World cup qualifiers

Improved conditions for foreign workers will be a "key legacy" of the World Cup, Qatar's organisers insisted Friday as they marked the six month countdown to the event facing dogged questions over rights in the Gulf state. Qatar says workers rights to become 'key legacy' of World Cup The treatment of foreign labourers on Qatar's multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects has faced intense scrutiny as the country prepares for the start of the tournament on November 21. Rights for women and the LGBTQ community have also been criticised. Efforts to improve conditions on construction sites will be extended to the hospitality and other sectors that also depend on foreign workers, the organising committee chief spokesperson Fatma Al-Nuaimi, said in a statement in response to AFP questions. Bolstered worker rights would be part of the "human, economic and environmental legacy for decades to come," Nuaimi insisted. "Our efforts in developing, fine-tuning and … [Read more...] about Qatar says workers rights to become ‘key legacy’ of World Cup

China's withdrawal from hosting the 2023 Asian Cup could see the showpiece shift west to the Gulf, where new infrastructure and voracious demand for major events has made the region a magnet for international tournaments. Having planned to hold the Asian Cup across 10 cities in June-July next year, China dropped the 24-team tournament due to "exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic", the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said over the weekend. The AFC said it would name a new host in due course but provided no detail and declined to provide immediate comment to Reuters . AFC member nations were in the dark on Monday about the next steps. "This is quite an unusual situation and so there’s no specific process that we are aware of on how things could go," a spokesperson for the Korean Football Association (KFA) told Reuters . "We just know that China has given up." The AFC has little time to appraise candidates and may not have a diverse set to choose … [Read more...] about China withdrawal could see 2023 Asian Cup heading west

Juergen Klopp's relentless Liverpool beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties in a fluctuating English FA Cup final on Saturday to stay on course for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies. An absorbing Wembley showpiece had somehow ended 0-0 after extra time despite a raft of chances and near misses for both sides with fine performances from the two goalkeepers. Substitute Kostas Tsimikas slotted the winning penalty after Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta's had hit the post and Alisson had saved Mason Mount's effort. Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy had kept his side alive when he saved Senegal team mate Sadio Mane's penalty but it proved to no avail as Liverpool lifted the trophy for the first time since 2006. It was a carbon copy of the League Cup final in February, which Liverpool won 11-10 on penalties after that game also finished goalless. "I'm really proud of my boys," Liverpool manager Klopp said. "We are mentality monsters but there were mentality monsters in Chelsea colours as … [Read more...] about Quadruple still possible as Liverpool edge Chelsea in FA Cup final

Việt Nam's Nguyễn Thùy Linh stretches to return the shuttlecock against Indonesia's Kuttri Kusuma Wardani. VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam Xuân Đăng In the women's singles badminton event, Vietnamese players Nguyễn Thùy Linh and Vũ Thị Trang lost to Indonesian opponents and were eliminated in the qualifying round on May 19. In the match between Linh and Putri Kusuma Wardani, the Indonesia player put in an impressive performance with a 2-0 victory, thanks to a score of 21-9 and 21-17 over two sets. Meanwhile, Trang's opponent was Gregori Mariska Tunjung, Indonesia's No. 1 female badminton player who is ranked 30th in the world. Despite the oppositon, Trang played impressively and won the first set with a 21-17. However, in the second set, the Indonesian player regained her composure and won 21-5. The third set was the decider for the quarterfinals. The score went back and forth, causing excitement in the stands at the Bắc Giang Provincial … [Read more...] about Việt Nam women stopped in badminton singles qualifying round

"The players have tried their best and I appreciated them for that. But from now on, the team will have to improve to play the next two matches. We are only one match away from the final. We will give our best and focus fully for the semifinals," Park said after Vietnam win 2-0 against Timor Leste in the last game of group A on Sunday. This win got Vietnam 10 points after four games and put them on top of group A. On Monday, the opponent of Vietnam in the semifinals will be revealed and they will face either Thailand or Malaysia. "I have only watched their games on video and I’ll need more time to analyze the collected data. Nonetheless, the team will have the best preparation to face any team next. No matter the opponent, we will still play with the spirit of a brave warrior, ready to fight and win," he said. For Timor Leste coach Fabio Magrao, he wished Vietnam success on qualifying for the 2026 or 2030 World Cup. But coach Park said it’s too soon to talk about four or eight … [Read more...] about Vietnam ready to defeat any opponent in semifinals: coach Park

Rowing athletes of Indonesia in a competition at SEA Games 31 (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia 's rowing team will immediately focus on the Paris 2024 Olympics after reaching their medal target at the ongoing 31st SEA Games in Vietnam. Their head coach Muhammad Hadris said on May 17 that the Olympics qualifiers will soon take place and athletes who have won gold medals at the Games will be given the priority to return for practice. At SEA Games 31, the Indonesian squad has completed their goal after securing eight gold and six silver medals. According to Hadris, in preparation for the biennial regional sport event, the team had been trained in the Netherlands for a month and joined a number of tournaments in the European country and Belgium./. VNA … [Read more...] about SEA Games 31: Indonesia rowing team works toward 2024 Olympics

At the Myanmar-Singapore match in women's football of SEA Games 31 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Myanmar’s Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs U Min Thein Zan recently awarded 100,000 USD to female football ers of the country for qualifying for the semi-finals at the ongoing SEA Games 31 in Vietnam. He praised the brilliant performance of the team, affirming that the Myanmar State and people will look forward to honouring the nation pride through sports and success. On May 15, Myanmar beat Singapore 1-0 in the last match of Group B with the sole goal by Win Theingi Tun in the fourth minute of the second-half injury time. They earlier trounced Laos 3-0 on May 10. In the semi-finals, Myanmar will play the hosts Vietnam who topped Group A, while Thailand will face the Philippines. Both fixtures will take place at Cam Pha Stadium of Quang Ninh on May 18. SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, is being held in the Hanoi capital and 11 … [Read more...] about Myanmar’s women football team awarded 100,000 USD

Brunei bags first gold in wushu VN win gold in running, javelin Hosts edge closer to football semis Perseverance pays off for pencak silat star Hà VNG supports triathlon team at SEA Games 31 With a 7-0 win against Cambodia, the Vietnamese women (white) have the biggest win of the SEA Games 31 football tournament so far. VNA/VNS Photos Anh Tuấn HOÀNG HỒ QUẢNG NINH — Việt Nam are one step closer to defending their SEA Games title after a 7-0 win against Cambodia in the final group women's match on May 14 in Cẩm Phả Stadium, Quảng Ninh. A double from Nguyễn Thị Vạn, alongside goals from Phạm Hải Yến, Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Dung, Trần Thị Thu, Ngân Thị Vạn Sự and Dương thị Vân sealed the hosts firm position on top of group A, ending Cambodia’s semis dream as the Angkor Warriors watched Việt Nam and the Philippines advance to the knockout stage. Despite the massive win, even the 7-0 score didn’t quite reflect the match, as Việt Nam failed to make much of … [Read more...] about VN women in football semi

Thùy wins gold for Việt Nam in vovinam Finswimming back in action after decade-long absence Thais crowned men’s futsal kings VN dominate League of Legends, Arena of Valor groups Malaysia bring home karate gold in kumite The Vietnamese national women's football team celebrate beating Myanmar in the semi-finals. They are ready to face Thailand in the final on May 21. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Linh Thanh Nga QUẢNG NINH — The Vietnamese national women's football team are ready to set a record of winning three SEA Games titles in a row. On May 21, the team will face Thailand in the final of SEA Games 31. This is the sixth time in a row that Việt Nam has competed for the gold medal in women's football at the SEA Games with Thailand. "Việt Nam team are looking forward to setting a record of three consecutive championships. To prepare for the final, we try to have the strongest force. Vietnamese players, despite their physical limitations, have ingenuity … [Read more...] about Việt Nam women ready to face Thailand

Việt Nam's Nguyễn Trần Thanh Tự in action when leading Filipino legend Efren Reyes 12-6 in the semi - finals. VNA/VNS Photo Khánh Hòa HOÀNG HỒ HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Trần Thanh Tự didn’t need to break a sweat as he triumphed in the men's one-cushion carom on May 19, due to his opponent Phạm Quốc Tuấn’s withdrawal. The all–Vietnamese final at Hà Đông Gymnasium wasn’t able to take place as Tuấn was positive with COVID-19 the day before and couldn’t attend the match. With the result, Tự defended the hosts’ SEA Games one–cushion carom title, Tuấn finished second while the bronze is shared between Filipino Efren Reyes and Francisco Dela Cruz. For Đoàn Tuấn Anh, leader of the Việt Nam Billiard & Snooker team at the SEA Games 31, Tuấn’s absence was a shame, but there was no other way due to the Games’ regulation. “According to the regulations of the Organising Committee, in all sports, athletes who are positive with COVID-19 cannot attend any match,” Tuấn Anh said. “Because Tuấn … [Read more...] about Việt Nam crowned one–cushion carom champions in unique fashion