Villarreal strike late to take La Liga lead off Celta Vigo

Villarreal strike late to take La Liga lead off Celta Vigo
Villarreal wrested top spot in La Liga from Celta Vigo with a 4-3 home victory. (X:@VillarrealCF)
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Updated 27 August 2024
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Villarreal strike late to take La Liga lead off Celta Vigo

Villarreal strike late to take La Liga lead off Celta Vigo

MADRID: Dani Parejo scored from a penalty rebound in the 10th minute of added time on Monday as Villarreal wrested top spot in La Liga from Celta Vigo with a 4-3 home victory.

Celta opened the third round of the Liga season top of the table on goal difference from Real Madrid after winning their opening two games.

Borja Iglesias, making his Celta debut, gave the visitors the lead when he pounced on a loose ball and tucked it into an empty net after 12 minutes.

Sergi Cardona, unmarked at the far post, levelled from a 26th-minute corner.

Oscar Mingueza smashed Celta back ahead before half-time.

Villarreal substitute Thierno Barry, who had been on the field for a minute, headed an equalizer on the hour.

Four minutes later, Celta defender Jailson turned a cross from Nicolas Pepe into his own net to put Villarreal ahead.

Swedish center-back Carl Starfelt headed Celta level in the 80th minute.

Deep into stoppage time Celta’s Hugo Alvarez, a second-half substitute, pulled down Barry to concede a penalty.

Goalkeeper Ivan Villar saved Parejo’s spot kick but the midfielder scored from the rebound.

The victory took Villarreal to seven points and they took over top spot. 
 


Al-Ain Club’s youngsters dominate Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Al-Ain Club’s youngsters dominate Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 15 December 2024
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Al-Ain Club’s youngsters dominate Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Al-Ain Club’s youngsters dominate Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Baniyas and Sharjah clubs finish 2nd and 3rd in 5th-round youth categories

ABU DHABI: Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club topped the medal table on the second day of the fifth and final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Competitions for the U-14s and U-12s took center stage on Saturday, with Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club securing second place, followed by Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club in third.

Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The young athletes are the cornerstone of jiu-jitsu’s future in the UAE. Today they have shown great skill in representing their clubs and have demonstrated the core values of jiu-jitsu, such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

“Their exceptional performance reflects the hard work of clubs and academies in preparing them, coupled with the continuous support of our wise leadership. This championship also showcases the vital role of families in encouraging and supporting their children, further strengthening the community bond.”

One of the guests of honor, Dr Ebrahim Saeed Al-Hajri, president of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, highlighted the importance of the championship’s focus on nurturing young talent.

“What distinguishes Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is its focus on younger age groups, which represent the future of the sport over the next decade. Watching these youngsters compete with enthusiasm and dedication reflects the growing popularity of jiu-jitsu among younger generations and helps build a strong foundation of talent for the future.”


Lee Chieh-Po wins LIV Golf Promotions in Riyadh, earns spot in 2025 league season

Lee Chieh-Po wins LIV Golf Promotions in Riyadh, earns spot in 2025 league season
Updated 15 December 2024
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Lee Chieh-Po wins LIV Golf Promotions in Riyadh, earns spot in 2025 league season

Lee Chieh-Po wins LIV Golf Promotions in Riyadh, earns spot in 2025 league season
  • The 30-year-old becomes the first player from Chinese Taipei to earn full-time status in LIV Golf after taking title by 2 strokes

RIYADH: Fueled by nine birdies in the morning and a clutch tee shot in the late afternoon, Lee Chieh-po won the grueling 36-hole LIV Golf Promotions finish on Saturday to claim a coveted spot in the league’s 2025 season.

The 30-year-old becomes the first player from Chinese Taipei to earn full-time status in LIV Golf and hopes his victory and presence in the league will inspire others from his country.

“It means a lot for our players,” said the Asian Tour regular, who won for the first time at this year’s International Series Thailand. “LIV Golf, I think, is many players’ dream. I go there and they will come.”

Lee — also known by his English name, Max — shot a two-round total of 10 under at Riyadh Golf Club to win by two strokes over Asian Tour player Taichi Kho and relegated LIV Golf player Branden Grace in the 20-player final-day field. A total of 92 players began the week.

All players finishing inside the top 10 will receive exemptions to all 10 tournaments on The International Series in 2025. Six players on the final leaderboard did not previously hold that status: American Ollie Schniederjans and Australians Brett Coletta and Jack Buchanan, who shared fourth at 5 under; Germany’s Max Rottluff, solo seventh at 4 under; and Korea’s Soomin Lee and England’s David Horsey, part of the four-way tie for eighth at 3 under.

They were all chasing Lee after he shot a 7-under 64 in his morning round that included nine birdies, with four in his final five holes. That gave him a two-shot lead over Schniederjans, who posted a bogey-free 66.

Lee remained in control throughout the afternoon, making the turn with a one-shot lead over Grace, who had just made his fourth birdie of the day at the 11th hole.

Lee seemed to be pulling away with a three-stroke lead late in the round, but a bad approach at the par-4 16th resulted in a bogey. “I hit it way poor to the left, and I was laughing, like, what am I doing?” Lee said.

When Grace and Kho finished with birdies at the 18th, his lead was reduced to a single shot going into the par-3 17th, the most difficult hole on the back nine this week.

But he stepped up and delivered the biggest shot of the day, his tee ball nearly rolling into the cup. After making birdie, he stayed away from trouble at the 18th to close it out.

“Just tried to reset my mind,” he said afterwards. “Hole No. 17, that shot is very important. I hit a very good tee shot.”

Grace was watching in the clubhouse as Lee finished his round. He was hoping to regain his spot with Stinger GC with a win this week, but the team could still make a business case for keeping him in the lineup.

“Played good, gave it everything,” Grace said. “Now I’ll go home and have a holiday.”

Schniederjans, the former top-ranked amateur who is playing his way back from injuries that slowed his career, was encouraged by being in the mix this week.

“I’m very confident about where everything is heading,” he said. “I had to hit a lot of cool putts and shots under pressure, so it was really nice to see that. It did give me even more confidence. But I have a lot of confidence in my future.”

As for Lee, his confidence is sky-high. A hip injury last year forced him into swing changes, but a consistent stretch of play this season that culminated in the victory in Thailand — when he rallied to overtake LIV Golf player Peter Uihlein — is an indication of his talent.

Now he’s ready to compete in LIV Golf and embrace everything the global league has to offer.

“On the LIV Tour, every player is very strong,” he said. “I think I can learn something. I will learn something.”


Third and last South Africa-Pakistan T20 washed out

Third and last South Africa-Pakistan T20 washed out
Updated 15 December 2024
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Third and last South Africa-Pakistan T20 washed out

Third and last South Africa-Pakistan T20 washed out
  • South Africa win series 2-0, their first bilateral series victory since August 2022
  • Both teams begin three-match ODI series on Tuesday in Paarl followed by two Tests 

JOHANNESBURG: The third and last Twenty20 between South Africa and Pakistan was washed out on Saturday at the Wanderers.

Match officials waited two hours after the scheduled late-afternoon start before abandoning the game without a ball bowled due to rain and lightning.

South Africa won 2-0, its first bilateral series victory since August 2022.

The teams begin a three-match one-day international series on Tuesday in Paarl, followed by two tests.


Saudi fencer Hasan Abed wins silver at World Cup meet

Saudi fencer Hasan Abed wins silver at World Cup meet
Updated 15 December 2024
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Saudi fencer Hasan Abed wins silver at World Cup meet

Saudi fencer Hasan Abed wins silver at World Cup meet

RIYADH: Saudi fencer Hasan Abed has won a silver medal at the World Cup in Nigeria.
The Saudi youngster picked up the second place medal after losing to Egypt’s Youssef Shamel in the final of the event in Lagos.
Abed came through a field of 39 fencers taking part in the under 20 championships to reach Saturday’s final.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi sports minister, congratulated the fencer on social media, saying the youth was a “rising star”.
He defeated Greece’s Artemios Tzovanis in the quarterfinals and Egypt’s Eslam Osama in the semis on his route to the final.


Real Madrid held to high-scoring draw at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga

Real Madrid held to high-scoring draw at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga
Updated 15 December 2024
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Real Madrid held to high-scoring draw at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga

Real Madrid held to high-scoring draw at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga
  • Madrid remained second, one point behind Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain: Real Madrid was held at Rayo Vallecano to 3-3 in a thrilling derby on Saturday, missing a chance to overtake Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Rayo set a fast pace and stunned the powerhouse with two headed goals from Unai López and Abdul Mumin to lead 2-0 by the 36th minute.
Federico Valverde struck with a powerful shot from well outside the area to pull one back for Madrid then Jude Bellingham headed the visitors level from a pass by Rodrygo just before halftime.
Madrid looked on course to completing a comeback win when Rodrygo put them in front for the first time with a deflected shot in the 56th.
But Rayo midfield leader Isi Palazón stretched out a boot to steer Florian Lejeune’s shot past Thibaut Courtois in the 64th.
Madrid was without striker Kylian Mbappé, who is nursing a left-thigh injury. Vinícius Júnior went on as a second-half substitute. Goalie Augusto Batalla saved the Brazilian’s best effort in the final period.
Madrid remained second, one point behind Barcelona.
Ancelotti ‘satisfied’
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team dropped its guard in defense when his players left López and Mumin unchecked to turn in crosses. But he said he was “satisfied” with his team’s reaction, especially given the injuries to defensive starters Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Ferland Mendy.
He also looked to last season, when his team drew twice with Rayo.
“Last year we didn’t win here, we drew, and we won the league anyway,” Ancelotti said. “We are playing well and on the right path. So, we had a draw. We need to look toward the next games.”
Madrid, as the Champions League titleholder, next travels to Qatar to play the Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican club Pachuca.
“We have a great chance to win a title on Wednesday, which would put the cherry on top of a great year,” Ancelotti said.
Bellingham took his league scoring run to six games in a row.
Vinícius will miss the next game at home against Sevilla after picking up his fifth yellow card, this time for protesting.
Rayo was in 13th place. The modest club has also held Atletico Madrid to 1-1 and forced Barcelona to rally for a 2-1 thanks to a late goal.
“Before the game we talked about all our recent games with Real Madrid when we had been close to winning, so we knew that if they weren’t on their game then we could get a good result,” Rayo coach Íñigo Pérez said.
Navas farewells Sevilla fans
Sevilla’s Jesus Navas bid farewell to his home fans during a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo as he nears the end of his 20-year playing career.
Players from both teams wore T-shirts saying “Navas Legend” before kickoff. They gave a tearful Navas an honor guard with trophies he won with the club placed on the pitch. Navas wept again, and kneeled to kiss the turf when he was substituted with 20 minutes left.
“Jesus has always been my role model, I remember watching him when I was a child,” Sevilla goal-scorer Manu Bueno said. “I am so proud to have scored this goal and be able to dedicate it to him.”
Navas announced in May he would retire at the end of the year, midway through this season.
Navas, who turned 39 last month, debuted for his boyhood club in 2004 and played two stints for Sevilla on either side of his spell at Manchester City from 2013-17 when he helped it win one Premier League. He helped Sevilla win two Europa Leagues and two Copa del Reys among other titles.
Navas helped Spain win the European Championship last summer, his second. He was also part of the 2010 World Cup champion squad.
His last game will be at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Dec. 22.
Larin helps Mallorca win with 10
Cyle Larin scored two goals, one while Mallorca was down to 10 men, to complete a 2-1 comeback win over Girona at home.
Larin scored from an assist by Vedat Muriqi to cancel out Girona’s opener by Donny Van de Beek.
Mallorca went down a man in the 32nd when Muriqi was red-carded for a hard foul of Byran Gil. But Larin got his brace when he pressured goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and slid to deflect the goalie’s clearance attempt into the goal for the 51st-minute winner
Espanyol held Osasuna to 0-0 at home.