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Emiliano Martinez says there is no room for any Arsenal players to "relax" under Mikel Arteta, whom he has praised for his uncompromising coaching style.

Arteta inherited the managerial reins at Emirates Stadium in December following the sacking of Unai Emery the previous month, with the Gunners languishing in mid-table after an inconsistent start to the 2019-20 campaign.

The former Manchester City assistant has overseen a gradual turnaround of results, as Arsenal have won seven of their last 13 Premier League fixtures to move up to seventh.

Only Liverpool and Manchester City have picked up more points than Arteta's men this year, and the mood of doom surrounding the Emirates has started to dissipate heading into the final weeks of the season.

Arsenal lost their first two outings following the top-flight restart on June 17, but have bounced back to win four consecutive matches in all competitions, with their latest triumph coming away at Wolves on Saturday.

Arteta is being praised for maximising the output of a squad lacking quality in several key areas, and Martinez has been impressed with how he has rallied his troops on the training ground.

"You're in or you're out, you're with him or without him, and there's no discussion on that," the Argentine goalkeeper told Sky Sports of the Arsenal head coach's no-nonsense approach. 

"We know that if we want to play and we want to be at this football club, we have to be on board.

"That's good for the team because no one can relax. If you relax, you don't train properly or you don't perform like he wants you to, you're out.

"You have to follow him and that's what we're trying to do now."

Martinez has been filling in for Bernd Leno between the sticks while the Arsenal number one recovers from a knee injury, and has recorded three clean sheets in his last four appearances.

The 27-year-old has endured plenty of frustration at the Emirates since graduating to the first team in 2012, but he is delighted that his hard work is starting to pay off under Arteta.

"It's been up and down in my Arsenal career, to be honest," Martinez added. "There was something I had inside me that said, 'Why am I not getting my chance in the club that I love?'

"But God always puts you in the right place at the right time. I've worked really hard over the years and been really patient and now I'm getting the rewards.

"I heard the manager say recently that I've been really respectful over the years and I think that's true. I'm a team player, so even if the manager decides to play another guy, I accept it.

"But I never let my head go down, I always keep going, and now that I have the opportunity, I'm grabbing it with both hands. Hopefully, when all the goalkeepers are back in training, the manager will have a decision to make. My aim is to make it a hard decision."

Right-back Wilson Anekeya has revealed the current Covid-19 situation and uncertainty regarding the start of the 2020/21 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season is making it hard for him to get a new team.

Games were postponed in mid-March and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) went on to cancel the top tier on April 30, crowning Gor Mahia and relegating Chemelil Sugar and Sony Sugar, who had been demoted earlier after handing three walk-overs.

"My contract with Zoo expired in June and I am currently a free agent," Anekeya told Goal on Tuesday.

"There has been contact by several teams but nothing serious has come on the table since everyone is not sure when the top tier resumes.

"Covid-19 has not made it easier either and we just hope the situation is controlled soon for the games to resume."

The defender joined the Kericho-based in January and established himself as one of the key players. He has appreciated the support received by fans and wishes them the best in their endeavours. 

"Zoo has been like a second home to me, but sometimes in football, you cannot guarantee that you will stay somewhere for long," Anekeya continued.

"The fans accepted me, they have been supportive and all I am wishing them is the best. In future, our paths might cross again, but before then, I thank them dearly for taking me as one of their own."

Anekeya has played for Thika United, Kakamega Homeboyz and Wazito FC.

In the abandoned season, Zoo were in the 14th position after managing to get 16 points from the 22 games played. The Herman Iswekha side had won just four games, drawn as many and lost 14.

Gor Mahia were crowned and set to represent the nation in Caf Champions League for the fourth time in a row. 

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) also confirmed Chemelil Sugar and Sony Sugar will ply trade in the National Super League. Kisumu All-Stars will play against Vihiga United in the two-legged relegation/promotion play-off.

Nairobi City Stars were promoted to the top tier alongside Thika-based side Bidco United.

Neco Williams is ready to start “pushing” Trent Alexander-Arnold for regular minutes in Liverpool’s star-studded team, with another highly-rated right-back having emerged from a famed academy system.

The Reds have already nurtured one home-grown star through their youth ranks to become an established member of their first-team squad.

Alexander-Arnold, at just 21 years of age, is a Champions League and Premier League title winner with nine England caps to his name.

He has expressed a desire to become the greatest right-back of the modern era and has every intention of seeing his career out as a one-club man.

Williams, though, is already knocking on the door behind him, with the 19-year-old Welshman next off the production line.

He is looking to take important lessons from one of the very best in the business and compete with him for minutes before a potential move into midfield for Alexander-Arnold that continues to be mooted.

Williams told Liverpool’s official website: “Definitely - in training now as I’m playing I’m watching him, I’m taking things in and taking stuff that he does into my game.

“In training now I’m pushing. I’m pushing him and he’s pushing me and it’s nice to have a little battle because I’m trying to fight for a place and so are all the other lads, so there’s nothing stopping us from trying to perform and putting in the hard work in training to fight for a place.”

Williams added: “I just need to keep doing what I’m doing in training: keep improving, keep working hard, believe in myself and keep getting the minutes in.

“Because if I’m doing that then for sure, the boss will hopefully give me some game time and I’ll show to everyone what I can do and what I’m capable of doing.”

Williams did figure in Liverpool’s most recent outing, as he replaced Andy Robertson at left-back in a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, and is now just two appearances short of qualifying for a Premier League winners’ medal.

“Just to take it home to my family and show them would be a dream come true,” Williams said of the title ambition that is driving him and fellow youngsters such as Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.

“Every day now we are showing the boss what we can do in training and we are improving every day. Hopefully if we keep showing what we are capable of doing and keep improving every day then the boss will have no choice but to give us a bit of game time, and we’ll prove to everyone that we are capable of playing and prove to everyone that they can trust the young lads.

“We will put everything into it and we’ll give 100 per cent like everyone always does as part of the Liverpool team.”

Manchester United should still be looking to strengthen this summer despite enjoying a recent resurgence, says Andy Cole, with long-standing target Jadon Sancho one of those who would bring “something different” to Old Trafford.

A raid on Borussia Dortmund by the Red Devils for an England international winger has been mooted for some time.

Those at Old Trafford are, however, said to have reservations about investing too heavily in a player with a price tag that could top €100 million (£90m/$113m).

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also seen 18-year-old Mason Greenwood emerge as a potential senior star of the future after stepping out of United’s academy system to hit 15 goals this season.

Bringing in Sancho could stunt the progress of a home-grown forward, but Cole believes competition for places and added quality in the collective ranks can only be considered a good thing.

The 1999 Treble winner told MUTV: "You’re always looking to bring in players.

"There’s talk of Jadon Sancho coming in. Would he give Manchester United something different? Of course he would.

"I’m not going to sit here and say, 'Oh no, he’s not good enough!' because of course he’s good enough.

"He’s got pace, he’s got the ability to go past players, score goals and create.

"I think ultimately all those kind of things are going to be down to financial issues coming out of Covid-19 – financially, it’s hit every football club.

"But Manchester United will undoubtedly look to strengthen and look to add to what they have."

While the Red Devils have shown encouraging signs of late, with an unbeaten run stretched to 16 games, Cole believes investment in the next transfer window will help Solskjaer’s side to continue closing the gap on those at the top of the Premier League.

He added: "If you look at the way Liverpool have dominated the league this season, you’ve got to try and close the gap on them and Manchester City.

"So, yeah, I think Manchester United will definitely look to bring someone else in.

"If you look man-for-man at Liverpool and Manchester City, I think we’re possibly three or four players short.

"What we need to get in our head is: if we’re three or four players short and we buy those players, those teams are looking to kick on as well.

"They’re not going to stand still and rest on their laurels. They’re going to look to bring in better players as well."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is doing a "brilliant job" at Old Trafford, according to Luke Shaw, who says the current Manchester United team is the most confident and exciting he's played in.

United have been in scintillating form since the resumption of the 2019-20 campaign on June 17, winning four of their last five fixtures in all competitions.

Solskjaer's men struggled for consistency in the first half of the season, but a 16-match unbeaten run which began in January could be extended when they take in a trip to Aston Villa on Thursday.

The Red Devils are now only three points behind third-placed Leicester in the table and two adrift of Chelsea, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot.

Shaw is happy to give Solskjaer full credit for United's recent revival, highlighting the Norwegian's shrewd recruitment policy and man-management skills behind the scenes.

"The manager has done a brilliant job," the Red Devils left-back told Sky Sports. "Of course the players he has brought in, the group of players now, we all get on really well and I think there is a great happiness in and around the training ground each day.

"Everyone is smiling, everyone is enjoying each other's company and I think that is important to have a successful team.

"Everyone wants the same thing and gets along with each other and I can see a big change in the group not just on the pitch, but with each other off the pitch too."

Shaw added on being a part of a squad brimming with "confidence" and "belief" after a superb run of form: "Over the past years, it hasn't always been the most exciting and we have not always played as well as I feel like we are at the moment - especially in my time here.

"This is the most confident [we have felt]. Around the training ground and on the pitch now, the confidence is so high and we are going into games now full of belief.

"A big turning point was going 1-0 down [against Bournemouth] the other day. In recent times we would have struggled with getting results, but I think that is a sign that we are going in the right direction.

"Of course we are very happy with how things are going but of course there is still room for improvement we all believe."

Ugandan Premier League (UPL) side Police FC have completed the signing of experienced midfielder Tony Mawejje.

The former Uganda international player was unveiled on Tuesday after agreeing to pen a two-year contract to become the first signing for the club ahead of the new season.

On unveiling the player, Police chairman Asan Kasingye said on their social media pages: “We no longer just want to compete, we need to win trophies. We are former champions and its time to think big.

“Football is a big enterprise in the world that doesn’t entertain mediocrity. We need to do the right thing like other clubs.”

Kasingye added it was the right time for the team to secure sponsors because Police are a big organisation and many people want to be part of it.

On what Mawejje will bring to the squad, Kasingye said: “He brings a lot of experience, discipline, and a sign of commitment to the club.

“I also thank Tony for choosing us as he would have gone to other clubs! He was at his prime but he chose Police and he plays with one heart. I take this opportunity to welcome you back to the family.”

The chairman also revealed the club will do what they can to retain most of their players to build a strong side ahead of the new season.

On signing for Police, Mawejje said: “I’m so happy to be back at Police, the team which I played for in 2006 when we won Cecafa. I’m happy to reunite with my family as I have so much history and great memories here.

“I am looking forward to rekindling those memories.”

Mawejje was part of the Police squad, then known as Police Jinja, in 2006 and 2007 although he might take a while to return to full fitness as he has been clubless since 2019 when he terminated his contract with Al-Arabi SC of Kuwait.

Mawejje, 33, is an experienced midfielder having played for more than 10 clubs in his career spanning over a decade.

The Ugandan started playing football in 2004 at Kampala City Council FC, now KCCA FC, until 2005 before he joined Police Jinja for a stint that lasted about two years.

In 2008, Mawejje joined Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) and left in 2009 for IBV Vestmannaeyjar and the club became his first foreign team.

Mawejje spent a long time with the Icelandic club compared to the other clubs he has featured for. He made 106 appearances and scored 10 goals.

The midfielder joined Golden Arrows of South Africa in 2012 on loan, made an appearance, and scored no goals before returning to Europe, and this time around joined Norwegian club Haugesund but made no appearance at all in 2014.

Barcelona have no intention of activating the €111 million (£100m/$125m) release clause in Lautaro Martinez’s contract at Inter, but the Liga giants are still keen to thrash out a deal for the Argentine.

Those at San Siro have made any suitors of their South American forward aware that one window of opportunity will swing shut at the close of play on Tuesday.

For them, that is when the current release terms in Lautaro’s contract will expire.

Barcelona consider that clause to be valid for another week, through to July 15, but have no plans to take it up regardless.

The Liga giants are reluctant to enter into discussions at that asking price and are prepared to wait before opening any negotiations with Inter.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has told RAC1 when quizzed on the reported interest that Barca hold in Lautaro: “I am not talking about transfers. We have not marked the signings in the calendar for when they should be completed.”

Meanwhile, Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta has told DAZN that the Serie A outfit “does not want to sell its champions, unless there is a desire on the part of the player to leave”.

Lautaro has given little away when it comes to his future plans.

Barca believe an agreement can be reached but, with the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic taken into account, they see the 22-year-old’s asking price being considerably lower than its current mark.

They have been busy piecing together plans behind the scenes for any summer business, with Goal reporting back in April that a lucrative contract is being readied for Lautaro.

The Catalans hope that those terms will aid their cause, with the club unable to splash out €111m on one player in the next window even if they wanted to.

Barca’s plan is to bring Lautaro’s price tag down, with the player understood to be open to transfer talks.

In his mind, he either remains at San Siro or heads to Camp Nou, and no alternative options will be considered.

Inter, though, maintain that the player has expressed no desire to them for an imminent switch to be pushed through and, with that in mind, negotiations from this point are expected to be tricky.

The Nerazzurri have made it clear that they will not bow to the demands of a European rival and will hold out for the best possible terms if a sale has to be sanctioned.

Barca hope that including a number of their players in a part-exchange package will help to sweeten the deal and relax Inter’s stance.

They want to bring in a proven performer who has 17 goals to his name from 37 appearances this season, with Lautaro seen as the perfect long-term successor to Luis Suarez in Catalunya.

One opportunity to make that happen is about to expire, but there may be many more to put a deal in place.

Thiago Alcantara "would love Liverpool", according to former Bayern Munich captain Lothar Matthaus, who insists the midfielder would "fit perfectly with Jurgen Klopp".

Bayern snapped up Thiago from Barcelona for €25 million (£23m/$28m) in the summer of 2013, and he has since become one of the most important members of their squad.

The 29-year-old has racked up 231 appearances for the German champions in total, scoring 31 goals while also laying on 37 assists.

Bayern have won 15 trophies with the Spain international pulling the strings in the middle of the park, including seven Bundesliga titles, the latest of which was secured last month.

However, Thiago only has one year left to run on his current contract at Allianz Arena, and has yet to reach an agreement with the club over an extension.

Hansi Flick is hoping that the former Barca star chooses to stay put, but the Bayern boss has conceded that it would be "normal" for the playmaker to seek a new challenge in a different league as he heads into the latter stages of his career.

Anfield has been mooted as a possible next destination for Thiago, with Liverpool reportedly lining up a summer swoop for his signature.

Ex-Bayern and Germany midfielder Matthaus thinks the Spaniard has all the attributes to slot into Klopp's line-up seamlessly, and cannot see him remaining in Bavaria for another season.

“With Thiago, I’m pretty sure the signs are goodbye,” the 59-year-old told Sport Buzzer. “What other reason would he have for not yet accepting Bayern’s offer? 

"Liverpool are obviously very keen on him and he would absolutely love the football, the team and fit perfectly with Jurgen Klopp."

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also weighed in on Thiago's future over the weekend, telling Bild: “We had serious negotiations with him and fulfilled all of his wishes.

"But it looks like he might want to do something new again at the end of his career.

“We don’t want to lose a player for free next year. I say that very clearly.”

Reading forward Yakou Meite has warned Huddersfield Town ahead of their Championship clash on Tuesday evening, revealing his side’s confidence is back.

The winger inspired the Royals back to winning ways against Luton Town on Saturday after two consecutive defeats, to Derby County and Brentford.

The 24-year-old forward scored four of the goals that helped Mark Bowen’s men secure a 5-0 triumph over Luton and moved them to the 14th spot on the league table.

Following the victory, the Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate has praised the collective effort of the team and feels they are ready to build on the display when they take on the Terriers.  

“I am most happy for the team because most important was the win – and we did it. Our confidence is back and everyone is happy,” Meite told the club website.

“When you see the team in training, you see what we can do. We have a lot of quality. But we can’t just say that and don’t show it on the pitch.

“We did it very well, and we need to keep going because we still have a lot of games to come. They come quick and we need to show people that we can play well. That’s what we did.

“Everyone was focused today. Last week, we didn’t play very well – we can’t play like this against a good side. We needed to react, to show to our fans that we can play better than we did.

“It’s a nice feeling. We needed more confidence, and we got it. So we focus on Huddersfield now and hopefully we can do the same against them.

“We need to recover quick… the games are coming so fast! We celebrate the victory, but we have to stay focused on the game on Tuesday. Hopefully, we can get the win at home this time.

“It’s a short time to prepare; as soon as the game against Luton is done, we start to think about Huddersfield and how they play.”

The forward has now scored 16 goals in this campaign for Reading and praised his partnership with Liverpool loanee and Super Eagles target Ovie Ejaria. 

“My favourite was the goal where Ovie gave me the ball between the defenders,” he continued.

“Ovie and me, we have a good eye-contact! When I make my run, he knows when and how to give me the ball and I finished it well. I think that was favourite.

“Sixteen goals is my record so far – last year was my best so far with 13. And I just want to do more! Score goals and help my teammates to win games.”

The Ivory Coast international will hope to add to his tally against Huddersfield at Madejski Stadium.

Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta said Lautaro Martinez "must find peace of mind" amid strong links to La Liga champions Barcelona.

Lautaro - who moved to Milan from Racing Club in 2018 - has been tipped to swap Serie A side Inter for Barca at the end of the 2019-20 coronavirus-hit season.

The Argentina forward had scored 16 goals prior to the campaign being halted in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic but he has only netted once in six games since the restart, missing a penalty in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Bologna.

Inter CEO Marotta - reluctant to part with the 22-year-old - said Lautaro needs to regain his focus as his struggles continue.

"There are two factors to consider, the competitive one and the one relating to the transfer market, which run concurrently," Marotta told Sky Sport Italia .

"Inter don't want to sell a 23-year-old lad like him, but this is a time when rumours are flying about.

"We saw Lautaro the great player in the first half of the season, which caught the attention of big clubs.

"Now, he must find peace of mind to guarantee Inter the performance levels he showed in the first half of the season."

Marotta also said Inter must be patient with January signing Christian Eriksen, who has struggled for consistency since arriving from Tottenham.

Eriksen has netted three goals across all competitions and supplied two assists in Serie A, where Inter sit third in the table – four points behind second-placed Lazio and just a point clear of in-form Atalanta with eight matches remaining.

"Eriksen joined in January, obviously with problems in an area of the pitch that is suffering from some absences," Marotta added. "He's a great player and he can certainly give much more. We have to be patient with him.

"There are eight games left and 24 points up for grabs. We've suffered 4 defeats, so many for what Inter represent but not that many in context of our project.

"As for the Europa League, we'll try to win it. We don't know how the other teams in the competition are faring right now, but we must believe. We play to win and this is a big objective for us."

Hungary head coach Marco Rossi believes Salzburg star Dominik Szoboszlai is the "ideal player" for Serie A side Napoli.

Szoboszlai is a player in demand and tipped to leave Salzburg following his exploits for the Austrian champions – the Hungary international linked to Napoli, Milan, Inter, Lazio and Premier League outfit Arsenal.

The 19-year-old midfielder has scored 12 goals across all competitions in 2019-20, supplying 10 league assists for Salzburg in Austria.

Amid growing speculation, Hungary's Italian boss Rossi feels Szoboszlai would thrive with Gennaro Gattuso's Napoli.

"He's a 19-year-old who made his debut for the national team at the age of 18. He's a very elegant and talented player, rich in technique," Rossi told CalcioNapoli24.

"He plays between the lines and is good at assisting in the final third. He has great physicality and is tall but, despite its height, also has an excellent burst of pace.

"If he decides to accept an offer from Serie A, it would complement his technical expertise with a couple of things where he still needs to improve, for example his defensive game.

"Tactically speaking, Salzburg have played him high up on the left and he's posted good numbers there, but in possession he often plays between the lines to make room for the full-back.

"In a 4-3-3, instead, he could be a box-to-box midfielder, capable of supporting the centre-forward.

"Szoboszlai expresses himself best in a team who play positionally. In Italy, Napoli must play football and not counterattack because they're among the best teams in Italy, [even if] they might suffer in a couple of games every season.

"Dominik would be the ideal player for [Napoli’s] style of play."

Salzburg have become a production factory for some of the best talents in Europe over the past 12 months, selling Norwegian striker Erling Haaland to Dortmund. Takumi Minamino to Liverpool and Munas Dabbur to Sevilla.

Haaland scored an incredible 16 goals in 18 games for Dortmund after joining the club in January - carrying on with the extraordinary form that saw him get 29 strikes in 27 matches for Salzburg prior to his move.

Last month, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) nominated a highly-experienced coach in Gabriel Joseph for the Dronacharya award, a prestigious sports coaching honour instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).

Only one football coach has ever won the award since it was started in 1985 - Syed Nayeemuddin in 1990. Gabriel Joseph, who has worked under Nayeemuddin incidentally with the Indian national team, is a behemoth as far as coaching is concerned in the country.

The coach, who hails from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, has had a long and distinguished coaching career which started in 1962 and has spanned around 58 years. In fact, he is still engaged in coaching at numerous academies in and around Thiruvananthapuram.

Gabriel Joseph, who completed his NIS (National Institute of Sports) Coaching Diploma in 1967-68, is highly qualified and has completed coaching courses in numerous countries all over the globe. He was selected for an advanced International Football Coaching Diploma which was a nine months course in Germany in 1973. He has also had diplomas from Brazil apart from completing the AFC A License for coaching.

He was also a qualified AIFF Class One Referee and completed short stints on Sports Psychology, Sports Medicine, and International conditioning stint in 2012. All this is in addition to the work Gabriel has done to establish a competent coaching education system in the country in his role as Director of Coaching with the AIFF.

He assisted the national teams in various age groups ever since 1974 when he took charge of the Indian School boys team selected from the Subroto Mukherjee Cup. He was the coach of the India U16 side that qualified for final round AFC U16 Championship in 1990 where they managed to beat Jordan 1-0.

In 1989, he was assigned as the coach for the senior national team that were to play SAARC Championship in Sri Lanka but the championship had to be called off due to internal problems then in the island nation.

He had assisted the senior national team in his capacity as a coach through various tournaments including the SAFF Championship wins in 1997 and 2005 and the Nehru Trophy in 1997 when India reached the semifinals.

However, one result that will always be a huge feather in his cap will be India's performance in the 1996 AFC U17 Championship. He was the coach of the team that had to undergo a strenuous qualification campaign before qualifying for the final rounds.

India had to play a qualification round in Pakistan against the hosts and Maldives and Joseph describes how the team had to overcome several hurdles. The mood was not great and the team was written off even before they travelled to Pakistan by most.

"While the team was being trained in the camp prior to the participation in the group matches in Pakistan, there were negative comments that destroyed the confidence of the boys. Many felt that our team can never win when you play the matches in Pakistan and so on," Joseph told Goal.

"As the head coach of the team, I had to put in extra efforts to regain and boost the confidence level of our boys. Still in the opening match at Peshwar against Pakistan who had a very good home support, our team conceded a goal against the run of play and were low in confidence at half-time. The boys who came to the dressing room, instead of refreshing themselves, sat on the ground avoiding the chairs and refresheners as if they already lost the match.

"It was a huge task to get them back to a winning attitude within the half-time break and make them score two goals and win that match," recollects Gabriel who added, "Next match, with good mental stability, our boys performed even better and won against Maldives to qualify with full six points for the final rounds in Thailand."

Qualifying for the final rounds of the AFC Youth Championships back then was a big deal for Indian football at that time when cricket was surging in popularity. In Thailand, the team were grouped with powerhouses in Iran, China, Thailand and Bahrain. Not much was expected from the team again and a 7-0 loss to Thailand in the opening game did not do wonders to the morale.

However, Gabriel's team did well to go down fighting to Bahrain (3-2) before a strong Iran team beat them 4-1. The final game was against another continental giant in China and the team was expected to return with a whimper. However, that was not to be the case.

Gabriel reveals that due to various reasons, they could not organise exposure tours for the team while all their opponents had preparatory camps abroad. For example, the Chinese team had exposure matches in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. Gabriel felt that after the first three matches, his team became more accustomed to the level of competition and ground conditions which played a huge role in the game against China.

"Having been at the venue playing matches and seeing other matches along with necessary psychological and analytical classes there, the boys gained very good confidence when they faced China.

"Our boys won by 3-2 margin which was the outcome of an outstanding performance. We showed clear cut supremacy in the match against a continental giant. In fact, China fought tooth and nail in that game since a win against us would have given them a chance to qualify for the semifinals. But we held on. We showed a high degree of technical-tactical ability, endurance and mental strength on that day."

While Kamal Ghosh was named the man of the match against China, Gabriel reveals that the tournament also threw the limelight on a player who would go on to serve the Indian national team with merit in the upcoming years.

"Furthermore, it was an achievement when Mahesh Gawli who gave a consistently good performance was included in the list of Asian Youth All Star team of the tournament."

It was just a small chapter in Gabriel Joseph's story as a coach and coach educator but one that throws light on his ability and competency. In fact, he was India's first active and  independent AFC Football Coaching Instructor in 2001. He has taught many renowned coaches in the country including India women's team coach Maymol Rocky.

His efforts to create a uniformed coaching education system throughout the country has been much lauded and it was Gabriel who introduced the AIFF ‘D’ Coaching course and compiled the syllabus for it. He has travelled all over the country in his role as Director of Coaching (from 2006 to 2012) and set up camps, courses and much more. In fact, Gabriel Joseph is credited with introducing computer education in coaching at a time when the Information Technology boom had still not permeated enough into Indian football.

He has also written three technical books on coaching in 2000, 2002 and 2005. He has also functioned as a national team selector or spotter during his heydays. There is no questioning the contribution Gabriel Joseph has rendered for the betterment of Indian football. For his lifetime contribution for the development of the sport, Gabriel Joseph will be a worthy winner of the Dronacharya award should the MYAS decide to bestow upon him that honour.

"It is a matter of fierce pride when we get the opportunity to put forth the best of our abilities for the growth and development of the game in the country and football as a whole. It is very human to get motivated and satisfied when acknowledgements and recognitions are bestowed for the same.

"Hence the recommendation from the AIFF in itself for the Dronacharya award is an absolute national honour. Winning the same would be even more delightful for me. It will be a dose of energy to continue my best contributions for the game till the last breathe in me to set an example for the future generation."

An I-League winner with Churchill Brothers and current manager of French third division side Atletico Pajitez, Henri Antchouet expressed his desire to take up a coaching job in India at some point in his career.

The Gabon international had huge boots to fill when he joined the Goan side in 2011 as a replacement for star striker Odafa Okolie, who signed for Mohun Bagan. With 27 goals from 47 games and the 2012-13 I-League title under his belt, Henri boasts of an impressive record in India, a country he admitted having enjoyed playing in.

Henri admitted that playing for Churchill was a significant step in his career.

“Playing for Churchill Brothers was very important for me. It was another new championship, something I had not played in before. I liked the country and the people,” he told Goal.

Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang recently grabbed the headlines for taking just 79 games to reach Premier League goals. No player in the history of the North London side could manage this number in fewer games.

Henri shared the dressing room with Aubameyang on a few occasions during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He spoke about how the 31-year-old displayed his prowess eight years ago and how he has managed to play at the highest level.

“Aubameyang is a great player and always has been. I am very proud of him. Because of Aubameyang, everyone is talking about Gabon, which is a nice thing. The country is very proud of him,” he said.

The 40-year-old earned his UEFA Coaching license and has now spent three years with Atletico Pajitez. Churchill Brothers, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan were the names that popped up when the former striker was quizzed upon the clubs he has continued to follow.

Henri also praised FC Goa midfielder and India international Lenny Rodrigues who was his teammate at Goa. He explained that Lenny impressed him the most amongst the Indians and is a special player.

“I’ve been a manager here in France (Atletico Pajitez) for three years. I’m confident because I have a lot of experience. But I need a lot more experience and will continue working. Maybe, one day I will come back to India and manage a club because I really loved it there.

“I still follow Churchill Brothers, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. I’m also in touch with Dharmaraj Ravanan, who was the captain at Churchill Brothers.

“Lenny Rodrigues was a special player at Churchill who I saw improving. He is a very good player,” he concluded.

The Indian national team will be welcomed in Croatia to train before their 2022 World Cup qualifiers scheduled in October and November, Goal understands. 

In a letter addressed to the President of AIFF (All India Football Federation), Praful Patel, his Croatian counterpart Davor Suker, has expressed the eagerness to assist India to help the Blue Tigers prepare better for the remaining fixtures. 

The Croatian Federation would provide hospitality and help organise friendly games, provided the Indian team wishes to hold the preparatory camp in the European nation. 

International travel is currently banned due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and if the situation improves, India might exercise the option of conducting the training camp abroad. 

Even travelling within India is not feasible given the current Coronavirus situation. Almost all states have made it mandatory for travellers to spend 14 days in isolation, following a journey from another state. 

Only in Goa, travellers coming in can take a Covid-19 swab test two days prior to the travel. Else, travellers will have to get tested in Goa for the same. If the test is negative, they will be allowed in. Anyone testing positive for Coronavirus would either have to go back or stay in quarantine in Goa until their test result is declared.

Since the game against Qatar is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar, the AIFF's preference is to conduct the camp in Odisha. However, it depends on the state regulations and the Covid-19 situation which will play a major role in the team being able to play friendly matches.

It must be noted that football is back on in Croatia and the country has also eased restrictions on foreigners entering the country. As of July 1, 2020, all foreign nationals entering the country are free to do so, if they provide relevant proof.

Croatia has lifted mandatory self-isolation and quarantine restrictions for those entering the country. Instead, individuals are given a pamphlet with recommendations from the Croatian Institute of Public Health that they must follow for 14 days after entering the country.

However, it must be noted that as of now, India imposes mandatory quarantine of 14 days on people travelling to the country from abroad. So, in case the camp is held in Croatia, it remains to be seen and taken into account what the regulations are then on returning to the country.

The Blue Tigers, who are currently ranked 108th in the world and 19th in Asia, last played against Oman in the World Cup qualifiers (1-0 loss for India).

Before the lockdown started in March, national team head coach Igor Stimac had summoned 23 players for a camp that was supposed to start on March 9. He had also called up another 20 players to join on March 16, 2020, after the conclusion of the Indian Super League (ISL) season but the camp had to be eventually cancelled. 

There was to be a practice game between the national team and the best performers from the I-League. If any player from the I-League team had managed to impress the Croat, they could have been invited to the camp. However, the match also had to be cancelled.

India are winless and have registered three draws after five rounds of fixtures in Group E. Qatar, who are unbeaten, are leading the group with 13 points and Oman are second with 12. The games remaining for India are against Qatar (H), Bangladesh (A) and Afghanistan (H). 

India could resume their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign on October 8 when they take on Qatar.

According to the tentative schedule worked out by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), India will then face Bangladesh on November 12, whereas their last group stage fixture against Afghanistan is likely to be played on November 17.

Pirelli chief executive Marco Tronchetti said the Inter shirt sponsor can "help" the Nerazzurri sign Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi but club president Steven Zhang must "make an effort himself".

Messi's future is once again in the headlines amid reports the Barca captain is ready to quit the La Liga giants once his contract expires in 2021.

Inter have been linked to Messi previously, with former president Massimo Moratti insisting the six-time Ballon d'Or winner relocating to Milan was not a "forbidden dream at all".

Tronchetti, however, warned the coronavirus crisis will impact Pirelli's ability to contribute like Italian automobile manufacturer Fiat did when it assisted in Cristiano Ronaldo's move from Real Madrid to Juventus in 2018

"Honestly, at a time like this, we're unable to invest in sports more than we are, between Formula 1, the America's Cup and Inter," Tronchetti told Gr Parlamento.

"We have to ask Steven Zhang to make an effort himself. We can help, but we can't do anything significant."

Messi has scored 22 goals and supplied a career-high 19 La Liga assists for Barcelona this season.

Across all competitions, Messi has scored 27 goals for two-time defending La Liga champions Barca – who are set to be dethroned by bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Messi has yet to publicly comment on the rumours, though his silence in itself is telling and believed to be vote of no-confidence in Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu’s stewardship.

That prospect of Messi leaving has been swiftly dismissed by Bartomeu himself, who remains confident the 33-year-old will sign a new contract and see out his playing days at the Catalan giants.

"I am not going to give details but Messi has said many times that he will end his football life in Barcelona,” Bartomeu said.

“We are focused on [the] competition and there are negotiations with many players. Messi wants to continue and wants to end [his career] here. He has many years left and we are going to enjoy him for much longer."

Barca are second and four points behind Madrid with four matches left to play.

Inter, meanwhile, are third in Serie A following Sunday's shock loss at home to Bologna.

Antonio Conte's Inter are third in the table - four points behind second-placed Lazio and just a point clear of Atalanta with eight games remaining.

An audit into Barcelona's relationship with I3 Ventures has determined the club did not conduct a smear campaign against third parties.

Barca's agreement with PR company I3 ventures came under scrutiny in February following claims the firm was hired to clean up club president Josep Maria Bartomeu's image on social media and disparage current and former players critical of his regime.

Both Barca and I3 Ventures denied the allegations and a report following an audit conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) found that the club did not conduct "any defamatory campaigns" against any individual.

Summarising the report's findings on their official website, Barca wrote that "the contracting of various services related to monitoring and analysis of social networks on behalf of FC Barcelona did not include any defamatory campaigns directed at third parties."

PwC also found no evidence of corrupt financial conduct and determined that the price paid by Barca I3 Ventures' services was "within market range".

Responding to the report's findings, Barca said: "The Board of Directors instructs the Club's legal services to continue and, if necessary, bring the relevant legal action against those who have made false and unfounded accusations that have gravely damaged the institution's image and those who form part of it.

"The contents of this report, and its conclusions, will be also be brought forward in those proceedings launched against the Club based on alleged irregular behaviour that this document clarifies and denies."

It's been a tough season for Barcelona on the pitch also, with the club currently trailing Real Madrid in the La Liga title race by four points with four matches remaining.

The Blaugrana have been at the top of the competition for most of the season and held a two-point lead when football resumed from the coronavirus hiatus.

But Barca have drawn three of their seven La Liga matches since the resumption, while Madrid have won all their games to take the initiative away from their great rival.

Madrid finish the season with matches against Deportivo Alaves (home), Granada (away), Villarreal (home) and Leganes (away), while Barcelona face Espanyol (home), Real Valladolid (away), Osasuna (home) and Deportivo Alaves (away).

Luke Shaw says Mason Greenwood should “ignore the hype” around himself at the minute – but also that he can become a Manchester United legend.

Greenwood has emerged as one of the world’s most promising youngsters this season, hitting 17 goals in all competitions so far.

United legend Andy Cole has praised the 18-year-old’s “freakish” finishing ability, and Shaw thinks he has what it takes to make good on his obvious potential.

"The growth that Mason has made in the last year and a half he has been in and around the first team is amazing,” Shaw told Sky Sports.

"For me personally, I feel like he has turned from a kid to a man in such short time and now he's understanding what this league is about.

"He has grown in size, he has got stronger and he is not fragile anymore. [Before, he] could be pushed off the ball.

"The most important thing I would say for him is ignore the hype, ignore what people are saying, just focus on yourself, keep doing what he's doing and there is no reason why he can't become a very important player for Manchester United in the future.

"He can become a United legend, no doubt about it."

Following their 5-2 thrashing of Bournemouth at the weekend, United have now scored 14 goals in five games since football resumed and are pushing for Champions League qualification.

According to Shaw, January signing Bruno Fernandes has been key in their transformation in recent months.

"For me, Bruno is a massive part of the change, the culture that is now going on at United," Shaw said. "He pushes that day in, day out.

"[He is] an amazing guy off the pitch, he's funny and he has massive confidence in his own ability, which none of us doubt. He's been perfect on the pitch.

"The whole team has changed I believe. The injuries we had also - Paul [Pogba] and [Marcus] Rashford have also come back and hit the ground running in this part of the season. Everyone is pulling their weight and doing a great job."

United have today been boosted by the news that in-form midfielder Nemanja Matic has signed a new contract at Old Trafford.

Former Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie says Sir Alex Ferguson acted as an impromptu agent to quintuple his wages as he left Manchester United for Newcastle.

Gillespie came through the youth ranks in Manchester but left seeking first-team football in 1995, with David Beckham eventually breaking into the team ahead of him.

Joining Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle, he got his wish and was a regular for three years on Tyneside, before moving on to Blackburn in 1998.

And, according to Gillespie, his time in the North-East was made even more enjoyable by a cheeky intervention from Ferguson.

“We got to the hotel, got on the hotel phone and I rang home,” Gillespie told the UTD Podcast. “My mum answered and I explained the situation and the manager comes on to her and said: ‘Look, is it OK if I do the deal and act as his agent?’

She said she was happy enough with that. And I remember the manager said to me: ‘When we go in here, don’t say a word.’

“We were on £230 a week and the contract was going up to £250 a week the next year, but I remember sitting at a big round table with Sir Alex, Kevin Keegan, Freddy Shepherd, the chairman, Freddie Fletcher, the chief executive.

“I was sat with my head down and remember Sir Alex going: ‘Well, Keith’s on £600 a week at the minute and we want you to double it to £1,200.’

“I sort of looked up and he said [again]: ‘£600,’ and gave me this look as if to say: ‘Don’t say a word here.’ And Newcastle agreed to it right away.”

Perhaps inspired by Ferguson, Gillespie is now working as an agent, having retired from football in 2013 after dropping down the leagues.

He will hope to have learned from his own unpleasant experiences, after saying he was ripped off by an agent early in his career.

“Because you’ve played the game you know what a player expects from an agent. I only had two agents in my career,” he said.

“The first one I had at Newcastle tried to rip me off when I moved to Blackburn, so I changed agent and had the same one for the rest of my career and he became like a friend.”