Asia

South Africa Manager Says Biggest Olympic Opponent Is COVID-19 ‘Guillotine’

CAPE TOWN - South Africa’s soccer team coach David Notoane said his side were caught in the eye of a coronavirus storm and likened their situation to waiting for a guillotine to fall ahead of their Tokyo Olympic Games opener against hosts Japan on Thursday.

The squad was severely depleted by COVID-19 infections and withdrawals before they left South Africa, and has now faced further setbacks after players Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi, along with video analyst Mario Masha, tested positive for the virus on arrival in Tokyo.

Japan Captain Maya Yoshida Questions Point Of Olympics Without Fans

Japan's men's captain Maya Yoshida has questioned the decision to hold the Olympic Games behind closed doors, calling on authorities to reconsider the spectator ban before the football tournaments begin on Wednesday.

Fans will be absent from the Games as coronavirus infections continue to climb in Japan, even though fans are allowed to attend other sporting contests within the country.

Panamá Empató Con Catar En La Copa Oro Y … Wait! ¿Por Qué Catar Está Jugando La Copa Oro?

Después de un retraso de media hora, causado por una tormenta eléctrica en los cielos de Houston, Panamá y Catar abrieron el Grupo D de la Copa Oro con un partido bastante intenso. Si bien la primera mitad terminó cero a cero, al final de los 90 minutos, el marcador señalaba un 3-3. La ráfaga de goles se produjo entre los 48’ y los 79’, y tuvo al catarí Akram Afif como la principal figura.

Ahora, ¿qué diablos está haciendo Catar en la Copa Oro?

Solomon Islands League Produces One Of The Cleanest Volleys This World Has Ever Seen

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is the forgotten child of the soccer world. The only time fans really hear about the OFC is when it sends New Zealand to a World Cup qualifying playoff that it loses nine times out of ten, or the Oceania team that gets sent to the Confederations Cup.

Anyone else remember when poor Tahiti was forced to play Spain, Uruguay and Nigeria at the 2013 Confederations Cup? It takes a special team to finish with a -23 goal differential after three games.

Norwich Ends Sponsor Deal With Betting Firm After Fans Voice Collective WTF

Premier League club Norwich City on Thursday ended their partnership with kit sponsor BK8 following supporters' criticism of the Asian betting company's provocative marketing material online.

Norwich, who won the second-tier Championship last season to qualify for the top flight, had announced BK8 as their new shirt sponsor on Monday for the 2021-22 season.

36-Year-Old India Captain Sunil Chhetri Moves Back Above Messi In International Scoring Chart

Last Thursday, the world’s second-most populated country once again failed to qualify for the World Cup. India had never managed the feat before, and a 1-0 defeat to Qatar confirmed that 2022 wouldn’t mark a maiden voyage for the Blue Tigers.

But there’s one contest that India might yet win, and that’s the personal battle between 36-year-old captain Sunil Chhetri and six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. 

Japan Goes Samurai Baby Blue On Us

This year, the Japan Football Association (JFA) is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The football Japan’s provided has frequently captured the world’s imagination with its unique blend of technical beauty matched with an unconquerable spirit, and to commemorate the landmark, adidas has launched a jersey that’s inspired by the first Samurai Blue squad.

World’s Top Footballers React To Growing Palestine-Israel Conflict

Soccer players around the world have spoken out against the past week’s violence taking place in Palestine and Israel.

Millionaire Owner Of Chinese Club Forces Team To Play His 280-Pound Son

In the list of things you could do as a millionaire, this has to be at the very top: purchase a club, award yourself the No. 10 jersey, hand yourself the role of super sub and then bring your son on too.  

North Korea Withdraws From 2022 World Cup Qualifying

HONG KONG - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Sunday that North Korea has pulled out of next month's qualifying tournament for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

The move comes after the country had already withdrawn from the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer because of concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Korea is due to host the remaining matches in Group H of the second round of Asia's preliminary tournament in June, but North Korean officials informed their southern counterparts of their intention to withdraw this month.

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