MUNICH, Germany: A 63-minute rocket from debutant Jamie Leweling gave Germany a 1-0 win over a limp Netherlands in Munich on Monday and a first appearance in the Nations League knockout rounds.
The Stuttgart forward was called off the bench after an injury to club teammate Deniz Undav in the warm-up.
Leweling had an early goal ruled out for the tightest of offsides before blasting in a loose ball from a Joshua Kimmich corner.
A beaming Leweling told Germany’s ZDF network “we won as a team, I scored the 1-0, we won 1-0, but we did well and I’m just happy I could help out.
“The Dutch are a top nation, but we played a good game nevertheless. We used the chances that we had well.”
Captain Kimmich told reporters the side were proud to overcome a long injury list.
“There were just three players on the field in comparison to five weeks ago against Holland (a 2-2 draw in the Netherlands), that’s why we are proud of what we did.
“You could see how happy we are, how proud we are of the performance today.
“We had lots of new players, some young players, unfortunately lots of injuries but you didnt notice much of a difference.
“Jamie had an outstanding debut — it’s not often the Allianz Arena gives you a reception like that — he did well.
Oliver Baumann, at 34 the oldest debutant goalie in Germany history, pulled off a spectacular save from Donyell Malen in the final minute to protect Germany’s victory.
The Netherlands, missing suspended captain Virgil van Dijk, were poor until the dying stages. They stayed second in the group but only on goal difference ahead of Hungary, who beat Bosnia 2-0.
Before the match, the hosts bid farewell to international veterans Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, Ilkay Gundogan and Toni Kroos, who have all stepped down since the home Euros in the summer.
Since starting his reign one year ago to the day with a 3-1 away win over the United States, coach Julian Nagelsmann has been willing to ignore big names in favor of in-form players.
Injuries to key players including Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen forced Nagelsmann into seven changes, the injury to Undav, who scored both goals in Germany’s win over Bosnia on October 11, forced a last-minute reshuffle.
The coach gave Leweling and Oliver Baumann their first caps, while Aleksandar Pavlovic and Angelo Stiller started for the first time.
Leweling appeared to have started his Germany career perfectly when he gave the hosts the lead after just two minutes, but a lengthy video review found Serge Gnabry offside in the build-up.
Despite pressing the Dutch into a series of mistakes playing out from goal, Germany failed to carve another clear opportunity in the first half.
The visitors posed little threat to debutant Baumann’s goal, failing to register a shot in the first half.
Leweling’s stunning strike jolted the match into life with just under half an hour remaining.
Xavi Simons rattled the crossbar late as the Dutch hinted at a possible comeback, with Malen also going close but failing to break through.
Leweling rockets Germany past Dutch and into Nations League quarterfinals
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Leweling rockets Germany past Dutch and into Nations League quarterfinals
- A beaming Leweling told Germany’s ZDF network “we won as a team, I scored the 1-0, we won 1-0, but we did well and I’m just happy I could help out
Naqi team take gold at Saudi Elite Hockey Championship
- The medals and trophy were awarded by Saudi Hockey Federation President Mohammed Al-Mandeel
- Defending champions Najd Falcons came second, with Al-Ittihad in third
RIYADH: There were celebrations on Saturday as Naqi won the second edition of the Saudi Elite Hockey Championship.
Team members received their gold medals and winners’ trophy from Saudi Hockey Federation President Mohammed Al-Mandeel at the end of the event, played over two days at the Green Halls of Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex.
Featuring 80 players from eight teams, it was attended by Ahmed Al-Jaidan, vice chairman of the SHF board, and board member Reham Al-Ajroush.
Defending champions Najd Falcons received silver medals for coming in second place, while Al-Ittihad took bronze for third.
In the individual awards, Nouman Rashid (Naqi) was named Best Player of the Tournament, with Moaid Dhoha (Al-Ittihad) as Best Goalkeeper. Top Scorer was Akbar Zaman of United Thalassery Sports Club and Best Young Player was Abdulrahman Al-Shammari (Al-Shabab).
Al-Mandeel praised the success of the event, saying it emphasized the Federation’s efforts to promote hockey and establish it as a popular competitive sport in Saudi Arabia.
Along with tournaments, the organization has established domestic and international training camps to help discover the Kingdom’s talented hockey players, many of whom shone during the championship.
Al-Mandeel also expressed his appreciation for support from the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committees.
West Indies 54-5 in chase of 251 in spin-dominated Pakistan Test
- Sajid Khan impresses again by taking four wickets against West Indies
- Jomel Warrican took 7-32 in spin-tricky overs to bundle Pakistan out for 157
MULTAN, Pakistan, Jan 19, 2025 : Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan struck four times to leave the West Indies in deep trouble on 54-5 at lunch on the third day of the first Test in their chase of 251 for victory.
The West Indies need 197 runs to win while Pakistan are chasing five wickets in a battle between the two basement sides in the World Test Championship.
On a Multan Stadium pitch that has sharp turn, the West Indies lost skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (12), Keacy Carty (six), Kavem Hodge (nought) and Mikyle Louis (13) — all to Sajid, who has figures of 4-25.
In the last over before the lunch break, fellow spinner Noman Ali trapped Justin Greaves leg before for nine to give Pakistan a sniff of victory.
Alick Athanaze was unbeaten on 12.
Earlier, Jomel Warrican finished with 7-32 in 18 spin-tricky overs to bundle Pakistan out for 157 after they resumed on 109-3, managing to add just 48 runs.
Warrican tore through the Pakistan batting line-up with nagging line and length to claim match figures of 10-101, his first 10-wicket haul.
His previous best innings figures of 4-50 came against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2021.
He also improved on the previous best figures by a West Indian in Pakistan, held by fast bowler Malcolm Marshall with 5-33 at Lahore in 1986.
Warrican dismissed overnight batter Saud Shakeel with the first ball of the day for two and then had Mohammad Rizwan in his next over for the same score.
He continued the demolition act with the wickets of Kamran Ghulam (27), Noman (nine) and Sajid (five).
Fellow spinner Gudakesh Motie ending the innings by dismissing Salman Agha for 14.
The second match starts from January 25, also in Multan.
Richard Mille win Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Championship final
- The final score against Ikmah was 8-6 at Al-Fursan Village
- Bentley team takes third beating AlUla 6-5
ALULA: The Richard Mille polo team won the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Championship on Saturday, defeating Ikmah 8-6 in the final at Al-Fursan Village.
The triumphant players were awarded the trophy by Saudi Polo Federation President Amr Zidan and Abeer Al-Akel, acting CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, in the presence of Piero Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation.
Bentley won third place after winning 6-5 against AlUla, who came in fourth, with Dadan claiming fifth place with a 7-6 victory over Budget.
Prince Hamzah bin Abbas of Jordan was named Best Player of the Tournament, while Claire Mountbatten won the Best Female Player award.
The tournament’s top scorer was international star Nacho Figueras, while Obsolete won the Best Horse award.
Congratulating the Richard Mille team on their success, Zidan said: “SPF is committed to continuing this tournament in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla, with unlimited support from the wise leadership, and close supervision from the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports.”
The SPF president added the competition had witnessed a new champion, rapid development, strong competition and valuable experience for Saudi riders through competing against international stars.
He extended his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.
Fit-again Yadav named in India’s squad for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy
- Kuldeep Yadav hasn’t played cricket since hernia surgery in November
- India retain most of their players who competed at 2023 ODI World Cup
NEW DELHI: India named fit-again spinner Kuldeep Yadav in a 15-man squad for next month’s Champions Trophy on Saturday with Rohit Sharma leading the team into the eight-nation tournament.
Kuldeep hasn’t played competitive cricket since his hernia surgery in November but could play pivotal role on slow pitches of Dubai, where India will be playing all its games. The left-arm wrist spinner has been building up his workload at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
The Indian squad also includes fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
India retained most of its players who competed at the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shreyas Iyer and Lokesh Rahul have retained their places while Shubman Gill was named as the team’s vice-captain. Rishabh Pant is the second wicketkeeper chosen in the squad as Sanju Samson couldn’t make the 15.
Fast bowler Mohammad Shami also returns to ODI cricket, having last played the 50-over format at home in the 2023 ODI World Cup where he picked up 24 wickets and was the tournament’s highest wicket-taker. Left-arm fast bowler edged out Mohammed Siraj after his impressive performances in white-ball cricket.
India is placed in group A alongside host Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand.
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Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
Barcelona’s Balde complains of racist abuse in Getafe draw
- Earlier Saturday, in Spain’s second division, Elche player Bambo Diaby also faced racist abuse in a 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon
MADRID: Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde complained of racist abuse aimed at him from Getafe supporters in a 1-1 draw in La Liga on Saturday.
After Hansi Flick’s side were dealt another set-back in the title race at Getafe’s Coliseum stadium Balde reported the abuse in a post-match interview.
“I received various racist insults from some fans today, and I think that’s something I should say here. I think it’s something that should not keep happening,” Balde told Movistar.
The defender said he informed the referee during the game, who activated Spain’s racism protocol — leading to a public announcement to supporters in the stadium to desist.
Flick said those shouting racist abuse should not come to matches.
“There’s no space for this in football or in life, this is unbelievable, in the time (we live in now) it’s totally wrong,” Flick told reporters.
“They have to stay at home. Not go to the match, they have to stay at home.
“I think we have to fight against them, it’s the best thing, and the people around them can also do something... I think everyone can do it.”
Earlier Saturday, in Spain’s second division, Elche player Bambo Diaby also faced racist abuse in a 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon.
There have been numerous instances of racism in Spanish football stadiums in recent years, with Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior often targeted for abuse.
In November three fans were arrested after racist abuse was aimed at Balde and his Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal in the Clasico against Real Madrid.
