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Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael has called on his players to make the day special by beating Kagera Sugar in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Tuesday.

The two sides will face off at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam as they seek a ticket in the last four but coach Eymael’s focus is to earn revenge against a side that beat him in his first match in charge of Yanga.

Eymael arrived in Yanga from Black Leopards of South Africa to sign a short-term deal but received a rude awakening after losing his first match 3-0 to Kagera in the Mainland Premier League.

“Kagera is a strong team, they beat me 3-0 even before I had settled with Yanga, I had just arrived and my first match in charge was against them and they beat me, I want my players to make my day by revenging today [Tuesday],” Eymael told Goal on Tuesday.

“They are a very physical side and during my first encounter with them, they really troubled my side, and I have been watching the side since then, they beat me just two days after arriving in Dar es Salaam and it was a bit painful for me, I know my players will return the favour and beat them.”

Eymael further revealed their focus now is to make sure they win the domestic Cup to earn a ticket to Caf Confederation Cup next season.

“We are not talking about the league anymore now that Simba SC have been crowned, we want to make sure we do well in the domestic Cup, we have a realistic chance of getting a ticket to the Confederation Cup and my boys are aware of that,” Eymael continued.

“We are not far away from the final but we want to take it a game at a time, every game has its own story to tell and that is why we don’t want to jump the gun but take it a game at a time.”

Eymael also confirmed that Ghanaian striker Bernard Morrison, who has missed a couple of league matches since it resumed on June 13, will make the 18-man squad for the fixture but could not reveal whether he will start.

“I have named him in the 18-man squad for the clash but I don’t know whether he will play any part or not,” Eymael added. “I don’t want to commit myself now that he will play, but the good news is that he has made it to the squad for the match.”

In another FA Cup match, newly crowned league champions Simba will take on Azam FC at the same venue on Wednesday.

Harry Maguire is getting "better and better" with each passing game, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who says the Manchester United captain "has a magnet on his head".

Maguire has been the first name on Solskjaer's team-sheet since his £80 million ($98m) move to Old Trafford from Leicester last summer, having quickly adapted to the demands of playing for one of the world's biggest clubs.

The 27-year-old has featured in 44 games for United this season, scoring three goals, while forging a solid partnership with Victor Lindelof in the heart of the defence.

The England international was named the Red Devils' new skipper following Ashley Young's move to Inter in January, and he has taken on the extra responsibility admirably.

Maguire's latest standout display came as United booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Norwich on Saturday.

He popped up in the box to net a dramatic late winner in the second half of extra time, and subsequently picked up the man of the match award.

Solskjaer is "very happy" with how Maguire is progressing, but thinks there is still much more to come from a player who thrives on regular playing time.

The Norwegian boss told United's official website: “I think his performances on the pitch say it all. He’s become club captain, he’s a leader and he’s chipping in with goals, so I’m very happy with Harry.

"He’s a big lad and he gets better and better the more he plays. I think we’ll see him improving more and more the games he plays. He’ll get his sharpness from games.”

Asked whether Maguire will start weighing in with more headed goals as he looks to get on the end of dead balls, Solskjaer responded: “Definitely, and he should do. Tim Krul had a great save on Saturday from his header and we know that he’s a threat to anyone.

"I said it when we played Leicester last season it’s like he has a magnet on his head with the ball and we’re now getting used to him and his movement, with Bruno [Fernandes] coming up with some good deliveries. And we know when Harry is in there then anything can happen.”

The Red Devils will be back in Premier League action away at Brighton on Tuesday, but Solskjaer insists there will be no excuses for his side as they look to extend their 14-match unbeaten run.

He added: “That’s the normal routine for a Man United player. You play midweek, weekend, midweek, weekend… you do that all the time.

"You can discuss other teams and say they have 24 hours more recovery and blah blah blah, but it doesn’t fit into my thinking. As soon as you sign for Man United you should be ready to play up to 60 games a season with a game every three or four days.”

Ray Parlour says Matteo Guendouzi must ‘toe the line’ to avoid throwing away his Arsenal career.

The French midfielder was left out of Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad for a second successive game on Sunday when the Gunners booked their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win at Sheffield United.

His absence comes amid the fall-out from his clash with Neal Maupay following Arsenal’s defeat at Brighton on June 20, an incident which saw Guendouzi grab the Seagulls striker round the neck.

The 21-year-old avoided a retrospective ban from the Football Association, but hasn't avoided the wrath of Arteta - who has since left him out of his squads for the games at Southampton and Sheffield United.

And Parlour - who made a club record 333 Premier League appearances for Arenal and won three league titles with the Gunners - believes the former Lorient man needs to control his emotions and listen to his coach if he is to win his place back.

“He’s got to toe the line,” Parlour told Goal.

“He’s a very energetic player, a very good player. I think it’s a situation where Arteta now is stamping his authority, which is something you have to do as a manager. You have to get the respect of the players.

“Matteo has maybe stepped out of line and he’s left him out. I’ve always said do your talking on the pitch. As long as you are performing, you get away with certain incidents.

“I do like the way he plays, he’s got good energy, but it comes down to Arteta. I don’t see him every day in training, I don’t see if he’s a bit of a sulker, I just don’t know.

“Arteta now has got to get that out of him, see what makes him tick. He’s a young lad, he’s still learning and that’s what Arteta’s trying to get across to him.”

There have been suggestions that Guendouzi could be on his way out of Arsenal this summer, with French publication L’Equipe reporting that he told head coach Arteta of his desire to leave during a meeting last week.

The report also suggested that Arsenal would be happy to sanction the sale, providing the right offer arrived at the end of the season, but Parlour believes Arteta still views the midfielder as an important member of his squad.

“I still think he’s certainly part of his plans for now,” said the Gunners legend. “He’s just trying to put people in line and show he’s the boss. He will get a lot of respect from the players if you say how it is to them individually.

“I know for a fact that Arteta is very good going round everyone and having a chat with them, trying to see their feelings and their characters. Maybe Matteo wasn’t right and that’s why he’s dropped him.”

Bloemfontein Celtic defender Justice Chabalala is keen to win silverware with his parent club, Orlando Pirates.

The 28-year-old player's loan deal at Celtic was recently extended by two months following an agreement between the two clubs with the current season expected to resume soon.

Chabalala wants to emulate Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi, who won eight major trophies during his 14-year spell with the Soweto giants before he retired at the age of 40 in 2016.

“I want to reach greater heights in my career like Lekgwathi. I want to win trophies like he did at Pirates. He was always disciplined on and off the pitch leading by example, that is why he had a successful career," Chabalala told Daily Sun.

“I haven’t reached my peak because I don’t even have a trophy, except for the Black Label Cup. I hope to win the Nedbank Cup [Celtic beat TS Sporting to reach the semi-final stage]. I haven’t done anything in my career that’s why I am so hungry.”

The towering centre back joined Siwelele from Bucs midway through the current campaign and he helped the Free State giants reach the Nedbank Cup semi-finals and the competition is expected to be completed when the season resumes.

Chabalala admitted that he is unsure whether he will return to Pirates or stay at Celtic at the end of the current campaign having enjoyed regular game time at Siwelele, before the current season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic last March.

“To be honest I don’t know what will happen at the end of the season. I still have another year on my contract with Pirates. But I am happy that I am getting more game time at Celtic. I deserve this chance since I have always worked hard," he added.

"Whatever decision Pirates take I don’t have a problem as long as I will enjoy playing football. I am enjoying myself at the moment as we have players like Lucky Baloyi and Jackson Mabokgwane who also played with me at Pirates.”

The former Free State Stars player feels that the forced PSL break due to the coronavirus pandemic might kill Siwelele’s momentum when the season resumes.

“We had good form before the season was stopped. But we can’t do anything to restore it, except to double our efforts when we resume the season," he said.

"We are not used to playing without our fans, but we can’t do anything about it except to got out there and make them proud.”

Celtic are placed ninth on the Premier Soccer League (PSL) standings - three points behind eighth-placed Highlands Park.

While normalcy slowly returns to Malaysia after the end of the Covid-19 total lockdown imposed throughout the country, the threat of the coronavirus is still very much real in many parts of the world.

Brazil is one of the countries whose response towards the pandemic has been found wanting, and as of Tuesday, June 30, the South American nation has recorded 1.7 million cases as well as over 58,000 deaths.

The situation understandably has Selangor's Brazilian attacker Sandro da Sliva worried.

"I am in a tough situation because the number of cases has been increasing back home, and I have family there. My elderly father and mother are at risk due to age factors. Due to the time difference, I've been losing sleep out of worry and the need to constantly get in touch with them in order to ensure that they are fine.

"I pray to God that things will get better, especially with the political uncertainties taking place. But more importantly, I want all my relatives to be safe after losing an elderly uncle to Covid-19, as he was already ill before the outbreak.

"A number of my childhood friends who I used to play football with have also passed away due to the virus, and I did not get to say goodbye to them. But that is life, I have to keep going while protecting the loved ones who are still with, me and friends affected by the outbreak back home," revealed the 36-year old player in an interview with the Malaysian Football League (MFL).

At the height of the outbreak in Malaysia, the public were required to stay indoors except to go out to purchase groceries. The Malaysian league was also halted, with foreign players also barred from leaving the country.

Malaysia's response towards the pandemic has largely been praised by the international community, with the country's health department able to limit the total numbers of cases to 8,637 and of deaths to 121, in a country populated by 32 million.

Andy Robertson is a perfect example of the “brilliant” transfer business overseen by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, says Stan Collymore, with the former Reds striker claiming that many Premier League strugglers would have “baulked” at the left-back’s £8 million ($10m) asking price.

Back in the summer of 2017, those at Anfield sought to address what they considered to be a defensive need.

Rather than invest heavily on a ready-made superstar, potential was sounded out in a Scotland international on the books at Hull City.

Considerable value has been found in a deal for Robertson, with the 26-year-old now revered as one of the finest exponents of his chosen position in world football.

Klopp is considered to have spotted talent that others could not see, with Collymore suggesting that no other club would have taken the plunge on a player who had offered little before arriving at Anfield to suggest that he could become one of the very best around.

The former Reds striker told The Mirror of recruitment business on Merseyside that is now the envy of domestic and continental rivals: “Making the big signings work is impressive enough, but what he has done with Robertson is just brilliant.

“Most of the top flight’s bottom five or six clubs at the time would have baulked at the £8 million Klopp paid Hull for him.

“Yet the German took a jobbing young left-back and turned him into arguably the world’s best in that position.

“Can you name me one Steady Eddie who has arrived at Manchester City under Guardiola’s reign and is now seen as the pre-eminent player in his position?

“Klopp has worked wonders with individuals, and collectively he has made that dressing room.

“Everyone in that squad clearly loves each other and it’s obvious the manager has drilled home the importance of doing things properly and making sure there aren’t any cliques.

“For it to have taken just under five years to get from where Liverpool were when Klopp arrived to where they are now as world, European and Premier League champions is an incredible feat.

“You look at the players they have now and say, ‘Now that is a Liverpool squad’.”

Robertson is far from being the only Klopp signing to have enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence at Liverpool, with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk slipping into a similar category, but the Scot has arguably proved to be the biggest bargain in monetary terms.

Maurizio Sarri has declared Miralem Pjanic "will be happy" to seal a move to Barcelona, while backing the midfielder to remain focused during his remaining time at Juventus.

Barca confirmed on Monday that Arthur will join Juve in a deal potentially worth €72 million (£66m/$81m) at the end of the season, and Pjanic is expected to go the other way.

Sarri had expressed a desire to see Pjanic remain with the Bianconeri beyond the end of the season.

However, when speaking to the media shortly before the Arthur deal was confirmed, he emphasised savouring the Bosnia-Herzegovina international's talents while he is still with his club.

"If the transfer becomes official, [Pjanic] will be happy because he will end his career in a great team," Sarri told reporters.

"The boy can be happy with this solution, I am peaceful because he is serious and intelligent. The possibility that he doesn't give us 101 per cent, I don't see it.

"It's good for both that they focus on what they have to do now. The opening of the market is two months away, they still have to play some important games.

"Talking about the market doesn't give me pleasure. Some of the staff will certainly study Arthur thoroughly to get the clearest ideas, for now let's enjoy Pjanic in this season finale."

Barcelona manager Quique Setien has meanwhile included Arthur in his squad to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday as he backed him to put his looming transfer to one side. 

"I have no doubt about his greatest commitment until the last day he is here," the head coach told the media.

"He is a player until the last game of the season. He has committed himself to being one more [member of the squad].

"He will dedicate himself fully to achieving the objectives. I have no doubts about him. He has said that he will be in the best conditions. I'll decide if he plays more or less."

Both Barcelona and Juventus are looking to end their respective seasons with a league title. While Sarri's side boast a four-point lead in Serie A, Setien's men now trail Real Madrid by two points in La Liga. 

The clubs are also both still alive in the Champions League with the second leg of their respective Round of 16 ties expected to be played in early August. 

Filippo Inzaghi's Benevento clinched promotion to Serie A on Monday with seven league games to spare.

Former Cagliari striker Marco Sau came off the bench to score the only goal in Benevento's 1-0 victory over Juve Stabia, a result that sealed the Serie B title.

Benevento, who have won 23 of their 31 league games and lost just once, have a 24-point advantage over Crotone and Cittadella.

Ascoli were the last club to be promoted with seven games remaining, and they did so in 1977-78 when only two points were awarded for a victory.

Benevento were promoted to Serie A for the first time in their history three years ago, but they were relegated after just one campaign having lost their first 14 games.

Former AC Milan and Bologna boss Inzaghi took over 12 months ago and will re-join his brother and Lazio coach Simone in Italy's top flight next term.

"He is better than me in everything," the Benevento boss said recently. "I can only learn from Simone: he is a modern coach and seeing his Lazio side is a spectacle."

Benevento look to already be preparing for life in Serie A already as ex-Chelsea and Marseille striker Loic Remy was reported to have arrived for a medical on Monday ahead of signing.

The Sorcerers have scored a league-high 56 goals this season, while they've also let in the fewest, with only 15 goals conceded so far across 31 matches. 

Inzaghi is quickly proving his potential as a manager having also previously sealed promotion for Venezia to Serie B in 2017. 

Prior to claiming his latest success with Benevento, Inzaghi called for fans to avoid gathering with the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing and instead suggested they flock to their balconies. 

“We won’t gather because the virus is still active even if we are far away from it," he told Il Mattino. 

"We would give a very nice sign, truly incredible, if the whole city would decorate their balconies, windows, terraces and welcome the players, the technical staff and managers.Those who live in the alleys and not on the main street can be accommodated on the balcony or the terraces of a neighbour. I hope everything goes well.”

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has decided to postpone its upcoming tournaments due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. 

The 13th edition of the SAFF Championship, which was scheduled to take place in September this year in Bangladesh, has been postponed to 2021 after an online meeting which featured the general secretaries of the member associations.

Regarding the other tournaments, such as the U-15 Championship, U-15 Women's Championship & U-18 Women's Championship, a decision will only be taken in the next review meeting which has been scheduled for September this year. 

“The South Asian Football Federation held a meeting today via Zoom with its member associations’ general secretaries regarding the SAFF Competitions,” SAFF said in a news release.

“Hence taking into account SAFF has decided in principle to postpone SAFF Championship to 2021."

India last won the SAFF Championship in 2015 and then lost to the Maldives in the final in the next edition that took place in Bangladesh two years ago. India are also the defending champions of the U-18 and U-15 Men's tournaments and the senior Women's and U-15 Women's Championship. 

Bangladesh are set to be the hosts for the fourth time in the history of the competition. 

At the age of 33, Lester Fernandez is currently a coach at the SP Academy and St. Xaviers' school, Nerul at Navi Mumbai. He also represented Kenkre FC in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) Elite Division last season.

Fernandez was two matches away from clinching his first MDFA Elite Division as Kenkre led the table before the season was suspended owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. Winning the league would have been a good end to his playing career, Fernandez felt.

"Maybe I have played only 60-70 per cent of my football," he expressed to Goal. "I could have played for another four-to-five years or maybe more than that but it just didn't click. I don't know what to say about it also because the teams that I went to either closed down or the coach changed.

"I didn't want to go and play in the second division also back then, coming from the ISL. Maybe that is the fault I made. I should have maybe played somewhere to make my comeback."

Fernandez fetched Pune FC (now disbanded) a transfer fee of INR 20 lakhs when he moved to Kolkata outfit United SC in 2012. His stock had risen after he was voted the FPAI (Football Players' Association of India) Fans' Player of the Year for his performance in the 2010-11 I-League. However, Fernandez never thought he would disappear into obscurity so soon.

"For me, you know, what is hard to swallow is that I just vanished away from the scene and people don't even know what was the main reason. It was not about my fitness or anything," he insisted.

Football came spontaneously for Lester, who explained, "The area where I grew up was called Austin Town. Players like Carlton Chapman, Noel Wilson are all from the same area. Chapman played for India at that time. So everybody in our area wanted to be a footballer like him. I lived just behind the ground where all the players used to train. So I could see football happening right in front of my eyes."

As a youngster, Fernandez turned up for Bangalore 'A' Division side Wheel and Axle Plant of the Indian Railways for a season and played at the U-16 level for Karnataka before joining the famed Tata Football Academy (TFA) in 2003.

Soon after his graduation, he joined Dempo SC but soon lost his patience over lack of playing time. "Dempo had really good players that time and I wasn't getting much of a chance. Armando (Colaco) Sir asked me to have some patience but I always used to crib because I was out of TFA and my batchmates were playing at Sporting (Clube de Goa). And I thought that I couldn't afford to sit on the bench."

A season each at Vasco SC and Salgaocar FC was followed by a better stint at Pune wherein the Red Lizards finished third and fifth in the I-League but he personally excelled. He went on to win the IFA Shield with United SC (then Prayag United).

"After I left Dempo, I started to play well. The time at Pune was the peak and so I cannot regret that I left Dempo."

Fernandez made his way back to Pune after Mumbai Tigers pulled out from participating in the 2013-14 I-League, followed by a title winning season with ISL outfit Atletico de Kolkata (now ATK or ATK-Mohun Bagan). 

Back then, the two leagues were not played concurrent to each other, with the I-League following the ISL. Lester joined newly formed Bharat FC (now disbanded) in 2015. However, in just nine games, an injury was going to change the course of Fernandez's playing career.

"My (football) journey has been very good until I suffered [the ACL] injury in 2015. I was about to sign for FC Goa," he revealed. "They had even sent me the contract but just before signing, there was an East Bengal match in which I got injured. The [2015] ISL was going to start in a few months but my injury took another eight months to recover."

"After returning from my surgery, Bharat FC also shut shop," Fernandez rued his misfortune.

"I don't know if it was timing or what because the same year (2015) after my surgery, I had gone to Mumbai FC. I trained with them for one month and I was already fit but then they signed Arata (Izumi) from the ISL.

"I was supposed to sign for Chennai City (in 2017) but the coach (Robin Charles Raja) who called me there was sacked," Fernandez continued to narrate his ordeal.

"Then I didn't want to play for any second division club and that year got wasted. Then after three years, automatically I'm off the radar. So it became irritating. Even last year (2019), Ashok Sir (Dr. Ashok Kumar) who was at Pune FC (former general manager) called me to Gokulam (Kerala) but I thought against moving out of Mumbai."

Lester Fernandez made his international debut under former India coach Savio Medeira in 2012 and only has a couple of caps to his name.

"Now, you know how it works. Whether you have played football for five years or 10 years, you will have to go [to any club] on a trial basis. So maybe after a good pre-season, I could try out somewhere but I still have to think about it. If I play for a couple of years, either ways I will have to establish myself all over. There are also many coaches these days who are doing their licenses. So who knows what the future holds," signed off the AFC 'D' License holder.

Former Spanish international defender Carlos Marchena had joined the Kerala Blasters as their marquee signing in the second edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).

Marchena, unfortunately, could appear in just one ISL match for the Blasters, as he had to part ways with the club in the middle of the season due to a back injury which he had suffered during the pre-season.

Current Kerala Blasters assistant coach Ishfaq Ahmed, who was a part of the Blasters playing squad back then, recalled his experience with Spanish World Cup winner.

“We are still in touch and he is my good friend now. He is one of the nicest persons I have met. He is very down to earth and intelligent. He had a superb technique. It was the last season of his career and he was 35 or 36 at that time. He could have easily played more but he had some back issues. Other than his injuries, he never missed a single day of training while at Kerala Blasters. He was a perfect team man," he told Goal.

The centre-back, who had a stellar career with Valencia and the Spanish national team, was a very warm person, felt Ishfaq.

“Carlos was always a very welcoming guy. Whenever someone approached him he always spoke with them. I was very fortunate to get a Spanish national team jersey from the 2010 World Cup. It was such a warm gesture. He went back to Spain after getting injured but while returning to India he remembered that I had asked him for the jersey and he was kind enough to bring me back the World Cup uniform.

“It was a heart touching moment for me that a player of his stature remembered my request. I was not very close to him at that time as he had just arrived. But now we are good friends," shared Ishfaq, highlighting how humble and approachable a person Marchena was.

The former Dempo winger suggested that despite language barriers, the Spanish defender never hesitated to help a youngster.

“His English was limited but he had translators. He would always encourage all the players. We were very surprised to see his technique. He used to train for free-kicks also and being a defender his set-piece technique was wonderful. He could strike the ball from even 40 yards,” said Ahmed.

He continued, “The most important thing is he used to always encourage the young players. Whether he was playing or he was on the bench he always used to egg the players on, say nice things to give the players confidence.”

On asked what he personally learned from a player of Carlos Marchena’s stature, the Kerala Blasters assistant coach said, “I learned more off the field. He was among the top players of the world during his playing days and yet when he came to India, he was so humble. He was an extremely humble person and humility is the thing which I learned from him."

QUICK FACTS

Team name: South Korea

Nickname: The Red Devils

Manager: Song Kyung-sub

Last game: South Korea 1-2 Turkey (January 2020)

TEAM PROFILE

South Korea boasts great success in the AFC U16 Championship. They won it twice - in Qatar in 1986 and in the UAE in 2002.

They were on the right side of penalty shootouts in both finals, with Yemen and Qatar at the receiving end in 1986 and 2002, respectively.

In their last five appearances in the competition, Korea managed two silver medals and one semi-final finish. After topping the group that also contained India in 2008, Korea eased past hosts Uzbekistan and edged Japan in the quarterfinals and semi-final respectively before succumbing to Iran in the final.

Interestingly, they could not qualify for the 2010 edition and sat out of the final round for only the fourth time in history.

Korea finished runners-up yet again in 2014. A comfortable group stage built up to two simple knockout rounds with the Red Devils comfortably getting past Japan and Syria. But DPR Korea edged them in the finals to claim their second title.

The 2016 AFC U16 Championship that was held in India remains the only edition since 1996 in which Korea qualified for the final round but failed to make it out of the group. However, they made a statement upon return in the 2018 edition with a top-four finish.

The Red Devils defeated two of their current group stage opponents in that edition. They topped a group that also contained Australia and defeated India in the quarterfinals before losing to Tajikistan on penalties in the semi-final.

Having remained in the top echelons of Asian football consistently, South Korea have featured in the FIFA U17 World Cup quite often.

One of their best runs in the competition arrived last year when they qualified for the quarterfinals in the tournament that was held in Brazil. A 1-0 defeat against eventual silver medallists Mexico ended their campaign.

LESSONS FROM THE PAST

Korea and India have faced each other thrice in the competition, with the former emerging victorious on all three occasions. The Red Devils eased to a 3-1 win in the quarterfinals in 2002 and further went on to claim the title.

The score-line was not kind to the Blue Colts when the two teams squared off in the Group Stage of the 2008 edition. Korea registered a 5-2 win as they topped the group with an incredible goal difference of +12.

More recently, Korea halted India’s promising run in 2018 with a hard-earned 1-0 win in the quarterfinals.

RECENT RESULTS

The Red Devils breezed past Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Myanmar in the qualifiers for the 2020 AFC U16 Championship that was held in Myanmar last year. They scored 13 and conceded zero goals in three games to storm into the final round.

Earlier this year, Korea finished runners-up in the 2020 Mercedes Benz Aegean Cup that was hosted by Turkey in January.

They finished on top of the group that also contained Albania, Ukraine and Macedonia. However, a 1-2 defeat to hosts Turkey in the final meant that the Red Devils had to settle for a silver medal.

The footballing world coming to a standstill for three months due to the Coronavirus pandemic. While most countries are yet to resume training, the Korean U16 team started working together from June 22nd and the group of 34 players were in a training in the camp until June 26th.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Manager Song Kyung-sub trained coaches as an instructor at the Korean Football Association (KFA) for 16 years. He started managing professionally in 2017, picking up the reins at K League side Gangwon FC.

The 49-year-old emphasises in build-up play, with his defenders starting the move in a patient manner. The team creates chances by passing in the final third and capitalising on the right moment to sting.

An incredible attack paired with a solid defence that did not concede a single goal in the qualifiers makes Korea a force to be reckoned with in the AFC U16 Championship.

PLAYER TO WATCH

The captain of the side Lee Gyu-baek is an exciting defender and a solid leader of the backline who has played a key role in amassing a massive number of clean-sheets in recent times (five in six games).

In attack, the Red Devils have Jang Ha-min, who has scored 14 goals in his last 13 games for the U16 side.

Brendan Rodgers defended Jamie Vardy's form and said his focus was on Leicester City as a whole amid their goalscoring struggles.

Since returning to action earlier this month, Leicester have scored just one goal in three games, having bowed out in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday.

Vardy is without a goal in those three games, but has scored 19 times in 33 matches this season, to go with six assists.

Asked about the forward's form, Rodgers backed Vardy and said he wanted more from his entire attack, not just the Englishman.

"There's lots of focus on Jamie, but this is not just about Jamie, this is the responsibility of the team and it's my responsibility to find ways in which we can find ways to increase our goalscoring," he told a news conference.

"It's the responsibility of everyone. I think if you look at his record in terms of his goals and what he has done up until this point, he hasn't needed a lot of action, he's a true finisher.

"He is not one of those players who is involved in the link-up, in the game. That's not his strength. His strength is in the box and running from deep in behind.

"Of course we want to get him more service, but we are looking at ways to develop and get our wingers back to being involved and scoring and creating goals, and of course our midfield players.

"A lot of spotlight [is] on Jamie, but it is not just the striker, it's the team's contribution. So that's something we need to improve."

Leicester City, who are third in the table, are away to Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday with fourth-place Chelsea one point behind the Foxes, while Wolves are also lurking three points back in fifth. 

Despite the battle for a top-four spot heating up, star defender Caglar Soyuncu has stressed Leicester aren't worried about possibly dropping down the ladder.

"We are not that concerned about that at all [dropping out of top four]," he told Sky Sports. "We only played two games, we drew two. Yeah, it would have been better if we'd won them both but we are where we are.

"We are going to do our best to play better and I believe we will do. We are a good enough team, we are motivated and we will be going forwards with these positive ideas."

Maurizio Sarri believes Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala can start against Genoa, but the Juventus coach is keen to avoid a "problem" going forward.

Juventus' busy run of fixtures continues against Genoa on Tuesday, before they host Torino four days later.

Ronaldo has played every minute of their four games since the coronavirus-enforced break, while Dybala has started each match.

Sarri said the pair were likely ready to start again, but he knows the star duo will need a rest at some stage.

"It's likely that they can start again [against Genoa]," he told a news conference.

"It's clear that if they play every game, in two or three matches we may have a problem, but I don't think there is any risk for them to suffer some sort of fatigue right now.

"In the long run though we need to have [Gonzalo] Higuain fit and able to play a large part of the game, this will become essential at some point."

With 10 games remaining in the Serie A season, Juventus hold a four-point lead atop the table with Lazio their nearest rivals. 

After Juve's recent 4-0 win over Lecce, Sarri admitted Ronaldo was improving and would continue to do so the more he played. 

"Cristiano now can play with a good fit. He needs to improve after the break and he is doing so match after match," Sarri said.

"He needs to play a lot. In the future we will find the way to preserve him across matches or for some matches.

"He is great in listening to himself and he will realise when he will need to stop and rest. But now I think he fits quite well."

Juventus secured the signing of Barcelona midfielder Arthur on Monday with Miralem Pjanic set to go the other way next season. 

Both Arthur and Pjanic will see out the rest of the campaign with their current clubs, with the former included in Quique Setien's side to play Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Tuesday night. 

Sarri, meanwhile, has previously backed Pjanic to remain focused at Juventus until the end of the season. 

Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has pleaded for a club to believe in him after parting ways with Burnley. 

The veteran shot-stopper made just three appearances for the Clarets this season and has struggled for regular game time  since leaving the Etihad in 2016 following the arrival of Pep Guardiola. 

Since departing City, Hart played briefly for Torino and West Ham before moving to Burnley, but failed to cement his place in goal at all three.

Now a free agent, the 33-year-old is determined to prove his worth and admits he needs a club put some faith in him after a tough spell. 

"The fact I have had to sit on the bench for 18 months in the Premier League is not going to define or crush me," Hart told BBC Sport. 

"I remember who I am. I remember playing for my local Sunday league team and trying to get into the Shrewsbury Town first team. I learned early - you need to keep things in perspective.

"You can have great things said about you in football, but you have to be strong on self-criticism, analyse what you are doing and be comfortable with it.

"Maybe from the outside, people are thinking it is a time for panic, but from the inside it is a time to look forward and see all the opportunities.

"I am young when it comes to goalkeeping. I am even younger when it comes to the mental age of a guy who just wants to go in goal and have people whack balls at him.

"I am under no illusions that Real Madrid are going to knock my door down, get [Thibaut] Courtois out and bring me in. But there is plenty more to come from me.

"I just need someone to believe in me and I will repay that faith."

While now arguably at a low point in his career, Hart has managed to keep a positive mindset and has recently promoted the importance of mental health alongside Prince William in a BBC documentary. 

Hart believes fans and future footballers get too caught up on mistakes and need to focus more on the positives.

"If I meet a bunch of Under-12s, I would be asking me about when I saved a Messi penalty or what it's like playing for England," Hart said.

"All they care about now is how do you deal with a mistake? How do deal with someone taunting you from behind the goal?

"That is not what your mindset should be as a kid. That's why I got involved in it and that is why I talked about it." 

Valencia have sacked head coach Albert Celades with immediate effect following a poor run of results.

Assistant coach Voro will take charge of the first team on an interim basis until the end of the 2019-20 La Liga season. It will be his sixth spell at the helm.

Voro, who represented the club as a player for nine years, has previously won 18 of his 36 games while working as a caretaker. 

Valencia have won just one of their five games since the league returned from its coronavirus-enforced stoppage, and they have been victorious twice in their past 13 outings in all competitions.

Celades, who took over from Marcelino in September, leaves the club eighth in La Liga, eight points adrift of the Champions League places.

A Valencia statement read: "Valencia have communicated to Albert Celades his removal from his position as first-team coach, with immediate effect.

"The club wish to thank him publicly for his work and dedication during his time at the club - a period in which we achieved qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League and important victories at grounds where we had previously not won.

"The club also value his help and contribution since he took over as coach of the first team in a moment of difficulty, and wish him every success in his future endeavours."

Valencia, who face Athletic Club next in La Liga, confirmed soon after that sporting director Cesar Sanchez has resigned.

Media reports suggest Sanchez quit his post after he had told the squad earlier in the day that Celades was to keep his job, only for club owner Peter Lim to make the decision himself.

Valencia have had 11 different managers since Unai Emery left the club following a four-year stint in 2012. Former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde, current Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo and ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville are just some of the names Valencia have turned to in the past decade. 

Since 2004 when the club won La Liga and the UEFA Super Cup, Valencia have picked up just one trophy, which was their recent Copa del Rey triumph in 2019. 

Chancel Mbemba found the back of the net with FC Porto seeing off Pacos de Ferreira at the Estadio Capital do Movel on Monday night.

Sergio Conceicao’s men resumed the league on a bad note with a 2-1 defeat at Famalicao but bounced back with 1-0 and 4-0 victories against Maritimo and Boavista respectively in between a goalless draw with Desportivo Aves.

The Dragons wasted no time in getting the job done on Monday with Mbemba blasting home a loose ball that fell to his path from a corner kick in just the seventh minute of the match.

The DR Congo defender played the entire 90 minutes for the ninth game in a row, making three clearances and winning six of his 10 total duels. He also had 43 touches on the ball and made 28 accurate passes at 82%.

Mbemba did receive a yellow card for a foul in the 55th minute of the tie likewise another African in Moussa Marega in the 73rd minute.

The Mali Striker has eight Primeira Liga goals and six assists this season, scoring a brace and providing an assist in the recent triumph over Boavista.

Mbemba has now scored two goals this season having netted in a 1-1 draw with Rio Ave on March 7 before the league went on suspension.

The 25-year old has played 22 times in the top-flight this season and 36 in all competitions, amassing a total of 2,761 minutes.

Mbemba’s career began in Belgium with Anderlecht where he played between 2013 and 2015, making 77 competitive appearances before moving to Newcastle United, playing 59 times that included relegation to the Championship in his maiden season and getting immediate promotion back to the Premier League.

At international level, Mbema has been capped 45 times by DR Congo, scoring three goals. He was an unused substitute during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations but did feature at the 2015, 2017 and 2019 tournaments in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Egypt respectively.

Porto’s victory means they are now seven points clear of reigning champions Benfica who lost 2-0 at Maritmo in Monday night’s other match. The 28-time Portuguese champions will next host Belenenses at the Estadio do Dragao on July 5.

Thiago Silva, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Sergio Rico will all stay at Paris Saint-Germain until the end of the season.

French football was halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Ligue 1 subsequently concluded early at the end of April. Final table positions were decided on a points-per-game basis and thus secured PSG the title.

But a decision on the two cup competitions, the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue, was delayed in the hope of potentially playing two finals at a later date.

The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed earlier this month that the two matches will take place on July 24 and 31, respectively, while UEFA also announced the remaining rounds of the Champions League are to take place in Lisbon the following month.

PSG have now ensured Silva, Choupo-Moting and Rico will be available for all three competitions.

The Parisians had already announced club captain Silva, 35, will be leaving at the end of the 2019-20 campaign, but his extension means he could depart having potentially lifted three more trophies.

Choupo-Moting is also set to leave the club on a free transfer, while Rico had been due to return to parent club Sevilla at the end of June.

PSG will face Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France, before contesting the last ever Coupe de la Ligue final with Lyon.

They are also into the quarter-finals of the Champions League having eliminated Borussia Dortmund prior to the season's hiatus.

While PSG have secured the services of three players for the competition, Thomas Meunier and Edinson Cavani aren't expected to be involved with coach Thomas Tuchel recently admitting it makes his job that much harder. 

"We have always played with these players and therefore we lose quality with their departures, that's for sure," Tuchel said. 

"After that it will not be impossible and I am convinced that we will be very strong. We have to prepare this team for the two finals with a very good mentality.

"We played an extraordinary Champions League with everyone. It is different but not impossible."