Tag: fbl

Hong Kong arrests three for ‘insulting’ anthem at World Cup qualifier

HONG KONG, June 7, 2024 (AFP) – Three people were arrested for turning their backs and remaining seated when China’s national anthem was played prior to Hong Kong’s home World Cup qualifier against Iran, police said Friday. Football fans in Hong Kong used to boo the national anthem as a show of political discontent, but the government in 2020 banned the practice as part of a wider crackdown following huge democracy protests in the city. […]

Malaysia footballer leaves intensive care after acid-attack: official

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14, 2024 (AFP) – A Malaysian national team footballer who was the victim of an acid-attack has left intensive care following multiple surgeries, a football official said Tuesday. Faisal Halim suffered burns on the neck, shoulder, hands and chest in Petaling Jaya district outside the capital Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago. Nicknamed “Mickey”, the 26-year-old plays on the right wing for Selangor Football Club and Malaysia. “Today, Faisal has been moved to […]

Japan FA condemns ‘shameful’ racist abuse of goalkeeper

DOHA, Jan 24, 2024 (AFP) – Japan’s football association on Wednesday condemned the “shameful behaviour” of fans who racially abused Zion Suzuki online following the goalkeeper’s performances at the Asian Cup. Pre-tournament favourites Japan were beaten 2-1 by Iraq in the group phase on Friday in Doha with Suzuki responsible for one of the goals. The US-born 21-year-old, whose father is Ghanaian-American and whose mother is Japanese, said he was subsequently racially abused on social […]

Superb Girona stun champions Barca to lead La Liga

By Rik Sharma BARCELONA, Dec 10, 2023 (AFP) – Shock Spanish title contenders Girona earned a historic 4-2 win over rivals Barcelona on Sunday to move top of La Liga, with coach Michel saying he believes his team can beat any opponent. Girona defeated their Catalan rivals for the first time ever in the top flight in a pulsating battle to rise two points above Real Madrid, second, after their 1-1 draw at Real Betis […]

New coach for Thailand after muted World Cup campaign start

BANGKOK, Nov 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thailand’s football team have parted ways with head coach Alexandre Polking, officials said Wednesday, after a mixed start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. A 3-1 win over Singapore on Tuesday was not enough to save the Brazilian-German’s job, after his men went down 2-1 to China last week. Team manager Nualphan Lamsam said Polking would be replaced by Masatada Ishii, the 56-year-old Japanese coach who led Buriram […]

Beckham says Messi at Inter Miami is ‘our gift to America’

By Pitcha DANGPRASITH MUMBAI, Nov 15, 2023 (AFP) – David Beckham told AFP in an interview on Wednesday that his Inter Miami franchise signed Lionel Messi as “our gift to America and the MLS”. Former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Beckham, speaking on his first ever visit to India and in his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, admitted he still has to pinch himself when he sees the Argentinian World Cup winner on […]

Colombia detains 4 in kidnapping of footballer’s father

BOGOTÁ, Nov 11, 2023 (AFP) – Police in Colombia have detained four people suspected in the kidnapping of the father of Liverpool footballer Luis Diaz, who was held hostage for nearly two weeks by members of the ELN guerilla group, officials said Saturday. Luis Manuel Diaz was freed Thursday, 12 days after being abducted by armed men on motorcycles at a gas station in the town of Barrancas near the Venezuelan border. “We have detained […]

Philippines coach Stajcic steps down after Women’s World Cup exit

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Philippines coach Alen Stajcic has left his post after the national team’s exit from their first Women’s World Cup, the Philippine Football Federation said on Tuesday. The Philippines have shaken off their status as regional minnows since Stajcic’s appointment as coach in late 2021 — they have jumped from 68 in the FIFA rankings to a best-ever 46th. The Philippines were not expected to get out of their group, but caused […]

‘Angry’ Spain promise response to World Cup drubbing

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — Spain coach Jorge Vilda says his “angry” players can shake off the mental scars of a 4-0 mauling from Japan and be a force in the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup. The sixth-ranked Spanish were left shellshocked by a Japan side who topped Group C with a brilliant counter-attacking display in Wellington on Monday, handing the Europeans their heaviest defeat in 11 years. Vilda is confident his squad […]

Hope for future despite New Zealand’s painful World Cup exit

By Daniel GILHOOLY Agence France-Presse WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand’s proud players hope their performances at the World Cup will be a turning point for women’s football in the country despite the pain of an early exit. Some of the team were in tears as the tournament co-hosts bowed out on Sunday in the group stage in front of a sell-out 25,000 crowd in Dunedin. Their 0-0 stalemate with Switzerland meant they finished […]

Holders USA held by Netherlands at Women’s World Cup

By Daniel GILHOOLY Agence France-Presse WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — Captain Lindsey Horan scored a second-half equalizer as holders the United States came from behind to draw 1-1 with the Netherlands at the Women’s World Cup on Thursday in a rematch of the 2019 final. Midfielder Jill Roord fired home a first-half opener to threaten a momentous result in the Group E clash in Wellington in front of a crowd of 27,312. But Horan responded […]

Caicedo opens World Cup account as Colombia beat blunt South Korea

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Gifted teenager Linda Caicedo scored as Colombia beat a disappointing South Korea 2-0 to open their Women’s World Cup campaign on Tuesday. The 18-year-old Real Madrid striker, who overcame cancer three years ago, was the beneficiary of a glaring goalkeeping error against a blunt South Korea. One of the best young attackers in women’s football, Caicedo has now scored at the Under-17 World Cup, the Under-20 World Cup and the biggest […]