分类： sports

In a significant tactical shift, Liverpool manager Arne Slot made the decisive choice to relegate star forward Mohamed Salah to the bench for the club’s pivotal Premier League clash against West Ham. This move, which contributed to a crucial 2-0 victory, marked the first time since April 2024 that the Egyptian international was omitted from the starting lineup in league play. The decision arrives amidst a dire run of form for the Reds, who have suffered nine defeats across their last twelve matches in all competitions. Slot publicly lauded Salah’s reaction to the demotion, characterizing the prolific scorer as a ‘top professional’ for his disciplined response. Despite winning the Golden Boot last season with 29 goals, Salah’s production has sharply declined this campaign, netting only four times in the Premier League. Slot acknowledged it was a ‘fair assumption’ that the player was displeased, noting such a reaction is normal for a player of his caliber. The manager further emphasized Salah’s critical future role with the club while confirming his imminent departure for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) beginning December 15th. His absence could extend until January 19th if Egypt reaches the final, potentially causing him to miss seven fixtures, including a high-stakes encounter with league leaders Arsenal. Currently sitting eighth in the table and trailing Arsenal by nine points, the defending champions now face the immediate challenge of fixtures against Sunderland and Leeds as they navigate a period of transition without their key attacker.

England’s cricket team is refining specialized bowling strategies to neutralize Australian batsman Travis Head’s explosive form, following his match-winning performance in the Ashes opener in Perth. Fast bowler Brydon Carse confirmed the team has developed specific tactical plans regardless of Head’s batting position in the upcoming day-night Test at Brisbane’s Gabba ground.

Head’s extraordinary second-innings performance saw him score 123 runs from just 69 deliveries while opening in place of injured Usman Khawaja, recording the second-fastest century in Ashes history. His aggressive left-handed batting propelled Australia to an eight-wicket victory within two days, demonstrating remarkable offensive capabilities that England must counter to level the series.

Carse, who claimed five wickets during the Perth defeat, acknowledged Head’s ‘phenomenal knock’ while emphasizing England’s preparedness. ‘We’ve got set plans we’ll look to implement if he opens again,’ Carse stated. ‘He had an incredible day out that afternoon, but our mindset remains unchanged. Whatever batting order we face, we’ll stick to our disciplined approach.’

The England bowling unit faces additional challenges with concerns about Mark Wood’s fitness for the pink-ball Test. Carse emphasized the team’s adaptability to bowling under lights and the settled nature of their bowling group, noting his readiness to adjust to varying match situations. The 30-year-old bowler stressed the importance of role clarity within the bowling unit as England seeks to overcome their initial defeat in the historic rivalry series.

Chelsea FC demonstrated remarkable fortitude during Sunday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal, securing a 1-1 draw despite playing with reduced numbers for over an hour at Emirates Stadium. The London derby witnessed Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo receive a straight red card following a VAR review in the 38th minute for his challenge on Mikel Merino.

Despite this significant disadvantage, Chelsea stunned the home crowd when defender Trevor Chalobah connected with captain Reece James’ precision corner kick, directing a brilliant header into the net just three minutes after halftime. The Blues maintained their defensive discipline until the 59th minute when Merino redeemed himself by meeting Bukayo Saka’s cross with an equalizing header.

Chelsea’s resilience continued throughout the match as they created several scoring opportunities. Pedro Neto consistently threatened down the right flank, while substitute Liam Delap forced a crucial save from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in the 78th minute. Captain James expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their dominant display against the current league leaders.

The result leaves Chelsea positioned third in the Premier League table with 24 points, trailing Arsenal by six points. Chelsea now prepare for their midweek fixture against Leeds United at Elland Road on Wednesday, carrying momentum from their impressive defensive performance against the league’s top side.

Cameroon’s national football team has been plunged into administrative chaos just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, with head coach Marc Brys dramatically dismissed and several key players, including Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, excluded from the squad.

The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), under president Samuel Eto’o, issued a comprehensive statement detailing multiple allegations of professional misconduct against Belgian coach Brys. The accusations include inciting players to defy federation authority, evading press conference obligations, failing to attend crucial meetings, and jeopardizing sponsor relationships. The federation further alleged Brys engaged in “active collaboration with unknown individuals within Fecafoot” and consistently refused to disclose his training programs.

Brys, originally appointed by Cameroon’s sports ministry in April 2024 against Eto’o’s objections, has been replaced by his assistant David Pagou. The experienced Cameroonian coach now faces the formidable task of preparing the squad for AFCON in Morocco, beginning December 21st, amid significant institutional conflict.

Pagou’s 28-man selection reveals notable absences beyond Onana, including team captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and defender Michael Ngadeu. While Anguissa’s exclusion is attributed to a hamstring injury, no official explanations have been provided for the other omissions.

This coaching controversy represents the latest chapter in the ongoing power struggle between Fecafoot and Cameroon’s sports ministry. The conflict dates to Eto’o’s election in December 2021, when he immediately oversaw the dismissal of Toni Concecao despite the coach’s successful third-place finish in the 2021 AFCON. The pattern continued with Rigobert Song’s appointment under presidential instructions and subsequent dismissal after Cameroon’s poor showing at the last AFCON.

The current situation echoes previous tensions between Eto’o and Brys, including the Belgian’s temporary dismissal and reinstatement within a two-day period earlier this year following a heated confrontation with the federation president.

For Onana, this exclusion continues a turbulent relationship with the national team. The goalkeeper, currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor from Manchester United, was previously sent home early from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and lost his starting position during the 2023 AFCON after delaying his tournament arrival to play an extra club match.

Cameroon now faces a challenging Group F against defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon featuring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Mozambique. Local analysts express concern about the team’s preparation, with Cameroonian football expert Njie Enow noting the practical difficulties of implementing a new playing system weeks before a major tournament.

The sports ministry, which funds the head coach position, has remained silent regarding Brys’ dismissal, leaving unresolved whether it will acquiesce to Fecafoot’s decision as the tournament approaches.

In a landmark development for professional cycling, Eritrean champion Biniam Girmay has embarked on a new chapter with NSN Cycling, the recently rebranded team co-owned by Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta. The three-year agreement marks a significant transition for Girmay, who departs from Belgian outfit Intermarche-Wanty Gobert after achieving unprecedented success.

Girmay’s cycling credentials are extraordinary, having made history as the first black African to claim the Tour de France’s prestigious green points jersey in 2024. His palmarès also includes stage victories at both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, complemented by a triumph at the challenging cobbled classic Gent-Wevelgem in 2022.

The 25-year-old phenom brings exceptional talent to his new team, particularly excelling in one-day races and Grand Tour stages featuring rolling terrain and sprint finishes. His remarkable pedal power and tactical intelligence have established him among the peloton’s most formidable competitors.

“I’m genuinely excited to join NSN Cycling and embrace this fresh atmosphere and new beginning,” Girmay stated. “Examining the team’s sprint capabilities, they’ve consistently demonstrated impressive strength. I eagerly anticipate our collaboration.”

NSN Cycling represents the transformation of the former Israel-Premier Tech team, which faced substantial controversy during the previous season. The team encountered protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict during September’s Vuelta a España, culminating in the cancellation of the final Madrid stage amid chaotic scenes involving rider interventions.

The organizational overhaul saw co-owner Andres Iniesta’s Never Say Never entertainment company assume full financial control after previous sponsors Premier Tech and Factor withdrew support. The team has now been officially registered in Switzerland with Spanish operational structures.

Girmay’s transition reportedly involves a substantial salary increase, potentially doubling his previous seven-figure euro compensation from Intermarche-Wanty Gobert. Beyond financial considerations, the Eritrean champion emphasized the team’s commitment to developing African cycling through community initiatives, including a cycling track project in Rwanda.

“In Eritrea, cycling represents our cultural identity – it flows through our veins,” Girmay explained. “As an African competitor, I’m dedicated to advancing African cycling development. This organization has already accomplished remarkable work, and we need stakeholders who can provide opportunities, facilitate European access for riders, and deliver essential infrastructure.”

The restructured team retains considerable sprinting talent, including British riders Ethan Vernon and Jake Stewart, potentially creating one of the peloton’s most formidable lead-out trains for Girmay’s finishing capabilities.