football
AFC Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings drawn in Group D with Odisha FC, Maziya SRC, Mohun Bagan SG
Bangladesh Premier League ( BPL) champions Bashundhara Kings has drawn in Group D (South Zone) of the AFC Cup Football 2023-24 along with Indian Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and Maziya SRC of Maldives.
The official draw for the Group Stage of the Asia's Secondary Club League, the AFC Cup 2023-24, was held Thursday (Aug 24) afternoon at the AFC headquarter in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.
Thirty six Asian clubs, split into nine groups, will compete in the meet on home and away basis, begining on September 18.
Read: Bangladesh Football team holds training ahead of Afghan challenge
Four times Bangladesh champions Bashundhara Kings, which were eliminated from Asia' s top tier club meet, the AFC Champions League, losing to Sharjah FC by 0-2 goals in the preliminary round, have an opportunity to play in the main draw (Group Stage) of the AFC Cup 2023-24.
Kolkata Mohun Bagan SG. which beat current BPL runners- up Dhaka Abahani Limited by 3-1 goals in a AFC Cup play-off match in Kolkata last Tuesday, also grouped with Bashundhara Kings and Indian super league champions Odisha FC.
AFC Cup Grouping:
Group A: Al Ahed, Al Futuwa, Jabal Al Mukaber Club, Al Nahda
Group B: Al Wehdat, Kuwait SC, Al Kahrbaa SC, Al Ittihad Al-Ahli of Aleppo
Group C: Al Zawraa, Al Riffa, Nejmeh SC, Al Arabi
Group D: Odisha, Bashundhara Kings, Maziya Sports & Recreation Club, Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Read: Dhaka Abahani Ltd in Kolkata to play AFC Cup play-off match without three key players
Group E: Ravshan, Altyn Asyr, Abdysh-Ata, Merw
Group F: Dynamic Herb Cebu, Macarthur, Shan United, Phnom Penh Crown
Group G: Terengganu, Bali United, Stallion Laguna, Central Coast Mariners
Group H: Haiphong, Hougang United, Sabah, PSM Makassar
Group I: CPK, Tainan City, Ulaanbaatar, Taichung Futuro
Messi converts PK, assists on 2 goals, leading Miami past MLS-best Cincinnati in US Open Cup semi
Lionel Messi had two assists and converted a penalty kick as Inter Miami rallied from a two-goal deficit and beat MLS-leading Cincinnati 5-4 in penalties in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday night.
Cincinnati jumped to a 2-0 lead before Messi set up a pair of goals by Leonardo Campana, tying the game at 2. Miami moved ahead when Josef Martínez scored three minutes into the first extra period, but Cincinnati tied the game at 3 when Yuya Kubo scored in the 114th minute, forcing penalty kicks.
Also read : Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final
Messi made Miami's first attempt in the shootout, and both teams were perfect through four rounds. Herons goalkeeper Drake Callender saved Nick Hagglund's kick in the fifth round, and Benjamin Cremaschi made his PK to send Miami to another tournament final.
Miami advanced to face the winner of Wednesday's late semifinal between Houston and Salt Lake in the final in Sept. 27.
Also read : Messi scores early in 1st game outside Florida for Inter Miami at FC Dallas
Messi was held scoreless for the first time since joining Inter Miami in late July. His first assist of the game was on a free kick in the 68th minute to cut Miami's deficit to 2-1. He delivered a long cross into the box to set up Campana's second goal on a header that sent the game to overtime.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year, had scored 10 goals in his first seven games with Miami, leading the team to the Leagues Cup title. He is set to make his Major League Soccer debut Saturday at the New York Red Bulls.
Luciano Acosta and Brandon Vazquez scored the first two goals for Cincinnati.
Also read : Lionel Messi set to make his Inter Miami debut in Leagues Cup opener against Cruz Azul
Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead early in the first half on a nifty flick from Acosta, its Argentine No. 10 and captain, who scored his 14th goal across all competition this season off a header from Aaron Boupendza.
Vazquez, a U.S. national team forward, doubled Cincinnati's lead in the 53rd minute on a laser from outside the box, off a low cross from former Atletico Madrid and Colombia international defender Santiago Arias.
AFC Cup Football: Mohun Bagan advance to group stage eliminating Dhaka Abahani
Coming from behind, Kolkata Mohun Bagan Super Giant smartly advanced to the group stage of the AFC Cup Football 2023-24 eliminating Dhaka Abahani Limited by 3-1 goals in a do-or- die play-off match under the flood light Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt lake Stadium) in Kolkata Tuesday evening.
With the day's feat, Mohun Bagan Club not only qualified for the main draw (group stage) of the 2nd tier of the Asia's club football league, but also maintained their creditable unbeaten runs against shaky and six times Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Dhaka Abahani Limited,featuring three wins in four matches.
The main draw of the AFC Cup Football will be held on August 24.
Also read: AFC Cup Football : Dhaka Abahani to fly for Kolkata Monday to play Mohun Bagan SG in play-off match
Incidentally, the Kolkata Mariners beat current BPL runners-up Dhaka Abahani by 3-1 in all the three occasions held in Kolkata while the remaining match between them ended in 1-1 draw in Dhaka..
The match between two football giants of Dhaka and Kolkata was locked in 1-1 goals in the first half.
St Vincent winger Cornelius Ezekiel Stewart, who scored the first goal for Dhaka Abahani against Club Eagles of the Maldives in the AFC Cup preliminary round last week, put Dhaka Abahani ahead in the 17th minute by a cool placing shot from close, utilizing the lapse of the opponent custodian Vishal Kaith (1-0).
Also read: Dhaka Abahani Ltd in Kolkata to play AFC Cup play-off match without three key players
But, Australian forward Jason Cumming restored the parity for Mohun Bagan in the 37th minute from a penalty (1-1). The Kolkata ginat Mohun Bagan got the spot kick when of the Abahani defender Sushanto Tripura brought down oppoinent booter Liston Colaco in the danger zone.
Mohun Bagan took lead in the 58th minute when Abahani booter Milad Sheikh sent the ball to his own net in the 59th minute while he foiled an attempt of Mohun Bagan booter Jason Cumming (2-1).
Armand Sadiko scored the 3rd goal for Mohun Bagan just two minutes later off a quick corner kick Calaco (3-1).
After the departure of Dhaka Abahani Limited from the 19th edition of the Asia's secondary club football tournament, another Bangladesh club and the BPL champions Bashundhara Kings stayed in the AFC Cup race, mian draw of which will begin on September 18.
Also read: AFC Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani advance to play- off stage eliminating Club Eagles of Maldives 2-1
Earlier in the preliminary round, Dhaka Abahani advanced to the play-off stage of the AFC Cup Football eliminating Club Eagles of the Maldives by 2-1 goals at the Sylhet District Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
On the other hand, Kolkata Mohun Club eliminated Machhindra FC of Kathmandu beating them by 3-1 goals at the Kolkata Salt Lake Stadium, also on Wednesday evening.
Bangladesh Football team holds training ahead of Afghan challenge
Bangladesh national football team trained for the 2nd consecutive day at the Bashundhara Kings arena Tuesday afternoon ahead of the next month's two FIFA International Friendly matches against Afghanistan.
The two FIFA Tier-1 matches will be held at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on September 4 and 7.
The Afghanistan team will arrive in Dhaka on August 26.
Also read: Dhaka Abahani Ltd in Kolkata to play AFC Cup play-off match without three key players
Vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation M Imrul Hasan inspected the day's practice session lasted for about one and a half hour from 4:30 pm.
Bangladesh team will also hold practices sessions on Wednesday afternoon at the same venue.
Earlier, the head coach of Bangladesh national football team Javier Cabrera picked up a 32-member preliminary squad for the two FIFA Friendly matches against Afghanistan featuring two new face --Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra's midfielder Dipok Roy and Azmpur Football Club's forward Sarwar Zaman Nipu.
Also read: AFC Cup Football : Dhaka Abahani to fly for Kolkata Monday to play Mohun Bagan SG in play-off match
But the players of Badhundhara Kings and Dhaka Abahani did not join the practice session due to their engagement in the AFC Cup Football.
Goalkeepers: Anisur Rahman, Shahidul Alam, Mitul Marma and Pappu Hossain.
Defenders: Bishwanath Ghosh, Topu Barman, Tariq Kazi, Rimon Hossain, Saad Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Alomgir Molla, Murad Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Isa Faysal and Atikuzzaman.
Midfielders: Sohel Rana, Sheikh Morsalin, Mohammad Ridoy, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Abu Shaied, Mojubur Rahman Joni, Robiul Hasan and Jamal Bhuiyan
Forwards: Rakib Hossain, Matin Mia, Sumon Reza, Faysal Ahmed Fahim, Dipok Roy, Aminur Rahman Sojib, Sarwar Zaman Nipu, Zafar Iqbal and Mohammed Ibrahim .
Dhaka Abahani Ltd in Kolkata to play AFC Cup play-off match without three key players
A 27-member Dhaka Abahani Limited reached Kolkata on Monday (Aug 21) without three key players to play Mohun Bagan Super Giant of Kolkata in a play-off match of the AFC Cup Football 2023-24.
The six times Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions and curren runners-up Dhaka Abahani Limited will face Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Tuesday (Aug 22) at 7:30 pm Bangladesh time at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Also read : AFC Cup Football : Dhaka Abahani to fly for Kolkata Monday to play Mohun Bagan SG in play-off match
The winners of the match will qualify for the final round (Group Stage) of the 19th edition of the Asia's secondary club football tournament, will begin on September 18.
Dhaka Abahani, which reached Kolkata in two batches --- first batch in the morning and the 2nd batch at 12 noon, dropped their three key players -custodian Pritom, Alomgir Molla and Emon Babu for fever and injuries.
Also read : Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament
Earlier, Dhaka Abahani Limited has a plan to fly for Kolkata Sunday evening, but they are compelled to change schedule as they got Indian visa in late (Sunday afternoon).
Abahani scheduled to make their first and only practice session at the match venue in Kolkata today (Monday) evening.
Earlier in the preliminary round, Dhaka Abahani advanced to the play-off stage of the AFC Cup Football eliminating Club Eagles of the Maldives by 2-1 goals at the Sylhet District Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
Also read : Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final
On the other hand, Kolkata Mohun Club eliminated Machhindra FC of Kathmandu beating them by 3-1 goals at the Kolkata Salt Lake Stadium, also in the Wednesday evening.
Dhaka Abahani and Kolkata Mohun Bagan Club faced each other on three occasions where Mohun Bagan Club enjoying upper hand beating Dhaka Abahani twice, both by 3-1 goals, while the remaining match ended in 1-1 draw.
Ahead of the match, it was learnt that, the Mohan Bagan Club are in tense situation following inclusion of three foreign booters --Nigerian forward Ifegwu Ojukwu of Nigeria, St Vincent winger Cornelius Stewart and Brazilian defender Danilu-- in the Abahani line-up.
Mohun Bagan officials assumed that the Abahani did not followed the proper process and guidelines to recruit the above three foreign players in their squad.
Olga Carmona scored in Spain's 1-0 Women's World Cup win. Then she learned her father had died
Olga Carmona, whose goal won the Women's World Cup for Spain on Sunday, learned after the final of her father's death, the Spanish soccer federation said.
He had been ill and died while Carmona's mother and other relatives traveled to Australia to watch her play in the final, the federation said early Monday, without giving more detail on the cause of death.
Also read : Spain wins its first Women's World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final
The family decided to wait until after the title celebrations to give Carmona the news.
"And without knowing it, I had my Star before the game started," Carmona said on X, formerly known as Twitter, along with a photo of her kissing the winners' medal. "I know that you gave me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you were watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace, dad."
Also read : Is it coming home? England looks to bring Women's World Cup trophy back to the birthplace of soccer
After the final whistle, she was among the Spanish players celebrating and dancing on the field, and appeared to participate normally during the trophy presentation.
"We love you, Olga," the federation said on X. "You are part of the history of Spanish soccer."
Carmona scored with a left-footed strike in the 29th minute to give Spain a 1-0 victory over England in Sydney, Australia. She had also scored a late winner in La Roja's 2-1 win over Sweden in the semifinals to become the first player since American Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.
Also read : Australia edge France on penalties to reach the Women's World Cup semifinals, will face England
The 23-year-old Carmona was named the final's most valuable player on Sunday. She had celebrated her goal with a tribute to a friend who recently lost her mother.
"I think all of us, we felt that this team had something special," the Real Madrid defender said after Spain won the title.
Madrid released a statement Sunday night about her father's death and offering condolences to the player and her family.
Carmona's Spain teammate Irene Paredes lost her father a few days before Spain began its preparations for the World Cup. The defender dedicated the title to him on Sunday.
Before the news of the death of Carmona's father, the federation said that title celebrations were set to take place after the squad's arrival in Madrid on Monday night.
It wasn't clear if the celebrations would go ahead as scheduled or if Carmona would participate in any way.
AFC Cup Football : Dhaka Abahani to fly for Kolkata Monday to play Mohun Bagan SG in play-off match
The six times Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Dhaka Abahani Limited will fly for Kolkata on Monday to play
Mohun Bagan Super Giant of Kolkata in a play-off match of the AFC Cup Football 2023-24.
The match between Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan Club and Dhaka giant Abahani Limited will kick-off at 7:30 pm Bangladesh time on Tuesday (August 22) at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Read: Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuyan signs for Argentine Club
The winners of the match will qualify for the final round (Group Stage) of the 19th edition of the Asia's secondary club football tournament, will begin on September 18.
Earlier, Dhaka Abahani Limited has a plan to fly for Kolkata Sunday evening, but they are compelled to change schedule for getting Indian visa in late on Sunday afternoon.
Abahani is likely to fly Kolkata on Monday in two batches, the first batch in the morning at 7:30 am and another batch in next available flight.
Read: AFC Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani to play Kolkata Mohun Bagan in play- off match on Aug 22
Abahani may get an opportunities to make a practice session in Kolkata Monday afternoon.Earlier in the preliminary round, Dhaka Abahani advanced to the play-off stage of the AFC Cup Football eliminating Club Eagles of the Maldives by 2-1 goals at the Sylhet District Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
On the other hand, Kolkata Mohun Club eliminated Machhindra FC of Kathmandu beating them by 3-1 goals at the Kolkata Salt Lake Stadium Wednesday evening.
Read: BCB Enlists a Psychologist to Enhance Mental Fitness of Cricketers
In their last meeting, Kolkata Mohun Bagan beat Dhaka Abahani Limited by 3-1 goals in the AFC Cup play-off match in Kolkata April last year.
Spain wins its first Women's World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final
Spain won its first Women's World Cup title less than a year after a player rebellion, holding off England 1-0 on Sunday after Olga Carmona's first-half goal.
Spain's first major international trophy made it the first European team to win the Women's World Cup since Germany in 2007.
Also read : Is it coming home? England looks to bring Women's World Cup trophy back to the birthplace of soccer
At the final whistle the Spanish players piled on each other in front of their goal.
Carmona's left-foot shot in the 29th minute went into the far corner of the net and just out of reach of diving England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Also read : Australia edge France on penalties to reach the Women's World Cup semifinals, will face England
In celebration she raised her jersey to reveal the word "Merchi" scrawled in ink on her undershirt, an apparent nod to her former school.
Carmona also scored the game-winner in the 89th minute of Spain's 2-1 semifinal victory over Sweden, becoming the first player since Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.
Also read : The future is uncertain for the United States after crashing out of the Women's World Cup
Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th but Jenni Hermoso's penalty attempt was saved by Earps, who anticipated perfectly and dived to her left.
Spain's victory comes despite a near-mutiny by players last year. Fifteen players said they were stepping away from the national team for their mental health while also calling for a more professional environment.
Three of those players — Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey — reconciled with the federation and were at the World Cup.
England had momentum going into the tournament after winning the European Championship at home last summer. But three of the team's best players, captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead, all had knee injuries that kept them off the World Cup squad.
England coach Sarina Wiegman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup title matches. She led the Netherlands to the final in 2019, but fell 2-0 to the United States. She's now 0-2.
England was coming off a 3-1 victory over host Australia in the semifinal. Lauren James, who was the team's top scorer with three goals and three assists, was forced to sit out two matches because of a suspension for stomping on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie to open the knockout stage.
While James was available for the final, Wiegman started Ella Toone. James came into the match to start the second half.
The game was briefly interrupted in the 25th minute by a person who raced onto the field but was quickly tackled by security.
One of England's best chances was in the 16th when Lauren Hemp's blast caromed off the crossbar. A minute later, Salma Paralluelo raced to the goal but couldn't get a clean shot and Earps stopped Alba Redondo's attempt in the scramble in front of the net.
Vilda started 19-year-old Paralluelo, who scored the breakthrough goal for Spain against Sweden, and the game-winner in extra time over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Paralluelo's nearly scored seconds from half time but her shot hit the post. She was handed a yellow card in the 78th minute for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who had a cut above her eye.
Hemp had another chance in the 54th but sent it wide. A minute later she was handed a yellow card for a foul on Laia Codina.
Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th after a video review awarded a penalty after Keira Walsh's handball. But Earps kept England in the game, as she did with a succession of saves late.
Coach Jorge Vilda had a challenge in working around two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was still working her way back from a torn ACL last year. For the final, Putellas was on the bench at the start.
Putellas went into the game with 15 seconds left in regulation, but there were 13 minutes of stoppage time.
There were 75,784 fans at the final at Stadium Australia, including tennis great Billie Jean King.
The two teams met last year in the quarterfinals of the Euros, with England coming from behind to beat Spain 2-1 in extra time on Georgia Stanway's goal.
Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final
Lionel Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first shot in penalty kicks as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday night.
Messi scored midway through the first half, his 10th goal in seven games since joining Inter Miami — all in the Leagues Cup competition — as his new team claimed its first trophy.
Messi also opened the penalties by converting his shot. The penalty kicks ended in the 11th round in a showdown between the goalkeepers. Drake Callender scored his penalty for Miami and then made the title-clinching stop on a shot by Nashville's Elliot Pannico.
Also read: Messi scores early in 1st game outside Florida for Inter Miami at FC Dallas
Miami players hoisted Messi on their shoulders and had an extended celebration on the field long after the trophies had been handed out.
Miami Coach Tata Martino credited the new group of newcomers like Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, quickly gelling with the team.
"We had to incorporate a lot of new players but I'm very impressed how it came together," Martino said through a translator.
Also read: Lionel Messi makes it official by signing with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer
"I remember the first days (in charge)," Martino continued. "We needed to do more trainings to give shape to the team and I was thinking, how convenient it is to move on in this tournament because we can take advantage of this month to play more. But after this month, we are champions"
Martino's postgame press conference ended when Miami players burst into the room, singing and spraying champagne on the coach. But the team won't have long to celebrate. Miami faces Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday.
Nashville coach Gary Smith tipped his hat to Messi.
Also read: Messi’s move to Inter Miami: Debut, Contract, Salary and more in MLS
"You're looking at a game with the greatest player on the planet possibly being the difference in what went on today," Smith said.
Callender was proud of the role he played in helping Inter Miami claim the tourney crown.
"It's a huge honor to play a role in our first win in a final," Callender said. "It's pretty surreal. Very emotional. This team works so hard day-in, day-out to be able to perform like this on a night like this. And to have it come down to the very end, it was amazing to see the grit, just the belief of what we're capable of. It's something special and I'm just blessed to be a part of it."
Callender said he tried to stay as calm as possible through the numerous kicks.
"I just had to stay focused, breathe through it, stay as calm as possible," he said. "I mean, this atmosphere here tonight is electric. So I embraced the moment and I just believed in the work that I put in and the repetitions I put in leading up to that moment and it just ended up going our way."
Messi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. The ball landed at his feet after a pass from teammate Robert Taylor was blocked. Messi dribbled past Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman and unleashed a bending shot from just outside the penalty box into the top left corner of the goal. A diving Panicco had no chance at playing the ball.
"It's one of those things where the bounces don't go your way and his ability to put it in the top corner is what makes him a special player," Zimmerman said. "No mistakes were made on that play. It was a good challenge and a little unfortunate bounce there."
Messi wasn't particularly influential before he scored the goal, and the crowd showered him with boos each time he touched the ball. But the stadium erupted in cheers when the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year scored.
Nashville tied the game in the 56th minute when Fafa Picault's header off a corner kick ricocheted off Miami's Benjamin Cremaschi and into the net off goalkeeper Callender.
Messi had a shot from the area he had scored from earlier in the 71st minute, but hit the post as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in regulation.
Miami striker Leonardo Campana had a chance to win the game in the last play in regulation, but his sliding shot on an open goal hit the post. Messi held his head in his hands when the ball trickled out of play.
Messi mania had gripped Music City after Nashville SC advanced to the final against Miami with a win against Monterrey of the Mexican league on Tuesday. Ticket prices skyrocketed after they went on sale the following day but eased somewhat in the days before the game. The cheapest seats still cost several hundred dollars. A capacity crowd of 30,109 filled Geodis Park.
Nashville native Reese Witherspoon brought out the game ball and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo took some shots on goal before the game. Both are minority owners of Nashville SC.
Liverpool overcome an early goal and a red card to beat Bournemouth 3-1 in EPL
Liverpool overcame an early deficit and a disputed red card to beat Bournemouth 3-1 at Anfield in the English Premier League on Saturday for its first win of the season.
Bournemouth stunned the host by taking the lead through Antoine Semenyo in just the third minute after Liverpool turned the ball over cheaply deep inside its own half. But Luis Diaz equalized with an acrobatic volley in the 28th and Liverpool was awarded a penalty when Joe Rothwell made light contact with Dominik Szoboszlai just inside the area, and the midfielder fell theatrically to the ground.
Mohamed Salah’s spot kick was saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto, but the Egypt striker slotted in the rebound to put Liverpool ahead.
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Alexis Mac Allister was then shown a straight red card in the 58th for kicking Ryan Christie’s leg after a mistimed challenge for the ball, giving Bournemouth hopes of a comeback.
But going a man down seemed to only galvanize Liverpool, and Diogo Jota was on hand to turn in the rebound after Szoboszlai’s deflected shot was palmed away by Neto in the 62nd.
After opening the season with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea last weekend, Liverpool has four points from its opening two games, while Bournemouth has one point.
Salah’s goal put him past Steven Gerrard into fifth place among Liverpool’s all-time leading scorers, with 187.