“There isn’t an exact date yet. I have the last exam, if I’m not mistaken, I’m not sure, on May 17,” the Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil forward told a press conference in Sao Paulo.

“I’ll be cleared to play. Then I’ll see, it depends on how things develop, it depends on my next exams…. It has not been decided,” he said.

The timing leaves the world’s most expensive footballer in a tight race to feature again for PSG with the freshly crowned French champion’s season ending on May 19 with a game against Caen.

However, his prospects for starring in Brazil’s much fancied side at the World Cup in Russia, which runs from June 14 to July 15, look much better. Brazil open their campaign on June 17 against Switzerland in Rostov.

“I hope I won’t watch the World Cup on TV,” Neymar joked, calling the tournament a “dream”.

“I will have enough time to prepare,” he said at the press conference, where he walked with crutches and his foot immobilized in a medical boot. “It’s evolving well.”

With the enforced rest period Neymar added, “I will arrive better than I was before.”

Neymar, 26, broke a bone in his right foot on February 25 in a Ligue 1 game against Marseille, before returning to his home country for surgery and rehabilitation.

Brazil’s national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, performed surgery on March 3 and then estimated that Neymar would be out for “two-and-a-half to three months”.

In his absence, PSG were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in the last 16 in March.

Brazil will also face Costa Rica and Serbia in their group, as they target winning a sixth World Cup, four years after the nightmare of their 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals on home soil in 2014.

For now, Neymar said he spends much of his time playing poker, his “favorite pastime,” and “playing video games and going on the computer”.

Not that he enjoys the couch potato experience much.

“There are doubts, of course. I feel them too. But it’s normal for a guy who ended up injured. This was the first surgery in my career,” he said. “It’s really hard seeing my team score and becoming champions without me being with them.”

“Still, I am more rested,” he said. “We have to look on the bright side.”

After making two major errors during the match, goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold emerged as Australia’s unlikely hero, making three saves in the shootout, leaving Sam Kerr to convert the kick which took them to their third consecutive final.

Thailand, led by the magnificent Kanjana Sung-Ngeon, pushed the favourites to their limit in a performance worthy of one Asia’s top four teams, but fell just short of completing the upset of the tournament.

Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic made six charges to the side which had started against Japan four days earlier, with Sam Kerr, Emily van Egmond, Steph Cately and Lydia Williams among the regulars to be omitted.

Having breezed to a 5-0 win against the same opposition just 22 days prior, Australia were widely expected to have the measure of the Thais but the first half proved to be a much tighter contest than many expected.

Australia dominated possession and early chances, and – despite committed Thai defending – took the lead when Chaba Kaew defender Kanchanaporn Saenkhun unfortunately headed a dangerous Emily Gielnik cross into her own net in the 17th minute.

Thailand immediately equalised when Kanjana Sung-Ngeon got in behind Australia’s high defensive line before lobbing the ball in the direction of Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who made a dreadful error to fumble the ball across the goal-line.

Australia responded with a number of forays forward, but while their dominance of possession and territory continued, so too did Thailand’s counter-attacking threat.

The Southeast Asians came close to scoring again in the 41st minute when Kanjana rounded Arnold and saw her shot blocked by Laura Alleway, with Ellie Carpenter denying Taneekarm Dangda in similar fashion from the rebound.

Stajcic brought on Catley into the fray at half time, and the defender almost allowed Kanjana to double tally when her error allowed the Thai forward a shot on goal, but Arnold saved Silawan Intamee blazed the follow-up high over the crossbar.

Thailand sensationally took a 2-1 lead in the 64th minute when Thongsombut Rattikan slammed a brilliant 15-metre shot into the top corner after errors from both Arnold and Kennedy.

Australia were in a state of panic, and almost coughed up another goal when Kanjana got in behind the defence yet again to force a save from Arnold in the 68th minute, and Stajcic introduced star striker Kerr at the earliest opportunity thereafter.

The favourites ramped up the pressure; Logarzo’s scooped just above the crossbar in the 73rd minute, and fired a well-struck drive just wide six minutes later, before Kerr missed a difficult chance, then hit the crossbar with a looping header in the 84th minute.

Thailand’s task become more difficult when Wilaiporn Boothduang was sent off just three minutes from time for a second bookable offence, and Alanna Kennedy gave the Matildas a lifeline in the first minute of injury time, when she rose to head home Elise Kellond-Knight’s pin-point corner and make it 2-2.

For the second time in as many matches, the Matildas had scored in the dying moments of a match to stay in the tournament and, with a numerical advantage, entered extra-time a strong position.

Another foiled Kanjana break away had Australian hearts in mouths in the 107th minute, before a goalmouth scramble saved the Thais minutes later.

Kerr had a gilt-edged chance to win the game in the 118th minute but she poked her side-foot volley narrowly over the crossbar from just eight metres out, and the teams headed to the penalty spot to decide the match.

In a gripping shootout, Emily van Egmond’s miss gave the Thais the early advantage, before Arnold went from villain to hero with three consecutive saves, allowing Kerr to slot the decisive kick and take Australia to Friday’s final.

The victory confirmed that the Thai League champions would follow group leader Guangzhou Evergrade into the last 16.

After a scoreless first half, Buriram broke the ice when Sasalak Haiprakhon found Korrakot Wiriyaudomsiri unmarked at the back post and passed the ball to the latter to tap the ball into an empty net.

Buriram will host the next game with the  winner of Group E on May 8 and play the away match on May 15.

The F4F programme, supported by Gazprom and FIFA aims at developing youth football and a healthy lifestyle as well as promoting tolerance, open-mindedness and respect of different cultures and nationalities between children from across the globe. Thailand joins the programme for the first time and will participate alongside 210 other countries and regions.

Ittipolchana will join Young footballers from around the world in Moscow in June 2018. The children will be a part of the 32 International Teams of Friendship and play against each other in the Gazprom FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP International Championship. The friendly tournament aims to bring together children from around the world and celebrate the unifying spirit of football.

Preechayan will act as the young journalist and report on all the local and global activities of the F4F programme as part of the International Children’s Press Center. He will also spread awareness on the Nine Values (friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour) of the F4F programme.

Ittipolchana and Preechayan will also participate in the Sixth Football for Friendship International Children’s Forum in Russia, which will allow youngsters to meet their peers from other countries, share their experiences, and discuss with famous footballers and journalists on how to promote key values of the F4F Programme around the world

The sixth season of the F4F programme will conclude with a visit by the participating children to the opening ceremony and the first match of the FIFA World Cup 2018

A sports enthusiast, Ittipolchana started playing football at the age of 5. Ittipolchana has participated in football tournaments across the country and was named the best player of the year of his school football team for 6 consecutive years. He currently plays for his school team, AFA Ascot, and dreams to play for a professional football club in the future. This talented, young footballer believes it is important to promote friendship, equality and peace because he believes that we need each of these three things to brighten our world.

Preechayan Piyachatiwong

Preechayan is a football enthusiast who likes to read and research about sports. A firm believer in the power of friendship, he believes that everyone should help one another and respect each other regardless of one’s ethnicity, gender, religion and status.

Speaking on the selection of the young ambassadors by the Football Association of Thailand, International Relation Officer Mr. Parkpoom Potivetgul said, “The selection of the young ambassadors from Thailand is an extension of our support to this unique global initiative. The programme is a wonderful opportunity for the ambassadors to build ties of friendship among children from around the world and foster peace and harmony through the beautiful game of football. We wish our young ambassadors all the best for the programme and look forward to their contribution in promoting the key values of the programme, in Russia, as well as in Thailand”

BACKGROUND

Since 2013, PJSC Gazprom has been organizing the International Children’s social programme Football for Friendship. The key values promoted by the programme participants include friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, tradition and honour. The participants are Young Players (girls and boys, including those physically challenged), as well as Young Journalists covering the F4F events within the framework of the The Football for Friendship International Children’s Press Center. Geographical scope of the programme expand annually: from 8 countries in 2013 to 211 countries in 2018. For the past five years, more than 3,700 people have participated in the programme. Football for Friendship is supported by FIFA, UEFA, International Olympic Committee, football federations of various countries, international children’s charity funds, and world’s leading football clubs.

32 International Teams of Friendship were formed during the Open Draw, as well as playing roles for each Young Player from each country (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or forward) were determined. After definition of the roles for the Young Players, their coaches will be selected this way: 19 countries which will represent the Young Coaches were defined in an unpredictable manner as a result of an Open Draw, 11 coaches will be chosen from the cities hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, 2 Young Coaches will be selected from the best participants of the previous seasons of the Football for Friendship programme.

Bach, who is in Bangkok for the SportAccord Summit,  paid a visit to the Thai premier on Tuesday afternoon at the Government House.

PM Prayuth and the IOC chief discussed several issues, Weerachon said. One of the topics was a request by the government leader to add muay Thai into the 33^rd edition in Paris in 2022.

According to Sports Authority of Thailand governor Sakon Wannapong, Bach explained to the Thai premier that the Thai martial arts must meet several IOC criteria including its global popularity, development, background and its development among the juniors. Moreover, the sport must be approved by IOC member countries in order to be included in the Games.

There have been long attempts  by the Olympic Committee of Thailand to promote muay Thai and sepak takraw at Olympic level but they have never succeeded as the two disciplines are mostly competed in Asia only.

Weerachon also said the IOC president had been impressed by the country’s proposal to host the 2026 Youth Olympics, the first country to put its hand up.

The PM also informed Bach that his government was trying to make the country become a regional sports hub and at the same time promote sports tourism.

In attendance were Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, Chatri Sityodtong, main event combatants Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of Baguio City, Philippines and Andrew Leone of Cortland, New York, USA, global kickboxing superstar Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan and opponent ‘Smokin’ Jo Nattawut of Thailand, among others.

Belingon (17-5), who is currently riding a four-bout winning streak, takes on former bantamweight world title challenger Leone (8-3) in a contest with huge title implications. Both Belingon and Leone are seeking a rematch against reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes, but will have to go through each other to secure it.

“I know Andrew Leone is a tough opponent, and I need to be at my best to win. It’s going to be one of my biggest matches to date,” said Belingon. “I am very thankful to ONE Championship for allowing me to be a part of this historic event. I can’t leave anything to chance. I have to give another great performance. Beating Leone would be the next step to the title.”

Belingon’s opponent Leone also knows what’s at stake in this matchup, and he isn’t taking the Filipino lightly by any means.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me. I can’t wait to go up there and show what I can do, to perform to the best of my ability,” said Leone. “Kevin Belingon is a tough guy. He’s a hard puncher and he has power. But I’m not worried about his striking. I’ve faced tough guys before. All I can say is that I’ll be ready.”

ONE: HEROES OF HONOR also marks the world premiere of the highly-anticipated ONE Super Series. Announced earlier this year, ONE Super Series aims to provide the world’s best martial artists a prestigious global platform to showcase the beauty of Asia’s striking arts such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo, Kung Fu, wushu, sanda, silat, lethwei, and more.

“It’s an open invitation to the greatest strikers in the world,” said Sityodtong. “Fans will witness the absolute elite in striking martial arts, as they go head-to-head on the biggest and most prestigious global stage of competition.”

With ONE Super Series, ONE Championship is now considered the largest martial arts organization in the world. While competing promotions do offer a similar product, according to Sityodtong, they only offer one flavor of martial arts as opposed to ONE Championship which hosts bouts across all styles of martial arts.

“Aside from the many great bouts this Friday night, what I’m most excited about is the launch of ONE Super Series. ONE Championship is the only global player to encompass all styles of martial arts,” said Sityodtong. “We have the best in all styles going up against each other. That’s definitely something to look forward to.”

Making his appearance in the co-main event of the evening, kickboxing elite Giorgio Petrosyan is elated at his chance to leverage ONE Championship’s massive worldwide audience reach. Broadcast to a potential 1.7 billion on any given night to over 136 countries worldwide, ONE Super Series will harness the full potential of ONE Championship’s global influence in order to highlight the greatest in striking martial arts.

And while the promotion is gearing up for a very busy mid-year, Sityodtong teases that there are plenty more surprises to come, including the highly-anticipated launch of ONE Championship’s new mobile app, slated to arrive in the coming months.

“The new ONE Championship mobile app is a true game changer in the world of martial arts,” said Sityodtong. “Soon, fans will have access to all our blockbuster live events and complete library of Hi-Definition content in the palm of their hands, all for free, and you can watch from anywhere in the world. It’s going to take ONE Championship to the next level.”

Before the end of the press conference, Sityodtong also revealed plans to establish a professional boxing league in addition to ONE Super Series, inviting the greatest boxers from the Philippines and around the world to join the promotion.

Also in attendance at the press conference were main card competitors Honorio “The Rock” Banario of Team Lakay, opponent Adrian “The Hunter” Pang of Australia, as well as various ONE Championship athletes who mixed in with the crowd and participated in the festivities.

United crashed to a shock 1-0 home defeat against bottom of the table Albion on Sunday as Jay Rodriguez sealed the visitors’ first Premier League win in three months.

The limp performance gift-wrapped the Premier League title for arch rivals Manchester City and left United boss Mourinho seething.

He accused his players of resting on their laurels after beating City two weeks ago.

Now Mourinho will take action when he selects his team for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth and Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham at Wembley.

“Rotating is not the right word,” Mourinho said. “If I play a player against Bournemouth and the player is phenomenal, he plays the semi-final.

“So is not rotating, because rotating looks like a player that plays against Bournemouth is to give a rest to somebody that is going to play against Spurs in the semi-final.

“So, the word is not rotation, it is an opportunity for people, for some people to play and to try to get a place in the team for Spurs – and some of the guys that played (against West Brom), they don’t have a place in that team.”

Asked to clarify if he meant that some of those who under-performed against West Brom would now not play against Tottenham, Mourinho retorted: “Yeah.

“What is the criteria for a manager to choose a team? I only know one criteria: the way you play is the only way I can select players.

“Or do you want me to go for the price they cost, or their salary, or their beautiful face? The only way is to go with performance.”

Ander Herrera was replaced at half-time on Sunday and Ashley Young was taken off in the 75th minute, while Paul Pogba was withdrawn in the 58th minute.

The France midfielder was a shadow of the imposing, match-winning presence seen in the second half against City.

“It was not just him,” Mourinho said of Pogba’s performance.

“And he had a yellow card, so he was in a more difficult position than others.

“And playing with only two midfield players, you cannot play with one player in risk of not being able to make a foul.

“You can do it if your team is not losing the ball, but our team was losing the ball so easy with the complication, everything was complicated, so we were losing lots of balls.

“So, by losing lots of balls, with turnings and flicks and tricks, the midfield players and central defenders are at risk of one touch, one late challenge and they are out.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion split from Andre Agassi and Radek Stepanek earlier this month and has been training with Vajda for the last 10 days in Monaco.

“It’s a fresh start I think for both of us. I missed him. I have a feeling that he missed me or tennis or both,” Djokovic said after a confident 6-0, 6-1 thrashing of Dusan Lajovic in the first round.

“He knows me better than any tennis coach I’ve worked with.

“He’s a friend. He’s someone I can share a lot of things with, whether it’s professional or private life. He’s always there for me.”

Djokovic confirmed he is not yet working with Vajda on a full-time basis, after the two parted ways following last year’s tournament in Monte Carlo.

The 30-year-old also played down reports of a rift between him and Agassi, thanking the American for “helping his career” over an 11-month period.

“This doesn’t affect our personal relationships that we established over the years both with Radek and Andre,” he said.

“But we just decided that it’s better to part ways because, you know, both sides did feel that that’s best for me and for them.”

Monday’s win was his first since the Australian Open in January, after being dumped out in Indian Wells and Miami by Taro Daniel and Benoit Paire respectively.

The Serb said he is now playing pain-free, after struggling with a right elbow injury.

“After two years, finally I can play without pain,” added Djokovic.

“Indian Wells, Miami, especially Indian Wells, was not like that.

“I still obviously wasn’t ready game-wise, physically. So Indian Wells and Miami were really kind of a struggle on the court for me mentally.

“I know that I can play much better than that, but I couldn’t.”

The IOC chief is in town to attend the ongoing SportAccord Summit due from 15-20 in the capital. He stopped by to observe the practice and chat with competitors from many sports, including athletics, badminton, volleyball, weightlifting, taekwondo, karate, women’s boxing and futsal.) at the Sports Authority of Thailand.

“I’m happy to meet and talk with the Thai athletes as they are training for upcoming events like the Asian Games, Youth Olympics and the Olympics in 2020,” said the German, who also gave Thai athletes IOC pins as souvenirs.

“As Thailand has been on the rise in their sports performance, we will see Thai athletes become more successful in the next Olympics,” added Bach, the former Olympic fencer who also played badminton, volleyball and futsal with the athletes.

Thailand won two weightlifting gold medals, two silvers from weightlifting and taekwando, plus two bronzes from those two sports at Rio 2016.

Bach also announced afterwards that Thailand had become the first country to apply to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2026.

“This proves that Thailand is committed to the Olympic movement,” the IOC president said.

“Thailand still have plenty of time to plan for the bid and observe when we choose the 2022 host at a meeting in Buenos Aires in October.”

Asked about the possibility of favourite Thai sports sepak takraw and Thai boxing one day being included in the Olympics, Bach said it was not easy as Olympic sports needed to be universally popular and many disciplines had already been included in the competition.

Bach did, however, praise Thai badminton chief Kunying Patama Leesawadtrakul for the role she had played in raising badminton in Thailand to a world-class level and for becoming the country’s  first female member of the IOC.

Fuelled by the majestic form of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and company, City have sent records tumbling, including notching an incredible 18 successive top-flight wins.

They could yet beat three significant Premier League landmarks set by Chelsea — the highest points tally of 95 in 2004-2005, the most wins in a season at 30 in 2016-2017 and the most goals scored at 103 in 2009-2010.

Manchester United’s shock 1-0 defeat to West Brom on Sunday saw City match another record by winning the league with five games to spare.

But where do they rank among the Premier League’s most celebrated sides?

“It doesn’t take a genius to tell us Manchester City are playing scintillating football right now. Some of the best we have ever seen in this country? I would say so,” former England captain Alan Shearer said.

But Ryan Giggs, who won 13 titles with Manchester United, believes City need to maintain their dominance for several seasons to join the all-time greats.

“I think to compare them to ourselves, Arsenal and Chelsea, you have to win multiple titles. You have to be consistent, not just one wonder season,” Giggs said.

Arsenal (2003-04)

The pinnacle of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal reign remains the “Invincibles” — only the second team to go through an English top-flight season without losing a single game after Preston’s unbeaten feat in 1889.

Finishing 11 points clear of Chelsea, the Gunners won 26 times and scored 73 goals, but mere numbers do not do justice to their majesty.

Arsenal’s strength lay in their incredible collection of attacking talent, with Thierry Henry the perfect spearhead alongside the sublime Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires.

Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira’s combative presence in midfield shielded a rearguard that, aside from the towering Sol Campbell, had three players in Ashley Cole, Lauren and Kolo Toure who were converted by Wenger into defenders as he put a premium on technical skill.

Manchester United (1998-99)

“Football, bloody hell!” Alex Ferguson said with a bemused smile after United capped the most successful season in the club’s illustrious history.

United had just achieved what many deemed impossible, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and European Cup treble.

An unbelievable comeback in the Champions League final, where goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the final seconds secured a 2-1 win over Bayern Munich, was the crowning glory for Ferguson as he finally got his hands on Europe’s elite club prize.

It was a tribute to Ferguson’s team-building genius that, just two seasons after the departure of the talismanic Eric Cantona, United were once again at the summit — this time thanks to legendary “Class of ’92” graduates Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers.

In the space of 10 incredible days, they pipped Arsenal to the title by a single point, dispatched Newcastle in the FA Cup final and headed to the Camp Nou, where immortality awaited.

Chelsea (2004-05)

Having loudly trumpeted his arrival at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho lived up the “special one” hype in his first season in England.

Mourinho used a powerful blueprint to break Arsenal and Manchester United’s duopoly, focusing on building a defence that, anchored by John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, would concede only 15 goals — less than half the number let in by second-placed Arsenal.

Arjen Robben and Damien Duff’s pace on the wings allowed Chelsea to become a counter-attacking force, with midfielders Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele also producing standout campaigns.

Beaten just once while winning 29 of their 38 games, Chelsea finished 12 points clear to claim their first top-flight title in 50 years, and only the second in the club’s history.

Manchester United (2007-08)

In the midst of winning four titles in five years, this was an increasingly sophisticated United side, reflecting Ferguson’s desire to thrive in Europe as well on domestic soil.

The defending champions were marshalled by Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, with Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick able to intelligently retain possession in midfield.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney formed a lethal attacking trio, with Ronaldo virtually unstoppable as he scored 31 league goals en route to winning the Ballon d’Or.

Winning the title by two points from Chelsea, in the Champions League United saw off Barcelona in the semi-finals and, in the final, beat Chelsea on penalties in the Moscow rain.

Manchester United (1993-94)

No side in Ferguson’s 27-year reign better represented the Scot’s fiercely competitive spirit than this buccaneering group, who mixed a commitment to attack with a mean streak that made them impossible to rattle if the game turned ugly.

Peter Schmeichel was the league’s best goalkeeper, Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister provided a rock-solid foundation in defence, while Roy Keane arrived from Nottingham Forest for a British record fee to form a formidable midfield partnership with Paul Ince.

Lee Sharpe, Andrei Kanchelskis and Giggs cut a dash on the wings, while Cantona provided the inspiration alongside Mark Hughes up front.

United were top of the table after 40 of their 42 matches and eventually finished eight points clear of second-placed Blackburn before thrashing Chelsea 4-0 in the FA Cup final.