Midfielder Joni Kauko – ATK Mohun Bagan’s most effective recruit in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 has come a long way since his arrival in India. So far, his Indian journey has been nothing short of incredible.

Transcending the normal hierarchy at Finland-based Inter Turku to kickstart his professional career, Kauko relished the club’s greatest hour, as he was part of their only domestic league cup win, back in 2008. It was his first season in the top-flight, following three transitional years at the club’s youth setup, making eight appearances in the whole season. After winning three trophies in five terms, he shifted to rivals FC Lahiti. Continue Reading

The chaotic and violent scenes at last year’s Euro 2020 final at Wembley can never be repeated, according to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. An independent review of the disorder at London’s national stadium last July identified more than 20 “near-misses” that could have resulted in serious injury or death. Wembley remains in favour with Ceferin and UEFA, and the stadium will host its inaugural ‘Finalissima’ match between Italy and Argentina next month, as well as the final of the Women’s Euro later this summer.

People should feel safe in and around a football stadium. They should never ever feel danger and they felt danger. A UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028 – where Wembley would almost certainly host the final – is also the strong favourite to succeed. But Ceferin insisted the lessons of last summer had to be learned. Continue Reading

Frenchman Karim Benzema proved to be the difference between Real Madrid and Chelsea at the end of their Champions League round of eight tie. Benzema scored the decisive goal in extra to send European champions Chelsea packing from the competition. The Euro 2020 participant was a thorn in the flesh of the Blues over the course of the tie.

Karim Benzema was the star of the show in the first leg when he scored a hat-trick to stun Chelsea at home. His three goals gave Real Madrid a 3-1 lead ahead of the second leg at home. In addition, he also made it two hat-tricks in two consecutive Champions League games at the end of the first leg thus making him the fourth player to achieve the feat. The Euro 2020 participant joined ex-Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, Paris Saint Germain (PSG) superstar Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano in achieving the feat. Continue Reading

The Manchester United duo of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have been left out of the latest England squad released by manager Gareth Southgate earlier on Thursday. Both attackers were obvious absentees from the 25-man England squad ahead of the international friendly games with Switzerland and Ivory Coast later this month.

Rashford and Sancho have both struggled for form at various times at Manchester United this season. While speaking at his recent press conference to talk about his latest squad, England manager Southgate told reporters that the attackers in the latest squad have all had a better season than the aforementioned Manchester United players when he was quizzed about their omission. Southgate was the England manager when they reached the Euro 2020 final before they were beaten by Italy on penalties. Sancho and Rashford were part of his squad to the Euro 2020 tournament. They both failed to convert their spot kicks during the dreaded penalty shootout as Italy beat England to win the Euro 2020 tournament. Continue Reading

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema scored a stunning second half hat-trick to knock French giants Paris Saint Germain (PSG) out of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) at the round of 16 stage. The Euro 2020 participant was the difference between the two teams in the second leg thanks to his three goals in the space of seventeen (17) second half minutes.

PSG came into their latest Champions League clash with a slender 1-0 advantage given to them by the impressive KylianMbappeat the end of the first leg at the Parc des Princes three weeks ago. The game was heading for a goalless draw before Euro 2020 participant Mbappe produced a moment of real quality to win the game for the home team. Continue Reading