China: 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup Champions

Navi Mumbai: China PR came from two goals down to defeat Korea Republic 3-2 in a pulsating AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022™ final at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

Korea Republic looked to be cruising to their first crown after taking a 2-0 lead at half-time but China PR fought back after the break through goals from Tang Jiali, Zhang Linyan and Xiao Yuyi - who netted the winner deep into added time to seal her side a record-extending ninth title. 

China PR head coach Shui Qingxia hailed her players’ performance in capturing their historic ninth title.

“This is the most critical moment for China PR women’s football,” said Shui. “Despite trailing 2-0 my players showed determination to fight back. I like to thank all the players for winning the title but they also won it for themselves.”

Korea Republic head coach Colin Bell was proud of his players despite missing out on their first title.

"I'm proud of the players, I told them that after the match," said Bell. "We need to keep improving and not let this defeat diminish our spirit. We're bitterly disappointed. We need to be stronger mentally. The penalty against us, took our concentration away."

China PR entered the final chasing their first title since 2006 against a Korea Republic side who had never laid their hands on the coveted trophy.

China PR, unbeaten in seven previous meetings with Korea Republic, started the game brightly and had the first look at goal within seconds when Wu Chengshu played the ball to Tang Jiali just above the area, but the midfielder’s effort was easily dealt with by Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi.

China PR continued to press with Zhang Xin trying from 35 yards out while Wang Shuang saw her effort in the 10th minute saved by Kim.

Korea Republic began to see more of the ball as the half progressed and were rewarded with their first look at goal in the 27th minute, with Lee Geum-min breaking into the box before sending a cross to Choe Yu-Ri to score the 100th goal of the tournament.

With Korea Republic in the ascendancy, China PR survived a scare at the half-hour mark, goalkeeper Zhou Yu pulling off a point-blank save to deny Lim Seon-Joo’s header off a free-kick.

China PR, however, suffered more woe in the closing stages of the first half when a VAR review saw Korea Republic awarded a penalty for Yao Lingwei’s handball, with Ji So-yun converting from the spot. 

China PR head coach Shui sent on Xiao Yuyi and Zhang Rui at the start of the second half to force their way back into the game but Korea Republic gave them little room to operate in the early stages.

China PR, however, received a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty for Lee Young-ju’s handball, with Tang Jiali netting from the spot in the 68th minute.

Boosted by the goal, China PR began to dictate play and drew level four minutes later thanks to some poor defending by Korea Republic. 

Goalscorer Tang did well to beat two Korea Republic defenders before sending a delightful cross into the six-yard-box for an unmarked Zhang Linyan to nod home the equaliser. 

Korea Republic could have then won it at the death with Zhou Yu pulling off a one handed save before defender Wang Xiaoxue blocked Son Hwa-Yeon’s effort.

Having escaped, China PR broke Korea Republic's hearts in added time with Xiao Yuyi stunningly finishing off Wang Shanshan’s pass as a record-extending ninth title was sealed. 

Melbourne Victory: 2021 FFA Cup Champions

Australia's main men's national knockout football competition will undergo a name change, with Football Australia confirming the FFA Cup will become the Australia Cup.

"Through discussion with Australian football historians, and dialogue with fans and stakeholders of the competition, the consensus was that the name Australia Cup truly speaks to what this competition is and represents," Football Australia CEO James Johnson said in a statement.

"We are pleased that through this process pioneering players, clubs, and officials can feel recognised and connected to the competition.

"The research and consultation we have conducted regarding this name change indicates that people will be overwhelmingly happy with the shift to Australia Cup from 2022 onwards."

The competition will not be the first played with the name Australia Cup. For seven seasons in the 1960s, a competition with the same name was played between leading state league teams. The last side to win that Australia Cup was Sydney Hakoah.

The 2021 competition comes to a conclusion on Saturday night, with the final between Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners.

The new cup competition will begin almost immediately, with the preliminary rounds for 2022 beginning in coming weeks across the states and territories.

The knockout competition regularly attracts 700 teams to compete for the cup.

Johnson said the name change for the FFA Cup was part of "an exciting next step in this evolution [of the competition]".

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Ten months after he was charged with lifting Melbourne Victory out of the doldrums, Tony Popovic's revolution has delivered its first trophy in a dramatic 2-1 FFA Cup final triumph over Central Coast.

ason Davidson's thunderous free-kick handed Victory the advantage in the 70th minute, with Chris Ikonomidis' 95th-minute volley proving the winner before Central Coast skipper Oliver Bozanic ensured a nervous finish to the match when he scored in the 97th minute.

The triumph, Victory's second FFA Cup title after 2015, came just eight months after their first wooden spoon.

As a result of their poor 2020-21, Victory had to win a play-off to reach the Cup round of 32 before going on a barnstorming run that culminated in Saturday night's triumph in front of 15,343 fans at AAMI Park.

Popovic's first domestic final win also earned Victory a shot at the AFC Champions League, with the competition winner receiving a play-off spot — an away game against Japanese side Vissel Kobe in March.

The game cracked open in the second half when Marco Rojas charged forward and was cut down by Harrison Steele.

Davidson had acted as a decoy on previous set pieces but stepped up and thundered a wonderful left-footed strike into the top corner as AAMI Park erupted.

Victory snared a second goal five minutes into injury time when Josh Brillante quickly took a free-kick and the ball ultimately ended up with Ikonomidis, who chested it to himself then smashed a sweet left-footed volley home.

Emotions spilled over for Victory's active supporters, with a large number going over the barriers and briefly stopping play.

Shortly after, Victory failed to clear a Mariners attacking foray and the ball spilled to Bozanic, who lofted home a left-footed strike.

Bozanic had previously scored in Victory's 2015 triumph but this time, his goal proved only a consolation  as the final whistle ensured any chances of a last gasp Mariners draw had run out.

AAP

Senegal: 2022 Africa Cup Of Nations Champions

After having waited a long time in its history, Senegal also spent a lot of time on the lawn of the Olembé stadium in Yaoundé (Cameroon) to win its first continental title (4-2)

Senegal dominated without scoring a goal with a penalty missed by Sadio Mané in the 4th minute of play, Saliou Ciss having been brought down in the penalty area of ​​Egypt.

Sadio Mané shoots in force on the Egyptian goalkeeper Gabaski.

Despite this missed penalty, Senegal continues its pressure and Ismaila Sarr after getting rid of the left back, center for anyone in the axis of the goal. Three times, in the 12th, 18th and 23rd minute.

The only Egyptian opportunity is the work of Mohamed Salah who, after having a cold in the Senegalese defense, takes a shot angle. It's deflected by Edouard Mendy for a corner.

Senegal continued to dominate but remain powerless when it comes to making the final move.

As in the first period, the Pharaohs had their chance with Marwan Mehany alone in the Senegalese penalty area, headed over the crossbar in the 73rd minute.

At 0-0 after the end of regulation time, the South African referee, Victor Gomes sent the players back to overtime.

During the first period of extra time, two Senegalese chances, Bamba Dieng put a header deflected for a corner by the Egyptian goalkeeper in the 110th minute.

On the corner, Abdou Diallo alone sees his ball from the head fly in the sky of Yaoundé.

Bamba Dieng lights up again, the Egyptian goalkeeper for a corner.

On an Egyptian collective movement, Mahmoud Aladin returns the favor, Edouard Mendy works to deflect for a corner.

After 120 minutes of play, it will be the penalty shootout, an exercise which the Pharaohs succeeded twice against Côte d'Ivoire (eighth final) and Cameroon (semi-final) were won by the Pharaohs.

Finally, it is Senegal who wins 4-2, Bouna Sarr being the only one to miss his exercise with the Lions. Sadio Mané, who missed his penalty for a corner, is one of those who scored. 

On the side of the Pharaohs Mohamed Abdel Meneam and Mohanad Ahmed Abdelmoneim missed theirs.