LONDON: Luton’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth was abandoned on Saturday after Hatters captain Tom Lockyer collapsed during the second half.
With the score level at 1-1 in the 65th minute, Lockyer suddenly fell to the turf in a worrying scene.
Play was paused as the Luton defender received treatment from medics while both sides were sent to the dressing room.
Lockyer was eventually stretchered off surrounded by the medical team.
There was a standing ovation from the crowd, with Luton fans in one corner of the Vitality Stadium chanting his name.
“There’s a break in play as Tom Lockyer seeks medical attention. We are all with you, Locks,” Luton said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Reports emerged claiming that Lockyer was “alert and responsive.”
Around half an hour after the incident, referee Simon Hooper confirmed the game would not restart on Saturday.
Players from both sides returned to the pitch and applauded the crowd.
Lockyer also collapsed during Luton’s Championship play-off final win against Coventry at Wembley in May.
The Wales international was taken to hospital and later underwent heart surgery.
The 29-year-old had an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation, a condition the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) describes as causing “an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.”
Luton’s Lockyer collapses as Bournemouth clash abandoned
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Luton’s Lockyer collapses as Bournemouth clash abandoned
- Lockyer was eventually stretchered off surrounded by the medical team
- Reports emerged claiming that Lockyer was “alert and responsive”
Kolo Muani, Conceicao each twice in Juventus’ 5-0 win over Al-Ain in the Club World Cup
- The 36-time Italian champions opened the scoring at the 11th minute on Kolo Muani’s header
WASHINGTON: Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao each scored twice and Juventus closed out the first round of the group stage in the Club World Cup with a 5-0 victory over Al-Ain on Wednesday night.
The 36-time Italian champions opened the scoring at the 11th minute on Kolo Muani’s header in front of 18,161 fans, many on them wearing white and black-striped Juventus jerseys.
Ten minutes later, Conceicao dribbled the ball inside the penalty box and made it 2-0.
Kenan Yildiz scored into the lower left corner in the 31st minute and Kolo Muani’s second goal four minutes into first-half stoppage time put Juventus up 4-0. Kolo Muani’s loan from Paris Saint-Germain was extended for the Club World Cup, with negotiations ongoing.
Conceicao scored again from a center-field kick in the 58th minute.
Key moment
Juventus scored three goals on Al-Ain goalkeeper Rui Patricio in the span of 20 minutes in the first half. The team had 10 first-half shots, eight of which were inside the penalty area.
Takeaways
Al-Ain, from the United Arab Emirates, will face a tougher challenge against current Club World Cup champions and Group G favorites Manchester City in Atlanta on Sunday. Juventus currently sits first in the group by goal difference and will travel to Philadelphia to attempt to secure a spot in the next round against Wydad.
What they said
“They play a strong game every week, doesn’t matter if it’s championship in Italy or if it’s Champions League. For them these kind of big games is something usual, and for us it is different. In our country, we play in front of two to three thousand people.” – Vladimir Ivic, Al-Ain head coach.
“He (head coach Igor Tudor) trusts me. He wants me to go to attack, to keep defenders in front, so I like to play together. I’m very happy to play with my teammates. ... We played this game for a win. I’m happy to start this competition like this.” – Randal Kolo Muani, Juventus forward.
Real Madrid wilt in Miami heat as Al-Hilal spoil Alonso’s debut
- A much-needed 30th-minute cooling break gave Real a chance to regroup, with players draping towels over their shoulders and gulping down rehydrating drinks in the sweltering heat
MIAMI: Real Madrid labored to a 1-1 Club World Cup draw against a spirited Al-Hilal in searing heat on Wednesday as Xabi Alonso’s managerial debut for the 15-time European champions delivered flashes of promise but ultimately felt like an exhibition match.
Gonzalo Garcia, stepping in for the fever-stricken Kylian Mbappe, gave Real an early lead with a composed finish, but Ruben Neves levelled from the spot before halftime as Simone Inzaghi’s men showed defensive grit and enough attacking intent to rattle their illustrious opponents.
A last-gasp missed penalty from Federico Valverde summed up a day when Real’s legs, and ideas, wilted in the heat and humidity at a nearly sold-out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
RB Salzburg and Pachuca meet in the other Group H fixture later on Wednesday. Real will next face the Mexican side on Sunday, while Al-Hilal will take on Salzburg in what could prove a decisive clash for qualification to the knockout stage.
With Mbappe ruled out, it was the 21-year-old Garcia who led the line for Real and he did not disappoint, while new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold was nowhere near the level that persuaded the Spanish club to lure him from Liverpool.
It was Al-Hilal, however, who burst out of the blocks, swarming around the Real penalty area with early intent — though their finishing let them down at crucial moments.
In the 29th minute, Salem Al-Dawsari nearly produced a moment of magic, weaving his way into the box before Aurelien Tchouameni slid in with a crucial interception to steer the ball behind.
The Saudi side thought they had taken the lead shortly after, only for their celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag.
Despite the heat — and with the cheapest tickets in the stadium selling for over $160 while premium seats soared beyond $950 — a vibrant crowd kept the energy high.
A much-needed 30th-minute cooling break gave Real a chance to regroup, with players draping towels over their shoulders and gulping down rehydrating drinks in the sweltering heat. The short pause worked wonders.
Four minutes later, Real struck. A slick team move carved open the Al-Hilal defense, and Garcia showed composure beyond his years, delicately lifting the ball over Yassine Bounou after being teed up by Rodrygo.
But Al-Hilal refused to wilt. They drew level four minutes before halftime when Ruben Neves calmly slotted home a penalty after Raul Asencio pulled back Marcos Leonardo in the area.
On the stroke of halftime, Al-Dawsari went close again, firing narrowly wide after latching onto a clever pass from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to cap another flowing Al-Hilal attack.
Real stepped up a gear after the restart with substitute Arda Guler’s shot crashing against the bar before Bounou made a stunning reaction save to deny Garcia.
A second cooling break in the 68th minute did not refresh Real and although they continued to dominate, the Al-Hilal defense held firm.
Real were awarded a penalty after a VAR review when Mohammed Al-Qahtani’s flailing arm caught Fran Garcia in the last minute, only for Valverde’s soft spot kick to be saved by Bounou.
Foden and Doku power second-string Man City past Wydad
- Manager Pep Guardiola opted to start with several key players on the bench
- Despite fielding a second-string side, City needed less than two minutes to break the deadlock
PHILADELPHIA: Manchester City began their Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in their Group G opener on Wednesday, courtesy of first-half goals from Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku.
Manager Pep Guardiola opted to start with several key players on the bench, including Erling Haaland, Rodri, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones for what was a sweltering midday kickoff at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.
Despite fielding a second-string side, City needed less than two minutes to break the deadlock.
Phil Foden pounced after Savinho’s cross was parried by Wydad goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid, with the England midfielder striking a first-time effort into the net to hand City an early lead.
City doubled their advantage three minutes before halftime when Foden delivered a pinpoint corner and Jeremy Doku caught the Wydad defense napping to volley home at the far post.
City finished with 10 men after Rico Lewis was given a straight red card for a nasty studs-up sliding tackle on Samuel Obeng in the 88th minute.
Wydad, undeterred after conceding the early goal, showed resilience and threatened on the counter-attack and forward Cassius Mailula nearly equalized with an audacious lob from midfield in the 15th minute.
Moments later, Mohamed Moufid set up Thembinkosi Lorch with a low cross, but the South African forward just failed to get there in time with a sliding effort.
City also had chances to extend their lead before halftime. Omar Marmoush saw his strike from the edge of the box sail just wide, while Nathan Ake’s towering header from a corner went inches over the bar.
At the other end, Wydad squandered a golden opportunity in the 30th minute when Vitor Reis’s misplaced pass gifted the ball to Lorch, only for Mailula’s follow-up shot to be smothered by City keeper Ederson.
After City doubled their lead before the break, the second half saw a dramatic drop in tempo under the scorching midday sun, though City went close to adding a third through Rayan Cherki.
The 21-year-old, signed from Olympique Lyonnais for 40 million euros ($46.06 million) ahead
of the tournament, unleashed a shot from the edge of the area, only for Benabid to produce a fine save.
The Moroccan keeper later denied substitute Haaland with a reflex save in a one-on-one.
City will now turn their attention to Sunday’s clash with United Arab Emirates side Al Ain, while Wydad face Juventus in their next Group G encounter.
Barcelona sign goalkeeper Joan García from crosstown rival Espanyol
- The 24-year-old García recently finished a stellar first season in La Liga
- Barcelona said they activated a release clause of $28.5m
BARCELONA: Barcelona are signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García, who was once linked to a move to Arsenal, to a six-year contract, the Spanish champion said Wednesday.
The 24-year-old García recently finished a stellar first season in La Liga when he led all goalies in saves with an average of almost four a game.
He will now join Espanyol’s main rival.
Barcelona said they activated a release clause of 25 million euros ($28.5 million) and that García is expected to sign the contract Friday in a “private ceremony” at the club offices.
The fee could help Espanyol reinforce a squad after they only avoided relegation on the final day of the season.
García had been close to a possible move to Arsenal last summer after he helped Spain win Olympic gold in Paris. He stayed put and was Espanyol’s best player.
García has yet to debut for Spain’s senior side, but it is considered only a matter of time before he does if he continues to play well.
His arrival to Barcelona puts in question the role of veteran Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who was injured most of the season. He is under contract through 2028.
Following Ter Stegen’s injury, Barcelona convinced Wojciech Szczęsny to come out of retirement and sign a contract for the remainder of last season. Barcelona’s other goalie is Iñaki Peña.
While several Barcelona players have joined Espanyol later in their careers, it is rare for an Espanyol player to move to Barcelona. Their derbies are heated affairs.
Al-Ain ‘honored and proud’ to represent UAE at Club World Cup against Juventus, says Khalid Al-Hashemi
- The defender said the club’s sponsorship by ADNOC and XRG in the new tournament is indicative of support from across the UAE
ABU DHABI: Al-Ain defender Khalid Al-Hashemi says it will be a privilege for the club’s players to take to the field at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Juventus in their opening fixture.
Al-Ain begin their FIFA Club World Cup campaign against the Italian giants in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 18 (4 a.m. KSA on June 19) before further Group G matches vs. Manchester City and Wydad.
Al-Hashemi, who starred in both legs of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League final and is a UAE national team defender, says Al-Ain are relishing the opportunity to test themselves at the highest level.
“Preparations are going well here in the US with the coach and the technical staff,” said the 28-year-old center-back, who wears No.16 for Al-Ain. “The opportunity to play against Juve and against City in particular is a big opportunity to learn and see how our levels are now, and if we can reach their levels and compete. We will do our best in our training sessions before the games and hopefully we can get good results.
“Our hopes are really high,” Al-Hashemi added. “We all know that we have pressure, but we want to represent Al-Ain and the UAE in the best way possible. We want to get results and show that Al-Ain are not just here (to make up the numbers) — we want to compete, we want to fight for the badge, for the flag and the country.”
The club enters the new competition with significant backing from XRG, the official sponsor of Al-Ain’s training kit during the FIFA Club World Cup, and through to the end of the upcoming season; as well as ADNOC, who will be the official sponsor of club’s first team jerseys during local matches throughout the upcoming season.
Al-Hashemi believes this backing is indicative of the support from across the UAE as Al-Ain seek to make the nation proud on the biggest global stage in club football.
“We are very privileged to have this partnership with XRG and ADNOC,” says Al-Hashemi. “Al-Ain is honored and I think both parties are very happy with this partnership. Hopefully we represent our club, the company and our country on the biggest stage in a good way and get good results. We are very honored and very proud to be at the biggest club competition in world football.”
Al-Ain secured their place at this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2023-24 AFC Champions League, defeating Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos 6-3 over two legs in the final.
Following their opening FIFA Club World Cup match against Serie A giants Juventus, Al-Ain travel to Atlanta to play eight-time Premier League winners Manchester City, before concluding their group stage fixtures against Wydad from Morocco in Washington, D.C. on June 26.
Al-Hashemi, who was born in Abu Dhabi, says one of his big hopes from Al-Ain taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup is that it will inspire the next generation of Emirati footballers. The competition, the first under an expanded format, runs from June 14 to July 13 in the US, and features 32 top teams from across world football.
“I imagine that when we play in the FIFA Club World Cup, the young generation will see this and say ‘one day I want to play in this competition, the biggest competition in the world’,” said AI-Hashemi. “Imagine how that will impact the young generation and give them hope and inspiration to play for a club and the national team. Hopefully, as a group and individually, we inspire the young generation to come back here to this tournament.”
