Football
Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football begins
The Kool-BSJA Six-a-side Media Cup Football Tournament'2023, organized by Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), began on Saturday at the Artificial Turf of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF)in the city.
Eight media teams-- The Daily Star, Dhaka Tribune, Jagonews, T-Sports, RTV, ATN Bangla, Kalbela and Shomoyer Alo --won their respective matches on the opening day.
In the day's matches, Daily Star defeated BTV 3-0; T-Sports beat Daily Sun 3-0, Shomoyer Alo beat Maasranga TV 2-0; Jagonews defeated Ajker Patrika 1-0; ATN Bangla beat Bangladesh Pratidin 1-0; RTV beat Dhaka Post 4-3 in tie breaker; Dhaka Tribune defeated Bangla News 24.com by 5-4 in tie breaker while Kalbela declared winner against Bangla Vision.
Earlier, BSJA President ATM Sayeduzzaman inaugurated the meet Saturday morning, sponsored by Square Toiletries Industries.
Former national footballer Saifur Rahman Moni, BSJA general secretary Anisur Rahman, Tournament's convenor Raihan Al Mugni and tournament secretary M Robiul Islam were also present on the occasion.
Also read: Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football begins Saturday
Thirty-two teams of different print and electronic media, split into eight groups, are initially taking part in the first phase of the meet on knock out basis.
Later, eight group champions will play in the quarterfinals.
The champions team of the meet will be awarded a prize money of Taka 30,000 while the runners-up team will get Taka 15,000.
Besides, best player of the tournament and the best player of each of the match will also be awarded, in addition to participation money of Taka 1,000 for each team.
Participating teams are:
Group A -Boishakhi TV, Ekushey TV, Janakantha and Desh Rupanthar,
Group B - Channel i , T Sports, Daily Sun, Ekhon TV
Group C -Maasranga TV, Channel 24, Bangla Tribune, Shomoyer Alo.
Group D - Jagonews, GTV, Jugantor, Ajker Patrika.
Group E -Independent TV, Rtv, Dhaka Post, Deepto TV.
Group F- Daily Star, ATN Bangla, Bangladesh Pratidin, BTV
Group G- Banga Vision, News 24, Samakal, Kalbela
Group H - Dhaka Tribune, DBC, Kaler Kantho. Bangla News 24.com
Dani Alves arrested in Spain for alleged sexual assault
Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves was arrested Friday after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Spain.
The alleged act took place on Dec. 31 at a night club in Barcelona, police told The Associated Press.
Alves will now go before a judge, who will decide on the charges.
The charge of sexual assault in Spain can mean anything from unsolicited and unwanted sexual groping to rape. Police said they could give no detail on the case.
Read more: Neymar loses Brazil captaincy to Dani Alves for Copa America
The 39-year-old Alves is one of soccer’s most successful players, winning major titles with several elite clubs, including Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain over his long career. He currently plays with Mexican club Pumas.
The defender was a key part of Barcelona’s golden years playing between 2008-2016 on the team’s right flank with Lionel Messi. He won the Champions League three times with the Catalan club, which he briefly rejoined last season.
Bruised Ronaldo scores twice to edge showdown with Messi
Grimacing in pain from his bruised cheekbone, Cristiano Ronaldo steadied himself before scoring from the penalty spot for his first goal in Saudi Arabia against a Paris Saint-Germain team featuring old foe Lionel Messi.
Messi had already scored early in Thursday's exhibition game when Ronaldo was flattened boxing-match style by PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas after about 30 minutes in Riyadh, the city which gained sporting prominence for hosting a world heavyweight championship boxing bout in 2019.
It wasn't Anthony Joshua but Navas who caught Ronaldo flush in the face with his forearm under a high ball.
Read more: The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2022 Power Ranking
Both went down like felled boxers.
Ronaldo held his head, got back up, did a wide yawn as if to test his sore left cheek, and sent his former Real Madrid teammate Navas the wrong way.
By the end of the first half Ronaldo's cheekbone was bright apple red but he was all smiles after netting his second goal, smashing in a rebound when his header came back off the post. Poking his tongue out, Ronaldo wheeled away in delight and was mobbed by teammates at the corner flag.
When PSG star Kylian Mbappé checked on the state of Ronaldo’s cheek just before the second half, Ronaldo milked the attention from France's World Cup star and pointed to the red mark.
Mbappé smiled at him as if to say “You’ll be fine” and Ronaldo raised his arm in triumph like a heavyweight champion.
Messi’s Qatari-backed PSG won 5-4 against a combined XI of Saudi Arabian teams Al Nassr and Al Hilal, captained by Al Nassr’s new signing Ronaldo, in front of 68,000 fans at King Fahd International Stadium. Although his team lost, Ronaldo edged perhaps the final instalment of Ronaldo vs. Messi as one of the greatest rivalries in soccer history resumed in an unusual location.
Messi's shot led to a handball and PSG's fourth goal, scored by Mbappé from the penalty spot.
Ronaldo came off to a huge ovation just after the hour mark followed by Mbappé and Argentina's World Cup-winning star Messi, who was warmly hugged by countryman Marcelo Gallardo, coaching the combined Saudi Arabian team.
Ronaldo’s bruise darkened with the night sky as he collected his man of the match award.
He was locked in conversation with ex-Madrid teammates Sergio Ramos and Navas before the medal ceremony. Then he spoke to Portugal teammates Renato Sanches and Danilo, who play for PSG.
But Ronaldo was nowhere near Messi, almost like they avoided each other. They couldn't do that earlier on the field, when Ronaldo tackled Messi in the second minute.
Moments later, Messi smiled as he scored from Neymar’s lofted pass. Ronaldo looked annoyed with his teammates for letting Messi ghost into space. Harsh, because few defenders have ever tracked Messi’s runs, let alone stopped them. The World Cup proved that, if it was ever in doubt.
There was scant interaction between former Madrid star Ronaldo and Messi, his arch rival during Barcelona's glory days.
It was Ronaldo who tentatively approached an impassive-looking Messi at the center circle seconds before the whistle blew to start perhaps their final game as opponents.
There was a polite exchange, the briefest handshake.
Messi stared at Ronaldo late in the first half, after PSG defender Juan Bernat had been sent off, and Ronaldo seemed to look away from Messi.
It was a different mood in the tunnel beforehand, when a grinning Ronaldo hugged Ramos, who now plays alongside Messi, and joked with Ramos that he’d forgotten to remove an ear stud.
The laugh was on Ramos later, when he air-kicked a loose ball on Ronaldo’s second goal. PSG's Neymar also missed, from the penalty spot.
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The atmosphere built before the start as fans waved Argentina flags while others held up the yellow jersey of Al Nassr, pointing proudly to Ronaldo’s No. 7 on the back. The ticker tape poured from the stands as Ronaldo led his team out. He smiled and winked when he got a loud ovation.
Ronaldo could end his storied career in Riyadh after signing a deal worth a reported $200 million a year, swapping Europe’s elite club competition for the Asian Champions League.
He makes his Saudi league debut for Al Nassr on Sunday against Ettifaq, far from the fields where he shone for Manchester United and Madrid.
INTENSE RIVALRY
The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has been among the greatest ever.
Between them they have 12 Ballon d’Or awards — Messi a record seven, Ronaldo five — and have won a combined 56 major trophies. Ronaldo won the Champions League five times, compared to Messi’s four. Messi is the all-time “El Clasico” top scorer with 26 goals for Barca, eight more than Ronaldo for Madrid.
Ronaldo won the European Championship in 2016 but Messi was brilliant in Argentina’s Copa America win in 2021 and its 2022 World Cup success.
Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international soccer with 118 goals, while Messi’s seven at the World Cup took him to third overall with 98.
Bangamata Hall Sports: Swatabdi champion, Tumpa runner-up
The annual sports competition of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall of Dhaka University (DU) was held on Thursday at the university's central playground.
Aspia Sarker Swatabdi of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism became the champion and Papiya Akter Tumpa of the Department of Islamic History and Culture runner-up in the day-long competition.
Read more: Bangamata Football: Rajshahi clinch title beating Mymensingh 2-0
DU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Mohammad Samad inaugurated the competition Thursday morning.
At the closing ceremony, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor ASM Maksud Kamal handed out the prizes to the winners. Bangamata Sheikh Fazlilatunnesa Mujib Hall Provost Professor Nilufar Parvin was also present.
Bangladesh Championship League: Wari, Fortis play out 1-1 draw
Wari Club and Fortis Academy split points Thursday after their Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football 2022-23 clash in the capital ended in a 1-1 draw.
At the Birshreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur, Riaz put Wari in front in the 48th minute (1-0) after a barren first half in the day's only BCL match.
Read more: Bangladesh Championship League: Wanderers overpower Little Friends 4-1
Sabbir found the back of the net for Fortis Academy in the 79th minute (1-1).
The eighth-round matches of the BCL will begin Friday at the same venue. Gopalganj Sporting Club will play Swadhinata Krira Shangha at 10:30am; BFF Elite Football Academy will face NoFel Sporting Club at 3pm.
Bangladesh Championship League: Uttara FC hammer Little Friends 3-0
Uttara Football Club beat Little Friends Club 3-0 in the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football 2022-23 at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur Wednesday.
Jakir put Uttara FC ahead in the 45+3 minute from a penalty (1-0); Mishu scored two more goals for the winners in the 48th and 89th (3-0).
Read more: Bangladesh Championship League: Wanderers overpower Little Friends 4-1
Uttara FC's Mobinur, Jakir, Monayem and Little Friends' Nehal and Yamin were sent off.
The day's other BCL match between Brothers Union and Dhaka Wanderers ended in a goalless draw at the same venue.
Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football begins Saturday
The Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football Tournament 2023, organised by the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), will begin Saturday at the artificial turf of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in the capital's Motijheel.
Thirty-two teams from print and electronic media, split into eight groups, will take part in the first phase of the six-a-side tournament on a knock-out basis.
Later, eight group champions will play in the quarterfinals.
BSJA President ATM Sayeduzzaman disclosed the details of the competition at a press conference at the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) Wednesday.
Assistant Manager (Marketing) of tournament sponsor Square Toiletries Tehsina Khanam, BSJA General Secretary Anisur Rahman, tournament convenor Raihan Al Mugni and tournament secretary M Robiul Islam also spoke.
The champions of the competition will get Tk30,000 as prize money; the runner-ups will get Tk15,000. Also, the best player of the tournament and the best player of each match will be awarded.
Read more: BCL Football: NoFel SC beat Gopalganj SC 2-1
Participating teams
Group A: Boishakhi TV, Ekushey TV, Janakantha, Desh Rupanthar
Group B: Channel i, T Sports, Daily Sun, Ekhon TV
Group C: Maasranga TV, Channel 24, Bangla Tribune, Samoyer Alo
Group D: Jagonews, GTV, Jugantor, Ajker Patrika
Group E: Independent TV, Rtv, Dhaka Post, Deepto TV
Group F: Daily Star, ATN Bangla, Bangladesh Pratidin, BTV
Group G: Banga Vision, News 24, Samakal, Kalbela
Group H: Dhaka Tribune, DBC, Kaler Kantho, bdnews24.com
BCL Football: NoFel SC beat Gopalganj SC 2-1
Coming from behind, NoFel Sporting Club earned 2-1 goals victory over Gopalganj Sporting Club in the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football '2022-23 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur Tuesday afternoon.
Iftesham scored first for Gopalganj SC in the 25th minute while Emon leveled the margin for NoFel SC in the 42nd minute from a penalty (1-1)
Abid scored the match winning goal for NoFel SC in the 57th minute (2-1).
Earlier, the day's first match between Fortis SC Limited and Rahmatganj MFS ended in a goalless draw at the same venue.
Fed Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings reach quarterfinals beating Muktijoddha SKC 4-3
League champions and star studded Bashundhara Kings reached the quarterfinal of the Bashundhara Group Federation Cup Football 2022-23 from Group B beating Muktijoddha Sangsad KC by 4-3 goals at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Tuesday.
The Kings, which beat Fortis FC Ltd in their first match, will play their remaining Group B match against Chittagong Abahani Limited on February 7 in Cumilla.
Also read: SAFF U-20 Women's Championship kicks off in Dhaka February 3
In the day's match, Brazilian striker Robson Robinho put the Kings ahead in the 15th minute from a penalty (1-0), Uzbek medio Asror Gafurov doubled the Kings margin in the 36th minute (2-0) while Nigerian forward Emmanuel reduced the margin for Muktijoddha SKC in the 38th minute (2-1)
Local striker Sumon Reza scored the 3rd goal for the Kings in the 49th minute (3-1) while another Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes further sounded the winners' margin in the 82nd minute (4-1).
Burundi defender Selemani and Emmanuel netted two quick goals for the Muktijoddha SKC in the 86th and 89th minutes respectively to pull the freedom fighters margin one back in the dying moment.(4-3).
The day's other Federation Cup match between Chittagong Abahani Ltd and Fortis FC Ltd ended in a goalless draw at the Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Tuesday afternoon.
World champions Argentina likely to visit Dhaka in next June
The current FIFA World Cup Champions, Lionel Messi's Argentina, is likely to visit Dhaka next June to play a FIFA Friendly match in the capital.
BFF President Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin told the media today (Tuesday) that the Argentina team accepted our proposal to play friendly match in Dhaka in FIFA window in June.
Read more: Argentina will open embassy in Dhaka next year: Country’s President writes to PM Hasina
The tour of Argentina team in Bangladesh is almost final, we are now discussing with them about their team and conditions, if everything will progress in right way then there is no doubt about the match, he added.
But, the opponent of Argentina's team yet to be confirmed, BFF is closely communicating with some countries to play the match against Argentina.
Read more: “Hearts of the people of Bangladesh and Argentina are dearly united by football”
Lionel Messi's Argentina Football team played a friendly football match against Nigeria National team at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on Sept 6 in 2011 where Argentina beat Nigeria by 3-1 goals, but that time, Argentina was not the World Champions.