Sport
Messi’s World Cup chase takes center stage in Qatar
Lionel Messi’s hopes of winning an elusive World Cup will come up against the tactical scheming of veteran coach Louis van Gaal as Argentina face the Netherlands in Friday’s quarter-final at Lusail.
Messi, 35, once again carries his nation’s hopes on his shoulders as he looks to crown an extraordinary career that includes seven Ballon d’Or awards and multiple club titles, but only one Copa America to show for his efforts with Argentina, Reuters reported.
Messi can expect little in the way of sympathy from the 71-year-old Van Gaal, who is determined to give the Dutch their first World Cup title after runners-up finishes in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
The coach’s planning will largely focus on containing Messi and catching Argentina on the break, as Van Gaal thumbs his nose at his critics by playing a brand of football at odds with the usual attacking Dutch approach.
The tactical plan is key to his side’s hopes of winning tomorrow as the Dutch look to take revenge for their semi-final defeat in 2014 when Argentina beat them in a shootout.
“We can surprise teams with our plan. We were also the better team then and Messi didn’t see much of the ball,” the coach told reporters this week.
He can also point to a run of form that has seen the Dutch go 19 games without defeat since he returned to the hot seat for a third spell 15 months ago.
Messi spoke briefly about the Dutch threat after Argentina’s 2-1 win over Australia in the round of 16, where he marked his 1,000th career appearance by scoring and being named Man of the Match.
“Another difficult one is coming,” he said.
Messi can expect vocal support from Argentine fans in Qatar, who are set to vastly outnumber their orange-clad Dutch counterparts.
On the losing side against Germany in the 2014 final, where Argentina failed to add to World Cup triumphs in 1978 and 1986, Messi was grateful for the support.
“These are incredible moments. We want to thank all the people who are here. The whole of Argentina would love to be here,” he said.
Quarterfinals
Friday: Brazil v Croatia & Netherlands v Argentina
Saturday: Morocco v Portugal & France v England
Where to watch
Afghan fans need not miss out on any of the excitement of this year’s tournament which is being broadcast live and exclusively by Ariana Television in Afghanistan.
For the full broadcast schedule CLICK HERE
Sport
Winter Olympics 2026: Wednesday brings records, first-ever golds and thrilling action
Audiences in Afghanistan have been able to follow all the action live, as ATN holds exclusive broadcast rights to the Winter Olympics, with events aired nationwide on Ariana Television.
Wednesday’s competitions at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina delivered a packed schedule of medal events, record-breaking performances, and historic firsts, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Across speed skating, biathlon, luge, figure skating, and other winter disciplines, the day showcased the depth and diversity of talent at the Games.
Speed Skating Record
In one of the standout moments of the day, Jordan Stolz of the United States captured gold in the men’s 1,000m speed skating, setting a new Olympic record. Stolz’s performance marked a breakthrough on the world stage and established him as one of the sport’s emerging stars.
Historic Luge Gold for Italy
On home ice, Italian duo Andrea Voetter and Marion Oberhofer made history by winning the first-ever women’s doubles luge gold medal. Their victory delighted local fans and added a memorable chapter to Italy’s Olympic story, highlighting the host nation’s strength in sliding sports.
Biathlon Brilliance
French athlete Julia Simon claimed gold in the women’s 15km individual biathlon, demonstrating remarkable accuracy and resilience in challenging snow conditions. Her performance underscores France’s continued strength in Nordic disciplines and sets the stage for further excitement in upcoming biathlon events.
Figure Skating Excellence
In ice dance, France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron claimed the top podium spot, while American favorites Madison Chock and Evan Bates earned silver in a tightly contested free dance final. Fans were treated to a display of precision, artistry, and athleticism, reflecting the high level of competition in this marquee Olympic sport.
Wednesday also featured intense competitions in alpine skiing Super-G, Nordic combined, women’s moguls, and doubles luge, keeping spectators engaged across multiple venues. Each event underscored the Olympics’ commitment to showcasing a broad range of winter sports and the exceptional skill of the athletes representing their nations.
Exclusive Coverage in Afghanistan
Audiences in Afghanistan have been able to follow all the action live, as ATN holds exclusive broadcast rights to the Winter Olympics, with events aired nationwide on Ariana Television. This allows Afghan viewers to witness key moments, record-breaking performances, and historic wins as they happen, bringing the excitement of the Games directly to homes across the country.
As the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics continue, fans can expect more thrilling stories, emerging stars, and unforgettable moments, with each day adding new highlights to a Games already rich in drama and achievement.
The final draw for the AFC U17 Men’s Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 took place today, Thursday February 12, confirming the group-stage line-up for Asia’s premier youth football tournament and setting the stage for a highly competitive continental battle.
Sixteen teams have been drawn into four groups of four, with each side aiming not only for continental success but also qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2026. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals and secure their places at the global showpiece.
Hosts Saudi Arabia headline the tournament as top seeds, joined by Asia’s leading youth football nations and several emerging teams that impressed during the qualification phase. The draw balanced traditional powerhouses with ambitious newcomers, promising closely contested matches throughout the group stage.
Scheduled to take place from May 5 to May 22, 2026, the 21st edition of the AFC U17 Men’s Asian Cup will once again serve as a key platform for the continent’s brightest young talents to showcase their potential on the international stage.
With the groups now confirmed, preparations intensify as teams turn their focus toward tactical planning and squad development ahead of what is expected to be a thrilling tournament in Saudi Arabia.
- Group A: Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Myanmar
- Group B: Japan, Indonesia, China, Qatar
- Group C: South Korea, Yemen, Vietnam, UAE
- Group D: Uzbekistan, Australia, India, North Korea
Sport
Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes hang in the balance after two T20 World Cup defeats
Following two consecutive losses, Afghanistan currently sit third in Group D with a net run rate of -0.555.
Afghanistan’s campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has taken a serious hit after suffering back-to-back defeats, leaving fans concerned about the team’s chances of progressing to the semi-finals.
Following two consecutive losses, Afghanistan currently sit third in Group D with a net run rate of -0.555.
New Zealand and South Africa lead the group standings with four points each from two matches.
With four matches scheduled per team in the group stage, only the top two sides will advance to the next round.
Despite the setbacks, Afghanistan have not yet been eliminated from the tournament. However, their path to qualification has become significantly more complicated.
To secure a place in the Super 8 stage, Afghanistan must win their remaining two matches against the United Arab Emirates and Canada — and do so by substantial margins to improve their net run rate. At the same time, they will need either New Zealand or South Africa to suffer heavy defeats in their remaining group fixtures.
If these conditions are met, Afghanistan could still break into the top two based on a superior net run rate. While the scenario is challenging, qualification remains mathematically possible — keeping Afghan hopes alive in the tournament.
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