Football

Bengaluru FC (BFC) will face Hyderabad FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Thursday, aiming to build on their positive start to the season. BFC secured a 1-0 victory over East Bengal in their opening fixture, with Vinith Venkatesh scoring the winning goal.Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, is making its ISL debut and faces a challenging task against BFC. The club has undergone a financial transformation under the ownership of the BC Jindal group, but concerns remain about its on-field performance. Hyderabad FC finished last in the 2023-24 ISL season, recording only one win in 22 matches.Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto acknowledges the team's need to improve. "We want to build things now, and the next two or three matches will be crucial since a few overseas players are yet to join the team. Once they join us, understand us, and we understand them, we will have a clearer picture of where we want to reach," Singto said.BFC will be looking to improve its head-to-head record against Hyderabad FC, having won only two of their last 10 ISL meetings. The match will be a test of BFC's ability to maintain their momentum and Hyderabad FC's determination to make a strong start to their ISL campaign.

Salvatore "Totò" Schillaci, the Italian striker who emerged as a symbol of exceeding expectations on soccer's grandest stage, passed away at the age of 59. Schillaci, who was hospitalized in Palermo for colon cancer treatment, succumbed to the illness on September 18, 2024.Schillaci's legacy is forever etched in the annals of Italian soccer history. During the 1990 World Cup, which Italy hosted, he emerged as a revelation, scoring six goals and earning the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer. Prior to the World Cup, Schillaci had never scored for Italy, having only played once for the national team.His remarkable performance in the 1990 World Cup propelled him to stardom. He scored the winning goal in Italy's opening match against Austria, setting the tone for their memorable run to the semifinals. Schillaci's fearless spirit and unwavering determination inspired the Italian team and captivated the nation.In addition to the Golden Boot, Schillaci also won the Golden Ball award as the tournament's top player, ahead of legendary figures like Lothar Matthaus and Diego Maradona. His performances earned him widespread recognition and admiration, cementing his status as a soccer icon.Schillaci's career spanned several clubs, including Messina, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Jubilo Iwata in Japan. He was known for his exceptional finishing ability and his knack for scoring crucial goals.The Italian soccer federation expressed its profound sorrow at Schillaci's passing, announcing that a minute of silence would be observed before all games in the country for the rest of the week. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Schillaci, acknowledging the joy and pride he brought to the nation.Schillaci's legacy extends beyond his on-field achievements. He became a symbol of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that even those who may not be considered the most likely to succeed can achieve greatness through hard work and determination.

A tragic incident has occurred in Italy, where a Liverpool fan has lost his life following a road traffic accident. Philip Dooley, a lifelong supporter of the club, was involved in the accident near Bergamo airport in the early hours of the morning.Dooley had traveled to Italy to witness Liverpool's Champions League match against AC Milan. Representatives from both teams paid tribute to Dooley by placing flowers on his seat at San Siro before kickoff. Liverpool coach Arne Slot and his players wore black armbands as a mark of respect."The thoughts and prayers of everyone connected to the club are with Philip's family, friends, and fellow supporters at this extremely difficult time," Liverpool said in a statement.According to Italian media reports, Dooley had landed on a flight from Manchester approximately an hour earlier. He was attempting to cross a motorway between the airport and his hotel when he was struck by a vehicle. Dooley had reportedly climbed a barrier to get onto the road.Liverpool staff are working closely with local police and the consulate to provide support to Dooley's family and other fans affected by the incident. The club has expressed its condolences and offered assistance to those in need.The tragic loss of Philip Dooley has cast a shadow over the Champions League match between Liverpool and AC Milan. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and the fragility of life. Liverpool fans around the world will mourn the loss of one of their own and extend their deepest sympathies to Dooley's loved ones.

Manchester City is bracing for its Champions League reunion with Inter Milan in the opening round of an expanded tournament that will be "so tough" for the 2023 winner. Pep Guardiola's side defeated Inter 1-0 in the final two seasons ago, with Rodri's goal securing its first Champions League crown on a memorable night in Istanbul.City defender Manuel Akanji is not a fan of the new format due to the increased burden it will place on players in a grueling season that will conclude with Guardiola's men competing in the Club World Cup in the United States.It will be intriguing to see how Guardiola navigates the pursuit of another European title and a fifth successive Premier League crown amid the financial breaches case that could plunge the club into turmoil.Rodri played his first 45 minutes of the season against Brentford after a hamstring injury suffered in the Euro 2024 final victory against England. With England defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker also making their first starts this term, Guardiola is close to having all his stars available just in time for a hectic period.For more than a decade, Paris Saint-Germain's Qatari owners have spent lavishly to attract big stars, but the Champions League crown remained a distant dream. The superstars have all now left the Parc des Princes, and it might sound paradoxical, but the club may be better equipped in its quest for continental glory.Coach Luis Enrique insisted on molding what he had, and his project makes sense. Enrique asked for the recruitment of less-known but excellent players in every sector to create competition and have second options at every position. This could be even more crucial this season as the Champions League's new format will see more teams playing more games. PSG starts on Wednesday against Spanish side Girona.Borussia Dortmund, finalist last season, has undergone a summer of upheaval on and off the pitch ahead of Wednesday's clash at Club Brugge. Dortmund's unlikely run to last season's final masked a poor domestic season. The result was a summer rebuild, with the club parting ways with Dortmund-born coach Edin Terzic and several regular players.Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and Germany center-back Waldemar Anton joined from Stuttgart, while German internationals Maximilian Beier and Pascal Gross have also signed for the club. The first European test comes at Belgian champions Club Brugge.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed Santosh Kashyap as the new head coach of the national senior women's team, replacing former international player Chaoba Devi. Kashyap's first assignment will be the SAFF Women's Championships to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 17 to 30.Kashyap, a former India international, brings almost a decade of coaching experience in the I-League, having managed clubs like Mohun Bagan, Aizawl FC, and Mumbai FC. The 58-year-old has also served as assistant coach of NorthEast United FC and Odisha FC in the Indian Super League.Kashyap will be assisted by Priya PV and Raghuvir Pravin Khanolkar as goalkeeper coach. "Coaching the National Team is always an honor," said Kashyap. "I am grateful to the AIFF President, Shri Kalyan Chaubey, the technical committee, the technical department, and other senior members of the federation for providing me the opportunity to coach the senior national women's team."Kashyap expressed confidence in the current squad, stating, "I have full faith in the current set of players in the team. They are all bright players. But what we require to improve is technically. I am confident that I can give the needed input to the team members during the national camp."Regarding the SAFF Women's Championships, Kashyap said, "I am aware that our result in the previous SAFF Championship didn't meet the expectations. But this time, with the right tactics, approach, and decision-making ability, we can regain the title.""Football has become an extremely competitive sport, especially at the international level. So, we shouldn't take any team lightly. SAFF is only the first step. Thereafter, I have a bigger plan in mind. I am sure, this team is capable of delivering the goods."

Liverpool Face Tough Test in Champions League Opener Against AC MilanLiverpool will begin their UEFA Champions League campaign with a challenging away fixture against Serie A giants AC Milan on Wednesday, September 18. The match will mark the debut of new Liverpool manager Arne Slot in the competition.Liverpool enter the game on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Despite winning the Champions League under Jurgen Klopp in 2019 and reaching the final twice more, pressure is mounting on Slot to deliver success in Europe.Milan, meanwhile, have had a mixed start to their Serie A season, winning just one of their opening four league games. The Italian giants will be eager to make a statement in the Champions League and will pose a significant threat to Liverpool.The match will be played at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 AM IST. It will be live telecast on the Sony Sports network and live streamed on the SonyLIV app and website.Liverpool will be without several key players for the match, including Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, and Ibrahima Konate. Milan, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been out injured since May.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams desperate for a positive result. Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their Premier League defeat and establish themselves as contenders in the Champions League, while Milan will be aiming to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

Real Madrid, the reigning UEFA Champions League champions, will commence their 2024-25 campaign at home against VfB Stuttgart, the German Bundesliga runners-up. The match, scheduled for Wednesday, September 18 (IST), marks the first of eight group games in the revamped Champions League format.Real Madrid, under the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti, will be bolstered by the return of midfield stars Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni from injury. The Spanish giants have enjoyed a positive start to their La Liga campaign, with summer signing Kylian Mbappe scoring in their previous two matches.Stuttgart, on the other hand, have endured an inconsistent start to their Bundesliga season, winning one, drawing one, and losing one of their opening three fixtures. The German club will be eager to make a statement against the European champions and secure a positive result in their first Champions League group stage match.The match will be played at the iconic Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 AM (IST). Fans can catch the live telecast on the Sony Sports network, while live streaming will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.Real Madrid will be the heavy favorites heading into the match, but Stuttgart will be determined to cause an upset. The German club has a history of performing well in European competitions, reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2018.The return of Bellingham and Tchouameni will provide a significant boost to Real Madrid's midfield, while Mbappe's goalscoring prowess will be crucial in breaking down Stuttgart's defense. The German club will need to be at their best to contain Real Madrid's attacking threats and create chances of their own.The match promises to be an exciting clash between two teams with contrasting styles and ambitions. Real Madrid will be aiming to extend their dominance in Europe, while Stuttgart will be looking to make a name for themselves on the continental stage.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the oldest surviving club in Asia, is set to embark on its international campaign in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) on Wednesday. The Kolkata-based club will host FC Ravshan Kulob of Tajikistan in the opening Group A league match at the Salt Lake Stadium.As the Indian Super League shield champion, Mohun Bagan has earned its spot in ACL Two and is determined to make a positive start. The team's legacy and the opportunity to represent India on the international stage will serve as motivation against FC Ravshan Kulob, a team they will face for the first time.The group league stage will be played on a home-and-away basis, with the top two teams advancing to the knock-outs (round of 16). Mohun Bagan's start to the season has been mixed, reaching the Durand Cup final but losing on penalties to NorthEast United FC. In the ISL, they drew 2-2 with Mumbai City FC, raising questions about their defensive quality.Head coach Jose Molina acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, "The ACL Two is a big competition. All matches will be very difficult as all teams here are quite good. But tomorrow with our fans helping us, hopefully we can have a good match and get our first three points from the group stage."The competition rules allow an unlimited number of foreigners in a side, but Molina may face a slight disadvantage as two of his six imports, Australian forward Jamie Maclaren and Spanish defender Alberto Rodriguez, are nursing injuries. This could mean more responsibility for the Indian contingent, which Molina hopes will perform to its potential.

Thiruvananthapuram Kombans kicked off their home campaign with a resounding 2-0 victory over Thrissur Magic FC at the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium on Monday.The Kombans, playing in front of a boisterous home crowd, capitalized on set-piece opportunities to secure all three points in a scrappy encounter. T.M. Vishnu (15') and Lalhmangaihsanga (69') were the goal-scorers for the hosts.Thrissur Magic failed to conjure any magic in the first half as Kombans dominated possession and created more chances. The hosts earned three corners in the opening quarter, and the opening goal came from the third. Captain Patrick Mota whipped in a dangerous cross, and Vishnu rushed in to head the ball past goalkeeper Sanjiban Ghosh's near post.Thrissur had its first glimpse of the Kombans goal in the 22nd minute when it was awarded a freekick on the edge of the box. Marcelo Toscano's kick rebounded off the wall, and the striker retrieved the loose ball and passed it to Vineeth, who shot wide from close range.Thrissur showed more cohesion towards the end of the first half and had a chance to equalize. Vineeth arrowed in a cross from the left, but Abhijith Sarkar failed to connect.The visitors shed their timidity in the second half and strung together a few threatening moves down the flanks, but the Kombans defense held firm.Kombans increased their lead against the run of play through another freekick. Mota whipped in the cross, Marcos Santos flicked it on to an unmarked Lalhmangaihsanga, who made no mistake.The result leaves Thiruvananthapuram Kombans with three points from their opening match, while Thrissur Magic FC remains pointless after two games.