United News of Bangladesh

Mohakhali Ekadosh managed  1-0 goal victory over Bangladesh Boys Club in the Bashundhara Group Senior (First) Division Football League at the Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here Tuesday afternoon. After barren first half, Arman Sadi scored the match winning goal for Mohakhali Ekadosh in the 52nd minute from a penalty. Earlier in the day's first match, Siddikbazar Dhaka Junior SC defeated Mugda Samaj Kallayan 0 Krira Sangsad by 2-0 goal at the same venue Tuesday morning. Sheikh Ahamad and Rian Sikder scored for Dhaka Junior SC, one in each half.

England defender Luke Shaw says he is fit to start Wednesday's Euro 2024 semifinal against the Netherlands and “ready to go” after a long-term injury and a long-running debate over his selection for the tournament. Manchester United left back Shaw played his first game since February when he came off the bench Saturday in England's quarterfinal game with Switzerland, which England won in a penalty shootout. England, the runner-up at Euro 2020, faces the Netherlands on Wednesday in Dortmund in its bid to reach another final. Shaw had repeated setbacks in his recovery from a muscle injury before that and said Monday he'd been “itching” to get back on the field. “Of course I think I am, but obviously that’s solely down to (England manager Gareth Southgate's) decision on what he does. But I feel fit and I’m ready to go," Shaw said when asked if he was fit to play a full game. Shaw's injury problems made him a much-disputed selection for Euro 2024 as England's only specialist left back. “I’ve got a lot to thank (Southgate) for because he showed a lot of faith and trust in picking me when he didn’t have to,” Shaw said. Kieran Trippier has taken over the left back role, but he's a naturally right-footed player who has faced criticism for regularly cutting inside toward the center of the field, rather than attacking down the left wing. That's part of a wider criticism from many England fans of what they see as Southgate's tendency toward caution over entertainment. Some fans threw plastic cups at Southgate at a group-stage game and the manager has said it's been hard to deal with the “personal” backlash. “I think the most important thing is winning,” Shaw said. “And at the moment, whether people like it or not, the way we play and how the team are playing, for us, we’re in the semifinals. That’s all that matters.”

Coming from behind, Jatrabari Jhotika Sangsad earned a comfortable 4-1 goal victory over Little Friend Club in the Bashundhara Group Senior (First) Division Football League at the Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur on Monday afternoon. Nur Alam Siddik struck twice in the 43rd and 57th minutes, while Fayjul Karim and Tanjirul Islam Antu scored one goal each for the winners in the 26th and 65th minutes, respectively. Anannya Paroi scored the lone goal for the losers in the 16th minute. Earlier in the day's first match, Kashaituly Samaj Kallyan Parishad  beat Sadharan Bima Corporation by a 1-0 goal at the same venue on Monday morning. Ammar Ibne Amin scored the match decider for Kashaituly SKP in the very 2nd minute of the match. In the day's other match, Jatrabari Krira Chakra defeated Bashabo Tarun Sangha by a 1-0 goal at the same venue on Monday afternoon. Sabuj Mia scored the match winning goal for Jatrabari KC in the 24th minute.  

Hong Myung-bo was appointed as South Korea's head coach on Sunday, giving one of the nation's 2002 World Cup stars a second chance at the top job. Hong succeeded Jurgen Klinsmann and returned to the position he left in July 2014 after a 12-month spell ended in a disappointing World Cup performance. He was captain of the South Korea team that reached the World Cup semifinals in 2002, when South Korea and Japan co-hosted the tournament. Uruguay beats Brazil 4-2 on penalties after scoreless draw, advances to Copa America semifinals The 55-year-old Hong will leave Ulsan HD with immediate effect after leading the club to successive K-League championships in 2022 and 2023. “Ultimately, the ability to bring the team together is the most important aspect,” Korea Football Association (KFA) President Chung Mong-gyu said in a statement announcing the appointment. “It will be up to the coaching staff to handle the tactical side of things.” The appointment marks the end of a five-month search by the KFA, which fired Klinsmann in February in the wake of a disappointing Asian Cup campaign. American coach Jesse Marsch was top of the KFA’s shortlist but he took a job with Canada in May. It was reported that David Wagner, the German coach fired by Norwich City after failing to deliver promotion to the English Premier League, and former Greece boss Gus Poyet, were also on the list. Hong, who led South Korea’s Under-23 team to bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, had seemed to rule himself out of the running after a recent K-League game but now has two months to prepare for the start of the third round of 2026 World Cup qualification. Kylian Mbappé is enduring a tough Euro 2024. It might not stop France winning the title South Korea kicks off against the Palestinian team on Sept. 5 and then goes on to face Jordan, Oman, Kuwait and Iraq in Group B. In Asia’s new qualification format, the top two in each of the three six-team groups will confirm their automatic places at the World Cup. The six teams that finish third and fourth will progress to the fourth round, where there are two more places available.

Bashundhara Kings earned a facile 2-0 goal victory over Bangladesh Police FC in their 4th match of the BFF Under-18 Football League' 2023-24 at the Mohammadpur Physical Education College ground in the capital on Sunday afternoon. Asad put the BPL champions Bashundhara Kings ahead in the added time of the first half (46+1 minute while Yasin confirmed the winners victory scoring one more goal in the 63rd minute. In the day's other match, Dhaka Mohammedan SC outplayed Brothers Union Club by 3-1 goal at the Armed Police Battalion ground in Uttara Sunday afternoon. Tuhin Miah struck twice for the traditional black and whites Mohammedan in the 22nd and 41st minutes while Imran Yousuf netted the other goal in the 65th minute. Mohammad Onik netted consolation goal for the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union in the 52nd minute from a penalty. In the day's other match, Sheikh Russel KC defeated Rahmatganj MFS by 2-0 goal at the practice ground of Bashundhara Kings Arena also on Sunday. Rafiul Islam scored both the goals for Sheikh Russel KC in the 38th and 90+5 minutes respectively. Dhaka Abahani Limited dominated the U-18 league with all- win run securing full 12 points from straight four matches.

Arambagh Football Academy defeated Swadhinata Krira Sangha by 1-0 goal in the Bashundhara Group Senior (First) Division Football League 2023 -24 at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the capital's Kamalapur on Sunday Salman Khan scored the match-winning goal for Arambagh FA in the 86th minute. Nawabpur KC earn 2-1 victory over Mohakhali Ekadosh in Sr. Division Football Meanwhile, in the BFF U-16 Football League 2023-24, Wari Club outplayed Uttara Football Club Ltd by 3-0 goals at the same venue on Sunday. After a barren first half, Milon, Hedayet and Anik scored one each for the winners.  

Germany great Toni Kroos officially bid farewell to soccer on Sunday, two days after his team’s dramatic loss to Spain in the quarterfinals of the European Championship. Substitute Mikel Merino’s game-winning goal in the last minute of extra time handed Spain a 2-1 victory, knocked out the host nation and ended Kroos’ playing career. “So that’s it,” Kroos wrote in a post on Instagram on Sunday. “But before I take a break and at least try to realize what happened over the last 17 years I don’t want to miss the opportunity to say thank you to everyone accepting me how and who I am.” The 2014 World Cup winner went on to thank his fans, clubs, coaches and teammates, as well as his friends and family, adding that there is “nothing better (than) to see your kids being proud of daddy.” Kroos won a host of titles, mostly with Real Madrid, but also with Bayern Munich — six Champions Leagues, four Spanish leagues, three Bundesligas, three German Cups and one Copa del Rey. The 34-year-old Kroos announced in May that he would retire at the end of Euro 2024. That meant that his 114th match for Germany turned out to be his last. Kroos ended his post with the words: “last but not least: Thank you Football! You beautiful game. And… you‘re welcome! Over and out.”

Manuel Ugarte scored the winning goal in the fifth round of the shootout and Uruguay advanced to the Copa America semifinals with a 4-2 victory over Brazil on penalty kicks after the teams played to a scoreless draw Saturday night. The teams combined for a tournament-high 41 fouls and just four shots on goal during a bruising, choppy match with little of the impressive soccer for which both South American powerhouses are known. Uruguay’s Nahitan Nández was sent off after a red card in the 74th minute for a dangerous tackle on Rodrygo, but Brazil couldn't break through its 10-man opponent in the ensuing 21 minutes. Uruguay led 3-1 after three rounds of the shootout when goalkeeper Sergio Rochet stopped Éder Militão and Douglas Luiz hit the post. Alisson Becker saved José María Giménez's shot in the fourth round to keep Brazil alive, but Ugarte banged home the clincher. After the third penalty shootout in four Copa America quarterfinal matches, Uruguay advanced to face Colombia in the semifinals on Wednesday night in Charlotte. Colombia routed Panama 5-0 earlier Saturday, extending its unbeaten streak to 27 consecutive matches. Defending champion Argentina faces Canada in the other semifinal Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The final is July 14 in Miami Gardens. Brazil played without Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior, who watched from the stands under suspension after accumulating two yellow cards. The Seleção already are without Neymar, who hasn’t played since tearing a knee ligament last fall during Brazil’s loss to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier. That victory was Uruguay's first over Brazil in 13 meetings since 2001, but famed coach Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay has now beaten Brazil in back-to-back matches for the first time since 1992.

England beat Switzerland 5-3 in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of the European Championship after a 1-1 draw in extra time on Saturday. England converted its first four penalties before Trent Alexander-Arnold won the game with the fifth. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford earlier saved from Manuel Akanji, who took Switzerland's first penalty kick. Canada beat Venezuela in extra round of penalty kicks, reaches semifinals in 1st Copa America England, which lost the 2021 Euros final to Italy in a penalty shootout, goes on to play Turkey or the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday for a spot in the final. The game went to extra time after England forward Bukayo Saka scored with a shot off the post in the 80th minute to cancel out Breel Embolo's goal five minutes earlier for Switzerland. Kylian Mbappé is enduring a tough Euro 2024. It might not stop France winning the title The Swiss had the better chances to win in extra time, including substitute Xherdan Shaqiri hitting the frame of the goal direct from a corner.

Canada hasn't scored much on the way to the semifinals of its first Copa America. Don't look for apologies from American-born coach Jesse Marsch. Ismaël Koné scored in the sixth round of the shootout right after a third save by Maxime Crépeau and Canada moved on with a victory over Venezuela on Friday night. The Canadians won 4-3 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals, keeping Venezuela from advancing to the Copa America semifinals for the first time since 2011. Just the fourth team to advance out of group play by scoring just one goal, Canada is moving on again following a 0-0 draw against Chile that sent it to the elimination round. Kylian Mbappé is enduring a tough Euro 2024. It might not stop France winning the title “People will talk about should we score more goals or whatever,” Marsch said. “We should score more goals. But those are two pretty strong performances against very good opponents. You can see that this team is building.” Jacob Shaffelburg scored in the 13th minute for Canada before Salomón Rondón got the equalizer in the 64th minute for Venezuela. The victory earned 48th-ranked Canada a rematch with Lionel Messi and Argentina, the world No. 1 and defending Copa America champion, on Tuesday night at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Argentina beat Canada 2-0 in a group play opener. Each team scored three times in the five rounds of the shootout, forcing the extra session. After Crépeau silenced the pro-Venezuelan crowd of 51,080 at the home of the Dallas Cowboys by stopping Wilker Ángel, Koné eased his shot past Rafael Romo for the win. “I heard some of the guys saying afterward I should have had him shoot earlier because he’s got ice in his veins,” Marsch said of the 22-year-old. “They were right. Probably should have had him shoot earlier. But when we needed him, he stepped up.” Argentina reaches Copa America semifinals, beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalty kicks after 1-1 draw With 54th-ranked Venezuela trailing 1-0, Jon Aramburu sent a long pass from his own penalty box, leaving just Rondón and Moïse Bombito battling for the loose ball near midfield. Just as Rondón gained possession, Crépeau realized he was too far out and sprinted toward his net. It was too late. Rondón's lofted shot over the scrambling Crépeau bounced 2 yards in front of the net and in. Shaffelburg scored on an assist from Jonathan David after David scored Canada's previous goal in a 1-0 victory over Peru on a helper from Shaffelburg, who right-footed a pass from David between the right post and Romo. After scoring, Schaffelburg held over his head the No. 17 jersey of Tajon Buchanan, who broke the tibia in his lower left leg in practice three days before the meeting with Venezuela. Rondón had two early chances on headers turned away, and it wasn't long after his goal that Shaffelburg took another dangerous shot from just inside the penalty box that Romo deflected away. Before Rondón's equalizer, Eduard Bello redirected a corner kick from across the toward the net, but the ball landed on top of the net after a leaping deflection from Crépeau. Venezuela is in position to be a first-time qualifier for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. A World Cup-high nine games will be at AT&T Stadium. But La Vinotinto fell short in trying to reach the final four of Copa America for just the second time. Venezuela finished fourth 13 years ago. Ronaldo vs. Mbappé: Clash of generations at Euro 2024 has just been given some extra spice “I think that we need to continue working and to set an objective for ourselves,” Venezuela coach Fernando Batista said through a translator. “This is a long process. We have a huge dream that we’re going for. All Venezuelans want to qualify for the World Cup, and the Copa America gave us the possibility of strengthening our squad.” Not long after Rondón's goal, Liam Millar got a shot past Romo, but it went wide right. Millar had Canada's first miss of the shootout, sending a shot way over the crossbar right after Yangel Herrera was wide left for Venezuela. The teams traded misses again in the fourth round of the shootout before a pair of makes set up the extra session. “We were the better team,” Marsch said. “We deserved to win that match. The penalties, it’s most a flip of the coin. But we were the better team on the day.”