logo
Preview: Team K League vs. Newcastle United, FC Seoul & Daegu FC vs. Barcelona

Preview: Team K League vs. Newcastle United, FC Seoul & Daegu FC vs. Barcelona

Yahoo3 days ago
It's friendly week, the all-star break, and the time of year when some of European football's elite visit South Korea for exhibition matches. This year, we have Premier League side, and 2024-2025 Carabao Cup winners, Newcastle United, taking on Team K League, as well as FC Barcelona taking on FC Seoul and Daegu FC.
In this special episode of The K League United Podcast, Paul and Matt preview an exciting week of international club friendlies in Korea as European giants roll into town. First, we break down Team K League vs Newcastle United, highlighting key players to watch and what the best of K League will bring to the pitch.
Then, we turn our attention to FC Seoul vs Barcelona, a historic matchup set to light up the capital and get insights from FC Seoul fan and TV personality Paul Carver, before heading south with the help of KLU columnist Stuart Warren, to preview Daegu FC vs Barcelona, where the underdogs will look to make a statement against the Catalan kings.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nike's New Kobe x FC Barcelona Collection Is a Spirited Tribute to Two Legends of the Game
Nike's New Kobe x FC Barcelona Collection Is a Spirited Tribute to Two Legends of the Game

Yahoo

time27 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Nike's New Kobe x FC Barcelona Collection Is a Spirited Tribute to Two Legends of the Game

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Nike's latest drop is a full-on love letter to greatness, bringing together the spirit of Kobe Bryant and the legacy of FC Barcelona. Built on the Black Mamba's love for football, the partnership celebrates not only his upbringing in Italy, but his passionate admiration for Barça's style of play. More from Rolling Stone The Best Airbnb Alternatives for Luxury Villas, Budget Stays & Everything Inbetween This Limited-Edition Grateful Dead Blanket Is Back in Stock for the Band's 60th Anniversary Outside Lands 2025: Here's Where to Find Last-Minute Festival Tickets Online While Nike designed this collection to honor his deep personal connection to FC Barcelona, the designs are all unmistakably Byrant. Kobe x FC Barcelona apparel launched July 29, 2025 on and features a team gold base with Persian violet and black accents, a nod to his iconic Lakers colors. Subtle details (like the eight stars on the collar and the '24' stitched behind the crest) link directly back to his storied career. The jersey's club crest and Kobe Sheath take on a silicone gloss 3D snakeskin texture, and the uniform's socks bear a Kobe Sheath over the shin and 'Barça' on the calf, as well. The full capsule extends to lifestyle apparel, basketball gear, and footwear. Kobe x FC Barcelona Nike Collection Buy Now on nike This is no random mashup either — it's a 3‑season collaboration (starting 2025–26) that replaces the Nike Swoosh on FC Barcelona's away kit with Kobe's signature Sheath logo, a symbol of his Mamba Mentality. The partnership will also include the new Kobe x FC Barcelona Air Force 1 Protro, Kobe 4 Protro, and post-match slide, which will launch globally on July 31 at 10:00 a.m. EST via the Nike SNKRS app and on with select markets following later this summer. The away kit will also debut on pitch July 31, when Barça faces FC Seoul as part of the club's Asian preseason tour. The Kobe x FC Barcelona collection is also brought to life through the short film, Mamba Rondo, voiced by first-team men's coach Hansi Flick. The short brings Kobe and Barça's pursuit of perfection to life through the rondo drill, a staple of Barça's training philosophy that exemplifies the intensity of the club's training style and the repetitive drive to push beyond. The film features Nike and FC Barcelona athletes Alejandro Balde, Pablo Gavi, Patricia Guijarro, Frenkie de Jong, Ewa Pajor, Salma Paralluelo, Claudia Pina and Alexia Putellas, culminating in the reveal of the Kobe Sheath. This relentless drive to go beyond 'good enough' connects the two legends of the game, and which Nike says 'emulates in-game mentalities to inspire the next generation of athletes and expand the influence of Kobe's renowned Mamba Mentality'. The apparel and footwear in the FC x Kobe line aren't meant to just be visual tributes, but also meant to perform. The Kobe IV Protro x FC Barcelona shoes in particular come with Mamba-inspired agility tech (aka a responsive sensation underfoot), and the training tops fuse soccer-fit silhouettes with performance materials that surely would've passed Byrant's legendary standards. Nike Kobe IV Protro x FC Barcelona Team Gold and Persian Violet $190.00 shop on nike Whether you're a die‑hard Barça fan, Kobe aficionado, or a collector chasing meaningful designs, this is one drop to mark on your calendar. Get your alarms set, because these sneakers and the away kit land on July 31 exclusively at Nike SNKRS, and the FC Barcelona store. Don't wait, because once these goods hit the digital shelves, they might be gone before halftime. Best of Rolling Stone The Best Audiophile Turntables for Your Home Audio System

Laporta talks Lamine, Messi, Rashford, Real Madrid – ‘We were a better team than them last season'
Laporta talks Lamine, Messi, Rashford, Real Madrid – ‘We were a better team than them last season'

Yahoo

time43 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Laporta talks Lamine, Messi, Rashford, Real Madrid – ‘We were a better team than them last season'

Currently on the pre-season tour with the squad, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta granted an interview to CNN Sports (h/t Mundo Deportivo), during which he discussed a variety of topics related to the club. One of the biggest talking points was the fanfare surrounding Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, with Laporta lavishing great praise on the youngster. However, when asked about the comparisons between the 18-year-old La Masia gem and Barcelona great Lionel Messi, the club president opted not to fuel them any further. 'Lamine Yamal is Lamine Yamal, Leo Messi was Leo Messi,' Laporta said. 'Leo has been the best player in the world, and Lamine, I think, in his position right now, is the best player in the world,' he emphasised. Laporta praised the youngster for his ability and work ethic, saying: 'In Lamine's case, there aren't many players like him because he's a genius and he's at the highest level. 'He's very professional and knows that to be the best and be at the top, he needs to be in shape, he needs to train, he needs to follow the advice of the coach and the people around him, and, basically, feel happy, feel like he's enjoying playing football.' Laporta also spoke about Barcelona's most recent summer signing, Marcus Rashford, hailing the Englishman for the desire he showed to join the club. 'We signed this player because he was deeply committed to coming to Barcelona,' said Laporta. 'He's fast, strong, committed, and once again, he did everything he could to sign for Barcelona. He lobbied his agent, spoke to the club, and at the same time, to Manchester United.' Meanwhile, addressing Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid, who have made key signings and changed managers this summer, Laporta commented: 'I think we were a better team than them last season. They have great players, they signed a new coach, and we'll see, but Real Madrid will always be our rival.' Laporta spoke highly of Lamine Yamal. (Photo by) During the interview, Laporta raised the possibility of Barcelona playing an official La Liga match in the USA next season, stating that they are open to the idea. 'We are delighted to go to the United States every year because we feel loved, we feel respected as a club, we have a lot of fans there,' he said. 'For Barcelona, it will be a great honour to participate in this event, which will be an official La Liga match, but at the same time, it will be a big event in the United States.' Continuing, he stated: 'We are a club that belongs to La Liga and we are responsible because we want to market the competition as best as possible. I reiterate, I am open and (Barcelona) is at La Liga's disposal.' Laporta concluded by criticising the increasingly congested football calendar, as he said: 'The football calendar is too tight. We need to find a solution and reduce the number of matches. 'As a club, we have to have more players than usual (to play more matches), and that means we have to invest more, and that means we have to do our best to have a more competitive squad. 'Of course, they're talented players, but they're also human beings, and there are limits. They need time to rest and enjoy themselves, and I think that's something to keep in mind.'

UAE to host cricket tri-series ahead of T20 World Cup
UAE to host cricket tri-series ahead of T20 World Cup

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

UAE to host cricket tri-series ahead of T20 World Cup

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Arab Emirates will host a Twenty20 tri-series including Afghanistan and Pakistan later this month as part of the teams' buildup for next year's T20 World Cup. Sharjah will host all seven games of the tri-series, starting Aug. 29. Teams play against each other twice before the top two qualify for the final. Pakistan and Afghanistan have already secured direct qualification for the T20 World Cup to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. UAE could also qualify but it has to play ICC's Asia-East Asia and Pacific qualifiers in Oman in October. Afghanistan, which finished seventh in the last T20 World Cup, hasn't played a T20 since a bilateral series against Zimbabwe late last year. Pakistan is currently playing a T20 series against West Indies in the United States. The tri-series will be followed by the Asia Cup, also scheduled to be held in the UAE, from Sept. 9 when Afghanistan takes on Hong Kong in the opening game. ___ AP cricket:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store