Spain book Olympic place with Nations Cup
PARIS: World Cup winners Spain guaranteed their place at this year’s Olympics in Paris with a crushing 3-0 win over the Netherlands in Seville in the Nations Cup semi-final on Friday.France, who have already qualified as hosts for the Olympics, beat Germany 2-1 in the other semi-final meaning the final place in Paris will be […]
Japan women’s captain condemns Asian football chiefs
TOKYO: Japan women’s captain Saki Kumagai has criticised Asian football officials after the away leg of their tie against North Korea for a spot at the Paris Olympics was moved to Saudi Arabia days before the game. Kumagai said that the Asian Football Confederation “have a responsibility” to look after players after Saturday’s match was […]
Ratcliffe completes purchase of minority stake in Man Utd
MANCHESTER: British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe said becoming a co-owner of Manchester United is a “great honour” and “responsibility” after his purchase of a minority stake was finalised on Tuesday. The 71-year-old’s investment, which will give him control of football operations at the 20-time English champions, was approved by the Premier League and English Football Association […]
Free-scoring Arsenal want to win it all says Odegaard
LONDON: Martin Odegaard has urged Arsenal to use the momentum from their recent goal spree to fuel the club’s historic bid for Champions League and Premier League glory. The Gunners head to Porto on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie in buoyant mood after demolishing Burnley 5-0 last weekend. […]
Jordan ends Tajikistan’s fairytale run at Asian Cup
DOHA: Jordan set up a semi-final against South Korea or Australia after ending Tajikistan’s fairytale Asian Cup run with a nervy 1-0 win on Friday. In a cagey quarter-final, a deflected second-half own goal was just about enough to see Jordan reach the last four for the first time. It was tough on charismatic Croatian […]
S. Korea beat Saudis to reach Asian Cup quarter-finals
DOHA: Son Heung-min’s South Korea came back from the dead to beat Saudi Arabia 4-2 on penalties on Tuesday and set up an Asian Cup quarter-final with Australia. After a nail-biting game ended 1-1, Hwang Hee-chan scored the decisive penalty for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side, who are aiming to end a 64-year Asian Cup title drought. […]
Klopp to stand down as Liverpool manager at end of season
LONDON: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp announced in a shock decision on Friday that he will leave the club at the end of the season because he was “running out of energy”. Klopp, who has returned Liverpool to one of European football’s powerhouses since taking over at Anfield in 2015, said the decision to leave was […]
Napoli reach Italian Super Cup Final
RIYADH: Napoli put aside their recent troubles on Thursday by reaching the Italian Super Cup final with a convincing 3-0 win over Fiorentina in Riyadh.Giovanni Simeone opened the scoring in the 22nd minute at a sparsely-populated Al-Awwal Park before Alessio Zerbin ensured Napoli’s passage with two late goals, his first for the Italian champions.Napoli will […]