United News of Bangladesh

An injury time goal by Shamsunnahar Jr enabled defending champions Bangladesh to stay in the semifinal race of the seven - nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship' 2024 playing 1-1 draw with Pakistan in their first Group A match at the Dashrath Rangasala (Stadium) in Kathmandu Sunday evening. Bangladesh outplayed Pakistan by 6-0 goals in the last SAFF Women's Championship. Samin Malik put Pakistan ahead in the 32nd minute utilizing a lapse defender Sheuly Azim with the frustration of holders Bangladesh (1-0). When the match was almost heading for Pakistan win at the coffin of Bangladesh, striker Shamsunnahar Jr rescued Bangladesh scoring the match equalizer by a good header from goalmouth melee in the first minute of added time (90+1 minute (1-1) After the day's match, Bangladesh, the champions of 2022, held the upper hand in the semifinal race and needed just a draw in their remaining group match against five times champions India on October 23. Bangladesh also have a chance to reach the semis if they conceded narrow defeat against India in the last group march. On other hand, Pakistan went down in the semi-final race as they suffered 2-5 goals defeat against traditional rivals India in the tournament opener and now waiting for Bangladesh's huge defeat against India. Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in three-team Group A of the regional soccer meet India and Pakistan while the four-team Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan and the hosts Nepal. After the day's group matches, India dominated the Group A securing full three points while Bangladesh and Pakistan remained at 2nd slot with one point each playing one and two matches respectively. Sri Lanka dominated Group B with full three points beating the Maldives by 1-0 goal while Bhutan played goalless with hosts Nepal to share 2nd and 3rd slot respectively with one point each. The Maldives remained at bottom without any point.

Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic has undergone surgery after breaking his collarbone in Saturday's 4-0 win over Stuttgart, the club said Sunday. Pavlovic went off injured in the eighth minute after landing heavily on his shoulder and the injury is set to rule out the Germany international for “the coming weeks,” the club said. Bayern said a post-game examination confirmed the injury and that Pavlovic successfully underwent surgery Sunday morning. It's the latest setback for the 20-year-old midfielder, who is considered one of Germany's brightest young talents. Pavlovic was part of the Germany squad for Euro 2024 but was ruled out with illness just four days before the tournament began. Bayern's next game is away to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi checked into the match early in the second half, the score tied and Inter Miami's chances at breaking a pair of Major League Soccer regular-season records very much uncertain. In that instant, it all changed. Messi had three goals — his first MLS hat trick — and an assist in the span of about 30 minutes, Luis Suarez scored twice and Inter Miami rolled past New England 6-2 on Saturday night to set MLS records for most points and best winning percentage. Inter Miami finished with 74 points, one more than New England had in its record-setting season in 2021. Best player ever. Best MLS record ever. A perfect match. “This night is yours,” Inter Miami primary owner Jorge Mas said after the match, as the team celebrated the Supporters' Shield — which it won earlier this month on the road at Columbus — in a ceremony for the home fans. “The best fans on the face of the Earth.” The party was going to happen either way. Messi just made it even more special. At 22-4-8 in league play, Inter Miami finished the season with a .765 winning percentage for another MLS record. Four teams — D.C. United (24-8) and the LA Galaxy (24-8) in 1998, LAFC (21-4-9) in 2019 and New England (22-5-7) in 2021 — had finished an MLS season with a .750 winning percentage, which was the best until Saturday night. Now, the top spot is Inter Miami’s by any measure, both in terms of points and best won-lost-tied mark. Inter Miami also became the eighth team in MLS history to get through a regular season with only four losses, tying another record. “Our players are what has made this season successful,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said. “Our captain has led us. Our players have led us in times where it was difficult. But now, tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow, we prepare for Friday, the playoffs.” Suarez and Messi finished with 20 goals apiece, the first MLS teammates to reach that milestone in the same season. It was Messi's first hat trick for Inter Miami, the team the Argentine superstar joined midway through the 2023 season in a huge victory for MLS. If all that wasn't enough, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said after the match that Inter Miami — as has been generally expected — would be in the Club World Cup next summer as the host country representative. The tournament starts June 15, 2025 in Miami Gardens, and Inter Miami will play the first match. Messi finished the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 matches. Suarez got to 20 goals in his first MLS season, his two goals Saturday — coming about three minutes apart — helping Inter Miami erase an early 2-0 deficit. Luca Langoni and Dylan Borrero had the goals for New England. The rest of the match was all Miami. Suarez's brace pulled the hosts into a tie by halftime and Benja Cremaschi scored the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute. Messi had an assist on Cremaschi’s goal, one that came just seconds after the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner subbed into the match. There had been some question about whether Messi would play at all, especially since Inter Miami had already wrapped up the Supporters' Shield and No. 1 seed in the MLS Cup playoffs. All that was at stake for Inter Miami on Saturday was the record. And there was a scare in the 74th minute when Messi was fouled, yelled in pain and grabbed at his right ankle as he was on the ground. He’s missed 15 of Inter Miami’s MLS matches in 2024, either because of commitments to Argentina’s national team or the two-month absence that he needed to recover from a badly injured ankle — an injury that happened during his nation’s run to the Copa America title in July. It was just a scare. Messi scored about two minutes apart in the second half, turning a 3-2 lead into a 5-2 rout and it was only a matter of time before the record would belong to Inter Miami. And the capper came in the 89th minute, Suarez flipping the ball to Messi for an easy score to complete the hat trick. Next up for Inter Miami: Game 1 of a best-of-three first-round series, at home Friday night against either CF Montreal or Atlanta United, who will play in a wild-card match on Tuesday night. It will be the first home playoff match in Inter Miami history. “Onto the playoffs,” Beckham said, “and we'll be ready.”

Alejandro Garnacho scored from a brilliant volley as Manchester United fought back to beat Brentford 2-1 in the English Premier League on Saturday. The Argentina international fired home from a tight angle when connecting with Marcus Rashford’s cross just after halftime. It sparked a comeback that saw Rasmus Hojlund hit the winner to secure United only its third league victory and ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag. “In this team you see its togetherness and there is a fighting spirit,” Ten Hag said. “And today we add some determination to score goals and that is what we needed.” Aston Villa tightened up the top of the standings by moving to within a point of idle leader Liverpool after beating Fulham 3-1. Brighton was three points off the pace after winning at Newcastle 1-0. Tottenham scored three times in eight minutes in a 4-1 win over West Ham. United was reeling from its worst season start in the Premier League era heading into Saturday's game and it looked like being another disappointing day for Ten Hag, who was angered when Ethan Pinnock opened the scoring for Brentford in contentious circumstances in first-half added time. United defender Matthijs de Ligt was ordered off for medical attention on his bleeding head from a collision. It left the home team down a man as Brentford prepared to take a corner and Pinnock headed over the line in the fifth minute of added time. United responded quickly after the break thanks to Garnacho’s goal in the 47th. Hojlund flicked past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken for the winner in the 62nd. “We don't score enough, we are not clinical enough. But today we scored two brilliant goals,” Ten Hag said. “It's only one win, but it can help us.” Villa rises Villa was up to fourth after coming back from going a goal down at Craven Cottage when Raul Jimenez fired Fulham in front in the fifth minute. Morgan Rogers quickly leveled four minutes later and Ollie Watkins made it 2-1 in the 59th. An Issa Diop own goal in the 69th completed the scoring. Southampton collapses Leading 2-0 after 28 minutes at St Mary’s Stadium, last-placed Southampton looked on course for its first league win. Leicester had other ideas. Second-half goals from Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy from the penalty spot, and Jordan Ayew secured an unlikely comeback that left Southampton rooted to the bottom of the table and moved Leicester six points clear of the relegation zone. Also, Everton won at Ipswich 2-0 to move five points above the relegation zone. Brighton flying high Brighton’s impressive start under coach Fabian Hurzeler continued with the win at Newcastle. Hurzeler, born in Texas, has made his presence felt in England’s top flight following his appointment in the offseason. Hurzeler is also working wonders with Danny Welbeck, who scored in the 35th at St James’ Park, his fifth goal of the season. Spurs comeback Tottenham trailed to Mohammed Kudus' 18th-minute goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but powered back with a brilliant second-half performance. Dejan Kulusevski leveled in the 36th and after the break the home team took control. Yves Bissouma struck in the 52nd and Alphonse Areola scored an own goal three minutes later. Son Heung-min added a fourth on the hour mark. West Ham was reduced to 10 men in the 86th when Kudus was sent off for pushing Micky van de Ven in an angry confrontation.

Bangladesh made a frustrating start in the five- team Group B of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers losing to 10-man hosts Cambodia by 0-1 goal in their first match at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh Saturday evening. Thach Daro scored the match winning goal for the home side in the 85th minute by an angular shot that kissed net making fool the Bangladesh custodian, who stayed at the other end (1-0). Cambodia were restricted to 10- man in the 25th minute of the match when their defender Visal Kea got marching order after receiving the 2nd yellow in the match for a rough tackle. AFC U-20 Asian Cup: Bangladesh end campaign on winning note beating Bhutan The Bangladesh origin Australian striker Arham Islam played for Bangladesh team in the day's match with a good reputation Despite playing with ten players for most of the preceding, Cambodia earned a deserving victory. After the day's match, the Philippines and hosts Cambodia dominated the group securing full three points each, but Philippines top the list with better goal differences outplaying Macau by 7-0 goals. In the remaining group matches, Bangladesh will play stronger Philippines on October 23, Macau on Oct 25 and Afghanistan on Oct 27.

Neymar is available to play for Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal in an AFC Champions League Elite match next week after one year on the sidelines due to injury. His marketing company NR Sports said in a statement on Saturday that the Brazilian's love for soccer and his hope to play in the next World Cup were bringing him back to action. “Though there's no final decision for his return, the number 10 will be able to play on Monday to carry on with his remarkable trajectory,” the statement said, in a reference to Al-Hilal's match against Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates. Neymar signed for the Riyadh team in August 2023 and played just five games when he underwent surgery after rupturing his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while on international duty in October last year. Top 10 New Football Games For Android, IOS in 2024 “These were days of pain, anguish, and a lot of longing for soccer, which were overcome with the help of family and friends, always present for our number 10. And all the fans around the world who gave him all support in social media networks," the statement added. “The wait is over.” A social media posting also published on Saturday showed the 32-year-old speaking about his recovery and displayed footage of his efforts to come back. “Every time I get injured, I come back. But I don't come back halfway,” a tearful Neymar said in a video. Neymar returned to training in July, but in September his club coach Jorge Jesus dampened expectations of an immediate comeback. The Portuguese coach did not confirm Neymar will play on Monday. Neymar, whose two-year contract ends next August, is eligible to appear in AFC Champions League Elite matches as the continental competition has no restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed. That is not the case in the Saudi Pro League, which will see him back only in January. If fit, Neymar could return to Brazil's national team in two rounds of South American World Cup qualifying scheduled for November.

Defending champions Bangladesh Women's Football team will start campaign in the seven-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship' 2024, taking on Pakistan in a Group A match in Nepal on Sunday (Oct 20). The match will kick off at 5:45 pm Bangladesh time at the Dashrath Rangasala (Stadium) in Kathmandu of Nepal. Bangladesh Women's team safely reach Nepal to compete in SAFF Women's Championship 2024 It will be the first match for Bangladesh in the ongoing meet while the second match for Pakistan, which suffered a 2-5 goal defeat against former champions India in the tournament opener. Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in three-team Group A of the regional soccer meet with India and Pakistan, while the four-team Group B consists of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, and the hosts, Nepal. Bangladesh team to fly for Kathmandu Tuesday to compete SAFF Women’s Championship Bangladesh, the champions of 2022, will play their remaining group match with five-time champions India on October 23 at the same. Ahead of Sunday's match, the Bangladesh National Women’s Football team made a hard training session at the St. Xaviers ground on Saturday from 15:30 to 16:30 pm. Following the day's training, the Bangladesh players underwent an ice bath recovery session to ensure their top form for tomorrow’s game. Addressing the pressmen after the day's training session, the head coach of Bangladesh team Peter James Butler and Bangladesh captain Sabina Khatun said they are fully prepared to face Pakistan and are optimistic to make a successful start in the SAFF Women’s Championship' 2024. After Friday’s group matches, India dominated Group A, securing a full three points, while Bangladesh and Pakistan remained in the second and third slots, respectively. Sri Lanka dominated Group B with a full three points, beating the Maldives by a 1-0 goal, while Bhutan played goalless with hosts Nepal to share the 2nd and 3rd slots, respectively, with one point each. The Maldives remained at the bottom without any point.

The Bangladesh national football team will play two International Friendly Football matches at home against the Maldives on November 13 and 16 in this year's last FIFA window. General Secretary of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Imran Hossain Tushar confirmed the matter on Saturday afternoon. Earlier, the BFF communicated with Malaysia and Thailand to play football matches in the FIFA window in November, but they want to play only one match with Bangladesh. Later, the BFF communicated with the Maldives, who agreed to play two matches here, so the BFF accepted their proposal considering more (two) matches and cheap expenditure. In the last meeting, the BFF approved the decision. BFF Election: Tabith Awal poised to replace Kazi Salahuddin The matches are likely to be held at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, and we are maintaining close communication with the Kings authority. Bangladesh-origin English footballer Hamza Dewan Choudhury got" no objection" from England Football Association to play for Bangladesh after getting a Bangladesh passport and clearance from his English Premier League club, Leicester City FC. Soon after, the BFF applied to the FIFA players status committee with the necessary documents for permission to let Hamza into the Bangladesh team, but the FIFA committee wants more documents that delayed his desire to play for the Bangladesh team. Moreover, now he is out of the field due to injury. So, Hamza's participation in the Bangladesh team in the November window against the Maldives has become uncertain.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says Kylian Mbappé “is not affected” by the Swedish media reports this week that said the France captain was the subject of a rape investigation. Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. “I do not pay attention to speculations that come from outside the team. The player is not affected in the least,” Ancelotti said Friday. The reports in Swedish media came out after the striker visited Stockholm during the international break when he was not called up by France due to a minor injury. Pogba ready to give up money for Juventus again Without citing sources, Swedish media reported Mbappé was the subject of an investigation of an alleged rape at a hotel in Stockholm. Mbappé’s representatives have called the reports “false and irresponsible.” Swedish prosecutors issued a brief statement on Tuesday saying a rape had been reported to police, but didn’t name any suspect. Ancelotti defended his player’s right to travel on his time off. “The rest days are programmed for him and he can choose what he wants to do,” the Italian manager said. “I went to London for two days and didn’t ask anyone for permission.” Mbappé injured his left thigh in late September. But he missed only one game for Madrid, returning as a substitute in a shock 1-0 loss to Lille in the Champions League before starting in a 2-0 victory over Villarreal in the Spanish league. He then sat out the international window. Messi's Argentina held 1-1 by Venezuela in South American World Cup qualifying Mbappé trained for Madrid this week before the Spanish league resumes. Madrid plays at Celta Vigo on Saturday. “(Mbappé) took advantage of the break to improve his fitness and get well after the injury,” Ancelotti said. “He is happy and ready to play and be important for the team. These 15 days have helped because he is now a different player than before the break.”

Paul Pogba says he’s ready to give up money to play for Juventus again. The Serie A club may not want him, though, or need him. Pogba recently had his four-year ban for doping reduced to 18 months after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning the France World Cup winner will be free to resume his career in March 2025. Juventus has not been overly enthusiastic about welcoming him back but Pogba says that is the only club he is thinking about playing for. “I am ready to even give up money so that I can still play for Juve,” he said in an interview with Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport. “I want to return.” Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli and new coach Thiago Motta are dubious about whether Pogba can return to the top level after being out for so long since testing positive for testosterone in August last year. But the 31-year-old Pogba, who said he “felt like a caged lion” for the past year, has been training hard on his own and is ready to prove them wrong. Injured Pogba might have played last game for Man United “I am a Juve player now. That is all I have in my mind today,” he said. “I don’t have to talk. What I do on the pitch will do my talking and then Thiago Motta will judge with his own eyes, based on what he sees. “Talk is nice, but I want to play and I want to be the best one at Juve and in the France team.” But not only has Juventus changed coach since Pogba was banned, it has also changed strategy. It has brought in fresh new faces, including bright talents who progressed through its youth team, and got rid of the — costly — old guard with the offseason departures of Federico Chiesa, Wojciech Szczęsny, Alex Sandro and Adrien Rabiot. Pogba, who was the most expensive soccer player in history when he joined Manchester United from Juventus for 105 million euros ($113 million) in 2016, returned to the Bianconeri as a free agent in 2022. He signed a contract worth eight million euros ($8.7 million) a year — plus two million ($2.2 million) in bonuses — but injuries limited him to just eight Serie A appearances in his second spell at the club before his ban. The judges who cut Pogba’s ban acknowledged the lack of intent but suggested the 2018 World Cup winner should have taken more care about his treatment in Florida. “What I did wrong was not looking at what a professional gave me. I repeat, a professional,” Pogba said. "Like a lot of soccer players, I have a cook, a trainer and a personal physiotherapist. “It's not a matter of reading the leaflet better, a professional outside the club had given it to me. But I won't do the same thing again, that's certain.” Without Pogba, Juventus hasn’t fared too badly. The Bianconeri managed to finish third last season despite going through what the club called a rebuilding year following turmoil off the field. This season, Juventus is the only team still unbeaten in Serie A, after seven matches, and it sits three points behind early leader Napoli going into this weekend’s match at home to Lazio. Pogba leaving United for free after joining for record fee “Not everything depends on me, but also on Juve’s plans and how I train,” said Pogba, who also issued a warning to his doubters. “I will be a new Pogba: Hungrier, wiser and stronger.”