SHORT CORNER
C hampions League the measure of my success: Pep
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that the club's achievements in the Champions League will ultimately determine if his stint in England has been a success.
City are looking to reach the last four of the Champions League for the first time under Guardiola and face a potentially difficult test having been drawn to face Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in next month's quarter-finals.
Guardiola said he had no complaints with a Champions League trophy being the yardstick to measure his success in Manchester despite winning a league title and two League Cups.
"When I spoke with my chairman, CEO, sporting director, the people here know and they give credit for what we have done in the last two seasons. That's the most important thing," he said.
"After that, everyone can judge if it's a disaster. If we do not win the Champions League, our work for three seasons, every three days, is a failure or a disaster. I completely do not agree but what can I say? Accept it and move on. --Reuters
China officially bids for 2023 Asian Cup
China has formally submitted a bid to host the 2023 Asian Cup, state media said, another sign of the country's determination to eventually stage a football World Cup.
China has hosted the Asian Cup once before, in 2004, but its latest attempt is significant because of President Xi Jinping's stated desire for the country to hold a World Cup.
The World Cup tournaments for 2030 or 2034 have regularly been mooted as the most likely that China will go for.
Staging the 2023 Asian Cup would help prepare China for a World Cup, but it faces stiff competition from South Korea.
Having the Asian Cup again on Chinese soil will "promote the popularisation and development of football" in the country, Xinhua news agency said. --Afp
Thiago Silva receives French citizenship
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian captain Thiago Silva has been granted French citizenship, he announced on Twitter on Friday.
The 34-year-old's decision means PSG have an extra space in their squad for a non-EU player.
Silva has played 274 games since joining the reigning Ligue 1 champions in 2012 and has 77 caps for Brazil.
"Today me, my wife @Belle_Silva, and my children Isago and Iago have become French citizens. It's a very happy day for us because we have been in Paris for six-and-a-half years and we really feel at home," he said.
"Thanks to France, a country which has welcomed us so much where we have experienced some unforgettable moments. Vive la France," he added. --Afp
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