Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Infantino expects release of info from cyberattack on FIFA

Football – Inquirer Sports
Infantino expects release of info from cyberattack on FIFA
Infantino expects release of info from cyberattack on FIFA

LONDON — FIFA President Gianni Infantino is braced for a release of private information gained by hackers after world soccer’s governing body said its computer network was subject to another cyberattack. The disclosure comes in the same month the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI said Russia’s military intelligence body was responsible for a […]

The post Infantino expects release of info from cyberattack on FIFA appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

RB Leipzig ready to reignite interest in Ademola Lookman after lack of first-team football at Everton

Football news - transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures | The Sun
RB Leipzig ready to reignite interest in Ademola Lookman after lack of first-team football at Everton

RB LEIPZIG admit they are still keeping tabs on Everton attacker Ademola Lookman.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a loan stint at the Red Bull Arena last season hitting five goals in 11 Bundesliga games.

RB Leipzig are still keeping tabs on Ademola LookmanGetty - Contributor

After impressing in Germany, Leipzig were keen to land the winger on a permanent deal.

But the Toffees rejected their advances as boss Marco Silva wanted the ex-Charlton kid in his squad this term.

However, his opportunities have been restricted to just two starts all season.

And despite being rebuffed in the summer, Leipzig’s director of football Paul Mitchell revealed the German’s could be in the mix for Lookman’s signature if Everton are prepared to do business.

RB Leipzig director of football Paul Mitchell is see’s Ademola Lookman as a ‘Red Bull guy’RB Leipzig Ademola Lookman hir five goals in 11 Bundesliga games for RB Leipzig last season on loanGetty - Contributor Ademola Lookman was an Everton sub in the defeat at Old TraffordReuters

He said: “It’s clear how much affection we have for Ademola and I think from the way he performed here, the environment we created for him and the platform we gave him, he also enjoyed his time here.

“And with a situation like that, we would always be open to revisiting, but you never know.

“At this moment he is an Everton player and he’s working with some really good people there.

“We know him and we will always keep a very close eye on his development because we see him as a Red Bull guy from his time here.

“But at the moment we just have to hope that he continues his progression as a footballer and let’s see what the future brings.”

 

Monday, October 29, 2018

Kaya lifts first Copa Alcantara plum

Football – Inquirer Sports
Kaya lifts first Copa Alcantara plum

The ending couldn’t have been written any better for Kaya Iloilo.

The post Kaya lifts first Copa Alcantara plum appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Helicopter of Leicester City owners crashes outside stadium

Sportsnet.ca
Helicopter of Leicester City owners crashes outside stadium
Helicopter of Leicester City owners crashes outside stadium

LEICESTER, England — A helicopter was engulfed in flames in a carpark outside English soccer club Leicester shortly after a Premier League game on Saturday.

The helicopter belonging to Leicester’s ownership took off from the center of the field at King Power Stadium more than an hour after the game against West Ham was drawn 1-1, and crashed seconds later.

But there were no immediate details about who was on board.

The team said it was assisting authorities with “a major incident” outside the stadium but no further information was provided.

The local ambulance service said in a statement: “We received a call at 8:38 p.m. this evening to reports of a helicopter crash near King Power Stadium. We sent a doctor, two paramedics in ambulance cars, a crewed ambulance and our Hazardous Area Response Team, with the first resource arriving within two minutes of the call.”

Leicester was bought in 2010 by billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who also owns Thai duty-free retail giant King Power. The team won the English Premier League at odds of 5,000-1 in 2016.

The Premier League tweeted: “Thoughts from all at the Premier League are with everyone affected by tonight’s incident.”

Leicester players Harry Maguire and Wilfred Ndidi tweeted the emoji of praying hands.

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Mourinho not right for Manchester United, says club great Cantona

Latest News RSS feed
Mourinho not right for Manchester United, says club great Cantona
Mourinho not right for Manchester United, says club great Cantona
Eric Cantona does not think Jose Mourinho is the right man for Manchester United and finds watching his former club an ordeal at present. United sit 10th in the Premier League and entertain Everton on Sunday, when they will again look to kickstart an underwhelming start to the season. Persistent speculation over Mourinho's future and his relationship with star players, such as Paul Pogba, has provided the backdrop to a campaign that has brought four wins from nine attempts in England's top flight and an EFL Cup exit at the hands of Derby County. Juventus won 1-0 in the Champions League at Old Trafford in midweek – a scoreline that did not give a true reflection of the Serie A giants' superiority – and United fans' favourite Cantona is unimpressed. "It's not the right man for the right woman," he said when discussing Mourinho's relationship with the club at a supporters' event filmed by the Republik of Mancunia website "It's the way you play. You can lose games but you take risks. You lose against Juventus and they have 70 per cent possession of the ball at Old Trafford. "Could you imagine that with [Alex] Ferguson on the bench?" Cantona conceded Manchester City's dominant form as reigning Premier League champions on the other side of town makes United's current predicament tougher to stomach. 4 - Manchester United suffered their fourth home defeat in their last 13 games at Old Trafford in all competitions – as many as they had in their previous 81 home matches. Struggle. pic.twitter.com/AW1s0h8KKt — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 23, 2018 "I suffer. And I suffer even more when I see City play so wonderfully," he said. "But I think kids need to have an example. "They need great players, great movements, creative football to identify themselves to a player or a team. "And I think they [United] are now losing a generation of young players. These young players identify themselves to the way City play. Can we accept that? No." The enigmatic Frenchman spoke of his respect for Mourinho but believes a former United player would be the ideal candidate to take the club forward, citing the example of Zinedine Zidane's successful tenure at Real Madrid. "We see Zidane, who was an ex-player of Real Madrid, never managed any team before and he became the manager of Real Madrid. They gave him a chance," Cantona said.  "[Pep] Guardiola was the same for Barcelona. Antonio Conte at Juventus, [Carlo] Ancelotti at Milan. They were all ex-players at these clubs and they were given the chance and they won so many things for them. "At United, they never give a chance to a player who knows the club from the inside, who knows the identity and philosophy of the club." Nevertheless, Cantona had an important caveat to his proposal. "I don't want people to think I'm saying this because I want to be manager of Manchester United," he added. "It’s just the truth. [Ryan] Giggs? Any player who wants to be the manager they should give them the chance."

Friday, October 26, 2018

Jordan Larmour recognised for big year with World Breakthrough Player of the Year nomination

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Jordan Larmour recognised for big year with World Breakthrough Player of the Year nomination
Jordan Larmour recognised for big year with World Breakthrough Player of the Year nomination
The 21-year-old Dubliner made his international debut in February's Six Nations win over Italy and has made six appearances overall for Joe Schmidt's side.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Jurgen Klopp Happy To Forget Mohamed Salah Slump As Liverpool Ease Past Red Star Belgrade

Latest Football News, Football Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Jurgen Klopp Happy To Forget Mohamed Salah Slump As Liverpool Ease Past Red Star Belgrade
Mohamed Salah has scored 50 goals for Liverpool quicker than any other player in the club's history after just 65 appearances for the Reds.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Champions League review: Juventus setting the pace early on

Sportsnet.ca
Champions League review: Juventus setting the pace early on
Champions League review: Juventus setting the pace early on

Here’s what happened on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, in case you missed it…

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Roundup: Ronaldo’s return to Manchester, Bayern back on track & more
Jose takes a stroll: Mourinho walks to Old Trafford for Juve match

SCOREBOARD

AEK Athens 0, Bayern Munich 2 || Ajax 1, Benfica 0 || Hoffenhein 3, Lyon 3 || Shakhtar Donetsk 0, Manchester City 3 || Real Madrid 2, Viktoria Plzen 1 || AS Roma 3, CSKA Moscow 0 || Young Boys 1, Valencia 1 || Manchester United 0, Juventus 1

WHAT STOOD OUT/THE MAIN STORY

Juve sets the pace early on
A lot of the pre-game narrative surrounding Tuesday’s fixtures centred on Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford as Juventus paid a visit to Manchester United. Ronaldo didn’t disappoint. The Portuguese star put in a solid shift in setting up Paulo Dybala’s winner, and if not for a fabulous save from David de Gea, he would have scored on the pitch he once called home and before the same fans who showered him with love.

But Tuesday night wasn’t about Ronaldo, nor was the game as close as the 1-0 score line in favour of the Italians suggested. This was a complete team performance from Juventus, who dominated the game from start to finish. They out-worked, out-fought and out-thought the Red Devils for 90 minutes. The hosts were forced to chase shadows for long stretches, such was Juve’s domination of possession. Jose Mourinho could only watch on helplessly from the touchline. The Manchester United manager didn’t even make a substitution – the Portuguese knew there was nothing he could do to swing the contest in his favour against Juve.

In total, the hosts managed one shot on target and just a pair of corner kicks. The Italians outmuscled the English club in midfield, constantly winning second balls and putting United on their heels. When Mourinho’s men did venture forward or have a spell of possession, they were quickly snuffed out by Juve’s twin towers of defence, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.

After three games, Juventus is in firm control of Group H, with three wins from three games played (two of those matches were on the road), and they’ve outscored the opposition by a combined 6-0. We’re only halfway through the group stage, so it’d be silly to pick a favourite to win the competition, especially one that is as wide open as this year’s version.

But Juventus has been the class of this competition thus far, setting the pace with their flawless play and stellar in-game management.

BEST GOAL

Bayern doubled its advantage in the 63rd minute with a fabulous sequence of one-touch passing. Serge Gnabry played a clever no-look feed for Rafinha, who made a run down the left side of the box. His low cross found its way through AEK Athens’ defence, allowing Robert Lewandowski to score with a simple tap-in.

BEST MOMENT

Managers Jose Mourinho and Massimiliano Allegri shared a laugh together on the touchline after stadium stewards struggled to tackle a pitch invader at Old Trafford in the fourth minute.

BEST GAME

It didn’t have the marquee value or star power of Juventus vs. Manchester United at Old Trafford, but Hoffenheim and Lyon put on a show in Germany, combining for six goals in a game with plenty of drama, twists and turns.

HE SAID IT

“[Leonardo] Bonucci and [Giorgio] Chiellini could go to Harvard to give listens on central defending. Fantastic, absolutely fantastic.” – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

SIX PACK OF STATS

• Gareth Bale made his 200th appearance in all competitions for Real Madrid on Tuesday.

• Bayern Munich has kept clean sheets in consecutive Champions League away games for the first time since 2013 when it blanked Juventus and FC Barcelona.

• Manchester City is the first English side to win away at Shakhtar Donetsk in European competition in eight games.

• Juventus’ Paulo Dybala has scored five goals in his last four Champions League games, as many as in his previous 24 appearances in the competition.

• Lyon has scored three goals or more in a Champions League away game for the first time since December 2011 when it hammered Dinamo Zagreb 7-1.

• Ajax on Tuesday scored a winning goal after 90 minutes in a Champions League match for the first time since November 2005.

Stats courtesy of Opta

THREE STARS

1) Edin Dzeko, AS Roma: Scored twice in the opening half, and assisted on the Italians’ third goal against visitors CSKA Moscow.

2) Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chielinni, Juventus: The Italian duo put on another masterclass in defending as Jose Mourinho longingly looked on.

3) Andrej Kramaric, Hoffenheim: Bagged a brace for the Germans in a wild game against Lyon.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

If you think Mesut Ozil isn’t world-class because of his casual demeanour then perhaps football isn’t for you

Dream Team FC
If you think Mesut Ozil isn’t world-class because of his casual demeanour then perhaps football isn’t for you

Is there a more polarising figure in world football than Mesut Ozil?

Aside from the ever-maddening tedium of Messi v Ronaldo, the debate about the German playmaker’s true quality pollutes more internet comments sections than any other topic.

SIGN UP – WIN £5k BY PLAYING DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER THIS WEEKEND

Reuters Ozil salutes the crowd against Leicester last night[/caption]

Some see him as the cultured assist king of the world.

While others think of him as part ghost, part flat-track bully.

I have long been a huge admirer of Ozil, which is why I was delighted he was able to silence a few critics – again – with a mesmerising Man of the Match display against Leicester.

And no, I don’t support Arsenal.

Ozil went off to a standing ovation against SpursReuters

Ozil is a player who has prided himself on his selflessness long before Kevin De Bruyne publicly stated he prefers assists to goals.

The World Cup-winning midfielder is the only player in history to have been the season’s top assist provider in the Bundesliga, La Liga and the Premier League.

Few have ever questioned his clever use of possession.

Style and substanceGetty - Contributor

But here’s the thing, the idea that Ozil lacks desire has always been something of a myth.

Two seasons ago he covered the second most ground out of all the Arsenal players and yet was dubbed ‘lazy’ time and time again.

Many can’t see past his relaxed demeanour.

His composure is what makes him such a good playmaker but it’s also what attracts criticism, as people mistake it for disinterest.

People seem to have an issue with the way he runs, rather than the actual distance he covers.

Just because he doesn’t radiate emotion on the pitch, doesn’t mean his desire to win burns any less brightly than other top-level professionals.

Don’t be fooled by his casual demeanourChannel 4

I will admit that his influence on big games has been minimal in recent times.

But his reputation as a flat-track bully is something that has only come into existence since he became an Arsenal player.

In fact, prior to his days in North London, he was thought of as a player who often saved his best for derbies or games against direct rivals.

Cristiano Ronaldo loved having Ozil as a team-mateReuters

Ozil has been named Germany’s Player of the Year fives times in the last seven years.

And the likes of Thomas Muller, Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Jerome Boateng, Manuel Neuer and more have provided stiff competition in that time.

Joachim Low, the German public, and many of his team-mates have long been appreciative of Ozil’s form in major tournaments.

So then, if Ozil performed in big games for his previous clubs, and continues to do so for Germany, isn’t it possible that the blame for his ineffectiveness in crucial games lies elsewhere?

Doesn’t this suggest the problem is with Arsenal, not Ozil?

Ozil was viewed as Germany’s best player for yearsGetty - Contributor

Ozil has always struck me as someone who trusts in his philosophy entirely.

He is unwavering in his devotion to a pass-heavy, methodical style — an approach Arsenal haven’t always been able to implement against top teams in recent years.

Perhaps, if those around him had the same confidence (and ability) to break down even the most challenging of opponents down through patient possession, Ozil would shine in big games once again?

He can not exist in a vacuum.

He believes in the beautiful gameGetty - Contributor

I shouldn’t let him off the hook completely.

A mark of a world-class player is being able to adapt to a match situation and so perhaps critics should be judging Ozil’s stubbornness or unwillingness to adapt, rather than his lack of desire?

Overall though, he’s a class act.

Ya Gunners YaAction Images - Reuters

If you aren’t an Ozil appreciator then you’re missing out.

To be blind to his true class is a tragedy for any football fan.

READ MORE:

Arsenal have one of the most dangerous wide men in the league and he’s called Hector Bellerin Are Arsenal actually going to sign Alberto Moreno and is that as funny as it seems? Football is a game of opinions but if you don’t rate Sergio Busquets you’re just plain wrong WATCH: The second part of our exclusive documentary

Monday, October 22, 2018

Julen Lopetegui On The Brink As Real Madrid Seek Morale-Boosting Win Over Viktoria Plzen

Latest Football News, Football Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Julen Lopetegui On The Brink As Real Madrid Seek Morale-Boosting Win Over Viktoria Plzen
Julen Lopetegui is under tremendous pressure after Real Madrid suffered their fourth defeat in five games and third in a row.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Lionel Messi breaks right arm, out for about three weeks

Sportsnet.ca
Lionel Messi breaks right arm, out for about three weeks
Lionel Messi breaks right arm, out for about three weeks

BARCELONA, Spain — Lionel Messi broke his right forearm on Saturday and will be sidelined for about three weeks, a major setback for him and Barcelona right before some important games.

Messi will miss playing Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, and the Clasico against Real Madrid next weekend. He’ll miss three others, including the return game against Inter.

[INJURY NEWS] Tests carried out on the first team player Leo Messi have confirmed that he has a fracture of the radial bone in his right arm. He will be out for approximately three weeks. #FuerzaLeo pic.twitter.com/kpNcspnfqo

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 20, 2018

"It’s a significant loss. We will notice his absence," Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said.

"We’ve played without him in the past. We will be prepared to overcome this."

Messi was hurt in the first half of Barcelona’s 4-2 win against Sevilla at Camp Nou Stadium. He was trying to reclaim the ball when he ran into the back of Sevilla midfielder Franco Vazquez and fell in the 17th minute. Trying to cushion his landing, Messi’s right elbow bent badly.

He was in visible pain and was treated by team doctors. They wrapped his elbow with bandages and the playmaker tried to continue, but he eventually left the field.

Messi was taken to a clinic and the club said tests showed a "fracture of the radial bone."

The playmaker scored the team’s second goal with a shot from outside the area in the 12th.

He’s the team’s leading scorer with seven goals in the league after nine matches.

He was replaced by Ousmane Dembele on Saturday.

"We’ll see how we will play without him," Valverde said. "We will try to maintain our style."

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Diego Maradona Needs Knee Surgery, Says Doctor

Latest Football News, Football Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Diego Maradona Needs Knee Surgery, Says Doctor
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona suffers from severe osteoarthritis.

Friday, October 19, 2018

Wilshere not ready for West Ham return

Latest News RSS feed
Wilshere not ready for West Ham return
Wilshere not ready for West Ham return
Jack Wilshere is not ready to return for West Ham this weekend after suffering a setback in his recovery from ankle surgery. Wilshere started the opening four games of West Ham's Premier League campaign after making the move across London from Arsenal. However, he has not featured since the 1-0 defeat to Wolves on September 1 and needed an operation to fix the "minor issue". The 26-year-old had been expected to return following the international break, but Manuel Pellegrini confirmed the midfielder remains sidelined. "Jack felt some pain [in] the last two days here so he needs more time to recover," the Chilean told a media conference ahead of Saturday's meeting with Tottenham. Ready to pounce pic.twitter.com/UOSxBEgmXD — West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) October 18, 2018 There was better news regarding Andy Carroll, though, with the striker back in training following an ankle problem he picked up in pre-season. "Andy is recovering," Pellegrini added.  "He started this week working [as] part of the warm-up with the whole squad so we will see in the next week how he improves and I hope that [in a] maximum 15 days he will at least be working with the squad completely."

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Test your football knowledge with an extra special DREAM TEAM takeover of Q-LIVE

Dream Team FC
Test your football knowledge with an extra special DREAM TEAM takeover of Q-LIVE

Have you heard about the daily quiz app that stops the nation?

Q LIVE is the game that everyone’s talking about – and this Friday we’ve teamed up for an extra-special Dream Team takeover.

Simply download the app – which is available on iOS and Android devices – sign up, and then tune in at 9pm on Friday.

Our live show will be hosted by Emma Jones and Dream Team’s resident Irishman Sean Burke.

And since all we care about is football, all 12 questions will be on the beautiful game. No film, no music, none of that other stuff, just 100% football.

And the best bit is, if you answer all 12 questions correctly then you could win £1,000.

I'm hosting a Dream Team Takeover of @QLIVE this Friday at 9pm 😬

Live. I could say anything! But tbh it'll all most likely be trivia related.

£1,000 prize. Download here: https://t.co/KbQKdldyoJ and
use the code ‘dream’ when you register and get an extra life.

Good luck! 🙂 pic.twitter.com/q6MlCj5bQs

— Seán Burke (@SeanBurkeShow) October 17, 2018

The £1,000 prize will be split between everyone who answers every question correctly. Pick from a choice of three answers on each question, starting with easy questions that get more difficult as the game goes on.

Each question is limited to a ten-second timer, so there’s no time to Google the answers – it’s a real test of your footballing knowledge.

Fans and regular readers of Dream Team will hold an advantage, as the questions have a particular Dream Team-flavour to them.

It’s never too late to buck up on your knowledge of quirky football facts and Wigan memes!

The game is open to anyone over the age of 18.

And remember, Q LIVE offers players a free life if they sign up using somebody’s username as a referral code. That means if you get a question wrong, simply use your free life to stay in the game.

An extra life can be used on any question up to Q9 and will mean you have an even better chance of winning.

Remember, you can download Q LIVE on iOS or Android, and make sure to following Q LIVE on Twitter and Instagram too.

Download Q LIVE on iOS Download Q LIVE on Android SIGN UP – WIN £10k BY PLAYING DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER THIS WEEKEND WATCH: Love of the Game – Part 2

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Canada has the talent, now Herdman has to find a balance

Sportsnet.ca
Canada has the talent, now Herdman has to find a balance
Canada has the talent, now Herdman has to find a balance

TORONTO — It was as smooth as silk watching Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, both born in the same year (2000) of the Canadian men’s national team’s last major title, connect for the opening goal.

WATCH: A slick pass from Alphonso Davies sets up Jonathan David for the first goal of the night!

1-0 #CANMNT #CNL pic.twitter.com/jTJBsM2MXm

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) October 16, 2018

It was that sort of precision and cutting-edge movement that allowed Canada to coast to a 5-0 victory over Dominica on a chilly Tuesday night. And while Davies technically lined up as a left-back at kickoff, he was essentially a second winger. David, meanwhile, partnered with Lucas Cavallini and caused fits for the Dominican defence all evening. Both teenagers were involved in four of the five goals for Les Rouges.

No, there aren’t many significant takeaways from a match in which Canada was expected to cruise to victory. However, as these Concacaf Nations League qualifiers go by, Canadian coach John Herdman’s selection headache grows stronger.

Canada’s formation varied throughout the 90 minutes. It went from a straight 4-3-3 to a 2-3-5 and even a 2-1-7 with Dominica parking 10 players behind the ball. Eventually, Ballou Tabla and Cyle Larin were thrown into the match, which further exemplified the team’s depth in quality.

However, Herdman won’t have the luxury of starting several attackers in the Gold Cup, Nations League and World Cup qualifiers. He’ll also need to settle on a back four, which he claims is still in an assessment period. But the English tactician knows how he’ll be able to determine his starters up front.

“I think you have to be really, really clear about the identity of the team and looking at players who will be committed to that,” Herdman explained. “Playing this type of game tonight, the options were different. We knew the type of style Dominica was going to come out with, which meant certain players – those attacking players – could go into other areas of the field. There is no way you’re going to do that against Mexico, and therefore, the competition is going to be immense.

“I’m challenging them in one-on-one meetings to keep pushing to the next level because selections are going to get tougher. Those players that can live above the line and own those moments of our identity, they’re the players who will play consistently.”

Many coaches would love to experience Herdman’s so-called dilemma. He definitely seems buoyed by the prospect of having different options with the Concacaf Gold Cup looming as well. But for now, Canada has attacking verve and bravery on the ball, two characteristics that have seldom been associated with the men’s program.

Even the veterans have noticed the changing of the team’s identity.

“The movement on the pitch, in the attacking third, the way we get into dangerous positions so quickly, our movement off the ball, our movement off the ball, everybody is locked in,” said captain Atiba Hutchinson. “That’s what we’ve been really stressing. We’re very direct in our play, and at the same time, we want to keep it patient when it’s not on so that the confidence is there … There’s just a real presence in the team. We feel good, we feel confident and there is a good mix in the group.”

“I think a lot of the guys trust each other on the team and they want to show each other that fearlessness that a lot of the young guys have,” said Larin. “Now we get a lot of guys forward and we’re not afraid to play against other teams and to just play with confidence.”

The poster boy behind this new wave of Canadian talent has been Davies, who assisted two of Canada’s five goals on the night. Larin latched onto one of the teenager’s low crosses into the box and finished with aplomb to round off the victory.

WATCH: Alphonso Davies swings a ball in from the left side of the box and Cyle Larin puts it in the back of the net

5-0 #CANMNT #CNL pic.twitter.com/Qw6lMOZLmC

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) October 17, 2018

“[Davies] is a special player and to have him on our team and to play with him, it’s great,” Larin boasted. “When you get a lot of chances in the game, it’s a good for me and I like it. In the next coming games, we’ll do well and obviously we want to make the Gold Cup and I think we’ll do well there, too.”

“In my opinion, I think he’s probably going 50 per cent out there,” defender Derek Cornelius suggested when speaking about Davies. “He’s fast, he can take a guy one-on-one, he can make a pass. Even defensively, we’re seeing him playing full-back in these games, and he’s aware of the situations. A great player … Great player.”

There is an incentive for Canada to play proactively and push forward. The top six sides in the Nations League qualifiers book a spot in next summer’s Gold Cup and are drawn into League A for the main tournament, which features the likes of Mexico, Costa Rica and the United States.

Because there are only four games, goal difference becomes crucial in tie-breaking scenarios. Canada is currently second place on a plus-13 goal differential, with Curacao topping the group on plus-15. Therefore, the Canadians can’t afford to pump the breaks in the final third.

It’s easy to recall a time when most attacking players, such as Larin, were automatic starters. Now he has David, Lucas Cavallini and Tosaint Ricketts battling for the No. 9 role. Davies, Tabla, Liam Millar, Junior Hoilett and many others are fighting for places out wide.

“You can see Alphonso’s injection in the Gold Cup was a game-changer for Canada,” Herdman proclaimed. “The big x-factor for me, watching from afar, was what Alphonso brought to the team … All across the team, I wanted to add that youth. I wanted to add that spirit, that fearlessness. When you’ve got leaders like Atiba and Scott around the team, you’ve got good people. They are seasoned pros that aren’t going to try and pull the rug out from underneath these kids, and sort of beat them up and bully them mentally. They’re not those type of guys. You could see that young kids could flourish in that environment.”

Herdman definitely has the talent. Now the next step is to manage that depth heading into 2019 and beyond.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Usain Bolt Offered Contract With Malta Football Club, Say Reports

Latest Football News, Football Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Usain Bolt Offered Contract With Malta Football Club, Say Reports
Usain Bolt, 32, has been on trial with A-League club the Central Coast Mariners since arriving in Australia in August.

Monday, October 15, 2018

Geoffrey Kondogbia represents nation ranked lower than Mauritania, Madagascar and Haiti

Dream Team FC
Geoffrey Kondogbia represents nation ranked lower than Mauritania, Madagascar and Haiti

A lot has changed since Geoffrey Kondogbia last played for France.

On that occasion, a 2-1 win against Serbia on 7 September 2015, Kondogbia had just signed for Inter Milan for a reported €40million.

Fast forward three years (and one month, if we’re being pedantic) and Kondogbia was back on the international scene.

The likely lads

Except Kondogbia wasn’t turning out for the nation ranked no.1 by FIFA. Nope, he was captaining the Central African Republic, who enter the FIFA rankings at a lowly no.111.

The Valencia midfielder has thrown his hat in with the Central African Republic after making five non-competitive appearances for France between 2013 and 2015.

Kondogbia played the full 90 minutes of a 4-0 loss at the hands of Ivory Coast, in which Eric Bailly scored his first international goal.

Wilfried Zaha, who made two non-competitive appearances for England, had a hand in the fourth goal.

The floor is swapping nations

As the fixture was an African Cup of Nations qualifier, Kondogbia will no longer be able to switch international allegiance.

Evans Kongobia, Geoffrey’s older brother, also turned out for the Central African Republic, making five appearances.

Kondogbia’s new team-mates are of slightly different calibre to his former French colleagues.

Nutmeg incoming

Three- Geoffrey Lembet, Eloge Yamissi and Quentin Ngakoutou- are currently unattached.

Two- Elvis Samolah and Tresor Toropite- still play their football in the Central African Republic domestic league.

Ralph Kottoy turns out for Carrick Rangers in the second-tier of Northern Irish football, while experienced midfielder Franklin Anzite plays for PKNP in Malaysia.

Not quite Kylian Mbappe and co, but the honour of representing his parents’ country of birth clearly makes up for any lack in class.

1ère selection avec le Centreafrique 🇨🇫 et une immense fierté ! Merci à tous pour votre accueil chaleureux ! pic.twitter.com/JaSfruiMek

— Geoffrey Kondogbia (@Geo_Kondogbia) October 13, 2018

READ MORE FROM THE WORLD OF DREAM TEAM:

You think the UEFA Nations League is a waste of time? Tell that to teams like Gibraltar Why Athletic Bilbao are the hardest club in the world to buy players from Let us tell you about the time Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on the Golden Boot after scoring 46 league goals

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Diego Maradona Says Lionel Messi Is Not A Leader For Argentina

Latest Football News, Football Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Diego Maradona Says Lionel Messi Is Not A Leader For Argentina
Diego Maradona said that if he was Argentina coach he would "not call on Lionel Messi" before adding "never say never."

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Thierry Henry gets Monaco job

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Thierry Henry gets Monaco job
Thierry Henry gets Monaco job
Thierry Henry has been appointed head coach of Monaco, the Ligue 1 club have announced.

Friday, October 12, 2018

How the worst player in the Premier League last season became Bayern’s Player of the Month

Dream Team FC
How the worst player in the Premier League last season became Bayern’s Player of the Month

The last couple of years have been a roller-coaster ride for Renato Sanches, haven’t they?

Since breaking into Benfica’s first-team in 2015, the 21-year-old has experienced the terrifying lows, dizzying highs and creamy middles that the footballing world has to offer.

From winning Euro 2016 with Portugal and moving to Bayern Munich at the age of 18, to being left out to dry by Swansea last season – he’s certainly gone through it.

But thankfully, the young midfielder is seemingly back to his best after teetering on the edge of obscurity. 

Getty - Contributor Sanches 2.0[/caption]

SIGN UP – WIN £10k BY PLAYING DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER NEXT WEEKEND

You see, he’s just been named Bayern’s Player of the Month for September. 

The German giants are going through a few teething issues under new boss Niko Kovac at the moment, but Sanches’ place in the team following his disastrous loan spell with the Swans has been one of the few positives so far.

But to truly appreciate his return to the top, we need to go back to last season to fully understand how bad things really were.

Wohl verdient, RS3⃣5⃣! 😉@renatosanches35 ist euer Spieler des Monats September! 👍

Die Wahl wird euch präsentiert von #FCBayernTVLive.#FCBayern #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/J3ND2kLKNK

— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) October 11, 2018

In the summer of 2017, Sanches arrived at Swansea as one of the coups of the transfer window.

The youngster had heaps of potential and was widely considered one of the stars of the future, but had failed to hold down a regular place in Bayern’s starting line-up.

He simply needed to feel loved again, and at Swansea it looked like he’d be a big fish in a small pond. However, upon his debut for the Welsh side, it was clear something was very wrong.

In his first outing, he proceeded to give the ball away an incredible 23 times in 69 minutes during a 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle. This was followed by a combination of injuries and indifferent form over the next few games which further hampered his start to life at the club.

Reuters The midfielder struggled to re-find his form at relegation-threatened Swansea[/caption]

But his time in Wales reached a new low last November in a game against Chelsea.

In what many labelled ‘the worst 45 minutes in Premier League history’, Sanches infamously confused the advertising hoardings for one of his red-shirted team-mates and was subsequently hauled off the pitch at half-time by his bewildered manager Paul Clement.

He made his final league start for the side in their first match of 2018 – a home defeat to Spurs – and lasted just 36 minutes in an FA Cup clash with Wolves four days later.

Having been sacked by the relegation-doomed club, Clement would later describe Sanches as “far more damaged than I thought”.

He added: “It was really sad. He was a boy who had almost got the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“In training, when that pressure is not there, he was the best player. But then in games, I looked at the choices he was making, shooting from 45 yards on the angle, and he kept making those mistakes.”

Peter Whyte - The Sunday Times His poor form and injury problems meant his loan spell at Swansea was cut-short by two months[/caption]

In May, Sanches’ career was at a crossroads.

He’d missed out on going to the World Cup with Portugal and had returned to his parent club without a goal or an assist to his name in two full seasons of club football.

As always, there was plenty of speculation regarding his future – with some rumours linking him with a return to Benfica. But Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge still believed in the player they’d signed for €35 million two years before, and spoke openly about giving him a second chance at the club.

“He comes back,” he said to the press. “Niko Kovac will try to bring him back to former strength. This is an exciting task.”

Getty - Contributor Many felt Sanches would be offloaded by Bayern over the summer[/caption]

While Kovac has struggled at Bayern so far this season – at the time of writing, he’s under real pressure after losing 3-0 to Borussia Monchengladbach in the league – he’s seemingly one of the best managers in the game to get Sanches back to his best.

After all, he famously helped the enigmatic Kevin-Prince Boateng flourish during their time together at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Rebuilding Sanches’ confidence started right away, in Bayern’s first pre-season friendly of the summer against Paris Saint-Germain.

Thrown into the starting line-up, Sanches showed off his once-heralded strength and agility to control the midfield – completing every single one of his passes – and he even scored a brilliant free-kick to put Bayern in the lead.

Reuters Bayern’s opening friendly of pre-season gave the midfielder a starting opportunity[/caption]

Reuters Kovac has made Sanches’ development his personal project[/caption]

From there, he’s made his return to Portugal’s national team – making cameo appearances against Croatia and Italy last month – before starting and scoring in Bayern’s Champions League group clash against Benfica.

He’s now started two of their last four league games and is seemingly growing in confidence all the time, even if Bayern are currently struggling for form.

Since his return to the side, Kovac has spoken highly of the youngster – even likening him to club legend Lothar Matthaus.

He said: “It’s true that people fly off him left and right – just like they used to do with Lothar Matthaus.

“I’m delighted for Renato – I said all along that he was excellent in pre-season and it wouldn’t be long before he plays.”

Getty Images - Getty Sanches could prove to be an important member of the squad this season[/caption]

There’s still a long way to go of course, and Sanches could see his game-time at Bayern limited if they sack Kovac mid-season.

But for a young player who was labelled damaged goods not too long ago, his return from the brink is certainly one of the more uplifting stories of the season so far.

READ MORE:

Exploring how Renato Sanches became the most underwhelming signing of the season Where has it all gone wrong for Europe’s three biggest clubs this season? Mesut Ozil and Arsenal – the end of their rollercoaster love affair? WATCH: Love Of The Game: Leyton Orient (Episode 1)

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Chelsea want to send racist supporters to Auschwitz

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Chelsea want to send racist supporters to Auschwitz
The Blues’ Jewish owner Roman Abramovich is at the forefront of the initiative, designed to combat anti-Semitism at the Stamford Bridge club.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

3 thoughts: Canada shows off depth at Concacaf Championship

Sportsnet.ca
3 thoughts: Canada shows off depth at Concacaf Championship
3 thoughts: Canada shows off depth at Concacaf Championship

After a rather mundane opener at the Concacaf Women’s Championship, Canada took control early versus Cuba on Monday in its second match of the tournament.

Adriana Leon and Jordyn Huitema found the back of the net multiple times in the Canadians’ first match against the Cubans since 2012.

“It was a great win, good performance. What we talked before this match was that no matter what we keep our standards high in respect to our opponents, fans that were watching, and the game,” Canadian coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller said.

Here are my takeaways from Canada’s 12-0 win in Edinburg, Texas, as the Reds took another step closer towards qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Canadian coach turns to his bench

Heiner-Moller elected to let his depth lead the way, with backup Kailen Sheridan in net, and keeping only four players who started in Canada’s 2-0 win over Jamaica last Friday. The Canadian starting 11 also featured three teenagers: Julia Grosso, Deanne Rose and Jordyn Huitema.

Veteran Diana Matheson, who earned her 199th cap, supplied a perfect pass to Adriana Leon to open the scoring in the 11th minute. It was a sign of things to come for the Canadians, as Huitema netted the third goal of her young senior career only minutes later. Leon and Huitema both finished the night with four goals apiece.

Captain Christine Sinclair was brought in as a substitute to start the second half and, with Monday’s goal, she now sits at 174 for her career, just 10 behind Abby Wambach, who holds the international record in the women’s game. And unselfishly, Sinclair laid out a fabulous pass to Huitema for Canada’s 11th goal on the night, rather than padding her stats.

Playing time in this major competition is invaluable for youngsters such as Grosso, Lindsay Agnew, Gabrielle Carle and Emma Regan (making her senior debut) because you never know when an injury can happen (see Desiree Scott, Erin McLeod and Shannon Woeller) and you’ll be thrust into action.

Heiner-Moller’s squad rotation on Monday also means Nichelle Prince, Kadeisha Buchanan, Jessie Fleming, Janine Beckie and Stephanie Labbe will be well rested for Thursday’s tilt against Costa Rica.

Cleaning things up

The main criticism of Canada in its opener versus Jamaica was a lack of finish and general sloppiness.

I also felt something the Canadians were missing in that first match was creativity. What a dynamic player such as Huitema provides is a scoring threat not only with her feet but with her head, too. She has the height, and the 17-year-old is making the most of it, with back-to-back goals off her head.

Yes, Canada had much more space and time against Cuba compared to the Jamaica match, but it also made the most of that freedom, directing play and calling for passes. If you can, watch the replay of Leon’s cross to Huitema for Canada’s fifth goal, and you’ll see what I mean.

What I liked most about the youngsters was their confidence to dribble, particularly into traffic. The Cubans provided some physical tackles, but it didn’t deter any of the Canadians from forging ahead with the ball.

Lucky 175 for Schmidt

What a career it’s been for midfielder Sophie Schmidt. On Monday, the 30-year-old celebrated her 175th appearance for Canada. For the current generation of fans, it seems like she’s been around forever. Debuting in 2005, she’s provided a constant presence in the midfield and has two Olympic medals to show for it.

As she’s grown older, so has her game. She’s as dependable and adaptable as they come — playing under a number previous coaches like Even Pellerud, Carolina Morace, John Herdman, and now Kenneth Heiner-Moller.

Given the milestone, I paid particular attention to her versus Cuba, as she and Diana Matheson were the veterans of the starting 11.

Schmidt distributed well, finishing 42 of 46 passes — only second to Shelina Zadorsky. How about her ‘thread the needle’ dish that led to Canada’s fourth goal? She also played deep defensively when required to retrieve the ball from Sheridan. Nothing flashy, because flashy doesn’t make a lengthy, successful career. Being reliable and adaptable does and, Schmidt has that in spades.

Notes: On Monday, captain Christine Sinclair was named one of 15 nominees for the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or. The winner will be unveiled Dec. 3 in Paris … Canada closes out the group stage of the competition on Thursday against Costa Rica. The two nations squared off in the summer of 2017 for a two-game home set. The Canadians won the first match 3-1 in Winnipeg and closed things out with a 6-0 win in Toronto. “We know Costa Rica very well, and we know that they will play differently in a qualification tournament then a friendly, as we saw in Houston in 2016,” Heiner-Moller said. “We’ve been preparing for three very different opponents in this group stage and we’ve prepared for a challenging match against Costa Rica, but we are really looking forward to it as well.”

Monday, October 8, 2018

A look at how those who played under Arsene Wenger have fared in management

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
A look at how those who played under Arsene Wenger have fared in management
There is a mixture of success and failure.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Luka Milivojevic: Crystal Palace need to be better in final third

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Luka Milivojevic: Crystal Palace need to be better in final third
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Wolves represented their fourth home fixture this season in which they have failed to score.

Saturday, October 6, 2018

3 thoughts: Canada gets job done in opening World Cup qualifier

Sportsnet.ca
3 thoughts: Canada gets job done in opening World Cup qualifier
3 thoughts: Canada gets job done in opening World Cup qualifier

Earlier this week, the question was posed on Twitter: Will Canada miss qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup? The simple answer is, no.

While the Concacaf Women’s Championship has grown leaps and bounds since its inception in the early 1990s, parity is not a factor quite yet.

With this senior tournament, it would take a collapse of epic proportions for Canada not to advance — especially since there are three Concacaf spots available for next year’s World Cup in France, along with a potential fourth.

Here are my takeaways from Canada’s 2-0 victory over Jamaica on Friday in its opening match of the Concacaf Women’s Championship in Edinburg, Texas.

Staying with who you know

No big surprises with coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller’s starting 11 and his 4-3-3 formation. With midfielder Desiree Scott out due to injury, Rebecca Quinn was the right choice to bring into the middle. She’s always been versatile, with experience as a centre-back and as a midfielder.

It was also great to see Nichelle Prince as a starter, as she scored Canada’s lone goal in the team’s most recent friendly, a 1-0 win over Brazil in Ottawa. Prince offers tremendous pace and a nose for goal. With Janine Beckie and Adriana Leon taking most of the set-pieces, Prince is the ideal option up top.

And Prince didn’t disappoint, netting Canada’s first goal against Jamaica by tucking the ball in after a scramble inside the box in the 33rd minute. You could sense a wash of relief over the Canadians who, to that point, had been frustrated by solid defending by their opponents. Prince, 23, completed her brace in the 81st minute to seal the win for the Reds.

“It’s really great to finally get to start the tournament, and this was not an easy game, Jamaica. They put a good team out there and they worked really hard, and defended as well,” Prince said. “It was really great to end the game with two goals and the win. We’re happy about what we put out there, and we’re happy we got the win.”

After Christine Sinclair ballooned an earlier free kick at the top of the 18-yard box, I appreciated that she let Sophie Schmidt try a curler over the wall later in the opening half when a free kick near the same spot presented itself. No doubt Sinclair hitting the international goal-scoring record is in the back of everyone’s mind, but the team always comes first, and Schmidt’s attempt didn’t miss by much.

A win is a win

The match itself wasn’t a grat example of entertainment. There was a lack of finish, heavy touches, and some errant 1v1s, but Canada still dominated possession (71 per cent by game’s end).

The lack of shots from distance by Canada was peculiar, particularly near that sweet spot at the top of the penalty area. Ashley Lawrence and Jessie Fleming tried a few times in open play, but that was about it.

What I will say is this was an ideal match to open the tournament. There’s a feeling out process when it comes to the opposition, especially a side the Canadians rarely face.

“We knew that Jamaica was a hard team to beat. They’re very organized and have very skilled players up front,” Heiner-Moller said. “We kept a clean sheet, that was important for us. Overall, to start the tournament with a clean sheet and three points, that’s not a bad way to start.”

Take the three points and call it a day. And for the record, I really enjoyed watching Jamaica play. The program has a bright future.

Methodical buildup

What stands out most in terms of the Canadian squad’s development over the last few years is focus on easing the play. Instead of forcing passes, the Canadians are building through the middle and using the deep flanks as a secondary option.

In particular, centre-backs Kadeisha Buchanan and Shelina Zadorsky, along with the defensive midfielder (Quinn or sometimes Schmidt), are more active, which frees up Fleming to distribute. Will this work against more physical teams, such as Costa Rica, or the U.S., who give you little to no space? That remains to be seen, but it’s undoubtedly one of the areas this team has most improved in.

Canada’s passing accuracy versus Jamaica finished at 90 per cent (they completed 409 of 456 passes). Zadorsky led the way with 59 completed passes, Quinn next at 55 and Lawrence third with 43.

“We’ve got a few things to clean up, but, overall proud of the performance,” Zadorsky said.

Notes: Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe earned her 23rd shutout with the victory… Canada now sits second in Group B. Costa Rica thrashed Cuba 8-0 earlier in the day to claim top spot… Up next for Canada is a Thanksgiving date against Cuba. “We’re not taking any team for granted, and it’s great to see other nations in the tournament and play against different opponents,” Zadorsky said. “We’re looking forward to the next challenge.”

Friday, October 5, 2018

Loris Karius adds another terrible blunder to his bloopers showreel

Dream Team FC
Loris Karius adds another terrible blunder to his bloopers showreel

There are three things that are certain in life; death, taxes and Loris Karius making a glaring mistake in Europe.

After a two horrific blunders in the Champions League final, Karius had to leave Liverpool and Europe’s top five leagues to try and resurrect his career.

Remember this clamouring scenes when he arrived in Turkey, with fans mobbing him at the airport?

SIGN UP – WIN £5k BY PLAYING DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER THIS WEEKEND Genuine scenesGetty - Contributor

We don’t think they’ll be feeling that warm about their no.1 this morning.

Besiktas had a very winnable second Europa League group stage match away at Malmo and everything was going well until the 53rd minute.

And before you say anything, we checked and Sergio Ramos was nowhere to be seen at the Swedbank Stadion.

That's not what Loris Karius needed 🙈

The Besiktas keeper misjudges a cross and the ball loops into his front post… pic.twitter.com/ytKvEx67lt

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 4, 2018

We think this might be on a par with his more famous gaffes.

There is absolutely no danger has a cross is lofted in from the right side far ahead of any Malmo attackers.

But fear not, Karius still manages to let the ball bungle into his own net from such an unlikely position.

He completely misjudges the flight of the ball and is reduced to a wayward flap as it floats over the goal line.

Cue the whole Besiktas defence to stand with their hands on their hips in a classic ‘how he has done that again’ pose.

WATCH: Love Of The Game: Leyton Orient (Episode 1)

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Giggs names Gareth Bale in Wales squad for Spain and Ireland games

Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Giggs names Gareth Bale in Wales squad for Spain and Ireland games
Giggs names Gareth Bale in Wales squad for Spain and Ireland games
Wales talisman Gareth Bale has been included in Ryan Giggs' squad for the matches against Spain and the Republic of Ireland despite missing Real Madrid's midweek Champions League defeat through injury.

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Bruce boiling over 'hugely disrespectful' cabbage incident

Latest News RSS feed
Bruce boiling over 'hugely disrespectful' cabbage incident
Bruce boiling over 'hugely disrespectful' cabbage incident
Steve Bruce slammed a "hugely disrespectful" supporter who threw a cabbage towards him before Aston Villa's action-packed 3-3 draw against Preston on Tuesday. The supporter launched the vegetable towards the under-pressure Bruce ahead of kick-off in the Championship fixture at Villa Park. Villa have underwhelmed this season despite being busy in the transfer market and find themselves 12th in the table after 11 games, but Bruce says the actions of one individual went too far. "To say it's disappointing is an understatement for a club like this. It was before we had even started too," he said. "I find the whole thing hugely disrespectful. Unfortunately, it sums up the society we are in at the moment. There's no respect for anyone. "Certainly for someone like the bloke who is being questioned... I'm surprised he knew what a cabbage was." Villa saw a two-goal lead wiped out by struggling Preston after a 54th-minute red card was awarded to James Chester. Yannick Bolasie prodded home a late equaliser before Villa had the chance to claim a dramatic three points from the penalty spot, only for Glenn Whelan to have his effort saved.