Barca stumble at Monaco after early red card

Barca stumble at Monaco after early red card
Barcelona's Eric Garcia is shown a red card by referee Allard Lindhout. (Reuters)
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Updated 20 September 2024
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Barca stumble at Monaco after early red card

Barca stumble at Monaco after early red card

MONACO: Barcelona fell to a 2-1 defeat at Monaco on Thursday in their Champions League opener, hindered by an early red card shown to Eric Garcia.
Hansi Flick’s side have started the season with a perfect record after five La Liga matches but struggled to find their best level against the Ligue 1 side.
After Garcia was sent off for pulling down Takumi Minamino as he ran through, Maghnes Akliouche fired Monaco ahead.
Starlet Lamine Yamal scored a fine equalizer for Barcelona but George Ilenikhena grabbed the winner for Monaco in the 71st minute.
Five-time winners Barcelona, last crowned European champions in 2015, have struggled in Europe in recent seasons, particularly away from home and were brought crashing down to earth in the French Riviera.
Monaco thrashed Barcelona in a pre-season friendly and had the Catalan giants’ number for much of the clash at the Stade Louis II.
They were significantly aided by Garcia’s dismissal after 11 minutes, for felling former Liverpool midfielder Minamino on the edge of the box.
A careless pass from Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen put Garcia under immediate pressure and he tangled with the Japan international as he tried to stop him running in on goal.
Monaco soon took the lead after 17 minutes when Akliouche worked his way into the box and finished well under little pressure.
With Barcelona at a numerical disadvantage the hosts were on top and Raphinha squandered the visitors’ best openings despite his impressive domestic form of late.
Monaco had kept Spain’s Euro 2024 star Yamal quiet but he burst into life to level before the half-hour mark, cutting in from the right and drilling inside the near post.
The teenage made it look easy to score a goal out of nothing, becoming the second youngest scorer in Champions League history at 17 years and 68 days old.
The record-holder watched on from Barcelona’s bench — Ansu Fati, who netted in 2019 against Inter Milan at 17 years 40 days of age.
Alejandro Balde bundled off target for Barcelona but Monaco came closer, with Breel Embolo firing at Ter Stegen and Wilfried Singo having a goal disallowed for offside.
Monaco took the lead when the dangerous Vanderson played a long ball over the top which substitute Ilenikhena ran on to, with Inigo Martinez in his rearview mirror.
The 18-year-old Nigerian forward hit his shot hard and low and it flew into the net via a hand from Ter Stegen, who might have kept it out.
The German stopper achieved some redemption when he produced a superb save to keep out Folarin Balogun’s ferocious effort.
Monaco were awarded a penalty late on when Balogun tumbled to ground under pressure from Martinez, but the referee changed his decision after a VAR review.
Flick threw on Fati for his first Barcelona appearance since August 2023 in search of an equalizer but it was not forthcoming.


More World Cup woe as Saudi Arabia draw blank against Bahrain

More World Cup woe as Saudi Arabia draw blank against Bahrain
Updated 13 sec ago
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More World Cup woe as Saudi Arabia draw blank against Bahrain

More World Cup woe as Saudi Arabia draw blank against Bahrain
  • Earlier, the Socceroos had drawn 1-1 with leaders Japan in Saitama
  • Gave Roberto Mancini’s men a chance to move two points above Australia

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia were held to a 0-0 draw by Bahrain in Jeddah on Tuesday in another disappointing performance and result in the third round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

A first half missed penalty from Salem Al-Dawsari, his second in four games in Group C, proved costly and meant that the Green Falcons failed to climb above Australia into second.

Earlier, the Socceroos had drawn 1-1 with leaders Japan in Saitama, to move on to five points, one above Saudi Arabia and five behind the Samurai Blue.

It gave Roberto Mancini’s men a chance to move two points above Australia into second ahead of their meeting in Melbourne next month but, one point from two home games in Jeddah in the space of five days will only increase the pressure on the Italian.

The team are one of three on five points, below Australia and above Bahrain on goal difference. Indonesia and China have three each. Only the top two from each of the three groups are guaranteed a World Cup spot.

This was another plodding performance, albeit against a well-organised, hard-working and physically strong opponent, with few moments of quality and few chances even with the almost 25 minutes of time added on.

Saudi Arabia started brightly, however, with Firas Al-Buraikan forcing an early save from Ebrahim Lutfalla after some smart attacking interplay but there was a bigger chance before long.

There was a lengthy VAR delay in the 13th minute as Marwan Al-Sahafi went down in the area under a challenge from Abdulla Al-Khalasi. After almost three minutes the referee, who had originally not pointed to the spot, went to the pitchside monitor and,almost inevitably, changed his decision. It looked like the right one and it gave Al-Dawsari the opportunity to settle the nerves at the King Abdullah Sports City and banish memories of his miss against Indonesia in the opening game that ended in a 1-1 draw.

The 2022 Asian Player of the Year also had to take his time and it was almost six minutes after the initial foul when he took the kick and perhaps that wait did not help. It was not the best of penalties and Lutfalla stood his ground and then made a diving save to his left. The feeling of the energy leaving the stadium was palpable.

It took the hosts some time to get going again and they could even have been behind at the break. Bahrain’s best chance in the first half came in the seventh minute of added time as Al-Khalasi almost redeemed himself for giving away the penalty but, from the left corner of the area, his low shot was well-blocked by Ahmed Al-Kassar. The goalkeeper was in action moments later, flying through the air to push away a ball that had come off the head of Al-Buraikan.

The Green Falcons had some half-chances early in the second half and had a rare opportunity with 11 minutes remaining.   Abdulla Radif ran into the area and made space for himself only to shoot tamely into the arms of the grateful Lutfalla.

Bahrain had to work even harder after 87 minutes when they were reduced to ten men. The visitors had used all their substitutes when Sayed Hashim Isa went off injured.

With the 11 minutes added time, there was hope for Saudi Arabia especially as Al-Dawsari went down in the area under a challenge from the goalkeeper. The referee was not interested in a penalty and, this time, neither was VAR. In the 101st minute, Musab Al-Juwayr sent an enticing low pass across the six yard box but there was nobody able to connect to win the game.

That was that and there was only one team celebrating at the final whistle and it wasn’t Saudi Arabia. There is a lot of work to do.


Bangladesh fires cricket coach for allegedly assaulting a player at World Cup

Bangladesh fires cricket coach for allegedly assaulting a player at World Cup
Updated 15 October 2024
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Bangladesh fires cricket coach for allegedly assaulting a player at World Cup

Bangladesh fires cricket coach for allegedly assaulting a player at World Cup
  • The board has served notice to the Sri Lankan and suspended him for 48 hours after which his contract will be terminated
  • Hathurusinghe, who has made no public comment, will be replaced by former West Indies cricketer Phil Simmons as head coach

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board fired national team coach Chandika Hathurusinghe on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting one of his players during last year’s 50-over World Cup in India.
“Hathurusinghe has two counts of misconduct,” BCB president Faruque Ahmed said Tuesday. “First is about an assault on a player. Secondly, he took too many leaves, more than what was in his contract.”
Ahmed said the board served notice to the Sri Lankan and suspended him for 48 hours after which his contract will be terminated.
“His suspension is for a 48-hour notice period, which we are not bound to give him, but we did it out of courtesy as he is an international figure,” Ahmed said. “We have suspended him, and with immediate effect afterwards he will be terminated.”
Former West Indies cricketer Phil Simmons, who has led Zimbabwe, Ireland, West Indies and Afghanistan as head coach in the past, will replace Hathurusinghe until the Champions Trophy in February next year.
The board did not give details of the alleged assault with some media reports saying Hathurusinghe had hit the player in question.
“The victim is not very comfortable about it, I will not mention his name,” Ahmed said. “This incident shouldn’t have happened.”
Ahmed also said Hathurusinghe’s absences exceeded three months, which “is also large part of his misconduct.”
“He informed us in a scattered way, in one or two emails, that he has to go home,” Ahmed said. “It can’t be for more than three months … so there was a serious breach in that regard.”
Hathurusinghe was appointed Bangladesh coach last year. Bangladesh recorded its most significant away win in test history when it routed Pakistan 2-0 in the two-match series. But soon after Bangladesh crashed to a 2-0 test series defeat in India and also lost the T20 series 3-0 last month.
Hathurusinghe has made no public comment.


Kylian Mbappe’s representatives say reports footballer faces rape probe are ‘false’ and a ‘slanderous rumor’

Kylian Mbappe’s representatives say reports footballer faces rape probe are ‘false’ and a ‘slanderous rumor’
Updated 15 October 2024
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Kylian Mbappe’s representatives say reports footballer faces rape probe are ‘false’ and a ‘slanderous rumor’

Kylian Mbappe’s representatives say reports footballer faces rape probe are ‘false’ and a ‘slanderous rumor’
  • Swedish public broadcaster SVT and dailies Expressen and Aftonbladet, citing unnamed sources, reported that Mbappe, 25, was a suspect in the case
  • Mbappe’s representatives at PR firm Patricia Goldman said: “These accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable”

STOCKHOLM/PARIS: Allegations of rape against French footballer Kylian Mbappe are “totally false” and “a slanderous rumor,” his representatives said on Tuesday, following media reports that he was the subject of an investigation over an incident in a Stockholm hotel on Oct. 10.
Swedish prosecutors confirmed in a statement in response to the media coverage that a probe into an alleged rape at a hotel in central Stockholm had been opened, but did not identify a suspect.
Swedish public broadcaster SVT and dailies Expressen and Aftonbladet, citing unnamed sources, reported that Mbappe, 25, was a suspect in the case.
“A new slanderous rumor is starting to ignite the web,” a statement sent to Reuters by Mbappe’s representatives at PR firm Patricia Goldman said. “These accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable.
“Kylian Mbappe will under no circumstances tolerate his integrity, reputation and honor being sullied by unfounded insinuations.”
Mbappe posted a link to a French media story on the matter on X and wrote: “Fake News!!!!“
The France national team captain and Real Madrid forward had been on a private trip to the Nordic country’s capital last week with a group of friends, Swedish media reported.
Mbappe and his friends left Sweden on Friday Oct. 11. A report of the allegations against Mbappe was made to police by an unidentified victim the following day, Expressen and daily Aftonbladet reported.
“In response to media reports about a suspected rape in Stockholm, the prosecutor can confirm that a criminal report has been submitted to the police,” the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a statement on Tuesday.
Reuters could not independently confirm the identity of the alleged victim or the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
Senior Prosecutor Marina Chirakova declined to comment further when reached by Reuters.
SVT and tabloid Expressen, citing unnamed sources, reported that the level of suspicion directed at Mbappe by investigators was “reasonable” — the lower of the two levels in the Swedish legal system. The higher level, “probable suspicion,” is usually required to have a suspect remanded in custody.
Mbappe trained with his Real Madrid teammates on Tuesday. The club did not immediately respond when asked if they were aware of the investigation and whether it had been contacted by the Swedish authorities.


France will host Israel in the Nations League ‘under usual conditions,’ French authorities say

France will host Israel in the Nations League ‘under usual conditions,’ French authorities say
Updated 15 October 2024
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France will host Israel in the Nations League ‘under usual conditions,’ French authorities say

France will host Israel in the Nations League ‘under usual conditions,’ French authorities say
  • The match at the Stade de France on Nov. 14 will be played “under the usual conditions for a Nations League match and will of course be open to the public”
  • Italy beat Israel 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday

PARIS: Israel’s Nations League soccer match against host France next month will take place in “usual conditions,” French authorities said Tuesday, a day after Italy hosted Israel in the same competition without incident despite security concerns.
Laurent Nuñez, the Paris police prefect, said in a statement that the match at the Stade de France on Nov. 14 will be played “under the usual conditions for a Nations League match and will of course be open to the public.”
Italy beat Israel 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday, with the game being played against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has spread to Lebanon after more than a year-long war in Gaza.
It was the first match Israel have played outside neutral Hungary this year. After the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7 last year, the national soccer team played in Kosovo and Andorra last November.
All Israel matches since then have been in Hungary, including last month’s game against Belgium in the Nations League after the Belgian Football Association refused to host the game for security reasons.


Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports

Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports
Updated 15 October 2024
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Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports

Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports
  • Tuchel, 51, has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
  • The German would become just the third foreign manager of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello

LONDON: Thomas Tuchel is set to be named England’s new manager after agreeing a deal with the Football Association, The Times reported on Tuesday.
Tuchel, 51, has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
The German would become just the third foreign manager of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Sky Sports also said Tuchel was in “pole position” to become Gareth Southgate’s long-term replacement.
The FA declined to comment on the reports but said that CEO Mark Bullingham will provide an update on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium.
Tuchel fits the remit of a “world-class coach who has won trophies,” which was outlined by England interim manager Lee Carsley after Sunday’s 3-1 Nations League win over Finland.
He has managed a number of Europe’s top clubs, also including Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, but his greatest success came during his time in English football at Chelsea.
Tuchel led the Blues to Champions League glory just months after taking charge in 2021 and also won the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with the London club.
He was sacked in September 2022 in a bold early move by Chelsea’s new ownership group that did not pay off.
Just six months later he was appointed Bayern boss and led them to a 11th consecutive Bundesliga title.
However, Tuchel also oversaw the demise of Bayern’s dominance of German football in a first trophyless campaign last season for 12 years.
Carsley was put in temporary charge in August following Southgate’s resignation shortly after reaching the final of Euro 2024.
However, the 50-year-old, who stepped up from his role as under-21s manager, has since given mixed messages about whether he wanted the job on a permanent basis.
Carsley’s case was further damaged by a 2-1 Nations League defeat to Greece last week and he backed the idea of appointing a foreign coach if they are the right candidate.
“We’ve seen in the past that we’ve had different nationalities coach the team. The best candidate should get the job,” said Carsley.
“I think we’d be putting ourselves in a corner if we didn’t, and we didn’t open our minds a bit.”
Tuchel will inherit a richly talented generation of players, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, that will be among the favorites for World Cup glory in 2026.
Southgate led the Three Lions to back-to-back Euros finals, plus a World Cup semifinal and quarter-final in his four major tournaments in charge.
England, though, are still yet to win a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.