Asia

World soccer's governing body FIFA will test its semi-automated offside technology at the Arab Cup 2021 which begins in Qatar on Tuesday, with Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina saying the competition represented its most important trial so far.

The technology is based on limb tracking and provides the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) with information before the on-field official takes a final call.

What if I told you Qatar hired an ex-CIA officer to run a spy campaign to ensure the tiny but wealthy Middle Eastern country won and held on to the hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup? Yeah, that sounds pretty believable.

Sunday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe featured two sides that are struggling to keep pace with the top of the Süper Lig, but it’s always a monumental occasion when the European side of Istanbul clashes with the Asian. 

The scene at Galatasaray’s NEF Stadium was electric before kick-off, with players entering the pitch to one of this season’s greatest tifos. If there’s a contest going on without a reference to Squid Game these days, did a contest really even take place?

Chelsea kept pace with Arsenal at the top of the Women’s Super League (the two sides will clash on Dec. 5 in the FA Women’s Cup final at Wembley) by destroy second-to-last Birmingham City on Sunday in an entirely one-sided game.

Chelsea controlled 76% possession and outshot the visitors 25 to two at Kingsmeadow, with Sam Kerr scoring a first-half hat trick and providing one assist while Fran Kirby recorded a brace. 

The pick of the goals was scored in the fourth-minute by Kirby, who saw the keeper off her line and provided a delicate chip from 18 yards out.  

DOHA — On the outskirts of Doha, low-rise apartment blocks are starting to take shape that will house many of the soccer fans due to descend on the Qatari capital next year for the World Cup 2022.

Qatar, which has been in the spotlight for its treatment of migrant workers on construction sites, hopes the tournament will attract 1.2 million visitors, roughly a third of its population.

MELBOURNE — Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo became the first active A-League player to come out as gay on Wednesday, saying he was done with feeling ashamed about his sexuality and the exhaustion of trying to live a "double-life."

"I'm a footballer and I'm gay," the 21-year-old said on a video posted on Adelaide's social media, drawing support from fellow professionals across the world.

"All I want to do is play football and be treated equally."

The first James Rodriguez Qatar goal was scored on Tuesday as the 30-year-old Colombian helped Al-Rayyan to a 4-2 victory in the Qatar Stars League. I still hear Peter Drury’s commentary of “my word this boy’s a star” from when James scored an absolute screamer against Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup echoing in my ear.

In 2014 it felt like James could conquer the Earth. In 2021 he’s scoring his first goal for Al-Rayyan.

Carli Lloyd’s final USWNT appearance is Tuesday, Oct. 26, in a friendly against South Korea from Saint Paul, Minnesota. One of the greatest women’s soccer players of all time is retiring at the end of the NWSL season to start a family, and she’ll have one last sendoff with the national team. To commemorate her final cap, Fox Soccer will have a dedicated stream — a Carli Cam, if you will — following her every move at Allianz Field, according to Engadget.