WORLD CUP : SYRIA ONE STEP TO GO WORLD CUP HISTORIES
Syria and Australia level as Asia's World Cup qualification finale heads to Sydney
Syria 1-1 Australia: World Cup qualifying play-off – as it...
Syria and Australia level as Asia's World Cup qualification finale heads to Sydney
Syria 1-1 Australia: World Cup qualifying play-off – as it happened
The penalty that handed Syria a late draw against Australia in Melaka may have been questionable, but make no mistake: this was not a freak result. Despite leading for most of the game, the Socceroos failed to take control of the Fifa World Cup qualification play-off on Thursday night and Syria’s potent attacking threat ultimately found a deserved equaliser.
Australia now travel to Sydney with a slender advantage - the Socceroos have an away goal and the benefit of a home-ground second leg on Tuesday evening - but Syria remain very much in this tie. Whatever your political opinion, whether the Qasioun Eagles are 2017’s sporting feel-good story or puppets of the Assad regime, they have performed admirably throughout qualification and will feel quietly confident of securing an upset at ANZ Stadium.
For the Socceroos, surprise additions to the line-up Josh Risdon and Matt Jurman both justified their selection, while Aaron Mooy had a commanding performance in midfield. Robbie Kruse scored a goal to celebrate his birthday, but was otherwise underwhelming. Omar Al Soma was easily Syria’s best player, threatening the Australian defence all evening, while late substitute Firas Al Khatib (wearing amusingly short shorts) added attacking impetus.
Thanks for following along, wherever you are in the world. I will be live blogging the Australian A-League season opener tomorrow evening (Australian time), if you’d care to join me again. Until then, thanks for your company and correspondence!
Barcelona midfielder and captain Andres Iniesta has signed a "lifetime contract" with the La Liga giants.
The
Spain international, 33, has made 639 appearances for the Catalan club -
second on their all-time list - and scored 55 goals.Iniesta came through La Masia, the Barcelona youth academy, after joining in 1996 at the age of 12.
He made his first-team debut in October 2002 and has won eight Spanish league titles and four Champions Leagues.
Iniesta has captained the side since 2015 and shares the record with Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the most titles, 30, in Barcelona history.
He has won the European Championship twice with Spain and scored the extra-time winner in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands in South Africa.
A club statement said: "Andres Iniesta signed a lifetime contract with FC Barcelona on Friday, in a deal that will keep him at the club for the rest of his career."
Iniesta said: "This is a very special day for me, simply because it means I'm staying at my home, where I can continue to dream of achieving great things for this club.
"It's where I have grown and developed."(DN)
LA LIGA : INIESTA HAS SIGNED A '' LIFETIME CONTRACT '' WITH BARCELONA
Barcelona midfielder and captain Andres Iniesta has signed a "lifetime contract" with the La Liga giants.
The
Spain international, 33, has made...
MICHAEL ESSIEN WITH PERSIB JERSEY
Five former Premier League stars went to Indonesia this season and
their adventures have been as varied and colourful as the vast
archipelago itself, with lashings of cash, recriminations, culture shock
and endings as predictable as most Enid Blyton Famous Five tales. In
the space of a few weeks in March and April, Michael Essien, Carlton
Cole, Peter Odemwingie, Mohamed Sissoko and Didier Zokora all arrived in
south-east Asia. Two have already gone, one is a hero, and the other
two players find themselves somewhere in between.
For a country without much history of big-name signings, this was a change. Lee Hendrie and Marcus Bent had provided a little Premier League pedigree in the previous decade. Mario Kempes and Roger Milla were more famous but their early to mid-90s spells were fading in the memory.
peter odemwingie playing on madura united
Indonesia’s passion for the game is undeniable but can sometimes go too far – Save our Soccer, a watchdog group, estimates that a recent fan death was the 54th football-related fatality since the mid-90s and the 36th in the past five years – and the country’s interest in the game is matched only by its impatience. Frank de Boer could spare a thought for the Austrian Hans-Peter Schaller, sacked by Bali United just two games into his new job. In Indonesia, honeymoons are for beaches, not pitches.
All imports, famous or not, had better perform from the start if they are to avoid an early exit and that is especially true at Persib Bandung. The biggest club in the country signed Cole and Essien and expectations were intense. But with the season less than a month old (and fans grumbling about the style of play from a team that were then top of the table), it was clear that Cole was not going to last long. The former West Ham forward arrived in Asia looking as fresh as a Friday afternoon commuter after a week stuck in the traffic of Indonesia’s third-biggest city. The 33-year-old spent much of his time standing in the penalty area waiting for crosses that never came. He failed to score a single goal.
carltone cole
Rumours soon abounded that Cole had not been wanted by the team
manager, Umuh Muchtar, and that there was a battle for control being
waged behind the scenes at the club owned by the Internazionale chairman, Erick Thohir.
Umuh kept up his offensive, saying in May that playing with the No9 was
akin to playing with 10 men and claiming that Cole had been selected
for a third game – his first start for the club after two substitute
appearances – only to show curious fans why the striker was not being
selected.Umuh was not the head coach, though, that was Djadjang Nurdjaman, a legend of the club who was also soon on his way out; team manager is often the more powerful position in south-east Asian clubs. Before he left, Djadjang put Cole’s and Essien’s lethargic starts down to a lack of pre-season, acclimatisation and sleep. Cole’s nightmare finally ended in August after just 268 minutes of action. The former England forward, who had kept his cool when all about him were not finding his head, finally found his target on social media. “I haven’t been treated fairly but I kept my mouth shut and worked hard and kept everything professional,” he posted.
Essien is still there, better but hardly imperious. There have been touches, through-balls and the occasional assist and goal but the former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder has not shown the form that so endeared him to the Stamford Bridge faithful. If Essien, reportedly receiving an annual salary of about $750,000 (£10,000 a week), has not exactly excelled in Indonesia, then the same was true of Didier Zokora at Semen Padang. The midfielder did not score in three seasons with Tottenham and was not going to change that in just over three months in Sumatra. The Ivorian was released as the club struggled to pay his salary after eight matches and no goals.
momo sissoko playing with mitra kukar
There has been better news elsewhere. The former Liverpool midfielder
Sissoko has impressed at Mitra Kukar, chipping in with five goals for
the Borneo club. But there is no doubt as to which of the five is the
happiest: Odemwingie may have been ridiculed in England for driving down to QPR on transfer deadline day
in a failed attempt to secure a move from West Brom but the 36-year-old
Nigerian has been driving Madura United up the table. In the first half
of the season at least, he could hardly stop scoring: long-range
howitzers, headers, tidy finishes and the occasional scuffed shot. He
raced to 13 goals from the first 12 games.A mixed, and expensive, bag then. But the most successful import of all could end up being Simon McMenemy. The 39-year-old manager from Aberdeen has led unfashionable Bhayangkara, owned by the country’s head policeman, to the top of the league with a third of the season remaining. Sometimes it is not all about the money and these days in football, that really would be a story.(fm/dn)
ASIAN FOOTBALL : THE STORY OF FIVE FORMER PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS IN INDONESIAN LEAGUE
MICHAEL ESSIEN WITH PERSIB JERSEY
Five former Premier League stars went to Indonesia this season and
their adventures have been as varied and colourful...
Grandma's rice and beans, secret training and
Antonio Conte's big mistake... Guillem Balague gives us the lowdown on
Diego Costa's move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid.
It was the worst kept secret in the world that Diego Costa wanted to go to Atletico Madrid.
He hasn't adapted to life in London and hasn't adapted to the language. As with Fernando Torres, who left before returning, there is an identity at Atletico, a group sense that they miss elsewhere.
Costa is actually taking a pay-cut to go to Atletico Madrid, but he's happy to do that.
Here's what we know. Atletico have put the money on the table, there's an agreement in principle, he will have to pass his medical of course and define personal terms, which are already all organised. It's all done even though Diego Simeone said on Friday he has not been told officially. He wants to keep everyone focused on the Sevilla game on Saturday.
Due to Atletico's transfer ban, January 7 could be his first fixture, against Getafe at home, 107 days from now. But what's happened in the past couple months, and what happens between now and January?
He's spent two months on holiday, and has already been working under the secret and distant supervision of an Atletico Madrid club person since the start of August, so he's a bit fitter.
But his grandmother was still there cooking him rice and beans. Let me explain... every summer at Atletico Madrid he would come back home from his family visit a stone heavier, so he will have to lose weight. There is a programme in place for him.As Barcelona showed when they were banned, the new players can train with the team. There was a bit of a discussion around whether new players could be accepted in the training ground during the transfer ban, but Barcelona investigated that, saw that they could, so had Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan training with them. Costa will do the same.
What's interesting is that he scored 36 goals for Atletico in his last season. He never got to those heights with Chelsea, but they'll expect him to be the goalscorer that they have not had since.
We don't know how Antoine Griezmann and Costa will play, but if they do connect - and I expect they will as Griezmann is a very flexible forward - it could push Atletico Madrid to challenge for absolutely everything.
He defined the style of Atletico during his last season in 2013/14 when they won the league. They have been looking for a Costa since he left. Nobody has fulfilled the gap that he left.
It would be great if Costa was paraded in front of Atletico fans for their game against Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday, but what I'm hearing is that Costa will be at the new stadium on Saturday for the clash with Sevilla.
It was a huge mistake on Antonio Conte's part to send a text to Costa saying he was not wanted, because he weakened the position of Chelsea.
Chelsea wanted 70m euros, Atletico says, they got 55m plus 10m. It is still a big fee, one Atletico has never paid.
costa on chelsea
That's why he felt he didn't need to go back to train or play with the reserves, or anything like that. It played completely into his hands.
But Chelsea more or less got what they wanted for him, once Conte decided he didn't want to keep.
I see a lot of you asking: what does this mean for Griezmann? He won't leave in January, but in the summer I think we are all aware he will try to leave.
But do you really think Manchester United would be the only team that will want him? Griezmann will make sure there will be an auction for him and even Atletico will try their best to keep him.
So a summer transfer saga on its way...
(FM/DN)
Fee 58 M EURO,DIEGO COSTA RETURN TO ATLETICO MADRID FROM CHELSEA
Grandma's rice and beans, secret training and
Antonio Conte's big mistake... Guillem Balague gives us the lowdown on
Diego Costa's move from Chelsea...
Valentino Rossi will undergo a medical examination on Wednesday to decide if he can attempt to ride at the Aragon MotoGP round less than three weeks after breaking his leg.
He covered 20 laps during two hours of running on Tuesday afternoon, and a Yamaha statement said he "wrapped up this second day of testing with an improved feeling and a more positive impression compared to yesterday".
Yamaha added that Wednesday's examination was intended to "verify the positive rehabilitation progress experienced in today's session", and that Rossi would make a decision on whether to ride at Aragon afterwards.
Rossi broke his right leg when doing motocross training at the start of September.
A recovery period of at least a month was initially suggested, and Yamaha ran just one works bike for his teammate Maverick Vinales in the last MotoGP event at Misano.
Yamaha has lined up its World Superbike rider Michael van der Mark as Rossi's stand-in for Aragon if he is not able to compete.
After missing the San Marino Grand Prix, Rossi is 42 points behind championshp leaders Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso in fourth in the standings with five races remaining.
MOTOGP : ROSSI POISED FOR ARAGON DECISION AFTER SECOND MISANO TEST
Valentino Rossi will undergo a medical
examination on Wednesday to decide if he can attempt to ride at the
Aragon MotoGP round less than...
So here's how to actually do it,
Liverpool: Jose Mourinho's masterpiece, Manchester City's miracle and
Ryan Giggs's hairy escapades - it's the greatest post-red card displays
Long after the debate about
Sadio Mane’s sending off has subsided, one fact will remain: on
Saturday, Liverpool produced an object (or should that be abject?)
lesson in how not to play when reduced to 10 men. These magnificent
seven fared rather better...
Spain 0-1 Northern Ireland (1982)
It’s fair to say that host nation Spain employed some rudimentary
tactics in this World Cup group game, scything down player after player
without punishment, while every time a Northern Irish player looked at a
Spaniard they'd find themselves booked.
In spite of the perceived
injustice, the 48th minute produced the most famous goal in Northern
Ireland’s history: a quick breakaway in which Billy Hamilton, a
particular victim of Spain’s cynicism, put the afterburners on down the
right wing. His cross was parried by Luis Arconada but only as far as
Gerry Armstrong, who gleefully drilled the ball through Arconada’s legs
to give Northern Ireland an improbable lead.
Mal Donaghy shoved Jose Camacho on the hour mark, though,
and Paraguayan referee Hector Ortiz saw his opportunity to become a
Spanish hero by sending Donaghy off. But Northern Ireland defended
resolutely for half an hour to give Billy Bingham’s men victory.
Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal (1999)
When Roy Keane picked up a second booking for a cynical and
frankly nonsensical 74th-minute lunge at Marc Overmars, it appeared
likely that there would only be one winner in this FA Cup semi-final
replay – delicately poised at 1-1.
Especially when Ray Parlour won Arsenal a penalty in
stoppage time. But Peter Schmeichel saved Dennis Bergkamp’s spot-kick,
so the game went to extra time. Arsenal pressed for a winner, but
Schmeichel was having one of those games where it appeared United were
illegally fielding four goalkeepers.
You know what happened next: in the 109th minute, a tired
pass from Patrick Vieira gifted possession to United substitute Ryan
Giggs, who jinked past 3,719 challenges before smashing the ball into
the roof of the net and wheeling off in celebration to reveal a chest
deemed ‘a bit too hairy for me’ by Richard Keys.
Barcelona 1-0 Inter (2010)
Jose Mourinho’s Inter side took a 3-1 lead to the Camp Nou
for their Champions League semi-final second leg. Stopping a peak
Pep-managed, Messi-inspired Barcelona scoring twice was a tough task
anyway, but it was rendered even harder by the dismissal of Thiago Motta
for a slap on Sergio Busquets in the 28th minute – a decision which
drew sarcastic applause from Mourinho, who would of course never
countenance such shithousery.
Regardless, for the next 70 minutes Inter produced a
defensive masterclass, repelling everything that an increasingly
desperate Barcelona could throw at them. An 84th-minute effort from
Gerard Pique made for a tense final few minutes, but Mourinho’s men held
firm.
Tottenham 3-4 Manchester City (2004)
Even for a club with a longstanding tradition of shooting
itself in the foot, Spurs looked comfortable at half time in their
fourth-round FA Cup tie against Manchester City. Goals from Ledley King,
Robbie Keane and Christian Ziege had given them a seemingly
unassailable lead.
Something altogether weird happened in the second half: the 10 men of City rallied
Then Joey Barton talked himself into trouble (shocking, we
know) as he walked off at the break, receiving a second yellow card.
And, let’s face it: Spurs were up against the only club that had even
more of a tradition for self-sabotage.
However, something altogether weird happened in the second
half: the 10 men of City rallied. Sylvain Distin glanced a header home
in the 48th minute; then Paul Bosvelt's wayward shot took a deflection
off Anthony Gardner and nestled in the Tottenham net. In the 80th
minute, Shaun Wright-Phillips coolly lifted the ball over Kasey Keller
for a scarcely believable equaliser which gave the 10 men a chance at
extra time.
Except it didn’t. Because in the final minute, John Macken powered a header past Keller to seal an unforgettable turnaround.
England 1-2 Brazil (2002)
England took a surprise lead against the tournament
favourites in this World Cup quarter-final via a neat first-half finish
by Michael Owen. They had several opportunities to stretch their lead
too, before Rivaldo equalised following a fleet-footed run from
Ronaldinho. Then came that free-kick. Did Ronaldinho mean it, or was it a
mishit cross? He meant it. It was Ronaldinho. Come on, now.
But then the buck-toothed Brazilian was harshly sent off in
the 58th minute for an innocuous challenge on Danny Mills, who
absolutely did not make a meal of it because he’s English and that’s not
what English people (incessantly tell themselves that they don’t) do.
Yet Brazil coped comfortably as the English threat wilted
in the stifling Japanese conditions, and saw the game out with ease.
Brazil went on to win the tournament, while the English public were left
trying to concoct another socially acceptable reason to meet in the pub
at 7am.
Chelsea 2-2 PSG (2015)
Three years on from the above, Chelsea were confident of
progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals following a
creditable 1-1 draw in Paris. Their chances increased when Zlatan
Ibrahimovic was shown a red card in the 31st minute for a high challenge
on Oscar.
What followed was an end-to-end affair, with the 10 men of
PSG knowing they had to score. Yet it was Chelsea that took the lead
though through Gary Cahill’s half-volley.
PSG continued to create chances, however, and Chelsea old
boy David Luiz shocked his former team-mates with an 86th-minute bullet
header to send the game to extra time.
The Parisians were being forced to play 90 minutes with 10
men, but tiredness didn't hold them back. It looked like they'd finally
caved when Eden Hazard scored a penalty in the 96th minute, but the tie
was settled with six minutes remaining when PSG captain Thiago Silva
sealed an away goals triumph with a looping header.(fm/dn)
FIVE OF FOOTBALL'S MOST HEROIC MATCH HISTORY
So here's how to actually do it,
Liverpool: Jose Mourinho's masterpiece, Manchester City's miracle and
Ryan Giggs's hairy escapades - it's the greatest...
MALAYSIA'S ASIAN CUP QUALIFIERS TO GO NORTH KOREA
Malaysia's AFC Asian Cup qualifier against North Korea, twice rescheduled, will finally go ahead in Pyongyang on Oct. 5, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced.
The match was originally scheduled for March 28 and then June 8, only to be called off because of security concerns, due to strained diplomatic ties between the nations.
After North Korea hosted Lebanon in another qualifier on Tuesday without incident, the Asian body decided that the venue for Malaysia's next match on the road to the 2019 Asian Cup would remain.
"Lebanon played in Pyongyang [on Tuesday], and there were no complaints by the team or match officials. At the moment, there is no change in venue," AFC secretary-general Datuk Windsor Paul told New Straits Times.
The respective governments were at odds at with each other following the death of Kim Jong-Nam, half-brother of North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb. 13.
"I have gone there before, when I was in charge of Jordan. I don't see an issue, they are good hosts who gave us comfortable accommodation when we were there. The people are lovely too," Vingada told ESPN FC.
The Portuguese coach is fully aware the next two away matches against North Korea and Hong Kong on Oct. 5 and Oct. 10 will determine if Malaysia stay in the running for the regional tournament.
Vingada's men are bottom of their group, with only one point out of a possible six, despite opening their campaign with two home matches.
They lost to group leaders Lebanon 2-1 on June 13 before playing out a 1-1 draw with Hong Kong in an ill-tempered match on Tuesday.(FM/DN)
ASIAN CUP : MALAYSIA'S READY TO GO AHEAD WITH NORTH KOREA QUALIFIERS
MALAYSIA'S ASIAN CUP QUALIFIERS TO GO NORTH KOREA
Malaysia's AFC Asian Cup qualifier against North Korea, twice rescheduled, will finally go ahead...
The Daily Mail says Fellaini has still to accept United's offer of a new contract.
Talks are ongoing between the Belgium international's advisers and the club.
But United's latest proposal is understood to have fallen short of what Fellaini's camp wanted.
He is in the final year of his contract and turns 30 in November.
United's policy has been to offer one year rolling contracts to players over 30 and Fellaini would ideally want a longer deal.
Fellaini, who only started his first Premier League game of the season in the 4-0 win over Everton on Sunday at Old Trafford, is into the final year of his contract.
The afro-haired Belgian turns 30 in November and United have a tradition of not handing long-term deals to players when they reach that milestone.
Fellaini was close to joining Galatasaray over the summer before Jose Mourinho pulled the plug on a deal.
And as far as the midfielder’s future is concerned, the Daily Mail claim United’s latest contract offer is deemed unacceptable to the player’s camp.(FM/DN)
PREMIER LEAGUE : MAROUNE FELLAINI UNCERTAIN WITH NEW CONTRACT TALKS
Doubt has been raised over the future of Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
The Daily Mail says Fellaini has still to accept United's...
Atlanta United got back to winning ways in MLS on Sunday with a 3-0 victory over FC Dallas in front of a sell-out crowd at their new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
MERCEDEZ-BENZ STADIUM
The Georgia side put on a dominant performance with goals
from Josef Martinez, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Greg Garza to end a
seven-week winless streak.Shared with 2016 Super Bowl runners-up the Atlanta Falcons, the stadium's repeatedly delayed opening meant United's first nine home matches were played at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd ground.
Two other games were rescheduled for later in the season and the mixed-up timetable meant Atlanta were down three home matches on every other team in the Eastern Conference.
Sunday's victory boosts Atlanta's hopes of reaching the play-offs, although they remain tied sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference.
miguel almiron atlanta united players celebrate
Lamar Neagle's leveller cancelled out a 25th-minute opener by Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes, denying former Sounders coach Sigi Schmid a win on his return to Washington state.
In Ohio, Ola Kamara scored his 15th goal of the season, ensuring Columbus Crew SC drew 1-1 with visitors Sporting Kansas City.(FM/RM)
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER : ATLANTA UNITED beat FC DALLAS IN NEW STADIUM OPENER 2017
Atlanta United got back to winning ways in MLS on Sunday with a 3-0 victory over FC Dallas in front of a sell-out crowd at their new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
...
Lin Dan battles through 2 tough tests to advance into China National Games final.
lin dan show
Tianjin: Two time Olympic champion Lin Dan made two narrow escapes in
two tense three-set thrillers on Wednesday to cruise into the China
National Games men’s singles final.Lin Dan or so-called “Super Dan” lost the first set to the Huang Yuxiang of Zhejiang team 20-22 in the first match early Wednesday, but improved as the game progressed, eventually securing a 21-13, 21-12 quarter-final victory in 71 minutes.
Lin got back to the court late Wednesday to play for the semi-finals. He drew the first blood in a tense and high-quality China National Games semi-final against Lu Guangzu of Jiangsu team. Lin was being proactive in the first set, mobilizing his shots in every corner of the court to take the first set 21-15.
Lu Guangzu who defeated Rio Olympic Chen Long on Tuesday, kicking off the second set with strong attacks and pulled the match level with a 21-12 win against Lin.
In the decider, Lin unleashed all of his power into the shots, giving Lu no chance of surviving Lin’s dominance on the court. Lin won the third-set 21-11. He will play his China national team teammate – Shi Yuqi in the final.
In women’s singles, former World No. 1 Wang Shixian survived a tougher than expected fight from He Bingjiao, battling past He to move into the final where she will play Chen Yufei for the women’s singles crown.
(FM/RM)
BADMINTON : LIN DAN Battles through 2 tough tests to advanced into China National games final.
Lin Dan battles through 2 tough tests to advance into China National Games final.
lin dan show
Tianjin: Two time Olympic champion Lin Dan made two...
New Shanghai Shenhua coach Wu Jingui has
accused Carlos Tevez of being “overweight” and says the forward is not
available for selection until his fitness improves.
The Argentine moved to the Chinese Super League in December and reportedly became the world's best-paid player on a contract worth £610,000-a-week.
But he has failed to impress in Shanghai, scoring just two goals in 15 appearances since his move.
He has also struggled with injury and Jingui, who replaced Gus Poyet in early September, warned the former Manchester City and Juventus forward he will not be picked on reputation.
"He will be informed of my tactical plans but I won't pick him right now. He's not ready physically. He's not fit to play," Wu said.
"I have coached lots of big stars, and my players are never picked on reputation."
ASIAN FOOTBALL : CARLOS TEVEZ DROPPED BY SHANGHAI SHENHUA COACH WU JUNGUI FOR BEING ''OVERWEIGHT''
New Shanghai Shenhua coach Wu Jingui has
accused Carlos Tevez of being “overweight” and says the forward is not
available for selection until his...
Paul Pogba will be a "massive miss" for
Manchester United, says Marcus Rashford, despite the strong squad at
Jose Mourinho's disposal.
Despite securing the three points, there was a sour note for United with the sight of Pogba limping off after 17 minutes with a suspected hamstring injury.
Mourinho's initial prognosis was Pogba would be out for a "few weeks", although further assessment is required on the Frenchman who left Old Trafford on crutches.
He looks almost certain to be unavailable for Sunday's return to Premier League action at home to Everton, live on Sky Sports, and Rashford said: "Paul's going to be a massive miss and hopefully we can get him back fit as soon as possible.
jose mourinho,manchester united manager
"That's why you have such a strong squad. It's good for the manager,
it's good for the players as well because we're always playing for
competition."We have to play every game to win. If we want to be champions, then we have to win them types of games (like Sunday's). It's going to be difficult. Everton are a really strong team.
"They made some good signings in the summer and you know they've got strength all around the pitch so we have to come here and try and get the result."
Rashford is confident of this weekend building on Tuesday's "solid" start to Group A life against the Swiss side - a night when the 3-0 scoreline fairly reflected United's dominance.
For the 19-year-old, it was a first taste of Champions League football and, like so many times before, a competition debut he capped with a goal.
Rashford has looked bright in the start of the season but, much like Anthony Martial, has been unable to nail down a starting berth due to impressive attacking options the teenager believes are helping rather than hindering his development.
"It's difficult when you're in and out of the team, but we have to find the positives out of it and I think we have both done that," the England international added.
"I think the competition is always positive competition because we're improving each other every day when we're in training and in the games we're pushing each other more and more.
"It's a bit of a headache for the manager but it is a good headache to have."
.(skysport)
PREMIER LEAGUE : RASHFORD LAMENTS INJURY TO UNITED MIDFIELDER PAUL POGBA
Paul Pogba will be a "massive miss" for
Manchester United, says Marcus Rashford, despite the strong squad at
Jose Mourinho's disposal.
Old Trafford...
MOST POPULAR SOUTH-EAST ASIA CLUBS ON FACEBOOK
It has been difficult to establish exactly which South-East Asian football club had the most supporters within the region. However, with the recent phenomenon of social media, it became easier to sort these things out.
The most prominent social network is Facebook, with more than 1.25 billion users, it gives us a decent sample of the world’s population, and thus we can get a good insight into the most popular teams in football.
Football Channel provides the list of five South-East Asian football clubs with the most “Likes” (or fans) on their official Facebook page, other pages and groups not officially affiliated with the club are not included.
5.Chonburi,1,05 million(THAILAND)
Chonburi are a Thai football club based in Chonburi province. A majority of their home matches are played at the Chonburi Municipality Stadium. The Sharks most recently won the Thai Premier League during the 2007 season, which made them debuting in the Asian Champions League following year. They contest the Chonburi province derby along with neighbours Pattaya United and Sriracha.
4.Johor darul takzim.1,45 million (MALAYSIA)
Johor Darul Takzim, commonly referred to as JDT, were originally founded 43 years ago as Kelab Bolasepak Perbadanan Kemajuan Ekonomi Negeri Johor. In 1996 a Johor state funded cooperation decided to takeover the club changed its name to Johor FC, before changing the name for the third time in 2012 to Darul Takzim due to the club’s acquisition by Johor FA president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. Thenceforth, JDT have gone on to dominate Malaysian football by claiming five domestic titles in three years.
3.Sriwijaya Fc.1,53 million ( INDONESIA )
Sriwijaya were founded in 1976 as Persijatim Jakarta Timur, but moved to Palembang in 2004 and changed their name after the club was taken over by the Government of South Sumatra. They are the first Indonesian team that have done a double by clinching the 2007/08 top-tier title and Indonesia Cup in the same season. Laskar Wong Kito’s home games are played at the Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring.
2.Muangthong United,2,41 million (THAILAND)
The Nonthaburi-based team are Thailand’s most popular club on social media. Founded in 1989, MTUTD have gone on to win three Thai Premier League titles, two FA Cup and one Kor Royal Cup. The Twin Qilin are also regarded as one of the richest football clubs in Thailand.
1.Persib Bandung, 9,60 Million (INDONESIA)
Persib Bandung, founded in 1933, are one of Indonesia’s most storied clubs. Famous for their passionate supporters and the legendary atmosphere at their home stadium, the Siliwangi Stadium. In total, Maung Bandung have won eight top flight domestic league titles.
ASIAN FOOTBALL : TOP FIVE MOST POPULAR '' ASEAN '' CLUBS ON FACEBOOK
MOST POPULAR SOUTH-EAST ASIA CLUBS ON FACEBOOK
It has been difficult to establish exactly which South-East Asian
football club had the most supporters...
