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Football: Chelsea to face Dynamo Kiev in Europa League last 16

Football: Chelsea to face Dynamo Kiev in Europa League last 16

NYON, Switzerland (REUTERS) - Chelsea will face Dynamo Kiev at home in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, while London rivals Arsenal will travel to Rennes following Friday's (Feb 22) draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
Both Premier League teams were initially handed home ties after the draw, but Arsenal subsequently confirmed they would play their first leg away to avoid UEFA's city-clash rule.
UEFA rules governing European competition allow for ties to be rearranged if more than one club from a particular city is taking part, to prevent multiple games being held in the same city at the same time.
Chelsea, who won the Europa League in 2013, beat Malmo 5-1 on aggregate in the last round while Arsenal triumphed 3-1 over BATE Borisov over two legs.
Italy's Inter Milan are at Eintracht Frankfurt in their first leg, while Dinamo Zagreb host Portugal's Benfica, with Napoli taking on Austria's FC Salzburg.
Friday's draw was not protected by seeding, but teams from Russia and Ukraine were kept apart.
Russian side Krasnodar travel to Valencia for their first leg, while Zenit St Petersburg have also been drawn against Spanish opposition and host La Liga strugglers Villareal.
Sevilla, the third Spanish side still in this year's competition, have been drawn against Slavia Prague.
The first legs of the last-16 ties will be held on March 7 with the reverse fixtures scheduled for March 14.



Cliftonville pair Liam Boyce and Conor Devlin aim to secure the Premiership title in Saturday's clash against Linfield at Solitude. The Reds will secure the Gibson Cup if they beat the reigning
Destiny | Reddit



FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - March 30, 2019 Manchester City's Sergio Aguero during the match. REUTERS/David Kl
Man City's Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA Cup



Enrique praises Ramos as 'unique' player's penalty secures win for Spain Ramos scored the winning penalty after Josh King had cancelled out Rodrigo's opener.



Pep Guardiola: I am sorry for Manchester City's 'offside' goal against Watford Premier League leaders won 3-1 but air of controversy over the first of Sterling's three strikes
'I am so sorry': Pep Guardiola apologises to Watford for



Three-times champions Iran came through an early scare before marching confidently into the Asian Cup quarter-finals for the 13th time in 14 attempts with a 2-0 victory over a spirited Oman team. on Sunday. Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand saved an Oman penalty in the opening minute but a goal from winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh and a successful
Soccer: Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into



I will not resign as coach of Real Madrid, says defiant Solari. On March 6, 2019 6:47 pm In News, Sports by adekunle Comments. Northern group calls for Emir Sanusi's resignation.
Real Madrid coach praises Bale, calls for patience with Isco



Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has described the alleged racist shouts from fans towards Raheem Sterling as "disgusting". Maurizio Sarri condemns the alleged racist abuse of Raheem Sterling
Sarri condemns 'disgusting' Sterling abuse - sportskeeda.com


Football: England thrash Montenegro after early scare



MANCHESTER: Manchester City celebrated their domestic treble with an open-top bus parade on Monday, drawing an estimated 100,000 fans to the streets of the city centre. Pep Guardiola's City side
Treble Winners Manchester City Enjoy Parade | Football News



Football: Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris. which happens in football, it's only to be strong and back our player. "I think Hugo is going to be, like always, great for us.
Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris - sports.yahoo.com



Mohamed Salah completed a memorable day for Egyptian football by retaining his African Player of the Year award in Senegal Tuesday. The 26-year-old Liverpool star Mohamed Salah finished first with
Salah retains African Football Award Player Of The Year



The latest Tweets from Liverpoolfc-blog (@LFC_Blog). Information and news from around the web about all things Liverpool #YNWA #lfc. UK
Liverpool 4 Manchester City 3: Visitors' unbeaten run finally



"The boss knows how happy I am to be here and I am grateful to him," Morata said. "We want to qualify as soon as possible for the Euros so it was important to win today." Malta lie 182nd in FIFA's world rankings, between Liechtenstein and Macau.



Top 10 Arizona high school running backs of all time I feel, shaped the landscape in Arizona. One of the greatest football families all-time in Arizona. Art and Benny both starred at
Gil Brandt's 25 greatest NFL running backs of all time

Wolves to make it 'special'

Wolves to make it 'special'

LONDON • No other player at Molineux is in a better position to judge the rise of Wolves than Matt Doherty. The Ireland right-back is the only surviving member of their 2011-12 Premier League season when they went down after finishing rock bottom.
In the years since, Wolves have suffered the ignominy of another relegation to League One, and several terms mired in Championship mediocrity.
But the wheels to be the "best of the rest" were set in motion with the 2016 takeover by Chinese conglomerate Fosun International and the appointment of manager Nuno Espirito Santo a year later, resulting in a return to the top flight after a six-year absence.
Wolves have carried on where they left off in the Championship, taking 13 points off the "Big Six" as they sit seventh in the league, a point ahead of today's FA Cup semi-final opponents, Watford.
As far as Doherty, who joined in 2010, is concerned, it has been an "unbelievable" ride.
The 27-year-old, the club's longest-serving player, said: "You've got to remember it's been a short space of time where this has all happened. It's not that long ago that we were in League One.
"Who would've thought we'd be in the semi-final of the FA Cup and seventh in the league - it's kind of a fairy tale, so we're all very happy with the situation at the moment. I'm completely settled, so long may it continue."
And why should Doherty go anywhere, with Wolves a game from making their first FA Cup final since 1960.
They are fresh off making another statement of intent, breaking their club transfer record to sign Mexico striker and top scorer Raul Jimenez for £30 million (S$52.9 million) in midweek.
The club now want to take the next step in their evolution by winning their fifth FA Cup trophy.
Acknowledging the occasion at his pre-match press conference before his team's trip to Wembley, Santo said: "Everybody knows what it could mean, but we have to play it just like another game, then make it special."
While Watford, who were losing finalists in 1984, cannot boast the same pedigree in the competition, they are also punching above their weight in a cut-throat league.
On Tuesday, they broke a club record tally in reaching 46 points - their best mark in a top-flight campaign since 1987 (63).
The longevity of Javi Gracia is why the Hornets have shown sting all season, with the Spaniard the first manager since Gianfranco Zola six years ago to last more than a year in charge.
The 48-year-old is confident of giving Wolves "a good game", adding: "We have to be ready to give 100 per cent."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
WATFORD V WOLVERHAMPTON Singtel TV Ch111, 10.55pm


Pack sizes vary, most packs have 6 or 7 members, although some may include as many as 15 wolves. The size depends on many variables including the current numbers of the wolf population, the abundance of food, and social factors within the wolf pack. Within each pack is an elaborate hierarchy.
adaptations - Gray Wolf
graywolves.weebly.com/adaptations.html
The Gray Wolf has many adaptations that help it survive. It has teeth and claws for hunting. The fur of the gray wolf is a great insulator and it can keep out moisture. The hearing and their sense of smell are a lot better than humans have. The fleshy paws they have are better for traction in the winter.
Wolves and moose on Isle Royale - Wikipedia


What Are Wolf Adaptations? Home Pets & Animals Mammals Wolves Wolves have several key adaptations to help them survive: they have strong hind limbs, feet with five specialized toes and sturdy teeth to facilitate survival in harsh conditions.
Canadian Wolves Are Being Airdropped Into Michigan For A


Four gray wolves (Canis lupus) have been airdropped into Michigan for a very important assignment. The quartet, originally from Canada, has been helicoptered into Isle Royale national park to
How to Own a Pet Wolf: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow


Wolves rank among the most social of carnivores, so it's not surprising they have evolved such diverse forms of communication. The most dramatic form of wolf-to-wolf communication, howling, serves to locate separated pack members and advertise a pack's territory, as a wolf howl may be audible for several miles.
Wolves to make it 'special' - theworldnews.net


Wolves to make it 'special' LONDON • No other player at Molineux is in a better position to judge the rise of Wolves than Matt Doherty. The Ireland right-back is the only surviving member of their 2011-12 Premier League season when they went down after finishing rock bottom.
What Are Wolf Adaptations? | Reference.com

What Adaptations Do Wolves Have? | Sciencing


The single predator-single prey relationship between wolves and moose on Isle Royale in Lake Superior is unique, and has been the subject of detailed study for over 50 years. . Isle Royale, the principal island of Isle Royale National Park in Michigan in the United States, is an isolated island with little migration of animals into and out of the island, and as a national park, human


To own a pet wolf, start by researching your local laws to make sure it's legal to own one where you live. Then, talk to an expert or volunteer at a wolf center before you buy one so that you know what to expect when trying to raise a wolf as a pet.
Wolf Ecology and Behavior - Western Wildlife Outreach
westernwildlife.org/gray-wolf-outreach-project/biology-behavior-4/
Wolf pups are weaned at about 8 weeks of age once they have begun eating semi-solid food, regurgitated by the mother or others members of the pack. As pups begin eating more solids, they are moved to one or more "rendezvous sites," where they spend the remainder of the summer learning proper pack behavior and etiquette.
Wolf - Official Minecraft Wiki


A wolf will become hostile towards a player or other mob that attacks it, unless the attacker is the wolf's owner or is otherwise on the same team, and will also cause wild wolves and standing tamed wolves in a 33×33×21 cuboid centered on the attacked wolf to become hostile towards the attacker.
Wolf Facts - Wolf Pack

Football: Ajax do not fear anyone as they eye Tottenham's scalp to reach Champions League final

Football: Ajax do not fear anyone as they eye Tottenham's scalp to reach Champions League final

LONDON (AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE) - Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana says that the flamboyant European dreamers aren't afraid of anyone as they prepare to continue their wild ride in the Champions League with the first leg of their semi-final at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday (April 30).
Four-time European champions Ajax are hunting their first major continental triumph since Patrick Kluivert downed AC Milan in the 1995 final and have warmed hearts with a thrilling run to the last four that has recalled the glory days of Johan Cruyff and total football.
Next up are Spurs, who Ajax meet after dispatching reigning European champions Real Madrid and Juventus - tipped by many to win the Champions League this season after signing Cristiano Ronaldo - with thrilling displays that enchanted football fans across the continent.
"After beating Juventus and Real Madrid, you're not afraid of anyone," Onana said in an interview with Agence France-Presse.
"They (Spurs) are a very good team. They have very good players, especially on the counter where they can create problems for us. But it's up to us to handle these situations."
Cameroon international Onana has been a fixture between the sticks as the Dutch giants hunt a historic treble that Ajax have not completed since Cruyff's 1972 heyday, when they won the second of three consecutive European Cups and combined that with the Dutch Cup and league title.
They are also top of the Eredivisie, although level on points with PSV Eindhoven, and take on Willem II in May's domestic cup final.

 
 
 
Asked by AFP if he expected Ajax to go so far in Europe, Onana said: "To be honest, no! It's my first season in the Champions League and, when we qualified for the group stage, it was already like 'wow'."
Ajax's continental campaign kicked off against Austrian side Sturm Graz way back in July, the first of three qualifying rounds they had to negotiate before making the groups.
"We said to ourselves, there are six matches, let's see if we can hang on to the Europa League!"
Instead, Ajax finished comfortably second in Group E, unbeaten and only two points behind eventual group winners Bayern Munich, and now have a realistic chance of joining the Bavarians on five European Cups after turning on the style in the knockout rounds.
"It's the philosophy of the club and it's important for us to stay true to it: control the game, keep possession... it's clear that fans have been enjoying watching it, and we have fun playing it," said Onana.
Ajax have extra motivation going into their clash at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as they know that this is the last chance for this group of players to shock everyone and snatch the biggest prize in football.
Star midfielder Frenkie de Jong will leave for Barcelona in the summer for an initial €75 million (S$114 million), while centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, who sent Juventus packing with a bullet header in the quarter finals, could follow his teammate to Catalonia.
After knocking out Real, coach Frank de Boer admitted that forwards Hakim Ziyech and David Neres and Onana would also all be targeted by Europe's biggest clubs come the end of the season.
And the stopper wants to sign off this era with the perfect parting gift after missing out on the Europa League to Manchester United in 2017.
"It's clear that this is our objective. Not just for the goal in and of itself, but for us, because after this season, there will be a lot of players who will leave," said Onana.
"It is important for us to do something big. If that means winning the treble, well that will be simply beautiful."



Football News: Atletico Madrid fell to their heaviest league defeat of the season as they were crushed 3-0 by Espanyol on Saturday, missing the chance to mathematica
Atletico slump to biggest defeat of season against ruthless



Harry Kane honoured at Buckingham Palace March 29, 2019 0 London: england football captain harry kane obtained the mbe award on thursday for services to soccer after leading the country wide group to the arena cup semi-very last in russia closing summer season.
Football Extras: Kane honoured at Buckingham Palace



Huddersfield reduced the deficit to 2-1 after the restart as midfielder Philip Billing's swerving effort from distance flew past Southampton goalkeeper McCarthy, who appeared to be unsighted by a
Southampton power past struggling Huddersfield Town



Yuya Osako delivered it with a towering second-half header to give Japan a victory that leaves Colombia, who were quarter-finalists in Brazil four years ago, with much to do if they are to progress to the next phase. The tone of a glorious afternoon in Saransk was set in that remarkable opening period.
World Cup group stage - Ivory Coast vs. Japan - Yahoo Sports



Man City's De Bruyne upbeat as he bids to put injuries behind him. De Bruyne put in a huge effort last season for his club, featuring in 52 league and cup games for City and was named their
Man City's De Bruyne upbeat as he bids to put injuries behind him



Good afternoon, and welcome to St. Mary's for Mauricio Pochettino's post-match press conference after the 2-1 defeat at Southampton. Dele Alli made his return to training this week, and was put straight into the starting line up by Pochettino, while Kyle Walker-Peters was handed a rare start at right-back with Kieran Trippier missing out through injury and Serge Aurier rested.
The tactic that frustrates a lot of Spurs fans arguably the



Pictures from Space! Our Image of the Day. 2019, about a week after it was taken. just a few moments before mission control lost contact with the spacecraft.
Lost in Space - Wikipedia



Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener Netherlands' defender Matthijs de Ligt (centre) vies with Belarus' midfielder Ihar Stasevich. Memphis Depay dazzled for the Netherlands with a brace and two assists as they cruised past Belarus 4-0 in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday despite having to play the final 20
Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener



David de Gea has made three errors leading to goals in his last four games in all competitions for Manchester United, as many as in his previous 123 matches for the club As Manchester United lined up the injury-time corner that ended with Pedro clearing Marcos Rojo's header off the line, David de Gea stood […]
David de Gea: Manchester United keeper gives Ole Gunnar


Barca stroll to their 26th LaLiga title, Football News & Top



A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 16, 2019, with the headline 'Griezmann calls time on Atletico stay as move to Barcelona looms'. Print Edition
Griezmann calls time on Atletico stay as move to Barcelona looms

Afghanistan FF staff promised women players spots on team in exchange for sex

Afghanistan FF staff promised women players spots on team in exchange for sex

KABUL • Representing Afghanistan internationally should have been the highlight of Khalida Popal's career as a professional footballer, but life in the strife-torn country is never that simple.
It has been seven years since she was forced to leave her family and her homeland, terrified for her life and personal safety, after pioneering women's football in a country that has been described as one of the most dangerous places to be female.
She has paid a high price for becoming the face of the Afghanistan women's football team, with death threats forcing her to spend a year in an asylum centre before being granted permission to live in Denmark in 2012.
But Popal remains a local girl at heart, and despite having since suffered a career-ending knee injury, she has continued to organise training sessions for the team in other countries including Jordan, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
These camps have brought together players from inside and outside Afghanistan, and the bonds forged have compelled Popal to speak out about the ordeal of Afghan women players and her frustrations with a system that has failed to protect them.
Last Sunday, the country's attorney general suspended Keramuddin Keram, the head of the Afghan Football Federation (AFF), and four others after a probe into allegations of sexual abuse of members of the women's national football team.
According to the attorney general's office, they are:
• The AFF's deputy president, Yosuf Kargar
• Its general secretary, Sayed Alireza Aghazada
• A coach in charge of goalkeepers, Abdul Saboor Walizada
• An official in charge of liaison with provincial football teams, Nadir Alimi
While the investigation is still ongoing, Fifa has provisionally banned Keram from all football-related activities for 90 days "pending proceedings".
His name brings back harrowing memories for Popal. In a telephone interview with the New York Times, she claimed "the president of AFF and some trainers are raping and sexually harassing female players".
The 31-year-old also revealed to The Guardian the purported transgressions were as recent as February, when the players flew to Jordan from Afghanistan while being accompanied by two men.
"They (the AFF) sent two male representatives, going under the title of 'head of women's football' and 'assistant coach'," she said.
"They were bullying and harassing the girls, particularly the ones from Afghanistan because they knew they wouldn't speak up. I confronted them, told them they can't do that and I'd make a complaint.
"It continued. These guys were calling on the rooms of the players and sleeping with the girls. AFF staff members would say to girls that they could get them on the team list and would pay them £100 (S$173) a month if they would say yes to everything.
"They were pushing and forcing the girls. Coercing them."
When the players threatened to complain, Keram, who wields considerable political influence as a former governor of Panjshir Province, allegedly beat one of them with a snooker cue, and threw her and eight other women off the team, labelling them "lesbians".
After learning that the nine players had been sidelined, she went on to do her own investigation, only to find out the "huge extent of the abuse".
Popal added: "He (Keram) has a room inside his office that is a bedroom with a bed. The doors of his office (have) fingerprint recognition, so when players go in, they can't get out without his fingerprint.
"I found some of the girls were sexually abused, and physically abused if they said no. The federation would make an excuse to get rid of the player so that if they came out (and spoke publicly), it would look like they were just upset about being kicked off the team."
American Kelly Lindsey, the former national coach, corroborated Popal's account, saying the two male officials that were involved in the Jordan case had been "promoted and moved to other areas in the AFF".
The federation has, however, denied the allegations, calling them "groundless", while insisting it had "a zero-tolerance policy towards any type of such behaviour".
NYTIMES, REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN



Apr 27, 2019 · Ryan Babel scored in the 79th minute to give Fulham a 1-0 home victory which leaves Cardiff on the brink of relegation. a superb strike from Ryan Babel shattered Cardiff's hopes of piling
Babel strike leaves Cardiff on brink of relegation - Football



Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up by Michail Antonio ensured West Ham United became the first visiting team to win at Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium as Mauricio



Jurgen Klopp hasn't enjoyed much of an affinity with the FA Cup during his Liverpool reign. In his three seasons at Anfield the Reds haven't even reached the fifth round of the world's oldest knockout competition, let alone the bright lights of Wembley. It's been a tale of weakened teams, glaring mistakes and painful early exits. Read More
Klopp denies FA Cup exit gives them title advantage - Football365



LONDON (REUTERS) - Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in Saturday's (Dec 22) 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley
Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over Burnley - Football



Salah's out but Reds not giving up. who has 16 goals for the term and was ruled out earlier - represents a hammer blow to Liverpool's hopes of a second consecutive European Cup final.
Liverpool tops Tottenham to win Champions league title



Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in Cup replays a shock 3-2 home defeat by third-tier Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup third-round replays on chance to put Blackburn ahead
Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in Cup


Football: Ryan Giggs hits back after Zlatan Ibrahimovic



Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a dream start as Manchester United's interim manager as his side turned on the style to thrash his former club Cardiff City 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Solskjaer makes dream start as Man Utd thrash Cardiff



Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists the Premier League title race is something to get excited about rather than stressed about despite seeing his side overhauled by Manchester City in the past



Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal against Torino on May 3, 2019. (Reuters pic) TURIN: Cristiano Ronaldo headed a late equaliser to deny Torino their first win away
Soccer Extras: Late Ronaldo goal foils Torino - Rediff Sports



Liverpool will benefit in the Premier League because of their win, says Tim Sherwood (Pic: SKY SPORTS) "It wasn't about the 29 years and winning the Premier League, they are probably sick of hearing it now, we all are.
Bayern vs Liverpool: Reds won't sacrifice Champions League



Man City's De Bruyne upbeat as he bids to put injuries behind him The Belgium international, who has been limited to just 96 minutes of league football so far this season, started the midweek
Man City's De Bruyne Upbeat as He Bids to Put Injuries Behind Him


Valencia coach unfazed by Europa League 'favourites' Arsenal



Patrice Evra claims accusations of homophobia have been invented by French media after he used an anti-homosexual slur in a social media spat with Paris Saint-Germain More Earlier, PSG condemned "Patrice Evra's homophobic insults aimed at us on social media" after a bizarre spat in which Evra used the French word "pede", a derogatory term


Football: Uefa says anti-racism protocol not followed in

Football: Barca's Dembele back training ahead of Man United clash

Football: Barca's Dembele back training ahead of Man United clash

BARCELONA (AFP) - Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele returned to team training on Thursday (April 4), increasing hopes that he will recover from his hamstring injury in time for next week's Champions League trip to Manchester United.
"Jasper Cillessen (also out injured) and Ousmane Dembele were back training with the group," the La Liga leaders said on their website.
Dembele was ruled out for around a month after picking up a hamstring injury during Barca's 5-1 hammering of Lyon that booked them the quarter-final clash with United, with the Frenchman scoring the fifth after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Spanish media report that the World Cup winner will not be back in time for the weekend's visit of Atletico Madrid - who are second in La Liga but eight points behind Barca - but could be ready for the first leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday.


- Dembele is expected to sit out Saturday's La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou but will be available for selection against Man United in UCL. Ousmane Dembele returned to Barcelona training on Thursday, April 4, after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Barcelona's Dembele back in training ahead of Atletico, Man


Dembele was ruled out for around a month after picking up a hamstring injury during Barca's 5-1 hammering of Lyon that booked them the quarter-final clash with United, with the Frenchman scoring the fifth after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Football: Barca's Dembele back training ahead of Man United clash

Football: Barca's Dembele back training ahead of Man United


JUST IN: Dembele takes part in full training ahead of United clash Viktoria Myznikova 1 month ago Sport 25 Comments Ousmane Dembele has trained with the team on Monday without experiencing any problems.


Barcelona - Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele returned to team training on Thursday, increasing hopes that he will recover from his hamstring injury in time for next week's Champions League trip to Manchester United. "Jasper Cillessen (also out injured) and Ousmane Dembele were back training with the group," the La Liga leaders said on their
Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona returns from injury ahead of Man


Football: Barca's Dembele back training ahead of Man United clash Dembele (above) was ruled out for around a month after picking up a hamstring injury. PHOTO: REUTERS
Barca's Dembele back to training ahead of Man United clash


Barca's Dembele back to training ahead of Man United clash. Published April 4, 2019 April 4, and Ousmane Dembele were back training with the group," the La Liga leaders said on their website.
Football: Barca's Dembele back training ahead of Man United


Dembele back training ahead of Man United clash. 2019-04-04 17:02 a month after picking up a hamstring injury during Barca's 5-1 hammering of Lyon that booked them the quarter-final clash with
Barca's Dembele back to training ahead of Man United clash


Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele returned to team training on Thursday, increasing hopes that he will recover from his hamstring injury in time for next we
Barcelona's Dembele back training ahead of Manchester United


Barcelona has welcomed Ousmane Dembele back to training ahead of a crunch LaLiga clash with title rival Atletico Madrid and its Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United. Dembele sustained a torn hamstring after coming off the bench in Barca's 5-1 last-16 second-leg win over Lyon last month, with Ernesto Valverde accepting he knew
JUST IN: Dembele takes part in full training ahead of United


Football: Barca's Dembele back training ahead of Man United clash BARCELONA (AFP) - Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele returned to team training on Thursday (April 4), increasing hopes that he will recover from his hamstring injury in time for next week's Champions League trip to Manchester United.
Dembele back training ahead of Man United clash | Sport24

Football: Tampines Rovers coach rues 'two points dropped' as SPL leaders draw 0-0 with Albirex Niigata

Football: Tampines Rovers coach rues 'two points dropped' as SPL leaders draw 0-0 with Albirex Niigata

SINGAPORE - It was tactical cat and mouse in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) on Friday (March 29) as leaders Tampines Rovers laid siege but had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Albirex Niigata.
Fireworks were expected from this fixture as the Stags, with 11 goals from three games, faced last season's undefeated champions but, in the end, the White Swans' defence held firm before 2,745 fans at Our Tampines Hub.
For Tampines, chasing a first league title since 2013, it was a case of two points dropped rather than a precious point earned.
A disappointed Stags coach Gavin Lee said: "It's two points dropped. We could argue that they (Albirex) had chances), but we should have taken our chances.
"But we will get better with more training and, knowing these boys, they will rebound quickly."
White Swans coach Keiji Shigetomi found some satisfaction in his team's defensive strength, saying: "They (Tampines) can have the ball but not in our vital areas. We have played them in a pre-season friendly (losing 4-0) and we understand their attacking threats.
"Our plan was to block all their avenues of attack."
The result keeps Tampines top of the nine-team SPL standings on 10 points from four games, three ahead of Brunei DPMM, who have a game in hand. Albirex are sixth with two points from three games.
With two top-billed clubs with reputations for attacking football clashing, it turned out that Albirex, who have yet to score this season, who dug in to repel waves of attacks from the Stags in yellow jerseys.

 
 
Lee applied pressure through his wingers - Jordan Webb and Ryutaro Megumi - using their speed and skill and even with the duo swopping flanks throughout the game, the White Swans' sea of bodies did not part.
Webb came close in the 19th minute, nicking the ball off defender Shuhei Sasahara but curling wide from an acute angle.
In the 35th minute, Megumi volleyed wide from close range and, in stoppage time, striker Khairul Amri could have won it but he swept the ball wide from close range.
Yet, Lee found himself literally facing a tactical dilemma - pour forward in search of the win or leave the team exposed to counter-attacks.
"Everyone could see that Albirex came with a clear game plan. We predicted that but unfortunately we could not get into a rhythm in the first half," Lee said.
"We gave Albirex a few more problems in the second half. It wasn't easy as they were looking to hit us on the break. In the end, it was an even game."
Despite ending Tampines' three-game winning streak, Albirex finished the game with some regrets, too.
Shigetomi added: "I'm more frustrated with no goals being scored. We have taken a clean sheet against Tampines, but we still need to work hard on our attacking play.
"The players have to work more on their finishing, be more ruthless, more decisive and improve their accuracy."
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced on Friday sanctions against two National Football League players for cheating during the mandatory 2.4km fitness test.
Shahir Hamzah and Masnashzreen Masturi from Yishun Sentek Mariners allowed "unknown persons" to impersonate them and take the test, which all players in the amateur second-tier league have to pass before being registered to play, on their behalf on March 16.
Photographic and video evidence were collected to prove their guilt and both players were banned from being registered in any FAS organised or sanctioned competitions until the end of the 2021 season.



Curt Casali hit a three-run homer off Patrick Corbin, who had one of the worst starts of his career, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Washington 9-3 Friday night to end the Nationals' streak of eight
Cincinnati Reds - Page 2 - Empire Attack Forums
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neal wrote:i saw that wreck on sportscenter, gnarly. the bills will be 3rd in their division at best, depending on whether the dolphins keep ronnie and ricky. the lions made leaps and bounds last year in the nfc north, and have a scary d line but 0 corners, so green bay and chicago will attack with 5 yard routes. this is all assuming there will be footballoh and the vikings will be a roller
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Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group E - Canada v Cameroon - Stade de La Mosson, Montpellier, France - June 10, 2019 Canada's Kadeisha Buchanan scores their first goal REUTERS/Eric Gaillard MONTPELLIER, France (Reuters) - Defender Kadeisha Buchanan scored on the stroke of halftime to hand Canada a winning start to the women's […]
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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 08, 2019, with the headline 'Guardiola expects twists in title race'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
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Other than having to integrate a new-look side, Shigetomi also has to contend with new SPL rules which require Albirex to sign at least four Singaporean players, with at least two playing the entire first half. The club missed out on several targets in the close season, but still managed to sign six local players.
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Substitute Andre Gray scored a second-half winner as Watford beat Marco Silva's Everton 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday to heap the pressure on their former manager. Everton boss Silva's first visit to Vicarage Road since being sacked by Watford last January ended with the home fans singing that he would suffer a similar fate at the