Football
BCL Football: Fakirerpool YMC beat Victoria SC 4-0
Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club earned a comfortable 4-0 victory over Victoria Sporting Club in the 2nd phase match of the 12-team Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football' 2020-21 at the Kamalapur Stadium here on Tuesday.
Kankar struck twice in the 21st and 74th minutes while Amiruzzaman and Roman netted two more goals for the winners in the 57th and 58th minutes respectively.
Hossain of Victoria SC got marching order after receiving red card in the match.
Messi Reaches Another Milestone as Argentina Win Tough Match at Copa America 2021
Argentina have qualified for the Copa America 2021 quarterfinals after a 1-0 win over Paraguay on Tuesday early morning. With this match, Lionel Messi has equaled former teammate Javier Mascherano for the most 147 appearances for Argentina. Albiceleste had a difficult time winning their third match in the group stage. However, they emerged victorious in the end because of their defense's tenacity. Argentina were able to keep their unbeaten run intact as they have not lost a single match since the semifinal encounter against Brazil in 2019. Lionel Messi's milestone and the results of Group 'A' are discussed in this article.
Match Report: Argentina vs Paraguay
Prior to this match, Lionel Messi had appeared in 146 international matches for Argentina. Now, Messi has made the most appearances for Argentina (147). Previously, defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano played an equal number of matches for the Albiceleste, who last appeared for the national side in the 2018 world cup final against Germany.
Messi has 73 goals in 147 appearances for Argentina, which is the 12th highest in the history of world football. Iran's Ali Daei (109) and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (107) have scored the most goals in international competition. Furthermore, Malaysia's Soh Chin Ann is the only footballer to have appeared in over 200 international games (224).
Read Copa America 2021: Brazil Win, Argentina Draw With Chile, Messi’s Stunning Goal
Despite the fact that Messi did not score in the match against Paraguay, he was instrumental in setting up the game's lone goal.
At the beginning of the contest, Messi made a fantastic move down the attacking half before passing the ball to Angel Di Maria. Di Maria then delicately stretched the ball to Alejandro Gomez from just outside the D-box. Gomez received the ball and flicked it to the right post corner, scoring the game's only goal in the 10th minute.
Argentina embraced a more defensive approach after taking a 1-0 lead early in the game. On the other hand, Paraguay became desperate to score.
They continued to attack the Argentine defense, especially in the second half. However, a solid Argentine defensive technique prevented them from scoring. The Paraguayans would have qualified for the quarter-finals if they could win the match.
Read European Football Season 2020-21: Individual Award Winners
Paraguay failed to score despite having the ball possession considerably more than Argentina as they had 57 percent of the ball possession, while Argentina had 43 percent in the match.
Meanwhile, typical South American passing football was absent in Argentina's game plan, as it had been in the previous two encounters. Argentina have adopted a more European style of play. But two experienced footballers, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria showed a few dazzling displays in the match.
Lionel Scaloni has been working hard to improve the defensive line since taking over as coach of Argentina's national team. Argentina haven't lost in any of their last 16 matches under his management.
Though Argentina seem incapable to attack effectively due to their weakness in the midfield position. They try to attack with two wings, but it hasn't worked out well so far. Argentina will be in big trouble against a strong team like Brazil if they can't address this problem in the knockout round.
Read Ballon d'Or 2021: Who Will Win the Prestigious Award?
In group 'A', the match between Chile and Uruguay ended in a draw. Uruguay have yet to completely emerge as one of the title contenders for the Copa America 2021. That's why Uruguay will be looking to recapture their best form in their last two group stage matches against Paraguay and Bolivia.
Bottom Line
Argentina are currently leading the Group 'A' with two wins and one draw in three games. On the other hand, Chili are in the second position with 5 points. While Paraguay are in third place with three points and Uruguay are in fourth place with one point. Bolivia have yet to win a match, but they may move up to fourth place if they beat Uruguay in their next encounter. So, the final few group stage matches of Copa America 2021 could be intriguing.
Read Top 5 Most Followed Athletes Across Social Media Platforms
Depay, Wijnaldum score, Netherlands beats NMacedonia 3-0
Memphis Depay scored one, he set up Georginio Wijnaldum for the next two, and the Netherlands made it three out of three.
The Dutch team completed the group stage at the European Championship with a 3-0 victory over North Macedonia on Monday, the second team at the tournament after Italy to win all three of its opening matches.
Depay, who just signed for Barcelona, scored the first goal after a slick counterattack in the 24th minute. He then passed to Wijnaldum for a tap-in goal in the 51st, and seven minutes later goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski saved a shot from Depay that Wijnaldum put into the roof of the net off the rebound.
The Netherlands had already won the group before the match and North Macedonia was already eliminated after losing its first two matches at its first major tournament.
READ: Wembley may have 65,000 fans for Euro 2020 semifinals, final
The match at the Johan Cruyff Arena was the 122nd and last international for North Macedonia captain Goran Pandev. His teammates formed a guard of honor and the crowd gave him a standing ovation as he was substituted in the 69th minute.
North Macedonia created the best chances before Depay’s goal.
Ivan Trickovski slid a shot low into the corner of the net in the ninth minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. And in the 22nd, Aleksandar Trajkovski hit the post with a shot from outside the box after being set up by Pandev.
The Dutch took the lead two minutes later. Daley Blind tackled Pandev just outside the Dutch penalty area and the Netherlands new attacking partnership of Donyell Malen and Depay exchanged passes twice in a swift counterattack that ended with Depay shooting low past Dimitrievski. VAR checked Blind’s tackle and ruled that he played the ball fairly.
In the second half, Netherlands coach Frank de Boer switched to the traditional Dutch formation of four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. The change worked almost immediately with Wijnaldum scoring twice in seven minutes.
It was a disappointing end for Pandev, who started his international career in 2001 and has scored 38 goals for his country.
READ: France held to 1-1 draw by Hungary at Euro 2020
Before kickoff, Wijnaldum presented the North Macedonian veteran with an orange Netherlands shirt with the number 122 on the back to mark Pandev’s final tally of internationals.
The Netherlands now has to wait to see which team it will face in the round of 16 on Sunday in Budapest. As Group C winner, the team will line up against the third-place finisher in either Group D, E or F.
Wembley may have 65,000 fans for Euro 2020 semifinals, final
UEFA is in talks with the British government about increasing the attendance at Wembley Stadium to 65,000 for the semifinals and final of the European Championship, people with knowledge of the discussions said Monday.
The government had already agreed to increase the current group-stage capacity of about 22,000 to at least 40,000 for one game in the round of 16 game and the final three matches of the Euro 2020 tournament at the 90,000-seat stadium.
UEFA hopes to increase that further by securing more quarantine exemptions for visitors, including sponsors and VIPs, the people told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss private talks.
There are fears Britain is seeing the start of a third wave of coronavirus infections with cases rising to 68,449 over the last seven days. The resurgence, which is the result of the delta variant first identified in India, led Italian Premier Mario Draghi to call for moving the Euro 2020 final away from Britain.
READ: Germany clicks at Euro 2020 with 4-2 win over Portugal
“I advocate that the final should not take place in a country in which the risk of infection is very big,” Draghi said Monday.
Italy’s team has to fly to London this week for a last-16 game against Austria at Wembley on Saturday.
Last week, UEFA said it was in talks with authorities in London about allowing fans of the participating teams to attend the semifinals and final by staying in the country less than 24 hours and staying within bubbles.
UEFA raised the prospect of taking the games from London — with Budapest as a backup — if there was not an agreement regarding fans coming to London.
READ: France held to 1-1 draw by Hungary at Euro 2020
Tourists from all the non-British nations competing at Euro 2020 have to quarantine for at least five days upon arrival in the country under general pandemic regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Women's Football: ARB College thump Cumilla United 7-0
Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College SC made a flying start to the second phase of the Women's Football League 2020-21, crushing Cumilla United Club 7-0 at the Kamalapur Stadium Monday.
The winners dominated the first half 3-0.
Nasrin Akter (21 min), Kohati Kisku (37 min), Mahfuza Khatun (44 min), Anika Tanjum (47 min), Anuching Mogini (62 min), Afeida Khandaker (71 min) and Sohagi Kisku (90+1 min) scored one goal each for Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College.
In Monday's other match, FC Brahmanbaria defeated Jamalpur Kacharipara Ekadash 3-1 at the same venue in the morning.
READ: Germany clicks at Euro 2020 with 4-2 win over Portugal
Munmun Akter put FC Brahmanbaria ahead in the 19th minute (1-0) while Lipi Akter restored parity for Jamalpur in the 53rd minute (1-1).
FC Brahmanbaria took the lead again as Jamalpur's Khaleda Khatun scored an own goal in the 61st minute (2-1).
Sadia Akter sealed the fate of the match, scoring the third goal for FC Brahmanbaria in the 77th minute (3-1).
READ: Women's Football: Bashundhara crush Suddopuskorini 5-0
Women's Football: Bashundhara crush Suddopuskorini 5-0
Title aspirants Bashundhara Kings made a flying start to the second phase of the Women's Football League 2020-21, outplaying Suddopuskorini Jubo SC 5-0 at the Kamalapur Stadium Sunday.
With the victory, the national star-studded Kings maintained their 100% record after securing 24 points from eight straight matches.
Also read: Women's Football: Bashundhara hands 20-0 drubbing to Nasrin DA
National women's team captain Sabina Khatun emerged as the country's first women footballer to reach the landmark of scoring 100 goals in the top-level football league.
Germany clicks at Euro 2020 with 4-2 win over Portugal
Germany finally clicked into gear at the European Championship, with a little help from defending champion Portugal.
The Portuguese became the first team to score two own-goals in one game at the continental tournament, giving Germany a 4-2 victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal in the lead in the 15th minute against the run of play. It was his first goal against Germany and his third at Euro 2020. It also extended his all-time tournament record to 12 goals.
But defenders Rúben Dias and Raphaël Guerreiro soon put Germany ahead by scoring into their own net in the first half.
Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens then scored two more for Germany early in the second half — becoming the first players within the squad to score at a European Championship.
Diogo Jota got one back for Portugal in the 67th minute.
Both Portugal and Germany have three points in Group F, one behind France, which was surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Hungary in Budapest.
Hungary has one point before its final group game against Germany on Wednesday in Munich. France will play Portugal in Budapest.
France held to 1-1 draw by Hungary at Euro 2020
France needed a second-half equalizer from Antoine Griezmann to avoid the biggest upset of the tournament.
Hungary, playing in front of a raucous crowd yet again at the European Championship, held the World Cup champions to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
After Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema wasted chances, Griezmann scored in the 66th minute to dampen the spirit of a crowd which gave Hungary unwavering support throughout the Group F match.
It was Griezmann’s 38th goal for France, moving him three behind third-place Michel Platini on the national team’s scoring list, and he did a little celebratory dance in front of the blue-shirted fans.
The 67,215-capacity Puskas Arena in Budapest is the only stadium at Euro 2020 to allow full crowds, and it produced an atmosphere to remember.
“It’s the first time with a full stadium, it’s different from what you are used to,” Griezmann said. “You can’t hear anything. We couldn’t even hear each other on the field. But it’s a great pleasure to play in front of fans again.”
Hungary’s fans went wild when Attila Fiola gave the home team the lead.
Latching onto the ball after Roland Sallai won a header down the left flank, Fiola burst into the penalty area and held off defender Raphael Varane before clipping the ball into the bottom corner.
Some flares were lit and Hungary goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi had to remove paper thrown from the stands which landed in his penalty area.
Mbappe and Benzema both wasted chances before Hungary’s goal.
“We should have been in front. It’s not good enough given what we expected, but that’s soccer,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “They scored with their only chance. Considering the context, we’ll take the point.”
Given the quality of their opponents, Hungary’s draw was more like a victory and Gulacsi pumped his fists as the crowd gave the players a massive ovation.
“Today we managed to earn some glory,” Hungary coach Marco Rossi said through a translator. “Tomorrow life will go on as usual.”
The Hungarian players lined up in front of their home fans behind one goal after the match and stood with their hands on their hearts as the crowd sang.
“The Hungarian fans are unmatched. We have unique fans,” Rossi said. “That’s why we work so hard to please them.”
Many of the fans waved the green-white-and-red national flag, while others were clad in black T-shirts with Magyaroszag (Hungary) written on them. Still others stood bare-chested behind one of the goals in bright afternoon sunshine.
The French team did have some of their own fans, however, about 5,700 of them, according to UEFA.
The mood became intimidating when some sections of the crowd jeered the French national anthem, La Marseillaise. But France had enough chances to quiet them down in the first half.
The unmarked Mbappe headed wide from left back Lucas Digne’s cross in the 18th. Benzema then fluffed a straightforward chance when he ran onto Mbappe’s clever flick behind and sent a shot wide near the penalty spot.
Benzema has still not scored in the competition, after failing at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. He was left out of Euro 2016.
“As a forward, he knows what people expect from him,” Deschamps said. “But the main thing is that he stays confident and that I keep believing in him.”
Mbappe has not scored at this tournament. Both had a goal ruled out for offside in the 1-0 over against Germany on Tuesday.
The draw gives Hungary one point in the group ahead of Wednesday’s match against Germany in Munich. Two-time champion France has four points and will stay in Budapest to face defending champion Portugal.
“It’s not as if we were going to crush everyone,” Deschamps said. “We still hold the cards. If we win then we’ll finish first.”
Deschamps may have an injury concern for that game.
Substitute Ousmane Dembele, who hit the post moments after coming on as second-half substitute, went off near the end of the game after appearing to hurt his knee.
“I hope it’s only a minor injury,” Deschamps said. “We’ll know more in the next few days.”
BCL Football: Fortis beat Wanderers 2-1
Fortis Football Club earned a 2-1 victory against Dhaka Wanderers Club in the second phase of the 12-team Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football 2020-21 at the Kamalapur Stadium Saturday.
Zillur put the winners ahead in the 19th minute (1-0) and Ekbal doubled the margin in the 63rd minute (2-0).
Also read: BCL Football: Both matches end in draws Friday
Jewel scored the consolation goal for Wanderers in the 80th minute (2-1).
The day's other match between Uttara Football Club and Swadhinata Krira Sangha ended in a 1-1 draw at the same venue in the evening.
Also read: BCL Football: Wanderers play 1-1 draw with Farashganj
Rasel scored for Swadhinata KS in the 37th minute while Masud restored the parity for Uttara FC in the 86th minute from a penalty.
BFF celebrates AFC Grassroots Football Day 2021
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), with the support of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), celebrated the AFC Grassroots Football Day 2021 in the capital and three other districts of the country Saturday.
BFF EC members Ameer Khan, Mahidur Rahman Miraz; Technical Director Paul Thomas Smalley, General Secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag, Grassroots Brand Ambassador and National Women's team captain Sabina Khatun were present at the inaugural programme at the BFF artificial turf in Dhaka.