Football Briefs: FC Goa to be coached by former Barca assistant manager

FC Goa have signed Sergio Lobera Rodriguez as the head coach on a two-year deal and he will take over the reins from the first week of July.

The Spaniard, who has previously coached UD Las Palmas and Moghreb Tetouan in Morocco amongst others, was also part of the late Tito Vilanova's backroom staff during his tenure as the head coach of FC Barcelona.

"I see FC Goa as the ideal step in my career and hope to achieve the best results for the club. The passion for football in Goa is well documented and I'm keen to ensure that we play an attacking brand of football that the people of Goa can be proud of," said the new coach.

"I'm convinced that the club is ideally placed to compete in not just the ISL but across the youth level. Having seen the plans in place for the entire youth set-up and the grassroots program, I'm keen to play my part in helping the club work towards a unified playing philosophy, which will extend beyond the realms of the club to all young footballers in Goa who are keen to take up the game," Rodriguez added.

Veltman at the double as Netherlands thump Ivory Coast

Defender Joel Veltman scored twice as the Netherlands found form with a record 5-0 win over Ivory Coast in their international friendly in Rotterdam on Sunday.

Goals from Arjen Robben, Davy Klaassen and Vincent Janssen compounded the misery for the Ivorians, who suffered their heaviest ever defeat in international football.

The result is a boost for returning Dutch manager Dick Advocaat, who takes over the side from caretaker Fred Grim after this fixture and is hoping to bring confidence back to the team as they look to rekindle their World Cup qualification campaign.

The match provided the perfect build-up to their next qualifier against Luxembourg at the same venue on Friday.

The Dutch are fourth at the halfway stage in European Group A with seven points from five matches, six points behind France, three behind second-placed Sweden and two short of Bulgaria.

Fourth time lucky as Girona finally reach La Liga

Girona were promoted to La Liga for the first time in their history after drawing 0-0 with Zaragoza on Sunday.

The result confirms they will finish second in the Spanish second division behind winners Levante, with one game to spare, joining fellow Catalan sides Barcelona and Espanyol in the top flight next season.

Girona, founded in 1930, have come close to reaching the top flight on multiple occasions, with defeats in the playoffs in 2013, 2015 and 2016.

The dull draw suited both teams perfectly, Zaragoza’s point also confirming they will stay in the same tier after flirting with relegation.

Image: Sergio Lobera Rodriguez

Photograph: Twitter