Category: Asia

Al Ain vs. Al Hilal: How to watch AFC Champions League, live stream

Can anybody stop Al Hilal from winning four trophies this season?

Can anybody stop Al Hilal from winning four trophies this season?

It looks increasingly difficult to slow down the Saudi powerhouse, but Al Ain will be the next team to try in the AFC Champions League semifinal.

Al Ain will host the first leg on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi as it aims to get off to a good start ahead of next week’s second leg in Riyadh.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch the AFC Champions League on Paramount Plus” link=”https://paramountplus.qflm.net/217Nxg”]

Al Hilal has already won the Saudi Super Cup and has a 12-point lead in the Saudi Pro League over second-place Al Nassr. It has also reached the semifinal of the King’s Cup, which will take place later this month.

It looks like a daunting task for Al Ain, but the Emirati side has already upset Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr in the quarterfinal of the Champions League.

The winner of this tie will face the winner of the other semifinal between Ulsan HD and Yokohama F. Marinos.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Al Ain vs. Al Hilal (AFC Champions League)

  • When: Wednesday, April 17
  • Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
  • Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: Paramount+ (WATCH NOW)

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USWNT vs. Japan: How to watch SheBelieves Cup, TV channel, live stream

The U.S. will get a major test in front of a huge crowd in Atlanta

The U.S. women’s national team will face two big tests in its final two matches before the Emma Hayes era begins.

Twila Kilgore will coach her final two games as an interim in the SheBelieves Cup, before returning to her previous assistant coach role under Hayes.

The USWNT will first face off against Japan in front of a huge crowd in Atlanta on Saturday, and will then face either Brazil or Canada on Tuesday in Columbus.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch the SheBelieves Cup on Peacock” link=”https://imp.i305175.net/4PMNQM”]

Coming off a W Gold Cup title run that didn’t always see them at their best, the USWNT will look for an improved performance against seventh-ranked Japan on Saturday.

The USWNT will be able to welcome back two vital attackers, with Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario set to make their first national team appearances in one year and two years, respectively, following knee injuries.

Like the USWNT, Japan has qualified for the 2024 Olympics. The Nadeshiko have been drawn into a tough Group C alongside Spain, Brazil and Nigeria or South Africa.

The USWNT and Japan have met 39 times before, with the U.S. holding a 30W-1L-8D record. Most recently, the U.S. defeated Japan 1-0 in the 2023 SheBelieves Cup.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

USWNT vs. Japan (SheBelieves Cup)

  • When: Saturday, April 6
  • Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
  • Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: TNT, truTV, Max, Telemundo, Universo and Peacock (WATCH NOW)

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USMNT gets dominant display it wanted in Oman rout

Gregg Berhalter got the performance he wanted after a subpar display against Uzbekistan

The U.S. men’s national team may have beaten Uzbekistan 3-0 on Saturday, but the game was far tighter than that scoreline would suggest.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter said he wanted an improved display against Oman and on Tuesday at Allianz Field in St. Paul, he got what he was hoping for.

The USMNT was dominant in its first-ever meeting with Oman, riding a first-half goal from Folarin Balogun and second-half goals from Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi and an Oman own goal to a 4-0 win.

Just like against Uzbekistan, the USMNT opened the scoring on a well-worked goal that originated with a cross from the left. Tim Weah’s layoff was drilled by Sergiño Dest, forcing goalkeeper Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini to parry right into the path of Balogun, who was left with an simple tap-in.

The U.S. effectively put the match away at the hour mark. Having drawn a foul at the top of the box, Aaronson stepped up to take the free kick himself. The Union Berlin man’s shot snuck through the wall and seemed to fool Al-Mukhaini, who slipped and saw the ball go straight through him.

There was time for a much-anticipated debut for Benjamin Cremaschi, as the 18-year-old Inter Miami star came on in the 71st minute for his first USMNT cap.

Minutes later, Pepi gave the USMNT a three-goal advantage with a smart turn and finish from just inside the box. It continued a red-hot 2023 for the PSV striker, who now has six goals in six U.S. appearances this year.

Another highly touted prospect, Wolfsburg’s Kevin Paredes, also got his first cap when he entered the match in the 80th minute and immediately forced an own goal from Khalid Al-Braiki with an excellent low cross from the right flank.

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Saudi League summer transfer window 2023: All the latest news and signings

Tracking all of the biggest moves to Saudi Arabia right here

The Saudi Pro League’s spending spree has upended the entire 2023 summer transfer window.

With multiple Saudi clubs putting together massive offers, it looks like teams throughout the league will look to compete with Al Nassr, who sparked a new era in Saudi Arabia by signing Cristiano Ronaldo this winter.

The spending has been supercharged after the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, took over four of the country’s biggest teams this summer.

We’ll be tracking the biggest names that move to Saudi Arabia right here.

Under pressure after four games, Klinsmann says Korea job ‘huge learning curve’

The former USMNT is already on the hot seat after just six months in charge

Jürgen Klinsmann has admitted he’s faced a “huge learning curve” during his brief stint as South Korea head coach.

Klinsmann has been in the job for just six months, but is already under pressure after failing to win any of his four games in charge so far.

Draws against Colombia and El Salvador, and defeats at the hands of Uruguay and Peru, have ramped up the pressure on the former U.S. men’s national team coach ahead of friendlies against Wales and Saudi Arabia.

At a press conference ahead of Thursday’s match against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium, Klinsmann said he was happy with the progress his team showed in his first four games despite a lack of results.

“I think we did quite well the first four games,” the former Germany international said. “We didn’t get the results, but I was pleased with the way the team showed up and dominated all four games.

“We didn’t have Sonny (Son Heung-min) in the last two games because of his injury, and we didn’t have (Kim) Min-jae either, but for me, it’s a huge learning curve. I want to see the progress happening with every game. I want to win absolutely, no doubt about it, but the must-win comes in Qatar (host of January’s Asian Cup).”

Klinsmann has been criticized in South Korea not only for the team’s results, but also the fact he’s continued living in Los Angeles during his tenure as head coach of the Taegeuk Warriors.

Korean media calculated that Klinsmann has spent just 67 days in the Asian country since his appointment in February.

“The fans are very disappointed with the fact he is spending most of his time in the USA rather than in Korea,” South Korea journalist Lee Sung-mo told the BBC.

“[K-League] games are being played every week, and there are many talented young players there,” said Lee. “The fans expect the manager to visit to see them himself and communicate with fans, K-League clubs and players.”

In a press conference last month, Klinsmann defended his decision to spend most of his time away from the country he is coaching.

“Maybe it’s something new to people that are used to doing it differently. I don’t blame anybody when they say, ‘Where is he?'” Klinsmann said. “The work of a national team coach is international. I need to know what goes on in Europe. I need to be in touch with the coaches of the [Korean] players in Europe.

“I am a workaholic. I love to work like Koreans love to work. If I’m not maybe 24/7 in the country, I still work 24/7.”

On Wednesday, Klinsmann acknowledged the criticism of the team’s on-field displays, adding that it comes with the territory.

“That is normal,” he said. “You can also win all four games in the beginning and there will be still criticism — maybe the way you play, maybe the way the team plays, maybe the way you sub, maybe whatever. That is part of your job. You’ve got to live with criticism every day, probably 80% of your paycheck is that everybody’s allowed to tell you what to do. But it doesn’t bother me at all. It’s a wonderful experience so far.”

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Neymar and Saudi Arabia consummate their inevitable marriage

The relationship had soured between Neymar and PSG, who managed to recoup €90 million for the Brazilian

Maybe it’s easy to say in hindsight but as soon as Saudi Arabia embarked upon its summer spending bonanza, it was always likely Neymar would show up in the Gulf.

It’s no secret that PSG had been open to the prospect of the Brazilian leaving the club for some time and in the state-backed Al Hilal, the Ligue 1 side found the ideal business partner.

On Tuesday, Al Hilal confirmed the signing of Neymar from PSG in a deal worth a reported €90 million.

That’s a far cry from the world-record €222 million PSG paid to land the attacker from Barcelona six years ago, but for an oft-injured 31-year-old, it is still quite the return.

There were likely few, if any, clubs willing to pay nearly that amount, which will come as a huge relief for a club which just watched its own fans literally go to Neymar’s house and tell him to get lost.

It’s hard to say Neymar was a complete bust at PSG. That would be fairly harsh on a player who won seven major trophies, including four Ligue 1 titles, while scoring 118 times in 173 appearances.

But it is that number of 173 that will sting the Brazilian and PSG, a total that represents just over half of the available minutes since his arrival.

Another figure that will be especially painful is zero, as in the number of Champions League crowns PSG has won even after investing in the likes of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.

An ill-timed series of injuries for Neymar sidelined him for several years’ worth of key Champions League matches. That, combined with a perceived lack of commitment off the pitch, ultimately soured the relationship between the player and fans.

“It’s always difficult to say goodbye to a player as exceptional as Neymar, one of the best in the world,” said Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman and CEO of PSG in a statement. “I will never forget the day he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain and what he brought to our club and the project over the past six years. We lived great moments and Neymar will always be part of our history. I want to thank Neymar and his family. We wish Neymar the best for the future and his next adventure.”

Al-Khelaïfi would never say so publicly, but he is probably glad to say that Neymar is now part of the club’s history, rather than its present.

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New Jersey teen Phair makes World Cup history representing South Korea

The Korea-born New Jersey native played against Colombia at age 16 years, 26 days

Casey Phair has become the youngest player in World Cup history, entering South Korea’s match against Colombia at age 16 years, 26 days.

With her team trailing 2-0, Phair came on as a 78th-minute substitute in the match at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The game would end by that same scoreline, with Catalina Usme and Linda Caicedo giving Colombia an opening-game win.

Phair was born in South Korea to an American father and Korean mother, and moved to the United States when she was one month old. Her family moved around the country before settling in New Jersey in 2020.

The forward broke the previous record held by Ifeanyi Chiejine, who played for Nigeria at the 1999 World Cup at age 16 years, 34 days. On the men’s side, Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside holds the record after playing at age 17 years, 41 days at the 1982 World Cup.

Phair and South Korea goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi also set a Women’s World Cup record for the biggest age gap between teammates, with 22 years and 256 days between them.

Speaking to The Athletic about her decision to play for Korea instead of the United States, Phair said: “Whether it’s with the under-17 team or the senior team, I always feel that whenever I am with the Korean national team I am put in the best position to improve and thrive.”

Phair is also the first player of mixed heritage to be selected for a Korean World Cup squad, men’s or women’s.

“I know as the first mixed race player for Korea, men and women, it’s a highlight, it’s something new,” South Korea head coach Colin Bell said when he announced his World Cup roster.

“But as far as I’m concerned she’s still a kid and it’s my duty to protect her so she can blossom and really fulfill her potential. We’re taking care of her; she’s taken very well to the team. She’s in the squad on merit.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo: Saudi league is better than MLS

After Messi’s move to MLS, Ronaldo unsurprisingly had some thoughts

After his longtime rival Lionel Messi completed a move to MLS, Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t help but offer his assessment of the North American top flight.

In comments that will surprise no one, the Al Nassr striker said he believes the Saudi Pro League is superior to the league Messi now calls home.

“The Saudi league is better than MLS,” Ronaldo told a press conference after he was asked about the chance of following Messi to North America.

Speaking after Al Nassr fell 5-0 to Celta Vigo in a preseason friendly, Ronaldo claimed some credit for being the first of what now seems to be a constant stream of big-name players moving to the Saudi league.

“I opened the way to the Saudi league, and now all the players are coming here,” the Portugal star said.

He added: “In one year, more and more top players will come to Saudi. In a year the Saudi league will overtake the Turkish league and Dutch league.”

While he ruled out the possibility of moving to MLS, Ronaldo also emphasized that after a record-filled run with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, he will not be returning to Europe.

“I’m 100 percent sure I won’t return to any European club,” Ronaldo said. “I’m 38 years old. And European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid one and still doing good is the Premier League. They’re way ahead of all the other leagues.”

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Qatar says player accused of racism vs. New Zealand was racially abused himself

Yusuf Abdurisag has said he is the victim, not the perpetrator, of racial abuse

Qatar winger Yusuf Abdurisag has denied using a racial slur in Monday’s friendly against New Zealand, adding that he was actually the victim, not the perpetrator of racial abuse.

New Zealand refused to return for the second half due to claims that Abdurisag had racially abused defender Michael Boxall, who is of Samoan heritage.

“Michael Boxall was racially abused during the first half of the game by a Qatari player,” a statement from New Zealand’s Twitter account read. “No official action was taken so the team have agreed not to come out for the second half of the match.”

The match would be abandoned with New Zealand ahead 1-0.

On Tuesday, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) released a statement supporting Abdurisag and claiming that he was the player racially abused during the match.

“QFA’s player Yusuf Abdurisag Yusuf confirmed an exchange of words with an opponent – in the heat of the moment – shortly before halftime,” it read. “Yusuf stressed that no racial or discriminatory language was used or directed towards any player of the New Zealand team.

“In the contrary, Yusuf stressed that, in fact, he himself was racially abused during the match. In any case, the QFA takes the allegations incredibly seriously and stands against racism in all its forms. The experience of racism should never be trivialized and remains a serious problem within the game. As such, the QFA encourages the international football community to do more to tackle racism and discrimination on and off the pitch.”

Abdurisag was included in Qatar’s roster for the Gold Cup, which kicks off Saturday.

QFA president Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain added in a statement: “Everyone at QFA stands with Yusuf Abdurisag Yusuf and strongly condemns the unwarranted attention he has received in the past 24 hours.”

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New Zealand walks out of Qatar friendly after alleged racial abuse of Boxall

All Whites players refused to come out for the second half after a comment made by a Qatari player

New Zealand walked out of Monday’s friendly against Qatar after saying that defender Michael Boxall was racially abused by a Qatari player.

According to Stuff, the incident took place in the 40th minute when Qatar winger Yusuf Abdurisag made a comment toward the Minnesota United defender that left New Zealand’s players visibly angry.

After the referee did not take any action, the All Whites refused to come out for the second half.

“Michael Boxall was racially abused during the first half of the game by a Qatari player,” New Zealand’s official Twitter account said. “No official action was taken so the team have agreed not to come out for the second half of the match.”

The match in Austria was abandoned with New Zealand leading 1-0.

Speaking on the match broadcast, Qatar head coach Carlos Queiroz cautioned against drawing any conclusions before an investigation was conducted.

”The facts are the following: Apparently two players on the pitch exchanged words. The New Zealand players decided to support their teammate just as our team decided to support our player,” Queiroz said.

“They decided to abandon the game with no witnesses. The referee did not listen [to what was said]. It’s just an argument between two players.

“I think is a new chapter in football which is for sure something nobody can understand. Let’s let the football authorities make a decision. I think this game will be under observation from FIFA for sure.”

The New Zealand Professional Footballers Association released a statement supporting the All Whites players, saying they “commend and support our players’ poised reaction in this challenging situation.”

Sadly, the New Zealand-Qatar match wasn’t even the only international game on the day abandoned due to alleged racism. Ireland’s FA said that its U-21 game against Kuwait was ended after a racist remark by a Kuwaiti player toward an Irish player.