Rangers and Mourinho’s Fenerbahce knocked out of Champions League

Rangers and Mourinho’s Fenerbahce knocked out of Champions League
Fenerbahce's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho walks on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round second leg football match between Fenerbahce and Lille at the Fenerbahçe Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on August 13, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 14 August 2024
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Rangers and Mourinho’s Fenerbahce knocked out of Champions League

Rangers and Mourinho’s Fenerbahce knocked out of Champions League
  • Jonathan David’s penalty secured Lille a place in the next round as the French club snatched a 3-2 aggregate victory in Turkiye, marking a disappointing start to Mourinho’s time in charge of Fenerbahce

PARIS: Rangers exited the Champions League after losing 2-0 to Dynamo Kyiv in the second leg of the third qualifying round on Tuesday, while Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce were knocked out by Lille.
Hosts Rangers paid the price for a harsh second yellow card issued to defender Jefte as Dynamo struck twice in the final 10 minutes through substitutes Oleksandr Pikhalonok and Nazar Voloshyn.
Rangers coach Philippe Clement blasted the referee’s decision that left his team with 10 men.
“It’s hard for my team. They don’t deserve this after these two games versus Dynamo Kyiv. One person with one decision made a really big change for us,” Clement told BBC Scotland.
“It’s the second time in my career of over 30 years that something unjust has happened. We can only accept it and move forward toward the league and the Europa League.”
Clement, who is looking to overhaul his squad in an attempt to challenge Celtic, said the defeat would have serious ramifications for the club’s finances.
“Financially, it’s a big difference for the club. It will make a difference for the transfers coming in also. I don’t expect this rebuild to be done in a few weeks’ time.”
Ukrainians Dynamo advanced 3-1 on aggregate and head into a play-off tie against Salzburg, who edged FC Twente 5-4 after a 3-3 draw in the return leg in the Netherlands.
Jonathan David’s penalty secured Lille a place in the next round as the French club snatched a 3-2 aggregate victory in Turkiye, marking a disappointing start to Mourinho’s time in charge of Fenerbahce.
Fenerbahce lost the first leg 2-1 last week and appeared to be going out until Bafode Diakite’s late own goal sent the match to extra time.
Lille substitute Aissa Mandi was sent off on his debut for a reckless challenge on Irfan Can Kahveci, but the visitors were awarded a penalty for a handball by Jayden Oosterwolde and David made no mistake from the spot.
Cenk Tosun then headed against the bar as Lille held on. Their reward is a meeting with Slavia Prague, who were 4-1 aggregate winners over Union Saint-Gilloise.
Slovan Bratislava, who entered in the first qualifying round, overcame APOEL Nicosia 2-0 over two legs.
They will take on Midtjylland for a place in the new-look, 36-team tournament after the Danish champions beat Hungary’s Ferencvaros 3-1 on aggregate.
Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt eased through with a 4-1 win over Poland’s Jagiellonia Bialystok, completing a 5-1 aggregate triumph.
Sweden’s Malmo won a thrilling tie with PAOK, striking late in Greece to force extra time and then winning the second leg 4-3 to prevail 6-5 overall.
Sparta Prague beat Romanians FCSB 4-3 on aggregate, while Qarabag stunned Ludogorets with four goals in extra time to pull off a remarkable 7-2 win in Bulgaria.
Switzerland international Kwadwo Duah netted twice on the night to put Ludogorets 4-2 ahead in the tie, but the visitors from Azerbaijan scored six times without reply to run away with an 8-4 aggregate success.


Joshua and Dubois meet at weigh in before Wembley showdown

Joshua and Dubois meet at weigh in before Wembley showdown
Updated 6 sec ago
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Joshua and Dubois meet at weigh in before Wembley showdown

Joshua and Dubois meet at weigh in before Wembley showdown
  • The pair came face to face in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square before headline event on Saturday
  • Promoter Eddie Hearn predicts classic bout as Frank Warren says fight in capital ‘possible because of Riyadh Season’

LONDON: London’s Trafalgar Square is a monument to the strong. Kings, generals, vast lions cast in bronze and stone, with the great admiral Lord Nelson perched high atop his column surveying all below. 

On Friday, it played host to two of the world’s greatest fighters, men who might as well be chiseled from rock and metal, as they met ahead of their eagerly anticipated showdown for one of the biggest prizes in boxing.

Anthony Joshua, 34, and Daniel Dubois, 27, face off at Wembley Stadium for the IBF world heavyweight title Saturday in the headline event of Riyadh Season’s card of bouts held across the British capital this week. It is set to be witnessed by a record-breaking sellout crowd of 96,000 spectators, with millions more tuning in from around the world — and a taste of the anticipation was felt in central London at the weigh in, which drew a healthy crowd of several thousand more baying fans.

Joshua, the challenger, garnered a rapturous reception when making his way to the stage, with his name ringing around the square to the tune of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” Clearly the favorite — and promoter Eddie Hearn felt the support was more than justified for his man.

“AJ can match him (Dubois) in every physical attribute,” he said, calling Joshua an “adonis who’s in the form of his life.”

He continued that he thought the fight was set to be a “heavyweight classic,” and that Joshua would look to put Dubois “to sleep nice and early,” adding: “I’m so proud of him, and when he becomes three-time world champion tomorrow night, there’ll be a tear in the eye, and it’ll be one of the great nights of British boxing.”

His opposite number, Frank Warren, countered that “there’ll be a lot of tears tomorrow night,” warning: “Daniel’s not coming to make up the numbers.

“He can punch, he’s strong, he’s young, he’s fast. AJ is going to have to be at the top of his game.”

Warren added: “These two guys are going to throw bombs at each other. You’re going to see something extra, extra special.”

He also praised the role played by Riyadh Season and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority in putting up the fight card, and special thanks were given to the Kingdom’s leadership, including King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as GEA Chairman Turki Alalshikh.

“Riyadh Season coming to London has made a major difference. Every day we’ve been at an iconic London venue promoting this fight. Its unbelievable,” Warren said. “This has happened because of Riyadh Season — His Excellency (Turki Alalshikh) and his team have enabled us not just to put this main event together, but also the fabulous undercard.”

At the weigh in, Joshua came in heavier than his opponent at 18 stone to fellow Londoner Dubois’ 17 stone, 10 pounds. The pair stared each other down as they came face to face, but there were no harsh words or throwing of hands, with each affixing the other with a steely, determined stare.

Dubois, the champion, was reticent when interviewed onstage afterwards. “I’m ready to fight,” he said three times. “I’m ready to go, talking’s done.”

Joshua, meanwhile, fed off the crowd’s support, saying he thought of himself “as a gladiator” about to “step into the arena.”

He added to the crowd: “I want to thank you for sticking with me through thick and thin. If I can ask you one favor, go home tonight and make a prayer for me, for success tomorrow, and I will become three-time heavyweight champion of the world.”


Guardiola tells players to lead change over workload fears

Guardiola tells players to lead change over workload fears
Updated 20 September 2024
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Guardiola tells players to lead change over workload fears

Guardiola tells players to lead change over workload fears

LONDON: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has urged players to lead the fight for change in the heated debate over the dangers posed by an increased fixture schedule.
City midfielder Rodri recently suggested players would consider going on strike in a bid to halt the dramatic rise in matches crammed into an already hectic calendar.
With the Champions League first stage now featuring an additional two matches and the expanded Club World Cup at the end of the season, Guardiola’s Premier League champions could play a maximum of 76 matches during the 2024/25 campaign.
Top players also have international fixtures to factor into the gruelling schedule.
Global players’ union FIFPro has said footballers should play a maximum of 50 to 60 games per season, depending on their age.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker joined the row when he said players were not given a voice by the sport’s authorities to express their concerns.
Many leading managers have expressed support for the players’ concerns, with Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany calling for a cap on the number of games a player is allowed to feature in each year.
As the debate intensifies, Guardiola says players have the power to spark change because the sport cannot go on without them.
“I’m pretty sure that if something is going to change, it must come from the players,” he said.
“They are the only ones who can change something about the organization, to take a voice.
“The business can be without managers, sporting directors, media, owners but without players you cannot play. The only ones with the power to do it are them.”
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will, like City, take part in the Club World Cup in the United States at a time when the players would otherwise be resting.
The Italian hinted a strike could be a course of action to tackle the problem.
Asked whether there are too many games in the current calendar, Maresca said: “Yes, no doubt. In terms of games, it’s too much.
“I don’t think we protect players. We can say what we think and for me it’s completely wrong the amount of games that we have.
“The only ones that can do something are the players and we can help them. In the last two weeks some of the players have tried to explain what they think. I think it’s a good starting point.
“Some of them have said (they could strike). I think it could be an idea for them.”


Ferrari’s Leclerc sets early pace in Singapore ahead of Norris

Ferrari’s Leclerc sets early pace in Singapore ahead of Norris
Updated 20 September 2024
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Ferrari’s Leclerc sets early pace in Singapore ahead of Norris

Ferrari’s Leclerc sets early pace in Singapore ahead of Norris
  • Leclerc lapped the Marina Bay Circuit in 1min 31.763sec on the hard compound tire with Norris 0.076sec behind on mediums

SINGAPORE: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was quickest in first practice for the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday, less than a tenth of a second ahead of Lando Norris in a McLaren.
Carlos Sainz, who won for Ferrari in Singapore a year ago, was third fastest with championship leader Max Verstappen fourth.
Leclerc lapped the Marina Bay Circuit in 1min 31.763sec on the hard compound tire with Norris 0.076sec behind on mediums.
It was a tentative opening daylight session, unrepresentative of Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race which will be run in different conditions under lights.
Sainz clocked 1:31.952 with Verstappen’s Red Bull going around the 4.94km layout in 1:32.097.
Englishman Norris is hunting down the Dutchman Verstappen at the top of the drivers’ standings.
The triple world champion’s lead is 59 points with seven grands prix and three sprints to go, leaving a maximum of 207 points up for grabs.
Singapore was the only race Red Bull failed to win last year.
They returned 12 months later having lost their lead at the top of the constructors’ standings at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend. McLaren are 20 points ahead after Oscar Piastri won in Baku.
The Australian may have crossed the line first there, but he was last out of the pits in Singapore and could only record the sixth fastest time, on soft tires.
Piastri emerged more than 10 minutes after the rest of the cars because of a problem with his left rear wheel nut becoming stuck during pit-stop practice earlier in the day.
RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo showed promising early pace, lapping fifth and seventh fastest respectively.
Alex Albon’s Williams was eighth with Fernando Alonso in an Aston Martin and Esteban Ocon’s Alpine rounding out the top 10.
Verstappen won seven of the first 10 races this season but he has not triumphed in the last seven as McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes have all taken race wins.
History suggests that Verstappen’s fortunes are unlikely to improve around the unpredictable city center track in Singapore this weekend.
Verstappen failed to make the top 10 in qualifying 12 months ago, eventually finishing fifth, and he has never won on the tight city-center circuit.
Red Bull traditionally struggle in Singapore where tropical storms, intense humidity, concrete barriers, safety cars and red flags are ever-present dangers.
Sergio Perez did win in Singapore in 2022, but that was Red Bull’s only victory here since Sebastian Vettel in 2013.
Mercedes usually fare well in Singapore, even during their recent lean years, but both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell could not get the balance right in the first session and trailed in 12th and 16th respectively.


Deep takes two as Bangladesh totter in reply to India’s 376

Deep takes two as Bangladesh totter in reply to India’s 376
Updated 20 September 2024
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Deep takes two as Bangladesh totter in reply to India’s 376

Deep takes two as Bangladesh totter in reply to India’s 376
  • Bangladesh limped to 26-3 at the break after Jasprit Bumrah bowled left-handed opener Shadman Islam for two and fellow quick Akash Deep struck twice in two deliveries
CHENNAI: Bangladesh lost three quick wickets by lunch in reply to India after a commanding 113 from Ravichandran Ashwin took the hosts to 376 all out on day two of the first Test against Bangladesh on Friday in Chennai.
Bangladesh limped to 26-3 at the break after Jasprit Bumrah bowled left-handed opener Shadman Islam for two and fellow quick Akash Deep struck twice in two deliveries.
After Bumrah’s heroics in the opening over, Deep took centerstage as he bowled the left-handed Zakir Hasan for three and then rattled the stumps of another left-hander Mominul Haque for a duck.
Mushfiqur Rahim played out the hat-trick ball and was batting on four alongside skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, on 15, at the break.
Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud finished with figures of 5-83 after rattling the Indian batting on day one, but a 199-run seventh-wicket stand between Ashwin and Jadeja powered a fightback from the hosts.
The pair resumed with India on 339-6 overnight but pace bowler Taskin Ahmed broke the stand early, with Jadeja caught behind without adding to his overnight score of 86.
Deep hit a quickfire 17 with four boundaries before being dismissed by Taskin, who soon got his third with the wicket of hometown hero Ashwin, caught by Najmul.
The 38-year-old Ashwin was given a standing ovation after a sixth Test ton, which included 10 fours and two sixes.
Hasan wrapped up the innings with his second five-wicket haul in just his fourth Test.
Ashwin had taken to the crease with India in trouble on 144-6 on Thursday and turned the attack on the opposition bowlers with the left-handed Jadeja for company.
Both men — India’s go-to spinners — blunted a Bangladesh bowling onslaught led by Hasan, who had reduced the hosts to 34-3 in the first hour of play.
India are looking to extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings as they begin a fresh Test season of 10 matches.
Bangladesh have never beaten India in a Test.

LIV golfers get green light for US Ryder Cup team, PGA Championship

LIV golfers get green light for US Ryder Cup team, PGA Championship
Updated 20 September 2024
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LIV golfers get green light for US Ryder Cup team, PGA Championship

LIV golfers get green light for US Ryder Cup team, PGA Championship
  • The PGA of America decision solidifies spots in events although several LIV players had been granted special invitations to certain majors in past seasons and Koepka was welcomed into the Ryder Cup squad
  • The move shows tensions could be easing in golf’s civil war even as talks continue between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV’s backers, and the PGA Tour about a merger agreement

WASHINGTON: LIV Golf players will be eligible for the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship, the PGA of America announced Thursday in a move made to ensure access to top talent.

Since the early days of the Saudi-backed series, the US PGA Tour has banned LIV players from competing in its events, making it hard for LIV players to earn world ranking points and qualify for majors.

But PGA and LIV players have faced each other at major tournaments in recent years, with LIV’s Brooks Koepka winning last year’s PGA Championship for his fifth major crown and receiving a captain’s pick place on last year’s US Ryder Cup team.

“To ensure the PGA Championship will continue to deliver the strongest field in golf and that the US Ryder Cup team will continue to have access to the best American players, the PGA of America board has determined that LIV Golf players will be eligible for both,” the PGA of America statement said.

“Going forward, all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the US team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete.”

The PGA of America decision solidifies spots in events although several LIV players had been granted special invitations to certain majors in past seasons and Koepka was welcomed into the Ryder Cup squad.

Some LIV players have been able to compete in majors thanks largely to wins before LIV began, many competing as past winners of specific majors.

The move shows tensions could be easing in golf’s civil war even as talks continue between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV’s backers, and the PGA Tour about a merger agreement, negotiations that have stretched well beyond their original deadline of the end of last year.

Talks were conducted last week in New York but among the sticking points remains how to punish former PGA players who defected to LIV should they return and what LIV’s future might become.