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Home , 2007 in Argentina, Calem Nieuwenhof, Claudio Caniggia, Diego Maradona, Franco Baresi, Julio Grondona

A very sad day for all Argentines and football. He has left us but he will never leave us because Diego is eternal. THURSday, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 – ‘Eternal’ ’s passing away plunges football world into mourning

Argentina’s football team captain kisses the World Cup trophy won by his team after a 3-2 victory over West Germany at the Azteca Stadium in , watched by Mexican President Miguel de La Madrid (left) and West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, In this file photo taken on January 7, 2013, SSC Napoli’s fans display a flag with the effigy of Napoli’s former Argentinian player Diego Armando Maradona during the match on June 29, 1986. (AFP) vs AS Roma at San Paolo Stadium in . (AFP)

AFP “Always in our hearts, Ciao tion, notably to , and his own half. Diego is eternal. farewell to Maradona, who logo on their social media ac- Diego.” Boca posted: “Eternal with his weight, in contrast “By some distance the best “I will keep all the beauti- won the hearts of the south- counts to black. thanks. Eternal Diego.” to the more clean-cut image player of my generation and ful moments that I lived with ern Italian city of Naples by Maradona spent seven The football world united Maradona also played for of Brazilian legend and three- arguably the greatest of all him and would like to send my leading the club to its only two years at then-unfashionable to pay tribute to one of the and Sevilla in Eu- time World Cup winner Pele. time,” said , who condolences to all his family league titles in 1987 and 1990. Napoli between 1984 and 1991, game’s greatest-ever players rope and “What sad news. I lost a scored ’s goal in that and friends. RIP.” “Always in our hearts. during which he also lifted the after Argentine legend Diego and Newell’s Old Boys in Ar- great friend and the world lost match. Ciao Diego,” the club tweeted 1989 UEFA Cup, Napoli’s only Maradona died at the age of gentina before embarking on a legend,” Pele tweeted. “One “After a blessed but trou- ‘A bit of our past has alongside a blue heart emoji European trophy. 60 on Wednesday. a far less successful manage- day, I hope we play soccer to- bled life, hopefully he’ll fi- gone’ - Platini shortly after the news broke He also won the Italian Renowned for inspiring rial career. gether in the sky.” nally find some comfort in the European footballing great that the Argentine had died of Cup in 1987 and the Italian to win the World “Thank you for everything The pinnacle of Marado- hands of God. #RipDiego.” said “a bit of a heart attack aged 60. Super Cup in 1990. Cup in 1986, he was most Diego. FC Barcelona expresses na’s playing career came in the our past has gone”. “I am very “Everyone is waiting for Italian sports minister loved at club level for his its deepest condolences re- 1986 World Cup quarter-final, ‘Diego is eternal’ - Messi sad. I am nostalgic for what our words,” the club said in a Vincenzo Spadafora, a native spells with in his garding the death of Diego where his two iconic goals de- Lionel Messi paid trib- was a wonderful era,” Platini, second post with a photograph of Naples, also paid tribute to homeland and Napoli in , Armando Maradona, a player feated England 2-1. ute to Diego Maradona on who starred for in the of the Argentine in the club’s Maradona. where he won the club’s only for our club (1982-84) and an Both goals reflectedWednesday by calling him and played for Juventus blue jersey. “The death of Maradona two Serie A titles. icon of world football,” Barce- Maradona’s larger-than-life “eternal” after his fellow Ar- against Maradona’s Napoli, “But what words can we is terrible news. He was more “You are eternal in every lona said in a statement. character. gentinian football great died told French radio station RTL. use for pain like the one we are than a champion, he was a heart in world football,” the Maradona is remembered For the first he punched the of a heart attack, aged 60. “Diego left a mark on experiencing? Now is the time football genius, an absolute account of the Ar- for his masterly composure on ball into the net for a goal he “A very sad day for all Ar- my life.” for tears. Then there will be champion,” Spadafora said. gentina national team posted the ball, but he was also famous named “Hand of God”, while gentines and football,” Messi the time for words.” “In an unrepeatable sea- alongside a picture of Mara- for his frequent lack of control for the second he showed in- wrote on Instagram. ‘Ciao Diego:’ Napoli bid As a sign of mourning, son he represented the dreams dona holding the World Cup. both on the field and off. credible skill by dancing round “He has left us but he farewell to club legend Napoli changed the blue and hopes of the people of my Napoli’s Twitter feed said: He struggled with addic- the England team from inside will never leave us because Napoli on Wednesday bid background colour of its club city. Naples is crying tonight.” When Diego Maradona visited Qatar for the opening of Aspire Academy

IKOLI VICTOR Maradona trained with legend and retain it as a remem- Doha some of the Aspire youth play- brance for the rest of his life. ers under the watchful eyes In 2013, Maradona trav- Diego Armando Maradona of their coaches in the Aspire elled to Qatar again this time won many hearts and sup- pitches. His playing exploits as UAE side coach Al Wasl. porters on his visit to Qatar and memories captivated He led the club to book FIFA President Gianni Infantino with Diego Maradona. at the opening of the Aspire many of Qatar’s fans, and this their place in the final of the Academy of Sports Excellence was evident during the time he Gulf Champions League after (Aspire Dome) alongside Pele visited the country. a 4-2 overall victory over Qa- Infantino pays tribute on 17 November 2005. On November 18, 2005, tar’s Al Khor in the two-legged The winner of the 1986 Maradona visited the Al Sadd semi-final. FIFA President Gianni Infan- Diego deserves our eternal World Cup was the cynosure Sports Club, where he dem- It was a match to recall how tino paid a personal tribute on gratitude for that, for having of all eyes as visitors and ad- onstrated his talents to hun- many people came to see the FIFA : “Today is an unbeliev- amazed us with his incredible mirers lined up for his auto- dreds of fans at the club’s play game because of the soccer leg- ably sad day. Our Diego left us. talent and yes, for having been graphs, handshakes and photo turf. Maradona also wore the end. Most of the Al Khor players Our hearts – of all of us who so unique: for having been sessions. No one was excluded headgear to the admiration of hurried to the former manager loved him for how he was, and Diego Armando Maradona, a from Maradona’s charm, as fans at the club premises. I re- of Al Wasl for photographs and for what he represented – have legend, a hero, and… a man,” most of the people at the icon- member a particular fan who shared greetings. Fans were not stopped beating for a moment. he added. ic Aspire Academy stared in came with his family to catch left out when the World Cup Our silence, our tears, our pain “Diego may be eternal awe at the football hero. a glimpse of the great Argen- winner signed autographs and is the only thing we are feeling now, but for forever, Diego After the opening of the tine. He said Maradona’s feats posed for photos. deep inside us at this time. will also have a most promi- Aspire Dome, Maradona laud- at the 1986 World Cup were an We all wished that the great “I always said it and I can nent place in the incredible ed Qatar’s insight in creating a attraction for him to enjoy soc- legend would be back in Qatar just repeat it now, more con- story of all football fairy tales. splendid sports academy and cer. He said he wouldn’t have for the FIFA World Cup 2022 vinced than ever: What Diego Our deepest sympathy goes to urged children to be given the believed that he would meet but sadly he is no more but his has done for football, for mak- his family and friends at this chance to excel under the tute- the legend in person in Qatar. beautiful memories will surely ing all of us fall in love with this difficult time. Rest in peace, lage of experienced trainers at Diego Maradona with Pele in Doha during the Aspire Academy for Another fan said he was contnue to inspire the football- beautiful game, is unique. It dear Diego. We love you.” the academy. Sports Excellence opening on November 17, 2005. (Pic: Karim Jaffar) willing to take a snapshot of the ing world. is, as he is, simply immense... (Fifa.com) Sports Thursday, November 26, 2020 13

Cuban President plays football with Diego Armando Maradona, during Diego Maradona with Pele after a football match at the Jardin du Palais Royal in Diego Maradona is greeted by at the on October 12, the recording of Maradona’s TV program “The 10’s Night” in Havana on October , on the eve of the Euro 2016, on June 9, 2016. (AFP) 2016, a day before the “United for Peace” charity football match. (AFP) 26, 2005. (AFP) The most gifted and most troubled of footballers Diego Maradona was a genius with In this file photo taken on November 04, 2005 Venezuelan President Hugo a football at his feet. Chavez jokes with Diego Maradona in , Argentina. (AFP) His achievements with otherwise Diego Maradona factfile modest Argentina Name: Diego Armando Maradona Franco Date of birth: October 30, 1960 and Napoli sides Place of birth: , Argentina mark him out as Date of death: , 2020 Place of death: Tigre, Argentina one of the greatest Height: 1.65m players ever, but Playing career: Argentinos Juniors (1976-81), his demons were Boca Juniors (1981-82), Barcelona (ESP/1982- 84), Napoli (ITA/1984-91), Sevilla (ESP/1992- often apparent. 93), Newell’s Old Boys (1993), Boca Juniors (1995-97) t is hard to say that a International caps: 91 (1977-94) team won a World Cup International goals: 34 just because of one man, Position: attacking / but in the case of Argen- tina in 1986 it is probably Honours: Itrue. Diego Armando Marado- FIFA World Cup winner (1986) na was a footballing great and FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (1986) many fans will argue he should UEFA Cup winner (1989) count as the best ever. Italian champion (1987, 1990) His death at the age of 60, Argentine champion (1981) after a life dogged by drugs and Spanish Super Cup (1983) problems with his weight, will Spanish Cup (1983) be mourned by the entire foot- Italian Cup (1987) ball world. Italian Super Cup (1990) Born on October 30, 1960 Top scorer in Italy (1988), Argentina in Lanus, on the outskirts of (1979, 1980) Buenos Aires, he was the fifth FIFA Player of the Century (2000) of eight children and made his senior league debut for Argen- Coaching career: tinos Juniors just Textil Mandiyu (1994), Racing Club 10 days short of his (1995), Argentina (2008-2010), Al 16th birthday. Wasl (UAE/2011-12), Al-Fujairah Maradona be- (UAE/2017-18), Dorados came Argentina’s Argentinian forward Diego Armando Maradona runs past English defenders (left) and (MEX/2018-19), Gimnasia y youngest-ever in- (2nd left) on his way to scoring his second goal, or goal of the century, during the Esgrima (2019- ternational when World Cup quarter-final match between Argentina and England. Argentina advanced to the 20). he made his debut semi-finals with a 2-1 victory on , 1986.(AFP) on February 27, 1977 against Hun- England’s defence at will, their first Serie A title in 1987 The midfielder refused to Boca Juniors, where he played Africa but the team played with gary at the age of is classed by many fans as and the club to their only Euro- return to Napoli when his ban on and off until 1997. the same panache that he had 16. the greatest goal ever. pean triumph - a 2-1 UEFA Cup ran out in 1992 and instead In between, Maradona displayed as a player. Although the Argentina later beat final victory over VfB Stuttgart joined Sevilla but was sacked booked himself into a Swiss Pundits who had expected young Maradona West Germany 3-2 in - two years later. by the Spanish club in 1993 and rehabilitation clinic in an his tenure to be a disaster were failed to make the the final. He won his second Scu- returned to Argentina to play effort to conquer his drug made to eat their words but he senior squad for Domestically, he won detto with Napoli in 1990, still for Newell’s Old Boys. addiction. still left the job shortly after- the 1978 World the Argentinian title with the only two Italian top-flight Recalled to the national Following health problems wards. Cup, which Argen- Boca Juniors in 1981 be- titles won by the famous Na- team for the 1994 World Cup in in 2000, Mara- He then coached various tina won as hosts, Diego Maradona poses for photographs with daughters fore moving to Barcelona ples club. in the , Maradona dona moved to where he clubs across the globe. he went on to help and wife Claudia at a hotel in Havana on January in 1982. Maradona then failed a only played two matches be- remained until March 2004, But it was as a player that his country to vic- 21, 2000. (AFP) After two injury- in 1991 after testing fore receiving a ban after test- when he returned to his native the football world will remem- tory at the World plagued seasons at the positive for cocaine and was ing positive for the proscribed Argentina. ber him. Youth Cup in Japan a year where he netted five times, in- Catalan giants where he won handed a 15 month ban. Short- drug ephedrine. Out of the blue, he was World governing body later. cluding the infamous “Hand of the Spanish Cup in 1983, Mara- ly afterwards, he was also ar- Two unsuccessful coaching then named Argentina coach FIFA named him along with He would earn 91 caps for God” goal against England in dona moved to Italian club rested in Argentina for taking stints with Argentinian clubs in 2008 and was in charge ’s Pele in 2000 as the best his country, scoring 34 goals the quarter-finals. Napoli in 1984 in a deal worth cocaine and ordered by a judge Deportivo Mandiyu of Corri- for the 2010 World Cup. They player of the century. and leading Argentina to World His second goal in that around 12 million dollars. to undergo medical treatment entes and Racing Club followed were beaten 4-0 by Germany Football will not see his like Cup glory in 1986 in Mexico, game, where he ran through Maradona helped Napoli to to fight his addiction. before, in 1995, he went back to in the quarter-finals in South again.

A scientific police van leaves the gated community where Diego Maradona died, carrying his body, in Benavidez, Buenos Aires Press photographers at work outside the gated community where Argentine football star Diego Maradona’s province, on Wednesday. (AFP) home is located, in Benavidez, , where he died on November 25, 2020. (AFP) 14 Thursday, November 26, 2020 Sports Diego Maradona, a divine talent with more than a touch of the devil AFP Manager Cesar Luis bered forever – for very differ- Buenos Aires Menotti omitted “El Pibe de ent reasons. Oro” (the golden kid) from his In the 51st minute, as Peter Diego Maradona was foot- squad in 1978. Argentina, the Shilton reached to catch the ball’s archetypal troubled ge- hosts, went on to win the com- ball, Maradona, some seven nius, a world-beating player petition for the first time. inches shorter, jumped along- whose life and career scaled the The following year, under side him and with a deftness most dazzling heights but also Menotti, Maradona led Argen- that fooled the eye, flicked the plumbed the darkest depths. tina to victory in the under-20 ball through the England goal- Maradona, who died on World Cup in Japan, winning keeper’s arms and into the net. Wednesday at the age of 60, be- the Golden Ball for the tourna- After the game, Maradona came a global icon after leading ment’s best player. said he scored “a little with the Argentina to the 1986 World head of Maradona and a little Cup but he was not a squeaky with .” clean idol like Pele, and made Four minutes later, Mara- little attempt to hide his fiery dona picked up the ball in his personality and many vices. own half, beat six England “I am black or white, I’ll players, including Shilton, never be grey in my life,” he before squeezing home. FIFA once said. later named it the “Goal of the Maradona was short, pow- Century”. erful and quick. He was also In 1990 in Italy, almost a ferocious and astute com- I am black or immobile because of an injury petitor who refused to be in- to his much-kicked left ankle, timidated even though many white, I’ll never Maradona steered a defensive opponents tried. Above all, he and limited Argentine team was sublimely and imagina- be grey in back to the final even though tively skilful. they won just two games and “No ball ever had a better my life. scored only five goals. experience than when it was at Late Diego Maradona In a dire final, it took An- his left foot,” said his Argen- dreas Brehme’s 85th-minute tina teammate . penalty for West Germany However, while Maradona to this time get the better of is remembered for his mas- His senior World Cup Maradona. terly composure on the ball, debut in 1982 in went Four years later in the he was also famous for his fre- badly. Maradona was treated United States, Maradona Argentinian forward Diego Maradona celebrates after teammate (not pictured) tied the score at 1 during the World Cup quent lack of control both on brutally by defenders and end- seemed restored to health. semifinal between Italy and Argentina in Naples, Italy, on on July 03, 1990.( DANIEL GARCIA/AFP) the field and off. He struggled ed his tournament with a red He scored against Greece and with addiction, notably to co- card for retaliation as Argen- celebrated by racing to scream first season but the club only he fathered an illegitimate Mexico, and also two fiery He was a strident sup- caine, and with his weight. tina, already eliminated, lost into a TV camera, a disturbing finished fourth in the league. child, made friends with the lo- years as Argentina coach porter of Cuban leader Fidel Diego Armando Maradona to Brazil. mixture of joy, relief and rage. He missed much of the fol- cal mafia and enemies of the tax from 2008-10. Castro, whose image he had was born on October 30, 1960, But he ended his last lowing campaign after Athletic collectors. He also fell deep into Even though Argentina tattooed on his shoulder, in Lanus, just outside Buenos Hand of God World Cup like his first, pre- Bilbao’s cocaine addiction. His tempes- suffered a record 6-1 defeat by and Venezuelan leader Hugo Aires, and grew up in one of He atoned four years later, maturely. After Argentina beat broke his ankle, and when Bar- tuous time in Italy effectively humble in qualifying, Chavez. the poorest areas of the Argen- propelling his country to vic- Nigeria in their second group ca lost to Bilbao in that year’s ended in April 1991 when he and Maradona was banned for In 2000, FIFA ran an on- tine capital. tory in Mexico and making the game, Maradona failed a test cup final, Maradona started a tested positive for cocaine and two months at the end of 2009 line Player of the Century poll. He made his debut for Ar- tournament his own. for ephedrine and was thrown spectacular mass brawl, floor- was banned for 15 months. for an obscene tirade at jour- Maradona gained 54 percent gentinos Juniors just before In the final, Maradona set out of the tournament. ing four opponents. He wound down his play- nalists, he still led the team to of the vote, Pele was second his 16th birthday and his de- up the 86th-minute winner A similar pattern of wild Facing a ban in Spain, ing career with one season at the World Cup in South Africa with 18 percent. FIFA declared but for Argentina at age 16 in against West Germany. He highs and lows marked Mara- Maradona moved to Napoli, Sevilla, one at Newell’s Old where they won their group them joint winners. February, 1977. scored twice in the semi-final dona’s club career. becoming the first player to Boys and two at his beloved before being thrashed 4-0 by Maradona married his His career is defined by the against Belgium, beating four Maradona moved to the break the world transfer re- Boca. Germany in the quarter-finals. long-time girlfriend Claudia World Cup, the four he played defenders for the second. club he supported, Boca Jun- cord twice. All the while, Maradona’s Villafane in 1984. They had in and the one he missed. But the match that defined iors, in 1981 and won his sole His dazzling play trans- Player of the century off-field problems continued. two daughters, Dalma and Gi- “I have two dreams,” Mara- his tournament, and possibly Argentine league title the fol- formed a club from a poor, Over the next two and a He went into drug rehab aninna, and divorced in 2004. dona told Argentine television his international career, was lowing season. much-mocked city and led half decades he had six short on several occasions. When he He also had a son, Diego at the age of 17. “My first dream the 2-1 quarter-final win over He left for Barcelona for a them to their only two Serie and unsuccessful stints man- quit cocaine, he binged instead Junior, born in Naples in 1986, is to play in the World Cup. And England, in which he scored world record fee in 1982. He A titles. aging clubs in Argentina, the on drink, cigars and food and although he only acknowl- the second dream is to win it.” two goals that will be remem- won the Copa Del Rey in his In a whirlwind seven years and ended up in hospital in 2007. edged paternity in 2004. Maradona in his own words and of others AFP Buenos Aires

Diego Maradona, who died on Wednesday at the age of 60, will forever be remembered as one of the greatest footballers of all time but also one of the most controversial. Here, AFP Sport looks at some of the best quotes on Maradona both from the man himself and from others in football: Maradona in his own words Players observe a  “To see the ball, to run after minutes’ silence for it, makes me the happiest man in Argentine football the world.” legend Diego Mara-  “I made mistakes, and I paid dona prior to the UEFA for them. But the ball is still pure,” Champions League — Speaking to the crowd at his Group A match be- 2001 testimonial. tween Bayern Munich  “I am Maradona, who makes and Salzburg in goals, who makes mistakes. I can Munich, Germany, on take it all, I have shoulders big Wednesday. (AFP) enough to fight with everybody.”  “You can say a lot of things about me, but you can never say I don’t take risks.”  “I am black or white, I’ll nev- A file photo given by the Maradona family showing Diego Maradona with his er be grey in my life.” mother Dalma, in Buenos Aires, in what it is supposed to be the last picture of member. He was always getting Cup with Italy in 2006. .  “When I wear the national him with her, according to the Maradona family. (Maradona Family/AFP) kicked around and he never com- — “The best player I’ve seen in — “The crucial difference with team shirt, its sole contact with my plained, not like some of today’s my life. A genius.” – Former AC Pele is that Maradona wasn’t sur- skin makes it stand on an end.” back and change history I would — “Diego, for all Argentinians, strikers.” – Maldini. and France defender Marcel rounded by great players; he had to  “I hate everything that comes do. But the goal is still a goal, Ar- is God. And he always will be.” -- — “Maradona. When he was on Desailly. carry the team himself. If you took from the United States. I hate it gentina became world champions . form, there was almost no way of — “The best player there has Maradona out of Argentina, they with all my strength.” and I was the best player in the — “What (Zinedine) Zidane stopping him.” – Former AC Milan ever been, better than Pele.” – would not win the World Cup, but  “Suck it, and keep sucking it!” world.” could do with a ball, Maradona and Italy defender , . I think Brazil without Pele would — To journalists who had doubted On Lionel Messi - “Messi could do with an orange.” -- Michel when asked who was the best play- — “When Diego scored that still have won.” – . him as Argentina coach. scores a goal and celebrates. Cris- Platini. er he faced. second goal against us, I felt like — “He only wanted the ball.  On Pele – “There would be tiano (Ronaldo) scores a goal and — “The best of the lot, no ques- — “Maradona is a God to applauding. I’d never felt like that He wasn’t about running; he was no debate about who was the best poses like he’s in a shampoo com- tion... I saw Maradona do things the people of Naples. Maradona before, but it’s true... It was im- all about the game... It’s difficult footballer the world had ever seen, mercial.” that God himself would doubt were changed history. In 80 years, possible to score such a beautiful to explain exactly what he would me or Pele. Everyone would say Maradona in the words of oth- possible.” – Former Brazil star we had always suffered, fighting goal. He’s the greatest player of all do from the noise the ball would me.” ers- “Even if I played for a mil- . against relegation, yet in seven time, by a long way.” – England’s make when his foot connected  “Pele should go back to the lion years, I’d never come close to — “The best I ever played seasons with him we won two Gary Lineker remembers the 1986 with it to his incredible control museum.” Maradona. Not that I’d want to an- against was Maradona.” -- Former leagues, a UEFA Cup, two Ital- World Cup quarter-final. and the swerve he could put on On the Hand of God - “I was yway. He’s the greatest there’s ever AC Milan and Italy defender Paolo ian Cups. I’m a fan too and to live — “For Maradona to win a it.” – former teammate Mauricio waiting for my teammates to em- been.” – Lionel Messi. Maldini. those years with Maradona was World Cup on his own, and let’s Pochettino. brace me and no one came... I told — “No ball ever had a better ex- — “He was a model of good incredible.” — Naples native Fabio face it, that’s what he did as the rest — “In Argentine football there them, ‘Come hug me or the referee perience than when it was at his left behaviour on the pitch. He was re- Cannavaro, who was in the youth of the team were ordinary, was an is a before and after Maradona.” - isn’t going to allow it’.” foot.” – Argentina teammate Jorge spectful of everyone, from the great ranks at Napoli when Maradona amazing achievement. He was the , former head of the  “If I could apologise and go Valdano. players down to the ordinary team was there and later won the World best player I’ve seen.” -- England’s Argentine football association. Sports Thursday, November 26, 2020 15 Iniesta goal takes Japan’s Vissel Kobe into last 16

AFP I know they are very good Doha players, and we can do much, much, much better.” Andres Iniesta scored his Vissel Kobe had landed in first goal in the Asian Champi- Doha after a string of disap- ons League as Vissel Kobe pow- pointing results back home, ered their way to the last-16 conceding a whopping 58 (From L) Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, with a dominant 3-1 win over goals in 33 league matches Brazilian forward and French forward Kylian Mbappe cel- ’s Guangzhou and losing five games in a row. ebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League Group H second-leg Evergrande in their Group G Results But their coach Atsuhiro Miura match against RB Leipzig at the stadium in Paris clash on Wednesday. Vissel Kobe 3 (Kyogo Furuhashi 44’, Douglas was basking in joy on Wednes- late on Tuesday. (AFP) The Spain and Barcelona 74’, Andreas Iniesta 84’) bt Guangzhou day, saying he was ready with legend fired a right-footed Evergrande FC 1 (Kyugo Furuhashi 55 (OG)) a game plan against a side shot from the centre of the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1 (Sung-Eun Na packed with several Brazilians. Neymar keeps PSG on box in the 84th minute to help 44’) bt Sydney FC 0 “Guangzhou is a very Yokohama F Marinos 1 (Jun Amano 90’) the Japanese side consoli- bt Shanghai SIPG 0. strong side, they have several date their position at the top good Brazilian players but we course in UEFA Champions of their group with two wins analysed how they play and from as many matches. of brief purple patches during how to prevent them from League with Leipzig win They are now five points which they had the Kobe de- playing to their strengths,” ahead of Guangzhou and Su- fence under pressure, the goal said Miura. AFP maintain possession and stop won Samsung Bluewings and they were looking for never “We did everything well Paris the waves of Leipzig attacks. assured of a spot in the knock- materialised. and everything went how we “There are lots of things out phase after the group was Vissel Kobe regained the wanted it to. That’s why we got A nervy Paris Saint-Germain that happen that people may- reduced to three teams fol- lead in the 74th minute when this result.” were outplayed for long spells be don’t know about,” insisted lowing Malaysian side Johor Douglas, who had come on but held on after an early Ney- Marquinhos, with PSG having Darul Ta’zim’s withdrawal just five minutes earlier, took Amano strikes for mar penalty to beat RB Leipzig struggled with injuries, sus- from the tournament. advantage of a great back-heel Yokohama 1-0 on Tuesday and revive their pensions and coronavirus in- Iniesta, who was declared from Daigo Nishi and blasted In Group H, Jun Amano Champions League campaign. fections all season. MVP of the match, had been the ball home. scored the only goal of the Last season’s runners-up Here they were without as an influential presence for Vis- Brazil-born Elekson, now match in the 90th minute as had lost two of their opening many as six first-team regulars. sel Kobe throughout the en- known as Ai Kesen, had a Yokohama F. Marinos sneaked three matches in Group H and “I don’t think we had the counter with his quick think- goal disallowed for off-side on a 1-0 victory over Shanghai would have been staring at an means to put in an exceptional ing and crisp passing, and that eight minutes and when Inies- SIPG to go top with three wins early exit from the competi- performance, but the most im- reflected in their first goal in ta struck two minutes later, it from as many matches. tion had they lost again to the portant thing was the victory.” the 44th minute at the Khalifa extended Cannavaro’s misery After several near miss- Germans behind closed doors The decisive spot-kick was International Stadium. Vissel Kobe midfielder Andres Iniesta celebrates after scoring during in Doha. es by both sides, SIPG were at the Parc des Princes. awarded when Marcel Sabitzer The Spanish veteran dashed the AFC Champions League Group G match against Guangzhou “The result is bad. We tried awarded a penalty late in the Yet Neymar’s 11th-minute was rather harshly adjudged his way up on the left flank to Evergrande at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday. (AFP) but I know that something in game for Ken Matsubara’s foul spot-kick proved enough for a to have fouled Angel Di Maria. control a long diagonal pass my team is not clear. I don’t on Mirahmetjan Muzepper. PSG side struggling with inju- Neymar rolled the ball and after advancing further scoring lasted only 10 minutes Cannavaro made three know if they are afraid to play But penalty-taker Oscar ries and suspensions, as Leip- home from 12 yards for his turned around near the goal- as the forward first conceded substitutions in a desperate bid or they are not confident any- watched in dismay as goal- zig failed to convert any of the first Champions League goal line to tap the ball onto the path a corner and then watched for victory after having drawn more,” the Italian complained keeper Powell Obinna Obi chances that came their way. of the season on what was his of the advancing Kyogo Furu- in horror as his attempted their opening game against Su- after the match. produced a great save. Amano “We are a team who, in the first start in almost a month hashi who struck with a clean, clearance from the resultant won Samsung Bluewings. “I need to try and do my then killed off the contest by difficult moments, manage to after injury. low shot from close range. kick found his own net to give But although the two-time best to give them the confi- tapping in a rebound in the stick together and do a good “Paris didn’t have a single Furuhashi’s personal joy at Guangzhou the equalizer. champions enjoyed a couple dence to play. This is my job. last minute. job. Once again we proved chance in the whole match, that,” captain Marquinhos and the penalty was a joke,” told RMC Sport. Nagelsmann fumed to Sky Both PSG and Leipzig are Germany. now level on six points with “To see that at this level AFC thanks Jeonbuk pip Sydney FC to keep hopes alive two games still to come, is really sad. Di Maria dived. with Manchester United There was no contact.” Qatar for AFC was collected by goalkeeper three points clear at the top Alongside Neymar, Ky- Doha Song Beom-keun, then a Kosta of the section after easing to lian Mbappe saw his Euro- Barbaroses first-time attempt a 4-1 victory over Istanbul pean goal drought go on – ensuring Na Sung-eun’s first half strike to stab in ’s Basaksehir. Ligue 1’s leading scorer has was the difference as Jeonbuk cross missed the target. Crucially, PSG have the still not scored a Champions successful Hyundai Motors got their first Gambian winger Modou head-to-head advantage over League goal in 2020 in eight win of the 2020 AFC Cham- Barrow was lively through- Leipzig, thanks to an away appearances. Champions pions League in a 1-0 victory out the first half and his cross goal, if the two teams end level Nevertheless, PSG did not over Sydney FC at Al Janoub from the right landed at Gus- on points. They lost 2-1 when need their French World Cup- Stadium on Wednesday, con- tavo’s feet just seven yards off the teams met in Germany winning superstar to be at his League signing the Australians to ear- the goal line, but the Brazilian three weeks ago. best as Leipzig -- who have ly elimination. striker was denied a second Thomas Tuchel’s team not managed to replace Timo AFC The two sides went into the goal of the campaign by a he- go to next and Werner since the Germany Kuala Lumpur match knowing defeat would roic diving save from Sydney the feeling is that the French striker left for Chelsea -- were make the losing team the first to FC goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic. champions could still just as unable to turn their domi- The president of the Asian exit the 2020 AFC Champions The deadlock was finally easily advance to the last 16 in nance of possession into goals. Football Confederation (AFC) League (East), with both teams Jeonbuk’s midfielder Na Seong-eun celebrates his goal during the broken just before the half-time first place as they could fail to Dayot Upamecano saw his Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim having collected just one point AFC Champions League Group H match against Australia’s Sydney FC whistle as Gustavo teed-up Na qualify at all. header tipped over by Key- Al Khalifa praised the efforts from their first three matches. at the Al Janoub Stadium on Wednesday. (AFP) who fired from the right through They brushed Leipzig lor Navas and Emil Forsberg of Qatar towards delivering a Sydney FC matched their the legs of into the aside in the semi-finals of last turned a Dani Olmo cross over successful 2020 AFC Champi- opponents for possession to 13 games. his initial effort blocked into bottom corner to put Jeonbuk season’s competition in Lis- the top in the first half. ons League. throughout and had several Caution reigned for the the path of Kim Bo-kyung who Hyundai Motors in front. bon in August but collapsed The pressure continued at Chairing the AFC Execu- chances, but were left to rue opening 15 minutes with pos- curled from an angle, but his The result means Jeon- worryingly in their last meet- the start of the second half, tive Committees online meet- their profligacy as their win- session being exchanged fre- shot sailed wide. buk Hyundai Motors hit four ing with Julian Nagelsmann’s but Forsberg and Sabitzer ing on Wednesday, the AFC less run in the competition quently in the middle of the Sydney FC responded half- points, moving within touching team after taking an early lead. notably missed the target and President extended thanks to extended to 11 matches. Mean- park and with little in way of way through the opening peri- distance of leading pair Yoko- Here they again went in the chances dried up after the Qatar Football Association, while, Jeonbuk Hyundai Mo- clear cut-chances. That is until od with back-to-back chances; hama F. Marinos and Shanghai front and then succeeded in home side reverted to a three- the Qatari authorities and the tors extended their unbeaten Na tried his luck with a shot first a Calem Nieuwenhof low SIPG who face-off in the second seeing the game out despite man central defence in the medical professionals and run against Australian teams from inside the box, seeing drive from 25 yards out that Wednesday fixture of the group. struggling desperately to closing stages. front liners, for their outstand- ing contribution, stressing that these combined efforts ensured the AFCs successful Thrilling Al Huwaila Cup win for Zakhir Racing’s Daneyan completion of the West Zone ‘Worth his weight in gold’ – Dortmund matches and now their con- tinued assistance is on show in the East Zone competition. hail record-breaker “We are now looking for- ward to an outstanding AFC AFP “Erling is a fantastic play- Champions League final on Berlin er,” said England winger Jadon December 19, 2020 and we ex- Sancho, who hit the net with a tend our gratitude to the Mem- Borussia Dortmund say the superb free-kick on Tuesday. ber Associations and clubs for form of Erling Braut Haaland “I am happy to play with helping us reach this important is pure gold with the Norwe- him – he works hard every day milestone. It has been a sig- gian striker netting a record 16 on and off the pitch.” nificantachievement which has goals in his first 12 Champions Having also scored four demonstrated the exceptional League games, bettering even goals in Saturday’s 5-2 rout of professionalism which exists in superstars like Cristiano Ron- Hertha Berlin, Haaland’s form Asia,” the AFC President said. aldo and Lionel Messi. has taken Dortmund to the Sheikh Salman underlined “For us, he is worth his verge of the last 16 in Europe. that the unity and transpar- weight in gold because he can A home win against Lazio ency that have been so suc- carry the team along,” Dort- next Wednesday will put Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi presented cessfully evident in the last mund sports director Michael Dortmund’s Norwegian forward Dortmund in the Champions trophies to the winners of Al Huwaila seven years will provide the Zorc said of Haaland. Erling Braut Haaland (centre) League’s knock-out stages. Cup after Zakhir Racing’s Daneyan solid foundations on which a “Every minute, he shows during the UEFA Champions With the games com- registered his 7th victory when the brighter future can be built, ex- that he wants to be successful.” League match vs Club Brugge ing thick and fast, Dortmund 5yo won the Thoroughbred Condi- pressing confidence that Asian The 20-year-old show- on Tuesday. (AFP) coach Lucien Favre warns that tions (Class 2) in a thrilling finish to football is on the right track to cased his lethal finishing with the 1.94m Haaland needs pro- the 1900m feature on dirt at QREC’s weather the current impact of two goals in Tuesday’s 3-0 win who both needed 19 games to tecting. Al Rayyan Park on Wednesday. Zu- the COVID-19 pandemic. over Brugge. reach the 15-goal milestone. “He’s still growing, some- hair Mohsen, Zuhair Maki’s ward had Shaikh Salman added that He has hit 17 goals in 13 Having scored eight times times he has a problem with landed a C&D under Ronan Thomas the AFC will continue to work games for Dortmund this sea- in six group stage games for his knee. If we overdo it, it earlier this month, and the jockey to deliver all the competitions son, including netting 10 times Red Bull Salzburg last season, could work against us after- got together with the grey horse in 2021 and with FIFA to guar- in seven Bundesliga games, Haaland has netted another wards.” again. As the action heated up at the antee the successful completion and continues to shine in the eight in six Champions League Haaland “always wants to business end, Daneyan managed to of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for Champions League. games for Dortmund since his play – but that’s my problem,” hold on to his advantage edging out the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 He is the first to score 16 January transfer. Favre added. Sheikh Faisal Bin Hamad Bin Jassim and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 goals in his opening 12 Eu- Not even the likes of Messi Dortmund are one point Al Thani’s Topsy Turvy by a quarter while keeping the health and ropean games, breaking the or Ronaldo scored so many behind European champi- of a length. Khalifa bin Sheail Al Ku- well-being of all participants as record held by Ruud van Nis- Champions League goals at the ons Bayern Munich in the wari’s Zamharer completed the top a main priority. telrooy and Roberto Soldado, start of their illustrious careers. Bundesliga. three under Marco Casamento.