John Herdman believes Canada showed that they do belong at the World Cup despite losing their opening match 1-0 to Belgium on Wednesday.
Making their World Cup return after a 36-year exodus, Canada dominated the first half and should have gone ahead when they were awarded a penalty after Yannick Carrasco handled Tajon Buchanan s shot.
However, Alphonso Davies saw his spot-kick saved by Thibaut Courtois, before Michy Batshuayi struck Belgium s winner a minute before half-time to ensure Canada s World Cup return ended in defeat.
Despite the disappointing result, Canada s head coach Herdman was pleased with his team s performance after such a long spell away from international football s top competition.
They showed that they [Canada] do belong, Herdman tol…
Barcelona s financial issues mean they need to get crafty in January transfer window.
The Catalans lost Lionel Messi during the off-season and have struggled this term.
Barca were bundled out of the Champions League this week but will be keen to rescue their season.
TOP STORY – BARCA PLOT RASHFORD SWOOP
Barcelona are planning to swoop for Manchester United s Marcus Rashford, according to El Nacional.
The stumbling block may be United s asking price for Rashford, but the Blaugrana believe they can prise him away based on opportunity.
Rashford has been in and out of United s starting line-up and Barca plan to offer him the chance to lead their attack.
Bowen and Raphinha interest
Rice and Phillips stance
Nat Ph…
Former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster says he is tired of the negative tactics employed by teams who visit Barcelona in the Champions League.
After the Catalans hard-fought 2-1 win over Celtic on Tuesday, Schuster said he is fed up of seeing teams – most notably Chelsea last season – shut up shop when they visit Camp Nou.
I m fed up of seeing these type of matches, Schuster told ABC.
There shouldn t be teams like (Celtic) in the Champions League.
We saw it last year with Chelsea. It was a very bad example for football and it is regrettable that they became champions.
You see Celtic defending with 10 and almost snatching a point, and that s not fair.
Schuster had his say on Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, with whom he worked …
Gamba Osaka and Vissel Kobe were relegated from the J.League as the season drew to a thrilling close on Saturday.
Gamba went down to Jubilo Iwata 2-1 away from home, while Vissel slumped to a 1-0 loss at champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Albirex Niigata thumped the already-relegated Consadole Sapporo 4-1 at home, condemning Gamba and Vissel to the J2.League.
Gamba, the 2008 AFC Champions League winners, were one of only five teams to have featured in the Japanese top flight every year since its inception in 1993.
Masanobu Matsunami s men were highest scoring team in the league this season, but also conceded more goals than any other side.
Gamba finished in 17th place on the table with 38 points, one point behind Vissel in 16th, while Sapporo were ro…
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he misses Alex Ferguson, describing Manchester United manager as his father in football .
The 27-year-old now plays under Jose Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu after making a world-record transfer from Old Trafford in 2009 for an estimated 100 million euros.
And despite winning La Liga last season Real, scoring 46 goals in 38 league games, the Portuguese player revealed he remains fond of his former manager, three years after leaving Manchester.
(Ferguson is) a fantastic person. A human person. He taught me many things, Ronaldo told The Sun.
Like I said before, he s like a father in football. I really miss him and my relationship with him.
The United manager will be 71 later this year, but Ronaldo be…
Adelaide United utility Cameron Watson has continued the string of re-signings at the club after committing to a new two-year contract.
Watson made his debut for the Reds in August 2010 and has since made 63 appearances although he is yet score a domestic goal.
The 25-year-old, who signed initially with the A-League outfit as an injury replacement on loan in 2010 before impressing to earn a permanent deal in January 2011, is the fifth player in a month to extend his stay at Hindmarsh Stadium.
The Victorian-born midfielder s new deal follows the two-year contract extensions of vice-captain Cassio, Argentine forward Jeronimo Neumann, Portuguese winger Fabio Ferreira and bustling striker Bruce Djite.
Watson said his decision to remain a Red was based on wan…
Speaking to Chelsea s official website, the Nigeria international said: I feel very excited. I m delighted to be here for another few years now and to sign a new deal.
Now it s time to concentrate on the team and keep working hard to make sure we win games and try to win the Premier League this season.
We re having a great season, I m enjoying my football and we have a good manager here that has given every single one of us confidence. I just want to keep on enjoying it and working hard for the team.
Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo added: We are extremely pleased Victor has chosen to extend his contract with us. He is enjoying an excellent season and, under Antonio s leadership, has proved to be an important member of the squad.
This new co…
Keisuke Honda says AC Milan remain a number of years away from being able to challenge at the top of Serie A and has questioned why some of the club s high-profile recruits have failed to make an impact in recent seasons.
Milan have not won the Scudetto since 2011 and have turned to a host of coaches and big-name players to try and arrest their fall from title contention.
Honda was brought to the club by Massimiliano Allegri in 2013 and, since the Italian s departure, has been coached by Clarence Seedorf, Filippo Inzaghi and now incumbent Sinisa Mihajlovic.
The club have also brought in various big-name players, some in the latter stages of their careers, to try and restore glory to Milan.
Honda who has fallen out of favour under Mihajlovic claimed there …
Market: Algeria win
Odds:
Really enjoying an eye-catching revival, a high-flying Algeria will meet Guinea in Cairo on Sunday night with a spot in the quarter-finals of this year s AFCON up for grabs.
Starting with Algeria, putting in yet another stellar display in their dominant 3-0 victory over Tanzania earlier in the week, the mood in Djamel Belmadi s camp couldn t be any higher. Winning each of their three Group C appearances and also entering the tournament with a 3-2 win over Mali last month, Algeria are yet to taste defeat since October 2018, a nine-match unbeaten run. One man to watch on Sunday will be Napoli attacker and starlet, Adam Ounas. Bagging two goals out in Egypt this summer, the 22-year-old is averaging a strike every 37 minutes.
As f…
Gianluigi Buffon has confirmed he will leave Juventus but the Italy great says he might not be ready to retire.
Buffon s 40th birthday in January saw the goalkeeper write his name into the history books as one of the sport s stars who have played top-level football into their fifth decade.
Here are six football legends who set an example for Buffon to follow with their remarkably long careers in the game.
RYAN GIGGS
Wales manager Ryan Giggs was an ultimate one-club man, staying at Manchester United for the entirety of his glittering career. Giggs managed to slowly transform himself from a rapid, tricky winger into a cultured central midfielder in the latter years of his playing days, helping to extend his time on the pitch beyond 40. Giggs won…