Football
BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani manage 2-1 victory over Sheikh Jamal DC
In a battle of two former champions, six times champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd managed 2-1 goals victory over three times champions Sheikh Jamal DC in the Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2023-24 at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Friday.
Federation Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings reach semifinals beating Rahmatganj MFS
Midfielder Mohammad Abdullah put Sheikh Jamal DC ahead in the 8th minute (1-0) while Brazilian booter Jonathon Fernandes restored the parity for Abahani in the 28th minute (1-1).
St. Vincent booter Stewart Cornelius scored the match winning goal for the traditional sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani in the stoppage time (45+1) of the first half (2-1).
BPL Football : Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintain unbeaten run defeating Sheikh Russel KC 3-1
After the day's match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd remained at the 3rd slot securing 22 points while Sheikh Jamal DC is in the 5th slot with 15 points, playing 12 matches each.
In the day's other match, Bangladesh Police FC beat another former champions Sheikh Russell KC by a solitary goal scored by Quazem in the 23rd minute (1-0) at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on Friday.
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings thrash Ctg. Abahani 5-0
Zillur Rahman of Police FC got marching order after receiving two yellow cards.
With the day's victory, Police FC advanced to the 4th slot in the league table securing 17 points while Sheikh Russell KC is in the 7th slot with 11 points, playing 12 matches each
Federation Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings reach semifinals beating Rahmatganj MFS
League champions Bashundhara Kings smartly reached the semifinal of the Federation Cup Football as the 2nd team eliminating Rahmatganj MFS by 2-0 goals in the 2nd quarterfinal at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Tuesday.
Defending champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC advanced to the semifinal of the Federation Cup Football Tournament as the first team eliminating Sheikh Russel KC by 2-1 goals in the first quarter final at the same venue on April 2.
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to play Police FC in the 3rd quarterfinal on April 23 while Dhaka Abahani Ltd will face Fortis FC in the 4th and last quarterfinal on April 30, both at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj
In the day's well contested 2nd quarterfinal, Sohel Rana put the Kings ahead in the 24th minute of the match by a powerful shot, capitalizing on a Robson Robinho clever pass (1-0).
Nigerian booter Mfon Sunday Udoh scored the 2nd goal for the Kings in the 62nd minute sending the ball over the advanced opponent custodian, also off a Robson Robinho pass (2-0).
Later, the Kings day's play maker Robson Robinho was adjudged the best player of the match.
Real Madrid will be out for revenge against Man City in the Champions League. Expect fireworks
The all-time kings of Europe take on the current holders in the standout tie of the Champions League quarterfinals.
For the third year running Madrid and City meet in a match-up in which the winner has gone on to lift the trophy in the past two seasons. And it would be difficult to look beyond either team going on to continue that streak this time around.
City is still in contention for back-to-back trebles after winning the Premier League title, Champions League and FA Cup last year.
Madrid, reinvigorated by the signing of Jude Bellingham last summer, is eight points clear at the top of the Spanish league and aiming for a record-extending 15th European Cup title.
The Spanish giant also has a point to prove after being routed 4-0 by City in the second leg of last year's semifinals.
Then it was City who had a score to settle, having suffered a late collapse at the Bernabeu to crash out in the semifinals in 2022.
Manager Pep Guardiola will likely know how motivated Madrid will be to exact revenge — just as his players were last year — and that adds a subplot to a tie that is already heavy on intrigue.
Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain versus Barcelona is another clash of heavyweights, with Kylian Mbappe aiming to finally lead the French champions to European club soccer's elite trophy before walking away at the end of the season.
Premier League title-chasing Arsenal takes on a Bayern Munich team that is limping towards the end of a miserable campaign in the German league, while Atletico Madrid faces Borussia Dortmund.
REAL DEAL?
Madrid has all its attacking players clicking.
Bellingham has struck 20 goals in 32 games this season, including four in the Champions League. Vinícius Júnior is peaking just in time to face City with five goals in his last three appearances. Brahim Díaz provides a spark off the bench. And Rodyrgo ended a six-week scoring drought in Madrid’s last game, a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, to keep it on course for winning the domestic league title.
Madrid is on a 27-game unbeaten run at its Santiago Bernabeu Stadium across all competitions dating back to last April.
City has found its scoring form over the past week after hitting four goals in each of its games against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace to stay on the heels of title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.
ENRIQUE REUNION
After a difficult start to his coaching career at PSG, when he had to put up with Mbappe’s bitter contract saga, Luis Enrique has steadily won over fans and the French media - even if it meant dropping Mbappe or taking him off in games.
Enrique won the treble as Barcelona coach in 2015 with Lionel Messi in his team and is still in contention to do the same at PSG with Mbappe.
Losing has become a distant memory for PSG, which is undefeated in 27 matches since a loss away to AC Milan in November during the Champions League group stage. But playing a rested Barcelona side could be the toughest test of the season.
Xavi Hernández attempted to shock his team into getting its act together by saying he would quit at the end of the season, something that has coincided with a certain improvement.
Barcelona has gone unbeaten in 11 straight games since Xavi said in late January that he was renouncing the final year of his contract.
Robert Lewandowski, teenager Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are all playing well of late, but the midfield is a big question mark due to injury concerns.
TUCHEL TROUBLE
Bayern Coach Thomas Tuchel wants to end a “frustrating” season, and his tenure, on a high with a trip to Wembley for the Champions League final. But its preparation for Arsenal could hardly have been worse after its latest defeat, this time to Heidenheim on Saturday after leading 2-0.
“There’s still the goal of going to Wembley,” Tuchel said Friday. “Everything is being put toward this target. It can’t happen that we ease off even 1% in our conviction or in our ambition.”
The mood at Arsenal is very different with Mikel Arteta's team looking better equipped to last the course in the race for the title this year after a late collapse last season.
The Champions League run feels like an unexpected bonus, but victory against Bayern will strengthen belief that a trophy double could be on.
ATLETICO SLUMP
Atletico has slumped in recent weeks, with six losses and only four wins in its last 12 games overall, as it missed the goals and creativity of Antoine Griezmann. The France forward is now back playing and will be looking for his first goal since Jan. 18.
Diego Simeone’s side was enjoying a 25-game unbeaten run at its Metropolitano Stadium until Barcelona delivered a 3-0 rout at Atletico on March 27.
Dortmund has generally saved its best for the Champions League this season. It isn’t a Bundesliga contender this year, but wins over Newcastle, AC Milan and most recently PSV Eindhoven have shown it means business in Europe.
BPL Football : Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintain unbeaten run defeating Sheikh Russel KC 3-1
Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintained their unbeaten record as the lone team in the ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2023-24, beating former champions Sheikh Russel KC by 3-1 goals at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka on Saturday.
Despite the day's well merited win, Mohammedan SC remained at the 2nd slot in the league table securing 23 points from eleven matches while Sheikh Russell KC was at the 7th slot bagging 11 points from eleven encounters.
Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league table securing 28 points from eleven matches while another former champion Dhaka Abahani Ltd were in distant 3rd with 19 points from eleven ties.
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings thrash Ctg. Abahani 5-0
In the day's match, long serving Malian forward Souleymane Diabate scored first for the traditional black and whites Mohammedan in the 37th minute from a penalty (1-0).
Serbian left winger Vojislav Balabanovic leveled the margin for Sheikh Russel KC in the added time of the first half (45+7 minute) also from a penalty (1-1).
Uzbek midfielder Mozaffarov put Mohammedan ahead again in the 72nd minute (2-1) while local forward Jafar Iqbal sealed the fate of the match scoring the 3rd goal for Mohammedan in the 77th minute (3-1).
Sheikh Russell KC were reduced to 10-man as their Guinea foward Sekou Sylla got marching order in the 80th minute after receiving direct red card alongwith his coach.
Today (Saturday) is an exceptionally lucky day for Dhaka Mohammedan SC in the sports arena as their cricket team and hockey team also won their respective matches in top level.
Federation Cup Football: Holders Mohammedan SC reach semifinal eliminating Sheikh Russel
Mohammedan beat Gazi Tyres by nine wickets in the Premier Cricket League and they earned 6-3 goals victory over Police SC in the Premier Hockey League on Saturday.
However, in the day's other BPL match, former champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club played to 2-2 draw with formidable Bangladesh Police FC at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Saturday.
E E Morillo Jimenez and Al Amin scored one each for Police FC while Senegalese forward Abou Toure netted both the goals for Sheikh Jamal DC.
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings, Dhaka Abahani Ltd earn convincing win
With the day's feat, Sheikh Jamal DC advanced to the 4th slot in the league table collecting 15 points while Police FC remained at the 5th place with 14 points, playing eleven matches.each.
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings thrash Ctg. Abahani 5-0
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings earned a convincing 5-0 victory over Chittagong Abahani Ltd in the ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2023-24' at the Bir Shreshta Fl.Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshigani on Friday.
With the day's feat, Bashundhara Kings further consolidated their top slot to clinch the league crown securing 28 points from eleven matches while Chittagong Abahani Ltd went down to the 9th slot with 10 points from eleven encounters.
In the day's match, local forward Rakib Hossain struck twice in the 19th and 53rd minutes, Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes, Robson Robinho and Uzbek medio Asror Gafurov scored one goal each for the Kings in the 2nd, 13th and 45+2 minute respectively.
FIFA World Ranking: Bangladesh drops to 184th
In the day's other match, Dhaka Abahani Limited shared points middle rated Fortis FC as their crucial encounter ended in a 1-1 draw at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Friday.
After a barren first half, Ukrainian footballer V Gryshyn put Fortis FC ahead in the 61st minute (1-0) with the frustration of Abahani fans.
When the match was almost heading for Abahani's 3rd defeat in the league, then Saint Vincent booter Cornelius Stewart made the face-saving equaliser for sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani in the 6th minute of the stoppage time (90+6) minute (1-1)
After the day's match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd remained in the 3rd place in the league table with 19 points from eleven league outings while Fortis SC went down to the 6th slot with 13 points from eleven matches.
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings, Dhaka Abahani Ltd earn convincing win
In a battle of two lowly teams at the Muktijoddha Smriti Stadium in Rajshahi, Rahmatganj MFS beat bottom-ranked Brothers Union Club by 1-0 goal Friday afternoon.
Rahmatganj MFS moved up to the 8th place in the league table earning ten points from eleven ties while Brothers Union remained at bottom with three points from eleven matches.
M Kahraba scored the all important goal for the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj in the 44th minute of the match.
FIFA World Ranking: Bangladesh drops to 184th
Current World Cup Champions Leonel Messi's Argentina remained on top while Bangladesh by one step to 184th in the latest FIFA World Ranking published by the World's apex body on Thursday (Apr 4).
Argentina, which clinched the top position in the FIFA World Ranking dethroning their arch-rival Brazil in April last year, maintained their hot seat intact for one year.
Bangladesh ranked 183rd in October last, went down by one step to settle for 184th place after six months following their two back to back defeats against war-torn Arabian nation Palestine in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers last month.
Bangladesh suffered their biggest 0-5 goal defeat against Palestine in their away match in Kuwait on March 21 and conceded 0-1 goal defeat in their home match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka on March 26.
Besides, two major changes were also held in top ten positions.
Belgium advanced to the 3rd slot toppling England while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal moved one step up to settle for the 6th place.
In other top ten FIFA rankings, France ranked 2nd, England 4th, Brazil 5th, Netherlands 7th, Spain 8th, Italy 9th and Croatia 10th .
Federation Cup Football: Holders Mohammedan SC reach semifinal eliminating Sheikh Russel
Coming from behind, defending champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC reached the semifinal of the Federation Cup Football Tournament as the first team eliminating Sheikh Russel KC by 2-1 goals in the first quarter final at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Tuesday.
Guinea forward Sekou Sylla put Sheikh Russell KC ahead twinkling of an eye in the very first minute of the match silencing the Mohammedans fans (1-0).
Federation Cup Football: Mohammedan SC, Dhaka Abahani reach quarterfinals
The traditional black and whites Mohammedan SC had to wait till 71st minute to make equaliser by Uzbek medio Muzaffarov (1-1).
Finally, local striker Jafar Iqbal scored the match winning goal for Mohammedan SC in the first minute of the added time (90+1 minute) of the match (2-1).
Federation Cup Football: Sheikh Jamal DC assure knock out stage outplaying Rahmatganj MFS 4-1
League champions and star -studded Bashundhara Kings will play old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS in the 2nd quarterfinal on April 16 at the same venue.
Federation Cup Football: Holders Mohammedan SC, runners-up Dhaka Abahani make good start
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings, Dhaka Abahani Ltd earn convincing win
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings and former champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd earned convincing victories in the ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League ( BPL) Football 2023-24' at the two different venues on Saturday.
At the Muktijoddha Smriti Stadium in Rajshahi, star-studded Bashundhara Kings outplayed lowly Brothers Union Club by 7-1 goals.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Bangladesh concede 0-1 goal defeat against Palestine in last moment debacle
Brazilian striker Miguel and Nigerian forward Mfon struck twice each while another Brazilian Robson Robinho, local defender Saaduddin and Sohel Rana netted one each for the winners while Eleta Kingsley scored the lone goal for the Brothers Union.
On the day's other match, Dhaka Abahani Limited defeated Rahmatganj MFS by 3-0 goals at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on Saturday.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Palestine team arrive in Dhaka
After a barren first, Santos, Stewart and Jonathon scored one each for Abahani Ltd.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Bangladesh concede 0-1 goal defeat against Palestine in last moment debacle
Bangladesh conceded a shocking 0-1 goal defeat against war-torn stronger Arabian nation Palestine in a last moment debacle in their 4th Group I match of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in a home match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Tuesday.
This was the first defeat for Bangladesh national football team in their 5th international match at their lucky ground --Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka.
T-Sports telecast the match live from Kings arena.
After the stipulated 90 minutes, ten minutes added time was given by the match referee and in the beginning of added time Palentine midfielder Ameed Mahajneh got marching order after receiving the 2nd yellow card in the match.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Bangladesh to host Palestine on Tuesday
But, Bangladesh failed to take its advantage and miserably conceded a goal in a couple of minutes.
When the match was almost heading for a draw in the added time, then unmarked defender Michael Termanini scored the match winning goal for Palestine by a palacing shot from close with the frustration of soccer loving Bangladesh fans.
Bangladesh, which suffered a huge 0-5 goals defeat against Palestine in their away match in Kuwait last Thursday, today (Tuesday) bravely battled with their Arabian rivals, specially in the 2nd half, but failed to escape defeat due to shakiness of their defenders in the last few minutes.
Bangladesh custodian Mitul Marma, who made at least three brilliant saves in the match, was forced to leave the field with injury in the 83rd minute replacing Mehdi Hasan Srabon.
Oday Dabbagh, who made a hattrick against Bangladesh in the Kuwait match, spoiled the golden opportunity in the early 2nd half as he failed to fire the open net from the danger zone.
Foysal Hossain Fahim also came close to scoring in the 2nd half but he failed to connect the ball properly.
Bangladesh conceded defeat in all of their eight matches except making 1-1 draw in their first meeting in the AFC Challenge Cup held in Dhaka in 2006.
Palestine is 86 steps ahead of Bangladesh in the current FIFA men's world ranking with a ranking of 97 against the Bangladesh ranking 183.
Bangladesh Football team to play Palestine March 21 in World Cup Qualifiers
Earlier, Bangladesh suffered a 0-7 goals defeat against World Cup playing hosts Australia in their first away match on November 16 and drew 1-1 with another Arabian nation Lebanon in their home match in Dhaka on Nov 21, apart from 0-5 defeat against Palestine in Kuwait last week.
In the remaining two FIFA World Cup Qualifying round group matches, Bangladesh will play World Cup playing Australia in a home match on June 6 and will play Lebanon in the away match on June 11.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Bangladesh to host Palestine on Tuesday
Bangladesh will host war-torn, stronger Arabian nation Palestine in their fourth Group I match of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday in the hope of compensating for their huge defeat in Kuwait.
The match between hosts Bangladesh and touring Palestine will kick-off at 3:30 pm local time at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka.
T-Sports will telecast the match live.
Ahead of the match, both teams made their final practice session at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Monday afternoon.
The tickets for Tuesday's match will be available at the Motijheel branch of Premier Bank Ltd and the Bashundhara, Uttara, and Panthapath branches of Social Islami Bank Limited.
Earlier, the Bangladesh National Football Team suffered a huge 0-5 goal defeat against war-torn Arab nation Palestine in their third Group I match of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait on Thursday night.
Ahead of the World Cup qualifying match against Palestine, the Bangladesh national team conducted an intensive two-week long preparatory camp at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium in the Saudi Arabian city of Al Taif from March 3 to 17 and also played two preparatory matches there against Sudan, but all of their efforts went in vain.
This was the biggest defeat for Bangladesh against their much superior Arabian rivals, Palestine, in seven matches since their first meeting in Dhaka in 2006.
Bangladesh conceded defeat in every match except for a 1-1 draw in their first meeting in the AFC Challenge Cup held in Dhaka in 2006.
Palestine is 86 steps ahead of Bangladesh in the current FIFA men's world ranking, with a ranking of 97 against Bangladesh's ranking of 183.
Earlier, Bangladesh suffered a 0-7 goals defeat against World Cup playing hosts Australia in their first away match on November 16 and drew 1-1 with another Arabian nation, Lebanon, in their home match in Dhaka on November 21, apart from a 0-5 defeat against Palestine in Kuwait last week.
In the remaining two FIFA World Cup qualifying round group matches, Bangladesh will play Australia in the home match on June 6 and Lebanon in the away match on June 11.