Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League

Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League
France’s forward Kylian Mbappe gives a press conference at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, on Sept. 5, 2024 on the eve of their UEFA Nations League match against Italy. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 05 September 2024
Follow

Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League

Mbappé could face a hostile home crowd when France host Italy in the Nations League
  • “Tomorrow’s reception, I don’t expect much,” Mbappé told a press conference
  • “I don’t care. The important thing is to win”

PARIS: Kylian Mbappé says he doesn’t care how he will be treated when he returns to the Paris Saint-Germain pitch on Friday.
The France superstar is back to his home country with the national squad as the 2022 World Cup runner-up take on Italy in the UEFA Nations League at the Parc des Princes.
Mbappé played seven seasons with PSG before his move to Real Madrid this summer. He left amid a reported dispute related to unpaid wages worth 55 million euros ($61 million) and there is a chance he will face a hostile crowd.
“Tomorrow’s reception, I don’t expect much,” Mbappé told a press conference on Thursday. “I don’t care. The important thing is to win.”
Mbappé ended his scoring drought in the Spanish league by scoring both goals in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Betis last week.
“I feel good, physically and mentally,” he said Thursday. “I’m happy where I am and about what I do, and I know it will get even better as the matches go on.”
Italy and France start their Nations League campaigns in the A2 Group that also includes Belgium and Israel. Both the French and the Italians are looking for improvement after their lackluster performances at the European Championship.
Italy were knocked out of the tournament in the last 16 and Mbappé admitted that his tournament had been a failure when France lost in the semifinals and scored just one goal from open play in the competition.
Mbappé sustained a broken nose in France’s opening group game at Euro 2024. In the semifinals, he ditched the vision-restricting mask that he had been wearing but Les Bleus still lost to Spain 2-1.
He said that he has moved on from the disappointment and added that his broken nose didn’t need surgery.
“I underwent exams in Madrid, they told me surgery was not necessary,” he said. “I don’t have any problem to breathe and to sleep.”


ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai begins with Captains’ Day ahead of opening game

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai begins with Captains’ Day ahead of opening game
Updated 1 min 15 sec ago
Follow

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai begins with Captains’ Day ahead of opening game

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai begins with Captains’ Day ahead of opening game
  • Action gets underway on Thursday when original hosts Bangladesh face tournament debutants Scotland
  • Decision to move competition to UAE taken amid concerns about political violence in Bangladesh

DUBAI: The captain of Bangladesh’s women’s cricket team said her team will remain professional during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup despite their disappointment about the last-minute relocation of the tournament from their home country.

The decision to move the competition, which begins on Thursday and continues until Oct. 20, to the UAE was taken in August because of political violence in Bangladesh. All 23 matches will be played at two venues in Dubai and Sharjah. Bangladesh, who remain the official hosts, will get the tournament underway against debutants Scotland in the opening match.

The captains of all 10 competing teams gathered at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday for a pretournament press conference.

The captains of all 10 competing teams gathered at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday for a pretournament press conference. (Supplied/ICC)

Bangladesh’s captain, Sultana Joty, acknowledged the challenges her team have faced as a result of the unrest in their home country and the resultant change in venue for the competition but said they maintain a positive outlook.

“It was disappointing but we are professional,” she said. “More than us, this is about everyone there. We are fortunate to be here and will provide some cheer for the fans.

“I’m expecting a lot of spectators because in Sharjah there are a lot of Bangladeshis there. And playing in this kind of event, I think more people will come watch us and support.”

Scotland are playing in their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup. Captain Kathryn Brice emphasized her team’s familiarity with the host venues and hopes their previous experience with conditions in the UAE will give them a boost.

“I think we just really want to compete in this competition,” she said. “We’ve played some fantastic cricket in the qualifiers and leading up to it, so I think we just want to go out there and do ourselves justice on that stage and put in some good performances against these teams.”

The tournament begins with a group stage, with the top two teams from each of the two five-team groups progressing to the knockout phase. The top team from each group will then face the runners-up from the other group, with the two winners contesting the final.

In one of the most eagerly anticipated group-stage matchups, India will take on Pakistan on Oct. 6. Adding to the excitement is the fact that tickets are very reasonably priced, starting at just 5 dirhams ($1.36), and children get in free.

India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, a veteran of all eight previous T20 World Cups, said it is important to remain composed under pressure.

“I think learning is something which is never going to stop,” she said. “Every day is a learning day. I’m going and learning and getting experience from every game.

“I think people around me, they are helping me, they are working hard to make our team go at that level where we want to be. I am happy with where our team is. I like how our team is working hard to achieve small, small things.”

Fatima Sana, the captain of Pakistan, emphasized the importance of self-belief, saying: “The best advice that management gave me is to express and back myself. They told me to take a brave decision in the field.”

The team with the best record in the tournament, six-time champions Australia, are led by Alyssa Healy.

“Ten teams, we all have a shot. You don’t come to defend a ball, you come to win,” she said.

“Our pool is quite a tricky one. We’ve got to get past a lot of these teams to be able to lift the trophy and it’s a challenge we’re excited for.”

A new feature for this year’s event is the first all-female team of umpires and referees, marking a historic step toward gender equality in officiating major sporting events.

With the possibility that dew might influence matches played under floodlights, and teams having taken the opportunity to play warm-up games to help adapt to conditions in the UAE, this edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup offers a chance for the next global superstars of women’s cricket to shine. New Zealand captain Sophie Devine highlighted the importance of nurturing emerging talent as the women’s game continues to develop.

“In terms of the quick bowlers, you’ve seen the girls become more professional, and what they’ve been able to do in the gym is starting to see bowlers hitting 120 kph and more, which makes for a challenge,” she said.

“It’s always exciting to be coming up against that but I think it just shows the development of the women’s game, that those sorts of skills continue to improve.

“We’ve got a number of young fast bowlers coming through. And again, their development has been massive the last 12 to 18 months, so certainly I’m looking forward to seeing what sort of bowlers they can turn into.”

Following the opening match between Bangladesh and Scotland, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka on Thursday. Both games are at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.


Team Abu Dhabi boss expects big response from Thani Al-Qemzi as title race returns to Shanghai

Team Abu Dhabi boss expects big response from Thani Al-Qemzi as title race returns to Shanghai
Updated 15 min 16 sec ago
Follow

Team Abu Dhabi boss expects big response from Thani Al-Qemzi as title race returns to Shanghai

Team Abu Dhabi boss expects big response from Thani Al-Qemzi as title race returns to Shanghai
  • The first of two rounds in China gives the UAE racer and colleague Alberto Comparato a chance to put recent setbacks behind them

SHANGHAI: Team Abu Dhabi are looking to turn their season around in the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship, starting with a big performance by Thani Al-Qemzi and Alberto Comparato in the Grand Prix of Shanghai, China at the weekend.

The first of two rounds to be staged in the People’s Republic in the space of two weeks presents Al-Qemzi and Comparato with the chance to put previous setbacks behind them, and team manager Guido Cappellini said both drivers are up for the challenge.

“It’s been a tough year so far in the championship, but despite the difficult start we have had, there have been some positive signs from Thani,” said Cappellini, who has delivered 18 world titles to Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club since taking charge nine years ago.

“He was very unlucky in Olbia after putting in a great performance, and we’re expecting him to have better results in the remaining races. Thani is a very good driver with great experience, and he wants to maintain his best standard for every race.”

Cappellini has equal faith in Comparato, who joined the team at the start of the season, taking over from Shaun Torrente after the three-time world champion decided to stand down.

“Alberto is a talented driver, that’s why he was chosen,” said the 10-time F1 champion. “This season, we have had a run of unlucky events that didn’t allow him to get the results that he’s capable of.

“But that’s behind us now. I’ve told him not to lose his feeling with the boat, and to stay focused, because he has very good skills to show.”

Sharjah Team rookie Rusty Wyatt leads the championship from defending champion Jonas Andersson and Victory Team’s Erik Stark. Just 15 points separate the top three, with a second round in China to follow in a fortnight in Zhengzhou, before December’s grand finale in Sharjah.

Veteran Emirati driver Al-Qemzi, who made his F1H2O debut in 2000 and has twice finished runner-up in the title race, will be making his 156th race start on the championship’s return to Shanghai after a 20-year gap.

Al-Qemzi reached a new milestone in his illustrious career during this season’s second round in Vietnam when he took his overall haul in the championship past 1,000 points.

He returns to action in Shanghai looking to add to his record of 10 grand prix victories and 45 podium finishes.


Barca lure goalkeeper Szczesny out of retirement

Barca lure goalkeeper Szczesny out of retirement
Updated 02 October 2024
Follow

Barca lure goalkeeper Szczesny out of retirement

Barca lure goalkeeper Szczesny out of retirement
“Barcelona and the player Wojciech Szczesny have reached a deal for his signing until June 30, 2025,” said the La Liga leaders
Szczesny retired this summer after featuring at Euro 2024 for Poland

BARCELONA: Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has come out of retirement to sign for Spanish giants Barcelona on Wednesday.
“Barcelona and the player Wojciech Szczesny have reached a deal for his signing until June 30, 2025,” said the La Liga leaders in a statement.
The former Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper, 34, joins after Barca’s first choice stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was ruled out potentially until the end of the season with a severe knee injury, sustained on September 22.
Szczesny retired this summer after featuring at Euro 2024 for Poland but has now returned to the game to play in La Liga for the first time.
The goalkeeper had said his “heart (was) not there any more” to play football after leaving Juventus by mutual agreement in August.
Szczesny has made over 600 appearances for club and country over his career, winning three Serie A titles and three Italian cups with Juventus, as well as two FA Cups with Arsenal.
Barca’s reserve goalkeeper Inaki Pena started in place of the stricken Ter Stegen in recent matches.

Pakistan rudderless after white-ball skipper Babar Azam resigns

Pakistan rudderless after white-ball skipper Babar Azam resigns
Updated 02 October 2024
Follow

Pakistan rudderless after white-ball skipper Babar Azam resigns

Pakistan rudderless after white-ball skipper Babar Azam resigns
  • Pakistan’s cricket has suffered due to revolving door of bosses and allegations of nepotism 
  • Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is considered front-runner for white-ball captain

KARACHI: Pakistan’s limited-overs team was leaderless on Wednesday after captain Babar Azam resigned, compounding a management crisis experts say has badly affected the team’s international performance.

Pakistani cricket is flailing in all formats after a series of stinging losses, with a revolving door of bosses and allegations that nepotism has seeped into the sport.

Azam announced his resignation on his personal social media just before midnight on Tuesday, before an official Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement more than 12 hours later.

Pakistan cricket has plowed through four coaches, three board heads and four captains in the past two years, at the same time sliding down international standings.

“It’s a leadership crisis,” former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif told AFP. “Pakistan cricket is in the ICU with no specialist for treatment.”

Azam’s resignation came hours before England touched down on Wednesday for a three-match Test series that follows Pakistan’s humiliating 2-0 home series defeat to lowly ranked Bangladesh last month.

It was 29-year-old Azam’s second turn as captain after a flip-flop saw him resign in all three formats following Pakistan’s early exit from the ODI World Cup in November.

He returned in March to captain white-ball competitions but lasted just six months, leaving Pakistan leaderless with four major series coming up and the Champions Trophy next year.

Azam was captain when Pakistan crashed out of the T20 World Cup after a bruising loss to newcomers the United States.

He said he stood down to focus on his playing role as a batsman.

“He should not have accepted captaincy again,” Latif said.

“Neither the team was performing nor was he scoring big,” he said. “This resignation has come very late and that has not only cost him badly, but also the team.”

The PCB said on Wednesday the national selection committee would begin the hunt for a successor.
“He believes that dedicating himself fully to his batting will enable him to play a more decisive role in the team’s success in the shorter formats,” a PCB statement said.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is considered the front-runner for the job.

Azam is slated to play in the England Test series starting in Multan on Monday, but red-ball skipper Shan Masood is also facing calls to step down over dire performances.

Pakistan has lost all five matches under his tenure, which began last year.


World No. 11 Celine Boutier set to make series debut at Aramco Team Series

World No. 11 Celine Boutier set to make series debut at Aramco Team Series
Updated 02 October 2024
Follow

World No. 11 Celine Boutier set to make series debut at Aramco Team Series

World No. 11 Celine Boutier set to make series debut at Aramco Team Series
  • Boutier to play alongside fellow LPGA stars Xiyu Lin, Ruoning Yin, Alison Lee, Angel Yin
  • ‘To win here would be especially memorable,’ says Boutier

SHENZHEN, China: World No. 11 Celine Boutier is set to make her series debut at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF — Shenzhen from Oct. 4 to 6.

Boutier headlines a stellar field including fellow LPGA stars Xiyu Lin, Ruoning Yin, Alison Lee, and Angel Yin at the tournament organized by Golf Saudi and China Golf Association.

While the 30-year-old French golfer has six professional wins, including a major victory at the 2023 Amundi Evian Championship, Boutier is still seeking her first win of the 2024 season after a T18 finish at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Eager to claim victory at her event debut, Boutier relishes the opportunity to play in the unique format that has witnessed wins from the sport’s very best including Golf Saudi ambassador Charley Hull in 2021 and Nelly Korda in 2023.

“Competing in Shenzhen, surrounded by such strong talent in this innovative format, is an exciting challenge,” said Boutier.

“It’s also great to be part of an event with a focus on advancing the women’s game, creating more opportunities for female athletes to compete on a global stage.

“To win here would be especially memorable, particularly being back on the Ladies European Tour, and having won in the last event that was here in China, back in 2017,” she said.

Boutier will also face off against some of the LET’s top talents, including the current Order of Merit leader Chiara Tamburlini, who comes fresh from her second win of the season at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.

Organized by Golf Saudi, the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF consists of five events on the LET each year, contributing an additional $5 million in prize money annually.

The series arrives in Shenzhen, following events in Tampa, Seoul, and London earlier this season, with the final leg set to tee off in Riyadh on Oct. 31.