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ATK Mohun Bagan continued their all-win start in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) following a narrow win against Odisha in their third match of the season at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday.

The teams fought toe-to-toe right until Roy Krishna's header decided the fate of the game in the final minute. 

Antonio Lopez Habas and Stuart Baxter made a change each to the lineups. Manvir Singh replaced David Williams and Diego Mauricio came in for Manuel Onwu for ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha respectively.

The first major goal-scoring chance fell to Roy Krishna in the 24th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Kamaljit Singh after receiving a long ball from Tiri inside the Odisha box. The Fijian blasted the ball over the crossbar. 

The easiest chance of the half was squandered by Jacob Tratt in the 35th minute. Premjit Singh played a short corner to Marcelinho who found Cole Alexander at the edge of the box. Alexander lobbed a cross into the box for Tratt who headed wide with an empty net available. 

The first half was a cagey affair and an evenly poised contest as both teams adopted a safety-first approach.

ATK Mohun Bagan were unlucky not to get a penalty in the 50th minute when Hendry Antonay brought down Prabir Das. The replays suggested that the tackle was just inside the box but the referee awarded a free-kick instead.

In the 56th minute, Prabir Das' cross into the box was only half-heartedly cleared by Steven Taylor. The ball hit Manvir on his left arm and fell to Cole Alexander who mistakenly headed the ball into his own net . Manvir was punished for a handball and the own goal was cancelled. 

The Kolkata giants switched gears and commanded proceedings but were not able to create cleat-cut chances in the attacking third. 

But the Mariners finally broke the deadlock and sealed the fate of the game in the final minute and Roy Krishna proved to be their saviour yet again. Tiri floated a long free-kick into the box and Sandesh Jhingan headed the ball into the middle from the right side. Krishna rose above Alexander and found the back of the net with a glancing header. 

KCCA FC started their 2020/21 Ugandan Premier League (UPL) on a high after claiming a 2-1 away win against Bright Stars on Thursday evening.

Brian Aheebwa and Samuel Ssenyonjo were on target for the visitors with Joseph Akandwanaho getting the consolation for the hosts

The Mike Mutebi-led team lost the reverse fixture 2-1 and they were keen on avenging the defeat. The first 15 minutes or so were quiet for the goalkeepers since the strikers did not find their way into the danger zone.

But the situation changed in the 22nd minute. The Matugga-based side was caught napping and Brian Aheebwa, who was making his debut, did not hesitate to find the back of the net.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0, this time around Samuel Ssenyonjo finishing an inch-perfect pass from Aheebwa who had done well to get past the defenders.

The hosts could have halved the deficit in the 38th minute but Charles Lukwaggo did well to parry Andrew Kaggwa's effort to safety. 

Despite scoring two goals in the first 45 minutes, the Kasasiro Boys played good football, only that they were not clinical in the final third.

After the break, Bright Stars came back stronger and kept possession, and tried to press whenever they lost the ball. 

The home team were rewarded in the 83rd minute when Joseph Akandwanaho capitalized on a good cross from the left which the defenders failed to keep out.

Despite a spirited performance late into the game, the Garbage Collectors kept their cool to get maximum points and start their season well.  

It was a good start for the Kampala-based team who were using the game to prepare for the Caf Confederation Cup. 

The 13-time champions missed the services of assistant captain Julius Poloto, John Revita, Gift Ali, and Moses Aliro who are nursing injuries.

Bright Stars XI: Benson Wagima, Andrew Kaggwa, Simon Kato Ssemayange, Derrick Ngoobi, Allan Katwe, Suleiman Ssebunza, Joseph Janjali, Marvin Joseph Youngman, Ronald Ssempala, Jamil Kisitu Nvule, Joseph Akandwanaho

KCCA FC XI: 
Charles Lukwago, Hassan Musana, Peter Magambo, Dennis Iguma, Ashraf Mugume, Steven Mazengo, Herbert Achayi, Keziron Kizito, Brian Aheebwa, Samuel Ssenyonjo

The blockbuster fixture in the Premier League this weekend is the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as these two old rivals, now going in very different directions, collide.

While Spurs are on a nine-game undefeated streak heading into this one, having taken four points from Manchester City and Chelsea in their last two matches, the Gunners are looking increasingly short of ideas and inspiration under Mikel Arteta.

The early optimism under the Spanish coach has given way to a concerning realisation that he may not have all the answers after all.

He hasn’t been helped—certainly—by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s startling drop in form, and this is one of the key issues on the African Football HQ agenda this week.

After netting against Liverpool in the Community Shield, and then against Fulham on the opening day of the season, Aubameyang has only scored once in his next nine league games—the penalty against Manchester United.

For a player who has netted 44 league goals across his last two campaigns, failing to score from open play in nine Premier League outings is a risible return, and demands major scrutiny…particularly as Arsenal crumble around him.

For Malek Shafei, the return to the squad of No. 10 Mesut Ozil—currently ostracised by Arteta—could be a solution to solve Auba’s goalscoring woes.

However, for Ed Dove, Arteta was right to sideline the problematic playmaker, who, after all, only contributed two assists in 24 league outings for the Londoners last term.

Thierry Henry, among others, has praised Arteta’s bold approach, and it was clear that if he was going to change the team’s ethos and get them to buy into his methods, he couldn’t have the Germany international—or the likes of Matteo Guendouzi—diluting the focus of the camp.

Instead, Aubameyang’s malaise is a consequence of a side where too many elements that should be critical—not least Nicolas Pepe—are flattering to deceive right now.

Will the Gunners—and Auba—come good in time for derby day, or will Spurs—currently enjoying their best start to a season since 1985 heap further woe on Arteta’s beleaguered boys?

In many ways, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is set to be a unique event in many ways. It will be the first-ever World Cup to be held in the Middle East and is set to be held in November and December, instead of June and July as has been the norm. 

Given the concerns about the hot weather in Qatar, the venues being built for the stadium will feature several ground-breaking features like the Advanced Cooling Tech which will control the ambient temperature inside the stadium. 

Former Arsenal and Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen, currently in Qatar with Japanese side Vissel Kobe for the AFC Champions League East Zone tournament, has already experienced the 'Cooling Tech' and is impressed. 

Qatar have already thrown open three of the eight planned venues for the World Cup - Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City stadiums. A fourth venue, Al Rayyan stadium, will be inaugurated on December 18, 2020. 

All but one of these stadiums (Ras Abu Aboud stadium) where work is still progressing will feature the Cooling Tech. Vermaelen played at the Khalifa and Al Janoub stadiums in the group stages and feels the technology will make a huge difference during the World Cup since the players will be able to play in comfortable weather.

"It definitely helps," he told Goal. "The World Cup will be played in November and the climate here in Qatar during this time is not too hot anyway.

"To have a bit more cooling is actually quite good. You can actually feel it, especially the people to whom I have talked to, who sit in the stands, there is a massive difference. So the cooling system definitely helps."

Vermaelen, who has a UEFA Champions League winners' medal with Barcelona in the 2014-15 season, will be eyeing continental success with Vissel Kobe, having helped his team seal their spot in the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League already. 

The 35-year-old Belgian feels the stadiums in Qatar are on par with the very best in the world, aesthetically as well as facility wise. 

"Definitely yes. I have now played in two stadiums, they look amazing, they look amazing inside and outside. So they are definitely on par with the biggest stadiums in Europe."

Football Kenya Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards have confirmed the departure of head coach Tomas Trucha.

As Goal had reported, the Czech has left after threats were directed on his agent and the tactician is leaving with a 100% record at Ingwe having guided them to a 2-1 opening win against Tusker.

“Today, we accepted Tomas Trucha’s resignation as head coach, effective immediately,” AFC Leopards’ statement from the National Executive Committee read.

“This has been occasioned by the coach feeling that his safety is not guaranteed since his manager, Mr Prince Channis, has been threatened by people purporting to be Ingwe supporters. This is disturbing and unacceptable for anyone who claims to be a supporter of this esteemed club.

“True, AFC Leopards’ supporters hold themselves to the highest standard and put the club’s and public before all else. At this time, the remaining technical bench shall take charge as we consider a replacement.

“On behalf of the management, we thank Trucha for his contributions to the club and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Earlier, AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda had praised the former Township Rollers coach saying he is at the same level with top European coaches and admitted the threats were doing the club a great disservice.

“This is a top-notch coach with the same qualifications as [Jose] Mourinho, [Pep] Guardiola and [Jurgen] Klopp,” Shikanda said during a press conference on Wednesday.

“The coach is here to help us. The salary we are giving him is not commensurate with his qualifications or what he is giving.”

“But now what they have decided is to stabilise the team and make sure that he does not operate peacefully. I do not know what they want. The coach is definitely not happy with what is happening.

“The same people were saying he does not have papers and that he is just a tourist. But when they saw his credentials they went silent.

“If I invite you to a place and people start threatening will you be comfortable in that place? There are a lot of threats on our coach and his agent and the people who are bringing all these threats are also agents.”

Anthony Kimani will take over the mantle yet again as an interim head coach and will be assisted by the club’s legend Tom Juma.

Even the greatest players go through tough times, and Eden Hazard certainly falls into the bracket of world-class operators who have enough quality to pull through a sticky patch.

It’s fair to say that things aren’t going to plan for the playmaker at Real Madrid so far, following his high-profile move from Chelsea in 2019.

While the Blues have ultimately gone from strength to strength under Frank Lampard, with Hakim Ziyech stepping into Hazard’s creative boots, Los Merengues are toiling under Zinedine Zidane, with the Belgian emblematic of their current problems.

The last 18 months have surely been among the most testing of Hazard’s career, yet teammate Luka Modric is confident he can turn things around.

“He’s amazing, he’s going to prove it,” the Ballon d’Or winner told Spanish media. “Only injuries can prevent him going forward. When he’s been fit, he’s shown he’s important, it’s a shame. We need him.

“Hazard is one of the best in the world, he is incredible, and I am sure he will show it this year if injuries do not prevent it,” he added. “Last season he already showed that he was important until injuries stopped him.

“It goes to show why Madrid paid so much for him.”

The injuries, however, cannot be ignored…

As Real were defeated by Deportivo Alaves at the weekend, he suffered his latest setback—his eighth—in the last year and a half, picking up a thigh injury inside the first half an hour that will likely rule him out for much of the rest of 2020.

He’s made 28 outings for Real since moving from Chelsea, missing 35 in the process, and certainly, Los Merengues are yet to see much return on an initial outlay of £88 million that could rise to £150 million.

The former LOSC Lille man is their most expensive signing ever, and digging down into the numbers demonstrates the pressure on his shoulders.

To date, he’s cost the club £4.2 million per appearance, according to the Daily Mail, or £39.6 million for each of the three goals he’s scored.

He may have won the Spanish title last season, but be under no illusion, Hazard still has it all to prove in Madrid.

However, while the club’s hierarchy are reportedly frustrated with the 29-year-old’s impact in the capital, Zidane remains confident that Hazard can come good…and the France legend knows a thing or two about quality playmakers.

“Sometimes injuries happen and we have to endure,” the 1998 World Cup winner told journalists recently. “He is strong, I have no doubt.

“He is having a hard time lately,” he added. “We are going to help him to get better soon.

“It is a complicated situation for Eden,” the Real Madrid head coach concluded. “He’s never been injured in his career and now has more misfortunes.

“He will surely come back stronger. We look forward to seeing him with us again.”

They’re words that will surely give Hazard confidence as he looks—again—to make his return, and he certainly has the quality to prove himself once the injuries subside.

It’s important to remember, as well, that Hazard has not typically been an injury-prone player—he’s already missed more games at Real than he did in his entire Chelsea career—but rather, he’s going through a particularly unlucky spell.

There’s a reason he was part of a Blues side that won six major titles in seven years, often as their top performer and typically playing a key role in some of the Londoners’ most glorious hours.

“Eden Hazard is an incredibly gifted player, but he’s had a really difficult time since he went to Real Madrid for that huge fee,” former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland forward Tony Cascarino told talkSPORT.

“Injuries and obviously the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t helped him, it’s affected his career, but what a talent he can be for Belgium.

“I really miss seeing Hazard being Hazard, because he is a great player when he’s on,” Casc concluded, “when he switches on he’s up there with the best players who have ever played the game.”

The 29-year-old vowed—when he signed for Real—that he had moved to become the best player in the world, and while things haven’t gone to plan so far, his form for Chelsea as recently as 2018-19—when he scored 16 and contributed 15 assists across 37 appearances—should serve as a reminder for those keen to write him off.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has condemned Simba SC’s spokesperson Haji Manara's comments on why rival fans should be barred from attending the Caf Champions League tie against Plateau United.

Manara, who was speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, claimed fans who are not Simba supporters should not be allowed to watch the game and should instead watch it at their own home.

“Let me state that Simba are going to be champions in the next 10 years and if you do not want to support us please stay at home and complain there,” Manara said.

“If you want to come to the stadium to boo us sorry for you because even next year we will be there playing [in the Caf Champions League] and for the next 10 years.

“Rival fans have to make a choice, they either come and support us or stay at home. Let them not bother God with some unnecessary prayers because they signed poor players yet Simba signed great players.

“God is concerned with bigger things like the creation of life, listening to human prayers and pardoning people of their sins and thus has no time for Utopolo [Yanga] prayers. You cannot just fail to plan and turn to God for blessings.

“Let them get concerned with their low-level games as for us we have got international assignments and we call for respect for the national champions.”

In response, TFF has stated the right of everyone to watch games irrespective of the team supported is anchored by both its own and Fifa statutes.

“Tanzania Football Federation condemns the statement that was issued to the effect of denying some fan entry into stadiums to watch games,” a statement obtained by Goal read.

“In accordance with Fifa regulations and the TFF constitution, any kind of discrimination of fans is outrightly not allowed and in that regard, every fan is allowed to attend any stadium and watch games in the country so long as he obeys the laws of the land.

“Even teams that own a stadium always set aside a number of tickets meant for fans supporting opponents.”

Simba will host the Nigerian side after picking a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture. Caf has allowed 30,000 fans to attend the match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.

Azam FC have confirmed George Lwandamina as their new head coach effective immediately.

The Ice-cream Makers have been under Vivier Bahati who was serving on an interim basis. The 2014 champions are optimistic the arrival of the experienced Zambian will help the team perform well in the remainder of the season.

"We are happy to unveil Zambian George Lwandamina as our new coach on a one-year contract," the club announced on Thursday night.

"Lwandamina takes over from Romanian Aristica Cioaba who we parted with on mutual consent a week ago.

"We are confident that Lwandamina will help the team continue developing to perform better in our bid to challenge for the league title this season. He has an outstanding record and is conversant with Tanzanian football."

The team management went on to explain further why the 57-year-old Zambian will be a success.

"[Lwandamina] has coached Zambia national team Chipolopolo and was successful when he was in charge of Zesco United and Yanga SC of Tanzania.

"The coach will officially start his job once he gets his operating licenses which will enable him to work smoothly. 

"We wish him all the best in his role as the head coach of Azam FC."

Lwandamina has also coached Mufulira Wanderers, Green Buffaloes and Red Arrows. 

The Zambian coach will take over from Vivier Bahati who has been coaching the 2014 champions on an interim basis. The Burundian led Azam to a 1-1 draw in his first game in charge a couple of days ago.

The Ice-cream Makers came into the match hoping to give the interim coach a positive outcome after Cioaba's dismissal. 

Despite being away, the 2014 champions played well but struggled to finish the chances they created.

It all changed in the 20th minute - Obrey Chirwa miskicked the ball, but fortunately for him, it went into the right area. The defenders failed to clear it and Lyanga, eventually, managed to tap in from close range.

It happened to be the only goal in the first half.

After the break, the Francis Baraza-led charges came back stronger hoping to get an equalizer.

Their zeal paid dividends in the 58th minute. The Chamazi-based charges committed a foul just outside the 18-yard area, and from this position, Owenga unleashed a shot that Israel Mapigano could not keep out.

The team will take on Gwambina FC in their next assignment.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has likened the philosophy he introduced at Al Ahly to a system overhaul on a computer by installing a “new software.”

Mosimane says he arrived at the Cairo giants in September and found them playing what he feels was a brand of football only good enough for domestic football, but not robust enough to deliver them the Caf Champions League.

At the time of his appointment, Al Ahly were left with four Egyptian Premier League games and were in the Champions League semi-finals.

The reigning African champions had already won the league title mathematically under his predecessor Rene Weiler and Mosimane refuses to take credit for their Premier League triumph.

“You could say that probably it was easier for me because the league was already won‚ and there were only five games left. But it’s not like that‚ because at this level‚ at this stage‚ results are very important,” Mosimane told the South African Football Journalists Association as per Sowetan Live.

“And you might say that the team was already in the semi-finals of the Champions League. It was‚ but for me to get there‚ I had to win all the [league] games in-between the semi-finals. And if you lose all those – you know the story.

“Those league games were pressure games for me because everybody wanted to see‚ ‘Can we trust this guy‚ who is this guy? The pressure is to continue winning. I had to start my own journey‚ and you start your journey by winning games and showing the difference and what it is that you are bringing in.

“So I changed the way we play‚ I changed the format‚ I changed the principles. I put my software. And to put your software you have to get rid of the software that’s inside. It’s like you’re cleaning the laptop‚ and putting a whole new system‚ and you have to tell the people how to apply that software‚ and teach them how to do it.”

Mosimane is yet to taste defeat in the nine matches he has been in charge of Al Ahly, winning eight and drawing one across all competitions.

It has been in the Caf Champions League where Mosimane has been more impressive.

Beating Wydad Casablanca home and away in the semi-finals warmed the hearts of Al Ahly fans and dismissing old foes Zamalek 2-1 in the final saw him being fully embraced not only in Egypt, but in North Africa as a whole.

He says he had to achieve this by making Al Ahly play like his former team Mamelodi Sundowns.

“So I took out what won the league‚ and everybody says‚ ‘Why are you changing now?’ I said‚ ‘No‚ because I need you to play differently‚ because the way you played to win the league I don’t think is the right way to win the Champions League’,” said Mosimane.

“I said‚ ‘Yes‚ you can win the league that way‚ because you have already won the league anyway. But Champions League is completely different. And we can’t go the same way as you guys have been going for the last seven years without winning the Champions League’.

“And when you do that people are just looking at you to say‚ ‘What’s this guy doing now?’ So I said‚ ‘I’m bringing the way Sundowns plays‚ and you said you liked the way Sundowns play’. I said‚ ‘This is what I’m bringing to the table. Did you like it?’ And they said‚ ‘Yes‚ we liked it’.”

Apart from finishing the league race first and winning the Champions League, Al Ahly have reached the final of the Egypt Cup which could possibly further decorate Mosimane’s start to life in Cairo.

Derby Country interim boss Wayne Rooney has reaffirmed his hope that he will succeed to the managerial role on a full-time basis, as speculation continues to link former England teammate John Terry to the job at Pride Park.

The former Manchester United and Everton forward, who joined the Rams as a player-coach earlier this year from D.C. United, was handed the reins on a temporary basis after Phillip Cocu's sacking last month.

The 35-year-old has enjoyed a less-than-auspicious start however, with two draws and two losses since he took charge, leaving Derby marooned at the foot of the Championship.

Terry, who Rooney succeeded as Three Lions captain, has emerged as a frontrunner to take the gig, with the Aston Villa assistant widely linked amid a takeover bid spearheaded by a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.

The ex-Chelsea man, if selected, could follow in the footsteps of now-Blues boss Frank Lampard, who cut his teeth with County in the 2018-19 season, leading them to a play-off final defeat.

Lampard himself has said he believes Terry would be a fantastic coach, recommending his long-time team-mate in the process.

But Rooney remains hopeful that he will be considered for the post, though the striker - who hopes to remain as a player with the club if he is passed over - admits that he expects a wait on a decision as details are finalised with outgoing owner Mel Morris.

"I'm no further on to knowing from where I was on Tuesday night," the player-coach told reporters ahead of Saturday's game against Millwall.

"I think the first thing is getting the ownership over the line. I've stated on Tuesday and on Saturday, of course, I want to do this job full time but we are where we are. We have to wait for all the paperwork to be sorted and then we see what happens from there."

Rooney previously spoke on the predicted timeframe following Tuesday's draw with Coventry, stating: "Hopefully the quicker the new ownership is done the better because I think a decision does need to be made.

"I've been asked to take the team until a decision is made and that's what I'm doing so the quicker the decision is made - not just for the players but for all the staff at the football club - the more stability we can get and more plans put in place for the future."

Ivan Bogere's mother Olivia Nakyeyune has come out to thank all those supporting his son, stating his family is benefitting.

The Uganda U20 forward helped the Hippos win the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) U20 championship. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) rewarded the team's players with about Ush 3.2 million each for bringing the title home.

The youngster had also won the November Player of the Month courtesy of Fortbet Real Star Awards.

"Bogere is such a blessing to us as a family and I would like to thank everyone that has supported him," Nakyeyune said while collecting the award on behalf of her son.

"From the little that he earns, he has been able to build for me a house and also provided us with electricity and a lot of other help and I thank him so much."  

In the Cecafa U20 championship, the Hippos defeated hosts Tanzania 4-1 to be crowned.

The Hippos got the goals from Richard Basangwa, Steven Sserwada, Ivan Bogere, and Kenneth Semakule while the immediate former champions scored their only goal via Abdul Suleiman.  

Uganda looked a dominant side all through the game and got the opener in the 12th minute from Basangwa’s strike. The Ngorongoro Heroes fought back and equalised at the half-hour mark from Suleiman’s effort before Sserwada scored the second for Uganda in the 44th minute.

The Hippos came from the half-time break more determined to bag the title and deservedly added the third goal in the 61st minute through Bogere. Semakule scored the final goal in the 72nd minute to seal Uganda’s victory against the hosts.

Both Uganda and Tanzania sailed to the final lap without losing a match, setting the stage for what was expected to be an epic final in Arusha.

Ngorongoro Heroes' Pascal Msindo won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award while South Sudan goalkeeper Simon Justine won the Golden Glove.

Bogere and Abdulhamis Suleiman of Tanzania walked away with the Top Scorer's Award after netting five goals each. 

Uganda and Tanzania will represent the East Africa region in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) scheduled for next year.

Orlando Pirates forward Frank Mhango has spoken about a conversation he had with his former coach Gavin Hunt before he joined the Buccaneers.

The Malawi international secured a big move to Pirates from the now-defunct Bidvest Wits ahead of the 2019/20 season - leaving Hunt behind at the Clever Boys. 

Mhango had a dream debut season at Bucs as he hit the back of the net 16 times in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and he scooped the league's Golden Boot award.

The diminutive attacker has revealed he told Hunt, who is now in charge of Kaizer Chiefs, that he was confident of scoring 15 goals in a single season.

“I remember at the beginning of last season, when I was still at Bidvest Wits, I told my then coach Gavin Hunt that this season, I’m going to score 15 goals,” Mhango told iDiski Times.

“But Gavin said I must stop joking, if I want to score 15 goals I must go to Venda.

“But I told him that I believe I can do it. And I did it, I actually scored 16 and it was through the grace of God.”

Mhango also netted once in the Telkom Knockout with the goal coming in the Soweto Derby encounter against Chiefs in November 2019.

The 28-year-old player shared the Golden Boot award with then-Highlands Park striker Peter Shalulile, who also found the back of the net 16 times in the 2019/20 season and he moved to Mamelodi Sundowns in September 2020.

Nicknamed Gabadinho, Mhango has scored 53 goals across all competitions since he arrived in South Africa in 2013 having turned out for Bloemfontein Celtic, before moving to Lamontville Golden Arrows in 2015.

A move to Wits followed in 2016 and Gabadinho was the team's top scorer as they clinched a league and cup (MTN8) double in his debut season with the club.

Mhango has scored once in four competitive matches for Pirates this term. 

Odisha played an evenly-contested match against a formidable ATK Mohun Bagan at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday.

A goal in the final minute of the injury time from Roy Krishna cost Stuart Baxter's team the game despite putting out a decent display overall. 

Both the teams created plenty of chances but failed to break the deadlock in normal time. However, Odisha head coach Stuart Baxter felt his side were not unlucky as they played brilliant football and were a threat to the opposition. 

The goal by Krishna came from a set-piece as Tiri delivered the dead ball to the right side inside the box where Sandesh Jhingan headed the ball back to the Fijian. Baxter believes these kinds of things happen in a game of football and any team can be punished from a set-piece.  

"We started to make decisions on the field and made it difficult when we lost the ball to defend spaces around our defenders. There were too many transitions. We were also a threat. Football has got that nasty habit if you give up transitions and set-plays in the last few minutes of the game. You can be bitten," Stuart Baxter said after the game. 

Baxter also mentioned that Odisha FC tried to play a high-pressing game against ATK Mohun Bagan as their opponents can deliver balls of top quality. 

"We would cut off the channels into the players that they wanted to find. We wouldn't be tempted unless we were together to press high. We wanted to counter-press as well. So if we lost the balls in their half of the field we wanted to counter-press. Press the players at the back and midfield before they could deliver the quality balls. I thought we managed that really well," he added 

Odisha FC will next take on Mumbai City FC on Sunday. 

Simba SC have confirmed unspecified disciplinary action has been taken against their spokesperson Haji Manara over his statement that rival fans would not be allowed to attend the Caf Champions League tie against Plateau United.

Simba will host Plateau United on December 5 for the return leg of the preliminary round of the continental encounter, enjoying a 1-0 advantage. Manara had stated rival fans, especially Yanga SC supporters, would not be allowed at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. 

“Simba would like to confirm that the statement issued that intimated some fans would not be allowed into the stadium to watch the game against Plateau United were made without the direct approval of the club,” a statement obtained by Goal read.

“The statement did not reflect the culture and the traditional values of the club that abhors discrimination of rival fans and barring them from attending our matches.

“The club has taken an internal disciplinary move in order to make sure that such a thing does not happen again.”

The Premier League and the FA Cup winners explained why a successful campaign for Simba is even a win for their domestic rivals.

“It is known that whenever Tanzanian clubs progress in Caf competitions, the country ends up getting more slots in the subsequent tournament,” it added.

“In that regard, we call upon Simba fans to turn out in their large numbers to support the team which in turn will be a good thing for the general Tanzanian football.”

According to Simba, even those who are going to come and support Plateau United are welcome but stated their main aim is to beat the Nigerian side and shame Tanzanian supporters.

“We would also like to state if there is any Tanzanian who would like to come and see Simba fail to progress by supporting the rival team, Simba would not bar anyone from attending and in that process, no one will be victimised by our own fans,” the statement concluded.

“The club also believes the authorities concerned will ensure there is peace during and after the game. The only thing Simba would assure such fans is that they will go home ashamed because Simba will win.

“Football is happiness and we would like to welcome Tanzanians at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on December 5.”

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) also condemned Manara’s assertion and affirmed no one will be stopped from attending the match after Caf allowed attendance of 30,000 supporters.

ATK Mohun Bagan continued their perfect start to the Indian Super League 2020-21 as they beat Odisha 1-0 at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday to record their third consecutive win of the season.

Roy Krishna (90+5) scored the only goal to secure all three points for the home side. 

Antonio Habas opted to start with Manvir Singh for the first time this season in a two-forward system but he was far from impressive. Habas, however, backed Manvir and said that he might need more time on the pitch to prove his worth. 

"Manvir is a good player with big potential. He needs more minutes on the pitch to prove his worth,” Antonio Habas said after the game. 

The match between ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha was evenly poised. Both the teams created plenty of chances but failed to break the deadlock in normal time. Habas said he was happy that the result was in favour of his team. He also mentioned that possession doesn't matter as long as his team is winning games. 

"Maybe it wasn’t the best match for ATK Mohun Bagan. But, we only have to see the results. That is the most important thing. It’s good that we won 1-0 today to get that result,” he said. 

“In every top competition in the world, be it the World Cup, the Copa America or any other tournament, 70% of the goals scored are through counter-attacks. But, I had to play possession football today. We had to march our players forward, but the real possession we enjoyed was in the opponent’s half, where we created some good chances,” he added. 

France coach Didier Deschamps has heaped praise on Olivier Giroud after his performance in Chelsea's 4-0 win against Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Giroud broke Champions League records when he scored all of his side's goals as they secured first place in Group E.

The 34-year-old had not started a match for the Blues in either the Premier League or Champions League before the encounter in Seville and his national team boss was delighted to see him take his chance to impress.

"It's always important for attackers to score goals, whatever the match," he said at a press conference after Les Bleus were paired with Belgium in the Nations League semi-finals.

"But our analysis is done in relation to the opposition. When it's a Champions League match, against a Sevilla team that is very successful, it necessarily highlights Giroud's performance.

"He had the immense pleasure of being able to start a match. It does not happen to him often, even if by returning he scores important goals. Scoring a quadruple in the Champions League doesn't happen every day. Besides, they are different goals.

"Olivier is someone with a big mind, a big character. He is forced to fight against everyone, to excess at times. It was an important game as they played first place against Sevilla. Faced with such an opponent, it further enhances his performance. Good for him and for his club."

While Giroud was in stunning form in midweek, fellow France forward Kylian Mbappe's difficulties in the continental competition continued despite Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win at Manchester United.

It has been a year since the striker found the net in the Champions League, though he has struck nine times in eight Ligue 1 appearances this season.

“He was often decisive anyway in scoring or giving the last pass. He is a player who makes the differences," Deschamps said.

"It's been a while since he scored in the Champions League but it happens. He wants to stop this series and be efficient, but that does not prevent him from doing decisive things for his club despite everything."

The draw for the UEFA Nations League finals has been conducted, with World Cup holders France set to square off against world number ones Belgium while hosts Italy face Spain next October.

The European governing body rubber-stamped Milan and Turin as the cities set to welcome the second edition of the tournament's showpiece last four event on Thursday, confirming that the Group 1A winners would be on home soil.

Roberto Mancini's Azzurri will welcome La Roja under the stewardship of Luis Enrique to San Siro on October 6, while Didier Deschamps'  Bleus will face Les Diables Rouges led by Roberto Martinez at Allianz Stadium a day later.

The winners will then meet in Milan three days later on October 10, with the third-place play-off unfolding in Turin upon the same date.

The second semi-final brings neighbours France and Belgium together for the first time since the former emerged victorious in their pulsating World Cup semi-final encounter in Russia two years ago in 2018.

Spain will meet Italy meanwhile four years on from the pair's last encounter in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in 2017 - though both could well meet beforehand at next year's belated Euro 2020.

Portugal emerged as victors in last year's inaugural Nations League finals following a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands, thanks to a Goncalo Guedes finish.

England meanwhile claimed their first top-three finish at a tournament since they hosted Euro 1966, after they emerged victorious in a hard-fought penalty shootout win over Switzerland, a year on from a dismal third-place play-off loss to Belgium in Russia.

Italy will solely host a major international men's tournament for the first time in over 30 years, having previously last welcomed fellow nations to the 1990 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the semi-finals by a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina.

They will however host four games as part of Euro 2020, with Stadio Olimpico in Rome set to host all three of their group stage games, against Turkey, Wales and Switzerland, as well as one quarter-final in the pan-continental edition of the tournament.