Football

Pacific Games rematch could decide a semi-finalist

But all eyes will be on the rematch of the 2011 and 2015 Pacific Games final which has seen Papua New Guinea twice edge their opponents New Caledonia for the gold medal.

The final which hurt the most was the 2011 edition which was played in New Caledonia, and while the bid for revenge in 2015 was unsuccessful, captain Celine Xolawawa remains optimistic about her side’s chances this time around.

PNG U19 squad announced

The Championship will be held from August 5 to August 18.

Except for new inclusion in Stahl Gubag, Joseph Wawai, Laventine Munuo and Cameron Nuabi, coach Harrison Kamake has retained the bulk of his U-17 team that participated in the OFC U-17 Championship in Tahiti last year. 

The team did well by qualifying for the OFC U-17 Championship semi-final for the first time in the nation’s history and lost to New Zealand.

Samoa U 16 ready for OFC meet

The team will be representing Samoa in the upcoming OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Tonga from the 14 – 20 July 2018.

Tamasese shared that his team are well prepared as their team have been training from November 2017. “Our team is well prepared and ready to take on the championship. They boys cannot wait to play. The selected players all play in the premier league division which is the highest level of football in Samoa, he said”

Iranian women sneak into football games dressed as men

Donning beards and wigs, they disguised themselves as men so they could watch their team, Persepolis, play rivals Sepidrood at the Azadi stadium in Tehran last Friday.

Images of the women at the stadium have been widely shared on both Persian and English social media.

Although there's no official ban on women going to sporting events in Iran, it is rare for them to attend as they are often refused entry.

Prior to the Islamic revolution of 1979, women were allowed to attend sporting events.

Women have been punished for attending games in the past.

Brazilian great Kaka announces retirement from football

Kaka, who played most of his career at AC Milan and Real Madrid, revealed his decision in an interview with the Brazilian O Globo channel.

The attacking midfielder won the Italian Serie A with Milan and the 2007 Champions League and collected league and cup titles with Real. He also won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, who he was capped for 92 times from 2002 to 2016, and the Ballon d'Or as best player in the world in 2007.

He was the last player to win the award before Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo began their decade-long duopoly at the top of the game.

Footballers to kick off Vanuatu Pacific Mini Games

Men's football is the first of 14 sports to kick off in Port Vila.

Fiji are first up against Tuvalu at midday local time followed by Tonga versus Solomon Islands and New Caledonia against the host nation.

Van2017 CEO Clint Flood said a late rejig was made to the draw following Tahiti's decision to boycott the Games.

"The tournament basically follows a format where the gold medal will be won by the total number of points by the team at the end."

Former Inter and Brazil star Adriano set for return to football

The 35-year-old has not played since his brief stint with Miami United in 2016 but the Copa America and Confederations Cup champion is eager to make a comeback in 2018.

Compared to countryman and icon Ronaldo at the peak of his career, Adriano never fully fulfilled his potential due to a number of off-field issues.

Abraham denies talk of switch to Nigeria

Abraham - on loan at Swansea City from Chelsea - has played for England at Under-18, U19 and U21 level, but he is eligible for Nigeria through his father.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick had said the governing body was "working on" securing Abraham for the national team.

But in a statement, the 19-year-old said: "I have informed The FA that I remain available for selection for England.

"Contrary to reports in the media I would like to clarify that I have not agreed to switch my national-team allegiance.

Kane can be Tottenham's Batistuta – Pochettino

Kane scored twice to lead Tottenham to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 24-year-old England international striker did not score in August but he was at the double on Merseyside as he celebrated his 100th goal for Tottenham.

Pochettino heaped praise on the Premier League's reigning Golden Boot winner, likening him to former Argentina team-mate Batistuta, who was the country's all-time leading scorer before Lionel Messi broke the record last year.

Bend It Like Beckham 15 years on: Inspiring women's football

You would be wrong for thinking Keira Knightley's career is the only one to be launched by the 2002 film.

"That was the film for girls to watch to inspire them to play football," says England's Alex Greenwood.

It certainly inspired the 23-year-old. Her country takes on France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2017 on Sunday.

The Liverpool defender caught up with Newsbeat shortly before flying to the Netherlands.

"I love that film," says Alex. "I mean I watch it back now and it's a little bit cringe but it was the film to watch."