What to look out for in the UEFA Nations League

What to look out for in the UEFA Nations League
Spain's players and Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente (L) celebrate on the podium with the UEFA Nations League cup after winning the penalty shootouts and the UEFA Nations League final football match between Croatia and Spain at the De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam on June 18, 2023. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 04 September 2024
Follow

What to look out for in the UEFA Nations League

What to look out for in the UEFA Nations League
  • Spain are on a high after their magnificent triumph at the Euros and their gold medal success at the Olympics
  • After missing out on Euros glory, England begin a new era with Gareth Southgate having stepped down

PARIS: International football returns across Europe this week, less than eight weeks after Spain edged out England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

AFP Sport picks out five storylines to follow around the continent ahead of two rounds of fixtures over six days starting Thursday:

Spain are on a high after their magnificent triumph at the Euros and their gold medal success at the Olympics.

Luis de la Fuente’s side are quickly back in action and have another title to defend, having won the last edition of the Nations League. La Roja are in Group 4 of League A and begin with an awkward double-header, a trip to Serbia being followed by a meeting with Switzerland in Geneva. Denmark complete the group.

Their squad does not feature the injured Alvaro Morata, Unai Simon or Mikel Merino, who all played in the Euros final, but wing stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are involved. There are also new faces in Oscar Mingueza, the ex-Barcelona right-back now at Celta Vigo, and Valencia midfielder Pepelu.

“We will keep fighting and trying to go as far as possible in every competition,” insisted De la Fuente.

After missing out on Euros glory, England begin a new era with Gareth Southgate having stepped down.

He has been replaced on an interim basis by Lee Carsley, the England Under-21 coach. Carsley, 50, is for now only in charge for this double-header of Nations League matches, as England play Ireland in Dublin and host Finland at Wembley.

The English Football Association are buying themselves time as they search for a permanent successor to Southgate, with 2026 World Cup qualifying not beginning until next March.

But a good start may see them keep faith in Carsley for the rest of the Nations League campaign, in which England also play Greece after being relegated from the top-tier League A following the last edition.

Carsley’s first squad is missing the injured Jude Bellingham, but there are call-ups for the uncapped quartet of Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento and Angel Gomes.

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a disappointing Euro 2024, failing to score in five matches as Portugal went out in the quarter-finals. Many thought the 39-year-old might then accept it was time to retire, but coach Roberto Martinez has continued to back the former Real Madrid striker, naming him in the latest squad.

“When the time comes, I’ll move on,” Ronaldo, of Saudi club Al-Nassr, insisted on Monday after teaming up with the squad to play Croatia and Scotland at home.

Portugal will also come up against Poland in Group 1 of League A, as they aim to win the Nations League for the second time after triumphing in 2019.

An injury to Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos means Ronaldo is likely to play from the start.

There are other nations beyond England starting afresh under a new coach.

Ireland’s meeting with England will be the first game for their new Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. Aged 57, the former Jamaica boss was appointed in July and will also lead the team in World Cup qualifying.

Wales are also under new management after failing to reach the Euros, with Craig Bellamy having replaced Rob Page.

Sweden play their first competitive matches under new coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, the ex-Denmark forward. Mircea Lucescu, now 79, has returned for a second stint in charge of Romania, 38 years after ending his first spell.

This is the fourth edition of the Nations League, but the format has not got any simpler. New this time is the introduction of quarter-finals next March, involving the top two from each group in League A. The four-team finals will take place next June.

Teams finishing third in League A, and second in League B, will face off in relegation/promotion play-offs, with identical play-offs between Leagues B and C.

There is an impact on World Cup qualifying too.

The 12 group winners in European qualifying will go to the World Cup, with another four places going to winners of play-offs featuring the 12 runners-up plus the four highest-ranked teams in the Nations League who have not otherwise made it.


Bowlers’ graveyards: Pakistan’s placid pitches under fresh fire

Bowlers’ graveyards: Pakistan’s placid pitches under fresh fire
Updated 13 October 2024
Follow

Bowlers’ graveyards: Pakistan’s placid pitches under fresh fire

Bowlers’ graveyards: Pakistan’s placid pitches under fresh fire
  • England piled up 823-7 last week in Multan on wicket described as a “road” by ex-cricketer Michael Vaughan 
  • Pakistani pitches have become more docile in past 2 years, each Test wicket now costing an average of 42.13 runs

MULTAN: Australia pace legend Dennis Lillee denounced a pitch in Pakistan as a “graveyard for bowlers” in 1980, but more than 40 years later little has changed.
Lillee vented his anger after toiling for 21 wicketless overs in Faisalabad in a turgid draw.
All 11 Australian players, even wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, had a turn bowling in Pakistan’s second innings of 382-2 in reply to Australia’s 617 all out as the game petered out into near farce.
Last week, on a wicket described as “a road” by former captain Michael Vaughan, England rewrote the record books as they piled up 823-7 declared in reply to Pakistan’s 556 in the first Test in Multan.
The total was the fourth highest single innings in Test history.
Harry Brook plundered 317 at almost a run a ball and Joe Root became England’s highest Test run scorer during his career-best 262.
Their stand of 454 for the fourth wicket was an England record, the fourth highest in history and the most by any pair playing overseas.
Despite the lifeless pitch, England’s bowlers pulled off an innings and 47 run victory after Pakistan crumbled to 220 all out in their second innings.
It gave Pakistan an unwanted record — the first team to score 500 or more and lose a Test by an innings.
England batting great Kevin Pietersen said on X that the lack of help for bowlers in Multan, where the second Test begins on Tuesday, was “helping destroy Test cricket.”
It is a “perennial problem,” former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram told AFP. “For years it has been the same old story. Very rarely we used to get green and lively pitches in the 1990s and had to bowl long spell for wickets.”
Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan captain who has studied pitch preparation, said there was no need for the pitches to be curated so overwhelmingly in the batsmen’s favor.
“We can prepare good pitches but our mindset is negative,” Latif told AFP.
“There was good grass on the Multan pitch but it was shaved off, I don’t know on whose wishes.”
Former spinner and ex-selector Tauseef Ahmed, a member of Pakistan team who played in the infamous 1980 Faisalabad Test, said: “Our batters want a flat pitch to score runs.
“Even in domestic matches we have such pitches so that players score big and get prominence.”
The last two years has seen Pakistan pitches get even more docile. Each Test wicket there now costs an average of 42.13 runs, the highest anywhere in the world.
Pitch preparation is a science, with experts saying the ideal soil mix is around 60 percent clay with less sand, such as that found in Australia.
It produces firm and bouncy tracks which begin to take more spin over five days, providing a balance between ball and bat.
One local groundsman said pitches were a big problem in Pakistan.
“There are multiple factors from weather to interference from the team management who want it to suit them,” said the curator, who did not want to be named.
“That makes the process complex. A good pitch needs sun to bake it but in some weather we do not get that,” he said.
“A Test pitch needed to be cared for six months or a year but our pitches are over-used so they become flat.”
Latif said serious work was needed to lift the standard of pitches.
“There should be a research department under a good geologist to ascertain how a good pitch can be prepared,” said Latif.
He also wanted to see Australian Kookaburra balls used in Pakistan ditched for those with a more prominent seam to help bowlers.
“We need to have Grays, Duke or SG balls for our type of clay, which are hand-stitched,” said Latif.
Two years ago, Pakistan and Australia scored 1,187 runs with just 14 wickets taken in a soporific draw in Rawalpindi.
The then Pakistan cricket chief Ramiz Raja blasted the playing surface: “We live in the dark ages of pitches in Pakistan. This is not a good advert for Test cricket.”
With the second Test starting in Multan Tuesday and the third in Rawalpindi next week, it seems unlikely the bowlers will get any respite soon.


MOD UAE fighters continue to dominate on day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

MOD UAE fighters continue to dominate on day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 13 October 2024
Follow

MOD UAE fighters continue to dominate on day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

MOD UAE fighters continue to dominate on day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Round 4 of national competition concludes on Sunday at Zayed Sports City Complex in Fujairah

FUJAIRAH: The fighters of MOD UAE continued their impressive performances on the second day of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship — Round 4 (Gi), taking first place at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah and maintaining their lead for a second straight day.

Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club secured second place, while Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club finished third.

With competitions across the youth and children’s categories, the event drew about 850 male and female competitors from clubs and academies throughout the UAE on Saturday. The competitions for the boys U-14 and U-16 will be held on Sunday.

Sheikha Al-Kaabi, a member of the Federal National Council, expressed her pleasure at attending the championship and participating in crowning the champions.

“Jiu-jitsu has become a part of every household in the UAE, and is increasingly popular among children and families. We are confident that the future holds even greater success for Emirati jiu-jitsu athletes,” she said.

Ibrahim Al-Hosani, technical director of jiu-jitsu at Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club, said: “Our club had a strong presence today, with 135 male and female athletes from our team, all of whom performed exceptionally.

“The level of talent displayed by these young athletes at such an early age is remarkable. Their precision, skill, and execution are outstanding, reflecting the efforts of our clubs and academies. They have not only promoted the sport but have also developed a new generation of champions,” he said.


Princess Dilayl crowns Saudi Games triathlon winners

Princess Dilayl crowns Saudi Games triathlon winners
Updated 13 October 2024
Follow

Princess Dilayl crowns Saudi Games triathlon winners

Princess Dilayl crowns Saudi Games triathlon winners
  • Jessica Arnzen won gold in the women’s competition

RIYADH: The 2024 Saudi Games’ CEO Princess Dilayl bint Nahar on Saturday crowned the male and female winners of the triathlon competition held at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex.

Ali Maqbool, president of the Saudi Triathlon Federation attended the competition.

Jessica Arnzen won gold in the women’s competition with a time of 58 minutes and 41 seconds, while Sarah Kennedy bagged silver in 61:19. The bronze medal went to Kerma Al-Jaroudi with a time of 64:33.

In the men’s competition, Oscar Rodriguez won the gold medal in 49:37, ahead of Ryan Al-Khuwaitir with a time of 50:43 and Ibrahim Al-Zaidi who clocked 51:59.


Guardians crush Tigers 7-3 to advance in Major League Baseball playoffs

Guardians crush Tigers 7-3 to advance in Major League Baseball playoffs
Updated 13 October 2024
Follow

Guardians crush Tigers 7-3 to advance in Major League Baseball playoffs

Guardians crush Tigers 7-3 to advance in Major League Baseball playoffs
  • The AL champion will face the National League champion, the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers, in the World Series

WASHINGTON: Lane Thomas smashed a grand slam and the Cleveland Guardians beat Detroit 7-3 on Saturday to advance in the Major League Baseball playoffs.

Cleveland captured the winner-take-all showdown to seal the American League division series 3-2 and reach a best-of-seven AL Championship Series (ALCS) matchup with the New York Yankees that starts on Monday in New York.

The AL champion will face the National League champion, the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers, in the World Series.

Cleveland, into the ALCS for the first time since 2016, have not captured the MLB crown since 1948 and have not reached the World Series since 2016.

Thomas blasted his bases-loaded home run in the fifth inning and drove in another run in the seventh to power the Guardians.

“It’s incredible,” Thomas said. “You just love coming through for your teammates in that situation. Our bullpen has been grinding this whole series and to make all those innings worth it, it feels awesome.”

Cleveland used eight pitchers to frustrate Detroit batters, combining to strike out 16 while scattering seven hits and six walks as closer Emmanuel Clase retired the last six Tiger batters over the final two innings.

“Watching him all year has been incredible,” Thomas said of Clase. “It was cool to see him get those last outs.”

Detroit’s left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal — the Game 2 winner who led the AL this year with 18 wins, 228 strikeouts and a 2.39 earned-run average — struck out six over six innings but surrendered the pivotal grand slam to Thomas.

“He threw me a good pitch to hit,” Thomas said of the grand slam offering. “He threw one pitch over the middle and I happened to put a good swing on it, simple as that.

“It was good to come through.”

The Tigers escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third inning when Thomas popped out to first base.

The game was scoreless until the fifth, when Detroit’s Trey Sweeney walked and scored on Kerry Carpenter’s single off the right-field wall.

The Guardians loaded the bases again in their half of the fifth on singles by Andres Gimenez, Steven Kwan and David Fry and then Skubal hit Jose Ramirez in the left forearm to force in the tying run.

It was the first run allowed by Skubal after 28 2/3 scoreless innings since Sept. 18.

Thomas then followed with his bases-clearing grand slam to give Cleveland a 5-1 advantage.

“I don’t know how many scoreless innings he threw,” Thomas said. “But it only takes one (pitch).”

Detroit answered in the sixth when Spencer Torkelson doubled, took third on a wild pitch by Tim Herrin and scored on a Jake Rogers single, but the Tigers left the bases loaded when Carpenter struck out.

The Tigers, who last won the World Series in 1984, pulled within 5-3 in the seventh when Riley Greene singled and scored on a double by Colt Keith.

Cleveland responded in the seventh when Kwan singled, took third on a Ramirez single and scored when Thomas singled for a 6-3 advantage.

The Guardians added another insurance run in the eighth when Gimenez doubled and scored on Brayan Rocchio’s single.

Clase entered for the Guardians in the eighth and the 26-year-old Dominican right-hander sent down the Tigers’ final batters in order for the victory.


Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan stay alive despite consecutive losses

Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan stay alive despite consecutive losses
Updated 13 October 2024
Follow

Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan stay alive despite consecutive losses

Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan stay alive despite consecutive losses
  • Pakistan need to beat New Zealand by “significant margin” to stay alive in tournament, says ICC
  • Skipper Fatima Sana, who missed previous match due to father’s passing, will rejoin team on Monday

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s hopes of making it to the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup remain alive despite its back-to-back losses to heavyweights India and Australia, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Sunday. 
Pakistan began the tournament on a high note, beating Sri Lanka by 31 runs on Oct. 3 before losing to arch-rivals India by six wickets last Sunday. Pakistan suffered their worst defeat of the tournament so far on Friday, losing to heavyweights Australia by nine wickets. 
The South Asian country will now face a strong New Zealand side on Monday which has already defeated India in the tournament. 
“Pakistan are still in contention for the semifinals but will need to beat New Zealand by a significant margin to stand a chance,” the ICC said in a report. 
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who missed the previous game after her father passed away, will return to lead the team for the New Zealand fixture. 
However, the green shirts will have to do without pacer Diana Baig, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after a calf muscle injury that she sustained during the clash against Sri Lanka. 
“Najiha Alvi will replace Baig in the squad ahead of the final Group clash against New Zealand on Monday,” the ICC said. 
Pakistan squad:
Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Najiha Alvi.