Football

Mohammedan Sporting Club Ascends to Indian Super LeagueThe Indian Super League (ISL) has welcomed Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) as its newest member, effective from the 2024-25 season. This historic move marks a significant milestone for MSC, one of India's oldest and most decorated football clubs, as they step up to compete in the top tier of Indian football.MSC's promotion follows their impressive performance in the 2023-24 I-League, where they clinched the title with a commanding 52 points. The Kolkata-based club demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season, securing 15 victories and seven draws while suffering only two defeats. Their attacking prowess was evident as they netted 44 goals, while their defensive strength was highlighted by conceding just 22 goals.With this achievement, Mohammedan SC becomes the second club, after Punjab FC, to earn promotion to the ISL from the I-League. Their inclusion brings the total number of clubs in the ISL to 13, enhancing the league's competitive landscape and expanding its reach.This promotion also adds another representative from Kolkata to the ISL roster. MSC's entry will see them join existing Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC, further enriching the footballing culture in the city. The fans can expect more derbies.As Mohammedan SC prepares for their debut in the ISL, fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating how the historic club will fare against the league's elite teams. Their ascension to the ISL is a testament to their enduring legacy and the growing strength of Indian football.

Manchester United's dismal start to the season continued as they suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Erik ten Hag's side, who were looking to bounce back from their opening day loss to Brentford, were left shell-shocked by Joao Pedro's last-gasp winner.Brighton took the lead in the 32nd minute through Danny Welbeck, who tapped in Kaoru Mitoma's cross. United equalized through Amad Diallo in the 60th minute, but their joy was short-lived as Joshua Zirkzee prevented Alejandro Garnacho from putting the visitors ahead in the closing stages.With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Brighton struck a devastating blow in the 95th minute. Pedro, who had been left completely unmarked at the far post, headed home from Simon Adingra's cross to secure all three points for the Seagulls.The defeat leaves United with just one point from their opening two games, while Brighton have made a perfect start to the season under new manager Fabian Hurzeler.Meanwhile, Manchester City continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town in the EFL Cup. Erling Haaland was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to take his tally to four goals in two games.City took the lead in the 12th minute through a penalty from Haaland, after Leif Davis fouled Savinho. Ipswich equalized through Sammie Szmodics in the 7th minute, but City restored their lead through Kevin De Bruyne in the 14th minute.Haaland made it 3-1 in the 58th minute with a deft flick past Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, and completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute with a typically predatory finish.Tottenham Hotspur also enjoyed a comfortable victory, thrashing Everton 4-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Yves Bissouma opened the scoring in the 14th minute, before Son Heung-min doubled Tottenham's lead in the 25th minute. Cristian Romero and Son added further goals in the second half to seal a convincing win for Antonio Conte's side.West Ham United earned their first win of the season under new manager Julen Lopetegui, with a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace. Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen scored the goals for the Hammers, who had lost their opening two games.Fulham secured a 2-1 win over Leicester City at Craven Cottage, with Alex Iwobi scoring the winning goal in the 70th minute. Nottingham Forest also picked up their first win of the season, with a 1-0 victory over Southampton thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White's 70th-minute strike.

Vincent Kompany, the newly appointed Bayern Munich coach, exudes confidence ahead of his Bundesliga debut against Wolfsburg on Sunday. Despite overseeing Burnley's relegation from the Premier League last season, the 38-year-old Belgian has been entrusted with the daunting task of restoring Bayern's dominance in German football.Bayern's trophyless campaign last season, their first in 11 years, has cast a shadow over the club. Bayer Leverkusen's impressive domestic double has raised the stakes for Kompany, who is determined to prove his worth.Kompany, who previously coached Anderlecht and guided them to the 2022 Belgian Cup final, expressed satisfaction with Bayern's preparations for the season opener. "I'm not nervous, but it's a big challenge," he said. "We've prepared well, and now it's up to the players."Kompany acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Leverkusen, who opened their campaign with a victory on Friday. "They were phenomenal last season," he said. "We'll need around 90 points for the title again, so we need maximum performance from everyone."The Belgian coach hinted at the potential debuts of Michael Olise and Joao Palhinha, who joined Bayern from Crystal Palace and Fulham, respectively. "There's a good chance they'll play a lot this season," he said.Wolfsburg, Bayern's opponents on Sunday, have not defeated the Bavarian giants in 20 matches dating back to 2015. Kompany is aware of the challenge but remains optimistic. "We're excited and ready to start the season," he said.

Brighton vs Manchester United: Premier League Clash PreviewManchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion will face off in a highly anticipated Premier League encounter on Saturday, August 24th. Both teams enter the match with momentum after securing victories in their opening fixtures.United narrowly defeated Fulham 1-0 thanks to a late goal from debutant Joshua Zirkzee. Brighton, under the guidance of new manager Fabian Hurzeler, made a resounding statement with a 3-0 triumph over Everton. Former United striker Danny Welbeck played a pivotal role, scoring a goal and assisting another.The match will take place at the Amex Stadium in Brighton and Hove. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM IST. The encounter will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.Key Players to Watch:* Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United): The Portuguese superstar is expected to lead the United attack and will be eager to make an impact after a quiet performance against Fulham.* Danny Welbeck (Brighton): The former United forward has been in impressive form for Brighton and will be a threat to his former club's defense.* Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): The Portuguese playmaker is United's creative hub and will be crucial in unlocking Brighton's defense.* Marc Cucurella (Brighton): The Spanish left-back has been a revelation for Brighton and will be tasked with containing United's attacking threats.Tactical Battle:United manager Erik ten Hag is likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ronaldo leading the line. Brighton, under Hurzeler, has shown a preference for a 3-4-3 system, with Welbeck operating as a central striker.The match promises to be a tactical battle between two teams with contrasting styles. United will look to dominate possession and create chances through their attacking midfielders, while Brighton will aim to exploit United's defensive weaknesses on the counterattack.Prediction:Both teams are in good form, but United's superior quality and experience should give them a slight edge. A narrow 2-1 victory for the Red Devils seems like a likely outcome.

Paris Saint-Germain's dominance continued unabated as they thrashed Montpellier 6-0 at the Parc des Princes, extending their perfect start to the Ligue 1 season. Coach Luis Enrique hailed the performance as "perfection," highlighting the team's collective brilliance.Bradley Barcola led the scoring with a brace, while Marco Asensio, Achraf Hakimi, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Lee Kang-in also found the net. The victory marked PSG's second six-goal performance in Ligue 1 under Luis Enrique, following their 6-2 triumph at Montpellier in March.Despite the absence of Kylian Mbappe, PSG's young squad, featuring several teenagers, displayed impressive verve and style. Joao Neves, a recent recruit from Benfica, made his first start, while Desire Doue, a member of France's Olympic silver-winning team, made his debut as a substitute.Luis Enrique praised the new signings, stating, "They are totally suited to our way of playing and I think they will all bring us a lot." He emphasized the team's versatility and eagerness to make history.PSG's financial superiority was evident against Montpellier, who have not signed any players this summer due to a decline in broadcast revenue. Montpellier coach Michel Der Zakarian acknowledged the gulf in quality, saying, "They were much stronger than us and dominated from beginning to end."The victory extends PSG's unbeaten streak in Ligue 1 to 16 games, dating back to last season. They have now scored 10 goals in their opening two matches, suggesting they will be a formidable force in their quest for an 11th French title in 13 seasons.

Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen kicked off their title defense with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach in a dramatic season opener. The match was filled with twists and turns, with Leverkusen ultimately snatching the win in the 11th minute of stoppage time.Leverkusen dominated the first half, with Granit Xhaka opening the scoring with a stunning long-range effort in the 13th minute. Florian Wirtz doubled their lead in the 38th minute, giving Xabi Alonso's side a comfortable advantage at the break.However, Gladbach fought back in the second half. Nico Elvedi pulled one back in the 59th minute, and newcomer Tim Kleindienst equalized with just five minutes remaining. The hosts looked set to secure a point, but a late penalty awarded to Leverkusen changed the course of the game.Wirtz stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his initial effort was saved by Jonas Omlin. However, the Germany international was quick to react and hammered the rebound into the net, securing a dramatic victory for Leverkusen.The win was a testament to Leverkusen's resilience and determination. Despite conceding two goals in the second half, they refused to give up and ultimately found a way to win. Xhaka praised his team's "pure mentality" after the match, highlighting their ability to bounce back from setbacks.Leverkusen's victory was also notable for being the latest goal in Bundesliga history. Wirtz's strike came in the 10th minute of stoppage time, surpassing the previous record set by Bayern Munich in 2014.The result leaves Leverkusen top of the Bundesliga standings after the first round of matches. Gladbach, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have lost after fighting back from two goals down, but they will take heart from their second-half performance.

Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan have secured their spots in the semifinals of the Durand Cup after thrilling victories in their respective quarterfinal matches.Mohun Bagan emerged victorious in a penalty shootout against Punjab FC, prevailing 6-5 after a 3-3 draw in regulation time. Punjab took an early lead through Luca Majcen's penalty, but Suhail Bhat and Manvir Singh put Mohun Bagan ahead in the second half. Filip Mrzljak and Norberto Ezequiel Vidal restored Punjab's advantage, but Jason Cummings equalized for Mohun Bagan in the 79th minute.In the penalty shootout, Mohun Bagan's Greg Stewart and Aldred converted crucial spot-kicks, while Punjab's Novoselec and Denechandram Meetei missed their attempts. Manvir, Liston Colaco, and Dimi Petratos also scored for Mohun Bagan, while Vinit Rai, Vidal, Bakenga, and Mrzljak found the net for Punjab.In the other quarterfinal, Bengaluru FC edged past Kerala Blasters 1-0 thanks to a late injury-time goal from Pererya Diaz. The match started with a tense moment as Kerala Blasters' goalkeeper Som Kumar collided with Diaz, forcing the Tuskers to substitute their goalkeeper.Bengaluru FC dominated possession but struggled to break down Kerala Blasters' defense. Sunil Chhetri's introduction in the 67th minute added pressure on Kerala Blasters, but both teams failed to find a decisive moment.In the dying moments of injury time, Bengaluru was awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Chhetri's attempt was blocked, but Diaz pounced on the rebound and slotted the ball into the near post to secure the win for Bengaluru FC.In the semifinals, Bengaluru FC will face defending champions Mohun Bagan, while Northeast United FC will take on Shillong Lajong FC.

Uruguayan Footballer Juan Izquierdo Collapses on Pitch, Rushed to HospitalDuring the second leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 match between Nacional and Sao Paulo at Brazil's Morumbi Stadium on Thursday, Uruguayan defender Juan Izquierdo suffered a medical emergency and collapsed on the pitch.The incident occurred in the 84th minute after Izquierdo had replaced Sebastian Coates at halftime. Izquierdo suddenly fell unconscious, prompting his teammates to rush to his aid and prevent him from further injury. The match was immediately halted as players from both teams called for urgent medical assistance.Izquierdo, who remained unconscious, was swiftly transported off the pitch in an ambulance and rushed to the hospital for treatment. Sao Paulo expressed their concern on social media, stating, "We wish a speedy recovery to Nacional player Juan Izquierdo. May all be well as soon as possible."After the incident, the match resumed, with Sao Paulo emerging victorious 2-0 thanks to goals from Damian Bobadilla and Jonathan Calleri. No goals were scored in the first leg. Sao Paulo will now face Botafogo in an all-Brazilian quarter-final at the Copa Libertadores.Nacional provided an update on Izquierdo's condition via social media, stating that he had suffered an irregular heartbeat during the match and was placed in the Intensive Care Unit at the Albert Einstein Hospital."Juan Izquierdo suffered an irregular heartbeat during the match against Sao Paulo," Nacional shared on social media. "He is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at Albert Einstein Hospital, currently stable and under observation."The football community has rallied around Izquierdo, sending messages of support and prayers for his speedy recovery. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of player safety and the need for prompt medical attention in such situations.

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has expressed his desire to extend his contract with the club once the summer transfer window closes next week. Arteta's current deal expires at the end of the season, and he is eager to continue his tenure in North London.Ahead of Arsenal's Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday, Arteta revealed that discussions regarding his future will take place after the club's transfer business is concluded. "The focus has been on the transfer window. We had quite a lot of things to do and discuss. We are on it and we will take care of that in the right moment," Arteta told reporters.When asked if talks would occur after the transfer window shuts, Arteta replied affirmatively. He expressed his gratitude for the support and harmony within the club, stating, "I am very grateful first of all for where I'm sitting and the people I work with every single day because it's really difficult to find that harmony, trust, belief, and alignment in the vision."Arteta emphasized his excitement about the future of Arsenal, saying, "It's something I always mention because I believe we still have an unbelievable time ahead of us. It's very exciting, and I am very excited about it."While Arteta is focused on strengthening Arsenal's squad before discussing his own future, he declined to comment on reports linking the club with a £32 million move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. "I cannot talk about any player that's not with us. There's still time in the market," Arteta said.The Arsenal manager acknowledged that the final week of the transfer window could bring surprises, but he confirmed that striker Eddie Nketiah would be involved against Aston Villa despite interest from Nottingham Forest. "I expect Eddie to train with us today. To be prepared for tomorrow. That's it. Whatever happens will happen if it's good for everybody," Arteta said.There is also speculation about a potential move for Raheem Sterling to Arsenal after the 29-year-old was left out of Chelsea's opening Premier League game of the season against Manchester City. Sterling, who was also omitted from England's Euro 2024 squad, worked with Arteta at Manchester City when the Arsenal boss served as Pep Guardiola's assistant."I can talk about my time with Raheem. It was exceptional. We built a really strong relationship together," Arteta said. "He was unbelievable at the time we were together, and he taught me a lot as well. About individuals, how they play, and how we give them support and help them. He's someone I have a really strong feeling about."