Sports

Then and Now: Looking At Some of Asia’s Best Football Players

Asia has produced some incredible footballers over the years, and this list will take you through some of the best. Read on to find out who made the list

There have been a number of footballing greats and cult heroes that have come out of Asia over the decades. Whether they shone at the World Cup or made a massive footballing and cultural impact across Europe, their names will be hard to forget.

This list will go through some of the best Asian players to step onto the field. Even though there are more, these players can easily be viewed as those that had the biggest impact on the game for the club and country, and they were and are loved by their home countries, as obviously, everybody backs a winner.

Asia Footballs Shunsuke Nakamura

The name Shunsuke Nakamura will be all too familiar for Celtic fans. The Japanese magician made 128 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals during his time at Celtic Park.

Nakamura also spent time at Espanyol and Reggina while in Europe, and currently plays for his home city team, Yokohama FC. He is also the only J League player to be named the Most Valuable Player more than once, receiving the award in 2000 and 2013.

Nakamura has been praised for his strength and speed, as well as his precision when it comes to free quicks, often doing televised stunts where he would knock ornaments off a cake without touching the cake, or kicking a ball through a bus window while it was moving. He also has an asteroid named in his honor, Asteroid 29986 Shunsuke.

Shinji Kagawa a Great Football player in Asia

Another Japanese player synonymous with playing in Europe, Shinji Kagawa has spent most of his professional playing career plying his trade in England, Germany, Turkey, and Spain. The midfielder is currently at Real Zaragoza but has played for Man United, Borussia Dortmund, and Besiktas.

Praised for his composure with the ball at his feet, Kagawa is known for being able to find the right pass at the right time, make runs that open up play, and be the playmaker his team needs.

Kagawa has also been the recipient of many honors. He has won the Bundesliga twice, he has won the Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester United, and the AFC Asian Cup with Japan. Individually, he has been the Asian Player of the Year in 2012, been in the Bundesliga Team of the Season in 2015-16, and many others.

Paulino Alcantara

The list of great footballers out of the Philippines is very short, but Paulino Alcantara is by far the best ever. He made his debut for Barcelona in 1912, at the age of 15 years, 4 months, and 18 days old. In that match, he scored the first 3 goals in a 9-0 win for Barca and still holds the currently unbroken record of being the youngest player to score for the club.

Alcantara’s playing record is also incredible, even for the time. In his first stint at Barcelona, he played 47 times and scored 55 goals, in his second stint at the club, he made 130 appearances, scoring 145 goals. His footballing career would end with him making 200 club appearances, scoring 225 goals.

Son Heung-Min a Football Great in Asia

Best Asia Football Players

Probably the most famous Asian player playing at the moment is South Korean, Son Heung-Min. Making a name for himself in Germany with Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen, Son moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2015.

Since then, he has been, without a doubt, one of the best players for the club. He has scored 53 goals in 160 appearances and is widely praised as one of the best wingers in the world, being able to dribble, find a goal scoring pass, take freekicks, and score himself.

In 2018, he captained South Korea to a win against Japan at the Asian Games, this win guaranteed that he and his teammates would not have to serve their mandatory couple of years in the South Korean military, something that could have easily ended his career early.

Cha Bum-Kun

Best Asia Football Players Cha Bum-Kun is widely regarded as one of, if not the best Asian football player of all time. The South Korean was famous for his “thick thighs” which translated into incredibly powerful shots in front of the goal.

Cha is the youngest player to ever be called up to the South Korean team, as well as the youngest player to reach 100 caps in the world. Cha spent much his career in Germany, playing for Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 121 goals in the Bundesliga, and winning the UEFA Cup with each team.

He is part of the Korean Football Hall of Fame, he was named the ESPN Best Asian Player of All Time in 2015, as well as being a member of the Korean Sports Hall of Fame.

Keisuke Honda

Best Asia Football Players Another incredibly well-known Japanese player, Keisuke Honda has played in Asia and across the globe in his long and decorated career. Having spent time in the Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Mexico, Australia, and currently playing for Botafogo in Brazil, he is also the coach of the Cambodian National team.

Known for his incredible abilities with the ball, he can play as a winger, a false number 9, a deep-lying midfielder, and really anywhere up the pitch. His impressive talent was showcased to the full during his time at AC Milan.

He has won the Eerste Divisie title with VVV Venlo, the Russian Premier League, the Supercoppa Italiana, and the Asia Cup. he has also been named as the Eerste Divisie Player of the Year, Japanese Player of the Year, Best Footballer in Asia in 2013, as well as many others.

This isn’t a complete list, as there have been many Asian players who have left their mark on the world of football, but these select few can definitely be regarded as some of the best to ever step out on the pitch.

Sports

Bo Bichette’s Injury may Permanently Sideline him, According to the Latest Update.

(CTN News) – Bo Bichette, the shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays, left the game against the Detroit Tigers on Friday after six innings due to a strained right calf.

The game was played against the Tigers. In the end, the Blue Jays were defeated by a score of 5-4 by the opposing team.

Bo Bichette hit a line drive to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning, and it appeared that he injured his calf when he was sprinting to first base. The damage appeared to be caused by the line drive.

The calf that is causing the problem is the same one that Bo Bichette has been experiencing issues with throughout the entire season. After suffering a strain to his right calf fascia on July 10 while playing against the San Francisco Giants, he was forced to sit out the last four games before the All-Star break from the National Football League.

Because of the discomfort in his right calf, he has been out for nine games since then, and he did not return to action until the 24th of June.

Before the trade deadline on July 30, it is very clear that the Blue Jays will be deconstructed for pieces. It is fairly obvious that the Blue Jays have lost any possibility of winning in the American League East, which is a highly competitive division. Additionally, it is pretty certain that they will be disfigured for pieces.

Bo Bichette’s injuries could prevent him from being traded in the future.

However, it is probable that this injury will preclude him from participating in any further trade conversations. Recent trade rumors have stated that Bo Bichette could be a contender for a trade;

However, it is possible that this scenario will not occur. After an MRI was finished on Friday, Bo Bichette was placed on the injured list for a period of ten days. This list will remain in effect until that time.

Bichette will almost definitely be placed on the disabled list for a period of time that is longer than the minimum of ten days, even if the findings of the MRI come back negative. This is because of the recent spate of calf problems that have been occurring.

There is a lack of clarity on whether or not the Blue Jays would have been willing to trade Bo Bichette regardless of the ailment that he was suffering from.

It has been reported that Toronto has informed other clubs that they are not prepared to trade any players who are under their control beyond the year 2024.

Bo Bichette’s contract with the organization ends in 2025.

Additionally, Toronto has informed other teams for this reason. At the beginning of June, it seemed as though the general manager of the Blue Jays, Ross Atkins, was opposed to the concept of trading Bo Bichette while he was still on the team.

Bichette claimed in a recent comment that he would not be “surprised at all” if he were to be traded to a different team. He said this in reference to the possibility of being traded.

His batting average is even worse than it has ever been in his whole career.He has participated in 79 games so far this season, and he has a batting average of 223 and an on-base percentage of.597 to his name.

The two-time winner Despite the fact that the All-Star is having a challenging season, he would have a far higher chance of having a good season if he were to play for a team that was involved in a more intense level of competition.

On the other hand, it would appear that Bichette will not be participating in a game for a substantial amount of time, regardless of whether he is playing for the Blue Jays or for another team.

SOURCE: FS

Sports

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau started disastrously at the British Open.

(CTN News) – Forget about Rory McIlroy’s final opportunity to compete in a major tournament this year; the British Open may have been his final opportunity.

At present, his most promising prospect is to endure for an additional day. Bryson DeChambeau, the US Open champion, is also present.

On Thursday, Pinehurst No. 2 protagonists encountered Rory McIlroy’s additional complications as a result of an opposing wind that arrived at Royal Troon. McIlroy required two strokes to emerge from a deep hazard located just to the right of the 123-yard eighth hole, which is referred to as the “Postage Stamp.”

Rory McIlroy’s mallet sailed over the rails after three holes.

It culminated in a 7-over 78, which was his lowest major opening round in five years. “I just didn’t do a good enough job on that back nine, and the conditions were tough,” according to him.

DeChambeau was not significantly superior. He encountered difficulties in making par shots at the outset; on the fourth hole, a par-5, he even missed one from three feet.

The par-5 seventh hole resulted in a double bogey for him as he attempted to strike a 7-iron through dense grass, but the ball was only moved a short distance.

Following his 76, he proceeded to the range to evaluate his equipment and determine the reason for his ball’s failure to connect with the driver as anticipated.

He observed, “That day was unusual.” It is highly unlikely that either of them will forget their involvement in the morning wave or their role as the primary attraction following the U.S. Open.

Rory McIlroy was in complete control of his destiny and was leading by two strokes on the back nine before missing a 30-inch par putt on the 16th hole and another par putt from just within 4 feet on the 18th hole, which prolonged his 10-year major drought.

Making a putt from a bunker 55 yards away, DeChambeau secured his second U.S. Open victory. Rory McIlroy’s finale was so challenging that he departed Pinehurst No. 2 without expressing his gratitude to DeChambeau or expressing any sentiments.

McIlroy was optimistic about his form as he approached the final major of the year, following his tie for fourth at the Rory McIlroy Scottish Open last week. Conversely, the wind came from the opposite direction, disrupting the plans of both him and his colleagues.

On the shortened front nine, where high scores are possible, it was directly in their faces. Assistance was provided from the left on the longer back nine, which is challenging in any conditions. McIlroy was taken aback by the difficulty of the back nine, as Rory McIlroy had anticipated that it would be less difficult.

“The course was exceedingly challenging.” The circumstances are exceedingly difficult due to the wind that has yet to be observed this week. McIlroy stated that the wind dictated his strategy during the practice sessions.

However, according to him, “it starts to present different options and you start to think about maybe hitting a few clubs that you haven’t hit in practice when you get a wind you haven’t played in.”

“Just one of those days where I didn’t adjust to the circumstances well enough.” It was not a satisfactory conclusion to the round. Following his decision to play a driver off the 18th.

On the left, Rory McIlroy fired sideways due to a pot bunker.

He drove the wedge to a distance of Rory McIlroy approximately eight feet, made one final bogie, and missed one additional putt, indicating that there was still a significant amount of work to be done.

In order to survive the weekend, he declared, “I must improve my performance under those circumstances.” If not, I should endeavor to advance further on the leaderboard and feel as though I have a reasonable chance. McIlroy was ten strokes behind the lead when he finished, but he had hoped for a smaller margin.

Until he reached the par-5 16th, DeChambeau did not complete a hole below par. It is more accurate to describe him as a sluggish bleeding individual. That was the only positive aspect of the day. An eagle putt of 55 feet was executed on the 565-yard hole by him.

“I am satisfied with the way in which I maintained my composure today,” stated DeChambeau. It would have been so easy for me to give up at nine o’clock and declare, ‘I’m going home’.” No, sir. There will be an additional opportunity for me tomorrow. As I anticipate the assignment, I am eager to begin.

“I will be fine if I am able to make a few putts, hit a few shots, and figure out how to use the equipment.”

SOURCE: CT

Sports

France Reaches Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals with Late Own Goal Against Belgium

(CTN News) – Jan Vertonghen’s late own goal advanced France to the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 at Belgium’s expense. A game that lacked quality and excitement for long stretches appeared destined for extra time, but a shot by replacement Randal Kolo Muani rebounded off Vertonghen with five minutes left to win the victory at Dusseldorf Arena.

France had previously missed multiple chances due to a lack of a cutting edge, and even captain Kylian Mbappe made efforts that would typically go wide.

Belgium could have seized the lead before France’s late goal when Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne sprinted into space through the middle, but Mike Maignan blocked his effort.

That was the only real opportunity for the underperforming Belgians, as France closed out the final few minutes to advance to the last eight, where they will meet Portugal or Slovenia.

Didier Deschamps’ team deserved to win, but the 2018 world champions will be relieved more than anything else after struggling to convert chances into goals once more.

They dominated play for long stretches but only had one effort on goal in the first half, Antoine Griezmann’s low strike from distance, which was well saved.

Mbappe is one of the world’s top forwards, but even he struggled when given a shooting opportunity, curling over in the second half after doing well to create space for himself.

France is through but still needs to improve.

In the end, they had 19 shots on goal, but only two were on target, and they are still waiting for their first goal from open play in Germany.

In a theme common to all of the bigger teams remaining in Euro 2024, France is struggling to play at the level they are capable of, but for the time being, they will relish being one step closer to the final.

Belgium was booed off the pitch by some fans after only drawing with Ukraine in their last group game, but their supporters were hopeful that they would improve their performance against the French.

However, they were once again overly cautious for extended periods, and their threatening moments were fleeting.

However, they should have punished France for their carelessness with De Bruyne’s effort in the dying moments, while Romelu Lukaku, who is leaving Euro 2024 without a goal, also saw a low shot saved in the second half.

Like Croatia, this has seemed like one last chance for Belgium’s ‘golden generation’, with players like De Bruyne and Lukaku in their 30s.

And, like Croatia, they will leave the tournament wondering whether this was a squandered chance to achieve what could have been with this set of players.

Source: BBC Sports