Guardiola expects even more from Haaland ahead of Dortmund reunion

Pep Guardiola is delighted by Erling Haaland’s hot streak, but he warned the rest of Europe that his young star is not at the peak of his powers yet. (AFP)
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Updated 14 September 2022
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Guardiola expects even more from Haaland ahead of Dortmund reunion

  • Guardiola admits Dortmund will look to exploit their knowledge of Haaland, Akanji and Gomez, but he is confident they can handle the reunion pressure

MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday that Erling Haaland will become even more prolific once he gets used to life at Manchester City as the in-form striker prepares for a reunion with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League this week.

Haaland will face his former club on Wednesday for the first time since joining City in a £51 million ($58 million) transfer in the close-season.

That fee already looks a bargain after a blistering start featuring 12 goals from Haaland in just eight appearances for the Premier League champions.

After scoring twice in last week’s rout of Sevilla, the Norwegian has netted 25 times in only 20 Champions League games and he will be looking to add to that remarkable tally when Dortmund arrive at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola is delighted by Haaland’s hot streak, but he warned the rest of Europe that his young star is not at the peak of his powers yet.

“He’s young, hungry, it’s going to happen, he can improve,” Guardiola told reporters.

“He’s 22 and can be better. The connection with his mates, over time, will improve and he will be an even better player.”

Haaland is one of several former Dortmund players in Guardiola’s squad, with fellow summer signings Sergio Gomez and Manuel Akanji also in contention to feature against their old team.

Guardiola admits Dortmund will look to exploit their knowledge of Haaland, Akanji and Gomez, but he is confident they can handle the reunion pressure.

“They know these players better than I know Dortmund players, that’s for sure,” Guardiola said.

“They can get that benefit but we’ll see if it’s an advantage or disadvantage, but these three know the qualities of the Dortmund players too.”

City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, another former Dortmund player, has been impressed by Haaland’s attitude as much as his predatory finishing.

“The numbers speak for themselves. “He’s doing great on the pitch but his character, attitude and determination off the pitch is something incredible,” he said.

City are hoping Haaland can prove the final piece of the jigsaw after years of near misses in the Champions League.

“We will see. It will be a very tough competition and little details can decide the outcome,” Gundogan said.

Meanwhile, Guardiola insists City’s bid to win the Champions League and retain the Premier League title will not be affected by a looming fixture pile-up later this season.

City’s Premier League match against Tottenham last weekend was postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

There is also a possibility their trip to Arsenal on Oct. 19 will be moved if the Gunners reschedule their postponed Europa League tie against PSV Eindhoven for that midweek.

With the World Cup set to halt the season for six weeks from mid-November, City face a backlog in the second half of the campaign.

“We will find a way. Always the fixtures were so tight every season. The Premier League has the ability to find room for the fixtures,” Guardiola said.


England’s Livingstone leaves IPL to get ‘knee sorted’

Updated 13 May 2024
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England’s Livingstone leaves IPL to get ‘knee sorted’

  • Livingstone played just seven of 12 matches for Punjab, who have been knocked out of the play-off race
  • His injury is reportedly not serious but requires rest before England play Pakistan in four T20Is this month

NEW DELHI: England batsman Liam Livingstone has left the Indian Premier League early to get his knee “sorted” ahead of the T20 World Cup in June, the Punjab Kings player said.

Livingstone, 30, played just seven of 12 matches for Punjab, who have been knocked out of the play-off race for this season.

Livingstone, who has been named in England’s provisional squad for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States, missed two matches early this IPL after he went down on the field.

He later did not make the playing XI but returned to the starting line-up last week.

“IPL done for another year, had to get my knee sorted for the upcoming World Cup,” Livingstone wrote on social media.

“Thanks once again to the Punjab Kings fans for all their love and support. Disappointing season as a team and personally, but as always I loved every minute of playing in the IPL.”

According to ESPNcricinfo, Livingstone’s injury is not serious but requires rest before England play Pakistan in four T20 internationals this month.

Livingstone managed just 11 runs with a highest of 38 not out and returned three wickets with his spin bowling.

Other World Cup-bound England players including Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Phil Salt and Reece Topley will begin to return home in the next few days.


‘Ring of Fire’ timepiece marking Fury v. Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia to be auctioned by Sotheby’s for charity

Updated 13 May 2024
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‘Ring of Fire’ timepiece marking Fury v. Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia to be auctioned by Sotheby’s for charity

  • A piece from the Astronomia Art collection, the “Ring of Fire” watch is a 50-mm rose-gold timepiece, the design and details of which pay tribute to both fighters

RIYADH: A bespoke timepiece created by Jacob & Co. to commemorate the heavyweight boxing clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia will be auctioned on Friday.

All proceeds will go to the Make-A-Wish International charity.

A piece from the Astronomia Art collection, the “Ring of Fire” watch is a 50-mm rose-gold timepiece, the design and details of which pay tribute to both fighters.

A figurine of each world heavyweight champion measuring less than 1 cm-high adorns the watch, while the hour and minute dials are represented by the iconic champion belt of the World Boxing Council and its green color is used on the strap.

Sotheby’s will host the auction, on the evening before fight night, which will also feature other coveted boxing-themed items, with the high-value Ring of Fire watch the star attraction.

British WBC title holder Fury takes on Ukrainian WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion Usyk in Riyadh on May 18 at the Kingdom Arena in the clash, also called the “Ring of Fire.”

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the board of directors at the General Entertainment Authority, commissioned Big Time Creative Shop, the GEA’s creative arm, to work alongside luxury watch brand Jacob & Co. to design and craft the timepiece.

“This is an incredible and rare opportunity to own a piece of boxing history. The magnitude of this fight cannot be underestimated,” Alalshikh said.

“It will be spoken about for decades, and the successful bidder will share a special bond with the lead protagonists of this undisputed heavyweight story through the collective ownership of these unique and elegant timepieces.

“We are also pleased to be able to donate all auction proceeds to Make-A-Wish International, so they can help fulfil the wishes of even more children around the world,” he said.

Ever in confident mood, Fury said that the watch would remind the owner of a night of boxing history.

“This watch will forever represent a bit of boxing history and, for me personally, it is going to be a constant reminder of the night I became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the 21st century,” he said. “This is a rare and incredible timepiece and I hope it can raise lots of cash for an important global cause. I’d also like to thank everyone who has been involved in putting this together,” he said.

His Ukrainian opponent said that he hoped as much money as possible could be raised in auctioning the watch.

“I look forward to the auction and seeing who will be fortunate enough to achieve the winning bid and share with me in owning this masterpiece,” he said.

“I encourage everyone who can to get involved so we see a big donation to help with the good work of Make-A-Wish International. This watch is an excellent allegory of the limited time given to us by God in this world to help others and make it a better place to live.”


Saudi Hockey Federation announces tournament in Western Region to be played in Jeddah

Updated 13 May 2024
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Saudi Hockey Federation announces tournament in Western Region to be played in Jeddah

  • The tournament will feature six teams comprising 60 players

LONDON: The Saudi Hockey Federation announced on Monday it was organizing the Saudi Arabia Western Region Championship, which will kick off next Friday at the sports hall of Al-Ittihad Club in Jeddah.

The tournament will feature six teams comprising 60 players. 

The hockey federation said the championship was part of its plan to develop hockey in the Kingdom and marks the beginning of its series of tournaments for the 2024 season. 

The federation said that it would continue to organize similar tournaments, with an aim to expanding them to various regions of the Kingdom, to create a competitive environment for the sport and in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.


Felix da Costa wins historic third Berlin E-Prix

Updated 13 May 2024
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Felix da Costa wins historic third Berlin E-Prix

  • Round 10 win at Tempelhof earns TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team first victory on home turf
  • Nick Cassidy of Jaguar TCS Racing has a 45-point lead in standings after victory in round 9

BERLIN: Antonio Felix da Costa became the only driver to win three times at the Tempelhof Airport street circuit after he clinched the win in round 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

His win at the Berlin E-Prix also secured Tag Heuer Porsche’s inaugural victory on home turf in Formula E.

“It just feels great to win at a home race for Porsche, it’s amazing,” said da Costa. “We’ve got so many guests here: so many people who work in the factory that don’t normally get to come to the races, our board members are here, so it’s definitely a special one.

“Honestly, it’s been a tough start to the season and we’ve been building a really good momentum, always closing the gap to the championship leaders and it feels good to take this one.”

He added: “You have to work hard when things aren’t right, but when you have the right people around you it makes it a little bit easier. I want to dedicate to this to my engineer’s father-in-law who passed away this week, so it’s for him and his family.”

Da Costa held on throughout the 38-lap race, despite relentless pressure from Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy of Jaguar, the latter being the victor of round 9 on Saturday.

Cassidy executed a last-minute move on Nissan’s Oliver Rowland to secure second place, clinching the fastest lap in the process. Rowland snatched third after a challenging starting position, ahead of Tag Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein, who valiantly battled reigning champion Jake Dennis (Andretti) for fourth.

Cassidy’s teammate, Evans, finished in sixth. Jehan Daruvala of Maserati MSG Racing delivered an impressive seventh-place finish after navigating through the pack from 13th, marking a personal best Formula E result for the Indian driver. 

Climbing from 18th to eighth place was 19-year-old Taylor Barnard of NEOM McLaren Formula E, showing remarkable skill in what was his first full weekend in the series. Joel Eriksson (Envision Racing) also achieved his best result to date with a ninth-place finish, while Jean-Eric Vergne (DS PENSKE) rounded out the top ten. 

Cassidy leaves Berlin with a substantial 45-point haul and assumes top position in the standings with 140 points, ahead of Wehrlein on 124. Rowland occupies third place with 118 points.

In the team championship, Jaguar TCS Racing leads with 237 points, followed by TAG Heuer Porsche in second place with 183.


Saudi team ready for World Para Athletics Championships in Japan

Updated 13 May 2024
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Saudi team ready for World Para Athletics Championships in Japan

DUBAI: The Saudi Paralympic team has set off for Kobe, in Japan, where they are competing in the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships.

The team’s preparations included extensive training sessions in both local and international camps.

The first phase took place in Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman from March to April, while phase two was in Dubai and included the team’s participation in the Gulf Games.

The 11th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships begins today and runs until May 27. It is being held at the Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium, where more than 1,000 athletes from 100 nations will compete in 168 events.

The 2024 championships are the first to be held in East Asia and the third one in Asia, following Doha in 2015 and Dubai in 2019.