Newcastle wrap up pre-season friendlies with 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao

Newcastle United's Callum Wilson in action with Athletic Bilbao's Yeray at St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain, on July 30, 2022. (Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes)
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Updated 30 July 2022
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Newcastle wrap up pre-season friendlies with 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao

  • Goals by Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin secure second victory in two days following Friday’s 1-0 win over Atalanta

NEWCASTLE, Britain: Two days, two totally different starting XIs, but exactly the same result. Newcastle United made it back-to-back pre-season victories at St. James’ Park, this time seeing off Athletic Bilbao 2-1.

Less than 24 hours after Chris Wood's penalty ensured a 1-0 win over Atalanta, strike rivals Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin netted to see off La Liga opposition this time out. Raul Garcia added a consolation for Los Leones.

In a ploy that has intrigued many among the United faithful, head coach Eddie Howe has opted to split this Newcastle group throughout pre-season.

Hour and half-hour stints in Austria, then a 45-minute show apiece at Benfica before the full 90 for much of the squad this weekend is Howe's way of easing his players into things and firing them up at just the right time.

In truth, it is impossible to know whether this tactic will work — judgments will be reserved for after the clash with Nottingham Forest next weekend — but it's kept everyone guessing as to what constitutes Howe's strongest XI, with Premier League football looming large on the horizon.

“The last two games have been brilliant exercises for us," said Howe on selection. “Two top teams. Two different XIs for a big test for us, but I think we've come through with no injuries. Two positive results and two good performances.

“We wanted a tough test. We wanted every game to examine our team and make sure we’re ready for the rigors of Premier League football. Definitely, the last three games have given us top-quality opposition who have all played in slightly different ways, but they’ve taken the game to us so it was an equal challenge.

“Both teams in the last two days have been going for each other and played some really good football at times. That was the type of test we needed because we know the level of Nottingham Forest will be very high. None of our players can turn round and say they weren’t ready for Premier League football.

“Pre-season is done, we’ve got the last few bits of training to get us up to top speed. I’m sure we’ll be ready.”




Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and Matt Ritchie after the match with Bilbao at St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain, on July 30, 2022. (Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes)

While what looked very much like at least four of United's first-choice back five — four plus a goalkeeper — was deployed against the Italians last night, it looked, to the untrained eye at least, that this XI makes up much of Newcastle's forward big hitters.

Saint-Maximin and Wilson were joined by Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, and Joe Willock, all of whom look set to be guaranteed starters with the newly-promoted Tricky Trees in town in seven days.

And it was two of those who combined to get Howe's men off to the perfect start.

With just three minutes on the clock, Saint-Maximin cut in from the left, as has become his trademark, and laid into the path of Matt Ritchie, who in turn flipped through the Bilbao backline to Wilson who showed his usual level of composure and class to turn home for 1-0.

Dominant from minute one to 45, Guimaraes ran rings around the visiting midfield, spraying balls left and right and drawing tackles and fouls at will as he frustrated those on the Bilbao bench and the pitch.

Sven Botman, making his home debut, also excelled at the heart of defense as his timely blocks and interceptions shed light on the very different side to his game, the blood and guts defensive work, to go with the slick, unflappable passing game he so clearly possesses.

Like the previous night, a raft of changes from the visiting bench freshened things up for the opposition and, with fatigue a factor, the balance of play leveled somewhat — although not before Saint-Maximin had worked some match-winning magic of his own.

A curled ball from the outside of Joelinton's right boot set the Frenchman away down the left and driving toward goal, and Saint-Maximin rolled past the outstretched frame of Ander Iruarrizaga for 2-0.

That goal, more than any other this pre-season, will likely have a profound impact. No player has been transformed in approach so starkly this summer than Saint-Maximin. While the goals and assists have evaded him this summer, like the tail end of last season, this all-round player has gone up levels.

Where previously decision-making was found wanting and often the ball turned over to the opposition, the former Monaco man is now doing the simple things well - and, importantly, is a vital and willing component in Howe's high praise.

“I thought he was excellent today,” Howe said of Saint-Maximin. “Allan thrives on the crowd here, thrives off the energy and the love of the crowd. You could see that in his performance today, it was probably his best performance during pre-season.

“He took his goal very well and worked hard, looking like a real threat. Delighted for him.”

As the game stretched and United's powers waned, substitute Garcia got on the end of an inviting cross to hammer home a header to reduce arrears but, despite some sustained pressure and thanks to some Martin Dubravka heroics, the Magpies held on to round off their summer in style.

“The first half was good. There were a lot of fluent attacks, good individual displays and collective too,” said Howe, summing up another victorious afternoon for his side. “We looked dangerous, defended well, and were on the front foot - everything we want to be. An intense game.

“Second half, similar to yesterday when the changes were made, we suffered with their fresh legs and our tired bodies but that’s the beauty of the exercise of playing two games in two days so we can get the majority of players 90 minutes.”


Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying

Updated 14 November 2024
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Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying

  • Jordan and Iraq stayed in second and third place on eight points after drawing 0-0 in Basra
  • Oman are now two points behind after defeating the Palestinian team 1-0

MELBOURNE: Son Heung-min scored his 50th international goal on Thursday as South Korea beat Kuwait 3-1 to take a big step toward an 11th successive World Cup appearance.
The Tottenham forward converted a penalty to make it 2-0 in the 19th minute and help South Korea earn a fourth successive win in Group B of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers to move five points clear at the top with five games to go.
Oh Se-hun headed in South Korea’s opener in the 10th minute and Son, who had just returned from a hamstring injury, extended the advantage after being fouled in the area. Mohammed Daham pulled a goal back with a spectacular strike with 30 minutes remaining but Bae Jun-ho sealed the win for the visitors.
“(Son is) such an important part of our team,” South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said. “He just came back after being hobbled by injury.”
Jordan and Iraq stayed in second and third place on eight points after drawing 0-0 in Basra while Oman are now two points behind after defeating the Palestinian team 1-0.
In Group A, Iran defeated North Korea 3-2 in Laos to move onto 13 points, three clear of Uzbekistan which lost 3-2 at Qatar. The 2022 World Cup host stayed in fourth with seven points, level with the United Arab Emirates which defeated Kyrgyzstan 2-0.
In Group C, Australia and Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 in Melbourne and remained level on six points from five games and are joined by China, which defeated Bahrain 1-0 with an injury-time goal from Zhang Yuning. Leader Japan will move seven points clear if they can defeat Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
Only the top two of six in each group will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. The third- and fourth-place finishers will advance to the next stage.


McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight

Updated 14 November 2024
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McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight

  • McIlroy fired a 67 to stand on top of the leaderboard alongside Tyrrell Hatton
  • McIlroy only needs a top ten finish to secure a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career, matching the tally of Ballesteros

DUBAI: Rory McIlroy claimed a share of the first-round lead at the World Tour Championship in Dubai on Thursday as he closed in on equalling Seve Ballesteros’ mark of six European Tour Order of Merit crowns.
McIlroy fired a 67 to stand on top of the leaderboard alongside Tyrrell Hatton.
The 35-year-old McIlroy started the season-ending event in Dubai with a healthy lead over South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence who endured a nightmare day, signing for a one-over 73 which included five bogeys.
With 2,000 points on offer to the winner, McIlroy only needs a top ten finish to secure a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career, matching the tally of Ballesteros.
Playing partners Hatton and Paul Waring, who sealed the biggest victory of his career at last week’s Abu Dhabi Championship, hit the front at four under after they each birdied the 14th hole, but the Northern Irishman followed suit shortly after.
Hatton became the first person to reach five under with a birdie at the penultimate hole, only to be matched by McIlroy’s 48-foot putt at the same hole to share the lead with Englishman.
“I thought I played well. I hit the ball pretty well. I gave myself plenty of chances, plenty of looks,” four-time major champion McIlroy said.
“I want to go on from here and win the golf tournament. I’ve opened up with a really good score, but I need to go out and play similarly over these next three days, not just to try to win the tournament, but also to try to get the job done in the Race to Dubai.
“I’m under no illusions that that was probably Thriston’s worst day. If he goes out and has three good ones, I still need to go out there and play some very solid golf.”
Hatton, 33, carded seven birdies and two dropped shots in his round.
Dubai-based Waring reached the turn in 32 before mixing a bogey and birdie on the back nine to sit alone in third at four under.
There are seven players at three under — Billy Horschel, Matt Wallace, Adam Scott, Alex Fitzpatrick, Niklas Norgaard and Japanese duo Keita Nakajima and Rikuya Hoshino.


Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30

Updated 14 November 2024
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Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30

  • SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 consists of two main races, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe and the GT4 European Series
  • Some of the world’s leading drivers and manufacturers will take part in the race

JEDDAH: The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, dubbed the fastest street circuit in the world, is set to host the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 for the first time on Nov. 29-30.
The SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 consists of two main races — the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, which lasts for six hours and covers 1,000 km with more than 40 teams participating, and the GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing, which is 250 km long and features more than 30 teams.
GT racing showcases car models designed for road use that have been expertly modified for high-speed endurance events, often proving to be more powerful and durable than Formula cars, according to a media statement on Thursday.
The championship is sponsored by Fanatec, a leading manufacturer of racing simulation equipment, offering a connection between real and virtual motorsports.
The race will see an array of the world’s leading drivers and manufacturers take part, such as Porsche, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Ford.
The primary focus of GT racing is to challenge the endurance of both drivers and cars, particularly in events such as the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024.
Teams, drivers and spectators are set to make the most of the opportunities offered by the SAL Jeddah GT 2024. Saudi Arabia will again be in the global spotlight as it becomes an important destination for international motorsport stars and racing enthusiasts, in a new championship that stands apart from other regional competitions, the media statement said.


UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

Updated 14 November 2024
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UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

  • “A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said
  • The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal

NYON: UEFA started another investigation into English match official David Coote on Thursday after a video allegedly showed him using cocaine during the European Championship.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said in a statement.
Coote worked as a video review specialist at Euro 2024, where match officials stayed at a hotel near Frankfurt. He was an assistant supporting the lead VAR official at eight games.
British daily The Sun published a video late Wednesday appearing to show Coote snorting the drug using an American banknote.
The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal. France won a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Coote was suspended on Monday by the English match referees body after a different cellphone video circulated of him making offensive comments with friends about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. That body and the English FA started investigations.
UEFA already withdrew Coote from match duty for national team games this week after the first video was published.
The games he worked at Euro 2024 included host Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16 that included a controversial penalty award for handball. The lead VAR official at that game, Stuart Attwell, was involved in some of the tournament’s most debated decisions.


Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

Updated 14 November 2024
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Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

  • A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September
  • The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year

TURIN: There “could have been better communication” in explaining the rules involved in Jannik Sinner’s doping case, ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.
However, Gaudenzi said at the ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because the rules have been the same.”
Sinner is playing at home this week for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The case wasn’t made public until August.
“I learned the day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his first public comments on the case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.
“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank the ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives there for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in the dark because that’s how it should be.
“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by the (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by the evidence afterward.”
A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.
“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by the book and by the rules. Maybe there could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in the next time.”
ATP Finals future will be revealed
Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday the future host of the ATP Finals. The contract with Turin expires next year and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.