India set-up World Cup quarter-final rematch with Ireland
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
India set-up World Cup quarter-final rematch with Ireland
Ireland progressed straight into the quarter-finals having topped Pool B ahead of England.
Monday, July 30, 2018
Spurs star Son apologises for missing start of new season to play in Asian Games
The42
Spurs star Son apologises for missing start of new season to play in Asian Games
The South Korean could miss the first four games of the Premier League season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores first MLS hat trick to lead LA Galaxy to dramatic comeback win
Dream Team FC
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores first MLS hat trick to lead LA Galaxy to dramatic comeback win
Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed his first MLS hat trick on Sunday night as he led LA Galaxy to a dramatic comeback win against Orlando City.
The former Manchester United man celebrated his first two goals, both headers, in muted fashion before letting loose when he lashed in the game’s winning goal to seal his first Stateside treble.
Ibrahimovic had a hand in all four Galaxy goals as they came from behind three times to beat Orlando 4-3 and extended their unbeaten run to nine.
SIGN UP NOW – It’s time to pick your fantasy football team for the new seasonIbrahimovic’s first goal came shortly after half-time, pulling Galaxy level at 2-2Getty - Contributor
The Swede went horizontal with a bullet header for his second goalGetty Images - Getty
A thunderous volley gave him his first hat trick in the USGetty - Contributor
Down 2-1 at half-time, Zlatan nodded in a deep cross 100 seconds into the second period in front of his adoring fans at the Galaxy’s StubHubCenter.
Dom Dwyer put struggling Orlando back in front minutes later before the 36-year-old flew through the air to power home a diving header and make it 3-3.
Five minutes afterwards he was at it again to complete the hat trick, collecting a loose ball 12 yards out and volleying into the far corner before his renowned taste for a spectacular celebration came to the surface.
Zlatan celebrated by whipping off his shirtGetty - Contributor
Off with the shirt and out came the famous tattooed torso.
It is his first treble since netting all three goals in United’s 3-0 Europa League win over Saint Etienne in February 2017.
Zlatan now has 15 goals in his first 17 MLS games, vaulting him up to second in the 2018 Golden Boot race, although he is still far behind Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez, who leads the way with 24.
The win takes Galaxy third in the Western Conference, one point behind city rivals LAFC in the chase for an automatic spot in the play-off semi-finals.
It is his first hat trick in 17 monthsGetty - Contributor
He was mobbed by his teammates as he celebrated what turned out to be the game’s winning goalGetty - Contributor
This Galaxy Orlando game is soooo wildddddd. Zlatan you have yourself a bow for that 
— Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) July 30, 2018
Orlando, losing their 12th game in 13, now sit ninth in the 11-team Eastern Conference.
It is the 20th Galaxy hat trick in franchise history, the most of any MLS team.
Zlatan, who also notched an assist when he slipped in Gio dos Santos in the first half, has been a huge hit in the States since terminating his Manchester United contract in March to join LA.
This month he claimed he ‘would be president’ of the country by now, had he made the switch ten years ago.
There were similar celebrations on his Galaxy debut, when he netted twice off the bench including a last-minute winner against rivals LAFCAFP or licensors
Ibrahimovic also assisted Gio dos Santos’ first-half goalGetty - Contributor
Despite his roaring success in the States, Zlatan will miss this week’s MLS All-Star clash with Juventus.
Hinting at a potential injury that will keep him out of the weekend’s Galaxy game against Colorado Rapids, he said: “I am disappointed to miss the 2018 All-Star game against Juventus, one of my former clubs.
“I want to thank the fans for voting me to the team.
“My main focus is to score goals and help the LA Galaxy to the play-offs.”
DREAM TEAM 2018/19 Sign up for the best fantasy football game around hereSunday, July 29, 2018
Kilkenny minors hold on for gutsy semi-final win over Tipperary
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Kilkenny minors hold on for gutsy semi-final win over Tipperary
Brave Kilkenny showed their determined streak with a stubborn second-half performance at Croke Park to return to the Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor hurling final.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Why it’s time to finally give Sergio Aguero the credit he deserves
Dream Team FC
Why it’s time to finally give Sergio Aguero the credit he deserves
It’s impossible to believe there is still a debate.
It’s rare for a striker to boast a Premier League record of 143 goals in 206 games and yet still not be recognised as one of the best.
Sergio Aguero has dealt with this injustice for the past seven years in English football since he joined Man City.
SIGN UP NOW – It’s time to pick your fantasy football team for the new seasonAP:Associated Press Name your top five Premier League strikers of all time, does Aguero make it?[/caption]
On the seventh anniversary of his transfer from Atletico Madrid, it’s time we begin to put the 30-year-old in the very top bracket of the Premier League’s best ever strikers.
The Argentine currently sits 12th in the list of the Premier League’s all-time top scorers, with Jermain Defoe the only player still active in the top flight to rank ahead of him.
Aguero became City’s all-time record goalscorer in 2017, despite having his career at the Etihad somewhat written off after the arrival of Gabriel Jesus.
Getty Images - Getty The pair have struggled to co-exist[/caption]
The young Brazilian became Pep Guardiola’s preferred option upfront, and it was soon clear that Aguero was not his manager’s ideal type of striker. His future was uncertain.
Despite frequent praise from Guardiola in public, there was an obvious friction between Aguero’s naturally selfish mentality and his manager’s team philosophy.
Guardiola challenged Aguero to change his game, perhaps sacrificing his hunger for goals to encompass a more team-friendly approach.
When other players might have sulked about having to change a style which had served both him and his club for so long, the striker listened to the advice and his game stepped up a level.
The pair share an interesting dynamic
Aguero’s goalscoring antics were soon to be matched with a new-found work rate to win back possession as well as assist his teammates on a more regular basis.
The striker finished the 2017/18 season with 21 goals to his name and became just the fourth player to score 20+ goals in four consecutive Premier League campaigns after Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Harry Kane.
The ability to adapt and evolve his game is another massive tick next to Aguero’s name and furthers his case to be mentioned amongst the very best.
AFP or licensors The goals don’t stop[/caption]
It took until last season for Aguero to finally be recognised by his peers, as he was voted in the PFA Team of the Year having been snubbed for the past six years.
Injuries at the wrong time of the season have often wrongly blighted his case for the individual end of the season awards.
PA:Press Association Injuries became an all too familiar sight[/caption]
Aguero has two years remaining on his current contract with City and it’s unclear where his long-term future lies.
The Argentine has spoken publicly in the past about wanting to return to his boyhood club Independiente to finish his career.
Surely Aguero has one more big contract left in him before he retires to Argentina.
If his future isn’t to be with City, a plethora of the world’s best clubs would be queuing up to take him.
PA:Press Association Front and centre alongside Vincent Kompany[/caption]
With three Premier League titles to his name, Aguero will go down as a City legend.
It remains to be seen however how he will be remembered by the rest once he leaves these shores.
DREAM TEAM 2018/19 Sign up for the best fantasy football game around hereFriday, July 27, 2018
Ronaldo set for Juventus league debut at Chievo Verona
Football – Inquirer Sports
Ronaldo set for Juventus league debut at Chievo Verona
MILAN — Cristiano Ronaldo will likely make his Juventus debut at Chievo Verona as the Bianconeri kick off their attempt to win a record-extending eighth league title at the Stadio Bentegodi. The 2018-19 Serie A fixtures were announced on Thursday. Juventus signed Ronaldo from Real Madrid earlier this month for 112 million euros ($131.5 million). […]
The post Ronaldo set for Juventus league debut at Chievo Verona appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Fantasy football tips: Top Liverpool aces to transfer into your team
Dream Team FC
Fantasy football tips: Top Liverpool aces to transfer into your team
Liverpool are expected to mount a serious title challenge this season after several high-profile additions which could also be big news for fantasy football fans.
Jurgen Klopp’s side impressed with their barnstorming playing-style last season, which was fronted by a lightning-quick front three.
Not only do Liverpool boast a squad which is certain to make headlines in the Premier League, Klopp’s side also features several names who could be big points scorers in fantasy football this season.
SIGN UP NOW For next season’s best fantasy football game here
Register for Dream Team 2018/19 now
REUTERS Liverpool paid a world-record fee for a goalkeeper to sign the Roma man[/caption]
Alisson’s arrival at Anfield will expected to finally solve their long-standing goalkeeping crisis which has seen both Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius heavily criticised.
The Brazilian was signed from Roma after the Reds forked out a world-record fee for a goalkeeper and the move has whetted the appetites of Reds fans.
Alisson has built up a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, with his distribution one of his best attributes.
The Brazilian will cost £4m in this year’s game, representing one of the most expensive goalkeepers in the game.
Alisson’s price-tag might be steep, however you would expect him to repay that with clean-sheets in front of an ever-improving Liverpool defence.
2 Virgil van Dijk – £4m
Getty - Contributor
The Dutchman is a towering leader at the heart of the Red’s defence
Van Dijk is set to be the main defensive lynch-pin in a now formidable looking Liverpool side.
The Dutchman arrived from Southampton in January for a world-record transfer fee for a defender and his impact was felt immediately.
The 27-year-old added much needed defensive steel and left Reds fans regretting that he wasn’t their player for the whole season.
At just £4m, the towering defender is a must have for your Dream Team this season.
Van Dijk’s immense aerial presence makes him a real goal-threat from set-pieces, and he is also now more likely to keep clean-sheets with Alisson behind him.
Liverpool’s favourable start to the season will also play a part in van Dijk’s potential to keep clean-sheets right from the start.
3 Naby Keita – £3m
Getty - Contributor The new arrival is expected to thrive at Anfield[/caption]
Liverpool fans have been made to wait to see Keita in action, after a transfer which was agreed last year, became permanent this summer.
The Guinea midfielder is expected to cope with the demands of the Premier League and continue the impressive form that led to him becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after talents.
Keita will slot straight into Klopp’s starting eleven, with the 23-year-old set to be given license to express himself in midfield alongside fellow new arrival Fabinho.
The former Leipzig man has taken the No8 shirt at Anfield which was previously held by the club’s former talisman Steven Gerrard.
Keita is priced up at a modest £3m in this year’s game and represents an enticing prospect for Dream Team managers, as he is likely to be the source of many goals or assists this season.
4 Roberto Firmino – £6m
Getty - Contributor The Brazilian has become one of Liverpool’s most important players[/caption]
Firmino’s excellent season went somewhat under the radar due to the brilliance of Mohamed Salah.
Nevertheless, the Brazilian was arguably just as important to Liverpool, scoring 15 goals and chipping in with seven assists last season.
The 26-year-old was the glue that held Klopp’s deadly attacking trident together, with four star man awards contributing to his impressive 280 points in fantasy football.
Firmino will cost Dream Team managers £6m in this year’s game, which is a relative steal considering what he will almost certainly bring to your fantasy football team this season.
5 Mohamed Salah – £8m
USA TODAY Sports Can the Egyptian replicate his form from last season?[/caption]
We teased you by leaving him until the very last.
Salah is fit and raring to go after he fully recovered from the shoulder injury that he sustained in last season’s Champions League final.
Before his season suffered a disastrous conclusion, the Egyptian was a revelation in his first year back in English football.
The 26-year-old scored 32 Premier League goals for Klopp’s side, which helped him to pick up a monumental 412 points in fantasy football, the most of any player.
The Egyptian is the joint most expensive player in this season’s game, alongside Spurs striker Harry Kane.
Salah will set Dream Team managers back a hefty £8m, however there is no doubt that your investment will be returned with plenty of goals this season.
Those managers looking to pick the Egyptian as a midfielder in their team will be left disappointed, as the Liverpool man has been moved to a striker in this year’s game.
What are the Dream Team rules?Every single season the Premier League gets more intriguing – and playing Dream Team really is the perfect way to enhance your experience of it.
You’ll be assigned a total budget of £50m for each side you pick and you’ll be able pick a maximum of 10 free teams.
The Game Weeks run from Friday to Thursday, effectively meaning the new Game Week starts after the last Europa League games are completed.
Emery and Arsenal will tackle the Europa League this seasonGetty
You get three transfers a month on the first Friday of every month so using them wisely is essential.
Every player on the game will be assigned a price at the start of the season which will then vary and fluctuate on a weekly basis dependent on their performances.
For example, last season we valued Mo Salah at £4m at the start of the season but the Egyptian King rocketed to over £11m by the end after his stunning goalscoring form.
Make sure to check out our website or app to see how our simplistic points system works.
DREAM TEAM 2018/19 Sign up for the best fantasy football game around here
Jose Mourinho insists Liverpool must challenge for Premier League title to justify big spending
The Independent - Football
Jose Mourinho insists Liverpool must challenge for Premier League title to justify big spending
Klopp had previously said he would never spend the sort of money United did on Paul Pogba
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Whitecaps agree transfer of Canadian Alphonso Davies to Bayern Munich
Sportsnet.ca
Whitecaps agree transfer of Canadian Alphonso Davies to Bayern Munich
The Vancouver Whitecaps have officially agreed to transfer teenage sensation Alphonso Davies to storied European club Bayern Munich.
#HomegrownHero #VWFC agree to @MLS record-breaking transfer of @AlphonsoDavies to @FCBayern → https://t.co/q1hk3rgA7U pic.twitter.com/pBMQEwGTOS
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) July 25, 2018
The transfer is an MLS record-high that could total in excess of $22 million for the 17-year-old.
@AlphonsoDavies: "I'm very happy about my transfer to #FCBayern. As a kid, you dream about this moment and I'm happy it came through. Now it's time to continue working, I have to give everything to make the most of this opportunity." #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/JTZ51T0ZEr
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) July 25, 2018
Davies is expected to complete the remainder of the 2018 MLS season with the Whitecaps, before becoming eligible to play for Bayern Munich when the international transfer window reopens in January 2019.
More to come.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Guardiola plays down Manchester City’s interest in Pjanic
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Guardiola plays down Manchester City’s interest in Pjanic
City have been linked with a move for the 28-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international.
Fantasy football tips: Premier League penalty and free-kick takers for every club
Dream Team FC
Fantasy football tips: Premier League penalty and free-kick takers for every club
The Premier League is back in less than three weeks and that means the return of fantasy football.
While everyone is busy concentrating on how to crowbar Mo Salah, Harry Kane and Marouane Fellaini into their team, you have come to the right place to find out where the underrated points lie.
Penalties and free-kicks offer an easy route to fantasy points so here’s the list of each Premier League club’s set-piece takers.
Sign up for Dream Team 2018/19 now
Penalty: Alexandre Lacazette/ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Free-kicks: Mesut Ozil/ Granit Xhaka
BournemouthPenalty: Josh King
Free-kicks: Junior Stanislas/ Harry Arter
BrightonPenalty: Glenn Murray
Free-kicks: Pascal Gross/ Anthony Knockaert
Penalty royaltyReuters
Burnley
Penalty: Sam Vokes/ Chris Wood
Free-kicks: Robbie Brady. Jeff Hendrick
CardiffPenalty: Joe Ralls
Free-kicks: Junior Hoilett
Penalty: Eden Hazard/ Cesc Fabregas
Free-kicks: Marcos Alonso/ Willian
Will he be able to do it under Premier League pressure though?Reuters
Crystal Palace
Penalty: Luka Milivojevic
Free-kicks: Luka Milivojevic/ Jason Puncheon
EvertonPenalty: Gylfi Sigurdsson/ Leighton Baines
Free-kicks: Gylfi Sigurdsson
FulhamPenalty: Aboubakar Kamara
Free-kicks: Stefan Johansen/ Tom Cairney
Ice-cold Icelandic blood in his veinsAFP or licensors
Huddersfield
Penalty: Aaron Mooy
Free-kicks: Aaron Mooy
LeicesterPenalty: Jamie Vardy
Free-kicks: James Maddison/ Marc Albrighton
LiverpoolPenalty: Mo Salah
Free-kicks: Trent Alexander-Arnold. Jordan Henderson/ Xherdan Shaqiri
Someone told Vardy he’d get a free WKD for every penalty scoredReuters
Man City
Penalty: Gabriel Jesus
Free-kicks: Kevin De Bruyne
Man UnitedPenalty: Romelu Lukaku
Free-kicks: Paul Pogba/ Alexis Sanchez
NewcastlePenalty: Matt Ritchie
Free-kicks: Matt Richie/ Jonjo Shelvey
SouthamptonPenalty: Charlie Austin
Free-kicks: James Ward-Prowse
If you can do it in a World Cup penalty shootout you can do it for SpursGetty - Contributor
Spurs
Penalties: Harry Kane
Free-kicks: Kieran Trippier/ Christian Eriksen
WatfordPenalty: Troy Deeney
Free-kicks: Jose Holebas
West HamPenalty: Mark Noble
Free-kicks: Marko Arnautovic
Penalty: Ruben Neves/ Diogo Jota
Free-kicks: Ruben Neves
Monday, July 23, 2018
Celtic handed AEK Athens Champions League qualifier if they get past Rosenborg
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Celtic handed AEK Athens Champions League qualifier if they get past Rosenborg
The Hoops are trying to make it through to the group stages of Europe’s elite club competition.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Faultless Molinari holds nerve amid thrilling finish to land Open title
Sport: : BreakingNews.ie
Faultless Molinari holds nerve amid thrilling finish to land Open title
Francesco Molinari became the first Italian player to win a major title after one of the most dramatic final rounds in Open Championship history.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Neymar rules out transfer move, staying at PSG
Football – Inquirer Sports
Neymar rules out transfer move, staying at PSG
Brazilian superstar Neymar on Thursday sought to quash speculation about his future, insisting he planned to remain with French giants Paris Saint-Germain. “I’m staying, I’m staying in Paris, I have a contract,” Neymar told reporters at an auction to raise money for his charitable foundation in Sao Paulo. Neymar, who became the world’s most expensive […]
The post Neymar rules out transfer move, staying at PSG appeared first on Inquirer Sports.
Friday, July 20, 2018
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Pussy Riot slam 'hypocrisy of Russia's World Cup celebrations' as political activists languish in jail
The Independent - Football
Pussy Riot slam 'hypocrisy of Russia's World Cup celebrations' as political activists languish in jail
'The celebration of the World Cup is happening at the same time as tortures in police stations and tortures in prison', Maria Alyokhina tells The Independent
