West Indies captain Kieron Pollard yesterday accused his side of not performing to international standards after New Zealand comprehensively won the second Twenty20 international by 72 runs on the back of a record century by Glenn Phillips. New Zealand wrapped up the series at Mount Maunganui with a game to spare, after winning the opening match on Friday by five wickets, as Phillips provided a batting masterclass. Called up to the Twenty20 side while regular skipper Kane Williamson focuses on the upcoming Tests, Phillips plundered eight sixes and 10 fours on his way to 108 as New Zealand posted a mammoth 238 for three and then restricted the West Indies to 166 for nine. “You never know when the next opportunity is going to come and I came into this going ‘let’s go in as hard as I possibly can. I know I can do it,’” Phillips said. The 23-year-old, who was born in South Africa but moved to New Zealand at age five, took just 46 deliveries to reach his century, the 10th fastest in Twenty20 internationals and one ball faster than the previous New Zealand record held by Colin Munro. Phillips plays in the Caribbean in the New Zealand off-season and said familiarity with the West Indies attack was a big help. “Definitely, that has a lot to do with how I performed out here. You go in with more confidence against guys that you’ve played well against before,” said Phillips, who also took two catches and ran out opener Andre Fletcher in a brilliant all-round display. New Zealand stand-in skipper Tim Southee called Phillips’ performance “incredible,” adding that his two catches, one diving at full-stretch on the boundary, and the sharp run out showed “he’s got that X-factor about him.” While Phillips, along with Devon Conway who produced an unbeaten 85, put the game firmly
France were on Saturday “perfect” after winger Gabin Villiere, one of 11 debutants, scored a solo try as they beat Italy 36-5 at the Stade de France to reach next weekend’s Autumn Nations Cup final, head coach Fabien Galthie said. Villiere, 24, who was playing in French rugby’s third tier 18 months ago, crossed in a fruitful eight minutes during the second half with the Azzurri down to 14 men after Jacopo Trulla was yellow-carded. “The first half was quite difficult and tight, with new players, who were inexperienced playing together under pressure,” Galthie told France 2. “We finished with five tries with four in the second half, it’s perfect,” he added. A minute’s silence was held before kickoff to pay tribute to Christophe Dominici who died aged 48 earlier this week. A photo of the former Les Bleus winger was printed on seats on the main stand at the empty Stade de France. Welshman Nigel Owens became the first referee to officiate 100 Test matches and was presented with a golden whistle for his feat. Galthie had been forced to make 13 changes to his starting lineup and named 11 uncapped players in his squad in line with an agreement between the French Rugby Federation and the Top 14 league limiting players to three appearances on a team sheet during the end-of-year international campaign. His Azzurri counterpart Franco Smith had less of a selection dilemma. He brought in back-rowers Maxime Mbanda and Johan Meyer for the injured Jake Polledri and Sebastian Negri. Mattia Bellini made way for Luca Sperandio on the right wing. Matthieu Jalibert opened the scoring after three minutes with a penalty goal before a scrappy opening half an hour was lit up by Italy’s Paolo Garbisi. The fly-half dummied to beat hooker Peato Mauvaka and broke into the opposition 22 minutes before finding Carlo Canna with
The COVID-19-delayed Tokyo Olympics could cost US$1.9 billion more than its original budget of US$13 billion, a 15 percent increase, a report released yesterday showed. The Olympics organizers would formally decide the increased budget for the Games as early as the middle of next month after communicating with the Japanese government and the host city Tokyo, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported, citing unnamed Olympic sources. The 2020 Games were pushed back a year as COVID-19 spread around the globe, and are now scheduled to open on July 23. The delay has thrown up a plethora of new costs, from rebooking venues and transport to retaining the huge organizing committee staff. With many countries experiencing second or even third waves of infection, there have been doubts about whether the event can be staged, but organizers and Olympic officials insist it can be done safely. The extra ￥200 billion (US$1.92 billion) on the pre-COVID-19 estimate of ￥1.35 trillion comes despite organizers last month slashing US$280 million by cutting everything from staffing to pyrotechnics, but the new figure does not include costs of the coronavirus-related measures, the report said. Officials expect the Japanese government to pay for the virus-linked measures, it said. Plans for a lower-key, lower-cost Olympics were unveiled in September, with fewer free tickets, athlete welcome ceremonies being scrapped and savings on banners, mascots and meals. The report comes after a senior official on Friday said Tokyo Olympics test events would resume in March and a decision on fan attendance would be made in the spring. Organizers and officials are considering a long list of possible virus countermeasures that they hope will make it possible to hold the Games, even if a vaccine is not available. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach earlier this month said that he was “very confident” the Games will have fans.
Mike Tyson on Saturday night showed glimpses of his destructive prime during the 54-year-old boxing icon’s return to the ring for a lively exhibition bout with 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. Both fighters had impressive moments during a fight that was unofficially ruled a draw by the WBC judges at ringside. Tyson and Jones fought eight two-minute rounds, and emerged smiling and apparently healthy from a highly unusual event at Staples Center in Los Angeles. “This is better than fighting for championships,” Tyson said of the heavyweight exhibition, which raised money for various charities. “We’re humanitarians now. We can do something good for the world. We’ve got to do this again.” The former heavyweight champion of the world’s return to the ring after a 15-year absence attracted international attention, and Iron Mike did his best to show the form that made him a legend to a generation of boxing fans. Tyson tagged Jones with body shots and a handful of head punches during a bout that was required to be a fairly safe, glorious sparring session by the California State Athletic Commission. “The body shots definitely took a toll,” said Jones, the former four-division world champion widely considered the most skilled boxer of his generation. “It’s something to take the punches that Mike throws. I’m cool with a draw. Maybe we can do it again.” Jones walked to the ring with gloves and trunks honoring Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, while Tyson wore his signature all-black trunks. After the traditional pre-fight pomp and an introduction by Michael Buffer, the 50-something champions both came out throwing punches that evoked echoes of their glorious primes. They also tied up frequently on the inside, and their occasionally labored breathing could be heard on the microphones in the empty arena. Hip-hop star Snoop Dogg’s witty television commentary was among the loudest noises inside Staples, and
The Denver Broncos have no quarterbacks (QBs), the San Francisco 49ers have no home stadium or practice facility, and the Baltimore Ravens might not have enough players available for their next game, which has already been pushed back twice. The COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday caused major disruptions around the NFL, again calling into question the league’s plan to play a full schedule after several weeks that went relatively smoothly. Multiple people familiar with the NFL’s investigation said that all four of the quarterbacks on Denver’s roster were ineligible to play yesterday against the New Orleans Saints. One person said that starter Drew Lock, backup Brett Rypien and practice squad veteran Blake Bortles were deemed high-risk close contacts with No. 3 quarterback Jeff Driskel on Wednesday, the day before Driskel tested positive for COVID-19. Another person said the four quarterbacks apparently were not wearing their masks the whole time they were together as required by the league’s pandemic protocols. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the NFL and the Broncos had not made any announcements after Lock, Rypien and Bortles were ordered off the practice field on Saturday and into isolation. The Broncos were scrambling to prepare practice squad rookie receiver Kendall Hinton and No. 3 running back Royce Freeman to play quarterback against the Saints. The Ravens put six more players on the COVID-19 list, which is for players who have either tested positive for the virus or had close contact with an infected person. Baltimore had already disciplined an unidentified staff member for breaching COVID-19 protocols, and the outbreak — the worst on any team this season — left the Ravens with three defensive linemen and one quarterback available. The Tennessee Titans previously had their Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak, giving both teams an unexpected bye week, and
TROPHY FAVORITES: The All Blacks scored five tries in a shutout as they bounced back from consecutive losses and have almost certainly secured the Tri Nations cup
The All Blacks yesterday crushed Argentina 38-0 as they roared back from two straight defeats to put one hand on the Tri Nations trophy. The three-time world champions went into the match under huge pressure after slumping to the Wallabies then the Pumas, leaving them facing the prospect of three losses in a row for the first time in more than 20 years. However, spurred on by a backlash from their notoriously demanding fans, Ian Foster’s team bounced back emphatically with a five-tries-to-nil win in brutally hot and humid conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. It was a far more disciplined All Blacks who dominated the first half, going to the break 10-0 ahead, but there were also missed opportunities with two tries disallowed. Argentina made 10 changes to the team who drew with the Wallabies last week and they lacked cohesion, with New Zealand taking full advantage. Two tries in quick succession from replacement fullback Will Jordan in the final quarter sealed the victory and a crucial bonus point for winning by three tries or more. It all but secured the Tri Nations silverware for New Zealand, who have 11 points from four games. Australia are to play Argentina next week and either side could feasibility edge out the All Blacks, but it would take a bonus point win and by a huge margin given New Zealand’s vastly superior points differential. Defeat brought Argentina’s fairy-tale run to a shuddering halt in the tournament’s penultimate round after they beat New Zealand 25-15 then battled to a 15-15 draw with Australia. It proved extra painful for Mario Ledesma’s men, who were hoping to lift the spirits of their nation after the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona. New Zealand captain Sam Cane laid an All Blacks jersey emblazoned with Maradona’s name and shirt number, 10, in the center of the
Red Bull team chief Christian Horner has welcomed Ferrari’s U-turn to support a Formula One engine freeze from 2022. The move gives Red Bull a chance to continue using Honda power after the Japanese supplier exits next year. Speaking ahead of yesterday’s final practice for today’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Horner said that Ferrari’s decision was encouraging for F1 and everyone involved in the business end of the sport. “It’s positive news,” he said. “I think all the manufacturers, all the CEOs of the automotive industry, they all recognize the investment and cost of these engines, particularly with the new technology coming for 2026, maybe 2025.” “It doesn’t make sense to keep investing hundreds of millions of dollars in these engines,” he said. Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto on Thursday said that his team would support a freeze for engine regulations starting in 2022, having previously been “firmly against it,” even though rivals Mercedes supported it. Honda supply Red Bull and sister team Alpha Tauri with power units, but are to leave F1 at the end of next year. Red Bull have made clear they want to take over the intellectual property rights to their Honda engines and continue using them for both teams. Formula One plans to introduce a new power unit in 2026, but might bring that forward to 2025. Horner said he hopes now that Renault will also relent in their opposition to the freeze. “One would have thought that for Renault it would have been completely logical as well,” Horner said. “Let’s see. It’s encouraging to hear that Ferrari are backing that position.” On Friday, Alex Albon accepted the blame after his heavy and expensive crash during practice, which threatened to derail his future with Red Bull. The London-born Thai driver, who has struggled this year to match the pace of Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, said he knew he
Jonny Bairstow brought England home with an unbeaten 86 from 48 deliveries against South Africa to win the first Twenty20 by five wickets on Friday. Bairstow won it with back-to-back boundaries, a four and then a big six over wide long-on, to take England to 183-5 and past South Africa’s 179-6 with four balls to spare. England were behind the game through most of the chase, despite Bairstow’s boundary hitting, until the 17th over, when Bairstow and captain Eoin Morgan plundered 28 off left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks. Hendricks bowled three wides in that over to contribute to South Africa’s demise, including one so far down the leg-side that it flew away for five wides. The over changed the complexion completely at a fan-free Newlands, with England needing 51 runs from 24 balls before the over and just 23 from 18 after it. Morgan fell for 12 in the next over to a catch at midwicket off Lungi Ngidi, but England kept their head, and Bairstow kept smashing boundaries. Bairstow hit nine fours and four sixes, and was England’s match-winner after being shifted from opener to No. 4 to give Jos Buttler a chance at the top of the order. Sam Curran (7 not out) took 3-28 for England and helped out with the bat with a six of his own right at the end. South Africa posted a competitive total with 30 at the top of the order from captain Quinton de Kock, 58 from former captain Faf du Plessis and 37 from Rassie van der Dussen. Left-arm spinner George Linde kept South Africa on top with two early wickets on his T20 debut, including Jason Roy caught behind for no score off the second ball of England’s chase. Bairstow and Ben Stokes rekindled their love of Newlands, where they combined for a world-record sixth-wicket partnership of 399 in a
Argentine prosecutors on Friday were investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Diego Maradona and whether it could have involved medical negligence, judicial sources said. “There are already irregularities,” a close family member told reporters. Maradona’s lawyer, Matias Morla, had earlier called for an investigation into claims that ambulances took more than half an hour to reach the soccer star’s house in response to an emergency call on the day of his death. A preliminary autopsy report established that Maradona died in his sleep at noon on Wednesday of “acute lung edema and chronic heart failure.” The prosecutors’ office in Buenos Aires has opened a file entitled “Maradona, Diego. Determination of the cause of death.” “The case was initiated because he is a person who died at home and no one signed his death certificate. It does not mean there are suspicions or irregularities,” a judicial source said, requesting to remain anonymous. The 60-year-old Argentine soccer legend was receiving round-the-clock medical care at a house in a gated community in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, where he was recuperating from surgery to remove a clot on his brain early this month. “You have to see if they did what they were supposed to do or if they relaxed,” the family member told reporters. “The nurse made a statement when the prosecutor appeared on the day of Diego’s death, then expanded her statement and finally went on television to say that what she said was forced on her, so there is some contradiction in her statement.” The prosecutors’ office is awaiting the results of toxicological tests on Maradona’s body. The three prosecutors working on the case have requested the star’s medical records, as well as recordings from neighborhood security cameras. Another nurse caring for Maradona was likely the last person to see him alive, at dawn on Wednesday, prosecutors said
ZAHA VACUUM: Newcastle boss Steve Bruce said that new signing Joelinton just needs some time to overcome initial jitters at the club and might be finding his feet
Newcastle struck twice in the final two minutes through Callum Wilson and Joelinton to beat Crystal Palace 2-0 and move into the top half of the Premier League on Friday. Both sides seemed set to settle for a point with few chances at either end until the Magpies’ late show, which took them up above Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal into 10th. The visitors’ front two combined for the opener as Joelinton put Wilson through and he slotted home for his seventh goal since a move from AFC Bournemouth. There was still time for Newcastle to grab a second when Sean Longstaff passed into Joelinton’s path, who cut inside Scott Dann and saw his effort deflect in off Gary Cahill for his first league goal since June. Palace badly missed Wilfried Zaha due to a positive COVID-19 test as a second consecutive defeat for Roy Hodgson’s men sees them fall behind Newcastle down to 13th. Newcastle boss Steve Bruce said after the game that hopefully Joelinton is beginning to find his feet on Tyneside. “It doesn’t matter about price tag and where you come from, sometimes you need time,” Bruce said. “In Joe’s case, the price tag and number nine shirt meant he struggled at times, but the kid wants to do well.” “We are starting to see him now with his strength,” he said. LA LIGA AP and AFP, MADRID and BARCELONA, Spain Real Valladolid conceded a late penalty-kick in drawing with Levante UD 1-1 on Friday, missing a chance to win their third in a row after a winless start in La Liga. It was the fifth consecutive 1-1 result for Levante, who have not won in eight matches and remain at the bottom of the table. Marcos Andre put Valladolid ahead in the 57th minute and Jose Campana equalized for the visitors by converting an 83rd-minute penalty. Valladolid, owned by
Venezuela’s storied baseball season began on Friday, and an economic crisis and global pandemic will make it one for the record books. Stadiums that have long been a temporary escape from the South American country’s mounting poverty and political turmoil were empty as players took their spots on the field. No fans were allowed amid restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. Players and coaches will have to undergo weekly testing to stay on the roster. Still, many were eager to get back to the nation’s favorite pastime. “This is what I live for,” said Daniel Mayora, a third baseman with the La Guaira Sharks. “This is my job and how I’m able to support a family.” Venezuela is known worldwide as a producer of great players such as Miguel Cabrera and Jose Altuve who grew up playing the sport. However, recently players have repeatedly found themselves in the middle of calamity. Last year, US Major League Baseball told players looking to hone their skills in the off-season by participating in the Venezuelan league to stay away amid sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The US Department of the Treasury eventually granted licenses to play with teams like the Sharks and the Caracas Lions, who are privately run. The country’s severe economic downturn has also taken a toll, compelling the Venezuelan league to shorten its season by a third. The IMF projects a 25 percent decline this year in Venezuela’s already battered GDP, while soaring hyperinflation in recent weeks has further diminished the bolivar’s value. The pandemic has thrown yet another curve at Venezuela’s baseball season. At least 40 players tested positive for the virus as preparations got under way. And while the start date was originally slated for next month, officials unexpectedly moved it up. That meant players had almost no time to train. “It’s not easy for any player to get
As much as he would like, Josh Allen cannot change the past when the topic of the Bills quarterback’s first career start was mentioned this week. “Obviously, very nervous, and things didn’t turn out so great,” Allen said when asked to recall any lingering memories of the Buffalo’s 31-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers two weeks into the 2018 season. “I should’ve, could’ve done a better job if I could go back and do it all over now, but it did teach me some valuable lessons,” he said. “It helped me. It really did, and I think you need to go through some of the bumps and bruises.” In finishing 18 of 33 for 245 yards with a touchdown in the final minute and two interceptions, Allen’s outing was typically reflective of a raw rookie thrust into action after Nathan Peterman unraveled in Buffalo’s season opener. The signs of growth have become undeniably apparent two-and-a-half years later as Allen and the American Football Conference East-leading Bills (7-3) prepare to host the Chargers (3-7) today. In playing a key role in Buffalo winning at least seven of their first 10 games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1995-1996, Allen has shed many of his erratic tendencies to be considered one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks. It helps that Buffalo spent the past two off-seasons upgrading the talent around Allen. And yet, coach Sean McDermott said Allen deserves credit for his ability to learn from his mistakes. Chargers coach Anthony Lynn has seen a difference. “He’s grown tremendously,” Lynn said. “It’s what you would expect from a young quarterback of his skillset and football IQ,” he said. “These guys don’t come into the league [as] hall of famers. They get developed, and they get better every single year. This year, he’s looking like the league MVP to me,”
SOCCER Blatter, Platini face probe Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA chief Michel Platini are being investigated for “fraud” and “breach of trust” in Switzerland, a source with access to the probe said on Friday. The former power brokers of world soccer were originally part of a legal procedure opened in 2015 over a 2011 payment to Platini of 2 million Swiss francs (US$2.2 million). The Swiss prosecutors have changed the focus of their investigation, the same source said. Platini’s entourage on Friday said that the Swiss prosecutors were “maintaining this five-year-old case artificially by widening the accusations.” SOCCER Al Ahly win title Al Ahly’s Mohamed Magdi scored a stunning goal four minutes from time as they beat bitter Cairo rivals Zamalek 2-1 to claim the CAF Champions League title and extend their record number of wins in Africa’s elite club competition to nine. The teams were locked at 1-1 at the Cairo International Stadium when midfielder Magdi collected a loose ball 30m out, showed neat control under pressure and volleyed into the corner of the net. RUGBY LEAGUE St Helens win after hooter Jack Welsby scored a last-gasp try in remarkable fashion after the fulltime hooter to claim the Super League Grand Final title for St Helens with an 8-4 victory over Wigan. The scores were level at 4-4 heading into the final minute, thanks to two Lachlan Coote penalties and a Jake Bibby try for Wigan. Zak Hardaker had the chance to win it for the Warriors with a penalty from 45m at Hull’s KCOM Stadium, but the center dragged his effort wide with 50 seconds remaining and St Helens aimed to work downfield for a late drop-goal attempt. Tommy Makinson was lined up for the effort and, as the ball landed in his winger’s hands, the fulltime hooter sounded. His attempt rattled the right-hand
INDIA CRUSHED: Hardik Pandya scored a bright 90 to give the tourists hope, but the innings petered out after his partnership with Shikhar Dhawan was broken
Steve Smith and Aaron Finch yesterday led the way with centuries as Australia opened their home summer with a one-day international victory over India by 66 runs in the first men’s international cricket played in front of a crowd since March. The capacity of the Sydney Cricket Ground was reduced by 50 percent because of COVID-19 social distancing regulations, but a crowd of 17,821, mostly backing the tourists, were treated to some fireworks from the home batsmen in the afternoon sun. Finch scored 114 in an opening stand of 156 with David Warner (69) to lay a platform, before his predecessor as captain Smith smashed 105 off 66 balls to drive Australia to 374-6 — their highest total against India. India, who were forced to spend two weeks in quarantine on arrival in Australia, always looked like struggling to chase down the third-highest tally they had conceded in any one-day international. Hardik Pandya thumped four sixes in a bright 90 to give them hope, but the innings petered out after his fifth-wicket partnership of 128 with opener Shikhar Dhawan (74) was broken and India limped to 308-8 in their 50 overs. “I’ve been searching for something for a couple of months, but a few days ago something just clicked,” Smith said of his batting. “It was nice to contribute to a good win,” he said. The teams lined up in a “Barefoot Circle” in recognition of Australia’s Aborigines before the match, along with moments of silence to remember Dean Jones, who died last month, and Phillip Hughes, who suffered a fatal injury at the ground six years ago. There was another short pause early in the Australia innings when two environmentalists ran onto the field, but Finch and Warner were soon back pillaging runs. Smith survived an early scare on 15 when he was given out leg before wicket,
New Zealand yesterday welcomed international cricket back to the nation with a thrilling five-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 against the West Indies. Kieron Pollard’s blistering 75 not out powered the West Indies to a commanding 180-7 in Auckland in a contest reduced to 16 overs a side following rain interruptions. New Zealand’s top order let them down, but Jimmy Neesham forged important partnerships with debutant Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner to seal the victory with four balls to spare. It was the first international match in New Zealand since the Christchurch Test against India that ended on March 2. “It was a very strange game, but nice to come out the right side,” said Black Caps captain Tim Southee, leading the side in absence of Kane Williamson. The first five overs of the match contained plenty of the drama, including a couple of rain interruptions. Put into bat, the West Indies plundered 55 runs off the first three overs before the hosts staged a remarkable comeback. Paceman Lockie Ferguson’s (5-21) double strikes triggered a spectacular collapse as the West Indies slumped from 58-0 to 59-5 in the space of 12 deliveries. Pollard not only arrested the slide, but also launched a blistering counterattack, smashing eight sixes in his 37-ball blitz. New Zealand’s top order wilted early, but Neesham, who finished 48 not out, partnered Conway to revive the chase, before pulling it off in company of Santner (31 not out). “I hope the crowd enjoyed it,” Pollard said. “It was a topsy-turvy game. A bit of indiscipline showed for us, in the bowling, and losing five wickets in that space of time in the batting, too.”
DeShaun Watson on Thursday threw for four touchdowns and 318 yards as the red-hot Houston Texans kept their playoff hopes alive with a 41-25 victory over the Detroit Lions. Will Fuller finished with two touchdown catches and a total of 171 yards, while defensive end J.J. Watt returned an interception for a touchdown for the Texans, who have won three of their past four games. “We wanted to show we can have an explosive offense and defense,” Watson said. “It was fun. We are ready to get home to have some celebrations. We plan on feeding off this. We got Indy next week and we are ready to go.” The game was one of two played on Thanksgiving. In the other matchup, Antonio Gibson ran for three touchdowns as Washington moved into first place in the hapless National Football Conference East Division with a 41-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The NFL’s showcase day was marred by the postponement until tomorrow of the marquee evening contest between the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore after several Ravens’ players were diagnosed with COVID-19, resulting in an angry response from the Steelers. The Ravens’ outbreak now means that seven players are on the COVID-19 injury list, which indicates a player has tested positive or is considered a “high-risk” close contact of an infected person. The addition of defensive end Jihad Ward to the list on Thursday means that tomorrow’s rescheduled game is also in jeopardy. Houston’s Tyrell Adams racked up a season-high 17 tackles, while Duke Johnson rushed for 80 yards and also scored a touchdown in the victory at Ford Field. Detroit’s Matthew Stafford passed for 295 yards and one touchdown, while Adrian Peterson gained 55 yards on 15 carries and scored twice for the Lions, who dropped to 4-7 for the season. Lions coach Matt Patricia was
SSC Napoli’s players on Thursday honored club legend Diego Maradona by stepping onto the pitch wearing his No. 10 jersey before their 2-0 UEFA Europa League win over HNK Rijeka. “Diego is a legend and will never die,” Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso said. “Since yesterday you could see that the city breathed a different atmosphere. We hope to dedicate something important to him and win a trophy. In this city we have talked about it for too many years.” Rijeka did not spoil the tribute with Napoli beating their modest rivals thanks to an own-goal from leftback Armando Anastasio before halftime. The Naples-born player took a touch on a Matteo Politano goal-bound effort and was credited with the goal. Hirving Lozano sealed victory with 15 minutes to go, firing in a Lorenzo Insigne cross. Gattuso’s side ended their two-match losing streak at their home stadium to take top place in Group F, with Rijeka bottom without a win in four games. “I have many good memories,” Gattuso said of Maradona. “I had the opportunity to talk many times with Diego, to have dinner several times with him. He has done so many extraordinary things. He made mistakes in his private life, but for what he did he will remain always alive. Diego came from another planet and he will live forever like all legends.” “I would have liked to tackle him as a player,” former Italy World Cup winner Gattuso added. Captain Insigne had earlier led the tributes alongside fans gathered outside the Stadio San Paolo before the game, Napoli’s first since Maradona’s death aged 60 on Wednesday. All wearing black armbands, the team also wore Maradona’s iconic jersey during the team presentation and a minute’s silence, under a photograph projected on a large screen of the man who led Napoli to league titles in 1986-1987 and 1989-1990, as
Hansi Flick is concerned Bayern Munich are too reliant on Manuel Neuer as the European champions prepare to defend their slim Bundesliga lead at VfB Stuttgart today. Having produced two reflex saves in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen, Neuer was again superb on Wednesday in a 3-1 home win against RB Salzburg which secured them a spot in the UEFA Champions League round-of-16. “It’s sensational how he parries big chances and saves us from conceding goals. He had a few things to do — too much for me,” Flick said. The 34-year-old Neuer brushed off the praise after making 10 saves against Salzburg, saying that “the most important thing is to support the team.” Yet his form has landed Neuer on the FIFA list for best male goalkeeper of the year. “He’s in the shape of his life,” said Flick, whose team qualified for the Champions League knockout rounds as group winners on Wednesday after their 15th straight victory in Europe. “When opposing forwards approach him, the goal gets smaller and smaller for them. He has amazing reflexes. We have a world-class goalkeeper between the posts.” However, Bayern are guilty of giving possession away too cheaply, like when a Leroy Sane mistake resulted in Salzburg’s goal. “There are too many unnecessary ball losses, we have to minimize our mistakes, these are the issues I have always addressed,” Flick said. It has been 13 years since Bayern lost at Stuttgart, whose top-scorer Nicolas Gonzalez is sidelined with a knee injury. Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski has scored 11 goals in seven games to make him the league’s top scorer, but Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland is lurking just one goal behind and in red-hot form. Second-placed Dortmund host Cologne today, with Haaland having scored six goals in his past two games. The Norwegian goal ace on Tuesday netted twice against Club Brugge
‘ONE LAST APPLAUSE’: An homage of cheers resounded through Buenos Aires on Wednesday night, while earlier a contingent met at the Obelisk to remember their hero
Stunned Argentines were on Wednesday plunged into grief by the death of the country’s favorite son Diego Maradona, a sublimely gifted sporting hero they saw as “the most human of gods.” The news fell like a hammer blow to a nation beaten down by months of economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, but one where soccer is seen as a panacea for all ills. At 10pm, Buenos Aires exploded in cheers, horns, sirens and lights for the man who famously wore the No. 10, after a viral social media message called for “one last applause.” The homage resounded throughout the night in all the neighborhoods of the Argentine capital, correspondents said. At the Diego Maradona Stadium, home to the Argentinos Juniors club where Maradona played as a child and made his debut as a professional player, fireworks were launched as a large crowd flooded into the field to the cry of “Maradooo, Maradooo.” Earlier, fans searching for a place to grieve gravitated toward the Obelisk landmark in downtown Buenos Aires — and, of course, the Bombonera, the steep-sided cauldron of a stadium that is home to Boca Juniors, where Maradona’s genius was forged. “I can’t believe it. It’s incredible. One thinks one gets through any storm, but no, everyone ends up being mortal. It feels like a bad dream. A joke,” Francisco Salaverry, 28, said. “Today’s a bad day. A very sad day for all Argentines,” Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said in an interview with sports channel TyC, after declaring three days of national mourning. All around the city, the mourning had already begun as fans stood forlornly beside banners in homage to the No. 10, showing Maradona — who died aged 60 of a heart attack — in his dashing prime. Many of the banners simply said D10S, a play on the Spanish word dios for “god”
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