Hudson takes over at Qatari club a week after quitting American job

Hudson takes over at Qatari club a week after quitting American job
Anthony Hudson has agreed a two-year deal to guide Al Markhiya in the Qatari soccer league. (AFP)
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Updated 07 June 2023
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Hudson takes over at Qatari club a week after quitting American job

Hudson takes over at Qatari club a week after quitting American job
  • Anthony Hudson has agreed a two-year deal to guide Al Markhiya in the Qatari soccer league
  • The club posted confirmation of the two-year contract on social media platforms

DOHA: Anthony Hudson has agreed a two-year deal to guide Al Markhiya in the Qatari soccer league a week after quitting as interim head coach of the US men’s national team.
The club posted confirmation of the two-year contract on its social media platforms late Wednesday, saying Hudson’s immediate goal is to help Al Markhiya improve on the seventh-place finish it achieved in its first season after promotion to the Qatar Stars League.
Hudson quit as interim head coach of the US men’s team last week, just two weeks before he was to lead the Americans in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.
He was replaced by BJ Callaghan. At the time, the US Soccer Federation said Hudson was taking a job with a club but not identify the team or the role.
Hudson had been appointed to the US job on Jan. 4, and guided the Americans to two wins, one loss and two draws. His five games were the fewest for a US coach since John Kowalski in 1991.


Spain celebrate World Cup victory with record crowd for Switzerland romp

Spain celebrate World Cup victory with record crowd for Switzerland romp
Updated 27 September 2023
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Spain celebrate World Cup victory with record crowd for Switzerland romp

Spain celebrate World Cup victory with record crowd for Switzerland romp
  • Captains Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes presented the trophy to jubilant supporters in Cordoba and the squad sported wristbands reading “It’s Over“
  • The two eventual Nations League finalists qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris

CORDOVA, SPAIN: Spain’s Women’s World Cup winners were given a rapturous reception as they played for the first time at home after their triumph, thrashing Switzerland 5-0 in the Nations League on Tuesday in front of a record crowd.

Captains Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes presented the trophy to jubilant supporters in Cordoba and the squad sported wristbands reading “It’s Over” — a nod to the charge the players are leading in the protracted battle for equality.

La Roja’s triumph in Australia and New Zealand in August was regrettably tarnished by the behavior of former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales, who forcibly kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony.

The disgraced chief resigned, while controversial coach Jorge Vilda was sacked, but dozens of internationals stayed on strike, demanding further federation improvements.

Eventually the majority of new coach Montse Tome’s squad agreed to participate in the Nations League matches, despite being called up against their will, as the Spanish government intervened to broker a deal between the federation and the players.

Hermoso was not included in the squad, which Tome said was to “protect” her.

Spain beat Sweden 3-2 in Gothenburg last Friday and then crushed Switzerland to take a stranglehold on top spot in League A Group 4.

The two eventual Nations League finalists qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

Spain earned a new record home attendance of 14,194 supporters, albeit a far cry from the 76,000 in Sydney that watched their first World Cup triumph.

“We really wanted to celebrate the World Cup with the fans, we’re proud to see the stadium full today,” said Bonmati.

Various players spoke of the anxiety and stress they suffered last week before the win over Sweden, as well as the tiredness and sleepless nights they accumulated after the World Cup, and before a deal was reached.

UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Aitana Bonmati said the situation was “calming down” before the visit of Switzerland and players were glad to focus on the football once again.

There was a party atmosphere at the Nuevo Arcangel stadium, with chants of “champions of the world” ringing out around the ground.

However, the team’s fight against sexism remained in the spotlight, as players from both sides held up a banner with the “It’s Over” slogan, used by Hermoso and other stars in the wake of the Rubiales incident.

“Our fight is the global fight,” the banner continued. World Cup runners-up England, Australia and other national teams have sent messages of support to the Spain squad over the past month, encouraging their protest action.

Spain thrashed Switzerland 5-1 in the World Cup round of 16 and dominated again from the start on a muggy Cordoba night.

Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Putellas lashed over early on, while Eva Navarro spurned two good chances.

Lucia Garcia sent La Roja ahead after Mariona Caldentey intercepted a poor pass from Switzerland goalkeeper Elvira Herzog after 15 minutes.

The unfortunate stopper was culpable again for the second goal, when she fumbled Bonmati’s soft volley from Olga Carmona’s cross over the line in first-half stoppage time.

Barcelona playmaker and World Cup player of the tournament Bonmati pounced again after the break with a higher calibre strike, steering home superbly from the edge of the box.

Inma Gabarro tapped in the fourth after Herzog spilled Athenea del Castillo’s shot into her path.

Real Madrid’s Maite Oroz saved the best for last with a sensational half-volley from outside the area which ripped into the top corner.

Spain made it clear once again that despite the toll their fight for equality is taking, on the pitch they are head and shoulders above the rest.

“The positive thing is we got over our problems, we were able to think about football, to change the focus,” Tome told reporters.

“These (games) were my debut as a coach, my first time, and I told the players I was proud I was doing it with them.

“I learned some things ... and I’m sure that when I think about it, down the line, that it has been very useful.”


Jordan Spieth says the US must win Ryder Cup on European soil

Jordan Spieth says the US must win Ryder Cup on European soil
Updated 27 September 2023
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Jordan Spieth says the US must win Ryder Cup on European soil

Jordan Spieth says the US must win Ryder Cup on European soil
  • The majority of the US team were not even born in 1993, when their country last won a Ryder Cup on European soil
  • Spieth is jointly the most experienced Ryder Cup player on the US team with four tournaments under his belt, level with Rickie Fowler

ROME: Jordan Spieth said Tuesday that the US can’t claim supremacy in the Ryder Cup until they beat Europe on their own turf, something the Americans have not done in 30 years.

The majority of the US team were not even born in 1993, when their country last won a Ryder Cup on European soil, which Spieth says should help them end the hoodoo come the start of the tournament in Rome on Friday.

Spieth is jointly the most experienced Ryder Cup player on the US team with four tournaments under his belt, level with Rickie Fowler who is the only non-rookie in the 12-man American lineup to miss the US’s record 19-9 in Wisconsin win two years ago.

“I said it at Whistling Straits... I said that this is really nice but until we win one over there, nobody can talk about a change in the Ryder Cup,” Spieth told reporters.

“I think it’s going to be a really, really good match this year. I think they have guys that are playing fantastic golf, especially of late, and really good form with an unbelievable crowd behind them.

“And we’ve got a really tall task, but we have a phenomenal group of guys as well.”

Patrick Cantlay, who is playing in his first Ryder Cup on the opposing side of the Atlantic Ocean after winning three of his four matches in 2021, will try to turn the passion of the home crowd to the US’s advantage.

Fans in Italy will offer a strong backing denied to Europe two years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic which led to travel restrictions to the US.

“I think it’s definitely the idea to turn it into fuel and, you know, try and internalize it and frame it in a way that helps you and propels you forward,” Cantlay said.

“Any of that stuff I think is just in this format, really, makes it what it is. I mean, you want people to care and try get under your skin in this tournament.”


Barcelona’s winning streak ends with 2-2 draw at Mallorca in Spanish league

Barcelona’s winning streak ends with 2-2 draw at Mallorca in Spanish league
Updated 27 September 2023
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Barcelona’s winning streak ends with 2-2 draw at Mallorca in Spanish league

Barcelona’s winning streak ends with 2-2 draw at Mallorca in Spanish league
  • The result left the Catalan club in danger of relinquishing the lead when the remaining midweek games are played
  • Sevilla scored twice in the first 10 minutes and went on to rout Almeria 5-1 for their second league win of the season

MADRID: Barcelona’s five-game winning streak in the Spanish league ended with a 2-2 draw at Mallorca on Tuesday.

Barcelona twice came from behind to salvage the point. They had won five in a row after opening with a draw at Getafe. They also won in their Champions League debut against Antwerp last Tuesday.

The result left the Catalan club in danger of relinquishing the lead when the remaining midweek games are played. They lead Girona by one point and Real Madrid by two points. Girona visit Villarreal on Wednesday, while Madrid host promoted Las Palmas.

“We conceded two goals after defensive mistakes and we can’t allow that to happen,” Barcelona coach Xavi said. “It’s a shame, we lost two points because of these mistakes.”

Mallorca, who squandered a few good chances on counterattacks, have just one win so far and is sitting near the relegation zone with six points.

“It was a fair result, we are satisfied,” Mallorca’s Mexican coach Javier Aguirre said. “A victory would have been too much for us today.”

Mallorca were coming off a 5-3 loss at Girona.

The hosts opened the scoring through Vedat Muriqi in the eighth minute before Raphinha equalized in the 41st. Abdon Prats put Mallorca ahead again just before halftime, and Fermin López sealed the draw in the 75th with what was his first league goal for the Catalan club.

Barcelona had a penalty kick awarded in the 66th, but the decision was reversed by video review.

SEVILLA WIN AGAIN

Sevilla scored twice in the first 10 minutes and went on to rout Almeria 5-1 for their second league win of the season.

Youssef En-Nesyri scored in the seventh minute and Dodi Lukebakio in the eighth, then Suso added another in the 38th before Erik Lamela and Kike Salas closed the scoring in the second half.

It was the fifth loss for Almeria, who remain the only team yet to win a match.

Almeria next host Granada, while Sevilla visit Barcelona.


Garnacho on target as Man United beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in League Cup defense

Garnacho on target as Man United beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in League Cup defense
Updated 27 September 2023
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Garnacho on target as Man United beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in League Cup defense

Garnacho on target as Man United beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in League Cup defense
  • Third-division Exeter produced a shock 1-0 win against Luton to knock the Premier League club out of the competition
  • The League Cup ranks fourth among English soccer’s most important trophies

MANCHESTER: Seven months after lifting the trophy, Manchester United made a successful start to their defense of the English League Cup on Tuesday by beating Crystal Palace 3-0.

Alejandro Garnacho and Casemiro fired the holders into a 2-0 first-half lead at Old Trafford and Anthony Martial added a third after the break in the third-round match.

It is now back-to-back wins for Erik ten Hag’s team, which has endured a disappointing start to the season.

The dominant performance against an understrength Palace followed Saturday’s narrow victory at Burnley and will give United fans hope the team has turned its form around.

“The mood is always good, but of course when you are not winning at United there is disappointment, and there is frustration, but the togetherness is always there,” Ten Hag said. “We know we are not now in the position where we want to be. So we have to build up, we have to catch up and then you have to go from game to game, working on the process and working on the results. Don’t get too far ahead.”

The League Cup ranks fourth among English soccer’s most important trophies. But Ten Hag still savored last season’s success.

Victory against Newcastle in February’s final at Wembley Stadium ended the club’s six-year wait for a trophy and saw Ten Hag deliver silverware in his first season at the club. He went on to also reach the FA Cup final, only to lose to Manchester City, and also guided United back into the Champions League to mark an impressive campaign.

Things have not gone so well this term, with his team losing four out of five games before beating Burnley 1-0.

This latest victory was far more convincing, even if Palace benched regular starters Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Joachim Anderson and was also without forward Odsonne Edouard.

Ten Hag also made changes with Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund on the bench and Christian Eriksen absent.

Mason Mount, however, made his first appearance since Aug. 19 after returning from an injury.

Garnacho fired United ahead in the 21st minute after converting Diogo Dalot’s cutback in the box.

His low shot had too much power for Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who had only just come on as a substitute for the injured Dean Henderson.

Johnstone was tested again moments later when Dalot blasted an effort from an angle, which the keeper blocked.

He was beaten again, however, in the 27th, this time by Casemiro, who headed in Mount’s corner to double United’s lead.

Martial added a third 10 minutes into the second half when firing across goal after meeting Casemiro’s looping ball to the far post.

United plays Palace again in the Premier League on Saturday and the Londoners showed their threat when twice forcing saves from ‘keeper Andre Onana later in the match. But manager Roy Hodgson did not sound confident about securing a different outcome when the teams next meet.

“We are going to have to become a totally different team in the way we approach the game and the way we play the game,” he said.

CUP UPSETS

Third-division Exeter produced a shock 1-0 win against Luton to knock the Premier League club out of the competition. Luton made 10 changes from the team that picked up its first topflight point of the season against Wolverhampton on Saturday, but the result will still go down as a big upset. Demetri Mitchell scored the winner in the 83rd, but Exeter had to see out the game with 10 men after he was sent off in the 88th.

Wolverhampton was also eliminated after throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at second-division Ipswich. Hwang Hee-Chan and Toti Gomes had seemingly put the visitors on course for the next round after goals inside the first 15 minutes. But Omari Hutchinson, Freddie Ladapo and Jack Taylor sealed a comeback win for Ipswich.

BURNLEY ADVANCE

Burnley are still waiting for their first win in the league this season, but they are powering on in the cup after a 4-0 win against Salford City, the fourth division club co-owned by Manchester United greats including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough beat Bradford 2-0 and Port Vale won 2-1 against Sutton United.

Fourth-division Mansfield beat third-division Peterborough 3-1 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. Lucas Akins’ penalty to even the score in the 93rd had sent the game to a shootout.


Saudi basketball team gets off to a winning start at Asian Games in Huangzhou

Saudi basketball team gets off to a winning start at Asian Games in Huangzhou
Updated 27 September 2023
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Saudi basketball team gets off to a winning start at Asian Games in Huangzhou

Saudi basketball team gets off to a winning start at Asian Games in Huangzhou
  • The Kingdom’s players record an 86-62 victory over Kazakhstan in their opening game
  • In the equestrian competitions, Saudi rider Samantha Al-Saifi qualifies for second round of dressage finals

In their opening match at the Asian Games in Huangzhou, the Saudi basketball team on Tuesday defeated Kazakhstan 86-62 points, after building a 41-28 lead during the first half.

In the equestrian competitions, meanwhile, Saudi rider Samantha Al-Saifi qualified for the second round of the dressage finals with a score of 57.617 points. 

In the Skeet-shooting competition, Saudi team members Hatem Al-Shammari, Saed Al-Mutairi and Prince Saud Al-Hassan finished in 20th, 26th and 36th positions respectively after the first day. The trio will compete in further rounds on Wednesday morning. 

Saudi fencer Khalifa Al-Amiri was eliminated from the individual epee competition after losing in the round of 16. Teammate Ahmed Al-Hussain exited the competition in the round of 32. In the women’s competition, Saudi competitors Al-Hanouf Al-Hammad and Ruba Al-Masri finished 19th and 20th respectively in the epee competition. 

Saudi Taekwondo hopeful Zakaria Ghali, who was competing in the under-63kg category, was eliminated after a two rounds-to-zero defeat in the round of 16 by Lebanese rival Ralph Henninia.