Asia

Mesut Özil Wins Squid Game (AKA The Intercontinental Derby)

Sunday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe featured two sides that are struggling to keep pace with the top of the Süper Lig, but it’s always a monumental occasion when the European side of Istanbul clashes with the Asian. 

The scene at Galatasaray’s NEF Stadium was electric before kick-off, with players entering the pitch to one of this season’s greatest tifos. If there’s a contest going on without a reference to Squid Game these days, did a contest really even take place?

Get Excited About This Soccer Anime That’s Like ‘Squid Game’ But, You Know, Soccer

Toward the end of quarantine I watched two Netflix anime shows at a breakneck speed — Blood of Zeus and Castlevania — and throughly enjoyed the characters, beautiful visuals and over-the-top violence. They were wonderful companions while being stuck inside.

It Feels Surreal Watching James Rodriguez Score His First Qatar Stars League Goal

The first James Rodriguez Qatar goal was scored on Tuesday as the 30-year-old Colombian helped Al-Rayyan to a 4-2 victory in the Qatar Stars League. I still hear Peter Drury’s commentary of “my word this boy’s a star” from when James scored an absolute screamer against Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup echoing in my ear.

In 2014 it felt like James could conquer the Earth. In 2021 he’s scoring his first goal for Al-Rayyan.

This 15-Minute Lesson From Xavi Is Worth Any Coach’s Time

Ronald Koeman is living on borrowed time at Barcelona. After a 2-0 defeat to Atlético back on Oct. 2 that showed the ruthless effectiveness of Diego Simeone’s approach (29% possession but who cares) compared to the sterile flaccidity of Barça, Joan Laporta made it clear to Koeman that he had to win three straight matches to stay in the job.

Will China Qualify For World Cup? One Player Says Even “Harry Potter Magic” Might Not Save Them

Chinese soccer's problems are so deep-rooted that not even the best coaches in the world could get them to the World Cup without the help of a magic wand, according to former international Wang Xiaolong.

China's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time since 2002 are hanging by a thread after they lost three of their first four matches in the third round of Asian qualifying for Qatar.

Oman Has Discovered The Most Devious Corner Kick Strategy Ever Seen And Worked It To Perfection

Oman’s national team may have created one of the best corner kick strategies ever seen on a soccer field. Oman defeated Vietnam 3-1 on Tuesday with a game that featured a bicycle kick, an Olimpico goal and a horrendous VAR decision.

Tears Of Joy Shed As Japan Defeats Australia To Get Qualifying Campaign Back On Track

Australia's record-breaking run in World Cup qualifying ended on Tuesday when Aziz Behich's late own goal handed Japan a lifeline as the Samurai Blue earned a 2-1 victory at Saitama Stadium.

Behich bundled the ball over his own goal line after Takuma Asano's late shot looped up and hit the post, ensuring Australia missed out on a 12th straight win on the road to Qatar 2022.

Newcastle Fans Are Partying At St. James’ Park After Confirmation Of $415M Takeover

LONDON - A Saudi-Arabian backed consortium completed its purchase of Premier League club Newcastle United on Thursday as a long-running takeover saga finally reached the conclusion the majority of the club's supporters desired.

Fourteen months after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) withdrew a $415.07 million bid to buy the north-east club from owner Mike Ashley following the Premier League's failure to give regulatory approval, a deal was announced after a day of mounting excitement on Tyneside.

Son Heung-min Hits 89th-Minute Winner To Keep South Korea On Path To Qatar

HONG KONG - Son Heung-min struck with less than two minutes remaining to earn South Korea a dramatic 2-1 win over Syria in Ansan on Thursday as Paulo Bento's side maintained their unbeaten start in Group A in the final phase of Asia's World Cup preliminaries.

Son swept the ball home from close range in the 89th minute, five minutes after Omar Khribin looked to have secured a share of the points for the Syrians in a game dominated by the hosts.

Korean Commentators Go Absolutely Wild Whenever Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan Scores And It’s Amazing

If you haven’t had an opportunity to listen to the Hwang Hee-chan Korean commentary of his goals in the Premier League, then you’re in for a great time. If you’re here to listen to the commentators lose their minds again, I can’t blame you.

Hwang is on loan to Wolves from RB Leipzig this season and has now netted three Premier League goals in just four appearances. If he keeps up this scoring rate, then I’m worried his fellow countrymen in South Korea who do the commentary for games will surely lose their voices by December.

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