分类： sports

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta delivered a scathing assessment of his team’s defensive performance despite securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. The league leaders required a 94th-minute own goal from Yerson Mosquera to claim three points after appearing destined for a disappointing draw.

The match took a concerning turn for Arsenal when Wolverhampton equalized in the 90th minute through Tolu Arokodare, canceling out Sam Johnstone’s earlier own goal that had given the hosts the lead. Arteta expressed particular frustration with what he described as ‘horrible defensive habits’ that emerged during critical moments of the match.

‘It was a relief to win, but with a very clear understanding that the margin should have been bigger,’ Arteta told reporters post-match. ‘We had a period of two or three minutes in deep, totally passive, with defensive habits that are nowhere near the level required against a team that hadn’t had a single shot.’

The victory maintains Arsenal’s position at the summit of the Premier League table with 36 points as they pursue their first league title after three consecutive second-place finishes. Arteta emphasized the importance of learning from the performance despite the positive result, noting that his players made victory ‘harder for ourselves today.’

With a challenging Christmas fixture schedule approaching, beginning with Saturday’s match against Everton, Arteta stressed the urgency of addressing defensive vulnerabilities while acknowledging the difficulty of securing Premier League victories.

In a commanding display of cricketing prowess, India clinched a decisive seven-wicket victory against South Africa in the third Twenty20 international at Dharamsala’s floodlit stadium on Sunday. The triumph grants India a 2-1 advantage in the five-match series as both teams prepare for February’s T20 World Cup.

South Africa’s batting lineup suffered a dramatic collapse early in the match after being put into bat, plummeting to 7-3 within the first 3.1 overs. Captain Aiden Markram emerged as the lone resilient force, preventing his team from recording their worst-ever T20 total—a dubious honor currently held at 74 runs from the series opener. Markram’s valiant 46-ball innings, featuring two sixes and six boundaries, was cut short when he was caught behind against pace bowler Arshdeep Singh, who finished with impressive figures of 2-13.

India’s bowling attack demonstrated remarkable depth despite the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the match for personal reasons. Harshit Rana, Bumrah’s replacement, claimed 2-34, while spin specialist Kuldeep Yadav delivered a masterful performance with 2-12 from just two overs, including the dismissal of Ottneil Baartman on the final delivery of South Africa’s innings.

India’s chase proceeded with clinical efficiency as openers Abhishek Sharma (35 from 18 balls) and Shubman Gill established a dominant 60-run partnership. Sharma’s explosive performance was eventually halted by a spectacular running catch from Markram off Corbin Bosch’s bowling. Gill contributed a steady 28 before being bowled by Marco Jansen, while captain Suryakumar Yadav fell for 12 to Lungi Ngidi’s delivery. The match concluded with Tilak Varma (26 not out) and Shivam Dube (10 not out) comfortably guiding India to victory at 120-3 in just 15.5 overs.

The series continues to demonstrate its unpredictable nature, with South Africa having previously rebounded from a 101-run defeat in the first match to secure a 51-run victory in the second T20. The teams now look ahead to Wednesday’s fourth T20 in Lucknow, with India seeking to maintain their momentum as defending T20 World Cup champions.

In a display of exceptional cricketing prowess, the Dubai Capitals clinched a nail-biting nine-run triumph against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The match, part of the ongoing DP World ILT20 season, will be remembered for Shayan Jahangir’s magnificent innings that fell just one run short of a century.

The Capitals’ innings began precariously with early wickets threatening their stability. However, the course of the game shifted dramatically when Jahangir partnered with Jordan Cox to construct a game-changing 115-run stand. Cox contributed a steady 29 runs from 30 deliveries before Jahangir took complete command of the crease.

Jahangir’s spectacular performance featured 10 boundaries and five maximums, demonstrating both technical precision and raw power. His 99-run contribution not only anchored the Capitals’ innings but also set a new tournament record for the highest score by an associate player in ILT20 history. The team finished their allotted 20 overs at 196/5, setting a challenging target.

The Knight Riders’ response was hampered by consistent wicket losses throughout their innings, though Andre Russell provided late drama with an explosive unbeaten 53 from just 33 deliveries. His heroic effort, including powerful hitting in the final overs, brought momentary hope to the Abu Dhabi camp. However, the Capitals’ bowling unit maintained composure under pressure, with Waqar Salamkheil claiming three crucial wickets for 34 runs.

Jahangir, awarded Player of the Match, expressed his pride in representing American cricket on the international stage: ‘I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the win. Performances like these will bring greater recognition to US cricket, where the sport is making strong progress.’

Capitals captain Dasun Shanaka praised his team’s resilience: ‘Jahangir showed tremendous character after a difficult powerplay. Having experienced players like Nabi in critical moments made my leadership decisions considerably easier.’

The victory marks the Capitals’ second consecutive win this season, significantly boosting team morale and positioning them favorably in the tournament standings.

KOLKATA – A highly anticipated exhibition event featuring football legend Lionel Messi descended into violent chaos at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, culminating in the arrest of the chief organizer and promises of full refunds for thousands of disgruntled fans.

The event, part of Messi’s ‘GOAT Tour,’ was marred by severe mismanagement that triggered a massive fan uprising. Attendees who had paid premium ticket prices grew enraged as the Argentine icon departed the venue early, leaving many without even a glimpse of the star. Frustrations were further fueled by allegations that VIPs and politicians monopolized Messi’s attention throughout the event.

The situation rapidly escalated as sections of the crowd began hurling bottles and attempting to breach security gates. A group of angry fans then stormed the pitch, vandalizing equipment including goal posts and a temporary tent. Police were forced to intervene with mild physical force to disperse the crowd and restore order.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose confirmed the arrest of Satadru Dutta, the event’s primary organizer. An investigation is now underway. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim stated that while normalcy had been restored, a First Information Report (FIR) had been officially lodged. He publicly guaranteed that the organizing body would refund all ticket fees, with authorities overseeing the process.

In a swift response, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology on social media platform X, expressing she was ‘deeply disturbed and shocked’ by the fiasco. She announced the formation of an independent inquiry committee, to be chaired by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray and including senior government officials. The committee is tasked with conducting a detailed investigation, assigning responsibility, and recommending future preventative measures.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) swiftly distanced itself from the incident, clarifying in an official statement that the event was privately organized by a PR agency without its involvement, knowledge, or required clearance. The Federation emphasized that safety and security should remain the paramount priority and urged full cooperation with authorities.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium witnessed a monumental evening of boxing history on Friday night as the city hosted its first-ever heavyweight world championship bout. In the main event of IBA Pro 13: Night of Champions, Russian powerhouse Murat Gassiev delivered a spectacular sixth-round knockout against Bulgarian veteran Kubrat Pulev to claim the WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight world title.

The decisive moment arrived with surgical precision as Gassiev connected with a perfectly timed left hook that sent Pulev crashing to the canvas. The arena momentarily fell silent before erupting in celebration, particularly from the substantial Russian contingent in attendance. Pulev, a 44-year-old former world title challenger against elite opponents including Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua, attempted to beat the count but found his legs unresponsive, ending his championship aspirations.

Early rounds had seen Pulev controlling the tempo behind his piston-like jab, effectively keeping the younger Gassiev at distance. However, the former unified cruiserweight champion gradually shifted momentum through calculated body work that weakened Pulev’s foundation. A brief resurgence in the fifth round saw Pulev pin Gassiev against the ropes, but the reprieve proved temporary.

With this victory, Gassiev improves his professional record to 33-2 with 26 knockouts, positioning himself prominently within the heavyweight title landscape and potentially setting up future clashes with Oleksandr Usyk or rising British prospect Moses Itauma.

The undercard featured multiple compelling narratives, including Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, securing a unanimous decision victory over Dubai-based Jeremiah Sserwadda. Walsh demonstrated refined technical skills and ring intelligence reminiscent of his legendary grandfather while competing before a star-studded audience that included Manny Pacquiao, Terrence Crawford, and Deontay Wilder.

Indian boxing celebrated a significant milestone as Faizan Anwar maintained his undefeated record (21-0) with a disciplined points victory against Khuseyn Baysangurov. The Kolkata-born, Dubai-based fighter represents the growing international boxing scene developing within the UAE.

Additional notable results included Tajikistan’s Olympic medalist Bakhodur Usmonov edging former IBO champion Maxi Hughes, while Russia’s Vadim Musaev captured the IBO welterweight title with a third-round stoppage of Tulani Mbenge. The event concluded with France’s Estelle Mossely earning a unanimous decision victory over Ellen Simwaka in the women’s feature bout.

In a breathtaking display of resilience, Dubai Basketball engineered a spectacular fourth-quarter comeback to defeat European giants Bayern Munich 89-88 in a EuroLeague Round 15 showdown at Coca-Cola Arena. The electrifying victory before 5,000 roaring fans marked another dramatic chapter in Dubai’s impressive home campaign.

The home team faced significant challenges throughout the evening, struggling to establish offensive rhythm and consistently trailing their German opponents. Dubai’s perimeter shooting proved particularly problematic in the early stages, with extended periods of offensive stagnation putting them at a disadvantage.

The situation appeared dire when Dubai found themselves facing a 12-point deficit in the final quarter. However, demonstrating remarkable composure and determination, the team mounted an extraordinary late-game surge. The comeback was ignited by American guard McKinley Wright and Awudu Abass, whose clutch three-point shooting sparked the dramatic turnaround and electrified the capacity crowd.

Head Coach Jurica Golemac expressed immense pride in his team’s character, stating: ‘This victory was tremendously important. We displayed incredible refusal to surrender when many in the arena believed the game was lost. Our players fought with exceptional commitment to each other and the club, and their extraordinary effort was ultimately rewarded.’

Wright delivered a standout performance with 22 points and 7 assists, consistently producing crucial plays when most needed. Abass contributed significantly with 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Filip Petrušev and Mfiondu Kabengele each added 12 points. The balanced offensive effort was completed by Justin Anderson and Kosta Kondić, both finishing with 11 points in a demonstration of Dubai’s depth and collective determination.

Australian golfers Kayun Mudadana and Ella Scaysbrook delivered commanding performances to seize early control at the Emirates Golf Federation’s flagship amateur tournament, the UAE Cup powered by Emirates NBD. The international championship commenced with exceptional play at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, featuring competitors from 39 nations vying for World Amateur Golf Ranking points.

Mudadana demonstrated extraordinary precision and momentum throughout his round, carding a spectacular seven-under-par 63 to establish a one-stroke advantage in the Men’s Division. His performance featured eight birdies against a single bogey, including a remarkable front-nine 31. The Australian currently leads England’s Eliot Baker, a Walker Cup participant and multiple international amateur winner ranked 67th in the WAGR standings.

Nineteen-year-old Scaysbrook showcased mature composure in the Women’s Division, posting a polished four-under 66 to claim the initial lead. The Australian, who finished as runner-up in last year’s championship, expressed satisfaction with her performance and anticipation for the remaining rounds. English contender Imogen Hall trails closely with a 67, demonstrating adaptability to changing course conditions throughout her round.

The tournament’s significance extends beyond individual accolades, offering substantial professional pathway opportunities. The men’s champion will receive two starts on the HotelPlanner Tour, while the women’s winner earns entry into a Ladies European Tour event. Additionally, leading junior competitors will secure invitations to the 2026 Dubai Junior Desert Classic.

A newly implemented team competition adds strategic depth to the championship, with Australia and England sharing the lead after the initial round. This format requires each nation to nominate one male and one female amateur, creating an international team dynamic alongside individual competition.

The UAE Cup continues to enhance its stature within global amateur golf, combining elite competition with tangible professional development opportunities while highlighting the United Arab Emirates’ growing commitment to both amateur and women’s golf development.

Football icon Lionel Messi arrived in Kolkata early Saturday morning to an ecstatic reception, commencing the inaugural leg of his GOAT Tour India 2025. The Argentine legend’s visit centers around the virtual unveiling of a colossal 70-foot iron statue erected in his honor at Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town.

The monumental sculpture, crafted in a record 40 days, depicts Messi hoisting the FIFA World Cup trophy—a symbolic representation of his historic 2022 triumph with Argentina in Qatar. West Bengal Minister and Club President Sujit Bose confirmed this statue stands as the world’s tallest tribute to the football maestro.

Messi’s arrival triggered massive fan gatherings across key Kolkata locations, demonstrating his profound popularity in India’s football-crazy eastern region. This visit marks his first return to Indian soil since 2011, when he participated in a friendly match at Salt Lake Stadium where Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0.

Tour promoter Satadru Dutta emphasized the significance of this visit: ‘Messi’s return after 14 years has generated unprecedented excitement and renewed enthusiasm for football across India. The sponsorship response reflects growing commercial interest in Indian football.’

The virtual unveiling ceremony represents both a technological innovation in fan engagement and a testament to Messi’s enduring global legacy, particularly in West Bengal where football culture runs deep.