Arsenal beat Tottenham to stay atop English Premier League table

Arsenal ‘had to make decision’ on Smith Rowe injury – Arteta

Oct 1 (Reuters) – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Emile Smith Rowe’s demands for a decision on a treatment plan for a troublesome groin injury prompted the Premier League club to send the midfielder for surgery, which is expected to keep him out until December. The 22-year-old, who had a breakout campaign last season with...

Haaland injury-free after working with City physios – Guardiola

Oct 1 (Reuters) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland has overcome injury issues that have hampered him in recent seasons and defended the Premier League club’s decision to send a physiotherapist along with the striker on international duty. Haaland, who joined City from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, struggled with a hip flexor...

Bula Boys finish third

A goal in the 90th minute by Christopher Wasasala ensured Fiji a third place finish at the Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Ministers Cup with a 1-nil win over the Solomon Islands in Vanuatu yesterday. Just when it looked like the bronze medal match was heading into extra-time, Wasasala capitalised on a free kick by Muni...

IDC live on PPV television

Good news for football fans as the 2022 Courts Inter District Championship will be live on television. The Fiji Football Association confirmed all 22 games played at the HFC Bank Stadium will be shown live on FBC TV’s Pop-up channel on the Walesi platform. Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf confirms they have agreed...

Ba football suspends five players

The Ba Football Association has suspended five players from the team, four days out from the Courts Inter District Championship. “The following players have been suspended until their case is heard: Malakai Tiwa, Narend Rao, Misiwane Nairube, Savenaca Nakalevu and Shaneel Narayan,” stated Ba FA on its official Facebook page. “We highly promote discipline amongst...

Deans sellout

The Super Deans Championship semi-finals today at Prince Charles Park in Nadi is heading for a sellout. Thus the call from Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union general secretary Waisake Tuicakau for patrons to make their way early to the Jetset Town park to avoid disappointment. “Prince Charles Park will be full,” Tuicakau said. “As of...

Winston Reid turned down chance to finish career at Wellington Phoenix

All Whites legend Winston Reid turned down the chance to finish his illustrious career with Wellington Phoenix as he was reluctant to uproot his family and move home to New Zealand. After calling time on his 12-year international career, the former Premier League defender left the door ajar for a possible return to the professional...

Malta coach Mangia denies improper conduct claims

VALLETTA (Reuters) – Malta’s Italian coach Devis Mangia denied on Thursday improper conduct claims which led to his suspension by the country’s Football Association (FA). The FA suspended Mangia on Tuesday and subsequently ordered an internal review to investigate the allegations. Neither the FA nor Mangia have given any details about the accusations, but Maltese...

Grealish says his best is yet to come at Manchester City

(Reuters) – Manchester City playmaker Jack Grealish said he is “nowhere near” full fitness as he continues his recovery from a groin injury but is confident fans will see the best of him when he returns to the side. Grealish picked up the problem in August and has been limited to six appearances in all...

LaLiga resumes with host of injuries after international break

(Reuters) – International duty was not kind to LaLiga sides as several key players reported back to their teams nursing injuries that will affect their availability for the weekend and beyond. Barcelona had arguably the worst of them with defender Ronald Araujo having surgery on his right thigh after suffering a tendon injury on Friday...

Qatar confirms COVID test requirements for World Cup fans

(Reuters) – Fans attending the World Cup in Qatar must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test regardless of their vaccination status, organisers said in a statement on Thursday. All visitors aged six and over must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours before their departure or from a rapid...

England women to face Japan, Norway in November friendlies

(Reuters) – European champions England will round off a memorable year with friendlies against Japan and Norway in Spain in November, the women’s national team announced on Thursday. Sarina Wiegman’s side, who won the Euros at home in July for their first major trophy, are also due to host world champions United States and the...

Arsenal’s Smith Rowe sidelined until December after groin surgery

LONDON (Reuters) – Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has undergone surgery on a troublesome groin injury and will not return to training until at least December, the Premier League leaders said on Thursday. The 22-year-old, who had a breakout campaign last season with 10 league goals, has had limited game time this season with only...

Mata stars in win

Nadroga Arya College defeated Tavua College 1-0 in the opening round of the Digicel Fiji Secondary Schools Football Association Inter District Championship at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday. Joana Mata proved to be the star scoring winner in the first half. Nadroga Arya College coach Ranbhir Singh said they made a bright start in the...

Schools turn up ahead of match schedule; FSSFA impressed with teams’ enthusiasm

The Fiji Secondary Schools Football Association (FSSFA) has been impressed with the enthusiasm of the teams participating in its annual championship in Lautoka. FSSFA president Aminesh Ram said it was after two years that they staged the tournament because of COVID-19. He said the teams were so eager to play that they turned up before...

Fiji FA issues stern warning

Football players who plan to feature in tournaments other than ones involving their district could face suspension if they do not obtain clearance first, warns Fiji Football Association CEO Mohammed Yusuf. He issued a stern warning to players who were thinking of doing so in the upcoming Courts Inter District Championship. Yusuf’s warning came in...

Northerners enjoy FTU sports day

The Fiji Teachers Union Northern zonal sports meet was organized by its Savusavu branch at Ratu Ganilau Park last Saturday. FTU members from Labasa, Savusavu, Bua, Taveuni, Seaqaqa, Nadogo and Dreketi converged in the Hidden Paradise to take part in the zonal sports meet. According to assistant secretary Sean Sagar Nair, the month long preparation...

Natabua eyes schools IDC silverwear

When the Fiji Secondary School’s Inter District Championship (IDC) kicks off at Lautoka’s Churchill Park today, the Natabua High School under-19 team will be playing with a mentality to win the tournament. Team coach and schoolteacher Inoke Namataga said the competition was the pinnacle of Fiji secondary school’s football competition. “We know that all districts...

PNG downs Bula Boys

The Digicel Fiji football side went down to Papua New Guinea 1-nil in the semi-final of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Minister’s Cup in Vanuatu yesterday. PNG scored the lone goal of the match in the first spell. Roy Krishna and Christopher Wasasala tried hard in the second spell but failed to find the equaliser....

Spain will play Portugal like it’s a final, says Luis Enrique

By Fernando Kallas BRAGA (Reuters) – Spain manager Luis Enrique said his full-strength side will be totally focused when they visit Portugal in the League A-Group 2 decider on Tuesday for a place in the Nations League final four. With the World Cup less than two months away, the Spain coach said no Monday that...

Lozano’s late strike gives Mexico victory over Peru

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA (Reuters) – A late goal from winger Hirving Lozano secured a 1-0 win for World Cup-bound Mexico over Peru in an international friendly at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday. In a game of few chances, Lozano, who plays for Napoli in Serie A, broke the deadlock in the 85th minute with...

Football