Football
BPL Football: Dhaka Abahani to play Police FC, Sheikh Russel will face Rahmatganj on Friday
The 6th round matches of the 10-team ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football will begin on Friday (February 2) at two separate venues across the country.
Dhaka Abahani Ltd will face Bangladesh Police FC at 3 pm at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh while Sheikh Russel KC will play Rahmatganj MFS at the Bashundhara Kings Arena here, also at 3 pm on Friday.
On completion of the 5th round matches, holders Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league table with all win-record securing full 15 points while Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC are in the 2nd slot collecting eleven points.
Police FC and Dhaka Abahani have secured seven points each, but Police FC are in the 3rd slot and Dhaka Abahani in the 4th slot by virtue of better goal differences.
Sheikh Jamal DC are in the 5th place securing six points.
Three teams --Rahmatganj MFS, Fortis FC and Sheikh Russel KC-- collected five points each and shared the 6th, 7th and 8th places respectively, also in goal differences.
Federation Cup Football: Mohammedan SC, Dhaka Abahani reach quarterfinals
Defending Champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC and runners-up Dhaka Abahani Ltd assured their quarterfinals from Group B of the 35th edition of the Federation Cup Football with one match spare at two separate venues across the country on Tuesday.The two traditional rivals, Mohammedan and Abahani, who maintained their all-win runs in Group B, securing six full points from two straight matches, will meet each other on February 13 to decide the group champions.In the day's match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd beat their minnow Chittagong Abahani Ltd by 3-0 goals after dominating the first half by a 1-0 goal at the Baahundhara Kings Arena here Tuesday afternoon.Brazilian forward Bruno opened the account for the popular Sky-Blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani in the 43rd minute (1-0), while Nigerian striker Emeka doubled the Abahani margin in the 47th minute (2-0).Brazilian striker Washington Brandao, who scored a hattrick in the Abahani's 6-0 victory over Brothers Union Club in the last match, scored the third goal of the match for Dhaka Abahani in the 83rd minute (3-0).Later, he was adjudged player of the match.In the day's other match, Dhaka Mohammedan SC defeated Brothers Union Club by 2-1 goals at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Tuesday afternoon.After a barren first half, local booter Sourav Dewan put the traditional black and whites Mohammedan ahead in the 66th minute (1-0), while Uzbek forward Otabek levelled the margin for the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union just three minutes later (1-1).Local forward Jafar Iqbal scored the match-winning goal for Mohammedan SC in the 85th minute (2-1).After the day's second consecutive defeats, both the Chittagong Abahani and Brothers Union Club were eliminated from the Federation Cup Football race with one match to spare with each other on February 13.
National Youth Handball: Dhaka DSA reach final eliminating Kushtia DSA by 35-34 goal
Dhaka District Sports Association reached the final of the Walton U-17 National Youth Handball Tournament '2024 eliminating Kushtia District Sports Association by 35-34 goal in a keenly contested match at the Shaheed Captain (Retd) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium here on Tuesday.
Dhaka DSA were trailing by 17-19 goal in the first half.
They will play Bandarban DSA in the final on Wednesday (January 31) at 2 pm at the same venue.
Secretary of the National Sports Council (NSC) M Aminul Islam will be the chief guest in the final and later he will distribute the prizes.
Senior Executive Director of the meet's sponsor Walton Group FM Iqbal Bin Anwar will also present on the occasion as the special guest.
SAFF U-19 Women's Championship begins Friday; Bangladesh to play Nepal in opener
The four-nation SAFF U-19 Women' s Championship '2024 begins here Friday ( February 2) at the Bir Shreshtho Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mustafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur with Bangladesh coach and captain keeping their birds eyes to retain the title.
Defending champions Bangladesh will start their campaign, taking on Himalayan nation Nepal in the opening match, which will kick off at 7 pm on Friday.
In the remaining matches, Bangladesh will play their giant neighbor India on February 4 and Bhutan on February 6 at the same time and same venue.
The final match between top-two-teams of four nations will be held on February 8.
The BFF and team officials disclosed these while addressing a pre-match press conference at the BFF House on Monday.
Bangladesh team coach Saiful Bari Tito said, "Our team has a good combination of experienced and promising footballers.They are playing football together for long time, so we are hopeful about retaining the title."
Bangladesh Captain Afida Khandakar said, "We are now targeting the first match and later advance gradually towards the title race."
Xavi won't continue at Barcelona after this season, citing 'lack of respect' and mental fatigue
Xavi Hernández won't continue as Barcelona's coach after this season, saying he can't get the team out of a slump.
Xavi announced his decision on Saturday, minutes after Barcelona lost to Villarreal 5-3 in the Spanish league, leaving it 10 points adrift of leader Real Madrid.
"I would like to announce that on June 30 I will cease being the coach of Barça," Xavi said. "As a Barcelona fan, I can't allow this situation to continue, we need a change of course and of dynamics."
BPL Football: Both fixtures end goalless on Saturday
Xavi said he made the decision "several days ago," and although the hard defeat to Villarreal set the scene for him to announce the decision, he "would have made" it soon enough. He said he hoped this decision will decrease the stress and tension his team is enduring.
"The feeling of being the coach of Barcelona is cruel, it is unpleasant, you feel like you don't get the respect you deserve," Xavi said. "It wears you down, affects your mental health, your emotions, up to the point that you say you can't go on. My loved ones know that."
Xavi returned to Barcelona as the coach in November 2021 with his only experience a stint in Qatar. He has a contract through the end of next season.
The 44-year-old Xavi led Barcelona to the Spanish Super Cup title and the Spanish league title last season, the club's first trophies since the exit of Lionel Messi. The club mortgaged its future to help him do that by signing players like Robert Lewandowski.
BPL Football: Holders Bashundhara Kings to play Dhaka Abahani Ltd in a titan battle on Friday
But Barcelona has struggled this season and has shown severe signs of suffering a collapse this month.
Barcelona saw its best two chances of getting a title in this campaign evaporate recently. Xavi's side exited the Copa del Rey quarterfinals after losing in extra time at Athletic Bilbao 4-2 on Wednesday, a loss that came two weeks after Barcelona was dismantled by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.
After the Villarreal debacle Xavi said his players' lacked the "maturity" to know how to hold onto leads, and after the Bilbao loss he also underscored that he was playing with several young players. But that seemed at odds with the fact that his starting side was led with veterans like Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan and players in their prime like Pedri González and Frenkie de Jong.
Federation Cup Football: Sheikh Jamal DC assure knock out stage outplaying Rahmatganj MFS 4-1
Barcelona is set to play Napoli in the Champions League round of 16 next month. Xavi said he was still motivated to lead the team at what is no doubt a long-shot bid at ending his stint with a European Cup.
BPL Football: Both fixtures end goalless on Saturday
Both the 5th round matches of the 10-team ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football on Saturday (January 27) ended in goalless draws at two separate venues across the country.
Bangladesh Police FC shared points with old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society in a goalless affairs at the Shaheed Bir Shreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Saturday afternoon.
BPL Football: Holders Bashundhara Kings to play Dhaka Abahani Ltd in a titan battle on Friday
In the day's other match, Sheikh Russel KC split points with Fortis FC also in a goalless draw at their home venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena--Saturday afternoon.
On completion of the day's 5th round matches, Police FC advanced to the 3rd slot in the league table toppling Dhaka Abahani Ltd by virtue of better goal difference, despite both the teams secured seven points each.
Federation Cup Football: Sheikh Jamal DC assure knock out stage outplaying Rahmatganj MFS 4-1
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league table with all win-record securing full 15 points, Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintained at the 2nd slot securing eleven points while Dhaka Abahani Ltd went down to the 4th slot also with seven points.
Three teams --Rahmatganj MFS, Fortis FC and Sheikh Russel KC-- collected five points each and shared the 6th, 7th and 8th places respectively due to goal differences.
The 6th round matches will begin on next Friday (February 2)
BPL Football: Former champions Dhaka Abahani, Dhaka Mohammedan win
Dhaka Abahani Ltd will face Police FC at 3 pm at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh while Sheikh Russel KC will play Rahmatganj MFS at the Bashundhara Kings Arena here, also at 3 pm next Friday.
BPL Football: Holders Bashundhara Kings to play Dhaka Abahani Ltd in a titan battle on Friday
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings will play former champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd in a titan battle of the of the 10-team ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football on Friday (Jan 26).
The crucial 5th round match between two soccer giants will kick-off at 2:45 pm at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
Federation Cup Football: Sheikh Jamal DC assure knock out stage outplaying Rahmatganj MFS 4-1
In the day's other 5th round match, Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC will face Chittagong Abahani Ltd, also at 2:45 pm on Friday at the Rafiquddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh.
Sheikh Jamal DC will meet Brothers Union Club in the day's other fixture at the Muktijoddha Smriti Stadium in Rajshahi on Friday, also at 2:45 pm.
BPL Football: Former champions Dhaka Abahani, Dhaka Mohammedan win
After the 4th round matches, BPL and Independence Cup champions Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league table with all win record securing full 12 points from straight four matches.
Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintained their 2nd slot in the league table securing ten points with three wins and draw while Dhaka Abahani Ltd remained at the 3rd slot securing seven points with two wins, one draw and one defeat.
English Football Coach Peter Butler arrives in Dhaka to take charge of BFF Elite Academy
Federation Cup Football: Sheikh Jamal DC assure knock out stage outplaying Rahmatganj MFS 4-1
Former Champions Sheikh Jamal Dhabmondi Club assured the knock out stage from Group A of the 35th edition of the Federation Cup Football, outplaying Rahmatganj MFS by 4-1 goals in their first appearance at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka on Tuesday.
They comfortably dominated the first half by 2–0 goals.
Local striker Foysal Ahmed Fahim struck twice for Sheikh Jamal DC in the 32nd and 90+3 minutes, Nigerian forward Augustine Dimgba and local forward Sazzad Hossain netted the remaining two goals in the 19th and 86th minutes respectively.
Gambian forward Dawda Ceesay scored the consolation goal for the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj in the 90+2 minute from a penalty.
Another former champion Sheikh Russel KC made a frustrating start in a Group C of the Federation Cup, losing to Fortis FC by 1-3 goals at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Tuesday afternoon.
Gambian striker Omar Babou struck twice in the 10th (penalty) and 72nd minutes while Hakim Bappy netted the other goal for Fortis FC in the 51st minute.
Burundi forward Landy scored the lone goal for Sheikh Russel KC in the 69th minute.
In the next Federation Cup matches, Dhaka Abahani Ltd will face Chittagong Abahani Ltd at the Basundhara Kings Arena, while holders Dhaka Mohammedan SC will play Brothers Union Club at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Tuesday (Jan 30).
BPL Football: Former champions Dhaka Abahani, Dhaka Mohammedan win
Former champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd and Federation Cup champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintained their winning run in the 4th round of the 10-team ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football at two separate venues across the countries on Saturday.
Dhaka Abahani registered the 2nd sucessive win beating another former champions Sheikh Russel KC by 3-1 goals at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
They dominated the first half by 2-0 goals.
English Football Coach Peter Butler arrives in Dhaka to take charge of BFF Elite Academy
Brazilian midfielder Jonathon Fernandes put Abahani ahead in the 12th minute (1-0) while St. Vincent forward Stewart doubled the Abahani margin in the stoppage time of the first half (45+2 minute).
Local striker Sumon Reza pulled the Sheikh Russel margin one back scoring one goal in the 73rd minute ( 2-1).
Later, Stewart sealed the fate of the match scoring his 2nd goal in the 85th minute (3-1).
Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintained their 2nd slot intact in the league table beating Bangladesh Police FC by 3-2 goals at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh.
The match was locked in 1-1 goals in the first half.
SAFF U-19 Women's Championship begins Feb 2
Local forward Jafar Iqbal scored first for Dhaka Mohammedan in the 27th minute (1-0) while Colombian booter Palacios leveled the margin for Police in the 34th minute (1-1).
Uzbek booter Muzaffarov again put Mohammedan ahead in the 70th minute (2-1) while Mali forward Souleymane Diabate further widen the Mohammedan margin in the 78th minute (3-1).
Later, Shahed Miah reduced the Police FC margin scoring one more goal in the 84th minute (3-2).
After the day's 4th round matches, Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintained their 2nd slot in the league table securing ten points with three wins and draw while Dhaka Abahani Ltd remained at the 3rd slot securing seven points with two wins, one draw and one defeat
BPL and Independence Cup champions Bashundhara Kings comfortably dominated the league table with all win record securing full 12 points from straight four matches.
Federation Cup Football: Holders Mohammedan SC, runners-up Dhaka Abahani make good start
The day's other league match between two lowly teams --Chittagong Abahani Ltd and Brothers Union Club-- ended in 2-2 draw at the Bir Shreshtha Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
Former national striker Mahbubur Rahman Sufil scored both the goals for Brothers Union in the 12th and 53rd minutes while Mannaf Rabby and Nasir Chowdhury scored one each for Ctg Abahani in the 80th and 82rd minutes.
The 5th round matches will be held on next Friday and Saturday.
English Football Coach Peter Butler arrives in Dhaka to take charge of BFF Elite Academy
UEFA Pro-Licensed-holder English Football Coach Peter James Butler arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon to take charge of the BFF Elite Football Academy.
Butler, who was appointed by the Development Committee of BFF few days back, will provide the modern and advanced training to the trainee footballers of BFF Elite Football Academy at the Kamalapur Stadium here.
He will replace 56-year-old another Englishman and former technical director of BFF Paul Smalley, who resigned from his post last July, citing that the Federation failed to fulfill his demands.
Born in August 1966, Butler served as the head coach of Liberia national team since 2019, head coach of the Indonesian super league team Persipura from 2017-18, head coach of the Botswana national team from 2014-17 and two Malaysian super league sides from 2011-14.