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PSG aiming to match extraordinary trophy record in the Champions League final

The French giants have the opportunity to etch their name into the record books with victory in Europe

PSG can join Celtic in being the only teams to win a clean sweep of trophies, including the Champions League, if they defeat Bayern Munich or Lyon in Sunday's final.

The Parisians reached the final oif Europe's premier club tournament with a comfortable 3-0 victory against RB Leipzig at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday.

If they can triumph in the Champions League final, PSG will snare an incredible fifth trophy for the season - meaning they have won every competition they have competed in.

Only Scottish giants Celtic have enjoyed similar success in a single campaign, when they won five trophies in 1966-67, with their haul including the European Cup, Scottish First Division, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and Glasgow Cup.

In fact, only Real Madrid (2016-17, 2017-18) and Bayern (2012-13) have ever won four trophies in a season that has included lifting the Champions League.

Their first trophy came over a year ago when they defeated Rennes 2-1 in Shenzhen to win their seventh consecutive Trophee des Champions title - which is a one-off match between the Ligue 1 winners and Coupe de France champions.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic forcing football to stop at the beginning of April, PSG were awarded the Ligue 1 title later that month when LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel) decided to cancel the season and give the title to the capital club, who led by 12 points at the time.

When football resumed in July, the French powerhouse had two cup finals to compete in - the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue.

On July 24, PSG defeated St.Etienne 1-0 to become the Coupe de France champion and seven days later they overcame Lyon on penalties to clinch the Coupe de la Ligue.

Sunday's Champions League final will see Thomas Tuchel's side go in as underdogs if they are playing Bayern or favourites if compatriots Lyon qualify.

The tournament hasn't been a happy hunting ground for PSG, having been eliminated at the quarter-stage in every edition from 2012-2016 and then at the round-of-16 between 2016-19.

Their exits from the Champions League have included infamous wasted opportunities like the extraordinary 6-5 loss to Barcelona on aggregate in 2017 and the exit to Manchester United last season despite being in a dominant position.

Original author: Kieran Francis
  346 Hits

From Manchester United Kavungal to ISL - Mashoor Shereef has made a mark

Mashoor Shereef has Chennai City coach Akbar Nawas to thank for his improvement in the last few years...

Mashoor Shereef, the man, is from the football-loving district of Malappuram. Mashoor, the professional footballer, however, was made in Chennai. 

Having grown up with football all around him, in school and at the grounds in the district, Mashoor's passion for the sport is deep-rooted. In his own words, his neighbourhood breathed football and that played a role in generating a desire in him to keep playing up to his college days.

He spent time with his friends at Manchester United Kavungal, a local team that played Sevens football close to his home. There, he discussed and played the sport while coming to terms with how addictive it can really become when the passion kicks in. 

At SN College, Kannur, his coach Ganesh convinced the youngster that he has the skillset to take up football as a career. He started his career with Arrows FC in the Chennai football league and went on to play for the likes of Air India (Mumbai) and United SC (Kolkata) before signing for I-League club Chennai City.

The 2017-18 season saw him play just five matches in the I-League for the Coimbatore-based team. Then came Akbar Nawas as the team's head coach and Mashoor's career reached a turning point.

He had 11 appearances to his name, which included three starts, as Chennai won the I-League in the 2018-19 season. His numbers improved again last season, as the 27-year-old played every single league game, started an AFC Cup fixture and scored six goals in all competitions.  

"I didn't get chances in the first season but the arrival of Akbar Nawas and his style of play had a huge impact. I played a lot more and the coach helped me a lot. He was extremely supportive and filled me with confidence. He helped me transition myself into a defender," Mashoor, the forward-turned-defender told Goal. 

Mashoor is now a fine defender, something that he never imagined he would turn out to be when he started his career. And he has his coach to thank for the transformation that has helped him to not only explore his potential but also fetch good offers in the transfer market. One such offer is that of Indian Super League (ISL) club NorthEast United, who are set to wrap up a deal to take Malappuram-born Mashoor to Guwahati.

"Everyone at Chennai City supported me. Akbar was (the reason) why I was able to play a lot more in the last two seasons. I improved a lot thanks to him. I scored twice each in the Durand Cup,  I-League and the Sheikh Jamal Cup (scored a total of six goals last season).

"The turning point in my career was changing my position (to be a defender). I was able to make an impact after that and received offers from other clubs after having done well in that role. I am happy and I am confident that I can do well going forward (in the ISL)."

After three years at Chennai City, it is now time for Mashoor to move on. And he has the full support of the club. 

"My contract was about to end. The management was supportive and wished the best for my future."

If everything goes according to plan, Mashoor will have completed a leap from a Sevens football club Manchester United Kavungal to the Indian Super League the next time he steps on a football pitch. 
 

Original author: Nisanth V Easwar
  423 Hits

Reyna in, Adams out of USMNT March roster

The coastal state has hosted two finals of the ISL and are now handed the hosting duties for the entire upcoming season...

The seventh edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) is slated to be held in Goa - across three stadiums, namely Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim and the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco.

The stadiums have been allotted to teams based on their standings from the previous season - as listed below - and each team will be alloted a separate training pitch among 12 options provided by the league.
 

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium,  Fatorda

'Home' to: FC Goa, ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC

Home of FC Goa since the inception of the ISL and host to two finals, in 2015 and 2019. Churchill Brothers has also used the ground as their home venue in the I-League 2019-20 season. Established in 1989, the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) ground has been home to Dempo SC, Salgaocar FC, Churchill Brothers SC and Sporting Clube de Goa in the I-League over the years.

International cricket has also been played here, besides a number of major footballing events including the Indian national team's games. The stadium was renovated ahead of the 2014 Lusofonia Games and then again before the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The venue was also doubled up as a shelter home for several migrants during the Coronavirus lockdown.
 

GMC Athletic Stadium,  Bambolim

'Home' to: Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City, Odisha FC, Kerala Blasters

The relatively new stadium was constructed for the 2014 Lusofonia Games and hosted the football event at the Games where Goa-India team won the gold medal. The ground has been used as a practice ground by FC Goa's first team in 2019-20 season besides the home ground for their B team in the Goa Pro League. The Gaurs have also played a number of their friendlies here. The Indian Arrows have also played I-League matches in the past.

Also owned and maintained by SAG, it was enlisted as one of the training grounds at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
 

Tilak Maidan,  Vasco

'Home' to: Jamshedpur FC, NorthEast United, Hyderabad FC

This SAG-owned ground has regularly been a host to I-League games as well various other competitions like the Goa Pro League. Indian Arrows and Churchill Brothers were the last two teams to have the venue as their home stadium in the I-League.

It was used as one of the official training grounds for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

 

North Goa

1 Sangolda football ground, Sangolda
2 Dr Gustavo Monteiro football ground, Candolim
3 Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa
4 Morjim football ground, Mapusa
5 Poriat football ground, Poriat


South Goa

1 Navelim football ground, Navelim
2 Nagoa Village Panchayat football ground, Nagoa
3 SAG football ground, Utorda
4 SAG football ground, Benaulim
5 SAG football ground, Betalbatim
6 Agonda Sports Complex, Agonda
7 SAG football ground, Cuncolim

 

Original author: Goal
  265 Hits

Tammy Abraham reacts to England World Cup omission

35-year-old Italian manager Vincenzo Alberto Annese is all set to take over at Gokulam Kerala FC as their head coach…

Gokulam Kerala are all set to rope in 35-year-old Italian manager Vincenzo Alberto Annese as their new head coach for the upcoming season, Goal can confirm.

The Malabarians had recently parted ways with their Spanish coach Fernando Santiago Varela and Annese, a UEFA Pro License holder, is all set to replace him at the club.

Varela had a mixed season last year. It started with a magnificent Durand Cup triumph, Gokulam’s first-ever national trophy, in Kolkata beating ohun Bagan. Unfortunately, the team faltered in the SK. Kamal International tournament in Dhaka and then failed to make a mark in the I-League.

Annese had a very brief career as a footballer which lasted for just five years. At just the age of 26 in 2010, he joined Italian third division club S.S. Fidelis Andria 1928’s youth team. After managing the youth team for two years, he was promoted as the head coach of the senior team in 2012.

In 2013 he moved to another Serie C club Foggia Calcio where he served as their head coach for a year before heading to Estonian side Paide Linnameeskond. From 2015 to 2016, he was in charge of the Armenia U19 side.

The young coach also has the experience of managing in Africa and Asia. In 2017, for a very brief period he was the head coach of Ghanaian Premier League club Bechem United FC.

Annese’s Asian sojourn includes stints with Palestinian club Ahli Al-Khaleel and Indonesian side PSIS Semarang. His last assignment was with the Belize national football team, a member of the CONCACAF.

When Goal contacted Gokulam Kerala President V.C.Praveen about the development regarding their head coach, he chose not to confirm or deny the same. 

Gokulam Kerala will hope that the new coach will guide them to their maiden I-League title in a campaign that will be held in Kolkata.

Original author: Nisanth V Easwar
  237 Hits

Jurgen Klopp explains what Liverpool must continue after Merseyside derby victory

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world
Original author: Goal
  126 Hits

Neymar defended for poker game after UCL loss

The German boss was aware of the gap between the two teams on the night and revealed the goals for his side next season

RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann has admitted PSG were the better team on Tuesday and deserved to qualify for the Champions League final.

The Bundesliga side were swept aside 3-0 in the semi-final at the Estadio da Luz, with Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria and Juan Bernat getting on the scoresheet, while Neymar and Kylian Mbappe also performed strongly in attack.

Nagelsmann felt his team started the match well but in the end had no answer for the quality shown by the Ligue 1 champions.

"At the end the ticket for the final for PSG is well deserved," Nagelsmann told BT Sport. "[The] first 10-12 minutes we played well. PSG has so much quality and at the end they were the better team, but football is sometimes like that.

"We had to decide before the game if we wanted to attack early. In the first 10 minutes we had three or four good moments and made two or three big mistakes.

"When we conceded the second goal the belief of our players drained. At the end it was a question of character and we did well in the second half."

Leipzig finish the season without winning a trophy, but impressed in their run to the Champions League last four, while they finished third in the Bundesliga and reached the DFB-Pokal round of 16.

Nagelsmann believed his team enjoyed a solid campaign and said they will be out to win trophies next season.

"It is not that easy to think of the good season but after a week it will be OK," he said. 

"We are a young team and will try to do it well in the next season. The players can come back and we can try for the Bundesliga and the cup."

Leipzig will go into next season without star striker Timo Werner, who joined Chelsea last month and did not finish the Champions League campaign with German side.

Three players will also return to their parent clubs after loan spells: Angelino (Manchester City), Patrik Schick (Roma) and Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea).

The new Bundesliga season is scheduled to begin on September 18.

Original author: Goal
  118 Hits

PSG’s Di Maria closing in on Salah, Higuain and Kluivert’s Champions League record

The Argentine star found the net against the Bundesliga side, and is within touching distance of the trio's feat in the competition’s history

Paris Saint-Germain star Angel Di Maria is closing in on Mohamed Salah, Gonzalo Higuain and Patrick Kluivert’s Champions League goal record.

The Argentina international put up a man-of-the-match display in the Ligue 1 side’s 3-0 triumph over RB Leipzig in Tuesday’s semi-final clash settled at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

Di Maria got a goal and two assists as Thomas Tuchel’s men reached the tournament’s final for the first time in the club’s history.

He crossed for Marquinhos to power in the opener after 11 minutes before profiting from some uplifting Neymar trickery to double his team’s advantage before half-time.

In the 56th minute, he set up Juan Bernat for the third as the Parisians booked a place in Sunday’s final and will square up against either Lyon or Bayern Munich.

The 32-year-old has now stayed unbeaten in all 17 Champions League matches he has scored in – with 15 wins and two draws, a touching distance of Liverpool’s Salah run in 18 games.

For Gonzalo Higuain, he is undefeated in 21 games has netted in, while 1994–95 winner Kluivert holds the record of not losing in 25 Champions Leagues ties he has scored in.

After an impressive showing, he was replaced with three minutes left to play by Pablo Sarabia. After the game, he expressed his delight with PSG’s performance while revealing they will keep working hard to win the prize at stake.

"We ate them up from minute one," Di Maria said in quotes published on the BBC. "It's going to be tough to sleep between now and the final.

"We worked hard all game and we showed we deserve to be here. It doesn't matter who we face, either Bayern or Lyon, we'll give our all.

"We're very happy. It's a first for the club. We worked hard and played a great game. We want to make history for the club. We succeeded tonight and we're in the final – that's very important. We have to continue like tonight to make our dream come true."

Having won a domestic treble of Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue and Ligue 1, plus the Trophee des Champions, this is shaping up to be the most famous season in the club's history.

Original author: Shina Oludare
  340 Hits

Liverpool eye Sweden forward Alexander Isak as Roberto Firmino replacement

The Indomitable Lions goalkeeper made the most of his break from football activities in Yaounde
Original author: Taiye Taiwo
  239 Hits

Video: Head-to-head preview - Lyon v Bayern Munich

Head-to-head preview - Lyon v Bayern Munich
Original author: Goal
  454 Hits

Under-fire Bartomeu insists Messi will end his career at Barcelona amid transfer talk

The Argentine superstar has been tipped to leave Camp Nou after his side's destruction at the hands of Bayern Munich last week

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted that star man Lionel Messi will end his career at Camp Nou as rumours of the Argentine's possible exit continue to swirl.

Following Barca's 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final last week, the Liga club has been plunged into crisis. 

Head coach Quique Setien and technical manager Eric Abidal have already departed, with Bartomeu confirming on Tuesday that Ronald Koeman will be named the club's next head coach.

All eyes are on Messi, however, as the superstar enters the final season of his contract at Barcelona amid talk that he could be ready to leave the club. 

Inter has been mooted as a possible destination for Messi, with Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti describing a move for the 33-year-old as "more than a dream."

Bartomeu, however, whose own future has been called into question despite announcing presidential elections will not take place until March 2021, has insisted that Messi is going nowhere.

“Messi wants to end his career at Barcelona," Bartomeu told Barca TV. "I regularly speak to him and his father. He’s part of our project. Koeman will be the new manager and he told me that Messi is a key player for our new project.

Though he said Messi will not be leaving, Bartomeu did reveal that plenty of other Barca stars could be sold as part of a clear-out, admitting that a cull should have possibly happened a year ago.

"The renovation will be as deep as necessary," Bartomeu said. "I decided to give this generation the opportunity for another year. Perhaps it was time to start the renovation last year."

Barca will have to sell if they are to raise the funds needed to buy at least one of two main targets: PSG star Neymar and Inter striker Lautaro Martinez.

Bartomeu, though, did not sound optimistic about the possibility of adding either player this summer. 

"Neymar back to Barcelona? PSG don’t want to sell him on this summer," the president said. "We’re not in talks for Lautaro Martinez right now, we stopped negotiations with Inter at the end of June. We’ll see what will happen."

Original author: Goal
  283 Hits

Orlando Pirates coach Zinnbauer ‘not happy’ with a draw against Baroka

The Buccaneers tactician expressed his opinions on how his men fared against Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer was left unhappy following their 1-1 draw against Baroka in their 26th Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash at Ellis Park Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The Buccaneers manager, however, expressed delight in seeing his striker Tshegofatso Mabasa netting for the club but believes the goal scored by Evidence Makgopa for Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele was off-side.

Coming to the Limpopo club, coach Dylan Kerr said he welcomed the point against the Soweto giants but he was not happy either as they failed to capitalize on a number of set-pieces.

“Yeah, what’s important for me is the result, we have not managed to get three points and [we got] a point...I’m not happy about the result,” Zinnbauer told SuperSport TV.

“We have to control the game, yes it’s normal but in the final third, finding the moment, the right decision and at the right moment we are not calm, [we were] too stressed and then we don’t have the correct final pass or the final shot.

“And then we concede, maybe it was an offside goal. I think, but it’s football for me. But we have it in our own hands, we make too many chances but we didn’t penetrate the final third and that’s the reason we have one point out of three.

“Yeah, I’m happy with Mabasa's goal. First shot and first goal, he got self-confidence and we get counter-attack [after that] and we concede. It’s a problem, I’m happy for Mabasa but the result is not good for me.”

On his reaction as they still hunt their first three points since the restart of the current season, Kerr heaped praise on his troops for their gallant fight against the third-placed opponent.

“I’m happy, very happy with the performance, the boys dug deep and you get a lot of people saying you’re playing Orlando Pirates and they'll raise the game,” Kerr told SuperSport TV.

“You know...why don’t we do it from the offset? But that’s the standard we are doing in training. As I said before, we started with the mistakes they were going to cost us.

“Thami [Thamsanqa Masiya] is only a kid, he didn’t mean that. We got punished from it [mistake] that but we recovered and Thami went on to have a great game. I thought he was outstanding today.

“I thought all the players gave a good shift today and they should be disappointed because I think Pirates had only one shot really and to do that against Orlando Pirates team is very good for us.

“We had a couple of opportunities and we’ve got a couple of free-kick specialists but apparently when the confidence is low from not scoring, it’s hard to score in matches.

“But, yeah, obviously I’m away from home and a point against Orlando Pirates. I would have liked three, but it gives us confidence and to go to the big game with Chippa [United]. Hopefully, the result will go for us.”

Original author: Phumzile Ngcatshe
  394 Hits

Ghana FA makes big changes to Ordinary Congress ahead of football season resumption 

The national football governing body has announced updates to the original schedule of events 

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has made changes to the date and venue of its upcoming Ordinary Session of Congress.

Originally set to take place online via video conferencing technology Zoom on August 27, the meeting has now been rescheduled to take placein-person at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on September 1, following the lifting of conferencing restrictions by Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday.

At the meeting, there will be a review of the activity report for the 2019-20 football season which was prematurely ended because of the Covid-19 disruptions. The Ordinary Session of Congress officially closes out a football season to make way for a new term.

"The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), in the exercise of its powers under Article 31(2) of the GFA Statutes 2019, has fixed Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 9am in the forenoon as the date and time for the 26th Ordinary session of Congress. The event will take place at the GFA Technical Centre," the GFA announced via its official website on Tuesday.

"The Council took this decision at its meeting on Monday, August 17, 2020. The new date and venue replace what was earlier communicated.

"The 26th Ordinary Session of Congress was billed to take place on Thursday, August 27, 2020, via video conferencing but the decision has been overturned following the lifting of restrictions on the number of people who can attend conferences subject to the maintenance of social distancing by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, President of Ghana in his 15th Update on Measures Taken Against the Spread of Coronavirus.

"Congressmen and women and stakeholders have been duly informed of the changes."

The 2019-20 Ghana football season was initially temporarily halted in March following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

After three months of waiting without a significant improvement of the Covid-19 situation, the GFA permanently cancelled the term in June.

A new football campaign has been tentatively set to kick off in the second week of October, subject to approval by the Government of Ghana. 

Original author: Prince Narkortu Teye
  322 Hits

Everything Man Utd Fans Need to Know About Istanbul Basaksehir

The Parisians continue to find success in front of goal with Marquinhos providing the opening goal on Tuesday

Paris Saint-Germain have equalled a Real Madrid record as the Ligue 1 side continued their goalscoring ways in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final. 

After taking down Atalanta with a pair of late goals in their quarter-final clash, PSG were drawn against RB Leipzig, who also benefitted from a late goal in their triumph over Atletico Madrid.

PSG wasted little time in Tuesday's semi-final clash, scoring just 13 minutes in after creating several early chances.

After seeing Neymar fire the first chance of the game off the post, PSG took the lead from a set-piece via a goal from Marquinhos.

The Brazilian was on the end of a perfectly-placed free-kick from Angel Di Maria, allowing him an uncontested header from close range.

By burying that header, Marquinhos gave PSG an early lead while also sealing the club's spot in the record books. 

With the goal, PSG have now scored in 34 consecutive European matches, dating all the way back to 2016.

The Parisians haven't been held scoreless since they were taken down by Manchester City back in April of that year,  as they were eliminated from the Champions League quarter-finals behind a 1-0 loss.

Real Madrid are the only other club to ever score in 34 straight European matches, with the Spanish side doing so between 2011-2014 in the Champions League. 

That run kickstarted what ended up being a period of dominance for Real Madrid, who went on to win four Champions League titles in five years upon that streak's conclusion.

PSG have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since the 1994-95 campaign when they were knocked out by AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate.

Only one of the previous seven French teams to reach the semi-finals has reached the final, with that one being Monaco in 2003-04.

PSG have never reached the finale of the competition and, if they do this season, they'll take on the winner of Bayern Munich's clash with fellow Ligue 1 side Lyon

Bayern are in the semi-final round after battering Barcelona 8-2, while Lyon have stunned Juventus and Manchester City in recent weeks to book their own place in the final four.

  164 Hits

Which players would be the best replacement for ...

Though the Brazilian is expected to leave Camp Nou, he could stay in 2020-21 if the Blaugrana's new head coach wants him there

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has opened the door for Philippe Coutinho to play for the club next season. 

After a season on loan with Bayern Munich, Coutinho was tipped to be sold to the Premier League, with his agent Kia Joorabchian claiming his client is keen on a return to England.

Bartomeu, though, has said that the 28-year-old could be at Camp Nou next season if incoming head coach Ronald Koeman desires. 

"The head coach will make the decision," Bartomeu said when quizzed on Coutinho's future. "If he wants him to continue, next year he will play with us."

Coutinho scored two goals in Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich last week. Unfortunately, they were Bayern's seventh and eighth goals in an 8-2 demolition that has already led to head coach Quique Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal shown the door. 

The Blaugrana are in need of fresh faces on the playing squad, but Bartomeu has admitted that his team's financial situation will make it difficult to bring in new talent. 

"Barca has money," Bartomeu said. "The problem is the salary mass. We have salary limits based on income. Therefore, we must reduce the salary mass that the club has to be able to bring in new players." 

Bartomeu hinted that there would be a possible clear-out of some big names at the club to make room for fresh faces. 

"I do not want to speak ill of anyone and I want to praise the team, they have been winning titles for 12 years without pause," Bartomeu said. "It is time to start saying goodbye with all honors to some players."

Barca may need to sell players to raise funds for incoming transfers, but Bartomeu revealed a host of names in his squad that would not be for sale. 

"Who is non-transferable? Leo Messi. He knows it. He is the best player in the world," Bartomeu said. "I would also speak of [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen, [Frenkie] de Jong, [Clement] Lenglet, [Ousmane] Dembele and [Antoine] Griezmann."

Bartomeu also added teenage sensation Ansu Fati to that list, after revealing there have been offers for his team's 17-year-old star.

"Some players already know that they are not available," Bartomeu said. "We have received offers. Ansu Fati has a large market but we will not sell him. He is non-transferable."

Original author: Goal
  192 Hits

Real Madrid captain Nacho agrees new contract

The two Nigerian strikers will no longer be part of the team for the remainder of the current campaign

Belarusian side Minsk announced that Emuidzhi Oghiabekhva is no longer their player following the expiry of her contract in August.

The Minsk-based outfit have also parted ways with Chioma Wogu whose contract also ran out six months after she joined the club.

Headlining the departures is Oghiabekhva, who emerged as the Best Player of the Year 2019 after her exploits in the Belarusian top-flight.

Oghiabekhva's exit brought to an end her five-season tenure with Minsk, whom she helped to 13 titles, including the 2018 Baltic Cup, and scored 79 goals in 52 league appearances.

She also featured in the Champions League with Minsk for four consecutive seasons, scoring 16 goals in 17 appearances.
 
Also departing is Wogu, who scored four goals in eight matches for Minsk this season and contributed three assists.

In a statement by the club: "Nigerian footballers Emuidzhi Oghiabekhva and Chioma Wogu, have left Minsk.

"Forward Oghiabekhva has played for Minsk since 2016. During this time, together with the team, she became the champion of Belarus four times, took the Cup and the Super Cup of Belarus four times, and also won the Baltic League in 2018. 

"In 2019, she was recognized as the best football player in the Belarusian championship. During 4 seasons of Minsk's performances in the UEFA Champions League, she scored 16 goals in 17 matches. 

"This is a performance record for the entire time of participation of Belarusian women's teams in the European arena. Wogu also played for the Nigerian women's national team.

"Midfielder Wogu joined the team this season, having previously played for Nigeria and Nigerian club Rivers Angels FC.

"We thank the girls who left the club for their contribution to the success of the team and wish them a bright future career."

Following their exits from Minsk, the Nigerian strikers are now free-agents and are expected to decide over their futures in the coming days.

 

Original author: Samuel Ahmadu
  199 Hits

RB Leipzig 0-3 PSG: Di Maria shines as French champions reach first final

The Argentine played a part in all three goals as his side cruised past the German outfit

Paris Saint-Germain eased to a 3-0 win over RB Leipzig in Lisbon to reach their first ever Champions League final and remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple.

PSG needed two goals in stoppage time to overcome Atalanta in the last round but had far less trouble seeing off Atletico Madrid's conquerors Leipzig on Tuesday.

Angel Di Maria crossed for Marquinhos to power in the opener after 11 minutes and then profited from some sublime Neymar trickery to double his side's tally before half-time.

And the Argentinian also set up the third for Juan Bernat as PSG booked a place in Sunday's final against either Bayern Munich or Lyon, with that other semi-final to take place on Wednesday.

Neymar played a huge part in PSG's comeback against Atalanta and should have registered inside 355 seconds of this tie, only to hit the post when played clean through.

The French side were boosted by the return of Kylian Mbappe to their starting line-up and he had a half-volley correctly ruled out a minute later for a handball against Neymar.

However, Leipzig could not settle and Thomas Tuchel's side were in front soon after when Di Maria's wicked delivery was guided in from six yards by an unmarked Marquinhos.

Neymar again clipped the post from a free-kick but he brilliantly set up Di Maria for PSG's second with a cushioned flick after Peter Gulacsi's pass was intercepted.

Leipzig brought on Emil Forsberg and Patrik Schick at half-time and started the second half on top, but Bernat met Di Maria's cross to head past Gulacsi and kill things off. 

PSG had numerous chances to add a fourth in the remainder of the one-sided affair, with Mbappe squandering a good chance and then being denied by Gulacsi, who also produced a late double save to keep out Di Maria and Leandro Paredes.

What does it mean? Quadruple dream still alive for PSG

Nine years on from their Qatari takeover, PSG are now just one step away from winning the one trophy that has so far eluded them and the one they truly crave  - the Champions League.

Having won a domestic treble of Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue and Ligue 1, plus the Trophee des Champions, this is shaping up to be the most famous season in the club's history. 

Di Maria undoes Leipzig

PSG may have missed Mbappe for three-quarters of their tight tussle with Atalanta yet the absence of Di Maria in that one cannot be understated.

He returned from suspension here and played a part in all three goals, taking his assists tally to 27 in the competition since his debut in September 2007 - only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi (32 each) have more.

Gulacsi gifts goal to PSG

PSG looked dominant but undoubtedly were helped by some sloppy play from their opponents, with no error more glaring than Gulacsi's hospital pass in the lead up to the second goal.

The Leipzig keeper pretty much played the ball straight to Paredes, who fizzed it into the path of Neymar to tee up Di Maria with a superb flick.

What's next?

PSG can now prepare for Sunday's showpiece final at this ground, where either German champions Bayern or domestic rivals Lyon await.

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UEFA Champions League

22:51 BST 18/08/2020

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Despite being heavy favourites, Bayern will be taking nothing for granted in their Champions League semi-final

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The Argentina scored a goal and added two assists in a comfortable win over the Bundesliga outfit

Paris Saint-Germain star Angel Di Maria was full of praise for his side after a dominant 3-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League semi-final Tuesday.

The Argentine put in a man-of-the-match display against the Germans, grabbing a goal and two assists as PSG reached the Champions League final for the first time in the club's history. 

After requiring a dramatic injury-time comeback against Atalanta in the quarter-final, it was a comfortable night for the Ligue 1 side at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

Di Maria was delighted with his side's performance as PSG will now await either Bayern Munich or Lyon in Sunday's final.

"We ate them up from minute one," Di Maria said in quotes published on the BBC. "It's going to be tough to sleep between now and the final.

"We worked hard all game and we showed we deserve to be here. It doesn't matter who we face, either Bayern or Lyon, we'll give our all.

"We're very happy. It's a first for the club. We worked hard and played a great game. We want to make history for the club. We succeeded tonight and we're in the final – that's very important. We have to continue like tonight to make our dream come true."

Prior to Tuesday night, PSG had only made the Champions League semi-final in the 1994-95 season, when they fell to AC Milan in the last four. Ahead of his team's first final, Di Maria underlined the importance of the momentous step in PSG's history.

"We are very happy. It must be said that the team had a great game," Di Maria told RMC Sport. "We have marked the history of the club. We're in the final, that's very important to us.

"We are the ones who made them look weak. We played at 100 per cent. Before the game, it was 50-50 but our start to the match was good.

"It's going to be hard to sleep tonight. We can clearly see that the French and German championships are at a good level.

"We are just one step away from making club history."

Original author: Goal
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The Qatari businessman expressed his pride in a team that has long pursued European success

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi believes the club deserves their place in the Champions League final after beating RB Leipzig 3-0 in their semi-final on Tuesday

Having finally banished their quarter-final demons against Atalanta last week in a dramatic 2-1 win , the Ligue 1 giants made light work of their German opponents with goals from Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria and Juan Bernat securing their spot in the decider. 

This will be PSG's first ever final in Europe's elite competition and comes after a record 110 games before finally making one. 

While the French club have enjoyed plenty of domestic success since a Qatari takeover in 2011, they have struggled to step up in the Champions League, with Al-Khelaifi savouring the fact their ultimate dream is on the cusp of becoming a reality. 

"It’s a historic night, the first time in the UCL final. Magnificent evening. The team had a perfect game against a difficult team. I am very proud, proud of my players, proud of my technical staff," Al-Khelaifi told RMC Sport . 

"We didn't want to go back to Paris, we wanted to stay in Lisbon.

"This is a dream. I hope it will continue! We deserve this. Tonight, I don't know what to say. It’s a wonderful evening for us.

"Since 2011 we have been at PSG, we have been close to our dream. We are there, we deserve, we want to go as far as possible. I am proud of everyone."

Thomas Tuchel's side will now face either Bayern Munich or Lyon in the final on Sunday night with the German manager ready for the biggest game of his career. 

"I will enjoy and watch this game tomorrow. With my players and my staff. We know that Bayern are the favorites, but it's football," Tuchel told RMC Sport .

"Obviously, that will be the biggest challenge of my career on Sunday. We are here to play a final and to win." 

PSG equalled a record also held by Real Madrid on Tuesday after scoring in 34 consecutive European matches - a run that now dates all the way back to 2016.

Original author: Josh Thomas
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