The ‘Bapa’ of Fiji’s football heroes

Ex-England player Barnes slams critics of World Cup hosts Qatar

(Reuters) – Former England international John Barnes slammed critics who have questioned World Cup hosts Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers, saying detractors of the country had turned a blind eye to their progress on human rights. Qatar, which was awarded hosting rights for the World Cup in 2010, has faced intense criticism from human rights...

Fans brace for politically charged U.S.-Iran match at World Cup

DOHA (Reuters) – Diplomatic foes the United States and Iran face off on the pitch at the World Cup on Tuesday in a match that some Iranians fear may see further run-ins with stadium security or clashes with pro-government fans over raging protests back home. The contest between the two nations that severed ties over...

My first goal could have been Ronaldo’s, says Portugal’s Fernandes

LUSAIL, Qatar, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes said a goal awarded to him – the first of his two in a 2-0 win over Uruguay on Monday – might in fact have been scored by Cristiano Ronaldo, but what mattered was securing Portugal’s place in the World Cup’s next phase. Fernandes was...

Juventus Chairman Agnelli resigns with entire board

MILAN, Nov 28 (Reuters) – The board of Juventus (JUVE.MI), chaired by Andrea Agnelli, has resigned “in the best interest of the company,” the Italian Serie A soccer team said on Monday. The collective resignation comes after Juventus’ financial statements received scrutiny from prosecutors and Italian market regulator Consob in recent months for alleged false accounting...

Loss to Ghana ‘totally unfair’ – South Korea assistant coach

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 28 (Reuters) – South Korea assistant coach Sergio Costa said Monday’s 3-2 defeat by Ghana was an unfair result for the Asian side, whose World Cup campaign is stalling with the team rooted to the bottom of Group H. Cho Gue-sung’s brace was not enough for South Korea to pull off...

Pro League for Football: Fiji FA Plan to involve Six Franchises.

THE Fiji Football Association is hopeful it will be able to kick start a professional league by 2024. Teams to take part may include clubs from neighbouring Pacific nations. According to Fiji Football Association CEO Mohammed Yusuf, the initial proposal was for a professional league for local-based franchises but interest from other nations may see...

Awards for Suva Reps

THE (SPSSA) hosted an awards night last Wednesday for its players and to thank sponsors, parents and supporters for their contribution towards the teams. Association president Lawrence Lingam said SPSSA facilitated the development of grassroots soccer in Suva and after a break of two years because of COVID-19, the association was able to organise its...

Talent Development League Ends

FOUR weekends of McDonald’s Talent Development League ended last weekend in the three zones. The pilot project was played in the West, South and North in the under-13 and under-15 grades. In the southern zone, Rewa Centre Team Two under-13 was crowned the champion after beating Rewa Centre Team One 1-0 in the final while...

Dutt Hails 3-Day Clinic

A THREE-DAY OFC/MA Grassroots Football Coaching Certificate course ended last Sunday at the Fiji FA Academy in Vatuwaqa, Suva. Fiji FA coach educator Yogendra Dutt said the participants were from the southern zone. “We had around 17 participants who had the passion and love for football and wanted to pursue their career in coaching,” said...

Ba Women’s Team Win IDC Title

THE Ba Women’s team snatched the Digicel Women’s Inter District Championship 2022 title from Labasa in an entertaining final at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Sunday. Labasa came into the final as favourites after walloping minnows Tailevu Naitasiri 12-0 in the first semi-final while the Women in Black defeated Rewa 2-1 in the second...

New Referees Complete Level 1 Course

THE Fiji Football Association has bolstered its match official ranks following an OFC Level 1 Referees Course held last week which saw 24 new referees become qualified. The course was run over three days with FFA referees director Rakesh Varman particularly pleased to see the number of young people and females taking part. “It shows...

President’s Five Rule

THE Fiji FA President’s Five were crowned the champions of the Futsal Invitational Cup 2022 after beating Suva 2-1 in the final at the Vodafone Arena in the Laucala Bay. Rajneel Chand scored the opener for the President’s Five while Vineet Nadan found the equaliser for Suva. Prashant Chand was the star for the President’s...

Ba Wins Cup: Begg Nails Winner for Men In Black

THE All in one Builders Ba FC has been crowned the champions of the 2022 All in One Cakes & Restaurant Pacific Community Cup after beating RC Manubhai / Esy Kool Nadi FC 1-0 in the final at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Sunday. Youngster Nabil Begg scored the first-half screamer to give the...

Croatia Downs Canada 4-1

AL RAYYAN, Qatar — A bit of trash talk meant to inspire Canada instead motivated Croatia. Canada coach John Herdman had tried to boost his team following a loss to Belgium to open the team’s first World Cup appearance in 36 years — using colourful language that Croatia took exception to. The 2018 runners-up responded...

Ghana stave off elimination with 3-2 win over South Korea at World Cup

Mohammed Kudus said there wasn’t much difference between the way Ghana played in its opening World Cup match against Portugal or its second game against South Korea. Except the result, of course. Kudus scored twice, including the go-ahead goal after the South Koreans evened the match in the second half, and Ghana staved off elimination with a...

Germany Salvages Draw Against Spain

AL KHOR, Qatar — Only a win for Germany in the final group game will give the four-time World Cup champions a chance to avoid a second straight early elimination. At least they’re improving. Substitute Niclas Füllkrug scored in the 83rd minute on Sunday to give Germany a 1-1 draw against Spain at Al Bayt...

No Neymar, no problem: Brazil edges Switzerland to book spot in knockout stage

Struggling and unconvincing without Neymar on the field, Brazil still played well enough to secure a spot in the next round of the World Cup. The five-time champions overcame the absence of their injured star to beat Switzerland 1-0 with a late goal and make it to the round of 16 with a match to spare in Group...

Protester with rainbow flag runs onto field at World Cup

A protester ran onto the field carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a blue Superman T-shirt that said “SAVE UKRAINE” on the front and “RESPECT FOR IRANIAN WOMAN” on the back during a World Cup match between Portugal and Uruguay. Security officials chased the protester down and the flag was dropped on the field before the person...

Cristiano Ronaldo denied goal as Portugal beat Uruguay to reach last 16 of World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo wheeled away in celebration, acting as though he had scored yet another goal at the World Cup. Not this time. Instead, it was Bruno Fernandes eventually credited with the goal that set up Portugal’s 2-0 win over Uruguay on Monday, advancing the team into the last 16. Fernandes curled in a cross from...

Loss Triggers Riots

BRUSSELS — Riots broke out in several Belgian and Dutch cities after Morocco’s 2-0 upset win over Belgium at the World Cup on Sunday. Police detained about a dozen people after they deployed water cannons and fired tear gas to disperse crowds in Brussels and eight more in the Northern city of Antwerp. Two police...

Soccer Iran tells Klinsmann to quit FIFA job after ‘outrageous’ rebuke of team

DOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) – Iran coach Carlos Queiroz lambasted German soccer icon Juergen Klinsmann for criticising his team’s World Cup conduct, calling his remarks a “disgrace to football” and urging him to quit his FIFA post, as Iran’s soccer federation demanded an apology. In comments as an analyst with broadcaster BBC, Germany’s 1990 World...

U.S. Soccer briefly removed emblem from Iran flag to show support for protesters

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 27 (Reuters) – The United States Soccer Federation temporarily displayed Iran’s national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic as a show of solidarity with protesters in Iran ahead of the two teams’ World Cup clash on Tuesday. A now-deleted graphic of the Group B standings posted...

Ba wins Pacific Community Cup

Ba defeated Nadi 1-0 in the All in One Builders-sponsored Pacific Community Cup at Prince Charles Park in Nadi yesterday. Nabil Begg, the future star of Fijian football scored in the 17th minute. Ba team manager Azam Ali said they qualified for some semi-finals this season. He said they made it to the semi-final of...

Ba wins in late rally

Ba staged a late rally to down defending champions Labasa 4-2 in the final of the Digicel Women’s Inter District Championship (IDC) at Prince Charles Park in Nadi yesterday. The two teams were locked 1-all after 90 minutes, forcing the match into extra time. Vanisha Kumar scored for Labasa in the 51st minute while Lavenia...

Morocco stun European powerhouse Belgium 2-0 in World Cup upset

Morocco pulled off yet another World Cup shock on Monday, and Belgium’s ageing “Golden Generation” took the hit this time. The 2-0 upset left Kevin de Bruyne and the 2018 semifinalists in peril of a group-stage exit at what is likely the final World Cup for a highly-talented Belgian group that haven’t managed to convert their promise...

Argentina assistant coach in tears after Lionel Messi scored against Mexico

As Lionel Messi struggled to hold back his tears, Pablo Aimar let them flow on the bench. Covering his hands with his face, Argentina’s assistant coach, the former player who Messi idolised as a child, was almost hyperventilating with emotion after the goal that kept alive the Albiceleste’s World Cup journey. A sobbing Aimar even had...

Germany score late to salvage 1-1 draw with Spain at World Cup

Germany forward Niclas Füllkrug salvaged a 1-1 draw against Spain on Monday at the World Cup. The Germans still need to win their last group match to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stage. The four-time champions were eliminated in the group stage four years ago in Russia. Germany will next face Costa...

Messi keeps World Cup dream alive with magic strike against Mexico

LUSAIL, Qatar (Reuters) -Lionel Messi kept his dream of winning his first World Cup alive by rifling in the opening goal in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Mexico in World Cup Group C, proving he was far from done in the tournament. The Argentine, competing in his fifth World Cup at age 35, has won every...

Messi brings Argentina to life, but can he match Maradona?

LUSAIL, Qatar (Reuters) – Lionel Messi drew level with Diego Maradona’s number of World Cup goals and appearances on Saturday, but the current No. 10 knows that only winning the trophy at long last will earn him the same eternal love of his fellow Argentines. In the twilight of a career played out in the...

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