Football
Independence Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings, Sheikh Russell make semifinals
Bashundhara Kings and Sheikh Russell reached the semifinals of the new season's curtain raiser football tournament, the Bashundhara Group Independence Cup 2022, beating opponents in the quarterfinals Friday.
In the semifinals Wednesday, Sheikh Russell will play the winners of the Dhaka Abahani and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi match. Dhaka Abahani and Sheikh Jamal will lock horns in the quarterfinal Sunday.
In the other semifinal Thursday, Bashundhara King will play the winners of the Muktijoddha Sangsad and Bangladesh Police match. Muktijoddha and Police will face each other in another quarterfinal Sunday.
READ: Ind Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings emerge group champions with all win record
The final match will be held on Monday at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla.
In the day's first quarterfinal, Sheikh Russell beat Chittagong Abahani 1-0 at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
After a barren first half, Nigerian player Sunday Udoh scored the match-winning goal for Sheikh Russel in the 85th minute (1-0).
In the day's other quarterfinal, Bashundhara Kings defeated Dhaka Mohammedan 2-0 at the Birshreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
Local forward Rakib Hossain and Kings' Brazilian striker and captain Robson Robinho scored for the winners, one in each half.
FIFA World Cup: Richarlison's second-half brace give Brazil 2-0 win over Serbia
Richarlison scored two goals, the second with a spectacular acrobatic kick, to help Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 Thursday at the World Cup.
In the 73rd minute, the striker used one touch to get the ball up in the air and then spun around and got off the ground before knocking the ball into the net with his right foot.
Brazil had struggled to get past the Serbian defense until Richarlison scored from close range in the 62nd in a buildup that started with Neymar.
Vinícius Júnior assisted on both goals.
Neymar, seeking his first major title with Brazil, stayed at 75 goals for the national team, two shy of Pelé’s scoring record.
Brazil coach Tite started with an attack-minded squad that included four forwards — Neymar, Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Richarlison. Attacking midfielder Lucas Paquetá played alongside Casemiro, the lone defensive midfielder.
But Serbia had several players back and was able to keep Brazil from creating many significant opportunities. Neymar tried to control the pace but struggled to find space up front. He, Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha all squandered chances early on.
Brazil’s best chance before Richarlison’s opening goal had been a low long-range shot by Alex Sandro that hit the post in the 60th. Neymar had his best opportunities with a free kick in the 50th and a shot from near the penalty spot in the 55th.
The 30-year-old Neymar arrived to his third World Cup as Brazil’s main attraction. He helped the “Seleção” win the 2013 Confederations Cup and its first Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, but has yet to win a major title with the national team.
Read more: Neymar Jr. on the verge of breaking Pele’s goalscoring record
Brazil, trying to win its first World Cup in two decades, is unbeaten in its last 20 opening games, with 17 victories. It has finished first in its group in the last 10 World Cups.
In the other Group G match, Switzerland defeated Cameroon 1-0.
Brazil and Serbia also played in the group stage in 2018, with Brazil also winning 2-0 to reach the next stage at Serbia’s expense.
Since competing as Serbia in 2010, the country has not advanced to the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
Read more: Brazil Team Analysis for 2022 World Cup in Qatar
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).
After 36 years, Canada has to wait longer for World Cup win
O Canada, the wait remains.
Alphonso Davies had the chance to score his nation’s first-ever World Cup goal, to grab a quick lead on Belgium. As Davies readied for the spot kick in the 11th minute after a hand ball, red-clad Canadian fans at the other end of Ahmed bin Ali Stadium buzzed in anticipation for a moment decades in the making.
“You’re carrying the weight of a nation: 36 years of waiting — longer than 36 for our first goal,” coach John Herdman said.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois guessed correctly to dive right and batted Davis’ attempt with his forearm. The ball bounced away, and the Canadians never got any closer to scoring.
Despite dominating the world’s second-ranked team in Canada’s first World Cup match since 1986, the Canadians fell to Belgium 1-0 Wednesday night as Michy Batshuayi scored on a quick counter in the 44th minute.
Davies did not speak with media after the game.
“He’s our star player. He’s one of the best players in the world. He’ll move on and he’ll have another chance and he’ll bury it,” midfielder Jonathan Osorio said. “There was also the best goalkeeper in the world in net he had to put it past.”
Courtois had studied video of Davies.
Read more: FIFA World Cup 2022: Mystery behind Saudi Arabia’s Win Against Argentina
“He shot twice that side, so that’s why I decided to go that way,” Courtois said.
A large part of the crowd of 40,432 in the Arabian desert stadium supported Canada.
Many waved the Maple Leaf and they proudly sang “O Canada” before the match.
“Goosebumps,” Osorio said. “Times are changing in this country for this sport. I was little bit surprised. It’s not a close trip from Canada to get here. It shows you how much support we have, how much the fans love football, how much people love football in Canada. This is a change in the history of this sport in this country. It felt like a home game. And I think Belgium felt like an away game.”
Players brought along the sword they carried around Central America and the Caribbean during qualifying, which is inscribed “Nihil timendum est (Fear nothing).”
Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield spoke with the team before the match.
Atiba Hutchinson, at 39, became the oldest non-goalkeeper to start a World Cup match.
Even though Canada dropped to 0-4 in the World Cup, players felt proud and felt they had momentum going into Sunday’s game against Croatia, the losing finalist in the 2018 World Cup. Croatia opened with a 0-0 draw against Morocco.
“They walk away proud, I’m sure, proud of the feeling that we’re a football nation,” Herdman said. “We came into that game with a couple of goals. The first goal was to play fearless, and the second goal was to entertain. We had some other goals, which were to create some firsts, but we weren’t quite up to those moments."
He gathered players on the field after the final whistle.
Read more: FIFA World Cup 2022: Messi seeks history with Argentina
“I was really passionate in the circle,” Herdman said, recounting what he told them. “I thought that was a big step for this country. We deserve to be here. You’ve shown that. You’ve shown that you can live here.”
FIFA World Cup 2022: Young Spain rout experienced Costa Rica 7-0
Spain's young squad got off to a high-scoring start at the World Cup, routing an experienced Costa Rica 7-0 at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Wednesday night.
Not long after Japan surprised Germany 2-1 in the other Group E match, Spain avoided any chance of an upset with Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio and Ferran Torres scoring a goal each in the first 31 minutes.
Torres, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata added to the lead in the second half.
Read more: Luis Enrique more than just a coach for Torres
Olmo's goal was the 100th at World Cups for Spain, who became the sixth nation to score more than 100 times in the tournament. Also, it was the first time Spain had scored seven goals in a World Cup match.
With 18-year-old Gavi and 19-year-old Pedri starting, Spain became the first European nation with two teenagers in the starting lineup of a World Cup match in 60 years, according to statistics platform Opta. "Gavi then became the youngest goal scorer at the World Cup since Pelé in the 1958 final."
Gavi and Pedri were among the many youngsters picked by Spain coach Luis Enrique in a revamped squad in Qatar – the third-youngest team among the 32 nations, after the US and Ghana. The young duo helped Spain control the pace of the match from the start at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Costa Rica looked overwhelmed from the start in its third straight World Cup campaign. They came to Qatar hoping to repeat their surprise run to the quarterfinals in 2014 in Brazil, and avoid a repeat of their participation four years ago in Russia when they were eliminated in the group stage after not winning any matches.
Spain, which did not get past the round of 16 in Russia, are trying to break through with a major title after making it to the final of the Nations League and the semifinals of last year's European Championship. This year the team also qualified for the Final Four of the Nations League for a second straight time.
Spain's last major triumph came at Euro 2012, two years after they had won their lone World Cup title in South Africa.
Only five countries scored more goals than Spain at the World Cup – Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy and France.
After this match, Spain are at the top of the points table of Group E and Japan are right behind them.
Read more: Spain Squad analysis for 2022 World Cup
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).
My dream is to see Bangladesh playing World Cup football: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that whenever she gets time she watches football games and dreams about Bangladesh playing in the World Cup one day.
“Now the World Cup is being held, but we have no position in football. It actually hurts me”, she said adding that she dreams of the day when “our boys and girls will qualify” to play in the world’s biggest football tournament.
The premier was addressing the concluding and medal distribution ceremony of Bangabandhu Inter-university Sports Championship at Bangladesh Army Stadium here in the capital.
Read more: Don’t harm nature during project implementation: PM Hasina
The Youth and Sports Ministry arranged the 3rd edition of the sports competition with some 6,950 participants, including 1,850 females from the country’s 125 public and private universities under 12 events.
Hasina stressed on the need for sports competitions and cultural practices to keep the young generation free from drugs, militancy and terrorism.
“We don’t want drugs, militancy or terrorism. We believe in peace, development and progress. I know the government’s supports are always needed for education and sports and cultural practices,” she said.
The PM said different sports competitions have been introduced from primary school to university level in the country. Due to these competitions, Bangladesh would be able to perform better in the world sports, she hoped.
said the country’s children are grooming themselves thanks to different sports competitions. “It will be better for the children as much as they can participate in sports,” she added.Describing Bangladeshi children as very meritorious and talented ones, she said if they get a little scope, they can make possible the impossible.
The PM focused on different steps taken by her government for the development of sports, including construction of mini-stadium in every upazila in the country.
Some 720 medals were distributed among the best performers under the 12 events including football, cricket, athletics, volleyball, basketball, table tennis and badminton, kabaddi and chess.
Daffodil International University has become the champion university in the 3rd edition of the competition, while Dhaka University won the fair play award.
Read more: PM Hasina hails the Armed Forces for standing by the people : PM
The joint best male athletes are Ashif Reza and Mahumudun Nabi of Uttara University and the best female athlete is Tamanna Akter of Islamic University (Kushta), who received gold medals from the prime minister.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel presided over the function, while Youth and Sports Secretary Mesbah Uddin delivered the welcome speech.
Earlier, the PM enjoyed the 2nd half of the women's football final match when Gono Bishwabidyalay and American International University of Bangladesh (AIUB) by 3-1.
The champion teams under different events include Daffodils University in men's football, women's handball, women's volleyball and women's kabaddi; Gono Bishwabidyalay in women's football, men's volleyball and men's kabaddi; Islamic University in men's handball and men's basketball; North South University in women's basketball; AIUB in men's cricket and Jashore University of Science and Technology in women's cricket.
The Bangabandhu Inter-university Sports Championship was introduced in 2019.
Are Argentina still genuine contenders?
Argentina was the name on top of all pundits’ lists whenever asked who are the favorites to win this World Cup leading up to the tournament in Qatar. Their predictions were not just wishful. Besides the added incentive of watching one of the greatest players in Lionel Messi signing off his international career with the grandest of honours, it had proper substance given Argentina were entering the World Cup with the longest unbeaten streak for any team heading into the tournament: 36 games including that Copa America final against Brazil at the Maracanã.
That unbeaten streak coupled with the fact that Argentina is 3rd on the world rankings and their opening fixture opponents Saudi Arabia are ranked 51st would most definitely ensure a straight forward victory for the Argentines right? Well fate had something different in store. Saudi Arabia stunned the entire footballing fraternity by beating their accomplished opponents by a scoreline of 2-1 despite falling behind in the opening 10 minutes to a penalty taken calmly by the ever-reliable left foot of Messi.
Read more: Qatar World Cup: Saudi Arabia's stunning victory end Argentina's 36-match winning streak
This loss raises huge question marks over Argentina’s credentials as potential winners. But at the end of day any Argentina loss is a huge event stirring all kinds of questions and doubts. The fact remains that on paper they are a well balanced team with an impeccable record backing the squad and its manager leading into the World Cup. The manager though needs to make a few bold decisions ahead of the next game, like starting Lisandro Martinez who has been in sensational form for Manchester United this season, ahead of Romero or Otamendi at the heart of their defense. Also despite the abundance of attacking talent at their disposal, Argentina’s gameplay still seems heavily dependent on Lionel Messi and the brilliant moments he can churn out. Defensively Argentina is a robust team but their midfield and attack need to up their game and be more cohesive to sustain meaningful pressure throughout the 90 minutes.
Read more: ‘Now's the time to be more united than ever’: Messi after Argentina's shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia
Argentina is a team which enjoys an incredible fan following throughout the world thanks to their glorious history and the pull of Lionel Messi. This army of unconditionally loving fans traveled to the stadium in Qatar, and tuned into their televisions around the world in anticipation of a thumping win to establish their authority on this World Cup but in return they got more questions than answers at the end of the game. Is this team really ready to finish the wait of 36 years? Is Lionel Messi going to sign off with the ultimate glory? Is Argentina’s notorious inconsistency about to creep in again at the biggest stage of world football? These are all questions that will continue to bother the Argentine supporters till they take the field in their next battle against Mexico on the 27th of November.
4 years after dream debut, France rely even more on Mbappe
With defending champion France missing so many big names through injury at the World Cup, there is even more of an onus on Kylian Mbappé to become the team’s leader in Qatar.
He was 19 years old when he took the last World Cup by storm, scoring in the final and becoming a superstar every team in the world would love to have.
Who could turn down 14-time Champions League winner Real Madrid? Well, Mbappé did, twice. The 23-year-old Mbappé already has a hefty total of 28 international goals and could add to that number against Australia on Tuesday in their Group D opener.
“Kylian’s still young, but he’s already done some great things. The four years since (the World Cup) have helped him gain in maturity and to gain even more recognition worldwide,” France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday. “He’s always had the ability to make a difference and we’ll need it here. He’s one of the few players who has that.”
Since joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 in a deal worth 180 million euros ($184.5 million), Mbappé has scored 190 goals, including 100 in his past 113 games for the French champion.
But goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who is playing in his fourth World Cup and stands to win his 148th cap, thinks Mbappé has yet to reach his peak.
“He confirmed all the expectations people had in him over the years. It’s difficult to define the limits of a player like Kylian, because his potential is unbelievable,” Lloris said. “He’s committed, focused and relaxed and I think he can help us reach our objectives here.”
But to successfully defend its title, France must do so without leaders like Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema.
Pogba and Kante won the 2018 World Cup, while Benzema is arguably the world’s most complete forward and had developed a great understanding up front with Mbappé.
Read more: France's Benzema ruled out of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Deschamps acknowledges they’re difficult players to replace.
On the field, but also off it, because such leadership isn’t something that comes easily.
“You think it’s a case of clicking your fingers? That a player thinks ‘I’m going to wake up and everyone’s going to listen to me?’” Deschamps said Monday. “Leadership isn’t a case of just talking and talking, especially if you can’t find the right words.”
While Deschamps has lost several big players, there is one piece of good news. He sounded optimistic that key defender Raphael Varane has fully recovered from a hamstring injury he sustained playing for Manchester United on Oct. 11.
“He’s doing well and he’s ready and available for tomorrow,” said Deschamps, who also explained why he chose not to replace Benzema in the squad with another player. Teams are allowed 26 players in the squad.
“If I chose to keep 25 it’s that I consider our squad is strong enough to continue like this,” Deschamps said. “We still have a lot of options.”
Read more: World Cup 2022: France faces midfield battle against Australia
Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa joins 5-World Cups club
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa says people still come up to him on the street to gush about his performance in the 2014 World Cup against Brazil.
Ochoa made six saves in the scoreless draw with Brazil, which was among the favorites as the tournament’s host. He even denied Brazilian star Neymar on a header and afterward called it the “game of a lifetime.”
“I feel really grateful to be recognized globally, that means you have done good work,” Ochoa said Tuesday.
A towering fixture on Mexico’s roster since 2005, the 6-foot goalkeeper recalled the match eight years ago as he prepared to play in his fifth World Cup. Mexico opens the tournament on Tuesday against Poland in Group C. Argentina and Saudi Arabia are also in the group.
Read more: Meet Caramelo, Mexico's super fan who has attended 10 World Cups
“I have seen how he plays in the World Cups and he has always been a genius. I especially remember what happened in 2014 and, to be honest, he is an excellent goalkeeper, with a lot of experience, Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny said.
Guardado and Ochoa hold the distinction of being the first teammates to play together in five straight World Cups.
Both made their debuts with the Mexican national team on Dec. 14, 2005, a 2-0 friendly victory over Hungary.
“I think that by being in my fifth World Cup I am lucky,” Ochoa said through an interpreter. “On top of that, being in a World Cup is never easy for a footballer. There are great players throughout history who don’t have the opportunity. For me, playing in five has been wonderful.”
Mexico has appeared in the last eight World Cups and has advanced to the knockout round in the last seven.
Mexico also has oldest player at the World Cup, fellow goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera, who is 40. Ochoa is 37, while Guardado is 36.
Read more: Players who will be absent from Qatar World Cup including Haaland, Salah