Football: Angry Messi says son asks why Argentines criticise his performancesBUENOS AIRES (AFP) - An uncharacteristically angry Lionel Messi revealed on Friday (March 29) how he struggles to deal with criticism of his performances for Argentina's national team, saying that even his six-year-old son was questioning why...

Football: Empty seats dampen Asian Cup atmosphereABU DHABI (AFP) - Football managers used to screaming themselves hoarse during games are finding little need to reach for a post-match lozenge at the Asian Cup - where their voices echo around sparsely-populated stadia.This month's tournament in the United Arab Emirates...

Football: Bale penalty gives below-par Real win at LevanteVALENCIA (REUTERS) - Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a penalty to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in La Liga on Sunday (Feb 24) as the European champions rode their luck to stay within nine points of leaders Barcelona.Real came under...

Football: Pochettino's positivity propels pursuit of progressLONDON • In his biography, Brave New World, Mauricio Pochettino explains his belief in a concept called "energia universal" - the idea that people, places and things are charged with a hidden energy, positive or negative.It is remarkable how quickly the energy,...

Football: Klopp defiant after Liverpool drop points, insist West Ham 'didn't scare us'LONDON (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hit back at West Ham United skipper Mark Noble after the midfielder said his side had "scared" the Premier League leaders in a 1-1 draw on Monday (Feb 4).Klopp's side missed the chance...

Football: Tottenham overcome Leicester challenge to stay in title hunt(REUTERS) - Goals from Davinson Sanchez, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min helped Tottenham Hotspur overcome Leicester City 3-1 in an entertaining Premier League match at Wembley Stadium on Sunday (Feb 10). Tottenham went ahead through Sanchez...

Football: Fulham sunk by two own goals at BurnleyBURNLEY, England (REUTERS) - Burnley beat Fulham 2-1 at Turf Moor on Saturday (Jan 12) thanks to two own goals to make it three straight league wins for Sean Dyche's side and leave the visitors deep in relegation danger.The Clarets won without a single shot of their own...