United News of Bangladesh

High flying Bangladesh Women’s Football team qualified for the 12-team final round of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 in style with all-win record outplaying Turkmenistan by 7-0 goals in the last group match at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon Saturday evening. Bangladesh scored all the seven goals in the first half in an one sided match where Turkmenistan booters were completely off coloured  in all the departments. Country's wonder girl Ritu Porna Chakma, who guided Bangladesh to their first-ever final round berth in the AFC Women's Asian Cup scoring two eye catching goals against stronger Myanmar on Wednesday, today (Saturday) also scored twice against Turkmenistan. With the day's feat, Ritu Porna Chakma scored five goals in three group matches including one against Bahrain. Shamsun Nahar Junior also scored two goals while Tohura Khatun, Sopna Rani and Monika Chakma scored one goal each for Bangladesh. Sopna Rani put Bangladesh ahead in the very 4th minute by a power packed shot , off a Shamsun Nahar cross came his way from Tohura Khatun (1-0). Winger Shamsin Nahar Junior scored two goals in a row in the 6th minute and 13th minute 3-0). Monika Chakma scored the 4th goal for Bangladesh  in the 16th minute(4-0),  Ritu Porna Chakma scored the 5th goal in the 18th minute (5-0)  while Tohura Khatun netted the 6th goal in the 20th minute to take 6-0 lead within just 20 minutes. Finally, Ritu Porna Chakma sealed the fate of the match scoring her 2nd goal in the 42nd minute by a left footer, off  a Monika Chakma' s short corner (7-0). U-18 Asia Cup Hockey: Bangladesh Men’s team earns 2nd consecutive victory crushing Sri Lanka 13-0 In three group matches, Bangladesh scored 16 goals conceding only one against Myanmar. In the day's another Group C match, hosts Myanmar outplayed Bahrain. by 6-0 goals Saturday afternoon After the day's s last Group C matches, Bangladesh team clinched the Group C crown with all- win run to qualify for the final round of the Women's Asian Cup securing full nine points from straight three matches while hosts Myanmar eliminated from the meet with six points from three outings. Earlier, Bangladesh Women's team (Ranked 128th) brought  laurel for the country by reaching their first- ever final round berth in the AFC Women's Asian Cup as the Group C champions with one match to spare shocking their 73rd ranked superior and two times ASEAN champions Myanmar (55th)  by 2-1 goals last Wednesday Bangladesh Women's team, which remained winless suffering five consecutive defeats  conceding 25 goals in last two versions of AFC Women's  Asian Cup Qualifiers, tasted their maiden victory in the continental football with commanding 7-0 goals victory over  their 36th ranked higher Bahrain (ranked 92nd)  in their opening Group C  match of the ongoing meet at the same venue last Sunday. Incidentally, Bangladesh is the first team to qualify for the 12- team final round the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2026 as one of the eight group champions to  join already-qualified sides--last time champions China, runners up South Korea, 3rd ranked Japan and hosts Australia The ensuing 12-team AFC Women's Asian Cup, billed for the different Australia cities from  March 1 to 21 next year, will also be treated as the qualifying meet for the---2027 FIFA Women' s World Cup in Brazil and 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Bangladesh team also have chance to play in two prestigious global meets as the top six teams of the Asian Cup will be entitled to play in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Two more teams may also qualify via the Inter-confederation play-off . All eight quarter-finalists of the Asian Cup qualifying for the 2028 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Bangladesh national men's football team qualified for the final round of the AFC Asian Cup once in 1980 in Kuwait. Group champions Bangladesh women's team will return home Sunday night.

England right back Kyle Walker ended his eight-year stint at Manchester City by moving to Burnley on Saturday in a deal reportedly worth 5 million pounds ($6.8 million). The 35-year-old Walker joins an American-owned team that has just been promoted to the Premier League and is coached by Scott Parker, his former Tottenham and England teammate. Walker has been a great at City, winning six league titles and the Champions League since his 2017 move from Spurs, but lost his place in the team last season and went on loan to AC Milan. He kept his place in the England squad, though, playing in the team's last game — a 3-1 loss to Senegal last month — to move onto 96 caps. Injured Reece James out of Chelsea lineup “When I spoke to Scott and heard about his plans for next season, it was an opportunity I jumped at," said Walker, who has signed a two-year deal. "He’s done an amazing job here, guiding the club back to the Premier League with a 100-point haul, and now we’re looking forward, together, at being back in the greatest league in the world. “Burnley had a tremendous campaign last season, built on an incredible defensive record, and I can’t wait to come in and add my experience and quality to what looks an exciting squad.”

Chelsea captain Reece James was removed from the starting lineup for Friday night’s Club World Cup quarterfinal match against Palmeiras due to injury. James, 25, was listed on FIFA’s squad list as injured on the bench. There was no immediate update on the severity of his injury. Midfielder Andrey Santos replaced James in Chelsea’s starting lineup for the match. Spain thrash Portugal 5-0 in Women’s Euro opener as González makes history The English right back has featured in three of Chelsea’s four Club World Cup matches prior to Friday. He played 81 minutes in the round-of-16 victory over Benfica on Saturday, scoring the opening goal in a 4-1 win. James has struggled with fitness issues throughout his career, missing 21 games for Chelsea during the 2024-25 seasons due to hamstring injuries.

FIFA paid tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva before the Club World Cup quarterfinal games in the United States on Friday, following their tragic deaths in a car crash in Spain. The bodies of 28-year-old Jota and 25-year-old Silva were found near Zamora in northwestern Spain after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed and burst into flames on an isolated stretch of highway shortly after midnight on Thursday. At Camping World Stadium in Orlando, ahead of the match between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and Brazil’s Fluminense, players from both teams formed a circle at midfield as the video board displayed a photo of the Portuguese brothers. Spectators observed a moment of silence to honor them. A similar tribute took place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where Brazil's Palmeiras faced England’s Chelsea. A black-and-white photo of Jota and Silva was displayed on the stadium screen as players from both teams wore black armbands in remembrance. Diogo Jota and brother killed in Spain crash, Portugal prepares for funeral Chelsea player Pedro Neto, a Portugal national teammate and friend of Diogo Jota, made the sign of the cross as he walked onto the pitch with a jersey draped over his shoulder bearing the first names of Jota and André Silva. During the moment of silence, Neto held up the jersey with the help of teammate Enzo Fernández. Spanish police said the cause of the accident is under investigation, though no other vehicles were involved. Authorities suspect a blown tire may have caused the crash. The tragedy comes just two weeks after Jota married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, while on vacation following Liverpool’s Premier League-winning season. The couple had three children, the youngest born last year. Silva played for Portuguese club Penafiel, which competes in the country’s lower football divisions.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape, British police confirmed on Friday. In addition to the rape charges, Partey faces one count of sexual assault. The alleged offenses took place between 2021 and 2022, according to police. Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, told Britain's Press Association that he “denies all the charges against him,” adding: “He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.” The 32-year-old Ghanaian international is currently a free agent after his contract with Arsenal expired at the end of last season. Partey joined the Premier League club in 2020 from Spanish side Atletico Madrid for 45.3 million pounds ($61.8 million). Diogo Jota and brother killed in Spain crash, Portugal prepares for funeral Police said the investigation began in February 2022 following an initial report of rape. The five rape charges involve two women, while the sexual assault charge relates to a third woman. “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward,” Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police said. Partey is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 5, police said.

Claudio Ranieri has turned down the opportunity to coach Italy’s national football team, opting not to take on the challenge where Roberto Mancini and Gian Piero Ventura both struggled — leading the four-time world champions back to the World Cup. Ranieri, one of Italy’s most respected and admired coaches, confirmed on Tuesday that he rejected the offer to guide Italy’s troubled World Cup qualification campaign. Italy has not played in a World Cup since 2014. “I am grateful to President Gabriele Gravina for considering me,” Ranieri told Italian news agency ANSA, referring to the head of the Italian Football Federation. The coaching role became vacant just five days after Italy suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to group leaders Norway in their opening World Cup qualifier. Despite that setback, coach Luciano Spalletti was allowed to oversee Italy’s next match, a 2-0 win over Moldova, before his dismissal. Ranieri, 73, appeared to be an available candidate after once again stabilizing AS Roma this season. Following his coaching success, Ranieri had transitioned to an advisory role with the club's Texas-based owners, the Friedkin family. “The Friedkin family gave me their full backing to make my own decision regarding the national team, but the choice was entirely mine,” Ranieri explained to ANSA. Diogo Jota and brother killed in Spain crash, Portugal prepares for funeral The veteran coach received an emotional farewell from Roma supporters for a second consecutive season. He had previously saved Cagliari from relegation, cementing his reputation for reviving struggling teams. Calling the Italy job “a great honor,” Ranieri said he took time to reflect and ultimately chose to remain committed to his role with Roma. Ranieri’s illustrious 40-year coaching career includes only a brief spell at the international level — four matches with Greece in 2014, a rare low point in his managerial record. However, he famously rebuilt his reputation by guiding Leicester City to their historic English Premier League title in 2016, defying all expectations. By the time Ranieri left Leicester in 2017, Italy had already begun their ill-fated 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign under Ventura, which ended with a playoff defeat to Sweden after finishing second to Spain in the group stage. Italy’s qualification woes continued in 2022 when the European champions, led by Mancini, finished behind Switzerland in their group and were shockingly eliminated by North Macedonia in the playoff semifinal. With just under three months to appoint a new coach, Italy faces Estonia on September 5 in their five-team Group I qualifiers. Norway leads the group, having won four consecutive games with star striker Erling Haaland scoring in each. Italy sits third, nine points adrift but with two games in hand. Israel is currently second. Spain thrash Portugal 5-0 in Women’s Euro opener as González makes history Italy will host Norway in their final qualifier on November 16. Only the group winner will secure a direct spot in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The runner-up will have to compete in the playoff rounds next March.

Family and friends of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva gathered on Friday at a chapel in Portugal ahead of the wake and funeral, following the tragic car crash that claimed their lives in Spain. Mourners hugged and wept as they arrived at the Capela da Ressurreição São Cosme, where funeral services for the brothers are scheduled to take place on Saturday. Jota, 28, and his 25-year-old brother were killed when their Lamborghini crashed on an isolated stretch of highway near Zamora in northwestern Spain just after midnight on Thursday. The vehicle burst into flames following the accident.  Spanish authorities confirmed the brothers’ identities after their bodies were repatriated to Portugal. Jota, a native of Porto, began his football journey in Gondomar, a working-class town neighbouring the city. He and his parents maintained homes there, keeping close ties with the community where his career began. The tragedy occurred just two weeks after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, during a holiday break following a demanding football season. Jota, who played a key role in Liverpool’s recent Premier League title triumph, leaves behind his wife and their three children, the youngest born last year. Spain thrash Portugal 5-0 in Women’s Euro opener as González makes history Spanish police confirmed they are investigating the cause of the crash, noting that no other vehicles were involved. André Silva, Jota’s younger brother, was also a footballer, playing for Portuguese lower-division side Penafiel. Following the news, condolences poured in from across Portugal and the global football community. Liverpool fans laid floral tributes and team scarves outside Anfield stadium, while a moment of silence was observed before Portugal’s match against Spain at the Women’s European Championship in Switzerland. In Gondomar, where Jota started playing football at the age of nine, the loss was deeply felt. “He never forgot his roots, nor his friends, because he had a group of friends who were with him in the training here in Gondomar and who he even invited from time to time to go and watch Liverpool games in England,” said Anselmo Serra, director of Gondomar SC, speaking to The Associated Press. “They were like a group of friends that he never forgot over the years.”

Esther González scored twice as world champions Spain sent a clear message by thrashing Portugal 5-0 in their opening match of the Women’s European Championship on Thursday. The 32-year-old González, who became Spain’s oldest player to feature in the tournament, opened the scoring before 18-year-old Vicky López, the youngest in the squad, added the second goal. Spain captain Alexia Putellas was also on the scoresheet, signaling her readiness to lead the side to success after missing Euro 2022 due to a knee injury. Spain had exited that tournament in the quarterfinals, losing to eventual champions England. “We’ve been saying for a long time how motivated we are for this Euro, and now we had to prove it. We have reasons to be satisfied,” Putellas told Spain’s TVE. Cristina Martin-Prieto sealed the win with a stoppage-time header. González wasted no time, scoring after just 87 seconds with a clever flick past Portuguese goalkeeper Inês Pereira, who endured a busy night. Although Pereira managed to stop a cross, she couldn’t prevent Mariona Caldentey from setting up López for a simple finish soon after. 'It doesn't make sense,' Ronaldo reacts to Jota's death A Mexican wave started among the nearly 30,000 spectators at Wankdorf Stadium — home to Swiss club Young Boys, whose women’s team shares the same name — just 24 minutes into the game. Spain controlled possession with a polished first-half display, constantly offering passing options and leaving Portugal chasing shadows. Putellas narrowly missed, Pereira denied Clàudia Pina, but the third goal came in the 41st minute when Putellas showcased superb control to beat a defender and score. González added her second two minutes later, converting the rebound after Pina’s effort struck the post. Spain's second-half performance dipped slightly, though Martin-Prieto added a fifth in stoppage time. Star midfielder Aitana Bonmatí, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, remained on the bench until the 81st minute, having recently recovered from viral meningitis. “She’s a crucial player for us and we’re happy she’s recovered. Hopefully, she’ll be back to her best soon,” Putellas said of Bonmatí. A minute’s silence was held before kickoff for Portugal and Liverpool striker Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident with his brother the previous night. Liverpool FC 'Devastated' by Diogo Jota's tragic death in car crash Earlier in Group B, Italy defeated Belgium 1-0. Spain will face Belgium next on Monday. Source: Agency   

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed shock over the tragic death of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, sharing his reaction on social media. "It doesn't make sense," Ronaldo wrote. "Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married." Diogo Jota, Liverpool and Portugal Forward, Dies in Devastating Car Crash in Spain Ronaldo extended his condolences to Jota's family, wife, and children, saying: "I know you will always be with them." "Rest in Peace, Diogo e André. We will miss you," he added. Source: BBC

Liverpool Football Club has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a road traffic accident in Spain. In a statement released on Thursday, the club said, "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. "The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre. Diogo Jota, Liverpool and Portugal Forward, Dies in Devastating Car Crash in Spain "Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. "We will continue to provide them with our full support." The club and football community are mourning the loss of Jota, who joined Liverpool in 2020 and played a key role in several of the team's recent successes. Fans worldwide have expressed shock and grief over the news.  #With inputs from BBC