It’s over. The reign of the Poch has met its demise. At precisely 7:34 pm on Tuesday, 19th November, Tottenham Hotspur released an official statement via their Twitter account. The statement dealt with something that up until a few months ago was unthinkable — the permanent dismissal of their Argentinian coach. Poch’s near six-year reign […]

6 years ago

Picture this. The year is 300 AD. A warrior clad in iron armour emerges from the bowels of the Colosseum to face his adversaries. After repeated duels and much-spilt blood, the victorious gladiator is bathed with adoration from over 50,000 spectators for his hard-earned victory. Fast forward over 1700 years to April 2012. Another duel […]

6 years ago

Brought to you by Ladbrokes Is Gareth Bale still the best Welsh player in the world? While there can be no debating Bale’s achievements and legacy within football, the fact of the matter is that this season, he has been subpar. Due to injury, he hasn’t played an official match since the Euro 2020 qualifier […]

6 years ago

What. A. Game. This fixture has rarely failed to enthral football fans around the globe in recent years and for the spectating neutrals, this was entertainment worth its weight in gold. After an uncomfortable start which saw City dominate possession and threaten the Liverpool goal, it was Klopp’s men who stormed into the lead before […]

6 years ago

Liverpool rained down the goals in full view of a thundering Anfield. Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues lined up for war against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds as the footballing world waited to behold an entertaining display of orchestrated chaos. Since taking charge of Barcelona in 2008, no manager has recorded more wins against Pep than Klopp with […]

6 years ago

Brought to you by Ladbrokes Liverpool are flying – they’re the best team in England and arguably the best in Europe too. Jurgen Klopp’s side are on a 28-game unbeaten streak in the league stretching back to last season and recently had their 17-game win streak halted by a draw against Manchester United. Additionally, following […]

6 years ago

All hail the Springboks. Here it was – the Rugby World Cup final. After four weeks and 47 matches of sensational rugby, the crowning jewel of the tournament had arrived at long last. South Africa and England had a chance to earn immortality in an 80-minute contest. For South Africa, they had the chance to […]

6 years ago

It was the game that nobody wanted to play. New Zealand took on Wales to fight it out for a bronze medal at Tokyo Stadium. Both teams arrived here having lost their semi-final ties against England and South Africa respectively. New Zealand, admittedly, was the more surprising inclusion of this game as few would’ve expected […]

6 years ago

Who is the third-best player in the world? If we can assume that the two usual suspects of Messi and Ronaldo occupy the first two positions, that leaves a number of class players in the running for the last place on the podium. While this piece isn’t going to delve into every single possible candidate […]

6 years ago

We have our finalists. This was the decider – Wales or South Africa had the chance to join England in the final of the Webb Ellis trophy on Saturday. The Welsh were bidding to reach their first-ever final after reaching their third overall semifinal following a narrow victory over France. Interestingly, Wales had only won […]

6 years ago

Who could’ve seen this coming? Heading into this monumental game, England coach Eddie Jones had urged his side to “make the script” in their semifinals clash against the reigning World Champions New Zealand in Yokohama. The odds were stacked so firmly against England to win this tie – and yet they did win. The All Blacks […]

6 years ago

McGregor is excited to get back into the octagon. The former World Champion announced his comeback fight will be held on January 18th 2020 at the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas, USA. He mentioned that he will be in camp for 12 weeks before the bout and the fight would be “the beginning of my […]

6 years ago

Liverpool can’t stop scoring. Genk’s last meeting against an English side was back in the 2011-12 Champions League group stages where they drew 1-1 at home before losing 5-0 at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool meanwhile have won all five of the prior games against Belgian sides in Europe, including a 1-0 win over Club Brugge in […]

6 years ago

All sizzle, no steak. So says Graeme Souness, having watched 45 minutes of Callum Hudson Odoi threatening, but not really delivering for Chelsea against Ajax. The Blues started with a front three of Hudson Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Willian for their crucial group stage clash against last year’s beaten semi-finalists. For all the attacking talent […]

6 years ago

Arsenal couldn’t believe it. John Egan just kept on doing what he’s doing. For the fourth time in seven away games, the Gunners had lost to a newly promoted team. For the first time since the beginning of this season, the Gunners had been held scoreless. Meet John Egan. This is the Cork/Kerryman who’s coming […]

6 years ago

The fairytale run hit a South African wall. Heading into the game, Japan won every single pool game to enter the knockouts for the first time ever and rose to an all time high of sixth in global rankings thanks to Australia’s defeat against England. Four years ago, at the 2015 World Cup, the Springboks […]

6 years ago

The remaining two semifinal spots was up for grabs. On Saturday, the first two spots were clinched by England and New Zealand respectively. Sunday’s first fixture saw Wales take on France to become the third team to qualify for the final four. Wales won every single one of their pool games despite not convincing in […]

6 years ago

The big game was here. The one we were all waiting for. Ireland faced off against the mighty All-Blacks in Tokyo for a shot at the semifinals. Only one could go through and Ireland in six prior attempts, had never managed to get into the final four. New Zealand meanwhile, had only failed to get […]

6 years ago

The quarterfinals are here! After three brilliant weeks of pool games, eight teams have qualified for the knockouts with four of those teams in action today. In the first game of Super Saturday, Australia faced off against England at Oita stadium. These two sides share a long running history of contests – they have met […]

6 years ago

“He is a player who combines excellent physical qualities with great technical skills.” So said none other than Maurizio Sarri himself, a man who knows a thing or two about technical football. Born just before the turn of the century in 1999 in Aachen, Germany, Kai grew up in a family with his mother working […]

6 years ago

18 points from eight games and top of the league. What more can Madridistas ask for? On the face of it, all is well in the great (demanding) state of Real Madrid. But scrape at the attractive facade and you’re welcomed by a crumbling and borderline risible institution. Let’s offer credit where it’s due though […]

6 years ago

Ireland 0-2 Switzerland. Ireland knew they needed a victory tonight to secure a place into the Euro 2020 tournament. Switzerland are the 11th ranked in the world and the pressure was on the them to get a victory as anything less than three points would knock them out of the running. Going into the game, […]

6 years ago

CONNOLLY! Following their dull scoreless draw against Georgia last time out, Mick McCarthy’s men have been left with the job of grabbing at least one win from their remaining two games. Switzerland meanwhile sit third in the group with eight points – they’ve won two, drawn two and lost 1 in their last game against […]

6 years ago

0-0. You could have predicted Ireland vs Georgia from a mile away. A victory would have left Ireland needing just two draws from their remaining two fixtures. But they played for the draw. The 0-0 result in Tbilisi leaves Mick McCarthy’s men needing a win in their remaining two games in Group 2. Sadly, in […]

6 years ago

City had lost. Liverpool were now eight points clear. Generations of fans and footballers waiting 30 years for their chance at the title exclaimed with joy – “this is our year!” Alas, this is far from done and it isn’t some hate-filled, agenda-set proclamation against this iconic club or its fanbase but simply a case that […]

6 years ago

Japan faced off against Scotland despite doubts of the match being called off. The past few days were mired with news and uncertainty over this game with Scotland threatening legal action if the tie was cancelled. The Scots came into the game placed third in Pool A and requiring four more points than Japan whilst […]

6 years ago

Wales were seeking top spot in Pool D against last-placed Uruguay. The Welsh came into the game placed second in the group behind Australia with a clash against England or France awaiting them next depending on where they finished. This happened to be just the second meeting between these two sides with Wales emerging victorious […]

6 years ago

USA took on Tonga in a low-key clash at Hanazono. With typhoon Hagibis grabbing all the headlines surrounding the World Cup at the moment, it was up to these two teams to fight it out for pride and bragging rights before their fans who braved the poor weather to watch the game. This was the […]

6 years ago

Seeking a bonus point win, Ireland took on Samoa for a place in the quarters. Both teams were playing their last pool-stage game with Ireland needing a win and try-scoring bonus point to secure a place in the quarter finals. Samoa meanwhile, had come off a loss to hosts Japan and all they could hope […]

6 years ago

Australia took on Georgia amidst stormy conditions in Shizuoka. This happened to be the first time that these two sides had met in Test rugby with the Wallabies having already qualified for the quarterfinals and Georgia fighting to secure third place in Pool D. Furthermore, Australia has emerged victorious in 18 prior WC matches against […]

6 years ago

Wales took on Fiji in Oita in a brutal rugby match. The Welsh came into the game having narrowly beaten Australia to sit second in Pool D. Fiji meanwhile, were third having beaten Georgia in their prior encounter. The two sides had clashed 11 times before today, with Wales emerging as victors on 9 of […]

6 years ago

Scotland faced off against Russia in a Pool A fight. Scotland came into the game having beaten Samoa and Russia arrived following a sound loss at the hands of the Irish. This turned out to be the first time these two sides have met in Test rugby as Russia were searching for their first ever […]

6 years ago

USA faced off against Argentina in Kumagaya in a Pool C clash Argentina came into the match having lost their previous game against England and USA meanwhile lost their prior encounter against France. Neither team had a chance of making the quarterfinals given that England and France had already made it out. Additionally, in 8 […]

6 years ago

South Africa faced off against Canada in Kobe for a place in the quarters. The Springboks came into the game having beaten Italy and victory today would have made them the third nation to enter the quarterfinals. Canada meanwhile were yet to win a game and came off a 63-0 pasting at the hands of […]

6 years ago

France faced off against Tonga in Kumamoto for a chance to make the quarterfinals. Tonga came into the game off a loss against Argentina whereas France beat the USA to sit second in the group behind England. Victory for France today would secure them a place in the quarterfinals alongside the English. France 23 – 21 […]

6 years ago

New Zealand took on the tournament’s lowest ranked team Namibia in Tokyo. Coming in to the game, the All blacks had conquered 16 games in a row at World Cups and have never lost a group-stage game in 30 attempts. Namibia meanwhile were yet to win a single WC match in 21 attempts and that […]

6 years ago

Japan took on Pacific Islanders Samoa at Toyota City Stadium in Saturday’s final game. The Brave Blossoms came into the game with a perfect record having two wins from two, with a win today putting them win course for a first ever quarterfinal berth. Samoa meanwhile came off a dispiritng defeat to Scotland and a […]

6 years ago

Pool C toppers England took on Argentina in Tokyo. Both teams came into the game with victories over USA and Tonga respectively. Victory for England would have seen them through to the quarterfinals. As for Argentina, they’ve lost all nine their prior Test matches against England and were hoping for an upset in just their […]

6 years ago

The Wallabies took on Uruguay at Oita in a Pool D clash. Australia came into the game having lost to group leaders Wales and were hoping for a response. Uruguay meanwhile were bottom of the group and came off a loss to Georgia. The game kicked off and Australia inflicted the first blow with a […]

6 years ago

South Africa faced off against Pool B toppers Italy on Match day 15 of the World Cup. Two-time champions South Africa had won one and lost one coming into the game whereas Italy had won both their previous encounters and victory for the Azzurri here would have handed them an unassailable lead over their opponents. […]

6 years ago

7-2 read the final scoreline. Serge Gnabry rightfully garnered the plaudits and headlines with a stellar four-goal performance against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League, but a certain Robert Lewandowski finely contributed two goals to the eventual rout. The Polish international is playing with such a chutzpah and joie de vivre at the moment that everything he […]

6 years ago

Ireland looked to come good against minnows Russia in Kobe. Ireland came into the match with their backs to the wall following an upset loss to hosts Japan in the previous game. As a result, this tie turned out to be a must win for the Men in Green, a spot in the last eight […]

6 years ago

Fiji faced off in a do-or-die match against Georgia at the Hanazono Stadium. Fiji came into the game off a shock loss to Uruguay whereas Georgia had dispatched Uruguay a few days ago to set up an enticing showdown in this Pool D matchup. The Fijians began with their ceremonial Sibi war dance before the […]

6 years ago

The SportsJOE team has compiled a Top 5 list of the best tackles of the Rugby World Cup 2019 so far. Have a watch below. Let us know your thoughts on any tackles that you thought were the best that we may have missed.

6 years ago

The reigning World Champions took on the 22nd ranked team Canada in Oita. Canada were soundly beaten by Italy in their opening game while the All Blacks overcame the Springboks with a clinical display. In another mark on the history books, the trio of Barrett brothers became the first sibling trio to start for the […]

6 years ago

France took on the USA in a Pool C clash at the Fukuoka stadium. Both teams came into the match having won all their prior games, with France on course to top the group going into their final match against table toppers England in 10 days time. A moment’s silence was held before kickoff to […]

6 years ago

Scotland faced off against Samoa at Kobe in a Pool A clash. Scotland came in the game having lost 27-3 to Ireland in their opening fixture and faced a must win encounter today as defeat would have ended any hopes of them progressing. Samoa beat Russia 34-9 in their first game but were missing some […]

6 years ago

The 165th Madrid derby concluded at the Wanda Metropolitano with 90-minutes unable to find a winner between the two best teams in the Spanish capital. This turned out to be the third 0-0 draw between these two sides in five previous meetings. Atletico Madrid meanwhile have yet to beat Real Madrid at their new home […]

6 years ago

What a game that was in Tokyo! Both Wales and Australia won their opening games of the tournament and but given their history against the side, Michael Cheika’s side were favourites to win the match. The Wallabies have triumphed in 13 out of 14 matches against the Welsh but today would serve to be different. […]

6 years ago

Georgia faced off against Uruguay in a Pool D match in Kumayaga. Gerogia came into the match having lost their opening fixture against Wales whereas Uruguay pulled off an upset against Fiji and now had to contend with the expectations that would be placed on them for this game. The game kicked off and it […]

6 years ago