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Austin FC v Portland Timbers: Neville wants more from improving visitors

After a run of nine games without a win in MLS, Portland have now won two of their last three outings, beating Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Saturday.

That win moved them up to 16 points in the Western Conference, and the Timbers are now just one point behind the ninth-placed Seattle Sounders in a playoff place.

Neville was pleased with his side's reaction to a recent defeat to Minnesota United and is looking forward to building on their upturn.

"We've got two wins out of [last] three and it's what we expect, what we want. We want to keep improving. I think we've seen improvements over the last two or three weeks," he said.

"This group cares, this club cares for its players. And you can never kid a supporter and I think ours realise that we need their help - they did it against [Sporting Kansas City].

"We're building some momentum and it's a nine-point week, a week where you can move. It's a week where you can gain momentum.

"Every game in this league is difficult and now we've got to go on the road to one of the top teams and get a result there."

Austin are unbeaten in their last three matches and sit in fifth place with 23 points. Josh Wolff's side can keep the pressure on the teams above them with another three points at home.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Brendan Hines-Ike

Austin attempted just five shots in their draw with San Jose on Saturday, scoring with their only shot on target, a Brendan Hines-Ike header in the 44th minute. It was the first goal the defender has scored this season.

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander recorded a goal and an assist in the Timbers' win over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, his fourth game with at least one of each this year.

He is the second Timbers player with four games with a goal and an assist in a single season after Diego Valeri, who did so three times (2013, 2017, 2019).

MATCH PREDICTION – AUSTIN FC WIN

Austin have won five straight home matches for the first time in club history. Austin have scored in 20 straight home matches in all competitions dating back to last May 31, also the longest streak in club history.

Portland have won four of their last five matches against Austin (one draw) after the Verde won each of the first two meetings. The Timbers have won on their last two visits to Austin, having only managed two wins in their other 30 regular-season matches in Texas.

However, the Timbers are winless in seven straight away matches (two draws, five defeats) including losing the last three in a row. Portland have not had a longer road losing streak in over five years, since losing five straight on their travels in March-April 2019.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 42.4%

Draw – 24.8%

Portland Timbers – 32.8%

Austin FC v Real Salt Lake: Wolff looking for solutions to lack of goals

Wolff is under some pressure with Austin failing to win any of their last four league matches, scoring just two goals in that run.

They still have an outside chance of making the playoffs, currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference, but the head coach knows that will not happen if they do not score.

"The main thing is you've got to go out and win the next game," Wolff told reporters.

"We've got to have the same ideas that we've had and the same performances that we've had, we've just got to take our opportunities.

"I keep echoing that we've been one of the better-performing teams at both ends, but it's all for nought if we can't score goals and win games and that's the only part that's been lacking."

Meanwhile, RSL booked their place in the playoffs last weekend after a 3-3 draw with Portland Timbers, and currently sit second in the table.

That is partly down to their impressive home form, as they have failed to win their last four on the road.

With that in mind, head coach Pablo Mastroeni is still targeting improvements, especially in defense.

"The last two performances were spirited, were gritty," said Mastroeni, "and that comes from the players' mindset.

"This group is really coming into its own at the right time, and now we just have to minimize silly situations that we have complete control over.

"In the last two games we've given up three poor set pieces. What can we do more in those moments and in training? Life doesn't tell you when you're at risk."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Diego Rubio

Diego Rubio has scored six career goals against Salt Lake (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also vs. Houston Dynamo & Minnesota United).

Only Jesus Ferreira (eight) and Sebastian Blanco (seven) have scored more against RSL since Rubio made his MLS debut in 2016.

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Cristian Arango has scored six career goals against Austin (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also vs. FC Dallas & LA Galaxy).

No player has scored more than six goals against Austin in MLS play (regular season and playoffs).

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Real Salt Lake have won back-to-back meetings with Austin, including a 5-1 victory when the sides met in Sandy on June 1. This is the first two-match winning streak by either team over the other.

However, RSL have lost four of their last five away matches in all competitions (D1), including the last three in a row. Salt Lake had lost only three of their previous 17 on the road in all competitions (W6 D8) prior to this run.

And Austin have struggled in recent home games, losing back-to-back matches after losing just two of their previous 14 matches at Q2 Stadium in all competitions (W8 D4). Austin have failed to score in two straight at home for the first time since July 2021 (three straight).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 37.4%

Draw – 26.4%

Real Salt Lake – 36.2%

Austin FC v Seattle Sounders: Newfound resilience key to recent success, says Schmetzer

The Sounders travel to the Q2 Stadium this weekend to face Austin FC, hoping to continue their winning streak and move further up the Western Conference table.

Schmetzer’s side currently sit in seventh place in the standings and booked their place in the semi-finals of the US Open Cup following a 2-1 victory over Sacramento Republic last time out.

The head coach was able to detail the reasoning behind his side’s upturn in fortunes in recent weeks, going on to say the players within the group have changed their mindset as part of their new-found success.

Schmetzer said: "I have seen goal production; I have seen a little bit of a rebound just in the mindset of the entire group.

“It has always been a pretty resilient group, but I think they are also a proud group, and I don’t think they were happy in the place that they were a month ago.

“They started to dig, so it’s a combination of things.”

Austin also come into the encounter following an impressive victory against New York City FC last time out, coming from a goal down to claim their eighth win of the season.

Josh Wolff’s side sit right on the play-off line in the Western Conference table, currently occupying ninth place on 30 points but have Minnesota United breathing down their necks.

The Verde and Black head coach acknowledged the challenges that await his side as the season reached its conclusion, but lauded his players and staffs efforts for coming through a difficult period having suffered several injuries within their squad.

“Obviously, the pressure will build with each game whether you take points, or you don’t, but if I am being honest, I am very pleased with our group’s efforts to get to this position and be inside the play-off line,” Wolff said.

“We are four points from being higher and four or five points from being in a much lower spot, but that is what the Western Conference is.

“The ability from our high performance and technical staff to keep these guys healthy and in a good space, in some games we had four subs, and we knew we were going to have tough times.

“But the guys, to be able to get results home and away to put us in a position now after the Leagues Cup, the season will go quickly. We have a big week ahead of us and it starts with Seattle.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Gyasi Zardes

Gyasi Zardes was the man of the moment for Austin in their comeback victory against NYCFC, ending his streak of 28 MLS games without a goal.

His previous longest goal drought came between 2016 and 2017 when he was playing for LA Galaxy, going 18 games without finding the back of the net. His brace will surely give him confidence heading into the encounter.

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Albert Rusnak’s growing influence within the Seattle Sounders side continues to grow, notching a goal and an assist in their 2-1 triumph over New England in their last MLS fixture.

Rusnak has either scored or assisted in seven of Seattle’s last eight goals (four goals, three assists). Prior to this rich run of form, the Slovakian had managed just seven goal contributions in the MLS prior to June 19 (one goal, six assists).

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Both sides come into the contest off the back of impressive MLS victories, but it is the Sounders who hold the edge when looking at their record at the Q2 Stadium.

Seattle are unbeaten in three all-time visits to Austin (W2 D1), one of two teams (Colorado Rapids) to visit Austin three times without ever losing.

But Austin showed their powers of recovery once again in their victory over NYCFC. Having fallen behind in the fifth minute. However, it was the 14th time they have conceded the first goal in a game this season, tied with Inter Miami and Chicago Fire.  

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 39.4%

Draw – 26.6%

Seattle Sounders – 34.1%

Austin FC v Sporting Kansas City: Vermes urges players to take ‘accountability’

SKC sit 13th in the Western Conference after 13 matches in 2024, having won just two games.

Heading into a trip to Austin FC – who sit in sixth in the West – on Saturday, Kansas City are without a win in six games, and have lost four of their last five outings in MLS.

Speaking ahead of the game, Vermes said: “[Austin have] been strong defensively, they’re very clear on the way they want to play and they’re finding ways to get results. They’ve been defending well, as well.”

Asked what he could do to change the trend, Vermes replied: “There’s a lot of different things you can do. You can set expectations, maybe change training a little bit.

“There’s all kinds of things that you could do – in the end, it’s them, they’re playing, I’m not playing, they have to go do that. The only thing I have a bigger stick on is the accountability – if you’re not doing it, then somebody else will come on and do it.”

Austin have won three of their last four games, including holding out for a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo at home last time out.

“Positive energy brings positive things and let me say you were crucial in that particular moment of the game to help the team win,” said sporting director Rodolfo Borrell in an open letter to Austin’s fans.

“I thought the energy coming from all of you was phenomenal. It was a special moment, and I would like to personally thank you for that. This experience will definitely stick in my memory for a long time.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Sebastian Driussi

Driussi has scored in consecutive games, including netting the lone goal in Austin’s win over Houston on Wednesday. Driussi has scored in two or more straight games eight times since the start of the 2022 season.

Sporting Kansas City – Daniel Salloi

Salloi’s strike against Houston on Saturday was the fifth goal scored by Sporting Kansas City from outside the box this season, the most in MLS in 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION: AUSTIN WIN

After losing only two of their first nine matches this season (W2 D5), SCK have lost three straight in MLS play. This is Sporting’s first regular-season losing streak in over a year since a run of four straight defeats in April 2023.

Austin have won five of their last eight matches (D1 L2) after opening the season winless in five games (D2 L3). Since that run began in late March, Real Salt Lake (18 points) are the only Western Conference team with more points than Austin (16).

Austin have won four of their last five meetings with SKC (L1). Austin have won all three meetings between the teams at Q2 Stadium, scoring nine goals in those games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin – 45%

SKC – 27.4%

Draw – 27.6%

Austin FC v Vancouver Whitecaps: Wolff aims to build on boost from new signings

Austin added Mikkel Desler, Oleksandr Svatok and Osman Bukari, who scored in their 2-0 win over Nashville SC last time out, helping to snap a three-match winless streak.

It means they sit ninth in the Western Conference, though only have a one-point advantage over the two teams sitting just below them.

However, Wolff says he is excited to see how the team continues to grow in the second half of the season.

"The guys that we got in the summer have performed well and that helps create better overall performances for the team and creates competition in the group and I think it's helped us immensely," he said.

"We labored through 24 games, but I think you see a team now that's competing home and away and generating goals.

"We're coming into good form, but we need to maintain that."

Meanwhile, Vancouver sit three places and four points above their opponents, with their form on the road particularly eye-catching in MLS this season, going unbeaten in the last three.

They return to league action after an extended break due to their Canadian Championship semi-final, and head coach Vanni Sartini aims to get his team back up and running in the competition as soon as possible.

"We need to go there knowing that we need to make points because that's the only curse when you're doing well," he said.

"We want to stay in the high position. We've done well on the road this season, and we need to keep doing it by being smart."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Jon Gallagher

Jon Gallagher scored his 12th goal for Austin in their win over Nashville last time out.

Only Sebastian Driussi (43) and Diego Fagundez (15) have scored more in regular-season play for the Verde.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

Brian White has scored a goal in each of his last three regular season away matches.

White had a four-match road scoring streak in 2023 and could become the first Whitecaps player to score in four straight MLS road games more than once.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Vancouver have lost only one of their seven all-time meetings with Austin (winning four, drawing two), though Austin have managed draws in two of the last three meetings, including a scoreless match in Vancouver on May 4.

The Whitecaps are unbeaten in five straight road matches in all competitions (three wins, two draws) for the second time in 2024 (also in March-May). This is the first time since the club joined MLS in 2011 that they have had multiple five-match road unbeaten runs in a single year.

However, Austin have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 win over Nashville (lost one). Austin had managed just two wins in their previous 11 matches beforehand (three draws, six losses).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 30.8%

Draw – 25.1%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 44.1%

Austin mount comeback against Rapids, DC United win eight-goal thriller

The win required a major comeback after Lalas Abubakar put the Rapids ahead in the 19th minute and the hosts then doubled their advantage three minutes later with a Jonathan Lewis strike.

Austin pegged one back in the 28th minute when Ethan Finlay struck from just inside the area, and the sides went in all square at 2-2 when Sebastian Driussi equalised in first-half stoppage time.

The visitors thought they had completed their comeback in the 52nd minute, only for Maximiliano Urruti's goal to be ruled out, but that decision merely delayed the celebrations as Urriti scored again seven minutes later.

The turnaround continued a remarkable trend for Austin, who have now won two and drawn two of the five games in which they have trailed my multiple goals this season, losing just once.

They held out this time despite Kipp Keller's dismissal for a second yellow card in the 75th minute, after which Colorado dominated 81.4 per cent of the possession and hit the post through Michael Barrios but could not find an equaliser.

Elsewhere, the LA Galaxy pummelled CF Montreal 4-0 in an effective counter-attacking display.

Javier Hernandez opened the scoring for the Galaxy, Dejan Jovelic doubled the lead from the penalty spot, and Rayan Raveloson grabbed a second-half brace to complete the rout.

Inter Miami left it late to draw with FC Dallas, netting an 88th-minute equaliser through substitute Leonardo Campana, and there was also late drama in DC United's highly entertaining 5-3 win at Orlando City.

A hat-trick from Taxiarchis Fountas had DC 3-0 up early in the second half, yet an Orlando recovery meant Alexandre Pato's penalty cut that lead to 4-3 with 10 minutes to play.

Rather than collapse, though, United made sure of victory with a 96th-minute goal from Nigel Robertha.

Australia 0-0 Saudi Arabia: Visitors denied last-gasp winner on Renard's return

Sultan Al-Ghannam fired through a sea of bodies in the 94th minute of Thursday's Group C contest at AAMI Park, but the celebrations were cut short due to an offside infringement.

Referee Ali Saeed Al Naqbi had earlier irked the home side by awarding a 12th-minute penalty for an Ahmed Al-Kassar challenge on Mitch Duke, which was then overturned.

Replays showed the incident happened just outside the box, but Australia felt the Saudi keeper should have been sent off and not issued just a yellow card.

Joe Gauci pulled off a fine double save later in the first half, albeit the offside flag later went up, but it was Australia who did more to win the game prior to the late drama.

Brandon Borrello was played clean through on goal and opted to square to Riley McGree, who was unable to help the ball past covering defender Saud Abdulhamid in front of goal.

Data Debrief: Another blank for both sides

Australia entered this game without a goal against Saudi Arabia in 2,716 days - a run that will extend for a little while longer after this latest blank.

The Socceroos have failed to score in three of their five third-round qualifying games, while Saudi Arabia have gone three in a row without netting.

Tony Popovic's side will justifiably argue they did more to win the game, though, finishing with an expected goals value (xG) of 1.31 to Saudi Arabia's 0.05, but the teams remain locked on points in Group C.

Australia 0-1 Bahrain: Souttar own-goal downs 10-man Socceroos

The visitors were handed the advantage late on after Kusini Yengi's straight red card, with Souttar turning home Mahdi Al Humaidan's cross after a spell of pressure.

Australia were restricted to few opportunities in the first half, with Craig Goodwin and Yengi going close in quick succession just before the interval. 

Despite registering 69.3% of possession in the opening half, the hosts managed just five shots at Ebrahim Lutfallah's net, only one of which was on target.

Graham Arnold's side struggled to penetrate Bahrain's stern defensive shape, with their task made even more difficult when Yengi was given his marching orders for a high foot on Sayed Baqer.

And there would be a further twist in the tale as Al Humaidan drove to the byline before delivering into the area, with the outstretched knee of Souttar diverting it past Mat Ryan for Bahrain's first goal against the Socceroos in 18 years. 

It marked a nightmare start for Australia in the third round of the 2026 AFC World Cup qualifiers, with both Japan and Saudi Arabia to come. 

Data Debrief: Socceroos fail to jump into gear

Australia can only blame themselves for their defeat on home soil, generating an expected goals (xG) total of 0.79 from the 11 shots they registered in the encounter. 

They also managed 20 touches in the opposition's penalty area, compared to Bahrain's four, while also ending the contest with 71% possession. 

Bahrain, meanwhile, will count their lucky stars having only managed an xG of 0.07, managing just one shot on target from the three they attempted. 

Australia 3-1 China: Goodwin a hometown hero in Adelaide

Popovic replaced Graham Arnold in September and, despite seeing his team fall behind in Thursday's World Cup qualifier, was ultimately able to celebrate a convincing win.

Goodwin was playing in front of a hometown crowd in Adelaide and smashed in a long-range, left-footed strike to put Australia in front in the 53rd minute.

The 32-year-old had earlier crossed in for Lewis Miller to head home on the stroke of half-time.

Miller's goal cancelled out Xie Wenneng's 20th-minute opener for China.

Substitute Nishan Velupillay completed the scoring late on, marking his debut in style just nine minutes after coming on.

Data Debrief: Goodwin gets Australia going

Goodwin has had 12 shots at goal and created 27 scoring chances for Australia in 2024 – the only Socceroos player to have logged 10+ in both categories. 

Australia won from behind in World Cup qualifying for the first time since beating Syria in 2017, as they snapped a two-match scoreless run.

China, meanwhile, have lost their last four matches, conceding 13 goals in that run. They last lost four straight games in 2003.

Australia 3-1 Oman: Boyle in the bag as Socceroos star scores in record-setting win

The Hibernian forward got down to head in the crucial second goal for the Socceroos at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar, and he has now been directly involved in eight goals in his last eight internationals, scoring five times and providing three assists.

Australia snatched a ninth-minute lead when Awer Bul Mabil lashed home a left-footed strike.

Graham Arnold's side were then indebted to goalkeeper Mat Ryan who kept them ahead with two fine saves, but he was beaten in the 28th minute as Al Mandhar Al Alawi pulled Oman level, sidestepping Harry Souttar and thrashing a shot high into the right corner.

Australia regained the lead in the 49th minute when Adam Taggart's shot was only parried as far as Boyle, who was deadly from close range.

The hard-earned success was sealed when Mitchell Duke side-footed into the left corner late on.

It means Australia have three wins from three in the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying, having won eight from eight in the second round, the stage at which they began their campaign.

They become the first team to have won 11 games in a single World Cup qualifying campaign.

Australia have won 12 consecutive qualifiers in all, including the 3-1 play-off win over Honduras that took them to the 2018 World Cup.

Australia and New Zealand to host 2023 Women's World Cup

A combined bid from Football Federation Australia (FFA) and New Zealand Football (NZF) saw off competition from Colombia to be awarded the tournament at a FIFA Council vote.

Following the success of the 2019 World Cup in France, the next edition will increase in size as 32 nations are to be involved.

The Colombia Football Association had hoped to become the first South American country to stage a Women's World Cup. However, they received only 13 of 35 votes.

Instead it will be Australia and New Zealand who make history, as they will host the first World Cup held across two continental confederations (Asia and Oceania).

FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed the final verdict live on social media after congratulating both bids for their "remarkable work" during the process.

"FFA and NZF would like to thank the FIFA Council for their landmark decision, which will see the two countries host a tournament of firsts ─ the first ever co-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup, the first ever FIFA Women's World Cup to be held in the Asia-Pacific region, and the first ever to be held in the southern hemisphere," the FFA and NZF said in a statement after the announcement.

"A player-centric tournament, Australia-New Zealand promises to deliver record-breaking crowds and long-term participation growth, bringing football together 'As One' to celebrate the women's game.

"FFA and NZF would also like to thank the Australian and New Zealand governments, Matildas' and Football Ferns' fans and the entire football family who have supported the bid from the outset, as well as the bidding team who worked tirelessly to develop a bid that will unlock the untapped football potential of the Asia-Pacific region."

Brazil and Japan had also at one stage been in the running before dropping out.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said the current economic situation, fuelled by the coronavirus pandemic, was one of the reasons for its withdrawal.

Australia evacuates women footballers and athletes from Afghanistan

Many sportswomen in Afghanistan have gone into hiding after the Taliban seized control of the country's capital Kabul. 

Football's governing body FIFA contacted a number of governments last week to request help getting footballers out of the country and it has been reported at least 50 have made it to Australia.

"We are grateful to the Australian government for evacuating a large number of women footballers and athletes from Afghanistan," FIFPro, the international organisation for professional players, said in a statement.

"These young women, both as athletes and activists, have been in a position of danger and on behalf of their peers around the world we thank the international community for coming to their aid.

"There remains much work to do to support and settle these young women and we urge the international community to make sure that they receive all the help they need."

Former Afghanistan national team captain Khalida Popal hopes more players can be helped to escape the country.

"The last few days have been extremely stressful but today we have achieved an important victory," she said.

"The women footballers have been brave and strong in a moment of crisis and we hope they will have a better life outside Afghanistan.

"But there is still much more work to do. Women's football is a family and we must make sure everyone is safe."

FIFPro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann added: "It has been an incredibly complex process for everyone involved to secure their evacuation.

"Our hearts go out to all the others who remain stranded in the country against their will."

Australia friendly could have an impact on England’s preparations for Euro 2024

The PA news agency understands Tottenham will play Premier League rivals Newcastle at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 22.

Newcastle’s FA Cup exit last weekend opened the door for the Magpies to face Spurs in a post-season friendly, which will see the two clubs jet off for Australia immediately after their final league game of the season on May 19.

A decision on the squads taken Down Under will be made nearer to the time, but Southgate could see three players potentially in his Euro 2024 squad fly halfway across the world days before they link up on international duty.

Tottenham’s James Maddison and Newcastle attacker Anthony Gordon were named in the England squad for the March friendlies with Brazil and Belgium, while Kieran Trippier is a strong candidate to feature in this summer’s European Championships in Germany.

It is possible all three could jet off to Australia for the post-season friendly and days after they return to England they will be required to join Southgate’s squad for a training camp ahead of Euro 2024.

The Football Association has been approached for comment.

Australia keen to rearrange Test tour of South Africa

A three-Test tour that was scheduled to start this month was pulled due to "an unacceptable level of health and safety risk to players, support staff and the community," according to Cricket Australia (CA), amid fears over a new variant of COVID-19.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) responded by seeking redress from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for costs incurred in preparation for Australia's visit.

Speaking on Tuesday, CA interim chief executive Nick Hockley told the Nine Network he was keen to see the matches rearranged as a means of mending relations with his South African counterparts.

"We would like to reschedule it as soon as possible, providing it is safe to do so, and there is time available in the calendar," he said, with Australia having also withdrawn from trips to Bangladesh, New Zealand and Zimbabwe during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Now, that's not a simple task. Through the pandemic and quarantine periods there is a lot of cricket that has been rescheduled.

"But we’re right in the middle of constructive discussions and hopefully those discussions will be resolved soon."

Should the series take place, Australia will play their first Test matches in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that led to then-captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft serving bans from cricket.

South Africa won the series 3-1.

Australia reignited my passion for football – Western United's Diamanti to stay in A-League

Diamanti joined A-League newcomers Western United on a one-year marquee deal in July and the 37-year-old was a class above prior to the season being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The former West Ham, Bologna and Atalanta attacker – who arrived from Serie B side Livorno – scored five goals and supplied seven assists in 19 appearances in 2019-20.

Despite Diamanti's exploits for Western United, the veteran's future remains uncertain with his contract expiring.

But back in love with football thanks to Australia, Diamanti told Stats Perform: "Virus or no virus, I would have kept playing anyway. For sure I will still be playing football as long as I feel physically and psychologically like this, being able to offer great performances and loving to train everyday.

"Then to be honest, to come here gave me back that lightness and that passion you always tend to lose in Europe. I will stay here in Australia next season."

Diamanti added: "Football is the same everywhere. Then of course there are different cultural ways to let football grow and this may change from country to country.

"According to me here football is at a good level. There are interesting players and many talented youngsters who have improvement margins ahead. There are foreigners who have played abroad at high levels. Here it is physical, a lot, and very competitive. At the same time it is very cheerful, something the rest of the world [of football] should be too."

Diamanti was handed the armband at the A-League's newest club, a rare opportunity to lead a team from their inauguration.

"Maybe I accepted Australia for this idea," Diamanti said. "At the beginning of the season I met the owners of my club and they told me they wanted to start off this new club adventure with me at the heart of the project.

"They made me captain and asked me to help this club to improve. They gave me responsibilities and I have always got along well with responsibilities. I liked it a lot to be winning as a captain the first game of a newborn club. It is nice."

Western United – coached by Mark Rudan – were sixth after their 20 matches when the league was halted due to COVID-19.

The club occupied the remaining finals position on goal difference, ahead of Adelaide United.

"We started the season very well than, as it may happen, we had a slump in form due to injuries and some players who left," said Diamanti.

"We struggled a bit in the central part of the season but in the last two or three games we were back to our standard levels and we were aiming at the playoff to have our say.️"

Australian Open: 'F***', it was like a zoo' – Kyrgios reacts to Ronaldo copycat chants

Cries of 'siuu' could be heard throughout much of the home favourite's straight-sets victory over Liam Broady, his first match since a Laver Cup defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas in September.

The shouts were apparently mimicking Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo's famous goal celebration.

There were similar incidents during Andy Murray's battling five-set win over Nikoloz Basilashvili, as the five-time finalist won his first match at the Melbourne major since 2017.

The raucous crowds caused confusion as many observers wondered if Murray and Kyrgios were being booed on court, despite each player also enjoying huge support.

Kyrgios later explained he was not surprised to hear the noise from the stands but was taken aback by how long they persisted.

"It's just a stupid, f***, I can't believe they did it so much," he said after his 6-4 6-4 6-3 victory on John Cain Arena. "They were doing some Ronaldo thing. Ronaldo does it every time he scores.

"It's like... I thought they were going to do it for like 10 minutes. They did it for two and a half hours, like, every point. I don't know why. It was a zoo out there."

Murray had wondered if the crowd was turning on him during his epic 6-1 3-6 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 victory because he had been targeted during his practice session on Monday.

"Initially, I thought it was [booing] because there were some people booing during my practice yesterday," he said. "I have no idea what for! 

"But then, after a few times, it was like, no, they're doing that, I think it's like 'Siuu' or something that Ronaldo does when he scores. And, yeah, it was incredibly irritating!"

Kyrgios produced some superb if often unorthodox tennis as he booked a second-round clash with world number two Daniil Medvedev, who is the highest-ranked male in the draw following the refusal to allow Novak Djokovic to compete.

The 26-year-old would like to return to John Cain to aid his chances of improving his record against the Russian to 3-0.

"It's going to be a hell of an experience for me," he said. "He's probably 'the' best player in the world at the moment. So I'm pretty excited, I'm excited for that moment. That's why I play the game.

"I feel like those matches still excite me, to go out there and play the best in the world. That was always something I wanted to prove to people that someone like me could do, win those matches.

"I'm not going to go into it with a lot of expectation. I'm going to go out there, have some fun, play my game. I have a pretty set-in-stone game plan of what I need to do to have success.

"As I said, he's probably the best player in the world, he does everything extremely well. He's a hard worker, ticks all the boxes. I'm not going to even think about that now. To play it on John Cain would be – I'm just going to call it the Kyrgios Court – would be fun."

Austria opener 'not decisive' for France as Deschamps highlights Argentina example

France are seen as one of the favourites to win the tournament in Germany, having reached the final at three of their last four major competitions, finishing as runners-up at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup either side of winning the 2018 World Cup.

The Netherlands and Poland are also present in their tricky group, with Ronald Koeman's Oranje getting off the mark with a 2-1 win when those sides met on Sunday.

Though Deschamps is keen to see France match that fast start, their experience at the Qatar World Cup proved it is not a necessity.

A Kylian Mbappe hat-trick in the final of that tournament was not enough to prevent France from losing to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina, who had opened their campaign with a stunning 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.

"The first match is very important, but not decisive," Deschamps said on Sunday. "Starting with a win… there is nothing better, Austria will think the same.

"Negotiating this first match well would put us in a good position, but there is no one way to do it, look at Argentina!

"This is the competition, we made sure with all the staff that they had all the information. The common trait between all the matches is that the intensity is very high. 

"Austria have this strength, they use verticality well. We will have to be ready to get the result we want."

France's Euro 2024 preparations have been overshadowed by political events in the country, with forwards Marcus Thuram and Mbappe both choosing to speak out ahead of parliamentary elections to take place in the coming weeks.

With Marine Le Pen's National Rally party expected to fare well, Thuram said the situation was "sad". 

Mbappe, meanwhile, used Sunday's pre-match press conference to say: "I hope we'll still be proud to wear this jersey on July 7."

Deschamps is not concerned about such matters distracting his players and never considered advising them against airing their views. 

"I consider that my intervention would be inappropriate. I could have said, 'given the situation, guys, focus on the sport', as if I forbade them to speak," he said.

"I didn't. They are men, French citizens, with their own sensitivities. When they are on the pitch, they are focused on the sporting objectives, but not disconnected from what can happen."

Austria tournament good opportunity for local Reggae Boyz' - claims interim coach Gordon

The national team, who has already settled in Vienna, will play in fixtures against World Cup-bound teams Qatar and Morocco over the next few days.  Originally, the team also had a match scheduled against Ghana but the fixture was cancelled after the African team failed to arrive at the tournament on time.

 With matches falling outside of the FIFA international friendly window, the team will be without its first team players.  As a result, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has called up a majority squad based in Jamaica, with many of them playing in the island’s premier football league.

Gordon, who has taken charge of the team on a temporary basis, believes the inexperienced unit will benefit greatly from the competition.

“The most important thing is for the boys to go out there and do the best they can.  I said to the Boyz, don’t just come here because you were called.  Your talent brought you here, you need to prove to the world that you belong here,” Gordon told members of the media on Friday.

“In a competition like this where you have three teams that are going to the World Cup and we are going to play them with some boys that are just being exposed to international football, I think that’s a good thing.”

 

 

 

 

 

Authorities in Turkey say attack on referee should be ‘milestone’ for change

Referee Halil Umut Meler was approached on the pitch and hit by the president of MKE Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca, after a stoppage-time equaliser for their Turkish Super Lig opponents Caykur Rizespor.

Players and officials joined the melee or tried to intervene, and it has since been confirmed that Meler suffered a broken bone as a result of the attack.

Meler, who has officiated in UEFA matches in the past, including West Ham’s Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against AZ Alkmaar last season, was visited in hospital by the country’s interior minister and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) president Mehmet Buyukeksi in Ankara on Tuesday.

The TFF has suspended all domestic football indefinitely following the attack.

Buyukeksi said Meler was set to be discharged on Wednesday, but insisted Monday’s horrific events had to be a “milestone” that led to fundamental change.

“This sad event should definitely not be forgotten,” Buyukeksi said in quotes reported on the TFF’s X account.

“This should be a milestone. Today we will have important meetings. With our minister of youth and sports, with our minister of internal affairs, our minister of justice and our board of directors.

“We will provide detailed information after tomorrow’s board meeting.

“In this meeting, we will discuss all the issues clearly. We will give detailed information about the decisions we will make about how the league will continue.

“Let’s underline again – we strongly condemn the incident on behalf of the Turkish Football Federation board of directors and myself. This incident happened, but we cannot accept it being back to its old state in two weeks.”

Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya was reported as saying by the TFF’s X account: “Our wish, together with our dear nation, is that there will be no violence of any kind in sports again.

“Sport is about unity, solidarity and brotherhood. When we don’t like a decision, do we have to suddenly turn into something else?

“I condemn it again. The matter is now in court. The court process continues. We believe in justice.”

In October Turkey was awarded joint hosting rights for Euro 2032 alongside Italy.

Buyukeksi said he had already received assurances from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin that Monday’s incident had not jeopardised that project.

“There is no negativity. President Ceferin called and said, ‘We are with you, we are ready to do whatever is necessary’,” Buyukeksi added.

“Please let us not misinform the public. Our goal is to ensure that football is played properly in Turkey and to continue as quickly as possible without any problems.

“But right now, our referee is important, the mental health of our referees is important. Other issues are not important. That is why we are here. We will make the necessary statements later.”

Buyukeksi had earlier said the matter was now in the hands of the police.

Turkish media reported that Koca had also been taken to hospital, where he was under guard and expected to be detained following treatment.

Authorities investigate El Salvador stadium crush with at least 12 people dead

Dozens more fans were injured during Saturday’s incident at the Primera Division play-off quarter-final second leg between Alianza and FAS at the Cuscatlan Stadium in the country’s capital.

The match was suspended and a statement from the press office of El Salvador president Nayib Bukele later confirmed that at least 12 people had died.

President Bukele promised that an “exhaustive investigation” would be conducted into what happened at the stadium.

He added on Twitter: “Everyone will be investigated: teams, directors, stadium, ticket office, league, federation, etc…

“Whoever the culprits are, they will not go unpunished.”

National Civil Police general commissioner Mauricio Arriaza Chicas said the police would work alongside the Republic’s attorney general’s office to hold those responsible for the disaster to account.

Arriaza Chicas said on Twitter: “We regret this incident in which there are deaths. As a police institution we announce that together with the @FGR_SV we are going to get down to the last details of a criminal investigation into tonight’s incident.”

Attorney general Rodolfo Delgado tweeted: “What has happened this day at the Cuscatlan Stadium is a tragedy for everyone. My condolences to the Salvadoran fans. @FGR_SV and @PNCSV they are executing the necessary procedures to deduce responsibilities.”

Video footage of the match on YouTube shows the game being suspended after panic in one of the stands and the injured are later seen being carried away by emergency services on stretchers.

Francisco Alabi, the minister of health, said on Twitter in the hours after the incident: “At the moment, as an integrated health system, we are caring for around 90 people after what happened at the stadium.

“The patients are both women and men, including minors, and who mostly have been treated for multiple injuries.

“The majority of them are in a stable condition and at the moment we have had no reports of deaths from hospitals.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino sent his condolences to the victims of the tragedy and the world governing body confirmed there would be a minute’s silence before Sunday’s matches at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.

Infantino said in a statement on www.fifa.com: “I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives after the tragic incidents that have taken place in El Salvador during the match between Alianza FC and Club Deportivo FAS.

“Together with FIFA and the global football community, all our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected, as well as with the people of the Republic of El Salvador, the Concacaf Confederation, the Salvadoran Football Association, and the Primera Divison de Futbol de El Salvador, at this difficult time.”

The Salvadoran Soccer Federation said that all national level football matches on Sunday would be suspended.