Latest news with #ProfessionalLeague
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🚨 Line-ups confirmed: Independiente host Talleres in Avellaneda
This Sunday, Independiente hosts Talleres de Córdoba for matchday 2 of the Clausura Tournament of the Professional Rojo, along with its fans, will seek its first victory in the championship, but La T wants to make up for what happened in the first match and will go for the three points. For matchday 2 of Zone B of the Clausura Betano Tournament of the 2025 Professional Football League, at the Estadio Libertadores de América - Ricardo Enrique Bochini, Independiente, led by Julio Vaccari, faces off against Talleres, led by Carlos Tévez. Confirmed lineups in Avellaneda Rodrigo Rey in goal; Leonardo Godoy, Kevin Lomónaco, Nicolás Freire, Jonathan De Irastorza in defense; Felipe Loyola, Iván Marcone, Luciano Cabral in midfield; Walter Mazzanti, Gabriel Ávalos, Santiago Montiel in attack, the starting lineup for Julio Vaccari. Guido Herrera in goal; Augusto Schott, Santiago Fernández, Juan Rodríguez or José Luis Palomino, Miguel Navarro in defense; Matías Galarza, Juan Camilo Portilla in the double five; Luis Sequeira, Rubén Botta, Luis Angulo further forward; Federico Girotti, the team's attacking reference, the lineup for Carlos Tévez. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
OFC Professional League will revolutionlise football in the Pacific
OFC Men's Champions League 2025. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Former FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu believes the new Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Professional League will be the critical next step to close the gap between the Pacific with the rest of the world. Karembeu told OFC Media that after witnessing Auckland City's extraordinary performance against Argentina's Boca Juniors at the recent 2025 FIFA Club World Cup , that the introduction of professional football around Oceania will be a game-changer. "The new Pro League will be a revolution for our region," the New Caledonia-born midfielder, who lifted the FIFA World Cup with France and the Champions League trophy with Real Madrid, said. He said the Pacific is blessed with incredibly natural athletes and feels that the new OFC Pro League, with professional coaches and managers, could quickly develop Oceania's amateur players into world-beaters. "Just look at the All Blacks, who have given athletes from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji the chance to develop in their amazing environment and have reaped the benefits of turning that raw talent into rugby superstars," he said.. Photo: Oceania Football Confederation Karembeu points at his own success, as well as former Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, and more recently All Whites midfielder Marko Stamenic, as players with Pacific Island heritage to perform well at the highest stage. The former Real Madrid star said the Pacific players have always had the talent, but never the appropriate guidance to teach them what is expected from a professional player. "They will be educated how to train, how to recover, how to eat, about intensity and quality, and when you can go out or need to stay at home," he said. "Players need to learn how to create a routine and clubs need experts to show them the way to be a professional." He added the new teams will need quality managers, coaches and experts in human resources, accommodation and transport and anything else required to run a professional sports organisation. "When you are an amateur player, you can do whatever you want," he said. "But when you are in a professional league and professional club, you have to behave like that. If you do not want to make those sacrifices, you do not belong, so it all comes down to discipline." Karembeu said Pacific players have grown up to be respectful and humble, which will help them make the transition into the professional game. "But they will also not be intimidated, because in the islands we are all warriors. "They will just have to realise in the professional environment many players will be better than them, so they have to humble, observe and learn to become better players." Karembeu said coaches or clubs with a European background need to understand the cultural background of the players to get the best out of them, before they discard a player out of ignorance or misunderstanding. -OFC
New York Post
10-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Cristiano Ronaldo makes his Al-Nassr, Club World Cup status clear
Cristiano Ronaldo will be staying in the desert. While many thought that Ronaldo was on his way out of Al-Nassr, the star himself shut down those rumors. Ronaldo told reporters after Portugal's Nations League final win over Spain that there will be no significant changes this summer. 'Practically nothing is going to change,' Ronaldo said. When asked if that meant staying with Saudi Professional League side Al-Nassr, he said, 'Yes.' 3 Cristiano Ronaldo in a game for Al-Nassr. AFP via Getty Images Many believed that, due to his contract with the club expiring on June 30, he would try to move to a team participating in the Club World Cup in the United States that begins Saturday These rumors were further fueled by the current FIFA president, Gianni Infantino. In May, he hinted that the Portuguese striker might play for a team at the Club World Cup. Ronaldo addressed these rumors. 'You can't go to everything,' he said. 'I've pretty much made up my mind not to go to the Club World Cup.' 3 Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured moments after scoring against Spain. AP Ronaldo has been with Al-Nassr since 2022 after leaving Manchester United. During his time in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo scored 74 goals and won two Saudi Pro League Golden Boot awards. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also added a trophy this weekend. Ronaldo was a key part of the Portugal team that defeated Spain in the UEFA Nations League final, 5-3 on penalty kicks. In the 61st minute, with his country trailing 2-1, the ball bounced around the box and found its way to Ronaldo, who was able to slot it past the keeper to tie the game. 3 Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the UEFA Nations League Trophy. REUTERS After the contest, Ronaldo was very emotional. He couldn't even watch most of the penalty kicks.
Sharjah 24
04-06-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Dibba Al Hisn Football Club to return to the Professional League
The club emphasised that the grant constitutes a fundamental pillar in the development of sports infrastructure and achieving sustainability in building strong clubs capable of competing in various fields. In a press statement, the club confirmed that the grant reflects His Highness's commitment to supporting the sports sector and upgrading its facilities, which will contribute to strengthening the capabilities of clubs and developing the performance of teams, most notably the first football team. The club noted that the anticipated stadium will bring about a qualitative shift in the sports performance environment and provide an ideal platform for honing the skills of players and meeting the aspirations of fans. Constant source of inspiration His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Rashid Al Tarban, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dibba Al Hisn Football Club, praised the unlimited support that sports in the emirate receives from His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. He noted that His Highness's continuous generosity represents a constant source of inspiration and motivation for athletes and reflects an integrated development vision based on empowering youth and elevating sports institutions to the highest levels. Al Tarban also expressed the club's great appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Executive Council; His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council; and His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. He commended their continued support, which has had the greatest impact in consolidating the institutional structure of the sports sector across the emirate. The Chairman of the Club's Board of Directors indicated that the 2024-2025 sports season marked a historic milestone in the journey of the first team, which competed in the ADNOC Professional League for the first time and succeeded in delivering outstanding performances that earned the respect and appreciation of the sports community, despite the significant challenges it faced throughout the tournament. Valuable lessons Al Tarban emphasised that the team's positive results, the players' heroic performance, and the tactical discipline on the field are all indicators of technical maturity and tangible development in collective performance. He pointed out that the team's failure to continue in the Professional League, despite competing until the final round, was due to circumstances beyond its control in some crucial matches. However, the experience remains a source of pride and valuable lessons upon which the team's future will be built. Al Tarban apologised to the club fans for the past, emphasising that the coming period will be a time of progress, continuity, and perseverance. Time for reorganisation In preparation for the new season, the club announced the implementation of a comprehensive plan to reorganise the team's ranks. This plan began with renewing confidence in Egyptian coach Captain Tarek El Sayed, who had previously successfully led the team in previous stages and demonstrated his technical skills and tactical ability to keep pace with the requirements of the First Division. New players Al Tarban explained that the club succeeded in retaining the most prominent foreign players who had contributed significantly during the previous season such as Medna, Alion, and Vitor, while also seeking to strengthen the team's ranks with new players who would contribute to creating a technical balance and preparing it to achieve its goal of returning to the Premier League. External training camps Al Tarban pointed out that the management is currently studying several options for holding an external training camp during the preparation period. The proposed destinations include Serbia, Turkey, and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The goal is to enhance the team's physical and technical readiness and build harmony among the team members before the start of official competitions. The club also extended its thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council (SSC), for its continuous support of the first team and all the club's sports teams. He emphasised that this support has directly contributed to achieving numerous gains and has instilled confidence and motivation among the players and the technical and administrative staff. Back to the Professional League Concluding his statement, the Chairman of the Dibba Al Hisn Club Board of Directors emphasised that the club will continue to work with determination and resolve to return to the Professional League through an integrated administrative and technical system, a strategy based on investing in talent, and long-term planning. He noted that the dream has not stopped, and that the next season will be an opportunity to return to the top ranks, with the support of the fans, the solidarity of the city's residents, and the team's unwavering will to achieve the impossible.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
13 Clubs Now In Contention To Be Part Of The Inaugural OFC Professional League
Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation There are 11 clubs from six OFC Member Associations including four from New Zealand, two from Fiji, two from Papua New Guinea, one each from Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu, with the other two clubs from Australia. From the 24 clubs who expressed interest in being part of the OFC Professional League due to start in January 2026, OFC can confirm that 13 will continue to the Club Licensing phase. There are 11 clubs from six OFC Member Associations including four from New Zealand, two from Fiji, two from Papua New Guinea, one each from Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu, with the other two clubs from Australia. The 13 clubs will be reduced to eight for the 2026 competition. There will be a maximum of two entries from a single OFC Member Association and one from Australia. The competition will feature eight teams and run from early January until the end of May with each club playing a minimum of 17 matches. 'Any club that wants to participate in the OFC Professional League 2026 must meet the requirements to receive an OFC Professional League Club License', stated Stuart Larman, OFC Professional League Project Manager. 'We expect the quality of submissions to continue at the same level as we have seen in the first phase of the Club Application Process. If that happens, we will have 13 clubs licensed and eight slots available in the OFC Professional League 2026. In countries where more than one club has attained a license, we have a defined methodology to distinguish between the clubs based on their Club Licensing submissions.' Larman added. In August, the OFC Club Licensing Committee will pass on its recommendations to the OFC Executive Committee, with confirmation on the eight selected clubs happening in September. The competition will run from early January until the end of May, with a minimum of 17 matches for each club. There will be five circuit series rounds at various Pacific locations in a double round-robin format before the teams are split into two playoff groups, Leaders and Challengers. The Leaders Playoff Group will see the top four teams compete for three semi-final spots. The Challengers Playoff Group will see the top team after three round-robin matches compete against the bottom team from the Leaders Playoff Group for the final semi-final spot. This is designed to keep fans and players engaged throughout the season. The semi-finals and the grand final will be single leg matches at yet to be determined venues.
