Football

It’s a massive credit to and damning indictment of Jose Mourinho that he seems able to turn anyone into a solid defensive midfielder.

His most unorthodox conversion project yet is way ahead of schedule. Andreas Pereira — a 22-year-old Brazilian-Belgian who’s played just 14 matches for Manchester United despite joining the club in 2011 — was arguably the man of the match in Manchester United’s season-opening 2-1 victory over Leicester City.

Real Madrid officially announced that they’ve completed a deal for Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Los Blancos will pay around €35 million as a transfer fee, according to reports.

Real Madrid C.F. and Chelsea F.C. have agreed the transfer of Thibaut Courtois, who has signed for the club for the next six seasons. After the medical that will take place tomorrow, Thursday 9 August, the player will be presented at 1pm in the presidential box at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo

PHILIPPINE side Ceres-Negros FC finds itself with some ground to cover if it is to defend its ASEAN Zonal title of the AFC Cup after being held to a 1-1 draw by Singapore’s Home United FC in the first leg of their matchup on Wednesday night at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City.

Forced to a draw, the defending Philippines Football League champions “Busmen” must now fashion out a convincing victory in the second leg of the final next week in Singapore to be crowned ASEAN Zonal champions anew and advance to the next round of the tournament.

CERES-NEGROS FC’S standing as the most dominant football club in the country right now was further highlighted on Wednesday as it sealed its conquest of the Philippines Football League title for a second year in a row.