India to play Pak in Asian Games build-up
New Delhi: As part of their build-up for the September Asian Games in South Korea, India’s under-23 football team will play two friendlies against Pakistan in Bangalore in August. The two matches will be played at the Bangalore Football Stadium on August 17 and August 20, the All India Football Federation said in a statement. The 30-member Indian contingent under head coach Wim Koevermans will have their training camp in the southern city from July 1. The three seniors in the Squad of U-23 players are Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh and Francis Fernandes. The All India Football Federation will also provide an exposure tour for the team after the two friendlies. (PTI)
Afghan skipper Amiri extends Dempo stay
New Delhi: Afghanistan football captain Zohib Islam Amiri has extended his contract with Goan giants Dempo Sports Club for another year. After having a strong second half in the 2013/14 I-League season, where Amiri helped Dempo SC finish fourth, it was an easy decision for the defender to extend his stay at Dempo SC. (PTI)
Pique says Fabregas ‘is leaving’ Barca
MADRID: Gerard Pique has been caught on camera apparently telling Spain coach Vicente del Bosque that Barcelona team mate Cesc Fabregas is poised to leave the La Liga side. Fabregas returned to boyhood club Barca in 2011 after an eight-year stint at Arsenal and he has been linked with a move back to the Premier League, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly keen to sign the 27-year-old midfielder. Appearing together at a promotional event in Washington, where Spain are preparing the defence of their World Cup crown, Pique and del Bosque were recorded apparently discussing Fabregas and a move away from Barca for a fee of 33 million euros (Rs 266.19 crore). “He (Fabregas) told me that it is already done,” Pique says. “He is leaving already, 33 million euros he said,” adds the centre back, who came through the youth ranks with Fabregas and is a close personal friend of his. Fabregas returned to Barca just as Pep Guardiola’s stunningly successful side was starting to lose its lustre and he has never fully won over the demanding Nou Camp fans despite scoring and creating plenty of goals. The Catalan club are trying to rebuild after they ended the 2013-14 season without major silverware and coach Gerardo Martino quit and was replaced by former Barca and Spain midfielder Luis Enrique. (Reuters)
Villa signs guest stint with Melbourne club
Melbourne: Spanish World Cup winner David Villa will play a guest stint at newly branded Melbourne City for Australia’s A-League next season, the club said on Thursday. Villa, unveiled by Major League Soccer club New York City as its inaugural player this week, will take the field for Melbourne between October and December this year prior to the start of the American season. The 32-year-old, who joined New York after helping Atletico Madrid win the Spanish league title, is his country’s all-time top scorer with 56 goals and will play for the world champions at his third World Cup in Brazil this month. (AFP)
Ozil will bounce back at WCup: Loew
FRANKFURT: Out-of-form Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil will recover his form at the World Cup in Brazil this month despite recent lacklustre performances for club and country, Germany coach Joachim Loew said on Thursday. The 25-year-old Arsenal midfielder has enjoyed a rollercoaster season following a bright start after his big-money move from Real Madrid. His form dipped as the season wore on this year, earning him jeers and whistles in the past few Germany internationals. Ozil was equally lacklustre in the 2-2 draw against Cameroon on Sunday, missing a great chance in the first minute and having little impact in the entire game. “To be honest I am a bit surprised by the reaction against Mesut,” Loew told a news conference on Thursday. “Mesut won German national team player of the year last season but it is clear that he has not performed to the fullest of his abilities in the past few games.” Only a season or two ago Ozil was seen as the next natural leader of the German team with his ability to dictate their attacking game, his skills and goal-scoring prowess earning him heaps of praise. (Reuters)
