Asia

Vissel Kobe’s Yuya Osako misses penalty kick by 10 yards then responds with free kick golazo

Vissel Kobe striker Yuya Osako provided a prime example of why you keep fighting and don’t get down on yourself.

In a J1 League match against FC Tokyo on Saturday the reigning league MVP started the game with a blooper for the ages. In the sixth minute Vissel Kobe were awarded a penalty kick and Osako stepped up to take the kick.

The 33-year-old scored 24 goals last season and looked poised to score his first of the season. Disaster struck on his run up as he slipped at the vital moment and missed the goal by a mile.

Yuya Osako penalty miss

FIFA set to launch new biennial international competition called the FIFA Series

FIFA are launching a new series of friendly matches in one location during the international window called the FIFA Series, with a pilot project kicking off in four countries next month, world soccer's governing body said on Monday.

Although there are no trophies or prize money, the series is designed to benefit national teams that do not have the opportunity to play teams from other confederations, with FIFA set to cover travel costs.

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly under investigation after making X-rated gesture toward rival fans

UPDATE: Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for one game and will pay a small fine announced the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo is in hot water after Al Nassr’s 3-2 victory vs. Al Shabab on Sunday for an obscene gesture made toward opposing fans following the final whistle. Saudi media reported that the Saudi FA have opened an investigation into the incident.

Jürgen Klinsmann likely to be fired as South Korea head coach after just 12 months

SEOUL — A Korea Football Association (KFA) advisory committee recommended sacking head coach Jürgen Klinsmann on Thursday after their semi-final exit at the Asian Cup and amid criticism of his leadership, KFA Technical Director Hwangbo Kwan said.

The National Team Committee does not make administrative decisions, leaving it up to the KFA's Executive Board whether to act on its recommendation to fire Klinsmann, whose contract runs through the 2026 World Cup.

Shocking video shows moment player was killed by lightning strike during game in Indonesia

TW: Death

A terrifying video is circulating the internet of an Indonesian player struck by lightning during a game.

The player struck by lightning was 35-year-old Septain Raharja. On Saturday the FBI Subang player was playing in a friendly game at Siliwangi Stadium in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, when he was killed by a lightning strike.

Watch: Qatar’s Akram Afif celebrates goal with magic card trick in Asian Cup final

Qatar’s Akram Afif scored THREE penalty kicks in the AFC Asian Cup final on Saturday to guide the host country to a 3-1 victory vs. Jordan. Afif’s magic card trick celebration after his first penalty has gone viral.

This may be the most unique and coldest goal celebrations we’ve ever seen.

After burying the penalty, the Qatari star reached into his shin guard and pulled out a trading card of himself. Then with one quick movement and some sleight of hand Afif switched the card to reveal the letter “S”.

Afif magic card trick celebration

Cristiano Ronaldo throws temper tantrum and wipes his privates with Al Hilal fan’s jersey

Soccer’s two biggest stars are in the media for all the wrong reasons this week. Lionel Messi is facing backlash from the entirety of China with the country canceling Argentina’s friendly next month, and Cristiano Ronaldo is in the news after a classic temper tantrum.

Argentina’s March friendly in China canceled after Lionel Messi didn’t play in Hong Kong for Miami

HONG KONG — Chinese sporting authorities have canceled next month's friendly international between Argentina and Nigeria amid a growing backlash against Lionel Messi's failure to play in an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong last week.

Argentina were scheduled to play Nigeria in the Chinese city of Hangzhou next month before facing the Ivory Coast in Beijing, but Messi's failure to take the field for Inter Miami in Hong Kong on Sunday caused widespread anger among fans.

Lionel Messi faces criticism after laughing at teammate Robert Taylor for missing penalty

Inter Miami’s horrible preseason tour had its next devasting chapter on Wednesday in Japan as the Herons lost to J-League side Vissel Kobe 4-3 on penalties, Sergio Busquets suffered a nasty injury and Lionel Messi laughed at a teammate for missing a penalty.

Messi laughing at Robert Taylor’s missed penalty kick was one of the most discussed moments of the friendly game.

Underdog Jordan stun Jürgen Klinsmann’s South Korea to book place in Asian Cup final

AL RAYYAN — Jordan upset South Korea 2-0 in their Asian Cup semi-final on Tuesday at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium where Yazan Al-Naimat and Musa Al-Taamari scored second-half goals to guide them into the final for the first time.

The result was a stunning upset for Jordan, who are ranked 87th in the world but played with nothing to lose against South Korea who are the third-best team in Asia, 64 places above them.

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