Football
Maradona's 1986 Golden Ball heads to auction
A legendary piece of football history is heading to the auction block: Diego Maradona's Adidas Golden Ball trophy, awarded to him as the best player of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, will be auctioned by Aguttes International Auction House in Paris on June 6th this year.
This unique trophy symbolizes the pinnacle of Maradona's illustrious career, a tournament where he led Argentina to World Cup glory and scored two of the most iconic goals in football history: the infamous 'Hand of God' and the breathtaking 'Goal of the Century' against England.
The Adidas Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament's best player since the 1982 World Cup, represents one of football's most prestigious individual accolades.
This particular trophy, featuring the design of the official Adidas 'Azteca' ball used in the 1986 World Cup, marks the first time a Golden Ball has ever been offered at auction.
This auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors and football enthusiasts to own a piece of sporting history that embodies the brilliance and legacy of one of the greatest footballers of all time.
With Maradona's 1986 World Cup jersey recently fetching a staggering $7 million at auction, the Golden Ball trophy is expected to attract significant interest and potentially reach a record-breaking price.
Fed Cup Football: Dhaka Mohammedan SC reach final for 2nd successive time eliminating Police FC
Coming from behind, defending champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC smarty reached the final of the Federation Cup Football Tournament for the 2nd consecutive time eliminating Bangladesh Police FC by 2-1 goal in the first semifinal at the Bir Shreshtho Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Tuesday.
The traditional black and whites Mohammedan SC will play the final on May 21 against the winners of current BPL champions Bashundhara Kings and former BPL champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd, who will meet each other in the 2nd semifinal on May 14.
After a barren first half in the day's first semifinal, Uzbek defender Akhrorbek Uktamov put the Bangladesh Police FC ahead in the 47th minute by a good header from danger zone, capitalizing on a free kick(1-0).
Abahani finish Dhaka League campaign as undefeated champions
After conceding the goal, Mohammedan SC reorganised themselves and created strong pressure over their opponents and took its fruit scoring two goals in the span of only eleven minutes.
Niigerian midfielder Emmanuel Sunday leveled the margin for Mohammedan SC in the 68th minute by a volley inside from the danger zone (1-1).
Police FC protested the goal decision demanding off side.
Women's Football League: Bangladesh Army earn 2nd consecutive victory beating Farashganj SC
Local midfielder Shahriar Emon scored the match-winning goal for Mohammedan SC in the 79th minute of the match by a beautiful header from close, beating opponent goalie and defender (2-1).
Abahani finish Dhaka League campaign as undefeated champions
Abahani Limited concluded their Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2024 campaign in spectacular fashion, remaining undefeated throughout the season and securing their 23rd league title.
Their dominance was further emphasized with a victory in their last match of the season on Monday.
Anamul Haque Bijoy's unbeaten century steered Abahani to a four-wicket win over Shinepukur Cricket Club.
Shinepukur, batting first, managed a total of 234 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs, with Khalid Hasan (58) and Amite Hasan (77) contributing half-centuries.
Raqibul Hasan was the standout bowler for Abahani, claiming three wickets.
Abahani's chase faced early hiccups as openers Mohammad Naim and Sabbir Hossain failed to make an impact. However, Anamul Haque's masterful innings steadied the ship. His unbeaten 110, featuring seven fours and four sixes, anchored the chase.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, contributions from Mosaddek Hossain (29) and Nahidul Islam (21) ensured Abahani reached the target with 23 balls to spare.
This undefeated season marks a historic feat for Abahani, becoming the first team to achieve this since the Dhaka League attained List-A status in 2013.
Mohammedan Sporting Club finished as the runners-up. They have won 12 out of 16 matches of the league.//
Women's Football League: Bangladesh Army earn 2nd consecutive victory beating Farashganj SC
Bangladesh Army SC Ltd earned the 2nd consecutive victory in the UCB Women's Football League 2023-24 beating Farashganj SC by 2-0 goals at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here Monday evening.
Bangladesh Army team, which made a good start in the league defeating Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College SC 1-0 in their first match, today (Monday) dominated the first half by a solitary goal.
Forward Nowshon Jahan put the Army team ahead in the 33rd minute (1-0) while midfielder Momita Khatun scored the 2nd goal for Army in the 89th minute (2-0).
Earlier on Sunday night, a brilliant hattrick by Sagorika guided Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College SC to pile up the 2nd successive win in the League defeating Dhaka Rangers FC by 4-0 goals at the same venue under floodlight.
Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College SC tasted the first victory in their 2nd league match outplaying Farashganj SC 6-0 goals after conceding 0-1 goal defeat against Bangladesh Army in the first match.
After a barren first half on Sunday, Sagorika made a hattrick scoring three goals in a row for ARB College in the 63rd, 82nd and 84th minutes while Shaheda Akter Ripa opened the account in the 57th minute.
In the Sunday's first match, Uttara Football Club Ltd piled up the 2nd successive win defeating all losers Jamalpur Kacharipara Akadash by 2-0 goals at the same venue.
Striker Eilamoni Akhter Eila scored first for Uttara FC in the very 3rd minute of the match (1-0) while another forward Sopna Akter confirmed the Uttara FC victory scoring one more goal in the 81st minute (2-0).
César Luis Menotti, coach who led Argentina to its first World Cup title in 1978, dies at 85
César Luis Menotti, the charismatic coach who led Argentina to its first World Cup title in 1978, has died, the Argentine Football Association said Sunday. He was 85.
“Goodbye, dear Flaco!” the association's statement added, using Menotti’s nickname which means “the thin one.”
The association did not give a cause of death. Local media reports said Menotti was admitted to a clinic in March with severe anemia. He reportedly underwent surgery for phlebitis in April and subsequently returned home.
Passion for soccer and a sharp ability to explain its mechanics were Menotti's hallmark characteristics as a trainer, and he was considered one of the most emblematic and influential coaches in Argentine soccer.
Menotti was a political activist and an affiliate member of the Argentine Communist Party, a boxing fan and an admirer of the works of Latin American writers Mario Benedetti, Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Mario Sábato and Joan Manuel Serrat, among others.
“Once I was interviewed by Borges, and when I asked him if it bothered him that I smoked, he told me: ‘What intoxicates me is not the cigarette, but the stupid conversations,’” Menotti recalled in one of his last interviews.
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“So, I asked about everything ... but not about soccer, because I know about soccer!” he added.
He launched his career as a player for Rosario Central (1960-1963 and 1967), then went to Racing Club (1964) and Boca Juniors (1965-1966), all Argentine clubs. Menotti played for the New York Generals in the U.S. (1967), followed by Brazil’s Santos (1968) and Italy’s Juventus (1969-1970).
At Santos, he played alongside Pelé, whom he never hesitated to qualify as the best player among legends.
Menotti coached Argentina's national team between 1974 and 1983. He was convinced the side did not get the recognition it deserved when it won the World Cup in 1978 because the country was ruled by a military junta responsible for widespread human rights violations. His detractors would often recall a photo in which Menotti, after the World Cup victory, shook hands with Jorge Rafael Videla, head of the military junta.
On the eve of the World Cup, Menotti left a 17-year-old Maradona off the squad — a decision the coach later said soured their relations for years.
Menotti coached Mexico’s national team in 1991-1992. He also led Barcelona (1983-1984), where he had Maradona on his squad; Atletico Madrid (1987-88); Uruguay’s Penarol (1990-91); Italy’s Sampdoria (1997) and Mexico’s Tecos (2007) — his last coaching job.
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For years, Menotti often had a cigarette hanging between his lips, but he mostly quit the habit in 2011 following a three-day hospitalization stemming from his tobacco addiction.
He also was known for wearing hair long but neat. He said he didn't rely on hairdressers. “I cut my own hair. I take the scissors, I cut the ends.”
Menotti began leaving his hair long in the early 1970s. “One day I said to myself: ‘I won’t cut my hair until we lose’. And we went 10 games undefeated, so it all started as a joke,” he said.
In his later years, Menotti said he didn't fear death. “It’s the only thing I’m sure of. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t died at some point,” he said in 2014.
BPL Football: Holders Bashundhara Kings come close to 5th title eliminating Dhaka Abahani
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings came close to 5th title of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football eliminating six times champions Dhaka Abahani Limited by 2-1 goals at their home ground --floodlight Bashundhara Kings Arena -- here Saturday evening.
They clearly dominated the first half by 2-0 goals.
The Kings, which clinched BPL title for the 4th consecutive times from 2018-2019 season to 2022-23 season (BPL abandoned in 2019-1020 season due to Covid-19 Pandemic), now poised for the 5th BPL crown securing 37 points from 14 matches, nine points ahead of the nearest rivals Mohammedan SC and 12 points ahead of the 3rd ranked Dhaka Abahani Ltd.
After the day's match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd are virtually eliminated from the title race with 25 points from 14 matches while Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC keep their very slim hope alive with 28 points from 14 encounters, with all teams have four matches to spare.
In the day's crucial match, local forward Rakib Hossain scored first for the Kings in the very 5th minute of the match (1-0) while Brazilian midfielder Miguel Figueira doubled the winners margin in the 35th minute from a penalty (2-0).
St. Vincent forward Cornelius Stewart pulled the Abahani margin one back scoring the lone goal in the 50th minute (2-1).
BPL Football: Police FC earn 6th win beating Rahmatganj MFS;
Bangladesh Police FC earned the 6th victory in their 14th match of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2023-24 beating lowly Rahmatganj MFS by 2-0 goals at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh Saturday afternoon.
After a barren first half, midfielder Shahed Hossain Miah put the Police team ahead in the 72nd minute (1-0) while Venezuela forward Morillo Jimenez confirmed the Police win scoring the 2nd goal in the 83rd minute (2-0).
Despite the day's win, Police FC remained at the 4th slot in the league table securing 21 points from 14 matches while the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS remained at the 9th slot in 10-team league with 10 points from 14 matches.
Holders Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league table securing 34 points, six times champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd in the 3rd slot with 25 points, playing 13 matches each while Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC is in the distant 2nd slot with 28 points, playing one more match than the Kings and Dhaka Abahani.
In the day's other match, coming from behind, Sheikh Russel KC upset Fortis FC beating them by 2-1 goals at the Muktijoddha Smrity Stadium in Rajshahi on Saturday.
Gambian forward Pa Omar Babou scored the first goal for Fortis FC in the 32nd minute (1-0) while Nigerian defender Ganiu Atanda Ogungbe neutralized the margin for Sheikh Russel KC in the 36th minute (1-1).
Sheikh Russel KC won the match by a gifted goal when Fortis defender Abdullah Omar Sajib sent the ball to his own net in the 65th minute (2-1)
Despite the day's well merited victory, Sheikh Russel KC remained at the 8th slot in the league table securing 14 points while Fortis FC remained at the 6th place with 16 points, both playing 14 matches each.
BFF decides to give affiliate membership to top four teams of UCB Women's Football League
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has decided to give affiliate membership to the top four teams of the ongoing UCB Women's Football League 2023-24.
However, the decision will be placed in the next BFF general meeting for the final approval.
The BFF general meeting 2023-24 will be held on June 29 in Dhaka.
The decision was taken at the 9th executive committee meeting of BFF held on Friday (May 3) afternoon at the federation office in Motijheel with BFF president Kazi M Salahuddin in the chair.
The bottom team of the ongoing ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2023-24 will be relegated to the lower division-- BCL.
Gopalganj Sporting Club, which withdrew the team from BPL in the last day of the players registration despite of making the entry, also considered as the relegated team.
The BFF meeting also decided that, the U-14 booters will play in the Pioneer Football League, U-16 booters in the 3rd division league, U-20 footballers in the 2nd division league and the T&T Club will play in the first division league.
BPL Football: Dhaka Mohammedan drops points with Chattogram Abahani
Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC Ltd dropped valuable points with Chattogram Abahani Ltd as their Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2023-24 match ended in 1-1 draw at the Bir Shreshtha Fl. Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Friday afternoon.
Despite the day's draw, Mohammedan SC remained at the 2nd slot in the league table as the only unbeaten team, but went down in the title race securing 28 points from 14 matches while the port city team Ctg Abahani advanced to the 5th place toppling Fortis FC collecting 17 points from 14 matches.
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league table securing 34 points from 13 encounters while six times champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd remained at the 3rd slot with 25 points also playing from 13 matches, one match less than Dhaka Mohammedan SC.
In the day's match, local midfielder Arif Hossain scored first for the traditional black and whites Mohammedan in the 27th minute (1-0) while Nigerian forward Ojukwu David Ifegwu leveled the margin for Ctg. Abahani in the 34th minute (1-1).
In the day's other match, relegation-bound Brothers Union Club tasted the first victory in their 14th league match upsetting former champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 3-2 goals at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Friday.
Striker Eleta Kingsley put the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union ahead in the added time of the first half (45+1 minute) while Brazilian midfielder Higor Rodrigues neutralized the margin for Sheikh Jamal DC in the 72nd minute from a penalty (1-1).
Uzbek medio Shakhzod Shaymanov put Sheikh Jamal ahead from behind in the 74th minute (2-1).
Local midfielder Mohsin Ahmed and defender Rabby Hossain Rahul scored two more goals for the Brothers Union in the 83rd and 89th minutes respectively guiding the team towards Maiden victory (3-2).
After the match, Sheikh Jamal DC remained at the 7th slot with 15 points while Brothers Union Club remained at bottom in the 10- team fray with six points, both playing 14 matches.
"United We Play" campaign concludes with 3 local booters getting chance for next stage
A two-day long trail for the "United We Play" campaign, initiated by Apollo Tyres in collaboration with English Premier League giant Manchester United Club, concluded at the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in Dhaka on Thursday.
Head Coach of Manchester United Schools Michael Neary was present to oversee the two-day trails and selected three talented local youngsters from around 500 aspiring footballers for the next phase of the of the trails to be held in Bengaluru, India, alongside the winners from the UAE, Thailand, Nepal, and India.
Three selected local teen-aged (between 13 and 17) players are: Sadman Sajid Ayan of Sirajganj, Papon Roy of Joypurhat, and Rahat Sheikh of Gaibandha.
The selected players will have the chance to not only showcase their skills but also experience their next level of professional training there.
One exceptional talent from Bengaluru will earn a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Manchester United stars Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford, visit the iconic "Theatre of Dream at Old Trafford, and train with academy players at the Carrington training centre.
They also have a taste of the lives of professional footballers at one of the world's most famous football clubs.