Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Mehdi Taremi scored twice as Iran battered Yemen 5-0 in the war-torn country's Asian Cup debut on Monday to fire an ominous warning to their title rivals. Team Melli's dominant performance in Abu Dhabi was in stark contrast to joint-favourites South Korea, who scraped past the Philippines while China needed a […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Iran coach Carlos Quieroz blasted his critics after his side crushed Yemen 5-0 on Monday to fire an ominous warning to their Asian Cup title rivals. The former Real Madrid boss praised his players for "suffocating" the Group D minnows in Abu Dhabi as they ruined the war-torn country's first outing […]

Paris (AFP) – There was reassuring news from Bayern Munich on Monday as they announced France international midfielder Corentin Tolisso's knee injury was healing well and that he would be back on the pitch by March. The 24-year-old World Cup winner was a regular in the Bayern line up before rupturing knee ligaments in September. […]

Paris (AFP) – African Football's organisers CAF said on Monday it will announce on Tuesday whether Egypt or South Africa will stage the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations bi-annual tournament, a day earlier than the decision had previously been scheduled. Cameroon were stripped of hosting rights in November over preparation delays and security concerns. Cameroon […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Mehdi Taremi scored twice as Iran crushed Yemen 5-0 in the war-torn country's Asian Cup debut on Monday to fire an ominous warning to their title rivals. Team Melli's dominant performance in Abu Dhabi was in stark contrast to joint-favourites South Korea, who scraped past the Philippines while China profited from […]

London (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino says his Spurs side need to be more ruthless if they are to turn their progress under the Argentine into silverware. Tottenham host Chelsea in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at Wembley on Tuesday, hoping to take another step closer to ending an 11-year wait to win […]

Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates) (AFP) – Favourites South Korea scraped past the Philippines and China needed a spectacular goalkeeping gaffe to spark their comeback against lowly Kyrgyzstan as lesser teams continued to trouble bigger sides at the Asian Cup on Monday. A day after defending champions Australia were rocked 1-0 by Jordan, South Korea, still awaiting […]

Dubai (AFP) – Prolific goal scorer Hwang Ui-jo snatched a second-half winner as South Korea beat Sven-Goran Eriksson's Philippines 1-0 at the Asian Cup on Monday. The Koreans, looking to end 59 years of hurt after failing to win the title since 1960, soaked up considerable pressure in their opening Group C fixture before Hwang […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is set to be named 2018 African Player of the Year for a second successive time at a gala awards ceremony in Senegal Tuesday. The sharpshooter is competing against fellow English Premier League stars, Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane from Senegal and Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal. Consistent […]

London (AFP) – Maurizio Sarri insisted on Monday that Chelsea must replace Cesc Fabregas as the veteran midfielder looks set to leave the Premier League outfit for Thierry Henry's Monaco. The 31-year-old's contract expires at the end of this season and he appeared to say goodbye after Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest, […]

Madrid (AFP) – New Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz vowed Monday to give his all after completing a "dream" move to the Spanish giants from Premier League champions Manchester City. "This is the most important day in my life. I have joined the club which I have dreamed of playing at since I was a […]

London (AFP) – Phil Foden is determined to stay and fight for his place at Manchester City even though he has seen other young players leave the Premier League champions in search of better opportunities elsewhere. Spanish midfielder Brahim Diaz, 19, has followed the example of Jadon Sancho, becoming the latest highly rated young player […]

Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates) (AFP) – A spectacular goalkeeping blunder helped Marcello Lippi's China avoid a humiliating defeat as they came from behind to narrowly beat minnows Kyrgyzstan 2-1 at the Asian Cup on Monday. The Central Asians, ranked 91st in the world and playing their first major tournament, bossed the first half and deservedly […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United defender Phil Jones says Sunday's clash with Tottenham will test the strength of the team's recent revival under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United have won all five matches since Solskjaer took the helm at Old Trafford following the sacking of Jose Mourinho last month. Spurs, who are third in […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits the "outstanding" Naby Keita has yet to reproduce the form that persuaded him to sign the midfielder — but says he has a bright future at Anfield. The 23-year-old started his Liverpool career brightly and has made 18 appearances so far this season but he has failed […]