Ghalenoei wants a sharper IR Iran, Andersen sees positives in Hong Kong, China

Ashgabat: Amir Ghalenoei is demanding more potency from his Islamic Republic of Iran team despite having secured a spot at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 27

Group E: Uzbekistan 3-0 Hong Kong, China

Tashkent: Uzbekistan continued their fine form in the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 26

Preview - Group E: Uzbekistan v Hong Kong, China; Turkmenistan v IR Iran

Ashgabat: Islamic Republic of Iran will aim to confirm their place in the next stage when they face Turkmenistan in their Preliminary Joint...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 25

Preview: Uzbekistan vs. Hong Kong - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's World Cup Qualifying - Asia clash between Uzbekistan and Hong Kong, including predictions, team news and possible...
SPORTSMOLE.CO.UK Mar 24

Milan Court Confirms Hong Kong Tribunal Ruling: Inter Milan President Must Pay Chinese Creditors $255M

A Milan court has confirmed the ruling of a Hong Kong tribunal that Inter Milan President Steven Zhang must pay creditors $255 million USD. This...
SEMPREINTER.COM Mar 22

Captain resigns and retires after ‘humiliating’ World Cup qualifier and tells wife ‘I really cannot accept it’

CHINA'S national team captain has retired from international duty after his country's “humiliating” draw with Singapore. Zhang Linpeng threw in the...
THE SUN Mar 22

IR Iran, Uzbekistan set to book spots

Hong Kong: Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan left themselves well placed to advance from Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification –...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 22

Iran, Uzbekistan set to book spots

Hong Kong: Islamic Republic of Iran and Uzbekistan left themselves well placed to advance from Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification –...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 22

Group E: Hong Kong, China 0-2 Uzbekistan

Hong Kong: Goals from Eldor Shomurodov and Rustamjon Ashurmatov earned Uzbekistan a 2-0 win over Hong Kong, China on Thursday to maintain their...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 21

Lionel Messi fans get positive update after Hong Kong drama

In a bid to address the disappointment of fans who eagerly awaited Lionel Messi’s appearance in Hong Kong, only to see him sidelined during a...
CLUTCHPOINTS Mar 20

Preview - Group E: Hong Kong, China v Uzbekistan; IR Iran v Turkmenistan

Kuala Lumpur: Uzbekistan will welcome back star forward Eldor Shomurodov for the first of two matches against Hong Kong, China in Group E of the...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 20

Lionel Messi fans left seething after footballer didn't play in Hong Kong match due to 'groin injury' will get half their ticket money back... if they agree not to pursue legal action

Fans, who paid up to £500 (HK$4,880) for the chance to see Messi, said they felt 'cheated' by the no-show after he was heavily featured in the...
DAILY MAIL ONLINE Mar 19

Preview: Hong Kong vs. Uzbekistan - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's World Cup Qualifying - Asia clash between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan, including predictions, team news and possible...
SPORTSMOLE.CO.UK Mar 19

FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Asian Qualifiers: March Match Schedule

During FIFA Matchday, one of the confederations that will see official activity is the AFC. Here you can watch which games and what dates and times...
BOLAVIP US Mar 18

Celtic-daft Rod Stewart spotted celebrating win that put Hoops back top of the league 7,000 miles away from Glasgow

SIR ROD STEWART is arguably Celtic’s biggest celebrity fan. The Maggie May and You’re in My Heart singer is spotted regularly at Celtic Park...
THE SCOTTISH SUN Mar 18

East Asia Wrap: Newcomers Machida rise to top; Sangmu edge Jeonbuk

Hong Kong: Machida Zelvia, who got promoted to the J1 League as the 2023 Japanese second division champions, climbed to the top of the table four...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 18

East Asia Wrap: Vissel fight back against Tokyo; Ulsan stay perfect

Hong Kong: Yuya Osako's superb free-kick sealed reigning champions Vissel Kobe’s comeback win against FC Tokyo in the J1 League on Saturday while...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 11

Inter Miami boss Tata Martino admits Lionel Messi fatigue

Inter Miami‘s head coach Tata Martino has acknowledged that Lionel Messi is dealing with fatigue following a busy start to the 2024 campaign,...
CLUTCHPOINTS Mar 8

Liverpool FSG owners to launch 'immersive Anfield experience' in Asia for big cash boost

The club has announced a partnership with Hong Kong firm Swire Properties to launch an immersive Reds experience focused on the unique matchday...
EXPRESS Mar 5

Liverpool announce new exciting Asia partnership as part of FSG's 'ambitious' growth plans

Liverpool are to launch an immersive Anfield experience in locations across China and Hong Kong
LIVERPOOL ECHO Mar 5

East Asia Wrap: Ulsan edge Pohang in derby; Jubilo stun Kawasaki

Hong Kong: Ataru Esaka’s fortuitous goal six minutes into the second half settled the East Coast derby as reigning champions Ulsan Hyundai kicked...
THE-AFC.COM Mar 4

Lionel Messi leads Argentine NT March roster with 9 World Cup champs missing

Lionel Scaloni has submitted the Argentine national team squad for the March international window, with Lionel Messi leading the list while eight...
BOLAVIP US Mar 1

Redondo signing shows Inter Miami are planning for life beyond Messi

A focus on young South American players has underpinned Miami's star-driven transfer strategy Inter Miami already had the actual Sergio Busquets....
THE GUARDIAN Feb 28

East Asia Wrap: Vissel open with win; Shenhua lift Chinese Super Cup

Hong Kong: Vissel Kobe’s title defence got off to a winning start against Jubilo Iwata in Japan while Yokohama F. Marinos followed up their midweek...
THE-AFC.COM Feb 26

Indian women's football team downs Hong Kong

India defeats Hong Kong in Turkish Women’s Cup with goals from Anju Tamang and Soumya Guguloth.
INDIATIMES.COM Feb 25

Striker who scored winning goal in the League Cup final looks unrecognisable after shaving off shaggy lockdown beard

THIS former Premier League star rocks a drastically different look to when he was starring in the English top flight. When he arrived in 2004 he...
THE SCOTTISH SUN Feb 24

Chinese authorities cancel Argentina friendlies after Lionel Messi Hong Kong debacle

Argentina will instead play El Salvador and Nigeria in the United States in March
THE INDEPENDENT Feb 23

Lionel Messi's Argentina set to play in USA on next international break - after China CANCELLED proposed tour amid backlash over Inter Miami star sitting out their friendly in Hong Kong

Argentina were initially scheduled to play games against Nigeria and Ivory Coast in China next month, yet that is no longer the case after sport...
DAILY MAIL ONLINE Feb 22

Lionel Messi defends decision to miss Hong Kong match after China backlash

Lionel Messi has spoken out defending his position to remain on the bench during Hong Kong match
THE INDEPENDENT Feb 20

Lionel Messi discloses relationship with China despite backlash

Lionel Messi has taken to the Chinese social media platform Weibo to address the controversy surrounding his absence from a soccer game in Hong...
CLUTCHPOINTS Feb 20

Lionel Messi denies political motive for absence in Hong Kong match

Lionel Messi has denied claims of political snub and attributed his absence from a match in Hong Kong to injury. The eight-time Ballon d'Or...
INDIATIMES.COM Feb 20

Lionel Messi responds to "totally untrue" stories over Hong Kong controversy

Lionel Messi has spoken out on the controversy surrounding his non-appearance in a recent Inter Miami friendly in Hong Kong - which has led to two...
MIRROR Feb 19

Lionel Messi reveals reason why he skipped Inter Miami's Hong Kong friendly - which led to bust-up with Chinese Government - claiming 'false reports' have led fans astray

Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has shared details as to why he missed the Herons Hong Kong friendly during preseason.
GOAL.COM Feb 19

Lionel Messi DENIES accusations that he skipped Inter Miami's exhibition in Hong Kong over politics... after Argentina's tour of China was canceled by sports authorities amid backlash over his friendly no-show

Lionel Messi meant no disrespect to China by sitting out of Argentina's February 4 friendly in Hong Kong , the Inter Miami star said on China's...
DAILY MAIL ONLINE Feb 19

‘False stories': Lionel Messi explains Inter Miami absence in Hong Kong

Messi missed Hong Kong friendly then played three days later World Cup winner cites inflamed adductor as reason for absence Lionel Messi took to...
THE GUARDIAN Feb 19

Messi sets record straight over Hong Kong row

Lionel Messi took to one of China's largest social media platforms on Monday to address speculation over his non-appearance in a recent Inter Miami...
ESPN Feb 19

Lionel Messi's non-show in Hong Kong sparks diplomatic tensions

Manchester United's ultra-expensive team; Damien Duff quotes; Henderson the ‘water carrier'
THE IRISH TIMES Feb 19

Revealed: China fury at Lionel Messi stems from organisers finding out '15 minutes before' kick-off that Inter Miami superstar wouldn't play against Hong Kong XI

Lionel Messi's decision not to feature in Inter Miami's friendly clash against a Hong Kong XI was reported to organisers "15 minutes before" kick-off.
GOAL.COM Feb 15

Inter Miami receive Lionel Messi injury boost after pre-season tour chaos

The fitness of Lionel Messi has come under increased scrutiny over the course of Inter Miami's three-week pre-season adventure, with his absence in...
MIRROR Feb 14

Chinese fans taunt Lionel Messi over the Falklands

Lionel Messi’s absence from an Inter Miami exhibition game in Hong Kong has ignited a storm of criticism from Chinese football fans, who have...
CLUTCHPOINTS Feb 14

Fans mock Messi over Falklands and call him 'thief' after Hong Kong no-show

Chinese football fans have called Lionel Messi a "thief" and mocked him over the Falkland Islands.
SKY NEWS Feb 14

Lionel Messi gets some Argie-bargie from Chinese football fans who taunt him over the FALKLANDS after he didn't play in Inter Miami's Hong Kong exhibition match

Lionel Messi has become the victim of online trolls over the Falklands war, claiming he is a thief, after having to sit out of a match
DAILY MAIL ONLINE Feb 14

China's feud with Lionel Messi over Inter Miami no-show takes bitter turn as Asian country claims Falkland Islands are British in direct dig at Argentina

China's fury at Lionel Messi for skipping Inter Miami's friendly in Hong Kong has transcended national borders with a bitter Falkland Islands jibe.
GOAL.COM Feb 13

Football fans say Falklands are British after Lionel Messi ‘snub’

The Argentinian Inter Miami star attracted fury when he did not play in a match in Hong Kong
THETIMES.CO.UK Feb 13

Hodgson, Pochettino and a distinct lack of love in the air at Crystal Palace

As much a staple at Selhurst Park on match days as Ian Bright sitting next to Steve Parish looking glum, the Crystals cheerleaders haven't had much...
THE GUARDIAN Feb 12

Argentina vs Nigeria Friendly Called Off

The anticipated friendly match between Argentina and Nigeria, slated to take place at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center in mainland China, has...
FOOTBALLLIVE.NG Feb 12

Argentina’s China tour canceled after Lionel Messi backlash

Argentina’s plans for two friendlies in China during March have been abruptly canceled following Lionel Messi’s absence from a recent match between...
CLUTCHPOINTS Feb 12

Fall-out from Lionel Messi's Hong Kong no-show is anything but friendly

Atletico Madrid president gets history listen on club's past after Bilbao blunder
THE IRISH TIMES Feb 12

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Kitchee win Senior Shield; Victory's unbeaten run ends

Kuala Lumpur: Kitchee SC became the champions of the Hong Kong Senior Shield for the second consecutive season after Ruslan Mingazov struck an...
THE-AFC.COM Feb 12

‘Tough toodles’ – Angry Lionel Messi fans in Hong Kong told to ‘get lost’ as they deserve no explanation for friendly no-show from Inter Miami superstar

Angry Lionel Messi fans in Hong Kong have been told to “get lost” and that the Inter Miami superstar’s absence from a friendly is “tough...
GOAL.COM Feb 11

David Beckham dropped key tell of building tension during first public rejection in years

Lionel Messi not playing for Inter Miami during their pre-season friendly in Hong Kong led to local fans drowning out a post-match speech from...
MIRROR Feb 11

China cancels Argentina tour over Messi row

Both of Argentina's planned friendlies in China have been canceled by local authorities after Lionel Messi did not play in an Inter Miami match in...
ESPN Feb 10

Lionel Messi responds to boos in Hong Kong as Inter Miami star provides injury update

Angry supporters booed MLS side off the field
EVENING STANDARD Feb 6

Lionel Messi reveals 'the truth' about Hong Kong friendly absence after fierce backlash as Inter Miami superstar delivers fitness update ahead of Vissel Kobe fixture in Tokyo

Lionel Messi has revealed “the truth” about missing Inter Miami’s friendly in Hong Hong and delivered an injury update ahead of facing Vissel...
GOAL.COM Feb 6

Lionel Messi hopes to play in Inter Miami's friendly in Japan

Lionel Messi is uncertain about his participation in Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Japan due to a lingering leg injury. He expressed his...
INDIATIMES.COM Feb 6

Lionel Messi was CONTRACTED to play for 45 mins in Hong Kong friendly, claims sports minister even though Inter Miami star is struggling with leg injury

Tens of thousands of fans expected to see the World Cup-winning captain take part in Sunday's pre-season match against Hong Kong XI after he was...
DAILY MAIL ONLINE Feb 5

Inside Inter Miami's DISASTER world tour: From empty stands to Lionel Messi not playing, fans demanding a refund and booing David Beckham... and the last dance with Cristiano Ronaldo that never was!

Inter Miami's world tour reached a new low on Sunday when David Beckham was booed by angry fans in Hong Kong demanding a refund after paying up to...
DAILY MAIL ONLINE Feb 5

Livid Inter Miami fan kicks Lionel Messi poster in anger after Hong Kong blow

Lionel Messi was unable to feature in Inter Miami's pre-season friendly, with one fan taking out his frustrations on a cardboard cut-out of the...
EXPRESS Feb 5

'We feel a bit scammed' - Lionel Messi fans in China share disappointment after Inter Miami superstar misses clash with Hong Kong XI

Fans in China feel 'scammed' after Lionel Messi did not play in Inter Miami's preseason friendly against a Hong Kong XI.
GOAL.COM Feb 5

Inter Miami land in Japan for their final preseason friendly overseas... but do thousands more fans face disappointment of missing Lionel Messi as he struggles with a hamstring injury?

Around 40,000 bought tickets to catch a glimpse of Messi in action in Hong Kong but he remained on the bench after suffering a hamstring strain...
DAILY MAIL ONLINE Feb 5

David Beckham booed after Lionel Messi injury causes international incident in Hong Kong

Lionel Messi was left on the bench as his Inter Miami side beat a Hong Kong XI 4-1 in a pre-season friendly, with angry fans chanting for a refund...
MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS Feb 5

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi decapitated after fans rage in Hong Kong

Inter Miami‘s Lionel Messi found himself at the center of unexpected controversy during a friendly match against Hong Kong XI, where his absence...
CLUTCHPOINTS Feb 5

Fans demand refund after Lionel Messi no-show

The Hong Kong government has expressed ‘extreme' disappointment at Messi's non-appearance
THE INDEPENDENT Feb 5

Furious fan kung-fu kicks advertising board featuring Lionel Messi as angry supporters demand a refund after Inter Miami superstar is left on the bench against Hong Kong XI

Furious fans in Hong Kong took out their anger on advertising boards after paying for tickets to watch Lionel Messi, only for the Inter Miami star...
DAILY MAIL ONLINE Feb 5

VIDEO: Lionel Messi decapitated! Inter Miami star's head kicked off cardboard cut-out as fans rage after friendly no-show in Hong Kong

Lionel Messi's no show during Inter Miami's friendly against Hong Kong XI angered locals and one fan even proceeded to damage his cardboard cutout.
GOAL.COM Feb 5

Revealed: Absent Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi was contracted to play 'at least 45 minutes' of controversial Hong Kong friendly - rejected offer to calm raging fans after no-show

Lionel Messi was reportedly contracted to play 45 minutes of Inter Miami’s friendly in Hong Kong and snubbed an offer to calm raging fans in Asia.
GOAL.COM Feb 5

Hong Kong government issues statement over Lionel Messi no-show in preseason friendly

The Hong Kong government has issued a statement after Lionel Messi didn't feature in a preseason friendly for Inter Miami.
90MIN.COM Feb 4

Fans boo and Hong Kong government issues statement as Lionel Messi doesn’t play in Inter Miami friendly

Football fans in Hong Kong felt let down on Sunday as Lionel Messi was not involved in Inter Miami’s latest friendly match. Thousands flocked to...
TALKSPORT Feb 4

Fans boo David Beckham and demand refund as Lionel Messi sits out Hong Kong game

The Hong Kong government said it was ‘extremely disappointed’ after Messi was left on the bench for Inter Miami’s 4-1 win.
NEWSCHAINONLINE.COM Feb 4

Fans climb mountain to watch Lionel Messi only to be left disappointed as Inter Miami leave Argentine superstar on the bench in Hong Kong friendly

Some supporters in Hong Kong climbed a mountain in a bid to try and watch Lionel Messi, but were left disappointed as he was benched by Inter Miami.
GOAL.COM Feb 4

'Refund!': Fans left angry as Lionel Messi sits out Hong Kong friendly – video

Fans booed after Lionel Messi sat on the bench for the entire 90 minutes of Inter Miami's pre-season friendly against a Hong Kong XI due to a...
THE GUARDIAN Feb 4

Hong Kong Government Issues Terse Statement After Lionel Messi Sits Out Friendly

More than 40,000 fans showed up to see the Inter Miami FC star, but he didn’t appear in the match.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Feb 4

Hong Kong government calls out Inter Miami over Lionel Messi missing friendly

Lionel Messi travelled to Hong Kong with his Inter Miami teammates for a friendly against the Hong Kong XI but the Argentine do not play and the...
EXPRESS Feb 4

Hong Kong officials ‘owed explanation' as Inter Miami rest injured Lionel Messi

World Cup winner nursing hamstring strain on pre-season tour Government ‘extremely disappointed' as fans boo MLS club Hong Kong's government have...
THE GUARDIAN Feb 4

David Beckham is BOOED by 40,000 angry fans who demand refund after Lionel Messi no-show

DAVID BECKHAM was booed by 40,000 fuming fans demanding a refund. The former England captain, 48, is in Hong Kong for Inter Miami’s pre-season trip...
THE SUN Feb 4

David Beckham booed as Lionel Messi left on bench and 40,000 furious fans chant 'refund'

The absence of Lionel Messi during Inter Miami's friendly against a Hong Kong All Stars XI left the 40,000-strong crowd furious - and they took it...
DAILY STAR Feb 4

Fans boo Lionel Messi and David Beckham as Inter Miami face Hong Kong government action

Lionel Messi's injury frustrations have continued during Inter Miami's pre-season tour, leaving thousands in Hong Kong unhappy at the Argentine's...
MIRROR Feb 4

Lionel Messi & David Beckham booed by angry fans in Hong Kong – with Inter Miami sparking refund requests after leaving Argentine superstar on the bench

Lionel Messi and David Beckham were subjected to boos following Inter Miami’s latest friendly, with angry fans in Hong Kong demanding a refund.
GOAL.COM Feb 4

Video: Disappointed Hong Kong fan decapitates Messi hoarding in fit of rage

The round of friendlies for Inter Miami over the past few days hasn’t really gone according to plan, with Lionel Messi unable to make an appearance...
CAUGHTOFFSIDE Feb 4

Explained: Why Lionel Messi & Luis Suarez didn’t play for Inter Miami against Hong Kong XI

Tata Martino says there was “too much risk involved” for Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to line up for Inter Miami against a Hong Kong Select XI.
GOAL.COM Feb 4

David Beckham is BOOED and 40,000 angry fans chant 'refund' after Lionel Messi was left on the bench during Inter Miami's pre-season win over a Hong Kong XI

The Argentine's non-appearance was a disappointment for the fans who snapped up all 40,000 tickets at Hong Kong Stadium within an hour when they...
DAILY MAIL ONLINE Feb 4

Messi, Beckham booed after superstar sits out Hong Kong friendly

Lionel Messi and David Beckham were booed on Sunday after the Argentina superstar sat out Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Hong Kong. The World...
INDIATIMES.COM Feb 4

David Beckham booed as angry fans in Hong Kong chant ‘refund’ after Lionel Messi sat out Inter Miami friendly

Fans had paid over £200 to watch Messi in action - but he stayed on the bench for the entire game.
METRO.CO.UK Feb 4

Inter Miami win vs. Hong Kong Team without Messi, Suárez

Inter Miami CF earned the first victory of their global preseason tour Sunday at Hong Kong Stadium, racing to a 4-1 win over the Hong Kong Team as...
MLSSOCCER Feb 4

Messi absent as Miami win first preseason game

Inter Miami earned their first preseason win as they beat a Hong Kong XI 4-1 on Sunday, but star attraction Lionel Messi played no part in the match.
ESPN Feb 4

Lionel Messi takes over Hong Kong! Traditional sailing boat featuring legendary Argentine's face spotted in Victoria Harbour as adoring fans go wild for David Beckham and boy band Mirror at sold-out pre-season friendly

Lionel Messi has taken over Hong Kong in the build-up to their friendly in the country, with fans going wild for the Argentine and David Beckham.
GOAL.COM Feb 4
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