Canada 5 Honduras 0
June 17 – Canada over the past six years have forced their way into Concacaf’s elite but have so often flattered to deceive. They are the team everyone quite likes but have never delivered the championship title their talent screams for. Re-adjust everyone.
Qatar 1 Iraq 0
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 22 – ‘We & the Nation of Pride are Fine’ reads the side of the Qatari team bus in the UAE at the Asian Cup. After tonight’s 1-0 win over Iraq they are doing much better than that.
Bahrain 1 South Korea 2
January 22 – South Korea edged Bahrain 2-1 after a nervy 120 minutes to book a spot in the last eight of the Asian Cup. The Bahrainis resisted the Korean onslaught for long periods but in the end succumbed to Kim Jin-su’s first international goal, a far-post header, in the 115th minute.
By Samindra Kunti and Paul Nicholson
January 22 – FIFA, UEFA, AFC, La Liga, the Premier League and the Bundesliga have today issued a joint statement condemning “clear and flagrant” pirating of games by satellite channel beoutQ, but refrained from naming Saudi Arabia as culpable for the infringements though the channel broadcasts from the country.
January 22 – Argentinian forward Emiliano Sala was on a plane that went missing over the English Channel on Monday evening while he was en route to Cardiff City after being signed by the Premier League club, French aviation officials have confirmed.
By Paul Nicholson
January 22 – Following the launch of a website detailing the broadcast piracy of Saudi Arabia-based beoutQ, the Premier League has issued a statement saying it has appointed legal counsel to fight the copyright theft and reassuring rightsholders it will work with them to stop the illegal broadcast.
January 22 – US investors Russell Platt and Clifton Onolfo have taken over financially troubled Spanish second-division club CF Reus that was under threat of closure.
January 22 – A French player power dispute has intensified with the country’s National Professional Footballers’ Union saying Paris Saint-Germain have “no right” to exclude Adrien Rabiot from their first-team setup simply for refusing to sign a new contract.
January 22 – Adidas have unveiled the ball for the Champions League final to be played at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.
January 22 – Former England women’s team manager Mark Sampson has apologised “unreservedly” to internationals Eniola Aluko and Drew Spence for comments he made during his tenure, saying he will “forever regret” the situation following his sacking.
January 22 – The final two knockout games of the round of 16 games at the Asian Cup take place tonight in Dubai and Sharjah. Qatar face a buoyant Iraq, which Bahrain aim to spring another surprise against South Korea.
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
UAE 3 Kyrgyz Republic 2 (AET)
June 21 – Hosts UAE made it through to the quarter finals of the Asian Cup but only after having thrown away a winning position to send the match into extra time against a tenacious Kyrgyz Republic. Sub Ahmed Khalil had been on the pitch just four minutes before stepping up to slot the winning penalty.
Australia 0 (4) Uzbekistan 0 (2)
January 21 – Defending champions Australia laboured to a 4-2 spot-kick win over Uzbekistan after an underwhelming goalless draw to ensure a place in the last eight of the Asian Cup. Goalkeeper Matthew Ryan and substitute Mathew Leckie starred in the penalty shout out.
January 2 – Japan return to action tonight against Saudi Arabia in a match that has a lot of pride at stake for both teams.
January 21 – Australian coach Graham Arnold believes his team will step up in the knockout stages of the competition after a modest first round. The Socceroos will face Uzbekistan in the round of sixteen.
By David Owen
January 21 – Liverpool may be about to become the first football club in history to report an annual net profit of more than €100 million.