Slot hails ‘hardest’ win as Liverpool stay above victorious City by beating Chelsea

After City needed an injury-time header from John Stones to beat last-placed Wolves 2-1 in the early kickoff, Liverpool answered with a composed performance at Anfield. (AFP/Action Images via Reuters)
After City needed an injury-time header from John Stones to beat last-placed Wolves 2-1 in the early kickoff, Liverpool answered with a composed performance at Anfield. (AFP/Action Images via Reuters)
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Updated 20 October 2024
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Slot hails ‘hardest’ win as Liverpool stay above victorious City by beating Chelsea

Slot hails ‘hardest’ win as Liverpool stay above victorious City by beating Chelsea
  • Third-placed Arsenal lost at Bournemouth on Saturday, leaving Liverpool and City the main title rivals early on in the season

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool are looking more and more like Manchester City’s main title rivals after beating resurgent Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday to stay top of the Premier League table.
After City needed an injury-time header from John Stones to beat last-placed Wolves 2-1 in the early kickoff, Liverpool answered with a composed performance at Anfield to hand Chelsea their first league loss since the opening round.
Having seen third-placed Arsenal lose at Bournemouth on Saturday to raise questions about the Gunners’ title hopes, Liverpool and City took full advantage to build a small gap atop the standings. Arne Slot’s team leads on 21 points from eight games, one ahead of City and four above Arsenal.
It was Slot’s most significant win at Anfield so far and prevented Chelsea from moving into third place, with the visitors remaining sixth instead.
“Many other games were hard but this might have been the hardest maybe, because of the amount of quality players they (Chelsea) have and the structure they have,” Slot said. “We had to fight really hard to get this one over the line.”
Curtis Jones orchestrated the win for Liverpool, earning a penalty for Mohamed Salah’s first-half opener and then scoring himself to restore the host’s lead in the 51st minute, shortly after Nicolas Jackson had equalized for Chelsea.
Jones also thought he had earned a second penalty in first-half injury time, but it was overturned after a VAR review judged that Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez got the ball before bundling over the Liverpool player.
But he capped a stellar performance by beating the offside trap to get on the end of a ball into the box from Salah and slot in the winner.
“As soon as Mo had the ball I made the run, but it bounced so I had to have a touch, and then thankfully it went in,” Jones said.
Liverpool was the last team other than City to win the title, in 2019-20, and pushed Pep Guardiola’s team to the very end several times under Jurgen Klopp before finishing just fifth two years ago and a distant third last season.
In Slot’s first season in charge, though, the Reds are looking like credible challengers again and have now won 10 of 11 games in all competitions.
And City are looking far from unbeatable, needing another last-gasp goal from Stones to avoid a third league draw in four games against a Wolves team that only has one point so far.
It also needed a VAR intervention for the goal to stand, as referee Chris Kavanagh was called to the sideline monitor to review whether Bernardo Silva was interfering with goalkeeper Jose Sa from an offside position.
“We are not used to winning games at the end,” said Guardiola, whose team has won four straight league titles by regularly overwhelming most opponents. “It is a good flavor for us.”
It also extended City’s unbeaten streak to a club-record 31 league games, beating a mark Guardiola’s team had set in 2018.
With prolific striker Erling Haaland held scoreless for a third straight league game, City’s defenders provided the goals instead after Jorgen Strand Larsen had given the hosts a surprising early lead in the seventh minute.
Josko Gvardiol curled in a superb right-foot shot from outside the area to equalize in the 33rd minute but Wolves then repelled wave after wave of City attacks before the late intervention from Stones, who also netted a last-gasp equalizer against Arsenal in the eighth minute of injury time last month.
“These moments don’t come often for us,” Stones said. “We’ve come up with a few over the years and today was one of them.”


The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up

Updated 36 sec ago
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The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up

The draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup is coming up
The tournament will take place in 11 US cities from June 15 to July 13 in an expanded format with 32 teams instead of the previous seven
Europe got 12 places, South America six, while Africa, Asia and North America got four each

GENEVA: Soccer’s biggest ever global club tournament is coming to the United States next year and the 32-team group stage will be drawn Thursday.
European powers Real Madrid and Manchester City, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, recently crowned South American champion Botafogo and top clubs from Asia, Africa and Oceania are among the teams who are in the draw for FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup.
The tournament, which used to be played annually in December, will take place in 11 US cities from June 15 to July 13 in an expanded format with 32 teams instead of the previous seven. Going forward the Club World Cup will be played every four years – just like the World Cup for national teams, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada in 2026.
Here’s what to know about the Club World Cup draw, which is made in Miami at 1 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Thursday.
What is the Club World Cup?
FIFA and its presidents have long coveted a prime piece of club soccer content.
The 2025 Club World Cup is FIFA’s most ambitious project, creating a month-long tournament in a mid-June to mid-July slot historically used by the men’s World Cup, which draws the biggest audiences in global sports.
The new club competition uses the traditional 32-team format used by the World Cup from 1998 to 2022. Eight round-robin groups of four teams each, and the top two advance to a knockout bracket of 16.
In allocating 32 entries, FIFA tried to balance getting the best and most watchable teams with giving all the world a chance to compete and develop.
Europe got 12 places, South America six, while Africa, Asia and North America got four each. One place went to Oceania and one to the host nation that should change for each edition.
Teams qualified by winning their continental championship from 2021 through 2024, or ranking highly with consistent results across those four seasons. Countries are capped at two entries unless more won titles. Brazil will send four different Copa Libertadores winners and Mexico three champions of the CONCACAF region. The other North American champion was Seattle Sounders.
Who will play?
Storied and wealthy European names are in: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. The current leaders of most of Europe’s strongest leagues miss out: Liverpool, Barcelona, Napoli and Sporting Lisbon.
Salzburg earned the last European entry last season based on FIFA’s ranking system though it can hardly be considered among Europe’s top clubs: it’s currently 32nd in the new 36-team Champions League standings.
Argentina’s big two clubs, River Plate and Boca Juniors, are in. The Brazilian and Mexican entries include, respectively, Fluminense and Pachuca, both currently 16th in their national league standings.
Africa’s entries include Al Ahly of Egypt — three times champion of Africa in the last four years — and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, which is owned by FIFA vice president Patrice Motsepe.
Saudi Arabia sends Al-Hilal, the 2021 champion of Asia, which won the domestic league last season despite losing Neymar to a long-term injury.
If they stay fit, the tournament will feature a new generation of stars such as Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will be there, with a FIFA thumb on the scales in October to give the team the host nation’s entry. Two other stars from Messi’s generation will miss out: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and Barcelona with Robert Lewandowski failed to qualify through their continental Champions League competitions.
Why is Inter Miami playing?
The previous version of the Club World Cup kept an entry for the host nation’s champion. But this time FIFA did not wait for the MLS Cup title game on Saturday, when LA Galaxy hosts New York Red Bulls. Neither will be in the draw Thursday.
Instead, Inter Miami, with the star power of Lionel Messi on the field and co-owner David Beckham, was given the Club World Cup place in October based on regular-season standings. It will play three group-stage games in Florida, including opening the tournament at the Hard Rock Stadium.
What are they playing for?
Money and a trophy. Which is more prized by club owners is a debate to be had.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised hundreds of millions of dollars in prize money, with reported guarantees of $50 million to top European teams, though it is currently unclear where from.
FIFA signed a global broadcasting deal Wednesday with streaming service DAZN to make all 63 games available for free. The value of the deal was not disclosed, and allows the streaming service to sell on rights to public broadcasters.
DAZN has close ties with Saudi Arabia, which promotes and stages top-level boxing title fights.
The new gold trophy has been fashioned by Tiffany and has Infantino’s name engraved on it twice. Plus his signature.
What is the tournament’s history?
Traditionally, the champions of Europe and South America played for the Intercontinental Cup. From 1980 to 2004 the game was played in Japan and usually in December.
FIFA launched a Club World Championship in 2000, played in January by eight teams in Brazil. It was not held again for nearly six years.
From 2005 through last year, the annual FIFA Club World Cup was played each December, settling on a seven-team knockout format: the six reigning continental champions and the host nation’s domestic champion. Hosts rotated between Japan, Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Qatar and, for its final edition last December, Saudi Arabia.
This annual event was unloved in Europe. The UEFA Champions League winner typically arrived for two games in four days and took home the trophy. Chelsea in 2012 was the only European team to lose in the past 17 years.
When first elected in 2016, Infantino spoke of FIFA’s need for a bigger, more attractive and lucrative club event.
In his previous job as UEFA general secretary, he helped organize the Champions League, in peak years of Messi winning the title at Barcelona and Ronaldo with Manchester United and then Real Madrid.
First, Infantino had a secretive $25 billion deal for new tournaments including a 24-team Club World Cup worth $3 billion every four years from 2021. That was blocked by European soccer officials.
Agreement was reached to play an inaugural 24-team tournament in June 2021 in China. Europe was to send just six teams.
No broadcast or sponsor deals had been announced by early 2020 when the tournament was scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The June 2021 slot was needed for the postponed Euro 2020 and Copa America.
After the failed Super League project in April 2021 rocked European soccer, FIFA found agreement for a 32-team Club World Cup.

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson announced as Golf Saudi ambassador 

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson announced as Golf Saudi ambassador 
Updated 05 December 2024
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Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson announced as Golf Saudi ambassador 

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson announced as Golf Saudi ambassador 
  • Role will involve ‘DJ’ leading year-round coaching for Saudi National Team golfers
  • American will also represent Golf Saudi brand globally

RIYADH: Double major winner Dustin Johnson was on Thursday announced as Golf Saudi’s newest high-profile ambassador as the sixth edition of the $5 million tournament entered its second day at Riyadh Golf Club.

In his ambassadorial role, American Johnson — who won Golf Saudi’s landmark men’s event in 2019 and 2021 and is competing in Riyadh this week — will help further drive the growth of golf in Saudi Arabia, working closely with the Kingdom’s national teams to deliver year-round lessons and coaching.

The world’s former No. 1 golfer — known as “DJ” — will continue to be a regular at golf events in Saudi Arabia and wear the Golf Saudi brand logo while competing around the world.

Dustin Johnson has been announced as a new Golf Saudi ambassador.(SUPPLIED)

Johnson said: “Golf Saudi is doing such a great job of promoting the game of golf and trying to get more people involved, here in Saudi Arabia and around the world. Me now being a Golf Saudi ambassador I’m very proud to be a part of that and I really want to help grow the game in Saudi.

“I won the first ever PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Royal Greens back in 2019. They do an amazing job of hosting all events out here — it doesn’t matter what kind of event or sport it is. I’ve always really enjoyed coming here and Golf Saudi put on an incredible event, which has gotten better every year — which is why I’ve come back and played every year since the first one.” Johnson also won the event in 2021.

Golf Saudi ambassador Dustin Johnson leads a coaching clinic at the Saudi International. (SUPPLIED)

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “We are honored to have Dustin taking on this role, which will be at the heart of our ambition to grow golf in Saudi Arabia and deliver our dream of seeing a Saudi champion in the future.

“Our Saudi pro-golfers — a record five of whom are competing in the PIF Saudi International this week — and our national development team will be learning year-round and hands-on from one of the very best to ever play the game. Off course, we’ll work with DJ to co-innovate on the future of golf, leaning on his unrivalled expertise and knowledge of the game to get more Saudis playing golf.

Johnson is a two-time Saudi International champion. (SUPPLIED)

“Dustin was our debut PIF Saudi International champion back in 2019 and has been a huge supporter of our goals in golf ever since. We are delighted to strengthen that relationship and look forward to backing DJ as he continues to compete for the biggest titles in golf.”

The PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers is underway at Riyadh Golf Club, with play ending on Saturday, Dec. 7. Johnson is alongside Tyrell Hatton (England), defending champion Abraham Ancer (Mexico) and Cameron Smith (Australia) as one of the biggest names in the field. There are also five Saudi professionals competing, a record number.

All those who attend the event can sign-up on-site for Golf Saudi’s “Go Golf” world-first free-to-learn golf coaching scheme, which offers three months of free lessons for all new Saudi golfers.

 


Common sense needed to solve crisis at the ICC

Common sense needed to solve crisis at the ICC
Updated 05 December 2024
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Common sense needed to solve crisis at the ICC

Common sense needed to solve crisis at the ICC
  • Standfirst: Jay Shah has a full inbox after becoming chair of the International Cricket Council

Jay Shah’s tenure as chair of the International Cricket Council began officially on Dec. 1. His first public pronouncement focused on the vision to take advantage of cricket’s participation in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and accelerate the growth of women’s cricket.

Shah also referred to the game being “at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats.” He did not mention the biggest item occupying his in-box, the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy, that urgently requires resolution.

This has implications for the four-year broadcast deal awarded to Disney Star for TV and digital rights. The deal covers all ICC men’s and women’s events from 2024 to 2027 for the Indian market. A significant part of the income stream for Disney Star is based on matches between India and Pakistan in ICC events. The loss of one, possibly, two, such matches in the Champions Trophy will put a hole in the ICC’s financial model and media contracts.

In the medium and longer term, Shah is well aware of the immense potential that cricket has to engage with fans globally. It is a moot point how much of the globe cricket can appeal to — Russia is suspended from the ICC and the game has so far failed to gain much traction in China. It has a limited foothold in South America. However, there are encouraging signs in Africa, not least in Nigeria. It is easy to see why the 2028 Olympics are framed as a seminal event for cricket.    

The issue of multiple formats in co-existence is one that will only become more complex during Shah’s tenure. He has been quoted as saying that Test cricket “remains the pinnacle of the game. I am dedicated to preserving its stature while enhancing its appeal to fans.” It is not clear what the last phrase refers to. Does it mean, for example, fewer or more Test-playing nations, or ensuring that the best players are made available? They are being pulled in different directions at the same time, largely by money.

This week, all formats of cricket are being played internationally. In men’s Tests series, Australia is host to India, New Zealand to England, South Africa to Sri Lanka and the West Indies to Bangladesh. After the latter series, the teams will play three ODIs. In T20s, Zimbabwe is hosting Pakistan while, elsewhere in Africa, the T20 Africa Continental Cup is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda. This follows on from the T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group C held in Abuja. Nigeria and Botswana progressed to the regional final. In Argentina, the Americas Sub-regional T20 World Cup qualifier is being contested by nine teams. 

On Dec. 2, the final of the Abu Dhabi T10 league was played. It included some familiar names, including Jos Buttler and Nicholas Pooran. These two players, alone, provide ample indication of the opportunities and options available to top players. The England and Wales Cricket Board has taken a bold and, possibly, counter-productive step to address the issue.

In an effort to preserve the quality of its domestic cricket, the ECB is proposing to ban players from appearing in franchise leagues that clash with its domestic schedules, except the Indian Premier League. The first flashpoint is the Pakistan Super League, moved to April in 2025 to accommodate the Champions Trophy. Such a ban will jeopardise the income streams of some players, who may decide to forego English first-class cricket. Legal challenges are expected.

No such issue exists in the world from which Shah has just moved. Contracted Indian cricketers are forbidden from playing in any franchise league other than the IPL. These decisions are for individual boards, not the ICC. Those boards whose players are in greatest demand are faced with a growing dilemma. There are now about 20 franchise leagues and the number is growing — Nepal being the latest. The issue for Shah and the ICC is how his vow to preserve Test cricket can withstand this challenge.

Conversely, Shah’s ambition to accelerate the development of women’s cricket is probably pushing at an open door. Prior to his succession, the quickening of pace was already in train. On Nov. 4, the ICC released the Women’s Future Tours Programme for the 2025-2029 cycle. This involves 11 of the 12 ICC full members. Afghanistan’s women’s cricketers are currently in exile — another matter lurking in Shah’s inbox. 

An ICC women’s event is scheduled for every year. After the ODI World Cup in India closes the previous cycle, there will be a T20 World Cup in 2026 in England, a six-team Champions Trophy in 2027 and a T20 World Cup in 2028. The lineup for the 2029 World Cup will be based on 132 ODIs played over the cycle in 44 series of three matches each, teams playing four series at home and away. There are 210 T20s scheduled, a 30 percent increase on the previous cycle.

There is also an increase in Test matches, from seven to 15. These will feature Australia, England, India, South Africa and the West Indies, who last played a Test in 2004. This increase will probably not satisfy those players who view Test cricket as the pinnacle. Preparation for it is essential and occasional matches do not facilitate a buildup of experience. Shah’s predecessor poured cold water on the prospects of more opportunities for women’s Tests. It remains to be seen if Shah’s positive statements regarding women’s cricket extend to Tests.

Given his opening remarks, Shah’s focus is more likely to be fixed on opportunities offered by the July 2028 Olympics and the short format. This fits with a desire to engage and expand globally.

Yet, all of this is overshadowed by the crisis surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy. ICC income is based on sales of media rights and tournament revenue. These depend on viewers and are highly sensitive to interruption. Lower income means lower disbursement of funds to members. This would hit ICC associate members badly and dent their growth prospects. The neutrality required constitutionally of an ICC chair faces an early Test.


UAE-based motorsport talent set for Formula 4 Middle East debuts at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

UAE-based motorsport talent set for Formula 4 Middle East debuts at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Updated 05 December 2024
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UAE-based motorsport talent set for Formula 4 Middle East debuts at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

UAE-based motorsport talent set for Formula 4 Middle East debuts at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
  • Adam Al-Azhari and August Raber will make their debut for Yas Heat Racing at Yas Marina Circuit this weekend

ABU DHABI: The Formula 4 Middle East Trophy Round returns to Yas Marina Circuit as part of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 this weekend. 

Abu Dhabi’s own Yas Heat Racing Formula 4 Middle East team features an exciting line-up of promising young talent, with 15-year-old future motorsport stars Adam Al-Azhari and August Raber both driving for the outfit.

Al-Azhari, who made waves in Formula 4 Spain last season, is eager to build on that experience and develop his race-craft as he represents Yas Heat Racing for the first time at his home track. Joining him is teammate August Raber, whose rise through the karting ranks has made him a talent to watch as he makes his official racing debut at his home circuit.

Meanwhile Emirati racing sensations Amna and Hamda Al-Qubaisi will compete in the Formula 1 Academy finale as Yas Heat Racing ambassadors. Hamda, driving for Red Bull Racing, returns to her home track after a remarkable second F1 Academy season that sees her currently in P6 in the championship standings. Amna, for Visa Cash App RB, continues to blaze a trail for Emirati women in motorsport.

Francesca Pardini of Yas Heat Racing said: “This season marks a new chapter for Yas Heat Racing, with a mix of experienced drivers and emerging talent ready to take on the challenge. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix offers an unparalleled platform to showcase their skills and their development plan in front of the world’s best racers, setting the tone for a successful year ahead.”

Following the non-point scoring Trophy Round at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the F4 Middle East season will officially begin at Kuwait Motor Town on Jan. 17, with rounds confirmed at both Yas Marina Circuit and Dubai Autodrome. The venue for the season finale is still to be announced.


Local stars in the mix after first round of Saudi International

Local stars in the mix after first round of Saudi International
Updated 05 December 2024
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Local stars in the mix after first round of Saudi International

Local stars in the mix after first round of Saudi International
  • Khalid Attieh hit a sensational 4-under 67 to sit just three shots off the lead set by Chinese Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun

RIYADH:  Saudi Arabia’s local golfing talent put on a strong showing as the season-ending PIF Saudi International presented by SoftBank Investment Advisers got underway at Riyadh Golf Club on Wednesday.

Khalid Attieh, who recently turned professional, celebrated his new status with a sensational four-under 67 made up of five birdies and one bogey, leaving him just three shots off the lead set by Chinese Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun and Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand.

His compatriot, Saud Al-Sharif, finished a shot further behind after five birdies and two bogeys for his 68.

Attieh was delighted to put on such a good show on home turf. He said: “It was a good round. Hit the ball pretty good, putted good as well. The course is playing great. They have done a great job in setting it up such in a short time with all the events coming up.

“Greens are rolling really nicely. If you hit your lines here, you are definitely going to make some putts. Looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully keep it going. This is my home course, so I know how the greens are a little bit.”

The International Series is committed to developing the game, offering promising players a chance to play with some of the biggest names in the world. Attieh took full advantage earlier this season, making history by becoming the first Saudi amateur to make the cut in a pro tournament at International Series Oman. He followed that up by making the Black Mountain Championship in Thailand and the BNI Indonesian Masters.

He was understandably delighted to put on a good first-round display as a pro in front of home fans. He said: “It’s great to have them out here. You don’t get a lot of weeks where you have got home support. It has been a long journey traveling around Asia. With the home support, I think it’s very helpful and acts as a motivation for me.”

Reflecting on the learning curve that Saudi players are experiencing this week, he added: “It’s a great opportunity for us. Some great players here, so I am learning a lot. Just watching yesterday a few guys chip, you learn so much. And even playing with all the players today, they have a lot more experience, so it is nice to see how they compose themselves on and off the golf course. I thank Golf Saudi and the Federation for supporting us through this journey.”

Al-Sharif has not yet made a cut all season, and he was delighted with his first round in Riyadh — an excellent display on a very special day.

He said: “It was a good day today. I had the pleasure and the privilege to be playing with two awesome players, Brendan Steele and Scott Vincent. So I enjoyed my day. Obviously turning 25 today, it is my birthday too, so that’s icing on the cake.

“It is a bonus to play well. Feels nice obviously to play well on the home course. Looking forward to keeping the form up.”

Al-Sharif said he was delighted with the home support that turned out to cheer on the five home hopes and some of the best players in world golf.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “Obviously, that is our main objective here with the players, to get more people into golf. It is awesome to see — it’s awesome to see those teammates get the chance to play in events like this.”

Promising Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu, who made the weekend last time out at International Series Qatar, continued his fine form with a five-under round of 66. Bresnu recently won the Pan Arab Golf Championship at Al-Zorah Golf & Yacht Club in Ajman.