Italy’s 1990 World Cup icon Schillaci dies aged 59

Italy’s 1990 World Cup icon Schillaci dies aged 59
Toto Schillaci in action during a World Cup match between Italy and the United States, in Rome, on June 14, 1990. (AP Photo)
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Updated 18 September 2024
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Italy’s 1990 World Cup icon Schillaci dies aged 59

Italy’s 1990 World Cup icon Schillaci dies aged 59
  • Gabriele Gravina: ‘His goal celebrations, in which his face became the symbol of a collective joy, will remain forever part of Italian football heritage’
  • Schillaci won the Golden Boot for being top scorer and won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament ahead of the likes of Lothar Matthaus and Diego Maradona

MILAN, Italy: Former Italy striker Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci, most famous for being top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, died on Wednesday at the age of 59.
Juventus were among Italy’s football clubs to pay tribute to Schillaci, who became an icon for his unexpected goalscoring exploits at his country’s home World Cup, simply saying “Ciao Toto” on social media with a picture of him in a Juve shirt.
Italian media report that Schillaci died at Palermo’s “Civico” hospital after suffering from bowel cancer.
The country’s football federation (FIGC) said that all matches played in Italy between now and the end of the coming weekend would have a “minute of reflection” before kick-off.
“His goal celebrations, in which his face became the symbol of a collective joy, will remain forever part of Italian football heritage,” FIGC chief Gabriele Gravina said in a statement.
Schillaci played for Juventus and Inter Milan after beginning his career in the early 1980s at Messina and had modest success in the club game.




Toto Schillaci after scoring against Argentina in the World Cup semifinal in Naples, Italy, July 3, 1990. (AFP)

His best club season came just before the 1990 World Cup, when he scored 21 times in all competitions as Juventus won the UEFA Cup and the Italian Cup.
But he went from hot club striker to national hero that summer by scoring six times as Italy reached the semifinals of Italia 90.
“At Juve we were lucky to be excited by him before he did the same to the whole of Italy during that incredible summer of 1990,” said Juventus.
“Goodbye, Toto. Thank you.”
Schillaci won the Golden Boot for being top scorer and won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament ahead of the likes of Lothar Matthaus and Diego Maradona, the former of whom won the tournament with the then West Germany.
Italy were knocked out on penalties by Argentina in the last four, as Napoli legend Maradona helped dump out the host nation in front of his own fans in Naples.
Schillaci, who was capped 16 times for his country, only scored one other goal for Italy in his career and four years after the 1990 World Cup left Inter for Jubilo Iwata in Japan, where he ended his career.


Pakistan’s Irfan Asghar wins 6th Asian Master Squash Championship 2024

Pakistan’s Irfan Asghar wins 6th Asian Master Squash Championship 2024
Updated 30 September 2024
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Pakistan’s Irfan Asghar wins 6th Asian Master Squash Championship 2024

Pakistan’s Irfan Asghar wins 6th Asian Master Squash Championship 2024
  • Irfan outplayed Ryun Hoe Koo, secured 3-0 win
  • The final scores were 11-6, 11-4 and 14-12

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani squash veteran, Group Captain (retired) Irfan Asghar, has won the 6th Asian Master Squash Championship 2024 held in Macau, China, Pakistani state media reported, citing the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF).
Irfan outplayed his opponent, Ryun Hoe Koo, and secured an impressive 3-0 win, clinching the title for Pakistan.
The final scores were 11-6, 11-4 and 14-12, the state-run APP news agency reported.
“His victory reinforces his status as a leading figure in Pakistan’s squash scene,” the report read.
The win marked Irfan’s second triumph in the Asian Master Squash Championship, having previously won the title in 2010.
Currently serving as the PSF director for academies, Irfan has continued to inspire the next generation of players.


Masood says ‘hurt’ Pakistan aim to end win drought against England

Masood says ‘hurt’ Pakistan aim to end win drought against England
Updated 30 September 2024
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Masood says ‘hurt’ Pakistan aim to end win drought against England

Masood says ‘hurt’ Pakistan aim to end win drought against England
  • Pakistan have gone winless in 10 home Tests since February 2021
  • They were handed a 2-0 defeat by Bangladesh earlier this month 

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Shan Masood on Monday backed Babar Azam to find his batting touch as his side look to end their win drought in the three-match Test series against England starting next week.
Pakistan have gone winless in 10 home Tests since February 2021, the latest humiliation being swept 2-0 by Bangladesh earlier this month.
They also lost 3-0 in Australia earlier this year.
“It’s not acceptable for Pakistan to not win a home Test for that long and we accept the responsibility for that,” said Masood at a press conference in Karachi.
“As a cricketing nation we all are hurt right now.”
Masood was confident that batting great Azam would soon be back to his best after managing just 64 runs in the two Bangladesh Tests.
“We all know Babar is one of the top batters in the world and despite not scoring big runs the good thing is that he is not out of form, we have to back him,” said Masood.
Azam has not passed fifty in Tests in 16 innings dating back to December 2022.
England arrive in Pakistan on October 2 with the first Test starting in Multan five days later.
The second Test is also in Multan from October 15 while the final match is in Rawalpindi from October 24.
“I assure you that everyone is eager to stage a comeback in this series and take Pakistan cricket in a good direction,” said Masood.
England swept the series 3-0 when they last visited Pakistan in 2022.
“For me, pressure is a thing of privilege because leading your country is a great honor but with it comes responsibility,” said Masood, whose captaincy tenure runs until May 2025.
“If results are good then I will serve, if not then I will be punished. I don’t run away from challenges and this coming series is also very challenging.”


Dembele dropped from PSG squad for Arsenal trip

Dembele dropped from PSG squad for Arsenal trip
Updated 30 September 2024
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Dembele dropped from PSG squad for Arsenal trip

Dembele dropped from PSG squad for Arsenal trip
  • Without the in-form Dembele, who has four goals and as many assists in six league games this season, PSG will rely more heavily on Bradley Barcola

LONDON: France forward Ousmane Dembele has been left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their Champions League game at Arsenal on Tuesday, a source close to the club told AFP.
Dembele’s absence is not injury-related but “a decision of the coach” Luis Enrique, the source told AFP.
It appears to be a disciplinary measure following a heated exchange between Luis Enrique and Dembele after Friday’s 3-1 win over Rennes in Ligue 1, according to sports daily L’Equipe.
Without the in-form Dembele, who has four goals and as many assists in six league games this season, PSG will rely more heavily on Bradley Barcola.
Barcola is the leading scorer in the French top flight this term with six goals, two of which came in the victory over Rennes.
Marco Asensio is in a race against time to be fit after picking up an injury in PSG’s Champions League opener against Girona two weeks ago.


3-Soccer-World Cup winner Griezmann announces shock retirement from French national team

3-Soccer-World Cup winner Griezmann announces shock retirement from French national team
Updated 30 September 2024
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3-Soccer-World Cup winner Griezmann announces shock retirement from French national team

3-Soccer-World Cup winner Griezmann announces shock retirement from French national team
  • The 33-year-old, who struggled at this year’s Euros, was one of the key elements in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup campaigns as Les Bleus took the title in Russia and finished runners-up in Qatar

PARIS: France midfielder Antoine Griezmann announced the end of his international career on Monday after being coach Didier Deschamps’s most important player for a decade, during which he won a World Cup title.
The 33-year-old, who struggled at this year’s Euros, was one of the key elements in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup campaigns as Les Bleus took the title in Russia and finished runners-up in Qatar.
“Today, it is with deep emotion that I’m announcing my retirement as a player of the France team,” the Atletico Madrid player said on social media.
“After 10 incredible years marked by challenges, successes and unforgettable moments, it is time for me to turn a page and make way for the new generation.
“Wearing this jersey was an honor and a privilege.”
’Grizou’, a favorite among his teammates and fans, was also the top scorer at Euro 2016 when France reached the final, only to be beaten by Portugal after extra time at the Stade de France.
Griezmann won 137 caps for France, scoring 44 goals, and imposed himself as a versatile player in Deschamps’s midfield and even if the captain’s armband went to Kylian Mbappe after Hugo Lloris’s international retirement, he was always a voice everyone listened to.
He played a French record of 84 consecutive matches with Les Bleus, a number that underlines his status as the national team’s most valuable player in the last 10 years. “We’ve had a long discussion about (his retirement) recently. Since his debut in the France team 10 years ago we’ve had a relationship based on trust and frankness,” Deschamps said in a statement.
“Even if his club career is not over, Antoine will remain a monument of French football, one of the greatest player in its history.
“It was often said that he was my favorite. We indeed had built a very strong relationship, that will remain intact. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything, Grizou.”
A man who was always thankful for a sometimes thankless role, Griezmann is the second top player to retire from international football after Olivier Giroud, the team’s all-time top scorer, hung up his France boots after the 2-1 defeat by Spain in this year’s Euro semifinals. Griezmann, who also helped France win the 2021 Nations League, is the team’s fourth all-time goal scorer.
He has made more than 500 appearances in LaLiga with Real Sociedad, Atletico and Barcelona.
This season, he has scored three goals in nine games in all competitions for Atletico.


Dubai BC secures big win over Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija

Dubai BC secures big win over Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija
Updated 30 September 2024
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Dubai BC secures big win over Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija

Dubai BC secures big win over Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija
  • The team will be searching for their third straight win when they take on Serbia’s Mega MIS next weekend

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball Club secured their first away victory and second consecutive win in Europe’s ABA League after beating Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija 92-84 on Sunday night.

Dubai BC tipped off at the Arena Stozice and put on a solid team performance as they looked to build on their debut win against defending champions Crvena Zvezda last weekend.

Playing in his homeland, Dubai captain Klemen Prepelic led from the front with 23 points including five rebounds, four assists and two steals, while dynamic duo Nate Mason (20 and seven assists) and Isaiah Taylor (10) also hit double figures.

Jacorey Williams dominated in the paint with nine rebounds and 6 points, along with a stellar defensive performance that helped keep Cedevita Olimpija’s star and NBA veteran Devin Robinson, to only 14 points.

Prepelic opened the game with a jump shot and added to his tally with two free throws to give Dubai an early lead. Despite the hosts levelling the score, Dubai’s captain added to his points tally with a 7-4 run, before taking complete control of the game. Cedevita Olimpija had no answers for Nate Mason, who put up 8 first-quarter points, extending the lead to 29-17. The momentum didn’t stop there, as the visitors went into half-time with a healthy 63-42 lead.

After scoring 20 points in the third quarter, Dubai Basketball rallied to hold off Cedevita Olimpija, with Prepelic and Williams adding to the team’s tally to secure the 92-84 win — a result that sees Dubai BC shocking the league with an incredible start to the inaugural season.

Head Coach Jurica Golemac had nothing but praise for his players.

“It was a dominant game,” he said. “We controlled it for 35 to 37 minutes and the players stuck to everything we agreed on. Cedevita Olimpija is a difficult opponent so we knew we had to be very energetic, maintain a very high intensity, which is difficult to do for 40 minutes.

“Overall, I am satisfied. When we saw the games schedule everyone said let's go and win the first two, which we have done. We all want to be very competitive and aggressive and not think about being beaten.”

He added: “We have high ambitions. I told my players in the locker room that small games are the biggest games. We have played these two games where we were not favorites, now we have Mega, then Borac Cacak next and we now need to rest and work well in training for those games.”

Dubai BC play their next game at home, at the Coca-Cola Arena, against Serbia’s Mega MIS on Saturday, Oct. 5.