Sports
Independence Cup Football: Police finish top of Group D
Bangladesh Police Football Club became the Group D champions to reach the quarterfinals of the new season's curtain raiser football tournament, the Bashundhara Group Independence Cup 2022, beating Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club 4-3 in their last group match Thursday.
Despite the defeat at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Stadium in Gopalganj, Sheikh Jamal finished group runners-up to reach the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals Sunday, Group D champions Police will play Group C runners-up Muktijoddha Sangsad. Group D runners-up Sheikh Jamal will play Group C champions Dhaka Abahani on the same day.
Read: Independence Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani, Muktijoddha make quarterfinals
In the day's match, midfielder Kirmanee put Police in front in the ninth minute (1-0). Forward SM Bablu doubled the lead in the 22nd minute (2-0), and Malikov of Kyrgyzstan scored the third goal for Police in the 37th from a penalty (3-0).
Ezekiel of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines struck two quick goals for Sheikh Jamal in the 38th and 43rd minutes (3-2). Panama forward Avila scored the fourth goal for Police FC in the 57th minute (4-2).
Police defender Rasel scored an own goal in the 76th minute (4-3).
In the day's other match, Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society tasted victory in their third and last group match, outplaying Bangladesh Football Federation Elite Football Academy 3-1 at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Thursday afternoon.
Read: Independence Cup Football: Air Force advance to final round
Tajik forward Fatkhulo scored first for Rahmatganj in the 38th minute (1-0). Brazilian midfielder Morais doubled the lead in the 55th minute (2-0) and defender Saddam Hossain netted the third goal for the Old Dhaka outfit in the 55th minute (3-0).
Local midfielder Asadul Mollah pulled one back for Elite Football Academy in the 77th minute (3-1).
FIFA World Cup: South Korea hold Uruguay scoreless
South Korea and Uruguay started their World Cup campaigns with a 0-0 draw on Thursday, a result that probably favors the Asian team.
The draw at Education City Stadium was yet another early World Cup match with the favored team stumbling. Argentina and Germany both lost their opening matches in major upsets.
South Korea, with forward Son Heung-min wearing a mask to protect a broken left eye socket, always looked the more likely team to score against the more experienced Uruguayans. The South Koreans were quicker, pressing from the opening whistle.
Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Netherlands overpower Senegal with last-minute goals
However, in a match with few clear scoring chances, Uruguay had best chances: Diego Godin hit the post in the 43rd minute and Federico Valverde hit it in the 89th.
Uruguay will next face Portugal in Group h while South Korea plays Ghana.
Young Spain bring back 'tiki-taka' at World Cup
It was a World Cup win fit for a king. Literally.
King Felipe VI was among those congratulating Spain in Qatar after its 7-0 rout of Costa Rica in the World Cup opener Wednesday, when “La Roja” reintroduced the “tiki-taka” and put on a masterclass of ball possession and efficient attacking to get off to a good start in its quest to win a second world title.
The historic victory raised expectations about Spain’s chances of succeeding in Qatar and winning soccer’s most coveted trophy for the first time since 2010, when Xavi and Andrés Iniesta were the leaders of the ball-possession style that amazed the soccer world.
“Keep singing,” King Felipe VI told the players as he entered Spain’s locker room at the Al Thumama Stadium after the match. “We’ve enjoyed it, as did everybody else. More than the result, it was delightful to watch you play.”
Spain is led by a couple of teenage sensations who have added some punch to the “tiki-taka” style. Gavi and Pedri, along with a group of other talented youngsters making their World Cup debut, provide speed and energy to go along with the constant rapid passing and ball control inherent to the style.
Read: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: England make strong statement with a thumping win over Iran
“The idea was for all the players in the midfield to have a lot of touches, and from there the quality of our players prevailed,” Spain coach Luis Enrique said.
Spain completed a record 1,003 passes for a 90-minute game on Wednesday, and finished with 75% of ball possession. It had 17 attempts against zero by Costa Rica.
“Our only goal is to control the game continuously, and to do that you need to have the ball,” Luis Enrique said. “The rival gets frustrated and struggles to find space. We were exceptional with how we pressured.”
The 18-year-old Gavi and the 19-year-old Pedri controlled the pace of the match along with veteran Sergio Busquets, the only remaining member of the 2010 World Cup-winning squad. Up front, the 22-year-old Ferran Torres, along with Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio, worked aggressively off the ball to quickly regain possession.
“It was a match in which we came out strong and went for the victory from the very first minute,” said Gavi, who was named the most valuable player and scored in the 74th minute to become the youngest World Cup scorer since Pelé in 1958.
“He is a unique player,” Luis Enrique said of Gavi. “He is 18 but has the personality of an experienced player. We are very happy to have him. I think he is going to be one of the stars in world football.”
Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Netherlands overpower Senegal with last-minute goals
Spain has the third-youngest squad at this year’s tournament, but Luis Enrique is not worried with his players being overly confident heading into the much-anticipated match against four-time world champion Germany on Sunday. The Germans lost 2-1 to Japan in their Group E opener on Wednesday.
“The praise can make you weaker, but this team will not relax,” Luis Enrique said. “I know it because I see how they practice and I can tell you that they won’t let up. Germany is a powerhouse and it can beat us, but we will come out playing the same way.”
Spain, which hadn’t won a World Cup opener since 2006, still had Xavi and Iniesta when it won its last major title at the 2012 European Championship. Now it will be up to the likes of Pedri and Gavi to make the new “tiki-taka” thrive and lead Spain in its quest for the World Cup trophy.
So far so good, as even the king is impressed.
“It’s nice to get off to a start like this,” King Felipe VI told the players before leaving the team’s locker room carrying a Gavi shirt autographed by the entire squad.
England wary of World Cup upset against US
England scored six goals in its opening World Cup game against Iran, but it was the two it conceded that concern coach Gareth Southgate and provide hope for the United States.
“By the end we looked sloppy,” said Southgate of the 6-2 win over Iran on Monday. He also warned the U.S. would be coming “full-throttle” in Friday’s Group B match.
The tournament has already produced some shocking results, including Saudi Arabia’s win against Argentina and Japan’s upset over Germany.
A win for the U.S. over England would not be on the scale of Saudi Arabia’s win — but Gregg Berhalter’s team is undoubtedly the underdog against one of the tournament favorites.
The two goals conceded against Iran gave Southgate something to focus on in an otherwise encouraging performance.
His message to the players has been clear: They will need to be better against the U.S. team that tied 1-1 with Wales in its opening group game.
Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Messi seeks history with Argentina
“They’re a top nation with a lot of top players who have played in the Premier League and who we’ve come up against,” said England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. “But it’s about us as a squad being 100%. It’s about us taking the result from Iran and going into the U.S. game positive.”
One of those Premier League players is Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic, a point of focus for England’s defense.
“He’s good with both feet, very clinical,” Pickford said. “We’ve got to be wary of him.”
A win for England would see it qualify for the round of the 16 with a game still to play - but the fate of Lionel Messi and Argentina is proof nothing can be taken for granted.
“It’s what World Cup football is all about,” said Pickford. “There are going to be surprises.”
U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner is predicting more of them at the World Cup.
“You see that the world of football is levelling out in a lot of ways,” he said. “Teams have game plans. Teams have been investing in their youth academies over a number of years.”
“I think the message is when you have one team that’s bought into the same message, you can beat anyone on any given day.”
Read: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: England make strong statement with a thumping win over Iran
The U.S. famously beat England 1-0 in the 1950 World Cup and the teams tied 1-1 in 2010.
If the U.S. is to produce the latest surprise of this year’s tournament, it will have to contain an England attack that was ruthless in the match against Iran, which featured two goals by Bukayo Saka.
“I think it’s pretty clear he’s one of the young stars of world football,” said his Arsenal teammate Turner. “He’s a top, top player and you don’t need me to tell anybody on our team how much of a threat that he poses in the game. He’s scoring goals in a variety of ways. He’s really developed, matured.”
FIFA World Cup: Switzerland beat Cameroon 1-0
Breel Embolo’s goal lifted Switzerland to a 1-0 win over Cameroon at the World Cup on Thursday and he kept his promise not to celebrate scoring against the country where he was born.
The Swiss forward from Yaounde struck with a right-foot shot in the 48th minute, standing all alone eight meters (yards) out in the middle of the goalmouth to take Xherdan Shaqiri’s low pass.
Embolo then pursed his lips in a wry smile and held his arms out wide, before raising his hands in a gesture of apology as teammates rushed to him near the penalty spot.
He pointed toward Swiss fans behind the goal where he had scored then to Cameroon fans at the opposite corner of Al Janoub stadium.
The 25-year-old forward left Cameroon with his family when he was five. They spent time in France before settling in Switzerland, the country he is now representing at a second World Cup.
Though an African-born player scored, teams from Africa are now scoreless through the four games they have played at this World Cup. All have played higher-ranked teams, and Morocco and Tunisia earned 0-0 draws, respectively against Croatia and Denmark.
Cameroon’s streak of losses at World Cup finals tournaments extended to eight games dating back to 2002.
Brazil and Serbia are also in Group G and they meet later Thursday.
Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Netherlands overpower Senegal with last-minute goals
In the move for Embolo to score, it was too easy for the Swiss to pass the ball quickly through the Cameroon defensive lines from left flank to right.
The fast Swiss start to the second half contrasted with a lack of first-half urgency that could hardly be explained by the 1 p.m. kickoff — one of only seven games in Qatar being played entirely in daylight. The heat peaked at 29 Celsius (84 Fahrenheit), humidity was low and most of the playing area was shaded.
Cameroon wasted a clear scoring chance to take control in the 10th minute. A long, straight pass past Switzerland’s central defenders led to Karl Toko Ekambi firing a half-volley shot high over the bar from just 10 meters (yards).
Cameroon exerted little pressure trying to level the game. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s header in the 66th was aimed directly at goalkeeper Yann Sommer who saved easily.
In the next play, a Swiss move down the right flank almost repeated the goal but goalkeeper Andre Onana saved from Ruben Vargas.
MILLA TIME
Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Messi seeks history with Argentina
Cameroon great Roger Milla was paraded on the field before the game. Fans were shown a video montage of his goals at the 1990 World Cup where Cameroon became the first African team ever to advance to the quarterfinals.
Milla was joined by Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon’s greatest player who now heads its soccer federation. Eto’o scored the only goal when Cameroon last won at the World Cup — 1-0 against Saudi Arabia in 2002.
REFEREE’S QUIET DAY
Referee Facundo Tello had a quieter day than when he sent off 10 players in Argentina just before coming to Qatar. He showed red cards to seven Boca Juniors players and three from Racing Club after an extra-time brawl. Here, Tello showed three yellow cards and no red cards. This was the 13th game at the World Cup and no player has yet been sent off.
UP NEXT
Switzerland next plays Group H favorite Brazil on Monday evening in Doha. Earlier the same day Cameroon faces Serbia.
Ind Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani clinch group title beating Muktijoddha SKS 3-1
Defending champions Dhaka Abahani Limited clinched the Group C title to reach the quarterfinal of the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Bashundhara Group Independent Cup Football '2022 beating Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra by 3-1 goal in the last group match at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla on Wednesday
Dhaka Abahani will play the 3rd quarterfinal on Sunday (November 27) against the Group D runners-up while Group C runners-up Muktijoddha Sangsad KC will play Group D champions in the 4th and last quarterfinal on the same day.
In the day's match, Brazilian defender Rafayel struck twice in the 4th and 27th minutes while Brazilian forward Santos netted the other goal for the popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani in the 61st minute.
Nigerian forward Emmanuel scored the consolation goal for the freedom fighters' team in the 51st minute.
Read: Ind Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings emerge group champions with all win record
In the day's other match, coming from behind, Bangladesh Air Force beat Uttara Football Club by 2-1 goal at the Bir Shreshta Fl Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Wednesday.
After a barren first half, Mohammad Sagor put Uttara FC ahead in the 47th minute (1-0) while Rakibul leveled the margin for Air Force team in the 74th minute (1-1).
Jewel netted the match-winning goal for Bangladesh Air Force (2-1) in the stoppage time of the match (90+3 minute).
Breakers Pool & Snooker: Evolving a dream to promote billiards in Bangladesh
When Mahfuz Kabir returned to Bangladesh from the USA a decade ago, he brought back a dream along with him: to promote billiards in cricket-crazy Bangladesh.
But it wasn't a cakewalk for him. He waited more than five years for his dream to take the first step to fulfilment.
In 2018, he started the club, Breakers Pool & Snooker, to pursue this dream in Dhaka’s Uttara. Under this club, Mahfuz organized around 40 pool and snooker events in the last four years. And during this period, Breakers Pool & Snooker became a common destination for billiards lovers in Uttara.
He and his friends brought many people to BPS to play billiards. Many youths of Uttara now spend their time busy on the billiards board instead of wasting time chatting or roaming the streets.
“Billiards is not just a sport; it’s a form of entertainment too,” Mahfuz, the club's managing director, said in a recent interview with UNB. “Our only aim is to promote this beautiful sport in Bangladesh.”
Before returning to Bangladesh, Mahfuz played billiards in the USA for a long time. That experience has inspired him to promote the game in Bangladesh. He believes if the youth of Bangladesh get the taste of billiards, it will be among the most popular indoor sports in the country.
Read more: BPL 2023: Mahmudullah in Barishal, Mushfiqur in Sylhet
“We received a great response from billiards lovers for our latest event,” Mahfuz said. “We will host more events in the future. I believe this sport has good prospects in Bangladesh.”
In the second week of this November, Breakers Pool & Snooker organized an event called Breakers 10-Ball Scotch Doubles Pool Tournament 2022. A total of 44 billiard players participated in this event, and the final match took place on the evening of November 20.
The team of Muhibul Hasna Rifat and Nuruzzaman Nayeem won the event, while the team of Shosi and Hasan ended as the runners-up.
“It was a great billiards event,” Muhibul said to UNB. “Right before the Covid-19 pandemic hit Bangladesh, I participated in the World Championship. But during Covid-19, it was not possible to play. After a long break, I played this event and won it.”
Muhibul added that if this event occurs regularly, Bangladesh will get many brilliant billiards players. He also hopes to participate in the World Championship if the national body of billiards takes the necessary steps.
Read more: Bangladesh Cricket League One-dayers: South Zone, North Zone win 2nd round matches
Salman Mahmud Jisan, a student of business studies, found his love for billiards when he visited the club in recent years. He participated in a billiards event for the first time and said he would be happy to participate again when an event comes up.
“It was an amazing experience to play a billiards event,” Salman said to UNB. “When I first came to this club, I watched others play. Then one time, I started playing too. I still can't play very well, but I'm improving.”
He also said that he is a regular visitor to the club now.
Not just Salman, a good number of visitors often come to Breakers Pool & Snooker every evening, and to whom billiards is a lovely game only for a few years or maybe months.
“I often see new faces here,” said Mahfuz, the managing director. “I believe more people will get to know the beauty of this game in the coming days.”
Participants of Breakers 10-Ball Scotch Doubles Pool Tournament 2022:
Pantho, Mahadi, Darras, Mahfuz, Tutul, Plabon, Doc, Tanvir, Anik, Tahfim, Firoze, Sani, Hasan, Shoshi, Adnan, Pavel, Sadik, Jishan, Rossy, Fahim, Riyasat, Nahiyan, Nafi, Tasniya, F Rabbi, Jishan, Sujon, Bishal, Nayeem, Rifat, Rashed Kabir, Shaon, Istiaque, Sabab, Rashed Khan, Rafi, Tanvir A T, Bishal, Noyon, Sadi, Zunayed, Anzum, Foysal and Kawsar
Qatar World Cup: Biggest party or scam in the world?
As the world watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 – hosted by Qatar – opening ceremony full of entertainment and anticipating a whole month of high-octane football action, I had a twinge of doubt. Are the ethical and moral circumstances surrounding this latest edition of the World Cup Ok?
A couple of days back I was watching the recently released Netflix documentary, “FIFA Uncovered”. It is a documentary exposing all the dirty laundry of the governing body of the most loved and followed sport on earth. Some of the revelations put an end to any doubt of FIFA’s love for corruption. The ex-co members of FIFA deeming Qatar worthy of hosting the 2022 World Cup is the shining jewel at the top of FIFA’s corruption crown!
Qatar beat the USA and Canada to become the hosts of the 2022 World Cup, defying all logic as at the time of the voting, Qatar had next to no infrastructure worthy of hosting an event of this magnitude in comparison to their opponents vying for the same project. Despite all this, Qatar was able to “buy” their way into becoming the hosts as the documentary shows.
Read: Qatar ready to open Mideast’s first FIFA World Cup before leaders, fans
A segment shows the immense Qatari investment in French ventures following the ensuring of Michel Platini’s (former UEFA president and FIFA ex-co member) vote going for Qatar’s bid. Interestingly, Qatar’s investment in Paris Saint Germain, the biggest club in France and the club Lionel Messi plays for now, is a part of Qatar’s investment in France following Platini’s tilt.
Sports washing has long been an issue plaguing the world of sport. It’s basically a bid to use sports to improve reputations and brands damaged by wrongdoings of many kinds. What better sport than the most famous one known to mankind? So, an investment of USD 12 billion to host this World Cup was worth it. This included building stadiums, hotels and even entire cities from scratch. Qatar’s bid to sportswash their country’s image of human rights violation (let’s not get into the details) was just the latest in a long run which included the 1936 “Nazi Olympics”.
Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Things you need to know
As a football romantic, I am cynical of the credibility of the 2022 World Cup and its shenanigans, but as Morgan Freeman said during his speech at the opening ceremony in what according to me was the highlight of the evening, “What unites us here is so much greater than what divides us. How can we make it last longer?” I do hope the most emotionally stirring game in the world does take center stage amidst all this controversy, and if not anything else, we as a world community can enjoy our heroes fighting it out far away from the dirt that touched the hands of FIFA officials and celebrate the ultimate glory anyone related to football can dream of!
Right backs, left backs are Brazil’s weak spots at World Cup
When Brazil coach Tite uttered the name of veteran Dani Alves in his call for the World Cup squad, reactions around the country spanned from anger to disappointment.
The Brazil coach, who has faced little criticism in his six years on the job, described his pick in a paused, not-so-confident tone.
“The criteria for Daniel Alves is the criteria for all,” Tite said. “It is about rewarding individual skill, his fitness and his mental aspect. Just like the others.”
Alves himself, however, recognized that many didn’t want him in the squad for Qatar.
“I am not here to please everyone,” he said in a video.
The rancor has nothing to do with the right back’s brilliant past, but the presence of a 39-year-old player who has struggled to play for any club in the past year laid bare the lack of options Brazil has on both flanks of the defense.
Tite’s most likely options to start at the World Cup are right back Danilo, who has become more of a central defender at Juventus, and Alex Sandro, a player with little background as a typical Brazilian left back that runs from box to box.
Neither Danilo nor Alex Sandro are regarded as two of the best in the world in their positions, such as predecessors Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Marcelo and the peak Alves of 10 years ago were. At the same time, the duo has not caused Brazil much defensive trouble, being part of a team that conceded only five goals in South American qualifying.
Read: Qatar World Cup: 5 Dark Horses to look out for
Alves and Alex Telles are expected to be on the bench in Qatar, with Eder Militão also capable of playing as a right back and midfielder Fabinho as a left back.
“They are OK,” former Brazil left back Junior, now a TV commentator, said this month about Tite’s options. “They are not players who will be up front all the time. They are more cautious. But I don’t see any other choices that would be better to start at this time.”
Over the last year, Tite lost another two options that could have helped.
Fagner, a 33-year-old right back who replaced an injured Alves four years ago in Russia, had a poor season at Corinthians. Former Sevilla left back Guilherme Arana picked up a knee injury in September, ruling him out of the World Cup.
Brazil’s coach also found little reason to bring back Renan Lodi, who was loaned to Nottingham Forest after struggling at Atletico Madrid.
Lodi was blamed for Brazil’s 1-0 loss to Argentina in the 2021 Copa America final, with goal scorer Ángel di Maria saying he knew the Brazilian “slept a little” during matches. The left back didn’t find any sympathy from Tite after he missed a callup earlier in the year because he wasn’t vaccinated against COVID-19.
Brazil’s right back at the World Cup, whoever he may be, could also face increased pressure playing alongside 38-year-old defender Thiago Silva.
Silva has been less consistent than usual at Chelsea, highlighted by a dreadful performance in the 4-1 loss to Brighton in the Premier League last month. A right back that can also run for an aging Silva could be key to avoid conceding goals in Qatar.
Read: Qatar World Cup: 5 Hot Favorites to win the trophy
Cafu, who was on Brazil’s World Cup-winning team in 2002, said protecting Silva is one of the reasons why Tite will eventually use Militão as a starting right back during the World Cup. He also trusts Brazil to do well in Qatar regardless of the lack of options at the back.
“I don’t know why we have this shortage of players for those positions. But it is not only for the national team, we see that in clubs, too,” Cafu said in an interview last month. “Coaches are adapting midfielders to that position because they don’t know how to specifically work with right and left backs.
“Also, it is unfair to compare these players with us. Anyone playing as a right or left back today has a lot of responsibility. They have to replace people who made history for Brazil.”
NCL: Dhaka Metro move to tier one, Chattogram relegated to tier two
Dhaka Metro beat Barishal Division in the sixth round of the National Cricket League, the biggest first-class cricket event in the country, to become the champions of tier two and to move to tier one.
Chattogram Division beat Dhaka Division in their last match of tier one but was relegated to tier two as they ended the league as the No. 4 team of tier one.
In the next season of the league, Chattogram will play in tier two and Dhaka Metro in tier one.
Earlier, Rangpur Division beat Sylhet in Bogura to win this year's NCL title. It was the second NCL title for them. They last won an NCL title in the 2014-2015 season.
Read: Rangpur hammer Sylhet by five wickets to lift second NCL title
While Rangpur became the champions with 38 points from four wins in six matches, Sylhet became the runners-up with 21 points from two wins and two draws. Dhaka Division ended the league with 19 points and earned the third position in tier one.
Dhaka Metro earned 38 points in tier two and marched to tier one. Rajshahi Division and Khulna Division ended the league as second and third in tier two with 22 and 20 points. Barishal ended the league with only 19 points.
Zakir Hasan of Sylhet Division became the top run scorer of this year's NCL with 442 runs under his belt. Jahurul Islam (395) of Rajshahi, Tawfiq Khan (389) of Sylhet, Salman Hossain (389) of Barishal and Abdul Mazid (363) of Dhaka Division were right behind Zakir in the standings.
Sumon Khan of Dhaka Division topped the list of bowlers with 33 wickets to his name. He also had two five-fors in this league.
Rahid Rana of Rajshahi Division was only the other bowler who scalped 30 or more wickets this year. He had 32 wickets with three five-fors.
Read: Chattogram, Sylhet lead in 6th round of NCL matches
Nabil Samad of Dhaka Division and Hasan Murad of Chattogram bagged 28 wickets each. Nabil had three five-fors, and Hasan recorded four five-fors – the highest this year.
Salauddin Shakil of Dhaka Division was the fifth-best bowler of this year's NCL with 27 wickets.