Musiala scores a hat trick as Bayern Munich beat Mainz 4-0 in German Cup

Bayern’s Jamal Musiala, center, scores past Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentnerduring a second round German Cup soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Bayern Munich Wednesday in Mainz, Germany. (AP)
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Updated 31 October 2024
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Musiala scores a hat trick as Bayern Munich beat Mainz 4-0 in German Cup

  • After scoring his first on a slick team move assisted by Harry Kane, Musiala made sure he was in the right place at the right time for his other goals
  • The ease of the win underlined Bayern’s return to the sort of domestic dominance it is used to in Germany after a trophyless 2023-24 season
  • Eintracht Frankfurt played almost all of the game with 10 men but still beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1

MAINZ, Germany: Jamal Musiala scored a first-half hat trick as Bayern Munich reached the third round of the German Cup in a 4-0 win over Mainz on Wednesday.

Bayern were never seriously tested after Musiala opened the scoring less than 90 seconds into the game.

The ease of the win underlined Bayern’s return to the sort of domestic dominance it is used to in Germany after a trophyless 2023-24 season, even if their Champions League campaign has been less impressive.

After scoring his first on a slick team move assisted by Harry Kane, Musiala made sure he was in the right place at the right time for his other goals.

The second came on the rebound when a Kane shot was saved and Musiala completed his hat trick with Bayern’s fourth goal of the game, a tap-in when Konrad Laimer’s cross deflected off two Mainz players. Shortly before that, Leroy Sané had scored Bayern’s third goal on a flowing counterattack that began in his team’s own penalty area.

In Wednesday’s other games, Union Berlin have been on the rise again in the Bundesliga but had an early cup exit with a 2-0 loss to third-division Arminia Bielefeld.

Eintracht Frankfurt played almost all of the game with 10 men but still beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 on goals from forward Hugo Ekitike and Omar Marmoush.

Frankfurt were without defender Arthur Theate from the 15th minute after his handball saw him red-carded for the second game in a row. Theate was sent off in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Union Berlin but the suspension didn’t carry over to the cup.

Heidenheim was upset 2-1 by second-division Hertha Berlin. Heidenheim thought it had done enough to go to extra time when Paul Wanner headed in a last-second equalizer, but it was ruled out for an apparent foul in the buildup.

Other Bundesliga teams progressed as Werder Bremen knocked out Paderborn 1-0, Freiburg saw off Hamburger SV 2-1 and Hoffenheim knocked out Nuremberg 2-1.


Thailand win ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

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Thailand win ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

  • Thailand beat Nepal by 78 runs in the final match of the Super-Three stage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

The final match of the Super 3 stage of the ICC Asia Women’s T20 Qualifier for the 2026 World Cup saw Thailand face Nepal on May 20th in Bangkok. Both teams had already progressed to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier by virtue of defeating the UAE in the Super Three stage. Therefore, the prize was to become overall winners of the tournament.

Prior to the match, Indu Barma, the captain of Nepal, talked of Nepal’s long journey, stretching back 17 years. She noted that reaching the Global Qualifier will represent their first time of playing on the world stage.

In December 2008, Nepal played in the Asia Cricket Council’s (ACC) U19 Women’s Championship held in Chiang Mai, where the team won every match, including victories over Thailand in the semifinals and Malaysia in the final. It looked as though Nepal was about to dominate associate women’s cricket in Asia.

It was not to be, largely because Thailand won the 2013 ACC Women’s Championship in Chiang Mai, thereby qualifying for the Global Qualifier for the first time, traveling to Ireland later that year. Since then, Thailand has played in each Qualifier, even making it to the T20 World Cup held in Australia in 2020.

Over that time, the UAE has made steady progress, reaching three global qualifiers. Defeats to both Thailand and Nepal in Bangkok have put an end to hopes of a reaching fourth and is a real setback for them. They were well beaten in both matches of the Super 3.

In the first match, Thailand scored 144 for 5 in 20 overs. Nattaya Boochatham laid the base with a patient 49, whilst Natthakan Chantham hit powerfully to post an unbeaten 46 from 20 balls. Nannapat Khonchaeronkai gave further impetus to the innings with 39, Thailand scored 98 in the second half of the innings.

UAE lost wickets from the start, falling to 39 for four in the ninth over. Heena Hotchandani’s 32 took UAE to 90 for 5 in 20 overs, 54 runs short, as Thipatcha Putthawong claimed 2 for 27.

In the second match, the following day, Nepal asked UAE to bat first. Esha Oza made sure UAE preserved their wickets in the first half of the innings, a sound strategy at this level, but she was out at the crucial time for a run a ball thirty-nine, as left-arm spinner, Manisha Upadhayay, took the first of her four wickets.

A total of 114 for 7 looked to be a little light, especially as the UAE’s bowlers fought hard to reduce Nepal to 62 for 4 in the 13th over. Then, Rubina Chhetry, who has played throughout the last seventeen years, joined the current captain, Indu Barna. In a determined partnership, as rain threatened to fall, their experience guided Nepal to 99 for six, when Chhetry was out. It was left to Barma to guide the team to a five-wicket win with only three deliveries to spare.

Nepal’s delight was the UAE’s heartbreak. The only question which remained in the tournament was could Nepal also beat the powerful Thailand side that had been dominant for the past decade and more?

Nattaya Boochatham has been one of the players at the heart of Thailand’s success with both bat and ball. Younger players, such as her opening partner, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, are being introduced. She helped Thailand reach 34 in the powerplay as they again tried to establish a solid base. It was not until the thirteenth over that Aphisara was out for 29 in an opening partnership of 75.

Boochatham reached her second fifty in T20Is from 40 balls and Nannapat Khoncharoenkai started well as Thailand were 98 for 1 off fifteen overs. Khonchcharoenkai hit a trio of boundaries before Boochatham was caught at deep mid-wicket, Thailand losing a second wicket on 111.

Twelve runs were added in the 17th and 18th overs. Khoncharoenkai hit another pair of boundaries in the 19th over to move on to 48 and, after Natthakan Chantam hit two fours, Khoncharoenkai reached her seventh T20I fifty in 28 balls. The final total was 158 for 2, which is Thailand’s third best in T20Is.

Although eleven runs were scored off the first over, Nepal never got to grips with the chase, falling to 16 for 2 after four overs. This situation worsened when Onnicha Kamchomphu bowled the Nepal captain, Indu Barna. A score of 30 for three became 34 for four and 54 for five after fifteen overs. In the nineteenth over, Kamchomphu broke the back of Nepal’s innings with a hat-trick, culminating in impressive figures of four for eleven in four overs. Despite resistance from Rubina Chhetry, Nepal scored only 80 for the loss of nine wickets after 20 overs.

Throughout the tournament Thailand reasserted its superiority. Nannapat Khoncharoenkai was named player of the match for her brilliant fifty and she also won the player of the tournament award. Thiphatcha Putthawong was given the bowler of the tournament award with eight wickets and Esha Osha was awarded the batter of the tournament award with 175 runs.

Osha was disappointed with her dismissal in the match against Nepal, as a few more runs scored by the UAE may have been too many for Nepal to chase successfully. She felt the loss to Nepal had wasted two years of cricket for the UAE. This is likely to be only a temporary setback. Nepal’s never give up attitude should be a lesson to all.

UAE will have ODI cricket to look forward to for the first time. The countries ranked between twelve and sixteen at this level in the world rankings all want to play 50-over cricket and the UAE will have further opportunities to play more competitive T20 cricket as well. Osha is a fine player at this level and should be able to lead UAE to renewed success in women’s cricket. There is much to look forward to for each of the Super 3 teams.


Golf Saudi brings free GoGolf coaching to South Korea at Aramco Korea Championship

Updated 58 min 32 sec ago
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Golf Saudi brings free GoGolf coaching to South Korea at Aramco Korea Championship

  • The initiative was run alongside the $2 million Aramco Korea Championship

SEOUL: Golf Saudi’s grassroots coaching initiative, GoGolf, made its international debut in South Korea this month, offering free golf lessons to more than 300 children and Saudi expats during the Aramco Korea Championship.

The initiative was run alongside the $2 million Aramco Korea Championship, part of the new-look PIF Global Series, held at New Korea Country Club from May 9 to 11.

At the tournament, Czech golfer Sara Kouskova led her team to victory, while home favourite Kim Hyo-joo clinched the individual title after three days of play.

Away from the competition, Golf Saudi delivered three days of onsite coaching clinics as part of its GoGolf program, aimed at introducing new players to the game. Sessions took place on the tournament driving range and were led by Golf Saudi coaches and brand ambassadors.

“At Golf Saudi we are passionate about bringing more and more people into the game we love, helping it continue to grow both in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” said Muath Al-Alsheikh, program manager at GoGolf.

“We know that means enabling access and breaking down barriers of entry wherever possible, so that’s why GoGolf offers all Saudis free lessons — and why we were thrilled to host complimentary GoGolf clinics in Seoul.

“It was great to see so many young golfers come and be part of the sessions, including some who were repeat participants — amongst them, several of the Saudi expats. This shows the effectiveness of clinics like these in driving a growing interest in golf,” Al-Alsheikh added.

The GoGolf scheme, launched in Saudi Arabia, offers newcomers three months of free lessons, followed by discounted rounds, coaching, and memberships.

According to Golf Saudi, the program has delivered more than 70,000 free lessons to date, contributing to a 300 percent increase in Saudi golf participation since 2022. About 3,000 Saudi women have taken up the sport since 2021.

In Seoul, participants included local children aged five to eight who were introduced to the game through a partnership with First Tee Korea, a non-profit focused on youth development through golf.

Sessions were also open to Saudi expats living in South Korea, some of whom had previously taken up the sport in the Kingdom.

“I really enjoyed GoGolf,” said Abrar Abdulwahab, one of the approximately 100 Saudis who took part.

“I tried golf last year in Saudi Arabia, and now, trying again here, I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my skills. When I return to my home, I’ll continue learning more, it’s been a wonderful experience,” he said.

Fellow expat Fahad Al-Qahtani added: “I’m extremely grateful for this program and its organizers. Not only did I take part in the coaching session, but I also learned about the history of golf in Saudi Arabia, which was really interesting.”


Barcelona set August target for matchday return to Camp Nou stadium

Updated 20 May 2025
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Barcelona set August target for matchday return to Camp Nou stadium

  • Barcelona have played in the city’s Olympic Stadium for two years
  • The original target was a November 2024 return to a partially finished venue

BARCELONA: Barcelona aim to return belatedly to their Camp Nou stadium after two years of reconstruction work for a preseason friendly on Aug. 10.

Club president Joan Laporta set the date for the traditional season-opening Joan Gamper Trophy game when he spoke in a television interview late Monday.

Barcelona have played in the city’s Olympic Stadium for two years — and won La Liga this season — during the massive overhaul to create a 105,000-capacity home that would be the biggest soccer stadium in Europe.


The original target was a November 2024 return to a partially finished venue, then Barcelona said in February they hoped to play games in Camp Nou before the end of this season with 60,000 spectators.

The February update also detailed plans to complete the project by adding a roof at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The Camp Nou is a potential candidate to stage the 2030 World Cup final which Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco. The more likely options are Real Madrid’s renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and a 115,000-seat venue planned in Casablanca, Morocco.


Western Conference Finals showdown spotlights changing face of the NBA

Updated 20 May 2025
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Western Conference Finals showdown spotlights changing face of the NBA

  • Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards competing for ‘Face of the League’ title

DUBAI: The second-round clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets was a thrilling showdown between two of the brightest stars, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, both frontrunners for the 2024–2025 NBA MVP.

But now, the NBA Western Conference Finals present an even more compelling narrative, a duel between Oklahoma’s Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, two rising stars competing for the title of the “Face of the League.”

Changing of the guard as next generation takes over

As the NBA legendary era of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant approaches its twilight, the focus shifts to the next wave of superstars.

With established players like Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trae Young, and the Spurs’ phenom Victor Wembanyama making their mark, this series offers a refreshing showcase of two young guards ready to take the league by storm.

It is a classic guard-vs-guard battle that basketball enthusiasts will relish.

Oklahoma City are battle tested

Oklahoma City enter the series as the Western Conference’s top seed, following a dominant 68-win regular season.

At the heart of their success is Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on track to win his first NBA MVP. Averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, the Canadian superstar has become the face of the Thunder’s resurgence.

In the playoffs, OKC swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, capitalizing on Ja Morant’s injury in Game 3, and outlasted the Denver Nuggets in a thrilling seven-game series.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35-point performance in Game 7 put him in elite company, joining Durant as the only Thunder player to score 35 or more points in a Game 7.

Timberwolves back to the Western Conference Finals

On the other hand, the No. 6 seed Timberwolves have taken a different path to the conference finals. After a commanding five-game victory over the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Lakers, they faced the Golden State Warriors in the second round.

The series took a decisive turn when Curry was injured in Game 2, allowing Minnesota to capitalize and close out the series in five games.

For the Timberwolves, this marks their second straight trip to the Western Conference Finals, following last year’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

2 teams chasing historic first championship

Both teams are now on the brink of history, each aiming to win their first NBA championship. The Thunder have not reached the NBA Finals since 2012, while the Timberwolves have never made it that far.

This is more than just a series; it is a clash of two young stars leading their teams to uncharted territory. The winner will advance to the NBA Finals to face either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks, who are battling in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The X factor, supporting casts and rising stars

Playoff success is often determined by superstar performances, but it also relies heavily on role players stepping up and making a difference. For the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander is the engine, but he is far from alone.

Rising star Jalen Williams has become a crucial piece, contributing with scoring, playmaking, and defensive versatility. His ability to complement Gilgeous-Alexander will be a key factor in Oklahoma City’s success.

Additionally, Alex Caruso’s impact cannot be overstated. In Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets, Caruso’s tenacious defense on Jokic played a pivotal role in limiting the MVP to just 20 points.

As the Thunder prepare to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chet Holmgren’s presence as a rim protector will be vital. The Timberwolves’ aggressive approach to attacking the paint will test Holmgren’s defensive prowess.

His ability to deter easy paths to the rim could be a determining factor in the series outcome.

Minnesota’s secret weapons include Edwards and Randle

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves rely on Edwards, whose explosive scoring and fearless mentality have transformed Minnesota into a contender.

Alongside Edwards, Julius Randle has rediscovered his form, becoming a reliable scorer and rebounder, a far cry from his past playoff struggles. Randle has been a consistent contributor, averaging nearly 24 points per game in the playoffs.

Anchoring the defense is Rudy Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Gobert’s rim protection and rebounding have been pivotal. He also can score when the team needs him as he recorded playoff career highs with 27 points and 24 rebounds against the Lakers in the first round.

The Timberwolves’ depth is a significant asset. Naz Reid, the former Sixth Man of the Year Award winner, has become a reliable scorer off the bench. Jaden McDaniels adds defensive versatility and scoring, while veteran Mike Conley offers leadership and playmaking, guiding the team’s younger players.

Battle beyond the finals

As the series tips off, the spotlight will shine on Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards, but the supporting cast and defensive battles may well decide the outcome.

The Thunder and Timberwolves are not just battling for a place in the NBA Finals but for one in the league’s future.

The NBA Western Conference Finals Game 1 between the Timberwolves and Thunder is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20.


Marseille president rules out move to sign Man City great De Bruyne

Updated 20 May 2025
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Marseille president rules out move to sign Man City great De Bruyne

  • Club president Pablo Longoria has ruled out a move for the 33-year-old playmaker
  • Signing a player of such stature might prove disruptive

MARSEILLE: Kevin De Bruyne will be hot property when he leaves Manchester City and many clubs would love to sign him next season.

Marseille are not one of them.

Club president Pablo Longoria has ruled out a move for the 33-year-old playmaker because he thinks signing a player of such stature might prove disruptive.

“If we take a player with a much higher salary than the players we have in the squad today, who qualified us for the Champions League, it destroys all the balance, all the good things, the good dynamic the players built,” Longoria said. “It would be, on the part of a club, a total lack of respect for the players who helped us qualify for the Champions League.”

Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 behind champion Paris Saint-Germain and qualified directly for next season’s Champions League.

De Bruyne was set to make his final home appearance for City later Tuesday against Bournemouth after 10 trophy-laden years at the club. He is one of City’s greatest ever players and won 16 trophies with the club, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

De Bruyne shares the record for the highest number of assists in a single Premier League season with 20, and scored more than 100 goals for City.