North Korea will have to break their drought against rivals South Korea, if they are to hold aloft the East Asian Cup.
Kim Chang-bok s men have never finished higher than fourth at the four-nation event, but opened their campaign with a shock 2-1 win over Japan leaving them as title contenders heading to Sunday s final matches in Wuhan.
South Korea, meanwhile, are the only unbeaten team in the tournament, after downing China and being pegged back to a 1-1 draw against Japan.
The South Koreans have not won the trophy since 2008, finishing as runner-up in 2010 and third in 13.
The signs are good for coach Uli Stielike and his men, their only loss in 13 internationals this year coming to Australia after extra-time in the Asian Cup final in January.
A…
Atlanta United star Josef Martinez conquered the MLS regular-season goalscoring record with his 28th goal of the 2018 campaign.
Venezuela international Martinez made history by scoring the match-winning goal in Atlanta s 2-1 victory at Orlando City on Friday.
The former Torino forward surpassed the achievements of Bradley Wright-Phillips (2014), Chris Wondolowski (2012) and Roy Lassiter (1996) with his 74th-minute strike in Orlando.
Martinez, who equalled the record in last week s 3-1 win against Columbus Crew, was played in by team-mate Julian Gressel before calmly chipping the ball over Orlando goalkeeper Joseph Bendik.
One for the record books.
#28 on the season for
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD)
The win sent Eastern Confer…
Sepp Blatter has claimed history will show FIFA is not corrupt as the organisation struggles to rehabilitate its tarnished reputation.
Former FIFA president Blatter announced his intention to step down in June 2015, six days after prominent officials were arrested in Zurich as part of a joint anti-corruption investigation by United States and Swiss authorities.
Blatter later received an eight-year suspension, reduced to six on appeal, from football-related activities over a disloyal payment made in 2011 to Michel Platini, who was also banned and lost his role as head of UEFA.
In a lengthy interview with Swedish publication Expressen, the 81-year-old Blatter, who had served as president since 1998, insisted individuals were to blame, rather than the governing bo…
Melbourne Victory secured the Premiers Plate in style with an entertaining 3-1 win at home to the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League on Sunday.
Kevin Muscat s team were already likely to end the regular season in top spot but made absolutely sure with a comprehensive victory at AAMI Park, where Daniel Georgievski, Archie Thompson and Besart Berisha all hit the back of the net.
Eddy Bosnar s deflected free-kick was a mere consolation for the Mariners, who will welcome retiring veteran John Hutchinson into the coaching staff and say goodbye to stalwart striker Matt Simon, the long-serving duo having made their final appearances in yellow and navy blue.
Having lost each of their previous two semi-finals, Victory will be determined to reach a first grand final…
Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas has denied he is about to call time on his career after making a good recovery from the heart attack suffered this month.
Portuguese sports paper O Jogo reported on Friday that the Real Madrid great had taken the decision to retire from professional football, two weeks on from suffering a myocardial infarction in training with the Primeira Liga side.
But Casillas, who underwent emergency surgery before returning home five days later, says he is relaxed about his future and will end his playing days only when the time is right.
In a message posted on his official Twitter page, the Spanish keeper said: Retire? There ll come a day when I have to retire. Let me announce that news when the moment comes.
Buenas a tod@s:
Retirarme…
Leroy Sane said it was a pity that Mesut Ozil no longer plays for Germany after being asked about his former international team-mate by a fearless student on Tuesday.
Arsenal star Ozil announced he was leaving international football in July after accusing German Football Federation (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel of discrimination and incompetence .
The outburst came after the midfielder felt he had been unfairly targeted for criticism following his meeting in May with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Germany held their media conference ahead of a friendly with Russia on Thursday at a school in Leipzig, with Sane put on the spot about Ozil s absence from the squad by a budding reporter.
For me personally, it s a pity, he said.
I w…
Verdict: Liverpool win to nil
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Bookmaker:
Looking to keep pace with Manchester City and build off last weekend s Merseyside derby victory, Jurgen Klopp s Liverpool side will travel to Turf Moor on Wednesday night.
Burnley
Starting with the hosts, while Burnley may have enjoyed a record-breaking campaign last season, the Clarets have come crashing back down to Earth and many feel that Sean Dyche s side could be at the heart of a relegation battle this time around. Coming off the back of a very disappointing showing in their 2-0 loss away to Crystal Palace over the weekend, Burnley find themselves sat 19th in the table and are winless in seven league matches, losing five and conceding 18 goals. On a run of form that has also seen them pick u…
Lionel Messi said he was feeling bitter after Colombia heaped agony on Copa America hopefuls Argentina in Salvador.
Argentina – back-to-back runners-up in 2015 and 2016 – were upstaged 2-0 by Colombia in their Copa opener on Saturday.
After a drab first half, Argentina were stunned as Colombia substitutes Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata condemned La Albiceleste to their first opening-game Copa defeat since 1979.
And Argentina captain Messi – who was largely subdued by Carlos Queiroz s men as he eyes his first senior title with the South American giants – lamented the result.
We leave here feeling bitter, Messi told reporters afterwards. In the second half we had our chances.
It takes time to accept this defeat, but let s see what the nex…
Brazil great Ronaldinho is officially retiring from football in 2018.
After dazzling fans and rivals with his silky feet and contagious smile, the 37-year-old is set to embark on a farewell tour.
Ronaldinho won titles with Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, while he was involved in the last Brazil side to lift the World Cup trophy in 2002.
Brazil have failed to reach those lofty heights since, underwhelming in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
Here, we take a look at the three Rs who were instrumental in creating history with Brazil and those who failed to lead a new generation.
Uma singela homenagem a esse craque que brilhou muito com a Amarelinha. Em seu último gol pela , Ronaldinho mostrou um pouco do talento que o consagrou!
— CBF Fu…
Fikayo Tomori has signed a new contract to keep him at Milan until June 2027.
The England defender joined the Rossoneri on a permanent deal from Chelsea in July 2021 after a successful loan spell at San Siro.
Tomori put pen to paper on a four-year deal with Milan when he left Stamford Bridge just over 13 months ago.
The commanding centre-back played a big part as Milan ended an 11-year wait to win the Serie A title last season and he has been rewarded with a contract extension.
Chelsea academy graduate made 30 appearances for Stefano Pioli s side in the Italian top flight last season, helping the champions keep 13 clean sheets.
He won more tackles (44) than any other Milan defender, and had the most tackles won (44), blocks (23), interceptions (44…