The Asian Football Confederation have praised Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura for a strong performance in Brazil s win over Croatia.
Nishimura was the villain for Croatia in Sao Paulo on Thursday with the 42-year-old awarding a penalty for minimal contact on Brazil striker Fred in the second half, which allowed the hosts to claim a 2-1 lead in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup.
That decision and Nishimura s general performance was widely criticised but the AFC backed their man after the final for making big calls at the Arena Corinthians.
(Nishimura) gave a strong performance in some high-pressure, split-second situations, with his awarding of a penalty to Brazil and adjudging Ivica Olic for a foul on goalkeeper Julio Cesar (a minute earlier), an article on the…
Spain striker Fernando Torres said he and his team-mates must put their loss to the Netherlands behind them.
The FIFA World Cup holders are in grave danger of bowing out at the group stages in Brazil, after a 5-1 shellacking from the Dutch in their 2010 final rematch on Friday.
Vicente del Bosque s men face Chile in a virtual must-win clash in Rio de Janeiro, and Chelsea striker Torres said they must banish the memory of their Dutch disaster if they are to bounce back in Group B.
It is not easy to defend a World Cup title, we have to forget the first match and think that in a similar situation we have done our best and we have gone on, Torres said.
We need to remain in a positive way, feeling the support of the people from Spain and the pressure is the same for a…
New Bayern Munich signing James Rodriguez says he is dreaming big and fully motivated as he prepares to start his career in Germany.
James has agreed to join Bayern on a two-year loan deal from Real Madrid, with the Bundesliga club holding an option to buy him permanently.
The attacking midfielder is set to formally sign for the German champions on Wednesday, which is also his 26th birthday, after finishing the last of his medical checks.
In his first interview after his move to Bayern was announced, James revealed he is setting his sights high.
I m very happy and looking forward to being at a huge club and in a great team, the Colombia international said to Bayerntv.
Everyone knows what FC Bayern stands for and what the club is about.
…
New Bayern Munich signing James Rodriguez has outlined ambitious plans to take over from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the world s foremost footballers.
The Colombia international joined the Bundesliga champions this month on an initial two-year loan deal, with the option to make the move permanent in 2019.
James joined Real Madrid for a reported €70million from Monaco after lighting up World Cup 2014, but he struggled to convince Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez and Zinedine Zidane that he was worthy of a regular place in the starting line-up.
However, having rejoined Ancelotti at the Allianz Arena, the 26-year-old is now determined to establish himself as one of the game s greats and even take over from Messi and Ronaldo, who have dominated Euro…
According to a report from Tuttosport, Juventus have made Matthijs de Ligt their number one priority from a defensive standpoint in the summer transfer window. The Italian champions were also believed to be interested in Frenkie de Jong, prior to the Dutchman’s move to Barcelona being confirmed.
De Ligt has been able to establish himself as one of the best young defenders in Europe over the last few years, and at the age of 19, he still has a bright future ahead of him.
Ruben Dias of Benfica and Nikola Milenkovic of Fiorentina are believed to be the back up options if they can’t sure de Ligt, who was able to force his way into the Netherlands senior team back in 2017.
Juve have made no secret of the fact that they’re trying to build some kind of super team…
Alphonso Davies has penned a two-year extension to his Bayern Munich contract, which now runs until 2025.
The 19-year-old was signed by the Bundesliga champions in July 2018 and started training with the club in November of that year after completing the MLS season with Vancouver Whitecaps.
Davies made six first-team appearances off the bench last term and has made a further 29 in all competitions this season after converting to left-back, with David Alaba having featured predominantly in the centre of defence to help Bayern s injury woes at the back.
The Canada international s previous deal was due to expire in 2023 but Bayern confirmed he has put pen to paper on fresh terms.
I am very happy. FC Bayern is one of the best clubs in the world and it was a…
Ange Postecoglou expects Tottenham to be in the Premier League title race in 12 months’ time.
Spurs had hit the league summit in November, before a spate of injuries sparked an inconsistent winter period.
The north London club are now 11 points off leaders Liverpool and battling for Champions League qualification with Aston Villa.
Getting the W in N17
Highlights: Spurs 2 -1 Luton
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial)
Postecoglou has repeatedly insisted a top-four finish is not the priority this season. He is instead more focused on the development and improvement of his young squad.
Asked whether he expects Spurs to be challenging for the title next term, Postecoglou replied: “I hope so. Or why am I doing what I’m doing?…
Raheem Sterling has struck fear into opponents at Euro 2020 ahead of England s final showdown with Italy, former Three Lions forward Emile Heskey told Stats Perform.
Sterling had already scored three goals before laying on the opener for captain Harry Kane in the 4-0 quarter-final win against Ukraine.
The Manchester City attacker was then in electrifying form in the semi-final versus Denmark, eventually winning the decisive penalty in extra time, with Kane beating Kasper Schmeichel on the rebound after his initial spot-kick was saved.
Sterling has attempted (32) and completed (18) more take-ons than any other player at Euro 2020 and Heskey believes this relentless edge to the 26-year-old s game will be vital as he pits his wits against the expertise of Leonardo B…
Ally McCoist has called on Glasgow Rangers fans to stick with the club through its current turmoil.
The Rangers boss – who has supported the club since he was a boy and is their record goalscorer – empathised with the fans after they were docked 10 points for going into administration on Tuesday.
That means Rangers hopes of winning a fourth consecutive Scottish Premier League title are effectively dashed, with Celtic now 14 points clear at the summit of the competition.
The most important people at this football club have always been the fans and that will always be the case, McCoist told the Rangers official website.
They are suffering at the moment and I am one myself. I have supported the club all my life and I know how they are feeling.
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Hope Solo says female players should be allowed to play for men s teams and believes football can be the most popular sport in the United States.
The Seattle Sounders goalkeeper, who has won over 100 caps for the United States women s team and claimed an Olympic gold medal in 2008, spoke exclusively to Goal.com at the Global Sports Forum in Barcelona.
And the 2011 Ballon d Or nominee admitted she considered turning out for a men s side in 2003, when the US Women s Soccer League suspended operations.
I thought about it (playing in a men s league) when our league folded, Solo said. I thought about playing for a lower-division men s club team in Saint Louis.
And I do believe I would have been able to take care of myself and handle my own if it was a lowe…