Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career

Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career
San Diego Wave FC forward Alex Morgan waves to fans following her final match before retirement between San Diego Wave FC and the North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports)
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Updated 09 September 2024
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Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career

Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career
  • She started and wore the captain’s armband for the San Diego Wave in her final match, playing for the first 13 minutes against the North Carolina Courage before subbing out of the game to an ovation
  • Morgan’s US national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012
  • A young fan at the game held a sign that said ‘Thank you Alex for all of your hard work for women’s sports’

SAN DIEGO: Fighting tears, Alex Morgan waved to the crowd and walked off the field for the last time on Sunday as she capped an impactful 15-year career.

The two-time Women’s World Cup winner announced on Thursday she was pregnant with her second child and retiring from the game.

She started and wore the captain’s armband for the San Diego Wave in her final match, playing for the first 13 minutes against the North Carolina Courage before subbing out of the game to an ovation at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.

“What a ride it’s been,” Morgan told the crowd after the match.

It was her 63rd appearance for the Wave, commemorated by a No. 63 jersey given to Morgan in a pregame ceremony. Overall, it was her 150th career appearance in National Women’s Soccer League play.

Before the match, the video scoreboard board showed snippets of Morgan’s retirement video, along with highlights from her career. Her 4-year-old daughter, Charlie, accompanied her on the field. She had more than 95 family members and friends at the game.

The Wave’s starters posed for a photo imitating Morgan’s iconic ‘tea sipping’ celebration, a homage to her iconic response to her go-ahead goal to beat England in the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup in France.

Morgan’s US national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012. In club play, Morgan played for the NWSL champion Portland Thorns in the league’s first year and helped the Wave win the Shield in 2023.

Morgan played in 224 matches for the US national team, with 123 goals (fifth on the career list) and 53 assists (ninth). She was named the US Soccer Player of the Year in 2012 and 2018.

When she subbed off, she fought back tears as she removed her cleats at midfield. During the substitution, a tifo in the supporter’s section read “For Country, Club, Community.”

Despite the nearly 100-degree heat, a crowd of 26,516 fans filled Snapdragon for Morgan’s farewell match. Among them was San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove, who went to the match straight from his start against the San Francisco Giants.

“Twelve thousand tickets were sold in one day when she announced that this was going to be her last game” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said, “That’s the power of Alex Morgan.”

Wave fan Amber Brunner attended the match with her family, saying “My girls fell in love with soccer because of her.”

Off the pitch, Morgan advanced women’s soccer in her fight for equal pay with the men’s national team. The US women filed a lawsuit in 2019 that led to a historic agreement in 2022 that paid both the men and women equitably.

A young fan at the game held a sign that said “Thank you Alex for all of your hard work for women’s sports.”


Moody welcomes ‘high-quality’ all-rounder Sam Curran to Desert Vipers

Moody welcomes ‘high-quality’ all-rounder Sam Curran to Desert Vipers
Updated 16 October 2024
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Moody welcomes ‘high-quality’ all-rounder Sam Curran to Desert Vipers

Moody welcomes ‘high-quality’ all-rounder Sam Curran to Desert Vipers
  • The player of the tournament in England’s 2022 ICC T20 World Cup success returns to the Desert Vipers’ squad for the upcoming third season of the DP World ILT20

DUBAI: All-rounder Sam Curran, the player of the tournament in England’s ICC T20 World Cup success in Australia in 2022, will return to the Desert Vipers’ squad for the upcoming season three of the DP World ILT20.

Curran joined the Vipers for two matches at the end of last season. The signing signals the desire of the team to repeat the form showed in the first edition of the DP World ILT20 when they finished second.

The Desert Vipers’ Director of Cricket Tom Moody said Curran’s presence for a longer period would benefit the entire tournament.

“We are obviously the recipients of a high-quality player, and it is great that he feels the Desert Vipers is a home for him where he can apply his trade and hopefully help us achieve what we are looking to achieve as a franchise,” said Moody.

“One of the positive things for the Desert Vipers and the tournament itself is that Sam has decided to come to this league against the other options that are out there.

“I think that says a lot about how the competition is held in players’ eyes and the growth of the tournament moving forward.”

Curran, 26, is the third-highest wicket-taker for England in Twenty20 Internationals over the past two years.

He made his international debut in a Test match against Pakistan in 2018 and has already amassed 1,574 runs and 134 wickets for his country across formats.

Curran has also made a name for himself plying his trade in shortform tournaments across the world including India and South Africa.

His most recent outing in the Indian Premier League saw him taking over captaincy duties for the Punjab Kings after skipper Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out due to injury.

Curran ended that tournament as the franchise’s fourth-highest scorer, his 270 runs including two half-centuries and coming at a strike-rate of 123 runs per 100 balls. He also ended the contest as the third-highest wicket-taker with 16 in 13 matches.

Moody said that while no decision had yet been taken on who would assume the captaincy following the departure of Colin Munro, he expects Curran to play a key part in the Desert Vipers’ think tank for the upcoming season.

“With regards to his captaincy experience and what he has done in the IPL with the Punjab Kings and what he has done elsewhere, he will play an important leadership role within the group,” said Moody.

“He has got a huge amount of experience in this format of the game and can offer a lot. The thing that he just brings naturally is that he is an instinctive leader. So we will all lean on that experience, and he is willing to be an important voice as the tournament unfolds.”

The signing of an all-rounder may raise some eyebrows.

This is given the continuation of the impact-substitute rule for a second season in the DP World ILT20, with the expectation that sides will pack their lineups with specialist batters and bowlers at the expense of players who offer both skills.

The rule allows teams to replace a player at any point during a match, with the trend toward a bowler replacing a batter or vice versa once the incumbent’s primary role in the side has been carried out.

Moody said he knows Curran’s strengths well having worked with the lefthander at the Oval Invincibles, the team that has won back-to-back titles in England’s short-format tournament, The Hundred.

And the man who was also an ICC Cricket World Cup winner with Australia in 1999, said he was certain Curran would play an influential role in the upcoming campaign.

“I have had a lot to do with Sam over the past few years with the Oval Invincibles, so having that personal connection goes a long way in knowing exactly what he can deliver both on and off the field,” said Moody.

“And while people probably ask why an all-rounder when there is the impact-sub rule, well, Sam Curran is one of those unique all-rounders that plays a complete all-round game.

“And what I mean by that is that he can take the new ball, he can bowl effectively in the middle overs and he is well-versed when it comes to bowling at the death which is such a critical component when it comes to any team.”

The schedule for season three of the DP World ILT20 is expected to be announced soon.

And ahead of that announcement all teams, not just the Desert Vipers, are finalizing their final UAE player selections through the ongoing DP World ILT20 Development tournament in Dubai.


Rashed Al-Qemzi ready to give ‘everything’ for Team Abu Dhabi in China

Rashed Al-Qemzi ready to give ‘everything’ for Team Abu Dhabi in China
Updated 16 October 2024
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Rashed Al-Qemzi ready to give ‘everything’ for Team Abu Dhabi in China

Rashed Al-Qemzi ready to give ‘everything’ for Team Abu Dhabi in China
  • Record-breaking F2 champion says he does not feel pressure heading for tough test in Zhengzhou this weekend

ABU DHABI: Team Abu Dhabi’s Rashed Al-Qemzi says he is under no pressure to push for a big result when he returns to action in the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship at the Grand Prix of Zhengzhou in China at the weekend.

The five-time UIM F2 world champion has moved to F1 to join forces again with his cousin, veteran Emirati driver Thani Al-Qemzi, following the mutual decision by Team Abu Dhabi and Alberto Comparato to part company.

“Like everyone else in the team, I wish Alberto great success in the future, and we all know that we’re going to see a lot more from him in the years ahead,” said Rashed, who moved into the record books by clinching his latest F2 triumph last month.

“Now I have another good opportunity to show what I can do in the F1H2O World Championship and help the team, and I’m happy to be racing with Thani again.

“As always, I’ll be giving everything I’ve got, and I want to get the best result possible. But there’s no extra pressure from the team, and obviously it’s going to be tough.

“The standard is so high in this championship. There are so many great drivers pushing for the win, and for the podium.”

While dominating the F2 championship in recent times with five titles in eight years, Al-Qemzi has regularly stepped up to Team Abu Dhabi’s F1H2O lineup when needed.

His 10 appearances in the F1H2O championships to date include a seventh-place finish in Zhengzhou last season when he stood in for Thani and held fourth spot for half of the Grand Prix.

He was also part of the Team Abu Dhabi trio who won the 2021 UIM World Endurance Championships, sharing the driving with Mansoor Al-Mansoori and Thani, who makes his 157th career Grand Prix start in Zhengzhou.

The two-time championship runner-up is eager to climb from his current ninth place in the standings, and wants to add to his career record of 10 Grand Prix victories and 45 podium finishes.

He knows he must be at his best in Zhengzhou to challenge Sharjah Team’s championship leader, Rusty Wyatt, and his two closest title rivals, Victory Team’s Erik Stark and defending champion Jonas Andersson.

Having recorded his second Grand Prix victory of the season in last weekend’s storm-lashed Grand Prix of Shanghai, Canadian rookie Wyatt could make it a remarkable title-winning debut season with another success on Saturday.

Much will depend, however, on the outcome of Friday morning qualifying and the two points-scoring sprint races to follow in the afternoon.


Dubai to host UAE Open Muay Thai Championship

Dubai to host UAE Open Muay Thai Championship
Updated 16 October 2024
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Dubai to host UAE Open Muay Thai Championship

Dubai to host UAE Open Muay Thai Championship
  • 3-day event kicks off on Oct. 25 at Festival Arena in Dubai

ABU DHABI: The UAE Open Muay Thai Championship for men and women will be held at Festival Arena in Dubai from Oct. 25 to 27, the organizers have announced.

The championship, organized by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, is open to local and international athletes aged 16 to 40.

The contest will feature 12 weight divisions for the 16 to 17 age group, 10 for the under-23 category, and 13 for seniors.

Ali Khouri, executive director and board member of the federation, highlighted the importance of the event.

“It underscores our continuous efforts to grow the sport and create meaningful opportunities for athletes to gain valuable experience.

“This championship paves the way for a generation of athletes to embrace professionalism and responsibility.

“Not only will it facilitate talent discovery, but it will also foster the growth of Muay Thai, aligning with the federation’s long-term development plans.”

He added: “Under the leadership of His Excellency Abdullah Saeed Al-Neyadi, we are focused on developing strategies and setting goals that contribute to the excellence of Muay Thai in the UAE and its recognition on major international platforms.”

Registration is open until Oct. 20 through the federation’s channels.


Vintage Messi nets hat trick as Argentina hit Bolivia for six

Vintage Messi nets hat trick as Argentina hit Bolivia for six
Updated 16 October 2024
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Vintage Messi nets hat trick as Argentina hit Bolivia for six

Vintage Messi nets hat trick as Argentina hit Bolivia for six
  • The 37-year-old provided an emphatic reminder of his enduring quality with three clinical finishes
  • Brazil continued to ease any concerns about their qualification chances with a comfortable 4-0 win over Peru in Brasilia

MONTEVIDEO: Lionel Messi struck a vintage hat trick as world champions Argentina romped to a 6-0 win over Bolivia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old provided an emphatic reminder of his enduring quality with three clinical finishes, two assists and some of his trademark creativity throughout the game as Lionel Scaloni’s side dominated.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Bolivian defender Marcelo Suarez was robbed by Lautaro Martinez, who sent Messi clear and he cleverly slotted into the bottom corner.

The home crowd at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium were on their feet again in the 43rd minute when Julian Alvarez threaded a brilliant pass through to Messi, who unselfishly squared the ball to Martinez to finish.

Three minutes later, Alvarez was on target himself when Bolivia were caught sleeping at a free-kick, Messi chipping the ball over the top and the Atletico Madrid forward slotted home.

After the break, Nicolas Otamendi had a header ruled out for offside but the home fans didn’t have long to wait for the fourth when Thiago Almada side-footed home after a superb pull-back from Nahuel Molina

A classic Messi goal made it 5-0 in the 84th — the Inter Miami forward dribbling centrally before switching from his left foot to his right and burying the ball into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later and some fans were in tears after Messi cut in from the right, played a smart wall pass off substitute Nico Paz and again put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.

Argentina are top of the 10-team table with 22 points from 10 games — three points clear of second-place Colombia, who crushed Chile 4-0 in Barranquilla.

There was a different look to the team, wearing a special retro white kit, marking the Colombian Football Federation’s centenary, featuring the national flag’s colors in a hoop.

It was a dashing design and the performance of Nestor Lorenzo’s team was equally stylish taking apart a woeful Chile side that remain rooted last in the ten-team qualifying group.

Defender Davinson Sanchez opened the scoring in the 34th minute, nodding home after Jhon Lucumi had headed a James Rodriguez corner goalwards.

Jhon Cordoba slotted home a Diaz cross in the 45th minute but the effort was ruled out for offside against Diaz.

Chile gifted the Colombians a second, seven minutes after the interval, when Benjamin Kusevic gave the ball away to Rodriguez, who squared to Liverpool winger Luis Diaz to convert.

Substitute Jhon Duran made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute after another giveaway, this time in midfield, allowed Sinisterra to break and then feed the Aston Villa forward, who made no mistake and Sinisterra then wrapped up the win in stoppage time.

Brazil continued to ease any concerns about their qualification chances with a comfortable 4-0 win over Peru in Brasilia.

A pair of penalties converted by Barcelona winger Raphinha put the record five-time World Cup winners on their way — the first coming in the 38th minute when Carlos Zambrano handled in the box and the second in the 54th minute after the same defender brought down Savinho.

But there was more to appreciate in the third goal, in the 71st minute, with Andreas Pereira producing a superb scissor-kick volley from a Luiz Henrique cross from the right.

Luiz Henrique completed the rout in spectacular style with a brilliant left-foot drive from outside the box to make it 4-0 and leave Brazil in fourth.

Paraguay boosted their chances of grabbing one of the six automatic qualification spots after substitute Antonio Sanabria scored twice in a 2-1 win over Venezuela.

Full-back Jon Aramburu put Venezuela ahead in the 25th minute, bursting down the right and collecting a pass from Yeferson Soteldo that he buried in the bottom corner.

Torino striker Sanabria was introduced at the interval and he brought sixth-placed Paraguay level when he slid in to meet a low cross from Junior Alonso.

Sanabria then grabbed the winner in the 74th minute, leading a counter-attack before getting into the box to finish off the move with a header from close range.

Uruguay and Ecuador played out a goalless draw.


West Indies knock England out of Women’s T20 World Cup as Joseph leads spectacular chase

West Indies knock England out of Women’s T20 World Cup as Joseph leads spectacular chase
Updated 16 October 2024
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West Indies knock England out of Women’s T20 World Cup as Joseph leads spectacular chase

West Indies knock England out of Women’s T20 World Cup as Joseph leads spectacular chase
  • The 2016 champions finished with 142-4 in 18 overs in reply to England’s 141-7, winning with 12 deliveries to spare and making the cut from Group B
  • It is the first time since 2010 that England have failed to make the semifinals

DUBAI: Qiana Joseph hit 52 runs off 38 balls as she led a spectacular West Indies chase to knock England out of the Women’s T20 World Cup on Tuesday.

Joseph’s half century, propped up by skipper Hayley Matthews’ 50 off 38 balls, helped West Indies win by six wickets in the final league game of the tournament.

The 2016 champions finished with 142-4 in 18 overs in reply to England’s 141-7, winning with 12 deliveries to spare and making the cut from Group B.

The win was sufficient for West Indies to join South Africa in the knockouts. The Proteas’ qualification was confirmed after the first innings ended, leaving England to defend the total for a place in the semifinals.

It is the first time since 2010 that England have failed to make the semifinals. Australia and New Zealand already progressed from Group A, and will take on South Africa and West Indies in the semifinals, respectively.

Earlier, West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl in a must-win game for both sides. Coming into the fixture, England had history and form on their side — they hadn’t lost to their opponent in 14 matches, and had won three successive games in Group B.

It didn’t make the best of starts though as in-form Danielle Wyatt-Hodge was out caught for 16, while Maia Bouchier was out for 14. Alice Capsey was also run out for one leaving England at 34-3 in 6.1 overs.

Nat Sciver-Brunt led the recovery with 57 not out off 50 balls, and put on 46 off 36 balls with skipper Heather Knight.

Knight sustained a calf injury during the innings and retired hurt for 21 off 13 balls. It took away momentum from England, with West Indies making a comeback through leg break bowler Afy Fletcher.

She picked 3-21 in four overs, and squeezed runs in the middle part of the English innings, as Sciver-Brunt looked for more support.

England went from 94-3 to 135-7 in the space of 30 deliveries, but still managed to put a fighting total on the board by scoring 31 runs in the final three overs.

West Indies came out swinging as Joseph opened the innings after a gap of two games and targeted the leg side with some big hits.

She hit six fours and two sixes to blow the English attack away. At the other end, Matthews attacked too, hitting seven fours and a six, as the duo scored a tournament-high 67-0 in the power play.

In all, they put on 102 runs off 74 balls for the first wicket. Sciver-Brunt got the breakthrough in the 13th over, while Sarah Glenn dismissed Matthews five balls later. Shemaine Campbell (5) was also run out to give England hope.

But Deandra Dottin continued the momentum with two fours and two sixes — scoring 27 off 19 balls — to help West Indies across the finish line with plenty to spare.