BAYERN Munich kicked-off the second half of the Bundesliga season with a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Hoffenheim on a night of extreme emotion at the Allianz Arena. The 75,000 crowd paid tribute to the late Franz Beckenbauer, while the Bayern team wore shirts displaying the message “Danke Franz”. The atmosphere was somewhat subdued at the Allianz, hardly surprising given the enormous influence of Beckenbauer and his list of achievements as a player and manager. Jamal Musiala scored twice for Bayern in the 18th and 70th minute and in the final moments, Harry Kane netted his 22nd goal of the Bundesliga campaign.
Benfica have the most profitable academy in world football, according to a report from CIES Football Observatory. In the past 10 years, Benfica have made € 516 million from 30 players developed by the club. They have long enjoyed a reputation as Europe’s leading player nursery and this has become an important part of their business model. Portuguese football, generally, follows the lead of the Lisbon club, notably Sporting (7th), Porto (15th) and Braga (55th). Ajax are second in the CIES top 100, with € 376 million from 36 players, while Olympique Lyonnais are third with € 370 million from 32 players. Real Madrid are fourth (€ 364 million, 28 players) and Chelsea fifth (€ 347 million, 28 players). In the top 100, there are 20 English clubs, 11 from Spain and France and nine from Italy and Brazil. The most profitable academies in South America are Flamengo of Brazil and Argentina’s River Plate who were placed 14th and 15th respectively.
The Africa Cup of Nations got underway with hosts Ivory Coast beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in Abidjan. The Elephants, looking for their third AFCON triumph after wins in 1992 and 2015, were without first-choice striker Sebastien Haller because of injury. Al-Nassr midfielder Seko Fofana broke the deadlock in the fourth minute after being fed by Franck Kessie, sending a powerful right-footed strike inside the right-hand upright. Jean-Philippe Krasso of Red Star Belgrade doubled the lead on 58 minutes after showing great skill to juggle the ball and shot home from eight yards.
The Asian Cup is in its third day and favourites Japan started well with a 4-2 win against Vietnam, their 11th consecutive victory. The Samurai Blue went ahead after 11 minutes through Takumi Minamino, but Vietnam levelled after 15 through Nguyen Dinh Bac and then shocked Japan with a second goal from Pham Tuan Hai. By the interval, however, Japan were 3-2 ahead, thanks to another Minamino effort and an added time goal from Keito Nakamuro. Finally, after a one-sided second half, Ayase Ueda netted a fourth for Japan with five minutes to go. Vietnam were praised for their performance and they gave Japan a real scare for a while. Hosts Qatar opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory against Lebanon in front of 82,000 people and Australia were 2-0 winners against India before a 35,000 crowd. Only 4,000 saw the 0-0 draw between China and Tajikistan.
GAME OF THE PEOPLE 
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