Football

Liverpool and Manchester City, the two titans of English football, will clash in a pivotal Premier League encounter on Sunday. This match could potentially shape the destiny of the title race, as both teams seek to gain an advantage in the final stretch of the season.Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the campaign has added an emotional layer to this rivalry. Pep Guardiola, his counterpart at City, has expressed his admiration for Klopp, acknowledging the German's impact on his own career. The two managers have faced off 15 times in the Premier League, with Guardiola holding a slight edge in victories. However, Liverpool's dominance at Anfield remains a challenge for City, who have not won away to their rivals since 2003.Meanwhile, Arsenal, who are currently third in the standings, have a chance to move into first place temporarily if they defeat Brentford on Saturday. The Gunners have been in impressive form, winning their last seven league matches. However, Declan Rice, Arsenal's midfielder, has warned that his team cannot afford any slip-ups in their pursuit of the title.Aston Villa, who are fourth in the table, will face Tottenham on Sunday in a crucial match for both sides' Champions League aspirations. Villa, under the guidance of Unai Emery, have emerged as a surprise contender for a top-four finish. A victory over Tottenham would strengthen their position and keep their European dreams alive.

Igor Stimac, India's head coach, has expressed his preference for Kolkata as the venue for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on June 6. Stimac believes that the city's passionate football atmosphere would provide a significant advantage for the Indian team.The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata has a capacity of over 66,000, and Stimac is eager to utilize the potential of a large and enthusiastic crowd to boost India's chances of securing a berth in the third round of the 2026 qualifiers. A victory or draw against Kuwait would mark a historic achievement for India, as it would be their first-ever progression to the third round.Stimac's preference for Kolkata aligns with the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) policy of prioritizing the head coach's recommendations for national team matters. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has emphasized that Stimac's suggestions will be paramount in decision-making.While Kolkata remains the frontrunner, Hyderabad and a venue in Maharashtra are also in contention to host the match. However, Stimac has indicated that he would prefer to explore new venues only after India qualifies for the third round.In the event that Kolkata is unable to host the game, Stimac has identified Bengaluru as an alternative venue. India recently triumphed in the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, and Stimac believes that the city's positive football environment would be beneficial for the team.Stimac has also announced a long list of 35 probables for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan on March 21 and 26. The list includes several new faces, such as Amey Ranawade, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela, and Jay Gupta.The probables list will be pruned after the Indian Super League pauses for the international break on March 14. Stimac has stated that he may consider adding new players to the squad for the June qualifiers, which include an away game against Qatar.Stimac emphasized that the rebuilding process for the Indian team will begin after the 2024 Asian Cup. He believes that it is crucial to maintain continuity with the players who have been part of the squad for the past four years.

Liverpool took a commanding step towards the Europa League quarterfinals with a resounding 5-1 victory over Sparta Prague on Thursday. Darwin Nunez starred for the Reds, scoring twice to help secure a comfortable first-leg advantage.Nunez opened the scoring in the sixth minute, converting a penalty after Alexis Mac Allister was fouled in the area. The Uruguayan international doubled Liverpool's lead in the 25th minute with a stunning right-footed shot from distance.Sparta Prague pulled one back through an own goal by Conor Bradley, but Nunez restored Liverpool's three-goal advantage just before halftime. Luis Díaz extended the lead further in the second half, before Dominik Szoboszlai scored a consolation goal for the hosts in stoppage time.Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp praised his team's performance, saying, "Our goals were fantastic." He also welcomed the return of Mohamed Salah, who came on as a substitute in the 74th minute.In other Europa League action, Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run to 35 games across all competitions with a 2-2 draw at Qarabag. Roma continued their resurgence under coach Daniele De Rossi with a 4-0 thumping of Brighton, while Marseille beat 10-man Villarreal 4-0.AC Milan took control of their tie against Slavia Prague with a 3-1 victory at San Siro, while Freiburg secured a 1-0 home win over West Ham. Benfica salvaged a 2-2 draw at Rangers, while Aston Villa held Ajax 0-0 in Amsterdam.In the Europa Conference League, Lille recorded a 3-0 victory at Sturm Graz, Maccabi Tel Aviv won 4-1 at Olympiacos, and Molde beat Club Brugge 2-1. Fiorentina secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Maccabi Haifa, while Fenerbahce won 3-0 at Union Saint-Gilloise.

Goa's resilience shone through as they staged a remarkable comeback from a goal down to defeat Manipur 2-1 in extra time, securing their 14th appearance in the Santosh Trophy final.The match began with a high tempo, with both teams creating early chances. However, it was Manipur who broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Ngangbam Pacha Singh unleashed a stunning strike from 30 yards that left Goa goalkeeper Antonio Dylan Inacio da Silva rooted to the spot.Goa's hopes seemed to dwindle as Manipur employed a high press that stifled their passing game. However, the Goan team refused to give up and fought back valiantly. Deep into injury time, Necio Maristo Fernandes produced a moment of brilliance, acrobatically back-volleying the ball into the goal from inside the box to send the game into extra time.In extra time, Manipur came out strong, but Goa remained resolute and looked to hit on the counter. With just four minutes remaining on the clock, Fernandes struck again, running onto a low center from the right and poking the ball in from close range.The match ended in a flurry of red cards as tempers flared. Manipur head coach Thangjam Saran Singh and a team staff member were dismissed just after Goa's second goal, while substitute Sushilkumar Singh was sent off in the sixth minute of injury time in extra time.Goa's victory sets up a thrilling final against Services, who defeated Mizoram 2-1 in the other semifinal. The Goan team will be aiming to add to their record-breaking 13 Santosh Trophy titles, while Services will be looking to claim their first title since 2012.

Lionel Messi's global influence extends far beyond the realm of football, as evidenced by a remarkable incident involving a 90-year-old woman in Israel. Ester Cunio, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, found herself facing armed intruders who stormed her home. Amidst the chaos, Cunio's mention of Messi's name proved to be a life-saving intervention.The gunmen demanded information about Cunio's family, but she claimed to have limited Hebrew proficiency and spoke in Argentine Spanish. In an interview with Fuente Latina, Cunio recounted the encounter: "I told him not to talk to me because I didn't understand his language. The Arab language, and I speak poor Hebrew. I speak Argentinian Spanish, so he asks what Argentina is. Then I tell him, 'do you watch football?' He said he liked it and I told him I am from Messi's country."To Cunio's astonishment, the gunman expressed admiration for Messi and placed his arm on her shoulder. He handed her his gun and instructed her to make the peace sign, which was captured in a photograph. Cunio expressed her hope that Messi would see the image and assist in the release of her abducted grandchildren, David and Ariel.Messi's impact transcends sports, serving as a symbol of peace and unity. This incident highlights the profound influence he wields on a global scale, inspiring hope and fostering connections across cultural and linguistic barriers.

Chelsea Football Club has reported pre-tax losses of £90.1 million ($114.8 million) for the 2022-23 financial year, marking a reduction from the previous year's losses of £121.4 million. Despite the losses, Chelsea remains compliant with UEFA and Premier League financial regulations.The club's financial results reflect increased scrutiny on league profit and sustainability rules, which allow for losses of up to £105 million over a three-year period. Chelsea's parent company, Blueco 22 Ltd., which also owns Racing Club Strasbourg, reported a net loss of £653 million ($833 million) for the year.Chelsea's losses come amidst a significant spending spree on transfers since the club was acquired by a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022. Despite the investment, Chelsea has struggled on the field, currently sitting 11th in the Premier League and facing the prospect of missing out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive year.The club's financial report highlights the challenge of balancing on-field success with financial sustainability. Chelsea's turnover increased from £481.3 million to £512.5 million, but decreased broadcasting revenue due to the team's poor performance in the previous season impacted the club's finances.Chelsea's failure to qualify for the Champions League this season and the potential absence from the competition next season could further strain the club's finances. The club's financial performance will be closely monitored in the coming years as it navigates the challenges of complying with financial regulations while striving for on-field success.

In a thrilling semifinal clash of the 77th National Football Championships for the Santosh Trophy, Services held off a late surge from Mizoram to secure a narrow 2-1 victory.Services, a six-time champion, dominated the proceedings from the outset, controlling possession and creating several scoring opportunities. In the 21st minute, left-back Subham Rana set up Rahul Ramakrishnan with a sharp cross, which the latter converted with a left-footed drive to give Services the lead.After the break, Services continued to press forward and doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute. Substitute Bikash Thapa pounced on a back-pass that Mizoram goalkeeper F. Lalmuanawma failed to control and slotted home the insurance goal.Mizoram, however, refused to go down without a fight. Substitute Malsawmfela, introduced in the 71st minute, caused problems for Services with his physical play. In injury time, Malsawmfela pulled one back for Mizoram with a free-kick, setting up a tense finish.Despite losing defender Zothanpuia to a red card in the 88th minute, Services held on to their lead, with goalkeeper Shafeel P.P. making a crucial save in the dying seconds to deny Malsawmfela an equalizer.The victory sends Services to their 12th final in the tournament's history, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between Kerala and Punjab.

India's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign has received a boost with the return of key players Anwar Ali and Jeakson Singh. The duo, who missed the recent Asian Cup due to injuries, have been named among 35 probables for the upcoming matches against Afghanistan.Ali, a central defender, has been out of action for an extended period due to an ankle injury. He also suffered a minor setback in an ISL match last month. Singh, a defensive midfielder, underwent left shoulder surgery in November. Both players have since returned to action for their respective Indian Super League teams.The inclusion of Ali and Singh strengthens India's defense, which has been a concern in recent matches. Ali's experience and leadership will be crucial, while Singh's ball-winning abilities will provide stability in midfield.However, India will be without key winger Ashique Kuruniyan, who is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained last year. Kuruniyan's absence is a blow to India's attacking options, but the team will hope to compensate with the return of Ali and Singh.India are aiming to reach the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time in their history. They are currently placed in Group A of the second round, alongside Qatar, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. The top two teams from the group will progress to the third round.India have a chance to make history after beating Kuwait 1-0 in Kuwait City last year. Head coach Igor Stimac has promised to lead the country to its maiden third round of the FIFA World Cup qualification.The probables for the Afghanistan matches are as follows:Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Phurba Tempa Lachenpa, Vishal KaithDefenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Chandrashekhar Poojary, Subhasish Bose, Narender, Anwar Ali, Roshan Singh Naorem, Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay GuptaMidfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Deepak Tangri, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Lalengmawia Ralte, Imran KhanForwards: Sunil Chhetri, Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Nandhakumar Sekar, Isak Vanlalruatfela

Cristiano Ronaldo's tumultuous second stint at Manchester United ended abruptly in November 2022, following a controversial interview where he criticized the club's hierarchy and manager Erik ten Hag. The decision to terminate his contract marked a bitter end to a transfer that had initially sparked excitement among United fans.United had acquired Ronaldo from Juventus in the summer of 2021 for a fee of 15 million Euros, plus potential add-ons. The Portuguese superstar's arrival was seen as a major coup for the club, given his legendary status and prolific goalscoring record. However, the move proved to be a disappointment, with Ronaldo struggling to adapt to ten Hag's high-pressing style of play.As the season progressed, Ronaldo's playing time diminished, leading to growing frustration. The situation reached a boiling point when he gave an unauthorized interview to British broadcaster Piers Morgan, in which he expressed his dissatisfaction with the club's management and coaching staff.In the interview, Ronaldo claimed that he felt "betrayed" by United and that he had no respect for ten Hag. The club responded by suspending Ronaldo and eventually terminating his contract by mutual consent.Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had initially signed Ronaldo, has since admitted that the transfer was a mistake. "With the ball, with him in the team, it was no problem," Solskjaer said. "But without him [pressing], we had to change a little bit from the different roles we'd gotten used to."Solskjaer also acknowledged that Ronaldo's age and fitness levels played a role in his reduced playing time. "Cristiano - when you know him and speak to him, he wanted to play three out of four games, he realized he's getting older as well," Solskjaer said. "But when you leave him out once, he's not happy!"Ten Hag's position as United manager is now under scrutiny following a string of poor results, including a humiliating 1-3 defeat to Manchester City in their latest Premier League fixture. United currently sit sixth in the standings, with their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League fading.