Ƶ

Saudi win, Palestine stay undefeated on Day Two of Baseball United Arab Classic

Update Saudi win, Palestine stay undefeated on Day Two of Baseball United Arab Classic
1 / 3
Day 2 of the Baseball United Arab Classic saw big wins for Palestine, Ƶ and Pakistan (Supplied)
Update Saudi win, Palestine stay undefeated on Day Two of Baseball United Arab Classic
2 / 3
Day 2 of the Baseball United Arab Classic saw big wins for Palestine, Ƶ and Pakistan (Supplied)
Update Saudi win, Palestine stay undefeated on Day Two of Baseball United Arab Classic
3 / 3
Day 2 of the Baseball United Arab Classic saw big wins for Palestine, Ƶ and Pakistan (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 09 November 2024

Saudi win, Palestine stay undefeated on Day Two of Baseball United Arab Classic

Saudi win, Palestine stay undefeated on Day Two of Baseball United Arab Classic
  • Pakistan also maintained unblemished record while UAE claimed dominant win over Afghanistan

DUBAI: Day Two of the Baseball United Arab Classic saw Ƶ comfortably defeat Nepal 14-2, as well as featuring Palestine’s dramatic win over Sri Lanka.

The day also showcased a dominant offensive display by the UAE against Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s huge victory over India in one of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups.

“Two straight days and nights of amazing baseball and incredible passion,” said Kash Shaikh, Baseball United chairman, CEO and co-founder. “The fans were awesome, the environment was electric, and the field was beautiful. We ended the night with two great games, with Palestine and Pakistan coming out on top. Baseball is truly here in Dubai.”

Game recaps:

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan

Bangladesh put on a show against Afghanistan, claiming a dominant 12-0 victory behind a mix of offensive firepower and commanding pitching. Right-hander Azgar Hussain earned the win with a stellar 3-inning performance, allowing no runs, walking two and striking out five.

First baseman Imran Khan led the offensive charge for Bangladesh, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs, setting the tone for an explosive lineup. Afghanistan’s Osman Shinwari struggled on the mound, giving up 10 runs and nine hits over 3 innings, as Bangladesh cruised to a decisive shutout win.

KSA vs. Nepal

Ƶ captured their first-ever tournament win in commanding fashion, defeating Nepal 14-2 in a historic game. Right-hander Jake Curtis earned the victory with a solid 4-inning outing, allowing only 2 runs while striking out two.

Kevin Workman headlined KSA’s offense, going 2-for-3 with the Kingdom’s first-ever home run and driving in three runs. James Overstreet also delivered, going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Nepal’s Ritesh Bishwakarma struggled on the mound, surrendering 12 runs in 3 innings, as Ƶ celebrated this milestone victory.

Afghanistan vs. UAE

The UAE put on a dominant performance against Afghanistan, claiming a decisive 15-0 victory. Chris Beyers led the charge with two doubles and an RBI, while a remarkable eight UAE players tallied an RBI, showcasing the team’s balanced offense.

RHP Bobby Fiala earned the win with three scoreless innings, adding two strikeouts and maintaining control on the mound. Afghanistan, still searching for its first win, struggled to keep pace as UAE’s relentless lineup capitalized on every opportunity.

Palestine vs. Sri Lanka

In a thrilling back-and-forth contest, Palestine edged out Sri Lanka 8-7 in one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament so far. Yunis Halim shone as Palestine’s hero, driving in two runs and coming in as a reliever for the final inning, where he struck out Sri Lanka’s Hemantha Pushpasiri with the bases loaded to clinch the victory. For Sri Lanka, centerfielder Sameera Rathnayake delivered a standout performance, going 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI, keeping his team in the game until the final pitch.

India vs. Pakistan

Pakistan delivered a dominant 12-0 victory over India, showcasing both offensive power and pitching mastery. Muhammad Hussain led the charge with a 2-for-4 performance, including a double and 3 RBIs, while Zan Shariff added 3 RBIs of his own with a 1-for-3 effort.

On the mound, RHP Syed Muhib was untouchable, tossing 3.1 innings of scoreless ball, striking out 4 and keeping India’s offense to just a single hit. India’s Akshay More struck out 7 batters but was unable to contain the aggressive Pakistani lineup, allowing 2 earned runs in 3 innings, as Pakistan cruised to a dominant shutout victory.


Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
Updated 5 sec ago

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
  • Popovich had the stroke on Nov. 2 at the arena where the Spurs play, the team said Wednesday
  • The team released no other details, including what aftereffects of the stroke — if any — that he is dealing with

SAN ANTONIO: Basketball Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich is recovering from what the San Antonio Spurs described as a mild stroke, though there is no timetable for the NBA’s longest-tenured coach to return to the sideline.

Popovich had the stroke on Nov. 2 at the arena where the Spurs play, the team said Wednesday, and has already started a rehabilitation program with belief that he will make a full recovery. The team released no other details, including what aftereffects of the stroke — if any — that he is dealing with.

“It’s a difficult time for everyone,” Spurs general manager Brian Wright said. “Coach Pop has been the leader of this organization for the last three decades. We all have come across or know people that just have a different aura, a difference presence about them. Clearly, he’s one of those people. When we walk into the building each and every day, we feel that leadership, we feel that presence and so not having him there’s clearly a void. And we miss him.”

The 75-year-old Popovich is the NBA’s all-time win leader who has led the Spurs to five championships, plus guided USA Basketball to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He is in his 29th season as coach of the Spurs.

“He’s doing well. He’s doing well. ... He’s tough, he’s a fighter and he’s going to work,” Wright said. “We’re all here for him, but he’s doing OK.”

Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been the acting head coach in Popovich’s absence. The Spurs play at home Wednesday against Washington, and that will be the seventh straight game in which Johnson will be filling in for Popovich.

“Mitch has been great,” Spurs rookie Stephon Castle said Wednesday, before the team announced the details about Popovich’s health. “Even when Pop was here, he’s always had a voice in our huddles and in our locker room. Our philosophies haven’t been changed.”

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or if a blood vessel in the brain bursts. That deprives the brain of oxygen which can cause brain damage that can lead to difficulty thinking, talking and walking, or even death. Strokes may lead to difficulty speaking, paralysis or loss of movement in certain muscles, memory loss and more.

It is unknown if Popovich is dealing with any aftereffects of the stroke.

Stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the US in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than half a million Americans have a stroke every year.

The Spurs were playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Nov. 2, and Popovich’s medical episode occurred there in the hours before that game. Johnson took over for that night’s contest, which the Spurs won, after the team said Popovich was not feeling well.

Johnson and Popovich spoke on Nov. 3, and on Nov. 4 Johnson said Popovich is “in good spirits ... he’ll be OK. He is OK.” The Spurs had not released much in the way of details since, prior to Wednesday’s announcement about the stroke.

Wright raved about the way Johnson and the Spurs have bonded and dealt with the absence of the team’s leader.

“It’s exactly what Coach Pop would want us to do,” Wright said. “And so, it’s on all of us to play our part, to play our role, to continue to lean on each other, support one another and be there for one another.”

Popovich is one of only three coaches to win the NBA coach of the year award three times, Don Nelson and Pat Riley being the others. He’s one of five coaches with at least five NBA titles; Phil Jackson (11), Red Auerbach (9), John Kundla (5) and Riley (5) are the others.

Popovich has been part of the Spurs for nearly 35 years. He was an assistant coach from 1988 through 1992, then returned to the club on May 31, 1994, as its executive vice president for basketball operations and general manager. He made the decision to fire coach Bob Hill and appoint himself coach on Dec. 10, 1996.

He’s been the Spurs’ sideline boss ever since.

“We look forward to the day that we can welcome him back,” Wright said.

Popovich’s 29-year run with the Spurs is a span the likes of which has been nearly unmatched in US major pro sports history.

Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, George Halas coached the Chicago Bears for 40 years and John McGraw managed the New York Giants for 31 years. Those three tenures — all wrapping up well over a half-century ago — are the only ones exceeding Popovich’s run with the Spurs; his 29-year era in San Antonio to this point matches the tenures that Dallas Cowboys’ Tom Landry and the Green Bay Packers’ Curly Lambeau had in those jobs.


Lyon and Chelsea stay perfect in Women’s Champions League

Lyon and Chelsea stay perfect in Women’s Champions League
Updated 14 November 2024

Lyon and Chelsea stay perfect in Women’s Champions League

Lyon and Chelsea stay perfect in Women’s Champions League

PARIS: Lyon beat Roma 3-0 to maintain their 100 percent record in Group A of the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday, while Wolfsburg thrashed Galatasaray to pick up their first points.
In Group B, Chelsea came from behind against Celtic to preserve their perfect record and Real Madrid put seven past Twente.
Record eight-time winners Lyon traveled to the Italian capital with both sides level at the top of the group on two wins apiece.
Melchie Dumornay’s first-half brace put the French side firmly in control, her second coming three minutes before the interval via an audacious chip from inside the center circle.
Vanessa Gilles poked in from close range in the 52nd minute to rubber-stamp an authoritative performance by Joe Montemurro’s side.
Wolfsburg, the 2013 and 2014 Champions League winners, started their latest campaign with back-to-back defeats against Lyon and Roma — leaving them third in Group A with no goals scored and in real danger of elimination.
Their 5-0 win in Istanbul keeps them third place, three points behind Roma in second.
“We want to get out of the group by working hard and doing our best for the (three) remaining matches,” said Wolfsburg forward Rebecka Blomqvist.
“We are in a very tough group. But we also have the power to achieve this.”
Defender Joelle Wedemeyer’s 24th-minute header from a corner gave the Germans the lead. Blomqvist tapped in on 63 minutes to double the advantage.
The Swedish striker stroked home a third for the team with 13 minutes remaining and then rounded off her hat-trick six minutes into added time.
Vivien Endemann smashed home a fifth for Wolfsburg in the 97th minute.
“We are very happy with the result,” added Blomqvist. “I am proud to show my best out on the pitch. It’s great to contribute to the team.”
A third successive defeat in three outings leaves the Turks bottom of the table with just one goal scored and 14 conceded.
At Parkhead, Chelsea moved to nine points with a 2-1 victory over winless Celtic.
The hosts took a surprise lead with just over 20 minutes gone when Murphy Agnew raced through and lifted a finish past goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.
It took the English champions only six minutes to respond, first through Maika Hamano in the 28th minute and then Ashley Lawrence tucked home a rebound four minutes later.
Chelsea were unable to kill off the match in the second half but succeeded nonetheless in holding Celtic at arm’s length to see out a narrow victory, despite Aggie Beever-Jones picking up a second yellow card deep in injury time.
Real Madrid strolled past Dutch side Twente with a 7-0 win in Spain.
Signe Bruun opened the scoring in the third minute, before center-half Maria Mendez nodded in her first goal in European football 13 minutes later.
Naomie Feller guided in a third on 50 minutes and Caroline Weir soon after curled an unstoppable free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.
Mendez then doubled her tally in the competition with a second header from a corner three minutes after the hour, before Oihane Hernandez and Carla Camacho completed the rout.
The Spaniards sit second in the group with six points.


Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals

Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals
Updated 13 November 2024

Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals

Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals
  • The Bayern Munich forward said it was a “shame” that so many players had withdrawn
  • “It’s a tough period of the season and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit”

LONDON: Harry Kane says he is disappointed by the high number of withdrawals from the England squad this week, insisting the national team must come first.
The Euro 2024 runners-up head to Greece for Thursday’s must-win Nations League match before a Wembley meeting with Ireland on Sunday.
But interim boss Lee Carsley’s final camp, before the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as the new manager, has been hit by an eye-watering eight pull-outs.
The situation has frustrated Kane, who will lead the side out at the Olympic Stadium in Athens knowing key players are absent for a match they must win to stand a chance of automatic promotion.
Asked if there was one thing former manager Gareth Southgate put in place that senior players need to ensure is not lost, the striker told ITV: “I think the joy to play for England. I think he brought that back.
“I think every camp people were excited to come, every camp people wanted to play for England and, yeah, that’s the most important thing.
“I think England comes before anything. England comes before club.”
The Bayern Munich forward said it was a “shame” that so many players had withdrawn.
“It’s a tough period of the season and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit,” he said.
“I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. I think England comes before anything, any club situation.”
Eight players withdrew from Carsley’s initial 26-man squad for the Nations League double-header including Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer.
Jarrad Branthwaite was among five players brought into the squad but the Everton center-back is a major doubt, having been unable to train with the group so far.


Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account

Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account
Updated 13 November 2024

Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account

Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account
  • World number three Alcaraz comfortably defeated Rublev to lift himself off the bottom of the John Newcombe Group
  • “I could be better, I’m not going to lie,” said Alcaraz on court after beating Rublev

TURIN: Carlos Alcaraz opened his account at the ATP Finals on Wednesday with an entertaining 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win over Andrey Rublev which boosted his hopes of reaching the semifinals.
World number three Alcaraz comfortably defeated Rublev to lift himself off the bottom of the John Newcombe Group and looked in much better form despite struggling with fatigue and illness in the lead-up to the match.
There had been some doubt as to whether Alcaraz, who lost his opening match in straight sets to Casper Ruud, would continue in Turin after quickly ending his training session on Tuesday, with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero saying that he had trouble breathing.
“I could be better, I’m not going to lie,” said Alcaraz on court after beating Rublev.
“I’ve been struggling with my health the last week and today I thought I was going to feel better. I was OK to play, but thinking about the first match I was thinking a lot about that I was sick, that I couldn’t play.
“Today I really wanted to step on the court and just think about tennis, try to play a high level... When I played the first match I felt like I did not entertain the people, I did not play good tennis.”
Alcaraz, who has won the Wimbledon and French Open titles this season, cruised to the first set in 38 minutes, breaking Rublev in game seven and quickly winning the next two to go one set ahead.
And although the Spaniard had a harder time of it in the second set he delighted the spectators with a series of spectacular shots which suggested he might be approaching his best form.
Alcaraz winning in straight sets means that Ruud will reach the semifinals if he beats two-time Finals champion Alexander Zverev in the day’s late match.
Rublev meanwhile drops to last place after losing his sixth straight Finals match, although he put up a battle and had two opportunities to win the second set.
The Russian will be cheering on Zverev later as he will be eliminated should Ruud win and secure passage to the knockout stage.
On Thursday world number one Jannik Sinner will reach the last four if he claims a single set against Daniil Medvedev, and will top the Ilie Nastase Group with a third straight win.


‘Like I never left this team,’ says Herve Renard ahead of first game back in charge of Ƶ

‘Like I never left this team,’ says Herve Renard ahead of first game back in charge of Ƶ
Updated 13 November 2024

‘Like I never left this team,’ says Herve Renard ahead of first game back in charge of Ƶ

‘Like I never left this team,’ says Herve Renard ahead of first game back in charge of Ƶ
  • Herve Renard: ‘We are not in a very good position, but (also) not in a very bad situation as well. So we still have six games to look forward to qualify for the next World Cup, and this is our goal’
  • Green Falcons will have to confront the twin challenge of Australia and Indonesia without talisman Salem Al-Dawsari, who was ruled out with an injury suffered in Al-Hilal’s 3-1 win over Ettifaq

SYDNEY: For the first time in 18 months, Herve Renard strutted into a press conference wearing a tracksuit emblazoned with the distinctive logo of Ƶ and all felt right with the world.

The revered Frenchman returns to Ƶ following the dismissal of Roberto Mancini last month after the Green Falcons’ slow start to World Cup qualifying, with a 2-0 loss to Japan and 0-0 with Bahrain the final straw after a strained 14-month tenure for the decorated Italian manager.

In opting to return to Renard, who oversaw their transformation from a middling nation to one capable of beating Argentina on the biggest stage, Ƶ are hoping the past 18 months can simply disappear as if they never existed and Renard can take over where he left off.

And while most in Ƶ are delighted to see the 56-year-old return, the feeling is also mutual, with Renard telling reporters in Melbourne, where Ƶ play a crunch qualifier against Australia on Thursday night, that he was overjoyed to be back.

“My comeback was a (special) sensation,” he said with a broad smile. “The feeling was like I never left this team. I knew three-quarter of these players. We had a fantastic World Cup qualifiers in 2022 and a very good World Cup as well.”

But while there was more than a whiff of nostalgia in the air as he spoke to the assembled media from both Australia and Ƶ, he was also quick to point out that the past was the past and the mission now is to ensure qualification for 2026, which after four games is looking precarious, with just one win on the board.

The Green Falcons are third in Group C, equal on five points with Australia (second) and Bahrain (fourth), and face the tricky prospect of back-to-back away games against Australia on Thursday and then against Indonesia next Tuesday, who held Ƶ to a 1-1 draw in their first encounter in Jeddah in September.

“We still have a very good memories together, but this is the past. Now we have to look forward for these qualifiers,” he said.

“We are not in a very good position, but (also) not in a very bad situation as well. So we still have six games to look forward to qualify for the next World Cup, and this is our goal.”

They will have to confront the twin challenge of Australia and Indonesia without talisman Salem Al-Dawsari, who was ruled out with an injury suffered in Al-Hilal’s 3-1 win over Ettifaq last weekend.

The timing of the injury to arguably their best and most important player could not have been worse given their struggles to find the back of the net this campaign, with just three goals in four matches — the equal worst record of any of the 18 sides left in this phase of qualifying.

One player who is likely to carry an additional attacking burden in Al-Dawsari’s absence is his former Al-Hilal teammate, Saleh Al-Shehri.

Now with Al-Ittihad, the 31-year-old arrives in camp on the back of impressive form in the Roshn Saudi League. Stepping up in the absence of captain and former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Al-Shehri has scored twice in as many games and was confident he and his teammates can cover the absence of the former AFC Player of the Year.

“As a Saudi team, we always have a lot of players that can fill any shoes,” he said.

“So, I think either me or my other colleagues, we’re going to do our best to win this game. On the personal side, I think I’m going to have a good game and hopefully I’m going to score for my team tomorrow.”

With a sold-out crowd expected at Melbourne’s 30,000-capacity AAMI Park, the stakes could not be higher for both teams.

With Japan five points clear on top, Ƶ and Australia are jostling for that second automatic position to guarantee qualification for the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico, and with both teams level on points, Thursday night’s match could be decisive in determining which nation ultimately progresses.

In football parlance, it is a classic “six-pointer,” a game that neither side can afford to lose.

“It’s a very important game,” Renard said, “but we don’t want to underrate Indonesia (and) Bahrain; (Bahrain) were able to win in Australia.

“We are always talking about Australia (or) Ƶ, but I think it will be a big fight between three or four teams for the second position. So, of course, this game is very important.”

The jovial frivolities of the press conference quickly gave way to the hard reality of why Ƶ were in the cold of southern Australia, with the team getting their first look at Melbourne’s AAMI Park under gray and gloomy skies.

Perhaps that was a portent of what was to come, with news emerging late on Wednesday evening that recalled veteran Salman Al-Faraj had been taken to a nearby hospital for scans after injuring his knee in what could be another blow for Renard after the forced withdrawal of Al-Dawsari.

Time will tell if he will be fit enough to play a part in Thursday’s must-win encounter, but with or without the veteran, you know that with Renard back on the touchline, this Saudi side will put up a fight.