International Football
SENEGAL CAN MATCH BRAZIL, COACH CISSE INSISTS
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse insisted yesterday that there is “nothing at stake” in today’s friendly against five-time world champions Brazil.
But the Senegalese appear serious enough about the clash to plot an unscheduled training session at Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday, just hours after arriving in Singapore from Paris.
And despite his words to the contrary, Cisse, 43, has nothing but victory in sight, telling a pre-match press conference: “What’s important is to come out of the game victorious.”
While some would rate the Lions of Teranga as the underdogs in
tonight’s game at the National Stadium, the former Paris Saint-Germain and
Birmingham defensive midfielder is confident his men will be able to hold their
own against the likes of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho.
He explained: “Their strength is in attacking together and defending together. It is important to play our own game and to our talent.”
While world No. 20 Senegal may boast names such as Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye of PSG, Sadio Mane, who joined Liverpool for £34 million (S$57.3 million) in 2016 to briefly become Africa’s most expensive player, is undoubtedly the team’s biggest star.
Cue the chants of “Mane, Mane” from Liverpool fans gathered at Swissotel the Stamford to catch a glimpse of the 27-year-old star as he boarded the team bus for a training session at Bukit Gombak Stadium yesterday evening.
The roar of the 50 fans even attracted the attention of two curious Hong Kong tourists, who wandered in and wondered aloud in Cantonese who the football squad walking through the lobby were.
But despite his status, Mane, with a black-and-green snapback perched on his head, was relaxed as he fielded questions at the press conference.
And he is looking forward to facing Liverpool teammates Roberto Firmino and Fabinho on the pitch.
“Brazil are one of the best teams in the world and I’m always talking with Fabinho about it before the game,” said the soft-spoken player.
“I say, ‘Listen, we’re going to win 4-0’,” he added with a grin. “I love to win, to play against Brazil and win is a big thing for me, my teammates and my country, and I’ll try to get a positive result.”
Having netted 50 goals in 100 appearances for his club and 19 for his country, he has received accolades from Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who recently voted for Mane as the best player in the world.
“Wow, what a compliment, I wish, I wish,” said the Senegalese, when asked about the vote. “I take it as a compliment, try to do my best and never give up.”
After leading the team to a runners-up finish at the Africa Cup of Nations in July, Cisse is aiming for his talented side to go further at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and better Senegal’s best finish of a top-eight placing in 2002.
He had captained the 2002 squad that stunned France 1-0 in the group stage before losing 1-0 to Turkey in the quarter-finals.
When asked to compare the 2002 team with his current side, he said: “We can’t compare the two generations because the mentality, approach are different.
“In terms of results, I can say the 2002 generation is a little bit better because we reached the quarter-finals. If they want to be better than us, they must reach the semi-finals.”
Mane certainly got his coach’s message yesterday, as he leaned in, gave a knowing smile and nodded.
-The Sraits Times
Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
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International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
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International Football
Iran Conflict Casts Uncertainty Over Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament Opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may face fresh uncertainty ahead of their scheduled participation in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, following reports that Iran — their intended first opponents — is now at war after attacks by the United States and Israel.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles would compete in the mini-tournament during the FIFA Men’s International Window in March 2026. The competition is slated to run from March 27 to 31 in the Jordanian capital.
Under the original fixture schedule, Nigeria were due to open the tournament on Friday, March 27 against Iran’s senior national team at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium. Hosts Jordan were set to face Costa Rica the same day at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
However, the escalating military confrontation involving Iran has cast serious doubt over the participation of the Iranian national team and the viability of the opening fixture.
While tournament organisers in Jordan have yet to issue an official statement regarding possible changes, the developing security situation is expected to force urgent consultations between the participating federations, tournament organisers and FIFA.
The competition was designed to provide competitive match exposure during a window initially reserved for the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s inclusion in the tournament had already generated debate at home, with observers questioning whether the NFF’s commitment signalled a shift in focus away from potential qualification disputes.
The new geopolitical crisis further complicates matters. International conflicts often trigger travel restrictions, airspace closures and security advisories that can directly affect national teams’ ability to assemble and travel.
Should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate, organisers may be compelled to seek a replacement team or adjust the fixture format entirely.
Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Jordan on March 31 in their second match of the tournament, while Costa Rica and Iran were originally billed to meet the same day at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Kick-off times for the four fixtures had yet to be officially announced before the outbreak of hostilities.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build cohesion and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive engagements. Now, attention will turn to whether the event can proceed as planned — and whether Nigeria’s opening match will require a late reshuffle.
The NFF is expected to monitor developments closely and may issue further clarification in the coming days as the regional and international situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. But the Iranians have dismissed the claim, saying that the leader is ‘firmly commanding the field’. Both Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump says action will give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Hits were reported in Israel and Gulf states as Iran retaliated. The attack has triggered fear and panics as as Iranians flee cities.
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