Category: Entertainment

Bangladesh National Women’s Football team, now in Nepal, held a conditioning, gym and practice session in Kathmandu on Tuesday, after all the players and coaching staff of the team tested negative for Covid-19.

Touring Bangladeshi women booters had strength, conditioning and gym sessions at the team hotel in the morning from 10:30 am to 12 noon and had an outdoor practice session in the afternoon at the ATF Stadium in Halchowk from 3 pm to 4:30 pm.

The sky of Kathmandu was cloudy on Tuesday and witnessed light rain during Bangladesh practice session.

Earlier on Monday, a 32- member Bangladesh Women’s team reached Kathmandu on way to Uzbekistan by a chartered flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines to play two FIFA Tier-1 International friendly football there.

Bangladesh Women’s will play Nepalese National Women’s team on Sept 9 and 12 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup’2022 India Qualifiers in Uzbekistan.

It will be the first international match for Bangladesh national women’s booters in more than two and half years since playing the semifinal of SAFF Championship against India in March 2019.

After playing two preparatory matches in Nepal, Bangladesh Women’s team will directly fly to Uzbekistan on Sept 14 to play the qualifying round of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup there on September 19-24.

Bangladesh, which was placed in Group G of the Asian meet with stronger Jordan and Iran, will play Jordan on Sept 19 and IR Iran on Sept 22, both in Tashkent.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Hosts Rajshahi and Magura moved into the final of the JFA U-14 National Women’s Football Championship 2021 winning their respective semifinals at the Shahid Muktijoddha Smriti Stadium in Rajshahi on Tuesday.

The final will take place on Thursday (Sept 9) at 4:30 pm at the same venue.

Earlier in a Group B match on Monday, Magura beat Rajshahi by 2-1 goals to reach the semifinal with an all- win record.

In the day’s first semifinal, Group B runners up Rajshahi eliminated Brahmanbaria, the unbeaten champions of Group A, by a solitary goal scored by Shahina in the 19th minute.

In the day’s other semis, Group B champions Magura smartly reached the final with an all -win run eliminating Panchagarh by 2-0 goals at the same venue.

Sonia put Magura ahead in the very 9th minute (1-0) while Eshita confirmed the Magura victory by scoring one more goal in the 28th minute (2-0).

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh national football team suffered 2nd consecutive defeat in the Three Nations Cup Football’ 2021 losing to hosts Kyrgyzstan by 1-4 goals at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek on Tuesday.

With the day’s 2nd successive victory, after beating Palestine 1-0 in the opening match, hosts Kyrgyzstan clinched the three nations cup title.

Touring Bangladesh, which conceded a defeat against Palestine in their first match last Sunday, today (Tuesday) went down by 0-2 goals in the first half.

President of Kyrgyzstan Republic Sodyr Nurgojoevich Japarov witnessed the day’s match as chief guest.

Forward Eldar Moldozhunusov put the home team ahead in the 10th minute by an angular shot from close, utilizing a free kick taken outside from the danger zone (1-0).

Alimardon Shukurov doubled the Kyrgyz lead in the 40th minute by a shot from goalmouth melee (2-0).

Tursunali Rustamov further sounded the Kyrgyz margin in the 47th minute by a straight shot from top of the small box, capitalizing on a left wing cross from his teammate (3-0).

Striker Mahbubur Rahman Sufil scored the lone goal for Bangladesh in the 53rd minute by a ground shot from danger zone, off a Rahmat Mia throw in, that kissed the hosts’ net foolingf the custodian (3-1).

Ernist Batyrkanov sealed the fate of the match scoring the 4th goal in the 89th minute by a header from close range (4-1).

Bangladesh team will also play a friendly match against hosts Kyrgyzstan U-23 side on September 9 as a part of their preparation for the SAFF Championship to be held in Maldives next month (October).

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Three times champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club finished runners-up in the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football’ 2020-21 beating Dhaka Mohammedan SC by 2-0 goals at the Bangladesh Army Stadium in Banani on Friday.

After a barren first half, Gambian striker Solomon King Kanform scored both the goals for Sheikh Jamal DC in the 52nd and 88th minutes (2-0).

Sheikh Jamal DC, which needed just one point in Friday’s match to assure the league runners-up position, earned full three points to finish 2nd comfortably with 52 points from all 24 matches, six points ahead of six times champions Dhaka Abahani, which bagged 46 points from 23 ties.

Star studded Bashundhara Kings smartly clinched the league title earlier with four matches to spare and now raises their tally to 58 points from 21 encounters.

With the day’s defeat, traditional Mohammedan SC went down to the 6th slot in the league with 43 points, playing all the 24 matches.

Uzbek booter Atabek Validjabnov of Sheikh Jamal got marching order in the 90th minute of the match.

In the day’s another match, Saif Sporting Club became 4th in the league beating relegated side Brothers Union Club by 1-0 goal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium Friday evening.

Maraz Hossain scored the all important goal for Saif SC in the 56th minute.

In the day’s other match, Chittagong Abahani Ltd defeated Muktijoddha Sangshad KC by 1-0 goal at the Kamalapur Stadium here on Friday.

Nigerian forward Matthew Chinedu scored the match winning goal for Abahani in the 11th minute.

After the day’s matches, both Chittagong Abahani and Saif SC bagged 44 points each , but in goal differences , Saif finished 4th and Ctg Abahani was placed 5th.

The freedom fighters team Muktijoddha SKC remained at the 10th place collecting 19 points from 24 outings.

In the day’s another match, Sheikh Russel KC beat Bangladesh Police FC by a solitary goal scored by Khalekuzzaman in the 72nd minute at the Army Stadium in Banani Friday afternoon.

In the day’s another fixture, Rahmatganj MFS outplayed another relegated side Arambagh KS by 3-0 goals at the Banglabandhu National Stadium here Friday afternoon .

Nigerian forward Felix Chidi Odili struck twice in the 15th and 73rd minutes while Shahedul Hasan Anik netted the other goal for Rahmatganj in the 29th minute.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

After a three-day quarantine period in the team hotel, the Bangladesh team started training on Friday ahead of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting from September 1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

On the same day, the New Zealand cricket team also started gearing up for their first international series in Bangladesh in many years. After arriving in Bangladesh on August 24, the members of the New Zealand team also maintained a three-day quarantine.

“It’s a big thing that we are getting a chance to play cricket in this crazy time of the pandemic,” Nurul Hasan Sohan, Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper-batsman told the media. “Life in the bio-bubble is so tough. But we have managed to adapt to it. I think the situation is going to be good in the coming days.”

A New Zealand player, Aleen Finn, tested positive for Covid-19 on August 24, and he is now in isolation. To replace him, New Zealand brought in Matt Henry for this series.

“I haven’t been to Bangladesh. It is my first time there. I have played in India and UAE. I have experience in sub-continent conditions so I am going there with a lot of confidence. There were a lot of low-scoring games in the last series there, so looking forward to the challenge. I played domestic T20 cricket last season, so I will fall back on that experience,” Henry told the media about his first visit to Bangladesh.

“I have played against Bangladesh over the last few years. But those were in our conditions, which are very different from what we are about to experience. Bangladesh has been very strong in their recent series. They are known to be a very tough team to play at home. We have had some good training in slower wickets in Lincoln. There will be a lot of change-ups, and different ways of bowling. I have experience in those conditions,” he added.

Bangladesh took on Australia in the last series at home and won 4-1. It was Bangladesh’s maiden series win over Australia in any format of international cricket.

The Tigers are upbeat to replicate the same performance in the upcoming series as well. “We are refreshed now. We just started training ahead of the New Zealand series. We believe we can do well in the field,” Sohan said.

Bangladesh played a total of 10 T20Is against New Zealand but failed to win any of them. So this series came as a great chance for Mahmudullah Riyad-led Bangladesh to create a new chapter of their history.

While the first match of the series will take place on September 1, other matches will be played on September 3, 5, 8 and 10 at the same venue. All the matches will start at 4 p.m. Bangladesh time.

Bangladesh squad: Mahmudullah Riyad (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shamim Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam Biplob, Nasum Ahmed

New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (capt, wk), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell (wk), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Blair Tickner, Will Young, Matt Henry.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Six-time champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd recorded the biggest victory in the ongoing 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football’ 2020-21 crushing Uttar Baridhara Club by 8-0 goals at the Banglabandhu National Stadium (BNS) here on Thursday.

The previous biggest wins in the ongoing league was 6-0 achieved by three teams. Dhaka Abahani against Rahmatganj MFS, Badhindhara Kings against Uttar Baridhara Club and Sheikh Jamal DC over Arambagh KS.

In the day’s one-sided match, Haitian striker Kervens Belfort made a hattrick scoring four goals for Dhaka Abahani in the 34th (P), 68th, 74th and 90th minutes.

With the day’s feat, Belfort advanced to the 4th slot in the league’s scorers list netting 17 goals.

Local midfielder Jewel Rana struck twice in the 64th and 66th minutes while Brazilian medio Raphael Augusto and Nigerian forward Sunday Chizoba netted two more goals in the 4th (P) and 41st minutes respectively.

Despite the day’s well merited victory, the sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani went down in the runners up race as they are in the 3rd slot in the league table securing 46 points from 23 matches.

Three times-champions Sheikh Jamal DC just inches away from the league runners-up position securing 49 points from 23 matches while Bashundhara Kings smartly clinched the league title earlier with four matches to spare and now they raises their tally to 58 points from 21 encounters.

Five more BPL matches will be on Friday at three venues.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

After earning a surprising call to the Bangladesh national football team, the non-resident Bangladeshi Rahbar Wahed Khan said he is eager to make it to the playing XI of Bangladesh.

The 25-year-old forward lives in Toronto, Canada. He represents a semi-professional side North Toronto Nitros. Along with Rahbar, 18-year-old midfielder Tahmid Islam, who lives in France, has also been called up by the Bangladesh coach Jamie Day.

Rahbar will join the national team in Kyrgyzstan in the coming weeks ahead of a tri-national football event.

“It’s a proud moment for me and my family,” Rahbar said through a video message from Toronto on Wednesday. “I’m so excited, and eagerly waiting to join the team. It’s the very first time that I got a call to the Bangladesh national team. Everyone in my family and all of our relatives are so happy.”

Rahbar was a bright footballer during his school days, his father recalled while talking to the media. Rahbar was contacted first by Bangladesh coach Jamie who was convinced after watching his video clips.

“When Rahbar was in class seven in school, I went to watch a match that he played. Before the match, he asked my opinion about how many goals he would score. I told him four, and to my utter surprise, he scored four goals in that match,” Rahbar’s father, Akram Ali Khan, told the media.

Besides studying, Rahbar used to work in Canada, but right after getting a national team call, he resigned from his post, his father said.

“Rahbar has always been so focused on being a great footballer,” his father said. “He got calls from two big clubs of the Bangladesh Premier League, but he refused. He wants to play in a club in Europe. We hope his dreams will come true one day.”

The Bangladesh coach is also excited to have talents like Rahbar in the Bangladesh team. In a recent interview, he backed the decision of relying on the non-resident Bangladeshi players, or those in the diaspora community who are eligible to play for the country, alongside the local players.

The prime example is Jamal Bhuiyan, now established as the captain of the Bangladesh team, who grew up in Denmark, while Tariq Raihan Kazi joined the Bangladesh team from Finland.

“It’s a win-win situation for the players and the team,” Jamie told the media. “They grew up getting better practising facilities, and they have been playing against tougher opponents that made them better footballers than the local players. So if we give them chances to play for Bangladesh, it will eventually help us to do well at the international level.”

According to Englishman Day, if a mixed team with local and non-resident players helps Bangladesh to do better, it’s good to go that way. He also acknowledged that giving priority to the non-resident players might damage the morale of the local players who have been trying to get a national team call for a long time.

“It’s true that some might get upset as they are not getting a national team call. But if we get some non-resident players and they do well for the team, it’s better for all. I think it’s better to form a team with the local players, and at the same time, if we can form a team with the local and non-resident players, it’s good too,” Day added.

If the non-resident players come up and prove their mettle in Kyrgyzstan, they might have places in the Bangladesh team for the next edition of the SAFF Football Championship.

Bangladesh football team will travel to Bishkek on August 28, and will take on Palestine on September 5 and Kyrgyzstan on September 7. After that, they will take on Kyrgyzstan U-23 on September 9 before ending up the tour.

Bangladesh squad for Kyrgyzstan tour:

Goalkeepers: Anisur Rahman Zico, Sahidul Alam Sohel, Mitul Marma; Defenders: Bishwanath Ghosh, Topu Barman, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Rahmat Mia, Riyadul Hasan Rafi, Yeasin Arafat, Razaul Karim, Mehedi Hasan, Mohammad Atikuzzaman; Midfielders: Jamal Bhuyan, Masuk Miah Joni, Sohel Rana, Saad Uddin, Rakib Hossain, Nayb Md Tahmid Islam; Forwards: Biplo Ahamed, Mahbubur Rahman Sufil, Mohammad Ibrahim, Matin Miah, Rahbar Wahed Khan.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan has hinted that he may stay away from the next election of its governing body as “cricket is taking too much time from my life.”

During a media interaction after the latest Annual General Meeting (AGM) of BCB, Nazmul on Thursday told media that he has been advised by doctors to stay out of cricketing engagement for his wellbeing.

“Cricket is taking much time, too much time from my life,” Nazmul told the media. “And the bad thing about me is I can’t accept a defeat. When Bangladesh lose a match, I get upset— even my family members fear to confront me at that time.”

Nazmul was appointed president of BCB for the first time in 2012 by the government. In the next election in 2013, he won post unopposed, which was repeated in 2017 as well.

“My doctor advised me to stay away from cricket-related engagements or I reduce my participation in everything,” Nazmul added. “I think I should tell you these. The next election will be held as early as possible. We have a board meeting on September 1, and we’ll decide a date for the election in that meeting.”

Nazmul did not make it clear if he will participate in the election. He only said that the next election will be “something different”.

The BCB AGM took place in a hotel in the capital. As per the BCB constitution, the AGM should take place once a year, but it was BCB’s only AGM in four years.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Football teams in Europe build their squads by buying players during the summer transfer window, which fascinates football fans across the world. Despite the coronavirus epidemic, Europe’s top clubs are hoping to add superstar players during the summer transfer window this year. Lionel Messi has already signed a two-year contract with PSG in Ligue 1, and Chelsea have acquired Romelu Lukaku for 115 million euros from Serie A champion (2020/2021) Inter Milan. Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe are all available for a new challenge. Let’s look at some of the latest summer football transfer news in 2021.

Kylian Mbappe

PSG signed one of the greatest ever footballers, Lionel Messi earlier this month with the aim of creating a strong attacking line-up in Europe with Neymar, Mbappe, and Messi upfront. However, their wish may not be fulfilled because Mbappe has reportedly declined to extend his current deal with the Paris-Saint Germain.

According to rumors, he is considering leaving the club for Real Madrid this summer. He has also no worries about finishing his current contract, which will expire at the end of the 2021/2022 season. Real Madrid have officially made a 160 million euro offer to PSG to lure Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabéu.

PSG’s Director of Football, Leonardo, has confirmed that he would not be sold for a low price. Various reports claim, any team interested in acquiring Mbappe this season will have to pay 220 million euros. In the coming days, this Mbappe transfer saga may take some unexpected twists.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The agent for Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorge Mendes is now working on a transfer for his client. Ronaldo may be forced to finish his present deal with Juventus if he cannot find a suitable club. Earlier, PSG had expressed interest in luring Cristiano Ronaldo if Mbappe left the club. However, according to recent rumors, Paris Saint-Germain are no longer interested in purchasing him this summer.

So, Cristiano Ronaldo’s only feasible alternative would be to join Manchester City. If he departs Juventus for Manchester City, it would be a huge shock to Manchester United supporters.

Ronaldo established himself as a global superstar during his time with the Red Devils from 2003 until 2009. He also won his first Ballon d’or with Manchester United. As per sources, he would cost around 25 million euros, making this spectacular transfer possible.

Erling Haaland

Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland is one of the most talked-about players in Europe right now. Since joining German club 2020, this big forward has been in excellent form. All of Europe’s major teams are vying for his signature. However, Borussia Dortmund will not sell him for a low price. This summer, Haaland will cost more than150 million euros.

Chelsea attempted to sign him earlier this month, but Dortmund refused to sell him. In the following season, Erling Haaland would be available at a considerably lower price. So, we may expect him to leave next summer rather than this window. Manchester City, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Manchester United are the favorites to sign him next season.

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski has established himself as a legend after spending more than a decade in the Bundesliga. He has set numerous Bundesliga records. He broke Gerd Muller’s most goals in a single season in the 2021/2021 season. Lewandowski is eager to leave Bayern Munich in search of a new challenge.

At the age of 33, he can only move to a team that badly need a striker for a limited period of time. For the time being, Manchester City appear to be the best choice for him. PSG might be an alternative if Mbappe leaves for Real Madrid. Because of his age, both Manchester City and PSG can purchase him for a low price. But one thing is certain: he will score a lot of goals wherever he goes.

Harry Kane

Harry Kane was keen to leave Tottenham Hotspur in search of silverware. Because he does not feel Tottenham is capable of winning a trophy. Kane was widely linked with a move to Manchester City.

Man City allegedly offered Spurs 125 million pounds for Kane, but Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, turned down the offer. As per reports, they are seeking more than 150 million pounds.Finally, Harry Kane has confirmed that he will not leave Tottenham this summer, and he is allegedly demanding a weekly salary of £400,000 from the club. It will be interesting to see whether Man City make a January transfer window move for Harry Kane.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Chittagong Abahani Ltd advanced to 4th place in the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2020-21 outplaying Bangladesh Police FC by 4-1 goals at the Banglabandhu National Stadium Tuesday evening.

They clearly dominated the first half by 3-0 goals.

With the day’s feat, the sky-blue team from port city of Chattogram, Abahani Ltd moved up to 4th slot toppling Dhaka Mohammedan collecting 37 points from 20 encounters while Police FC remained at 8th slot with 19 points from 19 matches.

Star studded Bashundhara Kings smartly clinched title of the ongoing league with four matches to spare securing 55 points from 20 matches after beating three times champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-0 goals last Monday.

Six times champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd are in the 2nd slot bagging 40 points from 20 matches, followed by three times champions Sheikh Jamal DC with 39 points from 19 outings.

In the day’s match, Brazilian forward Nixon Brizolara scored first for Abahani in the very 2nd minute from a penalty (1-0), Ivory Coast medio Didier Brossou doubled the Abahani margin in the 10th minute (2-0) while local booter Rakib Hosssin scored the 3rd goal in the 45th minute (3-0).

Mohammad Swadhin pulled the Police margin one back scoring a consolation goal in the 79th minute (3-1) while Nigerian midfielder Matthew Chinedu sealed the fate of the match netting the 4th goal for Abahani in the first minute of the stoppage time (4-1).

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Saif Sporting Club advanced to the 6th place In the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2020-21 defeating Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra by 4-2 goals at the Banglabandhu National Stadium here Tuesday.

They dominated the first half by 3-1 goals.

With the day’s feat, Saif SC improved their position (6th slot) in the league securing 32 points from 19 encounters while Sheikh Russel KC went down to 7th slot with 30 points from 20 matches.

Saif SC took lead by a gifted goal in the 9th minute when Asaduzzaman Bablu of Sheikh Russel KC sent the ball to his own net.

But, their lead was very short lived as Nigerian booter Ugochukwu Obi Moneke restored the parity for Sheikh Russel KC in the 14th minute.

Nigerian forward Kenneth Ikechukwu again put Saif SC ahead in the 27th minute and another Nigerian booter John Okoli further widen the Saif SC margin in the 4Oth minute to go for half time break.

Kenneth Ikechukwu ensured the Saif SC victory scoring his 2nd goal in the 52nd minute.

Nigerian Ugochukwu Moneke reduced the Sheikh Russel margin scoring his 2nd goal in the 63td minute.

In the day’s another league match at new venue Banani Army Stadium, Dhaka Mohammedan SC beat relegation bound Brothers Union Club by 2-0 goals.

Mohammedan SC took lead in the 41st minute by a Shahed Hossain Miah goal while their Malian booter Souleymane Diabate confirmed the black and whites victory scoring one more goal in the 83rd minute (2-0).

Despite the day’s win, Mohammedan SC remained at the 5th slot in the league table securing 36 points from 20:matches while the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union Club under relegation threat with six points from 19 outings.

Star studded Bashundhara Kings smartly clinched the league crown with four matches to spare securing 55 points from 20 matches after beating three times champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-0 goals on Monday.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladeshi world famed all rounder Shakib Al Hasan emerged as the only crickter in the world to score 1000 runs and grabbed 100 wickets in T20I Cricket on Monday.

Shakib, who entered the field against Australia in the 5th and last match of the T20 series on Monday with 98 wickets, reached the milestone of grabbing 100 wickets dismissing Aussie captain Mathew Wade (22 runs) and Aston Turner (1) in his 83 innings of 84 T20 matches in Mirpur.

He finally grabbed four wickets conceding nine runs with a maiden in 3. 4 over spell raising his tally to 102 wickets and was adjudged player of the match and player of the series against Australia.

Shakib, who completed 1000 runs in T20 long time ago, presently scored 1718 runs to be the 2nd Bangladeshi crickter in the format after Tamim Iqbal, who made 1758 runs in 78 matches.

Indian captain Virat Kohli topped the list contributing 3159 runs in 90 matches.

Shakib is the second bowler to complete 100 wickets in the format after Sri Lanka’s retired bowler Lasith Malinga, who grabbed 107 wickets , also in 83 innings of 84 matches.

With the day’s feat, Bangladesh earned a thumping win by a big margin of 60 runs, their second-biggest in terms of runs in the fifth and final T20I on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

While chasing a target of 123, Australia tumbled for 62— their lowest total in T20Is . Their previous lowest in the format was 79 for 10 against England in 2005. Australia took only 13.4 over to get dismissed— they never lost all of their wickets in international cricket faster than this innings. Audtria lost seven wickets in 14 runs from 48 to 62.

Shakib gave away 50 in the previous game in four overs— his worst bowling figures in T20Is— and subsequently, Bangladesh lost the match by three wickets.

With the win in Monday’s game, Bangladesh sealed the series 4-1. It was Bangladesh’s first-ever series win against Australia in any format of international cricket. Before this series, Bangladesh faced Australia in four matches but lost all of them.

Source: United News of Bangladesh