Sport
& beyond
The latest reporting from sport, business and culture.
FIFA’s Forward programme provided US$1.85 million for the Football Federation of Timor-Leste’s Technical Centre in Dili, which includes a full-size artificial pitch, two smaller pitches and floodlights. The facility supports youth, grassroots, national-team and women’s football, as well as coach and referee development.
Sassuolo defender Jay Idzes tore his left quadriceps and is expected to need about a month to recover, ruling him out of Indonesia’s home FIFA ASEAN Cup from Sept. 25 to Oct. 5. He left in the 80th minute of Sassuolo’s 3-2 win over Juventus on Sept. 13.
Vietnam’s esports team held its Asian Games send-off in Ho Chi Minh City, with 23 athletes and six coaches set to compete in four events at ASIAD 20. The team is targeting three medals: two silver and one bronze.
Argentina’s football association has confirmed Lionel Messi’s farewell appearance against Benin on Oct. 6 at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, which would be his 208th cap. Messi is being called up specifically for the friendly.
Hope earned about US$4.92 million in North America in its opening week and opened in roughly 1,560 US and Canadian theaters. Yonhap called it the region’s biggest Korean release since Parasite.
The 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Championship is scheduled to open in Tunis with 13 teams across four pools. The Sept. 25 medal matches will decide the champion, an Olympic berth and three 2027 World Cup places.
OCA’s Safe Sport campaign at the 20th Asian Games covers physical protection, mental well-being and bullying prevention. Reporting channels, Sept. 21 training and support booths from Sept. 20 to Oct. 3 are planned.
Rodri said he chose Barcelona for the chance to win and develop, although Real Madrid had also approached him. VnExpress reported the move at US$69 million plus US$17 million in add-ons.
At 36, Nguyen Tien Nhat is preparing for his fifth consecutive Asian Games after qualifying for London 2012. The Vietnamese epee fencer remains a key presence as the team prepares for Aichi–Nagoya.
