Kohli leads India to win, upstages Gayle swansong

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozZZQb6jsyA/XVVwaEofHBI/AAAAAAAAAMY/UHXFlgdgySEVbSWF7eRUvjYhJHOBVEL0wCLcBGAs/s1600/virat_kohli_of_india_celebrates_his_century_during_the_third_one-day_international_between_west_indies_and_india_at_queens_park_oval_port_of_spain_trinidad_and_tobago_on_wednesday._randy_brooksaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozZZQb6jsyA/XVVwaEofHBI/AAAAAAAAAMY/UHXFlgdgySEVbSWF7eRUvjYhJHOBVEL0wCLcBGAs/s640/virat_kohli_of_india_celebrates_his_century_during_the_third_one-day_international_between_west_indies_and_india_at_queens_park_oval_port_of_spain_trinidad_and_tobago_on_wednesday._randy_brooksaf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Classy Virat Kohli upstaged rampant Chris Gayle as India defeated the West Indies by six wickets in the rain-affected third and final One-Day International of their series at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad on Wednesday.<br /> <br /> Set a revised target of 255 based on the DLS scoring method after Gayle blazed 72 in pacing the home side to 240 for seven off 35 overs, Kohli was at his most imperious in compiling an unbeaten 114 – his second consecutive ODI hundred – to pilot his team to 256 for four with 15 balls to spare.<br /> <br /> His 43rd ODI hundred off 99 balls with 14 fours and overall impact on the series ensured him the double accolade of ‘Man of the Match' and ‘Man of the Series'.<br /> <br /> This successful chase under leaden skies and with the floodlights switched on gave India the series 2-0 following the abandoned first match in Guyana last week.<br /> <br /> Kohli's masterminding of another successful pursuit will leave Jason Holder and his West Indies team wary of what the Indian captain will have to offer with the bat in the upcoming two Tests in Antigua and Jamaica.<br /> <br /> "It was important for me to convert the big innings in this series but I must acknowledge the role of Shreyas [Iyer] in these two matches here. He has presented a great case for himself," the Indian captain said after victory was achieved. "We also did really well to keep the West Indies total to a manageable level. Credit to the bowlers for sticking to the task."<br /> <br /> As commanding as his innings was though, the hosts were left to rue a straightforward opportunity missed by wicketkeeper Shai Hope off all-rounder Keemo Paul when the champion batsman was just on 11.<br /> <br /> He received excellent support, as in the previous match, from Shreyas Iyer with an innings of 65 off 41 balls in a 120-run third-wicket partnership that tilted the match decisively India's way following a brief wobble when left-arm spinner Fabian Allen had dismissed both Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant in the same over.<br /> <br /> Allen had also effected the run out of Rohit Sharma for the first wicket of the innings but was unable to complete his seven-over allotment due to an injury sustained attempting to save a boundary.<br /> <br /> While Kohli illuminated the gathering gloom in at the end of the match, it was Gayle who stole the show at the start.<br /> <br /> Playing what is likely his final ODI in a 20-year-international career in which he hopes to still represent the Caribbean in defence of the World T20 title in 14 months' time in Australia, Gayle savaged the Indian bowlers after Holder chose to bat first, occupying only 41 balls with five sixes and eight fours distinguishing his typically bludgeoning innings.<br /> <br /> Opening partner Evin Lewis made a bold attempt to match arguably the most destructive power-hitter in the international game, his innings of 43 coming off 29 deliveries and embellished with three sixes and five fours.<br /> <br /> Their rampage had taken the West Indies to 114 after ten overs, the most productive ten-over start to an ODI since the 2015 World Cup.<br /> <br /> However, Lewis departed in the next over, the first bowled by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal while Gayle was well caught by Kohli at mid-off striking out at Khaleel Ahmed.<br /> <br /> As he left the field, the manner of the Indian players' appreciation of the 39-year-old's innings, and his acknowledgement of the applause as he departed the field, left the distinct impression that he had played his final ODI innings.<br /> <br /> <b>‘Heavy price' paid</b><br /> <br /> There followed a lengthy rain stoppage and the West Indies lost wickets in the mad scramble for runs on the resumption.<br /> <br /> Ahmed picked up two more wickets to be the most successful bowler, although he was also the most expensive, conceding 68 runs off seven overs.<br /> <br /> Mohammed Shami picked up two wickets but the spinners – Chahal, Kedar Jadhav and Yuzvendra Chahal – were the most economical for India during the frenetic innings.<br /> <br /> "We paid a heavy price for letting Kohli off the hook today, but I also felt we didn't execute as well as we should as a bowling unit," Holder said in assessing his team's effort.<br /> <br /> "There's still a lot of work to be done at all levels of our cricket and we have to turn things around quickly with the Test series starting next week."

Kohli leads India to win, upstages Gayle swansong

Classy Virat Kohli upstaged rampant Chris Gayle as India defeated the West Indies by six wickets in the rain-affected third and final One...

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Campese overlooked as Waratahs head coach

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54VoRXgrKB8/XVVv_uugUfI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/J6TrJ6u0O2Q2sZ2xkq-EVITkY-cs2ym-ACLcBGAs/s1600/trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54VoRXgrKB8/XVVv_uugUfI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/J6TrJ6u0O2Q2sZ2xkq-EVITkY-cs2ym-ACLcBGAs/s640/trophy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Australian rugby great David Campese has voiced disappointment after failing to make the shortlist for the vacant NSW Waratahs head coach job because of "not enough experience".<br /> <br /> Campese (Pictured with the World Cup in 1991, AFP), the Wallabies' all-time leading scorer who is widely considered one of the greatest players, revealed on Facebook he had been ruled out as a candidate to take over from former All Black Daryl Gibson.<br /> <br /> "I received a call to say that I haven't made it through to the final 2 candidates for the Waratahs head coach role," he wrote late on Wednesday.<br /> <br /> "Their reason: ‘I don't have enough experience as a head coach'.<br /> <br /> "It seems my experience as an international player and coach at all levels of rugby from international level, Super 15 level and right down to grass roots level over the past 40 years, wasn't enough."<br /> <br /> Gibson quit as coach in June after a tumultuous season overshadowed by the sacking of Israel Folau and the star fullback's bitter fight with Rugby Australia over homophobic comments.<br /> <br /> Gibson had a year left on his contract, but opted not to see it out, ending a seven-year involvement with the Super Rugby club, including winning the southern hemisphere title in 2014.<br /> <br /> The Sydney Morning Herald said NSW Rugby boss Andrew Hore was believed to have been in Japan recently interviewing potential candidates. Campese said he felt he had a lot to offer.<br /> <br /> "My proposal to NSW Rugby was to overhaul the current coaching system and invest in a new one that is mirrored from the top and at all levels right down to grassroots level," he said.<br /> <br /> "How do you expect to produce talent and depth without investing in the systems that produce them? I proposed shaking up the style of rugby, bringing back a winning mentality through a coaching style that encourages attacking, running rugby and risk-taking."<br /> <br /> The Waratahs struggled last season and could only finish 12th on the 15-team ladder.<br /> <br /> Their season started well and they snapped the Crusaders' record 19-match win streak in March, but it hit the skids after that.<br /> <br /> The Waratahs will go into the 2020 season also without senior players including Test trio Sekope Kepu, Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona, who are all heading to London Irish.

Campese overlooked as Waratahs head coach

Australian rugby great David Campese has voiced disappointment after failing to make the shortlist for the vacant NSW Waratahs head coach...

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Osaka, Halep through in Cincinnati

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaQnS04E_io/XVVvm-47M4I/AAAAAAAAAMI/qT31Acuyr5IyftIambJuL9Jr8rxSPibWwCLcBGAs/s1600/naomi_osaka_serves_to_aliaksandra_p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaQnS04E_io/XVVvm-47M4I/AAAAAAAAAMI/qT31Acuyr5IyftIambJuL9Jr8rxSPibWwCLcBGAs/s640/naomi_osaka_serves_to_aliaksandra_p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> World No1 Naomi Osaka and Wimbledon champion Simona Halep battled to three-set triumphs on Wednesday at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters while top seed Ashleigh Barty ousted Maria Sharapova.<br /> <br /> Reigning US and Australian Open champion Osaka needed more than two hours to outlast Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-2.<br /> <br /> The Japanese star will next face a third-round match against Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei, who defeated American Jennifer Brady 7-6 (11/9) 6-3.<br /> <br /> Osaka finally scored a win here at the US Open warm-up after losing in the first round a year ago.<br /> <br /> "I was just trying to have fun," Osaka said. "In the second set I was taking myself too seriously and was down on myself.<br /> <br /> "Now I just want to have fun and enjoy it. That's what I'm supposed to do."<br /> <br /> Osaka advanced with eight aces, 24 winners and breaks on four of five chances against an opponent who was treated on her right knee several times.<br /> <br /> Australia's Barty, 23, won the battle of former No1 players in just over 90 minutes. The reigning Roland Garros champion beat five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova, who was Cincinnati champion in 2011, for the second time this season after a win at the Australian Open.<br /> <br /> It was Barty's 40th victory of 2019 and she goes on to face Estonia's Anett Kontaveit, who beat Polish teenager Iga Swiatek 6-4, 7-6 (7/2).<br /> <br /> Barty said she remained focused after last week's opening defeat in Toronto.<br /> <br /> "It was certainly no panic sessions after last week. I knew I was a little bit underdone going into Toronto and certainly had no worries or concerns there," Barty said.<br /> <br /> "I've been striking the ball really well over the last seven or eight days. I found my groove a little bit more. It took a little bit to adjust to conditions, but it was easy for me to swing out at the start."<br /> <br /> Barty fired 18 winners, breaking Sharapova four times as the Russian made 31 unforced errors.<br /> <br /> Fourth-seeded Halep took a late break in the penultimate game of the final set to beat Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 after two hours on court.<br /> <br /> The Romanian has finished runner-up in Cincinnati three times, last reaching the final a year ago against Kiki Bertens.<br /> <br /> In the next round, the 27-year-old, who retired injured from her Toronto quarter-final against Czech qualifier Marie Bouzkova last week, will face American Madison Keys, a 6-4, 6-1 winner over Russia's Daria Kasatkina.<br /> <br /> "It was a very, very tough match," Halep said. "She played well, hitting the ball very strong. "Mentally, it was tough to return for me at the start after playing injured last week.<br /> <br /> "But I didn't have pain, which is good. It took time to get a rhythm and then do something on court."<br /> <br /> World No3 Karolina Pliskova beat China's Wang Yafan 6-1, 6-3, while seventh seed Elina Svitolina, a semi-finalist four years ago, advanced past Belgian Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-1.<br /> <br /> <b>Tsitsipas, Zverev out</b><br /> <br /> In the men's draw, fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas saved three match points but still lost to Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (8/6).<br /> <br /> Kei Nishikori went out to fellow Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. Sixth seed Nishikori has still never advanced beyond the third round in Cincinnati.<br /> <br /> Alexander Zverev, seeded seventh, remained winless in his Cincinnati career after losing 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4 to 19-year-old Serb Miomir Kecmanovic. The German struck an unbelievable 20 double-faults in defeat.<br /> <br /> Ninth seed Daniil Medvedev, losing finalist to Rafael Nadal in Montreal last weekend, eased past Benoit Paire 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 and will next face Struff.<br /> <br /> France's Richard Gasquet, who ended Andy Murray's comeback singles tournament in the first round, saw off Argentinian Federico Delbonis 7-5, 7-6 (7/1).<br /> <br /> Australian Alex de Minaur defeated American Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 to set up a third-round tie with Nishioka.

Osaka, Halep through in Cincinnati

World No1 Naomi Osaka and Wimbledon champion Simona Halep battled to three-set triumphs on Wednesday at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Master...

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Adrian the hero as Liverpool beat Chelsea to win Super Cup

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKYV0VhgLhY/XVVvF0PlGmI/AAAAAAAAAMA/oFNLILueDWgKuQmU8cEM68dxFx-3KeI8ACLcBGAs/s1600/liverpool_goalkeeper_adrian_holds_the_uefa_super_cup_trophy_aloft_as_his_teammates_celebrate_beating_chelsea_on_penalties_at_besiktas_park_stadium_in_istanbul_on_wednesday._ozan_koseafp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKYV0VhgLhY/XVVvF0PlGmI/AAAAAAAAAMA/oFNLILueDWgKuQmU8cEM68dxFx-3KeI8ACLcBGAs/s640/liverpool_goalkeeper_adrian_holds_the_uefa_super_cup_trophy_aloft_as_his_teammates_celebrate_beating_chelsea_on_penalties_at_besiktas_park_stadium_in_istanbul_on_wednesday._ozan_koseafp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Stand-in goalkeeper Adrian capped a "crazy week" as his save from Tammy Abraham allowed Liverpool to beat Chelsea 5-4 on penalties and win the Uefa Super Cup on Wednesday after<br /> <br /> a richly entertaining match in Istanbul finished 2-2 at the end of extra time.<br /> <br /> Every penalty in the shoot-out had been successful before Mohamed Salah converted Liverpool's fifth kick at the home of Besiktas. Substitute Abraham then had his effort saved by Adrian, the new signing only playing in the absence of the injured Allison Becker.<br /> <br /> "Welcome to Liverpool! It's been a crazy week. I'm really happy for the team, I'm happy to play for Liverpool and happy for the fans," Adrian, who signed 10 days ago, told BT Sport.<br /> <br /> It was Liverpool's fourth Super Cup victory, with their last coming in 2005 on the back of their memorable Champions League triumph in Istanbul.<br /> <br /> They have now won 13 European trophies overall, and how their supporters would love to come back to the banks of the Bosphorus for the final of this season's Champions League.<br /> <br /> "It was a very difficult game for both teams. It was all about winning it and we did that in the end," admitted manager Jurgen Klopp.<br /> <br /> Sadio Mane had earlier been Liverpool's star, cancelling out Olivier Giroud's first-half strike to ensure the match ended 1-1 in 90 minutes, and then putting Klopp's team in front on 95 minutes.<br /> <br /> But it was perhaps inevitable that French referee Stephanie Frappart would play a role in the outcome of the game.<br /> <br /> The first woman to take charge of a major men's match in European competition, Frappart gave Chelsea a penalty when Abraham went down under contact from Adrian. Jorginho netted the spot-kick.<br /> <br /> He also scored in the shoot-out, but there would be no first trophy as Chelsea coach for Frank Lampard, who lost the Super Cup twice with the club as a player.<br /> <br /> "To lose the game was disappointing but if it means Chelsea's season can be something like how we played today, we'll be ok," he insisted.<br /> <br /> Lampard has stated a willingness to give youth a chance this season, although here he left Mason Mount and Abraham – aged just 20 and 21 respectively – on the bench.<br /> <br /> N'Golo Kante played after a summer plagued by injury problems, while Giroud started and Christian Pulisic made his full debut.<br /> <br /> <b>Chelsea start on top</b><br /> <br /> Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made his first start for Liverpool in 16 months after injury. The England midfielder released Salah for an early chance only for the Egyptian's effort to be saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, he generally struggled to make an impact and was replaced at half-time by Roberto Firmino.<br /> <br /> Chelsea had enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes, with Pedro Rodriguez striking the bar midway through the first half before Adrian saved from Mateo Kovacic.<br /> <br /> The opener arrived in the 36th minute, with Kante finding Pulisic and the American drawing several red shirts towards him before releasing Giroud to score.<br /> <br /> Shortly after, Pulisic thought he had made it 2-0, but his fine finish was disallowed for offside.<br /> <br /> <b>Mane brace</b><br /> <br /> The introduction of Firmino helped change things at the start of the second half, though, with Liverpool needing little more than two minutes to draw level.<br /> <br /> The Brazilian knocked the ball into the path of Mane, who scrambled home from close range despite Kepa getting a glove to it.<br /> <br /> Kepa fared far better in the 75th minute, blocking a Salah shot and then reacting brilliantly to turn Virgil van Dijk's follow-up onto the woodwork.<br /> <br /> Brought on from the bench along with Abraham, Mount briefly thought he had restored Chelsea's lead late on but his crisp low strike was disallowed.<br /> <br /> On into extra time they went and, to the delight of the crowd, who were mostly supporting the European champions, Liverpool went 2-1 up thanks to that same combination.<br /> <br /> Mane found Firmino and then latched onto the Brazilian's cutback and fired home off the underside of the bar.<br /> <br /> But, in the 101st minute, Jorginho converted from the spot to bring back the possibility of a penalty shoot-out.<br /> <br /> Having conceded that spot-kick, Adrian later produced a firm hand to deny Mount and was at it again as he denied Abraham to secure the trophy.

Adrian the hero as Liverpool beat Chelsea to win Super Cup

Stand-in goalkeeper Adrian capped a "crazy week" as his save from Tammy Abraham allowed Liverpool to beat Chelsea 5-4 on penalt...

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Ajax see off PAOK to make Champions League playoffs

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voz792mwIUA/XVVuqW0tKwI/AAAAAAAAAL0/Rtl_Lx1VkPYIUteFOn4UcAX4jN39aW8-QCLcBGAs/s1600/paok_goalkeeper_alexandros_paschalakis_stops_a_shot_from_ajaxs_dusan_tadic_during_the_uefa_champions_league_third_qualifying_round_match_in_amsterdam_on_tuesday._olaf_kraakanpafp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voz792mwIUA/XVVuqW0tKwI/AAAAAAAAAL0/Rtl_Lx1VkPYIUteFOn4UcAX4jN39aW8-QCLcBGAs/s640/paok_goalkeeper_alexandros_paschalakis_stops_a_shot_from_ajaxs_dusan_tadic_during_the_uefa_champions_league_third_qualifying_round_match_in_amsterdam_on_tuesday._olaf_kraakanpafp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Last year's semi-finalists Ajax reached the Champion League playoffs on Tuesday after seeing off PAOK Thessaloniki 3-2 in a tense encounter in Amsterdam to go through 5-3 on aggregate.<br /> <br /> Two Dusan Tadic penalties, the second five minutes from time, and Nicolas Tagliafico's late header kept Erik ten Hag's side alive with a chance to relive the dream of last season, when they seduced Europe with a thrilling run to the last four.<br /> <br /> Serb Tadic, who had already missed once from the spot for Ajax, slotted home the equaliser two minutes before the break after Diego Biseswar had silenced the Johan Cruyff Arena with a fine strike for PAOK midway through the half.<br /> <br /> Tagliafico left the Greeks needing to score twice when he met Ziyech's 79th-minute corner with a powerful header, and shortly after Tadic sealed a playoff clash against APOEL Nicosia, despite Biseswar scoring a second in stoppage time.<br /> <br /> APOEL will face the Dutch giants for a place in the group stage, which begins next month, after overturning a 2-1 deficit from the first leg with a 2-0 win at Qarabag thanks to goals from Tomas De Vincenti and Urosh Matich.<br /> <br /> Last year's quarter-finalists Porto and Celtic, both former European champions, were dumped out with shock home defeats to Krasnodar and CFR Cluj respectively.<br /> <br /> The Scottish champions from Glasgow were sent into the Europa League playoff round 5-4 on aggregate after losing a thrilling encounter 4-3 at Celtic Park.<br /> <br /> Porto found their 1-0 first leg lead wiped out as Russian side Krasnodar scored three times in 33 minutes to take control of the tie before running out 3-2 winners to go through on the away goals rule.<br /> <br /> Portugal's two-time kings of Europe pulled level 3-3 on aggregate in the second half through Ze Luis and Luis Diaz, but could not find the winner despite having 25 shots.<br /> <br /> Red Star Belgrade, the 1991 European champions, squeaked through 7-6 on penalties after a tense shootout decided on the 19th spot-kick at FC Copenhagen as the tie finished 1-1 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate.<br /> <br /> Club Brugge survived via a 95th-minute equaliser in the dramatic 3-3 draw at Dynamo Kiev that saw three late goals – including two in stoppage time – and each side finish with 10 men as the Belgians made it to the playoffs 4-3 on aggregate.

Ajax see off PAOK to make Champions League playoffs

Last year's semi-finalists Ajax reached the Champion League playoffs on Tuesday after seeing off PAOK Thessaloniki 3-2 in a tense enc...

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VN head to Thailand for Asean women's football cup

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pa8Oy2H-xvA/XVVuEesc0kI/AAAAAAAAALs/JmH_JjAi5x8uYQDGvfBz8xDnJga5aWbHACLcBGAs/s1600/vn-cambodia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pa8Oy2H-xvA/XVVuEesc0kI/AAAAAAAAALs/JmH_JjAi5x8uYQDGvfBz8xDnJga5aWbHACLcBGAs/s640/vn-cambodia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Mai Duc Chung and his team on Tuesday left for Thailand for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women's Championship on August 15-28.<br /> <br /> The side, who recently returned home after a 10-day training camp in Japan, have their sights set on silverware.<br /> <br /> Vietnam finished third at last year's event, which Thailand won by defeating Australia U20 3-2 in the final.<br /> <br /> Chung was happy with his players after five weeks training both at home and abroad, saying they faced quality teams in friendlies and improved remarkably.<br /> <br /> "We have worked hard and prepared pretty well through our training, especially the 10 days in Japan," Chung said.<br /> <br /> The regional championship includes Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia in Group B, and Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, East Timor and the hosts in Group A.<br /> <br /> They will compete in a round robin format in the group stage with the two best teams in each advancing to the semi-finals.<br /> <br /> "Asean teams know each other by heart. Among them, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar are the trio vying for top place. However we cannot look down on anyone," Chung said.<br /> <br /> "To beat them Vietnam have to fight in each individual match to earn a berth in the last match and then win the final."<br /> <br /> <b>'Don't underrate Cambodia'</b><br /> <br /> Vietnam, SEA Games champions, will play Cambodia in their first match on August 16.<br /> <br /> "Cambodia have just set up their national women's football team. They have not ever taken part in any competitions in the region like SEA Games and the AFF Championship. But we cannot underestimate them at all."<br /> <br /> The Asean Championship is an important warm-up for the team who will take part in the Southeast Asian Games in November and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifier later.<br /> <br /> The world football governing body FIFA has expanded the number of women's World Cup participants from 24 to 32 for the 2023 tournament.<br /> <br /> As a top six team in Asia, the move gives Vietnam a golden opportunity to qualify for the first time in history.<br /> <br /> Chung said the door was open but it was not easy to step through it.<br /> <br /> "We really want to play at the World Cup. However to reach that level we must prepare really well 'from top to toe'. We need good players, good facilities and need a long-term strategy for that. It is the only way to have positive result, otherwise we may suffer same situation as Thailand [losing 13-0 to the US] at the recent World Cup in France," Chung said.<br /> <br /> "Look at Japan, they spent 20 years to have such a good team."<br /> <br /> Chung also opened door for overseas Vietnamese players to join his team.<br /> <br /> "I welcome them home to strengthen the national team which lacks quality and technical players. While the training activities of local clubs and the VFF are not enough, their return will be strong support for us," he said.<br /> <br /> Local media have reported that Vietnamese-American Le Chelsea Lien, 19, and her younger sister Kyah Le, 16, want to play for Vietnam<br /> <br /> Their match clips were sent to Ijiro Akira, Japanese coach of the U19 team and the Vietnam Football Federation has agreed to trial them.<br /> <br /> Lien is playing for Spokane Shadow in the American National Premier Soccer League.<br /> <br /> Kyah took part a training course at the Elite Soccer Skills Academy and was in the top 11 best trainees.<br /> <br /> Chung also said he contacted a Vietnamese-Chinese player but has not received a response. VIET NAM NEWS

VN head to Thailand for Asean women's football cup

Mai Duc Chung and his team on Tuesday left for Thailand for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Women's Championship on August 15-28....

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Breathtaking Biles is 'unbeatable', her rivals say

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bnn-pX6SEN4/XVVtmf852UI/AAAAAAAAALk/FJgcM4_a7TMtHdj2xmNY_7JRKHTJ8oLmwCLcBGAs/s1600/simone_biles_competes_on_the_balance_beam_at_the_us_gymnastics_championships_on_sunday_in_kansas_city._getty_imagesafp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bnn-pX6SEN4/XVVtmf852UI/AAAAAAAAALk/FJgcM4_a7TMtHdj2xmNY_7JRKHTJ8oLmwCLcBGAs/s640/simone_biles_competes_on_the_balance_beam_at_the_us_gymnastics_championships_on_sunday_in_kansas_city._getty_imagesafp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Simone Biles continues to push the boundaries of her sport to the point even the American gymnast's rivals can only watch in admiration.<br /> <br /> Sunisa Lee said she was "super happy" to take the all-around silver medal at the US championships this weekend, where Biles capped her record-tying sixth national all-around title with a never-before-seen "triple-double" floor exercise landing – a finale featuring two flips and three twists.<br /> <br /> Even Biles admitted she couldn't wait to see the replay of the move, whipping out her phone between rotations to check out the video.<br /> <br /> "I didn't want to be the last person to see it," she said.<br /> <br /> Biles – who already has a vault skill and a floor exercise maneuver named for her as their originator – pressed the limits in balance beam in Kansas City, too, with a double-flip, double-twist beam dismount.<br /> <br /> Lee was more than content with her silver, while Morgan Hurd, who finished fourth, called Biles "superhuman".<br /> <br /> "I do consider it a win, just because she's unbeatable," Lee said.<br /> <br /> Biles' performance in Kansas City was a glimpse of what she has in store for the World Championships, which are being held in Stuttgart over October 4-13.<br /> <br /> The German event is a forerunner to the 2020 Tokyo Games, where Biles will be aiming to add to the five medals – four of them gold – that she won at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016.<br /> <br /> Even as Biles continues to astonish in competition, she admitted as the national championships began that it was "not easy coming back to the sport, coming back to the organisation that has failed you."<br /> <br /> She was among more than 200 athletes abused by former US gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar and has been an outspoken critic of how US Gymnastics and the US Olympic Committee failed to protect athletes.<br /> <br /> While she continues to wrestle with the aftermath, Biles' joy was evident on Sunday when she posted a picture of herself on Instagram.<br /> <br /> "That feeling when you make history . . . twice," the beaming gymnast wrote.

Breathtaking Biles is 'unbeatable', her rivals say

Simone Biles continues to push the boundaries of her sport to the point even the American gymnast's rivals can only watch in admirati...

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Thailand fail to lift ban for weightlifting worlds

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zi58NvdR0ZE/XVVtLm6HkDI/AAAAAAAAALc/_JZInqAvGoQa17nrjrjYtWfpI6cw_i2tQCLcBGAs/s1600/thai_olympic_weightlifters_sopita_tanasan_and_sukanya_srisurat_show_off_their_medals_in_bangkok_on_august_26_2016._lillian_suwanrumphaafp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zi58NvdR0ZE/XVVtLm6HkDI/AAAAAAAAALc/_JZInqAvGoQa17nrjrjYtWfpI6cw_i2tQCLcBGAs/s640/thai_olympic_weightlifters_sopita_tanasan_and_sukanya_srisurat_show_off_their_medals_in_bangkok_on_august_26_2016._lillian_suwanrumphaafp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Thai weightlifters will not be allowed to compete at the world championships despite the country hosting the event, the sport's global body confirmed on Wednesday, dashing hopes of a late reprieve after a doping scandal.<br /> <br /> Nine Thais including two reigning Olympic champions were suspended after positive drug tests since November, prompting Thailand to voluntarily ban itself from the September championships in Pattaya as well as next year's Olympics.<br /> <br /> Last month the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA) changed tact, saying lifters who did not fail tests should be allowed to compete and have a shot at the Tokyo Games, while athletes and coaches were told to get ready.<br /> <br /> But the International Weightlifting Federation has slammed the door shut after telling AFP that "no Thai athletes will be entitled to participate" in Pattaya.<br /> <br /> "The IWF Executive Board will not be reviewing TAWA's decision at its meeting in September and therefore TAWA's self-suspension and the suspension of Thai athletes from competing in weightlifting events will remain in place."<br /> <br /> The Thai association was not immediately available for comment on the IWF statement, which deepens the crisis enveloping Thailand's most successful Olympic sport.<br /> <br /> Thailand maintains its lifters were given a pain relief gel by a former coach that, unbeknown to them, contained traces of an anabolic steroid.<br /> <br /> Intarat Yodbangtoey, the honorary president of the Thai weightlifting association, last month told AFP he wanted to lift the blanket ban because the source of the problem had been discovered.<br /> <br /> "I hope that executive board members will allow us to join and participate," he said at the time.<br /> <br /> With five Olympic gold medals since 2004, all won by women, weightlifting has been a rare sporting success story for the Southeast Asian nation.<br /> <br /> But the story turned sour last year, when Thailand was caught in a global doping crackdown by weightlifting authorities that was prompted by a threat to expel the sport from the Olympic Games.<br /> <br /> Nine countries, including powerhouse China, were suspended from competition after re-testing of samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics ensnared dozens of cheats.<br /> <br /> The Thai athletes who tested positive were provisionally suspended and are awaiting a decision on their cases, which are being handled by the International Testing Agency.

Thailand fail to lift ban for weightlifting worlds

Thai weightlifters will not be allowed to compete at the world championships despite the country hosting the event, the sport's globa...

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Fed, Djoko advance in Cincinnati

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4BYJKIaAH6s/XVVsufSPmDI/AAAAAAAAALU/w68F6Tk3CHkbRhCWagV2ZxssL3w4g9_xACLcBGAs/s1600/roger_federer_returns_a_shot_to_juan_ignacio_londero_during_the_western_southern_open_at_lindner_family_tennis_centre_on_tuesday_in_mason_ohio._getty_imagesafp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4BYJKIaAH6s/XVVsufSPmDI/AAAAAAAAALU/w68F6Tk3CHkbRhCWagV2ZxssL3w4g9_xACLcBGAs/s640/roger_federer_returns_a_shot_to_juan_ignacio_londero_during_the_western_southern_open_at_lindner_family_tennis_centre_on_tuesday_in_mason_ohio._getty_imagesafp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic overwhelmed opponents at the WTA-ATP Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday, where Serena Williams withdrew because of back trouble.<br /> <br /> Williams had hoped to rebound from the back spasms that forced her out of the WTA final in Toronto on Sunday, where she lasted only four games before retiring.<br /> <br /> But the 23-time Grand Slam champion said her back was "still not right" casting a further shadow on her chances at the US Open starting in Flushing Meadows on August 26.<br /> <br /> For Djokovic and Federer, back in action for the first time since the Serb's victory over the Swiss in the Wimbledon final, it was a smooth start to their US Open build-up.<br /> <br /> Federer, seeded third, remained unruffled by a one-hour rain interruption at 2-2 in the second set, eventually defeating Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round at the event he has won seven times.<br /> <br /> "I'm very happy, even if it was a bit tricky with the rain delay," Federer said. "I'm happy to be back on court.<br /> <br /> "This is the start of a long, long hardcourt swing. It's good to begin with a win.<br /> <br /> "I didn't know that much about my opponent – he's new to the tour – but at the end you have to concentrate on your own game."<br /> <br /> Defending champion Djokovic double faulted three times as he dropped serve in the opening game against Sam Querrey but quickly put things right and pulled away for a 7-5, 6-1 victory over the American.<br /> <br /> "I ended the match well even if the start was nervy," said Djokovic, who would break Querrey twice to take the first set then roll to victory.<br /> <br /> "Sam was feeling comfortable on the court at the start and dictating. It was tough facing his big serve," Djokovic said.<br /> <br /> He added that he was "hoping for a better performance in the next round," when he'll take on Spanish qualifier Pablo Carreno Busta – who withstood 32 aces from John Isner and a match point before beating the American 6-4, 6-7 (1/7), 7-6 (8/6).<br /> <br /> Williams, meanwhile, was left just trying to get healthy after pulling out of her scheduled first-round match against qualifier Zarina Diyas.<br /> <br /> "I came to Mason [Ohio] on Sunday and have tried everything to be ready to play tonight, and was still hopeful after my practice this morning,"<br /> <br /> Williams said in a statement released by tournament officials.<br /> <br /> "But unfortunately my back is still not right."<br /> <br /> It's another injury blow for the 37-year-old American, who was hampered by knee trouble earlier this season and remains in search of her first title since the 2017 Australian Open.<br /> <br /> In early action, Stan Wawrinka won a first-round battle as he eliminated 2017 Cincinnati champion Grigor Dimitrov 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).<br /> <br /> Under leaden skies after an overnight thunderstorm, Dimitrov broke in the 12th game of the first set to take the lead. The 33-year-old Swiss fought back with the only break in the second set.<br /> <br /> Wawrinka then raced into a 5-1 lead in the final set but wasted two match points in the eighth game and was broken twice while serving for victory.<br /> <br /> Wawrinka had to hold off his Bulgarian opponent in the final-set tiebreaker before squeezing through in more than two and a half hours with his 10th ace.<br /> <br /> <b>Venus topples Bertens</b><br /> <br /> Venus Williams kept the family flag flying, the 39-year-old American putting her decades of experience to good use in a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4) victory over defending champion Kiki Bertens.<br /> <br /> "Before the match I felt quite good. Stepping on court, I'd say first few games was pretty bad," Bertens said. "I didn't start the match in a loose way. I knew that I had to defend the title."

Fed, Djoko advance in Cincinnati

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic overwhelmed opponents at the WTA-ATP Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday, where Serena Williams withdrew becau...

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Dan Carter in to settle Bledisloe Cup nerves

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLi5g89_sHg/XVVsaS9j6ZI/AAAAAAAAALM/z7l8qwZ6Cdge6dl6k46mANB6GZcP0rX1ACLcBGAs/s1600/dancarter-14082019-afp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLi5g89_sHg/XVVsaS9j6ZI/AAAAAAAAALM/z7l8qwZ6Cdge6dl6k46mANB6GZcP0rX1ACLcBGAs/s640/dancarter-14082019-afp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The All Blacks have drafted in legendary fly-half Dan Carter to calm any nerves among the faltering world champions ahead of this weekend's Bledisloe Cup decider against Australia.<br /> <br /> A shock 47-26 loss to the Wallabies has rattled the All Blacks, calling into question their experimental strategy of fielding two playmakers in Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga.<br /> <br /> Assistant coach Ian Foster said Carter joined the New Zealanders at training in Auckland on Tuesday to offer advice to Barrett and Mo'unga.<br /> <br /> The 37-year-old, who retired from internationals in 2015, has a wealth of experience after a stellar 112-Test career that included winning two World Cups and three World Rugby player of the year awards.<br /> <br /> "I'm actually keen to get him in to chat to our playmakers," Foster told allblacks.com.<br /> <br /> "He's got a lot of World Cup experience and I just wanted to really have him around, again to talk to the likes of Beaudy and Richie about what it's like driving a team through a World Cup campaign where expectations are high.<br /> <br /> "Who better to tell that story than him."<br /> <br /> Foster has talked up the need for discipline if New Zealand are to retain the Bledisloe Cup for a 17th year and defeat Australia again at an Eden Park venue where the Wallabies have not won since 1986.<br /> <br /> Scott Barrett's red card for a shoulder charge cost the All Blacks any chance of victory in Perth and saw the lock suspended for three weeks.<br /> <br /> Despite that setback, former All Black Ian Jones called for fire and brimstone from the men in black in Auckland, saying they had to prove a point by muscling up to the Wallabies.<br /> <br /> "They've got to physically go straight and knock these guys around and get into that zone," Jones told Radio Sport.<br /> <br /> "[Show them] this is the fortress, this is All Black rugby, this is how we're going to beat these Wallabies up, and just smack them around in that regard."<br /> <br /> The 79-Test veteran said New Zealand could not expect Eden Park's intimidation factor to affect the fired-up Australians.<br /> <br /> "They can't just rely on this wonderful Eden Park factor, they'll have to front up to themselves," he said.<br /> <br /> "Do I expect the Wallabies to be able to perform at the level again? Yes . . . we have to dampen that, we have to physically get into them, knock them around and show them who's boss."

Dan Carter in to settle Bledisloe Cup nerves

The All Blacks have drafted in legendary fly-half Dan Carter to calm any nerves among the faltering world champions ahead of this weekend...

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City fined for 'international transfer of minors'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59W-GVzB48I/XVVr7JLp6KI/AAAAAAAAALA/UjvdlWiws24uAkJKgsaEJLHBoqk1jHVTQCLcBGAs/s1600/city_fined_for_international_transfer_of_minors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59W-GVzB48I/XVVr7JLp6KI/AAAAAAAAALA/UjvdlWiws24uAkJKgsaEJLHBoqk1jHVTQCLcBGAs/s640/city_fined_for_international_transfer_of_minors.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Manchester City have been found guilty by Fifa of breaking the rules on international transfer and registration of players aged under 18, world football's governing body announced on Tuesday.<br /> <br /> The Premier League champions could have faced a transfer ban, but instead Fifa's Disciplinary Committee fined City 370,000 Swiss Francs ($379,000).<br /> <br /> A Fifa statement said that the punishment "took into account the fact that Manchester City FC accepted its responsibility".<br /> <br /> While confirming they were willing to accept the fine, City claimed the problems occurred before Fifa clarified the rules.<br /> <br /> The club said in a statement that the fine concerned "the international transfer of players under the age of 18, particularly in relation to their trial periods and participation in friendly games."<br /> <br /> "The club accepts responsibility for the breaches which arose as a result of misinterpretation of the regulations in question. All of the breaches occurred before December 2016 when guidance on the interpretation of the provisions was issued, since which date Manchester City has been fully compliant."<br /> <br /> Last year, Fifa cleared City of any wrongdoing over their 2016 signing of Benjamin Garre from Velez Sarsfield just after the Argentinian midfielder's 16th birthday.<br /> <br /> Also in 2018, two players from the Right to Dream football academy in Ghana, Sierra Leone's George Davies and Ghanaian Dominic Oduro, told Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten that they signed for City and played in youth matches before they turned 18. Both spent two years at the club.<br /> <br /> Davies last played for Riga FC and Oduro now plays for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the US.<br /> <br /> City are also being investigated by both the Premier League and the Football Association in England and by UEFA, the governing body of European football.<br /> <br /> The FA said in February it was looking into allegations that City paid £200,000 ($256,000) to winger Jadon Sancho's agent when the player was 14 and still at Watford.<br /> <br /> FA rules state that young players cannot be represented by an agent until the year they turn 16.<br /> <br /> Sancho later left City for Borussia Dortmund. He is now an England international.<br /> <br /> Uefa is focusing on another area and investigating whether City has breached Financial Fair Play rules.<br /> <br /> City's English rivals Chelsea are currently serving a one-year transfer ban after also being found guilty by the body in February of breaching regulations relating to the recruitment of minors.<br /> <br /> Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have all served recent transfer bans for breaking Fifa rules on the issue.

City fined for 'international transfer of minors'

Manchester City have been found guilty by Fifa of breaking the rules on international transfer and registration of players aged under 18,...

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Judgement day for Real Madrid as Zidane's second coming begins

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyBwITxgy54/XVVrUlwfLBI/AAAAAAAAAK4/KlRUvKgwMSsVoF3ap12v8esN3PYMD9wcwCLcBGAs/s1600/real_madrids_french_coach_zinedine_zidane_reacts_during_the_spanish_league_football_match_between_real_madrid_and_real_betis_at_the_santiago_bernabeu_stadium_in_madrid_on_may_19._pierre-philippe_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyBwITxgy54/XVVrUlwfLBI/AAAAAAAAAK4/KlRUvKgwMSsVoF3ap12v8esN3PYMD9wcwCLcBGAs/s640/real_madrids_french_coach_zinedine_zidane_reacts_during_the_spanish_league_football_match_between_real_madrid_and_real_betis_at_the_santiago_bernabeu_stadium_in_madrid_on_may_19._pierre-philippe_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Zindedine Zidane returned to save Real Madrid and the time has come for results. In a packed-out press conference under the Santiago Bernabeu in March, the club's president Florentino Perez delivered the grandest of re-introductions.<br /> <br /> "We need to start working on a glorious new era," said Perez. "That is why we welcome back Zinedine Zidane."<br /> <br /> Some might have expected a bounce but nobody blamed the coach when performances continued to drag and the gap behind Barcelona, rather than narrowing, widened.<br /> <br /> Zidane took over a team with nothing to play for and a squad he knew was in need of reform. He knew because he had left it nine months earlier, just before it was broken.<br /> <br /> There was no quick fix. In his 11 games at the end of last season, Madrid won five, the only promise of progress the words Zidane kept repeating. "Things will change, for sure," he said.<br /> <br /> Zidane denied it but they were seen as trials, every line-up scanned for clues as to who would survive the summer.<br /> <br /> Yet in some ways, none of it mattered and the results, not to mention attendances at the Santiago Bernabeu, said as much. "The best thing for us is that it's over," said Zidane, after the season ended in defeat.<br /> <br /> And now it begins again, the season, and Zidane's second era as coach.<br /> <br /> Many wondered why he came back, risking everything after the perfection of three Champions League titles out of three.<br /> <br /> The assumption was he returned to a stronger hand, able to make demands the club were ready to meet and with the backing to rebuild in the way he had always wanted.<br /> <br /> He might have been encouraged too, when Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Luka Jovic, Rodrygo and Eden Hazard all signed for a total close to €300 million.<br /> <br /> Hazard was the headline act, a throw-back to a previous era that Zidane knew well, when the world's most glamorous players seemed to walk through the doors every year.<br /> <br /> "I'm not a galactico, not yet, but I hope I will be one day," said Hazard when he joined.<br /> <br /> <b>Bale stalemate</b><br /> <br /> But Madrid's pockets are not as deep as they once were and sales were also needed, by the club and their coach.<br /> <br /> Zidane showed no inclination to make soothe and use Gareth Bale, instead urging the Welshman to make a move to China.<br /> <br /> "It is very close," Zidane said. "We hope he leaves soon, it would be best for everyone."<br /> <br /> Bale's agent told AFP Zidane was a "disgrace" and if the Frenchman had hoped to push the deal over the line, he would be disappointed as Madrid changed their mind over the fee.<br /> <br /> James Rodriguez is also yet to leave and there were others that proved more difficult to bring in such as Paul Pogba and even Neymar.<br /> <br /> In other areas, Zidane has resisted change, backing experience over youth even if many believed experience last season had turned into apathy.<br /> <br /> Marcelo, Casemiro and Keylor Navas have stayed while Marcos Llorente was allowed to join Atletico Madrid and Sergio Reguilon and Dani Ceballos were both sent out on loan.<br /> <br /> For all the talk of upheaval, Madrid's line-up against Celta Vigo on Saturday is likely to have a distinctly familiar feel.<br /> <br /> Yet there could be a new formation, with a 3-5-2 tried after some underwhelming showings in pre-season, allowing Marcelo and Dani Carvajal greater freedom as wing-backs and Hazard to play centrally behind Karim Benzema.<br /> <br /> And a shift in focus. Madrid have won La Liga only once in the last seven years, their failures in Spain excused only by unprecedented success in Europe.<br /> <br /> "For us next year, the league must be our No1 priority," Zidane said in April.<br /> <br /> In that sense, Madrid might profit if Barcelona aim their focus at the Champions League. But the Catalans and Atletico Madrid have both strengthened and look ready to challenge again.<br /> <br /> "La Liga is the longest competition, it's the one that cannot be missed," Zidane said. "I'm going to drill that in the heads of my players." His players. Now they have to deliver.

Judgement day for Real Madrid as Zidane's second coming begins

Zindedine Zidane returned to save Real Madrid and the time has come for results. In a packed-out press conference under the Santiago Bern...

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Chantou sprints to glory in Myanmar event

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gBHdq4HGhhc/W-pJ0LWQAvI/AAAAAAAAAD8/AM3HdZ2_tMoqHQ96eg8VDuMVaVdViKQygCLcBGAs/s1600/the-cambodian-team-pose-for-a-picture-with-their-medals-after-a-strong-showing-at-a-cycling-event-in-mandalay-over-the-weekend.-supplied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gBHdq4HGhhc/W-pJ0LWQAvI/AAAAAAAAAD8/AM3HdZ2_tMoqHQ96eg8VDuMVaVdViKQygCLcBGAs/s640/the-cambodian-team-pose-for-a-picture-with-their-medals-after-a-strong-showing-at-a-cycling-event-in-mandalay-over-the-weekend.-supplied.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Cambodia's fast-rising junior Kim Chantou led an inspiring performance over the weekend by the Kingdom's cyclists, topping the junior section in a highly competitive cycling event involving participants from China, Singapore and India, aside from the hosts.<br /> <br /> The event, which was held in Myanmar's second city Mandalay, saw Cambodian men's U23 hope Phyuth Yoeun settle for a runner-up berth, while two other juniors filled in the frame with a third and fourth place finish behind Chantou.<br /> <br /> <b>'All riders finished strongly'</b><br /> <br /> The team returned to Phnom Penh on Monday, according to coach Frank Zgoznik, who attributed the success to the support the squad and the Cambodian Cycling Federation received from the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia and the Federation's sponsors Khmer Breweries.<br /> <br /> "All riders finished strongly in the two races and did very well to perform tactically and skilfully against the other teams," Zgoznik said.<br /> <br /> Phnom Penh-based Kim Chantou made a spectacular solo breakaway soon after the start. He held on to win as teammates Von Savin and Bun Sengpav took third and fourth place.<br /> <br /> In the men's U23 race, the Kampong Speu-based Phyuth Yoeun was attacked many times but never flinched to hold onto his second place.<br /> <br /> The main challenge came from China, with India racing well to grab third place.

Chantou sprints to glory in Myanmar event

Cambodia's fast-rising junior Kim Chantou led an inspiring performance over the weekend by the Kingdom's cyclists, topping the ju...

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Jones: Beaten English 'finished stronger' against the All Blacks

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fJMC4Knko-8/W-pIyD_u5oI/AAAAAAAAADw/iktqFk8CJmURLGgEN_onxvpVskmJJ-HHACLcBGAs/s1600/16-jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fJMC4Knko-8/W-pIyD_u5oI/AAAAAAAAADw/iktqFk8CJmURLGgEN_onxvpVskmJJ-HHACLcBGAs/s640/16-jones.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> England coach Eddie Jones insisted his side had "finished the stronger" after an agonising 16-15 loss to world champions New Zealand at a rainswept Twickenham on Saturday.<br /> <br /> England surged into a 15-0 lead midway through the first half following tries from right wing Chris Ashton and New Zealand-born hooker Dylan Hartley.<br /> <br /> But the All Blacks fought back by scoring 16 unanswered points with full-back Damian McKenzie's 39th-minute try supplemented by Beauden Barrett's conversion, and two penalties either side of a drop-goal – the fly-half's first in 71 Test matches.<br /> <br /> Yet England, missing some 17 players through injury and suspension, thought they had won the match with four minutes left when impressive openside flanker Sam Underhill crossed for a try after Courtney Lawes had charged down New Zealand replacement scrum-half TJ Perenara's kick.<br /> <br /> But experienced French referee Jerome Garces, after consulting the television match official, ruled Lawes had been offside and disallowed the score, effectively ending England's bid for just an eighth win in 41 Tests against the All Blacks.<br /> <br /> Nevertheless, with the 2019 World Cup in Japan on the horizon, Jones said: "I thought we played the final 20 [minutes] exceptionally well.<br /> <br /> "If you look at any sort of metrics in the last 20, we won that final 20," the Australian added. "We'll take enormous confidence from that.<br /> <br /> "The All Blacks . . . generally run away from teams in that area and they couldn't break us," said Jones, whose side had launched their November campaign with an unconvincing – and try-less – 12-11 win at home to South Africa last weekend.<br /> <br /> "In fact, we finished stronger. If we'd kept going for another five minutes, we would've got them. We're excited about where we're going."<br /> <br /> Reflecting on the match as a whole, former Australia and Japan coach Jones said: "We're obviously devastated. We had opportunities to win the game, we didn't take them, they did.<br /> <br /> "They deserved to win the game. Full credit to New Zealand."<br /> <br /> As for Garces deciding to disallow Underhill's try, Jones said: "I don't comment on those decisions . . . Sometimes the game loves you and sometimes the game doesn't love you.<br /> <br /> New Zealand coach Steve Hansen praised Garces for being "brave enough" to ignore the roars of the crowd.<br /> <br /> "There was no doubt [Lawes] is offside. He's just about in the half-back's [scrum-half's] back pocket.<br /> <br /> "What was going through my mind was are they [the officials] going to be brave enough to make the right decision? And they were. It's good."<br /> <br /> Hansen added: "I thought England were very, very good and I thought we showed a lot of character.<br /> <br /> <b>Wales end Wallabies losing streak</b><br /> <br /> New Zealand centre Sonny Bill Williams could miss next Saturday's clash with Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin after going off with a first-half shoulder injury at Twickenham that Hansen said could take "a week, maybe two" to heal.<br /> <br /> England's next match is against Japan at Twickenham.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Dan Biggar hit a late penalty to help Wales edge Australia 9-6 on Saturday and buck a 10-year, 13-match losing streak against the Wallabies.<br /> <br /> Psychological one-upmanship was up for grabs in a dress rehearsal of what had been billed a pool-deciding match at next year's Rugby World Cup.<br /> <br /> But neither side shone from an attacking point of view in what was a true defensive slugfest, albeit intense, at Cardiff's Principality Stadium where there was little reward for all the hard-hitting hustle and bustle.<br /> <br /> The score at half-time was locked at 3-3 thanks to one penalty apiece by Leigh Halfpenny and Bernard Foley, the misfiring Welsh full-back adding one more before going off injured.<br /> <br /> Matt Toomua hit Australia's second penalty late in the game before Biggar knocked over the winning score with two minutes to play to extend Wales's winning streak to seven games – the best since the 2004-05 season.<br /> <br /> "There's some real momentum at the moment, that's seven in a row," said Wales coach Warren Gatland.<br /> <br /> "From a defensive point of view we looked very comfortable."<br /> <br /> Gatland's Australian counterpart Michael Cheika insisted his team would take the defeat "on the chin" ahead of games against Italy and England.<br /> <br /> Elsewhere Ireland made it 10 successive home wins in a 28-17 victory over Argentina on Saturday at Lansdowne Road that came at a cost for the Six Nations Grand Slam holders.<br /> <br /> The hosts scored three tries to the visitors' one but lost flanker Sean O'Brien, scrum-half Kieran Marmion and centre Robbie Henshaw, who was hurt in the warm-up, to injuries.<br /> <br /> Their losses could prove a spanner in the works for head coach Joe Schmidt's plans with world champions New Zealand due on Saturday in a clash of the world's two top-ranked teams.

Jones: Beaten English 'finished stronger' against the All Blacks

England coach Eddie Jones insisted his side had "finished the stronger" after an agonising 16-15 loss to world champions New Ze...

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Tatematsu takes European tour pre-qualifier

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YoQCNSnYazY/W-pHn1Y7eAI/AAAAAAAAADk/1u_xDN3nGgAxg2DKerzNG9OiO17RWzFLQCLcBGAs/s1600/japanese-amateur-rina-tatematsu-won-the-ladies-european-tour-lalla-aicha-pre-qualifier-c-at-the-angkor-golf-resort-in-siem-reap-on-saturday.-supplied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YoQCNSnYazY/W-pHn1Y7eAI/AAAAAAAAADk/1u_xDN3nGgAxg2DKerzNG9OiO17RWzFLQCLcBGAs/s640/japanese-amateur-rina-tatematsu-won-the-ladies-european-tour-lalla-aicha-pre-qualifier-c-at-the-angkor-golf-resort-in-siem-reap-on-saturday.-supplied.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Japanese amateur Rina Tatematsu won the Ladies European Tour (LET) Lalla Aicha Pre-Qualifier C by a widening seven strokes after carding a final round 70 at the Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap on Saturday.<br /> <br /> Handling the award winning Sir Nick Faldo-designed course with great skill, Tatematsu rounded off the 72-hole event with a nine under par 279.<br /> <br /> American Savannah Viluabi produced a strong stretch finish with a 67 but that was only good enough for her to be runner up at two under par.<br /> <br /> Japan's trio of Mina Nakayama, Hikarau Teeranishi and Ayaka Nakayama took the next three qualifying spots.<br /> <br /> The top five players advance to the final stage of Lalla Aicha Tour School, to be held at Amelkis Golf Club and Palmgolf Marrakesh Qurika in Morocco from December 16 to 20.<br /> <br /> The 17-year old Tatematsu, who lives in Bangkok, had a peculiar form fluctuation with six birdies and four bogeys in the final round but felt that her birdie on the fifth, after a bogey at the previous hole, turned things around.<br /> <br /> "I am looking forward to qualifying in Morocco. There are a lots of players playing in the LET and it could be a great start to my career," the Japanese teen-ager said.<br /> <br /> Momo Sakuragi, Ya-chun Chang, Shu-lin Lin, Han Kyu-young and Emily Grace De Comberti made up the 10-player field.<br /> <br /> "It was again a great week at AGR hosting an event for the LET," said AGR head professional Alan Martin. "Rina Tatematsu was a pleasure to watch, and I am sure she will be a future star on the tour. She handled herself like a seasoned tour pro.<br /> <br /> We are hopeful we can bring a main LET Tour event to Cambodia in 2019, subject to securing a main sponsor."

Tatematsu takes European tour pre-qualifier

Japanese amateur Rina Tatematsu won the Ladies European Tour (LET) Lalla Aicha Pre-Qualifier C by a widening seven strokes after carding ...

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Malaysia edge Warriors 1-0 in Suzuki Cup opener

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THn07nN2UYk/W-pHOK94Z7I/AAAAAAAAADc/5D2NpXw2gA4sX28XP344RfrsIUiZtWIDQCLcBGAs/s1600/cambodias-chan-vathanaka-vies-for-the-ball-with-malaysia-defender-syazwan-andik-ishak-on-thursday-evening.-sreng-meng-srun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THn07nN2UYk/W-pHOK94Z7I/AAAAAAAAADc/5D2NpXw2gA4sX28XP344RfrsIUiZtWIDQCLcBGAs/s640/cambodias-chan-vathanaka-vies-for-the-ball-with-malaysia-defender-syazwan-andik-ishak-on-thursday-evening.-sreng-meng-srun.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Malaysia head coach Tan Cheng Hoe kept his pre-match promise of a positive result after his side edged hosts Cambodia 1-0 in their Group A opener of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup at Olympic Stadium on Thursday evening.<br /> <br /> With the home side holding out several prominent threats of a goal without quite delivering on them and backed by a vociferous and loyal crowd, it required the visitors to be at their fighting best at both ends to pick up three crucial points.<br /> <br /> With overwhelming market fancies Vietnam brushing Laos aside 3-0, Malaysia will be more than pleased to be the group's joint leaders, clearly piling the pressure both on Cambodia and Myanmar, who meet at the Mandalarthiri Stadium in Mandalay on Tuesday.<br /> <br /> On the same day, Malaysia will host Laos with an extra spring in their step.<br /> <br /> In the end, Cambodia were left to rue missed chances, letting Malaysia celebrate their only success that came on the half-hour mark when build-up play from Mohamadou Suareh and Rasid saw Norshahrul Idlan head home a cross with goalkeeper Um Vichet isolated.<br /> <br /> With Keisuke Honda's absence from the dugout, head coach Felix Gonzalez was more than happy to see his players showing greater attacking verve and organisation early in the game.<br /> <br /> It was indeed a stroke of misfortune that a move so well conceived by Chan Vathanaka and Sos Sohana was blown by Reung Bunheing.<br /> <br /> While the home side were relieved to see Zaquan Adha miss a straight forward opportunity, Safawi Rasid hitting the woodwork was another lucky break for Cambodia before their goal eventually was breached.<br /> <br /> As was to be expected Vathanaka was heavily marked, considerably limiting Cambodia's options, and when Gonzalez pulled Chantha Bin Thierry off the bench and into the fray in an attempt to infuse greater intensity in the second half, it was the Malaysians who were getting more assertive by the minute.

Malaysia edge Warriors 1-0 in Suzuki Cup opener

Malaysia head coach Tan Cheng Hoe kept his pre-match promise of a positive result after his side edged hosts Cambodia 1-0 in their Group ...

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United stun Juve as City, Real enjoy big Champs League wins

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwhrMj9eKsU/W-pG1koR76I/AAAAAAAAADU/wju6pMYWAkwzu3Y5Z4cRI5cM4T53Kc2dACLcBGAs/s1600/16-unitedstunjuve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwhrMj9eKsU/W-pG1koR76I/AAAAAAAAADU/wju6pMYWAkwzu3Y5Z4cRI5cM4T53Kc2dACLcBGAs/s640/16-unitedstunjuve.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Manchester United produced a stunning late comeback to beat Juventus 2-1 on Wednesday in what could be a turning point in their Champions League campaign, while a Gabriel Jesus hat-trick helped Manchester City all but secure a last-16 berth.<br /> <br /> Pep Guardiola's City crushed Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0 on a night which saw Real Madrid also win big, as Bayern Munich closed in on a place in the knockout stage.<br /> <br /> Juventus were within seconds of confirming their spot in the last 16 after Cristiano Ronaldo put them ahead in Turin with a superb volley in the 65th minute.<br /> <br /> The hosts had already hit the woodwork twice before that and should have been out of sight before Juan Mata equalised from an 86th-minute free-kick.<br /> <br /> The turnaround was completed in the 90th minute when Leonardo Bonucci scored an own-goal, and United boss Jose Mourinho delighted in taking to the field at the end, cupping an ear towards the home support.<br /> <br /> The former Inter coach said it was a response to insults from Juve supporters, and United are now two points behind the Italians in Group H.<br /> <br /> "In a beautiful Italian city, they insulted me for 90 minutes. I didn't insult them. I just made a little thing," Mourinho told BT Sport.<br /> <br /> "It is a big victory for us, not just because we needed the points but because it was away from home against an amazing team."<br /> <br /> Controversial Sterling penalty<br /> <br /> The result was a blow for Valencia, who are still two points behind in third after beating Young Boys 3-1 at Mestalla.<br /> <br /> Santi Mina scored twice either side of a Roger Assale goal, before Carlos Soler sealed the win. Young Boys, who had Sekou Sanogo sent off, cannot now qualify.<br /> <br /> There was less drama at the Etihad Stadium, where City – whose financial dealings have come under scrutiny in a series of Football Leaks allegations – eased to their biggest win in the competition.<br /> <br /> Goals from David Silva and Riyad Mahrez bookended the victory. In between there was a stunner from Raheem Sterling, who was also awarded a penalty for kicking his own foot into the turf in the box.<br /> <br /> Jesus scored the spot-kick, the first of two penalties in his hat-trick. City will head to Lyon later this month requiring a draw to secure a last-16 place.<br /> <br /> "Unfortunately we haven't qualified, but we are so close and will try to maintain this level," said Guardiola, whose team play United on Sunday.<br /> <br /> City would have been through already had Lyon not squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to 10-man Hoffenheim.<br /> <br /> Nabil Fekir and Tanguy Ndombele had the French club 2-0 up at the break, and the Germans had Kasim Nuhu sent off early in the second half.<br /> <br /> But Andrej Kramaric pulled one back and Lyon missed chances to secure the victory before Pavel Kaderabek's stoppage-time equaliser.<br /> <br /> Reigning European champions Madrid had no trouble against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic, with Karim Benzema scoring twice in a 5-0 win.<br /> <br /> Real were four ahead at the break, Benzema's goals taking him to 200 for the club. Casemiro and Gareth Bale also netted in the first half, and Toni Kroos completed the scoring with a delicious chip.<br /> <br /> Santiago Solari has now overseen three victories, all with clean sheets, since being put in charge of Madrid, and the Spaniards are level atop Group G with Roma.<br /> <br /> The Italians won 2-1 away to CSKA Moscow, Kostas Manolas and Lorenzo Pellegrini scoring their goals either side of Arnor Sigurdsson's equaliser.<br /> <br /> CSKA, who had Hordur Magnusson sent off, still have a slim chance of qualifying, but Plzen are out.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Bayern require just one more point to advance in Group E after Robert Lewandowski netted twice – the first a penalty – on his 100th European appearance in a 2-0 home win over AEK Athens, who are eliminated.<br /> <br /> Ajax remain well placed to progress too. They are second, four points clear of third-placed Benfica, after a 1-1 draw in Portugal. Jonas put Benfica ahead before Dusan Tadic equalised.

United stun Juve as City, Real enjoy big Champs League wins

Manchester United produced a stunning late comeback to beat Juventus 2-1 on Wednesday in what could be a turning point in their Champions...

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Emotions fire but Brazil still tough to crack

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMGlInN_Ggw/W-pGclXY_zI/AAAAAAAAADM/fBb2oL2CruI_3uF8T54ohO_Qkk1SpJLXACLcBGAs/s1600/15-emotionsfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMGlInN_Ggw/W-pGclXY_zI/AAAAAAAAADM/fBb2oL2CruI_3uF8T54ohO_Qkk1SpJLXACLcBGAs/s640/15-emotionsfire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Lewis Hamilton makes an emotional return to the scene of his greatest early-career pain and joy this weekend when he leads Mercedes' bid to seal a fifth consecutive constructors' world championship.<br /> <br /> The 33-year-old Briton, who secured his fifth drivers' title in Mexico two weeks ago, missed out on winning the championship in Brazil in his rookie season of 2007, but went back to grab his maiden title in dramatic fashion in 2008.<br /> <br /> That triumph, earned with a last-lap pass that lifted him to fifth in teeming rain, has since become an iconic snapshot which confirmed Hamilton's potential and fired him to multiple-title glory.<br /> <br /> Yet as he returns to the demanding Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, in the Interlagos district of Sao Paulo, for the 12th time, he will know he and his team face another major challenge.<br /> <br /> In his previous 11 visits, Hamilton has won only once and taken pole only twice – a moderate record for arguably the sport's fastest qualifying driver.<br /> <br /> His Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas has one pole and one podium finish from five starts in the sprawling and tumbling semi-bowl where a packed crowd generates a carnival mood.<br /> <br /> Both know, too, that rivals Ferrari, whose record of six teams' titles from 1999 to 2004 may be under threat, enjoyed a resurgence in Texas and Mexico that saw them out-perform Mercedes, restricting their advantage to 55 points with two races remaining.<br /> <br /> "We have a battle on our hands for the constructors' title and we have lost ground to Ferrari in each of the past race weekends. Even though we had the base performance to do better," said Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff.<br /> <br /> "This is the moment to keep our feet on the ground, focus clearly on the objective and trust in our processes and people to deliver."<br /> <br /> <b>No celebratory T-shirts?</b><br /> <br /> Wolff has consistently rejected all title talk in advance and ignored suggestions the team have come equipped with the now-traditional celebratory tee-shirts for a Sunday night party.<br /> <br /> To allow him to drop that guard, Hamilton (pictured, AFP) and Bottas must out-score Ferrari's pair of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen by 13 points, but this season has seen them achieve that only twice so far in 19 attempts.<br /> <br /> Much therefore will depend upon the level of motivation that drives Hamilton in Sunday's race when he and Bottas, who grabbed pole last year, carry the bonus hopes of the team in their hands.<br /> <br /> It is, as four-time champion Alain Prost observed, a tricky moment for the champion even as he seeks his record-increasing 82nd pole and Mercedes' 100th in F1.<br /> <br /> "His motivation was to win the fifth title and now, and for next year, it is a personal feeling about what he wants. It is not a simple thing," said Prost.<br /> <br /> To underline Ferrari's challenge, Vettel is the driver with the best current record in Brazil with three wins, including last year's race, and a determination to finish his season on a high.<br /> <br /> Red Bull's aggressive pairing of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, who won in Mexico, will also be a serious threat in a race in which heavy rain has often played an influential role.

Emotions fire but Brazil still tough to crack

Lewis Hamilton makes an emotional return to the scene of his greatest early-career pain and joy this weekend when he leads Mercedes' ...

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Cambodia host Malaysia in Suzuki opener

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVv2AL3sCak/W-pGEWubP7I/AAAAAAAAADE/ETyJvHNE43Uo-smO27PvePoFTG5ub3-igCLcBGAs/s1600/cambodia-coach-keisuke-honda-left-takes-training-at-olympic-stadium-in-september.-afp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uVv2AL3sCak/W-pGEWubP7I/AAAAAAAAADE/ETyJvHNE43Uo-smO27PvePoFTG5ub3-igCLcBGAs/s640/cambodia-coach-keisuke-honda-left-takes-training-at-olympic-stadium-in-september.-afp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> It is the start of an exciting phase for Cambodian football as key changes in style, attitude and character ushered in by Japanese maestro Keisuke Honda and his Argentine friend and coach Felix Gonzalez will be put to competitive test for the first time when the Kingdom takes on Malaysia in their Group A Opener of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup home tie at Olympic Stadium on Thursday evening.<br /> <br /> The much anticipated clash between these familiar regional foes, expected to attract a packed stadium, is set for a 6:30pm kick-off.<br /> <br /> It is also the dawn of a new era for the visitors as Tan Chang Hoe takes charge of the team as head coach with Malaysia seeking their second title since winning the 2010 edition and finishing runners-up in 1996 and 2014.<br /> <br /> Coach Gonzalez made it plain at a joint news conference with his Malaysian counterpart that Honda, who is currently playing for Melbourne Victory in Australia, will not be present for the game but is almost certain to be involved as the tournament moves on.<br /> <br /> "Honda has been communicating with us and he is very much aware of what goes on. The team has been working hard for nearly a month. We have worked out a new approach and style. We have learnt some important lessons from our 3-1 defeat by Malaysia in a friendly and I am confident the team will do well," he said.<br /> <br /> About the composition of the 23-member squad in relation to the dropping of three promising youngsters, Gonzalez said the selection was based on the best interest of the team and also the choices were decided upon through his consultations with the squad. "It was between me and the players and the criteria, as all agreed, was to pick the best," he added.<br /> <br /> Describing Malaysia as one of the strong contenders in a group that includes Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos, the coach was cautiously optimistic that the team would perform well.<br /> <br /> For his part, Tang Chang Hoe said he had healthy respect for Cambodia's courage but was every bit confident that his team would deliver a positive result.<br /> <br /> "This side is in good shape and high spirits and has a different outlook from the one that won the friendly. We have a better balanced team and the different components of the team have come together well, [with] new players blending well with the more established and experienced ones," he said.<br /> <br /> While the stakes are high on the personal front for the new Malaysian coach in his first big game, for the high profile Cambodian coaching duo of Gonzalez and Honda, it is a great opportunity to show the tens of thousands of fans who will turn up that Cambodian football future is in safe hands.

Cambodia host Malaysia in Suzuki opener

It is the start of an exciting phase for Cambodian football as key changes in style, attitude and character ushered in by Japanese maestr...

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Sanchez gives Jose options as United visit Ronaldo's Juve

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHIJxoWse00/W-pFxxOcr2I/AAAAAAAAAC8/50biJP0VFpc6lg6x7dyLGZXq7jen7ZGvACLcBGAs/s1600/16-sanchez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHIJxoWse00/W-pFxxOcr2I/AAAAAAAAAC8/50biJP0VFpc6lg6x7dyLGZXq7jen7ZGvACLcBGAs/s640/16-sanchez.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Alexis Sanchez has endured a torrid start to his Manchester United career but hinted at better things to come with an impressive display in a central role ahead of the Champions League match against Juventus on Wednesday night (at 3am Cambodian time).<br /> <br /> The injured Romelu Lukaku missed the 2-1 win at Bournemouth on Saturday and Marcus Rashford started on the bench as Jose Mourinho opted for a three-man forward line, with Anthony Martial and Juan Mata deployed either side of Sanchez.<br /> <br /> The former Arsenal man was instrumental in United's first-half equaliser, setting up Martial, and will be disappointed to have been substituted towards the end of the game.<br /> <br /> The match, which was won by substitute Rashford in injury time, was a rare high point for the Chile international, who has struggled to find his feet since arriving at Old Trafford in January – it was his first league start since September 22.<br /> <br /> Following the much-needed win against Bournemouth, Mourinho praised Sanchez and spelt out his preferred system, saying he did not need a traditional centre-forward to lead his attack.<br /> <br /> "The way I like to play is with three attacking players where there is not a clear definition of the winger as a winger," he said, adding that he likes wide men with a striker's appetite.<br /> <br /> "And I always had that in my team, with the wingers scoring a lot of goals, sometimes even more goals than the striker," he said.<br /> <br /> "So it's not impossible at all to have in the same team at the same time Rashford, Lukaku, Alexis for example. But today Romelu was not available and we thought that Alexis could do what he did.<br /> <br /> "What he did, he had a good assist. He had some mobility. He created some problems, but then in the second half I knew that by having the two brothers on the bench, Rashford and [Jesse]Lingard, I knew that the brothers could come in and also make an impact."<br /> <br /> <b>Ronaldo challenge</b><br /> <br /> United now travel to Juventus for another date with former favourite son Cristiano Ronaldo, two weeks after they were outplayed during a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford that left them five points adrift of the Italian champions in Group H.<br /> <br /> Despite Mourinho's stated preference for a multi-dimensional attack, keeping Lukaku out of the starting line-up will be tricky, with the manager proving loyal to his muscular front man.<br /> <br /> The Belgium international, who has not found the net for the club since mid-September, is not the only United forward who has gone off the boil, with Rashford also struggling despite his goal at the weekend.<br /> <br /> Martial's goals have been papering over the cracks during United's recent mini-recovery, with the Frenchman earning the manager's trust at last.<br /> <br /> Former United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Rashford should be given a run in the starting line-up, even though he said it is not clear what his best position is yet.<br /> <br /> "You look at Lukaku. Lukaku's goalscoring record is up there. It's fantastic. He scores goals," added the TV pundit. "But in the best teams you need more than that.<br /> <br /> "You need to be able to bring other people into play. You need to be able to complement other players in your team, things have to be set up off you.<br /> <br /> "At the moment, I see in a Man Utd shirt that some things break down in Lukaku. And that affects other players in the team, like [Paul] Pogba and Lingard, who want to play off people."<br /> <br /> United's cross-town rivals Manchester City face Shaktar Donetsk at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night (at 3am Cambodian time). City won 3-0 in Ukraine last time out.

Sanchez gives Jose options as United visit Ronaldo's Juve

Alexis Sanchez has endured a torrid start to his Manchester United career but hinted at better things to come with an impressive display ...

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