Football

Jose Molina, the former ATK champion coach, has taken charge of the Indian Super League shield winner Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Molina emphasized the importance of consistency and delivering top-notch performances in every match, regardless of the tournament. He believes that every game should be treated as the most crucial fixture on the calendar.Molina's return to Kolkata after an eight-season absence marks a significant moment for Mohun Bagan. He previously led ATK to the ISL title in 2016. After serving as the sporting director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation for four years, Molina is eager to maintain Mohun Bagan's status as a top-tier football club in India.Molina's first assignment with Mohun Bagan will be the Durand Cup match against Indian Air Force on August 8. The team is determined to continue its winning streak and maintain its dominance in Indian football.

Kylian Mbappé Acquires Majority Ownership of Caen Football ClubFrench football superstar Kylian Mbappé has made a significant investment in the world of sports by acquiring an 80% stake in Caen Football Club, a second-division team in France. The 25-year-old forward, who recently joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain, is set to spend 20 million euros ($21.6 million) on the deal, according to French newspaper Le Parisien.Mbappé's connection to Caen runs deep, as he nearly joined the club as a teenager before ultimately signing for Monaco. The Normandy-based outfit finished sixth in Ligue 2 last season and boasts a rich history, having won the league title twice and produced notable players such as N'Golo Kanté and William Gallas.The acquisition marks a new chapter for Caen, which was previously owned by American investors Oaktree. Mbappé's involvement is expected to bring financial stability and increased visibility to the club. The two-time Ligue 2 champions will kick off their new campaign on August 17 by hosting Paris FC.Mbappé's investment in Caen is a testament to his commitment to the sport and his desire to make a lasting impact on French football. The move also aligns with his entrepreneurial spirit, as he has previously launched his own clothing line and invested in a gaming company.

Arsenal have bolstered their defensive ranks with the acquisition of Italian international Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. The 22-year-old left-back has penned a long-term contract with the Premier League giants, reportedly worth £42 million ($54 million) over five years.Calafiori's arrival at the Emirates Stadium marks Arsenal's second major signing of the summer transfer window, following the permanent acquisition of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford. The Gunners are eager to improve upon their second-place finish in the 2023/24 Premier League season, where they narrowly missed out on the title to Manchester City by just two points.Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at securing Calafiori's services, hailing him as a "great signing" who will provide "huge strength" to Arsenal's defense. Arteta praised Calafiori's "big personality and character," as well as his "specific skills" that will enhance the team's ability to compete for major trophies.Calafiori has impressed with his performances for both Bologna and Italy in recent seasons, earning a call-up to the Azzurri squad for Euro 2024. His progression and development over the past year have been particularly noteworthy, according to Arteta.The Italian defender is expected to play a key role in Arsenal's quest for silverware in the upcoming campaign. His arrival adds depth and quality to the Gunners' backline, which already includes Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.With Calafiori now on board, Arsenal will be looking to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title and other domestic and European competitions in the 2024/25 season.

East Bengal FC, the Kolkata-based football giants, kicked off their Durand Cup campaign with a resounding 3-1 victory over the Indian Air Force (IAF) football team at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday.Despite IAF drawing first blood through Somananda Singh's strike in the opening quarter, East Bengal fought back with determination. Young forward David Hmar equalized just before the break, restoring parity for the Red and Gold Brigade.With head coach Carles Cuadrat fielding a full-strength squad, East Bengal wasted no time in taking the lead. In the 61st minute, Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos, the ISL's top scorer last season, nodded home a header to put East Bengal ahead.Captain Saul Crespo sealed the deal for East Bengal in the 68th minute with a well-taken shot. The victory marked a positive start for the Kolkata giants, who are aiming to lift the Durand Cup trophy for the first time since 2002.East Bengal's dominance was evident throughout the match. They controlled possession and created numerous scoring opportunities. The IAF team, despite their early lead, struggled to keep up with the pace and intensity of the Red and Gold Brigade.The victory will boost East Bengal's confidence as they prepare for their upcoming matches in the Durand Cup. The tournament, one of the oldest and most prestigious football competitions in Asia, features some of the top clubs in India.East Bengal will be hoping to continue their winning ways and make a strong run in the tournament. With a talented squad and a determined coach, they have the potential to challenge for the title.

Barbra Banda, the Zambian striker, has cemented her status as one of the most prolific goal scorers in women's football. Her recent hat-trick against Australia at the Paris Olympics 2024 marked a historic achievement, making her the first player to score three hat-tricks in the tournament's history.Banda's remarkable performance comes as no surprise, given her impressive track record. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, she became the first player to record back-to-back hat-tricks, etching her name in the history books. Her tally of 53 goals in just 60 matches for Zambia makes her Africa's all-time leading scorer.In addition to her Olympic exploits, Banda has also made a significant impact in the National Women's Soccer League (NSWL) in the USA. After signing a lucrative $2.1 million deal, she joined the Orlando Pride in April and has already scored 12 goals in 12 games.Banda's success stems from her unpredictable nature and her ability to seize opportunities. "I feel when I'm given a chance, I have to utilize my chances very well," she said. "So when I get a spot, I think I have a chance to score. I just have to put it [in the back] of the net."Zambia will now face Germany in its final group-stage game on Wednesday, July 31. With Banda in their ranks, they will be hoping to continue their impressive run and make a deep run into the tournament.

AC Milan and Arsenal Triumph in Pre-Season FriendliesIn a series of pre-season tune-ups, European football giants AC Milan and Arsenal emerged victorious in their respective matches against Manchester City and Manchester United.AC Milan vs. Manchester CityAt Yankee Stadium in New York, AC Milan overcame English Premier League champions Manchester City 3-2. Lorenzo Colombo's first-half brace gave Milan an early lead, but Erling Haaland's goal for City brought them level. Marco Nasti's 78th-minute strike proved to be the game-winner for the Italian side.Arsenal vs. Manchester UnitedAt SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Arsenal defeated Manchester United 2-1. Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring for United, but Gabriel Jesus equalized for Arsenal. Gabriel Martinelli's 81st-minute goal sealed the victory for the Gunners.Celtic vs. ChelseaIn a dominant performance, Celtic thrashed Chelsea 4-1 at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Kyogo Furuhashi and Matt O'Riley scored first-half goals, while Luis Palma and Michael Johnston added to the tally in the second half. Christopher Nkunku's late penalty kick prevented a shutout for Chelsea.Key Details:* AC Milan's victory over Manchester City was their second consecutive win in the United States.* Arsenal's triumph over Manchester United extended their unbeaten streak in pre-season to three matches.* Celtic's victory over Chelsea was their second consecutive win over a Premier League side in pre-season.* Several European teams are using pre-season matches in the United States to prepare for the upcoming league campaigns.

Argentina's Olympic football campaign got back on track with a 3-1 victory over Iraq on Saturday, while Spain and Japan became the first teams to secure quarter-final berths.After a chaotic opening defeat to Morocco, Argentina bounced back in Lyon with goals from Thiago Almada, Luciano Gondou, and Ezequiel Fernandez. Iraq's Aymen Hussein had equalized in the first half, but Argentina's second-half dominance proved too much.In the same group, Ukraine snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Morocco in the dying seconds, leaving all four teams level on three points.Spain, the Tokyo silver medallists, also made it two wins from two in Group C with a 3-1 victory over the Dominican Republic. Fermin Lopez, Alex Baena, and Miguel Gutierrez scored for Spain, who are now through to the last eight.Egypt's 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Nantes also helped Spain's cause, as it eliminated the Central Asian nation.Thierry Henry's France team edged Guinea 1-0 in Nice, with Kiliann Sildillia's late header proving decisive. France are not yet through from Group A, but they need only a point against New Zealand on Tuesday to guarantee progress.Japan, the Asian Under-23 champions, secured their quarter-final berth with a 1-0 victory against Mali in Bordeaux. Rihito Yamamoto scored the only goal in the 82nd minute, despite Mali having a late penalty chance.In Group D, Paraguay scored twice in stoppage time to beat Israel 4-2 in an entertaining game in Paris. Marcelo Fernandez scored twice for Paraguay, who are now level on points with Japan.

FIFA's swift and severe sanctions against Canada in the Paris Olympics women's soccer tournament have sent shockwaves through the sporting world. The governing body has deducted six points from Canada, banned three coaches for a year, and imposed a hefty fine of 200,000 Swiss francs ($226,000) for a drone spying scandal that has cast a shadow over the Games.The scandal erupted when two assistant coaches, Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander, were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand's practices before their opening game. Head coach Bev Priestman, who led Canada to Olympic gold in Tokyo last year, was initially suspended by the national soccer federation and later removed from the tournament.FIFA's investigation found that Priestman, Lombardi, and Mander were responsible for "offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play." The Canadian federation was held accountable for failing to ensure its staff complied with tournament rules.The sanctions have dealt a significant blow to Canada's Olympic hopes. The six-point deduction leaves them with an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages. They must now win all three remaining group games and hope to advance as runners-up.Priestman, Lombardi, and Mander have the right to appeal their bans at the Court of Arbitration for Sport's special Olympic court in Paris. However, the sanctions are a clear message from FIFA that it will not tolerate any form of cheating or unsportsmanlike conduct.The drone spying scandal has raised questions about the ethics of using technology in sports. While drones can provide valuable insights for coaches and players, their use must be regulated to prevent unfair advantages and maintain the integrity of the game.

Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will lead the charge as 24 teams prepare for the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup, the inaugural competition of Indian football's new season. Mohun Bagan SG, also the holders of the Indian Super League shield title, will face Srinagar-based club Downtown Heroes FC, which plays in I-League Division 2, in the opening Group A league match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.The tournament format features 24 teams divided into six groups of four teams each. The groups include teams from the ISL, I-League, and the Services teams of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Kolkata will host the matches of Groups A, B, and C, while Jamshedpur will host Group D matches. Kokrajhar and Shillong will host the Group E and F league matches respectively.The 36-match group league stage will conclude with the Kolkata derby featuring two of the oldest teams in the continent - Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC - on August 18. The top team from each group and the two best second-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals (knock-out stage). The quarterfinals are scheduled to start on August 21 and will be held in Jamshedpur, Kokrajhar, and Kolkata, which will host two matches. Kolkata will host both the semifinals and the final, which will be held on August 31.