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Kobe's Sasaki Scores Late Penalty to Claim Draw in Asian Champions League

Soccer Football - Friendly - Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - June 6, 2023 Vissel Kobe players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
Soccer Football - Friendly - Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - June 6, 2023 Vissel Kobe players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
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Kobe's Sasaki Scores Late Penalty to Claim Draw in Asian Champions League

Soccer Football - Friendly - Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - June 6, 2023 Vissel Kobe players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
Soccer Football - Friendly - Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - June 6, 2023 Vissel Kobe players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

Hosts Vissel Kobe salvaged a 2-2 draw with Chinese Super League outfit Chengdu Rongcheng through Daiju Sasaki's 90th-minute penalty in the Asian Champions League Elite on Tuesday to bring down the curtain on coach Takayuki Yoshida's time in charge.

Yoshida announced last week that he was standing down after three-and-a-half years in charge having led the club to the J-League title in 2023 and 2024, but Kobe were unable to give the 48-year-old a winning send-off.

Yoshinori Muto put Kobe in front in the 18th minute when he scored on the turn from eight yards out but Chengdu forward Felipe lashed in the equaliser from distance in first half stoppage time, Reuters reported.

The Brazilian was on target again from the penalty spot with 13 minutes remaining, although Sasaki was also successful with his spot kick in the final minute to earn Kobe a point.

The draw means Kobe are two points clear in the eastern league phase standings of second-placed Machida Zelvia, who cruised to a 3-1 win over Ulsan HD from South Korea.

Asahi Masuyama gave the home side the lead when he deflected Hokuto Shimoda's volley past Jo Hyeon-woo in the sixth minute and Takuma Nishimura doubled the advantage 15 minutes later.

Oh Se-hun's header two minutes into the second half extended Machida's lead before Um Won-sang slid in to score a consolation for Ulsan in the 55th minute.

GOALKEEPER CHEN DENIES JOHOR DARUL TA'ZIM

Johor Darul Ta'zim moved up to sixth with a 0-0 draw against Shanghai Port with the Malaysian side thwarted by a stellar performance from Chinese goalkeeper Chen Wei while Bergson and Nacho Mendez hit the woodwork for the hosts.

Buriram United, meanwhile, were frustrated by a late penalty decision that earned Gangwon FC a 2-2 draw in Thailand after Mark Jackson's side had come from behind to lead.

Mo Jae-hyeon put the visitors in front in the 33rd minute but Ko Myeong-seok's header levelled the scores 13 minutes into the second half.

Suphanat Mueanta's calm finish from an angle put Buriram in front in the 65th minute before Guilherme Bissoli was judged to have fouled Park Ho-yeong in the area. Kim Dae-won converted the 74th-minute spot kick to earn his side a point.

The first eight finishers in the 12-team league phase will advance to March's last 16 in both east and west Asia with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final to be played in a centralized venue in Saudi Arabia in April.

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No Mourinho and Prestianni for Benfica in Champions League Match Against Real Madrid

SL Benfica's Argentine forward #25 Gianluca Prestianni hides his mouth while arguing with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinícius Júniorwho complained about alleged racists insults during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. (AFP)
SL Benfica's Argentine forward #25 Gianluca Prestianni hides his mouth while arguing with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinícius Júniorwho complained about alleged racists insults during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. (AFP)
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No Mourinho and Prestianni for Benfica in Champions League Match Against Real Madrid

SL Benfica's Argentine forward #25 Gianluca Prestianni hides his mouth while arguing with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinícius Júniorwho complained about alleged racists insults during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. (AFP)
SL Benfica's Argentine forward #25 Gianluca Prestianni hides his mouth while arguing with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinícius Júniorwho complained about alleged racists insults during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. (AFP)

There won't be another confrontation between Vinícius Júnior and Gianluca Prestianni in the Champions League this week.

Real Madrid and Benfica will meet at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday, but UEFA banished Prestianni from the game on Monday following accusations he racially abused Vinícius in the first leg of the knockout round last week.

Madrid won 1-0 in Lisbon after Vinícius scored in the second half. But when the Brazil forward celebrated by the Benfica corner flag and upset the local fans and players, the game was halted for nearly 10 minutes. Prestianni confronted Vinícius, who accused the Argentine of calling him “monkey.” Prestianni denied racially insulting Vinícius.

The anti-racism protocol was activated but no further action was taken during the match as there was no evidence against Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt while talking to Vinícius. The Madrid forward was shown a yellow card after his celebration.

UEFA said the one-match suspension of Prestianni from its control, ethics and disciplinary body was related to discriminatory behavior.

“This is without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies,” it said in a statement.

Benfica said in a statement that it lamented that Prestianni was suspended while the investigation was underway. It said it would appeal UEFA's suspension. Portuguese media said Prestianni was expected to travel to Madrid with the squad.

Prestianni did not play in Benfica’s 3-0 win over AVS on Saturday in the Portuguese league because of a yellow card suspension, but he was expected to be on the field along with Vinícius during Wednesday's match at the Bernabeu.

Vinícius scored Madrid's goal in a 2-1 loss at Osasuna on Saturday in La Liga.

Mourinho out

Missing for Benfica on Wednesday will be coach José Mourinho, who was sent off late in the first leg for complaining to the referee. The former Madrid coach criticized Vinícius for celebrating his goal by the Benfica flag.

Benfica said Mourinho was not going to attend the pre-game news conference on Tuesday, with his assistant taking over.

Mourinho said Saturday it was a “tough week” for everyone at Benfica. He declined to comment when asked if he regretted his criticism of Vinícius.

Surprising Bodø/Glimt

On Tuesday, small Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt will look to keep its surprising run going when it takes a two-goal advantage for the second leg at Inter Milan.

The first leg win followed back-to-back wins against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the league phase.

Inter, last year’s Champions League runner-up, will hope to overcome the deficit and show the loss in Norway was a fluke amid a run of seven wins in eight games across all competitions.

“Sometimes we produce our best in big matches, other times we don’t,” Inter defender Manuel Akanji said. “But there aren’t two different versions of Inter. Yes, we lost to Bodø/Glimt last time out in the Champions League but we’re still the same team capable of great things.”

Juve's crisis

Another Italian club which will need a comeback will be Juventus when it hosts Galatasaray on Wednesday after losing 5-2 in the first leg in Türkiye.

Juventus has been struggling, though, and is coming off a 2-0 home loss to Como in Serie A that hurt its hopes of Champions League qualification next season. It was Juventus’ third straight defeat across all competitions and its fifth game in a row without a win.

Focused PSG

Defending European champion Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco won in Ligue 1 this weekend ahead of their second leg in Paris on Wednesday. Monaco's 3-2 victory over Lens allowed PSG to regain the league lead after beating Metz 3-0.

In the Champions League, PSG came from two goals down against Monaco to win the first leg 3-2. Désiré Doue, who scored twice against Monaco, also found the net in the win against Metz.

Atletico Madrid rebounds

Atletico squandered a two-goal lead and conceded late in a 3-3 draw in its first leg at Club Brugge.

Diego Simeone's team rebounded ahead of Tuesday's return match by defeating Espanyol 4-2 in La Liga on Saturday. Ademola Lookman scored again, earning his fourth goal in six matches since being signed by Atletico.

“It's always important to win ahead of an important match like the one we have on Tuesday,” Simeone said.

Elsewhere Also on Tuesday, Newcastle will be in control when it hosts Qarabag defending a 6-1 first-leg win, while Bayer Leverkusen holds a 2-0 lead from its win at Olympiakos. Borussia Dortmund also won 2-0 in the first leg against Atalanta ahead of the return game in Italy.

Sports

Advocaat Resigns as Curacao Coach ahead of World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., US - December 5, 2025 Curacao coach Dick Advocaat inside the venue before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Pool via REUTERS/Dan Mullan/File Photo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., US - December 5, 2025 Curacao coach Dick Advocaat inside the venue before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Pool via REUTERS/Dan Mullan/File Photo
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Advocaat Resigns as Curacao Coach ahead of World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., US - December 5, 2025 Curacao coach Dick Advocaat inside the venue before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Pool via REUTERS/Dan Mullan/File Photo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., US - December 5, 2025 Curacao coach Dick Advocaat inside the venue before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Pool via REUTERS/Dan Mullan/File Photo

Veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, who led Curacao to their first World Cup qualification, has stepped down as manager months before the finals because of his daughter’s ill health.

Fred Rutten, 63, will take over and lead the Caribbean island nation to the World Cup, the Curacao Football Federation said on Monday, Reuters reported.

"I have always said that family comes before football,” Advocaat said in a statement. "This is therefore a natural decision. That said, I will greatly miss Curacao, its people, and my colleagues. I consider qualifying the smallest nation in the world for the World Cup one of the highlights of my career. I am proud of my players, staff, and board members who believed in us." The 78-year-old Advocaat described leading the island, which is part of the Dutch kingdom with a population of around 150,000, to the World Cup as the "craziest thing" he had achieved in a managerial career spanning nearly four decades. He would have become the oldest coach in World Cup finals history.

Gilbert Martina, president of the Curacao Football Federation, said: "His decision commands nothing but respect. Dick has made history with our national team. Curacao will always remain grateful to him."

Rutten, who won a single cap for the Netherlands in his playing days, has managed Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, and Schalke 04.

"It is a difficult time for Dick, and I wish him and his family strength,” Rutten said.

“Dick is an icon in world football. It is truly an honour to continue his work. I have spoken extensively with him and his staff and will continue along the same path. Curacao can expect the same dedication and commitment from me."

Rutten will take charge of the Curacao squad for the first time in March, when they travel to Australia for a mini-tournament with the host country and China.

Curacao begin their World Cup campaign with a Group E match against Germany in Houston on June 14.

Sports

Tudor Sees Harsh Reality of Tottenham’s Plight 

Tottenham's head coach Igor Tudor reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in London, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.(AP)
Tottenham's head coach Igor Tudor reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in London, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.(AP)
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Tudor Sees Harsh Reality of Tottenham’s Plight 

Tottenham's head coach Igor Tudor reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in London, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.(AP)
Tottenham's head coach Igor Tudor reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in London, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.(AP)

If Igor Tudor needed hard evidence as to the size of his task at Tottenham Hotspur, he got a filing cabinet's worth in Sunday's 4-1 home defeat by Arsenal in the north London derby.

There had been a slight lift in the mood amongst Tottenham fans ahead of the game, a feeling that Tudor might be able to initiate a "new manager bounce" against an Arsenal side showing signs of nerves in the Premier League title race.

Instead, a dominant Arsenal strolled to three points with their biggest league win at their arch-rivals since 1978.

Tudor was left in no doubt that his side are in a relegation battle that ‌could see them ‌drop out of the top flight for the first time ‌since ⁠1977.

"Where is the ⁠goal? What is the level? So today, totally different worlds. I need to be honest. Two totally different psychological and physical worlds," the straight-talking Croatian said of the contrast between the two sides.

"A lack of confidence is very evident in the team. I'm very sad and very angry and everything but in one way it is also good to understand where is our goal. What is the goal of this club?

"What is the goal of this team? What ⁠is this goal of this coach, these players, this staff? To ‌become serious. Serious, not just a group of ‌20 players.

"Each of us look in the mirror and really try, really start to change the habits. ‌Working hard is the only way."

With 11 games remaining, Tottenham are in 16th place, ‌four points above the relegation zone. But their form is shocking, even compared to the two clubs directly below them, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United.

They have not won a Premier League game in 2026 and have only won twice at home in the league this season.

Based on the ‌last 12 games, Tottenham are bottom of the table -- five points worse off than West Ham and Forest, who both look ⁠better-equipped for a relegation ⁠scrap.

Apart from a brief spell when Randal Kolo Muani equalized on Sunday, Arsenal toyed with Tottenham and could have won by an even larger margin.

Former Juventus and Lazio coach Tudor, who replaced Thomas Frank this month, was correct to point to the crippling injury list that left him with 13 senior outfield players on Sunday while suspended captain Cristian Romero will complete his ban at Fulham next weekend.

That is a match Tottenham dare not lose.

"It was too much Arsenal for us in this moment with the problems we have," Tudor said. "Also it's nice to understand where we are because you prepare in the best possible way then there is the game to show you reality.

"I said to the players, stay quiet, come on Tuesday and restart after these three or four training sessions to work harder than we did until now. To change our habits, to change the state of mind which is now as a team."