Dortmund can reach the Champions League final - Mkhitaryan

The attacking midfielder believes his side have the potential to go all the way in the competition this season, while Sebastian Kehl believes they have to make up for last season

Borussia Dortmund attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan is confident his side have the "necessary strength" to reach the Champions League final this season.

The Bundesliga giants reached the final of the European competition in 2012-13, losing to league rivals Bayern Munich at Wembley, and it took the grit of eventual winners Real Madrid to knock Jurgen Klopp's side out the following season.

And Mkhitaryan believes his side have what it takes to go all the way again this term, insisting they will do their utmost to do so.

"Why not?" the Armenia international told Kicker when asked if his side could feature in this season's final in Berlin. 

"We have the necessary strength to do it. We can reach the final again and will do everything to be there."

The German side begin their Champions League campaign with a home match against Arsenal, whom they met in the group stage of last season's competition.

Dortmund lost 2-1 to the Premier League club in the Signal Iduna Park last year and midfielder Sebastian Kehl insists his side are out for revenge.

"It’s been a while since our last home win over Arsenal. So we have some making up to do.”

Goal readers back Barcelona for Champions League glory

With the 2014-15 group stages set to begin, we asked which team you thought was most likely to lift the trophy and Luis Enrique's side topped the results

Barcelona are the most likely winners of the 2014-15 Champions League, according to Goal readers, who beat Chelsea by a single vote in our closest-ever poll.

With the group stages set to start this week, we asked readers to select their most likely winners from Europe's top clubs and they backed Luis Enrique to taste European glory in his first season in charge.

The Camp Nou side are coming off a year where they failed to win a major trophy for the first time in six years, but do so with a revamped squad that has the likes of Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic as new arrivals.

A total of 25.6 per cent of readers backed Barca to be Champions League winners - the same percentage which thrust their faith behind Chelsea, but the Catalans bagged 4,348 votes compared to the Blues' tally of 4,347.

The Blues were semi-finalists in last year's competition and have strengthened their squad with the signings of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, as well as Thibaut Courtois' return from loan.

Defending champions Real Madrid came third in the poll with 13.2%, while Bayern Munich - winners in 2013 - came fourth with 11% of the total.

Arsenal came fifth with 7.1%, while Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus side were supported by 5.5% of those polled.

Just 3.1% of readers thought last season's runners-up Atletico Madrid could go one better this year, despite their early-season victories over their city rivals.

Real Madrid are Champions League favourites, says Lahm

The former Germany international says the club's summer outlay, which included the signing of Toni Kroos from Bayern, makes them the side to beat in Europe

Bayern Munich skipper Philipp Lahm believes that Real Madrid enter this season's Champions League as favourites after winning the competition last year.

The Bundesliga champions were beaten 5-0 on aggregate by Carlo Ancelotti's side at the semi-final stage, despite having won the tournament the previous term.

The 30-year-old feels that the Spanish side will be the team to beat once more but is determined to add to his one winners' medal in the European Cup before he calls it a day.

"The club have strengthened an already-excellent team with a lot of money," he told Kicker.

"Real are certainly the team to beat. I want to win this trophy again. Whether with the squad we have this season or in the new three years, I want a shot at the title."

Bayern begin their bid to win the Champions League for the sixth time in their history with a clash against English champions Manchester City on Wednesday.

Lahm: Bayern won't miss or mourn Kroos

The club captain has faith that Pep Guardiola's squad have plenty of quality to cope without the new Real Madrid midfielder

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has insisted that he does not mourn the loss of Toni Kroos and that his place in the team will not be missed.

The 24-year-old chose to leave the Allianz Arena in July for Real Madrid, ending his eight-year association with the Bavarians.

Despite Kroos having played a large part in both Bayern's Bundesliga success in 2013-14 and this summer's World Cup win for Germany, Lahm has no doubts that Pep Guardiola's men have not been weakened by Kroos' departure.

"We have so much quality at Bayern that it's difficult to weaken us," the club captain, who has branded Real Madrid as Champions League favourites this season, told Kicker.

"I do not mourn Kroos. I've been around at Bayern long enough to not grieve for players leaving, even if Kroos is an excellent man."

Bayern kick off their attempt to claim the top European title two years after they last won it on Wednesday at home to Premier League champions Manchester City.

Saudi Arabia beats Laos to kick off Asiad football tournament

INCHEON, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- Saudi Arabia defeated Laos 3-0 to kick off the men's football competition at the 17th Asian Games here on Sunday.

Raed Abdullah Alghamdi converted a penalty in the 75th minute for Saudi Arabia, and Saleh Khalid Al Shehri and Omar Majed Kanabah added a goal apiece for an easy victory in the first Group A match at Munhak Stadium in the Asiad host city, lying just west of SEOUL.

The opening ceremony for the multisport competition will be on Friday, but the football segment for both the men and the women began on Sunday.

The men's team for South Korea will face Malaysia in the other Group A match on Sunday at 5 p.m., also at Munhak. The South Korean women will take on Thailand in their Group A action at 8 p.m. at Namdong RUGBY Field.

The South Korean men are seeking their first Asiad gold since 1986 while the women are after their maiden Asiad title.

Saudi Arabia was all over Laos for the majority of the match, though its efforts didn't bear fruit until midway through the second half. Alghamdi was brought down in the box by Laos defender Sengdao Inthilath as he drove toward the goal, and later stepped up to take the shot himself and beat the substitute goalkeeper, Vathana Keodouangdeth.

Saudi Arabia kept the pressure on, and it paid off with Al-Shehri's header off Alghamdi's cross in the 86th. Then Kanabah scored the third goal for good measure in injury time.

In other men's matches on Sunday, Tajikistan defeated Singapore 1-0 in Group C, while Iraq hammered Nepal 4-0 in Group D.

In the women's competition, India routed Maldives 15-0 in Group A. Forward Kamala Devi Yumnam and midfielder Sasmita Malik had five goals apiece.

Later on Sunday, Oman and Palestine will meet in the men's Group C match at 5 p.m. Japan and Kuwait square off at 7:30 p.m. in Group D on the men's side.

ACL SF (1st leg): Al Hilal preview

Riyadh: Al Hilal coach Laurentiu Reghecampf feels that the suspension of Salem Al Dawsari is a big blow for his side as they prepare to host Al Ain in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

However, the Romanian boss is confident that the Saudi club can overcome the absence of the versatile young midfielder in the first leg at King Fahd International Stadium as they look to reach the AFC Champions League final for the first time.

The 23-year-old (pictured) began this season's competition on the Al Hilal bench but he has started in all of his club's last seven games, in which they have not conceded a single goal, and scored twice in the Round of 16 victory over Uzbek side Bunyodkor.

The Saudi Arabia international will, however, have to sit out Tuesday's game after he received his second yellow card of the knockout stage during the 0-0 draw against Qatari side Al Sadd in the second leg of the quarter-finals.

"The absence of Al Dawsari is a big problem for us as he is one of our best players but hopefully we could find the suitable solution for this problem," said Reghecampf.

"Thiago Neves is going through a good period as he had good performances recently and he will be a key player for us tomorrow."

Despite winning the Asian Club Championship twice, Al Hilal have not reached the final since that competition evolved into the AFC Champions League in 2002. Having taken charge of the club in the summer, Reghecampf is keen to see them break new ground in the tournament.

"Playing in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League is really special and we will try our best to reach the final," said the Romanian, who led Al Hilal to a 2-1 win over Najran in a Saudi league match last Friday.

"We should work very hard in order to achieve our target and our players are ready for the match.

"Our fans are looking for a victory and we will try our best to achieve a good win. I hope that we can repeat the good performances that we had recently and get an important win at home before the second leg."

Bayern hit back at Platini over Ribery retirement row

Uefa president Michel Platini said the winger would be banned for three games if he rejected a France call-up but the Bavarian chief says the matter has been resolved

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists that row over Franck Ribery's international retirement has been "all but settled".

Uefa president Michel Platini claimed on Sunday that the French winger would be hit with a three-game suspension for his club side if he refused a call-up from Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps.

However, Rummenigge insists that Ribery has already been given permission to bring the curtain down on his international career.

"It is all but settled," the Bayern chief told Bild. "As Philipp Lahm has discussed his international retirement with [Germany coach Joachim] Low, Franck has indeed discussed his with Deschamps.

"He will still not being called up anymore [despite Platini's threat]. Everything is in order and Fifa-compliant."

Platini had argued that players do not have the right to choose whether they represent their country.

"Franck Ribery cannot simply decide whether he plays for France or not," the former Bleus ace told Bild am Sonntag.

"If coach Didier Deschamps calls him up, he must come to play for the national team."

However, Bayern's stance on Ribery's retirement has also drawn support from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund.

"The decision must be left to the players themselves," argued BVB sporting director Michael Zorc. "They are not serfs of their federations!"

Ribery was capped 81 times by his country before deciding to call time on his international career after missing this summer's World Cup with a back problem.

Klopp: Dortmund can cope without Reus

The attacker picked up another ankle injury while on international duty and has been ruled out of action for a month

Jurgen Klopp believes Borussia Dortmund can cope without injured star player Marco Reus for four weeks.

The Germany international was left in agony after being felled by Charlie Mulgrew in the dying seconds of his country's EURO 2016 qualifier with Scotland on Sunday and it was initially feared that the attacker had aggravated the same ankle problem that ruled him out of this summer's World Cup.

However, subsequent scans have revealed only strained ligaments, meaning Reus will be able to return to action in a month.

"It could have been worse," Klopp told Bild. "I am, of course, very sorry for Marco, but four weeks will go quickly.

"We just have to work now and score without him."

Dortmund's hopes of doing just that appeared to have been jeopardised by a hip injury suffered by striker Ciro Immobile during Italy's 2-0 win over Norway.

However, even though the club's star summer signing was taken from the field on a stretcher, Azzurri team doctor Enrico Castellacci insisted that Immobile had already made a rapid recovery from the blow.

"Immobile suffered a bruised hip and, at first, he could barely move," he told Rai Sport.

"But after a few minutes he was already doing much better."

Dortmund return to Bundesliga action against Freiburg on Saturday before kicking off their Champions League campaign with a meeting with Arsenal at Signal Iduna Park on September 16.

Reus is also likely to miss subsequent domestic clashes with Mainz, Stuttgart and Schalke, as well as the October 1 Champions League trip to Belgium to face Anderlecht.

Strachan wants Scotland to build on Germany display

Two goals from Thomas Muller gave the hosts a hard-fought victory in Dortmund but the former Celtic boss was delighted that his men pushed the world champions so hard

Gordon Strachan insists Scotland have a platform on which to build their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign after a battling defeat to Germany.

The Scots held their own for long spells of Sunday's Group D opener in Dortmund before ultimately losing 2-1.

A goal in either half from Thomas Muller proved decisive for the world champions, but the visitors briefly restored parity at 1-1 in the 66th minute when Watford forward Ikechi Anya raced clear to slot past Manuel Neuer.

At that stage, Strachan was even dreaming of a winner, with Steven Naismith having earlier grazed the outside of the post when put clear on goal.

And despite the defeat, the Scotland boss took plenty of positives ahead of further tests to come next month against Georgia and Poland.

"We played with freedom in the second half," he told Sky Sports. "In the first 20 minutes we gave ourselves real problems giving the ball away, which gave them comfortable possession. 

"We rectified that and the game became more comfortable for us, particularly in the second half. I thought we were going to get a point and I actually thought we were going to win it at one stage. 

"We've got no points, we have a performance, but the next game [against Georgia] is a big game. We'll look forward to that challenge when that comes around."

Scotland were forced to play out the closing stages with 10 men after Charlie Mulgrew was shown a second yellow card late on for kicking the ball away.

That incident came after Germany defender Erik Durm had escaped with only a caution after hauling back Naismith on the edge of the area, amid some debate as to whether he should have been sent off.

Strachan would not be drawn on the performance of referee Svein Oddvar Moen, though.

"It's not for me to talk about the referee," he added. "That's for the referee's assessor. I'll let other people discuss that."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper David Marshall echoed the sentiments of his manager in bemoaning what he felt was an unlikely missed opportunity.

"I am gutted, really," he said. "We got ourselves back in the game in the second half. We are disappointed after not taking the chances we've had.

"We were probably the team in the ascendancy at that point [after scoring the equaliser]. We scored the goal and had chances before that."

Neuer: Winning all that matters for Germany

The world champions failed to impress in Dortmund on Sunday night but the goalkeeper was just happy to have picked up three points

Manuel Neuer says he did not care that Germany struggled in their 2-1 victory over Scotland, arguing that winning was all that mattered.

A rout appeared on the cards when Thomas Muller opened the scoring just 18 minutes in but the reigning world champions looked vulnerable at the back throughout the game and it came as no surprise when the visitors equalised through Ikechi Anya midway through the second half.

Muller posted an almost immediate reply for Germany but Joachim Low's continued to live on their nerves in the closing stages.

Neuer, though, was not in the least bit perturbed by the fact that Germany had not played anywhere near their best in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier.

"The most important thing is that we won our first game," the goalkeeper told RTL. "We played with a new team again and I do not care about the way we won."

Meanwhile, two-goal hero Muller felt that Scotland were always going to prove difficult to beat.

"I was not joking when I predicted a tight match," the versatile attacker stated. "We studied the Scots a lot and they have not lost since they switched their coaches.

"They played compact football and we missed some chances to finish off the game. And when it is 1-0, it is tight against any team. I can live very well with this result and hopefully the fans do so, too."

Low: Individual mistakes nearly cost Germany

The national team coach has acknowledged that his troops could easily have been held at home and was relieved they eventually emerged victorious

Germany boss Joachim Low was not impressed with his side's performance in their 2-1 Euro 2016 qualification win over Scotland on Sunday, but was happy to see the world champions bag the full three points.

Low's men were far from their best in Dortmund, but Thomas Muller's double proved enough to seal victory.

The Bayern Munich attacker handed the hosts the lead with 18 minutes gone only to see Scotland threaten to spring a surprise when Ikechi Anya levelled midway through the second half.

It fell to Muller to put the visitors back in their place, though, and Low - was pleased to start with a victory in the end.

"A few individual errors after the break undermined us, but I'm happy with the three points," the coach told the Germany Football Federation's WEBSITE.

"It was important that we start with a victory. I had expected that it will be tough."

Does Shaqiri need to leave Bayern to become a superstar?

Xherdan Shaqiri stated earlier this year that he did not think twice about joining Bayern Munich two years ago. However, it became abundantly clear during the summer that the winger was having second thoughts about staying at the Allianz Arena.

It was easy to understand why. The 22-year-old was one of the most exciting young players on show at Brazil 2014, scoring a hat-trick in Switzerland's 3-0 win over Honduras - yet he was coming off the back of a season in which he was afforded just 10 starts in the Bundesliga.

After joining from Basel in the summer of 2012, Shaqiri was more than happy to bide his time at Bayern, with his path to the first team blocked by Franck Ribery. He was initially content to learn from the Frenchman, rather than replace him.

"It does not really matter who features from the start and who has to settle for a spot on the bench," he stated. "The most important thing is that we act as a team. Only then can we be successful. Even when I end up on the bench, I still don't really mind."

However, during the course of last season Shaqiri became increasingly frustrated by having to play second fiddle to Ribery. Shaqiri is team player and has been praised for his character at Bayern but he is also acutely aware of his own worth. He has faith in his ability and his performances in Brazil only reinforced his belief that not only did he want regular football, he deserved it.

"I'm now looking to take the next step," he explained. "I want to be starting the important matches too."

Consequently, Shaqiri sought a summer move away from Bavaria, with Liverpool, Roma and Juventus vying for his services. Bayern wouldn't let him leave, though, as the powers that be at the Allianz Arena are just as aware of Shaqiri's qualities as the player himself. Only last year, sporting director Matthias Sammer described him as "world class", while club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the idea of selling the Swiss had never even entered his head - despite the widespread interest in the player.

"We've had several enquiries from teams in England and Italy," he revealed. "But I've never had a conversation [about selling him] because we are convinced he will have a good career with us. He must stay healthy, [but] the coach [Pep Guardiola] is convinced by him. Xherdan is an important player for the future. There are no thoughts at all about selling him."

Shaqiri accepted Bayern's stance with customary grace. But he continues to cut a frustrated figure. After starting the DFL-Supercup against Borussia Dortmund and the DFB-Pokal clash with Preussen Munster, he was relegated to the bench for the Bundesliga opener against Wolfsburg. His disappointment was obvious.

"The coach has decided it, so you have to accept it. I have to deal with it and try to impose myself [on the team]. Clearly you're disappointed if you are not in the starting line-up. We must not talk about transfers, though, it has been talked about enough. I only answer questions regarding the game.”

However, whether he likes it or not, the questions are not going to go away. Nor are his own doubts. Particularly as he is such a central figure with Switzerland, with former boss Ottmar Hitzfeld having helped Shaqiri realise his full potential by deploying him as a No.10 at the World Cup. He is unlikely to ever be given such freedom by Guardiola at the Allianz Arena.

Hitzfeld, of course, is a Bayern legend and he has advised his star man to remain in Bavaria. "Xherdan currently plays for the best club in the world and has the ability to secure regular first-team action," the German argued. "He should remain patient."

It seems as if Shaqiri is listening as he is now talking about extending his contract, which expires in 2016. However, if he continues to spend more time on the bench than the field, that patience will eventually run out.

With his wonderful technique and remarkable physique (he is know as 'Power Cube' in Germany), Shaqiri is capable of becoming a true footballing superstar. However, he will not develop as he should by merely serving as Ribery's understudy. Leaving Bayern might seem like dropping down a level but Shaqiri now seems to realise that he might have to take one step back in order to make one giant leap forward.

Manchester United exit a huge relief for Kagawa, says Kehl

The former BVB skipper has claimed that the 25-year-old was delighted to leave Old Trafford in favour of a return to the Signal Iduna Park

Sebastian Kehl is hopeful Shinji Kagawa can rediscover his best form at Borussia Dortmund as leavingManchester United this summer was a huge relief for the attacking midfielder.

The Japan international departed BVB in the summer of 2012, but failed to make an impact during two tough seasons at Old Trafford and returned to the Bundesliga giants in August after he was deemed surplus to requirements by new Red Devils boss Louis VAN Gaal.

"You could see that it was a huge relief for Shinji Kagawa [to have left Manchester United for Dortmund]," Kehl was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"It was not an easy situation for him at Manchester in the past few weeks. And then there were some comments from his coach that prompted him to return to Dortmund.

"He gets a lot of faith here. Everything that he's been missing in the past few months, he'll get back here again."

Kagawa won two Bundesliga titles and one DFB Pokal during his first spell at Dortmund.

Liverpool new-boy Can lauds 'exceptional' Anfield

The former Bayer Leverkusen man is yet to play a competitive game in front of the home crowd but has hailed the atmosphere of the historic stadium

New Liverpool signing Emre Can is relishing being able to play at a ground as historic as Anfield.

The Germany Under-21 international arrived on Merseyside from Bayer Leverkusen in the off-season, and started in Liverpool's 4-0 home friendly win over Borussia Dortmund last month.

Can has yet to play at Anfield in a competitive match, but the 20-year-old hailed the special experience of running out at one of football's most iconic venues.

"The atmosphere at Anfield is exceptional," he told the club's official WEBSITE. "Many people around the world know that the stadium has a great atmosphere, and I had heard a lot about it before coming here.

"But the first time you run out at Anfield and experience it, the hair stands up on your neck. It wasn't my best match, the first one, but there are great matches to come for me.

"You can already see the kind of quality that is in this team. A 4-0 victory like that was a good example of what we can achieve.

"There are differences between stadiums in Germany - some are that bit smaller and have less of a buzz among the fans, some of them are a lot bigger and have an incredible atmosphere.

"But Anfield is something else. The fans jump up and down, they cheer throughout. The way they sing, the scarves, it's the goose bumps again."

Gomez: Being booed 'not so dramatic'

Germany forward Mario Gomez has played down the boos he received from his own fans during the 4-2 friendly loss to Argentina on Wednesday.

The Fiorentina striker missed a string of good chances in Dusseldorf on his comeback to the national team after an injury-ridden year.

However, Gomez understands the fans' feelings and has acknowledged that he let his side down with his profligacy in front of goal.

"I had chances - I have to take them," he is quoted as saying by Bild.

"I don't think the fans' reaction is so dramatic. Lots of them were hoping I would score goals, but I didn't. We lost the game because I did not score."

Germany kick off their European Championship qualification campaign on Sunday with a clash against Scotland in Dortmund.

AFC U-16 C’ship: Syria 0-0 Saudi Arabia

Bangkok: Syria and Saudi ArabiaSHARED a hard-fought goalless draw at the AFC U-16 Championship on Sunday as both sides began their campaigns in Group D with a SHARE of the spoils at Rajamangala Stadium.

Syria custodian William Ghannam was the busier of the two goalkeepers, although it was opposite number Salman Al Saeed who was the most relieved after allowing Anas Aji's first half strike to slip through his fingers only to recover just in time.

But with neither side able to find a breakthrough after the duo also shared a goalless draw during last year's qualifiers, the pair sit in a tie for second place in Group D after the opening round of fixtures following Iran's earlier 3-2 win over Qatar.

"Without doubt the first game in any tournament has a special type of pressure especially as we had not played any friendly international matches before the finals. We did, though, have a small picture of Saudi Arabia before the game as we played them in the qualifiers," said Syria coach Mohamed Al Attar, who must now prepare his side to face Qatar on Tuesday.

"We managed the rhythm of the game especially in the second half and had so many chances to make goals. Saudi Arabia are a good team and they have some good elements and also had some good chances to score.

"I am satisfied with my team. No doubt we had a higher percentage of possession and we made use of the talents of our players and had a lot of shots on goal. I am not satisfied with the end result, but one point is better than nothing."

Following a hard-fought first half of few clear-cut chances between two evenly matched sides, Saudi Arabia looked to have created an opening three minutes before half-time, but after being found in space inside the penalty area by Khalid Hazazi, Majed Al Ammari pushed his effort wide of the post with the goal seemingly at his mercy.

But it was Syria who thought they would be taking the lead into half-time as goalkeeper Al Saeed allowed Aji's rising strike from just outside the penalty area to slip through his fingers, but as Syria celebrated as the ball headed towards the goal, Saudi Arabia continued with the assistant referee on the far side of the field unmoved as the custodian recovered.

Saudi Arabia started the second half brightly with goalkeeper Ghannam kept busy inside the opening minutes, although Syria recovered as the half progressed and began to equally contribute to a hard-fought contest.

But Syria were indebted again to Ghannam with 12 minutes remaining as the goalkeeper produced a superb one-handed reflex save to palm away Rashed Al Salem's strike after the Saudi Arabia substitute had been found in space inside the penalty area.

And Syria almost took full advantage in stoppage time, but fortunately for Saudi Arabia, Majed Al Ammari was on hand to clear Mohamad Kawakbi's header off the goalline.

"The first game is always difficult for the players, but we are happy with a 0-0 draw as Syria had two good opportunities in the second half," said Saudi Arabia coach Antonio Ruiz, who must now prepare his side to face Iran on Tuesday.

"We also had two or three chances and one really good chance in the second half. It was possible to lose this game, but we did not win as Syria are a good team with good players."

Modric signs new four-year deal at Real Madrid

Real Madrid have announced midfielder Luka Modric has signed a new four-year deal at the Spanish club.

Madrid confirmed the news via a short statement on their website and Twitter account.

[JAMES SCORES BUT ATLETI HOLD REAL MADRID]

Modric, 28, signed for Madrid from Tottenham in 2012 and last season PLAYED a key role in their successful Champions League and Copa del Rey campaigns.