Qatar beat unravelling Tajikistan to secure last 16 spot
January 17 – Qatar have booked their place in the Asian Cup Round of 16 after defeating Tajikistan 1-0 in a hard-fought victory at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Group B: Aussies push for second win, Uzbeks look to get points on the board
January 17 – Australia manager Graham Arnold has urged his team to deploy their arial threat against Syria while India’s Igor Stimac wants his team to put in another compact performance but with a better outcome against Uzbekistan.
Lebanese hit woodwork as China settle for a second 0-0
January 17 – In a war of attrition, China played out their second goalless draw of the tournament, failing to find the net against Lebanon in their Group A encounter.
Palestine confident of finding focus ahead of UAE clash
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 17 – On the eve of their second Group B match with the United Arab Emirates, Palestine manager Makram Daboub said his side will draw lessons from their lack of focus in the heavy defeat against Iran, but remained confident of his team’s chances to make the round of 16.
Former baseball star slugger Jose Bautista looks to hit Las Vegas Lights FC out the park
January 17 – The Las Vegas football (soccer) market is heating up. The MLS are expected to announce a franchise in the city once an ownership group is formalised, third tier league NISA last week announced the admission of Las Vegas Legends, and this week Las Vegas Lights, playing in the second tier US Championship, have a new high profile owner.
Man City launch 10th football school project in Dyrrah, Albania
January 17 – Manchester City is adding another facility and player development centre to its academy business, this time in the Albanian city of Durres, to be called Dyrrah City Football Academy.
SportTata Consultancy becomes sponsor partner of SIGA’s female leadership summit
January 17 – With SIGA’s Annual Summit on Female Leadership fast approaching, the SportTata Consultancy Services (TCS) has joined SIGA as a Silver Partner.
Soccerex back in Europe with Amsterdam date set for May
January 17 – Soccerex is on a roll. Having held its US event in November last year in Miami, in early January it announced an event for March in Rio de Janeiro and has now announced a new event in Amsterdam for May 30-31.
Everton face further points deductions, Forest join them on financial bad boy stool
January 16 – Already reeling from a 10-point deduction, Everton, one of the most iconic names in English football, could be facing another costly punishment for breaking the Premier League’s financial rules.
Turks turn on Israeli players with Başakşehir’s Eden Kartsev now the target
January 15 – Following Turkey’s decision to deport Israeli player Sagiv Jehezkel over a gesture he made during an on-field celebration in sympathy with Hamas-held hostages in Gaza, attention has now turned to a second Israeli player who also expressed solidarity with the abductees.
Saudi Arabia snatch points off Oman with dramatic added time goal
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 16 – On a night of late drama, Saudi Arabia produced a 96th-minute winner from Ali Al Bulayhi to claim all three points against Oman in a 2-1 victory on Roberto Mancini’s debut at the Asian Cup.
Ricketts clings on to power in Jamaica after Congress postponed, but faces suspicion of vote-rigging
January 16 – Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts is clinging on to power following the postponement of an electoral JFF congress on Sunday.
Mogadishu Stadium killings at hands of sports minister’s guards force SFF to suspend play
January 16 – The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has suspended the flagship Inter-state tournament following a series of shootings at the Mogadishu Stadium that left two dead and several injured.
Saudi Arabia unveil spectacular designs for Qiddiya City stadium
January 16 – Saudi Arabia has unveiled ambitious designs for a cutting-edge stadium perched atop a 200-meter-high cliff near Riyadh, strategically positioned to serve as a venue for matches during the 2034 World Cup.
Supachai double sees Thailand surprise wasteful Kyrgyzstan
January 16 – Thailand snatched the first points available in Group F of the Asian Cup, defeating Kyrgyzstan 2-0 courtesy of a brace from striker Supachai Jaided at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa stadium in Doha.