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MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The Philippines’ freshly named head coach, ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, said Monday he plans to stick around longer than his predecessor Terry Butcher, who quit before taking charge of a single game. The Azkals, who are gearing up for their first Asian Cup berth, announced Eriksson’s appointment last week after the surprise departure of Three Lions great Butcher in August. “I don’t know why he left in such a short time,” […]
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Sprint king Usain Bolt could be making his way to Europe after being offered a two-year professional football contract in Malta, reports said Tuesday, following his goal-scoring exploits in Australia. Bolt, 32, has been on trial with A-League club the Central Coast Mariners since arriving in Australia in August in his bid to pursue a boyhood dream of becoming a footballer after retiring from athletics last year. The 100 meters world […]
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Sprint superstar Usain Bolt looks set to make his first start as a professional footballer Friday, a challenge he said could determine if he has a future in the sport of his boyhood dreams. Bolt said the coach of his Central Coast Mariners, Mike Mulvey, had indicated he would be in the starting line-up in a friendly against Macarthur South West United in Sydney. “For me, that’s always a good step, […]
GOSFORD, Australia (AFP) — Sprint superstar Usain Bolt admitted Tuesday he was struggling with the tempo of professional football but is working hard to raise his fitness levels ahead of his first trial match this week. The eight-time Olympic champion has been given an opportunity by Australia’s Central Coast Mariners to fulfil his dream of a soccer career and has stepped up his training regime since hooking up with the A-League club last week. He […]
by Sunghee Hwang Agence France-Presse CHUNCHEON, South Korea | AFP As Son Heung-min’s career takes off in England, his legacy is already taking shape in South Korea — at an innovative academy where ball control is king and shooting is frowned upon. The SON Football Academy in Son’s native Chuncheon, run by his father Son Woong-jung, takes an unusual approach for South Korea where typically, training is strenuous and young players practise for up to eight […]
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Gareth Bale is serving notice that he is ready to shine without Cristiano Ronaldo, factoring in both goals as Real Madrid wrapped up their US tour with a 2-1 win over Roma on Tuesday. Bale and Marco Asensio scored for Real Madrid who put on a strong performance especially in the first half of the International Champions Cup friendly at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Real Madrid is hoping […]
CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — Veteran Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary has retired from international duty aged 45, after breaking the record for oldest player to appear at a World Cup in Russia. “After reflecting at length and asking God, I have decided to retire from international football,” El Hadary wrote on Facebook late Monday. El Hadary, nicknamed “High Dam,” won 159 caps for his country during a 22-year international career that saw him win the Africa […]
by Guy Jackson Agence France-Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time in their history on Wednesday, after Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time winner prolonged England’s suffering in major tournaments and set up a decider against France. Luka Modric’s team fell behind in just the fifth minute to Kieran Trippier’s superb free-kick but hit back through Ivan Perisic and Mandzukic to win a tense contest 2-1 in front of 78,000 […]
by Alastair Himmer Agence France-Presse NARITA, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s football chief took aim at critics of the Blue Samurai on Thursday after the team’s World Cup return and confirmed he was on the lookout for a new coach. JFA president Kozo Tashima told a news conference that caretaker boss Akira Nishino would not continue in the role after steering Japan to the knockout stages in Russia. And after the Japan team was welcomed home […]
SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (AFP) — Paramedics tended to Argentina legend Diego Maradona after he fell ill after cheering on his country as they scored late against Nigeria to stay in the World Cup on Tuesday, according to reports. Maradona, 57, had been visibly emotional during the match in Saint Petersburg that Argentina had to win to stay in the tournament. When Marcos Rojo scored the winning goal in the 86th minute, Maradona leaned over the […]
by John Weaver © Agence France-Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and 2010 winners Spain progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds on a Monday night of high drama dominated by VAR decisions, as Uruguay pipped Russia to top spot in their group. Spain ended up topping Group B by virtue of goals scored after an injury-time strike by Iago Aspas — confirmed by the video assistant referee — rescued a 2-2 draw […]
by Patrick Galey © Agence France-Presse KALININGRAD, Russia (AFP) — Serbia will attempt to wrap up qualification to the World Cup knockout rounds on Friday as they take on a Switzerland team brimming with confidence after grabbing a draw with Brazil. The Serbs control their own destiny in Group E after an opening 1-0 win against Costa Rica on Sunday, which came courtesy of a stunning Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick. Victory over Switzerland in Kaliningrad on Friday […]
