fined-for-fielding-ineligible-player-in-historic-win-over-man-utd-636009.html New Delhi Sep 2 Grimsby Town have been fined 20000 pounds of which half will be suspended for fielding an ineligible player in their historic win over Manchester United in the second round of the Carabao Cup The League Two side brought on midfielder Clarke Oduor who had joined on loan the day before from Bradford City as a substitute but later realised he had been registered one minute and 59 seconds after the 1200 BST deadline to register new playersThe EFL Board acting as the Management Committee of the Carabao Cup has today fined Grimsby Town Football Club 20000 of which 10000 will be suspended until the end of Season 202526 for having breached the Rules of the competitionThe breach relates to the Club fielding an ineligible player against Manchester United in a Round Two tie on 27 August 2025 Grimsby Town progressed to Round Three following a 1211 penalty shootout win at Blundell ParkThe circumstances leading to this transgression are that Grimsby Town submitted the registration of Clarke Oduor at 1201 pm on the day before the fixture ie shortly after the 1200 pm deadline required in accordance with the 202526 competition rules read the statement by EFL United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties despite rallying from two goals down to tie the game inside 90 minutes Oduor was the only Grimsby Town player who failed to convert his spot kick in the 1211 victory As per the statement Grimsby Club selfreported the breach upon discovery the day after the fixture had been completedEFL further noted the Clubs noncompliance was not deliberate with no intention to deceive or mislead The Club has since implemented several actions to prevent a similar occurrence in the futureThe Club will be liable for the suspended sum of 10000 Pounds if they were to again field an ineligible player in any League Competition between now and the end of Season 202526 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/grimsby-town-fined-for-fielding-ineligible-player-in-historic-win-over-man-utd-636009.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/india-has-great-potential-says-futsal-mens-national-team-head-coach-reza-kordi-636023.html New Delhi Sep 2 Futsal in India is still in its infancy However with as many as 17 teams participating in the annual AIFF Futsal Club Championship the game is slowly but steadily taking its steps towards growth Two years back the Indian mens futsal national team played their first Asian qualifiers in Tajikistan Now the national team is once again gearing up for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers which are set to be held from September 20 to 24 in Kuwait After the best players from the AIFF Futsal Club Championship were scouted the Indian mens futsal team assembled in Bengaluru for a 20day camp to prepare for the Asian qualifiersReza Kordi who has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian futsal team was present in Rudrapur where the Futsal Club Championship was held and has assembled the top talents from the tournament for the qualifiers Hailing from Iran Kordi brings his vast experience of coaching futsal in countries like Qatar Kuwait Myanmar Thailand Afghanistan and his home nationI would like to appreciate the All India Football Federation for giving me this opportunity said Kordi I feel that India great potential and that this is the right time to take this forward and develop a strong team cultureThere is not much difference with other countries The main gap is futsal knowledge and experience Indian players are fast intelligent and have a strong mentality they just need more exposure With the right system and regular competition India can reach the top four in AsiaIndia have been drawn in Group A of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers where they will face hosts Kuwait September 20 Australia September 22 and Mongolia September 24 Looking ahead to the qualifiers Kordi believes that the Futsal Tigers stand a good chance of qualifying The teams finishing top of their respective groups and the seven best secondplaced teams out of eight groups will join hosts Indonesia in the tournament proper next yearOur opponents have been preparing for longer which may be an area of concern but honestly we are not thinking much of it We have very good players and the Federation is supporting us well he said We are all working hard in Bengaluru and with this effort I believe that India have a very good chance to qualifyAs part of their preparations for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers India will play a few friendly matches which will be announced at a later date IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/india-has-great-potential-says-futsal-mens-national-team-head-coach-reza-kordi-636023.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/playing-for-a-club-like-aston-villa-is-every-kids-dream-harvey-elliot-636029.html New Delhi Sep 2 Harvey Elliott is relishing the opportunity to play for Aston Villa after wrapping up a Deadline Day switch from Liverpool The 22yearold completed an initial seasonlong loan deal from Liverpool where hes won six honours during as many years with The RedsElliott will now get the chance to show his class at Villa Park with plenty to look forward to in the coming monthsIt feels incredible First and foremost I want to thank everyone for making this happen Playing for a massive club like Aston Villa is every kids dreamIm very happy that its over the line now and I cant wait to get started said Elliot in his first interview as a Villa player to VillaTVDuring his time in Merseyside Elliott made 149 appearances scoring and creating goals domestically and in EuropeHes also fresh from starring in Englands Under21 European Championship win in the summerFor me now its about kicking on as a player The only way to do that is to play games and theres no better place to do that than here especially with the manager his philosophy the way he plays and his trust in younger playersNot only that his personal achievements as well I was very drawn to it I had a conversation with him and was blown away by the way he was towards me and how welcoming he was to me before I was an Aston Villa player It made me want it a little bit moreComing to Villa Park you see how passionate the fans are how well drilled the team is its really hard to play against Having the opportunity to be part of it I couldnt say no Im just delighted to be here he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/playing-for-a-club-like-aston-villa-is-every-kids-dream-harvey-elliot-636029.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/loftus-cheek-called-up-to-england-squad-after-six-year-gap-636044.html New Delhi Sep 2 AC Milans Ruben LoftusCheek and Bayer Leverkusens Jarell Quansah have been added to Englands senior squad The pair arrived at St Georges Park on Tuesday as part of Thomas Tuchels now 25man squad with Crystal Palaces Adam Wharton not reporting through injuryMidfielder LoftusCheek last appeared for the Three Lions in November 2018 and has 10 caps to his nameU21 EUROwinning defender Quansah has featured in senior squads previously but remains uncappedEngland continue their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with the visit of Andorra to Villa Park on Saturday September 6 and a trip to face Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday September 9Meanwhile Brighton amp Hove Albions Tom Watson has moved across from the U20s to replace Tyrique George in Lee Carsleys U21s squad Norwich Citys Ben Chrisene and Sheffield Uniteds Sydie Peck have been added to the England MU21 squadThe pair replace Manchester City duo Rico Lewis and Nico OReilly who have remained with their club for further assessments on injuries Fullback Chrisene has one MU21 cap to his name having made his debut away to Spain in November 2024 Midfielder Peck has previously represented the Young Lions at MU17 and MU20 levelLee Carsleys squad begin their 2027 UEFA U21 Euro qualifying campaign away to Kazakhstan in Aktobe on Monday September 8England SquadGoalkeepers Dean Henderson Crystal Palace Jordan Pickford Everton James Trafford Manchester CityDefenders Dan Burn Newcastle United Marc Guéhi Crystal Palace Reece James Chelsea Ezri Konsa Aston Villa Myles LewisSkelly Arsenal Tino Livramento Newcastle United Djed Spence Tottenham Hotspur John Stones Manchester CityMidfielders Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest Morgan GibbsWhite Nottingham Forest Jordan Henderson Brentford Declan Rice Arsenal Morgan Rogers Aston Villa Adam Wharton Crystal PalaceForwards Jarrod Bowen West Ham United Eberechi Eze Arsenal Anthony Gordon Newcastle United Harry Kane Bayern Munich Noni Madueke Arsenal Marcus Rashford Barcelona loan from Manchester United Ollie Watkins Aston Villa IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/loftus-cheek-called-up-to-england-squad-after-six-year-gap-636044.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 22:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/to-part-ways-with-coach-after-just-two-league-matches-is-unprecedented-ten-hag-635861.html New Delhi Sep 2 Erik ten Hag has admitted he was caught off guard by Bayer Leverkusens decision to sack him just two games into the Bundesliga season saying the clubs leadership lacked faith in his ability The Dutchman was shown the door on Monday following a 21 defeat to TSG Hoffenheim in their season opener and a 33 draw against 10man Werder Bremen over the weekendTen Hag had only just returned to management after a spell on the sidelines following his dismissal from Manchester United in October last year He took over at Leverkusen in May on a twoyear deal stepping in after Xabi Alonso departed to take charge at Real MadridThe decision by Bayer Leverkusens management this morning to put me on a leave of absence came as a complete surprise To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented Ten Hag said in a statement posted by his agency on social media on MondayUnder Alonso Leverkusen enjoyed a historic 202324 campaign clinching their maiden Bundesliga title without a single defeat lifting the German Cup and reaching the Europa League finalHowever Ten Hag inherited a very different squad A major summer overhaul saw the departures of key figures including Florian Wirtz Jeremie Frimpong Jonathan Tah Granit Xhaka and Amine Adli leaving the Dutchman with a steep challenge in trying to sustain the clubs recent successBuilding a new cohesive team is a careful process that requires both time and trust Ten Hag said I started this job with full conviction and energy but unfortunately the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed which I deeply regret I feel this was never a relationship based on mutual trustTen Hags most successful stint came at Ajax Amsterdam where he coached from 2018 to 2022 winning three Eredivisie titles and taking the club to the Champions League semifinals in 2019Clubs that placed their trust in me have been rewarded with success and silverware he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/to-part-ways-with-coach-after-just-two-league-matches-is-unprecedented-ten-hag-635861.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/ederson-leaves-man-city-after-8-years-to-join-fenerbahce-635887.html Istanbul Sep 2 Brazil goalkeeper Ederson has left Manchester City after eight trophyladen years at the Etihad Stadium to join Turkish side Fenerbahce The club has reached an agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson The player has been brought to Istanbul for the completion of official signatures Fenerbahce said in a social media postEderson is one of the most successful players in Manchester Citys history winning 18 major honours under Pep Guardiola That haul comprises six Premier Leagues two FA Cups four League Cups three Community Shields and our firstever Champions League UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup successesAfter arriving in Manchester ahead of the 201718 season he went on to play 372 times across all competitions as Guardiolas first choice between the sticks in Premier League and Champions League football No goalkeeper has ever kept more Premier League clean sheets for City than the Brazilian with his 122 coming in 276 league appearancesReflecting on his City career Ederson said I leave Manchester City incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and I am honoured to have worn the shirt so many times Under Pep we have dominated the Premier League and conquered Europe It has been amazingI would first of all like to thank him and Head of Goalkeeping Xabier Mancisidor for making me the best goalkeeper I could be and teaching so much about the game I must also thank my teammates Our desire to win every game we play has been a joy to be a part of and that has made me relish every day on the training field or in the dressing room with every one of youI arrived in Manchester eight years ago full of hope but I could not have predicted such a beautiful time together Playing for City has been the most special time of my life and I will always be a fan of this special club Im going with my wife and children but Im leaving a big family here Cityzens Once a Blue always a BlueEderson was also the recipient of three Golden Glove awards the prestigious prize awarded to the goalkeeper with the most Premier League clean sheets He won the award outright in both 201920 and 202021 and shared the 202122 award with Alisson Becker after both goalkeepers registered 20 clean sheets IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/ederson-leaves-man-city-after-8-years-to-join-fenerbahce-635887.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/gianluigi-donnarumma-close-to-joining-man-city-report-635694.html New Delhi Sep 1 Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain have agreed on the framework of a deal for the signing of outcast Gianluigi Donnarumma ahead of Mondays transfer deadline As per a report by Sky Sports City have sanctioned a move for the Italian goalie and will allow goalkeeper Ederson to depart with rumblings of a potential move to Fenerbahce but only if Donnarummas arrival pans outThe 26yearold had confirmed his departure from the Defending European champion after someone decided he was no longer a part of the groupUnfortunately someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the teams success I am disappointed and disheartened read the post by DonnarummaDonnarumma played a major role in PSGs historic treble campaign and his heroics in the UEFA Champions League saw the Parisians lift the coveted title for the first time in club historyEderson joined City in June 2017 in a 35 Million transfer from Portuguese side Benfica He has enjoyed a glittering career in Manchester winning the Premier League six times and helping the club win the Champions League for the first time in 2023 In totality he has made 372 appearances for the club keeping 168 clean sheetsKnown for his ability to play out from the back Ederson also holds the record of most assists by a goalkeeper in PL history with seven to his nameAhead of the game against Brighton which City lost 12 Guardiola admitted that the Brazilians exit may be stretched due to a later transfer deadline inFor the fact it will be clear the mood the vibe for the players and uncertainties for some it could be better But on Monday deadline day it will happen or maybe the transfer window in Turkey or Saudi Arabia is a little longer said GuardiolaThe Saudi Pro League transfer window closes on September 10 In Turkey the window shuts on September 11Im focused on the Manchester City players I have to treat them like we treat them I cannot ever ever have a complaint about how the club takes care of them never ever IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/gianluigi-donnarumma-close-to-joining-man-city-report-635694.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 15:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/feeling-blessed-to-have-scored-for-the-team-sangita-basfore-after-east-bengal-secure-group-stage-spot-635708.html Phnom Penh Sep 1 Sangita Basfore expressed relief after her crucial goal ensured East Bengals place in the Group Stage of the AFC Womens Champions League 202526 despite being held to a 11 draw by Hong Kongs Kitchee SC in their final Group E clash on Sunday Her strike put East Bengal ahead before Kitchee equalised to claim a point The result saw the Indian side finish on four points enough to seal their passage to the next round while Kitchee were eliminated after finishing two points adriftIm feeling blessed to have scored for the team and the club said Sangita who chose the right time to score her first goal of the competitionEast Bengal only needed a draw to advance and their early pressure paid off in the ninth minute when Fazila Ikwaput teed up Sangita who calmly slotted past keeper Leung Wai NgaDespite Kitchee pulling one back through Ho Mui Mei the Hong Kong side were unable to find a way past a disciplined East Bengal defenceWe played as a team and thats why we managed to qualify However Im not satisfied with the result because our aim was to win both matches added the 29yearold midfielder Things didnt go the way we expected and it just wasnt our day so we had to settle for a draw Still it was a great experience playing with my teammatesEast Bengal started their campaign with a 10 win over Phnom Penh Crown FC at the National Sports Complex of Cambodia A second half strike from Fazila Ikwaput was enough to seal the tie in their favour against the hostsIt was East Bengals debut in Asias premier womens club competition after securing their spot with a dominant 202425 IWL campaign winning 12 of their 14 league games while losing just onceThe Kolkatabased club will now look ahead with confidence to the Group Stage with the draw to be conducted on September 11 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/feeling-blessed-to-have-scored-for-the-team-sangita-basfore-after-east-bengal-secure-group-stage-spot-635708.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/bayer-leverkusen-sack-erik-ten-hag-after-two-bundesliga-games-635719.html New Delhi Sep 1 Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen have dismissed manager Erik ten Hag after only two matches in charge of the new season the club announced on Monday The Dutchman who replaced Xabi Alonso in May after the Spaniard was appointed by Real Madrid leaves the club after presiding over a draw and a defeat in his brief tenureBayer 04 Leverkusen have parted ways with head coach Erik ten Hag with immediate effect This decision was made by the shareholders committee the supervisory body of the club on the recommendation of Bayer 04s executive management Training duties will be temporarily handled by the assistant coaching staff the club said in a satementLeverkusen currently sit 12th in the Bundesliga table The club said in a statement that its assistant coaching staff will temporarily assume training duties until a permanent successor is identifiedThe decision comes in the wake of a frustrating 33 draw against Werder Bremen at the weekend Despite Bremen being reduced to 10 men in the 63rd minute following a red card Leverkusen failed to capitalise on their advantage Instead they conceded a stoppagetime equaliser from Abdoul Karim Koulibaly sparking discontent among supporters and raising doubts about ten Hags suitability to lead the sideThis decision was not easy for us No one wished for this step However the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this setup cannot be carried out effectively We firmly believe in the quality of our team and will now do everything possible to take the next steps in development in a new configuration said Simon Rolfes Sporting DirectorTen Hag arrived in Germany with a strong pedigree He enjoyed a glittering spell at Ajax winning three Eredivisie titles and guiding the team to the Champions League semifinals in 2019 where they famously defeated Real Madrid and Juventus en route His success in Amsterdam made him one of the most highly regarded European coaches of his generationHowever his subsequent tenure at Manchester United proved more turbulent Though he won two domestic cups in two and a half years at Old Trafford his spell ended in disappointment after United endured their worst start to a Premier League season in decades losing four of their first nine league matches before he was dismissed IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/bayer-leverkusen-sack-erik-ten-hag-after-two-bundesliga-games-635719.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/sheffield-united-sign-midfielder-alex-matos-on-three-year-deal-from-chelsea-635734.html Sheffield Sep 1 Sheffield United have signed midfielder Alex Matos on a threeyear deal with the Blades paying Chelsea an undisclosed fee for the services of a player who can operate in a number of positions Born in Bedford Matos joined Luton Town as a youngster before moving to Norwich City in 2016 He became known for his versatility during his time in Norfolk and became a regular for the Canaries at U18s level and also progressed into the U21 teamIn July 2023 Matos joined Chelsea and made his Blues debut in the Premier League on the eve of his 19th birthday replacing Enzo Fernandez in the 20 success at FulhamIn January 2024 Matos joined Huddersfield Town until the end of the season and scored his first senior goal whilst with the Terriers making 19 secondtier appearances during his stint in West YorkshireLast season the 20yearold spent the second half of the campaign back in the Championship with Oxford United making 21 appearances for the Us in all competitionsWhen I heard of the interest it was a nobrainer move for me I feel this is right time for me to move on and play regular football and this is the right club for me I spoke to Alfie Gilchrist and he told me that its a good club with good people and I would enjoy it said Alex in a statementThe loans developed me quite a lot it is a good league as has growing up at Chelsea but Im very happy to be here now getting players in recently shows how big a club this is and it looks like a strong team Exciting times aheadOf Ghanaian descent Matos represented England at junior level and in June 2024 made his U20s debut for the Three Lions against Sweden IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/sheffield-united-sign-midfielder-alex-matos-on-three-year-deal-from-chelsea-635734.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/aston-villa-sign-ex-man-utd-defender-victor-lindelof-635751.html Birmingham Sep 1 Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of former Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof on a twoyear contract The Swedish defender joins as a free agent after having left the Red Devils last seasonLindelof has represented United 284 times since his arrival from Benfica in the summer of 2017 and won Emirates FA Cup and League Cup winners medals during his time with the Red DevilsThe Sweden captain came off the bench in the 2024 FA Cup final success against Manchester City and also netted four goals as a Red all of which came at Old Trafford the last a winning strike against Luton Town in his final campaign for the sideAs per reports by The Athletic Villa will have an extremely busy deadline day with more incomings expectedAston Villa are on the verge of agreeing a loan deal for Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho An agreement clubtoclub and with the player is close with only final details to sort Villa are expected to pay around 80 per cent of Sanchos wagesThe 25yearold is into the final year of his contract at Old Trafford with the club holding the option of extending by a further 12 monthsIn addition to Sancho Villa are also working to finalize a deal for Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott on loan with an obligation to make the transfer permanent next summer after the departure of Jacob Ramsey Elliots potential arrival works as a solid addition to Unai Emerys side after having attempted to sign West Hams Lucas Paqueta and Marco AsensioThe Villains will be hoping to add enough firepower to their side ahead of the transfer deadline after having failed to score a single goal in their opening three Premier League games of the season IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/aston-villa-sign-ex-man-utd-defender-victor-lindelof-635751.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/brighton-sell-enciso-to-strasbourg-buonanotte-loaned-to-chelsea-on-deadline-day-635782.html New Delhi Sep 1 Brighton and Hove Albion have been active in the transfer market on deadline day and have focused on outgoings with Julio Enciso and Facundo Buonanotte joining RC Strasbourg and Chelsea respectively Enciso has joined Strasbourg on a permanent deal The Paraguay international joined Brighton from Libertad in January 2023 going on to make 57 appearances scoring five goalsBrighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said Julio is keen to play regularly particularly in a World Cup year We fully appreciate that but we are not able to guarantee him regular gamesThis opportunity with Strasbourg gives him the chance to play both in Ligue 1 and in Europe Wed like to thank him for his time with us and wish him well for the futureThe 21yearold spent the second half of last season on loan with Ipswich Town where he made 13 appearances scoring twice His goal against City in May 2023 won the Premier League Goal of the SeasonBuonanotte on the other hand has joined Chelsea on a seasonlong loan move from Brighton and Hove Albion Twice capped by Argentina Buonanotte arrives at Stamford Bridge and will strengthen their attacking options in a campaign that will see the Blues compete across four frontsIm very happy to join Chelsea Its a great opportunity for me and Im just looking to add as much to the squad as possible help the team and help the staff said BuonanotteThe 20yearold began his career at Argentine club Rosario Central and made his senior debut in February 2022 The following January having made 32 appearances for Rosario in which he scored four goals Buonanotte joined Brighton He featured regularly for the Seagulls during his first 18 months at the club playing 50 times across all competitions and netting five goalsBuonanotte who can operate as a No10 and play out wide spent the 202425 campaign on loan at Leicester City and netted six goals in his 35 outings for the Foxes On the international stage Buonanotte earned his first cap for Argentina in 2023 coming on in a 20 win over Indonesia His second appearance came the following year in a 30 victory over El Salvador IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/brighton-sell-enciso-to-strasbourg-buonanotte-loaned-to-chelsea-on-deadline-day-635782.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 22:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/wolves-sign-attacker-tolu-arolodare-on-four-year-deal-635784.html Wolverhampton Sep 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the signing of Genk attacker and Nigeria international Tolu Arokodare on a fouryear deal with a 12month option The 24yearold moves to Molineux fresh from claiming the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot last term having struck 21 times in the league and on 23 occasions in all competitions The attacker played his youth football in his home nation and first arrived in Europe with Latvian side Valmiera in 2019 playing regular football at the age of 18 and showing an early eye for goal with 22 in 34 matches Experience followed in the Bundesliga through a loan spell with FC Koln and then in Ligue 2 with Amiens where he spent two years on loan and netted on 21 occasionsThe attackers move to Genk materialised from there and after joining the club in January 2023 Arokodare almost had a Belgium Pro League title to his name the following spring only for Genk to lose out on the final dayDuring a first full season in Belgium Arokodare chalked up 52 appearances seven in Europe and bagged 15 times but last season proved his best yet as Genk once again pushed for the titleAlthough his side slipped away in the playoffs the Nigerian netted 23 times in all competitions and added a further seven assists 21 goals was a jointbest in the division with Arokodare taking the Golden Boot by virtue of goals scored away from homeThe attacker who helped his nation qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations during his opening two international matches in March now has four Nigeria caps to date and scored his first international goal against Russia in JuneThe Nigerian has started the new season with five appearances for Genk and netted against Standard Liege earlier this month but now heads to the Premier League for the first time with Wolves IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/wolves-sign-attacker-tolu-arolodare-on-four-year-deal-635784.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 22:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/east-bengal-seal-afc-womens-champions-league-group-stage-spot-with-draw-against-kitchee-635541.html Phnom Penh Aug 31 East Bengal advanced to the Group Stage of the AFC Womens Champions League 202526 despite being held to a 11 draw by Kitchee SC of Hong Kong China in their final Qualifiers Group E tie on Sunday The draw moved East Bengal to four points with Kitchee two behind and out of contention for a group stage spotKitchee who needed victory to seal their spot enjoyed early possession while East Bengal deployed the same strategy they did on Matchday One with Soumya Guguloth and Fazila Ikwaput making runs through the centreEast Bengals pressure paved the way for the opener in the ninth minute when Ikwaput set up Sangita nicely with the midfielder slotting past Leung Wai NgaThe Hong Kong side tried to force their way back but were stopped by the reflexes of East Bengal keeper Elangbam Panthoi ChanuKitchee started the second half aggressively and levelled the tie just before the hour mark through Ho Mui MeiA winner however eluded the Hong Kong side as East Bengal took their place in the Group Stage draw on September 11East Bengal started their campaign with a 10 win over Phnom Penh Crown FC at the National Sports Complex of Cambodia A second half strike from Fazila Ikwaput was enough to seal the tie in their favour against the hostsIt was East Bengals debut in Asias premier womens club competition after their spot with a dominant 202425 IWL campaign winning 12 of their 14 league games while losing just once IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/east-bengal-seal-afc-womens-champions-league-group-stage-spot-with-draw-against-kitchee-635541.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/cafa-nations-cup-india-go-down-fighting-0-3-to-ir-iran-635798.html Hisor Tajikistan Sep 1 India suffered a 03 defeat at the hands of IR Iran in their second match of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor Tajikistan on Monday After a goalless first half Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh 60 put Iran in the lead before substitutes Ali Alipour 89 and Mehdi Taremi 906 added two late goals to hand the Asian giants the three pointsDefending champions Iran ranked 113 spots above India 133rd in the FIFA Rankings pegged the Blue Tigers back from the start drawing some early saves from India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh SandhuThe Indian defence stabilised their operations at the back after the opening exchanges managing to keep Iran from producing any clearcut chances Efforts from Mohammad Amin Hazbavi and Omid Noorafkan a little after the quarterhour mark went wide while Gurpreet managed to block a dangerous cutback from Mahdi HashemnezhadIndia had their first chance in the 24th minute when Suresh Singh Wangjams cross was trapped inside the Iran box by Irfan Yadwad who laid it off for Nikhil Prabhu The midfielders shot however was blockedIndia began to gain more confidence as the clock ticked past the halfhour mark and they managed to produce a passage of play in Irans third The Blue Tigers managed to produce a couple of switch plays to the right wing to Vikram Partap Singh who could run at Mohammad Naderi but Iran negotiated the danger on both occasionsMinutes later Gurpreet was again called into action as he got down low to save a snapshot from Noorafkan India defended in a coordinated manner in the first half managing to frustrate Iran and not let them create any clearcut openingsThe second half began much in the same fashion India allowing Iran to keep possession of the ball while staving them off near the defensive thirdIt took Iran an hour to open the scoring though there was a hint of luck involved in it Hossein Kanaani hung up a cross at the far post towards Hosseinzadeh whose header was blocked by India defender Rahul Bheke The ball however dropped kindly back at the feet of Hosseinzadeh who finished it from close rangeIndia head coach Khalid Jamil looking for avenues to get back in the game brought on Manvir Singh Jr Mahesh Naorem and Jithin MS The attacking changes gave the Blue Tigers some impetus going forward and Manvirs cross found Bheke at the near post in the 72nd minute but the defenders header went wideIran had their own aces up their sleeve in the form of Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Mehdi Taremi whose introduction into the fray caused problems for India which was now keen to equalise Jithin raised a few eyebrows with his mazy runs for India but no real threat was posed to the Iranian goal He had the opportunity to create a good chance in the 86th minute when he broke on the counter with speed but his through ball to Mahesh had too much weight on it as Iran goalkeeper Payam Niazmand collected it calmlyThe experience of Jahanbakhsh and Taremi shone through in the dying minutes The former produced a shot that was saved while the latter pounced on the rebound only to hit the upright before Alipour sneaked the ball in at the far post doubling the lead for IranSubstitute Jeakson Singh tried his luck with a stray shot deep into injury time but the ball just did not dip soon enough sailing inches over the Iranian woodwork A minute later Iran broke on the counter with speed and a through ball from Jahanbakhsh found Taremi who made it three for the world number 20s IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/cafa-nations-cup-india-go-down-fighting-0-3-to-ir-iran-635798.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/szoboszlais-stunner-seals-narrow-win-for-liverpool-over-arsenal-635543.html Liverpool Sep 1 Dominik Szoboszlais stunning late freekick kept Liverpools perfect start to the 202526 Premier League season intact sealing a hardfought 10 win over title contenders Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday In a clash between last seasons top two sides both defending flawless records it was always likely to be decided by fine margins That moment of brilliance arrived in the 83rd minute when Szoboszlai unleashed a curling effort from over 30 yards out bending the ball past David Raya and in off the post to spark wild celebrations at the Kop endArsenal came into the game understrength missing Bukayo Saka due to a hamstring injury and choosing to bench captain Martin Odegaard Their problems worsened just five minutes in when key defender William Saliba limped off and was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera Despite the disruption Mikel Artetas side managed to frustrate Liverpool for large stretchesThe first half offered little in terms of clear chances with both sides struggling to create rhythm Arsenals best opportunity came from a volley by Noni Madueke that forced a sharp save from Alisson while Virgil van Dijk opted to pass rather than shoot from a promising position at the other endLiverpool thought they had broken the deadlock on the hour mark when Hugo Ekitike found the net following a rebound from a Florian Wirtz strike but the goal was ruled out for offside against Cody Gakpo in the buildupLate substitute Eberechi Eze making his Arsenal debut alongside Odegaard showed flashes of his potential with a surging run into the Liverpool box only to be crowded out by Joe GomezSzoboszlai deployed unusually at rightback was outstanding throughout and ultimately delivered the decisive moment extending Liverpools Premier League scoring streak to a clubrecord 37 consecutive matchesThough Arne Slots men havent yet hit top gear they head into the international break top of the table with three wins from three With potential new signings like Marc Guehi and Alexander Isak on the horizon and a trip to Burnley up next the early signs are promising for the reigning champions IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/szoboszlais-stunner-seals-narrow-win-for-liverpool-over-arsenal-635543.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/rayo-hold-barcelona-in-la-liga-635578.html Madrid Sep 1 Rayo Vallecano drew 11 against FC Barcelona in the Vallecas Stadium on Sunday halting the latters perfect start to the La Liga season The draw maintained the good feeling for Rayo fans after the club qualified for the group stage of the UEFA Conference League on Thursday and if it hadnt been for a stunning display from Barca goalkeeper Joan Garcia Rayo would have taken all three pointsGarcia made several excellent saves to keep the score level as Rayo pushed for a winner in the last half hour after Fran Perez had cancelled out Lamine Yamals firsthalf penalty with a volley from cornerBarca had taken the lead from the spot after the referee penalized Pep Chavarria for a challenge on Yamal at a moment when the VAR connection from the ground wasnt workingThe home players protested the decision strongly but with no VAR review the decision stoodThe result leaves Barca two points behind Real Madrid who won 21 at home to Mallorca on Saturday with two goals in two minutes from Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr cancelling out Vedat Muriqis early opener for the visitorsReal Madrid has three wins from three games the same as Athletic Bilbao who won 21 away to Real Betis on SundayAthletic took the lead in the 60th minute when Marc Bartra deflected Yuri Berchiches cross into his own net and Aitor Paredes headed in Athletics second with five minutes left to playCedric Bakambu pulled Betis into the game deep into injury time but the home side had no time for an equalizerBorja Iglesias scored a 94thminute equalizer to save a point for Celta Vigo and deny Villarreal a 100 percent start to the campaignVillarreal had looked to be on the way to three points after Nicolas Pepe opened the scoring in the 53rd minuteCarlos Romero scored the only goal in the 52nd minute as Espanyol won 10 at home to Osasuna IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/rayo-hold-barcelona-in-la-liga-635578.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 10:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/seattle-sounders-stun-messis-inter-miami-to-win-first-ever-leagues-cup-title-635590.html Seattle Sep 1 Seattle Sounders FC have added Leagues Cup to their trophy cabinet cruising to a 30 win over Lionel Messis Inter Miami CF in the final at Lumen Field in Monday IST With win over Inter Miami the Sounders were crowned champions of the tournament becoming the only team in MLS to capture every major North American soccer trophy The club has previously lifted four US Open Cups two MLS Cups one Concacaf Champions Cup and one Supporters ShieldThe Sounders took the lead in the 26th minute when forward Osaze De Rosario redirected winger Paul Rothrocks cross with a rocketed header into the far post of the net Then in the 84th minute defender Alex Roldan extended the lead to two with a PK finish after winger Georgi Minoungou drew a foul inside the boxRothrock topped the night off in the 89th minute with a beautifully placed shot across the face of the goal and into the back post to secure the victory over MiamiInter Miami had several giltedged chances to equalize in the second half with Luis Suárez setting up looks that Lionel Messi 50 and Tadeo Allende 60 couldnt capitalize on However the 2023 Leagues Cup champions saw their tournament run fall shortSeattle have filled their trophy cabinet with every major piece of North American silverware on offer and did so in front of a record crowd at Lumen Field This victory gives the Sounders a bye into the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 and continues their incredible form since competing at the FIFA Club World Cup this summerAfter being the only Leagues Cup team MLS or LIGA MX to earn maximum points in Phase One Seattle posted an incredible 162 goal differential while weathering injuries and suspensionsThe Sounders will have a weeklong break before transitioning back to MLS regular season competition on Sept 13 when the team takes on LA Galaxy at Lumen Field IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/seattle-sounders-stun-messis-inter-miami-to-win-first-ever-leagues-cup-title-635590.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/liverpool-agree-to-sign-newcastle-striker-alexander-isak-for-record-125-mn-pound-deal-report-635611.html New Delhi Sep 1 Liverpool have agreed a Britishrecord transfer for striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United says a report Isak was determined to leave the club but with three years remaining on his contract Newcastle rejected a bid in the region of 110 million pound from LiverpoolAccording to Sky Sports report Liverpool have now agreed to pay a Britishrecord transfer fee of 125 million pound for the striker who is set to sign a sixyear deal with Liverpool and begin his medical on Monday morningEarlier this summer Isak was left out of the Newcastle squad for their preseason tour of Asia with what the club described as a minor thigh injury He then trained alone at his former club Real Sociedad before Liverpools initial bid for him was knocked back by the MagpiesIsak played a huge role in Newcastles solid season with 27 goals across 42 games in all competitions and secured UCL football for next season while also ending the teams trophy drought by lifting the Carabao CupAmid continued speculation about his future Isak released a statement on social media in which he said promises had been broken by Newcastle and that their relationship cant continueThe reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading When promises are broken and trust is lost the relationship cant continue Thats where things are for me right now and why change is in the best interests of everyone not just myself Isak had posted on social mediaNewcastles response was swift and the club issued a statement within hours of Isaks social media post making it clear that he would not be sold unless it is in the best interests of the clubWe want to keep our best players but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views the statement read IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/liverpool-agree-to-sign-newcastle-striker-alexander-isak-for-record-125-mn-pound-deal-report-635611.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-fernandes-last-gasp-penalty-saves-man-united-in-dramatic-3-2-win-over-burnley-635393.html Manchester Aug 30 Bruno Fernandes struck a dramatic 96thminute penalty to hand Manchester United a nervy 32 win over Burnley at Old Trafford keeping alive their stuttering campaign under Ruben Amorim The manager had labelled this fixture a mustwin following the humiliating midweek Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby but what unfolded was another shaky performance that exposed familiar flawsUnited started brightly and took the lead through a Josh Cullen owngoal but the mood soon soured as Matheus Cunha limped off injured and Burnley grew into the contest Despite wasting several chances to extend their lead Amorims side were pegged back when Lyle Foster headed home a superb cross from Jacob Bruun Larsen United responded instantly though with Bryan Mbeumo netting his first league goal for the club just 15 seconds after the restart to restore the advantageEven then the hosts never looked assured Their defensive frailties were once again exposed when Jaidon Anthony bundled in Burnleys second equaliser after United failed to deal with a simple throwin That goal summed up the timidity and lack of organisation that have plagued Amorims side throughout his tenure and frustration echoed around Old Trafford as Burnley sensed an upsetAs the game ticked into stoppage time Uniteds seasonand Amorims futureappeared to be hanging by a thread But fortune finally swung their way when VAR intervened to spot a shirt pull on Amad Diallo inside the area Fernandes who had missed a crucial spotkick against Fulham last weekend stepped up under immense pressure and calmly slotted past the Burnley goalkeeper to seal a hardfought victoryThe result was a relief for United but hardly the statement win Amorim had promised While Fernandes composure provided a lifeline Uniteds inability to control proceedings or defend with authority left serious question marks Burnley meanwhile will feel aggrieved to leave emptyhanded after twice clawing their way back IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-fernandes-last-gasp-penalty-saves-man-united-in-dramatic-3-2-win-over-burnley-635393.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/la-liga-real-madrid-turn-it-around-at-home-to-mallorca-atletico-slip-up-again-635422.html Madrid Aug 31 Real Madrid moved to the top of La Liga on Saturday night with a 21 win at home to Mallorca Despite an early setback with Vedat Muriqis goal for Mallorca in the 18th minute which came against the run of play Real Madrid quickly turned the match around with two rapid goalsArda Guler scored from Dean Huijsens knockdown in the 37th minute and a minute later Vinicius Jr scored a low leftfoot shot reports XinhuaAlthough Kylian Mbappe had two goals ruled out for offside and Guler had another effort ruled out for handball Real Madrid remained comfortable with its narrow leadMeanwhile Atletico Madrids earlyseason struggles continued under Diego Simeone as they were held to a 11 draw away to AlavesGiuliano Simeone put Atletico ahead in the seventh minute but Carlos Vicente equalized with a penalty just seven minutes later The match was temporarily halted for 15 minutes in the second half due to a medical emergency in the stands The draw leaves Atletico seven points behind Real Madrid after just three matchesLeander Dendoncker scored the only goal of the game as Oviedo won 10 at home against Real Sociedad earning its first points since returning to the topflight Despite being under pressure from the visitors who dominated possession Oviedo held firm to claim victorySevilla applied the pressure on Girona with a 20 win at Montilivi Stadium Alfonso Gonzalez opened the scoring with his first goal since joining from Celta Vigo and Isaac Romero sealed the win in the second halfThe result gives Sevilla its first win of the season while Girona faces trouble with three consecutive defeatsOn Friday Valencia claimed its first win of the campaign and ended Getafes perfect start with a 30 win thanks to goals from Mouctar Diakhaby Arnaut Danjuma and Hugo DuroElche triumphed in a clash between newly promoted sides defeating Levante 20 at home with goals from Rafa Mir and Rodri MendozaFC Barcelona visits Rayo Vallecano on Sunday night IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/la-liga-real-madrid-turn-it-around-at-home-to-mallorca-atletico-slip-up-again-635422.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/naushad-moosa-names-india-squad-for-afc-u23-asian-cup-qualifiers-635520.html New Delhi Aug 31 India U23 mens national team head coach Naushad Moosa on Sunday announced the 23member squad that will play the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Doha Qatar India have been drawn in Group H of the qualifiers where they will play Bahrain September 3 hosts Qatar September 6 and Brunei Darussalam September 9 The group winners and the four best secondplaced teams from the 11 groups will qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026The key is to take it one match at a time The first game against Bahrain will be very important because it will help us understand where we currently stand Getting those three points will be crucial Moosa said to AIFFs official websiteWe must play good football thats the key If we play well the results will follow Another focus will be to avoid conceding goals and stay focussed he addedThe India U23s had earlier this month played two closeddoors friendlies against Iraq U23s in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Though they lost both matches 12 and 13 Moosa is positive that the Blue Colts have gained confidence from the two encountersPlaying against Iraq was the best thing to happen for the team They are one of the top sides and the way we played even though we lost was quite encouraging The important thing is that the boys showed character and have gained a lot of belief in their abilities said MoosaThe India U23s have travelled to Doha Qatar on August 30 and held their first training session on the evening of the same dayIndia squad for AFC U23 Asian Cup QualifiersGoalkeeper Sahil Mohd Arbaz Dipesh ChauhanDefenders Bikash Yumnam Pramveer Muhammed Saheef Areesinte Purakkal Harsh Arun Palande Subham Bhattacharya Ricky Meetei HaobamMidfielders Soham Naveen Varshneya Lalrinliana Hnamte Mohammed Aimen Vibin Mohanan Mohammed Sanan K Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh Ayush Dev Chhetri Macarton Louis Nickson Lalremtluanga Fanai Vinith VenkateshForwards Parthib Sundar Gogoi Muhammed Suhail Sreekuttan MS Sahil Harijan IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/naushad-moosa-names-india-squad-for-afc-u23-asian-cup-qualifiers-635520.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 20:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/india-crowned-saff-u17-womens-champions-despite-defeat-against-bangladesh-635524.html Thimpu Aug 31 India suffered their only defeat in their last match of SAFF U17 Womens Championship 2025 losing 34 to Bangladesh at Changlimithang Stadium Bhutan on Sunday Despite the defeat the Young Tigresses were crowned champions having earned an unassailable lead in the points table with a game in hand The Young Tigresses concluded the SAFF U17 Womens Championship with five wins and one lossPurnima Marma opened the scoring for Bangladesh in the first minute Indias Anushka Kumari equalised in the ninth minute However Bangladesh regained the lead in the 34th minute when Alpi Akter scored and extended it in the 48th minute through Sauravi PrityIndia pulled one back in the 65th minute with a strike from Pritika Barman and equalised in the 89th through skipper Julan Prity scored again in injury time to give Bangladesh the winBangladesh took the lead within 30 seconds of the kick off through Purnima Marma finding the back of the net marking the first goal the Young Tigresses conceded in the entire tournament The clean sheet streak ended but as the head coach had remarked earlier Its not the end of the worldIndia responded swiftly in the ninth minute when Anushka Kumari broke into the box went past the advancing goalkeeper and two defenders finishing calmly to level the scoresBangladesh however restored their lead again in the 34th minute amid chaos in the Indian penalty box Alpi Akter scored from close range to make it 21India had more opportunities to equalise In the 24th minute Anushka again burst into the box from the right flank but dragged her shot narrowly wide off the left post Right before the halftime India skipper Julan was fouled by Bangladeshs Kulsum earning a freekick Anushka stepped up but was again denied when her powerful strike rattled the post adding to her frustrationIn the second half Bangladesh extended their lead early again In the 48th minute Sauravi Prity ran into the Indian box and struck past two defenders and keeper Munni to make it 31India continued to create multiple chances and in the 59th minute a cross from Pritika Barman found Valaina whose header went wideIndia pulled one back in the 65th minute when Pritika struck from the right flank reducing the gap to 32 Pritika created further opportunities in the 67th and 69th minutes but the Bangladesh defence and keeper prevented a goalIndia finally equalised in the 89th through Julan with a shot from outside the box However Bangladesh regained the lead in the added time when Prity scored the winning goalThe team will now travel to Bengaluru to continue preparations for the upcoming AFC U17 Womens Asian Cup Qualifiers in October in Bishkek Kyrgyz Republic IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/india-crowned-saff-u17-womens-champions-despite-defeat-against-bangladesh-635524.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 20:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/former-united-coach-ten-hag-struggles-with-leverkusens-complete-relaunch-635539.html Berlin Aug 31 Tension is mounting around Bayer Leverkusen the 2024 Bundesliga and German Cup winners as the club struggles with a major squad overhaul and a shaky start under new coach Erik ten Hag Leverkusen has taken just one point from its opening two league matches losing 21 at home before letting a 31 lead slip in a 33 draw with Bremen reports XinhuaI dont know if I have experienced something like that in Leverkusen said team captain and Germany midfielder Robert Andrich He criticised the lack of cohesion adding Everyone seems busy with himself its up to the coach to create stabilityIf everyone is only playing for themselves you dont have to start at all the 30yearold addedUnderfire coach Ten Hag urged patience insisting he needs time to bring the squad together To at first have all players around to get things into place he said before acknowledging that a lot was missing in the teamGerman outlets Kicker and Bild reported first doubts within the clubs hierarchy and suggested the Dutchman faces a last chance when Leverkusen meets Eintracht Frankfurt on September 12The club is undergoing a full rebuild after the departure of star coach Xabi Alonso and a raft of key players Florian Wirtz Jeremie Frimpong Granit Xhaka and Jonathan Tah all left for the Premier League while Piero Hincapie is reportedly bound for ArsenalWe deal with the most significant possible change It takes time to install a new hierarchy Ten Hag saidAndrich stressed the importance of spirit and leadership but underlined the players responsibility In the end it is up to our players to get things done on the pitch he said Its all about the selfmotivation of the playersNew signing Malik Tillman who joined from PSV made his debut against Bremen while former Real Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez is expected to be fit for the Frankfurt gameStill problems on the pitch remain evident With Bremen down to 10 men after a red card just past the hour Leverkusen squandered its advantage We gambled away a lead which makes me angry Tillman saidTensions also flared when Patrik Schick who scored twice and Exequiel Palacios argued over who would take a penalty This is unacceptable for a team We have clear orders Ten Hag said noting that Andrich had to intervene to resolve the disputeTen Hag admitted he is not a magician but stressed the need for hard work and progress during the international break IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/former-united-coach-ten-hag-struggles-with-leverkusens-complete-relaunch-635539.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 23:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/portugal-pass-jotas-no21-jersey-to-close-friend-neves-635284.html Oeiras Portugal Aug 30 Portugal have chosen to honour Diogo Jota by transferring his No 21 national team jersey to his close friend and former teammate Ruben Neves a tribute confirmed by head coach Roberto Martinez roughly a month after the forward died in a car accident Neves who plays midfield for Saudi Pro League side AlHilal served as a pallbearer at Jotas funeral underscoring the depth of their relationship beyond the pitch Jota aged 28 died alongside his younger brother Andre Silva in northwestern Spain when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames an event that has galvanised the national squad around shared grief and purpose The pair were teammates during their time at Wolverhampton Wanderers where their bond was forged through club and international footballWe know what Diogo meant to each of us and the impact he had on our lives We want to honour his memory every day He will be with us and will be another force helping us achieve our goals Diogos example is a light for us We will carry his spirit in our hearts Martinez told reporters on FridayDiogos absence is a factor of unity motivation and responsibility because Diogo wanted to win the World Cup and we are here to fight and achieve that dream I can also announce that the number 21 jersey will go to Ruben Neves because that way that number will remain on the field and with all of us He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the ideal person to represent himMartinezs remarks frame Jotas loss as both an emotional anchor and a competitive catalyst aligning the squads World Cup ambitions with a collective tribute that keeps his presence symbolically alive on the field Assigning the shirt to Neves ensures Jotas number is regularly visible in competition while recognising the midfielders role as a custodian of his friends legacy Neves selection reflects their longstanding ties and shared history at club and international level making the gesture resonate deeply within the dressing roomTributes have continued across club football as well with Liverpool retiring the No 20 shirt that Jota wore during his time at Anfield in a permanent mark of respect Brighton amp Hove Albions James Milner a former teammate of Jota at Liverpool will also wear the No 20 jersey this season in homage to the late forward IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/portugal-pass-jotas-no21-jersey-to-close-friend-neves-635284.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 15:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/nottingham-forest-sign-defender-nicolo-savona-from-juventus-635328.html Nottinghamshire Aug 30 Nottingham Forest have signed Nicolo Savona from Juventus on a fiveyear deal the club confirmed on Saturday The defender joins the club having been with the Turin side since the age of eight The versatile 22yearold made his debut for The Old Lady in August 2024 and went on to play 40 times for Juventus in all competitionsAs well as playing 28 times in Serie A Savona brings European experience to Trentside featuring in seven Champions League games in the 202425 campaignOperating predominantly as a right back Savona can play in central defence and was also deployed at left back during his time with the 36time Italian championsHis performances were recognised on the international stage when he was called up to Luciano Spallettis Italy squad for the UEFA Nations League in November 2024Following the arrival of Douglas Luiz the Italian becomes the second player this summer to join from JuventusUpon signing Savona said I am very excited to be here It is a new experience for me as a person and a player It is such a historic club and the move is a dream come true I cant wait to play in front of the fans at the City Ground and I will give my all for the shirtChief Football Officer Ross Wilson said Nicolò gained great experience with Juventus last season and were really pleased he is joining us for his next stepHe is a versatile player who will be another strong option in our defensive unit and we are convinced he will continue to develop here at Forest He understands the demands of playing for a big Club and arrives here keen to make an impact straight away We look forward to welcoming him to our group IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/nottingham-forest-sign-defender-nicolo-savona-from-juventus-635328.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/ac-milan-complete-christopher-nkunku-signing-from-chelsea-635336.html Milan Aug 29 AC Milan have completed the signing of French forward Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea FC on a permanent deal with the 26yearold committing his future to the Rossoneri until June 2030 Nkunku born in LagnysurMarne France on November 14 1997 brings a wealth of experience across Europes top leagues A product of the Paris SaintGermain academy he broke into the senior side in 2015 and went on to make 78 appearances scoring 11 goals AC Milan is delighted to announce the permanent signing of Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea FC The French forward has signed a contract with the Club until 30 June 2030 AC Milan said in a statementDuring his time in Paris he won multiple domestic honours including two Coupe de France titles three French Supercups and two Coupe de la Ligue trophiesIn 2019 Nkunku made a pivotal move to RB Leipzig where he blossomed into one of the Bundesligas most dynamic attackers Over four seasons in Germany he netted 70 goals in 172 appearances lifting two DFBPokal titles and clinching the Bundesliga Golden Boot in 202223His performances earned him a transfer to Chelsea in 2023 where he added international silverware to his resume In 62 matches for the Blues Nkunku scored 18 goals and helped the club secure the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup titles earlier this summerOn the international stage Nkunku rose through Frances youth system before making his senior debut in March 2022 Since then he has collected 14 caps and one goal for Les BleusAC Milan confirmed that Nkunku will wear the number 18 shirt as he begins his new chapter in Serie A The club expressed delight at adding a versatile forward who can operate across the front line and contribute both creativity and goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/ac-milan-complete-christopher-nkunku-signing-from-chelsea-635336.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/newcastle-united-sign-german-striker-nick-woltemade-on-club-record-deal-635338.html Newcastle upon Tyne Aug 30 Newcastle United have completed a clubrecord deal to sign forward Nick Woltemade from Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart the Premier League club said on Saturday The 23yearold Germany international becomes the Magpies fifth addition of the summer after penning a longterm deal at St James ParkNick began his career with Werder Bremen where he progressed through the youth system to become their youngestever Bundesliga player as a 17yearold in 2020He made the switch to Stuttgart last summer and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting attackers in the German topflightHe ended last season with 17 goals to his name from 33 appearances in all competitions and continued his form at the recent Under21s European Championships where he collected the top goalscorer awardThe 6ft 6in striker who has two international caps at senior level will link up with the Germany squad next week for their World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern IrelandIm really happy to be at this amazing club From the first contact I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me said Nick who will wear the number 27 shirt for Newcastle UnitedIts a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best levelI know the stadium from watching games on television it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy Im really excited to play and start scoring goals hereNewcastle United head coach Eddie Howe added Were delighted to get Nicks signing over the line so quickly He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking optionsHes strong in a lot of areas he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europes top leagues but hes also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow hereNick is a great character too and were really pleased to welcome him to the group IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/newcastle-united-sign-german-striker-nick-woltemade-on-club-record-deal-635338.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/messi-drops-possible-world-cup-retirement-hint-635000.html Buenos Aires Aug 29 Lionel Messi has given his strongest hint yet that he will bid farewell to international football at next years FIFA World Cup Argentina already assured of a place at the 2026 finals in the United States Mexico and Canada will host Venezuela on September 4 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires before completing qualifying away to Ecuador on September 9It the Venezuela clash is going to be a very very special match for me because its the last qualifying match the 38yearold forward told reporters after leading Inter Miami into the Leagues Cup finalMessi said his family will be present for the Venezuela game and acknowledged it could be his last opportunity to appear in front of home fansI dont know if there will be friendlies or more matches after Venezuela but it is a very special match so my wife my children my parents my siblings will be there with me he addedThe Albiceleste captain has signaled before that Argentinas title defense in 2026 would mark the end of his international career The former Barcelona and Paris SaintGermain star will be 40 when the next World Cup qualifiers begin in 2027South American football governing body CONMEBOL echoed his comments on Thursday posting the last dance is coming alongside a picture of Messi in an Argentina shirtMessi the winner of eight Ballon dOr trophies is Argentinas alltime leading scorer and mostcapped player His crowning moment came in December 2022 when he led the team to its third World Cup triumph in Qatar IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/messi-drops-possible-world-cup-retirement-hint-635000.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/west-ham-united-sign-mateus-fernandes-on-five-year-contractfrom-southampton-635125.html London Aug 29 West Ham United have signed Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from Southampton on a fiveyear contract for an undisclosed fee having impressed greatly for the Saints in the Premier League The Sporting Lisbon Academy product is a Portugal U21 international whose allround talents defensive contribution and creativity have made him one of the outstanding young players in European footballFernandes was among the best in the Premier League for defensive actions in 202425 When combined with his attacking movement on the ball and progressive passing he ranked among an elite group of allround midfield players in Englands top divisionHis ability to elevate the squad and have an immediate impact were identified by the coaching staff and recruitment team Fernandes will now continue his career in Claret and Blue and is excited to become a HammerIm very happy to be here Im very excited to play for West Ham I think its a big step for me Its a big club a massive club The project the stadium the city everything said Fernandes in a statementI want to try to play football enjoy football not just run and try to score but try to play good football I think the most important thing is to try to give everything every dayHead coach Graham Potter hailed the signing of Fernandes whose services were sought by a host of leading clubs this summerMateus is a young player who has made impressive progress in the early part of his career and we are delighted to have secured his signing said PotterHe gained valuable experience in the Premier League last year with Southampton and is someone we really feel can help improve us and fit into what we are trying to build and develop at the clubWe believe that his attributes and strengths will bring a different dimension to the squad and from speaking to him I know that he cant wait to get started here He has shown great maturity and character for someone so young and we look forward to seeing his continued progress and impact at West Ham United IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/west-ham-united-sign-mateus-fernandes-on-five-year-contractfrom-southampton-635125.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/messis-brace-takes-inter-miami-cf-to-leagues-cup-final-with-comeback-win-over-orlando-city-634706.html Fort Lauderdale Aug A brace by captain Lionel Messi and another strike from midfielder Telasco Segovia spurred Inter Miami to the thrilling comeback 31 victory over rivals Orlando City SC to advance to the Leagues Cup final at Chase Stadium Additionally as one of the Leagues Cup finalists Inter Miami also secured its spot for the 2026 edition of the Concacaf Champions CupWith his start midfielder Sergio Busquets made history as he became just the fifth player to reach 100 appearances for the clubGoalkeeper Ustari came up big with an early key intervention in the ninth minute showing quick reflexes to deny the shot from Orlandos Martín Ojeda from inside the box Inter Miami reportsSuárez had the closest look for Inter Miami in the 31st minute with a leftfooted curler from the right side of the box that was just wide of the far postOrlando City took the lead before the half with a goal from Marco Pašali in the first minute of added timeThe visitors conceded a penalty in the 75th minute with defender David Brekalo being sent off on the play Messi subsequently stepped up and converted from the penalty spot to equalise for Inter Miami in the 77th minuteMessi secured the comeback in the 88th in a moment of brilliance Our captain collected the ball and combined with Alba with a quick give and go to enter the box before finding the back of the net with a grounded finish to the far post The goal was the second for Messi in this Leagues Cup 2025 taking his tally to 17 goal contributions for Inter Miami in his last nine appearances across all competitionsSecondhalf substitute Segovia rounded out the result in the first minute of added time with a sublime chip over the keeper off of an assist from Suárez The goal was the third for Segovia in the competitionThe 31 scoreline then held through the final whistle for Inter Miami to advance to the final and have the chance to claim a second Leagues Cup title after claiming winners honours in 2023Inter Miami will take on Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup 2025 final on August 31 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/messis-brace-takes-inter-miami-cf-to-leagues-cup-final-with-comeback-win-over-orlando-city-634706.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/codie-thomas-signs-two-year-contract-extension-with-manchester-city-women-634776.html Manchester Aug 28 Manchester City Women defender Codie Thomas has signed a twoyear contract extension The new deal keeps Thomas at the club until the summer of 2027 Having first joined City back in 2016 the defender has worked her way through our academy ranks to become a regular in senior matchday squadsThomas made her first team debut as an 18yearold back in October 2024 starting at right back in our UEFA Womens Champions League win away to St PoltenFurther senior appearances followed against Leicester City in the WSL before also coming off the bench in the reverse fixture against St Polten in DecemberOne week prior to that St Polten clash Thomas signed her first professional contract at City alongside close friend and teammate Lily MurphyAn injury at the turn of the year meant the defender wasnt able to add to her appearance tally before the end of 202425 but she did return in time to represent her childhood club at the inaugural World Sevens tournament in PortugalAnd now Thomas is excited to continue her rapid development at the Club in the coming seasonsSpeaking after signing her contract extension Thomas said Its amazing to sign a contract extension With City being such a big club its a place that I want to be its a place where I want to learn and develop on the pitch and off the pitchSince Ive been a little girl Ive watched City been at City and its just a dream come true Its been amazing like the environment is one that you can progress in every part of life and its always challenging every single dayIt was a very big step into senior football There was a lot of physical demand and the intensity was so much higher I feel like training with them senior squad last season and playing a couple of games I feel like Ive stepped more into that role now and feel more confidentLast year was a whirlwind Obviously I had my first ever injury which was really hard and it was hard But now Im back and like a little kid running around the pitch Im just so happy to be out thereManchester City Women Director of Football Therese Sjogran added Having first joined as our youth pathway back in 2016 having Codie and other academy graduates like her progress into the first team shows the foundations are thereCodie is Manchester City through and through and were thrilled shes chosen to continue her footballing journey with us as we continue to compete for all honoursDirector of Football Therese Sjogran added Codie is an exciting talent and were pleased that shell be with us for a further two years City have always placed a huge value on young talent and Codies constant desire to work hard and improve has been a pleasure to witnessWe believe shes on the right path to becoming an important player for the Club and are looking forward to seeing what her incredibly bright future holds IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/codie-thomas-signs-two-year-contract-extension-with-manchester-city-women-634776.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/uefa-champions-league-final-kick-off-moved-early-for-2025-26-season-634813.html Nyon Aug 28 UEFA announced on Thursday that starting with the 2026 final in Budapest the Champions League final will kick off three hours earlier at 1800 CET instead of 2100 CET The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans teams and host cities by optimising logistics and operations while delivering several tangible benefits Our goal is to make matchday a truly enjoyable experience for everyone who wants to be part of the excitement while creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy for families and children to attend the biggest and most important club football match of the seasonFor travelling supporters it will mean improved access to public transport especially after the match and a safer more convenient journey back from the stadium For the host cities it will boost the positive economic impact of the event by giving fans the possibility to continue their celebrations UEFA said in a statementThe new kickoff time also aligns with a more accessible broadcasting window helping the final reach an even broader television and digital audience worldwide with a particular focus on engaging younger viewers it addedUEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said With this change we are placing the fans experience at the heart of our planning The UEFA Champions League final is the highlight of the football season and the new kickoff time will make it even more accessible inclusive and impactful for everyone involvedWhile a 2100 CET kickoff is well suited for midweek matches an earlier kickoff on a Saturday for the final means an earlier finish regardless of extra time or penalties and offers fans the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the evening with friends and family reflecting on the game of the season IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/uefa-champions-league-final-kick-off-moved-early-for-2025-26-season-634813.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/wolves-sign-girona-defender-ladislav-krejci-on-initial-loan-deal-634858.html Wolverhampton Aug 28 Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the loan signing of Girona defender Ladislav Krejci who becomes the first Czech player in the clubs history The 26yearold central defender who can also play in midfield brings experience from close to 250 career performances and will automatically become a permanent Old Gold player until 2030 should certain clauses be triggered Im very very excited Even on the first day its very exciting for me to see how the staff are working and everything around the first view of the club Its very beautiful very amazing So I cannot wait for it Krejci said in a statementIts been very crazy the last few days Also the travelling was busy But I believe that its coming to an end it will be calmer and I will have more time to focus on my future clubThe 6ft 3in ballplaying defender began playing in his home nation aged 17 cutting his teeth with Zbrojovka Brno by playing more than 50 times scoring his first senior goals and stepping up the age groups within the national team setupA move to Sparta Prague in 2019 represented steady progress and brought a first taste of European football and silverware through the Czech Cup one of four titles he won with his new sideThe defender made his senior Czech debut in March 2022 against Poland and scored the fastest goal in Czech Republic history one of three international goals to date while he started all three games of his countrys Euro 2024 matches last summerBy the summer of 2022 the defender was named the Sparta captain and during that first year as skipper he guided the club to a first championship title in nine years a campaign in which he was also named the divisions Player of the SeasonDuring a final season in the Czech capital Krejci led Sparta to the last 16 of the Europa League and operating in midfield finished with 11 goals and seven assists earning him a move to La LigaThe switch to Girona saw Krejci slot into the defensive line and seven of his 36 appearances in the north of Spain came in the Champions League while his stunning leftfooted volley against Villarreal was voted the La Liga Goal of the Month last DecemberFollowing a full preseason with Girona where he featured against the Old Gold at the Estadi Montilivi the defender started both of Gironas opening two La Liga fixtures but now he moves on for a fresh challenge with WolvesWolves faced consecutive defeats against Manchester City and Bournemouth in the new Premier League season and will next host Everton on Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/wolves-sign-girona-defender-ladislav-krejci-on-initial-loan-deal-634858.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/five-star-performance-against-bhutan-inches-india-closer-to-saff-u17-womens-crown-634658.html Thimphu Bhutan Aug 27 A ruthless India demolished Bhutan 50 in their fourth match of the SAFF U17 Womens Championship 2025 at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on Wednesday The Young Tigresses led 30 at halftime This was the second meeting between the two sides in the space of four days the first ending in a commanding 80 victory for IndiaAnushka Kumari who netted a hattrick in the last game picked up where she left off netting twice more on Wednesday and assisting the fifth taking her personal tally to seven goals in the tournament so far to lead the golden boot race The other goals were scored by Shveta Rani 24 Julan Nongmaithem 77 and Nira Chanu Longjam 905With this emphatic win India made it four wins from as many matches scoring 22 goals without conceding any and tightening their grip at the summit of the table India now sit atop the group with 12 points ahead of secondplaced Bangladesh who are on nine points followed by Nepal on three while Bhutan are yet to score a pointIndia wasted no time in stamping their dominance Bhutan entered the match desperate to plug defensive holes after conceding 13 goals in three matches but Indias relentless pressure meant their backline remained porousThe breakthrough came as early as the 4th minute A perfectlythreaded pass from the centre circle split Bhutans defence finding Anushka at the edge of the box Using her electric pace she beat her marker and calmly slotted past Bhutans goalkeeper Kelzang Wangmo who hesitated in narrowing the angleIndia nearly doubled their advantage soon after through Pearl Fernandes but her shot was bravely blocked by a Bhutan defender The Young Tigresses continued their onslaught particularly targeting opportunities from setpieces though early attempts drifted wideBut in the 16th minute Anushka made amends with a thunderous freekick After Julan Nongmaithem was fouled at the edge of the area the referee awarded a deadball opportunity Anushka stepped up and fired a rocket past Wangmo leaving her rooted It was her brace for the evening and another showcase of her deadeye precisionIndias third goal in the 24th minute came as a result of a goalkeeping error A poor clearance from Wangmo ricocheted off Pearl and fell kindly into the path of Shveta Rani who reacted quickest and coolly slotted into an open net taking full advantage of a chaotic Bhutan backlineThe Young Tigresses could have added a fourth before the interval Julans low drive was palmed away by Wangmo and the rebound fell to Anushka whose curling shot clipped the crossbar narrowly denying her a second successive hattrickIndia retained control after the break dictating tempo and possession forcing Bhutan deeper into their own half The fourth goal finally came in the 77th minute the product of seamless team play Abhista Basnett played a clever pass from the edge of the box to find captain Julan Nongmaithem who rifled a firsttime strike past the goalkeeper with convictionWith Bhutan gasping for relief India struck again in stoppage time 905 A wayward goal kick fell straight to Anushka who slipped in Nira Chanu Longjam The midfielder turned her marker inside out before slotting home to seal a memorable win sending the Indian dugout into rapturesIndia also handed out a debut for the young Binita Horo who came on as a substitute for Taniya Devi Tonamabam in the 84th minute IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/five-star-performance-against-bhutan-inches-india-closer-to-saff-u17-womens-crown-634658.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 23:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/carabao-cup-wolves-edge-west-ham-in-thriller-sheffield-beat-leeds-634497.html New Delhi Aug 27 Jorgen Strand Larsen came off the bench to play a starring role in Wolves dramatic late comeback against West Ham United and secure a place in the third round of the Carabao Cup In a meeting of two Premier League sides that have struggled early in their league campaign Wolverhampton Wanderers came from behind to beat West Ham United 32 their first win of the seasonAlso winning 32 were Wrexham who struck their winner in the 92nd minute to defeat Preston North End at Deepdale Kieffer Moores late header gave The Red Dragons another dramatic win following on from Ollie Palmers late heroics in Round One Carabao Cup reportsLeague Two Cambridge United pulled off a shock result comfortably defeating Championship opposition in Charlton AthleticSheffield Wednesday pulled off a dramatic penalty shootout victory over local rivals and Premier League outfit Leeds United Loan goalkeeper Ethan Horvath saved two penalties after making numerous heroic stops in normal time to send the Owls into Round ThreeAlso triumphant on penalties were Huddersfield defeating Premier League opponents Sunderland at the Stadium of Light There was no such upset this time for Bromley who almost followed on from their Round One triumph over Ipswich Town but were beaten on penalties by Wycombe WanderersBurnley struck in the 91st minute to claim a 21 victory over Derby County at Turf Moor with the game looking destined for penaltiesCardiff Southampton and Doncaster Rovers all progressed with relative comfort whilst Millwall were pushed right to the end by Coventry City at the Den but held on to a 21 winBrentford followed up their important win at the weekend over Aston Villa with a convincing 20 win over Brentford in the other of the evenings allPremier League affairsThere were wins for Reading Wigan Athletic and Barnsley as well as Lincoln City who struck a late winner to defeat Burton AlbionSwansea City overcame Plymouth Argyle on penalties after Zan Vipotnik scored a thunderbolt for the Swans in normal time IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/carabao-cup-wolves-edge-west-ham-in-thriller-sheffield-beat-leeds-634497.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/dortmund-sign-carney-chukwuemeka-from-chelsea-on-permanent-transfer-634395.html Dortmund Aug 26 Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of forward Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea The 21yearold midfielder who spent the second half of the 202425 campaign on loan with BVB has put pen to paper on a fiveyear deal at Signal Iduna Park It feels really good to now be an integral part of BVB Ive gotten to know this club the coach my teammates and the fans over the past few months and Im just happy that Borussia Dortmund is now my new footballing home I will give everything I can to ensure that we achieve our goals as a team Chukwuemeka said in a statementSigned from Aston Villa in August 2022 Chukwuemeka made 32 firstteam appearances and scored two goals for ChelseaThe 21yearold featured five times for Chelsea last term with his most recent outing coming in their UEFA Conference League win over AstanaThe England Under21 international spent the second half of the 202425 campaign on loan at Dortmund where he made 17 appearances including four at the Club World Cup where Chelsea were victoriousIt has certainly been a busy day at Dortmund after having already announced the extension of head coach Niko Kovac contract until June 30 2027The 53yearold and his coaching staff took over in January this year when BVB were 11th in the Bundesliga on an 18month deal Kovac who won the DFBPokal Bundesliga and Club World Cup as a player and has domestic and international experience as a head coach produced a hugely impressive conclusion to the campaign to secure another season of UEFA Champions League football for the Dortmund For Chelsea Chukwuemeka is just one of many players they would like to offload before Mondays transfer deadline including forwards Nicolas Jackson Christopher Nkunku and Tyrique George winger Raheem Sterling and defender Ben Chilwell IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/dortmund-sign-carney-chukwuemeka-from-chelsea-on-permanent-transfer-634395.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 19:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/teenager-ngumoha-makes-history-with-last-gasp-winner-in-liverpools-win-over-newcastle-634198.html London Aug 26 Liverpools 16yearold Rio Ngumoha etched his name into the clubs history books as their youngestever scorer striking in stoppage time to seal a dramatic 32 victory over Newcastle United on Monday at St James Park Ryan Gravenberch put the champions 10 up in the 35th minute ahead of the Magpies going down to 10 men on the stroke of halftime when Anthony Gordon was given a red cardThough Hugo Ekitike made it 20 moments after the restart the hosts clawed themselves back level through Bruno Guimaraes and William OsulaBut up stepped Premier League debutant Ngumoha off the bench to restore Liverpools lead and clinch the three pointsAt the age of 16 years and 361 days the attacker became the Reds youngest scorer of all time by settling a topsyturvy affair at St James ParkThe match was played in a feverish atmosphere heightened by Liverpools recent pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak What followed was a rollercoaster contest that saw the Premier League champions surrender a twogoal lead before Ngumoha delivered the decisive blowNewcastle started strongly putting Liverpool under pressure but the visitors struck first 10 minutes before halftime when Ryan Gravenberchs low shot deflected off Fabian Schar and beat Nick Pope Tensions escalated in firsthalf stoppage time when Anthony Gordon was sent off for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk a decision confirmed by VARLiverpool doubled its lead almost immediately after the restart with Hugo Ekitike who turned down Newcastle in favor of Anfield finishing coollyDespite being reduced to 10 men Eddie Howes side refused to fold Captain Bruno Guimaraes pulled one back with a diving header in the 57th minute and substitute Will Osula bundled in an 88thminute equalizer as Liverpool wobbledThe game appeared destined for a draw until Ngumoha introduced from the bench struck in the 100th minute from an unmarked position to secure a sensational winAt 16 years and 361 days Ngumoha became not only Liverpools youngest scorer but also the fourthyoungest in Premier League history behind James Vaughan James Milner and Wayne Rooney IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/teenager-ngumoha-makes-history-with-last-gasp-winner-in-liverpools-win-over-newcastle-634198.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/we-are-hoping-mac-allister-will-be-available-for-arsenal-clash-slot-634269.html Newcastle Upon Tyne Aug 26 Liverpool boss Arne Slot is hopeful Alexis Mac Allister will be available for the clubs upcoming outing when Arsenal visit Anfield on Sunday The midfielder missed Liverpools dramatic 32 victory at Newcastle United having withdrawn from a training session at the weekend due to a fitness concern However Slot doesnt believe the issue to be serious and is optimistic of being able to call upon Mac Allisters services for the clash with the GunnersWe are hoping he will be available yes He had to leave the training pitch two days ago and that would not even be the biggest problem if he would have had a proper preseason but he missed out for so many weeks There is a reason why you go inside because you probably feel something and that is the difficult balance to find with players that were out for so long in preseason There you bring the base for the whole season and you can see these intensity levels like we faced last week and this topped it up 10 times I think Slot said in a postmatch press conference at St James ParkThen you need to be so so so fit and then it is always a risk if you bring a player that had a preseason like this had to go out two days ago in a training session in this environment With such a long season to go it was too much of a risk for me but I am hoping for things in the upcoming one or two days so that he is available for Sunday he addedMac Allister was absent from the Liverpool squad for the clubs final game of the last season after being restricted to substitute appearances in the earlier encounters with Chelsea and Arsenal due to injury But he only came back to action for the Community Shield earlier this monthRio Ngumohas 100thminute winner gave Liverpool a dramatic 32 victory away at Newcastle United in the Premier League on Monday night At the age of 16 years and 361 days the attacker became the Reds youngest scorer of all time by settling a topsyturvy affair at St James Park IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/we-are-hoping-mac-allister-will-be-available-for-arsenal-clash-slot-634269.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/borussia-dortmund-extend-head-coach-niko-kovacs-contract-to-2027-634361.html Dortmund Aug 26 Eighttime German champions Borussia Dortmund have extended head coach Niko Kovacs contract until June 30 2027 the Bundesliga club announced on Tuesday The 53yearold and his coaching staff took over in January this year when BVB were 11th in the Bundesliga on an 18month deal Kovac who won the DFBPokal Bundesliga and Club World Cup as a player and has domestic and international experience as a head coach produced a hugely impressive conclusion to the campaign to secure another season of UEFA Champions League football for DortmundWe have made a lot of progress together in the last six months to get Borussia Dortmund back on track on the pitch We sense that theres a high level of trust in us as coaches and we feel that we can achieve something special here together with the club and the fans Kovac said in a statementThe conversations we have had over the last few weeks have reinforced my conviction that building on our achievements so far we can deliver longterm success at this club he addedOur aim is to play our part in getting Borussia back to where it used to be through hard work making clearsighted decisions and enjoying what we do theres a lot we still want to achieve he addedKovac made his initial mark as a coach after taking over Eintracht Frankfurt who were 16th in the table at the time and winning the DFBPokal with them in 2018 He won the double with Bayern Munich in 2019 and led French toptier club AS Monaco to the final of the Coupe de France in 2021Sebastian Kehl Borussia Dortmund Sporting Director said Were delighted that Niko and his coaching staff have extended their contracts Having that certainty is crucial for everyone so that we can focus all our efforts on this season and the challenges coming upOur aim is to be as successful as possible and we go into every game expecting conviction intensity and passion These are the values that Niko and his staff demand every day and we believe that together we can build on the strong end to the previous season he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/borussia-dortmund-extend-head-coach-niko-kovacs-contract-to-2027-634361.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/india-u23-edged-2-1-by-iraq-in-a-closed-door-friendly-634142.html Kuala Lumpur Aug 25 The Indian U23 mens team lost 12 against Iraq U23 in a closeddoor friendly match at the UM Arena Stadium in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on Monday Mohammed Sanan scored the only goal for the Blue Colts in the 39th minute after Dhulfiqar Younus had handed Iraq the lead in the 36th The majority of the match was evenly contested before Mustafa Nawaf Zai scored the winner for Iraq in the 72nd minuteIndia will play another closeddoor friendly against Iraq on August 28 in Kuala LumpurCoached by Naushad Moosa India are preparing for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers to be held from September 39 in Doha where the Blue Colts will face Bahrain September 3 hosts Qatar September 6 and Brunei Darussalam September 9The Blue Colts had been training at the Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru for the better part of a month and after the two friendlies will proceed to Doha Qatar for the QualifiersThe India U23s second friendly match against Iraq will be on August 28While the mens team gears up for the second Iraq friendly the India senior mens national team is participating in the Central Asian Football Association CAFA Nations Cup 2025 starting from August 29 after Malaysia withdrew from the tournament due to logistical challenges and the unavailability of playersIndia have been placed in Group B which will be played in Dushanbe India will take on host Tajikistan August 29 Iran September 1 and Afghanistan September 4India U23 mens squad for Iraq friendlies in Kuala LumpurGoalkeepers Sahil Muhammed ArbaazDefenders Haobam Ricky Meetei Bikash Yumnam Muhammed Saheef Pramveer Yanglem Sanatomba Singh Subham BhattacharyaMidfielders Lalremtluanga Fanai Vinith Venkatesh Lalrinliana Hnamte Vibin Mohanan Ayush Dev Chhetri Macarton Louis Nickson Manglenthang Kipgen Soham Naveen VarshneyaForwards Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh Mohammed Aimen Muhammad Suhail F Mohammed Sanan K Parthib Sundar Gogoi Sahil Harijan Harsh Arun Palande MS Sreekuttan IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/india-u23-edged-2-1-by-iraq-in-a-closed-door-friendly-634142.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenals-saka-likely-to-be-out-of-action-for-month-634091.html London Aug 25 Bukayo Saka is expected to miss Arsenals clash against Liverpool on Sunday and Englands upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia after sustaining a hamstring injury in the win over Leeds United The 23yearold forward who limped off during Saturdays match is likely to be sidelined for up to four weeks BBC Sport reportedBukayo was running with the ball and he felt something in his hamstring Its the other one not the same as last season He felt something when sprinting its not a good sign We have to wait to understand how long he will be out I havent spoken to the doctor yet but for Bukayo to come off its significant the Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the match on SaturdayArsenal remain hopeful that Martin Odegaard and Saka will not face longterm absences with the Norway playmaker yet to be ruled out of the clash against the Premier League championsThere is added relief over Saka who endured a threemonth layoff with a hamstring injury last season This time Arteta has greater attacking depth to call upon thanks to summer signings Viktor Gyokeres Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze alongside Gabriel Martinelli Leandro Trossard Ethan Nwaneri and Max DowmanArsenal are already without forward Kai Havertz due to a knee injury while Christian Norgaard and Gabriel Jesus were also sidelined against LeedsMeanwhile Arsenal have been handed a boost with Gabriel Jesus returning to training from the serious knee injury he suffered earlier this year The 28yearold underwent ACL surgery after picking up the injury in January during the FA Cup thirdround defeat to Manchester UnitedArsenal will head to Anfield to face Liverpool on August 31 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenals-saka-likely-to-be-out-of-action-for-month-634091.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/st-pauli-bounce-back-to-hold-dortmund-in-six-goal-thriller-633857.html Berlin Aug 24 Borussia Dortmund have been forced to settle for a 33 10 draw away to FC St Pauli in their first match of the 202526 Bundesliga season BVB led up until the 86th minute thanks to goals from Guirassy Anton and Brandt but then conceded two further goals after Manes red card The host started brightly through summer signing Andreas Hountondji only to be denied by a string of saves from BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel Dortmund gradually settled and struck first in the 34th minute when Serhou Guirassy powered Marcel Sabitzers cross into the far cornerGuirassy then missed a golden opportunity to double the lead from the penalty spot after Karim Adeyemi was brought down as St Pauli keeper Nikola Vasilj saved his effort Despite Vasiljs heroics the host trailed 10 at the breakFive minutes into the second half a cross from Daniel Sinani found Hountondji who headed in to level the score Dortmund regained the lead in the 67th minute when Waldemar Antons strike deflected past Vasilj Substitute Julian Brandt appeared to seal victory soon after with a smart finish from Pascal Gross pass but the game turned frantic in the dying momentsFilippo Mane was sent off for a lastman foul on Ceesay allowing Sinani to equalize from the penalty spot Captain Eric Smith completed the comeback in spectacular fashion firing a thunderous strike from distance in the 89th minuteThat match had everything It was a fantastic game for the fans I can only compliment my team even at 31 down we kept pushing and in the end we got our reward said St Pauli coach Alexander BlessinOver the 90 minutes we werent as focused as I expect us to be We didnt embrace the battle and have to settle for this point None of us were at our best and quite simply we didnt deserve more added Dortmund coach Niko KovacElsewhere Hoffenheim stunned Leverkusen 21 in Erik ten Hags debut JeanMatteo Bahoyas brace fired Frankfurt past Bremen 41 Sandro Wagner enjoyed a winning start as Augsburg coach with a 31 victory over Freiburg Union edged Stuttgart 21 and Wolfsburg overpowered Heidenheim 31 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/st-pauli-bounce-back-to-hold-dortmund-in-six-goal-thriller-633857.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-everton-hand-grealish-dewsbury-hall-barry-first-start-at-hill-dickson-stadiums-opening-game-633917.html Liverpool Aug 24 Summer signings Jack Grealish Thierno Barry and Kiernan DewsburyHall all start Evertons firstever competitive match at Hill Dickinson Stadium as the Blues face Brighton amp Hove Albion after the club changed their base from Goodison Park Head coach David Moyes stated that playing at a new stadium is never easy When I came in last year I felt pressure to get results to stay in the Premier League then I felt pressure to win the last game at Goodison so you can always put pressure on thingsWeve had the chance to play down there a couple of times already so we hope we can get used to it quickly Everybody knows playing at a new stadium is never that easy said Moyes in the buildup to the clash France Under21 international Barry will lead Evertons attack ahead of Iliman Ndiaye Grealish and DewsburyHall while Tim Iroegbunam is set to partner Idrissa Gana Gueye again as the defensive midfieldersWith Jarrad Branthwaite Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson still out injured the hosts defence is expected to stay the same from Leeds James Garner at leftback Jake OBrien on the other side of the backline and James Tarkowski and Michael Keane the central defenders in front of Jordan PickfordBrighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has named only one chance to the Brighton starting XI to take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson StadiumDanny Welbeck has been restored to the lineup in place of Georginio RutterSquads Everton Pickford Keane Tarkowski Ndiaye Barry OBrien Grealish DewsburyHall Gueye Garner IroegbunamSubs Travers McNeil Beto Chermiti Coleman Alcaraz Aznou Armstrong OnyangoBrighton amp Hove Albion Verbruggen Dunk Van Hecke Minteh Baleba Welbeck Mitoma Ayari Wieffer De Cuyper ORileySubs Steele Gruda Hinshelwood Boscagli Milner Kadioglu Gomez Veltman Coppola IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-everton-hand-grealish-dewsbury-hall-barry-first-start-at-hill-dickson-stadiums-opening-game-633917.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-everton-celebrate-2-0-win-in-first-game-at-hill-dickinson-as-forest-hold-palace-633941.html LiverpoolLondon Aug 24 Everton marked a historic day with a 20 victory over Brighton amp Hove Albion in the firstever competitive match at Hill Dickinson Stadium while Nottingham Forest battled to a 11 draw away at Crystal Palace At Evertons new home goals from Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner sealed a memorable win Full debutant Jack Grealish played a starring role assisting both goals His delightful cross midway through the first half allowed Ndiaye to prod home the opener Then shortly after the break he teed up Garner who stormed in from leftback to strike low into the bottom corner from 25 yardsBrighton had early chances including Kaoru Mitomas volley that clipped the bar and Danny Welbecks miss from close range Jordan Pickford however was in fine form saving a Welbeck penalty in the second half after a handball by Kiernan DewsburyHall and also denying Matt ORiley just before the breakGrealish left the pitch late on to a standing ovation having become only the second Everton player to register two assists on his full Premier League debut for the clubMeanwhile at Selhurst Park Nottingham Forest came from behind to secure a point Crystal Palace went ahead in the 37th minute when Ismaila Sarr swept in Daniel Munozs cross Forest responded after the interval as Callum HudsonOdoi latched onto Dan Ndoyes through ball and rifled home an equaliserNuno Espirito Santos side unchanged from their win over Brentford saw three of their four new signings debut from the bench Forest nearly snatched all three points late on with Igor Jesus hitting the post and Omari Hutchinson lifting a lastgasp effort just over the bar but the match ended level IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-everton-celebrate-2-0-win-in-first-game-at-hill-dickinson-as-forest-hold-palace-633941.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 22:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/gyokeres-hits-double-as-arsenal-thrash-leeds-633840.html London Aug 24 Viktor Gyokeres opened his Arsenal account with a brace as the Gunners swept Leeds aside 50 at the Emirates after Manchester City succumbed 20 to Tottenham Hotspur at home on Saturday The atmosphere was electric from the start and Arsenal wasted little time asserting control Jurrien Timber powered in a header from a set piece before turning provider for Bukayo Saka to smash home a second before halftimeSakas strike came at a cost though with the England winger later forced off injured Martin Odegaard also limped out on his 200th Arsenal appearance adding to Mikel Artetas concerns despite the emphatic win reports XinhuaGyokeres made his mark after the break weaving into the box to fire low for Arsenals third before Timber grabbed his second of the game from another cornerTeenage midfielder Max Dowman then stole the spotlight on his Premier League debut The 15yearold won a stoppagetime penalty which Gyokeres converted to seal the routAt 15 years and 234 days Dowman became Arsenals secondyoungest ever player to appear in a Premier League game behind only Ethan Nwaneri Leeds by contrast was comfortably second best troubling David Raya just once through a Pascal Struijk headerMeanwhile Marcus Taverniers deflected strike handed Bournemouth a 10 win its first one of the campaign leaving 10man Wolves emptyhanded for a second successive weekThe Cherries sharper from the outset punished a poor JeanRicner Bellegarde pass on the edge of the Wolves box as Antoine Semenyo teed up Tavernier His low drive cannoned off Emmanuel Agbadou looped against the underside of the bar and over the lineWolves rarely threatened and its task became even harder after Toti Gomes was shown a straight red card for bringing down Cherries striker Evanilson as last man allowing Bournemouth to see out a deserved victoryElsewhere Brentfords clubrecord signing Dango Ouattara struck on his debut to give the north London side a 10 win over Aston Villa at the Gtech Community StadiumThe 425 millionpound Burkina Faso international signed from Bournemouth only a week earlier calmly slotted home in the 12th minute to settle the contestThe result also marked a winning home league debut for new head coach Keith Andrews who replaced Thomas Frank this summerIn another action Burnley claimed bragging rights in a clash of newly promoted sides as Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony struck after the interval for a 20 win over Sunderland at Turf MoorCaptain Cullen curled a precise low effort into the far corner just two minutes into the second half before turning creator late on with a through ball that Anthony finished by rounding the goalkeeperThe victory ensured a confident first three points of the season for Burnley while Sunderland was left still searching for form in the top flight IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/gyokeres-hits-double-as-arsenal-thrash-leeds-633840.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 09:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/bayern-munich-begin-bundesliga-defence-with-six-goal-thrashing-of-rb-leipzig-633674.html Munich Aug 23 Bayern Munich kicked off the 202526 Bundesliga season in emphatic style on Friday night dismantling RB Leipzig 60 at the Allianz Arena Harry Kane stole the spotlight with a clinical secondhalf hattrick while Michael Olise and new signing Luis Díaz also got on the scoresheet in a statement win for the reigning champions Vincent Kompany stuck with the same starting XI that secured the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup last weekend and his decision paid off immediately Bayern dominated from the outset with Olise opening the scoring in the 27th minute capitalizing on a loose ball in the box after slick buildup playDíaz making his Bundesliga debut doubled the lead just five minutes later The Colombian winger latched onto a Serge Gnabry layoff and rifled a shot in off the crossbar Olise added his second and Bayerns third before the break cutting inside and coolly finishing into the bottom corner after more sharp linkup playDespite a more adventurous secondhalf showing from Leipzig Bayern continued to punish them on the counter Kane opened his account for the season after rounding his defender and slotting past Péter Gulácsi Leipzig thought they had pulled one back through Antonio Nusa but VAR ruled the goal out due to a moving ball at the freekickKane was far from finished He added his second after a Díaz flick curling the ball into the far corner The England captain completed his hattrick just minutes later blasting home with his left foot after another break down the left wingThe result marks Bayerns biggest openingday win since 2020 and sends a clear message to the rest of the league With confidence high they now turn their attention to Wednesdays DFB Cup clash away at Wehen Wiesbaden IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/bayern-munich-begin-bundesliga-defence-with-six-goal-thrashing-of-rb-leipzig-633674.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 09:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/final-draw-for-fifa-world-cup-2026-set-for-december-at-kennedy-center-633675.html New Delhi Aug 23 The world will turn its attention to Washington DC on Friday December 5 2025 as the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26 takes place at the iconic Kennedy Center The event will determine the groupstage matchups for the biggest FIFA World Cup in history set to be hosted across Canada Mexico and the United States in 2026 The announcement was made by US President Donald J Trump alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House The draw marks a major milestone on the road to the expanded 48team tournamentThe Kennedy Center known as Americas national cultural center and a tribute to President John F Kennedy will welcome team officials ambassadors media and fans from the 16 Host Cities The famed FIFA World Cup Trophy will be on display as qualified nations learn their paths to the final to be held at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19 2026The draw will be broadcast globally Host nations Mexico Canada and the US will be placed in positions A1 B1 and D1 respectivelyLeading up to the tournament a new FIFA playoff tournament in March 2026 will decide the final two World Cup spots So far 13 teams have qualified including champions Argentina and debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan By the time of the draw 42 of the 48 teams will be confirmedIn a first for FIFA fans from each Host City11 in the US three in Mexico and two in Canadawill have the chance to attend the draw through a special lottery offering free admission and VIP experiences IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/final-draw-for-fifa-world-cup-2026-set-for-december-at-kennedy-center-633675.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 09:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/chelseas-togetherness-was-key-in-win-over-west-ham-joao-pedro-633683.html London Aug 23 Joao Pedro felt the squads togetherness was key to overturning an early setback with the Brazilian playing a starring role in Chelseas 51 victory over West Ham It was a dazzling display from Joao Pedro and his teammates as the Blues stormed to their first Premier League win of the season at the London Stadium After the home side had taken an early lead Chelsea responded in style with firsthalf goals from Joao Pedro Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez to turn the game on its head before the intervalTheir momentum only continued building after the restart with Moises Caicedo marking a century of Chelsea appearances with their fourth of the evening before Trevoh Chalobah completed the fivegoal routing in emphatic fashionPedro who combined his first Premier League goal in Blue with two assists highlighted the spirit within the squad as a crucial factor in responding to West Hams openerWe started the game having gone one goal down but we showed our togetherness today to win the game I think we know our power When we started the game the first thing we thought about was winning Weve got so much power in the team Cole Palmer was out today but we played Estevao Willian and he showed his quality Its good to have a team like thisWith so many different players scoring today that will help give confidence to the team That confidence will help us keep goingTo have the first win away is very important for us It helps to prepare us for other games You never know you can go 10 down but if you have the confidence then you can change the game said PedroThat sense of unity has also helped the 23yearold settle quickly in his new surroundings with Joao Pedro noting the deep connection between Chelsea and his homeland over the yearsHe continued A lot of Brazilians have come here and made history but its the beginning of my journeyIve been expecting to come to a big team for a long time so Ive arrived with a lot of energy to take this opportunity I wanted to try and show my quality in the game and today I was happy to score and get two assistsThe South American also spoke of the bond he is already building with the Chelsea supporters underlining the role of his footballing background in shaping that relationshipIm from Brazil and the connection between the players and the fans is so important Of course well always be going to give 100 per cent to make them happy Im very happy to play in front of the fans and show them our quality IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/chelseas-togetherness-was-key-in-win-over-west-ham-joao-pedro-633683.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 10:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/healthy-competition-at-man-city-is-important-says-marmoush-633708.html Manchester Aug 23 Omar Marmoush says its important to have competition for places in the Manchester City squad if they are to compete for trophies City return to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday for the eagerly anticipated Premier League clash with TottenhamPep Guardiola has plenty of options to choose from for his starting lineup following their impressive start to the campaign last weekend when they kicked off with a 40 victory at WolvesMarmoush was a second half substitute and is ready to make an impact whenever the boss calls on himThe competition is very important for all of us its healthy Whoever plays we of course want the team to be successful and if you come on from the bench you give 100 per cent and it just pushes the level much higher in the training sessionsWe always know that someone is waiting for their place to play it pushes you to be better Its healthy said Marmoush to Citys media teamThe City squad was further enhanced in the summer with the arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders Rayan AitNouri Rayan Cherki James Trafford and Marcus BettinelliMarmoush who joined in January says they have shown their quality already with three of them featuring at the FIFA Club World Cup while former Academy goalkeeper Trafford made his City debut at MolineuxSince the first day in the training session weve seen their qualities he addedAitNouri is very good on the ball and is very strong defensively Tijjani is a boxtobox midfielder and has a big impact on the offensive side Rayan Cherki has the quality in the tight spaces and has the creativenessOf course James had a really good game and helped save a good goal We know their qualities and were very happy to have them Hopefully we can progress as a team he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/healthy-competition-at-man-city-is-important-says-marmoush-633708.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/bournemouths-semenyo-calls-for-jail-time-as-potential-punishment-for-racism-633724.html New Delhi Aug 23 AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has called for harsher actions against anyone who is charged with racial abuse citing that what is currently being done is not enough The incident occurred in the first half at Anfield during the opening Premier League game when a man in the crowd directed abuse at Semenyo prompting referee Anthony Taylor to halt the match Taylor then consulted both team captains and managers before allowing play to continueI hope it does but if it doesnt then it just shows that what the Premier League is doing is not enough and that more needs to be done I hope it does Semenyo said to ITVWhen asked what the maximum punishment should be Semenyo said It could be jail time it could be banned from stadiums for a lifetime it could be anything along the lines of that but I feel like there has to be something elseMerseyside Police confirmed that a 47yearold man was removed from Anfield and announced his arrest on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence He was later released on bail and has been banned from any regulated football match in the UK as part of his bail conditionsThe Bournemouth forward who showed exceptional character by scoring two goals against Liverpool in the same game revealed he was subjected to racism on social media after the gameI feel like in this day and age it just doesnt make sense and we want to know why it keeps happening It was pretty painful to hearI got back on the coach and I was just going through my messages I wanted to reply back to family and friends to be honest and then it obviously popped across the screen on Instagram I was getting racially abused as well and its just like straight after the game thats happenedSomeone has felt the need to come online and do that so that made me angry to be honest Why would you want to do that Semenyo added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/bournemouths-semenyo-calls-for-jail-time-as-potential-punishment-for-racism-633724.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/bundesliga-2025-26-kane-olise-diaz-shine-as-bayern-start-season-in-style-633792.html Berlin Germany Aug 23 A broad smile spread across Bayern Munich striker Harry Kanes face after his sides emphatic 60 victory over RB Leipzig in the 202526 Bundesliga season opener The 32yearold England captain admitted he had never heard of a German football quirk While most countries celebrate a hattrick when a player scores three goals in one game Germany distinguishes between a normal hattrick within 90 minutes and a flawless one scored in a single halfI didnt know about that but at halftime I thought it might be a good idea to show up on the scoreboard Kane joked Fair enough Ill take itHis treble bringing him to 65 goals in 64 games for Bayern set the tone for a perfect league start also shaped by former Premier League players Michael Olise and Luis Diaz Olise struck twice while summer signing Diaz added a goal and an assist to complete what local media dubbed an English evening at the Allianz Arena reports XinhuaEven coach Vincent Kompany joined the laughter quipping He scored three times I must have missed that but he managed it again obviouslyThe victory also lifted the mood after weeks of concern over Bayerns slim squad depth particularly in attack Its the smallest squad Ive ever played in Kane notedClub captain Manuel Neuer and midfielder Joshua Kimmich have publicly urged reinforcements following the departures of Thomas Muller Kingsley Coman Leroy Sane and Mathys Tel Board member for sport Max Eberl confirmed Bayern is exploring a oneyear loan signing while also emphasising opportunities for emerging talents such as Lennart Karl Jonah KusiAsare and Wisdom MikeOff the pitch president Herbert Hainer stressed Bayerns longterm stability pointing to a sponsorship deal worth 60 million euros annually through 2032 We remain responsible merchants and will keep the club on a steady financial track he saidFor Kane the night belonged to goals and family As usual he tucked the match ball under his arm to bring home to his children while also praising his teammatesIts only been a few weeks with Lucho but we already have a strong understanding on and off the pitch Kane said of Diaz He gave me some nice passes and finished his goal perfectly Im really happy to have him alongside me IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/bundesliga-2025-26-kane-olise-diaz-shine-as-bayern-start-season-in-style-633792.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 19:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/la-liga-mastantuono-in-spotlight-as-real-madrid-prepare-for-trip-to-promoted-oviedo-633812.html Madrid Aug 23 Multipletime champions Real Madrid play their second game of the season on Sunday night when Xabi Alonsos side visits newlypromoted Oviedo with the Spanish coach sharing his thoughts on Argentinian teenager Franco Mastantuono Madrid travel after a 10 win at home to Osasuna on Tuesday thanks to Kylian Mbappes secondhalf penalty Alonso will be hoping that another week of training will have added extra sharpness to his sides attack after just two weeks to prepare for the openerAlonso isnt likely to make many changes to his starting eleven although Mastantuono has a chance of replacing Brahim Diaz despite controversy over whether he should be allowed to play in the Madrid first team reports XinhuaThe 18yearold is registered with the Real Madrid Bteam although he cost the club over 60 million euros and gets paid a firstteam salary and trains with the first team leading some to accuse Real Madrid of improper alignment last week against OsasunaNothing Alonso said in his pregame press conference did anything to change the view that the young Argentinian is anything but a firstteam playerI thought he played well the other day and had a good impact on the game and as he is in our squad he has options of playing said Alonso who added Mastantuono can play in attack or as an attacking midfielder which is what he did a lot at River PlateHe is training well and gets on well with his teammates It seems hes been here longer than he has been added the Real Madrid coachAnother player in the headlines is Brazilian forward Rodrygo with rumours of interest from Tottenham or Arsenal but Alonso wasnt opening up about his departureThe season and my epoch here have only just started and weve only had one game All of the decisions about who does or doesnt play are mine I talk to a lot of players and I have also spoken to Rodrygo he insistedCoach Xabi Alonso was content with his sides defensive performance at home to Osasuna but will be looking for more in attack away to Oviedo this SundayOviedo got an early indication of how tough life in La Liga can be with an opening day defeat to Villarreal and will be without suspended midfielder Albert Reina after his early red card IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/la-liga-mastantuono-in-spotlight-as-real-madrid-prepare-for-trip-to-promoted-oviedo-633812.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 22:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-pep-confirms-best-in-the-world-rodri-is-fit-to-face-spurs-633632.html Manchester Aug 22 Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Phil Foden Rodri and Ederson will be available for Manchester Citys Premier League clash with Tottenham City return to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday for their first home game of the season when they face SpursBoth Foden and Rodri travelled to Wolves for the 40 victory on the opening day but were not part of the matchday squadBut the Spaniard said they are in contention to face Thomas Franks side after stepping up their preparations ahead of the gameRodri and Phil in the last game they were out but for just the reason why a lack of training and rhythm and they didnt travel to Palermo and the other guys were doing it all through preseason They were not ready for 90 minutes against Wolves but they were ready and of course they are ready for tomorrow Guardiola said in his prematch conferenceRodri missed much of the 202425 season after suffering a knee injuryThe boss wants to be careful with the current Ballon dOr holder to ensure he doesnt suffer any setbacks but has no doubts about what he brings I just want a consistent Rodri thats all I dont have any doubts about his potential and qualityHes still so far the best player in the world until we elect a new one in a few monthsI dont have any doubts Just consistency at training weeks training games minutes and after everything will be fine added Guardiola The win at Molineux saw former Academy player James Trafford make his City debut with Ederson ruled out through illnessGuardiola confirmed that the Brazilian is fit to play and he will make a decision on who will take the gloves after trainingWe will decide tomorrow or tonight or after dinner but were happy he saidThe new players bring a new energy new everythingIve changed four or five or six times close staff and its tough but always they bring a new energy and ideasPlayers are the same and James brings his youth and desire to play at the club he was born and grew in Pep said IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-pep-confirms-best-in-the-world-rodri-is-fit-to-face-spurs-633632.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 19:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/our-relationship-was-built-on-trust-but-it-has-changed-nuno-admits-rift-with-forest-owner-marinakis-633641.html New Delhi Aug 22 Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo admitted his relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis has gone sour this season amidst rumours of a potential sacking for the Portuguese head coach Reports emerged on Friday suggesting Marinakis is looking for a replacement for Nuno with former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou being considered a potential candidate following disagreements over Nottinghams transfer strategy this summer windowI always had a very good relationship with the owner Last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basisThis season it is not so well between us but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us Our relationship has changed and we are not as close said Nuno in the pregame conferenceNottingham have played only one game this Premier League season A 31 win over Brentford and a change in managers could lead to a potential disruption in their season The club qualified for the UEFA Europa League this season after finishing seventh in Nunos first full season as head coach for the first time in 30 seasonsNuno claimed he too did not know the exact reason behind this sudden change claiming their relationship was based on trust but no longer I dont know exactly but Im being honest with you it is not the same The reason behind it I do not know What I said last week or two weeks ago was my concern and why I was worried about where we were going as a clubWhat I said I said it with respect The reality is that the relationship is not what it used to be It was a respectful relationship based on trust and sharing opinions but now it is not so good he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/our-relationship-was-built-on-trust-but-it-has-changed-nuno-admits-rift-with-forest-owner-marinakis-633641.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/conmebol-pledges-action-after-fan-violence-633447.html Buenos Aires Aug 22 South American football governing body CONMEBOL vowed to impose tough sanctions after violent clashes between Independiente and Universidad de Chile supporters forced the abandonment of their Copa Sudamericana tie in Buenos Aires Wednesdays second leg at Independientes Libertadores de America stadium in Avellaneda on the outskirts of the Argentine capital was halted early in the second half with the score tied at 11 on the night and the Chilean side leading 21 on aggregateTrouble began when visiting fans hurled objects at home supporters prompting the latter to storm the away section Video footage showed two Chilean fans jumping from the upper tier to escape the violence with one later undergoing surgery and remaining in critical condition Xinhua reportsThe Confederation expresses its repudiation and strongly condemns the acts of violence that took place inside and outside the stadium CONMEBOL said in a statement The institution will act with the utmost firmness in accordance with the regulations of the disciplinary committeeFIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed dismay and also called for decisive action Violence has no place in football players fans staff officials and everyone who enjoys our beautiful game should be able to do so without fear he said in a social media postChiles foreign ministry said 19 nationals were hospitalized and 101 detained while Argentine media reported more than 300 arrestsViolence has no justification from any side and we will protect the rights of our citizens without prejudice to the responsibilities that may be established by the justice system Chilean President Gabriel Boric wrote on social mediaUniversidad de Chile officials described the events as a tragedy and questioned the security arrangements that placed their fans directly above Independiente supportersThe match could yet be rescheduled abroad as was the case when the 2018 Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors was moved to Madrid after similar unrest IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/conmebol-pledges-action-after-fan-violence-633447.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 09:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/forest-sign-douglas-luiz-from-juventus-on-season-long-loan-633454.html Nottinghamshire Aug 22 Nottingham Forest have signed Douglas Luiz from Juventus on an initial seasonlong loan with a conditional obligation to become a permanent deal next summer the Premier League club said After one year in Italys Serie A Luiz returned to England where he had spent five years at Aston Villa bringing a wealth of experience to Forest having played in the Champions League for Juventus during his spell in TurinOn signing the deal Luiz said I am really happy to be here its a big Club and I decided to come here because I can see the ambition the Club has I am so excited to start with the team and give my best for the shirt and the fansThe 27yearold played 27 games for Juventus 19 of which in Serie A six in the Champions League one in the Italian Super Cup and one in the FIFA Club World CupIt was in the Club World Cup that Douglas Luiz played his last official match for Juventus coming on at the start of the second half of the 50 win against Al Ain in Washington DCBorn in Rio de Janeiro Luiz started his career at Vasco da Gama where he attracted the attention of Manchester City who Luiz signed for in 2017 Following two years on loan in Spain with Girona he then moved to Aston Villa in 2019 where he would go one to play over 200 times for the VillansA central midfielder capable of playing as a deep lying number six or as a more progressive eight Luiz has an impressive goal contribution record in England scoring 22 times and registering 24 assists in claret and blueAfter a standout year in 202323 for Villa Luiz was voted both Supporters Player of the Season and Players Player of the SeasonLuiz has also played 18 times for his national team and won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/forest-sign-douglas-luiz-from-juventus-on-season-long-loan-633454.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/football-isak-transfer-saga-is-a-lose-lose-situation-for-newcastle-united-eddie-howe-633561.html Newcastle Aug 22 With tensions between Alexander Isak and Newcastle United pouring out onto social media in recent times with the Swedish striker claiming the club broke its promise which resulted in him losing trust in the team head coach Eddie Howe stated the entire saga is a loselose situation for the club Isak does not wish to play for Newcastle again but with three years remaining on his contract Newcastle rejected a bid in the region of 110 million Pounds from Liverpool The 25yearold was not part of preseason training with the club and has been training away from the first teamIm not a fortuneteller Ive got no way of knowing what will happen in terms of getting some finality on the situation The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle United and it will do that in every situation I think its a loselose situation for us to a degree as I dont think we can come out of this winningIts a difficult situation to manage in the sense of what hes contributed to the football club and how professional he has been Its been an unfortunate couple of months that look like its coming to an end soon said Howe in his pregame press conferenceAfter being held to a goalless draw in their opening week fixture at Villa Park Newcastle return home to St James Park to take on defending champions Liverpool on Tuesday ISTDespite all the friction Howe does believe Isak can return to the team but only if he is 100 percent committed to the clubIf Alex is to play for Newcastle again he has to be totally committed and I dont think it works any other way That question is for another day but any player who puts on the shirt and steps out onto the pitch has to give his all for the teamMy reaction to his statement was disappointment in that these things are being made public For me all of these things should be facetoface between the club and the player It doesnt reflect well on the club or Alex and I think from the clubs perspective they felt they had to reply but for me it was a sad moment he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/football-isak-transfer-saga-is-a-lose-lose-situation-for-newcastle-united-eddie-howe-633561.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/man-city-defender-ruben-dias-extends-contract-till-2029-633580.html Manchester Aug 22 Defender Ruben Dias has signed a new fouryear contract to commit his future to Manchester City The defender has been a key part of the clubs recent success and this new agreement keeps him at the Club until the summer of 2029 Dias joined City in September 2020 from his boyhood club Benfica and has gone onto become a rock in the centre of their defenceDias has made more than 200 appearances for City and won nine trophies during his five seasons at the Etihad Stadium including four Premier League titles and a Champions League collecting a host of individual awards along the wayI am incredibly happy todayIm so proud to represent this great Club City are where I want to be at the top of the sport competing for trophies The clubs ambition aligns perfectly with mine and as a footballer there is nothing better than thatI love Manchester it is my home now and I love the Manchester City fans Their support from day one has been absolutely unbelievable and I appreciate them a lotWhen I think about the trophies we have won and the way we have played our football during my time here I couldnt imagine playing anywhere else said DiasWinning four Premier League titles in a row had never been an achieved by an English mens side before Pep Guardiolas team claimed the record with success built on the likes of Dias grit and determinationDias will be a part of the treblewinning side which will go down in history as the first City side to win a UEFA Champions League title and the centreback made huge contributions in that campaignMy job now is to be the best I can be for the duration of this contract so that I can play my part in helping us challenge for more silverwareI want to thank my teammates Pep Hugo the coaching staff and everyone at the Club This is such a special place and I am grateful every single day for the support I receiveNow the hard work begins and I want to promise the fans that I will give everything to win more trophies and bring more success to City he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/man-city-defender-ruben-dias-extends-contract-till-2029-633580.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/subroto-cup-chandigarh-sikkim-amp-meghalayas-u-17-girls-shine-on-day-4-633598.html New Delhi Aug 22 Day 4 of the Subroto Cup Junior Girls U17 category saw a mix of dominant wins and closely fought draws across multiple venues Keralas Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial School Thrissur sealed a 20 win over Harish Pawar Higher Secondary School Nainital Uttarakhand while Chhattisgarhs Mata Rukhmani Kanya Ashram registered a 30 victory over PM Shri Govt Mahatma Gandhi Sr Sec School Andrott Lakshadweep Assams Betkuchi High School and Sri Lanka School Football Association along with APS Noida and Bihars Upgraded High School Bilaspur played out goalless drawsWest Bengals Nandajhar Adibashi Pashili High School continued their winning form with a 20 triumph over PM Shri KV Senior School Hazaribagh Jharkhand Sikkims PM Shri Tashi Namgyal Sr Sec School also impressed defeating Delhis Bharti Public School 30 Meanwhile Rudrapurs Amenity Public School CBSE held Spring Field Hr Sec School NCC to a 11 draw and Nagalands Govt High School Meriema shared points with JNV Purulia Mawphlang NVS after a 00 resultThe highlight of the day came from Meghalayas Nongjri Presbyterian Secondary School who produced a thumping 120 win over Coast Guard Public School DNH amp DD led by Dapnis sevengoal show Maharashtras Krida Prabodhini Pune also registered a massive 200 victory against Air Force School Chakeri Chandigarhs Govt Model Sr Sec School secured a strong 51 win against Don Bosco International School ISSO while other matches ended in goalless draws rounding off an actionpacked dayThe Subroto Cup continues to deliver exciting football every day giving young players from across India and beyond a stage to shine The tournament not only brings thrilling matches but also plays a vital role in nurturing future football talent for the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/subroto-cup-chandigarh-sikkim-amp-meghalayas-u-17-girls-shine-on-day-4-633598.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-bournemouth-sign-morocco-winger-amine-adli-from-leverkusen-on-5-year-deal-633348.html Bournemouth Aug 21 AFC Bournemouth have signed Moroccan international Amine Adli from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a fiveyear deal and will link up with Andoni Iraolas side ahead of the weekends game with Wolves The winger was instrumental in Leverkusens recordbreaking season in 202324 as Xabi Alonsos team went undefeated domestically winning both the Bundesliga and DFBPokalAdli made 29 appearances across both competitions scoring nine goals in the process His contributions saw him named as the top scorer throughout the DFBPokal that seasonThe 25yearold who possesses Champions League experience is also a Europa League runnerup as Leverkusen reached the final just last yearAdlis previous achievements include winning the Ligue 2 Player of the Season during his time with Toulouse making his mark in the 202021 campaignIm very proud first of all to play for a club like Bournemouth I was looking at my next move and I felt like Bournemouth was the perfect place for me said Adli in a statementThe people around give me a lot of confidence here and Im very impressed with the facilities The people at the club are full of love so Im very happy and proud to play for Bournemouth and hopefully achieve good thingsFollowing the signing AFC Bournemouths President of Football Operations Tiago Pinto said Were thrilled to bring a player of such calibre to AFC Bournemouth Amine is a proven winner and someone who will be a real asset to our squad Hes entering the prime of his career and Im really excited to bring him to the clubHes someone who has competed at the highest level and his ambition is very much aligned with ours Im looking forward to working together and seeing what we can achieveAdli becomes the second signing of the week for the club after Ben GannonDoak arrived on Monday The pair join Adrien Truffert Dorde Petrovic and Diakite as new additions this window with Junior Kroupi also with the squad for the first time IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-bournemouth-sign-morocco-winger-amine-adli-from-leverkusen-on-5-year-deal-633348.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/leeds-sign-noah-okafor-from-ac-milan-as-premier-league-spending-hits-record-237bn-633400.html New Delhi Aug 21 English football club Leeds United have bolstered their squad with the signing of Switzerland striker Noah Okafor from AC Milan in an 18m deal taking the overall Premier League spending this summer to a recordbreaking 237bn The 25yearold forward has signed a fouryear contract at Elland Road and becomes Leeds ninth new addition of the window following their return to the Premier League after clinching promotion from the Championship As a kid I dreamed of playing in the Premier League Thats why for me it was quite an easy decision said Okafor after completing the moveMy football suits the Premier League so this is like a dream come true I cant wait to step on the field I heard that the Premier League is the best league in the world Its so intense I have loads of friends who played there Im really really excitedOkafor began his career at Basel where he scored 25 goals in 71 Swiss league appearances before moving to RB Salzburg and later joining AC Milan in 2023In Milan he found regular starts hard to come by scoring seven goals in 54 games with most of his appearances coming from the bench His most recent Serie A strike came on the opening day of last season before he spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Napoli featuring in four cameo appearancesOkafors arrival at Elland Road contributes to the highestever Premier League summer spending total surpassing the previous record of 236bn set in 2023 according to FootballTransferscomSix clubs have already smashed their individual transfer records this summer Brentford secured Burkina Faso forward Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth in a deal worth up to 425m while Bournemouth invested 346m in French centreback Bafodé DiakitéBurnley and Sunderland splashed 25m and 26m respectively for French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu and Senegals Habib Diarra with the latters deal potentially reaching 30m with addons Nottingham Forest also broke their record twice signing Switzerland winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna before completing a 375m move for Omari Hutchison from IpswichThe biggest deal of the summer so far was by Liverpool who made headlines by signing German star Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for 100m plus 16m in addons Should those addons be triggered Wirtzs move will set a new British transfer record eclipsing the 107m Chelsea paid Benfica for Enzo Fernandez in 2023 With ten days still remaining in the transfer window the 237bn figure is expected to climb even higher IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/leeds-sign-noah-okafor-from-ac-milan-as-premier-league-spending-hits-record-237bn-633400.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 20:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-heightened-security-likely-for-grudge-match-between-crystal-palace-nottingham-forest-633216.html London Aug 20 Crystal Palaces home debut against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League is likely to be a tense grudge match with possible security issues The authorities are also likely to put on heightened security for the match The FA Cup holder and its supporters are furious at what they consider to be a huge injustice after being demoted from the Europa League spot it earned on the pitch by beating Manchester City at Wembley to the Conference League after UEFA ruled it had broken multiclub ownership rules as former Palace shareholder John Textor is also a partowner of Olympique LyonNottingham Forest wrote to UEFA about the possible breach of multiownership rules with the club that finished seventh in the Premier League last season then taking Palaces place in the Europa LeagueIn a recent interview Palace chairman Steve Parish confirmed Forest had played a role in his clubs demotion We were told that and I think its been made public he confirmed adding if there wasnt somebody that wanted to get in to the Europa League as a consequence then there wouldnt be a problemPalace supporters group the Holmesdale Fanatics has described the decision as a terrible injustice for both our club and the game of football as a whole and protests are planned for Sundays Premier League game which just happens to be against Nottingham Forest reports XinhuaA Metropolitan Police spokesman said to the Guardian newspaper Officers will be in attendance at the upcoming Crystal PalaceNottingham Forest game Our priority is keeping fans and the wider public safe and we will continue to monitor the situation for developmentsForests Greek owner Evangelos Marinakis is likely to attend the match and will have his personal security detail and although Palace has said he will be welcome in the Boardroom it seems certain that he will be the focus of much of the home supporters anger IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/premier-league-heightened-security-likely-for-grudge-match-between-crystal-palace-nottingham-forest-633216.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-benfica-hold-fenerbahce-to-goalless-draw-bodoglimt-win-in-qualifying-play-offs-633256.html New Delhi Aug 21 The first leg of the 202526 UEFA Champions League playoffs concluded with tenman Benfica playing out goalless draw at Fenerbahce and BodøGlimt taking a giant step towards a maiden appearance in the competition proper with a resounding 50 victory over Sturm Graz while Celtic and Basel were held at home Goalkeepers Irfan Can Egribayat and Anatoliy Trubin were both forced into a number of saves as chances came and went without reward for the Turkish and Portuguese giantsBenfica had to play the final 20 minutes a man down after Florentinos dismissal for two yellow cards and he will miss the return leg in Lisbon next week UEFAMeanwhile BodoGlimt have a firstever appearance in the Champions League proper within their reach after overpowering Sturm Graz with a scintillating displayKasper Hoghs delicate chip got the Norwegian team off to a flyer before Odin Bjørtuft doubled the advantage moments later with a header and Ulrik Saltnes turn and finish made it 30 after 25 minutesThe hosts kept coming after the break Håkon Evjens strike and a William Boving own goal capping a stunning performance which leaves Sturm requiring a secondleg miracleBodoGlimt have now won their last eight home games in Champions League qualifyingElsewhere Kairat Almaty frustrated Scottish champions Celtic as they claimed a wellearned draw with a disciplined performance in GlasgowThe visitors made the better chances of the opening 45 minutes but it was the hosts James Forrest who sent a low shot against the post within seconds of the restartEdmilsons delightful longrange lob almost snatched a precious away win but the ball dropped just over and the tie remains in the balance ahead of the return match in KazakhstanFC Base and Copenhagen are all square after an actionpacked first leg at St JakobParkXherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Rodrigo Huescas felled Albian Ajeti but Gabriel Pereira headed the Danish side level in firsthalf added time from a wellworked cornerThe hosts finished the game with ten men Jonas Adjetey dismissed in the 82nd minute for a second bookable offenceThe playoffs began on Tuesday with Club Brugge making a sensational start to their tie scoring three goals inside 20 minutes on their way to a 31 success in their first leg at Rangers while there were also away wins for Pafos and Qarabag IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/champions-league-benfica-hold-fenerbahce-to-goalless-draw-bodoglimt-win-in-qualifying-play-offs-633256.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/kompany-under-pressure-as-bayern-eyes-european-breakthrough-633104.html New Delhi Aug 20 Before the start of the 202526 Bundesliga season Bayern Munich faces familiar challenges with its European ambitions under scrutiny The German champion has exited the UEFA Champions League in the quarterfinals four times in the past five years with a semifinal loss to Real Madrid in 2024 also falling short of expectations Attention now turns to the Champions League draw on August 28 following a difficult transfer windowBayern missed out on key transfer targets such as Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade while losing longserving players Thomas Muller Leroy Sane Kingsley Coman and Mathys Tel Injuries to Jamal Musiala Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito further complicate the picture as per XinhuaLeading players Harry Kane Manuel Neuer and captain Joshua Kimmich have all spoken of the need for reinforcements I rarely played in such a small squad Kane saidMeanwhile rivals including Real Madrid Arsenal Barcelona Manchester City and Liverpool have strengthened their squads Within Germany debate continues over Bayerns approach to youth development with record international Lothar Matthaus calling for more playing time for prospects such as Lennart Karl Paul Wanner Jonah KusiAsare and Wisdom MikeCoach Vincent Kompany despite guiding Bayern to a recent German Supercup win over Stuttgart faces criticism over the lack of squad depth New signings Luis Diaz Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof have not convinced observers that the team is ready to compete internationallyWe are focused on the national campaign to make a strong start Kane saidSupervisory board member Uli Hoeness urged patience stressing the return of injured players and the possibility of loan signings He ruled out a spending spree saying the club is preparing for a generational shift in 2026As Kompany enters his second season he must balance winning trophies with developing young players Bayern attributed last seasons early exits from the German Cup and the Champions League to injuries but the pressure on the coach is increasing This season domestic dominance alone may not be enough IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/kompany-under-pressure-as-bayern-eyes-european-breakthrough-633104.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/wsl-leanne-kiernan-signs-new-deal-with-liverpool-633138.html Liverpool Aug 20 Leanne Kiernan has signed a new contract with Liverpool FC Women The Irish striker put pen to paper on the deal at the AXA Melwood Training Centre on Wednesday By inking fresh terms the clubs secondhighest scorer in the Womens Super League era will take her Reds career into its fifth campaignIt feels amazing and Im really excited to get going again My family are delighted honestly Its like a second home for them as well as me and they love it over here I could actually see myself after I finish my career in Liverpool I feel like theyre really enjoying coming over to see meThe fans have been unbelievable really supportive throughout injuries really supportive by sticking with us and I feel like theyve been there for the good times and the bad Hopefully well be able to celebrate with them a lot this year Kiernan told LiverpoolfccomThe 26yearold arrived in the summer of 2021 and fired in 14 goals on the way to winning the FA Womens Championship during her debut season A serious ankle injury limited her game time in Liverpools return to the top flight but Kiernan racked up appearance totals of 19 and 22 in the last two termsShe has been on the scoresheet 23 times as a Red and only Natasha Dowie has netted more for the club in the period since the WSL was launched in 2011I think one of the most important things is the fans in any club If there are no fans its very hard to play football and get the excitement back and everything so I feel like they have been massive for us especially in my last four years Its just nice to hear your name chanted and everybody has an individual song Yeah thats one thing about Liverpool weve always had the best fans in the world Kiernan added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/wsl-leanne-kiernan-signs-new-deal-with-liverpool-633138.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/i-didnt-see-this-in-him-says-shearer-on-isak-transfer-saga-after-player-claims-club-spreading-lies-about-him-633172.html London Aug 20 Following Alexander Isaks bombshell statement claiming he has lost trust in Newcastle United club legend and alltime Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer revealed his conversation with the 25yearold from a few months back stating he sees a complete Uturn from what he saw back then As per reports Isak has no intention of playing for Newcastle United again and has been training on his own He was left out of the clubs preseason friendlies and was not a part of the side that drew 00 vs Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the Premier LeagueI sat down with him what five or six months ago Alex I didnt see this in him to be honest I thought he was a managers dream to be honest the way he spoke and the way he sort of was talking about himself and the club and his life and everything else said Shearer on The Rest Is Football podcastSo obviously something has massively upset him and we dont know that but those two circumstances Trent and Alexander Isak are totally different he addedIsaks refusal to play for Newcastle has drawn widespread criticism amongst the faithful at the club which was evident during Newcastles draw against Aston Villa Many have compared the Swedes situation to that of Trent AlexanderArnold who received hate from the Liverpool fans after he decided not to sign a new contract and join Real Madrid as a free agentBut according to former England striker Gary Lineker it was a completely different situation given Isak still has three years left on his contractTrent was a kid who was brought up in Liverpool He came to the end of his contract He didnt refuse to play he didnt refuse to train and then was well within his rights to leave Now Isaks got three years left on his contract it doesnt take a genius to work that out does it Come onI think Liverpool fans problem is that he AlexanderArnold is a Liverpool lad and they feel like they didnt get a monster transfer fee for him said LinekerIsak has strengthened his efforts to leave Newcastle United in the summer transfer window with a statement that accused his club of not telling the truth over eventsAlthough Newcastle has already rejected an offer of over 100 million pounds 135 million US dollars for Isak coach Eddie Howe has admitted he doesnt have full control of the situation With the transfer window due to close at midnight next Monday Isak has looked to force his move through with his statement which he issued after not appearing at the ceremony to recognise last seasons Premier League team of the seasonIt didnt feel right to be there wrote Isak who commented that he had kept quiet for a long time while others have spokenThe striker wrote that his silence had allowed people to push their own version of events even though they know it doesnt reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doorsThe reality is that promises were made and the club Newcastle has known my position for a long time To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading continued Isak who insists that when promises are broken and trust is lost the relationship cant continueChange is in the best interests of everyone not just myself he concludedNewcastle quickly responded with a statement of its own saying We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that a club official has ever made no commitment that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summerAs explained to Alex and his representatives we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpiredWe do not foresee those conditions being met the club said IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/i-didnt-see-this-in-him-says-shearer-on-isak-transfer-saga-after-player-claims-club-spreading-lies-about-him-633172.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/subroto-cup-2025-assam-amp-chhattisgarh-play-out-thriller-haryana-notches-a-dominant-victory-over-nagaland-633193.html New Delhi Aug 20 The second day of the prestigious Subroto Cup international football tournament brought plenty of drama and goals The spotlight shone brightest on two matches that could not have been more different a thrilling 22 deadlock between Assams Betkuchi High School and Chhattisgarhs Mata Rukhmani Kanya Ashram and a onesided goalfest that saw Amenity Public School Rudrapur Uttarakhand crush Air Force School Kanpur 200 In the AssamChhattisgarh clash it was Assam who struck first Samainas strike in the second minute set the tone and Sayasree added a second in the 21st giving Assam a dream start But Chhattisgarh were not to be silencedSushilas poise under pressure was evident first with a sharp equaliser in the 6th minute and then a late goal in the 49th to bring her side level sending the match into a tense closing phase The final whistle blew with the scoreboard reading 22 a fair reflection of both sides fighting spiritMeanwhile on another pitch a different kind of history was being written Amenity Public School unleashed a relentless attacking display against a hapless Air Force School side Kamal Sonam Anjali and Sonakshi all found the net multiple times as Rudrapurs girls delivered one of the biggest wins in the tournaments historyElsewhere Haryana notched a confident 30 win over Nagaland powered by Ruchis clinical hattrick Jharkhand Kerala Sri Lanka Meghalaya Chandigarh Bihar and Goa also registered dominant victories showcasing the depth of emerging football talent across regionsAs Day 2 wrapped up the Subroto Cup continues to be a crucible of ambition passion and promise for Indias young footballersThe prestigious Subroto Cup International Football Tournament kicked off its 64th edition with 106 teams vying for top honours across three categories Junior Boys and Girls and SubJunior with matches scheduled to be hosted across DelhiNCR and Bengaluru from August 19 to September 25The tournament began with the Junior Girls Under 17 category in DelhiNCR The SubJunior Boys Under 15 category matches will be hosted in Bengaluru from September 2 while the final phase of the tournament the Junior Boys Under 17 category kicks off on September 16 in DelhiNCR IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/subroto-cup-2025-assam-amp-chhattisgarh-play-out-thriller-haryana-notches-a-dominant-victory-over-nagaland-633193.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/salah-wins-record-third-pfa-player-of-the-year-award-633001.html Manchester Aug 20 Liverpools Mohamed Salah has been voted the 202425 Mens PFA Players Player of the Year The Egyptian became the first person to receive the prize for a third time following his successes in 201718 and 202122 Salah topped the polling of his fellow professionals from this years sixman shortlist which included clubmate Alexis Mac Allister to make it the 10th occasion a Red has claimed the prestigious honourThe recipient of the 202425 Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season awards the 33yearold has been recognised again for his incredible output in the previous campaignOn the way to collecting a second Premier League winners medal Salah produced 34 goals and 23 assists from his 52 appearances in all competitionsFortyseven of those goal involvements came in the league as the everpresent forward equalled the competitions alltime record for that statistic adding another Golden Boot and Playmaker prize to his individual honours listTerry McDermott 197980 Sir Kenny Dalglish 198283 Ian Rush 198384 John Barnes 198788 Steven Gerrard 200506 Luis Suarez 201314 and Virgil van Dijk 201819 are the others to have been named Mens PFA Players Player of the Year while at LiverpoolMeanwhile Salah was among the five Liverpool players named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for 202425Virgil van Dijk Milos Kerkez Ryan Gravenberch Alexis Mac Allister and Salah secured a spot in the annual XI which is voted for by the countrys professional players and was announced at a ceremony in ManchesterVan Dijk Gravenberch Mac Allister and Salah helped the Reds clinch the Premier League title in Arne Slots first campaign as head coachSlots men sealed first place with four matches to spare and went on to amass 84 points delivering the club a recordequalling 20th topflight titleSummer signing Kerkez meanwhile earned his berth in the team based on his form for AFC Bournemouth producing five assists and two goals from his 38 league starts in 202425PFA Premier League Team of the Year 202425Matz Sels Virgil van Dijk Milos Kerkez William Saliba Gabriel Magalhaes Declan Rice Ryan Gravenberch Alexis Mac Allister Mohamed Salah Alexander Isak Chris Wood IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/salah-wins-record-third-pfa-player-of-the-year-award-633001.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenals-mariona-caldentey-named-pfa-womens-player-of-the-year-633005.html Manchester Aug 20 Arsenals Mariona Caldentey has been named the PFA Womens Player of the Year for 202425 at the Manchester Opera House following an outstanding debut season in north London which impressed her fellow professionals who voted her as the winner The midfielder finished above teammate Alessia Russo and well as Erin Cuthbert Chelsea Mary Fowler Manchester City Yui Hasegawa Manchester City and Phallon TullisJoyce Manchester UnitedMariona becomes the third Gunner to win the award deemed to be the most prestigious individual accolade in the domestic game after Kim Little in 201112 and Vivianne Miedema in 201819Last season Mariona got nine goals in 21 Womens Super League matches and eight in 15 Womens Champions League as we went all the way to win the final in Lisbon It was her third Champions League final win in a row and fourth overallShe provided another two goals and two assists in the Womens League Cup before getting the same return for Spain at Euro 2025 as she helped her nation to the finalMeanwhile Olivia Smith who the Gunners signed from Liverpool this summer was named the Young Player of the Year for her efforts last seasonIn what was also her first season in England following a move from Sporting Lisbon she scored seven goals in 20 WSL games as the Reds finished seventhMoreover four of our players have been selected for the 202425 PFA Womens Team of the YearMariona Caldentey Emily Fox Kim Little and Alessia Russo were all included in WSLs best XI with votes from all womens players helping to select the winnersPFA Womens Team of the YearPhallon TullisJoyce Manchester United Jayde Riviere Manchester United Emily Fox Arsenal Maya Le Tissier Manchester United Millie Bright Chelsea Yui Hasegawa Manchester City Erin Cuthbert Chelsea Kim Little Arsenal Alessia Russo Arsenal Mariona Caldentey Arsenal Mary Fowler Manchester City IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenals-mariona-caldentey-named-pfa-womens-player-of-the-year-633005.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/mbappes-penalty-gives-real-madrid-winning-start-to-laliga-campaign-633008.html Madrid Aug 20 Mbappes goal from the penalty spot guided Real Madrid to make a winning start to their LaLiga campaign at the Bernabeu Xabi Alonsos men who dominated the game from start to finish overcame Osasuna 10 on the opening matchday of the seasonAfter a goalless first half Mbappe last seasons Golden Boot winner gave the Madridistas the win with a penalty goal early in the second half of the clash Carreras who started the game and Mastantuono made their official debuts for the team Real Madrid reportsMadrid started on top and pressed high up the pitch Carreras was the first to try his luck with a longrange leftfooted effort that went just wide 7 Ten minutes later Huijsen also attempted a shot from outside the area but Sergio Herrera deftly pushed his effort wideDespite their dominance Osasuna defended in their area and barely conceded any chances In the 26th minute Militao struck another powerful longrange shot that the goalkeeper again kept out with a smart saveReal Madrid continued to push forward and Mbappé after collecting the ball in the opposition box went close when he fired a rightfooted shot just wide of the post 36 On the stroke of halftime Vini Jr raced on to the counterattack in search of a goal after recovering the ball in the Osasuna halfBoyomo thwarted him with a stamp on the foot that referee Adrián Cordero failed to spot Five minutes after the restart the Madridistas persistence finally paid off Mbappé surged down the right wing into the box and after a beautiful cutback past Juan Cruz he was brought down by the defenderThe Frenchman converted the spotkick to make it 10 Just past the hour mark Arda Guler almost doubled the lead with a shot from the edge of the area that sailed just over the crossbarOsasuna carved out their first chance in the 64th minute when Bretones was unable to finish off Rubén Garcías cross Four minutes later Xabi Alonso sent on Carvajal and Mastantuono who received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu The new Madridista signing set up Tchouameni five minutes after coming on but the Frenchmans header went just wide of the top cornerThe Argentinian also had a chance to score in the closing stages when his leftfooted strike from the byline was saved by Sergio Herrera Osasuna finished the game with 10 men after Bretones was sent off for a foul on Gonzalo It was a victory in the league opener for Madrid who have now gone 17 seasons without losing on the opening day of the campaign IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/mbappes-penalty-gives-real-madrid-winning-start-to-laliga-campaign-633008.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/its-something-ill-never-forget-and-take-for-granted-salah-on-historic-pfa-player-of-the-year-honour-633038.html Manchester Aug 20 Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah admitted to feeling proud at becoming the first person in history to win the Mens PFA Players Player of the Year award for a third time and said this honour is something he will never take for granted The Egyptian topped the polling of his fellow professionals from this years sixman shortlist which included clubmate Alexis Mac Allister to make it the 10th occasion a Red has claimed the prestigious honourAfter collecting the PFA prize which he also picked up in 201718 and 202122 the forward reacted to this latest success saying Great great Its something thats never happened in the Premier League its something I will never forget and I will never take it for granted So Im so glad about thatSalah scored 34 goals and produced 23 assists from his 52 appearances in the previous season smashing a host of records along the way Reflecting on the previous season the winger said I think we had a great season and I also had my best season in the club maybe in my career as well To win the league Im glad we managed to do that and hopefully it will continue this yearI found always a way to feel hungry and just need more This season we have new players so you also need to give them your experience and try to help them also to grow thats part of being a footballer Its always the hunger that really makes me want more he addedSalah has cemented himself as a Liverpool legend since his transfer from AS Roma in the summer of 2017 signed a new contract in April this year that will keep him at Anfield until 2027Im still very hungry thats why I signed for Liverpool for another two years Its great to play in the Premier League at that level Also with my age 33 you feel that you can give more and you can really make the difference always in each game Its something that makes me proud of myself because I work really hard for that Thats what I can say about that he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/its-something-ill-never-forget-and-take-for-granted-salah-on-historic-pfa-player-of-the-year-honour-633038.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/another-injury-setback-for-villarreal-striker-moreno-632958.html Madrid Aug 19 Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno has suffered another injury setback in a career that has been badly affected by physical problems in recent seasons The 33yearold started his sides opening day win at home to Oviedo on Saturday evening but the former Spain international had to leave the pitch after just two minutes of the second half with a hamstring injury in his left leg as per XinhuaThe striker is likely to be out of action for between four and six weeks but given Morenos injury history it is likely to be closer to six weeks on the sidelinesI dont want to predict much but you cant imagine how frustrating it is to not be able to have continuity when you are doing all that is in my hands to try and be fitI will carry on looking for the best way to be here and to play I will keep on working because I have a marvellous family who are always at my side and a lot of people who want me to be fit and who try and keep my morale up wrote Moreno on InstagramMoreno has suffered both hamstring and calf injuries in the past three years missing 14 matches last season 20 in the 20232024 campaign and 18 the previous year which have limited his appearances for Villarreal and effectively ended his international careerVillarreal began their 202525 La Liga campaign in solid fashion after having defeated Real Oviedo 20 in their opening game of the season with the newly promoted side hvaing been reduced to 10 men early onThey now turn their attention to facing Girona FC on home turf at the Estadio de la Cerámica IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/another-injury-setback-for-villarreal-striker-moreno-632958.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/wsl-euro-young-player-of-the-tournament-agyemang-rejoins-brighton-on-loan-from-arsenal-632962.html Brighton Aug 19 Michelle Agyemang has rejoined Brighton amp Hove Albion on loan for the 202526 season The 19yearold forward who has been with Arsenal since the age of six will continue her development with Dario Vidosics side this season having also spent the 202425 campaign on loan with the SeagullsMichelle enjoyed a positive season with Brighton last year scoring five goals in 22 appearances to earn a nomination for the WSLs Rising Star awardHead coach Vidosic said We are thrilled to welcome Michelle back for another season We loved working with her last year and seeing how much she progressed as part of the squadWhat she achieved during the summer with England was incredible but not surprising She has the character work ethic and relentless nature of a champion As a club were incredibly proud of herShe was a pivotal part of our recordbreaking season last year and were excited for what this new season looks like with her in our attackMichelles strong development was recognised with a callup to the England squad for the 2025 UEFA European Championship and everyone at Arsenal was thrilled and proud to see Michelle named Young Player of the Tournament having scored two goals in four appearances to help the Lionesses clinch the trophyMichelle has made six firstteam appearances for Arsenal so far scoring one goal Her debut came during the Gunners WSL victory over Leicester City in November 2022Arsenals Director of Womens Football Clare Wheatley said Were so proud of Michelles achievements this summer and throughout her journey at Arsenal from her first steps in our academy through to our firstteam squad After discussing closely with Michelle and her family we have all agreed that this move will provide Michelle with a further opportunity to develop and grow as she continues to progress as a young player and person We wish Michelle every success at Brighton and look forward to welcoming her back to Arsenal at the end of her loan IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/wsl-euro-young-player-of-the-tournament-agyemang-rejoins-brighton-on-loan-from-arsenal-632962.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/nmechas-late-penalty-earns-leeds-win-over-everton-in-premier-league-return-632758.html Leeds Aug 19 Lukas Nmecha enjoyed a dream Leeds United debut as his late penalty helped the club began their 202526 Premier League campaign with a memorable 10 victory over Everton Nmecha who joined Daniel Farkes side on a free transfer in June after leaving Bundesliga club Wolfsburg came off the bench to slot home from the spot in the 84th minuteHaving won the Championship title with 100 points last season Leeds played with a swagger at a buoyant Elland Road but it looked like they would have to settle for a point as a stubborn Everton defence dug inHowever the decisive moment came when James Tarkowski was penalised for handball from Anton Stachs deflected drive and Nmecha held his nerve to beat Jordan Pickford Premier League reportsNmecha became the first Leeds substitute to score on his Premier League debut since Alan Smith in November 1998 while hes the first player to score a penalty on his debut for the club in the competitionAs Leeds United marked their return to the Premier League with a victory the manager Daniel Farke was delighted with the Whites performanceI think overall in a tight game a hardfought win but also a welldeserved win from my side Farke told the mediaOutstanding performance I think we were very dominant in the first half and had nearly 70 per cent possession 12 shots already in the first halfI was a bit worried because especially as a newly promoted side once you have such a dominant period and it was more or less the whole first half that we dominated normally you have to reward yourself also with the goal because at Premier League level one little moment can change your whole momentum he addedWhile Leeds are up and running Everton will approach their first Premier League game at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday without a point to their name IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/nmechas-late-penalty-earns-leeds-win-over-everton-in-premier-league-return-632758.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/nottingham-forest-sign-arnaud-kalimuendo-on-a-five-year-deal-632703.html Nottingham Aug 18 Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Arnaud Kalimuendo who joins the Club on a fiveyear deal The 23yearold enjoyed a fine season in Ligue 1 in 202425 scoring 18 goals and registering four assists in 34 appearances for Stade Rennais The Frenchman started his career with Paris SaintGermain PSG at the age of ten working his way through the Academy in the French capital Aged just 16 the forward made his debut for the under19 squad in the UEFA Youth League He made his official first team debut in 2020 signing a contract extension with the 13time French champions the same yearWhen I heard about the interest from Forest I was honoured This is a proud moment for me joining a team that had a strong season last year and a Club with great historyIm ready for the challenge and I arrive here with good experience I had a good season last year with goals and assists but I want more and want to reach a new level hereI cant wait to play in the Premier League and to play at the City Ground I watched games from last season and its clear that the fans create a beautiful atmosphere Im excited to see them and impatient to get started said KalimuendoAfter enjoying two successful loan spells at Lens where he netted 21 times in 65 appearances Kalimuendo ended his tenyear association with PSG moving to Brittany to sign for Rennes in August 2022 Kalimuendo played in the Europa League in his first two seasons for the Ligue 1 side and has gone on to play over 100 times scoring 40 goalsOperating primarily as a centreforward but with the ability to stretch defenders and play out wide Kalimuendo is an agile forward who arrives on Trentside after his best goalscoring seasonChief Football Officer Ross Wilson said Its been a busy few days for us the culmination of a lot of hard work from our staff over a number of weeksArnaud is someone whose progress weve followed closely across PSG Lens and Rennes and were delighted that the next step in his journey will be here in NottinghamHes arriving with real excitement and big energy and we look forward to seeing that on the pitch IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/nottingham-forest-sign-arnaud-kalimuendo-on-a-five-year-deal-632703.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/joakim-alexandersson-names-23-member-squad-for-saff-u17-womens-cship-632322.html New Delhi Aug 17 India U17 womens team head coach Joakim Alexandersson on Sunday named a 23member squad for the SAFF U17 Womens Championship Bhutan 2025 which is scheduled from August 20 to 31 in Thimphu Alexandersson who historically guided the India U20s to their first AFC U20 Womens Asian Cup qualification in two decades earlier this month will now lead the U17s as they gear up for the SAFF championship in the leadup to the AFC U17 Womens Asian Cup Qualifiers which will be held in October in KyrgyzstanIn a new format that will provide the players more game time the SAFF U17 Womens Championship will feature four teams India Bhutan Nepal and Bangladesh competing in a double roundrobin league Each team will play six matches and the one with the most points will be crowned championsIndia u17 women will begin the campaign against Nepal on August 20 followed by Bangladesh on August 22 Bhutan on August 24 and 27 Nepal on August 29 and finally Bangladesh again on August 31All matches will be played at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu and will be streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube ChannelSquadGoalkeepers Munni Surajmuni Kumari Tamphasana Devi KonjengbamDefenders Alena Devi Sarangthem Alisha Lyngdoh Binita Horo Divyani Linda Elizabed Lakra Priya Ritu Badaik Taniya Devi TonambamMidfielders Abhista Basnett Anita Dungdung Beena Kumari Bonifilia Shullai Julan Nongmaithem Pritika Barman Shveta Rani Thandamoni BaskeyForwards Anushka Kumari Nira Chanu Longjam Pearl Fernandes Valaina Jada FernandesHead coach Joakim AlexanderssonAssistant coach Nivetha RamadossGoalkeeper coach Dipankar ChoudhuryStrength and conditioning coach SaifullaIndias schedule at the SAFF U17 Womens Championship Bhutan 2025 in ISTAugust 20 Nepal vs India 1430August 22 India vs Bangladesh 1430August 24 Bhutan vs India 1430August 27 India vs Bhutan 1730August 29 India vs Nepal 1730August 31 Bangladesh vs India 1430 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/joakim-alexandersson-names-23-member-squad-for-saff-u17-womens-cship-632322.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-sunderland-sign-defender-nordi-mukiele-on-four-year-deal-632365.html Sunderland Aug 17 Sunderland AFC have announced the arrival of Nordi Mukiele The defender has signed a fouryear contract at the Stadium of Light following the start of the 202526 Premier League season Capped by France Mukiele moves to Wearside from Paris SaintGermain for an undisclosed fee having spent last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen in the BundesligaBefore his time at the Parc des Princes the 27yearold represented Stade Lavallois Montpellier HSC and RB LeipzigMukieles vast experience in Europes elite leagues has seen him make more than 300 appearances to date including 115 in the Bundesliga 85 in Ligue 1 and 35 in the UEFA Champions LeagueIts a new challenge and Im happy to be here I saw the atmosphere of the stadium and this is something I really like The fans are very important in football and especially in Sunderland I came here to fight for them I see some good players and see their quality so I believe that we can do something good together and when I say together I mean the players the fans and the city We will need everyone this season said MukieleMukiele began his professional career with Paris FC before moving to Laval and breaking into Les Tangos senior team aged 17The defender moved to Montpellier in 2017 and made 50 appearances during an 18month spell at the Stade de la Mosson which ended when he joined RB LeipzigMukiele enjoyed an outstanding fourseason run at the Red Bull Arena where he made more than 100 appearances and won the DFBPokal in 2022He joined Paris SaintGermain and won backtoback Ligue 1 titles in 2023 and 2024 in addition to the 2024 Coupe de France and two Trophée des Champions before joining then reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen last summerMukiele featured alongside fellow summer arrival Granit Xhaka during his time on loan at the BayArena where he made 24 appearances across domestic and European competitions IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-sunderland-sign-defender-nordi-mukiele-on-four-year-deal-632365.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 19:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-ruatkima-brace-fires-diamond-harbour-past-jamshedpur-into-semifinals-632379.html Jamshedpur Aug 17 In a stunning quarterfinal at the JRD Tata Sports Complex Diamond Harbour FC delivered one of the biggest shocks of the 134th Durand Cup defeating Jamshedpur FC 20 to storm into the semifinals Inspired by a brilliant firsthalf brace from Ruatkima and backed by an outstanding defensive performance the debutants from Bengal outclassed their ISL opponents leaving the home side and their fans shellshocked While JFC dominated possession and threw everything forward in the second half Diamond Harbours composure discipline and counterattacking threat saw them hold on for a famous victory JFC interim head coach Steven Dias fielded a settled 433 lineup and made three changes to his starting lineup bringing in Japanese International Rei Tachikawa Sreekuttan VS and Nikhil Barla in place of Suhair VP Kartik Choudhary and Vincy Barretto while Diamond Harbour FC Head Coach Jose Antonio Vicuna Ochandorena made five changes to his starting lineup bringing in Robilal Mandi Sairuatkima Mirshad Koottappunna Samuel Lalmuanpuia and Hali Charan Narzary in place of Clayton Dasilva Susnata Malik Melroy Melwin Assisi Girik Mahesh Khosla and Naresh Singh in a 433 formation with deadly trio of Luka Majcen Hali Charan and Jobby Justin in the attacking lineThe quarterfinal showdown at the JRD Tata Sports Complex saw Diamond Harbour FC take a stunning early lead rattling the confident home side Jamshedpur FC Just three minutes in Ruatkima capitalised on a setpiece A long throw unsettled JFCs defence and the defender was left unmarked to slide home the openerDiamond Harbour continued to dominate the tempo A flowing move that involved Luka Majcen and Jobby Justin culminated in Paul unleashing a powerful longrange effort though it lacked accuracy and failed to trouble Jamshedpurs keeper Amrit Gope As JFC struggled to find cohesion in midfield chances began to dry upThe home side tried to respond as Reis intricate run allowed him to whip in a teasing cross picked out by Praful but his shot drifted harmlessly over the bar Soon after Jayesh Rane surged forward from 25 yards and let fly but his effort narrowly missed epitomising Jamshedpurs frustrations in front of goalAt around the 40th minute Ruatkima struck again on the counter Samuel lofted a cross from the right flank it deflected into Ruatkimas path and he volleyed it clinically into the net doubling Diamond Harbours advantage and silencing the home crowdAt the half time Diamond Harbour looked unstoppable Their fluid interplay particularly through Jobby Justin and Hali Charan Narzary posed a persistent threat although Jobbys heavier touch denied them a further goal Meanwhile Jamshedpur under interim coach Steven Dias looked shellshocked despite firm belief and home advantage they lacked sharpness in the final thirdTrailing 02 after Ruatkimas firsthalf brace Jamshedpur FC flew out of the blocks after the restart and piled on sustained pressure but Diamond Harbour FCs shape held VP Suhair teed up Sarthak Golui whose floated delivery flashed through the sixyard area with no takers as the hosts signalled intent early in the halfSanan repeatedly attacked down the left driving to the byline and whipping crosses that were turned away as DHFCs back line refused to budge From deeper Nishu Kumar stepped inside two challenges and tried his luck from range but the effort drifted away without forcing a full stretch The clearest opening came when Sanan cut inside and drilled low goalkeeper Mirshad got down sharply to parry then sprang up to palm away Suhairs volleyed followup in a superb double save that preserved the twogoal cushionIn the end Diamond Harbour FC scripted one of the standout results of the Durand Cup so far holding their ground with remarkable discipline to seal a famous 20 win over Jamshedpur FC and book their place in the semifinals Built on Ruatkimas firsthalf brace and sustained by a heroic defensive effort the underdogs frustrated JFCs frontline at every turn Every counterattack often sparked by the tireless Luka Majcen JobbyJustin and Hali Charan Narzary kept the ISL side wary ensuring the momentum never swung completely For a team making their Durand Cup debut DHFCs victory was not only a tactical triumph but also a statement of intent as they silenced the home crowd in Jamshedpur and announced themselves as genuine contenders in the competition IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-ruatkima-brace-fires-diamond-harbour-past-jamshedpur-into-semifinals-632379.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-chelsea-palace-battle-out-goalless-draw-nottingham-beat-brentford-3-1-632393.html New Delhi Aug 17 The early Premier League kickoff on Sunday provided very contrasting results as Chelsea were held to a frustrating goalless draw at home while Nottingham Forest dazzled with a 31 win over Brentford At Stamford Bridge Chelsea dominated proceedings with 71 possession and a host of chances but failed to break down a resolute Crystal Palace side Debutant Estevao and fellow Brazilian Andrey Santos came closest for the Blues in the second half while Palace thought they had taken the lead in the first period through Eberechi Ezes freekick only for VAR to rule it outChelsea boss Enzo Maresca handed debuts to several summer signings including winger Jamie Gittens and centreback Josh Acheampong the latter starting in place of the injured Levi Colwill Despite the attacking trio of Joao Pedro Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto creating pressure throughout Chelsea were unable to convert leaving them to settle for a point in their season openerMeanwhile over at the City Ground Nottingham Forest delivered a blistering firsthalf performance to brush aside Brentford Chris Wood netted twice before the break the first a clever finish from a corner mixup and the second after rounding the keeper following Elliot Andersons slick throughballSwiss winger Dan Ndoye another summer addition also opened his Forest account with a welltaken header as Nuno Espírito Santos side raced to a 30 halftime lead Brentford pulled one back via an Igor Thiago penalty late on but the damage had been doneForests win marks their first openingday victory since 2017 while Chelsea will be left to rue missed chances in front of their home crowd The early signs suggest Forest could be one to watch this season while Chelsea search for cutting edge in attack and may look to add another forward this window IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/pl-chelsea-palace-battle-out-goalless-draw-nottingham-beat-brentford-3-1-632393.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/mcatee-leaves-man-city-to-join-nottingham-forest-on-five-year-deal-632303.html London Aug 17 James McAtee has left Manchester City to sign for Nottingham Forest on fiveyear deal The move ended an 11year association with his boyhood club for the 22yearold attacking midfielder having first joined Man City academy at Under11 level McAtee has scored seven times in 34 appearances for his boyhood Club Manchester City He enjoyed two successful spells on loan at Sheffield United from 2022 playing 75 times for the Blades scoring 14 times and registering eight assistsIt was a season of firsts for the midfielder in 202425 who netted his first Premier League goal for City scored his first career hattrick in the FA Cup third round and opened his account on Europes biggest stage with a goal on his second appearance in the Champions LeagueUpon signing McAtee said I feel ready for a new challenge and the Club had a great season last year so I want to help build on that and show what I can doIm so happy to be here and really looking forward to getting started with my new teammates and I know the ambition of everyone associated with the Club which is something I want to be a part ofMcAtee joined Forest having recently lifted the UEFA Under21 Euros in June 2025 when he captained Englands Young Lions and proved a pivotal figure for Lee Carsleys side including a Player of the Match performance as England beat Germany 32 to lift the trophyChief Football Officer Ross Wilson said After captaining England to the U21 European Championship title James took some time to reflect on his next step and were thrilled hes chosen Forest We are proud to now have three extremely exciting young talents from the group that lifted the U21 EURO trophy with Elliot Omari and now JamesThere was strong interest in James but he showed a real determination to join us Our players have been excited about the possibility of him arriving and now we can officially welcome him into the group IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/mcatee-leaves-man-city-to-join-nottingham-forest-on-five-year-deal-632303.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/barcelona-kickstart-la-liga-title-defense-with-win-in-mallorca-632307.html Madrid Aug 17 Reigning La Liga champion FC Barcelona began its title defense with a comfortable but controversial 30 win away to Mallorca The game was as good as over by halftime after Raphinha put Barca ahead from a Lamine Yamal cross in the seventh minute and Fermin Lopez doubled the lead in the 23rd minuteThe Mallorca players were furious when play was allowed to continue after defender Antonio Raillo went down after clearing a cross into the area with Lopez scoring as the defender remained on the floor Xinhua reportsManu Morales was booked for protesting and just 10 minutes later he was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Yamal to leave Mallorca with 10 menIt got even worse for the home side in the 39th minute when Vedat Muriqi was shown a direct red card after the VAR took a look at his high challenge on Barca goalkeeper Joan Garcia who had been registered before kickoff along with Marcus RashfordThe home side was even more angry when Raphinha was only shown a yellow card for a late challenge on the stroke of halftimeThe second half saw Barca control the ball with Mallorca defending stubbornly with two fewer players on the pitch and with goalkeeper Leo Roman making some fine savesThe home side kept Barca at bay until the 94th minute when Yamal cut inside two tired defenders to score with a curling shot into the top corner to make it 30Rayo Vallecano kicked off the season on Friday with a 31 win away to Girona whose goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga had a nightmare first half which included two goalproducing errors and a 43rd minute red cardRayo led 30 at the break and held on for the win against a rival that had just 10 men on the pitchOviedos longawaited return to La Liga ended with a 20 defeat in Villarreal Alberto Reina saw two cards and was sent off in the 27th minute and against 10man Etta Eyong and Pape Gueye sealed Villarreals win before the break IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/barcelona-kickstart-la-liga-title-defense-with-win-in-mallorca-632307.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/haaland-scores-brace-as-man-city-route-wolves-632308.html London Aug 17 Erling Haaland bagged a brace while summer signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki scored on their Premier League debuts as City got off to the perfect start courtesy of a 40 opening day victory at Wolves Reijnders a summer arrival from AC Milan delivered an eyecatching performance in midfield directly involved in three goals as Pep Guardiolas side made a powerful statement at the start of the new seasonManchester City who ended last year without silverware for the first time in eight seasons wasted little time in laying down a marker Haaland first spurned an early chance stretching to head over but soon opened his account by turning in Rico Lewis driven cross from close range in the 35th minuteFour minutes later Reijnders capped a sweeping counterattack with a precise low strike into the corner to double the lead The Dutchman continued to dictate the tempo and on the hour teed up Haaland for his second with the Norwegian hammering home to make it 30 Substitute Rayan Cherki added further gloss late on with a composed effortWolves fought gamely with Marshall Munetsis thumping header disallowed for offside and Jorgen Strand Larsen firing into the side nettingFor Manchester City the evening brought another positive as goalkeeper James Trafford impressed on his Premier League debut in Edersons absence keeping a clean sheet with authorityThis was Citys ninth consecutive away game to open the Premier League season and eighth triumph in that time It also represented their 14th opening day win across the last 15 seasons the exception being a 10 loss at Tottenham Hotspur in 202122Many things were good especially in the first half In the second half we dropped too much but maybe that is normal in the beginning of the season Last season we also started with hunger and energy But we will see it is just the first game so there are many points still to play said Man City manager Pep Guardiola IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/haaland-scores-brace-as-man-city-route-wolves-632308.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/late-goals-from-messi-suarez-take-inter-miami-to-3-1-win-over-la-galaxy-632312.html Fort Lauderdale USA Aug 17 Late goals from captain Lionel Messi and forward Luis Suarez led Inter Miami CF to earn a thrilling 31 victory at Chase Stadium against the LA Galaxy Defender Jordi Alba opened the scoreline before late goals from Messi and forward Suarez allowed the team to record its firstever victory over the reigning MLS Cup championsInter Miami started the match applying pressure to the visitors through several combinations between Picault Allende Suárez and Segovia The latter came close to opening the scoreline after a great collective play was finished off by the Venezuelan from a backheel cross from Suarez The goal though was overruled due to an offside position from Segovia in the plays build up Inter Miami reportsNearing the end of the first half a precise linebreaking ball by Busquets found Alba who cut through the Galaxys defense The defender found himself at the edge of the sixyard box and clinically placed the ball to the goalkeepers first post to give Inter Miami the lead into the breakThe second half saw the introduction of Argentine duo Messi and Rodrigo de PaulThe Galaxy then equalized in the 59th minute through a goal from Joseph PaintsilInter Miami continued generating chances during the second half In the 84th minute de Paul played an unmarked Messi right outside the box who dribbled past a defender and slotted a grazing leftfooted shot to reclaim the leadRemarkably the goal saw Messi become the secondfastest player in MLS history to reach 40 career goals doing so in just 44 matches Josef Martínez 42Suarez rounded out the result for the definitive 31 scoreline in the 89th minute with a close range shot from inside the box following an elite backheel delivery from Messi from the 18yard boxNotably with the goal Suarez took his tally to 6 this regular season The assist meanwhile was the 10th for Messi in MLS play in 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/late-goals-from-messi-suarez-take-inter-miami-to-3-1-win-over-la-galaxy-632312.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/football-valencia-winger-fran-perez-joins-rayo-vallecano-632237.html Madrid Aug 16 Spanish club Valencia have sold winger Fran Perez to fellow La Liga opponents Rayo Vallecano for a fee close to a million euros the club confirmed on its website on Friday Perez has signed a fouryear deal with the Madridbased club which will make its European debut in this seasons UEFA Conference League playoff next week Perez is the son of former Valencia director of sport Francisco Perez Rufete and came through the clubs youth system reports XinhuaHe made his La Liga debut during Gennaro Gattusos brief spell as Valencia coach in the 202223 season and has played 77 times for the first team with many of those appearances coming as a substituteLast season Perez struggled with a back problem playing in 26 matches but starting only fourIn its communique Valencia wrote that Fran Perez has defended the Valencia shirt with pride and has been a reference point for the DNA and the values of our youth systemPerez is known for his incredible speed and strength was a prolific goalscorer in his youth and is a simple yet effective dribbler He made his senior debut with the reserves on October 17 2020 coming on as a late substitute for Hugo Gonzalez in a 22 Segunda Division B away draw against Atzeneta UEPerez made his professional and La Liga debut with Valencia on August 29 2022 coming on as a late substitute in a 10 loss to Atletico Madrid In March 2023 the 22yearold renewed his contract until 2027 and was definitely promoted to the main squad in August 2023Coached by Inigo Perez Rayo Vallecano concluded the La Liga season in eighth place marking their best league finish since the 201213 campaign when they also secured the same position This achievement qualifies the club for a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League signalling their return to European competition after a 24year absenceThe 202425 season was the 121st in the history of the Rayo Vallecano and the clubs fourth consecutive season in La Liga In addition to the domestic league the team participated in the Copa del Rey IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/football-valencia-winger-fran-perez-joins-rayo-vallecano-632237.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/its-unacceptable-in-every-football-stadium-let-alone-at-anfield-slot-on-semenyo-racist-abuse-632255.html Liverpool Aug 16 Liverpool manager Arne Slot said that there is no room for racism in football and the abuse faced by Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo at Anfield was unacceptable The Premier League opener between reigning champions and Bournemouth was stopped for several minutes during the first half following an allegation of discriminatory abuse from a supporter towards SemenyoReferee Anthony Taylor informed both managers Slot and Andoni Iraola about the incident reported by Ghana international SemenyoI think it is under investigation with the police now and the club made a very clear statement about what we feel about this Unfortunately we definitely have to talk about this its a good thing you talk about this and its a good thing that I have to answer this but after actually this day should be about Diogo and about how the tribute was But we definitely need to address this because its unacceptable in every football stadium let alone at Anfield I spoke to him Semenyo after the game that we will try to do everything to find that person I am not 100 per cent sure but I think they already found him Thats a good thingWherever we can help him we will try to do so Big credit to him if something happens like this and you can perform so well in the second half then hes not only a great player because that I can see with how fast he is but he is also very strong mentally If something like that happened and to get such a secondhalf performance that sums up him as a person and him as a player But again its unacceptable in football in general let alone at Anfield Slot said in the postmatch press conference after a 42 winPremier League Liverpool and Bournemouth all condemned the incident and extended full support to SemenyoWe condemn racism and discrimination in all forms it has no place in society or football The club is unable to comment further as tonights alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation which we will support fully Liverpool saidA great player but above all a great human being Only a strong character shows such resilience in those circumstances We love you and are all with you Antoine Bournemouth posted on XPremier League statement read Tonights match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd directed at Bournemouths Antoine SemenyoThis is in line with the Premier Leagues onfield antidiscrimination protocol The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated We offer our full support to the player and both clubs Racism has no place in our game or anywhere in societyWe will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/its-unacceptable-in-every-football-stadium-let-alone-at-anfield-slot-on-semenyo-racist-abuse-632255.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/akash-deeps-career-is-an-inspiration-for-all-young-players-says-bca-president-rakesh-tiwari-631912.html Patna Bihar Aug 13 Indian pacer Akash Deep on Wednesday met Bihar Cricket Association BCA President Rakesh Tiwari at the BCA office here The BCA president lauded Akash Deep for his performance during the England tour During the interaction the BCA President and the Indian pacer discussed his cricketing journey his hard work and his recent performances in the England tour The BCA president praised Akash Deeps dedication perseverance and consistent improvement stating that he is a matter of pride not only for Bihar but for the entire countryThe 28yearold Akash Deep recently featured in three of the five Tests and played a key role in Indias win in Birmingham and London The BCA president Rakesh Tiwari said Akash Deeps career serves as an inspiration for every young player who dreams big despite limited resourcesAkash Deeps career is an inspiration for all young players who dream big despite having limited resources He said that Akash Deep remained focused on his goals even in difficult circumstances and has now made his mark at the international level said Rakesh Tiwari President Bihar Cricket AssociationInternational performances of players like Akash Deep not only serve as a guide for aspiring cricketers but also open new avenues for Bihar cricket he addedThe BCA president said that the apex body of cricket in Bihar is continuously striving to provide better training facilities and opportunities to players from the state so that more players can bring glory to Bihar on national and international platforms in the futureAkash Deep cap 313 made his Test debut against England on February 23 2024He was named in AndersonTendulkar Trophy squad for India against England in 2025 Although he was not picked in the first Test he played a crucial role in the second in place of Jasprit Bumrah He achieved his maiden 10wicket haul with 4 in the first innings and 6 in the second helping India IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/akash-deeps-career-is-an-inspiration-for-all-young-players-says-bca-president-rakesh-tiwari-631912.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/psg-secure-dramatic-comeback-win-over-spurs-to-win-super-cup-631926.html Udine Italy Aug 14 Paris SaintGermain rallied from two goals down to beat Tottenham Hotspur 43 on penalties after a 22 draw in regular time winning their first UEFA Super Cup at the Stadio Friuli on Thursday IST Luis Enriques team have become the first French side to win this competition with clubs from 13 different nations now having triumphedBoth teams created chances early before the English side struck in the 39th minute A long free kick into the box caused confusion with Joao Palhinhas closerange shot tipped onto the post by PSG debutant goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier Micky van de Ven pounced on the rebound to make it 10Two minutes into the second half Spurs doubled their lead when Pedro Porros long free kick found an unmarked Cristian Romero at the far post The Argentines header slipped through Chevaliers hands to make it 20PSG pressed for a response In the 65th minute Desire Doue was denied by Guglielmo Vicario before Bradley Barcola scored on the rebound only for VAR to rule it out for offside The breakthrough came in the 85th minute when Vitinha played the ball left to substitute Lee Kangin who controlled and fired a stunning strike from the edge of the box to pull one backDeep into stoppage time Ousmane Dembele surged down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross for Goncalo Ramos to head in from close range forcing a penalty shootout as the Super Cup has no extra timeIn the shootout PSGs Vitinha had his shot saved Van de Vens effort was stopped and Mathys Tel missed for Spurs Nuno Mendes converted the decisive kick to seal a 43 shootout win and a 65 victory overallThe triumph capped a remarkable year for PSG who have already won the French Super Cup Ligue 1 French Cup and UEFA Champions League and now the UEFA Super Cup They will have the chance to complete a sextuple at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in December IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/psg-secure-dramatic-comeback-win-over-spurs-to-win-super-cup-631926.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/diogo-was-incredibly-important-player-having-him-changed-the-whole-dynamics-jurgen-klopp-631868.html New Delhi Aug 13 Liverpool manager Arne Slot and exboss Jurgen Klopp reflected on the late Diogo Jotas impact and praised centreforwards achievements over the past year Jota and his brother Andre Silva passed away in a car accident in the Spanish province of Zamora Jotas car veered off the road while driving at a high speed a tyre blowout caused the car to lose control and catch fireSlot praised the centreforwards personal and professional achievements while Klopp hailed his influence on the teams dynamicsHe was a champion for his family which is the most important thing He was a champion for his country winning the Nations League for a nation he loves Portugal and cares deeply about And he was a champion for us by helping win the Premier League Slot said on JioHotstarFormer Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp highlighted Jotas impact on the team Diogo was an incredibly important player for us Having him in the side changed the dynamicsJota 28 was a key figure for both Portugal and Liverpool Since joining the club in 2020 from Wolves he helped them win major trophies including the Premier League FA Cup and two EFL CupsIn honour and memory of Jota Liverpool also retired his number 20Slot further expressed his admiration for Jota as both a player and a person I think his parents and Rute Jotas wife Rute Cardoso can be extremely proud of the player and the person he was He always stayed true to himself and they should and will be very proudSlot signed off by reflecting on competing with Arsenal last season The gap between us and Arsenal in terms of points may have looked big but the margins between winning and losing were always very tight for us We won many games by just a single goal which shows how hard we had to work for every result Well have to fight for those fine margins again this season IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/diogo-was-incredibly-important-player-having-him-changed-the-whole-dynamics-jurgen-klopp-631868.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 12:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/barcelona-villarreal-set-to-make-history-with-first-ever-la-liga-match-in-us-pending-fifa-approval-631586.html Madrid Aug 11 Spanish football could finally be heading across the Atlantic after the Royal Spanish Football Federation RFEF approved a request for FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF to play their December 202526 La Liga fixture in Miami a move nearly a decade in the making The RFEF board gave the green light on Monday for the matchday 17 clash to be staged at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 20 December 2025 It would mark the first time in La Ligas history that an official league match was played abroadAt its meeting on 11 August 2025 the RFEF Board of Directors received a request from Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona to play its match on matchday 17 of the first division in the United States the federation said in a statement the Royal Spanish Football Federation will submit the request to UEFA to begin the process for subsequent authorisation by FIFA for the match to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 20 December 2025 While the RFEFs approval is a breakthrough the proposal must now clear two final hurdles securing UEFAs consent before obtaining FIFAs authorisation in order to become realityLa Liga President Javier Tebas has been pursuing his American dream for years inspired by the NFL and NBAs strategy of taking official games abroad to expand their global footprint His first attempt came in the 201819 season with a proposed GironaBarcelona match in the US which never materialisedA VillarrealAtletico fixture planned for 201920 also fell through ending up in court after the RFEF then led by Luis Rubiales refused authorisation The courts sided with the federation Another nearmiss came last season when a BarcelonaAtletico game was almost staged in the US before La Liga pulled back to better structure the project IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/barcelona-villarreal-set-to-make-history-with-first-ever-la-liga-match-in-us-pending-fifa-approval-631586.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/isak-has-no-intention-of-playing-for-newcastle-united-again-report-631646.html New Delhi Aug 12 Newcastle United and Alexander Isak seem to have reached an impasse With the striker having made his intentions to leave the club clear the Swedish forward is expected to miss out on the league opener against Aston Villa According to a report by The Athletic he has no intention of playing for Newcastle United again Having been training away from the squad Isak regards his career at St Jamess Park as finished and has no desire to reintegrate into the squadAs per reports Liverpool made an offer in the region of 110 million pounds but their approach was instantly turned down by Newcastle United who are said to be looking for close to 150 million poundsIsak played a huge role in Newcastles solid season with 27 goals across 42 games in all competitions and secured UCL football for next season while also ending the teams trophy drought by lifting the Carabao CupHe has played no role in Newcastles preseason fixtures and was earlier pictured training with his former club Real Sociedad before he returned to clubs training facility on Monday but has been instructed to stay away from firstteam training by head coach Eddie Howe who despite acknowledging his importance to the side stated he does not want any player that does not want to stay at the clubHes contracted to us Hes our player The club makes the decision on his future I dont know what that will be Of course I have a preferred outcome I want the best and strongest squad possible but also I want players that really want to play for this club said HoweNewcastle were hoping to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as a potential replacement for Isak before being pipped to his signature by Manchester United IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/isak-has-no-intention-of-playing-for-newcastle-united-again-report-631646.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/its-a-dream-come-true-chelseas-caicedo-looking-forward-to-ucl-nights-at-stamford-bridge-631651.html New Delhi Aug 12 Chelseas Moises Caicedo is looking forward to fulfilling his dream when the Blues begin their UEFA Champions League campaign and is excited to be on the global footballing stage The 21yearold midfielder joined on an eightyear contract at Stamford Bridge with a club option of a further year for a British record transfer fee of 115 million pounds from BrightonA true midfield allrounder with a wide range of skills albeit usually operating in a deeper role shielding the defence and starting attacks Caicedo has lived up to the price tag and has established himself to be one of the Premier League and European footballs most promising talentsIts a dream come true and I am looking forward to it Its an amazing feeling when you are watching on TV You can feel it is different Everybody in the whole world is watching you Its another level and now we are there we want to do really well said Caicedo to Chelseas media teamLast season could not have finished any better for Caicedo He was voted the Chelsea Player of the Year and the Chelsea Players Player of the Year and then crowned the campaign by getting his hands on two pieces of silverwareThe 23yearold scored in the Conference League final and was named the thirdbest player at the Club World Cupwinning campaignFor sure I am going to try and play even better than last season I have hunger for more I have always said I dont have limits the sky is the limit I am going to work hard to keep achieving a lot of things for this amazing clubI just want to start the season really well For sure it will be an incredible and tough season also because we know the Premier League is always tough but we are going to do well he addedWhen he went back home to Ecuador Caicedo was mobbed by his compatriots proud at witnessing one of their own make such an impact on the global stage The midfielder reflected on the impact he is making in his countryPeople stopped me in the street it was crazy they were happy to see me I could see on their faces It was incredible seeing my country and how happy people were watching me win the Club World Cup My family also are proud of me and I enjoyed being there a lot Caicedo revealed IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/its-a-dream-come-true-chelseas-caicedo-looking-forward-to-ucl-nights-at-stamford-bridge-631651.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/psg-sign-illia-zabarnyi-as-first-ukrainian-player-in-club-history-631658.html Paris Aug 12 Paris SaintGermain have completed the signing of Ukrainian international Illia Zabarnyi with the 22yearold central defender becoming the first Ukrainian to represent the French champions Zabarnyi who will wear the number six shirt joins the club from AFC Bournemouth for a reported fee of 63 million eurosIm very happy to join Paris SaintGermain the best club in the world with the best project I am here to give everything I have on the pitch and Im looking forward to making my debut and meeting the fans said ZabarnyiZabarnyi developed through Dynamo Kyivs academy coached by former internationals Serhiy Bezhenar and Artem Yashkin He made his professional debut in 2020 and quickly earned Champions League experience facing sides like Juventus and Barcelona Known for his composure aerial dominance and ability to read the game Zabarnyi played a key role in Dynamos domestic success winning the league cup and Super CupZabarnyi moved to the Premier League with AFC Bournemouth in January 2023 Despite a midseason start he quickly became a cornerstone of the Cherries defence In the 202324 campaign he made 37 league appearances and was named the clubs Player of the Season by fans His performances were instrumental in Bournemouth achieving a historic ninthplace finish and a clubrecord points totalOn the international stage Zabarnyi debuted for Ukraines senior team at 18 in a friendly against France at the Stade de France He was part of Ukraines squad at UEFA EURO 2020 helping them to the quarterfinals and featured in all three group matches at EURO 2024 With 49 caps and three goals he is a key figure in Ukraines defenceWere delighted to continue the strengthening of our squad with the signature of Illia Zabarnyi Illia is a talented international player and a great professional He will make a major contribution to everything that we are building longterm at Paris SaintGermain said Nasser AlKhelaifi PSG President IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/psg-sign-illia-zabarnyi-as-first-ukrainian-player-in-club-history-631658.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/split-in-opinion-leads-to-postponement-of-man-utd-fan-group-protest-against-ratcliffe-631671.html New Delhi Aug 12 Manchester United fan group The 1958 has postponed their plans of carrying out a protest ahead of the opening Premier League game against minority club owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe The fan group had organised a protest march to Old Trafford on August 17 ahead of the game against Arsenal at Old Trafford but have now decided to postpone it due to a split in the fan bases opinionsThe group conducted a survey which showed almost 63 per cent of the nearly 26000 respondents to their survey said Ratcliffe and his Ineos company should be held to account for their decisions so far by means of a protest However 68 per cent also believed they should be given more timeWith a fanbase as diverse and passionate as ours finding the right balance isnt always easy Weve had to consider momentum timing fan appetite broader consequences of protest activity whilst assessing how current and future decisions may impact us as fansGiven the current sentiment within the fanbase and particularly in light of these recent survey results its clear there is no unified view on the direction of the club under Ratcliffe That split is real and we believe it would be irresponsible to risk creating a situation that could result in any red on red conflict inside or outside the stadium read the statement by the groupThe 1958 has conducted many protests against majority stakeholders The Glazers Ratcliffe took control of daytoday operations after purchasing a 2894 per cent stake in the club United finished last season in 16th place which led to widespread criticism from the fan group However major signings like Bryan Mbuemo Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha show real intent by the clubJim Ratcliffe chose to get into bed with the Glazers and in our opinion is helping keep them in charge the group said last week IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/split-in-opinion-leads-to-postponement-of-man-utd-fan-group-protest-against-ratcliffe-631671.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/disgraced-ref-david-coote-handed-a-suspension-by-fa-over-klopp-remarks-631721.html New Delhi Aug 12 An independent Regulatory Commission by the Football Association FA has imposed an eightweek suspension and mandatory facetoface education programme on David Coote for a breach of FA Rule E3 It was alleged that contrary to FA Rule E31 the referee acted in an improper manner andor used abusive andor insulting words about Jurgen Klopp in a video that was recorded around July 2020 and appeared on social media in November 2024It was also alleged that his actions constitute an Aggravated Breach which is defined in FA Rule E32 as they included a reference whether express or implied to nationalityRule E3 deals with improper conduct that brings the game into disrepute including insulting words or behaviour while it also covers actions that question the integrity of match officialsUEFA suspended Coote following investigations after a video of the Englishman snorting white powder while officiating at Euro 2024 last summer came to light Following an investigation Europes football governing body suspended the disgraced referee from officiating any UEFA games until June 30 2026However Coote was cleared of charges by the FA following an allegation that stated that Coote had discussed giving a yellow card before a Championship match between Leeds and West Brom in 2019 The 42yearold was questioned about a yellow card he showed to Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski during the Leeds United versus West Bromwich Albion game in October 2019Coote had denied any allegations and released a statement claiming he had always upheld the integrity of the gameWhatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decisionmaking on the field I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability read the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/disgraced-ref-david-coote-handed-a-suspension-by-fa-over-klopp-remarks-631721.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-2025-indian-navy-ft-seal-qf-berth-with-late-goal-vs-trau-fc-631722.html Imphal Aug 12 Late goals by Pintu Mahata and Sreyas VG ensured Indian Navy FT overturned a onegoal deficit to overcome local side TRAU FC 21 and book their spot in the quarterfinals from Group F of the 134th Durand Cup which was played here at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium TRAU took the lead in the 29th minute through Moirangthem Nelson Singh but the equaliser in the 87th minute by Pintu and the winning goal by Sreyas in the third minute of injury time ensured the Navy men finish on top of the group with seven points ahead of Real Kashmir FC who finished their campaign with six points TRAU FC head coach Thangjam Saran Singh made one forced change bringing in Dhanachandra Mutum in place of the suspended captain Shitaljit Atom while Indian Navy FT head coach Raman Rai started with the same lineup for the allimportant match It was endtoend action in the first quarter of the match with Indian Navy showing urgency and attacking with purpose The attacking trio of Vijay Marandi Roshan Panna and Sreyas VG combined well with midfielders Pintu Mahata and J Vijay to trouble the TRAU defence but the home side showed promise on the counterattacks using the space left by the Navy men who committed numbers in attack TRAU took the lead against the run of play in the 29th minute Jenish Singh found Yumnam Monis Singh with a long ball above the head of right back Deny Singh The winger entered the box and squared a cross onto the path of Nelson Singh who expertly finished past Bhaskar Roy with a left footed shot The Navy side increased the pressure on the home side with constant attacks but the TRAU defence were resilient and put their bodies on the line to block the efforts The final output of the Navy men were also not up to the mark as they hurried their moves and showed a lack of composure in front of goal and the ones on target were saved by TRAU custodian Sapam Nongpoknganba Singh J Vijay came the closest to score with a thunderous low shot from outside the box which was palmed away by the goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy made a reflex save at the start of the second half punching Afridi Buyamayums header to safety Indian Navy continued to push forward with constant attacks testing the opposition defence but the equaliser could not be found Adarsh Matummal surprised everyone with an audacious free kick from 40 yards out which hit the inside of the post and the rebound effort was acrobatically saved by the goalkeeper the closest the Navy side came to scoring in the match The defender tried his luck in subsequent deadball situations but failed to find the target and came close once again in the final minutes with his trademark longrange Indian Navy broke the resilience of TRAU in the 87th minute through Pintu Mahata Sreyas VG found Pintu Mahata inside the box with a brilliant pass and the midfielder found the back of the net with a toepoked finish to set up a frantic final minutes Late drama in the third minute of injury time saw the Navy side score their second goal which ensured their qualification into the knockouts C Pradeesh looping leftfooted cross into the box was acrobatically met by Sreyas VG and the experienced striker found the target silencing the Imphal crowd IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-2025-indian-navy-ft-seal-qf-berth-with-late-goal-vs-trau-fc-631722.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/134th-durand-cup-bodoland-fc-blank-itbp-ft-to-seal-historic-qf-spot-631759.html Kokrajhar Aug 12 Bodoland FC capped off a dream group stage campaign in the 134th Durand Cup with a commanding 40 victory over ITBP FT in front of over 12000 ecstatic fans at the SAI Stadium here on Tuesday The win saw the home side finish top of Group D with a perfect nine points from three matches qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time in their history Other teams to make it to the quarterfinals are East Bengal Group A Mohun Bagan SG Group B Jamshedpur FC Group C and NorthEast United FC Group E while Shillong Lajong FC Group E and Diamond Harbour FC Group B advanced as the two best secondplaced sides with six points and goal differences of 7 and 4 respectivelyThe opening exchanges on Tuesday saw Bodoland dominate possession with Junior Onguene Pedro Astray and Robinson testing ITBP goalkeeper Ugesh Lama Against the run of play ITBP almost snatched the lead in the 14th minute when Srikumar Karjee broke through only to drag his shot wideBodolands breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute when Pedro Astray put a peach of a ball from his freekick near the halfway line Timothi Narzary who had shot wide a minute earlier rose to the occasion to head powerfully down at the near post giving Lama no chance and igniting the standsTwelve minutes later Bodoland doubled their advantage when Pradipta Biswas fouled Robinson inside the box and the referee wasted no time in pointing towards the spot Spaniard Pedro stepped up to convert the spotkick with a precise leftfoot strike into the bottom right cornerThe home side was relentless with its waves of attack and in the 40th minute they made it 30 with a sweeping team move Robinson fed Junior whose defencesplitting diagonal pass released Gwgwmsar Gayary The winger coolly slotted between Lamas legs to put Bodoland firmly in control at the breakThe second half opened with endtoend action despite heavier rain ITBPs best chance came just after the hour mark when a loose back pass gifted Leimajan Singh a sight at goal but Bodolands defence recovered swiftly Junior thought he had scored the fourth in the 78th minute only for the offside flag to deny himThey scored the fourth goal in the 82nd minute From Pedros corner Lamas punch fell to Rabha outside the box whose shot deflected to Abdul Samed Ango The Ghanaian pounced firing low into the near post to complete the routBodoland goalkeeper Diamary was called into serious action only in the 85th minute tipping away a longrange effort from Lungunhao Sitlhou The hosts comfortably saw out the closing stages to preserve their perfect defensive record in the tournament so farThe final whistle sparked jubilation in the crowd as Bodoland FC in their third Durand Cup season not only topped Group D but did so unbeaten scoring seven goals and conceding just oneBodoland FC will join the Indian Navy Football Team Group F who qualified earlier today and the other seven teams in the quarterfinals lineup for the 134th edition of Asias oldest football tournament IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/134th-durand-cup-bodoland-fc-blank-itbp-ft-to-seal-historic-qf-spot-631759.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/giacomo-raspadori-joins-atletico-madrid-from-napoli-631574.html Madrid Aug 11 Atletico Madrid has officially announced the signing of Giacomo Raspadori following a completed transfer agreement with Napoli as the club confirmed on Monday The Italian striker passed his medical examination at the Vithas Invictum HighPerformance Sports Medicine Centre located at the Madrid Arturo Soria University Hospital He later visited the clubs offices at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano where he signed a fiveyear contractHe joins for a reported fee of up to 26 million Euro including addons He becomes the second Italian to make the move to the red half of Madrid this summer after Matteo Ruggeri was secured from AtalantaBorn in Bentivoglio on February 18 2000 Raspadori is known for his versatility capable of playing across all attacking positions as well as behind the main strikers He began his football journey with the Sassuolo Academy in 2009 After a decade of development he made his senior debut on May 26 2019 in a Serie A match against AtalantaDuring his time at Sassuolo Raspadori made 82 appearances scoring 18 goals and registering nine assists In the summer of 2022 he joined Napoli where he enjoyed significant success He contributed to two Serie A titlewinning campaigns in 202223 and 202425 tallying 18 goals and 10 assists across 109 matches for the clubInternationally Raspadori has represented Italy since making his senior debut on June 4 2021 in a warmup match ahead of EURO 2020 He went on to participate in the tournament where Italy emerged as champions So far he has earned 40 caps for the national team scoring nine goals and assisting sixWith his experience achievements and attacking prowess Raspadori adds depth and quality to Atletico Madrids forward line as the club looks ahead to a competitive season IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/giacomo-raspadori-joins-atletico-madrid-from-napoli-631574.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 22:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/barca-sends-warning-to-title-rivals-with-5-0-gamper-win-631356.html Amsterdam Aug 11 FC Barcelona wrapped up its preparations for the new La Liga season with a 50 home win over Italian side Como to take home Joan Gamper Trophy The club has again faced a challenging summer with ongoing financial issues affecting player registration in the firstteam squad and renovation work on Camp Nou As a result Sundays traditional Joan Gamper game was played at the nearby Johan Cruyff Stadium which has a capacity of 6000 reports XinhuaThose in attendance saw a firsthalf display from Hansi Flicks team that showed its sharpness in front of goalFermin Lopez opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a low shot into the bottom corner He added a second in the 36th minute firing into the top corner after receiving a pullback inside the penalty areaMarcus Rashford was involved in setting up Raphinha for Barcelonas third two minutes later battling into the area and sliding the ball across for the Brazilian to finish from close rangeRaphinha then capitalised on a defensive error to win the ball in the Como area and set up Lamine Yamal for a simple tapin two minutes before halftimeYamal scored his second three minutes into the second half placing a firsttime shot across goal to finish off a counterattackThe fifth goal completed the scoring with both teams making changes in the second half as the match lost intensity Barcelona now turns its attention to the start of the league campaignLopez was the standout player in Barcas 50 win over Como in the 60th edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy He scored both the two opening goals one with each foot and was the obvious choice to be named Estrella Star of the game as voted by FC Barcelona website usersIt was a game about building confidence ready for the start of La Liga The important thing is the team did a very good job he said after receiving his prize IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/barca-sends-warning-to-title-rivals-with-5-0-gamper-win-631356.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/bayer-leverkusen-sign-goalkeeper-janis-blaswich-from-rb-leipzig-631546.html Leverkusen Aug 11 Bayer Leverkusen has signed goalkeeper Janis Blaswich from Bundesliga competitors RB Leipzig for a deal which is to reported to be worth up to three million Euros including addons The 34yearold who hails from Willich on the Lower Rhine signed a contract with Leverkusen that runs until June 30 2027 Blaswich joins as a replacement for Lukas Hradecky who has transferred to AS Monaco He is expected to play the number two role as a back up the newly acquired Mark FlekkenIt is a huge pleasure for me to follow such a charismatic colleague as Lukas who has become a legend at Bayer 04 emphasizes Blaswich The 193metertall goalkeeper was loaned from RB Leipzig to top Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg last season Now playing for Bayer 04 Leverkusen the most prestigious club in my home region and one of the best clubs in Germany is outstanding Im absolutely thrilled about whats in store for me said BlaswichIn totality Blaswich made 47 appearances for the Red Bull team covering for the injured Leipzig No 1 Peter Gulacsi He then moved to RBs sister team Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga Before his Bundesliga stints the German goalie also played 110 games for Eredivisie side Heracles Almelo before moving back to Germany in the 202223 seasonHe has also been called up to the national team mix on occasions by Julian Nagelsmann but is yet to make an appearance for Die MannschaftWith Janis Blaswich we have found a topclass successor in the goalkeeper position This allows us to continue working on the goalkeeping team without any loss of quality said Bayer 04 Sporting Director Simon Rolfes In addition to his individual talent Janis brings extensive international experience We are delighted to have been able to complete this firstclass transfer IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/bayer-leverkusen-sign-goalkeeper-janis-blaswich-from-rb-leipzig-631546.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/mikey-moore-signs-long-term-spurs-deal-on-his-18th-birthday-631547.html New Delhi Aug 11 Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that attacking midfielder Mikey Moore has signed a new longterm contract with the club The announcement came on the day Moore celebrated his 18th birthday as he continues his seasonlong loan spell at Scottish giants Rangers Tottenham Hotspur announce that Mikey Moore has signed a new longterm contract with the Club Spurs said in a statement The attacking midfielder who turns 18 today is currently on loan at Rangers for the 202526 campaign Mikeys journey at Spurs began when he was seven years of age he progressed through the Academy age groups and featured regularly for the Under18s in 202223 while still a schoolboy playing a key role in our Under17 and Under18 Premier League Cup doublewinning sideMoores rise has been rapid In May 2024 he became the youngestever Premier League debutant for Spurs before making history again five months later as the youngest player to start a league match for the club He also etched his name into European football history in January scoring his first senior goal against Elfsborg in the Europa League breaking Jimmy Greaves record as the youngest English scorer in a major European competitionOn August 1 Moore joined Rangers in a straight loan deal with no option or obligation to buy as Tottenham see him as a key figure in their longterm plans The teenager is yet to make his debut for the Glasgow side but both clubs expect him to make a significant impact in Scottish football before returning to North London IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/mikey-moore-signs-long-term-spurs-deal-on-his-18th-birthday-631547.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/football-different-situations-for-la-ligas-top-four-clubs-in-new-season-631190.html Madrid Aug 9 With La Liga due to kick off the 202526 season in less than a week last years top four teams are all at slightly different points in their respective preparations Domestic and European competitions hardly gave any respite ahead of next summers FIFA World Cup finals Reigning La Liga and Copa del Rey champion FC Barcelona have made two signings in striker Marcus Rashford and goalkeeper Joan Garcia but have so far not been able to register either that pair or Gerard Martin and Wojciech Szczesny in their firstteam squad due to Spains strict financial fair play regulationsThat leaves Inaki Pena as the only firstteam goalkeeper currently available and has forced the team to take the shock decision to allow central defender Inigo Martinez to join Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr on a free transfer to free up salary under the wage ceiling reports XinhuaThe club has also pressured MarcAndre ter Stegen to sign a medical report to say he will be out of action for five months which will allow the club to use 80 per cent of his salary to register Rashford and companyBarca had a successful preseason tour of Japan and South Korea that showed once again how important young winger Lamine Yamal Raphinha and midfielder Pedri are and if none of them get injured in what promises to be another gruelling campaign Barca will start as the favourite to retain the titleReal Madrid have a new coach in Xabi Alonso and new signings in defenders Dean Huijsen Trent AlexanderArnold and Alvaro Carreras with Huijsen looking very impressive in the summers Club World CupThe big problem for Alonso is a lack of preparation time after playing in the United States until midJuly with his players only reporting back for training on August 4 just two weeks before starting the season at home to OsasunaAlonso will also be without Jude Bellingham for the opening weeks after he had an operation on a longstanding shoulder injury and the doubt is whether Alonso will play with a flat back four or three central defenders and wingbacks with the latter likely to suit AlexanderArnoldThe coach will also probably want to see more pressing high up the field from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius in attack but if the pair gel then Real Madrid will be title candidatesAtletico Madrid have also spent heavily this summer bringing in midfielders Johnny Cardoso and Thiago Almada winger Alex Baena and defenders Matteo Ruggeri and David Hancko as Diego Simeones side looks to improve on last seasons third placeThe club has retained strikers Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez who scored 37 La Liga goals between them last season and if Simeone shows ambition rather than allowing his defensive instincts to rule Atletico certainly has the talent to challenge although Simeones men also go into the new season slightly short of preparation after the Club World CupAthletic Bilbao ended last season in fourth place under coach Ernesto Valverde Athletics big win of the summer was keeping star player Nico Williams amid interest from Barcelona while attacking midfielder Robert Navarro and fullback Jesus Areso look to be good additions to the squadAthletics preseason was complicated by a suspension for defender Yeray Alvarez after the twotime cancer survivor tested positive for a product to prevent hair loss robbing Valverde of a key player while another defender Unai Egiluz suffered a seasonending knee injury in a friendlyAthletics season could depend to an extent on whether it is successful in its efforts to tempt Spain international defender Aymeric Laporte back to the club and if they do they will be tough to beat especially in the passionate San Mames Stadium IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/football-different-situations-for-la-ligas-top-four-clubs-in-new-season-631190.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/nunez-joins-al-hilal-martinez-signs-for-al-nassr-631205.html New Delhi Aug 10 Darwin Nunezs transfer to Al Hilal SFC from English champions Liverpool has been finalised while centreback Inigo Martinez has moved from Barcelona to Al Nassr Club Nunez is the latest big name to join Al Hilal who shocked Manchester City to reach the quarterfinals of the recent FIFA Club World CupAl Hilal Club Company is pleased to announce the signing of Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez from Liverpool FC on a threeyear contract Al Hilal said in a statementThe Uruguayan scored 40 goals in 143 appearances but slipped down the pecking order at Anfield under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot Coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi the Saudi clubs squad includes Portuguese internationals Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic as per AFC Spanish champions Barcelona announced Martinezs departure on Saturday The 34yearold made 71 appearances in all competitions for Barca after joining from Athletic Bilbao in 2023 helping them win the Spanish title last season Martinez previously spent seven seasons with Real Sociedad after coming through their academy before a sixyear spell at Bilbao He won 21 caps for Spain between 2013 and 2023 Japan international winger Ito meanwhile has resigned with Genk three years after leaving the club to join Stade de Reims in France and the 32yearold has returned to Belgium following his former clubs relegation from Ligue 1 at the end of last seasonThis feels like coming home said Ito During my previous spell here I achieved the greatest successes of my career and I feel ready to fight for trophies again Even during my time in France I always kept following KRC Genk When I heard of their interest my decision was quickly made I have always felt loved here and I cant wait to see the fans again Im eager to give everything for the blue and white once more IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/nunez-joins-al-hilal-martinez-signs-for-al-nassr-631205.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 09:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/-guardiola-delighted-with-special-reijnders-display-in-citys-win-over-palermo-631208.html Sicily Aug 10 Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on new signing Tijjani Reijnders after the Dutch midfielder scored two secondhalf goals as Manchester City beat Palermo 30 in Sicily Reijnders joined City from AC Milan in June before going on to play three times for Guardiolas side at the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA and he was the star of the show in Sicily as City ran out comfortable winners against their City Football Group sister clubThe 27yearold is comfortable operating in a deep midfield role but its in the attacking position he played against Palermo that Pep feels he has special qualitiesYeah we knew that he is a special player arriving into the box He loves to do that People in Italy know him perfectly after his time at AC Milan He scored two goals and he made a fantastic performance like the rest of his teammatesHe can play as a holding midfielder but he loves to arrive to the box to help our strikers like Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush and anyone who plays there said GuardiolaReijnders was one of three outfield players to join City before the Club World Cup alongside attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki and leftback Rayan AitNouriAll three have made fast starts to life at the Club with Guardiola clearly pleased with what he has seenAnd with January signing Abdukodir Khusanov impressing in the win over Palermo too Guardiola says he is delighted with his squad ahead of next weeks opening Premier League game against Wolves awayThe three signings we have done before the World Cup were really good Cherki Ait Nouri and Reijnders Same with Khusanov in January He showed his potential today and he is one of the fastest players I have seen We havent played many games Weve trained well but now well go back to Manchester try to make a good week and prepare the gamesI am happy with the squad since the USA and our World Cup Our vibes there were really good he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/-guardiola-delighted-with-special-reijnders-display-in-citys-win-over-palermo-631208.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 09:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/he-will-destroy-you-if-arteta-sings-praises-for-gyokeres-after-debut-goal-631238.html London Aug 10 Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta issued a warning for defenders after their marquee summer signing Viktor Gyokeres hit the ground running with his first goal for the club against Athletic Club on Saturday Goals by the Swedish striker coupled with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz saw the Gunners win 30 in their final preseason friendly Arsenal will begin their season with a stern test against Rivals Manchester United at the Old Trafford Stadium on August 17Arteta warned opposing teams that if they leave Gyokeres in a one vs one situation he will destroy youThats his nature I think everything that he does his movement the way he times his runs the way he predicts the next move and where the space can be and where the ball is going to land thats the instinct that he has thats why hes scored so many goals in the last few seasons so thats not a coincidence its his ability and hes constantly looking for itWell I think his goals his threat I think he pins both centre backs hes a player that when youre living with a space one against one hes going to destroy you So hes going to create a lot of space as well for us and yeah the moment that in any situation there is a player there that can score a goal said ArtetaDuring his two seasons with Sporting Viktor helped the team win backtoback Primeira Liga titles a national cup and was the leagues top scorer in both campaigns He has also excelled at international level scoring 12 goals in his last 17 appearances for SwedenWhat is still unclear is if Kai Havertz will still be in the Arsenal playing XI for the coming season Arteta labelled the Germans versatility across different positions as a positive which elevates the quality of the squadYeah especially because they can play together Kai can play in different positions as well and I think it elevates the quality in the squad the goal threat that we have in the team the options that we have to change and provide a opposition with a lot of problems and its great to see both of them scoring both in such a good form and a good problem to have Arteta added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/he-will-destroy-you-if-arteta-sings-praises-for-gyokeres-after-debut-goal-631238.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/foden-a-hopeful-for-citys-opener-rodris-return-to-be-managed-carefully-guardiola-631085.html Manchester Aug 9 Pep Guardiola says he hopes that Phil Foden will be in contention for the start of the Premier League season but wants to be careful with the return of Rodri Both players stayed behind in Manchester as City travelled to Palermo for Saturdays Anglo Palermitan TrophyRodri missed the majority of last season after suffering a knee injury returning to feature in the final two games of the campaign before heading to the FIFA Club World CupSpeaking ahead of the game in Sicily on Saturday Guardiola gave an update on the playersPhil was doing really good but he had a problem with a knock on his ankle thats why as a precaution we did it Rodris getting better but he had a big injury in the last game against AlHilal and for the last five or six weeks Hes training right now and in the last two or three days is better Hopefully maybe the international break is when he will be really really fitHopefully in the games before then he can play some minutes But the important thing is to not have pain because we dont want him to be come back and injured come back and injuredWe will try desperately to avoid that but hes training the last two or three days with us and thats good said Guardiola Asked if they would be available for Citys Premier League opener at Wolves on Saturday August 16 Guardiola added 90 minutes for Rodri I dont think soPhil hopefully it depends on the problem but its a long week so hopefullyMidfielder Mateo Kovacic missed the tournament in the United States after having surgery on an Achilles injuryThe Croatian is not part of the travelling squad and Guardiola is hoping to have him back in contention as soon as possibleWith Rodris return being carefully managed Nico is among the candidates to take on the defensive midfield role along with Ilkay Gundogan and Tijjani ReijndersWe have three midfielders I would say with Kova injured until September or October hopefully earlier the boss addedRodri was out for six months and Nico The other ones can play there but they are attacking midfielders more that can play in the boxGundo can play there Tijji can play there but I think that when everybody is fit they have the opportunity to play more up front because we have Phil and Cherki we have a lotThat is good this season I saw the schedule in my office and I said after September its every three days every three days so at the end we will need players IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/foden-a-hopeful-for-citys-opener-rodris-return-to-be-managed-carefully-guardiola-631085.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/man-utd-sign-benjamin-sesko-on-five-year-deal-631130.html Manchester Aug 9 Manchester United have announced the signing of coveted striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig on a deal reportedly worth up to 79 million Euros The Slovenia international has signed a contract until June 2030 and is set to be unveiled to supporters at Old Trafford during Saturdays preseason friendly against FiorentinaThe history of Manchester United is obviously very special but what really excites me is the future When we discussed the project it was clear that everything is in place for this team to continue to grow and compete for the biggest trophies again soonFrom the moment that I arrived I could feel the positive energy and family environment that the club has created It is clearly the perfect place to reach my maximum level and fulfil all of my ambitionsI cannot wait to start learning from Ruben Amorim and connecting with my teammates to achieve the success that we all know we are capable of together said SeskoOver the past two seasons Sesko has scored the most goals of any player under the age of 23 in Europes top five leagues The 22yearold scored 21 goals and registered six assists for RB Leipzig during the last campaignHe has already been capped 41 times and scored 16 goals for Slovenia since becoming his countrys youngestever debutant in 2021Jason Wilcox director of football said Benjamin possesses a rare combination of electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders making him one of the most exceptional young talents in world footballWe have followed Benjamins career closely all of our data analysis and research concluded that he has the required qualities and personality to thrive at Manchester UnitedWorking under the guidance of Ruben and our excellent performance team Benjamin is joining the perfect environment to support him to reach his worldclass potential The desire that all of our new signings have shown to join the club this summer highlights the appeal and stature of Manchester United as we continue to build and develop a team capable of challenging for the biggest honours IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/man-utd-sign-benjamin-sesko-on-five-year-deal-631130.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/cristiano-ronaldo-was-never-the-problem-at-man-utd-says-erik-ten-hag-631159.html New Delhi Aug 9 Former Manchester United head coach Erik Ten Hag has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo was never the problem at the club hinting that the issues lay deeper than the Portuguese striker who left the club on poor terms during the Dutch head coachs reign Ronaldo left Manchester United for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in 2023 after having fallen out of favour with Ten Hag For me it is no problem he was never the problem I think it was what happened Its the past and after that we won two trophies at Manchester United I wish him all the best for the future and I wish him the best of luck said Ten HagTen Hag went on to win an FA Cup and Carabao Cup with the Red Devils before he was sacked midway through the 202425 season After spending the second half recharging his batteries Ten Hag landed at Bayer Leverkusen His comments follow after his side lost 02 against Chelsea in a preseason friendly Two years after leaving United Ronaldo fired shots at Ten Hags mindset and approach and said a Manchester United coach should not have a mentality that the team cant fight for the league and UCL titlesThey need to rebuild everything in my opinion The coach says they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League Manchester United coach you cannot say that youre not going to fight to win the League or Champions League You have to be to mentally say listen maybe we dont have that potential but I cannot say that Were going to try You have to try Ronaldo told former teammate Rio Ferdinand in a podcastRonaldo on the other hand is gearing up for the new season with a bang He scored a hattrick against Liga Portugal side Rio Ave FC and will now face AlIttihad Club on Tuesday in the semifinal of the Saudi Super Cup IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/cristiano-ronaldo-was-never-the-problem-at-man-utd-says-erik-ten-hag-631159.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 19:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/one-of-the-best-partnerships-in-premier-league-history-kane-on-bond-with-son-630903.html Munich Aug 8 Harry Kane has hailed his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Son Heungmin calling their partnership one of the best in Premier League history after the South Koreans departure from the club Over nearly a decade together at Spurs the duo combined for 47 league goals forming one of the competitions most prolific attacking pairings Son completed a recordbreaking move to Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC on WednesdayThe 33yearold South Korean captain joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 going on to score 173 goals and provide 101 assists in 454 appearances He played a pivotal role in ending the clubs 17year trophy drought by helping them lift the Europa League title in MayMassive congratulations to him and his career at Tottenham Bayern Munich striker Kane told reporters after his sides 40 friendly win over former club Spurs on ThursdayFirst and foremost a great person Ive got to know him really well as a friend and just how humble he is and how good a guy he is I think as a player you know we had one of the best partnerships in Premier League history We just had that connection that we lovedIts a great way for his Tottenham career to end to lift the trophy last year with the team and now its a new chapter for him hell go to LA and I wish him all the best and I hope to see him soon and we can catch up he saidKane who joined Tottenhams academy at the age of 11 spent the majority of his career with the club netting a record 280 goals in over 430 appearances across all competitions The 32yearold England captain moved to German giants Bayern Munich in August 2023 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/one-of-the-best-partnerships-in-premier-league-history-kane-on-bond-with-son-630903.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/jorrel-hato-is-more-mature-than-his-age-says-maresca-630952.html London Aug 8 Enzo Maresca says Jorrel Hato is more mature than his age but stresses the defender will need time to acclimatise to life at Chelsea The 19yearold completed his switch to Stamford Bridge on Sunday and has spent the past week training with his new teammates at CobhamHato has arrived with more than 100 senior appearances under his belt following three seasons in the Ajax first teamHe also captained the Dutch club on several occasions and has been capped six times by the NetherlandsIts why Maresca believes Hato who can play at centreback and fullback carries himself like a player with more experienceHe is much more mature than his age he has captained Ajax and this kind of thingBut with him the messaging is the same He is in a different country a different league a different tempo and a different intensity He needs to adapt but for sure there are no doubts he is going to help us said Maresca to Chelseas media team Hato is one of several new faces at Cobham this week with Estevao Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro also training with the club for the first timeMaresca reiterated that those new to English football will need time to adapt to their new surroundings but the Italian is pleased the Club World Cup enabled several of the other summer additions to settle into the squadFor sure they need time first of all probably Jamie is the only one who knows a little bit the country and the Premier League even if hes very young Maresca addedPlayers like Hato and Estevao need to adapt Fortunately for us Dario Essugo Andrey Santos Liam Delap and Joao Pedro were already with us in the USA so its much easier for them IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/jorrel-hato-is-more-mature-than-his-age-says-maresca-630952.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/liverpool-women-appoint-gareth-taylor-as-head-coach-630966.html Liverpool Aug 8 Liverpool FC Women have announced Gareth Taylor as the clubs new head coach The 52yearold joins the Reds with a wealth of Womens Super League experience and a history of winning trophies in the womens game Taylor left Manchester City in March after a fiveyear spell in charge that included triumphs in the Womens FA Cup and League Cup as well as runnerup finishes in the WSL missing out only on goal difference in 202324He had previously coached within Citys mens academy for several years latterly with the U18s group before taking over the womens side in 2020His managerial journey followed an 18year playing career during which he made almost 600 appearances in the Football League and scored more than 140 goals as well as earning 15 international caps for WalesI am delighted to have been appointed as Liverpools new head coach Everyone in football knows about the history size and potential of this club and I am really looking forward to the task ahead said Taylor in a statementOur aim is to create a team that supporters can be proud of which plays good football and which will hopefully bring success along the wayLFC Women managing director Andy OBoyle said Im absolutely delighted to welcome Gareth to the club This has been a very detailed process and it was clear that Gareth was the outstanding candidate He has a proven track record of building successful identitydriven teams and his ability to develop players and help them reach the next level is second to noneWe have a very clear vision of how we will return LFC Women to the upper echelons of the game and this is a crucial step on that journey We want our team playing with a clear identity as a Liverpool team playing Liverpool football in front of passionate Liverpool fans Gareth shares that vision and we believe he has the qualities and experience to deliver itTaylors former assistant Chad Gribble will also join the Reds with immediate effect as part of the backroom coaching staff while Amber Whiteley who acted as interim head coach following the departure of Matt Beard in February will remain with the club as an assistant coachGribble spent more than a decade at Exeter City leading youth development before leaving to head the professional development phase at Doncaster Rovers where he also served as assistant head coachA year at Hull City as professional development lead also came prior to linking up with Taylor in the WSLId also like to welcome Chad to the club someone whose previous experience with Gareth can prove invaluable added OBoyleAnd Id like to thank Amber for the excellent work she did alongside the rest of the coaching team in the final few months of last season Were delighted she has agreed to continue her coaching pathway with us and look forward to her continued development as a top coachTaylor has begun immediately working with the squad as their preparations continue for the new season He will be in charge for Saturdays behindcloseddoors friendly against Aston Villa at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/liverpool-women-appoint-gareth-taylor-as-head-coach-630966.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/wilfred-ndidi-joins-besiktas-after-eight-years-at-leicester-city-630978.html Leicester Aug 8 English Premier League side Leicester City have confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas for the permanent transfer of longserving midfielder Wilfred Ndidi subject to international clearance The Nigerian midfielder joins Besiktas on a threeyear contract with an option to extend by one more year The Turkish side confirmed that both clubs reached an agreement over a sum of eight million EurosWilfred joined Leicester from Belgian side Genk in January 2017 and became a key figure in the Foxes midfield across eight seasons at King Power Stadium He made 303 appearances in all competitions finding the net 18 timesA tireless and combative presence in the center of the pitch Wilf played a vital role in some of the Clubs most successful moments in recent years helping them to consecutive fifth place finishes in the Premier League lifting the Emirates FA Cup and FA Community Shield in 2021 and winning the Sky Bet Championship title in 202324The club thanked the 28yearold for his services across nine years with the club in an emotionally charged statement Having arrived as a promising 20yearold Wilf departs as a seasoned international with the admiration of teammates staff and supporters alike for his efforts and achievements in a Leicester City shirtHe leaves with the sincere thanks and best wishes of everyone at Leicester City for the next chapter of his career read the statement by the clubLeicester were relegated to the Championship after having gained promotion in the previous season in 202425 and Ndidi played 2337 minutes across 28 league appearances while also scoring five goalsNdidis move to Turkey marks the end of yet another cherished tenure with Leicester after club legend Jamie Vardy left following the conclusion of the season IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/wilfred-ndidi-joins-besiktas-after-eight-years-at-leicester-city-630978.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/man-utd-announce-completion-of-50-million-pound-regeneration-project-of-carrington-training-complex-630990.html Manchester Aug 8 Manchester United have announced the completion of the 50 million Pounds redevelopment of the mens firstteam building at the Carrington Training Complex marking an important milestone in the clubs commitment to providing worldclass facilities for its players and staff The yearlong project under the direction of renowned Mancunian architect Lord Norman Foster has successfully delivered a leadingedge highperformance training environment designed to inspire collaboration innovation and excellenceThe project financed with part of the 300 million US Dollars of capital invested into the club by Sir Jim Ratcliffe last year has been completed on time and within budget more than a week before the start of the 202526 Premier League season Equipment and technology have been upgraded throughout with a focus on fitness nutrition recovery and team unityFollowing a review of the facility last year we made a quick decision to invest significantly in the creation of a worldclass performance environment for staff and players to reflect our ambition and vision for Manchester United We are delighted with the outcome and are confident the new facility will play an important role in building a winning culture at the club said RatcliffeDesigned with input from players and staff priority has been placed on functionality openness and connectivity with increased natural light and open workspacesFresh from a successful preseason tour of the US Ruben Amorims squad stepped into their remodelled home for the first time this week after a year in temporary facilitiesMost of the clubs executive leadership team has also moved into the building together with a number of other staff relocated from Old Trafford signifying a shift in the clubs centre of gravity towards Carrington with football at the coreThis project represents a clear step towards unifying every part of the club around a shared footballing vision By bringing our staff and players closer together in one integrated environment we are creating a culture of collaboration and highperformance said Omar Berrada chief executive officer of Manchester United IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/man-utd-announce-completion-of-50-million-pound-regeneration-project-of-carrington-training-complex-630990.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/chelsea-striker-marc-guiu-joins-sunderland-on-loan-630583.html London Aug 7 Sunderland continues to strengthen its squad on the clubs return to the Premier League with the signing of former FC Barcelona striker Marc Guiu on loan from Chelsea for the 20252026 season The 19yearold made 16 appearances for Chelsea last season netting six goals but the club has sent him on loan to gain more topflight experience with the club that returned to the topflight after winning last seasons playoff from the ChampionshipSunderland has spent big since assuring promotion spending well over 100 million pounds on signings such as Enzo Le Fee Habib Diarra Noah Sadiki Reinildo Chemsdine Talbi Simon Adingra and Granit Xhaka with the Swiss international returning to the Premier League from Bayer Leverkusen reprorts XinhuaIm feeling great and really looking forward to the season ahead said Guiu who in 2023 briefly became the youngest Barcelona player to score a goal in La LigaI see myself as a powerful striker who can make a difference on and off the ball and I pride myself on being a natural goalscorerThis year is a huge opportunity for me to help take this team where it truly deserves to be and I cant wait to get started he said on the Sunderland websiteSunderlands Director of Football Kristjaan Speakman also welcomes Guius arrivalThe competition for his signature was significant and he had many highquality options this summer so we are delighted hes joined Sunderland Marcs a progressive striker who has key attributes that align with the role in our team In addition to providing a threat in the final third we believe there are many other ways he can impact games he saidGuiu rose to prominence after progressing through FC Barcelonas renowned youth academy La Masia which has cultivated numerous exceptional talents from Andrés Iniesta and Xavi to Lamine Yamal and Lionel MessiHe made his senior debut against Athletic Bilbao in October 2023 and scored after just 23 seconds to become the youngest and fastest debutant to ever net for Barcelona in La Liga aged 17 years and 291 daysAfter making seven senior appearances for Barca including two in the UEFA Champions League Guiu moved to Stamford Bridge last summer and enjoyed a successful debut campaign in England as Chelsea won the UEFA Conference League and became champions of the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/chelsea-striker-marc-guiu-joins-sunderland-on-loan-630583.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 09:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/suarez-de-paul-lead-inter-miami-to-leagues-cup-quarterfinal-630591.html Fort Lauderdale USA Aug 7 Inter Miami CF secured a thrilling 31 comeback win over Liga MXs Pumas Unam in the teams third and final Leagues Cup 2025 phase one fixture to secure a spot in the quarterfinals Legendary striker Luis Suarez delivered a standout performance with a goal and two assists while midfielder Rodrigo De Paul scored his first goal for the Club and Tadeo Allende also got his name onto the scoresheetUnam opened the scoring to take the lead with a goal from Jorge Ruvalcaba in the 34th minute Inter Miami found the equaliser right before the break with De Paul bagging his first goal for the Club in the 45th minuteThe World Cupwinning midfielder chested down a delivery from Suárez from the left wing before scoring with a tidy outsideofthefoot finish to the bottomright corner The assist was the first for Suárez in the tournament and 14th overall across all competitions in 2025Suarez turned the scoreline around for Inter Miami in the 59th minute with a Panenka finish to convert from the penalty spot The goal took his tally to 10 in all competitions this seasonAllende rounded out the result for Inter Miami in the 69th capitalising on a linesplitting ball from Suarez and sending the ball to the back of the net with a rightfooted hit from the center of the box The goal was the 11th for Allende this seasonThe assist from Suarez meanwhile was a historic one as he equalled the alltime record for most assists for the Club in a single season with 15 tied with Alba in 2024The 31 scoreline would hold through the final whistle for Inter Miami to secure a spot in the Leagues Cup 2025 quarterfinals IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/suarez-de-paul-lead-inter-miami-to-leagues-cup-quarterfinal-630591.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/ive-come-to-la-to-lift-trophies-and-write-the-next-chapter-son-on-mls-move-630594.html Los Angeles Aug 7 Major League Soccer MLS club Los Angeles FC have signed Tottenham Hotspur legend Son HeungMin The 33year old will occupy an international roster slot and will be eligible to play upon receipt of his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate ITC One of the most talented and popular Asian players in football history Son joined LAFC after an iconic 10year run with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League where he scored 173 goals across all competitions registered 101 assists and became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in 202122The 33yearold reportedly cost a Major League Soccer record USD 26 million transfer fee after a decade in the Premier League where he became a household nameSon became the latest in a distinguished line of international football stars to join LAFC following in the footsteps of Carlos Vela Giorgio Chiellini Olivier Giroud and former Tottenham teammates Gareth Bale and Hugo LlorisIm incredibly proud to be joining LAFC a club with big ambitions in one of the most iconic sports cities in the world Los Angeles has such a rich history of champions and I am here to help write the next chapter Im excited for this new challenge in MLS I have come to LA to lift trophies and give everything for this club this city and its fans I cannot wait to get started Son said in a statementSon made his Bundesliga debut in Germany with Hamburg SV at 18 He moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2013 scoring 21 goals in 62 appearances before signing with Tottenham in 2015 At Tottenham Son was twice named the clubs Player of the Year selected to the PFA Team of the Year and helped lead the team to the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final Following Lloris as Tottenhams captain in 2023 Son led the Spurs to the 2025 UEFA Europa League title helping the club capture its first trophy in 17 yearsBringing Sonny to LAFC and to our city has been a dream of ours for several years His signing is a statement of our commitment to excellence on the pitch and our ambition to continue to build our reputation as a world class club on the global football stage Sonny as a player and person will inspire not only our fans in LA and the incredible community in Southern California but millions of fans around the world said LAFC Lead Managing Owner Bennett RosenthalThe captain of the South Korean national team Son has appeared in three World Cups and is one of South Koreas alltime leading scorers in over 130 appearancesFor South Korea Son has scored 51 international goals and represented his country in the 2014 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and four AFC Asian Cups In 2018 he led South Korea to a gold medal at the Asian Games IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/ive-come-to-la-to-lift-trophies-and-write-the-next-chapter-son-on-mls-move-630594.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/perfect-move-for-me-at-this-stage-of-my-career-ugochukwu-on-joining-burnley-630636.html Burnley Aug 7 French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu reflected on his move from Chelsea to Burnley for an undisclosed fee and said joining the Clarets is the perfect decision for him at this stage of his career The talented 21yearold has signed a fiveyear contract at Turf Moor after Burnley beat off stiff competition from around the Premier League and Europe for his signature In putting pen to paper Ugochukwu becomes the seventh addition to Scott Parkers squad this summerIts a great feeling to sign for Burnley As soon as I was made aware of the clubs interest in signing me I was keen to hear more about the project I spoke to the manager and Maxime Esteve they were both so passionate about the club and the direction its heading in It feels like this is the perfect move for me at this stage of my career with the ambition the club is showing Its a really exciting time to be here and I cant wait to get started Im really excited to pull on the Burnley shirt in the Premier League said Ugochukwu The French midfielder joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023 from Rennes in his native France and made 15 appearances for the Blues in his first season and finished it by representing his country at the Olympic Games in Paris He subsequently joined Southampton on loan for the 202425 campaign featuring 31 times in all competitions for the Saints and scoring onceUgochukwu was one of the shining lights in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Saints with the young midfielder featuring 31 times in all competitions scoring one goal in a Player of the Match appearance against West Ham United in April IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/perfect-move-for-me-at-this-stage-of-my-career-ugochukwu-on-joining-burnley-630636.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/weve-been-naive-in-defending-arteta-on-loss-against-villarreal-630638.html London Aug 7 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted that his side were guilty of naive defending which ultimately cost them in a 32 friendly defeat to Villarreal their second consecutive preseason loss After opening their preseason campaign with wins over AC Milan and Newcastle United Arsenal suffered a setback against Tottenham Hotspur and followed it up with another defeat on Wednesday going 20 down within the first 33 minutes at the Emirates Stadium against the Spanish sideI think the result is painful I think they were super efficient but weve been naive especially the way we have defended in open spaces and thats something that especially the way we play we have to absolutely nail Arteta told reporters Today we havent been good at all in that department and that has cost us the game for sureHowever Arteta expressed satisfaction with the performance of striker Viktor Gyokeres who was handed his first start for Arsenal following his 635 million pound move from Sporting last monthI think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team Arteta said Hes been with us only a week or so but I really saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose especially the way he was attacking certain spacesThe manager also lavished praise on 15yearold attacking midfielder Max Dowman who earned a penalty for Arsenal He continues to impress without a doubt The impact he had in the game again today the efficiency that he shows in every attack and action its incredible the Spaniard addedArsenal will next take on Athletic Club in their final preseason game before opening the Premier League season against Manchester United on August 17 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/weve-been-naive-in-defending-arteta-on-loss-against-villarreal-630638.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/india-rises-to-63rd-in-fifa-rankings-after-historic-afc-womens-asian-cup-qualification-630702.html New Delhi Aug 7 The Indian womens football team has made a significant leap in the latest FIFA rankings climbing seven spots to reach 63rd position following a landmark victory over Thailand The win not only boosted their global standing but also sealed a coveted spot in the AFC Womens Asian Cup marking a historic qualification on merit This is Indias highest ranking in nearly two yearsthe Blue Tigresses were last ranked 61st on August 21 2023 The rise reflects a resurgence in form and confidence capped by a gritty 21 triumph against a higherranked Thai side in the decisive final qualifierIndias campaign in the qualifiers was nothing short of dominant The team opened with a recordbreaking 130 demolition of Mongolia their biggest win in recent memory That momentum continued with a 40 rout of TimorLeste and a 50 victory over Iraq setting up a highstakes finale against Thailand with both teams tied on pointsUnder pressure and facing elimination India delivered Midfielder Sangita Basfore rose to the occasion with a brace guiding her team to a 21 win and securing their place in the continental tournament for the first time based on performanceThe achievement holds special significance as India had been forced to withdraw from the previous edition of the Asian Cuphosted on home soildue to a COVID19 outbreak within the squadThe qualification marks a milestone for Indian womens football showcasing depth resilience and tactical maturity It also comes at a time when the sport is seeking greater visibility and support within the countryOn Wednesday the India U20 womens team was held to a goalless draw by Indonesia at the Thuwunna Stadium in their opening Group D encounter of the AFC U20 Womens Asian Cup 2026 QualifiersMeanwhile the Indian U17 girls team has been drawn into Group G of the AFC U17 Womens Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers alongside Uzbekistan and the hosts the Kyrgyz Republic Their matches will take place in Bishkek from October 13 to 17 2025 with the Young Tigresses kicking off against the Kyrgyz Republic on October 13 before facing Uzbekistan in a potentially decisive clash on October 17In the womens competition 27 teams are split into eight groups The eight winners will advance to the AFC U17 Womens Asian Cup 2026 in China where they will be joined by DPR Korea Japan the Republic of Korea and hosts China PR to form a 12team final tournament IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/india-rises-to-63rd-in-fifa-rankings-after-historic-afc-womens-asian-cup-qualification-630702.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/michail-antonio-to-leave-west-ham-after-10-years-630714.html London Aug 7 West Ham United have confirmed that striker Michail Antonio will leave the club after 10 years as the Hammers did not offer him a new deal Michail will always be a muchloved and respected member of the West Ham United family As has been the case since December the club will continue to support and assist him in his ongoing rehabilitation offering him access to training facilities and medical care if needed West Ham said in a statementDialogue continues over his future involvement with the club in an alternative capacity including one that would enable others to benefit from his experience and leadership qualities and he will forever hold a special place in our 130year history it addedThe 35yearold who joined the Hammers in September 2015 from Nottingham Forest made 323 appearances over a tenyear period scoring 83 goals and becoming the clubs leading Premier League goalscorer in the process He also played a key role in ending West Ham Uniteds 43year wait for a major trophy with victory in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final in PragueHe was named Hammer of the Year runnerup at the end of his debut season with the club when he scored in the Farewell Boleyn victory against Manchester United in May 2016 and then went one better a year later becoming Hammer of the Year in the first season at London StadiumThe remarkable courage and determination he showed to overcome injuries sustained in a December 2024 road traffic accident saw him return to competitive action on the international stage in June appearing as a substitute for Jamaica in a CONCACAF Gold Cup tie against Guatemala More recently he gained further playing time on the pitch in a Hammers shirt when he played 45 minutes and scored twice for the Under21 development team in a friendly against Boreham WoodEveryone at West Ham United would like to sincerely thank Michail for his outstanding dedicated service in a Claret and Blue shirt over the last ten years Further recognition of his magnificent contribution will appear across club channels in the coming days and weeks the club said IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/michail-antonio-to-leave-west-ham-after-10-years-630714.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/spurs-midfielder-james-maddison-set-for-acl-surgery-faces-a-lengthy-spell-out-630728.html London Aug 7 England midfielder James Maddison will undergo surgery after suffering a ruptured ACL Tottenham Hotspur announced on Thursday The injury occurred during the Spurs preseason friendly against Newcastle United in Seoul The club has not specified a timeline for his recovery We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament ACL in his right knee the club saidHis surgery will take place in the coming days and following that James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery We will be supporting him every step of the way it addedMaddison who netted 12 goals and registered 11 assists across all competitions last season to help Tottenham win the Europa League and end their 17year trophy drought was stretchered off during Spurs preseason clash in South Korea on Saturday after sustaining an injuryHead coach Thomas Frank confirmed postmatch that the damage was to the same knee that had sidelined Maddison at the end of last season He labelled it a bad injury and called the incident a brutal moment for the teamThe blow comes at a particularly tough time for Tottenham with Frank now without a recognised creative midfielder Dejan Kulusevski is also expected to miss the start of the season due to his own knee issue further depleting Spurs attacking optionsTottenham had targeted England international Morgan GibbsWhite to reinforce their midfield but were unsuccessful in their pursuit as the player opted to extend his stay at Nottingham Forest with a new threeyear contractTottenham will open their season with a UEFA Super Cup showdown against Champions League winners Paris SaintGermain in Udine Italy on August 14 before launching their Premier League campaign at home against newly promoted Burnley on August 16 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/spurs-midfielder-james-maddison-set-for-acl-surgery-faces-a-lengthy-spell-out-630728.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/134th-durand-cup-neroca-fc-share-spoils-with-indian-navy-after-goalless-draw-630755.html Imphal Manipur Aug 7 NEROCA FC and Indian Navy FT played out a hardfought goalless draw in their Group F encounter of the 134th Durand Cup to earn a point each at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium here on Thursday Despite several halfchances and moments of promise both sides failed to find the finishing touch in a match that was high on midfield battles and defensive organisation Deny Singh of the Indian Navy made the first attempt in the 6th minute with a rightfooted strike from the wing but NEROCAs keeper Jetli Sorokhaibam was equal to the task diving low to his left to make a comfortable saveThe Orange Brigade responded in the 11th minute when a throughball from midfield released Lourembam on the left He sprinted down the flank and fired a shot at goal but Bhaskar Roy handled it without fuss The next few minutes saw NEROCA dominate possession testing the Sailors defensive line with bursts from Lourembam and Rohit Meetei but the Navy defenders held firmThe Indian Navy had their moments too with Deny Singh orchestrating the play from deep and threading through balls for Sreyas However the forward failed to capitalise on these opportunities his shot in the 27th minute lacked power and went straight to the keeperThe first half saw strong defensive displays from both sides For NEROCA Lucas Da Silva and Japes were particularly solid at the back intercepting key runs and managing aerial balls wellThe best chance of the second half for the Sailors came in the 50th minute when Roshan Panna laid the ball off for Deny Singh whose curling effort spun wide Three minutes later Deny had another crack from outside the box but it went wideNEROCA skipper Kinesh Singh nearly broke the deadlock in the 60th minute but his leftfooted placement off a lofted cross missed the target Three minutes later the Sailors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box but Adershs effort struck the wall In the 88th minute the Indian Navy came closest to a winner when substitute Sadananda Singh delivered a perfect ball to an unmarked Sreyas near the goal only for the forward to hit the post A minute later Gomado had a similar opportunity at the other end but fired wide The last bit of drama came in the dying seconds of injury time when Zlex received a direct red card for a tactical foul on Roshan Panna halting a Navy counterattack Pintu however failed to trouble the keeper from the resulting free kick from the edge of the box as the referee blew the final whistle with the scoreline as 00Indian Navy FT who are now on four points from two matches remain on top of Group F and will face TRAU FC next on August 12 NEROCA FC on two points will take on Real Kashmir FC on August 10 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/134th-durand-cup-neroca-fc-share-spoils-with-indian-navy-after-goalless-draw-630755.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/football-barcelona-ter-stegen-rift-deepens-amid-medical-report-controversy-630273.html Madrid Spain Aug 5 The relationship between FC Barcelona and goalkeeper MarcAndre ter Stegen continues to worsen with the club opening disciplinary proceedings against the goalkeeper Barca have started the move after Ter Stegen reportedly refused to sign a medical report that the club was going to send to La Ligas Medical Commission over the 33yearolds back injury Ter Stegen had an operation on his back last week with the goalkeeper posting on social media that he expected to be out of action for around three months However Barcelonas medical report estimates he will be sidelined for five monthsThe difference is vital to Barcelona because if La Liga accepts Ter Stegen will be out of action for over four months the club would be able to drop him from its firstteam squad and use 80 percent of his salary to register new players under La Ligas financial fair play rulesCurrently Barcelona are unable to register new signings Joan Garcia Roony Bardghji and Marcus Rashford in their squad Wojciech Szczesny and Gerard Martin are also unregistered following new contracts with Martin promoted from the BteamWith other avenues of income still to supply the necessary funds Barcelona need the money from Ter Stegens salary to register at least some of the five before their La Liga opener against Mallorca on August 16 However for the moment Ter Stegen is unwilling to back down knowing that if he does so he has no chance of playing until January even if he is fit at the end of OctoberThe problem for Barcelona is even worse given that Ter Stegen and Inaki Pena are currently Barcas only two registered goalkeepers with Pena not part of coach Hansi Flicks plans That makes it more vital than ever that the club finds some way of registering Garcia and Szczesny but the pressure on a goalkeeper who has played 422 times for the club is creating a conflict that shows no signs of ending IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/football-barcelona-ter-stegen-rift-deepens-amid-medical-report-controversy-630273.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/indonesia-hold-india-at-bay-in-afc-u20-womens-asian-cup-qualifiers-opener-630539.html Yangon Myanmar Aug 6 The India U20 Womens Team were held to a goalless draw by Indonesia at the Thuwunna Stadium on Wednesday in their opening Group D encounter of the AFC U20 Womens Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers The Young Tigresses have one point in the group which is currently topped by hosts Myanmar who defeated Turkmenistan 61 at the same venue earlier in the dayAn intense midfield battle began right from the kickoff as both sides looked to assert their dominance India managed to settle into the game early on as they were able to pass it around in the opposition half often creating chances down the wingsNehas sixthminute cross from the left wing deceived the Indonesian defence leaving Pooja and Sulanjana Raul on the chase at the far post A simple touch could have posed serious questions to Indonesia goalkeeper Alleana Ayu Arumy but the ball eluded everyoneAs the clock ticked past the halfhour mark Sulanjana and Pooja tried their luck from long range While the formers effort missed the target by inches the latter saw her shot fly straight into Alleanas handsNeha looked lively down the left flank after the change of ends but the Indonesia defenders worked in unison to isolate the former and gain possession of the ballWith a little over 20 minutes left India began to press high in order to induce some panic among the Indonesia defence Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam intercepted a pass in the attacking third and cut it back for substitute Babita Kumari who had replaced Neha The latter however was unable to get a touch on the ball Minutes later Sibani looked to find Babita again with a cross from the left but Alleana collected it calmlyIndonesias only notable chance of the match came in the 87th minute when substitute Ajeng Sri Handayani bounded past the India defence and attempted to place the ball at the far post India goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem however got down low to make a save before Thoibisana Chanu Toijam clearedIndia had two good chances in injury time both off freekicks by Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam one from each flanks While both the freekicks were on target the Indonesia goalkeeper managed to palm them awayThe Young Tigresses will square off against Turkmenistan in their second match at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on Friday in Group D of the Qualifiers IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/indonesia-hold-india-at-bay-in-afc-u20-womens-asian-cup-qualifiers-opener-630539.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/chennaiyin-fc-temporarily-suspends-operations-amid-uncertainty-over-isl-future-630547.html New Delhi Aug 6 Twotime Indian Super League ISL champions Chennaiyin FC have announced a temporary suspension of club operations citing the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of the league The club made the announcement on Wednesday via an official statement released on social media platform X formerly Twitter These are never easy decisions to make and ours has come after much thoughtful consideration and careful deliberation the club said in its statementChennaiyin FC emphasised that the move was not made lightly and underlined the human impact of such a stepThe challenges of being a stakeholder in Indian football are well recognized In light of the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League Chennaiyin FC has taken the extremely difficult decision to temporarily pause club operations This is not a step we take lightly It affects people we care about deeply The welfare of our players coaches staff and their families remains a priority and we are in constant communication with them as we face this togetherEarlier this year the club had already suspended operations for its youth teams Despite this decision Chennaiyin FC reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to Indian football and expressed hope of resuming operations soonWe hope that this pause will be shortlived and that we can return to doing what we love as soon as there is clarity for all clubs Throughout this uncertainty our commitment to the growth of Indian football upon which this journey beganremains as strong as everThe development comes just two days after Bengaluru FC froze salaries for its firstteam squad highlighting the growing unrest among ISL clubs as they await decisions regarding the leagues futureIn a related move the All India Football Federation AIFF is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting on Thursday with the CEOs of ISL clubs to determine the way forward for the upcoming season Chennaiyin FC was initially excluded from the meeting but has since been invited along with Mumbai City FC Mohun Bagan Super Giant East Bengal FC and Mohammedan SCWith multiple clubs in limbo all eyes will now be on the AIFF meeting to provide muchneeded clarity to the stakeholders of Indian football IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/chennaiyin-fc-temporarily-suspends-operations-amid-uncertainty-over-isl-future-630547.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/man-united-closing-in-to-sign-sesko-from-leipzig-report-630477.html New Delhi Aug 6 Manchester United are closing in to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig making an offer worth an initial 65 million pounds with an additional 89 million pounds in addons says a report Manchester United have been involved in a battle for the Slovenians signature with Premier League rivals Newcastle who made a second bid of 697 million pounds plus addons after an initial offer of just under 70 million pounds plus addons According to a Sky Sports report there is no full agreement yet but discussions are heading in a positive direction as Sesko wants to join Manchester United over rival bidders NewcastleThe report from Sky Germany added that Manchester United have moved their base fee closer to 696 million pounds plus possible addons in talks with Leipzig who are yet to respond to their bid as the tussle to sign the frontman continues Sesko was absent from Leipzigs preseason friendly defeat to Atalanta on Saturday as his departure from the club appears imminent Having informed his teammates of his intention to leave he trained separately indoors at Leipzigs training facility on TuesdayThe 22yearold maintains a strong relationship with Leipzig and he is prepared to travel to the UK as soon as a deal is finalisedManchester Uniteds bid for Sesko could have ramifications for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak Eddie Howes side would reluctantly sell Alexander Isak if they land the Slovenian international Newcastle turned down a 110 million pounds bid from Liverpool for their star centreforward Isak last week Should Sesko head to United then it looks likely that Isak will stay at St James ParkUniteds pursuit of Sesko raises questions over Rasmus Hojlunds future at Old Trafford Interestingly Leipzig are interested in Hojlund and had proposed taking the striker on loan as part of any possible deal for Sesko IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/man-united-closing-in-to-sign-sesko-from-leipzig-report-630477.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/thomas-partey-granted-bail-in-rape-and-sexual-assault-charges-report-630206.html New Delhi Aug 5 Former Arsenal and Ghana international midfielder Thomas Partey has been granted conditional bail by a court in the United Kingdom after being charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault says a report The 32yearold appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Tuesday where he was formally charged with five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault involving a third The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022 during his time at ArsenalPartey who left Arsenal at the end of June when his contract expired appeared in court wearing a black zipneck jumper and carrying a navy blazer He stood in the dock with his hands behind his back and spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charges and his bail conditionsAccording to the BBC his bail stipulates that he must not contact any of the three women involved and is required to inform the police of any permanent changes of address or international travel The hearing which lasted less than 15 minutes did not require Partey to enter a pleaThe case will now move to a Crown Court trial with Partey next due to appear at the Old Bailey on September 2 The charges follow an investigation that began in February 2022 when police first received a report of rape Partey was initially arrested in July 2022 but was not named publicly at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while the investigation was ongoingParteys lawyer Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose reiterated his innocence In a statement quoted by Sky Sport she said Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their threeyear investigation He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his namePartey who joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for 45 million made 52 appearances across all competitions for the club last season and is now a free agent IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/thomas-partey-granted-bail-in-rape-and-sexual-assault-charges-report-630206.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/ahmedabad-to-host-afc-u17-asian-cup-2026-qualifiers-in-november-630227.html New Delhi Aug 5 India will be one of the seven hosts of the Qualifiers for the Asian Football Confederations AFC U17 Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2026 The Arena in Ahmedabad will be the venue for all matches of the event which is scheduled to be played from November 22 to 30 2025 The draw for the qualifiers will take place on August 7 2025The 38 Countries participating in the qualifiers will be drawn into seven groups three groups of six teams and four groups of five teams eachThe group winners will qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 joining nine participating AFC teams in the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2025 who have already directly qualified for the tournamentAIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said It is a matter of great pride for India to be among the hosts of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers and I am particularly pleased to see Ahmedabad take centre stage This is an excellent opportunity for our boys to perform on home soil and for the city of Ahmedabad to showcase its capability to host elite international competitionsI wish our boys the very best and sincerely hope that they qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup which serves as the gateway to the FIFA U17 World Cup and take another important step forward in Indian footballs longterm development pathway he saidHarsh Sanghavi Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Gujarat said This is a proud moment for Indian football and Gujarat Its an opportunity for the state to showcase its love for the beautiful game its worldclass hospitality and our rising football culture Hosting a prestigious event such as this will position Ahmedabad on the Asian football mapThe 38 teams competing in the qualifiers have been divided into six pots based on the seeding and pot allocation principle which takes into account the teams performance in the last three tournaments 2025 2023 and 2018While India are in Pot 2 they will be placed in an additional Hosts Pot for the purpose of the draw to ensure all hosts are drawn in separate groups China PR Vietnam Thailand Myanmar Kyrgyz Republic and Jordan are the other six hosts that cannot be drawn into Indias groupPots for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers DrawPot 1 Australia Yemen IR Iran Oman ThailandPot 2 Afghanistan Malaysia Iraq Bangladesh Laos KuwaitPot 3 Singapore Bahrain Philippines Turkmenistan PalestinePot 4 Syria Mongolia Cambodia Hong Kong Chinese Taipei Brunei DarussalamPot 5 Nepal Northern Mariana Islands Guam Maldives TimorLeste LebanonPot 6 Macau Sri Lanka PakistanHosts Pot China PR Vietnam Thailand India Myanmar Kyrgyz Republic JordanQualifiers Dates November 2230 2025Venue The Arena Ahmedabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/ahmedabad-to-host-afc-u17-asian-cup-2026-qualifiers-in-november-630227.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 19:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/134th-durand-cup-kameis-lone-goal-seals-indian-armys-first-win-ends-tribhuvans-campaign-630270.html Jamshedpur Aug 5 P Christopher Kameis precise firsthalf finish proved decisive as the Indian Army Football Team edged past a spirited but shorthanded Tribhuvan Army FC 10 in a Group C clash of the 134th edition of the Durand Cup at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Tuesday The win handed the Indian Army their first three points of the tournament from two outings while the campaign came to an end for the side from Nepal who bowed out with just one point from three matchesTribhuvan began the game brightly and created the first real chance with Gillespye Jung Karki rising highest in the box only to see his header tipped away by Indian Army custodian Gagandeep Singh But the early pressure soon gave way to the Indian Armys growing control in midfield and they capitalised in the 21st minute A measured cross from Wangden Tamang found Kamei just outside the box The seasoned midfielder brought the ball down with his left foot before slotting home a low drive into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chanceThings went from bad to worse for Tribhuvan just eight minutes later A reckless challenge from goalkeeper Bikash Kuthu outside the box on the onrushing Liton Shil earned him a straight red card leaving the Nepal side to play over an hour with ten men From the resulting freekick Kamei nearly doubled his tally but was denied by the crossbarDespite the numerical disadvantage the Tribhuvan Army showed remarkable character They continued to push forward showing urgency and resilience in the face of a disciplined Indian Army backline Karki and his fellow attackers carved out a few dangerous openings but stout defending and confident goalkeeping kept the Indian side ahead going into the breakThe second half saw the Nepali side sit deeper choosing to strike on the counter They nearly found their reward when substitute Disanta Rai miscued a giltedged chance failing to convert a low cross into an open goal Moments earlier skipper Karki had rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner a moment that might haunt the side in red and goldUltimately Kameis 21stminute strike remained the difference sealing a crucial win for Indian Army FT and keeping their qualification hopes alive IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/134th-durand-cup-kameis-lone-goal-seals-indian-armys-first-win-ends-tribhuvans-campaign-630270.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/aiff-to-meet-isl-club-ceos-on-thursday-amid-uncertainty-over-leagues-future-630027.html New Delhi Aug 4 The All India Football Federation AIFF will meet with CEOs of eight Indian Super League ISL clubs in New Delhi on Thursday to address concerns over the leagues future The meeting comes in the wake of Football Sports Development Limited FSDL announcing on July 11 that the 202526 ISL season has been placed on hold due to unresolved contractual issuesAIFF officials will meet with CEOs from eight Indian Super League clubs on Thursday August 7 2025 in New Delhi to discuss issues regarding IndianFootball the Indian Football Team posted on XFSDL the commercial partner and organiser of the league cited ongoing negotiations and a lack of agreement on key terms as the reason behind its decision The following day the AIFF responded by stating it would take all necessary steps to ensure the ISL continues signalling a potential difference in vision between the federation and FSDLAt the heart of the issue lies the Master Rights Agreement MRA between FSDL and AIFF which defines the operational structural and commercial framework of the ISL The MRA is set to expire on December 8 2025 Without a renewed or revised agreement stakeholders are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding the leagues longterm directionGiven the ISLs traditional SeptembertoApril schedule planning for the 202526 season would typically begin well in advance Clubs broadcasters and sponsors require clarity on timelines commitments and commercial terms to organise logistics player signings and marketing activities The lack of resolution is already creating anxiety within the ecosystemWhile FSDL remains the driving force behind the leagues growth since its inception in 2014 AIFFs recent statements suggest that the governing body is exploring all avenues to ensure the ISLs continuity potentially even in a new or restructured formatThe meeting on Thursday is expected to be a highstakes discussion involving club concerns the future of the ISL and the role each stakeholder will play if the league is to sustain and evolve IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/aiff-to-meet-isl-club-ceos-on-thursday-amid-uncertainty-over-leagues-future-630027.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/134th-durand-cup-punjab-fc-start-campaign-with-late-win-over-karbi-anglong-629850.html Kokrajhar Assam Aug 3 Punjab FC began their 134th Durand Cup campaign with a dramatic 21 victory over Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC KAMSFC at the SAI Stadium here on Sunday In a closely contested Group D tie KAMSFC stunned the ISL side with a 69thminute goal from Joseph Olaleye before Pramveer 73 and Konsam Sanathoi Singh 902 turned the game around in the final quarter of the match and gave the Shers a winning start to their campaignThe Shers showed early attacking intent with chances falling to debutant Vishal and Suhail Karbi keeper Gojen Hanse stood tall pulling off crucial saves including a double attempt in the 12th minute and another fingertip denial from Kipgens strike that hit the crossbar in the 16th minuteAgainst the run of play Karbi nearly took the lead when Joseph Bempah forced a flying save from Ravi Kumar in the 29th minute Off the resulting corner a handball gave Karbi Anglong a penalty But Lunminlen Haokip fired it wide letting Punjab off the hookDespite controlling possession and creating multiple halfchances Punjab couldnt break through Karbi Anglongs disciplined defence with Harbamon Timung leading from the back The first half ended goallessThe second half saw Punjab dominate the tempo with Lhungdim testing Gojen again from distance and Ninthoi continuing to deliver dangerous balls into the boxHowever it was Karbi Anglong who struck first Nigerian midfielder Victor Jackson launched a lofted ball to Olaleye in front from the centre of the field who took advantage of Ravi Kumar being off his line to place it beautifully from outside the box inside the goal in the 69th minute and give the ILeague side the leadPunjab responded quickly Four minutes later a corner from substitute Shami found Pramveer who rose above the defence to head home the equaliser between the keeper and defender on the bottom right cornerThe Shers kept pushing the Karbi Anglong defense trying to find the winner but were not able to find the finishing touchIn added time with the match heading for a draw Uvais floated in a teasing cross from the left which found Konsam Singh unmarked inside the box Konsam met the cross on the volley and smashed home the winner in the 902 minute sealing all three points for the ShersThe win gives Punjab FC a vital early boost in their Group D campaign while KAMSFC despite a spirited performance will rue missed chances and their inability to hold on to the lead as they end their 2025 Durand Cup campaign without a single win Punjab FC will face ITBP FT in their next group D encounter on Wednesday IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/134th-durand-cup-punjab-fc-start-campaign-with-late-win-over-karbi-anglong-629850.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/i-needed-to-make-a-step-to-the-biggest-club-jorrel-hato-on-joining-chelsea-629875.html London Aug 4 Chelsea have announced the signing of Netherlands international Jorrel Hato from Ajax The 19yearold defender has penned a longterm contract at Stamford Bridge through to 2032 and will join up with his new teammates this week Hato who He became Chelseas eighth signing of the summer transfer window made 31 league appearances last season scoring twice and providing six assists to help Ajax secure UEFA Champions League football with a secondplace league finishSpeaking to clubs official website Hato explains why he knew this was the right time to take the next step in his career why the Blues is the right place to do itI was really thinking about my future and this is what I wanted I think I will be a good fit for the way Chelsea are playing so I was sure about taking my step to ChelseaFor sure it was a big decision I played seven years at Ajax and for me it was home the people the players the coaches the culture So it was not easy to leave but my feeling was that at this moment I needed to make a step to the biggest club in the biggest competitions and for me this was the right decision at the right time said HatoHato began his football journey with local side Sparta before moving to Ajaxs youth academy in 2018 He signed his first professional contract in 2022 at just 16 and quickly made his mark in both the UEFA Youth League and for Jong Ajax the clubs reserve sideThat same year he became the thirdyoungest player ever to debut for Ajax in the Eredivisie aged 16 in a match against Cambuur By the end of the season he was starting in the Dutch Cup finalSince the start of the 202324 season Hato has been virtually everpresent in the Ajax side He is equally as comfortable in the heart of defence as he is at leftback featuring most often in the latter position during the season just gone He captained Ajax as a 17yearoldOn the international stage his progress has been equally impressive Hato made his senior debut for the Netherlands aged 17 and has already earned six caps as well as captaining the Dutch side at the UEFA Under21 European Championship this summer IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/i-needed-to-make-a-step-to-the-biggest-club-jorrel-hato-on-joining-chelsea-629875.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/goal-is-to-win-trophies-and-give-everything-rayan-ait-nouri-on-joining-man-city-629908.html New Delhi Aug 4 Ahead of the Premier League 202526 season Rayan AitNouri reflected on joining Manchester City with pride and excitement He discussed his playing style and experience his eagerness to learn under Pep Guardiola and shared his international career highlights alongside his ambitions to grow and win trophies with the club Rayan expressed his pride and happiness after signing for Manchester City To be honest Im very happy and proud Playing for a club like Manchester City was one of my goals Im eager to wear this shirt and give my best My family is also very happy today is definitely a very special day he said on JioHotstarIt was definitely an easy decision We all know the team last year they proved to be the best in the world The players are amazing and the coach as well Its a pleasure to train under Pep Guardiola Im here to learn and to show what I can do I will give my best Rayan addedReflecting on his style of play Rayan said he is more of a technical player who likes to attack First Im a technical player But I also like to run for my teammates and the team Every day in training and in games I try to give everything because working for the team is very important to me With the ball I enjoy attacking crossing and shooting I like to defend as well If I were to describe my football I would say Im a technical playerMy experience in the Premier League will make it easier to settle Its the same league the same country and Ive been here in England for a long time I know the league well But of course its still a new challenge with amazing players and a top coach I cant wait to train with the team and embrace this next step the defender addedOn his excitement about working with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola Rayan said Im very excited to work with him For me hes the best coach in the world What he has achieved with this team is incredible I want to learn from him and work hard alongside my teammates Most importantly I will give everything for this shirtIt will be incredible as we all know the squad is top level Ive played against City before and it was always tough because of the quality of their players Theyre incredible Im definitely eager to learn from them in training and during gamesBefore making the move to the Etihad Stadium Rayan sought insight from a familiar face Matheus Nunes who had previously played alongside him during their time at Wolves The two maintained regular contact and Nunes offered the defender a glimpse into life at Manchester CityI spoke with him quite often when he was at Wolves He told me a little about Citynot so much about football but about the life here at City Im very excited to be joining Matheus again he saidIn addition to Nunes Rayan also leaned on the experience of Riyad Mahrez the former City winger and a prominent figure in the Algerian national team Their national team connection allowed for meaningful conversations about what it means to represent a club of Citys statureI also speak with Riyad Im with him on the national team It was the same with Matheus He told me about City and advised me to give everything for this club He said its the biggest club in the worldStill in the early stages of his career Rayan recognises the opportunity ahead of him Joining a club known for its worldclass facilities elite players and tactical excellence under Guardiola the young fullback is optimistic about his growthIm still young and know I have a lot to improve I chose this big challenge because Im confident I can develop my football here With the conditions at this club and under this manager Im sure I will improveBeyond personal development Rayan is driven by ambition He arrives at Manchester City eager to contribute to the teams continued success and to establish himself as a key figure within the squadMy goal is to win many trophies and give everything for the team and the badge I want to be happy and enjoy playing alongside my teammates the coach and the staff he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/goal-is-to-win-trophies-and-give-everything-rayan-ait-nouri-on-joining-man-city-629908.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/messi-sustains-minor-muscle-injury-in-right-leg-confirms-inter-miami-629921.html Fort Lauderdale USA Aug 4 Inter Miami CF provided a fresh update for club captain Lionel Messi stating that he is suffering from a minor muscle injury However the MLS club did not provide a timeline for the 38yearolds return to action Messi was forced to make an early exit from Inter Miamis 54 penalty kick shootout win over Necaxa on Saturday evening due to an injury picked up in the opening minutes of the Leagues Cup Phase One clash at Chase Stadium Messi underwent medical tests to evaluate the extent of the muscle discomfort he experienced during last nights Leagues Cup match against Necaxa which forced him to leave the field Inter Miami statement read The results confirmed a minor muscle injury in his right leg His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment it addedThe Argentine legend stumbled to the turf after several defenders crowded him off the ball as he dribbled at the heart of the Rayos back line slapping the grass in frustration after hitting the deck He sat down in front of the Herons bench a few moments later receiving extensive treatment from the IMCF medical staff on what appeared to be his right hamstring or groin areaMessi eventually walked off the pitch and made his way down the tunnel for further evaluation coach Javier Mascherano and his staff electing to substitute on Federico Redondo in the 11th minuteMessi was hampered by adductor and thigh strain issues earlier this year missing Argentinas World Cup qualifiers in March He has tallied 18 goals and nine assists in 18 league appearances this season and bagged assists on both of the Herons goals in their lastsecond 21 win over Atlas in their Leagues Cup 2025 opener on WednesdayIn 2024 he faced several setbacks most notably a torn leg muscle sustained during the Copa America final with Argentina in July which required a lengthy recovery period Despite being limited to 19 games in his first full MLS season Messi still delivered an impressive 20 goals and 16 assists earning him the leagues 2024 MVP honours IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/messi-sustains-minor-muscle-injury-in-right-leg-confirms-inter-miami-629921.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/we-were-little-bit-lazy-fernandes-after-2-2-draw-against-everton-629937.html Atlanta USA Aug 4 Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes didnt hold back after his sides 22 preseason draw with Premier League rivals Everton criticising the performance as lazy and urging the club to bring in more reinforcements United looked set for a win in Atlanta Georgia after Mason Mounts secondhalf strike restored their lead following Iliman Ndiayes equaliser to Fernandess opener However a bizarre 75thminute own goal by Ayden Heaven handed Everton a share of the spoilsThe result slightly took the shine off Uniteds US tour which had previously featured encouraging wins over West Ham United and BournemouthIts been important for developing how we want to play and getting the new players involved too We didnt want to finish in this way Our performance wasnt the best and we were a little bit lazy today We want to avoid that because with laziness you can pay at any moment Fernandes told NBC SportsIts improving But its not the place it needs to be I dont want to take a dig at anyone but the club is doing the best they can in terms of the financial situation they talk aboutBut it was crystal clear we needed more competition for the players that were here and more quality to get everyone to step up a little more to get to the XI and I think that is what the club are trying to do Hopefully we can get one or two more players to help with that he saidWhen asked about Fernandess remarks manager Ruben Amorim told reporters I think Im happy for the players to have that feeling Its saying that they understand the situation So its a good feelingI think the momentum of the tour was perfect We had the weeks to work with a good environment good feeling and then we go back to Carrington training ground and we are near to start the season We are going with the feeling that we need to do a lot of things better he addedUnited will kick off their new Premier League campaign against Arsenal on August 17 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/we-were-little-bit-lazy-fernandes-after-2-2-draw-against-everton-629937.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/having-to-go-to-games-knowing-were-not-competitive-was-frustrating-ruben-amorim-629798.html New Delhi Aug 3 Following a disappointing 202425 Premier League campaign where Manchester United ended a historic low 15th in the table and missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification after a narrow 01 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final head coach Ruben Amorim admitted he felt frustrated going to games knowing his side will not be competitive The Red Devils will face Everton on Monday IST as part of their final game of the ongoing Premier League Summer Series United have so far registered wins over AFC Bournemouth and West Ham UnitedTo tell you the truth its not how I returned to my house after the games it was how I left to go to the games because I felt that sometimes we will struggle he saidAll the struggles we had in games I felt it before That was the hardest part To go to the games and know that we are not going to be competitive I was really frustrated said Amorim to BBC Sport Amorims arrival at Man United after the midseason sacking of Erik Ten Hag sparked much excitement given the Portuguese coachs stellar record with Sporting CP However after a run of seven wins from 27 league games the head coach believes he has used up all his credit and his team needs to perform now We cannot control the results But the way we play the way we perform the way we connect with the fans all these small things we are going to do those no matter what All the credit I had when I arrived was used last year Now we have to performIf I have the feeling before the game that we are going to be competitive then well be OK I just dont want to return to that feeling that we are thinking its not a 5050 game he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/having-to-go-to-games-knowing-were-not-competitive-was-frustrating-ruben-amorim-629798.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 17:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/having-to-go-to-games-knowing-we-were-not-competitive-was-frustrating-ruben-amorim-629801.html New Delhi Aug 3 Following a disappointing 202425 Premier League campaign where Manchester United ended a historic low 15th in the table and missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification after a narrow 10 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final head coach Ruben Amorim admitted he felt frustrated going to games knowing his side will not be competitive The Red Devils will face Everton on Monday IST as part of their final game of the ongoing PL Summer Series United have so far registered wins over AFC Bournemouth and West Ham UnitedTo tell you the truth its not how I returned to my house after the games it was how I left to go to the games because I felt that sometimes we will struggle he saidAll the struggles we had in games I felt it before That was the hardest part To go to the games and know that we are not going to be competitive I was really frustrated said Amorim to BBC SportAmorims arrival at Man United after the midseason sacking of Erik Ten Hag sparked much excitement given the Portuguese coachs stellar record with Sporting CP However after a run of seven wins from 27 league games the head coach believes he has used up all his credit and his team needs to perform nowWe cannot control the results But the way we play the way we perform the way we connect with the fans all these small things we are going to do those no matter what All the credit I had when I arrived was used last year Now we have to performIf I have the feeling before the game that we are going to be competitive then well be OK I just dont want to return to that feeling that we are thinking its not a 5050 game he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/having-to-go-to-games-knowing-we-were-not-competitive-was-frustrating-ruben-amorim-629801.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/having-to-go-to-games-kapil-dev-baichung-bhutia-abhinav-bindra-pullela-gopichand-amp-gagan-narang-join-forces-to-shape-indias-olympic-futureknowing-we-were-not-competitive-was-frustrating-ruben-amorim--629803.html Hyderabad Aug 3 Legendary icons Kapil Dev Baichung Bhutia Abhinav Bindra Pullela Gopichand and Gagan Narang have come together in a firstofitskind governance initiative for Indian sports This integrated approach aims to strengthen grassroots talent optimise infrastructure and drive excellence for robust holistic sports development By creating clear athlete pathways and aligning with the states progressive sports policy the initiative positions Telangana at the forefront of Indias sporting ambitions leading the charge in a nationwide sports revolutionThese sporting legends together with leading administrators and top industry figures make up the newly constituted Board of Governors of the Telangana Sports Development Fund TSDF This pioneering publicprivate model is designed to strengthen grassroots systems foster excellence across disciplines and serve as a national blueprint for nurturing Indias next generation of championsThe Board brings together onground sporting wisdom with institutional and corporate expertise featuring influential leaders such as RPSanjiv Goenka Group Chairman Dr Sanjiv Goenka whose strategic investments span Indian sport including cricket and Vita Dani whose pivotal role has elevated Indian table tennis to new heights It also includes women in sports visionaries like Kavya Maran CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Upasana Kamineni Reddy Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Foundation who bring fresh perspectives and a strong commitment to inclusive sporting growthI believe this sports policy will go a long way in developing sports not only for our state but also for the country Telangana has a proud legacy of sporting achievements and I am confident that if India is to become a true sporting superpower we must look at sports as a pillar of holistic development and bringing this governing body will help to look at giving sports development a real shot said Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy who launched the initiative as part of the states new expansive sports policy on SaturdayAlongside credible voices from cricket football badminton shooting and volleyball the Telangana Sports Development Fund TSDF embodies a firstofitskind convergence of Indias top athletic corporate and administrative minds Operating with independent decisionmaking and collaborative intent it is committed to building a futureready ecosystem that prioritises transparency excellence and sustained growthThe TSDF model is built around robust funding athlete development infrastructure training of PE teachers and targeted investment in Olympic sports and this board will be responsible for the joint decision and transparent execution mechanismsSpeaking at a panel discussion during the Telangana Sports Conclave Olympian Gagan Narang made a powerful case for rethinking how India approaches sports development PPP PublicPrivate Partnership is the buzzword but we forget the original PPP Policy Programme and Performance Buy into this PPP and the other PPP will only follow through then Telangana could be the first state to implement thisThe initiative while rooted in Telangana holds national significance in a country where systemic support for sports beyond cricket is often fragmented As Bindra noted in his address We need to build a playing population not just a participating one Grassroots development must go beyond medals it should be about fostering a love for sport building systems and empowering trained physical education teachers to take ownership When that happens India will truly become a sporting nationThe newly formed board unites a diverse group of elite athletes entrepreneurs and administrators It includes Dr Sanjiv Goenka Chairman of the RPSanjiv Goenka Group and owner of IPL and ISL teams Upasana Kamineni a wellness entrepreneur and CSR advocate Vita Dani Coowner of Ultimate Table Tennis and Chairperson of the Dani Foundation Kavya Maran Director at Sun TV Network and C Shashidhar Managing Director of the Vishawa Samudra Group Also on the board are Pullela Gopichand Dronacharya awardee and chief badminton coach volleyball administrator Ravikanth Reddy Indian football icon Baichung Bhutia Olympic gold medallist and shooter Abhinav Bindra and 1983 World Cupwinning cricket captain Kapil Dev The board is further strengthened by BV Papa Rao a former IAS officer and sports reform advocate Injeti Srinivas former Secretary of Sports Jayesh Ranjan Principal Secretary Government of Telangana and Shivasena Reddy Chairman of the Sports Authority of TelanganaWith this diverse panel steering the roadmap the Telangana model could offer a scalable template for other states and possibly a national policy rethinkFrom medals to mindsets from participation to podium Indias sporting future may well be shaped by these collaborative steps taken IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/having-to-go-to-games-kapil-dev-baichung-bhutia-abhinav-bindra-pullela-gopichand-amp-gagan-narang-join-forces-to-shape-indias-olympic-futureknowing-we-were-not-competitive-was-frustrating-ruben-amorim--629803.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/kapil-dev-baichung-bhutia-abhinav-bindra-pullela-gopichand-amp-gagan-narang-join-forces-to-shape-indias-olympic-future-629804.html Hyderabad Aug 3 Legendary icons Kapil Dev Baichung Bhutia Abhinav Bindra Pullela Gopichand and Gagan Narang have come together in a firstofitskind governance initiative for Indian sports This integrated approach aims to strengthen grassroots talent optimise infrastructure and drive excellence for robust holistic sports development By creating clear athlete pathways and aligning with the states progressive sports policy the initiative positions Telangana at the forefront of Indias sporting ambitions leading the charge in a nationwide sports revolutionThese sporting legends together with leading administrators and top industry figures make up the newly constituted Board of Governors of the Telangana Sports Development Fund TSDF This pioneering publicprivate model is designed to strengthen grassroots systems foster excellence across disciplines and serve as a national blueprint for nurturing Indias next generation of championsThe Board brings together onground sporting wisdom with institutional and corporate expertise featuring influential leaders such as RPSanjiv Goenka Group Chairman Dr Sanjiv Goenka whose strategic investments span Indian sport including cricket and Vita Dani whose pivotal role has elevated Indian table tennis to new heights It also includes women in sports visionaries like Kavya Maran CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Upasana Kamineni Reddy Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Foundation who bring fresh perspectives and a strong commitment to inclusive sporting growthI believe this sports policy will go a long way in developing sports not only for our state but also for the country Telangana has a proud legacy of sporting achievements and I am confident that if India is to become a true sporting superpower we must look at sports as a pillar of holistic development and bringing this governing body will help to look at giving sports development a real shot said Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy who launched the initiative as part of the states new expansive sports policy on SaturdayAlongside credible voices from cricket football badminton shooting and volleyball the Telangana Sports Development Fund TSDF embodies a firstofitskind convergence of Indias top athletic corporate and administrative minds Operating with independent decisionmaking and collaborative intent it is committed to building a futureready ecosystem that prioritises transparency excellence and sustained growthThe TSDF model is built around robust funding athlete development infrastructure training of PE teachers and targeted investment in Olympic sports and this board will be responsible for the joint decision and transparent execution mechanismsSpeaking at a panel discussion during the Telangana Sports Conclave Olympian Gagan Narang made a powerful case for rethinking how India approaches sports development PPP PublicPrivate Partnership is the buzzword but we forget the original PPP Policy Programme and Performance Buy into this PPP and the other PPP will only follow through then Telangana could be the first state to implement thisThe initiative while rooted in Telangana holds national significance in a country where systemic support for sports beyond cricket is often fragmented As Bindra noted in his address We need to build a playing population not just a participating one Grassroots development must go beyond medals it should be about fostering a love for sport building systems and empowering trained physical education teachers to take ownership When that happens India will truly become a sporting nationThe newly formed board unites a diverse group of elite athletes entrepreneurs and administrators It includes Dr Sanjiv Goenka Chairman of the RPSanjiv Goenka Group and owner of IPL and ISL teams Upasana Kamineni a wellness entrepreneur and CSR advocate Vita Dani Coowner of Ultimate Table Tennis and Chairperson of the Dani Foundation Kavya Maran Director at Sun TV Network and C Shashidhar Managing Director of the Vishawa Samudra Group Also on the board are Pullela Gopichand Dronacharya awardee and chief badminton coach volleyball administrator Ravikanth Reddy Indian football icon Baichung Bhutia Olympic gold medallist and shooter Abhinav Bindra and 1983 World Cupwinning cricket captain Kapil Dev The board is further strengthened by BV Papa Rao a former IAS officer and sports reform advocate Injeti Srinivas former Secretary of Sports Jayesh Ranjan Principal Secretary Government of Telangana and Shivasena Reddy Chairman of the Sports Authority of TelanganaWith this diverse panel steering the roadmap the Telangana model could offer a scalable template for other states and possibly a national policy rethinkFrom medals to mindsets from participation to podium Indias sporting future may well be shaped by these collaborative steps taken IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/kapil-dev-baichung-bhutia-abhinav-bindra-pullela-gopichand-amp-gagan-narang-join-forces-to-shape-indias-olympic-future-629804.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/lionel-messi-suffers-hamstring-injury-during-inter-miamis-victory-over-necaxa-629757.html Fort Lauderdale USA Aug 3 Lionel Messi sustained a hamstring injury during Inter Miamis Leagues Cup penalty shootout victory over Club Necaxa exiting the match in the 11th minute and heading straight to the locker room at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale Florida The incident occurred as Messi was dribbling into the box and collided with Necaxas Raúl Sánchez and Alexis Peña He stumbled to the ground and in clear frustration slammed the pitch Despite briefly trying to shake it off he eventually called for medical attention and was unable to continue Federico Redondo came on to replace him in the lineupLeo felt a discomfort in his hamstring Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said after the gameWe wont know the extent of the injury until tomorrow He probably has something wrong It might not be that serious because he wasnt in pain but he did feel discomfortThroughout his career Messi has struggled with recurring hamstring issues and has missed time in recent seasons due to a variety of legrelated injuries Earlier this year he was sidelined for two of Argentinas World Cup qualifiers because of a left adductor problemPrior to Saturday nights match Messi had appeared in 30 matches for Inter Miami in 2025 across all competitions including the Concacaf Champions Cup Club World Cup Leagues Cup and Major League Soccer regular seasonMessi an eighttime Ballon dOr winner has yet to find the net in this years Leagues Cup However in MLS competition he currently shares the league lead with 18 goalsHis recent stretch of consistent appearances marks a notable departure from his first two MLS seasons during which injuries significantly limited his playing time After appearing in all seven matches during Inter Miamis victorious 2023 Leagues Cup campaign Messi was hampered by minor injuries that restricted him to just six of the teams final 12 regularseason games that yearIn 2024 he faced several setbacks most notably a torn leg muscle sustained during the Copa America final with Argentina in July which required a lengthy recovery period Despite being limited to 19 games in his first full MLS season Messi still delivered an impressive 20 goals and 16 assists earning him the leagues 2024 MVP honours IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/lionel-messi-suffers-hamstring-injury-during-inter-miamis-victory-over-necaxa-629757.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 12:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/son-announces-tottenham-exit-after-10-years-at-the-club-629583.html New Delhi Aug 2 Tottenham captain Son Heungmin has announced that he will leave the club this summer after spending 10 years The South Korea international joined Spurs at the end of August 2015 and celebrated his 10th year at the club by lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy back in MayThe 33yearold who is under contract with Spurs until 2026 announced his decision to leave the club at a press conference alongside Thomas Frank in SeoulI wanted to say I have decided to leave the Club this summer Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career Such amazing memories It was so hard to make the decisionI need a new environment to push myself I need a little bit of change 10 years is a long time I came to north London as a kid 23 years old such a young age I leave this club as a grown man a very proud manI want to say thank you to all the Spurs fans for giving me so much love I hope the goodbye is also good timing and this is the right time to make that decision I hope everyone can accept that and respect that Son said in a press conferenceSon who is a fifth in Spurs alltime goalscoring list with 173 last season became only the seventh player in the club history to make 450 appearances reaching 454Asked for his reaction to the decision coach Frank said For me personally I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League It is never easy to find the perfect timing and me coming in from the side it makes it a bit easier to end on a highSon was asked if he has told his teammates of his intentions and what was the reaction the skipper said I spoke with only a few guys They will be disappointed in a respectful way Im very close with Ben so we have spoken about the future but he respected my decisionIt is hard to tell my teammates as you are spending almost more time with them than your family People will be disappointed but in a happy way That was my feeling but I dont know what the actual feeling isTottenham are in Seoul as part of their preseason preparations with Son set to start and lead the side against Newcastle in their friendly on Sunday meaning his final appearance for the club could come in his home country IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/son-announces-tottenham-exit-after-10-years-at-the-club-629583.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 11:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/son-keen-on-joining-lafc-after-spurs-exit-report-629631.html New Delhi Aug 2 Tottenham Hotspur legend Son HeungMin is keen on joining Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC after announcing his decision to leave the club after 10 years He will play his final game in which he will lead the team against Newcastle United at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on SundayClubs in the Saudi Pro League expressed their interest in signing Son but the forward is keen on joining LAFC where former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris currently stars and where exSpurs great Gareth Bale won an MLS CupThe United States is home to the largest Korean population outside of Asia and the biggest contingent among them lives in Los Angeles Son would probably benefit from commercial opportunities in the US too as reported by The AthleticThe 33yearold who is under contract with Spurs until 2026 announced his decision to leave the club at a press conference alongside Thomas Frank in SeoulI wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career Such amazing memories It was so hard to make the decisionI need a new environment to push myself I need a little bit of change 10 years is a long time I came to north London as a kid 23 years old such a young age I leave this club as a grown man a very proud man Son said in a press conferenceSon who is fifth in Spurs alltime goalscoring list with 173 last season became only the seventh player in club history to make 450 appearances reaching 454 The South Korea international joined Spurs at the end of August 2015 and celebrated his 10th year at the club by lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy back in May with a 10 win over Manchester United in the final in Bilbao IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/son-keen-on-joining-lafc-after-spurs-exit-report-629631.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/the-bid-was-turned-down-before-i-heard-about-it-howe-on-liverpools-approach-for-isak-629666.html Seoul Aug 2 Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe confirmed that a bid was made for striker Alexander Isak and a potential deal will be complex As per reports Liverpool made an offer in the region of 110 million pound but their approach was instantly turned down by Newcastle United who are said to be looking for close to 150 million pound I think from my situation I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home I was made aware there was a bid yesterday That bid was turned down before I heard about it There are people back in England dealing with the situationI really dont know what is going to happen next but from our perspective we still support Alex in every way and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again said Howe in a press conference Isak is said to be training at Real Sociedads training facilities his former club Howe revealed the situation is far from idealI know where he is through the media so I think from that perspective its difficult for me to go into any detail The situation is far from ideal It is quite complex I think that is all I have got to say he added Isak played a huge role in Newcastles solid season with 27 goals across 42 games in all competitions and secured UCL football for next season while also ending the teams trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup Newcastle are currently on their preseason tour of Asia and will take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday The game will mark the end of Spurs legend Son HeungMins tenure at the club after announcing his decision to leave the club after 10 years He will play his final game in which he will lead the team at the Seoul World Cup StadiumHowe reflected on giving the South Korean a farewell in front of his home supportersI think hes one of the legends of the Premier League Weve come up against him many times as manager of Bournemouth early in his Tottenham career and I thought he was fantastic his pace his dribbling ability his desire to score goals I thought he was always one of the best players we played against every season he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/the-bid-was-turned-down-before-i-heard-about-it-howe-on-liverpools-approach-for-isak-629666.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/punjab-fc-appoint-nikhil-prabhu-as-captain-for-durand-cup-629669.html New Delhi Aug 2 Punjab FC have announced Nikhil Prabhu as the captain for the 134th edition of the Durand Cup in which the Shers will start their campaign against ILeague 3 side Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC at Kokrajhar on Sunday Nikhil joined the club before the start of the 202324 season and has been a mainstay in the team from then on He debuted for the club in the 2023 Durand Cup against Mohun Bagan Super Giant and has gone on to make 41 appearances for the club across all competitionsThe defensive midfielder wore the armband last season against Kerala Blasters in the absence of regular captain Luka MajcenNikhil was called up to the national side in May for a friendly against Thailand and made his debut coming in as a substitute in the 67th minute He was also named in the squad for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong KongThe Punjab Durand Cup squad includes new signings Muhammed Uvais and Bijoy Varghese along with Rakesh Meitei whose loan spell has been extended for one more season from Kerala Blasters Ranjeet Pandre returns to the squad after spending last season on loan at ILeague side Gokulam Kerala FCDilmperis has named a total of 11 players from the academy including Ayush Deshwal Pramveer Singh Manglenthang Kipgen Singamayum Shami Muhammed Suhail Omang Dodum Vishal Yadav and Laishram Rishikanta Meitei who made their debuts and were part of the squad last season Reserves side captain Manav Singh Usham Thoungamba Singh and Konsam Sanathoi Singh are the other academy graduates who have been included in the senior squad for the first timePunjab FC squadGoalkeepers Ayush Deshwal Muheet Shabir Ravi KumarDefenders Bijoy Varghese Khaimingthang Lhungdim Manav Singh Muhammed Uvais Nongmeikapam Suresh Meitei Pramveer Singh Likmabam Rakesh Meitei Usham Thoungamba SinghMidfielders Leon Augustine Manglenthang Kipgen Nikhil Prabhu Princeton Rebello Ricky Shabong Laishram Rishikanta Meitei Singamayum Shami Vinit RaiForwards Muhammed Suhail F Ninthoinganba Meetei Omang Dodum Konsam Sanathoi Singh Vishal Yadav Ranjeet Singh Pandre IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/punjab-fc-appoint-nikhil-prabhu-as-captain-for-durand-cup-629669.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 18:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-2025-northeast-united-to-begin-title-defence-1-ladakh-fc-set-for-historic-debut-629506.html New Delhi Aug 1 Defending champions NorthEast United FC will begin their title defence on Saturday when they take on Malaysian Armed Forces FT ATM FA in a Group E clash on Matchday 9 of the 134th Durand Cup in Shillong the Scotland of the East In a separate fixture 1 Ladakh FC will mark a historic moment as they make their national tournament debut in a Group C encounter against Tribhuvan Army FC in JamshedpurAll eyes will be on Shillongs Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where NorthEast United FC fresh from their dramatic 2024 title triumph over Mohun Bagan Super Giant will look to begin their campaign with purposeUnder head coach Juan Pedro Benali who recently signed an extension until 2027 the Highlanders will arrive with continuity confidence and an eye on backtoback titles Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie who netted a record 23 goals in the 202425 ISL season will be a key threat up front He will be supported by seasoned campaigners like Néstor Albiach Michel Zabaco and Gurmeet SinghThe team has been working diligently over the past three weeks and we believe we are wellprepared and focused for our opening match For us its the first final we have to play if we want to defend our title said BenaliTheir opponents the Malaysian Armed Forces FT will be looking to bounce back from a heavy 06 defeat to Shillong Lajong FC in their opener Despite the result the team remains focused and determinedThis will be our second match of the tournament and we are determined to improve NorthEast United is a strong side with good attacking quality but we are focused on sticking to our structure and playing with discipline said Masrizar bin Mizalan assistant coach of Malaysian Armed Forces FTAdding a touch of glamour and loyalty to the occasion Bollywood actor and NorthEast United FC owner John Abraham will be in attendance at the stadium continuing his tradition of standing by the team during key fixturesEarlier in the day at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur 1 Ladakh FC will create history as they become the first club from the Himalayan region of Ladakh to compete in the Durand CupEmbodying their values the team travelled to Jamshedpur by train consciously reducing their carbon footprint Their ecofriendly jerseys inspired by Ladakhi culture and Buddhist symbolism are already drawing attention for fusing environmental advocacy with footballTribhuvan Army has featured in multiple Durand editions and brings physicality and composure On the other hand1 Ladakh FC with a spirited blend of local youth talent and experienced names from across India are ready to test their mettle against a seasoned Tribhuvan Army FC at the FurnaceIn Group C and E Jamshedpur FC and Shillong Lajong FC respectively have already registering commanding wins in their opening two matches putting the pressure on the remaining teams For NorthEast United FC and 1 Ladakh FC a winning start will be crucial to stay in contention to qualify for the quarterfinalsMeanwhile Malaysian Armed Forces FT and Tribhuvan Army FC both reeling from opening losses will be eager to bounce back and keep their knockout hopes alive IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-2025-northeast-united-to-begin-title-defence-1-ladakh-fc-set-for-historic-debut-629506.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 20:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/odisha-fc-suspend-operations-while-womens-team-remain-functional-confirms-owner-629526.html New Delhi Aug 1 Odisha FC has suspended operations amidst the uncertainty regarding the future of the Indian Super League 202526 season Club owner Rohan Sharma took to social media to confirm that while the headlines suggest the club has shut down that is not entirely the case Odisha FCs women side will continue their pre season plans for the upcoming season with the Indian Womens League 202526 season set to begin in September He also hopes with more and more clubs being forced to suspend their operations a solution for the future will be taken more efficientlyWe havent shut down the club despite the headlines Key staff members are retained our womens team will be operational However it becomes harder to justify to my stakeholders to sink Crs upon Crs with nothing to show for it and no end in sightWe have No Clarity when the League will Start Nowhere to practiceplaywork in Odisha No way to get sponsorship since theres no season No way to engage investors with an expiring participation agreement We hoped something would give but sadly it hasntWe didnt go into this offseason planning to take this step In fact we had made 5 signings until it became clear things are delayed We desperately hope the above issues get resolved maybe doing this will prompt people to fasttrack solutions so we can get back to work read the thread by Sharma on XIn a letter to the participant clubs a copy of which is with IANS FSDL informed that it is forced to put ISL 202526 on hold because it is unable to effectively plan organise or commercialise the 202526 ISL season because no agreement has been reached regarding the Master Rights Agreement MRA which was to expire on December 8 2025 with the AIFFIn December 2010 IMG Reliance the joint venture between IMG Worldwide and Reliance Industries acquired all the commercial rights to football in India from the AIFF for 15 yearsAs per the agreement the AIFF had given IMG Reliance the rights to exploit the sports commercial value to improve popularise and promote the game of football throughout India from the grassroots to the professional level IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/odisha-fc-suspend-operations-while-womens-team-remain-functional-confirms-owner-629526.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 22:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/east-bengal-fc-extends-contracts-of-14-womens-team-players-ahead-of-new-season-629320.html Kolkata July 31 East Bengal FC has announced the contract extensions of 14 key players of their womens team for various durations ahead of the 202526 season including goalkeepers Panthoi Chanu and Mamani Das and defenders Sarita Yumnam Sathi Debnath Supriya Kispotta and Riya Sarkar for one season Those who have their contracts extended for one season also include midfielders Karthika Angamuthu Sandhiya Ranganathan Sangita Basfore and Thandamoni Baskey and forwards Soumya Guguloth Sulanjana Raul Sandhya Maity and Resty Nanziri have been retained for the upcoming season Six players Ngangbam Sweety Devi Ashalata Devi Sushmita Lepcha Buli Sarkar Astam Oraon and Naorem Priyangka Devi were signed on twoyear contracts last seasonUnder head coach Anthony Andrews tutelage EB Women have an outstanding 202425 season winning the domestic league double the Indian Womens League IWL in April followed by the Calcutta Womens Football League also known as the Kanyashree Cup in MayBy winning their maiden IWL title the Moshal Girls will represent India in the preliminary stage of the AFC Womens Champions League in late August where they have been placed in Group A alongside Hong Kongs Kitchee SC and Cambodias Phnom Penh Crown FCThe extensions include those of Indian internationals Panthoi Karthika Sandhiya Sangita Soumya and Sulanjana and Ugandan international Resty Panthoi was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper of IWL 202425 and the Best Goalkeeper of the 2024 25 season by the AIFFSoumya was bestowed with the AIFF Womens Player of the Year award for her consistent performances for her club and the national team She was the leading Indian scorer in IWL 2024 25 with 9 goals A regular starter for the club and the national team Karthika was EEBs top scorer during their triumphant CWFL 2025 campaign with 7 goals She also scored an IWL goal against HOPS FC in KalyaniA regular starter for the club and the national team Karthika was EEBs top scorer during their triumphant CWFL 2025 campaign with 7 goals She also scored an IWL goal against HOPS FC in KalyaniDuring Sweetys injury layoff young Sathi adapted to the centreback position and partnered the vastly experienced Ashalata who is the first and only player so far to make 100 appearances for the Indian womens national teamSangita one of the current captains of the Indian womens national team scored 4 goals including a brace in the deciding fixture against Thailand during the Blue Tigresses recent AFC Womens Asian Cup Qualifiers helping them enter the main group stage of the tournamentSpeaking about these extensions Emami East Bengal FC Womens head coach Anthony Andrews said These players embody everything we value as a club not just the onfield quality but also the mentality discipline and drive that define East Bengals identity They understand our style embrace the demands and bring the kind of presence that lifts standards Extending their contracts is a big step towards building continuity raising the bar and shaping a culture that can help us achieve great things for the club and our fans this seasonThe player registrations are subject to the completion of regulatory processes IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/east-bengal-fc-extends-contracts-of-14-womens-team-players-ahead-of-new-season-629320.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/swiss-international-ndoye-joins-nottingham-forest-629323.html London Aug 1 English Premier League side Nottingham Forest have signed Switzerland international winger Dan Ndoye from Serie A outfit Bologna in a deal valued at around 35 million pounds 462 million US dollars Ndoye has committed to a fiveyear contract with Nottingham Forest stepping in to fill the void left by Anthony Elangas transfer to Newcastle United earlier this summer The winger joins Forest after an impressive season with Bologna where he contributed six assists and scored nine goals Notably his crucial goal in the Coppa Italia final secured Bolognas first major trophy in over 50 years reports XinhuaI am really happy to have signed for the club said Ndoye on the Forest website and he said he was inspired to join the club which will play in the Europa League next season after an impressive seventhplace finish in the Premier LeagueIt is a really exciting time at Forest and I knew straight away that I wanted to be a part of the project Its a really ambitious team with a fantastic history and I cant wait to get started he addedThe 24yearold also played in all of the Italian sides eight Champions League matches featuring in 41 games across the season scoring nine times His impressive record last season was not just as a goal scorer but as a creative playmaker Ndoye registered 6 assists and his impressive ballcarrying stats were bettered by only five players in Serie A in 202425Known for his creativity direct playing style versatility and speed Ndoye arrives on Trentside with significant experience for a player of his age Born in Nyon Switzerland Ndoye joined the LausanneSport academy at an early age working his way up through the academy before making his professional debut as an 18yearoldAfter spending time in France with Nice Ndoye made a permanent switch back to his home country when he signed for Basel in February 2022 following a successful loan spell with the 20time Swiss champions His form for Basel caught the attention of Bologna where he has spent the last two seasonsHaving made his international debut in 2022 Ndoye has gone on to make 22 caps for his country including five at Euro 2024 where he started every game in Switzerlands route to the quarterfinal scoring a crucial group stage goal against Germany IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/swiss-international-ndoye-joins-nottingham-forest-629323.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/real-madrid-denied-extra-rest-must-begin-la-liga-season-as-scheduled-629378.html New Delhi Aug 1 A Spanish football federation judge has rejected Real Madrids request to delay their opening match of the 202526 La Liga season citing no violation of the established rest period rules The club had hoped to push back their scheduled game against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu on August 19 local time arguing insufficient recovery and preparation time following their participation in the Club World CupMadrids campaign at the international tournament ended on July 9 when they suffered a heavy 40 defeat to Paris SaintGermain in the semifinal at MetLife Stadium in New JerseyClub representatives claimed that the early league fixture just 41 days later violated terms in the collective bargaining agreement governing professional football in Spain They contended that players were not granted adequate time for both rest and tactical preparation ahead of the new domestic seasonHowever in a decision released Thursday RFEF judge Jose Alberto Pelaez ruled that Madrids players began their rest on July 11 and had been afforded the 21 consecutive days of rest required under the agreement He further clarified that the regulations do not stipulate an additional mandatory preparation period after the rest phase countering arguments made by both Real Madrid and players union AFEThe ruling leaves Madrid with the option to appeal within 48 hours though the outcome appears firmly rooted in the current legal frameworkMeanwhile Barcelona will kick off their league campaign on August 16 with an away match against Real Mallorca while Atletico Madrid are set to face Espanyol on August 17Despite their highprofile summer Real Madrid must now shift focus quickly as they prepare to launch another demanding domestic campaign without the schedule relief they sought IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/real-madrid-denied-extra-rest-must-begin-la-liga-season-as-scheduled-629378.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/aiff-appoint-khalid-jamil-as-head-coach-of-mens-national-team--629389.html New Delhi Aug 1 The All India Football Federation AIFF have confirmed the appointment of head coach Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Mens National Football Team The decision comes after the AIFF Executive Committee approved the appointment from a threeman short list submitted by the AIFF Technical Committee The other two contenders were former India head coach Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic who previously managed the Slovakia national teamA former India midfielder and now an AFC Pro Licensed coach the 48yearold becomes the first Indian to take charge of the national team since Savio Medeira in 2012 He also becomes the first Indian to take the fulltime reign of the national team since SukhwinderJamil has worked his way through the Indian football ecosystem having made an impact on the ILeague ILeague 2 and the Indian Super League His time with Aizawl FC saw the team win their only topflight title He joined Jamshedpur FC midway through the 202324 season and led them to the Super Cup semifinals and later to a runnerup finish and an ISL semifinal spot in the nextHe follows after an underwhelming stint by FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez who parted ways with the national team with only one win in over a yearJamils first challenge will be a huge one as India take part in the CAFA Nations Cup after Malaysia withdrew from the tournament which is outside the official FIFA calendar in preparation for the two AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers against Singapore in OctoberIndia have been placed in Group B and will play hosts Tajikistan on August 29 defending champions Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4India suffered a heartbreaking 01 away defeat to Hong Kong in their second match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Final Round following a goalless draw against Bangladesh in the opener IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/aiff-appoint-khalid-jamil-as-head-coach-of-mens-national-team--629389.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/its-been-an-honour-to-share-your-journey-salah-bids-farewell-to-luis-diaz-following-munich-switch-629442.html New Delhi Aug 1 Liverpools Mohamed Salah took to social media to send a farewell message for departing teammate Luis Diaz after the Columbian signed for Bavarian giants Bayern Munich The Colombian international has signed a fouryear deal with the German club to bring his threeandahalfyear stay at Anfield to an endYour energy drive and passion on the pitch have left a mark that wont be forgotten We were truly lucky to have you at Liverpool and its been an honour to share part of your journey and success story As a teammate you were more than reliable you were inspiring As a friend even more soWe all saw the strength it took to keep going through the tough times off the pitch What you went through wouldve broken most but you came back strong and gave everything for the club That kind of resilience sets an example for others and earns nothing but respect Wishing you all the best for whats next Lucho read the post by SalahThe Colombian forward joined the Reds from FC Porto in January 2022 and quickly became a key figure under thenmanager Jurgen KloppDiaz made an immediate impact at Anfield dazzling fans with his pace and flair In his debut halfseason he registered six goals and four assists in 26 appearances helping Liverpool secure both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup each won on penalties against Chelsea He also featured in the Champions League final and narrowly missed out on the Premier League title that seasonA serious knee injury in 202223 briefly stalled his momentum but Diaz bounced back gradually rediscovering his top form Over the next two campaigns he played 101 matches scoring 30 goals and providing 10 assistsThe 202425 season saw him adapt to a new role as central striker under new head coach Arne Slot Diaz thrived in the position scoring 17 goals in all competitionsincluding 13 in the Premier Leagueas Liverpool secured the league title with four games to spareIn total Diaz departs Liverpool with four major trophies a Premier League title and a reputation as one of the sides most dynamic attackers IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/its-been-an-honour-to-share-your-journey-salah-bids-farewell-to-luis-diaz-following-munich-switch-629442.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/hindustan-zinc-and-aiff-launch-indian-womens-football-academy-629287.html Udaipur July 31 Hindustan Zinc Ltd in partnership with the All India Football Federation AIFF inaugurated the Zinc Football Girls Academy on Thursday in Zawar near Udaipur Rajasthan The AIFF will lend technical and strategic support to Zinc Football Girls Academy to develop womens football Zinc Football is a oneofitskind grassroots football development initiative at the core of which is a fullfledged residential girls football academy in Zawar Udaipur with worldclass facilities and the countrys first ever technologyhinged football training the unique FCube technology the statement readThe initiative aims to contribute to the development of Indian football while leveraging on the power of the worlds most loved sport to impact lives and ensure social upliftment of women children and people it addedZinc Football Academy also announced that it has entered into a collaboration with the AIFF wherein the AIFF will be the strategic and technical partner for the girls residential academy Under the alliance AIFF will provide operational guidelines and technical support share best practices assist in capacity building for coaches and scouts and engage in knowledge sharingSpeaking on the initiative Priya Agarwal Hebbar Chairperson Hindustan Zinc Ltd said Hindustan Zincs commitment to empowering women and driving inclusive growth is reflected in every step we take including the launch of our premier residential football academy for girls We believe that building worldclass athletes begins at the grassroots with access to opportunity mentorship and the right environment This academy is not just about developing football talent it is also about shaping confident resilient young leaders of tomorrowThe academy which features a fully equipped residential hostel has identified its first batch of 20 extremely talented young girls all under the age of 15 The programme will provide these children with all the opportunities and right guidance to groom them into professional footballers while also taking care of their formal educationKalyan Chaubey President All India Football Federation AIFF said We are delighted to partner with Hindustan Zinc to launch the Zinc Football Girls Academy I believe it will help not only in developing girls football in Rajasthan but also at the national level The timing of this partnership is very significant especially when AIFF has seen 232 growth in women player registration in the CRS portal and the Senior Womens National Team has qualified for the AFC Womens Asian Cup 2026 to be played in Australia AIFF will be happy to extend technical assistance for the success of this academyThe initial batch of 20 girls will see representation from different states such as Rajasthan Gujarat West Bengal Haryana and Jharkhand The academy also plans to increase the number to 60 girls over the next 1218 months from the current 20In FCube Training and Assessment Technology key developmental parameters for this football academy are continuously evaluated monitored and analysed through a wellregulated player data tracking system with support from qualified staff to ensure appropriate steps are taken for optimal player development IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/hindustan-zinc-and-aiff-launch-indian-womens-football-academy-629287.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 20:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/lucas-paqueta-cleared-of-betting-misconduct-charges-says-eager-to-play-with-a-smile-again-629305.html New Delhi July 31 Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of serious misconduct charges related to alleged breaches of the Football Associations FA betting rules bringing to an end a long and stressful chapter in his career The West Ham United star had been charged in May 2024 with four alleged violations of FA Rule E51 concerning attempts to deliberately receive a red card in matches involving his club The charges suggested Paquetá had influenced games to benefit betting outcomes with one or more people standing to profit However an independent regulatory commission has now found those charges not proven clearing the 26yearold of any matchfixing allegationsIn a statement Paquetá expressed relief and gratitude Since the first day of this investigation I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations I cant say anything more at this time but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my faceTo my wife who never let go of my hand to West Ham United to the fans who always cheered me on and to my family friends and the legal team who have supported me thank you for everything he addedWest Ham United also welcomed the verdict In an official club statement they said The club has stood by Lucas since the very start of a long and difficult processVicechair Karren Brady echoed the support saying We are pleased Lucas has been cleared He has maintained his innocence from the outset and as a Club we have resolutely stood by him and supported him throughout the processDespite the incredible pressure on him Lucas has performed week in and week out for the Club always giving everything It has been a difficult time for Lucas and his family but he has remained absolutely professional throughout and he is now looking forward to drawing a line under this episode as is everyone at West Ham UnitedHowever the FA stated that Paquetá has been found guilty on two separate charges for failing to fully cooperate with their investigation A disciplinary commission will determine the sanction for those breaches at the earliest opportunity IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/lucas-paqueta-cleared-of-betting-misconduct-charges-says-eager-to-play-with-a-smile-again-629305.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 22:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/messis-inter-miami-beat-atlas-fc-in-leagues-cup-opener-629156.html Fort Lauderdale July 31 Inter Miami CF opened its Leagues Cup 2025 campaign with a thrilling 21 win over LIGA MXs Atlas FC Messis Inter Miami beat Atlas FC in Leagues Cup openerFort Lauderdale July 31 Inter Miami CF opened its Leagues Cup 2025 campaign with a thrilling 21 win over LIGA MXs Atlas FCMidfielder Telasco Segovia opened the scoring before rightback Marcelo Weigandt secured the win in dramatic fashion with a late winner deep into stoppage time while captain Lionel Messi played provider with assists for both goalsIn addition World Cupwinning Argentine international midfielder Rodrigo De Paul made his Inter Miami debut in the win while young midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi made Club history by becoming the first Academy product to reach 100 appearances for the first teamInter Miami had an early chance in the seventh minute with an attempt from Segovia from the center of the box being deflected by the oppositions backline for the ball to go out just high above the crossbarAllende then came close to opening the scoring in the 22nd minute following a through ball from Messi but his crossed finished from the right end of the box was saved by Atlas goalkeeper Inter Miami reportsInter Miami goalkeeper Rios Novo had a key intervention in the 25th minute with an acrobatic diving save to deny a header from Atlas forward Eduardo AguirreSuárez nearly broke the deadlock right before the half in the third minute of stoppage time with a volley from inside the box that rattled the crossbarThe second half opened with several chances for Inter Miami including a powerful rightfooted hit from Suárez the top of the box in the 48th minute that forced another save from Atlas shot stopperRíos Novo once again rose to the occasion in the 50th minute this time pulling off a save to stop a rightfooted attempt from Uros Djurdjevic from the left side of the boxInter Miami then found the opener through Segovia in the 57th minute A precise linesplitting ball from Busquets found Messi on the left side of the box who then played a pass to the center of the box for Segovia to bury the ball in the back of the net The goal was Segovias ninth across all competitions since joining Inter Miami while the assist took Messis tally to 11 this seasonAtlas then equalized in the 80th minute through a goal from Rivaldo Lozano Inter Miami subsequently secured the win in dramatic fashion with Weigandt netting a late winner in the sixth minute of added time IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/messis-inter-miami-beat-atlas-fc-in-leagues-cup-opener-629156.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/this-tournament-will-impact-generations-durand-cup-brings-relief-to-crisis-hit-imphal-629060.html Imphal July 30 As the storied Durand Cup made a return to Imphal after a two year absence fans in the city of Manipur rushed in numbers as the footballing action began on Wednesday Local sides Tiddim Road Athletic Union FC TRAU FC and North Eastern ReOrganising Cultural Association Football Club NEROCA FC faced each other in the Imphal Derby in the Group F opener of the 134th Durand Cup as Asias oldest football tournament returns to Manipur after a gap of two yearsFootball Lover Sanday Wangkhemcha hopes the tournament provides relief to the people in times of crisis citing the ethnic violence that has gripped the cityWe would like to welcome the Durand Cup the oldest football tournament in Asia First I would like to thank the Indian Army for organising and bringing the tournament back and giving a chance to give the public to witness the cup in Imphal We are in crisis in Manipur with the tournament we can ease the mindset of the people I would like to wish the teams all the best This tournament will impact the generations who want to play football Wangkhemcha told IANSThe Governor of Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla attended the opening match and took part in the inauguration ceremony which also featured a colourful cultural programme However many football lovers were unhappy because the stadium was too crowded and there were not enough seats for everyone Some people found it difficult to move around or watch the match comfortablyEven with the problems people were happy that such a big tournament is being held again in Manipur It is seen as a positive step toward bringing peace and normal life back to the stateThe historical rivalry between these two Manipuri giants has produced memorable encounters over the years with both teams sharing a combined 21 major honors 10 for NEROCA and 11 for TRAU In their headtohead record since 2020 NEROCA holds the advantage having won 7 out of 11 encounters with TRAU winning only 2 matches and 2 ending in draws However derby matches often produce unexpected results and both teams will be fully aware that past records count for little in such highstakes encountersGroup F also features the Indian Navy Football Team and Real Kashmir FC making it a competitive group where every point will be crucial for qualification to the knockout stages Six group winners and two best secondplaced teams across all groups will advance to the quarterfinals adding extra pressure on both teams to secure a positive result in their opening fixture IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/this-tournament-will-impact-generations-durand-cup-brings-relief-to-crisis-hit-imphal-629060.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/manipur-defeat-west-bengal-to-lift-dr-bc-roy-trophy-for-the-third-time-629096.html Amritsar July 30 Manipur finally reclaimed the Junior Boys National Football Championship for the Dr BC Roy Trophy Tier 1 title after a 25year wait defeating defending champions West Bengal 30 in the final at the Guru Nanak Dev University Sports Complex on Wednesday here Manipur led 20 at halftime with goals from Lourembam Naocha Singh 17 and Ngayungmi Kashung 37 Amom Krish Singh 902 added the third in the stoppage time of the matchThe match was billed as a clash of equals with both teams unbeaten and having scored 13 goals apiece en route to the final But on the day Manipurs hunger intensity and tactical discipline left West Bengal strugglingManipur stamped their authority early breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute Khutleibam Sultan surged down the right and delivered a precise low cross to Lourembam Naocha Singh who controlled with a deft first touch before drilling a powerful leftfooter past West Bengal goalkeeper Suva BaraiBuoyed by the opener Manipur dictated the tempo with clever passing and relentless pressing while West Bengals attack faltered amid missed passes and a lack of cohesionThe pressure told again in the 37th minute Sultan was the creator once more swinging in a teasing cross that Yumnam Sonamani headed goalward Though Barai parried the attempt Kashung pounced on the rebound to make it 20West Bengal featuring tournament topscorer Rajdeep Paul were surprisingly subdued Paul with seven goals to his name was effectively neutralised by Manipurs compact defence Their best chance for West Bengal arrived in the 80th minute when Rintu Malik threaded a ball to Paul but Alex Oinams timely block thwarted the dangerAs the final ticked into stoppage time Manipur added gloss to the scoreline In the second minute of injury time Sonamanis clever assist set up Amom Krish Singh who coolly slotted home his sixth goal of the tournament sparking jubilant celebrations on the Manipur bench IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/manipur-defeat-west-bengal-to-lift-dr-bc-roy-trophy-for-the-third-time-629096.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 23:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/ter-stegen-undergoes-back-surgery-as-barcelona-face-registration-dilemma-628853.html Madrid Spain July 29 FC Barcelona goalkeeper MarcAndre ter Stegen on Tuesday had an operation on his back to try and solve the problems that have affected him in the lumbar region FC Barcelona confirmed the operation in a statement explaining that the operation took place in Bordeaux and explaining that the evolution of the injury would mark his availabilityThe operation has stirred controversy not only over Ter Stegens fitness but also because of Barcelonas fragile financial situation which has so far prevented the club from registering summer signings Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford for La Liga due to financial fair play restrictionsThe club either needs to find new income or lower its wage bill to include Rashford and Garcia in the squad and if Ter Stegen is out of action for over four months Barca will be able to use 80 percent of his salary to cover the wages of the new arrivals as the club did last season when Thomas Christensen suffered an ankle injury reports XinhuaThe 33yearold appeared to challenge the club last week when he announced the operation adding that he expected to be out of action for just three months which would mean Barcelona would be unable to use this option to inscribe its new signingsThe situation could lead to Barcelona passing Ter Stegens medical report to the Spanish Football Federation RFEF which has a committee of experts that would decide the time of the goalkeepers probable absenceTer Stegen the 33yearold German joined Barcelona in 2014 after spending a couple of years with Borussia Mönchengladbach from 2010 to 2014 and has been with them since then winning six La Liga titles And an equal number of Copa del Rey IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/ter-stegen-undergoes-back-surgery-as-barcelona-face-registration-dilemma-628853.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/bayern-munich-sign-luis-diaz-from-liverpool-on-four-year-deal-628930.html Munich July 30 Luis Diaz has sealed a permanent move to Bayern Munich as the Colombia international signed a fouryear deal with the German club to bring his threeandahalfyear stay at Anfield to an end The Bavarian giants have reportedly paid up to a fee of 65 million pounds to bring the 28yearold to Germany The forward who has been handed a contract until June 30 2029 will wear the number 14 for the German championsIt means a lot to me to be part of FC Bayern one of the biggest clubs in the world I want to help my new team with my style of playing football and my personality said DiazThe Colombian forward joined the Reds from FC Porto in January 2022 and quickly became a key figure under thenmanager Jurgen KloppDiaz made an immediate impact at Anfield dazzling fans with his pace and flair In his debut halfseason he registered six goals and four assists in 26 appearances helping Liverpool secure both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup each won on penalties against Chelsea He also featured in the Champions League final and narrowly missed out on the Premier League title that seasonA serious knee injury in 202223 briefly stalled his momentum but Diaz bounced back gradually rediscovering his top form Over the next two campaigns he played 101 matches scoring 30 goals and providing 10 assistsThe 202324 season saw him lift another League Cup and adapt to a new role as central striker under new head coach Arne Slot Diaz thrived in the position scoring 17 goals in all competitionsincluding 13 in the Premier Leagueas Liverpool secured the league title with four games to spareMemorable moments included a brace at Old Trafford and a Champions League hattrick against Bayer Leverkusen His final months in a Liverpool shirt were marked by title celebrations with fans capping off a campaign to rememberIn total Diaz departs Liverpool with four major trophies a Premier League title and a reputation as one of the sides most dynamic attackers IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/bayern-munich-sign-luis-diaz-from-liverpool-on-four-year-deal-628930.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/oriental-cup-2025-dps-rk-puram-and-govt-girls-sr-sec-school-faridabad-win-boys-and-girls-titles-628800.html New Delhi July 29 The Oriental Cup Football Tournament 2025 concluded with high drama and emotional victories with Delhi Public School DPS RK Puram and Government Girls Senior Secondary School Faridabad emerging champions in the boys and girls categories respectively Heavy morning rains threatened to disrupt the finals scheduled at Dr Ambedkar Stadium here on Tuesday but after careful assessment the match commissioner keeping the wellbeing of student athletes in mind decided in consultation with the coaches and organisers to conduct both finals via penalty shootoutsThe final day was graced by Zafar Iqbal 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medallist and former captain of the Indian hockey team who inspired the players with his presence and gave away trophies to the winners I extend my sincere congratulations to Fareed Bakshi and the entire team at Oriental Structural Engineers OSE for their exemplary efforts in organizing such a wellexecuted and impactful tournament Iqbal saidInitiatives like these play a vital role in nurturing grassroots football and fostering the next generation of sporting talent My heartfelt congratulations to both the winners and runnersup for their resilience and outstanding performance he addedIn the girls final debutants Government Girls Senior Secondary School Faridabad defeated twotime champions Sanskriti School in a tense 43 penalty shootout marking a sensational campaign in their maiden appearance Palak Nidhi Tanisha and Somya converted from the spot for Faridabad while Aditi Chamoli Amina Abdali and Azaira Bajaj scored for SanskritiCoach Preeti overwhelmed by the moment said This was our first time participating and we honestly didnt expect to reach the final but our girls are incredibly talented They began their journey with us two years ago and we taught them everything from the basics We always believed they would achieve something big and as a coach I feel incredibly proud todayIn the boys final DPS RK Puram edged past The Mothers International School in a thrilling 54 shootout win DPS players Arhan Gupta Ayush Ranjan Afraaj Taeiq Aarav Pahwa and Kartik Kashyap held their nerve to seal the title Amogh Shandilya Daivik Bejgotra Dhruv Tuli and Trigya Chaturvedi converted for MIS who fell just shortDPS head coach Gobardhan Sahoo praised the tournaments quality and structure saying This tournament is extremely wellorganized and gives students a great experience The facilities are topnotch and everyone has been very supportive I also think the decision to go ahead with the penalty shootout instead of declaring joint winners was the right one It gave us a clear winner and thats always better for the spirit of competition and for motivating young athletesEach winning team was awarded a cash prize of 100000 along with the Oriental Cup trophy Runnersup received 50000 while the winning coaches and runnerup coaches were awarded 30000 and 15000 respectivelyHeld from July 21 to July 29 2025 the Oriental Cup Football Tournament 2025 featured 36 participating school teams 24 in the boys category and 12 in the girls from across DelhiNCR with matches played in a leaguecumknockout format Recognised by the Delhi Soccer Association DSA the tournament has cemented its place as a premier platform for structured schoollevel football in the capitalWith support from Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt Ltd as the title sponsor along with Central Park Estates associate sponsor Ocean Beverages hydration partner and Nivia Sports football partner the Oriental Cup continues to grow in reach and reputation IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/oriental-cup-2025-dps-rk-puram-and-govt-girls-sr-sec-school-faridabad-win-boys-and-girls-titles-628800.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/we-control-isaks-future-to-an-extent-howe-confirms-no-formal-offers-made-for-swedish-striker--628808.html Suwon July 29 Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe spoke on the potential exit of striker Alexander Isak and confirmed that there have been no offers for the Swedish striker Newcastle United are currently touring SouthEast Asia as part of their preseason preparations After a 23 defeat against Arsenal the Toons will face KLeague XI at the Suwon World Cup Stadium in South Korea on Wednesday Isak was left out of Newcastles preseason squad citing a thigh injury however reports by ESPN suggest Isak has informed the club that he wishes to leave and Liverpool PSG and AlHilal are the three clubs interested Newcastle is said not to be interested in letting him goHowe confirmed that sentiment by saying to an extent the club controls what the future may hold for the 25yearoldHe is still our player Hes contracted to us We to a degree control what is next for him I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us My wish is that he stays but thats not in my full control We have not received a formal offer for Alex from any club said Howe in the pregame conferenceIsak played a huge role in Newcastles solid season with 27 goals across 42 games in all competitions and secured UEFA Champions League UCL football for next season while also ending the teams trophy drought by lifting the Carabao CupAmid rumours that Newcastle forward Isak hopes to leave the club during the summer transfer window Howe has admitted that things are going on behind the scenes regarding the Swedish striker but is confident that he will stay at the clubOf course things are going on behind the scenes Conversations will remain private Wed love him to continue his journey at Newcastle Were in a strong position financially and were determined to be successful Howe previously confirmed IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/we-control-isaks-future-to-an-extent-howe-confirms-no-formal-offers-made-for-swedish-striker--628808.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/its-crazy-to-think-about-what-weve-done-michelle-agyemang-628815.html New Delhi July 29 Arsenal forward Michelle Agyemang who was crowned the UEFA Womens Euro 2025 Young Player of the Tournament reflected on the achievement whilst celebrating with the England faithful in London The Lionesses have returned to England after triumphing over Spain in the finals of the tournament and have defended the European crown successfullyI dont know what to say Im so grateful for all of your guys here I love you all Thank you to everyone here and to my family for all of the support you guys are amazingIt means the world to me Im so grateful to be here It is still surreal It doesnt seem real seeing people down there right now it seems fake It is crazy to think about what we have done and to be here today said Michelle to BBC OneFollowing the Lionesses penalty shootout win over Spain in the final the young forward was recognised for her outstanding impact in Sarina Wiegmans team of lateGoing back to Englands opening game of the tournament a 21 defeat to France it was Michelles 86thminute introduction that brought about a different threat allowing Keira Walsh to pull one back late onAgyemangs super sub status only grew in the knockout stages coming off the bench to score the equaliser in a 22 quarterfinal draw with Sweden which England won 32 on penaltiesShe was the hero again in the semifinal rescuing the country in the 96th minute when England looked down and out against Italy Taking the tie to extratime Agyemangs goal provided the opportunity for Chloe Kelly to send England to the final where she would go on to win against Spain with the deciding penaltyIt was the 71st minute when Agyemang replaced Alessia Russo in the final before picking up a deserved award in a breakout tournament IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/its-crazy-to-think-about-what-weve-done-michelle-agyemang-628815.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/crispin-chhetri-labels-indias-afc-womens-asian-cup-draw-as-interesting-and-tricky-628833.html New Delhi July 29 India senior womens team coach Crispin Chettri labelled the Blue Tigresses group in the AFC Womens Asian Cup Australia 2026 an interesting and tricky one India were placed in Group C with Japan Vietnam and Chinese Taipei in the draw ceremony at the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday I think we have a very interesting and at the same time a tricky group Japan is the cream of Asia Vietnam and Chinese Taipei are good sides and we can compete with them and aim for favourable results Chettri told theaiffcom from Australia after the drawMidfielder Sangita Basfore had the privilege of being one of the draw assistants and picked out the ball containing her nation After delicately unrolling the paper and displaying it to the camera she proudly said India in an assertive voice as her eyes beamed with prideAfter all this was the first time India had earned their place at the Womens Asian Cup on merit via the qualifiers pathway And no other woman deserved to be at that stage than Sangita whose sensational brace in the last match against Thailand punched Indias ticket to AustraliaThe whole experience at the draw here in Sydney was really special for me I got to see and even touch the trophy which felt amazing I got goosebumps at the stage The biggest highlight was visiting Stadium Australia in Sydney The moment I stepped onto that ground it felt like the match was about to begin said SangitaCoach Chettri concurred It has been a great experience here in Sydney There are a lot of takeaways from this Representing the country at this level is surrealIndia currently ranked 70th will begin their campaign against Vietnam ranked 37th on March 4 2026 in Perth before meeting Japan ranked 7th on March 7 also in Perth and Chinese Taipei ranked 42nd on March 10 in SydneyThe three opponents are no strangers to the Blue Tigresses who have played against each of them in recent years India suffered a narrow loss to Chinese Taipei in the Asian Games but also defeated them in a friendly in 2021 Vietnam and Japan defeated the Blue Tigresses in the Olympic Qualifiers in 2023 Despite the opponents being higherranked Chettri and Sangita are confident of a tight battle to qualify for the quarterfinals especially against Vietnam and Chinese Taipei who have had many closelycontested games with India in the pastWeve already played against Vietnam Chinese Taipei and Japan in the past so I know from experience that we can definitely compete with them At no point did I feel that we couldnt beat them We couldnt win earlier due to some mistakes but well work on those Our coach is with us guiding us on the small details what to do and what to avoid Based on that well plan our next steps and give our best said SangitaChettri said They are all tough teams and thats what you expect at a stage like the Asian Cup As the Odisha FC coach I faced clubs from these three countries in the AFC Womens Champions League last season and that was a massive learning experience for me I am quite familiar with how they play and what to expect from themWhile the Asian stage is a grand one the Blue Tigresses have firmly set their eyes on scaling an even higher peak FIFA Womens World Cup qualification And with the AFC Womens Asian Cup offering six direct and two indirect slots for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil this is an opportunity they want to grasp with both handsOur target has always been to reach Brazil and play in the World Cup to feel the World Cup experience Now we are just one step away We have to prove ourselves in Australia represent the national team and carry our flag forward The goal is to perform well game by game and qualify for the World Cup said SangitaWith 218 days to go for Indias opening match against Vietnam at the Perth Rectangular Stadium the groundwork has already begun and each day is going to countNow that we know our opponents we have to choose our friendly matches wisely and prepare well Staying together as a unit and working hard in the camps will go a long way in helping us prepare to face the best teams in Asia and target World Cup qualification said CrispinSangita added With the time we have now we should be playing matches against higherranked teams so we can be ready for next March When we face those three teams in the Asian Cup it will be easier for us to judge their game and play with confidence Exposure to stronger teams will be a great opportunity and will help us build belief going into the tournament IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/crispin-chhetri-labels-indias-afc-womens-asian-cup-draw-as-interesting-and-tricky-628833.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 22:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/wanted-to-join-the-club-that-ranks-top-three-in-world-florian-wirtz-on-liverpool-move-628592.html New Delhi July 29 Ahead of the Premier League 202526 season Florian Wirtz reflected on his move to Liverpool and said it was an easy decision to make as he wanted to join the club that ranks among the top three in the world Liverpool FC have signed Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen The 22yearold has put pen to paper on a longterm contract with the Reds and will be reunited with former Leverkusen teammate Jeremie FrimpongI feel very happy and proud Its finally done something I have been waiting for a long time Im really happy I felt it was the right moment in my career to take the next step I wanted to join a club that ranks among the top three in the world and in my opinion Liverpool is one of them Wirtz said on JioHotstarI saw myself in the best hands at Liverpool and was truly convinced by the people here the clubs vision and what it offers me Ultimately it was an easy decision to make he addedWirtz also conveyed his appreciation for the Liverpool fans support saying I would say thank you for the support I have seen on Instagram and elsewhere how much they wanted me to join Im really looking forward to playing in front of them and achieving great things together Im very happy and sorry for the long waitRegarded as one of the standout talents in world football Wirtz arrives on Merseyside after fiveandahalf hugely successful seasons with Leverkusen following a switch from Colognes youth teamHe produced a stellar season as Leverkusen completed a league and cup double in the 202324 as well as reaching the Europa League final remaining unbeaten throughout the entire Bundesliga campaignSince his international debut to date he has 31 caps and seven goals for Germany including two in five runouts at Euro 2024 last summer IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/wanted-to-join-the-club-that-ranks-top-three-in-world-florian-wirtz-on-liverpool-move-628592.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/bayern-munich-extend-gk-sven-ulreichs-contract-till-2026-628635.html Munich July 29 FC Bayern Munich have agreed to a oneyear contract extension with goalkeeper Sven Ulreich until the summer of 2026 The 36yearold goalkeeper arrived in Munich from VfB Stuttgart in 2015 after having made 222 appearances for the side His time at Bayern has mainly been him serving as a deputy for Manuel Neuer who is known to have changed the goalkeeper position with his aggressive sweeping antics but his time with the Bavarians has been nothing short of memorableUlreich made the number two position his own and continued to serve as team player His opportunity to shine came in the 201728 season when Neuer suffered a metatarsal fracture In his stead Ulreich made 29 appearances in the Bundesliga keeping a clean sheet in 12 games which saw Bayern lift The Meisterachale for a sixth consecutive seasonIn 2020 he moved to Hamburger SV for one season before returning to the German record championsUlreich has made 103 competitive appearances for FC Bayern to date He has won the Bundesliga nine times the DFB Cup three times the DFL Supercup six times and the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup once eachBayern have currently loaned out goalkeepers Daniel Peretz and Alexander Nubel and Neuer continues to be the number one between the sticks the German giants are expected to continue Jonas Urbig as the secondman with Ulreich assumed to be the thirdchoice goalkeeper in the squadIt was also reported that Ulreich might consider announcing retirement and will continue the club in a different role before the two parties decided to continue the ongoing association by a yearFC Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said Sven Ulreich is reliability personified he delivers what he promises in the truest sense of the word Characters like him are good for any team Were delighted hell be spending another season with us IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/bayern-munich-extend-gk-sven-ulreichs-contract-till-2026-628635.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/european-champions-again-this-team-never-gives-up-sarina-wiegman-628360.html New Delhi July 28 England head coach Sarina Wiegman was clear in her assessment of leading England to backtoback Womens European Championship titles and said that she could not believe they defended the crown The Dutchwoman has now won three EUROs out of three as a coach and becomes the first boss to take charge of a senior England side winning a major tournament on foreign soil Her team beat Spain on penalties in Sundays final Chloe Kelly netting the winning spotkick and she was full of pride for the groupEuropean champions again Sometimes you think When is this going to stop Im just going to enjoy the moment Its incredible This team steps up all the time and never gives up I actually think the game was really good too We played really well in the second half but the game doesnt matter anymore We won said WiegmanWiegman gave a shoutout to every member of the coaching team and support staff claiming that the togetherness of the entire group was the key to the stunning winThe staff put so much effort in They want to support the team they prepare everything and the players are just lovely to work with Im sure tears could come later on It will sink in What is happening here We just try to win every game and its really nice when it works she addedMariona Caldentey gave Spain the lead as she rose highest to meet Ona Batlles cross before Alessia Russo responded after the break with a brilliant header back across goal to put England back in it After Hannah Hampton had saved two penalties in the shootout Kelly stepped up to secure a historic victoryWith the win England extracted revenge over Spain after having lost to them in the finals of the 2023 World Cup IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/european-champions-again-this-team-never-gives-up-sarina-wiegman-628360.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/crispin-chhetri-sangita-basfore-to-represent-india-at-afc-womens-asia-cup-draw-in-sydney-628475.html New Delhi July 28 The draw for the AFC Womens Asian Cup Australia 2026 will be conducted at the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday July 29 India will be represented by coach Crispin Chettri and midfielder Sangita Basfore in the draw ceremony Sangita who scored a sensational brace against Thailand in the final Qualifier will have the privilege of being one of the three draw assistants alongside Australias Tameka Yallop and Korea Republics Jeon YugyeongFor the 21st edition of Asias biggest womens national team event twelve teams will be divided into three groups of four each India were one of the eight teams that secured their place in the tournament via the qualifiers joining hosts Australia and the top three finishers from the AFC Womens Asian Cup India 2022 China PR Korea Republic and JapanScheduled to take place from March 1 to 21 2026 the AFC Womens Asian Cup Australia 2026 will be staged across Sydney Perth and the Gold Coast including in stadiums that witnessed the FIFA Womens World Cup 2023 as the tournament returns Down Under for the first time since 2006Runnersup in 1980 and 1983 India will make their first appearance in the tournament since 2003 after a historic qualification campaign saw the Blue Tigresses emerge as toppers of Group B of the Qualifiers defeating Thailand Iraq TimorLeste and Mongolia earlier this monthFor the pot allocations for the Final Draw the seeding is based on the latest FIFA Womens World Ranking as of June 12 India ranked 70th are placed in Pot 4 and will be drawn against either Australia Japan or DPR Korea from Pot 1 China Korea Republic or Vietnam from Pot 2 and Philippines Chinese Taipei or Uzbekistan from Pot 3The top two sides from each group along with the two best thirdplaced teams will progress to the quarterfinals The four quarterfinal winners will qualify for the FIFA Womens World Cup Brazil 2027 The losing quarterfinalists will contest the playoffs for the two remaining direct spots allocated to the AFC for the World Cup The two playoff losers will have another chance of qualifying for Brazil via the interconfederation playoffsAs hosts Australia will be designated as the top seed and occupy position A1Pot allocations for the Final Draw FIFA Rankings in bracketsPot 1 Australia 15 Japan 2 DPR Korea 9Pot 2 China PR 17 Korea Republic 21 Vietnam 37Pot 3 Philippines 41 Chinese Taipei 42 Uzbekistan 51Pot 4 IR Iran 68 India 70 Bangladesh 128The draw will be streamed live on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/crispin-chhetri-sangita-basfore-to-represent-india-at-afc-womens-asia-cup-draw-in-sydney-628475.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/al-nassr-close-to-agreeing-a-deal-for-chelsea-forward-joao-felix-report-628233.html New Delhi July 27 AlNassr are close to agreeing to a deal to sign Chelsea forward Joao Felix The Portuguese is expected to join the Saudi club with a 44 million pound deal according to a report It is reported that Saudi Pro League giants are in touch with Felixs representatives and could reach an agreement in the next 24 to 48 hours Felixs former club Benfica were previously in talks to resign the 25yearold forward but AlNassr have now made their move for Felix as they go all out to try and win the Saudi Pro League according to a Sky Sports reportShould Felix depart that would open the door for Chelsea to move for RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons If a move is completed on time Felix could join Ronaldo and the rest of the AlNassr squad for a friendly against Toulouse on Wednesday at the UntersbergArena in Grodig The Portuguese star first joined Chelsea on loan during the winter transfer window of the 202223 season During his time with the club he made an impact by scoring four goals in 20 appearances which saw him return to the club Chelsea then signed the Portugal international on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid in a contract worth 463 million pounds returning to Stamford Bridge after a promising loan stint Felix began his professional journey at Benfica where his impressive performances caught the eye of Atletico Madrid In the summer of 2019 he made a highprofile move to Atletico Madrid setting a record transfer fee for both clubs involvedHis tenure at Atletico has been marked by notable successes including winning the La Liga title On the international stage Felix has earned 45 caps for Portugal since his debut in 2019Meanwhile Chelsea are in advanced talks with Ajax over a deal for centreback Jorrel Hato and have also held discussions over the signing of Leipzigs Simons IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/al-nassr-close-to-agreeing-a-deal-for-chelsea-forward-joao-felix-report-628233.html Sun, 27 Jul 2025 16:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/stuttgart-sign-chema-andres-from-real-madrid-on-five-year-deal-628243.html Stuttgart July 27 Midfielder Chema Andres has joined VfB Stuttgart from Real Madrid The 20yearold midfielder who has signed a contract through to June 2030 has been given the number 30 shirt by the Bundesliga outlet He took his first steps as a footballer as a fiveyearold with Betera before spending three seasons in UD Levantes youth system After joining Real Madrids academy in 2018 when he was just 13 years old he rose through Los Blancos youth ranks and soon made the step up to senior level spending the 202425 campaign with the second team in the Spanish third divisionThe holding midfielder registered three assists in 35 appearances for Real Madrid Castilla as well as two direct goal involvements in 13 UEFA Youth League outings He made three appearances for Madrids first team two in La Liga and another in the Copa del Rey and was part of Xabi Alonsos squad at the FIFA Club World Cup this summerMy first impressions are very positive Im happy to be here and looking forward to my first training session with my new teammates The Bundesliga is a great league Ive always dreamt of moving to a special club in one of the top leagues and taking my next steps there I want to do my bit to ensure VfB continue their success and help us win a lot of games together said AndresChema is a current Spanish youth international and has represented his country at U18 and U19 level He has won 14 youth caps in total so far scoring once and was part of the Spain side that won the European Under19 Championship in 2024Fabian Wohlgemuth VfBs board member for sport said In Chema Andrés weve signed a player who is a very good fit for the profile were looking for in the defensive midfield position Chema is already performing at a high level hes well educated in a footballing and tactical sense and as a young player he still has huge potential to improve Were delighted that Chema has chosen VfB and warmly welcome him to Stuttgart IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/stuttgart-sign-chema-andres-from-real-madrid-on-five-year-deal-628243.html Sun, 27 Jul 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenal-triumph-3-2-over-newcastle-united-in-pre-season-628288.html Kallang Singapore July 27 Newcastle United fell to a narrow 32 defeat against Arsenal in a lively preseason clash at Singapores National Stadium despite an early lead and a spirited performance Anthony Elanga making his first start since arriving from Nottingham Forest put United ahead inside six minutes A slick move involving Sandro Tonali and Kieran Trippier ended with the Swede bundling home from close range to give the Magpies an early advantageArsenal who had edged AC Milan earlier in the week responded swiftly After several close calls from both sides including efforts from Kai Havertz Bruno Guimarães and Benjamin White the Gunners drew level just after a firsthalf drinks break Former Newcastle man Mikel Merino found space at the edge of the box and drilled a low strike past Nick PopeThe Premier League runnersup then took the lead in unfortunate fashion when a dangerous cross from Havertz deflected off Alex Murphy and into his own net in the 35th minuteNewcastle nearly responded before the break but Anthony Gordons effort drifted wide Eddie Howe rang the changes at halftime keeping only Pope and William Osula on the pitch The reshuffled side showed intent and in the 59th minute Jacob Murphy brought United level with a precise leftfooted strike after good work from Tino LivramentoMurphy then turned provider crossing for Osula who headed just wide Pope kept the scores level with excellent saves from Max Dowman and Martin degaard before being replaced by John RuddyRuddy was soon tested saving well from Dowman while Lewis Mileys lobbed attempt floated over after a poor clearance from Arsenals substitute keeper Kepa ArrizabalagaBut it was Arsenal who would snatch victory late on Joelinton was penalised for a foul on Dowman and degaard calmly converted the 81stminute penalty to seal the win IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenal-triumph-3-2-over-newcastle-united-in-pre-season-628288.html Sun, 27 Jul 2025 21:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/everton-coach-moyes-urges-for-new-signings-628299.html New York July 27 Everton coach David Moyes emphasized the need for several new signings ahead of the upcoming Premier League season following a 30 defeat to Bournemouth During the Premier League Summer Season match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey Evertons loss underscored the clubs urgency to bolster its squad as per XinhuaEverton has already signed striker Thierno Barry and goalkeeper Mark Travers while the loan of Charly Alcaraz has been made permanent Moyes also revealed that the club has made an offer for Bayern Munich defender Adam AznouWeve signed three but were still in need of maybe five or six players Thats what we have to try and do said Moyes adding that he had never had to try to sign so many new players in one transfer window Were trying really hard behind the scenes to get things done Were going to need it he saidHe said the club has made an offer for Aznou explaining the Moroccan was a young player Its someone we see as having a good future and good potential but he admitted he didnt expect any arrivals before Everton plays his former club West Ham in Chicago on ThursdayId be very surprised you never know We have a lot of work to do We know what we have to do and we have to improve it Todays performance showed that concluded Moyes IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/everton-coach-moyes-urges-for-new-signings-628299.html Sun, 27 Jul 2025 22:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenal-signs-striker-viktor-gyokeres-on-5-year-deal-628191.html London July 27 Arsenal has sealed the signing of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon for 55 million pounds 74 million US dollars with a possible extra 85 million pounds in incentives Gyokeres has agreed to a fiveyear deal with the Londonbased club after passing his medical tests on Saturday and will now join up with his new teammates in SingaporeDuring his two seasons with Sporting Viktor helped the team win backtoback Primeira Liga titles a national cup and was the leagues top scorer in both campaigns He has also excelled at international level scoring 12 goals in his last 17 appearances for SwedenI just felt that it was the right club for me said the 27yearold who netted 39 league goals in Portugal last season adding that his sides 51 defeat at home to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League last November had been a factor in his decisionWhen I was playing against Arsenal last season I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play againstThat made me choose Arsenal and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase he said adding that he was also impressed by the clubs supportersArsenal coach Mikel Arteta welcomed the arrival of the striker Viktor has so many qualities He is a quick and powerful presence up front with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levelsHe brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat added ArtetaArsenal has been busy in this summers transfer market with the arrival of players such as Spain international midfielder Martin Zubimendi Christian Norgaard from Brentford Chelsea duo Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke and Valencias Spain under21 defender Cristhian Mosquera IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenal-signs-striker-viktor-gyokeres-on-5-year-deal-628191.html Sun, 27 Jul 2025 09:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/aiff-confirm-xavi-pep-applications-for-mens-team-head-coach-were-hoax-628119.html New Delhi July 26 The All India Football Federation AIFF said it received emails claiming to be job applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez for the role of mens national team head coach However since the AIFF couldnt verify if the emails were real they believe the applications are fake The AIFF Technical Committee recently met to evaluate 170 applications received for the position of head coach of the Indian mens national team Following comprehensive discussions and a rigorous selection process 10 candidates were selected for the committee to review and narrowed it down to three candidates Khalid Jamil Stephen Constantine and Stefan TarkI M Vijayan Chairperson Technical Committee stated Given the immediate needs of the national team it is advisable to recommend three coaches from the shortlisted pool for final consideration Other prominent applicants many of whom are highly qualified international coaches will be taken into account for longterm strategic roles in the futureA key takeaway from the deliberations was the shared view that appointing a coach with a deep understanding of the Asian and Indian football ecosystem would be highly beneficial to the national teams immediate and future successSubrata Paul Director National Teams said It is a very important moment for Indian football and we are committed to appointing a coach who not only brings technical expertise but also understands the unique style culture and dynamics of Indian and Asian football We believe such a coach will be able to connect with our players quickly and effectively Our focus is on finding a resultoriented professional who can maximise performance within the available resources and contribute meaningfully to the growth and future direction of Indian football IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/aiff-confirm-xavi-pep-applications-for-mens-team-head-coach-were-hoax-628119.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/punjab-fc-name-25-member-squad-for-134th-durand-cup-628122.html Mohali July 26 Punjab FC have named a 25member squad for the 134th Durand Cup which is underway in various cities Punjab FC are slotted in Group D and will play all their group matches at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar Assam Head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis has named a young squad consisting only of Indian players for Asias oldest football tournamentSpeaking on the announcement Dilmperis said We have named a young and energetic squad with the majority of players retained from last season We have also included several academy players in the squad based on their performances in the reserves and junior sides I believe that we have a balanced squad capable of going the distance in the tournament and we hope to start the new season on a positive noteThe squad includes new signings Muhammed Uvais and Bijoy Varghese along with Rakesh Meitei whose loan spell has been extended for one more season from Kerala Blasters Ranjeet Pandre returns to the squad after spending last season on loan at ILeague side Gokulam Kerala FCDilmperis has named a total of 11 players from the academy including Ayush Deshwal Pramveer Singh Manglenthang Kipgen Singamayum Shami Muhammed Suhail Omang Dodum Vishal Yadav and Laishram Rishikanta Meitei who made their debuts and were part of the squad last season Reserves side captain Manav Singh Usham Thoungamba Singh and Konsam Sanathoi Singh are the other academy graduates who have been included in the senior squad for the first timeTechnical Director of Punjab FC Nikolaos Topoliatis expressing his views said The inclusion of so many academy players is a clear step in our vision to build a strong foundation of young players who can grow with the club We have a side capable of achieving a better result than last season in the Durand Cup and I wish the team all the best for a great start to the seasonPunjab FC squad for 134th Durand CupGoalkeepers Ayush Deshwal Muheet Shabir Ravi KumarDefenders Bijoy Varghese Khaimingthang Lhungdim Manav Singh Muhammed Uvais Nongmeikapam Suresh Meitei Pramveer Singh Likmabam Rakesh Meitei Usham Thoungamba SinghMidfielders Leon Augustine Manglenthang Kipgen Nikhil Prabhu Princeton Rebello Ricky Shabong Laishram Rishikanta Meitei Singamayum Shami Vinit RaiForwards Muhammed Suhail F Ninthoinganba Meetei Omang Dodum Konsam Sanathoi Singh Vishal Yadav Ranjeet Singh PandrePunjab FC will start their Durand Cup campaign on August 3 against Kabi Anglong Morning Star FC and will face Indo Tibetan Border Police FT and Bodoland FC on and August 6 and 9 respectively IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/punjab-fc-name-25-member-squad-for-134th-durand-cup-628122.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-2025-shillong-lajong-thrash-malaysian-armed-forces-6-0-628160.html Shillong July 26 Shillong Lajong FC kicked off their Durand Cup 2025 campaign in emphatic style cruising to a 60 victory over Malaysias Armed Forces Football Team in the opening Group E clash on Saturday Led by braces from Everbrightson Sana and Phrangki Buam the young Shillong side delivered a commanding performance with substitutes Treimiki Lamurong and Deibormame Tongper also getting on the scoresheetRight from the start Shillong took control of proceedings with quick passing and relentless pressing Their dominance paid off in the 12th minute when Sana rose above the Malaysian defense to head home a pinpoint cross from Rudra Ved The move originated from a wellworked freekick routine initiated by Sheen Stevenson setting the tone for what would be a onesided contestMalaysia had a rare chance to level the score in the first half through Mohamad Syamim Yusoff who attempted a volley after a clearance from Shillong keeper Siwel Rymbai but the effort flew just wide That was as close as the visitors would get as Shillong maintained their grip on the gameThe second half began with a flurry of goals Phrangki Buam doubled the lead in the 47th minute guiding in another precise freekick delivery from Stevenson Barely two minutes later Buam struck again this time calmly slotting in a through ball after a slick attacking move to make it 30Sana completed his brace in the 66th minute turning sharply in the box before finishing clinically past the Malaysian goalkeeper The fifth goal came courtesy of substitute Treimiki Lamurong who curled in a stunning strike from the edge of the area in the 73rd minuteIn the dying moments of the match Shillong added a final flourish Deibormame Tongper another substitute finished off a neat attacking play to round off the scoring at 60This comprehensive victory not only gives Shillong Lajong the perfect start to their Durand Cup campaign but also sends a strong message to the rest of the teams in Group E IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-2025-shillong-lajong-thrash-malaysian-armed-forces-6-0-628160.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 22:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/oriental-cup-2025-dps-rk-puram-cruise-to-final-the-mothers-international-impress-across-categories-on-day-5--628014.html New Delhi July 25 Delhi Public School RK Puram became the first boys team to secure a place in the finals of Oriental Cup 2025 with two clinical wins on Friday here at Dr Ambedkar Stadium The Mothers International School also made a strong statement notching up victories in both the boys and girls categories to remain firmly in the race to the finals With one round of league fixtures left the tournament is set for a dramatic finish across both categoriesThe day five of Oriental Cup 2025 began with DPS RK Puram edging out Navy Children School 10 in a tightly contested Group B clash with Aarav Pahwa scoring the decisive goal in the 27th minute In their second outing later in the afternoon they defeated New Green Field School Saket 40 with goals from Ayush Ranjan Aarav Pahwa his second of the day and two goals from Afraaz Tariq booking their spot in the boys final under coach Gobardhan SahooIn Group A The Mothers International School boys team under coach Sachin Rawat came from behind to beat Delhi Public School Vasant Kunj 21 After Krishna Kumar gave DPS the lead in the first half MIS responded through secondhalf goals from Raaghav Sharma and Nirvaan Manik Their girls team followed the suit with a dominant 50 win over Tagore International School with Japjit Kaur scoring four goals and Prasansha Jha adding oneMeanwhile in Group B of the girls category DPS Vasant Kunj under coach Shivam Bhardwaj edged out St Francis De Sales Sr Secondary School 10 thanks to a goal from Aisha Later in the day their boys bounced back from their earlier defeat with a convincing 40 win over Amity International School Noida Garv Khullar and Satish Kr Yadav both scored twice to earn three vital points in Group AAs the group stage nears its end six of the seven girls teams remain in contention for the finals while the boys Group A still hangs in the balance The last round of league matches will be played on Monday July 28 with the finals scheduled for Tuesday July 29 at Dr Ambedkar StadiumThe Oriental Cup continues to strengthen its position in Delhis school sports calendar Recognised by the Delhi Soccer Association the tournament has become a vital platform for structured competitive football at the grassroots levelMatch Day 5 ResultsBoys CategoryGroup A The Mothers International School defeated DPS Vasant Kunj 21 DPS Vasant Kunj defeated Amity International School Noida 40Group B DPS RK Puram def Navy Children School 10 DPS RK Puram def New Green Field School Saket 40Girls CategoryGroup A The Mothers International School def Tagore International School 50Group B DPS Vasant Kunj def St Francis De Sales Sr Secondary School 10 IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/oriental-cup-2025-dps-rk-puram-cruise-to-final-the-mothers-international-impress-across-categories-on-day-5--628014.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/cfl-2025-east-bengal-fc-eye-victory-in-seasons-first-kolkata-derby-628043.html Kolkata July 25 East Bengal FC will cross swords with town rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their next Calcutta Football League Premier Division Group A encounter at the Kalyani Stadium on Saturday This will be the first meeting between the two sides in toplevel competitive football at the said venueThe Red amp Gold Brigade have had a mixed start to their CFL 2025 campaign After cruising to a 71 win over Measurers Club in their opening match EEB have gone winless in their next three matches recording a 11 draw against Suruchi Sangha a 22 draw against Calcutta Customs and a 01 defeat to Patha Chakra They currently stand eighth in Group A with 5 points from 4 matchesAfter losing their opening match 01 to Police AC MBSG won two successive matches against Kalighat SLA 40 and Railway FC 20 respectively They were held to a goalless draw by George Telegraph in their next outing before registering a 21 win over Kalighat MS in their latest fixture They currently stand third in Group A with 10 points from 5 matchesEEB defeated MBSG 21 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan the last time these two rivals faced each other in the CFL on 13 July 2024Speaking to the media on the eve of Saturdays Kolkata derby Coach Bino George said The derby is of the utmost importance for both teams The break has helped our players recover and prepare rigorously for the big game You can never pick a favorite for such contests We are determined to return to winning ways IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/cfl-2025-east-bengal-fc-eye-victory-in-seasons-first-kolkata-derby-628043.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 22:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenal-sign-spain-u21-star-cristhian-mosquera-on-long-term-deal-627847.html New Delhi July 24 Arsenal have confirmed the signing of highlyrated Spanish defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia on a longterm contract The 21yearold arrives after an impressive spell in La Liga where he became a mainstay of Valencias backline Mosquera who came through Valencias academy after joining at the age of 12 made 90 appearances for the club across all competitions He made his firstteam debut in the Copa del Rey at just 17 in January 2022 before making his La Liga debut days later in a 11 draw against Sevilla Promoted to the senior squad ahead of the 202324 season Mosquera went on to start 37 of the 38 league matches last season completing every minute of those appearancesBorn in Spain but also eligible to represent Colombia Mosquera has 34 youth international caps for Spain between the under15 and under21 levels He was also part of the gold medalwinning squad at the 2024 Olympic Games in ParisSporting Director Andrea Berta expressed his excitement over the signing statingWere very happy and excited to have signed a hugely talented young player in Cristhian Mosquera We identified Cristhian as one of the strongest young defenders in European football and he is an important signing for our futureCristhian is a versatile defender who will strengthen our squad We cannot wait to see him playing for us Together with everyone at the club we warmly welcome Cristhian and his family to ArsenalManager Mikel Arteta echoed the sentiment highlighting Mosqueras qualitiesWere delighted to welcome Cristhian to Arsenal As a 21yearold defender Cristhian has already performed consistently well with significant experience in La Liga He is an intelligent player with good pace who can play centrally and on both sidesHe is a young player with exciting talent and enormous potential who will fit well into our squad as we continue to prepare for next season Cristhian adds good quality to our squad and we look forward to working with him and making him feel at home with usFrom all of us we welcome Cristhian and his family to the clubMosquera will wear the number 3 shirt and is set to join the squad for Arsenals mens preseason tour in Asia The club confirmed that the transfer remains subject to the completion of regulatory processes IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/arsenal-sign-spain-u21-star-cristhian-mosquera-on-long-term-deal-627847.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/wolves-sign-jhon-arias-from-fluminense-on-a-four-year-deal-627786.html Wolverhampton July 24 Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the signing of Colombian Jhon Arias from Brazilian side Fluminense on a fouryear deal with the option of a further 12 months the Premier League club said on Thursday The 27yearold attacker moves to Wolves after impressing at the Club World Cup this summer and will reunite with Andre who he played with at Fluminense and international teammate Yerson MosqueraArias who leaves Fluminense with 102 goal contributions has become Wolves second signing of the summer boosting Vitor Pereiras attacking optionsArias arrives with both personal accolades and team titles to his name from playing in Colombia and Brazil and has 31 international caps to dateArias professional career began with Patriotas in his home nation in 2018 and he played more than 100 times in Colombia also gaining experience on loan with Llaneros before permanent moves to America de Cali and Santa Fe as a youngsterDuring his time with America de Cali he claimed a first title the Colombian Championship in 2020 while his move to Rio de Janeiro and Fluminense arrived one year laterHe has remained at the club since gaining a reputation for his creativity during his 229 games in red and green with 2022 proving his breakthrough season bringing 16 goals 17 assists and a first of two Guanabara Cup titlesOne year later alongside Andre in the midfield Arias won South Americas top title of the Copa Libertadores the continents Champions League equivalent with both named in the Team of the TournamentArias who has worn the captains armband in the past and is a regular on set pieces chalked up another 13 assists during the first half of the 2025 campaign before Fluminense turned their attention to the Club World Cup this summerThe winger shone on the world stage in the United States staring in the Brazilian sides run to the semifinal by being named Player of the Match against Borussia Dortmund Ulsan HD and Inter Milan and earning a place in the competitions Team of the TournamentArias now moves to Europe for the first time becoming Vitor Pereiras second signing of the summer and bolstering the head coachs attacking options IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/wolves-sign-jhon-arias-from-fluminense-on-a-four-year-deal-627786.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 17:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/mohun-bagan-super-giant-sign-abhishek-singh-tekcham-on-four-year-deal-from-punjab-fc-627801.html New Delhi July 24 Mohun Bagan Super Giant have confirmed the signing of India fullback Abhishek Singh Tekcham from Punjab FC on a fouryear deal ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League ISL season Mahun Bagan sealed the highprofile transfer pipping archrivals East Bengal and FC Goa who were also vying for the 22yearolds services As Abhisheks transfer value crossed Rs 6 crore both East Bengal and FC Goa pulled out leaving Mohun Bagan to secure the talented defenderWhen history calls you answer in Green and Maroon the ISL champions posted on X welcoming their latest acquisitionMohun Bagan who completed a double last season by winning both the ISL Shield and Cup parted ways with Ashique Kuruniyan this summer leaving a void at left wingback that Abhishek is likely to fill He is also capable of operating on the right flank providing competition for Asish RaiSpeaking about his decision to join Mohun Bagan Abhishek said I received offers from several big clubs in the country But the reason I chose Mohun Bagan Super Giant is because it is the No 1 club in the country You win championships at Mohun Bagan You win trophies You chase dreams Their continuous trophywinning journey inspired me to join them This club is always in the title race I also dream of winning titles in the clubs jerseyAbhishek enjoyed a standout 202425 ISL season with Punjab FC making 22 appearances creating eight chances and impressing with his energetic runs and defensive solidity winning 86 duels and eight aerial battles His performances earned him a callup to the Indian senior national team under coach Manolo MarquezWhile playing for Punjab I won the ILeague But I have not won the premier competitions in the country the ISL and the Shield yet I hope Ill be able to fulfil that dream by playing for Mohun Bagan he addedMany top stars of Indian football are here Training and playing with them will benefit me Though I have played for India I aim to play in the AFC Championship Thats a dream I want to fulfil IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/mohun-bagan-super-giant-sign-abhishek-singh-tekcham-on-four-year-deal-from-punjab-fc-627801.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-2025-jamshedpur-fc-edge-out-tribhuvan-army-fc-in-a-five-goals-thriller-627843.html Jamshedpur July 24 Indian Super League ISL club Jamshedpur FC beat Nepals Tribhuvan Army FC by a 32 scoreline at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur in the Group C opener on Thursday Sarthak Golui and Manvir Singh got on the scoresheet in the opening half while Nikhil Barla scored the third after coming off the bench as the Men of Steel made a winning start to their Durand Cup campaignGolui broke the deadlock from a long throwin early in the game capitalising on the opponents clumsy defensive line to put the hosts up front Khalid Jamils men continued to create chances in the early phase but Tribhuvan Army FC found the equaliser in the 26th minute against the run of playJamshedpur FC restored the lead within five minutes thanks to Manvir Singhs composed finish Vincy Barretto played an inchperfect pass to the newly joined forward and the latter made no mistake in finding the back of the net from a tight angleMohammed Sanan Jayesh Rane and Co continued to dominate the ball possession and generate attacking moves in the final minutes of the opening half but couldnt extend the lead as the first half ended 21 in favour of the hostsSanan got a golden chance early in the second half but the wingers attempt was denied by the post A couple of minutes later the Men of Steel created another chance from a freekick this time through Praful Kumar but his free header was off targetTribhuvan Army FC pulled level again with a stunning longrange strike from outside the box in the 64th minuteWith the match poised at 22 Jamshedpur FC pushed hard for a third goal Supersub Barla gave his side the lead again with his very first touch after coming off the bench in the 71st minuteManvir had another chance to extend the lead in the dying moments but his shot went off target The match ended 32 as Jamshedpur FC held on to register a crucial victory in their opening fixtureJamils men will next face the Indian Army FT on July 29 in an early kickoff at the Furnace IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/durand-cup-2025-jamshedpur-fc-edge-out-tribhuvan-army-fc-in-a-five-goals-thriller-627843.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/football-valencias-mosquera-joins-arsenal-squad-ahead-of-closing-transfer-627639.html Singapore July 23 Valencias Spain Under21 defender Cristhian Mosquera is on the verge of signing for Arsenal after joining up with the squad on the clubs Asian tour in Singapore on Wednesday Mosquera has reportedly agreed a fiveyear contract with an option to extend his stay for a further year with Arsenal paying Valencia an initial fee of 13 million pounds 176 million US dollars The 21yearold Mosquera has been one of the few bright spots as Valencia has struggled to avoid relegation from La Liga in the past two seasons with the youngster missing just two games in the 202324 campaign and just one last season with his power in the air and pace vital factors in keeping the club in the eliteHe will be Arsenals fifth signing of the summer as the club aims to go one better than last seasons second place in the Premier League with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and forward Noni Madueke signing from Chelsea midfielder Christian Norgaard coming in from Brentford and Martin Zubimendi joining from Real SociedadArsenal is also believed to be close to finalising a deal for Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres with talks reportedly at an extremely advanced stageMeanwhile Zubimendi gave an interview on the club website explaining that Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta was one reason he had decided to join the northLondon outfitI dont know what he saw in me but what I saw in him is that hes a top coach in Europe Zubimendi said When I wanted to leave Real Sociedad I wanted a quality coach Ive seen how obsessive and detailed he is with his game so I think Ive found the right oneIts a change for me Its the change I wanted And since the first day Ive been here Ive noticed the greatness of this club and Im adapting said the Spain international IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/football-valencias-mosquera-joins-arsenal-squad-ahead-of-closing-transfer-627639.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/aiff-technical-committee-shortlists-three-for-mens-football-team-head-coach-role-627644.html New Delhi July 23 The All India Football Federations Technical Committee TC met virtually on Wednesday to shortlist the applicants for the Senior Mens Indian Football Team head coach role The TC carefully reviewed 170 applications received earlier this month and narrowed it down to three candidates Khalid Jamil Stephen Constantine and Štefan Tarkovi The TC has recommended the resumes of the three shortlisted candidates to the Executive Committee which will take the final call on who the next Blue Tigers head coach will beThe AIFF executive committee met on July 2 and approved the decision on Manolo Marquezs exit as the Indian mens football team head coach His exit followed after AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey had confirmed that Marquezs tenure would be under review at the said meetingThe AIFF Technical Committee TC chaired by former India captain IM Vijayan on Tuesday July 1 2025 recommended to the Executive Committee that a new head coach be appointed for the Senior Mens National Team through an open application processThe members collectively decided on the mutual termination of Head Coach Manolo Márquezs contract A new advertisement will be floated inviting applications for the post read the statement by the AIFFDespite a poor run of results concerns finally arose after Indias poor start to the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers as the Men in Blue played out a draw against Bangladesh in the opening game before an injurytime winner in the 01 loss against Hong Kong further added to their woesThe Spaniard was appointed head coach after the fiery exit by previous head coach Igor Stimac in 2024 and has gone on to lead the Blue Colts in eight games with only one win a 30 victory over the Maldives in a friendly In the end he leaves with a win percentage of 13Marquez first landed in India ahead of the 202021 Indian Super League season to take charge of Hyderabad FC where he won the Indian Super League title in 2022 In his three years with The Nizams Marquez took charge of 74 games out of which he won 37 and drew 21 He went on to take the helm at FC Goa and led them to a Super Cup triumph IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/aiff-technical-committee-shortlists-three-for-mens-football-team-head-coach-role-627644.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/football-liverpool-completes-signing-of-frankfurt-forward-ekitike-627680.html London July 23 Premier League champion Liverpool continued a bigspending summer with the signing of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial fee of 79 million pounds 106 million US dollars We have reached an agreement for the transfer of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike subject to international clearance announced Liverpools social media sites on Wednesday The 23yearold has successfully completed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Reds allowing him to fly out to Hong Kong to join his new teammates on their preseason tour of Asia later this week the club addedEkitike is the fourth major signing of the summer for Arne Slots side following the capture of Florian Wirtz for over 110 million pounds and defenders Milos Kerkez and Jeremie FrimpongThe 23yearold Frenchman who can play across the front line joins Anfield after scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances last season along with more than a dozen assists reports XinhuaLiverpool has spent over 250 million pounds this summer although they are likely to recoup some of that if Luis Diaz completes a move to Bayern Munich in a deal worth more than 60 million pounds Darwin Nunez also appears likely to leave and Federico Chiesa has been omitted from Liverpools preseason squad for the Asia tour suggesting he may also be on his way outA few days back Liverpool officially announced that they have beaten back strong contenders to reach an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt over the signing of striker Hugo EkitikeIn a statement released on Monday the club confirmed The Reds and the German outfit have struck a transfer deal said to be worth 69 million pounds plus 10 million pounds in addonsEkitike travelled to Merseyside lto undergo a medical and finalise a longterm contract with manager Arne Slots teamThe 23yearold Frenchman was an unused substitute in Eintrachts preseason friendly on Saturday as negotiations regarding his future continued Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions last season helping Eintracht secure qualification for the Champions League IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/football-liverpool-completes-signing-of-frankfurt-forward-ekitike-627680.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 09:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/football-liverpool-complete-signing-of-frankfurt-forward-ekitike-627703.html London July 24 Premier League champion Liverpool continued a bigspending summer with the signing of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial fee of 79 million pounds 106 million US dollars We have reached an agreement for the transfer of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike subject to international clearance announced Liverpools social media sites on Wednesday The 23yearold has successfully completed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Reds allowing him to fly out to Hong Kong to join his new teammates on their preseason tour of Asia later this week the club addedEkitike is the fourth major signing of the summer for Arne Slots side following the capture of Florian Wirtz for over 110 million pounds and defenders Milos Kerkez and Jeremie FrimpongThe 23yearold Frenchman who can play across the front line joins Anfield after scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances last season along with more than a dozen assists reports XinhuaLiverpool has spent over 250 million pounds this summer although they are likely to recoup some of that if Luis Diaz completes a move to Bayern Munich in a deal worth more than 60 million pounds Darwin Nunez also appears likely to leave and Federico Chiesa has been omitted from Liverpools preseason squad for the Asia tour suggesting he may also be on his way outA few days back Liverpool officially announced that they have beaten back strong contenders to reach an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt over the signing of striker Hugo EkitikeIn a statement released on Monday the club confirmed The Reds and the German outfit have struck a transfer deal said to be worth 69 million pounds plus 10 million pounds in addonsEkitike travelled to Merseyside lto undergo a medical and finalise a longterm contract with manager Arne Slots teamThe 23yearold Frenchman was an unused substitute in Eintrachts preseason friendly on Saturday as negotiations regarding his future continued Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions last season helping Eintracht secure qualification for the Champions League IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/football-liverpool-complete-signing-of-frankfurt-forward-ekitike-627703.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 11:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/goalkeeper-pau-lopez-returns-to-real-betis-on-three-year-deal-627385.html Sevilla July 22 La Liga side Real Betis announced the signing of goalkeeper Pau Lopez on a threeyear deal which will keep him at the club until 2028 The 30yearold returns to the club he represented in the 20182019 season making 33 league appearances and 10 clean sheets before moing to AS RomaLopez rejoins Betis on a free transfer after ending his contract with Mexican side Toluca by mutual accord and he will compete with veteran Adrian San Miguel and possibly Alvaro Valles for the positionValles joined the club on a free transfer this summer from Las Palmas and the Spanish press speculates Betis will either loan him out or sell him before the end of the transfer window reports XinhuaLopez has a lot of toplevel European experience playing 76 times for Roma and 127 times for Olympique de Marseille He has also played twice for the Spain national team making his debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina in May 2019Betis returns to the UEFA Europa League after ending last season sixth in La Liga The club has worked to strengthen its squad with defender Junior Firpo returning from Leeds United while Nobel Mendy and Natan have also signed along with winger Rodrigo Riquelme who has moved from Atletico MadridLast week Betis have signed Junior Firpo to its ranks The defender commited to the Verdiblancos until 2028 and is expected to join the squad in Seville next weekThe fullback a product of the clubs youth academy returned home following his spells at FC Barcelona and Leeds United FCThe Dominican who has Copa del Rey title and a UEFA European Under21 Championship with Spain among his career achievements concluded his first spell with the Verdiblancos having made 43 appearances scoring five goals and providing three assists IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/goalkeeper-pau-lopez-returns-to-real-betis-on-three-year-deal-627385.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/man-utd-goalkeeper-elyh-harrison-joins-shrewsbury-town-on-loan-627388.html Manchester July 22 Goalkeeper Elyh Harrison has joined Shrewsbury Town of League Two on loan for the 202526 season The 19yearold shotstopper will relish his second loan move having enjoyed an impressive sixmonth spell with Chester in the National League North in 202425After 18 appearances with the Seals Harrison returned to United in January to represent the clubs Under21s and was part of the senior matchday squad for the first time in February as an unused substituteElyh joined United in 2022 from Stevenage and developed well in their Under18s squad showing quality and bravery with the ball at his feet as well as fine shotstopping abilitiesHis displays across the 202324 season were particularly impressive as he helped the U18s to an unprecedented trio of trophies earning the Denzil Haroun ReserveTeam Player of the Year award as a resultAn England Under19 international Harrison will play at Shrewsbury under Michael Appleton a United Academy graduate who won the same Player of the Year award at United in 1996 He went on to make two firstteam appearances in his time at Old Trafford before permanent spells with Preston North End and West Bromwich AlbionIm really excited that weve signed Elyh Hes someone weve targeted since last season ended and I think hes got a bright future We watched him play at Chester last year and continued to watch him when he went back to play for Uniteds under21sWe think hes got all the right characteristics and that this could be a very good loan for him Michael wanted to get him in the building as soon as possible so Im really happy to get it over the line because it was a tough process due to the amount of interest in the player said Director of Football Micky Moore IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/man-utd-goalkeeper-elyh-harrison-joins-shrewsbury-town-on-loan-627388.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/ex-liverpool-wrexham-defender-joey-jones-passes-away-aged-70-627401.html New Delhi July 22 Former Liverpool and Wrexham defender Joey Jones passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a battle with illness Former Wales international Jones represented Wrexham across three spells with the Club before a long association with the Club off the pitch as a firstteam coach youth coach and ambassador and a brief spell as interim manager which earned him the nickname Mr Wrexham A league European Cup and UEFA Cup winner with Liverpool the Welshman made exactly 100 appearances for the club during the second half of the 1970sThe toughtackling leftback was signed from Wrexham by Bob Paisley as a 20yearold during the summer of 1975 and featured on 14 occasions in all competitions during his debut seasonHe unfortunately missed out on a league winners medal by just one match with his 13 appearances in the top flight insufficient to qualify at that time though he was on the bench for both legs of the UEFA Cup final win over Club BruggePaisleys charges successfully defended their championship crown Jones played 39 of 42 fixtures while simultaneously making history as the first Liverpool team to lift the European CupThe defender was involved throughout the run to the final and started in Rome as Borussia Mönchengladbach were beaten 31 to clinch Old Big EarsJoness attitude and commitment had long earned him the affection of the Liverpool supporters and he reached a century of games in January 1978 He also scored three goals while at the clubLater in the same year having been displaced in the Reds XI he said farewell to Anfield and returned to Wrexham for a second spell Joey subsequently spent time with Chelsea and Huddersfield Town before wrapping up his playing career with a third Wrexham stint IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/ex-liverpool-wrexham-defender-joey-jones-passes-away-aged-70-627401.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/football-manchester-utd-leave-out-unwanted-quartet-from-us-tour-squad-627431.html New Delhi July 22 Manchester United have left out Alejandro Garnacho Jadon Sancho Antony and Tyrell Malacia from their preseason tour of the United States of America USA in their 32man squad for the American leg of Tour 2025 As per reports all four players are no longer part of head coach Ruben Amorims plans and the club is actively working behind the scenes in hopes of securing a sale or a loan deal for the playersWith Marcus Rashford reported to be in Barcelona after the two clubs agreed on a loan deal for the English forward these players will be hoping to finalise a solution as soon as possible in hopes of finding some playing time elsewhere Harry Maguire has also been left out of the squad due to personal reasonsRuben Amorims side is competing in the Premier League Summer Series for the first time with the action kicking off this weekend against West Ham UnitedThe clash with the Hammers starts at midnight on Sunday morning and is being staged at the MetLife Stadium in New JerseyMatches follow against Bournemouth and Everton in the tournament which provides valuable preseason preparation for the upcoming campaignUniteds summer signings Matheus Cunha Diego Leon and Bryan Mbeumo are all on the flightMbeumo who sealed his move from Brentford on Monday night trained with his new colleagues for the first time ahead of making the journey across the AtlanticManchester United squadGoalkeepers Altay Bayindir Tom Heaton Dermot Mee Will Murdock Andre OnanaDefenders Diogo Dalot Matthijs de Ligt Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu Tyler Fredricson Ayden Heaven Diego Leon Lisandro Martinez Noussair Mazraoui Reece Munro Luke Shaw Leny YoroMidfielders Casemiro Toby Collyer Bruno Fernandes Jack Fletcher Sekou Kone Kobbie Mainoo Mason Mount Manuel UgarteForwards Amad Matheus Cunha Rasmus Hojlund Bendito Mantato Bryan Mbeumo Chido Obi Ethan Williams Joshua Zirkzee IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/football-manchester-utd-leave-out-unwanted-quartet-from-us-tour-squad-627431.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/oriental-cup-2025-dominant-wins-for-dps-vasant-kunj-dav-sahibabad-on-day-2-627434.html New Delhi July 22 Delhi Public School Vasant Kunj dominated their doubleheader against Vinay Nagar Bengali Sr Sec School securing victory in both categories on Day 2 of Oriental Cup 2025 at Dr Ambedkar Stadium here on Tuesday In other matches DAV Public School Sahibabad and DPS RK Puram recorded emphatic victories in the boys category while Government Girls Senior Secondary School put on a strong performance in the girls category of the tournament Sapphire International School Noida opened the day with a solid 20 win over Tagore International School in the boys fixture courtesy of two goals from Atharv Singh In the girls match between the same schools Tagore International School won 32 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation timeDPS Vasant Kunj boys team secured a 20 win through goals from Vihaan Mani and Krishna Kumar while the girls team overwhelmed their opponents 40 Ayushi Gupta netted twice with Aisha Nair and Aarna Arora scoring one goal apieceIn the fifth match of the day DAV Public School Sahibabad recorded a 31 win over Father Agnel School Noida Goals from Shriansh Nath Tiwari and Sagar Laha along with an own goal by Father Agnels team sealed victory for DAV Aarav Sharma scored the lone goal for the Noida sideDelhi Public School RK Puram had a mixed outing Their boys team secured a convincing 41 win over Bluebells School in their first match of the Oriental Cup 2025 Arhan Gupta led with a brace while Afraaz Tariq and Jeenesh Vasandani added one goal each Veer Kashyap scored the only goal for Bluebells However in the girls category Government Girls Senior Secondary School got the better of DPS RK Puram with a 20 win courtesy of goals from Palak and NidhiThe Oriental Cup 2025 continues on Wednesday with more knockout matches and secondround fixtures as teams aim to build early momentum in their quest for the title Day 3 will begin with an exhibition match in the girls category between MIMA and STRIVE followed by a boys encounter between DAV Faridabad and St Francis De Sales Sr Sec School St Francis School will also feature again later in the girls category against Navy School Venkateshwar International School will face Greenfields Public School while Gov Sarvodaya Coed School will play against Heritage Global School in the boys categoryAlso returning for their secondround fixtures are the boys and girls teams from Mothers International School Sanskriti International School and Amity International Noida along with The Air Force School Subroto Park Boys and Tagore International School Girls promising another day of competitive and highenergy football action at the Oriental CupRecognised by the Delhi Soccer Association for its growing contribution to grassroots football the Oriental Cup is steadily evolving into a meaningful platform where school teams experience structured competitive play in a professional settingDay 2 results Boys category Sapphire International School Noida 2 0 Tagore International SchoolDelhi Public School Vasant Kunj 2 0 Vinay Nagar Bengali Sr Sec SchoolDAV Public School Sahibabad 3 1 Father Agnel School NoidaDelhi Public School RK Puram 4 1 Bluebells SchoolNavy School win via walkover against Gyan Bharati SchoolGirls category Tagore International School 0 3 2 0 Sapphire International School NoidaDelhi Public School Vasant Kunj 4 0 Vinay Nagar Bengali Sr Sec SchoolGovt Girls Senior Secondary School 2 0 Delhi Public School RK Puram IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/oriental-cup-2025-dominant-wins-for-dps-vasant-kunj-dav-sahibabad-on-day-2-627434.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/ex-bayern-defender-rafinha-calls-time-on-career-627336.html Rio de Janeiro July 22 Former Brazil international defender Rafinha has announced his retirement from professional football ending a career that spanned more than 20 years The 39yearold had been undecided about his future since leaving Brazilian Serie B side Coritiba in MarchToday I officially announce the end of my career as a professional soccer player Rafinha told Sportv Its been a wonderful journey and I didnt expect to get to where I am todayIts with a heavy heart that Im ending something that Ive done my whole life But everything has a beginning and an end and I have no regrets I achieved everything that I wanted to in football he saidRafinha began his career at Coritiba in 2002 before moving to Germanys Schalke in 2005 till 2010 The rightback later played for Genoa 2010 2011 Bayern Munich and Flamengo among others before returning to Coritiba in December last year He was capped four times for BrazilThe Brazilian rightback made a total of 266 competitive appearances for Bayern He lifted seven Bundesliga titles four DFB Cups and was an integral part of the 2013 treblewinning teamRafinhas club Sao Paulo paid tribute to their departing captain recognising the significance of his contributions both in terms of silverware and his leadership Our captain in the conquests of the 2023 Copa do Brasil and the 2024 Supercopa Rei Marcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza announced his retirement from the pitch on this 21st of July 2025A Sao Paulo fan at heart Rafinha fulfilled his dream of defending the Tricolor from 2022 to 2024 honouring our jersey in 117 matches Congratulations on your beautiful journey in football and much success in your next challenges IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/ex-bayern-defender-rafinha-calls-time-on-career-627336.html Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/watford-sign-nestory-irankunda-on-five-year-deal-627098.html Watford July 19 Watford have completed the signing of Australian forward Nestory Irankunda from Bayern Munich on a fiveyear deal for an undisclosed fee Irankunda burst onto the scene at Adelaide United during the 202122 season making his debut and scoring his first goal directly from a freekick when he was still just 15He would go on to make 61 appearances for the club over three seasons scoring 16 goals and jointly winning the ALeagues Young Player of the Year award at the end of 202324Other personal accolades included Adelaides Rising Star award and a place in the ALeagues allstar squad for a game against BarcelonaThe youngster also showed off his lightning pace in a clash with Central Coast Mariners in October 2023 generating headlines by clocking a speed of 3702 kmhNamed as one of goalcoms top 50 wonderkids in March last year Irankunda began the 202425 season with Bayern where he had the opportunity to train with Vincent Kompanys first team and tour South KoreaHe was an unused substitute twice including for a UEFA Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk last DecemberIrankunda made 15 appearances for the German sides second string and scored four goals before being handed the chance of topflight football with a loan to Grasshopper Club ZurichThis proved to be a useful exercise with the teenager playing 19 times for the Swiss Super League side scoring onceInternationally Irankunda has been capped five times by Australia with his first goal arriving in a World Cup qualifier against Palestine in June 2024Watford will kick off their new Championship season on August 9 with an away fixture against newly promoted Charlton Athletic IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/watford-sign-nestory-irankunda-on-five-year-deal-627098.html Sat, 19 Jul 2025 09:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/luton-town-sign-tottenham-goalkeeper-josh-keeley-627143.html New Delhi July 19 League One side Luton Town have announced the acquisition of highly rated Tottenham Hotspur keeper Josh Keeley The 22yearold has put pen to paper on a permanent contract after an excellent season on loan at Leyton Orient in League One last term The Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper joined Spurs Academy from St Patricks Athletic in July 2022 and immediately joined the first teams preseason tour of South Korea He did the same in the summer of 2023 as Spurs travelled to Australia Thailand and SingaporeHe was a regular for the Under21s in his first two seasons before joining National League side Barnet on loan in January 2024In his first interview with Luton Town Josh revealed that a former Town goalkeeper helped persuade him to join the HattersDean Brill was my goalkeeper coach at Spurs and he told me how big and how great the club was To be honest those words helped turn my head completely so Im absolutely delighted and grateful that Im hereI moved to Spurs when I was 19 but there comes a time in your career that its time to move on and that time is now so its time to kick on and I cant wait to get started said Keeley to LTFCLast season proved quite the campaign for Josh He joined Leyton Orient on loan in August 2024 and went on to play 36 times for the Os keeping 16 clean sheets including a run of 660 minutes without conceding a goal in DecemberHe made national headlines by scoring a late equaliser in the FA Cup second round against Oldham and produced more heroics in a penalty shootout win against Derby in the third round to set up a fourth round tie against Manchester CityOrient went on to make the League One playoff final where Josh started in a 10 loss against Charlton at Wembley His performances were recognised with three accolades at Orients end of season awards including Goal of the Season an exceptional feather in his capCapped at Under17 Under19 and Under21 levels Josh earned his first senior callup for the Republic of Ireland for this summers friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/luton-town-sign-tottenham-goalkeeper-josh-keeley-627143.html Sat, 19 Jul 2025 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/punjab-fc-extend-winger-leon-augustines-contract-until-2027-627010.html Mohali July 18 Punjab FC has announced the extension of the contract of Leon Augustine ahead of the upcoming season The winger will remain in the club until 2027 The 26year old signed for club in the 202324 season and will continue his journey with the club after some impressive performances last season where he played in multiple positions across the field for the clubAfter making only four total appearances in his first season at the club Leon made 20 appearances in the ISL last season playing 1020 minutes and scored once against Odisha FCSpeaking on the contract extensions of the players head coach Panagiotis Dilimperis said Leon is a hardworking and versatile player who brings great value to our squad both in attack and in defence His growth last season was remarkable and this extension reflects our belief in his potentialWe are committed to building a strong young core and Leon represents the kind of player with whom we want to build a successful team I look forward to seeing him contribute even more in the coming seasonsIn the 20 appearances made in the 202425 season Leon made 279 successful passes with a 70 per cent passing accuracy He made a total of 693 touches with 15 touches in the opposition box creating nine chances and with two shots on targetHe started upfront in the field at the beginning of the season but injuries forced him to play in the wing back position He won 72 duels and made 67 recoveries in the seasonExtending Leons contract is a clear step in our vision to build a strong foundation of young committed players who can grow with the club Leon has shown great character adaptability and promise and we believe he will continue to play a key role in our development going forward We are happy to have him as part of our longterm plans and I wish him the best for the upcoming season Technical Director of Punjab FC Nikolaos Topoliatis said IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/punjab-fc-extend-winger-leon-augustines-contract-until-2027-627010.html Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/football/east-bengal-announce-triple-signing-of-miguel-figueira-md-rashid-and-kevin-sibille-627011.html Kolkata July 18 East Bengal FC have announced the signings of Brazilian midfielder Miguel Figueira Palestinian international midfielder Mohammed Rashid and Argentine defender Kevin Sibille as part of the clubs reinforcements for the 202526 season Miguel Figueira a versatile midfielder known for his creativity and defensive composure reunites with Coach Oscar Bruzon under whose guidance he enjoyed a successful stint at Bangladeshs Bashundhara Kings winning three consecutive Bangladesh Premier League titles 202122 202223 and 202324 and two consecutive Independence Cups 202223 and 2023 24 The tall midfielder represented Brazilian Serie B club Goiás EC before joining Bashundhara During his Bashundhara stint Miguel registered 37 goals and 26 assists in 64 matchesMiguel expressed his excitement about joining East Bengal FC stating I am very happy to join this iconic club and reunite with Coach Bruzon and S amp C Coach Javier Sanchez They are great people who have helped me a lot in my career I hope to have a great season and win titles for this great club and its fansMohammed Rashid a standout performer for the Palestinian national team brings defensive solidity and tactical discipline to the squad Having helped Palestine reach the Round of 16 in last years AFC Asian Cup Rashids addition strengthens the teams midfield with his robust playing style and ability to anchor the midfield The 30yearold travels to India after a notable stint with Indonesian Super League side Persebaya Surabaya where he played 33 matches and scored 6 goals showcasing his ability to contribute both defensively and offensivelyHis previous clubs include Bali United Indonesia Jabal AlMukaber Palestine Smouha SC Egypt Persib Bandung Indonesia AlJeel Saudi Arabia Shabab AlBireh Palestine and Hilal AlQuds PalestineRashid said I am honored to join the Red amp Gold family I want to make a significant contribution to the clubs mission to win titles I cannot wait to play in Kolkata and achieve great things for the East Bengal fans Joy East BengalKevin Sibille a product of the prestigious River Plate Academy joins the Red amp Gold Brigade from Spanish club SD Ponferradina Sibille exhibited his defensive prowess across spells with Atletico Baleares CD Castellon and Valencia B In the 202425 season the 26yearold logged 2602 minutes across 32 matches for PonferradinaSibille said I am privileged to be part of a historic club like East Bengal I am excited to play in Kolkata interact with all the passionate fans and create wonderful memories with them memories which we can all be proud ofSpeaking about these overseas inclusions East Bengal FC Head Coach Oscar Bruzon said Miguel is a game changer in the attacking third He is at the peak of his career and is expected to display exceptional quality and score crucial goals for the team Kevin is a young and modern centreback who not only excels in the main defensive duties of winning duels blocking shots and covering the backline with his pace but also contributes to the teams offensive play through his passing and ball controlRashid is a disciplined and strongminded defensive midfielder known for his ballwinning ability interceptions tactical awareness leadership high workrate and mobility While primarily an anchor Rashid has evolved his playing style to contribute offensively with good distribution and longrange shooting IANS https://dailyworld.in/football/east-bengal-announce-triple-signing-of-miguel-figueira-md-rashid-and-kevin-sibille-627011.html Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:05:00 +0530