The new season is starting and we have a new format for our exclusive Weekend Guide.
The 'W' format - What? When? Where? Why? and much more. Yosport brings you three matches you need to follow this weekend, from all around the world. Enjoy!
Amateur (like this goal)
What? Steaua București – Dinamo București (Romanian Liga I)
When? Sunday, 20:00
Where? Arena Națională, Bucharest
Why? The biggest match in Romanian football has 3 names - The Eternal Derby (Eternul Derbi), The Romanian Derby (Derbiul României) or The Great Derby (Marele Derbi). After 4 league matchdays, Steaua are in 2nd place and Dinamo are in the 3rd place, both with 8 points and are level with the leaders, Târgu Mureș.
Good to Know: Two interesting facts about the teams’ logos. The Supreme Court of Romania stripped Steaua of their old logo in 2004, after the Romanian Army didn't allow them to use it anymore. Dinamo have two red dogs on their logo, in memory of the two stars of the team during the 60's and the 70's, Radu and Ion Nunweiller.
Key Players: If you are looking for the biggest summer transfer for Steaua, it will be Grégory Tadé, last season's Golden Boot winner who came from CFR Cluj. On the other side it will be Dorin Rotariu, one of the greatest young talents in Romanian football.
Professional (like this goal)
What? Olimpia – Cerro Porteño (Paraguayan Primera División)
When? Saturday, 22:00
Where? Estadio Manuel Ferreira, Asunción
Why? El Clásico Paraguáyo. Cerro Porteño is popular among lower class people, while Olimpia is supported by the upper classes. After 5 games in the Clausura, Olimpia leads with 11 points and Cerro Porteño are in 2nd place, just 1 point behind.
Good to Know: Last May, Cerro Porteño's Sergio Díaz broke the record for the youngest scorer in the history of this clash. He was 17 years, 1 month and 28 days old. The previous record was set in 1998 by the legendary Roque Santa Cruz.
Historic Moment: 1999 League Final. Olimpia tried to win their third consecutive title and won the first leg at home 1:0. In the second leg, Cerro Porteño led 2:0 in the 30th minute, but Olimpia managed to score three times, won 3:2 and snatched the title.
Key Players: It will be a dual between two Paraguayan top guns. Olimpia with Cristian Riveros, a 32 year-old midfielder who has won 90 international caps, scored 15 international goals and played in England and Turkey. Cerro Porteño's 37 year-old defender, Carlos Bonet, has 73 caps and has played in 3 World Cup tournaments.
World Class (like this goal)
What? Muangthong United – Bangkok Glass (Thai Premier League)
When? Saturday, 14:00
Where? SCG Stadium, Pak Kret
Why? In the middle of the season we have three-team race for the title, as all three teams are tied on 38 points. Last week, Muang Thong United drew with the leaders Buriram. Now they are facing the third team in the title race, Bangkok Glass.
Good to Know: Both teams have interesting nicknames. Muangthong United are known as the Twin Qilin, as qilin is a mythical character in East Asian cultures. Their opponents, Bangkok Glass, have one of the weirdest nicknames I've ever heard for a football team -The Glass Rabbits. Say what?
Key Players: Two of the top footballers in Thailand will be playing. Muangthong United's Teerasil Dangda is one of the biggest stars in Thailand and was the first Thai player to play in Spain, for Almería. Bangkok Glass' Thanasit Siriphala, is a 19 year-old midfielder who looks like Ronaldinho. Bola!