Sports Hot News on April 25th: AFC Praises Vietnam U17 After Winning Southeast Asian Championship; Christoph Janssen Continues to Shine at Ho Chi Minh City Cycling Cup 2026.
AFC Praises Vietnam U17 After Winning Southeast Asian Championship
Vietnam U17 received numerous compliments from AFC after clinching the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship title.
In the final match, Coach Cristiano Roland and his team defeated Malaysia U17 with a 3-0 score, marking their fourth championship win and becoming the most successful team in the tournament.
The AFC official website sent congratulations, calling it a "worthy journey" for Vietnam's young warriors. The red-shirted team displayed impressive form throughout the competition, with decisive victories and a 16-match unbeaten streak under Coach Roland.

Fans also highly praised Vietnam U17's playing style, particularly their progress in tactics, physical fitness, and match intelligence. Players like Nguyen Luc and Van Duong are expected to continue shining on the continental stage.
Next, Vietnam U17 will participate in the Asian U17 Championship, where they aim to secure a spot in the U17 World Cup. Their success in Southeast Asia is seen as a perfect springboard for ambitions to reach bigger stages.
Christoph Janssen Continues to Shine at Ho Chi Minh City Cycling Cup 2026
Cyclist Christoph Janssen continued to impress strongly at the Ho Chi Minh City Television Cup 2026 by finishing solo in Stage 20.
The 141km stage from Vung Tau to Thu Dau Mot witnessed an outstanding performance by the Swiss rider from Dong Thap 1 team. He was in the leading group early before launching a surprise attack 15km from the finish.

The bold decision allowed Janssen to break away from the group and maintain a safe gap to win his second stage victory this year. He finished over a minute ahead of the second-place rider, confirming his impressive form.
His proactive racing style, willingness to lead the pack, and constant attacks have endeared Janssen to fans. He is considered one of the most dedicated riders in the competition.
After 20 stages, the overall standings saw little change. Yarash Uladzislau still holds the yellow jersey, while the blue, white, and orange jerseys also remain with their current owners.
The competition continues with Stage 21 from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho, promising exciting developments in the race for the overall championship.
Jude Bellingham Sparks Controversy Over "Acting" Incident
Jude Bellingham has become the focus of criticism following a controversial incident in the match between Real Madrid and Real Betis. The English midfielder was accused by fans of "acting" when he fell to the ground and held his face despite a negligible contact with Sofyan Amrabat.
The incident occurred during a ball dispute. Slow-motion replays showed Amrabat's arm making only slight contact, with it even being difficult to determine clear contact. However, Bellingham reacted strongly, holding his face and falling, leading to a referee's foul call.

This action quickly sparked outrage on social media. Many supporters called it a clear case of feigning foul, even labeling it "shameful" and "unprofessional." Some opinions suggested VAR should penalize such simulated injury situations.
The match ended with a 1-1 draw, a result that leaves Real Madrid with almost no chance to compete for the La Liga title. Their poor form, with five matches without a win in their last six appearances, is plunging the Royal club into crisis.
Coach Arne Slot Opens Door to Possibility of Alisson Leaving Liverpool
Alisson Becker's future at Liverpool is becoming unpredictable as Coach Arne Slot does not rule out the possibility of the Brazilian goalkeeper departing in the upcoming summer.
Alisson is currently sidelined due to injury, amid interest from Juventus. When asked about the future of the first-choice goalkeeper, Slot emphasized that all decisions will be made based on the club's long-term interests.

He stated that experience is an important factor for keeping Alisson, but not the only one. Liverpool's leadership will consider multiple aspects before making a final decision, especially since the goalkeeper's contract has only one year remaining.
Since joining from AS Roma in 2018, Alisson has become one of the world's finest goalkeepers, playing a major role in Liverpool winning all major trophies. However, recent recurring injury issues are casting doubt on his position.
Slot also acknowledged the congested match schedule as a reason for the increase in injuries. Nevertheless, he affirmed that the immediate focus is on helping Alisson recover to return to the team's goal soon.
Cesc Fabregas Speaks on Potential Return to Chelsea
Addressing rumors related to the hot seat at Chelsea, Cesc Fabregas has officially spoken. The former Spanish midfielder confirmed he is fully focused on his work at Como.
Chelsea is currently seeking a new manager after dismissing Liam Rosenior after just over three months in charge. Fabregas, who had a successful playing stint at Stamford Bridge, is seen as a potential candidate.

However, the 38-year-old coach stated this is not the time to think about the future. He emphasized his current goal is to help Como finish the season in the top five and secure their first-ever European cup qualification in history.
Fabregas also revealed he has not heard any statements from Como's leadership regarding allowing him to leave. Nevertheless, previously, club president Mirwan Suwarso affirmed he would not obstruct Fabregas if he wished to move to Chelsea.
With experience winning the Premier League with Chelsea, Fabregas is clearly a notable name. However, he maintains a cautious attitude and prioritizes completing his current duties before considering next steps.