Vietnam National Team Receives Good News in Korea; Barcelona Shockingly Loses to Relegation Race Team
In addition to welcoming the return of key players, the Vietnam National Team also had meaningful extracurricular activities in Korea; Thai stars determined to defend the AFF Cup championship; Barcelona shockingly lost to a relegation-rival team... are notable sports news in the past 24 hours.
Vietnam National Team receives good news in Korea
On the afternoon of November 30, after a series of intense training days in Gyeongju, the Vietnamese team visited the ancient temple Bulguksa (Buddhist Kingdom Temple), one of the most famous and oldest temples in Korea.
The visit not only gave the players the opportunity to admire the beauty of the temple and enjoy the peaceful, quiet space, but also served as a spiritual therapy, helping the whole team relax and replenish positive energy after a series of intense training days.
This tour is part of the Vietnam National Team's training activities in Gyeongju, thereby helping the players have time to rest, recharge and increase solidarity.
Earlier, in the morning of the same day, the team hadpractice sessionstrengthen physical strength and practice more tactical exercises. In this training session, the team had the return of defender Bui Hoang Anh Viet Anh after being treated for a relapse of a knee injury. However, Tuan Hai had to stay at the hotel for physical therapy because he had not fully recovered from a hip injury before joining the team.
This afternoon, the Vietnam team will play a practice match with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motor Club from K.League-1. This is also the team's last practice match during the training session in Korea and the opponent is also considered the strongest among the 3 "blue troops" of coach Kim Sang Sik and his team.
Thai stars determined to defend AFF Cup title
Ekanit Panya is one of the notable stars of the Thai team at the AFF Cup 2024. Currently, this player is not often in Japan with the Urawa Red Diamonds club, so he is determined to show himself at the AFF Cup.
"This time, I feel proud to represent Thailand once again. Although the tournament has an uncomfortable schedule, I will still try my best to show the results of my daily training in Urawa and consider this opportunity as a stepping stone to further develop myself," Ekanit Panya shared with the media of the Golden Temple country.
Ekanit Panya will join the Thai national team late because the J.League will only end on December 8 and he will likely be absent from the opening match against Timor Leste.
Besides Ekanit, Supachoke is also one of two other Thai players playing in J.League who were called up to participate in this AFF Cup with the mission of helping the "War Elephants" successfully defend their throne.
In this AFF Cup, the Thai team is missing many key players. The reason is that domestic clubs do not agree to release their players. Besides, they also advocate rejuvenating the team so they do not call up veterans like in previous seasons.
Notably, the Thai team has won the championship three times in two consecutive AFF Cups (2000 and 2002; 2014 and 2016; 2020 and 2022), but has never had a hat-trick of titles.
The Singapore team also won the AFF Cup twice in a row, in 2004 - when the AFF Cup changed its format with the knockout round played over two legs at home and away, and in 2007.
In this year's tournament, the Thai team is in Group A of the 2024 AFF Cup. The defending champion will have its opening match against East Timor on December 8, at Hang Day Stadium (Hanoi).
Eriksen has no chance of staying at MU
The Guardian reports that Eriksen will definitely leave Manchester United at the end of this season, after the Danish midfielder's contract with the "Red Devils" expires. There is even a possibility that Eriksen will leave Old Trafford in the January 2025 transfer window.
Eriksen played below expectations in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town in the 12th round of the Premier League on November 24. This midfielder is also said to not be suitable for coach Ruben Amorim's philosophy.
Eriksen was previously linked with Ajax in the summer of 2024, but decided to stay. He played an important role from the start of the 2024/25 season. However, with the arrival of coach Ruben Amorim, known for his high-intensity pressing style, Eriksen is no longer the optimal choice.
Manchester United's board of directors has informed Eriksen that they will not renew the player's contract and will allow him to negotiate with other clubs from January. This situation opens up opportunities for clubs who want to own the veteran Danish midfielder in the upcoming mid-season transfer window.
Manchester United want to sell Eriksen in January to reduce the salary fund, at the same time, create conditions for coach Amorim to rebuild the squad, to bring competitiveness to the race for the top 4 of the Premier League.
Eriksen's departure could also open up opportunities for young players like Kobbie Mainoo or Toby Collyer to develop further, as these young talents are highly regarded by the new coaching staff.
Barcelona shockingly lost to relegation race team
Barcelona surprisingly lost 1-2 at home to Las Palmas. This is an alarming signal for the Catalan team because they have not won 3 consecutive matches in La Liga.
Barcelona attacked right after the opening whistle, the first chance of the match belonged to coach Hansi Flick's team. Pablo Torre's shot forced goalkeeper Cillessen to block very hard. Las Palmas did not give up and were ready to punish Barcelona with direct attacks. In the 11th minute, 3 players from Las Palmas threatened Barcelona's goal but their shots were too weak or missed the ball.
Despite having more shots and ball control than their opponents, Barcelona only had as many clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half as Las Palmas. In the 36th minute, Munoz scared Barcelona's defense with a shot that cut across the goal. Barcelona responded with a shot from Raphinha in the 45+2 minute. The Brazilian player skillfully broke the offside trap, but unfortunately the shot hit the crossbar.
Las Palmas surprisingly opened the scoring after only 4 minutes of the second half. The visitors counterattacked exemplary, Kirian Rodriguez assisted Sandro Ramirez to score a tricky shot that broke the net of his former team. Coach Hansi Flick made a series of personnel changes in the second half and it worked. In the 61st minute, Raphinha shined with a long-range shot that left goalkeeper Cillessen completely helpless.
The joy of coach Hansi Flick and his team did not last long, Barcelona conceded the second goal just 6 minutes later. Fabio Silva accelerated to receive a pass from Munoz, passed Hector Fort and finished into Barcelona's net. The Catalan team continued to attack tirelessly for the rest of the match. However, they encountered a brilliant reflex from goalkeeper Cillessen. Barcelona's shots in the second half could not defeat the Dutch goalkeeper.
The humiliating defeat to Las Palmas leaves Barcelona just four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, having played two games more. Los Blancos will move top if they win both of those games.
Kane was doing well but then got injured
In the early morning of December 1, Kane had to leave the field early in Bayern's 1-1 draw with Dortmund in round 12 of the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich marched to Signal Iduna Park with high confidence. Coach Vincent Kompany and his team had a series of 7 wins, while Dortmund had an up and down form with 4 wins and 4 losses in the last 8 rounds.
Bayern dominated the game but Dortmund surprised with just one chance. In the 27th minute, young star Jamie Gittens broke through bravely on the left wing, before unleashing a decisive shot from a tight angle, defeating Manuel Neuer.
In the deadlock, Bayern also suffered a heavy loss, which was the injury of Harry Kane. The striker, who has scored 20 goals this season, had to leave the field in the 33rd minute to make way for Thomas Muller.
After taking the advantage, Dortmund proactively ceded the game to Bayern. The away team held the ball at times up to 80%. However, the absence of main striker Harry Kane made Bayern's attacks almost harmless.
On the day Jamal Musiala was blocked, Bayern only had 2 notable opportunities, both in the second half. However, Muller and Leroy Sane both shot wide despite Dortmund's goal being wide open.
After being closely marked for a while, Musiala still managed to shine and bring Bayern an equalizer in the 85th minute. From a cross from Michael Olise, the young German star comfortably headed in an open position, bringing the German Clasico back to the starting line. The visitors' equalizer was also the last notable situation.
The draw puts Vincent Kompany and his team at risk of being narrowed down to four points by Frankfurt in the title race. In this round, Frankfurt will only have to face Heidenheim, the club currently in the top three from the bottom.