Nigeria vs Zambia 1-0 | Extended Highlights | 2018 World Cup Qualifiers ...

Kelayakan Piala Dunia : Bosnia 3-4 Belgium - Highlights & Goals - 07 October 2017

Alex Iwobi fires Nigeria to the World Cup

Nigeria's Alex Iwobi (c) celebrates with teammates after scoring

Substitute Alex Iwobi propelled Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup with a late strike that earned the Super Eagles a 1-0 victory over Zambia.

Iwobi latched onto a cutback just inside the box after good interplay between Victor Moses and Shehu Abdullahi, before drilling home with unerring accuracy in the 74th minute.

The victory means the Super Eagles became the first African country to qualify for the World Cup, but they were made to work for every second of the 90 minutes by a brave and fearless Chipolopolo, who remained in the hunt for a ticket to Russia until the final whistle.

The Zambians frustrated Nigeria in a feisty first half where tackles flew and both sides struggled to create anything more than half chances.

Although the Super Eagles marginally edged the few opportunities created in the first half, it was Zambia who hit the post.

‘Liga Malaysia ibarat saingan EPL Asia Tenggara’

MUNGKIN tidak keterlaluan untuk mengatakan kemeriahan Liga Malaysia (Liga M) khususnya Liga Super antara salah satu elemen penting membuatkan Mario Gomez tidak boleh melupakan pelbagai memori di negara ini.

Tiba ke Malaysia dengan dilantik sebagai jurulatih kelab Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) pada 2015, Gomez, 60, telah menikmati pelbagai kejayaan bersama skuad Harimau Selatan menjulang Liga Super dan Piala Sumbangsih selain trofi terbesar - Piala Konfederasi Bola Sepak Asia (AFC) sepanjang dua tahun di Larkin.

Gomez yang tidak membim­bing mana-mana kelab sejak meninggalkan JDT pada Mac lalu, telah mendapat pelbagai tawaran dari kelab di Thailand dan Indonesia, tetapi ia masih belum cukup untuk meyakinkan pengendali kelahiran Argentina itu menyertai mereka.

Ini kerana bekas jurulatih South China tersebut mendedahkan beliau masih menanti dan berminat untuk membuat penampilan di Malaysia ke­rana Gomez menyifatkan Liga Super boleh dianggap sebagai Liga Perdana England (EPL) versi Asia Tenggara.

“Kamu tidak boleh melupakan suasana di sini (Malaysia), liga mereka benar-benar menakjubkan. Saya telah merasai kesemua itu ketika bersama JDT. Saya sangat gembira sepanjang berada di Johor dan mereka memberikan layanan terbaik buat saya.

“Baik pihak pengurusan mahupun para peminat, Johor (JDT) adalah yang terbaik. Memori ketika berada di Larkin adalah satu pengalaman cukup manis sepanjang karier saya.

“Liga Super umpama EPL, mungkin EPL versi Asia Tenggara. Itulah antara salah satu sebab mengapa saya masih berminat untuk beraksi di Malaysia. Saya sanggup tunggu biarpun mendapat tawaran daripada Thailand dan Indonesia,” katanya ketika dihubungi Kosmo! di Mar del Plata, Argentina semalam.

Dalam perkembangan sama, Gomez mendedahkan bahawa beliau telah dihubungi seorang ejen dari pasukan Liga M, tetapi enggan menamakan pasukan tersebut memandangkan tiada tawaran rasmi diserahkan kepadanya.

Pun begitu, Gomez mengakui sudah tidak sabar untuk membuat penampilan semula di Malaysia khususnya pasukan yang bersaing di Liga Super tahun depan.

“PKNS FC (kelab Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor)? Saya tidak tahu, tetapi saya suka kemungkinan itu (menyertai PKNS FC). Ada ejen menghubungi saya untuk mengetahui minat saya menjadi jurulatih di Malaysia.

“Buat masa ini, tiada tawaran rasmi dari kelab-kelab tersebut dan saya tidak mahu menamakan pasukan itu memandangkan ia masih belum lengkap.

“Namun, boleh disahkan saya sememangnya berminat untuk melatih pasukan di Liga M dan menunggu tawaran rasmi daripada mereka sahaja,” katanya.

EPL : ARSENAL 2 -0 Brighton And Hove Albion (BHAFC)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger celebrated the 21st anniversary of his arrival at the club with a routine victory over Brighton.

Nacho Monreal put the Gunners ahead early on when he shot through a crowded penalty area after Brighton had failed to clear a free-kick.

A well worked Brighton free-kick resulted in Solly March striking the post from 20 yards shortly afterwards.

But Arsenal added a second goal after half-time when a slick passing move on the counter-attack was emphatically finished off by Alex Iwobi.

The win ensures Wenger's side are a point behind north London rivals Tottenham in the chasing pack behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Man of the match - Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

Even when he is not at his brilliant best, Alexis Sanchez still manages to appear head and shoulders above his contemporaries. Sanchez created twice as many chances (six) and had twice as many shots (eight) as any other Arsenal player. Arsenal fans will be desperate he stays in January.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "In this job you only look for the next game. When you look back you see the distance you have made. Overall, football changed a lot in this 21 years.

"We kept the clean sheet and of course got three points. We have played more fluent than today but playing Monday, Thursday and today, it was important to get three points. We eased off in concentration and decision-making and then it becomes a bit harder.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton: "It was a spirited performance. I can't accuse the lads of not giving everything.

X-Chelsea Kevin De Bruyne hampakan harapan the Blues (1-0)

• Alvaro Morata was forced to come off after 35 minutes and seemed to be struggling with hamstring niggle  
• First half finished goalless but Manchester City dominated possession and looked team in control of game  
• Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring with a sumptuous finish curling past Thibaut Courtois for deserved lead 
• Belgian's goal proved to be decisive and City totally dominated game in all facets of play at Stamford Bridge 

Kevin De Bruyne sent the travelling fans into raptures with his brilliant finish to put City ahead in the second half

Fabian Delph described Manchester City's win at Chelsea as 'massive', but warned the season is only just beginning. Kevin De Bruyne scored the only goal against his former club, but City might have had more as they consolidated their position at the top of the Premier League. 

Former Aston Villa midfielder Delph was deployed at left wing-back and impressed in a strong team performance in City's sixth win from seven league games this season.

Conte: “We gave everything today. I’m happy for the commitment of every player, for the will to fight. They are a very strong team”

CHELSEA :

Courtois 7, Rudiger 7, Christensen 7, Cahill 6, Azpilicueta 7, Kante 7.5, Bakayoko 6.5(Batshuayi), Fabregas 6.5, Alonso 6.5, Hazard 7 (Pedro), Morata 6 (Willian)

Unused subs: 

Caballero, Moses, Kenedy, Zappacosta

MAN CITY :

Ederson 8.5, Walker 7, Stones 7.5, Otamendi 7, Delph 7, Fernandinho 7, Sterling 7, De Bruyne 9 (Danilo), Silva 8.5 (B. Silva), Sane 7 (Gundogan), Jesus 8

Unused subs: 

Bravo, Mangala, Zinchenko, Toure

Bookings: Fernandinho, Otamendi

Goals: De Bruyne (67)

Referee: Martin Atkinson 

MAN UTD x mengalah lagi | Crystal terus dihimpit siri kekalahan berterusan

• Marcus Rashford got the better of Joel Ward and Juan Mata had the easy task of slotting home the opener
• Despite going a goal down early on, Crystal Palace showed spirit and tested United's defence in first half
• Marouane Fellaini grabbed a second for United after tapping home at back post from Ashley Young cross
• Rashford turned provider again, delivering a wonderful free-kick which Fellaini headed in to score second 
• Romelu Lukaku had a quiet afternoon but was unmarked at the back post to add a fourth for rampant hosts

The returning Jason Puncheon, who captained Crystal Palace on Saturday, attempts to get the ball off Nemanja Matic