Raphinha bags hat-trick as Barca trounce Valladolid in La Liga

Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring his side's 5th goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Valladolid at the Olympic stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP)

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Updated 01 September 2024

AFP

September 01, 2024 02:01

Raphinha bags hat-trick as Barca trounce Valladolid in La Liga

Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium on 20 minutes as he chested down a pass from Pau Cubarsi and flicked elegantly into the far corner with the outside of his left boot

Updated 01 September 2024

AFP

September 01, 2024 02:01

BARCELONA: Brazil winger Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday to make it four wins from four in La Liga under new coach Hansi Flick.
While bitter rivals Real Madrid have stumbled early following the much-trumpeted arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona are off to a flying start despite their continued financial difficulties.
They are also missing Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo but have a maximum 12 points heading into the international break, leaving them seven clear of Madrid who face Real Betis on Sunday.
“We’re growing as a team. I think it’s a very good start to the season,” said Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
“I’m proud of how things are going... hopefully we can continue like that in the next weeks.”
Barcelona’s best start to a La Liga campaign came in 2013-14 when they started the season with eight straight wins, although they were pipped to the title that year by Atletico Madrid.
Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium on 20 minutes as he chested down a pass from Pau Cubarsi and flicked elegantly into the far corner with the outside of his left boot.
Robert Lewandowski soon doubled the lead when he latched onto a ball through from Lamine Yamal and squeezed a shot past Valladolid goalkeeper Karl Hein, on loan from Arsenal.
Jules Kounde made it three before half-time when a corner dropped to the France defender inside the area and he stabbed into the top corner while off-balance.
Raphinha had a simple tap-in from close range just past the hour, with Lewandowski and Yamal involved before the ball broke kindly for the Brazilian.
He completed his treble on 72 minutes following a brilliant burst forward from Yamal, who then slid through a delightful pass for Raphinha to stroke home.
Dani Olmo, who got the winner midweek at Rayo Vallecano, on his debut, struck with his final touch after twice hitting the post and having a goal disallowed for offside.
The Spain international danced past a series of defenders and rolled in Barcelona’s sixth. He missed Barcelona’s first two games this term with the club unable to register him as they struggled to meet La Liga’s strict financial rules.
Raphinha rounded off a glittering performance with the assist for Ferran Torres as Barcelona hit a seventh, fizzing in a cross from the left for the substitute to steer home in clinical fashion.
Atletico snatched a 1-0 victory away to Athletic Bilbao as Angel Correa scored in stoppage time to send Diego Simeone’s side up to second, four points adrift of Barcelona.
Espanyol came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano with Tottenham loanee Alejo Veliz striking in the sixth minute of added time.
Ayoze Perez’s equalizer ensured Villarreal remained unbeaten, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against a Valencia side that had lost each of their first three games.
Mallorca picked up their first win of the season by beating Leganes 1-0.

Topics: La Liga Raphinha Valladolid Barca

Formula E to enhance its ‘FIA Girls on Track’ initiative at all races in Season 11

Formula E's ‘FIA Girls on Track’ program will take place at all races of Season 11. (Supplied)

Updated 23 sec ago

Arab News

November 23, 2024 04:46

Formula E to enhance its ‘FIA Girls on Track’ initiative at all races in Season 11

The gender-diversity program, now in its 7th year, has provided career and education advice and support to more than 4,500 young women
The new race season begins in December and the Jeddah E-Prix, which replaces the Diriyah E-Prix, will take place at the city’s Corniche Circuit on Feb. 14-15

Updated 23 sec ago

Arab News

November 23, 2024 04:46

LONDON: Formula E has unveiled plans to expand and enhance its grassroots gender-diversity initiative, FIA Girls on Track, to give 50 young women the chance to participate in new race-day activities at each event on the 2024/25 calendar, including the Jeddah E-Prix on February 14 and 15.

A further 120 women will take part in behind-the-scenes activities the day before each race, as organizers offer exclusive access to young women interested in a career in motorsport or the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The participants will even have a role to play on the victory podium at each race.

Formula E said it is reaffirming its commitment to education and gender inclusivity in motorsport by also extending the support it provides to grassroots initiatives, giving more young women than ever the chance to access and learn from the experiences within the all-electric competition. For example, it will provide e-karting opportunities and activities in schools and universities.

The expansion of the initiative is part of a broader, long-term strategy to advance gender equality by removing barriers, expanding opportunities and providing pathways for women to build careers in the sport, organizers said.

Most recently, in a world first within an FIA championship, Formula E organized an all-women’s test event that gave elite drivers, including Bianca Bustamante and Ella Lloyd of the NEOM McLaren race team, a unique opportunity to develop their skills in the latest version of the electric racing cars. The new GEN3 Evo is capable of 0-60 mph in 1.82 seconds, 30 percent faster than the current generation of F1 cars.

Driving for the Nissan Formula E team, Abi Pulling, who currently leads the junior-level F1 Academy championship, recorded the quickest time during the three-hour test session amid a field of 17 drivers representing the top tier of women’s driving. Bustamante managed the third-fastest time of the day in the NEOM McLaren car, with an impressive 1 minute 31.715 seconds.

Last season, Formula E expanded its Girls on Track experiences to include local girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 18, and delivered 27 events during 11 race weekends at the track and in communities.

Organizers said the initiative has supported more than 4,500 young women globally since its partnership with the FIA began. This season, they added, the program aims to reach more young women than ever, amid growing interest among them in careers in motorsport.

During each race weekend, 120 young women will take part in behind-the-scenes tours and workshops on the day before the big race. On race days, 50 young women will be granted exclusive access to the FIA Girls on Track space within the Fan Village, and have the option to attend inspirational career talks given by women working within Formula E, who will offer guidance and advice about varied career options in the sport across disciplines including engineering, technology, driving, team management, sustainability, and media and marketing.

“We’re committed to continuing to provide as much opportunity as possible to young women who want to come and work in the industry,” said Julia Palle, vice president of sustainability at Formula E.

“We’re all too aware of the imbalance between male and female roles, so with an ever-growing program of events and opportunities where women can learn and grow in confidence, the industry will begin to balance itself and benefit everyone involved.

“Our commitment to women, though, is not just at the grassroots but at the pinnacle of the sport too. In Madrid, hosting an all-women’s test session provided a crucial opportunity for them to test themselves using current technology that we hope will not only develop their own skill sets but be inspirational to many of the young women involved in our FIA Girls on Track program, too.”

After successful races in Diriyah over the past six seasons, Formula E announced this year that Jeddah will be the new race venue in the Kingdom, with the event taking place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the world’s fastest street track, in February.

Topics: Formula E

Angel Yin rides a hot putter to 2-shot lead in LPGA fina

Updated 32 min 30 sec ago

November 23, 2024 04:14

Angel Yin rides a hot putter to 2-shot lead in LPGA fina

Yin won $1 million last year in the Aon Risk-Reward Challenge, a bonus competition all year that measures how players fare on holes that have risk, such as a reachable par 5
Very clear in her rearview mirror was Nelly Korda

Updated 32 min 30 sec ago

November 23, 2024 04:14

NAPLES, Florida: Angel Yin rammed in a 30-foot par putt on her opening hole, setting the tone for a day of big putts and 3-under 69 that gave her a two-shot lead Friday in the CME Group Tour Championship and the chase for the $4 million prize.

Very clear in her rearview mirror was Nelly Korda.

Korda, coming off her seventh win of the season last week, opened with a 72 and was eight shots behind. She found a simple swing thought after the round and was back to her old self with a 66 that cut the deficit in half with 36 holes left to play.

“Golf is just crazy,” Korda said. “You go from playing so well last week to not being able to find the center of the clubface yesterday. Always humbles you, but what’s that you love so much about it. Went to the range after my round yesterday. Tried to find a different feel. Felt a little better out there today, and hopefully I can keep progressing.”

Yin followed that 30-foot par putt with a 40-foot birdie putt on the next hole. She also holed a birdie putt from about 35 feet on the 11th hole that put her in the lead for good.

She was at 10-under 134. Hye-Jin Choi (68) and Narin An (72) were 8 under.

Korda, who already has captured her first award as player of the year, was tied for fourth at 138 with four other players who are either major champions or have been No. 1 in the women’s world ranking — Jeeno Thitikul, Ayaka Furue, Ruoning Yin and Amy Yang, the defending champion at Tiburon Golf Club.

Furue also is in a tight battle for the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average, and she pulled within a fraction of a point of Haeran Ryu.

Yin’s round had enough bogeys to slow her momentum, along with a discussion with a rules official over where she took her drop after going in the water on the par-3 fourth hole.

“It looked like I took an improper drop where I went up closer than I should have, where I should have dropped further back,” Yin said, who was asked to review footage. “They thought I didn’t take the drop properly. I explained to them that I believe I did take the drop properly.”

She said it was discussed with everyone in her group. She said a marshal never volunteered any information. The drop stood, she took bogey and was moving on.

“I believe my drop was right,” Yin said.

Korda, meanwhile, grazed the cup with birdie chances and then made it up for it on the third hole when her 8-iron from the rough landed so perfectly that it rolled into the cup for an eagle. That sent her on her way.

The key to getting her game on track was more hinge in taking the club away and taking a shorter swing. It all came together. Korda also said she finally was able to get some rest after a busy week of awards.

Yin won $1 million last year in the Aon Risk-Reward Challenge, a bonus competition all year that measures how players fare on holes that have risk, such as a reachable par 5. That $1 million meant a lot to her, and she said it gave her some financial freedom.

What would $4 million mean?

“Even bigger financial freedom,” she said.

Kane hat-trick sends Bayern eight points clear

Updated 23 November 2024

AFP

November 22, 2024 00:52

Kane hat-trick sends Bayern eight points clear

Bayern, still yet to lose in the league in 2024-25, were dominant throughout but kept at bay by some dogged defending from their Bavarian neighbors
With 61 minutes gone, the ball connected with Augsburg’s Mads Pedersen’s outstretched arm in the box, bringing the England captain to the spot after a VAR review

Updated 23 November 2024

AFP

November 22, 2024 00:52

MUNICH: A second-half Harry Kane hat-trick took Bayern Munich to a 3-0 home win over Augsburg on Friday, sending them eight clear atop the table ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Bayern, still yet to lose in the league in 2024-25, were dominant throughout but kept at bay by some dogged defending from their Bavarian neighbors.
With 61 minutes gone, the ball connected with Augsburg’s Mads Pedersen’s outstretched arm in the box, bringing the England captain to the spot after a VAR review.
Kane cooly converted to give Bayern the lead.
In stoppage time, Kane went down in the box after contact from Keven Schlotterbeck and Bayern were again awarded a penalty after a VAR review, which the 31-year-old converted.
Schlotterbeck was sent from the field after picking up a second yellow for his challenge.
Kane then added a third, this time controlling a cross and heading in, his seventh hat-trick since joining Bayern.
The England captain now has 14 goals in 11 league games for Bayern this season, five of which have come from the spot.
Leipzig can cut the gap back to five when they play at struggling Hoffenheim on Saturday, while defending champions Bayer Leverkusen host Heidenheim.
The German giants received a boost pre-match, with captain and veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer cleared to start after missing training with a rib issue.
Bayern were in control of possession and field position but could not break through.
Augsburg offered little in attack but defended stoutly, holding Bayern’s glittering attacking riches at bay.
Augsburg goalie Nediljko Labrovic held firm to snuff out first-half chances from Jamal Musiaia and Leon Goretzka.
The Bavarian giants, still smarting after going trophyless for the first time in 11 seasons last campaign, eventually broke through with half an hour remaining, breaking Augsburg’s resolve.
Riding high in the league, Bayern have struggled in the Champions League format, sitting 17th after four games — six behind leaders Liverpool.
Tuesday’s home match with PSG, who are even further down the Champions League table, could be crucial for the German side in their top-eight bid to avoid the extra playoff round.

Topics: Bayern Munich Harry Kane Bundesliga

Conor McGregor must pay 250,000 euros to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules

Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor arriving at court in Dublin where he was ordered to pay 250,000 Euros to a woman

Updated 23 November 2024

November 22, 2024 20:36

Conor McGregor must pay 250,000 euros to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules

Nikita Hand said the 2018 assault left her heavily bruised and suffering post-traumatic stress disorder
McGregor later said on the social platform X that he would appeal the verdict

Updated 23 November 2024

November 22, 2024 20:36

LONDON: A woman who claimed mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in a Dublin hotel penthouse was awarded nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) on Friday by a civil court jury in Ireland.
Nikita Hand said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. His lawyer had called Hand a gold digger.
The fighter, once the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship but now past his prime, shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men found him liable for assault after deliberating about six hours in the High Court in Dublin.
He was mobbed by cameras as he left court but did not comment. He later said on the social platform X that he would appeal the verdict and the “modest award.”
Hand’s voice cracked and her hands trembled as she read a statement outside the courthouse, saying she would never forget what happened to her but would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her family, partner, friends, jurors, the judge and all the supporters that had reached out to her online, but particularly her daughter.
“She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice,” she said. “I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.”
The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual violence unless they come forward publicly, as Hand has done. Under Irish law, she did not have the anonymity she would have been granted in a criminal proceeding and was named publicly throughout the trial.
Her lawyer told jurors that McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client.
“He’s not a man, he’s a coward,” attorney John Gordon said in his closing speech. “A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is.”
Gordon said his client never pretended to be a saint and was only looking to have fun when she sent McGregor a message through Instagram after attending a Christmas party. He said Hand knew McGregor socially and that they had grown up in the same area.
She said he picked her and a friend up in a car and shared cocaine with them, which McGregor admitted in court, on the way to the Beacon Hotel.
Hand said she told McGregor she didn’t want to have sex with him and that she was menstruating. She said she told him “no” as he started kissing her but he eventually pinned her to a bed and she couldn’t move.
McGregor put her in a chokehold and later told her, “now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times,” referring to a UFC match when he had to admit defeat, she said.
Hand had to take several breaks in emotional testimony over three days. She said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter and she feared she would never see her young daughter again.
Eventually, he let go of her.
“I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again,” she testified.
She said she then let him do what he wanted and he had sex with her.
A paramedic who examined Hand the next day testified that she had never before seen someone with that intensity of bruising. A doctor told jurors Hand had multiple injuries.
Hand said the trauma of the attack had left her unable to work as a hairdresser, she fell behind on her mortgage and had to move out of her house.
Police investigated the woman’s complaint but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely.
McGregor, in his post on X, said he was disappointed jurors didn’t see all the evidence prosecutors had reviewed.
He testified that the two had athletic and vigorous sex, but that it was not rough. He said “she never said ‘no’ or stopped” and testified that everything she said was a lie.
“It is a full blown lie among many lies,” he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. “How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings.”
McGregor’s lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter.
“You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise,” attorney Remy Farrell said. “I’m not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch.”
The defense said the woman never told investigators McGregor threatened her life. They also showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor’s arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. Farrell said she looked “happy, happy, happy.”
McGregor said he was “beyond petrified” when first questioned by police and read them a prepared statement. On the advice of his lawyer, he refused to answer more than 100 follow-up questions.
The jury ruled against Hand in a case she brought against one of McGregor’s friends, James Lawrence, whom she accused of having sex with her in the hotel without consent.

Topics: Conor McGregor

Aubameyang winner for Al-Qadsia dents Ronaldo’s title hopes

Updated 23 November 2024

John Duerden

November 22, 2024 23:17

Aubameyang winner for Al-Qadsia dents Ronaldo’s title hopes

Portuguese opened scoring after 32 minutes for the Yellows
Gabonese superstar snatched the win

Updated 23 November 2024

John Duerden

November 22, 2024 23:17

RIYADH: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put a huge dent in the title hopes of Cristiano Ronaldo as Al-Qadsiah beat Al-Nassr 2-1 on Friday.

The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona forward scored the all-important goal as the newly promoted team moved level with the Riyadh giants on 22 points.

It was even more impressive as Ronaldo opened the scoring after 32 minutes as his side looked to move to within two points of leaders Al-Hilal.

It was not the most spectacular strike from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. Mohamed Simakan’s right-sided free-kick was spilled by goalkeeper Koen Casteels and there was Ronaldo to fire home the loose ball to put Al-Nassr within touching distance of their local Riyadh rivals and record his seventh league goal of the season.

But Al-Qadsiah were back on level terms eight minutes before the break. Turki Al-Ammar found space down the left but there was still work to do when his cross entered the area. The ball was chested down by Julian Quinones before the Mexican international shot home.

If that shocked the hosts in Riyadh, then there was more, and worse, to come five minutes into the second half. Nahitan Nandez received the ball on the left and while his looping cross to the far post looked too deep, Quinones hooked the ball back across goal for Aubameyang to head home from the closest of ranges.

It was a massive blow for Al-Nassr who then threw everything forward in an attempt to get something from the game to keep the pressure on the top two.

But it was not to be and Al-Hilal will go nine points clear of their local rivals if they defeat Al-Khaleej on Saturday.

Earlier on Friday, Al-Ahli triumphed for a second successive game in the league to make it three in all competitions, winning 1-0 at Al-Fayha. A 21st-minute penalty was converted by former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez to give the inconsistent team from Jeddah a vital three points that take them into sixth place. Elsewhere, Al-Shabab drew 1-1 at Al-Okhdood to stay fourth.

Al-Hilal can build a four-point lead at the top of the league on Saturday but Al-Ittihad, just a point behind, are in action on Sunday as they take on Al-Fateh.

Topics: football soccer Saudi Arabia Saudi Pro League (SPL) SPL Al-Qadsiah SPL Al-Nassr Cristiano Ronaldo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Raphinha bags hat-trick as Barca trounce Valladolid in La Liga

Raphinha bags hat-trick as Barca trounce Valladolid in La Liga

Raphinha leads Barcelona past Las Palmas to stay in touch with Real Madrid

Olmo clinches Barca comeback win at Rayo on debut

Formula E to enhance its ‘FIA Girls on Track’ initiative at all races in Season 11

Formula E to enhance its ‘FIA Girls on Track’ initiative at all races in Season 11

Red Bull brings wrong rear wing to Las Vegas in mistake that could stall Verstappen’s title chances

Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30

Angel Yin rides a hot putter to 2-shot lead in LPGA fina

Angel Yin rides a hot putter to 2-shot lead in LPGA fina

LPGA Tour sets another record with $127.5m in prize money for 2025

Nelly Korda rallies in Florida for her seventh LPGA win of the year

Kane hat-trick sends Bayern eight points clear

Kane hat-trick sends Bayern eight points clear

Harry Kane sparks England rout against Ireland and Nations League promotion

Injuries forcing Bayern Munich to innovate before tough games ahead

Conor McGregor must pay 250,000 euros to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules

Conor McGregor must pay 250,000 euros to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules

Conor McGregor is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at an NBA Finals game in Miami

Conor McGregor says a broken toe forced him to withdraw from UFC 303

Aubameyang winner for Al-Qadsia dents Ronaldo’s title hopes

Aubameyang winner for Al-Qadsia dents Ronaldo’s title hopes

Ronaldo misses late penalty as Al-Nassr eliminated from Saudi cup

Al-Nassr claim first SPL win of season as Al-Qadsiah maintain perfect start

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Angel Yin rides a hot putter to 2-shot lead in LPGA fina

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Raphinha bags hat-trick as Barca trounce Valladolid in La Liga

Raphinha bags hat-trick as Barca trounce Valladolid in La Liga

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