Football
FIFA Int' l Friendly:Coming from behind, Bangladesh play out 1-1 draw with Afghanistan
Coming from behind, Bangladesh played 1-1 draw with upper ranked Afghanistan in the 2nd and last match of the two-match FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly Football series in a rough and tough encounter at the Bashundhara Kings Arena here on Thursday.
The match was locked in goalless position in a rain-soaked and keenly contested first half.
Read : Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuyan signs for Argentine Club
Bangladesh national football team played the two-match FIFA international Friendly series against their 32 ranked upper Afghanistan national side as a part of their preparation for the next month' s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against the Maldives.
After the match, the two match series between the two teams also ended in a draw.
In the day's crucial match, striker Jabar Sharza put Afghanistan ahead in the 53rd minute of the match by a cool header from a goal-mouth melee, utilizing a corner kick of his mate (1-0).
Incidentally, it was the first goal in the country's new international football venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena --which turned as an international venue last Sunday with first FIFA int'l friendly, also against Afghanistan.
Read : Bangladesh Football Team Captain Jamal Bhuiyan becomes brand ambassador of National STEAM Olympiad 2023
Country's promising forward Shekh Morsalin, who spoiled a golden opportunity against Afghanistan in the last match, compensated his previous mistake scoring the match equaliser in the 63rd minute by pushing the ball to open net from a handshake distance , off a Bishwanath Ghosh cross from right wing (1-1).
It was also the first goal for Bangladesh national team in the new venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena.
After making the equaliser, Bangladesh team created strong pressure over Afghanistan one after another, but failed to change the fate of the match due to shakiness of the forwards as well as for the confident defense of Afghanistan.
Read : Bangladesh Football team holds training ahead of Afghan challenge
In the day's tense-packed match, Afghan coach Abdullah Al Mutahiri and Bangladesh' s Assistant Coach Hasan Al Mamun got matching order in the 23rd minute after receiving red cards for non-sportsman like behavior and for clashing with each other.
Afghan mid-fielder Faysal Shayesteh got marching order in the added time of the match after receiving 2nd yellow card.
SAFF U-16 Championship: Bangladesh to play Pakistan in 2nd semifinal Friday
Bangladesh will play Pakistan in the second semifinal of the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 Championship in Bhutan on Friday.
The match between Group B champions Pakistan and Group A runners-up Bangladesh will kick off at 7 pm (Bangladesh time) at the Changlimithang Stadium in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu.
Read : SAFF U-16 Champs: Bangladesh reach semifinal as India beat Nepal 1-0
Group A champions India will also play the first semifinal on Friday against the Group B runners-up Maldives, which booked a seat for the last four stages after eliminating hosts Bhutan 3-2 in the last group match on Wednesday.
Earlier, India emerged Group A champions to reach the semifinal with an all-win record, securing six points from two straight matches, beating both Nepal and Bangladesh by a 1-0 equal goal margin.
Bangladesh finished as Group A runners-up to qualify for the semifinal, collecting three points from two matches and beating Nepal by 1-0 goal after conceding 0-1 goal defeat against India.
Read : AFC Cup Football: Mohun Bagan advance to group stage eliminating Dhaka Abahani
Pakistan emerged Group B champions also with all- win record securing full six points from two group encounters after beating Bhutan by 2-1 goals and the Maldives by 3-0 goals.
The Maldives managed a semifinal berth as group B runners, eliminating hosts Bhutan by a 3-2 goal in the last group match Wednesday evening.
Ahead of Friday's semifinal, the Bangladesh team is due to make their final practices Thursday evening at the match venue.
Read : Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuyan signs for Argentine Club
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in the three-team stronger Group A with India and Nepal while Group B teams comprise the Maldives, Pakistan, and hosts Bhutan.
The final match will be held on Sunday at the same venue.
Scoreless for first time in the Lionel Messi era, Inter Miami ties Nashville 0-0
Inter Miami failed to score for the first time since Lionel Messi joined the team, playing a scoreless draw with Nashville on Wednesday night.
Messi failed to convert two free kick attempts in his first Major League Soccer match at home, and it was the first time during his Inter Miami tenure that he was kept off the score sheet.
Read: Messi violates MLS media rules by not speaking with reporters after debut
Inter Miami still earned a point in the standings as it looks to make a late-season playoff push. Miami entered the game 11 points shy of the MLS playoff line and needing to move up from 14th to ninth place to make the playoffs.
Miami had won its previous nine matches as Messi's addition gave the team an immediate boost. He has scored 10 goals, including three multi-goal performances.
Messi started the game Wednesday along with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets after the two entered Miami's previous match against the New York Red Bulls in the 60th minute.
Miami had no shots on goal Wednesay through the first 60 minutes as the team struggled to break through Nashville's defense.
Messi attempted a free kick in the 60th minute after drawing a foul on Nashville's Dax McCarty, but the shot to the bottom-left corner was stopped by Elliot Panicco.
Still, Inter Miami fans took out their phones to record the free kick, just in case the seven-time Ballon d'Or delivered another goal similar to the one in his debut — when he scored in the 94th minute to give Miami a win over Mexican Club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener.
Read: Messi converts PK, assists on 2 goals, leading Miami past MLS-best Cincinnati in US Open Cup semi
Nahsville's Hany Mukhtar had a goal erased by an offside call in the 69th minute.
Messi got another chance in the 83rd minute, but the shot bounced off the wall of defenders.
The two teams met 10 days ago in the Leagues Cup final. Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first shot in penalty kicks, and Miami won after an 11-round penalty kick shootout for its first ever trophy.
Read: Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final
Messi and Inter Miami players posed with co-owner Jorge Mas on the field Wednesday with the Leagues Cup trophy for the first time in front of their home fans.
Bangladesh U-16 football team reaches Bhutan
Bangladesh's U-16 football team reached Bhutan on Wednesday afternoon to compete in the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 Championships to be held in Thimphu from September 2–10.
All the players and officials of the Bangladesh team are in sound health in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu, and the team will start their practise session on Thursday after a recess on Wednesday.
Read: Bangladesh U-16 Football team to fly Bhutan Wednesday to compete SAFF U-16 Champs
But the fixture of the tournament has partly been changed in the dying moments, deferring a day, according to a BFF media release on Wednesday.
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in three-team stronger Group A with India and Nepal, while Group B teams comprise the Maldives, Pakistan, and hosts Bhutan.
According to the revised fixture, Bangladesh will now play India on September 2 at 3pm local time instead of September 1, while they will meet Nepal on September 4 instead of Sept 3 at 7pm, both at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu.
Read: Afghanistan Football team in Dhaka to play two FIFA Int'l Friendlies with Bangladesh
After the group matches, the top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on September 8 instead of September 7, while the final match will be held as per the previous schedule on September 10 at 6 pm.
Bangladesh's team comprises 23 booters and seven officials.
Members of the Bangladesh team: Goal Keeper: Nahidul Islam, Abdur Rahman, and Alif Rahman Imtiaz;
Defenders: Ashiqur Rahman, Ismail Hossen, Abu Rayhan Shawon, Mohammad Delwar, Imdadul Haque, Imran Khan, Saim Omith, Sheikh Sangram and Mithu Chowdhury ;
Midfielders: Kamal Mridha, Abdullah Junaid Chistry, Arman Miah and Nazmul Huda Faysal (Captain);
Forwards: Abu Sayed, Mohammad Ripon, Murshed Ali,MH Mohibbullah, Mohammad Manik, Salahuddin Shahed and Swe Mong Sing Marma.
Read: Jamal Bhuiyan leads Sol de Mayo to victory in memorable debut
Team officials: Team Manager -Mohidur Rahman Miraj, Head Coach -Saifur Rahman Moni, Assistant Coach-Abul Hossain, Goal Keeping Coach- Shah Alam Tutul, Physio -KM Shakib, Team Doctor- Mohammad Atiquzzaman and Media Officer - Saeed Hasan.
Jamal Bhuiyan leads Sol de Mayo to victory in memorable debut
Captain of Bangladesh Jamal Bhuyan guided his new Argentine club Sol de Mayo to victory on debut on Sunday, getting on the scoresheet too in the process.
Also read : Bangladesh Football Team Captain Jamal Bhuiyan becomes brand ambassador of National STEAM Olympiad 2023
Jamal Bhuiyan was honoured with the captain's armband for his team in the Argentine Torneo Federal A League (3rd division league) match, as Sol de Mayo beat Germinal 2-1.
Also read : Jamal Bhuiyan reach Kolkata to play I-League
With this victory, Jamal's club Sol de Mayo advanced to 5th place in the nine-team league.
He scored what turned out to be the winning goal for his team in the 81st minute from a penalty after his Argentine team mate Fernando Valdebenito opened the account in the first half.
Germinal reduced the margin just three minutes before the final whistle.
Also read : Bangladesh football captain Jamal Bhuiyan catches Covid-19
Sol de Mayo will play their next match against Olimpo at home on September 9.
However, the Bangladesh captain is due to leave Argentina for Dhaka tonight (Monday night), in order to join the national team camp ahead of two friendlies at home against Afghanistan on September 4 and 7 .
Afghanistan Football team in Dhaka to play two FIFA Int'l Friendlies with Bangladesh
Afghanistan national football team arrived in Dhaka Saturday night at 11:30 pm to play two FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly football matches against Bangladesh national team during FIFA window.
Hosts Bangladesh will play two FIFA International Friendlies against touring Afghanistan on September 4 and 7, both at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital as part of their preparation for the World Cup Qualifier against the Maldives in next October.
Read: Bashundhara Kings recruit goalkeeper Asif spending Tk 1.3 million
After taking a full day rest on Sunday, visiting Afghanistan team will start their practice from Monday.
Bangladesh national team has already started training session at the Bashundhara Kings arena from last Monday (August 21).
Captain of Bangladesh national football team Jamal Bhuyan, now in abroad, is expected join the national team camp on August 30.
Earlier, the head coach of Bangladesh national football team Javier Cabrera picked up a 32-member preliminary squad for two matches against Afghanistan featuring two new faces --Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra's midfielder Dipok Roy and Azmpur Football Club's forward Sarwar Zaman Nipu.
Read: Bangladesh Football team holds training ahead of Afghan challenge
Preliminary of squad of Bangladesh:
Goalkeepers: Anisur Rahman, Shahidul Alam, Mitul Marma and Pappu Hossain.
Defenders: Bishwanath Ghosh, Topu Barman, Tariq Kazi, Rimon Hossain, Saad Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Alomgir Molla, Murad Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Isa Faysal and Atikuzzaman.
Read: Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuyan signs for Argentine Club
Midfielders: Sohel Rana, Sheikh Morsalin, Mohammad Ridoy, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Abu Shaied, Mojubur Rahman Joni, Robiul Hasan and Jamal Bhuiyan
Forwards: Rakib Hossain, Matin Mia, Sumon Reza, Faysal Ahmed Fahim, Dipok Roy, Aminur Rahman Sojib, Sarwar Zaman Nipu, Jafor Iqbal and Mohammad Ibrahim.
Dhaka Abahani Ltd in Kolkata to play AFC Cup play-off match without three key players
A 27-member Dhaka Abahani Limited reached Kolkata on Monday (Aug 21) without three key players to play Mohun Bagan Super Giant of Kolkata in a play-off match of the AFC Cup Football 2023-24.
The six times Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions and curren runners-up Dhaka Abahani Limited will face Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Tuesday (Aug 22) at 7:30 pm Bangladesh time at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Also read : AFC Cup Football : Dhaka Abahani to fly for Kolkata Monday to play Mohun Bagan SG in play-off match
The winners of the match will qualify for the final round (Group Stage) of the 19th edition of the Asia's secondary club football tournament, will begin on September 18.
Dhaka Abahani, which reached Kolkata in two batches --- first batch in the morning and the 2nd batch at 12 noon, dropped their three key players -custodian Pritom, Alomgir Molla and Emon Babu for fever and injuries.
Also read : Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament
Earlier, Dhaka Abahani Limited has a plan to fly for Kolkata Sunday evening, but they are compelled to change schedule as they got Indian visa in late (Sunday afternoon).
Abahani scheduled to make their first and only practice session at the match venue in Kolkata today (Monday) evening.
Earlier in the preliminary round, Dhaka Abahani advanced to the play-off stage of the AFC Cup Football eliminating Club Eagles of the Maldives by 2-1 goals at the Sylhet District Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
Also read : Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final
On the other hand, Kolkata Mohun Club eliminated Machhindra FC of Kathmandu beating them by 3-1 goals at the Kolkata Salt Lake Stadium, also in the Wednesday evening.
Dhaka Abahani and Kolkata Mohun Bagan Club faced each other on three occasions where Mohun Bagan Club enjoying upper hand beating Dhaka Abahani twice, both by 3-1 goals, while the remaining match ended in 1-1 draw.
Ahead of the match, it was learnt that, the Mohan Bagan Club are in tense situation following inclusion of three foreign booters --Nigerian forward Ifegwu Ojukwu of Nigeria, St Vincent winger Cornelius Stewart and Brazilian defender Danilu-- in the Abahani line-up.
Mohun Bagan officials assumed that the Abahani did not followed the proper process and guidelines to recruit the above three foreign players in their squad.
Olga Carmona scored in Spain's 1-0 Women's World Cup win. Then she learned her father had died
Olga Carmona, whose goal won the Women's World Cup for Spain on Sunday, learned after the final of her father's death, the Spanish soccer federation said.
He had been ill and died while Carmona's mother and other relatives traveled to Australia to watch her play in the final, the federation said early Monday, without giving more detail on the cause of death.
Also read : Spain wins its first Women's World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final
The family decided to wait until after the title celebrations to give Carmona the news.
"And without knowing it, I had my Star before the game started," Carmona said on X, formerly known as Twitter, along with a photo of her kissing the winners' medal. "I know that you gave me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you were watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace, dad."
Also read : Is it coming home? England looks to bring Women's World Cup trophy back to the birthplace of soccer
After the final whistle, she was among the Spanish players celebrating and dancing on the field, and appeared to participate normally during the trophy presentation.
"We love you, Olga," the federation said on X. "You are part of the history of Spanish soccer."
Carmona scored with a left-footed strike in the 29th minute to give Spain a 1-0 victory over England in Sydney, Australia. She had also scored a late winner in La Roja's 2-1 win over Sweden in the semifinals to become the first player since American Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.
Also read : Australia edge France on penalties to reach the Women's World Cup semifinals, will face England
The 23-year-old Carmona was named the final's most valuable player on Sunday. She had celebrated her goal with a tribute to a friend who recently lost her mother.
"I think all of us, we felt that this team had something special," the Real Madrid defender said after Spain won the title.
Madrid released a statement Sunday night about her father's death and offering condolences to the player and her family.
Carmona's Spain teammate Irene Paredes lost her father a few days before Spain began its preparations for the World Cup. The defender dedicated the title to him on Sunday.
Before the news of the death of Carmona's father, the federation said that title celebrations were set to take place after the squad's arrival in Madrid on Monday night.
It wasn't clear if the celebrations would go ahead as scheduled or if Carmona would participate in any way.
Spain wins its first Women's World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final
Spain won its first Women's World Cup title less than a year after a player rebellion, holding off England 1-0 on Sunday after Olga Carmona's first-half goal.
Spain's first major international trophy made it the first European team to win the Women's World Cup since Germany in 2007.
Also read : Is it coming home? England looks to bring Women's World Cup trophy back to the birthplace of soccer
At the final whistle the Spanish players piled on each other in front of their goal.
Carmona's left-foot shot in the 29th minute went into the far corner of the net and just out of reach of diving England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Also read : Australia edge France on penalties to reach the Women's World Cup semifinals, will face England
In celebration she raised her jersey to reveal the word "Merchi" scrawled in ink on her undershirt, an apparent nod to her former school.
Carmona also scored the game-winner in the 89th minute of Spain's 2-1 semifinal victory over Sweden, becoming the first player since Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.
Also read : The future is uncertain for the United States after crashing out of the Women's World Cup
Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th but Jenni Hermoso's penalty attempt was saved by Earps, who anticipated perfectly and dived to her left.
Spain's victory comes despite a near-mutiny by players last year. Fifteen players said they were stepping away from the national team for their mental health while also calling for a more professional environment.
Three of those players — Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey — reconciled with the federation and were at the World Cup.
England had momentum going into the tournament after winning the European Championship at home last summer. But three of the team's best players, captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead, all had knee injuries that kept them off the World Cup squad.
England coach Sarina Wiegman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup title matches. She led the Netherlands to the final in 2019, but fell 2-0 to the United States. She's now 0-2.
England was coming off a 3-1 victory over host Australia in the semifinal. Lauren James, who was the team's top scorer with three goals and three assists, was forced to sit out two matches because of a suspension for stomping on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie to open the knockout stage.
While James was available for the final, Wiegman started Ella Toone. James came into the match to start the second half.
The game was briefly interrupted in the 25th minute by a person who raced onto the field but was quickly tackled by security.
One of England's best chances was in the 16th when Lauren Hemp's blast caromed off the crossbar. A minute later, Salma Paralluelo raced to the goal but couldn't get a clean shot and Earps stopped Alba Redondo's attempt in the scramble in front of the net.
Vilda started 19-year-old Paralluelo, who scored the breakthrough goal for Spain against Sweden, and the game-winner in extra time over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Paralluelo's nearly scored seconds from half time but her shot hit the post. She was handed a yellow card in the 78th minute for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who had a cut above her eye.
Hemp had another chance in the 54th but sent it wide. A minute later she was handed a yellow card for a foul on Laia Codina.
Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th after a video review awarded a penalty after Keira Walsh's handball. But Earps kept England in the game, as she did with a succession of saves late.
Coach Jorge Vilda had a challenge in working around two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was still working her way back from a torn ACL last year. For the final, Putellas was on the bench at the start.
Putellas went into the game with 15 seconds left in regulation, but there were 13 minutes of stoppage time.
There were 75,784 fans at the final at Stadium Australia, including tennis great Billie Jean King.
The two teams met last year in the quarterfinals of the Euros, with England coming from behind to beat Spain 2-1 in extra time on Georgia Stanway's goal.
Butterflies for Kane on Bundesliga debut but he scores as Bayern routs Bremen
Harry Kane said he had "a few butterflies" before his Bundesliga debut. They didn't show.
The England captain scored one goal and set up another as Bayern Munich routed Werder Bremen 4-0 away in the opening game of the season on Friday.
Also read: Lewandowski record as Bayern moves top in Bundesliga
Kane, who finally completed his protracted transfer from Tottenham last weekend, showed straight away why Bayern reportedly paid more than 100 million euros ($110 million) for the forward.
"There was a bit of nervous excitement to play the game," Kane said. "New surroundings for me, extremely excited to get the season started with my new club and a massive club. So for sure there was a few butterflies. But as always, I feel once I get on the pitch, you know, instinct takes over and I just play my normal game."
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Kane needed only three minutes to set Leroy Sané free for the opener, before he finally beat Bremen's Jiří Pavlenka with a low shot in the 74th. A Bremen defender's studs deflected the shot slightly inside the left post.
The England captain went off shortly afterward with what looked like a cramp, one of three late changes by Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel.
Also read: Messi scores early in 1st game outside Florida for Inter Miami at FC Dallas
Substitute Thomas Müller set up Sané for the third goal in the final minute then Alphonso Davies set up Mathys Tel, another substitute, to complete the scoring in injury time.
The home team's best period was just after the halftime break.
"They came out in the second half and had a few chances, made it difficult, but then it was nice to get that second goal, and then the boys off the bench come on and finished the job for us," Kane said.
It started with Kane dinking a clever ball forward into space from inside his own half to set Sané free to open the scoring on a counterattack. Bremen's defense should have done better.
"We had a few more chances in the first half that we probably could have done a bit better with, to kind of put the game away early. But then we defended better," Kane said. "We were a lot better getting the first contact, and we spoke about that. If we want to be a competitive team this season in all competitions, set-pieces are a big part of that. So really happy with a clean sheet as well. It's going to be important going forward for the rest of the season."
Fellow summer signing Kim Min-jae also made his first league start for Bayern, which is bidding to extend its record of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles.
There was a minute's silence before the game for former Bremen player Horst-Dieter Höttges, who died in July. Höttges was a member of West Germany's victorious 1974 World Cup squad.