Musiala scores a hat trick as Bayern Munich beat Mainz 4-0 in German Cup

Musiala scores a hat trick as Bayern Munich beat Mainz 4-0 in German Cup
Bayern’s Jamal Musiala, center, scores past Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentnerduring a second round German Cup soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Bayern Munich Wednesday in Mainz, Germany. (AP)
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Updated 31 October 2024
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Musiala scores a hat trick as Bayern Munich beat Mainz 4-0 in German Cup

Musiala scores a hat trick as Bayern Munich beat Mainz 4-0 in German Cup
  • After scoring his first on a slick team move assisted by Harry Kane, Musiala made sure he was in the right place at the right time for his other goals
  • The ease of the win underlined Bayern’s return to the sort of domestic dominance it is used to in Germany after a trophyless 2023-24 season
  • Eintracht Frankfurt played almost all of the game with 10 men but still beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1

MAINZ, Germany: Jamal Musiala scored a first-half hat trick as Bayern Munich reached the third round of the German Cup in a 4-0 win over Mainz on Wednesday.

Bayern were never seriously tested after Musiala opened the scoring less than 90 seconds into the game.

The ease of the win underlined Bayern’s return to the sort of domestic dominance it is used to in Germany after a trophyless 2023-24 season, even if their Champions League campaign has been less impressive.

After scoring his first on a slick team move assisted by Harry Kane, Musiala made sure he was in the right place at the right time for his other goals.

The second came on the rebound when a Kane shot was saved and Musiala completed his hat trick with Bayern’s fourth goal of the game, a tap-in when Konrad Laimer’s cross deflected off two Mainz players. Shortly before that, Leroy Sané had scored Bayern’s third goal on a flowing counterattack that began in his team’s own penalty area.

In Wednesday’s other games, Union Berlin have been on the rise again in the Bundesliga but had an early cup exit with a 2-0 loss to third-division Arminia Bielefeld.

Eintracht Frankfurt played almost all of the game with 10 men but still beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 on goals from forward Hugo Ekitike and Omar Marmoush.

Frankfurt were without defender Arthur Theate from the 15th minute after his handball saw him red-carded for the second game in a row. Theate was sent off in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Union Berlin but the suspension didn’t carry over to the cup.

Heidenheim was upset 2-1 by second-division Hertha Berlin. Heidenheim thought it had done enough to go to extra time when Paul Wanner headed in a last-second equalizer, but it was ruled out for an apparent foul in the buildup.

Other Bundesliga teams progressed as Werder Bremen knocked out Paderborn 1-0, Freiburg saw off Hamburger SV 2-1 and Hoffenheim knocked out Nuremberg 2-1.


Hot Hawks pip LeBron’s Lakers in overtime, Celtics beat Bucks

Hot Hawks pip LeBron’s Lakers in overtime, Celtics beat Bucks
Updated 10 sec ago
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Hot Hawks pip LeBron’s Lakers in overtime, Celtics beat Bucks

Hot Hawks pip LeBron’s Lakers in overtime, Celtics beat Bucks
  • The victory moves the defending NBA champions to 19-4 and leaves them in second place in the Eastern Conference behind the early season NBA pacesetters, the 20-3 Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Paul George, back after a knee injury, scored 21 points and provided nine assists for the Philadelphia 76ers in their 102-94 win over the Orlando Magic

MIAMI: The Atlanta Hawks earned their sixth straight win in the NBA with Trae Young scoring a three-pointer with 7.4 seconds left in overtime to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 134-132 and overcome a LeBron James triple-double.

James, who put up 39 points for the Lakers along with 10 rebounds and 11 assists, saw his 31-foot three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left come out off the rim as the Lakers fell to a third straight loss.

The game ended tied at 119-119 in regulation after Young’s last-gasp three-point attempt was blocked by Max Christie.

Alongside James, Anthony Davis put up 38 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists but Atlanta were able to match them with Young scoring 31 points and providing 20 assists.

The Hawks bench contributed well with De’Andre Hunter putting up 26 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic adding 20, the pair sinking nine three-pointers between them.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick, whose team have lost seven of their last nine games, said he saw plenty of good signs despite the defeat.

“I told the group that I appreciate their effort, their intent, their energy and truthfully I liked a lot of their execution,” he said.

“We did enough to win a basketball game tonight. Similar to Orlando, similar to Oklahoma City, we did enough to win a basketball game and I’m very appreciative of that.

“You can build on that, you can adjust and scheme, maybe tweak some things late game,” he added.

The Boston Celtics grinded out a 111-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks with Jayson Tatum leading the way, putting up 34 points.

Tatum added 10 rebounds and five assists in another clutch performance while Jrue Holiday scored 20 points and Sam Hauser helped out with 16 points off the bench.

The victory moves the defending NBA champions to 19-4 and leaves them in second place in the Eastern Conference behind the early season NBA pacesetters, the 20-3 Cleveland Cavaliers.

It was a well-contested battle, befitting a game which could well feature in the playoffs, with neither team managing to get more than eight points ahead while there were 14 lead changes.

The Celtics pulling clear late when Al Horford produced a three-pointer to make it 105-101 before Holiday, on a pass from Tatum, made a 14-foot floater to open up a five-point lead with 25.1 seconds left.

“This was a tough win,” Tatum said. “We didn’t necessarily shoot the ball as well as we wanted to, especially in the first half. But we just... we had to find a way.

“Second half we hit some shots, but we really picked it up on the defensive end and everybody played a part.”

Damian Lillard top-scored with 30 points for the Bucks while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30, but Milwaukee fell to an 11-11 record.

Paul George, back after a knee injury, scored 21 points and provided nine assists for the Philadelphia 76ers in their 102-94 win over the Orlando Magic.

The 76ers were again without Joel Embiid, who is dealing with a knee problem, as they split a home series with the Magic after a defeat without George on Wednesday.

K.J. Martin was key for the 76ers as he delivered 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting after coming off the bench.

The Indiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls 132-123 with Tyrese Haliburton top-scoring with 23 points and Pascal Siakam putting up 21.

Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 32 points but could not stop Chicago falling to 10-14, the same record as the Pacers.


American ski racer Lindsey Vonn is picking up speed in her comeback bid at 40 years old

American ski racer Lindsey Vonn is picking up speed in her comeback bid at 40 years old
Updated 07 December 2024
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American ski racer Lindsey Vonn is picking up speed in her comeback bid at 40 years old

American ski racer Lindsey Vonn is picking up speed in her comeback bid at 40 years old
  • Vonn’s last competition was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden
  • It’s been 6 years since I last raced so I still have a lot of equipment to test, finding my groove and really getting into racing form”

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colorado: Word on the mountain has it that Lindsey Vonn is still fast through a downhill course, even at 40 years old. Maybe even challenge-for-downhill-wins fast.

On a frigid Friday morning, Vonn darted through the shadows along the speed course at Copper Mountain and through the mist created by the snow makers.

There was no clock at the bottom of the hill to measure just how speedy she was as she makes a comeback to skiing nearly six years removed from her last race. But she certainly looked the part of fast by dropping into a tuck position to become more aerodynamic, and even banging through a few gates on several high-speed runs.

Vonn plans to enter a series of lower-tier FIS downhill and super-G races this weekend at Copper Mountain in an effort to gain the necessary results to lower her ranking so she can possibly enter World Cup races this season under a new wild-card rule.

It could be the first step toward seeing her on the World Cup circuit again, maybe even on the podium.

“I honestly think she will win,” retired ski racer Ted Ligety said in an interview with The Associated Press. “From what I’ve heard, she’s been kicking (butt) and been really fast in training. Some of the women on the World Cup are going to be rudely awakened to have to compete against a Lindsey Vonn again.”

Vonn declined to talk after her practice session Friday. She chatted with several racers on the hill and again inside the lodge, where her dog, Lucy, became the center of attention.

In a post Friday afternoon on Instagram, Vonn wrote: “Happy to be able to take another step this weekend! Technically tomorrow will be my first race but I’m using it as a training opportunity to keep on building. ... It’s been 6 years since I last raced so I still have a lot of equipment to test, finding my groove and really getting into racing form. I am having a lot of fun and want to keep on doing so!”

When she left the sport, Vonn’s 82 World Cup race victories stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. The next World Cup races for the women’s circuit will be held in a week in nearby Beaver Creek, Colorado. There’s no timeframe for Vonn’s return to racing.

Vonn’s last competition was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. In a lot of ways, the three-time Olympic medalist stepped away still near the top of her game. But the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement.

Last April, she had surgery for a partial knee replacement. She felt good enough to give it another go.

Ligety, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, applauds her for her comeback bid.

“It’s beyond my risk appetite, but it will be really fun to watch,” said Ligety, who’s covering the World Cup races in Beaver Creek this weekend for NBC. “She left at the top of her game, obviously, because of her knee injury. She probably felt like she got short-changed in her quest to take down Stenmark in wins, being only four away and her body failed her.

“I can see how that would weigh on you. And then when you all of a sudden feel perfectly healthy again and you’re not that old, I can see giving it some ideas. I understand where she’s coming from and I think she has a good chance (to win races).”

The aura of Vonn hovered around the bottom of the slope Friday. She had several pairs of Head skis all ready to try out. After each run — at least three — Vonn would huddle with her team, take a quick swig of water and head back up the lift.

“She’s still super-fast,” fellow American teammate Keely Cashman said. “She’s been helpful talking to us about whatever we need. We’re excited to have her around.”

What stands out about Vonn to Sophie Goldschmidt, the CEO of US Ski and Snowboard, is the racer’s “strength of mind and attitude,” she said. “To be able to come back time and time again is very impressive.

“We’re delighted that she’s rejoined the team,” Goldschmidt added. “Her achievements speak for themselves. She’s clearly one of the most decorated athletes in the US and had an amazing ski racing career. So for her to feel fit and strong enough to want to give it another go, I think is quite remarkable. I’m excited to see what she might be able to achieve.”


Scottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2

Scottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2
Updated 07 December 2024
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Scottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2

Scottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2
  • Scheffler already has eight victories this year and is in position to get another before the end of the year
  • Cameron Young, who opened with a 64 for a two-shot lead, followed with a 75 despite making five birdies

NASSAU, Bahamas: Scottie Scheffler birdied every hole but the par 3s on the front nine at Albany Golf Club on Friday and finished his bogey-free round with an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge.

Two months off did nothing to slow the world’s No. 1 player. Scheffler already has eight victories this year and is in position to get another before the end of the year.

Scheffler was at 13-under 131, two ahead of Akshay Bhatia (66) and Justin Thomas (67), both of whom had to save par on the 18th hole to stay in range going into the weekend.

Scheffler started with a lob wedge to 2 feet for birdie and never slowed until after he went out in 29 to seize control of the holiday tournament against a 20-man field. Scheffler cooled slightly on the back nine, except it didn’t feel that way to him.

“Front nine, just things were going my way. Back nine, maybe not as much,” Scheffler said. “A couple shots could end up closer to the hole, a couple putts go in, just little things.”

Asked if he felt any frustration he didn’t take it lower — he once shot 59 at the TPC Boston during the FedEx Cup playoffs — Scheffler sounded bemused.

“I think in this game I think a lot of all y’all are looking for perfection out of us,” he said. “Today I shot 8 under on the golf course, not something I hang my head about. A lot of good things out there — clean card, bogey-free, eight birdies. Overall, I think I’m pretty pleased.”

Thomas felt his 67 was stress-free, particularly the way he was driving the ball. The wind laid down again, rare for the Bahamas, though it is expected to pick up on the weekend.

Thomas wasn’t concerned to see Scheffler get off to a hot start, especially with three par 5s on the front nine and a short par 4 that at worst leaves a flip wedge to the green.

“You literally can birdie every hole as soft as the greens are,” Thomas said. “He’s a great player, a great wedge player, and you have a lot of birdie holes to start. I’m honestly surprised he only shot 8 under. It’s a sneaky course because if you fall asleep on some shots, you can get out of position. But if you’re on and focused and really in control of everything — like these last two days with no wind — you can just make so many birdies.”

Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley had a 67 and was four shots behind.

No matter how benign the conditions, it wasn’t always easy. Cameron Young, who opened with a 64 for a two-shot lead, followed with a 75 despite making five birdies. That included a double bogey on the final hole when his approach tumbled down the bank into the rocks framing the lake that goes all the way down the 18th hole.

Patrick Cantlay was trying to keep pace playing alongside Scheffler, but he had three bogeys over the final seven holes and fell seven shots behind with a 71.

The tournament, hosted by Tiger Woods, is unofficial but offers world ranking points to all but the bottom three players because of the small field. It’s the weakest field in 25 years, but Scheffler at No. 1 gives it enough cachet.

He is the first player since Woods in 2009 to start and finish a year at No. 1 in the world. And even after a layoff — giving him time to tinker with a new putting stroke — it looks like it might be a while before anyone changes that.


Pakistan women face Saudi Arabia in international friendly match in Doha today

Pakistan women face Saudi Arabia in international friendly match in Doha today
Updated 07 December 2024
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Pakistan women face Saudi Arabia in international friendly match in Doha today

Pakistan women face Saudi Arabia in international friendly match in Doha today
  • Pakistan women last played international football match against Bangladesh in October 
  • Head Coach Adeel Rizki says all Pakistani players in camp are “injury-free, in good spirits”

KARACHI: The Pakistan women’s national football team will face Saudi Arabia today, Saturday, for a FIFA International Friendly match at the Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, the Pakistan Football Federation said. 

Pakistan completed a three-day training camp under the guidance of Head Coach Adeel Rizki for the only encounter between the two sides. 

Pakistan women were last seen in a friendly international fixture against Bangladesh in October when the two sides met in the SAFF Women’s Championship. Pakistan and Bangladesh drew the match 1-1. 

“All players in the camp are injury-free and in good spirits,” Rizki said ahead of the match on Friday. “Although we only had two training sessions to prepare for this match, the team has shown great commitment and focus.”

He admitted Pakistan were missing some “key players” for Saturday’s fixture but said it allowed the team to test the younger talent. 

“Despite the challenges, we are ready to compete and make Pakistan proud,” Rizki said. 

The match is scheduled to kick off between the two sides at 9:00 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time. 


Leclerc handed 10-place penalty for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Leclerc handed 10-place penalty for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Updated 06 December 2024
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Leclerc handed 10-place penalty for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Leclerc handed 10-place penalty for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
  • The Monegasque topped first practice but was penalized after Ferrari fitted a new battery pack to his car
  • The penalty decision came minutes after the session ended

ABU DHABI: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc topped the first practice session at Yas Marina Circuit ahead of Sunday’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but later received a 10-place grid penalty for the race.
The Monegasque driver recorded a time of 1:24.321 with McLaren’s Lando Norris 0.221 seconds adrift. Lewis Hamilton, in his last F1 weekend with Mercedes before his move to Ferrari next season, was third fastest.
The penalty decision came minutes after the session ended and put a dent in Ferrari’s hopes of taking this year’s Constructors’ Championship. They currently lie second in the standings, 21 points behind McLaren, with 44 points up for grabs.
Six teams put rookies in one of their cars for the weekend’s first practice session. They were Ryo Hirakawa (McLaren), Arthur Leclerc (Ferrari), Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin), Ayumu Iwasa (RB) and Luke Browning (Williams).
In the second practice session, Norris led his teammate Oscar Piastri to finish 1-2, with a time of 1:23:517. Nico Hulkenberg came third for Haas.