India coach Igor Stimac warned his players "a storm is coming" as they prepare to face a physical Australia on Saturday in their Asian Cup opener.

The Palestinian squad at the Asian Cup in Qatar hope to bring honour to their compatriots in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip with their first victory at the tournament since the team's debut in 2015.

Franz Beckenbauer, one of only three men to win the World Cup as player and a coach, was laid to rest in Munich in a small private ceremony on Friday with the country mourning the loss of "a great footballer, athlete and person".

Friday's opening ceremony of the Asian Cup drew attention to the war in Gaza, with Palestine's captain taking the stage for the players' oath and Palestinian music at the beginning and end.

Mohammedan Sporting Club registered their second victory of the Bangladesh Premier League to stay hot on the heels of runaway leaders Bashundhara Kings, with both teams running comfortable winners as the league resumed following a 12-day break.

Defending champions and hosts Qatar got their Asian Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 3-0 win over Lebanon in the tournament's opening game on Friday.

Unlike most other European leagues where clubs get a sizeable chunk of time off around December and January, the Premier League churns on in relentless fashion.

Ange Postecoglou said Timo Werner's disappointing spell with Chelsea is not a concern after Tottenham brought the Germany forward back to the Premier League.

"He is out and his recovery will determine his availability."

Takefusa Kubo was tipped for stardom after joining Barcelona's academy aged 10 and the Japanese attacking midfielder now looks poised to realise his potential by taking the Asian Cup by storm.

Football’s governing body FIFA has fined the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on disciplinary issues. BFF has confirmed the developments with a press release.

Busquets also feels the club will have to maintain an equilibrium between commercial and football activities.

The former Bangladesh coach added, "We are still a little afraid of travelling after yesterday's [Wednesday's] incident."

Former Sao Paulo coach signed a contract until December 2026 and takes over following the sacking of Fernando Diniz.

The Catalans beat Real Madrid in last year's final and will face their bitter rivals again Sunday after Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid in an eight-goal thriller in the first semi-final in Saudi Arabia.

Elsewhere, Mohammedan SC play Brothers Union in Rajshahi, while Chittagong Abahani and Rahmatganj MFS clash in Munshiganj.

Following a string of disappointing performances after a quarterfinal exit from the 2022 World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Dorival Junior as the new head coach.

The Asian Cup begins on Friday with defending champions Qatar the hosts, Japan favourites and Son Heung-min's South Korea vowing to win the title for the first time in 64 years.

Jadon Sancho rejoined Borussia Dortmund on loan for the rest of the season on Thursday, less than three years since Manchester United paid £73 million ($93 million, 85 million euros) for the England winger.

Bangladesh national women’s team captain Sabina Khatun has taken up an offer to play in the ongoing Indian Women’s League for the last edition’s runners-up Kickstart FC.