Page 35 - Football

After 2 years out of team, N'Golo Kante key to France's success once again

It was a classic N'Golo Kant performance. Effective, understated and overshadowed by a teammate. With all the attention on Kylian Mbapp and his injured nose, Kant's tireless defensive midfield work was quietly crucial to France's 1-0 win over Austria at the European Championship on Monday. Kant had not played a competitive game for France in two years. It was as if the 33-year-old had never been away. He completed 92% of his passes and stopped Austria counterattacks to preserve France's lead following an Austria own goal. Of course he was brilliant, he was bright tonight, we needed that, France coach Didier Deschamps said through a translator. On a night when seven yellow cards were issued in total and emotions ran high, especially after Austria fans booed the injured Mbapp for what they saw as time-wasting, Kant brought much-needed calm to the French midfield. Kant was a key part of the team which won the 2018 World Cup but he last played a competitive game for France in the Nat

Mbappe's injury casts shadow on his continued participation in Euro 2024

Kylian Mbapp's facial injury in France's 1-0 win against Austria has put in doubt whether he will continue at the European Championship. An aerial head-on-shoulder collision with Austria's Kevin Danso left Mbapp curled on the field with his nose bloodied and swollen late in the Group D game at Dusseldorf Arena. I don't have the elements in my hands, France coach Didier Deschamps said. He didn't get off lightly. It is still to be seen. I cannot at this stage give the answer (if he will be ruled out). Mbapp's obvious pain following the incident prompted Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz to signal for urgent medical assistance. We're worried to see Kylian leave the field like that, France midfielder N'Golo Kante said. We still don't know what the situation is. ... We hope that it's not too severe and that he's back with us for the rest of the competition. Mbapp is France's talisman and his injury likely struck fear in the hearts of fans. Later he appeared to try to lighten the mood.

Mbappe suffers face injury as France wins 1-0 against Austria at Euro 2024

Kylian Mbapp suffered a facial injury and was replaced as France beat Austria 1-0 in its opening game of the European Championship. The striker, involved in the first-half goal, clashed heads with Austria's Kevin Danso late in the Group D game at Dusseldorf Arena on Monday. He was in obvious pain as he lay curled on the grass, prompting Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz to signal for medical attention. Mbapp received treatment and his shirt was covered with blood from what appeared to be a blow to his nose. He tried to play on but quickly fell to the ground, holding his face and prompting whistles and jeers from Austria's fans, who seemed to believe he was time-wasting as France held on for the win. He was booked by referee Jesus Gil Manzano and replaced by Olivier Giroud. France needed an own goal from Maximilian Wober in the 38th minute and handed Didier Deschamps his 100th victory as national team coach. On a mixed day for Mbapp, it was his moment of inspiration that led to the

Ten Hag reveals Man Utd spoke to other managers before deciding to keep him

Erik ten Hag says he was aware that Manchester United had spoken to other managers before the Premier League club decided to stick with the Dutchman after a difficult season. Ten Hag said he was on holiday in Ibiza when members of the United hierarchy arrived to inform him they wanted him to remain as United manager. Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel and England manager Gareth Southgate were among those linked with the position after United finished eighth in the Premier League last season. Speaking on Dutch TV channel NOS, Ten Hag said: The club management came to me while I was on holiday in Ibiza. They suddenly showed up on my doorstep and told me they wanted to continue with me. As in any organization, it is wise to evaluate. Manchester United did that too. The new owner (Jim Ratcliffe) is new to football, he has taken his time. They have indeed told me that they have spoken to other managers. That is not even allowed in the Netherlands." The two parties are

Euro 2024: UEFA charges Albania over 'provocative message' and fireworks

Albania is facing four UEFA charges over a provocative message allegedly displayed by its fans and other behavior in a European Championship loss to Italy. UEFA said Sunday that the Albanian soccer federation was facing disciplinary proceedings over the message, the throwing of objects, use of fireworks and an invasion of the field of play. One person entered the field of play near the end of the game, which Albania lost 2-1. UEFA didn't say which message it objected to, only that the charge relates to transmitting a provocative message unfit for a sports event. Some Albanian fans had displayed flags of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Ethnic Albanian separatists from the group fought a 1998-1999 war with Serbian forces in what was then the province of Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008. Serbia doesn't recognize it as independent. A flag depicting a map of Greater Albania was also displayed at the game. The charges are the first disciplinary matters announced by UEFA at Euro

Euro Cup 2024: Belgium vs Slovakia live match to begin at 9:30 PM IST today

On Monday, June 17, three matches will take place in the Uefa Euro 2024 being played in Germany. Teams such as Romania, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belgium, Austria and France will be involved

Euro Cup 2024: Weghorst's late goal helps Netherlands beat Poland 2-1

Netherlands forward Wout Weghorst loves to make a big impression off the bench and he did it again Sunday late in a 2-1 win over Poland at the European Championship. The giant striker struck with a low left-foot shot in the 83rd minute with his first touch after coming on to replace Memphis Depay who had wasted several shooting chances. Weghorst might not look like the most elegant player. Still, his reputation for being effective was earned at the 2022 World Cup with two late goals against Argentina to force extra time in a memorable quarterfinal against the eventual champion. This time, Weghorst's goal was worth a win that puts some pressure on Group D favourite France, which already beat the Dutch twice in qualifying last year and plays Austria on Monday. I said it this morning to my girlfriend: 'Scores level, 0-0, 1-1, 20 minutes to go. It was a bit later. But you feel it and visualize it for yourself," Weghorst told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Poland was forced to cope without its

Euro Cup 2024: England vs Serbia live match to begin at 12:30 AM IST

On Sunday, June 16, three matches will take place in the Uefa Euro 2024 being played in Germany. Netherlands registered win vs Poland. Slovenia vs Denmark at 9:30 PM IST

Euro Cup 2024 opening ceremony live time, performer, streaming today

Uefa and the German Football Association (FA) will honour the legendary German player and coach Franz Beckenbauer, who breathed his last earlier this year

Chhetri-less India enter transition phase with WC qualifier against Qatar

The influential Sunil Chhetri's absence will be a difficult void to fill as the Indian football team enters a testing transition phase with a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying match against heavyweights Qatar here on Tuesday. The 39-year-old Chhetri called time on his glorious international career by playing in last week's fixture against Kuwait in Kolkata, which ended in a goal-less draw as the team failed to give him a fitting farewell. Chhetri ended with 94 goals in 151 matches, having led the country with aplomb for more than a decade. The Indian team will be led by the 32-year-old first-choice goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who has so far appeared in 72 internationals and is the most experienced player in the 23-member squad after Chhetri's retirement. An acid test awaits India as they run into two-time Asian champions Qatar at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, knowing well that a defeat will end their campaign and dash all hopes of securing a maiden entry into the third round

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier, India vs Kuwait highlights: Sunil Chhetri finishes without scoring

In his last appearance for India, the 'captain, leader, legend' Sunil Chhetri couldn't score and neither could India and Kuwait with the match ending 0-0, India's chances of qualification diminishing

Rise in global transfers, fees show increasing options for women in soccer

One of the most striking signs of the global rise of women's soccer is the growing international transfer market and the fees club teams are shelling out for players. Case in point was the record transfer fee of $788,000 paid by National Women's Soccer League expansion team Bay FC for Zambian forward Racheal Kundananji this year. The Orlando Pride acquired fellow Zambian Barbra Banda for a $740,000 fee. More international movement shows not only that players have more options, but that women's clubs have more resources. "I thinks it's really cool that now you're seeing it go both ways, you're seeing players going to Europe and major clubs, and those players getting a massive deal like at Bay FC," said U.S. captain Lindsey Horan, who plays professionally in France for Lyon. I think that's incredible. It says a lot about the women's game right now and that's what we want. We want it to grow. We want players to want to come to the NWSL, we want players to want to go to Europe. Other U

City Club to club football's Citadel: Making of the legend Sunil Chhetri

Playing for the City Club in Delhi at 18, Chhetri scored in one of the four games in the Durand Cup 2001-02 and made it to the top five promising players of the tournament

Here's how legend Sunil Chhetri shaped Indian football for the future

The tidal shift in the football fandom of the national team can be credited to one man in particular and that is Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri's dedication, ability to evolve set him apart: Rahim Nabi

Former India midfielder Syed Rahim Nabi on Thursday heaped praise on Sunil Chhetri, who is retiring from the international game after Thursday's World Cup qualifying round match against Kuwait, saying the records set by the iconic footballer will be difficult to surpass. He, however, hoped that someone in future will fill the boots of Chhetri. "The records that he (Chhetri) has set, surpassing that will be very difficult," Nabi told PTI at the East Bengal club ground a few hours before the all important match at Salt Lake Stadium. "Bhaichung (Bhutia) filled the boots of the great IM Vijayan, Sunil filled Bhaichung's boots, someone will fill his (Chhetri's) boots but what he has done," said Nabi, who had played many matches together with Chhetri in the national team. He complimented Chhetri for his longevity and said that the ace striker was always able to adapt and evolve. Nabi, who played in more than 60 matches for India between 2004 and 2013, said it was a matter of pride that

Euro 2024: Netherlands coach Koeman looks to ditch favourite 4-3-3 setup

Few aficionados in European soccer obsess about numbers the way the Dutch do. Like 4-3-3. Or 5-3-2. There's also the traditional 4-4-2, and even 4-2-3-1. But mostly, in their part of the world, it's all about 4-3-3. As baffling and bewildering as those digits may look to some, each of them relates to a specific soccer formation. And for Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, as he hones his squad for the European Championship in Germany, maybe the numbers game has gone too far. We in the Netherlands sometimes talk too much about systems, Koeman told Dutch national broadcaster NOS in a sideline interview before his team playing 5-3-2 (five defenders, three midfielders, two forwards) beat Greece 3-0 in Amsterdam in a Euro 2024 qualifier. The Dutch fixation with the formation of four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards is rooted in the golden age of the small nation's soccer history. The 4-3-3 system was the bedrock for the Clockwork Orange brand of soccer, led by the mercuri

Real Madrid end rumours, confirm signing of Mbappe in five-year deal

Real Madrid CF and Kylian Mbappe have reached an agreement whereby he will be a Madrid player for the next five seasons

FIFA adopts protocols to support players during pregnancy, after birth

Soccer's international governing body is implementing new measures designed to further support the well-being of players and coaches during pregnancy and after the birth of their children. The FIFA protocols give both players and coaches a minimum of 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, and a minimum of eight weeks paid leave for those who adopt a child younger than 2. There is also a minimum eight weeks paid for women who are non-biological parents of newborns. While the players' maternity leave was previously adopted in 2020, the new rules extend it to coaches, non-biological and adoptive mothers. The protocol goes into effect on Saturday. It was approved last month by the FIFA Council. I think it's a big statement, former U.S. coach Jill Ellis said in a statement Friday. These are big steps and big strides to really normalize the life that we go through as women that's what we want to provide now at every level, the club level, the national team level the opportunity for pro play

IND vs KUW: Chhangte 'ready' to step up as next No. 9 in post Chhetri era

Talented winger Lallianzuala Chhangte "would not mind" stepping up as the next number 9 of the Indian football team, after talismanic forward Sunil Chhetri's illustrious career comes to an end here on June 6. Chhetri, who has been a pivotal figure of Indian football for 19 years, is set to make his final appearance in the World Cup qualifier against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium here on June 6. "Of course, I won't mind if the team wishes for me to play in the center," the 27-year-old Chhangte, who plays for Indian Super League final winning side Mumbai FC, said during a media interaction hereon Thursday . "My height and attributes are suited for a proper number 9. Ultimately, it's God's decision, but I would not mind if the country needs me in that role. "Everyone is sad. But looking at all his achievements, we are happy for him as well. We will miss him a lot in the dressing room and what he has done for the country. I hope someone will take responsibility," added Chhangte, who

Champions League final: Plenty of fear for Real Madrid coach Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti is going into his eighth Champions League final, having won all but one of them. He is the most successful coach in the competition thanks to four titles. He also lifted two European trophies as a player. There is no lack of experience for the veteran Italian manager. But there is still plenty of anxiety and fear for Ancelotti ahead of yet another big game. It's the same as it was the first time, the 64-year-old Ancelotti said as Real Madrid entered the final week of preparations ahead of Saturday's final against Borussia Dortmund in London. First there is the joy of being here, then the concerns will come and the fear will come, he said. But before they come we have to enjoy this week and I'm going to enjoy it. The cold sweat will arrive Saturday afternoon, it's normal, I'm already prepared for it. And this team gives me a lot of confidence, I see them focused on the match, they are in Champions (League) mode. Ancelotti won the Champions League with Madrid in 2022