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The Star
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Ziad feeling all pumped up for U-23 tourney after solid win over Melaka
KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-23 midfielder Ziad El-Basheer Norhisham is brimming with pride and purpose as he gears up for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship in Indonesia from July 15 to 29. Fresh from a spirited training camp and a morale-boosting 4-1 victory over Malaysia's Super League side Melaka at the Cheras Football Stadium on Tuesday, the 21-year-old believes the squad are ready to make a strong statement in Surabaya. 'We've shown that we can bring this kind of spirit to Indonesia,' said the Johor Darul Ta'zim II player. 'We played well, beat a Super League team, and hopefully this momentum will carry us through the tournament.' While the preparation window was short, Ziad insists the team's unity has helped them gel quickly, something he attributes to the atmosphere created by both players and coaching staff. 'It feels like we've been in a long camp. The chemistry is strong and positive. We're close off the field, and on the field there are no issues.' This will be Ziad's second AFF tournament, having previously represented Malaysia at the AFF Under-19 Championship – also held in Indonesia. Coach Nafuzi Zain stressed that fitness is the top priority at this stage, adding that his squad are already showing sharper speed and movement. 'We know the real challenge will be much tougher than our current situation,' he said. Malaysia kick off their Group A campaign against the Philippines on July 15, followed by Brunei on July 18, and wrap up the group stage with a showdown against hosts Indonesia on July 21. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on July 25, with the third-place playoff and final scheduled for July 29.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Record number of Germany fans expected at women's game abroad
Germany fans walk through the city ahead of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group C soccer match between Germany and Denmark. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa A record 17,000 Germany fans are expected to be in attendance for the Euro 2025 clash with Denmark later on Tuesday - over 12,000 more than the previous best mark for a women's game on foreign soil. The Group C match in the Swiss city of Basel, just over the border from Germany, will see a capacity 34,250 fans in St Jakob Park. Around half will be German, the country's football federation said in a statement. Advertisement The previous record for German fans at a women's game outside Germany was the 2022 European Championship final at Wembley when 4,816 turned out to watch their side lose to hosts England. Basel will also host this year's final on July 27, when German fans will hope to be back in large numbers. Germany started the tournament with a 2-0 win over Poland.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai dies at 61
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who helped his country win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, has died at the age of 61. The Nigerian Football Federation announced the death Thursday. Advertisement Rufai was widely regarded as one of the best African goalkeepers ever and had a 20-year playing career that included stints at clubs in Portugal, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Nigerian federation wrote on X that the legacy of Rufai, whose nickname was Dodo Mayana, would live on 'between the sticks and beyond.' Local media said he had suffered from a brief, undisclosed illness. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also paid tribute to Rufai in a statement Friday. (asterisk)I recall with fond memories the heroic contributions of Peter Rufai in the historic victory of the Super Eagles at the 1994 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations," Tinubu said. Advertisement He praised Rufai for "bringing honor to the nation and opening a new window of opportunities for young footballers in Nigeria.' Rufai was part of Nigeria's 1994 World Cup squad in the U.S. which helped put the country's football on the global map, alongside the late Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, Uche Okafor, Wilfred Agbonavbare and Thompson Oliha. He also represented Nigeria at 1998 World Cup in France. He was the first Nigerian goalkeeper to score a goal for his team internationally, in a 1993 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia. Rufai, the first Nigerian player to come from a royal family, had more than 60 caps for the Super Eagles. After retiring from professional football in 2000, he established Staruf Football Academy where he coached young players. ___ AP soccer:
CNN
04-07-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Jota died after marrying his childhood sweetheart less than two weeks ago
Liverpool's Portuguese soccer star Diogo Jota, 28, died in a car crash in Spain with his brother, the Portuguese Football Federation said. His death comes under two weeks after he married the mother of his three children, Rute.
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Liverpool's Portugese forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain, TVE reports
Diogo Jota of Liverpool is seen in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal. Photo: AFP Liverpool's Portugese forward Diogo Jota, 28, has died in a car crash near Zamora in northwestern Spain, with his brother, the Portugese Football Federation said on Thursday. The regional fire department of Castile and Leon, where Zamora is located, said on its website a car crashed early on Thursday, shortly after midnight, and burst into flames, with two men, aged 28 and 26, found dead. Spanish police told Reuters they could not yet officially confirm the names of the deceased, but everything pointed to it being Jota and his brother. The Lamborghini they were travelling in veered off the road, the spokesperson said. The bodies were taken to a forensics unit in nearby Zamora, where autopsies would be performed, they said. Jota, who got married on 28 June, helped Liverpool win the English Premier League last season, and also won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Merseyside outfit. Jota arrived at Anfield from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club in all competitions. He also made 49 appearances for Portugal, twice winning the UEFA Nations League, including their penalty shootout victory over Spain last month. "The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal's name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic," said Portugal Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. "I extend my deepest condolences to their family. "It is a sad day for football, and for national and international sports." "The Portugese Football Federation and the entire Portugese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Spain this morning," said the federation. "Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person, who was respected by all his teammates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community... "We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portugese football and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day." "FC Porto is in mourning," said the Portugese powerhouse and Jota's home club. "It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks. "Rest in peace." "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota," the club said on X. "It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream," Jota said on Liverpool's website of winning the EPL. "It's a moment I will cherish forever." - Reuters
