Goa thrash Himachal 7-0 in women’s football championship
Palakkad, Oct 7: Goa thrashed Himachal Pradesh 7-0 in a Group A match to secure their second consecutive win in the 29th Senior Women’s National Football Championship here on Monday. Goa pumped in five goals before the breather. Striker Pearl Fernandes was the wrecker-in-chief with three goals to her credit. Aniela Barretto, Pushpa Parab, Sushmit Jadhav and Swellen Mercia Fernandes were the other scorers. Goa, who had earlier beaten former champions Tamil Nadu, now have six points from two matches. Himachal suffered their second straight defeat in the competition. In the day’s other match in Group A, Tamil Nadu beat Kerala 3-1 after leading 2-0 at half time. Both teams now have three points from two matches. Kaviya Pakkirisamy opened the scoring for Tamil Nadu in the 40th minute, followed by a goal scored by K Santhiya. In the second session, Manasa K pulled one back for Kerala, but an own goal by Anjitha M widened the lead for Tamil Nadu. (PTI)
Italy call up Lorenzo Lucca to replace injured Moise Kean
Florence, Oct 7: Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has called up uncapped Udinese forward Lorenzo Lucca to replace the injured Moise Kean for the upcoming Nations League matches. The national soccer federation said that Kean left the Italy training camp on Monday morning and had returned to Fiorentina for treatment on lower back pain. Kean played the full 90 minutes of Fiorentina’s 2-1 victory over AC Milan on Sunday, missing a penalty but setting up the winning goal. The 24-year-old Lucca was called up for friendly matches against Venezuela and Ecuador in March but didn’t feature because of a minor injury. Lucca has scored five goals in nine matches this season for Udinese. Italy plays Belgium in Rome on Thursday and Israel in Udine four days later. The Azzurri have won both Nations League matches against France and Israel, and top their group. (AP)
Dayot Upamecano out of France squad against Israel and Belgium
Paris, Oct 7: France defender Dayot Upamecano is out of the upcoming Nations League games against Israel and Belgium because of a right thigh injury and Loïc Badé has been called up in his place, the national soccer federation said on Monday. Upamecano picked up the injury on Sunday while playing for Bayern Munich in a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt. “On his return to Bavaria he underwent an MRI scan which revealed a muscle injury,” the federation said. Bayern said Upamecano withdrew as a “precautionary measure” and described the injury as a thigh strain. France takes on Israel on Thursday in Budapest and then travels to Brussels four days later to face Belgium. Badé, who plays for Sevilla, was called up last month by France coach Didier Deschamps but had to withdraw because of injury ahead of a game against Italy. He represented France at the Paris Olympics. (AP)
Harry Kane joins up with England
Munich, Oct 7: Harry Kane has joined up with England for the upcoming Nations League games after going off with an apparent injury while playing for Bayern Munich, the German team said Monday. Kane was substituted in the 72nd minute of Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday after having treatment for what seemed to be an issue with his right thigh. Bayern, however, said Kane had been checked over by the Football Association upon arrival at England’s training camp. “Harry Kane, who was substituted during the game, travelled directly from Frankfurt to the England camp, where he was examined by the FA’s medical staff. A more precise diagnosis is still pending,” Bayern said. England plays Greece on Thursday and Finland on Sunday. (AP)
Lyon condemns fan violence at French league game
Lyon, Oct 7: Lyon has condemned fan violence at its home game against Nantes in the French league. Amid reports that clashes broke out at Groupama Stadium between two groups of Lyon supporters on Sunday, the club said the incidents were “unworthy” of the seven-time French champion. According to local media, one supporter was stabbed in the thigh during the match. “Violence of any kind has no place at OL. We strongly condemn the clashes and attacks that took place in the stadium this afternoon,” Lyon director general Laurent Prud’homme said. “Olympique Lyonnais must remain united and indivisible.” Violence has marred soccer in France in recent seasons, with Lyon supporters often involved. Lyon beat Nantes 2-0. (AP)