MLS awards new franchise to Austin FC who will build for 2021 start
January 16 – Major League Soccer (MLS) in the US has announced Austin FC as its 27th franchised team. Austin Will begin play in 2021.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Bundesliga takes next step in China with Beijing office and digital drive
January 17 – Germany’s Bundesliga is to open an office in Beijing, China, in March to build on the relationships the league has established with the Chinese FA and various regional sports authorities.
War games: Qatar and Saudi in shoot out to top group
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 17 –Last night Iran and Iraq treated us to a fractious encounter. Two proud nations who have a political history of conflict delivered an at times niggly if not quite full-on encounter. Tonight the Asian Cup delivers War GamesII – Qatar vs Saudi Arabia, the blockbuster game to end the group stages.
Grp D: Iran top group, Vietnamese keep hopes alive, proud Yemen head home
January 17 – Iran advanced to the last 16 of the Asian Cup as group D winners after a goalless draw with local rival Iraq. Vietnam defeated Yemen 2-0 to remain in contention for a knockout ticket.
Bento basks in the game-changing brilliance of Son
January 16 – South Korea coach Paulo Bento heralded Tottenham’s Son Heung-min as a pivotal influence in his team ‘s 2-0 win over China. Son, featuring in the starting eleven, earned an early penalty and assisted his team’s second goal.
Iraq’s startlet Muhannad Ali sets Arab record and sparks European interest
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 16 – Iraq’s wonder kid Muhannad Ali set a new regional record in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 by becoming the youngest Arab player to ever score in the continental showpiece. He has also become the third youngster to have scored in the competition’s history.
Grp C: Son’s impact is immediate as Korea roll over China’s defensive wall
By Samindra Kunti
January 16 – A Son-inspired South Korea passed their first major test of the Asian Cup by beating China and Marcello Lippi 2-0 to win Group C with a perfect record and nine points. The wait for the Tottenham star was over and his impact was immediate, forcing an early penalty and provided an assist to set his team on the path to victory.
Seifert warns FIFA and UEFA of crossing a ‘Red Line’ on new club competitions
January 16 – Bundesliga boss Christian Seifert has warned UEFA and FIFA not to even think about using weekends for any future expansion of international competitions.
Spurs fans caned as Harry injured and Son rises at Asian Cup
January 16 – In a devastating blow to his club Tottenham Hotspur, England captain Harry Kane has been sidelined until early March with yet another ankle ligament injury.
Man City refuse to engage over ‘web of lies’ regarding FFP breaches
January 16 – Manchester City have so far declined to provide UEFA with any comment over allegations that they breached financial fair play regulations since the club argues the claims were based on “hacked or stolen” emails.
The Palestinian condition: team waits in ‘hope’ that results will go their way
By Paul Nicholson and Samindra Kunti in Abu Dhabi
January 16 – Palestine’s football team is unavoidably and inextricably linked with their national struggle, frankly, the Israelis have made it so. With their border blockades of players, equipment and even visiting national teams, the Israelis have few friends in Asian football, and probably wouldn’t even be part of the football world if FIFA president Gianni Infantino hadn’t controversially saved them from a vote to exclude them last Congress.
China’s veteran forward Yu Dabao sets new Asian Cup fastest scoring record
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 15 – Chinese striker Yu Dabao has made AFC Asian Cup history by scoring the fastest goal-ever in the history of the continental tournament by a substitute.
MI Leeds/Derby: Football League bring in top agents after Leeds spy botched his mission
January 16 – The English Football League are to formally investigate the so-called “spygate” affair when Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa sent one of his coaching staff to spy on Derby County ahead of their high-profile Championship match last Friday.
Alex Morgan scores Concacaf hat-trick, Hirving Lozano wins men’s player of year award
January 16 – American Alex Morgan has been named Concacaf’s female player of the year for third consecutive season. It is the fourth time she has won the award. Mexico’s Hirving Lozano won the 2018 Male Players of the Year.
Man City, PSG Juve, Barca and Bayern to win leagues, say stats. Man Utd are over achieving
January 16 – This season’s Big 5 European league champions will be Manchester City, Barcelona, PSG, Juventus and Bayern Munich, according to a set statistical model developed by the CIES Football Observatory.