football
Independence Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings clinch title beating Dhaka Mohammedan 2-1 in final
Coming from behind, a 10-man Bashundhara Kings clinched the Independence Cup trophy for the 2nd consecutive time beating Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC by 2-1 goal in the final al the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Monday.
The first-ever final match between holders Bashundhara Kings and Federation Cup Champion Mohammedan SC was locked in a goalless position in the first half at the first-ever final of a major football tournament arranged in Gopalganj.
This was the 3rd Independence title for the star studded Bashundhara Kings since their first appearance in country's top level football in 2018.
It was also a sweet revenge for the Kings of their 1-2 goal defeat against Dhaka Mohammedan in the semifinal of the last Federation Cup Football.
In the day's keenly contested final, BPL champions Kings were restricted to 10-man in the 48th minute as their forward Rafiqul Islam got marching order after received a direct card for a rough charge.
Taking the advantage, Nigerian defender Emmanuel Agbaji put Mohammedan SC ahead in the 49th minute by accurate header from goalmouth melee, off a Muzafforov corner (1-0).
But, twinkling of an eye, national forward Rakib Hossain leveled the margin for the Kings in the following minute (50th minute) by a left footed ground shot (1-1)
Later, he was adjudged the best player of the tournament.
Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes scored the match-winning goal for the all red Kings in the 82nd minute (2-1) and was adjudged the man of the final.
Dhaka Mohammedan SC was adjudged the most disciplined team to receive fair play trophy.
Holders Bashundhara Kings smartly reached the final of the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Independence Cup Football ' 2023 crushing former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited by 4-0 goal in the 2nd semifinal at their home venue--Bashundhara Kings Arena here.
Traditional Dhaka Mohammedan SC qualified for the final after about nine years eliminating Old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS by 1-0 goal at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Friday.
Earlier in the quarterfinals, Bashundhara Kings beat Bangladesh Army by 2-1 goal, Dhaka Abahani Ltd eliminated Sheikh Jamal DC by 3-2 goal in tie breaker, Mohammedan SC beat Chittagong Abahani Ltd by 1-0 goal in the extra time while Rahmatganj MFS defeated Police FC by 2-1 goal.
Europe's top soccer teams await draw for Champions League's round of 16
Europe's top teams are waiting to discover who they will be playing in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
The draw takes place from 1100 GMT at UEFA headquarters on Monday and it includes eight former champions who have combined to win 33 of the 67 titles since the European Cup started in 1955.
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Among them is defending champion Manchester City, who was a group winner along with Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona.
They'll be facing the following teams who were second in their groups: Copenhagen, PSV Eindhoven, Napoli, Inter Milan, Lazio, Paris Saint-Germain, Leipzig and Porto.
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In the last 16, teams cannot play an opponent from their own country or a team they already faced in the group stage. There's no country protection after that.
Independence Cup Football; Bashundhara Kings crush Dhaka Abahani 4-0 in semifinal
Holders Bashundhara Kings smartly reached the final of the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Independence Cup Football ' 2023 crushing former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited by 4-0 goals in the 2nd semifinal at their home venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena-- here Friday evening.
This is the biggest victory for the Kings so far against Dhaka Abahani Limited since their first appearance in the country top level football.
The Kings will play final on Monday (December 18) at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj against Dhaka Mohammedan SC, which made a final berth eliminating Rahmatganj MFS by 1-0 goal in the first semifinal, also in Gopalganj on Friday.
After a barren first half in the day's 2nd semis, star studded Bashundhara Kings scored all the four goals in the 2nd half.
Local medio Sohel Rana, Brazilian trio --midfielder Miguel Damasceno, forward Dorielton Gomes and striker Robson Robinho -- scored one goal each for the Kings.
Sohel Rana opened the floodgate for the Kings in the 48th minute from a good shot from goalmouth melee (1-0) while Dorielton Gomes doubled the margin in the 53rd minute by pushing the ball home from a handshake distance (2-0).
Independence Cup: Bashundhara Kings to play Dhaka Abahani in high voltage semifinal on Friday
Bashundhara Kings will play former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited in a high voltage 2nd semifinal of the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Independence Cup Football ' 2023 on Friday (December 15).
The match will begin at 4 pm at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital.
Traditional Dhaka Mohammedan SC will face old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS in the first semifinal at 1:45 pm on Friday at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
The title deciding match will kick-off at 1:45 pm on Monday (December 18) at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
Earlier in the quarterfinals, Bashundhara Kings beat Bangladesh Army by 2-1 goals, Dhaka Abahani Ltd eliminated Sheikh Jamal DC by 3-2 goals in tie breaker, Mohammedan SC beat Chittagong Abahani Ltd by 1-0 goal in the extra time while Rahmatganj MFS defeated Police FC by 2-1 goals.
Ahead of the Friday's semifinal, Dhaka Abahani requested the BFF to shift the match to a neutral venue from the Bashundhara Kings home ground, but their appeal was rejected.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Abahani's Manager Kazi Nazrul Islam will not stand in the dugout of the team as he was suspended for four matches.
He was punished following a red card he received in the quarterfinal against Sheikh Jamal DC for bargaining with the match referee.
Fed Cup Football: Mohammedan, Abahani put in same group
Groupings of the 10-team Federation Cup Football were finalised at a ceremonial draw at the BFF office on Wednesday, with two arch-rivals, Dhaka Mohammedan SC and Dhaka Abahani Ltd, being put in the same group.
BFF member and Media Committee Chairman Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, member of the BFF professional league management committee Abdur Rahim, and BFF General Secretary Imran Hossain Tushar were present at the event.
All 10 Premier League teams are split into three groups and will compete in the first phase of the meet, initially on a league basis, starting on December 26.
The matches will be held in the country's three different venues: the Basundhara Kings Arena, the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj, and the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
Two matches will be held on the opening day.
Bangladesh Police will play Rahmatganj MFS in a Group A match, while Bashundhara Kings will face Fortis FC in a Group C match on the same day.
Groups
Group A: Bangladesh Police FC, Sheikh Jamal DC, and Rahmatganj MFS
Group B: Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Dhaka Mohammedan SC, Chittagong Abahani Ltd, and Brothers Union Club
Group C: Bashundhara Kings, Sheikh Russel KC, and Fortis FC.
AFC Cup: Bashundhara Kings again fail to qualify conceding defeat against Odisha FC
A 10-men Bangladesh champions Bashundhara Kings failed to fulfil their long-cherished dream of reaching the AFC Cup Inter Zone play-off semifinal as they conceded a 0-1 goal defeat against hosts Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Monday night.
Senegalese defender Mourtada Fall scored the match-winning goal for Indian Super League side Odisha FC by an accurate header from a danger zone melee, off a corner, in the 61st minute (1-0).
AFC Cup: Bashundhara Kings in Odisha for last group fixture, a point away from history
Bangladesh champions Kings were restricted to 10-man in the added time of the first half as their Uzbek midfielder Asror Gafurov got the marching order after receiving a direct red card for a rough tackle from behind.
The head coach of the Kings, Oscar Bruzon, was also cautioned with a yellow card for protesting the referee's red card decision against them.
AFC Cup: Bashundhara Kings need just a draw against Odisha FC to qualify for zonal semis
In 2021, Bashundhara Kings were eliminated from the AFC Cup Football after losing to another Indian side, Mohun Bagan Club, in Male, also featuring a red card received by their defender Susanta Trupura.
Eatlier in the day's first match, Maziya SRC of the Maldives tasted the secind victory beating Kolkata Mohun Bagan Club by 1-0 goal at the National Stadium in Male, featuring a match-winning goal by HR Ahmad in the 40th minute.
AFC Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings close to inter-zone play-off semifinals, beat Maziya SRC
On completion of six-match Group D matches, Odisha FC topped the list, securing 12 points to qualify for the next round. The Kings finished as runners-up, collecting 10 points. Kolkata Mohun Bagan Club became third with seven points, while Maziya SRC of the Maldives in the bottom with six points.
Indian giant Odisha FC, which badly needed an outright victory against the group leader Kings, achieved their target of reaching the AFC Cup Inter-Zone play-off semifinal, taking sweet revenge for their 2-3 goal defeat against the Bangladesh champions in the away match in Dhaka.
In the day's match, both teams failed to make many good chances as the ball was mostly concentrated in the midfield.
Kings Brazilian forward Dorielton managed a good chance before conceding a goal, but he failed to fire the target with the opponent goalie at his mercy.
Earlier, Bashundhara Kings made a frustrating start with a 1-3 goal defeat against Maziya SRC in an away match, bounced back in the race, beating Odisha FC by 3-2 goals in a home match, played a 2-2 draw with Kolkata Mohun Bagan in an away match, and made history with their first-ever win against Kolkata Mohun Bagan by 2-1 goals in a home match, apart from Monday's 2-1 victory over Maziya SRC.
AFC Cup: Bashundhara Kings in Odisha for last group fixture, a point away from history
Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Bashundhara Kings left Dhaka for India on Saturday (Dec 9) a dream mission to qualify for the AFC Cup Inter Zone play-off semifinals.
The Kings will play their remaining Group D match, an away encounter, with Odisha FC on Monday (December 11) at 8 pm at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, needing just a draw to achieve their target.
The Bangladesh champions Kings are now enjoying an upper hand advantage not only dominating the group table, but also with a sweet memory of beating Odisha FC by 3-2 goals in their home in Dhaka
The Kings dominated the four-team Group D securing 10 points from five matches, and so need just a draw against Odisha FC to assure their first-ever berth in the AFC Cup Inter Zone play-off semifinals as the 2nd Bangladeshi team after Dhaka Abahani Ltd.
Hosts Odisha SC, having nine points from five matches, also stayed in the race and needed just an outright victory over the Kings in a home match to reach the inter zone play-off semis.
Dhaka Abahani Ltd Limited was the first Bangladeshi team to qualify for the AFC Cup Inter- Zone play- off semi-final in 2019.
But, they eliminated from the meet in the round after beating April 25 team of North Korea by 4-3 goals in home match and conceded 0-2 goals defeat in the away match
Last Monday, Odisha FC made the Bashundhara Kings task easier eliminating Indian giant and hosts Kolkata Mohun Bagan Club outplaying them by 5-2 goals at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in a Group D match.
After the 5th round of Group D, Bashundhara Kings topped the list securing ten points, Odisha FC followed the Kings neck to neck collecting nine points, Kolkata Mohun Bagan Club in the 3rd slot with seven points while Maziya S&RC in the bottom with three points.
Kolkata Mohun Bagan Club were eliminated from the AFC Cup race with one match to spare against Maziya S&RC also on December 11 at 4 pm in Male as they went behind the Kings in head to head counting.
Earlier, Bashundhara Kings made a frustrating start with 1-3 goals defeat against Maziya SRC in away match, bounced back in the race beating Odisha FC by 3-2 goals in home match, played 2-2 draw with Kolkata Mohun Bagan in away match in Odisha and made a history with their first- ever win against Kolkata Mohun Bagan by 2-1 goals in home match, apart from Monday's 2-1 victory over Maziya S&RC.
BFF Academy Championships begins on December 19 across country
The first-ever Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Academy Championship' 2023-24 under the talent development scheme of the World football body FIFA will begin simultaneously at 24 zonal venues across the country on December 19
A total of 170 BFF registered Academy teams from all over the country will compete in Crore Taka's Under -15 football meet with the full financial support of FIFA.
Independence Cup: Bashundhara Kings, Dhaka Mohammedan reach semifinals
BFF vice president cum chairman of the development committee Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan (Manik) disclosed it at a press conference and tournament's draw ceremony at the BFF office in Motijheel on Thursday.
BFF member M Eliyas Hossian, BFF general
Secretary Imran Hossain Tushar, among others, were also present on the occasion.
Copa América semifinals in New Jersey and Charlotte, among 14 U.S. cities hosting next summer
Initially, 170 Academy teams, split in 24 zones, will compete in the first phase from December 19 and later 24 zonal champions teams will play again in the zonal finals at 12 venues.
The BFF will involve 24 coaches in 24 zonal venues to hunt talented footballers for the BFF Elite Academy.
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Later, 12 zonal champions teams will play in the final round of the meet will be held in Dhaka in February- March next year.
The players, who was born between Jan 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, are eligible to compete in the meet, to be organized in a slogan of "Give Every Talent A Chance".
Independence Cup: Bashundhara Kings, Dhaka Mohammedan reach semifinals
Holders Bashundhara Kings and Dhaka Mohammedan SC reached the semifinal of the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Independence Cup Football 2023 eliminating their rivals at different venues in the capital and adjoining areas on Tuesday.
In the day's fourth and last quarterfinal, Bashundhara Kings advanced to the last four stage eliminating Bangladesh Army by 2-1 goals in a keenly contested match at their home venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena --Tuesday evening.
Star studded Bashundhara Kings will play the 2nd semifinal on December 15 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena against former championsDhaka Abahani Limited, which made a semifinal berth eliminating Sheikh Jamal DC by 3-2 goals in tie breaker at the same venue last Sunday.
The Kings dominated the first half by a solitary goal.
Uzbek defender Boburbek put the Kings ahead in the 39th minute by a header, off a Miguel corner (1-0), while local forward Shahriar Emon levelled the margin for the Army team in the 61st minute, utilizing a lapse of Kings goalie Srabon (1-1).
Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes scored the match winning goal for the Kings in the 76th minute by a placing shot, capitalizing on a,Saad Uddin pass (2-1).
Earlier in the day' third quarterfinal, Dhaka Mohammedan SC booked a seat for the semifinal, eliminating Chittagong Abahani Limited by 1-0 goals in the extra time at the Bir Shreshtha Fl Lt Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Tuesday afternoon.
They will play the first semifinal, also on December 15 at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj against the Rahmatganj MFS, which qualified for the semis, eliminating Bangladesh Police FC by 2-1 goals in the first quarterfinal last Sunday.
After a goalless position in the stipulated 90-minute, Uzbek midfielder Muzaffarov scored the match winning goal for the traditional black and whites Mohammedans by a brilliant free kick from about 30 yards that kissed net over opponent custodian in the 7th minute of extra time (97th minute) .
Islam Sakib of Chittagong Abahani got matching order in the 115th minute, after receiving the 2nd yellow card.
The title deciding final match will commence on December 18 at 1:45 pm at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
Copa América semifinals in New Jersey and Charlotte, among 14 U.S. cities hosting next summer
Fourteen U.S. cities will play host to Copa América next summer, with the semifinals at East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of the July 14 championship in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The host Americans will be in Group C and open at Arlington, Texas, on June 23, then play Atlanta four days later and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on July 1.
The governing bodies of South America and of North and Central America and the Caribbean made the announcement Monday, filling in the cities that will be part of the 16-team tournament.
The quarterfinals will be held July 4 at NRG Stadium in Houston; July 5 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and July 6 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The semifinals will be in New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on July 9 and Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium the next day. The third-place game will be in Charlotte on July 13, the eve of the final.
The draw is set for Thursday in Miami. This will be only the second time Copa América has been held outside of South America since the inaugural tournament in 1916.
"These venues are world-class and have passionate fans who are renowned for getting behind major events,” CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani said in a statement.
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CONMEBOL and CONCACAF announced last month that the June 20 opening game will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, while South Florida's Hard Rock Stadium landed the final.
Reigning Copa América and World Cup champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, has been placed in Group A and will play in the Atlanta opener, as well as East Rutherford five days later and Miami Gardens on June 29.
The other sites revealed Monday: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California; Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California; Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida; Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas; and a smaller facility in the Kansas City metro area: Children's Mercy Park on the Kansas side of the border.
Mexico opens in Houston on June 22, plays four days later at Inglewood and closes the first round on June 30 at Glendale.
Brazil heads group D and has games in Inglewood on June 24, Las Vegas four days later and Santa Clara on July 2.
Eleven of the venues are best-known as NFL stadiums, ranging in size from 63,400-seat State Farm Stadium to 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium. The other three — 25,500-seat Exploria Stadium, 20,700-seat Q2 Stadium and 18,500-seat Children's Mercy Park — are Major League Soccer facilities.
Copa América is expanding in 2024, with six teams from North America joining the usual 10 nations from South America that compete for the continental championship. The format mirrors the Copa América Centenario in 2016, the only previous time the tournament was staged outside of South America.
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“We will experience an unforgettable Copa América, enjoying the best football in the world in 14 magnificent stadiums,” said Alejandro Dominguez, the president of CONMEBOL.
For the 2024 edition, the CONMEBOL regulars will be joined by six CONCACAF qualifiers. The host United States, Mexico, Jamaica and Panama earned their spots by winning in the Nations League quarterfinals, while March 23 playoff games matching Costa Rica vs. Honduras and Canada vs. Trinidad and Tobago will determine the final two entrants.
Two group-round games will be played at every site except for Charlotte — which has the pair of knockout matches — and the two Kansas City stadiums, which have one group game each.
MetLife Stadium, NRG Stadium, Levi’s Stadium and State Farm Stadium are the only returning stadiums from the 10 venues that were used for Copa América Centenario, though games also were held in Orlando (Camping World Stadium) and the Los Angeles area (Pasadena's Rose Bowl).
The final won by Chile over Argentina on penalty kicks -- Messi memorably left the field in tears after putting his attempt over the crossbar -- was played at MetLife Stadium outside of New York City.
Except for the Centenario tournament, Copa América hosting duties usually have rotated among the 10 COMNEBOL nations in South America. The arrangement called for Ecuador to host in 2024, but that country backed out because of security issues.
The U.S. stepped in to fill the void under a new partnership between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF.
Eight of the 14 stadiums for Copa América have already been picked as venues for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
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They are: MetLife Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Levi's Stadium, SoFi Stadium, AT&T Stadium, NRG Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium.
Some of those venues could also be in the running for another major tournament that will be staged in the U.S. in 2025 — the expanded Club World Cup featuring 32 teams.
Montagliani said holding two major competitions ahead of the World Cup will “cement our region as a global hub for football."