SOCCER
‘Great brawl of China’ erupts
Chinese soccer authorities launched an investigation yesterday after a mass brawl erupted at a Cup match involving big-spending Jiangsu Suning, with one player receiving a kung fu-style flying kick. Violence broke out when towering Jiangsu striker Ge Wei scored in the ninth minute of extra-time for a 1-0 win against amateur side Wuhan Hongxing, prompting enraged Wuhan players to attack the visiting team. The ruckus saw Chinese international midfielder Wu Xi receive a flying kick to the back as fists flew and combatants chased each other across the pitch. Jiangsu led a world-leading transfer spending spree earlier this year, but because of Chinese FA Cup rules, megabucks signings Alex Teixeira, Ramires and Jo were not playing on Wednesday. The incident is embarrassing for Chinese soccer, which has made intense efforts to clean itself up after a series of scandals and sees itself as a future global power in the sport.
ICE HOCKEY
Finland stay perfect
Finland made it four wins out of four to move to the top of the world championship Group B after beating Hungary 3-0 on Wednesday. Hungary are yet to pick up a point in this year’s tournament in Russia, but they held their own in the first period to hold the in-form Finns at bay. Atte Ohtamaa broke the Hungarian resistance with four minutes to go in the second period. Mikko Koivu doubled Finland’s lead in the third period, with his third goal of the tournament and Alexander Barkov sealed the 3-0 win on the powerplay with four minutes remaining. After being humbled 5-1 by Germany on Tuesday, Slovakia lost again in a game they were expected to win, going down 4-2 to Belarus, who picked up their first win of the competition. Belarus came from two goals down to seal the victory with a third-period onslaught, scoring four goals in the space of 15 minutes. Sweden moved level on points with the Czech Republic at the top of Group A following a 7-3 victory over Kazakhstan and a late game-winning goal from Eric Blum gave Switzerland a 5-4 win victory over Latvia.
SOCCER
Andersen to coach N Korea
Former Norwegian international striker Jorn Andersen is to become the new coach of North Korea, Norwegian television station NRK reported on Wednesday, citing his family. According to the reports, which have not been verified, the 53-year-old Andersen will sign a one-year contract. Capped 27 times by Norway, Andersen is best remembered for becoming the first foreign player to be the top scorer in the German Bundesliga when he found the net 18 times for Eintracht Frankfurt in 1989-1990. Andersen had been in charge of Austria Salzburg until December last year.
SOCCER
Frank de Boer quits Ajax
Ajax coach and former Dutch international Frank de Boer yesterday announced he was quitting the Amsterdam club after failing to win the Dutch title. “Frank de Boer is quitting as Ajax trainer. He told the club’s board in a meeting,” Ajax said in a statement issued in Amsterdam. De Boer’s announcement comes after Ajax drew 1-1 against minnows De Graafschap on Sunday, while defending champions PSV retained their hold on the trophy with a 3-1 victory against PEC Zwolle. Ajax needed a win to claim the 34th championship in their 116-year history. PSV’s victory saw wild parties in Eindhoven, but in the Dutch capital, many Ajax fans slinked off in despair at the end of the match.
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s FIFA World Cup bid, while others believe his presence would prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing. The debate around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rages on, as it did at UEFA Euro 2024 and four years ago in Qatar — yet Ronaldo endures, ready to play in a record sixth World Cup. The 41-year-old remains a global superstar despite swapping the European elite for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, and is the leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 strikes. With 25 of those coming in 30 games under Martinez, the coach
Taiwanese sprinter Chen Yi-cen on Friday won the silver medal in the women’s 400m final at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, with a time of 53.16 seconds. Chen, 15, was the youngest among the eight finalists, and her performance also met the qualifying standard of 53.50 seconds for the Nagoya Asian Games in Japan in September and October. Chen first made her mark at the National Games in Tainan in 2023, at the age of 13, winning the women’s 400m final in 55.55 seconds to become the youngest gold medalist in the history of the event. Meanwhile,
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
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