Football: Messi back for Argentina for first time since World Cup

Football: Messi back for Argentina for first time since World Cup

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Lionel Messi was named in the Argentina squad on Thursday (March 7) for the first time since the World Cup, ending a self-imposed eight month exile.
Interim coach Lionel Scaloni named the five-time world player of the year in his squad for this month's friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco.
The 31-year-old Barcelona star hasn't pulled on the light blue and white national team jersey since Argentina were dumped out of the World Cup last June by eventual winners France.
Another long-term absentee, PSG's Angel Di Maria, also makes the squad, but there is no place for other veterans Sergio Aguero - despite his sparkling form for Manchester City - Chelsea's Gonzalo Higuain or Mauro Icardi of Inter.
"The World Cup was a big disappointment for everyone, for him even more so," Scaloni told reporters at Argentina's Ezeiza training center outside Buenos Aires.
"And then in the friendlies he saw us play, he liked it, and he wants to try again, and he's welcome."
Scaloni said "Messi prefers to come than to rest," despite the demands of a heavy fixture list for his club.
"Leo is being called up now, and then we'll see if he plays a match or two - or none. I don't know. That's a decision I'll take."
In all, Messi has missed six friendlies since the World Cup in Russia but many believe he will be an essential part of the team that travels to Brazil for the Copa America, which kicks off June 14.
Whilst he's built up an almost unprecedented collection of trophies with his club, Messi is running out of time to taste major international success with Argentina.
He was on the losing side in major finals three years running from 2014-16, first to Germany in the World Cup in Brazil, then twice to Chile on penalties in the Copa America, including the one-off Centenary edition of the competition.
With 65 goals in 128 appearances, Messi is Argentina's all-time top goalscorer. He's also Barca's top marksman ever with more than twice the number of goals as the next best.
But he's never managed to match his club form when operating on the international stage.
Argentina play Venezuela in Madrid on March 22 and then travel to Tangier four days later to tackle hosts Morocco.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Agustin Marchesin (Club America/MEX), Juan Musso (Udinese/ITA), Franco Armani (River Plate), Esteban Andrada (Boca Juniors)
Defenders: German Pezzella (Fiorentina/ITA), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla/ESP), Juan Foyth (Tottenham/ENG), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City/ENG), Walter Kannemann (Gremio/BRA), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax/NED), Marcos Acuna (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Renzo Saravia (Racing Club), Lisandro Martinez (Defensa y Justicia)
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Guido Rodriguez (Club America/MEX), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis/ESP), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham/ENG), Roberto Pereyra (Watford/ENG), Matias Zaracho (Racing Club), Ivan Marcone (Boca Juniors), Domingo Blanco (Defensa y Justicia), Rodrigo De Paul (Udinese/ITA)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Gonzalo Martinez (Atlanta United/USA), Paulo Dybala (Juventus/ITA), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/ITA), Dario Benedetto (Boca Juniors), Matias Suarez (River Plate)

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Qatar's Asian Cup heroes rewarded with lavish gifts

Qatar's Asian Cup heroes rewarded with lavish gifts

•DOHA • These are heady times for the Qatar national football team.
On the back of winning their first Asian Cup last Friday, Felix Sanchez's men have risen 38 places to 55th in the latest Fifa world rankings released yesterday.
Not only are Qatar enjoying their highest position in 26 years, they are now ahead of Mohamed Salah's Egypt and Africa Cup of Nations champions Cameroon.
The team returned home to a rapturous welcome from tens of thousands of ecstatic fans, including Qatar's ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who has reportedly rewarded the footballers handsomely for bringing joy to the people at a time of simmering political tension in the Gulf.
Qataris did not travel to the United Arab Emirates, which hosted the Cup, as the country is currently under a blockade led by its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who have accused Doha of supporting terrorism - a charge it has denied.
According to an article published on Fox Sports Asia's website, which cited Iranian media reports and a now-deleted tweet by Iranian football writer Sina Saemian, Al Thani has lavished gifts on every player.
They reportedly included a London apartment, a £2 million (S$3.5 million) cash reward, a monthly salary for the rest of their lives, a Lexus car and a luncheon hosted at his royal residence.
While some have questioned the country's recent triumph, claiming it has come out of the blue, former Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez believes the Cup win was deserved as the Qatar Football Association (QFA) had kept the 2022 World Cup hosts "on the right track".
The former Spain midfielder, who now plies his trade in Qatar as Al Sadd's captain, told TV channel Al Kass Sport: "Now you see the results produced by the Qatari team. It is a great team now. I am proud to work with these young players.
"We must remember that the QFA has been preparing this team for years to win this title.
"The Aspire Academy project is the idea of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and the idea is now achieving great success. What Aspire has done is to prepare a platform for the emergence of players that we currently see on the pitch."
Thirteen out of Qatar's 22-strong Cup squad had links with Aspire, and Xavi has been frequently seen helping out at the academy when he is not tied up with his club commitments.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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Qatar's Asian Cup heroes rewarded with lavish gifts Young fans taking photos with Qatar forward and 2019 Asian Cup Most Valuable Player Almoez Ali at Doha International airport, as Qataris welcome
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02/09/2019 Comments Off on Qatar's Asian Cup heroes rewarded with lavish gifts •DOHA • These are heady times for the Qatar national football team. On the back of winning their first Asian Cup last Friday, Felix Sanchez's men have risen 38 places to 55th in the latest Fifa world rankings released yesterday.
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Football: Sven cancels dinner as China beat 'Street Dogs' 3-0 at Asian Cup

Football: Sven cancels dinner as China beat 'Street Dogs' 3-0 at Asian Cup

ABU DHABI (AFP) - Sour Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson scrapped dinner plans with old foe Marcello Lippi after China thrashed his Philippines side 3-0 on Friday (Jan 11) to reach the last 16 of the Asian Cup.
China's star striker Wu Lei fired a brilliant double against the Filipino "Street Dogs" in Abu Dhabi as Lippi emerged victorious in a heavyweight coaching clash.
As is custom between the two elder statesmen of the game, the loser buys the other dinner, washed down with a vintage bottle of wine.
But Eriksson had little stomach for the old pals' act when the septuagenarians embraced after the match.
"No, no dinner plans," snapped the former England manager.
"I was not in a very good mood for a long discussion. I just wished (Lippi) good luck for the future."
"We forgot about Wu Lei - twice," grimaced Eriksson, who previously coached the match-winner at Chinese club Shanghai SIPG.
"If you do that he will punish you and he did with two great goals. We paid a heavy price but we are not home yet. We still have hope - but small hope, probably."
China, runners-up in 1984 and 2004, top Group C with a perfect six points from two games - ahead of South Korea on goal difference - after beating Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in their opening game.
But they looked far sharper against the Philippines, like the former Soviet republic also appearing in their first Asian Cup.
"I'm very proud of my players," said Lippi, who led his native Italy to World Cup victory in 2006.
"They were aggressive, focused and showed a lot of quality. If we can continue to play like that we have nothing to fear from any team at this Asian Cup."

WU MAGIC

Lippi's side should have led after 32 minutes when Wu Xi headed wastefully wide from point-blank range.
But Wu Lei provided the spark five minutes before half-time, turning on the edge of the box and whipping a right-foot shot into the far corner.
His second was even better as he swivelled to slam a Hao Junmin free kick past goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard on the volley after 66 minutes to effectively finish the tie.
Substitute Yu Dabao added a third 10 minutes from time for China, who are looking to improve on their quarter-final finish in Australia four years ago.
Lippi waxed lyrical about the prolific Wu Lei, China's most coveted player and Shanghai's record goalscorer, who has been linked with a move to English Premier League side Wolves.
"He looked very sharp and scored two goals of fantastic quality," said the Italian.
"But we are used to seeing that quality from him. It is no wonder teams in Europe are interested in him."
Pulverised 8-1 the last time the teams met in 2017, the Philippines gave China more of a fight this time, having lost 1-0 to South Korea earlier this week.
Kevin Ingreso forced a fingertip save from China goalkeeper Yan Junling in first-half stoppage time, but Eriksson's players faded badly after the break.
South Korea, runners-up in 2015, beat Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in a late kickoff in Al Ain to advance to the knockout stage.

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Football: Spain come from behind to beat South Africa in women's World Cup

Football: Spain come from behind to beat South Africa in women's World Cup

LE HAVRE, France (REUTERS) - Jennifer Hermoso netted two second-half penalties and substitute Lucia Garcia added a last-minute goal as Spain came from behind to beat South Africa 3-1 at the women's World Cup on Saturday (June 8).
Hermoso tucked away spot-kicks in the 69th and 82nd minutes to give Spain a winning start to their Group B campaign after South Africa, in their maiden appearance at the finals, took a surprise first-half lead.
The first penalty came after a handball by South Africa captain Janine van Wyk and the second after follow through tackle by full back Nothando Vilakazi on Garcia which earned Vilakazi a second yellow card and a dismissal.
South Africa were on for a shock win after Thembi Kgatlana struck a powerful shot from the corner of the penalty area over the head of Spain goalkeeper Sandra Panos in the 25th minute.
The goal came after the South Africans had weathered Spain's early dominance with desperate defending and then began to look threatening on the counter-attack.
African Women's Footballer of the Year Kgatlana could have made it 2-0 but fluffed a tap-in opportunity at the back post in the 57th minute, not long after Hermoso had come close to an equaliser by striking the crossbar.
But Spain's superior fitness saw them dominate the last half hour and there were other chances for a more commanding scoreline.
Garcia's goal came from a ball straight down the middle of the pitch as she outsprinted the defence.

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Football: Spurs stunned by Palace as FA Cup holders Chelsea ease past Wednesday

Football: Spurs stunned by Palace as FA Cup holders Chelsea ease past Wednesday

LONDON (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur suffered their second defeat in English knockout football in a matter of days as they lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday (Jan 27). 
Connor Wickham gave the unfancied Eagles, 29 points adrift of Spurs in the Premier League, a ninth-minute lead before a penalty by former Tottenham winger Andros Townsend made it 2-0. 
Spurs’ Kieran Trippier missed with a penalty before half-time as Tottenham suffered more spot-kick woe following Thursday’s shoot-out defeat by Chelsea, another of their London rivals, in a League Cup semi-final. 
FA Cup-holders Chelsea had no such problems later on Sunday as they marked Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain’s club debut with a 3-0 win at home to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.  Willian scored twice either side of a goal from highly-rated English teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi, linked with a transfer window move to German giants Bayern Munich. 
There was no goal for Higuain, signed on loan until the end of the season from Juventus on Wednesday.  But Gianfranco Zola, Chelsea’s assistant manager and himself a former Blues striker, told the BBC: “We are pleased with Gonzalo Higuain’s performance, he was trying to find the space and get on the ball. 
“It wasn’t easy as they had a lot of players round him.”
Earlier, Tottenham’s reverse left Mauricio Pochettino still searching for his first trophy as their manager since the Argentinian joined from Southampton in 2014, with Spurs’ last piece of silverware the 2008 League Cup. 
Spurs were without injured England stars Harry Kane and Dele Alli, while the in-form Son Heung-Min had still to return from international duty with South Korea at the Asia Cup. 
Pochettino, however, decided to omit Christian Eriksen, with the influential playmaker not even among Spurs’ substitutes at Selhurst Park.  For all they are third in the Premier League, Spurs are nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool. 

‘So painful’

The Champions League is now Tottenham’s only realistic hope of a trophy this season, with Pochettino’s men playing Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.  “It was so painful to lose the game like this,” Pochettino told BT Sport. 
“We have to look forward to the Premier League and Champions League. We cannot complain and just try in the two competitions to give our best.”
It took Palace a mere nine minutes to open the scoring, Wickham following up after a Jeff Schlupp shot was blocked by Spurs goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.  Palace doubled their lead when Townsend slammed a home a penalty after Spurs’ Kyle Walker-Peters handled a cross into the box. 
But at the other end, after Patrick van Aanholt brought down Juan Foyth, Trippier blasted a penalty well wide of the post.  
Chelsea did not have things all their own way against second-tier Wednesday, who thought they had been awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute.  Joey Pelupessy tried to meet Steven Fletcher’s pass, with Ethan Ampadu sliding in to win the ball before being kicked by the Wednesday midfielder. 
Referee Andre Marriner awarded a penalty but this was overturned by VAR, being trialled in some English cup fixtures this season. 
“It’s crazy,” said Owls’ caretaker boss Steve Agnew, holding the fort ahead of Steve Bruce’s imminent arrival.  “Obviously the VAR decisions are correct but what baffled me was surely it’s a corner if it came off their player. The referee gave a drop ball. And a minute later they have a penalty.”
Wednesday’s woe was compounded soon afterwards when Willian scored from the spot after Sam Hutchinson trod on Cesar Azpilicueta inside the box.  VAR was called into action again but this time Marriner’s decision was upheld and Willian, after appearing to offer the spot-kick to Higuain, made no mistake.  
Chelsea had to wait until midway through the second half for Hudson-Odoi to make it 2-0 before Willian, playing a neat one-two with Olivier Giroud, completed the scoring seven minutes from time.

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