Weekend Guide 11.3.2016

It's the middle of March. In some leagues, you can hear the final whistle right across the corner. For others, this signals the kick-off whistle.

In this Weekend Guide you’ll see both – a top match from Albania, another interesting visit to the CAF Champions League and the first match of the Turkmen league.

(All the hours are in CET)

Amateur (Like this penalty)

What? Partizani – Skënderbeu (Albanian Superliga)

When? Monday, 19:00

Where? Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana

Why? Everyone can feel the tension as we are getting closer to the end of the season and there’s a match for the title. Skënderbeu, the Albanian champions since 2011, will travel as the league leaders to Tirana. There they will play against Partizani, who are in 2nd place with five points less.

Key Players: In Partizani, the main player will be Xhevahir Sukaj, who played in Iran in the past three years and scored 12 goals this season. From the other side, Skënderbeu will focus on Hamdi Salihi, who played in Austria, USA and China and now he´s the league’s top scorer with 21 goals.

Support of the Fans: Partizani's Arbnor Fejzullahu got his first call up to the national team in an interesting way. He was invited to a training camp for diaspora Albanian players after a recommendation by Jetmir Salihu, a member of the national team fan club.

Professional (like this goal)

What? APR – Young Africans (CAF Champions League)

When? Saturday, 14:30

Where? Amahoro Stadium, Kigali

Why? It always great to see two minor teams facing each other, knowing that one of them will progress to the next stage in a continental tournament. APR, the champions of Rwanda, will try to pass through the first stage for the first time since 2004. The Tanzanian champions, Young Africans, recall their history with two appearances in the Champions Cup quarter finals in 1969 and 1970.

Key Players: Watch for APR's Abdul Rwatubyaye, the main player of his club that scored decisive hat-trick in the previous round. In Young Africans you can find Nizar Khalfan, former Vancouver Whitecaps player with 43 international caps for Tanzania.

Transnational Legend: One of the biggest names in the history of Young African was born in Burundi, played for short time in Tanzania and was part of DR Congo national team. Yes, we're talking about Shabani Nonda.

World Class (like this goal)

What? Altyn Asyr – Balkan (Turkmenistan Yokari Liga)

When? Saturday, 11:00

Where? Ashgabat Stadium, Ashgabat

Why? It’s a new season in Turkmenistan and the biggest match-up of the league is here. Altyn Asyr, the champions of the two previous seasons will try to win their third title in a row. Balkan were the runner-ups, but they wish to be much closer than a 24 point gap like in the previous season.

Key Players: Ahmet Ataýew, Altyn Asyr midfielder and the national team captain, was last season league MVP, so he definitely will be a guy to watch for. Balkan's Ýagmyrmyrat Annamyradow is one of the veteran players in the league and was part of Balkan winning squad in the 2013 AFC President's Cup.

The Key to Success: Ýazguly Hojageldyýew, the Altyn Asyr manager, led Turkmenistan national team to their biggest achievement, finalists of the AFC Challenge Cup in 2010 and 2012.

Weekend Guide 5.3.2016

The Veterans against the debutants in Azerbaijan, the dominant team in Guyana, and a visit to the Pacific and the league of Papua New Guinea.

(All the hours are in CET)

Amateur (Like this handshake)

What? Qarabağ – Zira (Azerbaijan Premier League)

When? Saturday, 15:00

Where? Karabakh Stadium, Baku

Why? The reigning champions of Azerbaijan, Qarabağ, are running for their third consecutive domestic title, as they watch the league from the 1st place with 48 points. Meanwhile, Zira are making a sensational debut season in the top tier, as they are in 2nd place, four points behind Qarabağ.

Key Players: Two players lead the top scorer table with eight goals each. The first is Richard Almeida, Qarabağ’s Brazilian, who is having a great season so far with additional four goals in Europe. The second one is Zira’s Nelson Bonilla from El Salvador, who played previously in Romania.

Money, Money, Money: The Azeri second tier is not so competitive and the winners are being decided by their bank account and not their professional ability. Last season, Zira promoted from the 6th place, while another team, Kapaz, were promoted from the 9th place.

Professional (like this guy)

What? Alpha United – Slingerz (Guyana Elite League)

When? Sunday, 23:00

Where? Bourda Cricket Ground, Georgetown

Why? In the newly created Elite League of Guyana, it seems that we will have a tough contest for the title. Alpha United were 5-time champions in the old National Super League. Now, they are in the 1st place, as the winners of the opening stage, Slingerz are in 2nd, trailing by a single point.

Key Players:

Alpha United’s 36 year old Anthony Abrams is the star of his team with 4 goals in 3 games. On the other side, look at Vurlon Mills of Slingerz, that spent some of his career abroad in Trinidad and Tobago.

Continental Monopoly: Alpha United are the only team from Guyana to play at the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, doing it twice in 2012 and 2015.

World Class (like that match)

What? Lae FC – Hekari United (Papua New Guinea National Soccer League)

When? Saturday, 22:00

Where? Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, Lae

Why? After three matches in the championship round, we have two contenders left in the title race. The guests, Hekari United, won eight consecutive domestic titles, until Lae FC won their first title in the last season. Both won all their games in the championship round, which team will be the first to lose points?

Key Players: Lae’s striker Raymond Gunemba, is one of the dominant forwards in the league, making him also part of the national squad. In Hekari United you should watch for Koriak Upiaga, which was part of the club Champions League squad in 2010.

Have Some Experience: Frank Farina, the great Australian manager and nowadays the Fiji national team manager, got some experience with Pacific teams. He managed Papua New Guinea during the 2011 Pacific Games and the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, and finally left in 2013.

Weekend Guide 28.2.2016

The familiar Weekend Guide will be a bit Asian this time. From West to East, we will visit the classic matchup of Saudi Arabia, the big money of the Chinese Super Cup, and finally a match between the Koreas.

(All the hours are in CET)

Amateur (Like this miss)

What? Al-Hilal – Al-Ittihad (Saudi Professional League)

When? Saturday, 18:45

Where? King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh

Why? When you talk about a real Arab Clasico, you can't miss this match. The two all-time leading Saudi clubs, each representing a different big city, will meet in one of the decisive matches of the season. Al-Hilal from Riyadh is in 1st place with 40 points, while Al-Ittihad from Jeddah is 3rd, four points behind.

Key Players: Al-Hilal midfielder, home-grown Salman Al-Faraj, is responsible for many of the team’s recent success, and plays for the first team since 2008. In Al-Ittihad everyone will focus on Gelmin Rivas, the league’s top scorer from Venezuela with 17 goals in 17 matches.

Foreign Staff: Since their first season in the Saudi top tier in 1977, Al-Ittihad appointed only one Saudi manager – Khalid Al-Koroni, who led the team for 6 months in 2014.

Professional (like this touch)

What? Guangzhou Evergrande – Jiangsu Suning (Chinese Super Cup)

When? Saturday, 12:35

Where? Olympic Sports Center, Chongqing

Why? After a crazy transfer window, Chinese football is getting ready for the new season with the Super Cup. Champions Guangzhou Evergrande will hope to have another great season, after they won the league and the AFC Champions League. FA Cup holders, Jiangsu Suning, formerly named Jiangsu Sainty, will show off their new cannons as they dream about first ever championship title.

Key Players: Let's forget about the expensive foreigners and check some Chinese stars. Gao Lin of Guangzhou Evergrande is one of the dominant local players with 13 goals last season. Meanwhile, watch out fot Jiangsu Suning midfielder Wu Xi, who became an integral part of the national team.

A Legend from the Past: The big money didn't skip the lower levels. In the Chinese third tier, Shenzhen Renren recruited Siniša Gogić, one of the all-time legends of Cypriot football as a manager.

World Class (like this girl)

What? North Korea – South Korea (AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament)

When? Monday, 11:35

Where? Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan

Why? More Olympic tournament spots are on the line, as just two teams will qualify from the Asian qualifiers in Japan. In the opening day we will see the Derby of the Koreas, both will try to catch the flights to Brazil on time.

Key Players: Keep your eyes on Ra Un-Sim, the captain of North Korea that led her team to win the East Asian Cup in 2015. Ji So-yun of South Korea is one the talented players in Asia, playing for Chelsea and was part of their first ever championship last season.

Don’t Dope: It's North Korea’s first chance to participate in an international tournament since the 2012 Olympics. They were excluded from the 2015 World Cup qualifiers after their players failed a doping test during the 2011 World Cup.

Weekend Guide 20.2.2016

Every week we try to surprise you and bring you the best matches which you never would have thought about.

This week we will be in Croatia, then take a short visit to Côte d'Ivoire and finally chill out at Aruba.

(All the hours are in CET)

Amateur (Like this referee)

What? Dinamo Zagreb – Rijeka (Croatian Prva HNL)

When? Sunday, 17:00

Where? Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb

Why? After years of a single club domination, we finally have great competition in the Croatian league. Dinamo Zagreb won the domestic championship 17 times and last season they completed their 10th consecutive title. After two years as runner-ups, Rijeka will try to win the title this year, as they are just two points behind Dinamo.

Key Players: Dinamo Zagreb have talented player Marko Pjaca, a 20 year old striker that has six caps for the Croatia national team. Rijeka surprised everyone in January with the signing of Mario Gavranović, a Swiss international who left Zürich and scored on his debut last week.

The Italian Guys: Until World War II, the city of Rijeka was part of Italy and was named Fiume. Back then, the local club named Fiumana played in the Serie C and even reached the Serie B for one season. During World War II, the club dissolved and established a few years later as Rijeka.

Professional (like this goal)

What? Moossou – Stade d'Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire Ligue 1)

When? Saturday, 16:30

Where? Stade de Bassam, Grand-Bassam

Why? We have a tremendous opening for the Ivorian league, when four teams are tied at the first place afterseven matches. Among them you can find Stade d'Abidjan, one of the biggest clubs in Ivorian football history, and Moossou - the league’s sensation in their first ever top tier season.

Key Players: Moossou is having a great season thanks to Dominique Anderson, who even got the call-up for the national team last month. In Stade d'Abidjan you should focus on Soualiho Coulibaly, a veteran player that arrived from Séwé Sport, after winning 3 domestic titles.

The First Title: Stade d'Abidjan is the first Ivorian club to ever win a continental title. In 1966 they won the African Cup of Champions Clubs after defeating Real Bamako from Mali.

World Class (like this goal)

What? RCA – Dakota (Aruba Division di Honor)

When? Sunday, 01:30

Where? Trinidad Stadium, Oranjestad

Why? The league in Aruba is at the midpoint and the race for the title is getting closer from match to match. The current champions, Racing Club Aruba, known as RCA, are in the 1st place with 27 points. Dakota are in the 3rd place, but just two points off the pace.

Key Players: Don't miss Steve Melchor, RCA’s striker and one of the best scorers in the league with 13 goals. Dakota's young defender Nickenson Paul is the biggest hope of the Aruban football and has led the U-20 team to their debut U-20 CONCACAF Championship in 2015.

The Colony: As a former Dutch colony, many players with Aruban roots play for the Netherlands national team - among them you can find Hedwiges Maduro and Demy de Zeeuw.

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Thumbnail photo by DAC Images

Weekend Guide 13.2.2016

The Weekend Guide is back in business, and this time we take you to the derby of La Paz, an Olympic clash between the women national teams of the United States and Mexico, and finally the African Champions League kick-off.

(All the hours are in CET)

Amateur (Like this guy)

What? The Strongest – Bolívar (Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano)

When? Sunday, 22:15

Where? Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz

Why? The highest capital in the world is getting ready for the Clásico Paceño - the city derby.

After both teams failed to win the Apertura, they hope that the Clausura will be different. The Strongest are in 4th place, two points from the leadership, and Bolívar are in 2nd place with a gap of just of one point.

Key Players: Ramiro Ballivián took part in Universitario de Sucre’s tremendous seasons in the past seven years and he will try to repeat it in The Strongest. Erwin Saavedra, Bolívar’s defender, is just 19 years old but he is part of the team lineup in every match.

Are You Ready? If you thought that The Strongest is an unusual name, in Bolivian regional leagues you can find a club with the name Always Ready, one of the first clubs in La Paz and the first ever Bolivian team to travel to Europe.

Professional (like that match)

What? United States – Mexico (CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship)

When? Saturday, 22:00

Where? Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX

Why? As we are getting closer to the Olympic Games in Rio, now it's time to see which women teams will represent CONCACAF. United States, the 4-time Olympic champions, won their first match against Costa Rica 5:0. After qualifying to three World Cups, Mexico wants to make an Olympic debut, after they defeated Puerto Rico 6:0 last Wednesday.

Key Players: The American team is full of great players, but we chose to focus on Christen Press, who scored 30 goals in 57 international caps and you definitely should see her last goal. Cecilia Santiago, the 21 year old Mexican goalkeeper, was just 16 years old during her international debut and she is the youngest player to ever play in the World Cup.

The Debutants: While Mexico still tries to qualify, one team has already confirmed there Olympic debut in Rio – Zimbabwe, who knocked out Cameroon in the decisive match.

World Class (like this kick)

What? Ashanti Gold – MO Béjaïa (CAF Champions League)

When? Sunday, 16:00

Where? Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi

Why? These two teams could easily progress to the latter stages of the tournament but one will be eliminated in the preliminary round. Ashanti Gold won the Ghanaian Premier League for the first time since 1996 and they will try to go all the way to the finals, as they did in 1997. Even though MO Béjaïa missed the Algerian title by single point, they will make history with their debut season in continental competition.

Key Players: Ashanti Gold star is veteran defender Emmanuel Osei, who played in Turkey, Italy and the MLS. Zahir Zerdab, MO Béjaïa midfielder, spent a few years in the French lower divisions before arriving to Algeria and he was a main part in the club's previous season.

Good to See You: In the same round, Cercle de Joachim from Mauritius will play against Young Africans from Tanzania. They will be the first team from Mauritius to play in the Champions league since 2010.

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Thumbnail photo by AFP