Tim Cahill bids goodbye

Sydney: Australian striker Tim Cahill has announced his retirement from international football aged 38 and after his fourth World Cup. Cahill announced his decision in a tweet on Tuesday saying "today's the day I'm officially hanging up my boots on my international career with the Socceroos. No words can describe what it has meant to represent my country." The former Everton star became the first Australian to play at four consecutive World Cups when he came off the bench in Australia's 2-0 defeat to Peru in the group stages in Russia. Cahill retires as Australia's leading goalscorer with 50 goals from 107 appearances. He tweeted a "massive thank you to everyone for the support throughout all my years wearing the Australian badge." "I am incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to represent my country over 100 times. Every single cap has been an honor." Cahill made his international debut against South Africa in 2004 and has featured in some of Australia's most famous wins in the past 14 years, joining a small and elite group by scoring at three World Cups.

Africa won, says Maduro

Caracas: The President of Venezuela has called for an end to racism against immigrants in Europe while congratulating the France national football team for their 2018 FIFA World Cup title, noting that several players in the team are of African descent. "The French team won, although it looked like an African team. Actually, Africa won - the African immigrants who have arrived in France," Nicolas Maduro said during an official event in Caracas, which was aired on state television VTV. "I hope Europe receives that message ... no more racism in Europe against the African people, no more discrimination against immigrants," he added.Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe, who were born in France to Guinean and Cameroonian parents respectively, scored two goals and helped secure victory for the team led by Didier Deschamps. "Much they have despised Africa. They have looted it. And in the World Cup, France achieved the title thanks to the African players," Maduro said.

Iceland coach steps down

Reykjavik: The coach that led Iceland to their first World Cup has stepped down. The Icelandic Football Association says Heimir Hallgrimsson has decided to leave at his own request, ending seven years in the role. Hallgrimsson was the co-coach with Lars Lagerback of Sweden at the European Championship in 2016, when Iceland reached the quarterfinals after beating England. After Lagerback left, Hallgrimsson assumed sole control of the national team, which became the least populous team to ever play at a World Cup. Iceland drew with Argentina in its opening group game but failed to advance K/O.

Korea call up Son for Asiad

Seoul: Tottenham winger Son Heung-min could miss the start of the Premier League season after being selected by South Korea to play in the Asian Games in Indonesia. Son has been included as one of three overage players in the 20-man squad for the Under-23 tournament that runs from Aug 14-Sept 1. The Premier League kicks off on Aug 11. However, the Asian Games is not an official FIFA tournament and Tottenham can choose not to release the player. But if Son helps his country win the Gold medal, he would be exempt from a 21-month long military service period that he is likely to have to start in 2020. South Korea's U23 coach Kim Hak-bom said at a news conference on Monday: "We first want to thank all these clubs for releasing their players. However, we haven't reached agreements on their release dates, so the Korea Football Association is looking for ways to confirm the dates."

Maradona takes charge of Brest

Brest: Argentine football legend Diego Maradona arrived here to begin his new job as chairman and sporting director of Dynamo Brest. Maradona, 57, signed a three-year contract with Dynamo in May, but he delayed his start date until after the 2018 World Cup, which ended on Sunday, as he had prior commitments to provide commentary on the tournament. The former Argentina captain, who drove the South American side to the World Cup title in 1986, traveled to Brest from Moscow, where he was in the stands to see France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final. Founded in 1960 and rechristened as Dynamo Brest six years ago, the club finished fourth in the Belarus first division last season and qualified for the Europa League, though they went out in the second round. Maradona is to be involved in all aspects of sporting operations.