United News of Bangladesh

Despite both sides struggling in the lower half of the Premier League table, they now stand just one match away from Champions League qualification — the prize awaiting the Europa League winners. The two underperforming English clubs booked their spots in the final of Europe's secondary competition on Thursday. Manchester United cruised to a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford in the semifinal second leg, completing a dominant 7-1 aggregate victory. Tottenham secured their place with a 2-0 away win against Bodø/Glimt, progressing 5-1 on aggregate. This sets the stage for another all-English Europa League final — the first since Chelsea defeated Arsenal in 2019 to claim the trophy. “If we don’t win the final, it means nothing for us,” said United manager Ruben Amorim. “Managing this club is difficult to put into words. Our fans deserve something, especially after such a disappointing league season.” BCL Football: PWD SC maintain top slot beating Farashganj SC by 1-0 goal In their comeback win over Bilbao, United overturned a 1-0 halftime deficit with Mason Mount scoring twice after coming on as a substitute. Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund also found the net. Tottenham's goals in Norway came courtesy of Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro, ensuring a comfortable progression to the final. The final is in Bilbao on May 21. “It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Spurs defender Micky van de Ven said. “We’ve had a tough season, but we’re one game away from winning silverware.” A major title, alone, would be enough to salvage what has otherwise been a season to forget for both United and Spurs. But the added prize of a place in the lucrative Champions League would put the winner back among Europe’s elite next term. That hasn’t looked likely for either team for most of the campaign as they have languished closer to the relegation zone than the top five. United is 15th in the standings having lost a club record 16 games in the Premier League. It is also certain to record its worst-ever points total in the modern era, as well as its lowest finish. For Tottenham, it’s even worse — sitting one place below United after a club record-equaling 19 losses in the Premier League. Now, one of those teams has the chance to effectively erase their woeful domestic form by winning the final, which will be the fourth time they have faced each other this season. Spurs won all three of the previous encounters — twice in the league and also in the English League Cup. “We are struggling, both of us, so I don’t know what is going to happen,” Amorim said. “That is a good thing and a bad thing with this team. I never know.” Mount double United’s two-legged victory over Bilbao defied its performances for most of the season, which saw former coach Erik ten Hag fired in October and his replacement, Amorim, oversee 12 losses in 24 league games. Bilbao, fourth in the Spanish league, trailed 3-0 from the first leg but mounted a fightback through Mikel Jauregizar’s curling long-range shot in the 31st minute at Old Trafford. There were signs of nerves in United’s play as the visitors applied more pressure, but the introduction of Mount in the 62nd turned the game. He spun and curled a low shot past Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala 10 minutes after coming on. Casemiro headed United in front in the 79th and Hojlund scored from close range in the 85th. Mount got his second when he spotted Agirrezabala off his line in the first minute of stoppage time and fired home from near the halfway line. It is United’s third Europa League final in eight years, having won the competition in 2017. United won the FA Cup last year and the League Cup in 2023 and this would be a third trophy-winning season in a row. It would also be Amorim’s first for the club after winning two Portuguese league titles with Sporting Lisbon. He described it as “massive.” “For me it’s the most important because it’s the next one,” he said.        

Public Works Department (PWD) Sports Club maintained the top slot in the Bashundhara Group Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football beating Farashganj Sporting Club by 1-0 goal at the Shaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur on Thursday. With the day’s feat, PWD SC remained at the top slot securing 34 points from 14 matches while Arambagh KS followed them neck and neck with 33 points from 14 encounters. After barren first half, Minhazul Karim Swadhin scored the match–winning goal for PWD SC in the 71st minute (1-0). SAFF U-19 Champs: Holders Bangladesh will start campaign taking on Maldives in opener on Friday Team leader of Farashganj SC Delwar Hossain received direct red card in the match. In the day’s another match, City Club remained at the 3rd slot in the 10-team league defeating Uttar Baridhara Club by 2-0 goals at the Fortis FC ground here. City Club earned 26 points also from 14 matches.  Shahed Mia put the City Club ahead in the 8th minute (1-0) while Mizanur Rahman doubled the margin in the 63rd minute (2-0). SAFF U-19 Champs: Bangladesh team make first practice session in India  In the day’s remaining match, Little Friends Club beat Dhaka Rangers FC by 2-0 goals at the practice ground of Bashundhara Kings Arena. After barren first half, Mohammad Rakib scored first for Little Friends in the 65th minute (1-0) while Shojib Rajbongshi sounded the margin in the 90th minute (2-0) .  

Defending champions Bangladesh will start their campaign in the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-19 Men's Championship' 2025 taking on the Maldives in the opening match on Friday (May 9). The match will kick off at 4 pm at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, in Arunachal Pradesh while hosts India will encounter Sri Lanka in the other opening day's fixture at 7:30 pm. Nazmul Huda Faysal is expected to lead Bangladesh team in the ensuing SAFF U-19 Championship will be held from May 9 to 19 in the Arunachal Pradesh Bangladesh team is in Group A of the regional youth soccer meet with Bhutan and the Maldives while the Group B team comprises hosts India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Ahead of the match, Bangladesh U-19 National Football Team made their training session today (Thursday) morning at 9 am local time and 9:30 am Bangladesh time at the R.G. Stadium in Naharlagun. The day's session focused on light recovery, ball work, and tactical drills as the players made their on-field preparations with high spirit and determination.. Bukayo Saka misses sitter against PSG and Arsenal misses out again Bangladesh team also attended the Manager’s Coordination Meeting (MCM) this noon. Later In the afternoon , Bangladesh team also addressed the pre-match official press conference where team's Head Coach Golam Rabbani Choton and Captain Nazmul Huda Faisal spoke on behalf of Bangladesh team. Earlier, Bangladesh youth team, studded with two Bangladesh-origin foreign footballers, reached Arunachal Pradesh last Tuesday via Kolkata to compete in the SAFF U-19 Men's Championship 2025 in a hope of clinching the title. Left winger Abdul Kadir of Italy and USA forward Farzad Syed Aftab were included in the Bangladesh U-19 side for the first time. In the remaining group match, Bangladesh will face Bhutan on May 11, also at 4 pm at the same venue. The top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on May 16, while the final match billed for May 18. 

Bukayo Saka missed from a near-unmissable position and Arsenal missed out again. A 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday ended Arsenal's hopes of winning the Champions League and halting a barren trophy run that now stretches five years. PSG won the two-legged semifinal 3-1 on aggregate and will play Inter Milan in the final in Munich on May 31. Arsenal will wonder how another season of promise has ended up empty-handed. “We have to learn from this. We did a lot of good things, but it’s not enough,” captain Martin Odegaard said after the match in Paris. It might have been different had Saka not fired over the bar with an open net to aim at in the 79th — but Arsenal had already given itself a mountain to climb at that point, having gone 2-0 down. Saka reduced the deficit and could have leveled the score on the night if not for his wayward finish. “Inside the boxes, over the two games, we weren't good enough,” Odegaard said. A top class centre forward is likely top of Mikel Arteta's wanted list when the transfer window opens — and his failure to strengthen his forward line in January has undermined Arsenal's campaign. A challenge for the Premier League title fizzled out and it is only Arsenal's form in Europe that has disguised its failings since the turn of the year. Rohit Sharma retires from test cricket ahead of England tour Arteta's team has won only three of its last 10 league games and just one of the last five. Blowing the lead against Bournemouth last weekend was the fourth time in five league games that it has dropped points from a winning position. Arsenal has saved its biggest performances for the Champions League — beating holder Real Madrid home and away in the quarterfinals. But its hopes of a first final appearance since 2006 were ended by a PSG team that finally looks ready to conquer Europe after more than decade of lavish spending from its Qatari backers. What next for Arsenal after this latest near miss? Injuries to forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have not helped, but Arsenal's trophy wait goes on. Arteta's only major trophy with the club was in his first year when they won the FA Cup in 2020. Since then he has restored Arsenal to one of the biggest forces in English soccer and returned it to the Champions League. There were back-to-back runner-up spots in the Premier League over the past two seasons and it is currently second to champion Liverpool this year. A Champions League quarterfinal last year was followed by a semifinal this time around. But still no trophy. There have been two Community Shields since the FA Cup triumph, but they are not widely considered major trophies, rather a curtain raiser to the season that is often described as a glorified friendly match. “Sometimes you have to lose a few in order to win and you have to overcome some of these setbacks and mentally grow as a person and as a player and as a group," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said. "We’re going through that at the moment, a few losses, in terms of losing out in the league and coming close in the Champions League in back-to-back years. "PSG have gone through tonight and we’re absolutely gutted but this doesn’t define us for sure.”

The SAFF U-19 current champions Bangladesh football team, made their first practice session on the 2nd day at the RG Stadium in Nahariagun in the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh Wednesday afternoon amid huge tension between two rival nations – India and Pakistan.  The day's session focused on light recovery, ball work, and tactical drills as the players made their on-field preparations with high spirit and determination. The SAFF U-19 Championship will be held from May 9 to 19 at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, in Arunachal Pradesh.  Shamit Shome gets FIFA nod to play for Bangladesh Bangladesh youth team, studded with two Bangladesh-origin foreign footballers, reached Arunachal Pradesh Tuesday noon via Kolkata to compete in the six-nation SAFF U-19 Men's Championship 2025 in a hope of clinching the title. Left winger Abdul Kadir of Italy and USA forward Farzad Syed Aftab were included in the Bangladesh U-19 side for the first time.  Bangladesh team is in Group A of the regional youth soccer meet with Bhutan and the Maldives, while the Group B team comprises hosts India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Nazmul Huda Faysal is named as the captain of the 30-member Bangladesh team, which consists of 23 booters and seven officials. Bangladesh team reach Arunachal Pradesh for SAFF U-19 C'ship, hoping to clinch title "Our countrymen desire the tournament's title from us, and we have also the same target of winning the title," Bangladesh coach Golam Rabbani Chotan said in a press conference on the eve of the departure. Bangladesh will play the Maldives in the opening match on May 9 at 4 pm, while hosts India will encounter Sri Lanka in the other opening day's fixture at 7:30 pm. In the remaining group match, Bangladesh will face Bhutan on May 11, also at 4 pm at the same venue. The top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on May 16, while the final match is billed for May 18.

Inter Milan has another Champions League final to look forward to. Once the players catch their breath, that is. In the end it took extra time, two astonishing comebacks and 13 goals to separate Barcelona and Inter and see the Italian club — which was a mere seconds away from elimination — prevail 7-6 on aggregate after winning another rollercoaster encounter 4-3 on Tuesday, AP reports. Substitute Davide Frattesi was the extra-time star for Inter, firing home in the 99th minute to leave the Barcelona players slumped to the ground while his Nerazzurri teammates — including those on the bench — were racing to celebrate with him. “I don’t know what happened tonight. I’m lucky I managed to finish the game, I screamed so much (in celebration) that I saw everything black,” Frattesi told Italian broadcaster Sky. Moments earlier, he'd been encouraging the already loud San Siro crowd to make more noise and the atmosphere grew more feverish after Frattesi delivered on his super-sub reputation again. “That’s part of my career," the midfielder said. “I wasn’t given so much incredible talent, but I am always the last one to give up and the first one to believe we can do it. At 3-3, I told Marcus (Thuram) that we would go through.” Three-time European champion Inter, which lost the 2023 final to Manchester City, will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich on May 31 for the title. PSG beat Arsenal 1-0 in London last week in their first match. The return leg is Wednesday in Paris. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi thinks his squad has shown in wins over Barcelona in the semis and Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals that it can compete against the very best. “My players have been extraordinary, they've put out there two monstrous performances to get to this final,” he said. "We have to continue. The final will be played against a really great team, whether it's Arsenal or PSG. Barcelona and Bayern are probably the best teams in Europe at the moment, but it will still be difficult." Cristiano Ronaldo’s son gets first Portugal under-15 call-up There was little sign at halftime of the drama to play out. Inter was comfortably leading 2-0 after Lautaro Martínez scored and earned a penalty, which was converted by Hakan Çalhanoğlu. But Barcelona had been in that position before, having gone 2-0 down early last week in the first leg before securing a thrilling 3-3 draw. And Eric García scored nine minutes after the break before Dani Olmo headed in the equalizer six minutes later. Raphina appeared to have secured the win for Barcelona when he put the Spanish club ahead two minutes before full time, tucking away the rebound after Yann Sommer had saved his initial shot. However, 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi astonishingly leveled in stoppage time — with his first goal in European competition — to add another 30 minutes of time. Frattesi had proved crucial off the substitutes' bench before, both for Italy and Inter, and so he was again, controlling Mehdi Taremi's pass and beating Pau Cubarsí before curling past Wojciech Szczęsny. Barcelona almost leveled again but Sommer made a fingertip save to push Lamine Yamal's shot past his post. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he told his players “I know everyone is disappointed … but at the end we can be proud of our performance.” “I’m proud of my team," he said. "We have to accept it and we start again next season.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son has received his first international call-up, being named in the Portugal Under-15s squad for an upcoming youth tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, aged 14, is currently based in Saudi Arabia where he plays for Al-Nassr's youth side, mirroring his father’s club career after the Portuguese great joined the Saudi Pro League outfit in December 2022. The legendary forward, 40, shared a proud moment on social media, posting a picture of the squad list featuring his son's name along with the caption: "Proud of you, son." Yamal thrives but misses late chance as Barcelona exits Champions League in semifinals Ronaldo Jr has been selected to represent Portugal in a youth tournament taking place in Croatia between 13-18 May. Portugal are scheduled to face Japan, Greece, and England during the competition. Cristiano Ronaldo Sr, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, remains an active Portugal international with a record-breaking 136 goals for his country — the most by any male footballer in history. He famously captained Portugal to their first major tournament victory at Euro 2016, though he watched most of the final from the sidelines after suffering a 25th-minute injury. He later led the team to another trophy at the Nations League in 2019. In March this year, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star scored but missed a penalty as Portugal edged past Denmark to reach the semi-finals of the Nations League. The Al-Nassr forward is also father to four other children — twins Eva and Mateo, aged 7, Alana Martina, 7, and Bella, 3. A Journey Across Football Academies Ronaldo Jr’s football journey has mirrored his father's globe-trotting career, having featured in the youth academies of Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United, and now Al-Nassr. During his time with Juventus, reports suggest he scored an impressive 58 goals in a single season. He also briefly played alongside Kai Rooney — son of Wayne Rooney — during their fathers' overlapping stints at Manchester United. Clips of the teenager recreating his father’s iconic ‘Siu’ celebration while playing for Al-Nassr have frequently gone viral on social media. While Ronaldo Jr is now set to represent Portugal at youth level, he is also eligible to play for the United States — his country of birth — and potentially Spain, due to time spent living there during his father’s spell at Real Madrid. Source: With inputs from BBC  

Almost six minutes into stoppage time, Lamine Yamal entered the area with the ball in front of him and only the goalkeeper to beat. The teenage sensation was being challenged by a defender, but looked in good position to find the net. Instead of scoring the goal that would likely take Barcelona to its first Champions League final in a decade, Yamal couldn’t manage more than a weak left-footed shot that went straight into the hands of Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The 17-year-old Spain forward had another strong performance Tuesday, creating chances and being a constant threat, but it wasn't enough to lead the Catalan club to its first Champions League final in a decade. Yamal’s missed opportunity at the end of regulation proved costly, leaving the score even at 3-3 before Inter Milan prevailed 4-3 in extra time to advance to the final 7-6 on aggregate score. Yamal had scored an amazing goal in the first leg in Barcelona, but couldn’t find the net this time to help Barcelona in the return match in San Siro. Inter and Barcelona boosted in attack for Champions League semifinal Another left-footed effort in extra time looked promising but Sommer made a fingertip save to preserve the 4-3 lead. “Which save will I remember?” said Sommer, the game’s most valuable player. “The last one on Lamine Yamal. He is a great player and fortunately it didn’t go in. Many teams would have given up after going down 3-2 but we didn’t and managed to come back.” Sommer was speaking to Sky Italia in quotes reproduced by UEFA. Sommer had already made a few saves to stop Yamal during the match, including a diving, one-handed deflection to parry away a long-range strike by the young forward in the 77th with the score 2-2. Yamal’s missed opportunity at the end of regulation came only minutes after Inter had equalized with a goal by Francesco Acerbi. Raphinha had put Barcelona ahead in the 87th in another thrilling match between the clubs. Bangladesh team reach Arunachal Pradesh for SAFF U-19 C'ship, hoping to clinch title Yamal appeared to be in disbelief after he couldn’t get the ball past Sommer. After the referee blew the whistle at the end of regulation, he briefly raised his shirt in front of his face. A trip to the final would have added to the sensational start of Yamal's career, both with Barcelona and with Spain’s national team, where he has been setting records and earning praise from across the soccer world. Barcelona was trying to reach the final for the first time since it won its fifth Champions League title in 2015.

Inter Milan and Barcelona both have their key forwards back for the second leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. The teams are tied at 3-3 after their rollercoaster match last week set up a must-see sequel in Milan. Inter captain Lautaro Martinez — Inter’s record goal-scorer in the Champions League — had to come off at halftime in that match with a thigh muscle injury and was considered a major doubt for the second leg. But the Argentina World Cup winner has recovered quicker than expected and Simone Inzaghi has opted to start him against Barcelona. Nottingham Forest draws at Crystal Palace as Champions League hopes fade Lautaro has 21 goals and six assists for Inter across all competitions this campaign. Barcelona is also getting a boost in attack with the return of Robert Lewandowski, who was sidelined for about two weeks because of a thigh injury. Lewandowski will start from the bench, however. The 36-year-old Lewandowski is having one of his best seasons with Barcelona, having scored 40 times, including 11 in the Champions League. Barcelona is aiming to reach the final for the first time since 2015, when it won the last of its five titles. The La Liga leader is also bidding for a treble in its first season under Flick, having already won the Copa del Rey. Inter, which has seen its own treble hopes evaporate after being eliminated in the Italian Cup semifinals, is hoping to reach a second Champions League final in three seasons. It lost to Manchester City in 2023. The winner will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich on May 31. PSG beat Arsenal 1-0 in London last week in their first match.

Canadian professional footballer Shamit Shome has received clearance from FIFA Players Status Committee to play for Bangladesh national football team. The 27-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, is now eligible to represent Bangladesh in international competitions, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed on Tuesday. His debut is expected in the upcoming Asian Cup Qualifier against Singapore, scheduled to be held in Dhaka on June 10. He is set to feature alongside English Premier League footballer Hamza Dewan Choudhury. Ankle injury ruled out Taskin from action for another month  The process of naturalising Shome to play for Bangladesh began in April. He obtained his birth certificate on April 20, followed by a clearance certificate from the Canada Soccer Association on May 1. He received his Bangladeshi passport on May 5 and finally secured approval from the FIFA Players’ Status Committee on May 6. Born and raised in Canada to Bangladeshi parents, Shome previously played two international matches for the Canadian national team in 2020. Earlier on March 25, Hamza Choudhury made his debut for Bangladesh in a match against India.