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20 years on, Solskjaer hopes for another Camp Nou comeback

Solskjaer will be back in Barcelona’s stadium on Tuesday. (Reuters)
Updated 16 April 2019
AP
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20 years on, Solskjaer hopes for another Camp Nou comeback

  • Solskjaer said after the first-leg loss that getting past Barcelona would be a “greater achievement.”
  • Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said the thing he “most fears is the spirit” of Solskjaer’s team
Updated 16 April 2019
AP

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows all about overturning Champions League deficits at the Camp Nou.
Twenty years after scoring a last-gasp winner there for Manchester United in the final against Bayern Munich, Solskjaer will be back in Barcelona’s stadium on Tuesday looking to mastermind an unlikely comeback for the English team from the touchline.
United arguably has the toughest task of the eight quarterfinalists heading into the second legs, having lost 1-0 to Lionel Messi’s Barcelona at Old Trafford last week.
Yet that was the score line facing United in 1999 after Mario Basler had put Bayern in front in the sixth minute in what proved to be one of the most dramatic soccer matches in a generation.
United engineered the turnaround with two goals in injury time — the first from Teddy Sheringham, and the second from Solskjaer.
During his four months as United manager, the former Norway striker has made a point of reminiscing about the old days at the club, when no deficit felt insurmountable. Comebacks and late goals were a regular thing under his then-manager and mentor, Alex Ferguson.
“The memories from Paris will help the players. It shows we can turn things around,” Solskjaer said on Monday before leading United’s training session at Camp Nou.
“People have said to me that it has to be our year because of 20 years ago, I used to play with the number 20, we are back in Camp Nou ... but to go through we have to deserve it. We can’t say we are just going to rely on faith.”
United has beaten Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain away this season, but Solskjaer said after the first-leg loss that getting past Barcelona would be a “greater achievement.”
Not helping United’s cause is the six-day turnaround between the two games. While Barcelona fielded a reserve side in the Spanish league on Saturday, Solskjaer couldn’t afford to rest too many of his first-team players for the match against West Ham in the Premier League the same day.
United is still fighting to finish in the top four, while Barcelona is close to wrapping up another Spanish title.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said the thing he “most fears is the spirit” of Solskjaer’s team.
“United has something special in the final minutes,” Valverde said on Monday, while adding that past glories don’t dictate future outcomes.
“We all chose examples from our past that can give us a boost. That is experience. But at the end, I believe that you write your own destiny. It is not given to you. You have to seek it out. And tomorrow we will try to find ours.”
And there is one bizarre statistic that will be giving United fans hope as they make their way to Spain.
Messi, to many the greatest soccer player ever, hasn’t scored in his last 12 games at the quarterfinal stage — stretching back to 2013.

Juventus v Ajax (1-1 on aggregate)
Juventus had the luxury of resting most of its regular players at the weekend. Ajax didn’t, and may have paid a costly price.
For the 2-1 loss at Spal in Serie A on Saturday, Juventus had just two players in its starting lineup that began the 1-1 draw in Amsterdam. Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t even on the bench.
Ahead of Tuesday’s game, Ajax had nine of its starting XI from the first leg in the 6-2 victory over Excelsior. One of them, star midfielder Frenkie de Jong, limped off with a hamstring problem in the first half.
Ronaldo was rested before the second leg of the round of 16. He then scored a hat trick against Atletico Madrid to see Juventus overturn a first-leg deficit.

Manchester City v Tottenham (0-1 on aggregate)
Is City’s underwhelming record in the Champions League going to continue?
One appearance in the semifinals is a poor return considering the huge investment from the club’s Abu Dhabi ownership since 2008, and City is desperate to get through.
Without an away goal from the first leg, City will be in trouble should Tottenham score in the second leg at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Tottenham is without the injured Harry Kane, but has still managed to achieve good results whenever the striker has been out in recent seasons.
City could be without holding midfielder Fernandinho, who missed the 3-1 win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday through injury.
Tottenham has never reached the semifinals of the Champions League.

Porto v Liverpool (0-2 on aggregate)
Mohamed Salah looks back to his best after brilliant goals in successive weeks in the Premier League — against Southampton and then against Chelsea on Sunday — but he might count himself fortunate to be playing the second leg against Porto on Wednesday.
Match officials missed Salah’s studs-first lunge on Danilo near the end of the first leg at Anfield, which could easily have resulted in a red card and suspension.
Instead, Liverpool has its front three of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane intact for the trip to Portugal. The last time the teams met in the Estadio do Dragao, Liverpool won 5-0 in the first leg of the round of 16, with that trio scoring all the goals.
Porto captain Hector Herrera is back from suspension, as is center back Pepe.

Topics: UEFA Champions League Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Manchester United

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Zurdo Ramirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision in Riyadh’s Latino Night event 

Updated 17 November 2024
Aisha Fareed
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Zurdo Ramirez beats Billam-Smith by unanimous decision in Riyadh’s Latino Night event 

  • The Mexican southpaw improved his record to 47-1, including 30 KOs, while the British champ went down 20-2, 13 KOs, after three straight title defenses
  • In the opening undercard match, Saudi boxer Ziyad Almaayouf settled for a hard-fought draw against Mexico’s Juan Garcia
Updated 17 November 2024
Aisha Fareed

RIYADH: WBA cruiserweight title holder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defeated WBO champ Chris Billam-Smith by unanimous decision on Saturday in the main event of Riyadh’s “Latino Night” to become the undisputed world champion in the division.

The Mexican southpaw improved his record to 47-1, including 30 KOs, while the British champ went down 20-2, 13 KOs, after three straight title defenses.

Ramirez showcased his power and precision before a packed crowd at Riyadh’s The Venue, headlining an unforgettable evening that celebrated the rich heritage of Latin American culture and the global appeal of boxing.

Ramirez took control of the fight from the opening bell, using his size advantage and sharp combinations to pin Billam-Smith on the back foot. The British fighter displayed immense heart, landing counter shots and working the body, but Zurdo’s power and precision proved overwhelming.

In his post-fight interview, Ramirez dedicated his victory to his fans and the Latino community. “I’m a proud Mexican and Latino — I will represent the Latino Night very well,” he told Arab News before the fight. And he did!

Riyadh witnessed an electrifying evening of boxing during the Latino Night, a marquee event of the Riyadh Season, celebrating the spirit of Latino culture through sport and entertainment. Fans packed the arena to witness high-octane action and support fighters representing the vibrant legacy of Latin America.

The evening began with an undercard packed with great talent and exciting matchups. Fighters from across the Latin America showcased skill and determination, thrilling the crowd with breathtaking rounds, technical displays, and a few dramatic comebacks. Each bout built anticipation for the night’s culminating showdown.

Ziyad Almaayouf draws with Juan Garcia in opener
Saudi boxer Ziyad Almaayouf delivered a spirited performance in the opening fight, settling for a hard-fought draw against Mexico’s Juan Garcia. 
The bout showcased Almaayouf’s sharp boxing skills and Garcia’s relentless pressure, with both fighters trading heavy shots and testing each other’s endurance across all six rounds. 
Almaayouf, backed by a passionate home crowd, landed cleaner combinations early in the fight, but Garcia’s aggression in the later rounds allowed him to claw back on the scorecards, leading to a split draw decision.
The result left fans buzzing, with many praising Almaayouf’s resilience and composure under Garcia’s constant attacks.
In a post-fight interview with Arab News, Almaayouf, dubbed “Zizo”, he said that he won the fight tonight despite what the judges decided. “I’m always going to think that I did enough to win the fight. This is just the opinion of two judges.”
“If you go back 10-15 years ago and you ask the world: would they see a Saudi professional boxer standing in the middle of the ring with a tough Mexican fight as such, they wouldn’t believe it,” he added. “But tonight, we showed that can happen.”
He said that the rematch is his next step.
For Garcia, the result marked a testament to his durability and fighting spirit, earning him respect as a worthy opponent in a thrilling opener to an unforgettable night.
Latino Night in Riyadh marked another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global hub for sports and entertainment. By blending cultural celebration with world-class boxing, the event left a lasting impression on fans and participants alike.
As the arena emptied and the lights dimmed, one thing was clear: Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez had not only won a fight but had also solidified his position as a global ambassador for the enduring legacy of Latino boxing.

Topics: Riyadh Season 2024 Latino Night Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Chris Billam-Smith

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Hull clings to one-shot lead over Korda, Zhang at LPGA Annika

Updated 17 November 2024
AFP
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Hull clings to one-shot lead over Korda, Zhang at LPGA Annika

  • Hull found water at the 18th hole and made bogey but kept the lead alone when Korda three-putted for bogey in near-darkness at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida
Updated 17 November 2024
AFP

MIAMI: England’s Charley Hull fired a two-under par 68 and clung to a one-stroke lead over top-ranked Nelly Korda and China’s Zhang Weiwei after Saturday’s third round of the LPGA Annika tournament.
Hull found water at the 18th hole and made bogey but kept the lead alone when Korda three-putted for bogey in near-darkness at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
“Played pretty solid. I felt like I played well all day,” Hull said. “But finishing in the dark wasn’t that fun. Shame to finish on a bogey but it was a good up-and-down.”
That left Hull on 12-under 198 with US star Korda, a six-time winner this year, shooting 67 to stand second on 199 with Zhang, who fired an LPGA career-low 62 to leap into contention.
“I just felt it was amazing day,” Zhang said. “I don’t know how to play that well today. Just keep patient and just like normal and then I holed a lot of putts. That made me so surprised on some holes.”
Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai and South Korea’s Im Jin-hee shared fourth on 201 with Germany’s Olivia Cowan fifth on 202 and a pack on 203 including Japan’s Minami Katsu, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and Americans Rose Zhang and Bailey Tardy.
World number 12 Hull, a two-time LPGA winner seeking her first tour victory since October 2022, won her fourth Ladies European Tour title — and first in three years — two weeks ago at Riyadh.
Korda, in her first event after a neck injury sidelined her last month, seeks her first victory since June.
Hull opened with a birdie, added another at the par-5 seventh and had three birdie-bogey runs in the final seven holes — at the par-3 12th and par-4 13th, the par-5 14th and par-3 15th and the par-4 17th and 18, where she sank a four-foot bogey putt after a splashdown on her approach.
“It was kind of dark. Then it got the wind up, and I hit a really good 7-iron in and hit it pure. It just come up short in the water,” Hull said.
“Tricky little up-and-down, but my putt, I could barely see the hole. I couldn’t see the break or anything. So it was pretty dark to finish in.”
Korda stumbled early with bogeys at the second and fourth holes but closed the front nine with back-to-back birdies. She added birdies at 11 and 14, birdied 16 and 17 then had a three-putt bogey at 18 after a four-foot par putt miss.
“I had a good middle of the round. Just played some solid golf on the back nine and started hitting my driver a little better,” Korda said.
She wasn’t happy about finishing in the dark either.
“Was a little bit of poor planning by starting so late for us,” Korda said. “Whenever you’re sitting on 18 and the sun is already down, it’s never nice, especially with how slick these greens are and you can’t properly see.
“At the end of the day I’m the one that missed it.”
Zhang, 27, is a five-time China Tour winner whose best LPGA finish was a share of 10th at Portland in 2022.

Topics: LPGA Charley Hull Nelly Korda Zhang Weiwei

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US Open runner-up Fritz back in another big final and faces Sinner again for ATP Finals crown

Updated 17 November 2024
AP
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US Open runner-up Fritz back in another big final and faces Sinner again for ATP Finals crown

  • In Sunday’s final, Fritz will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner — the player he lost to in the US Open final
Updated 17 November 2024
AP

TURIN, Italy: Taylor Fritz is starting to make reaching big finals a habit. He feels like he belongs among the very best players in tennis, too.
The American followed his runner-up finish at the US Open by beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (3) on Saturday to play for the trophy at the ATP Finals.
“I have believed that I belong, that I’m one of the best players,” Fritz said. “It’s not results-based. It’s more I can feel how I’m playing. This week is huge.”
In Sunday’s final, Fritz will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner — the player he lost to in the US Open final. Sinner also beat Fritz in straight sets in the group stage this week.
Sinner advanced with a rapid 6-1, 6-2 win over Casper Ruud.
Fritz became the first American finalist since James Blake lost the 2006 final to Roger Federer. The last American to win the elite eight-man event was Pete Sampras, who beat Andre Agassi in 1999.
“I trust my game and I trust my level and I don’t feel nearly as uncomfortable in these situations anymore because I’ve been playing the top guys at big events a lot lately,” Fritz said. “I’m getting more comfortable in the moment. I’m really, really confident in my game.”
Fritz upbeat after loss to Sinner
Fritz came away encouraged from his 6-4, 6-4 loss to Sinner on Tuesday.
“I felt much more comfortable from the baseline. ... I had chances to break him in both sets,” Fritz said. “He had an equal amount of chances, and he took his. He played the big points better than I did. It didn’t feel anywhere near as one-sided as the Open.”
Sinner noted that Fritz “played a great match.”
“The difference was just a few points. Tomorrow will be very similar. ... But finals are always different than group matches.”
Fritz trying to match Gauff
If Fritz wins the trophy, it will mark an American sweep of the season-ending events after Coco Gauff won the WTA Finals last week.
Fritz’s run in New York made him the first American man to reach a Grand Slam singles final in 15 years. He’s playing at the ATP Finals for the second time. On debut two years ago, he beat Rafael Nadal in his opener and made it to the semifinals, losing to Novak Djokovic.
“It’s awesome to come back and already go a step further,” Fritz said. “I’m all about always trying to do better than the year before.”
At the start of the week, Fritz told The Associated Press his “career has always been a very steady progression and just improving a little bit each year.”
Fritz has Zverev’s number
It was Fritz’s fourth consecutive victory over Zverev, who replaced Carlos Alcaraz at No. 2 in the rankings this week.
“He’s an uncomfortable player for me.” Zverev said. “It’s no secret.”
Fritz also beat Zverev at Wimbledon and the US Open, plus the Laver Cup.
Fritz will finish year at career high
Fritz was already assured of finishing the year in the top five for the first time and he’ll rise to a career-high No. 4 on Monday.
Zverev has seen Fritz’s improvement up close — especially on one key stroke: “His forehand used to break down quite a lot. ... I feel like the ratio is a lot more toward winners now.”
It was a matchup of big servers between the 6-foot-5 (1.96-meter) Fritz and the 6-foot-6 (1.98-meter) Zverev, and when Fritz broke Zverev for 4-2 in the first set, it marked the first time that Zverev lost a service game in four matches in Turin.
Eventually, though, the match turned into a physical duel from the baseline. Fritz rallied from 0-40 and held his serve for 3-2 in the third after a nine-minute game full of long rallies – winning one such exchange that lasted 30 strokes.
Fritz was then under pressure one service game after another but somehow managed to keep holding.
Fritz got ahead early in the tiebreaker and finished Zverev off with an audacious inside-out forehand winner on his first match point.
Fritz finished with 15 aces to Zverev’s 10 in a match that last 2 hours, 20 minutes.
“I felt like statistically and shot-wise, my level maybe was even higher than his until the important moments. That’s where I kind of blew it,” Zverev said. “This one will hurt more than the other few.”
Doping case hangs over Sinner
Sinner is playing at home for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive in two separate drug tests this year.
A decision to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September and a final ruling in the case is expected next year.
Last year, Sinner lost the final to Djokovic, who withdrew injured this year.

Topics: ATP Finals Taylor Fritz Jannik Sinner

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Coaches share preparation insight ahead of NEOM Beach Soccer Cup finals

Updated 17 November 2024
SALEH FAREED
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Coaches share preparation insight ahead of NEOM Beach Soccer Cup finals

  • Head of NEOM sport Jan Paterson opened press conference by welcoming officials, coaches, and players, expressing her satisfaction with event's success
Updated 17 November 2024
SALEH FAREED

NEOM: Coaches, alongside Beach Soccer Worldwide President Joan Cusco and Jan Paterson, managing director of NEOM Sport, addressed the media on Saturday ahead of the final day of the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024.

Jan Paterson opened the conference by welcoming officials, coaches, and players, expressing her satisfaction with the event's success.

“This is the third edition of the NEOM Beach Soccer tournament, and each year we grow stronger. We are immensely proud to host such significant events here in NEOM, as they help attract international sports, inspire residents, and create platforms for athletes to compete at the highest levels,” she remarked.

Cusco also praised the tournament's development.

“It is an amazing event, without a doubt. Every year, we witness the growth in infrastructure, improvements in facilities, and the work of a highly professional team. NEOM’s top-tier amenities and stunning location enhance the experience for both participants and fans, making this event truly special,” he noted.

The men's final sees Brazil, aiming for their third consecutive title, facing the UAE.

Brazilian coach Marco Octavio Barbosa expressed confidence in his team’s readiness: “We are well prepared and understand that we are playing against a strong team ranked 7th in the world.”

Victor Vasques, head coach of the UAE, acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized his team’s determination. “There’s no doubt Brazil is the best, but we will fight until the end,” he said.

In the women’s final, Spain face Brazil, with both teams poised for a competitive clash.

Abderrahim Omar El-Gazzi, Spain’s head coach, spoke about his team’s ambitions, saying: “We are looking forward to a crucial match against Brazil and are motivated to win every tournament we enter.”

Brazil’s women’s coach, Fabrico Santos Da Silva, voiced his belief in his team’s capability.

“We have played excellent football so far and deserve to win the final against Spain. Spain is a strong side, but I have the best female football players in the world, and we can achieve this,” he said.

Topics: Beach Soccer Saudi Arabia NEOM NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024

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McIlroy tied for lead with Hojgaard and Rozner after 3rd round in Dubai as hot-headed Hatton fades

Updated 16 November 2024
AP
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McIlroy tied for lead with Hojgaard and Rozner after 3rd round in Dubai as hot-headed Hatton fades

  • McIlroy could have taken the lead outright but his birdie putt at the last horseshoed the cup
  • McIlroy looks sure of winning another Race to Dubai title for the most points gained throughout the year on the European tour
Updated 16 November 2024
AP

DUBAI: Rory McIlroy was tied for the lead with Rasmus Hojgaard and Antoine Rozner heading into the final round of the season-ending World Tour Championship as the Northern Irishman closed in on a sixth Race to Dubai title on Saturday.
McIlroy could have taken the lead outright but his birdie putt at the last horseshoed the cup, leaving him to make par for a 4-under 68 and 12-under par for the tournament alongside Hojgaard (66).
Rozner, who started the third round with a one-stroke lead, made it a three-way tie at the top by rolling in an eagle putt from 8 feet at No. 18 for a 69.
They were two strokes ahead of Jesper Svensson (68) and Joaquin Niemann (69), with Tyrrell Hatton (71) a further shot back after an expletive-filled round that included him snapping a club.
McIlroy looks sure of winning another Race to Dubai title for the most points gained throughout the year on the European tour. It would be No. 6, tying him with the late Seve Ballesteros and leaving him two behind the record of Colin Montgomerie.
But the No. 3-ranked McIlroy’s aim has been to hold two trophies on the 18th green on Sunday as he goes for his fourth tournament victory of the season worldwide.
Hojgaard, who birdied six of his first eight holes and made pars the rest of his round, is looking to emulate his twin brother, Nicolai, who won the season-closing event in Dubai last year.
Both Hojgaard and the No. 154-ranked Rozner are seeking to claim one of the 10 PGA Tour cards on offer for next season from the European tour.

Topics: Rory McIlroy Rasmus Hojgaard Antoine Rozner World Tour Championship Race to Dubai

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