Football

Scotland vs Switzerland: Euro 2024 Clash Preview and Live Streaming DetailsFresh from their impressive 3-1 victory over Hungary, Switzerland aims to secure their spot in the Round of 16 of UEFA Euro 2024 with a triumph over Scotland in their second Group A encounter. Scotland, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle after their disappointing 5-1 defeat to Germany in their opening match.Switzerland is expected to field an unchanged lineup, while Scotland will be forced to make alterations following defender Ryan Porteous's red card against Germany. A loss for Scotland would significantly diminish their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.Match Details:* Date: Thursday, June 20 (IST)* Venue: Cologne Stadium, Cologne* Time: 12:30 AM ISTLive Telecast and Streaming:* TV Channels: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and websiteKey Points:* Switzerland seeks to seal qualification to the Round of 16 with a victory.* Scotland aims to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Germany.* Switzerland is likely to maintain their starting XI, while Scotland will make changes due to Porteous's suspension.* A loss for Scotland would severely damage their qualification hopes.Additional Information:* Switzerland has a strong record against Scotland, winning four of their last five encounters.* Scotland has never defeated Switzerland in a competitive match.* The Cologne Stadium has a capacity of over 50,000 spectators.

Germany vs Hungary: Hosts Aim for Second Win in Euro 2024Germany, the hosts of UEFA Euro 2024, will face Hungary on Wednesday night, aiming to extend their winning streak to two matches. The Germans made a resounding start to their campaign with a 5-1 victory over Scotland, showcasing the brilliance of Toni Kroos, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala.Hungary, on the other hand, endured a disappointing start, losing 3-1 to Switzerland. Coach Marco Rossi has expressed concerns about his team's performance and has warned that they must improve significantly to have any chance against Germany.Match Details:* Date: Wednesday, June 19 (IST)* Venue: Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart* Time: 9:30 PM IST* TV Channels: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and websiteGermany's Strengths:Germany boasts a formidable squad with a blend of experience and youth. Kroos, the veteran midfielder, provides stability and leadership, while Wirtz and Musiala represent the future of German football with their exceptional talent. The team's attacking prowess was evident in their opening match, with Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Serge Gnabry all finding the net.Hungary's Challenges:Hungary faces an uphill battle against Germany. Their defense looked vulnerable against Switzerland, and they will need to tighten up significantly to prevent the German attack from exploiting their weaknesses. The team also lacks the individual quality to match Germany's star-studded lineup.Prediction:Germany is the clear favorite to win this match. They have a superior team on paper and are playing at home. Hungary will need to produce a much-improved performance to have any chance of an upset.Conclusion:The Germany vs Hungary match promises to be an intriguing clash between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Germany will be confident of securing another victory, while Hungary will be desperate to salvage their tournament hopes. The match will be a test of Hungary's resilience and Germany's ability to maintain their momentum.

Croatia and Albania will face off in a crucial Euro 2024 Group B match on Wednesday, June 19, with both teams desperate for a victory after suffering defeats in their opening fixtures.Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists, were humbled 3-0 by Spain in their first game, with Luka Modric failing to inspire his team. Albania, meanwhile, gave Italy a scare before eventually losing 2-1, with Nedim Bajrami scoring the fastest-ever goal in Euros history.With Spain and Italy already on three points each, Croatia and Albania know that a win is essential to keep their qualification hopes alive.When and Where:The Croatia vs Albania match will take place on Wednesday, June 19, at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany. The match will kick off at 6:30 PM IST.Telecast and Live Streaming:The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network in India. It will also be streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Key Players:* Croatia: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic* Albania: Nedim Bajrami, Elseid Hysaj, Thomas StrakoshaMatch Preview:Croatia will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Spain. Modric, who was below his best in that game, will need to step up and lead his team to victory.Albania, on the other hand, will be confident after their performance against Italy. They will be hoping to cause another upset and keep their qualification hopes alive.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams desperate for a win.

FC Barcelona Shuts Down Academies in India After 14 YearsWorld-renowned football club FC Barcelona has announced the closure of all its academies in India, effective July 1, 2024. The decision comes 14 years after the club established its presence in the country with the aim of training young Indian footballers in the famed "La Masia" style.FC Barcelona has not provided an official reason for the closure. However, the club expressed gratitude to all the families, coaches, local staff, and Conscient Football, its India partner, for their contributions to the project over the years.The Barca Academy India was the largest grassroots football training and development initiative in the country. It operated multiple football training centers in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune, offering programs, camps, leagues, tournaments, and exposure trips.The academy aimed to provide a comprehensive training environment for boys and girls between 4 to 17 years of age, focusing on developing their technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical fitness. The program also emphasized the club's values of respect, humility, effort, teamwork, and ambition.Over the years, thousands of young Indian footballers have benefited from the Barca Academy's training. The academy has also been an active participant in the Barca Academy APAC tournament and the Barca Academy World Cup held in Barcelona.The closure of the Barca Academies in India is a significant loss for the country's football development. The academy has played a crucial role in nurturing young talent and promoting the sport at the grassroots level. It remains to be seen how the club's departure will impact the future of football in India.

Spain's hopes of building on their impressive Euro 2024 opener against Croatia rest heavily on the exceptional Fabian Ruiz. The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker was the standout performer in Spain's 3-0 victory, setting up the opener and scoring a classy goal himself.Ruiz's importance to Luis de la Fuente's team was evident in his performance against Croatia. He outshone even Luka Modric, the Croatian captain and one of the world's best midfielders. De la Fuente praised Ruiz's "exceptional" qualities, highlighting his top-level ability and brilliant technique.Ruiz's resurgence under De la Fuente is a testament to the coach's belief in the player. De la Fuente coached Ruiz in Spain's Under-21 team, where he was a key figure in their 2019 European Championship triumph.Despite his success at youth level, Ruiz struggled to establish himself in the senior team under former coach Luis Enrique. He was not selected for the 2022 World Cup, but De la Fuente's appointment has given him a new lease of life.Ruiz's return to the Spain squad has coincided with a change in their playing style. Under De la Fuente, Spain are more direct than they were under Luis Enrique, and Ruiz's ability to create chances and score goals has been crucial.Ruiz's form has also been impressive at club level. He has flourished under Luis Enrique at PSG, scoring the winning goal in the French Cup final against Lyon. He also found the net in Spain's pre-Euros friendly against Northern Ireland.Spain's next challenge is a clash with Italy, a team they have met at four consecutive European Championships. Ruiz, who spent four seasons in Serie A with Napoli, will be familiar with many of the Italian players.Spain are seen as one of the favorites to win Euro 2024, and Ruiz will be a key figure in their quest for glory. His exceptional talent and ability to make a difference in big games make him a player to watch in this tournament.

Gareth Southgate faces a dilemma as he attempts to unlock the potential of Phil Foden at international level. Despite his exceptional form for Manchester City, Foden has struggled to replicate his brilliance for England.In England's 1-0 victory over Serbia, Foden's performance was underwhelming. The 24-year-old, who was named Premier League Player of the Year, appeared uncomfortable on the left wing, a position he is not accustomed to playing.Southgate's decision to deploy Jude Bellingham as the number 10 and Bukayo Saka on the right flank has pushed Foden out wide. However, Foden's strengths lie in the central attacking role, where he can dictate the tempo and create chances.Former England defender Micah Richards believes Southgate is not utilizing Foden's talents effectively. "When you have an extreme talent like Phil Foden, his best work has been in the middle of the pitch," Richards said.Rio Ferdinand suggests that Bellingham's assertive nature may be limiting Foden's influence. "Jude Bellingham has come into this team and his body language has said to everyone 'give me the ball or I will go nuts'," Ferdinand said.Former Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas urges Foden to take responsibility for his international struggles. "It's about if you want the ball enough to make the difference. Do you enjoy getting the ball under pressure?" Fabregas said.Southgate must find a solution to the Foden conundrum. Switching Bellingham to central midfield and giving Foden the number 10 role could be a viable option. Alternatively, Southgate could consider using Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon on the left wing, allowing Foden to play in his preferred position.Until Southgate finds a way to harness Foden's talent, England will continue to miss out on the full potential of one of their most gifted players.

Copa America 2023: Argentina Aim for Continental Glory Amidst Messi's Farewell TourThe 108-year-old Copa America kicks off on Thursday in the United States, with world champions Argentina seeking their second continental title in what could be Lionel Messi's final appearance in the tournament.Argentina, 15-time Copa America winners, have assembled a squad largely unchanged from their World Cup-winning team. Veterans Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi are likely making their final major tournament appearances.Messi, now 36, has yet to decide if he will participate in a record sixth World Cup in 2026. However, he is determined to make the most of this Copa America, having won it only once in 2021.Argentina face Canada, Chile, and Peru in Group A. However, they anticipate stiff competition in the knockout stages, with Brazil and Uruguay emerging as the primary challengers.Brazil, despite recent struggles in World Cup qualifiers, boast a talented squad led by Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Uruguay, under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, have impressed with recent victories over Argentina and Brazil.Colombia, unbeaten in over two years, pose a threat with Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez in their ranks. The United States, hosting the tournament for the second time, hope to generate excitement after a disappointing World Cup performance.The Copa America 2023 promises to be a captivating spectacle, showcasing the best of South American football and providing a glimpse of the future stars of the game.

Igor Stimac, the former head coach of the Indian football team, has threatened legal action against the All India Football Federation (AIFF) if his dues are not cleared within the next 10 days. Stimac was sacked on Monday, a year before his contract was set to expire, following India's failure to progress beyond the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.Stimac has accused AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of breaching his contract multiple times, including changing his public statements, altering the players' list for the Asian Games, and canceling a press conference after the AFC Asian Cup. He also holds Chaubey responsible for the team's poor performance in the World Cup Qualifiers.Stimac claims that the AIFF's actions have caused him serious health problems, including two stents prior to the AFC Asian Cup. He has stated that he no longer wishes to have any contact with the AIFF.In a notice to the AIFF, Stimac has demanded payment for the remaining value of his contract, which could amount to a whopping Rs six crore. He has threatened to file a lawsuit with the FIFA Football Tribunal if his dues are not cleared within the stipulated time frame.The AIFF has not yet responded to Stimac's allegations or demands. The federation is currently facing a number of challenges, including a lack of funds and a dispute with the Supreme Court over its governance structure.Stimac's sacking has sparked controversy within the Indian football community. Some have criticized the AIFF for its handling of the situation, while others have questioned Stimac's performance as head coach. The incident has highlighted the ongoing problems within Indian football, which has been plagued by mismanagement and a lack of transparency for many years.

Scotland faces a crucial clash against Switzerland in the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A on June 19, following their humbling 5-1 defeat to Germany in the tournament opener. The Scots need to bounce back and secure a positive result to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive.Switzerland, on the other hand, made an impressive start to their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Hungary. However, their preparations have been disrupted by issues regarding the playing field at their Stuttgart training base, forcing them to file a formal complaint with UEFA and relocate their practices.Scotland's last Euros win came in 1996 when they defeated Switzerland 1-0 in a group game. The Swiss team will be looking to avenge that defeat and continue their strong start to the tournament.Key players to watch include Switzerland's Granit Xhaka, who is hoping to cap off an outstanding year with success at the Euros after helping Bayer Leverkusen win the German league and cup double. Scotland will need to replace Ryan Porteous, who is suspended after being sent off against Germany.Scotland has never progressed beyond the group stage of a Euros, while Switzerland has never won more than one game during the group stage. However, both teams will be determined to make history and secure a place in the knockout rounds.Scotland's leading scorer during qualifying was Scott McTominay with seven goals, but he failed to register a single shot against Germany. Scotland manager Steve Clarke has acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, "We got a lot of things wrong and we've got to put it right in the next game. Try not to concede five goals. Give a better message."Switzerland midfielder Vincent Sierro is confident in his team's ability to control the game, saying, "They (Scotland) will fight for every ball – we know the spirit of the team. They won't make it easy for us and won't give up, so we just want to play our game and have the same control as we showed (against Hungary)."Scotland midfielder John McGinn is determined to make amends for the defeat to Germany, saying, "You never know, it might be the last tournament that you're involved in and you don't want to remember it as being an unsuccessful one. We've got two games to put it right."