RKFC two home matches postponed
Ad Diriyah: Real Kashmir FC's two upcoming home I-League matches were on Monday postponed owing to inclement weather which has forced closure of the Srinagar airport, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said. Flight operations at Srinagar airport have been disrupted since Sunday due to dense fog. “With the Srinagar Airport not being operational due to poor weather conditions, Real Kashmir Football Club's first two home matches against Gokulam Kerala FC on December 12, 2019, and Churchill Brothers FC Goa on December 15, 2019, stands postponed,” the AIFF said.
England to host Italy in warm-up
London: England will step up their preparations for the Euro 2020 finals with a friendly against Italy at Wembley in March, the Football Association announced. Gareth Southgate's men will face the four-time world champions on Friday, March 27 before a match four days later against Denmark, also at Wembley. England will then travel to play Austria in Vienna on June 2 before hosting Romania on June 7 at a venue in England that has yet to be confirmed.
‘coach's suitcase is always ready’
Naples: Under-pressure Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti said “a coach's suitcase is always ready” ahead of today's crunch final CL group game against Genk. The Italian side host the Belgian outfit at the Stadio San Paolo looking to end their nine-match winless streak and book their place last 16. “The suitcase of a coach is always ready, you can never unpack it. I think that for a coach to be questioned in this kind of situation is completely normal,” he said amid reports that Gennaro Gattuso is ready to take his place. “I'm ready, it's an experience I've already experienced in the past. It doesn't scare me, and it doesn't worry me that the club could sack me or that I could leave,” he added.
Kirsten open to help proteas
New Delhi: With Cricket South Africa looking down the barrel, former opener and coach Gary Kirsten could return to help the team in a mentor's role for the series against England. According to ESPNCricinfo, Kirsten said that he was always willing to help the national team. “I would always be willing to help where people think I can add value. It would, however, have be part of a bigger process to the commitment to rebuild a solid system,” Kirsten said.
Riquelme pip maradona in elections
Buenos Aires: Former Argentina playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has won a three-way battle with bitter rival Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta after his group won the elections at Boca Juniors, striking a big blow against his old foe Maradona. The list headed by Jorge Ameal won 52.8% of the vote from 84,000 members, bringing Riquelme into the 33-time Argentine champions' hierarchy. The 41-year-old stood alongside Ameal as prospective second vice-president and helped see off the faction supported by Maradona and powerful outgoing president of Argentina Mauricio Macri, which was led by Christian Gribaldo and only gathered 30.6% of the vote. The list supported by Batistuta came in a distant third with 16.1%.
Football Delhi 1st ever Awards Night
New Delhi: In its bid to make Delhi and NCR a vibrant football-playing region, Football Delhi, while taking various initiatives to develop the sport, also organized the much-awaited awards night for the first time on Monday. In the presence of the football world's who's who of the past and the present, the awards were given out in 34 disciplines. Delhi's Ayush Adhikari was bestowed upon the Best Player (Male) award. Indian National defender Dalima Chibber was adjudged the Best Player (Female) 2018-19. India's U-16 national player Rudransh Singh was the Best Youth Player (Male) while national U-17 vice-captain Aveka Singh got the Best Youth Player (Female) award for the season.
Aizawl grasp last-gasp winner
Vasco: Aizawl FC overcame a spirited young Indian Arrows 2-1 to register their first win of the 13th Hero I-League season at the Tilak Maidan. The visitors from Mizoram rode on strikes from William Lalnunfela (64th) and Joe Zoherliana (90+4) to snatch a dramatic victory in the stoppage time after Vikram Partap had equalised for the hosts in the 81st minute.