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Football: Five teams to watch at the Asian Cup

Football: Five teams to watch at the Asian Cup

ABU DHABI (AFP) - The football may not be of the quality expected at the Euros, but there is always something compelling about watching national teams duke it out for their continental crown. Here is a look at the five leading contenders for football's Asian Cup, which starts in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday (Jan 5):

Australia


The Socceroos won the biggest title in their history at the last Asian Cup in 2015, where they edged South Korea after extra time to win a thrilling final in Sydney. It provided further vindication for their switch from Oceania to the Asian confederation in 2006, since when they have never failed to qualify for the World Cup.
However, Australia's star has dimmed in recent times, and after reaching Russia 2018 via the play-offs they exited without a win, scoring only twice in their three group games. New coach Graham Arnold must fill the void left by retired record scorer Tim Cahill, and get the goals flowing again, if the Socceroos are to keep the trophy in Australian hands.

Iran


Asia's top-ranked team won credit at last year's World Cup, where they were edged 1-0 by Spain and finished 1-1 against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, before exiting at the group stage. However, they will want to go home with more than just praise at the Asian Cup, a tournament where success has eluded them since their run of three straight titles ended in 1976.
Ex-Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz, also a former assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, has forged a formidable unit which was unbeaten in World Cup qualifying, strolling into the Asian Cup along the way.
Last time around, Iran went out on penalties to arch-rivals Iraq in a pulsating quarter-final which featured four goals in extra-time and a contentious second yellow card for simulation to Iranian defender Mehrdad Pooladi. Similar fireworks can be expected when the two teams meet for their final Group D game on Jan 16.

Japan


Japan go into the Asian Cup chasing a record-extending fifth title and in a rich vein of form. The Samurai Blue are unbeaten in five games since Hajime Moriyasu replaced Akira Nishino as coach after their surprise run to the knockout stages of last year's World Cup.
But Japan embark on their Middle Eastern adventure without two players who epitomise their waspish energy - Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki. Both were omitted by Moriyasu, who looks to Red Bull Salzburg's Takumi Minamino to provide the creative spark in Kagawa's absence.
Portimonense's Shoya Nakajima and Groningen's Ritsu Doan will add thrust as they try to avenge their 2015 Asian Cup flop when they crashed out in the quarter-finals. Southampton defender Maya Yoshida and Galatasaray full-back Yuto Nagatomo bring experience to Japan, who face Uzbekistan, Oman and Turkmenistan in Group F.
Ranked 50th in the world, behind Iran (29) and Australia (41), anything less than the semi-finals would be seen as failure for Japan.

Saudi Arabia



Saudi Arabiaplayers listening to the head of the General Authority for Saudi Sport, Turki Al-Sheikh (centre) at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on June 13, 2018, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. PHOTO: AFP

The former giants of Asian football need to reverse a poor run of form as they look to return to the winners' circle for the first time since the 1990s. Victories in 1984, 1988 and 1996 made the Saudis the continent's premier side but despite reaching the 2000 and 2007 finals they have been unable to add to their tally.
There was not much to shout about at last year's World Cup, when Saudi Arabia lost 5-0 to Russia in their opening game and never recovered. In the UAE, a short hop over the Saudi border, Juan Antonio Pizzi - the fourth coach in the Saudi hot seat since the 2015 Asian Cup - can expect an easier ride than in Russia as they open against North Korea on Tuesday.
However, Saudi Arabia flopped at the last Asian Cup, going out at the group stage, and they are under pressure heading into this edition after winning only one of their six games since the World Cup.

South Korea


In Tottenham Hotspur's swift forward Son Heung-min, South Korea boast Asia's most exciting player and they will be regarded as narrow favourites to hoist the trophy on February 1. The Taeguk Warriors showed their quality when they stunned holders Germany at last year's World Cup and they came within a whisker of winning their third Asian title in 2015, going down to James Troisi's extra-time strike for hosts Australia in the final.
Son will miss South Korea's first two games, against the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan, owing to club commitments with Spurs. But with a wealth of talent including Newcastle's Ki Sung-yeung and goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, man of the match in the 2-0 win over Germany, South Korea should have at least one foot in the knock-out stages by then.



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Portland blaze Denver to make bow in series

Portland blaze Denver to make bow in series
DENVER • Portland coach Terry Stotts paid tribute to the team's video coordinator, Jonathan Yim, who was seriously injured in a car crash with his family last week, after the Trail Blazers beat the Denver Nuggets 97-90 to tie their Western Conference semi-finals at one game apiece.
Calling the night "bow-tie Wednesday", the third seeds held off a late rally from the second seeds, who were five points behind with 34 seconds left on the clock.
The National Basketball Association play-off series now transitions to Portland, with Game 3 today.
Guard C.J. McCollum led all scorers with 20 points and, while All-Star guard Damian Lillard had a relatively quiet night with 14 points, double-digit contributions from four other Blazers helped them get over the line.
Afterwards, Stotts, who wore a bow tie on the sidelines, revealed it was to show solidarity with Yim and claimed that "bow ties are undefeated this year".
He also hailed how his players were "a lot better offensively" than in Game 1, saying: "I really liked our approach in the first half, particularly the first quarter. We did a better job on the ball. I liked the tone we set for most of the game."
However, he also admitted the Blazers had been too lax in guarding All-Star centre Nikola Jovic, who paced Denver with 16 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, especially in the final quarter. He said his team "were very fortunate that we weren't hurt as badly as we could have been".
His opposite number was equally unhappy after contrasting halves, with the Nuggets initially struggling to match Portland's physical approach, before raising their game after the interval.
Coach Michael Malone added: "In that first half, they were the aggressor... I'm extremely proud of the way my players came back in the second half.
"But we've got to do it for 48 minutes and that was the most disappointing thing about tonight."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Portland blaze Denver to make bow in series - theworldnews.net


DENVER (AP) — After giving up 39 points to Damian Lillard in the opener, the Denver Nuggets were determined to make sure Portland's role players would have to bear the burden of evening up the series. His teammates were up to the task on a night that Lillard, who came in averaging 34.8 points in
McCollum leads Blazers past cold Nuggets, 97-90


The Portland Trail Blazers are back in the series after grinding out a 97-90 win in Game 2 at Pepsi Center, their first in Denver since 2016. CJ McCollum bounced back with a strong performance
Blazers even series on bow tie Wednesday, pay tribute to


Portland ties the Western Conference series 1-1 with a 97-90 victory. and the Portland Trail Blazers turned back the Denver Nuggets 97-90 on Yim's bow tie habit led to "Bow Tie
McCollum leads Blazers past cold Nuggets, 97-90


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McCollum leads Blazers past cold Nuggets, 97-90


May 02, 2019 · The series shifts to Portland for Game 3 Friday night, and Lillard's hoping a return to the Moda Center will help him find his long-range rhythm after he misfired on 14 of 19 3-pointers in Denver.
CJ McCollum scores 37 points as Portland Trail Blazers beat


After giving up 39 points to Damian Lillard in the opener, the Denver Nuggets were determined to make sure Portland's role players would have to bear the burden of evening up the series. CJ
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets Live Score and


Portland blaze Denver to make bow in series DENVER • Portland coach Terry Stotts paid tribute to the team's video coordinator, Jonathan Yim, who was seriously injured in a car crash with his family last week, after the Trail Blazers beat the Denver Nuggets 97-90 to tie their Western Conference semi-finals at one game apiece.
Portland blaze Denver to make bow in series - stillmannews.com
stillmannews.com/2019/05/04/portland-blaze-denver-to-make-bow-in-series/
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NBA Playoffs 2019: Portland Trail Blazers hold off Denver


DENVER (AP) After giving up 39 points to Damian Lillard in the opener, the Denver Nuggets were determined to make sure Portland's role players would have to bear the burden of evening up the
McCollum leads Blazers past cold Nuggets - detroitnews.com


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Football: Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets apologises to fans for exit, admits Liverpool 'were better'

Football: Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets apologises to fans for exit, admits Liverpool 'were better'

LONDON (REUTERS) - Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets apologised to the club's fans after his side were sent tumbling out of the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday (May 7), losing 4-0 to a rampant Liverpool side for a remarkable 4-3 aggregate defeat.
It is the second year in a row Barca have thrown away a three-goal lead from the first leg to exit the competition, having been knocked out in the quarter-finals by Roma last season following a 3-0 surrender in the Italian capital.
"They were better than us, they went all out to win the game from the start and we really struggled with their pressure especially at the start of both halves," a despondent Busquets told reporters.
"I can't say anything else, all I can do is say sorry to our supporters because after last year in Rome, to go out like this after such a good result in the first leg is very tough, there's little else to say."
Barca had looked on course to reach the final for the first time since 2015 after Lionel Messi inspired them to a 3-0 win in the first leg, but they were overwhelmed by Liverpool's pressure and went behind in the seventh minute to Divock Origi's strike.
Busquets said his side were powerless to cope with Liverpool's pressing game.
"Once they scored and they pressed us high, it was very difficult. I think we had the chance to score the goal that we needed, but it wasn't to be," the midfielder said.

 
 
 
"When you face a team like this which presses you very high up the pitch and you don't make the most of second balls, they just keep pushing further forward and, with this atmosphere, it was very difficult."
Substitute Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice in the space of two minutes early in the second half to level the tie on aggregate.
Origi then put Liverpool ahead in the tie for the first time thanks to some quick thinking from Trent Alexander-Arnold from a corner which caught Barca unawares.
"The fourth goal was a mistake from everyone as we were all taken by surprise. They were more clever than us to take the corner quickly and then they played by themselves," Busquets added.
"If we'd have scored, it would have changed everything, we had the chances to do it, now it's very difficult to think of things to say."



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Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning semi-finals, as he laughs off 'unlucky' tag

Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning semi-finals, as he laughs off 'unlucky' tag

MADRID (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions he is an unlucky manager as he looks to halt an unfortunate run of ending up on the losing side in his last six finals as a coach when he leads Liverpool into Saturday's Champions League decider.
"Since 2012, apart from 2017, I was every year with my team in a final, so we are getting there sometimes with luck in some moments, but most of the time because we had to go there," Klopp told reporters at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, where Liverpool will face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (June 1).
"I am probably at the moment a world-record holder, in the last seven years at least, in winning semi-finals, but if I wrote a book about that probably nobody would buy it."
This is the seventh final Klopp has taken a team to since leading his brilliant Borussia Dortmund side to a German league and cup double in 2012.
He lost the 2013 Champions League final with Dortmund and the German Cup final in each of the following two campaigns.
Klopp then lost the Europa League and League Cup finals in his first season with Liverpool, before being defeated in the 2018 Champions League final by Real Madrid.
Liverpool also finished second to Manchester City in this season's Premier League despite losing just one game and amassing 97 points. But the German insists it cannot all be about him.

 
"I'm a normal human being, and if I would now sit in a room and think it's all about me, I am the reason, if I would see myself as a loser or whatever, then that would be a problem. But I don't see it like this."
Klopp, 51, added: "The things that happened in the past, for me I still got confidence I can take out of that, and could always, so it's all good.
"Now I understand luck - if you work for it, you have it from time to time, not always... but apart from that, no, it was not an unlucky career and it's not over, I have still a few years!"


Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions he is an unlucky manager as he looks to halt an unfortunate run of ending up on the losing side in his last six finals as a coach when he leads Liverpool into
'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs


Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning semi-finals, as he laughs off 'unlucky' tag MADRID (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions he is an unlucky manager as he looks to halt an unfortunate run of ending up on the losing side in his last six finals as a coach when he leads Liverpool into Saturday's Champions League
'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs


"I am probably at the moment a world-record holder, in the last seven years at least, in winning semi-finals, but if I wrote a book about that probably nobody would buy it." This is the seventh final for a Klopp-led team to since his brilliant Borussia Dortmund side won a German league and cup double in 2012.
Champions League final: 'World record holder at winning semi


Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning semi-finals, as he laughs off 'unlucky' tag Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during training in Madrid. PHOTO: REUTERS
Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/football-klopp-says-he-is-a-world-record-holder-at-winning-semi-finals-as-he-laughs-off-unlucky-tag/
Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning semi-finals, as he laughs off 'unlucky' tag Posted on 05/31/2019 MADRID (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions he is an unlucky manager as he looks to halt an unfortunate run of ending up on the losing side in his last six finals as a coach when he leads Liverpool into
Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning


Football News: Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions he is an unlucky manager as he looks to halt an unfortunate run of ending up on the losing side in his last six f 'World record holder at
'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs


Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions he is an unlucky manager as he looks to halt an unfortunate run of ending up on the losing side in his last six finals as a coach when he leads Liverpool into


Sport > Football > C1 > Liverpool > 'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs off 'unlucky' tag By 24matins.uk with AFP, published 31 May 2019 at 17h23 BST . 2 minutes
'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs

Football: Klopp says he is a 'world-record holder' at winning


'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs off 'unlucky' tag afp.com. 5 days ago. has around 50 more games in his legs with more experience in football."
'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/05/31/world-record-holder-at-winning-semi-finals-klopp-laughs-off-unlucky-tag/
'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs off 'unlucky' tag AFP May 31, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions he is an unlucky manager as he looks to halt an unfortunate run of ending up on the losing side in his last six finals as a coach when he leads Liverpool into Saturday's
'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs

Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in February, says Klopp

Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in February, says Klopp

LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious knee injury and could return to training as early as February.
Oxlade-Chamberlain sustained cruciate ligament damage when going in for a tackle during their Champions League semi-final first-leg win over Italian side AS Roma at Anfield in April.
The 25-year-old underwent surgery eight days later.
He was expected to miss the entire 2018-19 campaign but Liverpool supporters were given a boost earlier this week when the English midfielder was pictured running at the club's Melwood training ground.
"(It's the) best news," Klopp told a news conference on Friday (Dec 28).
"He started going on the pitch and from the first step he looked completely normal.
"Sometimes when players are coming back from injury and start running, you see them not really limping, but it's not the picture you had in your mind. With Ox, from the first step, it looked like Ox.
"No pressure on him, but it looks like it may be February back in normal training - late February, March, so that gives us hope that he will be back this season."

MIND GAMES


Liverpool host Unai Emery's Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday as they look to remain unbeaten and maintain their six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League standings.
In his own news conference, Emery said Liverpool have all the qualities to match Arsenal's 2003-04 'Invincibles' by going the whole season unbeaten and lifting the title.
When asked if the comments were a form of mind games from his counterpart, Klopp said: "That is not the Unai Emery I know.
"This is not them waving the white flag. It will be a really tough game. We are focused on ourselves."
Fifth-placed Arsenal were the last team to take a point from Liverpool in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates last month, but Emery's side have since lost their way, dropping seven points in their last three away games.
"We were not as good as we can be defending-wise," Klopp said of the two sides' last meeting.
"They are good, strong with the ball and very lively. Their counter-attacks are crazy-quick.
"(Pierre-Emerick) Aubameyang and (Alexandre) Lacazette are a good strike two. Outstanding strikers up front, quick on the wings - a really good team."


Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in February, says Klopp LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious knee injury and could return to training as early as February.
Liverpool news: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to


Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training at the end of February. The 24-year-old has been out since suffering knee ligament damage during the Champions League semi


Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious knee injury and could return to training as early as February.
Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/football-oxlade-chamberlain-could-return-to-training-in-february-says-klopp/
Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in February, says Klopp Posted on 12/28/2018 LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious knee injury and could return to training as early as February.
Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in


Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on track to return to training next month, reports say. Liverpool lost Oxlade-Chamberlain late last season, after he suffered knee ligament damage against Roma in the
Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade Chamberlain could return to


Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is "ahead of schedule" and could return to full training in February following a serious knee injury.
Football news - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to


Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to full training as early as February. The 25-year-old underwent knee surgery in May after sustaining an
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in February


Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to full training in February after knee injury. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is "ahead of schedule" and could
Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may return to training in


Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious knee injury and could return to training as early as February.
Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in

Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to


LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious knee injury and could return to training as
Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in February

Football: Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year absence

Football: Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year absence

LONDON (AFP) - Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (April 27).
Victory left Championship leaders Norwich nine points clear of third-placed Leeds with just six left to play for in the final two regular-season games and only the top two assured of a place in English football's lucrative top-flight.
The Canaries kicked-off at Carrow Road knowing just a point would be enough to secure promotion.
Norwich went ahead in the 13th minute through Marco Stiepermann thanks to the German midfielder's low shot from 20 yards.
The East Anglian club moved closer to a place among the elite through an even more spectacular goal, Mario Vranic's strike from 25 yards flying into the top corner in the 21st minute.
But two minutes later Blackburn threatened to spoil the party thanks to Lewis Travis's goal.
That, however, was as good as it got for the visitors with Norwich seeing out the game to return to the Premier League for the first time since they were relegated in 2016.
Earlier, second-placed Sheffield United all but assured themselves of promotion with a 2-0 win over basement club Ipswich - Norwich's local rivals.
The Blades took the lead after 24 minutes through Scott Hogan and they doubled their lead against already-relegated Ipswich after 70 minutes via Jack O'Connell's header from a corner.
Sheffield United are now six points clear of Leeds, who play Aston Villa on Sunday.
With the Blades boasting a far superior goal difference to Yorkshire rivals Leeds, only a freak combination of results can now deny them automatic promotion.
Fallen English giants Leeds now appear destined for the post-season play-offs, with the teams finishing third to sixth battling it out for the final promotion place.


Football: Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year absence LONDON (AFP) - Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (April 27).
'Young, hungry' Norwich City back in Premier League after

Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year absence


Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Football: Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year


Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year absence getty, Nathan Stirk Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Norwich City promoted to Premier League after three-year absence


Norwich is returning to the Premier League after a three-year absence _ and Sheffield United is likely to be promoted, too. Norwich, a club from eastern England, clinched one of the two automatic promotion places from the second-tier League Championship by beating Blackburn 2-1 on Saturday.(Chris Radburn/PA via AP)


LONDON (AFP) - Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (April 27).. Read more at straitstimes
Norwich promoted to EPL after 3-year absence - usatoday.com


Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Norwich CityVictory left Championship leaders Norwich ni | Africa Football
Football: Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year


Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. The victory left Championship leaders Norwich nine
Norwich City promoted to Premier League after three-year


Football News: Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Norwich promoted to EPL after 3-year absence | FOX Sports


Apr 27, 2019 · LONDON (AP) — Norwich is returning to the English Premier League after a three-year absence, and Sheffield United is likely to be promoted, too. Norwich, from eastern England, clinched one of
Norwich Promoted To Premier League After Three-Year Absence


LONDON (AP) — Norwich is returning to the English Premier League after a three-year absence, and Sheffield United is likely to be promoted, too.. Norwich, from eastern England, clinched one of
Norwich promoted to EPL after 3-year absence

Football: Manchester United poised to seal 15m signing of Swansea winger Daniel James

Football: Manchester United poised to seal 15m signing of Swansea winger Daniel James

(THE GUARDIAN) - Daniel James is set to become Manchester United's first signing of the summer after Championship side Swansea accepted a fee that could rise to around £18 million (S$31.2 million) for the Wales international.
The 21-year-old is undergoing a medical check-up at United on Thursday (June 6), after Wales gave him permission to leave their training camp, with the winger poised to sign a long-term contract.
United's interest in James first surfaced towards the end of the season but the move was put on hold after the player's father, Kevan, died suddenly.
With James back in the international fold this week, after telling Ryan Giggs, the Wales manager, that he felt up to joining the squad, the wheels were set in motion for his transfer to go through.
It is understood that United will pay £15 million up front for James, who had 12 months remaining on his contract at Swansea, with the rest to follow in add-ons.
He will be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first signing, with the United manager looking to rebuild after a hugely disappointing end to the English Premier League campaign.
It has been a whirlwind 12 months for James, who joined Swansea from Hull in 2014, when he was an academy player. He burst onto the scene at Swansea under Graham Potter last season and quickly caught the eye with his extraordinary pace.

 
 
 
James was set to join Leeds on deadline day in January, in a loan that would become permanent if the Championship club won promotion, but Swansea pulled the plug at the last minute.
James was bitterly upset but he never dwelt on that disappointment and turned in some outstanding performances in the second half of the season, including scoring a remarkable individual goal during the 4-1 victory over Brentford in the FA Cup fifth round, when he covered 84 yards in 8.48 seconds.
A month later James marked his first competitive start for Wales with the only goal of the game against Slovakia and by that time it was clear that he was not going to be staying at Swansea beyond the end of the season.
His breathtaking speed wreaked havoc in the Championship, no more so than when Swansea, who eventually ended 10th, beat Stoke 3-1 in April. Two Stoke players were sent off for fouling James, who also scored with a brilliant curling shot.



Phil Neville insists he will be "ruthless" when it comes to selecting his World Cup squad - but the England boss has experienced enough of his own tournament heartbreak to know he is the right man to let people down gently.
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP: Phil Neville wants England to develop



One year on from defeat to Real Madrid in the final, Jürgen Klopp tasted victory as Liverpool overcame Spurs in a scrappy Champions League final on Saturday. The game burst into life early on
Stadium - liverpoolfc.com



Headline Solskjaer confirms his contract in Norway has expired. Manchester United caretaker boss says he no longer has a deal with Molde. that he would return to Molde - but Solskjaer has
'I think the contract is expired' - United boss Solskjaer



Impressive Burnley fight back to beat Bournemouth Saturday, April 6, 2019 9:16 pm Burnley made a big step towards securing Premier League survival after coming back from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 3-1 away as their striker Ashley Barnes scored at both ends in an action-packed contest on Saturday.
Impressive Burnley fight back to beat Bournemouth 3-1



Mauricio Pochettino will have been glad of the three weeks between Tottenham's last league game and the Champions League final, but it leaves him with some big decisions to make for the big game.
Tottenham's Pochettino comes away empty handed again | ABS



ZAGREB, March 21 (Reuters) - Croatia were forced to dig deep as they came from behind to beat unfancied Azerbaijan 2-1 at home in their opening Euro 2020 Group E qualifier after forward Andrej Kramaric scored a 79th winner on Thursday. In the group's other fixture, Slovakia eased to a 2-0 home win
Football: Kramaric nets late winner as Croatia beat



Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has vowed to "isolate" his players from politics at the Asian Cup, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates during a diplomatic crisis between the countries.
Qatar coach to 'isolate' team from Gulf politics at Asian Cup



WOLVERHAMPTON, March 17: Wolverhampton Wanderers reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998 by beating last year's runners-up Manchester United 2-1 with a clinical second-half display in an intense atmosphere at their Molineux stadium on Saturday.
Jimenez, Jota slay Manchester United as Wolves reach FA Cup



The 2019 Singapore Premier League season is Tampines Rovers's 24th season at the top level of Singapore football and 74th year in existence as a football club. The club will also compete in the Singapore League Cup, Singapore Cup, Singapore Community Shield and the AFC Cup
Group F: Tampines Rovers FC 4-2 Naga World - the-afc.com



Sigurdsson is now the leading Icelandic goalscorer in the Premier League, moving two clear of the 55 scored by former Chelsea player Eidur Sigurdsson double helps Everton sink Cardiff Home



SETTING THE TONE. It is my first game and although it is a friendly, it is important for us to play hard and get a good result. TATSUMA YOSHIDA, Singapore coach, wants a positive start to his new job.
How (and Why) to Play Hard to Get | Psychology Today

FA slams violent hooligans in Porto

FA slams violent hooligans in Porto

LONDON • England's Football Association has labelled troublemaking fans at the Nations League in Portugal "an embarrassment" after they clashed with police on Wednesday night.
Riot police charged England fans in the centre of Porto after beer glasses were thrown in the special fan zone set up for the Nations League finals.
"The FA strongly condemns the scenes witnessed in Porto overnight.
"Anyone responsible for these disturbances cannot be seen as true England supporters and are not welcome in football," said the FA statement.
"They are an embarrassment to the team and the thousands of well-behaved fans who follow England in the right way. We are liaising with the UK Football Policing Unit."
England supporters were staying in Porto ahead of yesterday's semi-final in nearby Guimaraes against the Netherlands and had gathered in the fan zone to watch Wednesday's match between Portugal and Switzerland, which the hosts won 3-1 with a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick, on outdoor big screens.
The Guardian newspaper reported that hundreds of England fans were baton-charged by riot police after they threw beer glasses.
Police condemned the "completely unacceptable" behaviour which also included smashing a car window, forcing roads to be closed to traffic and singing offensive songs.
Three England fans were reportedly arrested.
"There was a scuffle between English and Portuguese supporters, with bottles thrown, and the police had to intervene," Portuguese police spokesman Alexandre Coimbra told Agence France-Presse.
"The English supporters turned against the police who arrested two of them and identified a third."
However, several England fans said they had been unfairly targeted by police. One supporter showed The Guardian a large welt on his back, which he said had been caused by a police baton.
"I was just watching the match with my mates when it all kicked off," he said.
"Someone came at me from the side and whacked me."
The incidents are hugely frustrating for the FA, which only last week urged supporters of the national team to stamp out "embarrassing" anti-social behaviour.
THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS


Football: Man City's Sterling treated differently by British



The former Blues and Manchester United boss is looking to get back into management, but Frank Leboeuf says he has becoming a fading force Jose Mourinho "has done his time", says Frank Leboeuf, with the Portuguese failing to move with the times as he left his most recent role at Manchester … Read More »
Live Commentary: Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United - as it



Treble winners Man City enjoy parade. AFP May 20, 2019, 8:50 PM UTC. 1 / 3. Manchester City celebrated their domestic treble with an open-top bus parade on Monday, drawing an estimated 100,000
Treble winners Man City enjoy parade - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/05/20/treble-winners-man-city-enjoy-parade/
Treble winners Man City enjoy parade AFP May 20, 2019 AFP 1 Comment Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Manchester City celebrated their domestic treble with an open-top bus parade on Monday, drawing an estimated 100,000 fans to the streets of the city centre.
Treble winners Manchester City enjoy parade - sports



How Liverpool's belief has ensured fate is in their own hands for the Champions League final the brilliant Ukrainian was left broken. Klopp's Reds have the quality to kick any number
Reds have the belief - LancsLive



R416, laziness and too much money in the game. Once you have good results people expect a lot out of you and it becomes too much for the women to handle. Tennis players are the most marketable athletes on the planet next to football/soccer players cause they play around the world, once you attain good results the demand is there.
MONT-SAINT-MICHEL AND CHARTRES, by Henry Adams - The Unz Review



A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on December 16, 2018, with the headline 'Abramovich steps in amid racism outrage'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Outrage Over Racism Rekindled Amid Two Viral Videos | Newsmax.com



Feb 26, 2019 · Leicester had long viewed Rodgers as an ideal successor to Claude Puel but there were doubts as to whether he could be persuaded to leave Celtic in the middle of the season, with the Scottish
Brendan Rodgers at Leicester: The main challenges he will



Pep Guardiola claimed he still doesn't believe Manchester City can win the quadruple after his side reached the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday. Guardiola's men were well below their best in the Wembley semi-final, but Gabriel Jesus's early goal got the job done.
Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after City reach FA Cup



Football: Reds can be 'Invincibles' this season, says Unai Emery Unai Emery believes the development they have shown from flirting with Europe to top-four contenders to current league front
Liverpool v Arsenal: Reds can be Invincible says Unai Emery



Join us for an Open House to tour the office, learn about program and scholarship opportunities and start planning your study abroad journey. At the top of every hour, we'll have a 15 minute presentation (led by current ASU students who went on study abroad programs) on these topics:
8 Life Changing Things You Learn When You Take The Leap And


A Genius in Full Bloom, Lionel Messi Lifts Barcelona - The



Football: Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard Hazard's future is a source of fevered speculation, with the player refusing to extend his current Chelsea deal, which expires
Football: Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual