Comedian Chris Rock has reportedly declined an offer to host the Oscars next year after he was slapped by actor Will Smith during this year's award ceremony back in March.
NOV 20: Ecuador are out to make history on their return to the FIFA World Cup and will have the chance to do so in the opening match of Qatar 2022 against the tournament hosts. Should the South Americans win that game, it will be the first-ever defeat for a host nation in the tournament curtain-raiser. La Tricolor reached the global finals thanks to an impressive qualification campaign in which they finished above Peru, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia and Venezuela. Crucial to their success was the appointment of Gustavo Alfaro, who had a point to prove after parting company with Argentinian giants Boca Juniors. Ecuador, who reached the last 16 at Germany 2006 and last graced the World Cup at Brazil 2014, were anxious to atone for their failure to qualify for Russia 2018. While frustration was the name of the game for the senior national team, the country’s young stars showed what they could do by winning the South American U-20 Championship in 2019 and taking third place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup later that year. Alfaro capitalised on their success by rebuilding the team around the young talents at his disposal. “I could have just stuck with what we had and avoided taking any major risks, but if I had done that, I wouldn’t have been able to put my stamp on things,” he told FIFA+. “Alternatively, I could have taken the biggest risk possible because I thought things were destined to fail before we even got started, and if we managed to make progress, we could end up competing at the World Cup.” READ FULL GUSTAVO ALFARO INTERVIEW The Argentinian won over the players and restored their pride in pulling on the national team jersey, a vital first step in putting together a side that recorded some unexpected wins on the road to Qatar 2022, not least the defeat of Chile in San Carlos de Apoquindo. With their buoyant team spirit and the youngest average age in the CONMEBOL Zone, Ecuador went on to secure their ticket to the world finals. La Tri are determined to make the most of their strengths and work on their weaknesses and will be looking to the following five players to help them achieve those goals.
Piero Hincapie
Position: Defender Age: 20 Ecuador’s Kaiser. A product of the prolific Independiente del Valle academy, Hincapie won the U-20 Copa Libertadores with the Ecuadorian club before moving to the Argentinian city of Cordoba to play for Talleres. Within a year he had established himself as a defensive mainstay of a side that was making waves on the domestic scene, and had earned a place in the Ecuador backline before excelling at the Copa America 2021. Europe was watching, and in August that year German club Bayer Leverkusen paid $7.5m for him, with 65 per cent of the fee going to Talleres. Hincapie has all the qualities expected of the modern centre-half. Comfortable on the ball and blessed with a superb left foot, he has the technique, ability, drive and vision to build play, find space in behind opponents, and pick out his team-mates with pinpoint passes. In defence he is as reliable as they come. An aggressive tackler with a gift for reading the game and knowing when to intervene and how, he can snuff out attacks and set his side on the front foot. The willingness of left-back Pervis Estupinan to get forward can sometimes leave the Ecuador defence understaffed, which is where Hincapie comes in with his pace and ability to cover for his team-mates and close down opponents. He is also a commanding presence in the air, thanks to his strength and spring.
Pervis Estupinan
Position: Defender Age: 24 The flying left-back is one of Ecuador’s main attacking threats. He showcased his ability to get forward to great effect in Villarreal’s stunning run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2021/22, a campaign in which the Yellow Submarine made history by beating both Juventus and Bayern Munich. After leaving Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito in 2016, Estupinan ran out for Udinese, Watford and several Spanish teams before arriving at the Estadio de la Ceramica. The statistics show just how influential Estupinan is for Ecuador. He had more touches of the ball for La Tri in the South American qualifiers, and by a long way: 1,119 in all, with Moises Caicedo next on the list with 901. He also created more chances than any of his team-mates – 22 in 17 matches – scored two goals and served up six assists. Not content with that, he excelled at the back, leading the way in ball recoveries along with Carlos Gruezo, though his determination to get forward does leave him exposed at times. Strong and full of running from kick-off to the final whistle, Estupinan is a constant presence in attack. His precise crosses pose a threat to opposing defences, though he still has something to learn when it comes to retaining possession and not giving the ball away in dangerous situations. Villarreal was his second home but he left it for Brighton to join Graham Potter’s high-flying side as a replacement for Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella.
Moises Caicedo
Position: Midfielder Age: 20 Caicedo is an essential cog in the Ecuador machine, with virtually everything going through him, both in attack and defence. An undisputed first choice from the first match of the qualification campaign, against Argentina at La Bombonera, he took up position on one side of the midfield, with Alan Franco on the other and Carlos Gruezo sitting in behind. Regardless of the tactical system employed by Alfaro, Caicedo was the linchpin and driving force of the team and made his mark in every department. He completed 86.8 per cent of his passes and 85.3 per cent in the last third, created the third highest number of chances, provided more assists than anyone else in the team (four), scored two goals, and recorded the third highest number of ball recoveries. After starting out as a central midfielder, he became a box-to-box player with much to offer in defence thanks to his impressive work rate and fitness, though he also has the vision to create in the final third and the drive to get in the box and score. Alfaro gave Caicedo his backing during his first year at Brighton, which was full of ups and downs. “He’s having to adapt because he’s been out of action for a while, but he’s getting better and better,” said the coach. “We’re seeing how he performs, how he’s doing physically, and he’s on the up. There have been games in which he’s performed a number of roles.” Regular football helped Caicedo rediscover his form, as he showed with an outstanding display in the draw with Argentina that brought Ecuador’s qualifying campaign to an end. In the meantime, the midfielder has earned star status at Brighton. Given his excellent Premier League form, Caicedo could well be one of the most decisive young players at the upcoming World Cup. As Miguel Angel Ramirez, his former coach at Independiente del Valle, explained, he is a quietly influential figure who likes to let his football do the talking. He said: “Moises leads by example, by the way he plays, and by his aggression on the pitch. He’s young but he doesn’t go around shouting his head off. He gets himself noticed through his play and he’s vital for La Tri.”
Gonzalo Plata
Position: Forward Age: 21 The great hope of the new breed of young players that have breathed new life into the Ecuador line-up. Another talent to roll off the Independiente del Valle conveyor belt, Plata moved to Lisbon heavyweights Sporting in 2019 but failed to break into the first team and was loaned out to Valladolid, where he played an important in their promotion to La Liga last season. Having featured prominently for Ecuador’s youth teams, winning the adidas Bronze Ball at Poland 2019, Plata has gradually cemented his place in Alfaro’s starting XI. The youngster has forced his way into the European elite thanks to his gift for unsettling defences. Highly talented, he excels in one-on-one situations and can change the course of a game in the blink of an eye. Ecuador are hoping he can up his goal count and help fire their challenge at Qatar 2022.
Enner Valencia
Position: Forward Age: 32 In a squad packed with youngsters, the Fenerbahce man is flying the flag for experience. Valencia starred at Ecuador’s last World Cup appearance, scoring goals against Switzerland and Honduras. The team captain, he will have the task of showing Alfaro’s new faces the way in Qatar, while also coming up with the goals his country expects of him. With La Tri suffering from a lack of genuine finishers, Valencia will have a heavy burden on his shoulders.
Comedian Chris Rock has reportedly declined an offer to host the Oscars next year after he was slapped by actor Will Smith during this year's award ceremony back in March.
Comedian Chris Rock has reportedly declined an offer to host the Oscars next year after he was slapped by actor Will Smith during this year's award ceremony back in March.
LONDON, Feb. 8: The football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have agreed to a bid to host UEFA EURO 2028, announced the English FA on Monday.
After an extensive feasibility study, the five associations have decided to focus solely on a bid to host EURO 2028, and have agreed not to bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
"Hosting a UEFA EURO offers a similar return on investment, with the European tournament carrying a far lower delivery cost and the potential of the benefits being realised sooner," read a statement released by the FA.
"It would be an honour and a privilege to collectively host UEFA EURO 2028 and to welcome all of Europe. It would also be a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the true impact of hosting a world-class football tournament by driving positive change and leaving a lasting legacy across our communities.
"We believe the UK and the Republic of Ireland can offer UEFA and European football something special in 2028 -- a compact and unique five-way hosting collaboration that will provide a great experience for the teams and the fans."
In last year's European Football Championships, A total of eight matches including two semifinals and the final were held in London.
Khaptad, in Sudur Paschim Province in the far west Nepal, is one of the best destinations to freshen yourself during the vacation.
The tourism site lies in a meeting point of Bajura, Doti, Bajhang and Achham districts at the altitude ranging from 1,262 to 3,276 from the sea level.
One can pay a visit to religious sites including Tribeni Dham, Sahastr Linga, Kedar Dhunga and Khaptad Baba Ashram when in Khaptad Area.
Thulthula Patan, Daha, flora and fauna and enchanting view of mountains add beauty to this site.
Khaptad area is adorned by wild flowers during May-June, view of mountains during September-October, snow during December-January and rhododendron flowers during March-April.
One can have a sight of not only Api and Saipal mountains but also some of the snow-clad mountains located in India.
Accessibility
One has to travel 650 kilometers from Kathmandu on a bus to reach Dhangadhi. Another 200-km bus journey from Dahngadi to Silgadhi (Doti) followed by the first round of Silgadhi-Jhigrana trekking and eight-hour trekking from Jhigrana take you to the Khaptad area.
Another route is via Bajhang. One can cross a river at Taimul of Bajhang, take a local jeep to reach Daru village and trek for about seven hours to reach Khaptad.
A local hotel there can host a maximum of 15 people. Therefore, pre-booking is preferable.
One can spend nights at local homestay services which offer the visitors with local Marsi rice and spinach along with radish, and cucumber pickle.
KATHMANDU, Aug 9: The 13th edition of SAFF Championship will be held in the Maldives from October 1-13.
The SAFF Executive Committee meeting on Monday took the decision after reviewing proposals from both Maldives and Nepal for hosting the championship.
"SAFF decided to hold the Championship in Maldives as the Covid-19 situation there is better than ours. Also it has been long since Maldives last hosted the Championship," ANFA General Secretary Indraman Tuladhar said.
The last time the Championship was held in Maldives was in 2008. Maldives and Sri Lanka had jointly hosted the Championship which was won by Maldives.
Five nations―Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka―have confirmed their participation in the Championship while Bhutan will confirm its participation in three days.
Nepal had received a conditional hosting offer from SAFF to hold the Championship. Both Nepal and Maldives had submitted proposals to host the championship.
The biennial men's football championship has been held twice in Nepal, first in 1997 and the second in 2013 where Nepal lost to Afghanistan in the semi-final.
India has been the most successful country in the championship lifting the title on seven occasions. Nepal are yet to reach the final of the Championship.
Earlier, Nepal had proposed the Federation for SAFF Championship. The SAFF Championship scheduled in Bangladesh could not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nepal had expressed its interest to host the SAFF Championship after Bangladesh pulled out as the host due to increasing coronavirus infection.
KATHMANDU: All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has received a formal offer from the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) to host the 13th edition of the
