NYON: Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce were rewarded for squeezing into the Europa League knockout stage by being drawn Friday to face Anderlecht in a two-leg playoff.
Fenerbahce placed 24th in the new 36-standings format — the last qualification place, and on a tiebreaker of goal difference — and will host the first leg on Feb. 13.
The return game in Brussels is one week later.
Mourinho was hired to end Fenerbahce’s decade-long wait for a Turkish league title, though trails Istanbul rival Galatasaray by six points. Galatasaray also were in Friday’s draw and will face AZ Alkmaar, with the first game in the Netherlands.
Two of Mourinho’s former clubs, Porto and Roma were paired, and Ajax were drawn to face Union Saint-Gilloise which will host the first leg in Belgium.
The playoff round draw involved teams which placed from ninth to 24th over the new eight-game schedule that ended Thursday.
The round of 16 pairings are made on Feb. 21 also involving the top-eight teams in the league phase.
They include two more of Mourinho’s former clubs, Manchester United and Tottenham, plus Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lyon, Olympiakos and Rangers.
Mourinho and Fenerbahce to face Anderlecht in Europa League playoff round
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Mourinho and Fenerbahce to face Anderlecht in Europa League playoff round
- Fenerbahce placed 24th in the new 36-standings format and will host the first leg on Feb. 13
- Mourinho was hired to end Fenerbahce’s decade-long wait for a Turkish league title
Corner kick awarded if goalkeeper holds the ball more than 8 seconds
- The new rule will first be used at the Club World Cup in June
- Then in domestic and international competitions from next season
BELFAST: Soccer’s rule makers are taking another crack at reducing timewasting by goalkeepers who hold the ball for too long.
The International Football Association Board approved a rule change Saturday whereby the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds. The new rule will first be used at the Club World Cup in June and then in domestic and international competitions from next season.
It replaces the current and mostly unenforced rule that states a referee should give an indirect free kick to the other side if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than six seconds.
Referees will be instructed to use a five-second hand countdown to warn goalkeepers time is running out to put the ball back in play.
The IFAB said that the eight-second rule saw positive results when it was used in trials in England’s Premier League 2 for youth teams and other minor competitions in Italy and Malta.
“You can see it has a significant impact on goalkeeper behavior,” Patrick Nelson, IFAB director and head of the Irish Football Association, said at a news conference. “The results of (the trials) have been very, very positive.”
Nelson said failure to enforce the six-second rule had “been a bane of many people’s lives for quite some time.”
South Africa upstage hapless England to reach Champions Trophy semis
- England were bowled out for a paltry 179 in 38.2 overs, with South Africa winning by seven wickets
- Sunday’s India-New Zealand clash will determine the line-up for the semi-finals in Dubai and Lahore
KARACHI: South Africa qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy on Saturday with a convincing seven wicket win over a hapless England in a Group B match in Karachi.
Wiaan Mulder (3-25) and Marco Jansen (3-39) bowled out England for a paltry 179 in 38.2 overs before South Africa chased down the target for the loss of three wickets in 29.1 overs.
The victory means South Africa, who topped Group B with five points, a point more than Australia, join the Aussies in the semi-finals while India and New Zealand -- who meet in Dubai on Sunday -- are in the last four from Group A.
As for England, they have endured a wretched tournament, with this their third loss coming after defeats to Australia and then to Afghanistan which ended their interest in the tournament with a game to spare.
The India-New Zealand clash will determine the semi-final line-ups, the first in Dubai on March 4 while the second is in Lahore a day later.
India, whose government refused to send its national team to Pakistan over political tensions, will play their semi-final in Dubai irrespective of where they finish in the Group.
If India qualify for the final it will be played in Dubai on March 9. If not, Lahore will stage the final.
Stand-in skipper Aiden Markram praised Jansen.
"He's (Jansen) been huge for us," said Markram of the left-armer. "We all know in the powerplay, especially in conditions like this, you need to be taking wickets up front. He's been peaking at the right time for us."
Outgoing England skipper Jos Buttler rued another poor show.
"A really disappointing performance," said Buttler. "We're not going on and making those big, telling contributions which has been a story of this side for some time now with the bat."
Fast bowler Jofra Archer dismissed Tristan Stubbs (nought) and Ryan Rickelton (27) with the score on 47 but Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen kept South Africa on track with a 127-run stand for the third wicket.
Klaasen, who scored a 56-ball 64 with 11 boundaries, fell to spinner Adil Rashid with just five needed for victory which David Miller completed with a six.
Dussen hit three sixes and six boundaries in his unbeaten 87-ball 72.
Archer had figures of 2-55 while Rashid took 1-37.
Earlier, Mulder and Jansen destroyed the top-order after England won the toss and batted.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj had figures of 2-35 as England's batting chart presented a sorry picture with Joe Root the highest scorer with 37.
The fact that England were already out with two defeats in as many games and Buttler having stepped down after this match left them dispirited.
Jansen removed opener Phil Salt (eight), Jamie Smith (nought) and Ben Duckett (24) in an incisive first spell of five overs.
He then took a brilliant diving catch at long-on off Maharaj to send Harry Brook back for 19, ending a 62-run fourth-wicket stand with Root.
Just four runs later, England suffered a massive blow when Root was bowled by Mulder and the problems worsened with Liam Livingstone dismissed by Maharaj for nine.
Root's 44-ball knock had one six and four boundaries.
Buttler (21) and Archer (25) added 42 runs for the eighth wicket but once Archer was dismissed by Mulder the last two wickets fell with the addition of just eight runs.
South Africa had to leave out regular skipper Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi who were both unwell while Markram was also forced to leave the field with a hamstring problem.
Penalty heartbreak for Saudi Arabia in U-20 Asian final
- Bassam Hazazi sees final penalty saved by Australian goalkeeper Steven Hall
- Haji had almost put his team ahead inside the third minute
SHENCHEN, CHINA: There was heartbreak for Saudi Arabia in the final of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup on Saturday as they lost a penalty shootout 5-4 to Australia.
After extra time ended with the score at 1-1, Bassam Hazazi stepped up to take the last of Saudi Arabia’s five penalty kicks only to see it saved by Australian goalkeeper Steven Hall.
Louis Agosti put Australia ahead in the first half, but Talal Haji equalized for Saudi Arabia just before the break.
Haji had almost put his team ahead inside the third minute with a low shot from the right of the area that was well-saved by Hall. The striker had another chance soon after, but blasted over the bar.
Australia took the lead in the 24th minute. Saudi Arabia failed to deal with a free-kick on the left and the ball fell to Agosti just outside the area. He swung a foot and his low shot ended up in the bottom corner. Saudi keeper Hamed Al-Shanqiti got a hand to the ball and probably should have kept it out.
Just when it looked as if the Green Falcons were going to in at the break behind, they had the ball in the net — though only just. Nawaf Al-Ghulaimish crossed from the right and Haji headed into the arms of goalkeeper Hall, who was standing behind the goal line. After a lengthy VAR check to ascertain whether the whole of the ball had crossed the line, the goal was given.
The second half was open with both teams pushing for a win. After 56 minutes there was a major scramble in the Saudi Arabian area. Al-Shanqiti made a smart reaction save from a botched clearance by Awad Aman, then Daniel Bennie had two shots blocked before Alexander Badolato pulled his effort just wide. Not long after Saad Haqawi’s low shot from the left was saved.
There were more opportunities, but the stalemate remained and the final went into extra time. Those 30 minutes carried on in the same vein before the referee blew his whistle to end two hours of football and signal a penalty shootout, the second in a row for Saudi Arabia, who defeated South Korea on penalties in the semi-final.
As in that match, Saudi Arabia’s opponents took the first kick. Unlike South Korea, Australia converted, and went on to score each of their penalties. Thamer Al-Khaibri coolly leveled with Saudi Arabia’s first. Farhah Al-Shamrani scored to make it 2-2. Ali Al-Mahdawi slotted home the third. Saleh Barnawi made it 4-4. Then the pressure was on Hazazi to level again and take the shootout into sudden death. But his effort was saved and Australia took the title.
South Africa upstage hapless England to reach Champions Trophy semis
- The victory means South Africa, who topped Group B with five points, a point more than Australia, join the Aussies in the semifinals
KARACHI: South Africa qualified for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy on Saturday with a convincing seven wicket win over a hapless England in a Group B match in Karachi.
Wiaan Mulder (3-25) and Marco Jansen (3-39) bowled out England for a paltry 179 in 38.2 overs before South Africa chased down the target for the loss of three wickets in 29.1 overs.
The victory means South Africa, who topped Group B with five points, a point more than Australia, join the Aussies in the semifinals while India and New Zealand — who meet in Dubai on Sunday — are in the last four from Group A.
As for England, they have endured a wretched tournament, with this their third loss coming after defeats to Australia and then to Afghanistan which ended their interest in the tournament with a game to spare.
The India-New Zealand clash will determine the semifinal lineups, the first in Dubai on March 4 while the second is in Lahore a day later.
India, whose government refused to send its national team to Pakistan over political tensions, will play their semifinal in Dubai irrespective of where they finish in the Group.
If India qualify for the final it will be played in Dubai on March 9. If not, Lahore will stage the final.
Stand-in skipper Aiden Markram praised Jansen.
“He’s (Jansen) been huge for us,” said Markram of the left-armer. “We all know in the powerplay, especially in conditions like this, you need to be taking wickets up front. He’s been peaking at the right time for us.”
Outgoing England skipper Jos Buttler rued another poor show.
“A really disappointing performance,” said Buttler. “We’re not going on and making those big, telling contributions which has been a story of this side
for some time now with the bat.”
Fast bowler Jofra Archer dismissed Tristan Stubbs (nought) and Ryan Rickelton (27) with the score on 47 but Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen kept South Africa on track with a 127-run stand for the third wicket.
Klaasen, who scored a 56-ball 64 with 11 boundaries, fell to spinner Adil Rashid with just five needed for victory which David Miller completed with a six.
Dussen hit three sixes and six boundaries in his unbeaten 87-ball 72. Archer had figures of 2-55 while Rashid took 1-37.
Earlier, Mulder and Jansen destroyed the top-order after England won the toss and batted.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj had figures of 2-35 as England’s batting chart presented a sorry picture with Joe Root the highest scorer with 37.
The fact that England were already out with two defeats in as many games and Buttler having stepped down after this match left them dispirited.
Jansen removed opener Phil Salt (eight), Jamie Smith (nought) and Ben Duckett (24) in an incisive first spell of five overs.
He then took a brilliant diving catch at long-on off Maharaj to send Harry Brook back for 19, ending a 62-run fourth-wicket stand with Root.
Just four runs later, England suffered a massive blow when Root was bowled by Mulder and the problems worsened with Liam Livingstone dismissed by Maharaj for nine.
Root’s 44-ball knock had one six and four boundaries.
Buttler (21) and Archer (25) added 42 runs for the eighth wicket but once Archer was dismissed by Mulder the last two wickets fell with the addition of just eight runs.
South Africa had to leave out regular skipper Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi who were both unwell while Markram was also forced to leave the field with a hamstring problem.
Tsitsipas sets up final clash with Auger-Aliassime at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
- The Greek star beats Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets to reach a third Dubai final in four attempts — and a first outdoor hardcourt final since November 2023
- Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime overcomes French qualifier Quentin Halys in semifinal for a Tour-high 16th win of the season as he seeks third ATP title in standout start to 2025
DUBAI: Stefanos Tsitsipas will compete in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for a third time in four appearances after easing past Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 on Friday.
The World No. 11, in what will be his 30th career final, will face the ATP Tour’s most in-form player, Felix Auger-Aliassime, after the Canadian defeated qualifier Quentin Halys earlier in the day.
Saturday night’s trophy match represents a first outdoor hardcourt final in 18 months for Tsitsipas, who is seeking a maiden title in the emirate after finishing runner-up against both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in 2019 and 2020 respectively. This week, having eased past Lorenzo Sonego in the first round, he needed three sets against both Karen Khachanov and Matteo Berrettini, with both ties going late into the night. Tsitsipas was grateful to wrap up his semifinal with Griekspoor in just one hour and 23 minutes.
“Finally, I can have an early night, a good night’s sleep, and not have to go to bed at two o’clock in the morning,” said the Greek No. 4 seed, who is hunting a 12th ATP title. “I’m extremely happy to play good tennis from beginning to end. My focus levels were at the highest they have been this week.
“It was a well-balanced game from my side and I felt I didn’t get into the same drama I got in the previous matches where I was in kind of control and suddenly the coin flipped. I felt like I was leading the game, which felt good; I played the tennis that I deserved.”
The former World No. 3, Tsitsipas was nearly flawless on serve in the opening set, hitting four aces and looking more at ease than in previous matches. At three games apiece, he glimpsed his first real opportunity to seize control, carving out a pair of break points but failing to capitalize. The harbinger, however, was unmistakable. When Griekspoor stepped to the line in his next service game, the Greek pressed again — this time with precision. A single break was all he needed.
In the second, with Griekspoor having called a medical timeout between sets, Tsitsipas claimed an early break and never looked back. Both players showed strength on serve and clinical efficiency as each held serve without drama. But it was Tsitsipas’s composure — so often the Athens-born star’s Achilles’ heel in pressure moments — that defined the night. This time, there were no stumbles, no wavering resolve. With a measured, almost methodical performance, he closed out a comfortable victory to book his place in a first hardcourt final since defeating Alex de Minaur to win Los Cabos in 2023.
On Saturday, Tsitsipas will face, in Auger-Aliassime, a player he holds a 6-3 head-to-head Tour record against, but one he has not faced since November 2023 at the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris when he won in straight sets. The 24-year-old Canadian beat qualifier Quentin Halys 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in his own semifinal to continue a standout start to 2025 and book a place in a third final of the season before the end of February. Ominously for his opponent, he has won both those title matches, in Adelaide and Montpellier.
“I feel like he has improved — I’ve been seeing that over the last few weeks,” Tsitsipas said of the World No. 21, who with 16 wins has won more matches than any other player on Tour this year. “I’m not expecting the same type of Felix I’ve played before; I’m expecting something different. Him being in the final just proves that. From my mind, I’m just going to try to play well, try to be a tough opponent to beat. That’s my main focus; my main goal going out there. I will try my best in terms of delivering that, making sure that’s the level I want to reach when I’m playing.”
Auger-Aliassime has been made to fight his way to the final too, requiring three sets in all his matches so far this week. Showing resilience after falling a set down to Halys on Friday, the Montreal native stayed calm to turn the tie on its head. Frenchman Halys, ranked No. 77 in the world and forced to come through qualifying, had enjoyed somewhat of a fairytale week as he eliminated both No. 3 seed Andrey Rublev and 2018 champion Roberto Bautista Agut en route to the final four.
Yet Auger-Aliassime is exuding confidence this season and the third set seemed to only be going to one man as the Canadian booked a place in his sixth ATP 500 final.
“I’ve been really trying to win in straight sets this week,” he said, smiling. “Somehow, I find myself in three-setters … ultimately you have to win two sets, so it doesn’t matter how. Not every week is going to be like this during a season — it happens. The great thing is that even not playing, let’s say, the ultimate best tennis every set, every game, I’m able to be in a final. That’s positive — I’ll for sure take that. Hopefully tomorrow I can play even a little bit better.”
