United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh National Women's Football team will play two FIFA Women's Tier-1 International Football matches against Bhutan National Women's team next month. The two-match series will be held in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu on July 11 and 14. BFF EC member cum Chairperson of the BFF Women's Football Committee Mahfuza Akhter Kiron said this after a committee meeting held at Federation office on Wednesday. Earlier, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) cancelled the Lebanon tour of Bangladesh Women's Football team as they failed to get green signal from the Government due to present political unrest in Lebanon. The defending SAFF Women's Champions, Bangladesh Football team will play the International matches with Bhutan as part of their preparation for the ensuing SAFF Women's Championship 2024 to be held in Nepal next October. Bangladesh Women's team also played two preparatory football matches against Chinese Taipei last May-June in Dhaka as a part of their preparation and lost both matches by 4-0 and 1-0 goals, respectively.

Lionel Messi hopes a leg injury sustained during Argentina's 1-0 Copa America win over Chile is “nothing serious.” Playing a day after his 37th birthday, the Argentina superstar received treatment on the thigh area of his right leg for nearly two minutes after getting kicked by Gabriel Suazo in the 24th minute on Tuesday night. Messi, however, stayed on the field as the defending champion clinched a quarterfinal berth. He told reporters after the match that it was “nothing serious”. Messi added: “Its bothering me a little bit but I was able to finish the match. It was hard for me to move freely, particularly side to side. We’ll see tomorrow how it feels.” Messi said he’s also been dealing with a sore throat and fever in recent days. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said during his post-game news conference that he had not spoken with Messi but wasn't concerned about the injury. Scaloni cited Messi sprinting half the length of the field along with Ángel Di María and Lautaro Martínez late in the game. “That’s my last image,” Scaloni said. Martínez scored the only goal following a scramble in the 88th minute after a corner by Messi. Scaloni said he’s planning to rest several starters in Argentina’s last Group A match, against Peru on Saturday in Florida. Argentina will win the group unless it loses to Peru in Miami Gardens and Canada beats Chile in a game played simultaneously in Orlando. The Canadians can overtake Argentina on goal difference. Argentina is on plus-three and Canada minus-one.

After nearly 90 minutes of total domination, Lionel Messi and defending champion Argentina advanced to the Copa America quarterfinals after the ball ricocheted in front of the net during a frantic scramble that led to the breakthrough. Lautaro Martínez scored off the last in a series of rebounds in the 88th minute, lifting the Albiceleste over Chile 1-0 on Tuesday night and into the quarterfinals with a game to spare. “The ball ended up right at me and I was able to convert it,” said Martínez, who scored the second goal in last week’s opening 2-0 win over Canada. Messi started the leadup to the goal with a corner kick that was sent sent toward goal with a glancing header by defender Lisandro Martínez. The ball landed in front of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, where Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso and Chile’s Nicolás Fernández were wrestling. Lo Celso kicked the ball off Bravo and it rebounded to Chile’s Igor Lichnovsky, who tried to poke it wide. Lautaro Martínez, who entered in the 73rd, calmly one-timed that rebound into the roof of the net on Argentina’s 21st shot. Players stood and waited for three minutes while the goal, Martínez’s 26th for the national team, was confirmed in a video review. “We deserved the win. It was not an easy match,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “We managed to win at the moment least expected.” Copa America could be Messi’s final tournament with Argentina Argentina leads Group A with six points, followed by Canada with three, and Chile and Peru with one each. The Albiceleste finish the first round against Peru at Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, when Canada meets Chile in Orlando, Florida. Playing a day after his 37th birthday, Messi frequently flaunted his talent to spin around and slalom through defenders before an adoring sellout crowd of 81,106 at MetLife Stadium, site of the 2026 World Cup final. Argentina dominated 22-3 in shots and 11-0 in corner kicks. Chile didn’t take its first attempt until the 72nd minute. Messi came the closest to scoring before Martínez with a 30-yard shot that glanced off the post to Bravo’s left in the 36th minute. Messi had received treatment on the thigh area of his right leg for nearly two minutes after getting kicked by Gabriel Suazo in the 24th. Nicolás González’s shot from another Messi pass in the 62nd was parried off the crossbar by Bravo. Argentina outshot Chile 17-0 before Rodrigo Echeverría’s 72nd-minute effort following a turnover was saved by Emiliano Martínez, who blocked the ball while falling after it deflected off Alexis Mac Allister. The goalkeeper then used his right hand to bat another Echeverría shot in the 76th that deflected off a toe of defender Cristian Romero. “I always have to save one or two every match. And I’m lucky to keep doing it,” Martínez said. On the 46th anniversary of Argentina’s first World Cup title, the teams returned to the stadium where Chile beat Argentina on penalty kicks in the 2016 Copa America final. That defeat prompted Messi to announce his international retirement only to reverse his decision seven weeks later. At least 90% of the fans wore Argentina jerseys, most with Messi’s name and No. 10. Cristiano Ronaldo back in action as Portugal and Turkey look for second straight win at Euro 2024 There were some small brown patches behind one goal on a grass field installed at a stadium where the usual surface is artificial turf. The surface was narrow, with construction scheduled to allow a wider field for the World Cup. Bravo, at 41 the oldest player in Copa America history, had eight saves in his 150th international appearance. He and Messi, former Barcelona teammates, spoke with each other while leading their teams onto the field for the national anthems. “Losing this way leaves a bitter taste,” Bravo said. “We played against a tremendous opponent.”

Dhaka Abahani Limited earned 2nd consecutive victory while Bashundhara Kings tasted first defeat in the 2nd round match of the BFF Under -18 Football League 2023-24 at two seperate venues in the capital on Tuesday. Dhaka Abahani Ltd beat Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-1 goals at the practice ground of the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the city Tuesday afternoon.  Dhaka Abahani made a flying start in the U-18 league for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football teams defeating Fortis FC by 2-0 goals in their first match last Saturday. In the day's match, Yeasin put Abahani ahead in the 8th minute (1-0) while Mohin restored the parity for Sheikh Jamal in the 44th minute (1-1).  Nur Alam scored the match- winning goal for Abahani in the added time (90+2 minute) of the match (2-1). In the day's other match, BPL champions Bashundhara Kings tasted the first defeat in their 2nd league match losing to Fortis FC by 0-1 goal at the Mohammadpur Physical Education College ground in the afternoon. Abdur Rahim scored the match-winning goal for Fortis FC in the 28th minute (1-0). Bashundhara Kings made a good start in the league beating Rahmatganj MFS by 2-1 goals in their first match last Saturday. The day's other league match between Sheikh Russel KC and Bangladesh Police FC ended in a goalless draw at the Armed Police Battalion ground in Uttara on Tuesday.

The Bsngladesh Football Federation (BFF) U-16 Football League 2023–24 will begin on Tuesday (June 25) at the Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur. Fakirerpool Young Men's Club will play Uttara Football Club Limited in the opening match, which kicks off at 3:30 pm. Dhaka Wanderers Club will face Wari Club in the other opening day's fixture at 6 pm. The U-16 teams of the country's 2nd-tier league, the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL), will participate in the ensuing U-16 League. Meanwhile, the BFF U-18 Football League 2023–24, with the participation of U-18 teams of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), began last Saturday at different city venues. Defending champions Badhundhara Kings beat Rahmatganj MFS by 2-1 goals; Dhaka Abahani Ltd defeated Fortis FC 2-0, Sheikh Jamal DC played 1-1 with Police FC; and Dhaka Mohammedan SC drew goalless with Sheikh Russel KC in the opening day's fixture on Saturday.

The Bangabandhu Inter-College Football Tournament of Sherpur District began on Sunday at the local Shaheed Muktijoddha Smriti Stadium. Parliament member M Sanuar Hossain Sanu inaugurated the tournament Sunday afternoon named after father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Deputy Commissioner of Sherpur District Abdullah Al Khairum presided over the day's opening ceremony. Nalitabari Shaheed Muktijoddha College reached the quarterfinal of the tournament  beating Idrisia Kamil Madrasha of Sherpur Sadar by 3-2 goals in the tie breaker as the opening match between two teams was locked in goalless in the stipulated period. Sixteen College, Madrasha and Technical Institute teams of the district , split into two groups, are taking part in the meet.

Defending champion Italy needs to avoid defeat against neighboring Croatia in their final group game to ensure progress at the European Championship. Croatia can progress with a win, or by avoiding defeat as long as Albania does not beat group-winner Spain in the other Group B game at the same time. Kick-off is at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on Monday. Here’s what to know about the match: Match facts — Italy has three points after beating Albania 2-1 in its opening game before losing 1-0 to Spain, which is already assured of winning the group. Croatia lost to Spain 3-0 in its opening game, then drew with Albania 2-2 in their second game, leaving both Croatia and Albania with one point. Albania has the better goal difference. — Though a draw will be enough for Italy’s progression, Luciano Spalletti’s team will be keen to impress after being thoroughly outclassed by Spain in its previous game. Italy only lost by a goal, but the Italian players spent most of the game chasing Spanish shadows and were saved embarrassment by captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Euro 2024: Spain aims to keep its winning run going and end Albania's faint chances — Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia team is once again led by Real Madrid star Luka Modric, who is yet to score in his fifth tournament appearance. — Italy lost in its previous and only game in Leipzig, a 1-0 defeat to East Germany in a friendly in April 1982. — Many of the Croatian players have played in Italy, while Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is familiar with Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic from their time together at Inter Milan between 2017 and 2019. The now 35-year-old Perisic scored 55 goals in 254 games across stints with Inter, winning the Serie A title in 2021 and Coppa Italia the next season. Team news — Italy left-back Federico Dimarco is expected to miss the game with a right calf injury sustained in the loss against Spain. Dimarco featured in both of Italy’s games so far. Young fan takes selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo during match at Euro 2024 — Croatia will be without midfielder Nikola Vlacic, who is no longer with the squad because of an injury, while veteran defender Domagoj Vida missed Saturday’s training session with an ankle injury. By the numbers — Italy has a poor record against Croatia, winning only one of their previous nine meetings. Croatia won three, while there were five draws. The last three games all finished 1-1. — Italy’s only win came in the first meeting between the countries, a friendly in Genoa in 1942 that yielded four goals for the home team. What they’re saying “I know the Italy coach. They will be well organized. It will be a tough match, but I believe we will rise to the challenge and come out victorious.” – Croatia midfielder Mario Pasalic. “Croatia are strong. They have experience. In addition to Brozovic, they have many quality players and we will have to be careful. But we will have to play our game with our own strengths, and I’m sure we will cause them problems.” – Italy defender Matteo Darmian.

Spain is already qualified for the Euro 2024 round of 16 as Group B winner and is the only team yet to concede a goal. If it's to qualify, Albania is likely to need a win that would rank among all-time great upsets. The kickoff in Duesseldorf — at the same time as group rivals Croatia and Italy meet in Leipzig — is 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT). Here’s what to know about the match: Match facts — Spain's slick, confident performance in its 1-0 win over defending champion Italy means that the team — European champion in 1964, 2008 and 2012 — is once again being hailed as a favorite for the title. Germany and Portugal were the only other teams to win their opening two games. — The one possible negative from Spain's win over Italy was that it took an own goal from Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori. No Spain player has scored since Dani Carvajal just before half time in the opening 3-0 win over Croatia. Young fan takes selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo during match at Euro 2024 — Albania scored the opening goal in both of its games — breaking a record with one after just 23 seconds — but ended up with just one point after a 2-1 loss to Italy and a dramatic 2-2 draw with Croatia. — It's theoretically possible that a draw might be enough to qualify Albania for the round of 16 as one of the third-place teams with the best record but it would need several other results to go Albania's way. To begin with, even if Albania and Spain were to draw, a win for Croatia over Italy would eliminate Albania. — Albania forward Mirlind Daku is awaiting the outcome of an UEFA investigation into “alleged inappropriate behavior” over chants he led following the Croatia game. Team news — Spain midfielder Rodri is suspended for the game against Albania after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Italy. He broke a rule that only captains can speak with referees at Euro 2024. — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will have to consider whether to rest right back Carvajal or central defender Robin le Normand, who have already been booked once. Another yellow card would leave them suspended for the round of 16. By the numbers — By completing the group stage without conceding a goal, Spain can emulate a feat only two teams managed at Euro 2020. They were Italy and England, who went on to meet in the final where Italy won on penalties. Euro 2024: Germany faces Switzerland with both teams unbeaten and eyeing top spot in Group A — Spain won all eight of the games it's ever played against Albania but needed a 90th-minute goal from Dani Olmo to win their most recent encounter 2-1 in a 2022 friendly. What they’re saying — "We have proved we know what we're doing, we have proved we can play against the strongest teams, teams that put pressure on us. So if you ask me if I think the team is ready to win this competition, my answer is yes.” — Spain defender Aymeric Laporte. — “We should enter the pitch to give 100%, the maximum. Spain is a team who likes to play the ball, to control it very well. We should be careful and play with counterattacks and exploit any chance we might have.” — Albania winger Arber Hoxha. UEFA says it will improve Frankfurt field after turf cuts up in England-Denmark game at Euro 2024

A young fan ran onto the field and took a selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo during the second half of the European Championship match between Portugal and Turkey on Saturday. Ronaldo seemed happy to have his photograph taken with the boy, who evaded stewards to get on the field in the 69th minute at Westfalenstadion before whipping out his cell phone. Cristiano Ronaldo back in action as Portugal and Turkey look for second straight win at Euro 2024 The fan then ran off before being stopped and escorted away — not before he waved to the crowd.

Bashundhara Kings and Dhaka Abahani Limited made a good start in the BFF Under -18 Football League 2023-24 beating their rivals in the opening day's matches at the separate city venues on Saturday. Earlier, BFF Vice President and Chairman of the BFF Professional League Management Committee M Imrul Hasan inaugurated the league for the U-18  teams of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football at a simple ceremony at practice ground of Bashundhara Kings Arena Saturday afternoon. FIFA WC Qualifiers: Bangladesh fail to end on a high, routed 4-0 by Lebanon Dhaka Abahani Ltd made a good start in the league defeating Fortis FC by 2-0 goals at the practice ground of Bashundhara Kings Arena Saturday afternoon. Dipu and Yeasin scored for the popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani, one in each half. In the day's another match, Bashundhara Kings beat Rahmatganj MFS by 2-1 goals at the Armed Police Battalion ground in Uttara Saturday afternoon. FIFA WC Qualifiers: Bangladesh looking to end campaign on a high against Lebanon   Shafiq and Azad scored for the Kings while Delwar netted the lone goal for Rahmatganj. The day's other match between Sheikh Jamal DC and Bangladesh Police FC ended in 1-1 draw at the Mohammadpur Physical Education College ground Saturday afternoon. Zuhan scored for Police FC  in the first half while Hridoy restored the parity for Sheikh Jamal DC in the 2nd half.