Newcastle’s cruel loss to Liverpool belies a new sterner outfit

Liverpool’s Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino, right, wins a header against Newcastle United during their English Premier League match on Aug. 31, 2022. (AFP)
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Updated 01 September 2022
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Newcastle’s cruel loss to Liverpool belies a new sterner outfit

  • On attack and defense, the Magpies are a side reinvented
  • Top 4 Premier League place for Geordies within reach

LIVERPOOL: Anfield heartbreak, added time drama. Black and white pain, unbridled Red delight.

When it comes to Newcastle United, there was a real sense of familiarity, yet so much so very different about their late, late 2-1 Liverpool defeat.

These two had played out in 1996 one of the defining encounters of the early Premier League era as Stan Collymore stole in at the back post to beat Pavel Srnicek to ruin Geordie topflight title dreams.

And while this one lacked the goals, it was decided by a piece of late penalty box magic, this time by young substitute Fabio Carvalho.

Making his first start, Alexander Isak scored on his Magpies debut to give Eddie Howe’s men the lead at the break, but first Roberto Firmino leveled then with the five minutes of added time already up, and an inexplicable three further added, the summer signing from Fulham popped up to again inflict defeat on United on Merseyside. Their torrid wait for a win on the red half of Liverpool continues to stretch back to 1994, when Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley led the Newcastle line.

While the sinking feeling, the cutting, the sense of loss remains the same, there’s a lot that feels unfamiliar about this Newcastle United.

As they’ve proven week-in and week-out since late January, this Howe team are made of stern stuff. They have a plan, purpose and intent. They are incisive on the break, have the ability to take the game to anyone, press and win high, as well as defend with a real sense of solidity.

United are a top four team, if form since February is taken into account. And the way Newcastle have started, who would argue against them maintaining it to the end of the current campaign?

They’ve gone toe-to-toe with Man City and Liverpool on their own patch, the top two from last season, and made both look more than fallible.

“That’s the pain of football,” said Howe, following the loss, United’s first of the season.

“That’s the horrible side of it when your team has given everything. It is a sickener for us but it is part of the game. We just didn’t deal with the corner.

“I thought we played well in the first half. Naturally when you are 1-0 up here you are not going to be the dominant team and you are going to have to withstand pressure. It is difficult to defend against this team.”

Howe added: “It was painful, that. Very painful.

“I am really proud of the players, their commitment and the execution of the game plan. For long spells of the game, when you are in the lead here it becomes a different game. We had to defend well, I don’t remember them having too many clear cut chances.

“I thought everybody did well. Can’t fault anybody. Great effort.”

As mentioned, club record signing Isak was thrown in from the off, in a surprise move by Howe, who also changed over his first choice central defenders for Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles. United were without star men Bruno Guimaraes, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson on the night.

And while the build up to his debut has been intense, with the UK Home Office not signing off on his post-Brexit work permit until lunchtime on Wednesday, United fans were not disappointed when they got their first look at the long-legged, gliding Swede in full striped flow.

Isak showed his quick feet, skills and some physicality in leading the United line, giving the likes of Virgil van Dijk, and particularly Joe Gomez, nightmares in the opening 45.

His ability to open up spaces with a shift of the ball from left to right at speed created the first real opportunity of the game when he fired over having been teed up by Joe Willock on the break.

That was just a sighter. The best was very much yet to come.

At the other end Luis Diaz rounded Nick Pope but fired over, even though Kieran Trippier seemed to have the shot covered on the United line.

Where Diaz failed, Isak did not. And with one lash of his right leg, it really feels like a new Premier League star was born.

Trent Alexander-Arnold gifted possession to Willock in the middle, who then fed out to the metronomic Miguel Almiron on the wing. His pass inside from the right was half intercepted but fell perfectly for Sean Longstaff, who, in all the confusion, tucked a beautifully weighted pass through to Isak with the outside of his boot. And with confidence, the Swede did the rest in front of 3,000 travelling Geordies, hammering in off the underside of the bar.

It was no less than United deserved at that point, with the Magpies easily the more potent on the attack and Liverpool looking largely toothless but for the impressive Harvey Elliott in the middle.

A sustained period of pressure in the United third was repelled with relative ease thereafter, as Lascelles and Burn stood up to balls over the top, with the covering brilliance of Trippier and Matt Targett on his return.

Perhaps the turning point of the game came in the opening exchanges of the second 45. With Liverpool’s continued push came gaps at the back and another break over the top saw Isak again look as cool as a cucumber in front of goal to jink past two home defenders before tucking home again, only for the offside flag to be shown. Millimeters, a matter of millimeters from 2-0.

Despite that, there was a real sense of inevitability about the leveler as Liverpool spread the ball out wide at will. And while Pope was equal to Elliott’s low effort on the hour, he could do nothing about Firmino’s perfect strike that made it 1-1.

A perfectly timed Mo Salah run in behind, then a touch inside saw the Brazilian pick out Pope’s bottom corner.

The final half hour was one-sided but did not feel like United were hanging on with Pope only really called into action to field a number of centers from the left and right, bar Diaz’s deflected shot.

Well, that was until referee Andre Marriner decided to extend added time to eight minutes rather than the advised five. His own suggestion, no one else’s.

And this one then ended very much like that fateful April night more than two decades ago, as well as like United’s last trip to Merseyside this year.

While Everton waited until the 108th minute at Goodison, it was only 98 for Liverpool as Carvalho popped up after some penalty box pinball to smash home a winner and again deal United’s clear progress a cruel blow.

On a night of so many highs, but one final, cutting low, Isak was United’s shining light.

“He looked a threat and his pace was a key outlet for us,” said Howe.

“We didn’t anticipate him playing more than an hour as he has had so little training, although he did pick up a dead leg in the game, so we wanted to protect him.

“He looks like a very special player.”

The United head coach continued: “There were a number of really good performances. The performance and the commitment of the players was second to none. I think we are getting closer, but you need points.”

Disappointment reigns supreme at United following a game they scarcely deserved to lose. However, there is so much to be positive about.

And in staring City, then the Reds, square in the face in the last fortnight, United have made sure they’ve bloodied the noses of the topflight elite, and done so much sooner than many thought they’d be capable.

The story of United’s progress was etched across the faces of the full Liverpool bench in the closing stages and after the final whistle. Jurgen Klopp’s toothy grin painted an image of relief. He knows United gave his side hell. And he, like Pep Guardiola before him, knows Howe and United are looking for a seat at the Premier League’s top table.


Ito’s Bayern debut further delayed after foot surgery

Updated 30 sec ago
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Ito’s Bayern debut further delayed after foot surgery

“Hiroki Ito required further surgery on his metatarsal. This took place today, Tuesday, and went well,” Bayern said
Bundesliga leaders Bayern had expected Ito to return at the end of October

BERLIN: Bayern Munich and Japan center-back Hiroki Ito underwent another surgery on his injured foot on Tuesday, the latest setback for the Japan defender.
The 25-year-old is yet to play a competitive match for Bayern, having arrived in the summer from Stuttgart for a reported fee of 23.5 million euros ($25.6 million).
“Hiroki Ito required further surgery on his metatarsal. This took place today, Tuesday, and went well,” Bayern said in a statement.
“The FC Bayern defender will therefore be sidelined again for the time being and will restart his rehab program as soon as possible.”
Bundesliga leaders Bayern had expected Ito to return at the end of October or start of November.
He broke his metarsal in a pre-season friendly against lower division side FC Dueren in July.
Ito made his Japan debut in 2022 and has since played 19 international games, scoring one goal.

Manchester United fans in favor of leaving Old Trafford

Updated 50 min 17 sec ago
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Manchester United fans in favor of leaving Old Trafford

  • Of 50,000 United season ticket holders, club members and executive club members polled, 52 percent said they preferred the idea of a new facility
  • The Daily Telegraph has reported that a final decision on which option to choose is likely to be taken in the first half of 2025

MACNHESTER: A majority of Manchester United fans favor building a new stadium rather than re-developing Old Trafford, according to a survey released on Tuesday.
Of 50,000 United season ticket holders, club members and executive club members polled, 52 percent said they preferred the idea of a new facility, while 31 percent supported the re-development of one of the most recognizable stadiums in world football. Another 17 percent were undecided.
United’s cross-city neighbors Manchester City left their Maine Road stadium in 2003 to move into the new City of Manchester Stadium, but Premier League rivals Liverpool have re-developed their Anfield home.
United released artist’s images in September of a potential Old Trafford regeneration project and have indicated that a new stadium could be part of a multi-billion-pound re-development project.
The club’s owners are considering options in conjunction with the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, which includes former United defender Gary Neville and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe among its members.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that a final decision on which option to choose is likely to be taken in the first half of 2025.
The Task Force is understood to have focused its discussions on building a new 100,000-capacity stadium rather than redeveloping Old Trafford.
Rick McGagh, United’s director of fan engagement, said: “We know how important our home is to fans and we need to listen to them and gain all their views and insights in order to develop the world-class stadium they deserve.
“We are able to view the results through different lenses to understand if our season ticket holders feel differently about anything than say our official members. And if younger fans have different views to older fans.”


ESL Saudi Challenge — everything you need to know

Updated 05 November 2024
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ESL Saudi Challenge — everything you need to know

  • The tournament playoffs will take place in Riyadh from Nov. 8-16, with the final on Dec. 7

RIYADH: The ESL Saudi Challenge qualifiers have officially ended and the stage is now set for the playoffs, which take place from Nov. 8-16.

After an intense round of Overwatch2 competition, the best teams from across Saudi Arabia have secured their spots and are ready to face off in the next phase, with a total prize pool of $20,000 up for grabs.

The success of the recent Esports World Cup in Riyadh highlighted the popularity of gaming among Saudi players and fans, and that looks set to continue with more competitions taking place across the Kingdom in the coming years.

The ESL Saudi Challenge, organized by esports and video game entertainment company ESL FACEIT Group, will also give the victors a chance to compete on a global stage.

During the playoffs, teams face off in an attempt to advance to the Finals, where the top three teams will go head-to-head in front of a live audience at VOV Gaming in Riyadh on Dec. 7.

Schedule and Format

Playoffs: Nov. 8-16

The best eight teams face off in the double elimination bracket matches.

Grand Finals: Dec. 7

The top three teams from the playoffs compete in lower bracket and upper bracket for the Grand Final. The winner will be crowned ESL Saudi Challenge Champion, taking home the top prize of $9,000 and qualifying for an international event in 2025.

Teams

The ESL Saudi Challenge will see some of the best teams in Overwatch compete for the grand prize:

Twisted Minds

Vision Esports

Himawari

Amigos

Roc esports

Al-Qadisiah

Dragons

Negative Mental Attitude

Prize money (USD) 

Total pool: $20,000

1st: $9,000

2nd: $5,000

3rd: $3,000

4th: $,1000

5th-8th: $500

Where to watch

Fans can watch  the playoffs on the ESL Arabia Twitch and YouTube channels. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand free of charge via YouTube.


Pakistan to host England, New Zealand and Zimbabwe women's cricket teams in 2026/27

Updated 05 November 2024
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Pakistan to host England, New Zealand and Zimbabwe women's cricket teams in 2026/27

  • Zimbabwe to tour Pakistan in Apri-May 2025, New Zealand to tour country in April 2027
  • Pakistan will travel to South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in 2026 for cricket contests

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host New Zealand, Zimbabwe and England women’s cricket teams for the first time in 2026 and 2027, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said this week, saying that the tours were part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Future Tours Programme 2025-29. 

Zimbabwe women’s team will tour Pakistan in April-May 2026 while New Zealand will be visiting the country in April 2027, the PCB said in a statement. The English women’s cricket team will tour Pakistan in October 2027 while Bangladesh will be the fourth side to tour the country in October 2028. 

“Pakistan will host England, New Zealand and Zimbabwe women’s cricket teams for the first time as ICC announced Future Tours Programme 2025-29,” the PCB said in a press release on Monday. 

Eleven countries will participate in the fourth cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship being played from 2026-29 to directly qualify for the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup in 2029, it said, adding that each team will compete against eight other teams in eight home and away matches. 

The fourth cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship, which will be played from 2026-29, will see 11 sides taking part in the event for direct qualification to the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup in 2029. 

In the Women’s Championship, each team will compete against eight other teams, following the format of four home and four away series, similar to the current edition. Across 44 series, a total of 132 ODIs will be played, with each series consisting of three matches.

“The Future Tour Programme will see an ICC Women’s tournament taking place every year, starting with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England, the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028,” the PCB added.

Pakistan will travel to South Africa in February 2026 and then play Sri Lanka in July of the same year as part of their away assignments, the board said. In November 2026, Pakistan will visit the West Indies while their final away series in the ICC Women’s Championship 2026-29 cycle will be in Ireland in June 2028.
 


Saudi Sports For All Federation and STC Group sign sustainability partnership

Updated 05 November 2024
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Saudi Sports For All Federation and STC Group sign sustainability partnership

  • Pact between the parties was inked at the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh
  • Collaboration will help identify opportunities for improving public participation in physical activities

RIYADH: The Saudi Sports For All Federation has signed a memorandum of understanding with the STC Group to promote physical activity, encourage social integration through sports, and support the development of grassroots programs.

The signing ceremony took place last week at the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, which was held under the theme “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow.”

Shaima Alhusseini, managing director of the SFA, and Maha Alnuhait, general manager of sustainability at the STC Group, inked the agreement, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The collaboration will focus on establishing sustainability reporting frameworks, key performance indicators, and metrics in alignment with community-driven programs.

The SFA aims to leverage the telecom group’s expertise to achieve their goals and contribute to the objectives of Vision 2030, the SPA reported.