Lots of Americans pouring tribute to Maradona.
WHAT THE F -
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Lots of Americans pouring tribute to Madonna.
Former Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella dies aged 66
A tricky winger who also played in midfield, Sabella shot to fame at River Plate in the 1970s and earned a transfer to Sheffield United, becoming one of the first South American players to feature in the English league.
Alejandro Sabella, the coach who took Argentina to the World Cup final in 2014, has died aged 66 after years of battling with cancer and heart problems.
Sabellas death came less than two weeks after the passing of Diego Maradona, who played with Sabella for the Argentine national side in the 1980s.
Maradona died from a heart attack in Buenos Aires on Nov. 25, aged 60.
The hospital where Sabella had spent the last couple of weeks said he died from the consequences of a secondary dilated cardiomyopathy and long time cardiotoxicity.
Another harsh blow for football in this dark 2020: the beloved Alejandro Sabella has departed, said his team mate, former goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol. An exquisite player, a winning coach who took us to the World Cup final, and a great person.
A tricky winger who also played in midfield, Sabella shot to fame at River Plate in the 1970s and earned a transfer to Sheffield United, becoming one of the first South American players to feature in the English league.
His time in Sheffield was short but Sabella was, along with international team mates Osvaldo Ardiles, Ricardo Villa and Alberto Tarantini, one of several Argentines whose arrival in the UK after their 1978 World Cup triumph brought a touch of glamour to the English game.
His two years in Sheffield were followed by a short spell at Leeds United before he returned to Estudiantes in 1982.
It was at the Argentine club that he became a manager in 2009, leading the provincial side with Juan Sebastian Veron in midfield to their fourth Copa Libertadores title.
Sabella's success there led to a position as coach of the national team in 2011.
After losing 1-0 to Germany after extra time in the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, Sabella retired and, increasingly beset by health problems, never returned to the sidelines.
Real Kashmir lift IFA Shield Cup to win their maiden silverware
Real Kashmir won the 123rd IFA Shield Cup by beating George Telegraph 2-1 in the summit clash in Kolkata on Saturday. Lukman Adefemi and skipper Mason Robertson were the goalscorers.
Real Kashmir FC clinched their maiden major trophy by lifting the IFA Shield after beating George Telegraph 2-1 in the summit clash here on Saturday, though the 127-year-old tournament was held without some of the countrys top sides.
In fact, in recent years, most of the top clubs have not taken part. This year, four I-League teams and eight Calcutta Premier League sides took part. Besides RKFC, Mohammedan Sporting, Gokulam Kerala and Indian Arrows were the other I-League sides.
Fresh from a hat-trick against Mohammedan Sporting in the semifinals, Nigerian forward Lukman Adefemi broke the deadlock (38th minute) from a penalty but the Georgians restored parity in the second half with a terrific solo run by substitute Gautam Das (50th).
But 10 minutes later, skipper Mason Robertson snatched the lead for the Snow Leopards with a towering header.
There was more drama in store at the Saltlake Stadium as the Real Kashmir captain conceded a penalty in the 80th minute when he brought down Vivek Singh inside the box.
But, Real Kashmir goalkeeper Mithun Samanta turned out to be their hero, diving it to perfection to deny Tanmoy Ghoshs spotkick. Samanta was brilliant under the bar and it was his second save of the day to be awarded the Man-of-the-Match.
കേരള യുണൈറ്റഡ് കളത്തിലേക്ക്*
ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് പ്രീമിയർ ലീഗിലെ ഷെഫീൽഡ് യുണൈറ്റഡ് ക്ലബ് ഉൾപ്പെടുന്ന യൂണൈറ്റഡ് വേൾഡ് ഗ്രൂപ്പിന്റെ ഇന്ത്യയിലെ ആദ്യ ക്ലബ്ബായ കേരള യുണൈറ്റഡ് എഫ്സി (കെയുഎഫ്സി) കളിക്കളത്തിലേക്ക്. ടീമിന്റെ പരിശീലനം ഏഴിന് എടവണ്ണ സീതിഹാജി സ്റ്റേഡിയത്തിൽ ആരംഭിക്കും. ഈ സീസണിൽ കേരള പ്രീമിയർ ലീഗിനാണ്* ടീമിന്റെ തയ്യാറെടുപ്പ്. തുടർന്ന് ഐ ലീഗും ഐഎസ്എലുമാണ് ലക്ഷ്യമെന്ന്* ടീം സിഇഒ ഷബീർ മണ്ണാരിൽ വാർത്താസമ്മേളനത്തിൽ പറഞ്ഞു.
ഗോകുലം കേരള എഫ്സിയുടെയും കേരള ബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്*സ് ടീമിന്റെയും മുൻ താരമായ അർജുൻ ജയരാജ് ആണ്* ടീം ക്യാപ്*റ്റൻ. ഗോകുലം എഫ്*സി റിസർവ്* ടീമിന്റെ കോച്ചായിരുന്ന ഷാജറുദീൻ കോപ്പിലാൻ ആണ് പരിശീലകൻ. താമസിയാതെ വിദേശകോച്ച്* എത്തും. കോഴിക്കോട് ക്വാർട്*സ് എഫ്സിയെ ഏറ്റെടുത്താണ് കേരള യുണൈറ്റഡ് രൂപീകരിച്ചത്. എടവണ്ണ സ്റ്റേഡിയമാണ് യുണൈറ്റഡിന്റെ ഹോം ഗ്രൗണ്ട്. വേഴാമ്പൽ ആണ് ലോഗോ.
കെയുഎഫ്സി മലയാളി താരങ്ങൾക്ക്* കൂടുതൽ പരിഗണന നൽകും. കളിക്കാരിൽ കൂടുതലും 20 വയസ്സിന് താഴേയുള്ളവരാണ്.
ജനീവ കേന്ദ്രമായി പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്ന സ്*പോർട്*സ് മാനേജ്*മെന്റ് ഗ്രൂപ്പാണ് യുണൈറ്റഡ് വേൾഡ് ഗ്രൂപ്പ്. കേരള യുണൈറ്റഡിന് പുറമെ ഷെഫീൽഡ് യൂണൈറ്റഡ്, ബെൽജിയം പ്രോ പ്രീമിയർ ലീഗ് ടീമായ ബീർഷോട്ട് വിഎ, ദുബായ്* രണ്ടാം ഡിവിഷൻ ടീം അൽഹിലാൽ യുണൈറ്റഡ് തുടങ്ങിയ ടീമുകളുണ്ട്. ഈ നാലു ക്ലബ്ബുകൾ തമ്മിൽ സാങ്കേതിക വിവരം കൈമാറാൻ ധാരണയുണ്ട്*.
മിസോറം താരങ്ങളായ ലാൽതാൻകുമ, ഇസാഖ് വാൻലാൽപേക, ഛത്തീസ്ഗഢിലെ സുരേഷ്*കുമാർ, ഘാന താരം സ്റ്റീഫൻ അബീകു, കേരള ബ്ലാസ്*റ്റേഴ്*സ് താരം ഋഷിദത്, മുൻ ഹൈദരാബാദ് എഫ്*സി താരം ഫഹീം അലി, മുഹമ്മദ് ഷഫീർ, ബുജൈർ തുടങ്ങിയ താരങ്ങളും ടീമിന്റെ ഭാഗമായി കഴിഞ്ഞു.
Sheffield Calicut Quartz new owner, Kerala United name
English Premier League Club Sheffield United have taken over Kozhikode-based I-League Second Division side Calicut Quartz and rebranded it as Kerala United FC.
English Premier League Club Sheffield United have taken over Kozhikode-based I-League Second Division side Calicut Quartz and rebranded it as Kerala United FC.United World Group, the umbrella firm holding Sheffield, said in a statement that it envisages to make Kerala United a competitive, community-focused football club playing at the highest level possible in Indian football.
Kerala is known to be the heart of Indian football and when it comes to passion and support, no fan base in India comes close to their love for the beautiful game. Our focus will be on cementing and strengthening the foundations of the club, building an academy and developing homegrown players, said United World Group CEO Abdullah Al-Ghamdi.
The club unveiled its logo, the great hornbill which is also the states official bird.Sheffield United is owned by Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Musaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who also has stakes in Al Hilal United Club of the UAE, Beerschot VA of Belgium and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia. Kerala United will be led operationally by local managers in alignment with the philosophy and vision of the United Group, the statement said.
P Haridas, who owned Calicut Quartz FC and is also the president of the Kozhikode District Football Association, said a Premier League club coming to the state will bring major changes to Kerala football.
Company director Akshay Das P said: Were looking for an overall development in the state, especially in Malabar.
Established in 1976, Quartz FC remained an amateur club till 2011. The club played in I-League Second Division in 2012. They finished as runners-up in the 2018 Kerala Premier League.
Kerala United FC: Calicut club renamed after United World Group takeover
The parent company of Premier League outfit Sheffield United officially announced the takeover of Quartz FC on Friday.
United World Group, the owners of Premier League club Sheffield United, have recently announced the takeover of an India-based club. Calicut Quartz FC, who used to play in the 2nd Division League have been rebranded as Kerala United FC, after the Group bought 100% shares of the club.
Owned by Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, the group is based in Geneva, Switzerland and are a chain of sports clubs around Europe and Asia. Apart from Sheffield United, they own Belgian Pro League club Beerschot and Dubai-based UAE second division club Al-Hilal United. Kerala United FC will be the fourth club in their roster. Their philosophy includes youth development and entertaining fans, on and off the pitch.Sheffield United @keralaUnitedFC
United World continues to grow. pic.twitter.com/Gi25P7vpZ0
Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 20, 2020
Now a sister concern, Sheffield United posted a welcome message for Kerala United FC on their social media
Passion for the game and the mass volume of spectators are the important aspects which attracted them to this takeover, stated United World in an official press release. They aspire to make Kerala United a dominant force in Indian football in the future, with added focus on professionalism. Our vision is to make Kerala United a competitive, community-based football club playing at the highest level of Indian football. Through hard work, commitment and unrivaled support from our fans, we are confident of achieving great things. Our focus will be on cementing and strengthening the foundation of the club, building an academy and developing home grown players, quoted United World Group CEO Al-Ghamdi.
Mesut Ozil gives his opinion on Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate
Mesut Ozil has answered a number of questions asked by his followers on social media, with one of the main talking points being his opinion on who is best out of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Ozil was quick to talk about the two players differences, but he backed his ex-Real Madrid teammate.
"Messi has proven to be one of the best in Spain, but Cristiano was the best in every country he has played in," Ozil commented.Messi has proven himself to be one of the best ever in Spain, but Ronaldo was always the best in every country he's played in! https://t.co/OfsWqNLedMOzil was also asked about Sergio Ramos and whether he is the best defender in the world.
? Mesut zil (@MesutOzil1088 January 11, 2021
"He has been world class for over a decade and has become a great leader. His ambition and desire to win is amazing, and I would say he is the best defender of my generation," Ozil stated.