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Saudi Arabia are not interested in making friends as they look to erase bad Asian Cup memories from four years ago.

In Qatar in 2011, Saudi Arabia lost all three group matches, conceding eight goals, but they should start Saturday s opening match versus China with some confidence due to their three-game unbeaten run against the Chinese.

The Saudis defeated China 4-1 in a friendly in 2009 and 2-1 in their home qualifier for this year s Asian Cup in February 2013, before the Chinese claimed a scoreless draw in Xi an nine months later.

Saudi Arabia are unlikely to let anyone or anything stand in their way of an improved showing in Australia.

In the lead-up to Saturday s clash in Brisbane, Cosmin Olaroiu s men trained at an unauthorised venue to avoid the med…

Chelsea are interested in signing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that the former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners are ready to make a bid for the former Ajax star and compete for his signature with Manchester United.

Manchester United have been linked with De Jong for a while now, but there is a wage dispute between Barcelona and the Netherlands international midfielder. Chelsea could face a similar situation if they do make a bid for the 25-year-old this summer.

De Jong has been on the books of Barcelona since 2019, but the Dutchman has not been a massive success at Camp Nou. Barca have not been very successful over the past three seasons either. The Dutchman made 30 starts and two sub…

Gustaf Lagerbielke could be in line for a swift Celtic debut after Stephen Welsh suffered a knock hours after his new four-year contract was announced.

The Swedish central defender signed on Wednesday and could face Kilmarnock in the Viaplay Cup on Sunday after Cameron Carter-Vickers was ruled out with a hamstring issue.

Midfielder Reo Hatate will also be missing in Ayrshire after picking up a calf problem.

Welsh made his first appearance in 10 months when he replaced Carter-Vickers at Pittodrie but his chances of getting an extended run have been placed in doubt.

Welshy Bhoy!

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC)

“He picked up a little bit of a knock today which is a shame for him considering he has just signed his deal,” boss Brend…

Dayot Upamecano will be a Bayern Munich player in 2021-22, meaning Liverpool and Chelsea must go back to the drawing board.

The Premier League rivals had each been linked with a move for the RB Leipzig centre-back as they look to add to their options at heart of defence.

Now they each must look to different targets come the end of the season, with injuries and poor play at the back having derailed the Reds hopes of winning a second successive league title.

But which centre-backs could be part of Liverpool and Chelsea s plans to pose a more serious challenge to Manchester City next season?

Here we look at four players who could be playing their football at Liverpool or Stamford Bridge next season.

Bremer

The Torino defender is reported to b…

Oscar Bobb has described his Manchester City and Norway team-mate Erling Haaland as an inspiration.

Haaland got the only goal as City edged out Brentford 1-0 on Tuesday night in a match that saw emerging talent Bobb, 20, make his first Premier League start.

It was Haaland’s 17th goal of the season despite missing two months of the campaign with a foot injury, and took him to 53 in 55 league appearances since joining City in the summer of 2022. A goal against the Bees meant he has scored against all 21 Premier League opponents he has faced.

— Manchester City (@ManCity)

“What he’s achieved is crazy, right?” Bobb said. “He’s only three years older than me, same country, everything. Yes, he’s an inspiration.”

Asked if he w…

Florian Wirtz will stay at Bayer Leverkusen next season despite interest from Europe s elite clubs, says Die Werkself s managing director Simon Rolfes.

Wirtz has been in irresistible form throughout Xabi Alonso s first full season at the BayArena, which could yet end with an unbeaten treble.

Leverkusen won 28 of their 34 games as they became the first team to go unbeaten through a Bundesliga campaign, and they face a pair of finals this week – against Atalanta in the Europa League and Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal.

Wirtz was named Bundesliga Player of the Year earlier this week, having scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists throughout the campaign. He has also been involved in eight goals (four goals, four assists) and created 28 chances from open play in th…

Jordan Henderson believes Liverpool have started this season even better than they did in the 2013-14 campaign, which saw them come so close to winning the Premier League.

Liverpool finished two points behind champions Manchester City that season when they had Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge starring as part of a lethal strike partnership.

The Reds were in contention to win the title until the final weeks of the season, but an infamous home defeat to Chelsea and a draw at Crystal Palace during their final three games dramatically ended their hopes.

Captain Henderson, though, feels Liverpool s team is stronger now under the management of Jurgen Klopp, as they sit level on points with leaders City after 10 matches.

I don t think we started that one as we…

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, for the A-League Men is back, this time celebrating its 20th season. It’s a time for hope, for spirits swelled by the promise and potential that comes with the blank slate of a new season. And that goes not just for the 13 sides taking part in this year’s competition but, as has invariably been the case of late, also the league itself, which has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent years to test the depths of even the most ardent supporter’s endurance.

‘The best left foot is back’: Juan Mata lands at Wanderers amid A-League Men fanfareRead more

It all begins on Friday, when Central Coast host Melbourne Victory in a rematch of the 2023-24 grand final. In that contest, the Mariners yet again…