Eddie Howe sets ambitious Newcastle United target with Joelinton deal top of priority list

Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe looks on during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 24, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 26 February 2024
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Eddie Howe sets ambitious Newcastle United target with Joelinton deal top of priority list

  • “That’s always been in my mind as an absolute priority, to try to get him to stay at the club long term. I see that as hugely important,” Howe said of Joelinton, whose current Magpies’ deal runs out in the summer of 2025

NEWCASTLE: Persuading key man Joelinton to pen a new Newcastle United deal is a “priority” for Eddie Howe, even with chief negotiator Dan Ashworth out of the Magpies’ exit door.

The Brazilian has been a huge miss in the Newcastle midfield since he suffered a thigh injury in the FA Cup third-round win over local rivals Sunderland. Joelinton went under the knife on Jan. 23 to rectify the issue, and is not expected back until May.

On the eve of Newcastle’s fifth-round tie at Championship Blackburn Rovers — who, like Howe’s men, have won the trophy six times — the team’s head coach has been discussing his desire to see the Brazilian stay on Tyneside, even with sporting director Ashworth on gardening leave, with Manchester United his desired destination.

“That’s always been in my mind as an absolute priority, to try to get him to stay at the club long term. I see that as hugely important,” Howe said of Joelinton, whose current Magpies’ deal runs out in the summer of 2025.

“I think we’ve missed Joe’s qualities, especially physically, his robustness, his abilities in duels, set-plays for and against. We’re very lucky to have a midfielder that’s as big as he is and as competitive as he is and whenever you lose those qualities, you notice when they’re not there.

“He’s a very unusual midfielder, really, a prototype. You don’t get many like him and it’s certainly been missed, what he can bring.”

When asked who will fill Ashworth’s role in taking up the contract talks, Howe said: “I think it’ll be a mixture of Darren Eales and probably Amanda (Staveley) and Mehrdad (Ghodoussi).”

While attentions turn to the pursuit of silverware and the temporary distraction of the cup, Newcastle’s Premier League form has been starkly different to anything seen under Howe for 18 months. Long gone are the weeks of endless points, a firm backline and wins galore, a trend which had followed Newcastle from their avoidance of relegation in 2021/22 into their Champions League-qualifying campaign of 2022/23.

Mixing with Europe’s best, at this moment in time, feels like a lifetime ago, even though their last Champions League clash with giants AC Milan was only two months back. Since then, the Magpies’ form has dropped through the floor, mainly underpinned by an increasingly leaky backline and, of course, injury issues, which are thankfully starting to be less of a burden.

Howe’s team have the worst defensive record in England’s top flight in the calendar year. Across the season just the bottom three, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have conceded more goals. It is something all associated with the club know needs to be addressed — and sharpish.

“We are still in the throes of deciding where this season ends up. Nothing is decided for or against us. I definitely want to squash that feeling that we are feeling sorry for ourselves because that has negative connotations,” said the head coach.

“We need the players excited and ambitious, thinking brightly about the future. I always have a positive outlook. I’ve been in football long enough that it changes very quickly both for and against.

“This season has been very challenging. When you start the season it could be one thing but there have been so many scenarios that have happened that have led us to this point. But I think we will be better for it. The squad will be better for it, we will be better for it and the thought we could have had another season where everything seemed to go for us again, that very rarely happens in football. It’s how you navigate the situation and come back better.”

When pushed specifically on Newcastle’s defensive record — they have conceded 45 goals in just 26 games in the Premier League — Howe said: “Yes, of course we’re looking for solutions to everything.

“There’d be sort of the outcome which is the goals, of course, but there’s a whole body of work that goes into how you defend. Whether that’s how you press, how you defend in the mid-third of the pitch, how you defend toward the goal. Certainly we need to do a better job.

“I think regardless of how you tactically set up, it’s individuals doing their jobs and making sure you don’t make individual errors. I think we’ve been guilty of a combination of a lot of those things in the last few weeks.

“We’ve proved we can defend, we’ve proved we can defend even recently and we’ve put in some really good performances. Certainly we’re capable but we just need to deliver it consistently.”

Newcastle will be backed by more than 7,000 supporters on Tuesday night in Lancashire, with a Geordie invasion of Ewood Park in store. The Magpies have not won the competition since 1955, but can put themselves just one game away from a Wembley semifinal with victory.

“It’s a huge game for us,” said Howe. “We’re absolutely committed to the FA Cup to do well and have been all season. We’ve had two difficult games away from home to get to this stage, and now another one. We’ve been looking forward to this game for a while so we know how important it is.

“There have been performances where we’ve not been at our best and you can understand — we were disjointed, had players out of position, no substitutes, relying on 11 players continually. Arsenal (a 4-1 loss on Saturday) was different. We just did not perform and we have to take responsibility for that.

“Qualifying for Europe is right at the top of our priorities. Of course, qualifying for the Champions League was unbelievable last year. But if you can’t make that again, then we have to look for the next best alternative. That’s what we’re trying to do, and for me, they’re (Europa League and Conference League) realistic objectives, and we’ll give everything we can to achieve it. I think, for the football club, to try to qualify regularly for Europe is an achievement in itself, and that’s something we’re looking to do.

“We don’t want to be easy to play against; we want to be very difficult to play against. We didn’t execute what we wanted to do against Arsenal well enough, that’s clear. That’s clear from the performance and I take responsibility for that.”

 


Dubai Basketball end historic first season with knockout in Belgrade

Updated 03 June 2025
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Dubai Basketball end historic first season with knockout in Belgrade

  • Despite a 114-97 defeat to Partizan, the season has been one of major milestones for the team

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball ended their inaugural ABA League season after a 114-97 defeat in the final leg of the semifinal against Serbian powerhouse Partizan.

The team officially set out on their journey in the Adriatic League in September, competing against some of the most prolific sides in Europe. From beating reigning champions Red Star in their opening game to being one of the only teams in the league to beat Partizan twice at their home court, the 2024-25 season was packed with milestones.

The third and final game of the semifinals took place on Sunday night at Belgrade Arena, the home of Partizan, with Dubai determined to capitalize on squaring the series in the previous game.

Dubai opened the game with intensity, taking an early lead as Davis Bertans, Klemen Prepelic, and Nate Mason each sank three-pointers within the first four minutes. By the end of the first quarter, Dubai had stormed ahead with a commanding nine-point lead.

However, the momentum began to shift in the second quarter. With the backing of a packed home crowd, Partizan tightened their defence and gradually closed the gap, reducing Dubai’s lead to just a single point by the end of the third quarter.

As the game progressed into the third and fourth quarters, Partizan demonstrated why they are seven-time ABA League champions. Although they surged ahead, Dubai refused to go down without a fight, repeatedly equalising the score and keeping the contest wide open.

In the final quarter, Partizan pulled away, scoring an impressive 28 points that widened the gap to 17 and ultimately secured their place in the finals. Dubai, however, walked away with their heads held high, having challenged one of Europe’s top basketball teams to the very end.

Reflecting on the season, Dubai Basketball’s head coach, Jurica Golemac, said: “We must be satisfied. This was our first season, with 13 new players in total. We were fortunate to have selected not only top-quality athletes but also exceptional people who made this journey smoother.

“Throughout the season, we played good basketball. We claimed major wins — including victories over some of the league’s giants — and today, we pushed Partizan into a serious battle for a place in the finals. Plans for the future are already underway. In fact, they’ve been in motion throughout the season. Analysis, planning — it all continues.

“As they say, the off-season begins tomorrow, and so does our preparation for what comes next.”


Rory McIlroy set for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Updated 03 June 2025
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Rory McIlroy set for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

  • McIlroy is first European to win the career grand slam
  • Yas Links hosts the Abu Dhabi championship Nov. 6-9

ABU DHABI: Grand slam winner and five-time Major champion Rory McIlroy will return to Yas Links for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from Nov. 6 to 9 as he bids to win a seventh Race to Dubai Rankings crown.

The Masters champion leads the Race to Dubai having already secured his place in the field for the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

This is thanks to that thrilling victory at Augusta National, in addition to a fourth-place finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series event of the season.

Staged by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour, the championship is the first event of the tour’s end of season showpiece. This leads straight into the DP World Tour Championship where the Race to Dubai champion will be crowned.

The top 70 available players at the conclusion of the Back 9 events will gather in Abu Dhabi for the fourth Rolex Series event of the year as the season comes to a close.

McIlroy became the first European to win the career grand slam earlier this year when he added a Green Jacket to his four previous Major victories at the 2011 US Open, the US PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, and The Open in 2014.

And he will look to clinch a fourth successive Race to Dubai title when he returns to the Middle East in November.

Aref Hamad Al-Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the UAE capital has established itself as a world-class golfing destination, and was “proud” to host McIlroy.

“Since its inception, the championship has played a pivotal role in supporting sports tourism and generating tangible economic benefits for the region.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the DP World Tour in delivering another outstanding event befitting the prestige of the Rolex Series.

McIlroy said: “I love ending the season in the Middle East and I’m excited to return to Abu Dhabi again for the first of two big events later this year.

“I’ve started the year well and I’ve got a good record at Yas Links so hopefully I can continue doing what I’m doing and give myself a chance of finishing the season strongly, and having a shot of getting another Race to Dubai under my belt.”


Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season

Updated 03 June 2025
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Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season

  • More than 40 clubs involved as Twisted Minds, Team Falcons, Al-Qadsiah lead charge

RIYADH: The Saudi eLeague, the Kingdom’s premier esports competition, has seen over 40 clubs take part in the 2025 season.

Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and hosted at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, the league showcases the Kingdom’s top clubs as they battle across multiple titles and divisions.

Participating clubs have so far battled across 10 high-stakes contests, six in the elite category and four in the women category, with valuable points up for grabs at the top of the cross-game leaderboard.

The final standings will determine the qualifiers for the championship, the league’s most prominent event in which top clubs compete for the ultimate title and a major share of a prize pool worth almost $1.9 million.

Twisted Minds lead the pack after the latest round, with Team Falcons second. Al-Qadsiah Esports sit in third, the breakout team of the season, surging up the ranks with wins in both the men’s and women’s contests.

The first phase of the Saudi eLeague season has now concluded, and Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports products at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “The strong start to this year’s Saudi eLeague says a lot about how far the scene has come.

“Compared to previous seasons … we’re seeing real progress, more clubs, stronger competition, new talents and growing excitement from the community.

“What matters most is how competitive and intense every match has become. (It is) a platform where Saudi talents and clubs can grow, compete, and shine on bigger stages.”

Fans can follow the action live at the SEF Arena or via Saudi eLeague channels on Twitch, YouTube, and social platforms.


England coach Tuchel expects players to suffer in World Cup heat

Updated 03 June 2025
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England coach Tuchel expects players to suffer in World Cup heat

  • “It is important to see matches now in America, and in Miami at three in the afternoon,” Tuchel said as he prepared his team for their World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona

LONDON: England coach Thomas Tuchel will attend FIFA’s Club World Cup starting this month to observe how players cope with the expected hot and humid weather conditions.
Next year’s World Cup, taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, could be one of the hottest in the tournament’s history.
“It is important to see matches now in America, and in Miami at three in the afternoon,” Tuchel said as he prepared his team for their World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona.
“I will see that. How it looks, and we need to understand how to cool the players down, to drink. What our options are.”
England are top of qualifying Group K and almost certain to qualify for next year’s tournament where they will be among the favorites for the title.
But Tuchel says the conditions will be harsh.
“Let’s see because it is after the season, so it will be very similar. The actual experience is for the players, but I have done pre-season there in Orlando and I will be very surprised if we do not suffer,” he said.
“Suffering is one of the headlines for this World Cup.”
England are preparing for the Andorra game in the Spanish city of Girona and are using heat tents to test the players reaction and recovery to training in heat and humidity.
Sixteen stadiums will be used at next year’s World Cup with predictions of potentially extreme temperatures.
In Dallas, one of the host cities, in an average year more than 80 percent of June and July days exceed 28 degrees Celsius.
A study led by Brunel University found that, according to analysis of 20 years of weather data, 14 of the 16 host stadiums would top 28 degrees Celsius on a daily basis in June and July with four likely to hit 32 degrees in a hotter than summer.
FIFPRO, the world players union, recommends that if there is Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of between 28-32 degree, cooling breaks should take place around the 30th and 75th minutes.
It says that if there is a WBGT of more than 32 degrees, training and matches should be rescheduled.


UAE Team Emirates-XRG combines vision with victory on World Bicycle Day

Emirati squad received two prestigious nominations from the Union Cycliste Internationale. supplied
Updated 03 June 2025
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UAE Team Emirates-XRG combines vision with victory on World Bicycle Day

  • The UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy has already reached over 700 schoolchildren through more than 80 hours of in-school coaching

ABU DHABI: UAE Team Emirates-XRG celebrated more than just race wins on World Bicycle Day on Tuesday.

The Emirati squad, a dominant force in the professional peloton, continues to make waves away from competitive events with major strides in community engagement and sustainability — efforts which are earning global recognition.

This week, the team received two prestigious nominations from the Union Cycliste Internationale — the Cycling for All Award for their youth-focused UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy and the Climate Action Award for their ongoing “Road to Net-Zero” initiative. Both will be presented later this month at the UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum in Copenhagen.

“As we celebrate World Bicycle Day, we’re incredibly proud to see our work recognized on the global stage with nominations for both the UCI Cycling for All Award and the UCI Climate Action Award,” said Mauro Gianetti, team principal and CEO.

“These honors reflect our deep commitment to growing the sport at a grassroots level and ensuring sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do.”

Launched in 2025, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy has already reached over 700 schoolchildren through more than 80 hours of in-school coaching. The program is set to expand to an additional 1,300 students by the end of the year, underlining the team’s aim of nurturing cycling talent across Abu Dhabi and beyond.

“The UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy, Powered by ADNOC, is central to this vision, helping us inspire the next generation of cyclists and create meaningful change in our communities,” Gianetti added. “I’d like to sincerely thank ADNOC for their unwavering support. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible. The opportunities ahead are endless — for our team, for young riders and for the continued development of cycling across the region.”

While their community work garners headlines, the team’s racing form in 2025 has been just as impressive. UAE Team Emirates-XRG has already captured landmark victories at the Tour of Flanders and Liege–Bastogne–Liege, alongside podium finishes at Milano-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix, and the Giro d’Italia. The run continues a dominant stretch that began last season, reinforcing their status as one of the sport’s elite outfits.

“The growth of the team over the past eight years has been extraordinary,” Gianetti said. “Our success is driven by the talent and dedication of our riders, the expertise of our staff, and the incredible support from the leadership of the country, our partners, and fans. Cycling is continuing to grow rapidly in the UAE, and that momentum is something we are proud to contribute to every day.”