The tragic clash between COVID19 and football leaves no traces of the routine we got used to in the past decade or two - the one surrounding the beautiful game.
For almost twenty years, the football schedule was probably the busiest of all sports, and Sundays were the weekly pinnacle of this schedule. In Africa, South America and Europe, Sundays are pure match days. It’s almost all gone now.
This Sunday was a ‘bloody Sunday’ for world football. The Australian A-League, the hope of many to be the league to look up to, is set to be postponed, as the league management announced it is following the fluid situation 'closely’.
GIRABOLA - ANGOLA TOP FLIGHT
Besides the Belarusian Premier League that has been carrying the torch of football in the coronavirus era in Europe, this Sunday offered the return of the Girabola - the Angolan football league. The league resumed action this weekend.
Girabola features15 teams, and currently running on the 24th match-day.
The capital city of Luanda is the central hub of talent in the country. Petro Atletico and Primeiro de Agosto are two top dogs of the local scene, with 15 and 13 championship titles respectively, and the current league leaders as well. While Primeiro de Agosto has won the title for four years in a row now, it seems that this season the battle will be tight as the two teams are fighting for the leading spot.
On Saturday, Petro won 0-3 against Onze Bravos away, continuing their unbeaten streak of 10 consecutive away matches.
All eyes set on the big derby, Petro versus Primeiro on April 4th, which is likely to be the title decider.
Other games in the 24th matchday of Girabola:
Santa Rita v Wiliete SC 2-0
Ferroviário DO Huambo v Progresso 0-0
Candy Cubango v Academica Lobito 2-1
HONG KONG FA CUP SEMIFINALS
Even though Wu Lei, the Chinese football star, has been tested positive for coronavirus, China is planning its return to a healthy life, and that Includes the Chinese Super League. At the same time, this Sunday in Hong Kong, business went on as usual.
Guangzhou R&F HK, the only Chinese team in the Hong Kong Premier League, faced Tai Po FC in the FA Cup semifinals. After a goalless first half, the Brazilian Igor Sartori, Hong Kong’s player of the year in 2019 who signed at R&F from Tai Po, scored and gave the visitors the lead. On the 90th minute, Dudu, a Santos’ prodigy, equalised for Tai Po and sent the match to extra time. There, the game was flipped again. Michel Lugo, another Brazilian, gave Tai Po the lead, 2-1 to the home team. It seemed this result would persist until the final whistle.
On the 102nd minute, the crucial moment of the game arrived. Tiago, yes - another Brazilian in this game - entered the match, and five minutes later notched the equalizer. 2-2, and the game went to a penalty shoot-out.
There, R&F were cold as ice, while Chan Mai-Fai missed Tai Po’s second kick, which nailed that match and determined history: for the first time ever, a Chinese team will play the Hong Kong FA Cup final.