分类： sports

Bayern Munich’s star striker Harry Kane is set to face his former rivals Arsenal in a highly anticipated Champions League clash, showcasing the best form of his career. The 32-year-old England captain has seamlessly adapted to a deeper role under coach Vincent Kompany, blending his prolific goal-scoring with increased creative and defensive responsibilities. This season, Kane has netted 24 goals in 18 appearances for Bayern and five in five for England, cementing his status as one of Europe’s most versatile forwards.

Kane’s transformation into a more complete player has been pivotal to Bayern’s dominant start to the campaign. The German champions have won 17 of their 18 matches across all competitions, with Kane playing a central role in every game. His ability to drop deep and orchestrate play has unlocked new dimensions in Bayern’s attack, while his defensive contributions have added balance to the team.

Ahead of the Arsenal clash, Kane reflected on his evolution, stating, ‘I know I’m not just a goal-scorer. I can impact the team with passing, one-on-one situations, and taking the pressure off the team. This is the most I’ve enjoyed my football because I’m just involved more.’ His enthusiasm for the game is evident, as he embraces Bayern’s aggressive, fearless style of play.

However, Bayern’s vulnerability to set-pieces could be a concern against Arsenal, who have scored 10 of their 24 Premier League goals this season from dead-ball situations. Kompany acknowledged this weakness, saying, ‘You can’t hide it, everyone saw it. Arsenal’s analysts will see it too. We have to show personality, character, and defend those things.’

Kane’s history with Arsenal adds intrigue to the match. Released by the Gunners as a youth player, he later thrived at Tottenham before joining Bayern in 2023. Despite the personal narrative, Kane downplayed the significance of his past, stating, ‘It’s all part and parcel of the journey of football. That was 20 years ago, a long time ago.’

As Bayern prepare for the challenge, Kane’s form and versatility will be crucial in breaking down Arsenal’s formidable defense, which has yet to concede in the Champions League this season.

In an extraordinary feat of endurance and determination, Dubai-based athlete Ghani Souleymane has successfully completed 100 triathlons in just 100 days, setting a new benchmark in the world of endurance sports. This remarkable achievement not only highlights his physical prowess but also underscores his unyielding mental fortitude and commitment to charitable causes.

The prestigious Clubhouse Trophy at Emirates Golf Club witnessed an exhilarating day of golf as 106 players competed on the iconic Majlis Course. Played under ideal conditions, the Individual Stableford format, with handicaps adjusted to 95% and blue tees in play, set the stage for a fiercely contested event. The competition saw dramatic finishes across multiple divisions, with the overall title decided by the narrowest of margins. Jake Carney emerged victorious with a stellar 41-point performance, edging out Michael Kaye on a back-nine countback. Wayne Bauer secured third place with 39 points, also determined by a countback. The day’s best gross score was achieved by James Yeomans, who carded an impressive 36 points on the championship layout. Divisional honors were equally hard-fought. In the A Division, Aashiv Adnani triumphed with 36 points, narrowly defeating Vidur Sethi on countback. The B Division saw Joseph Andrade claim victory with 39 points, one point ahead of Damien Lee. The event highlighted the competitive spirit, sharp scoring, and depth of talent across all handicap levels, solidifying the Clubhouse Trophy as one of Emirates Golf Club’s most anticipated competitions of the season.

While the PGA Tour enters its offseason hiatus, professional golf maintains relentless momentum across three continents this week. The global circuit transitions seamlessly to Australia, Spain, and Portugal with significant tournaments unfolding on the DP World Tour, Ladies European Tour, and the revitalized MENA Golf Tour.

The 2026 DP World Tour season commences abruptly after a mere one-week break with the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane. Boasting a AUD 2,500,000 purse, the event features a formidable field headlined by major champions and local heroes. Adam Scott, Cam Smith, and 2006 U.S. Open winner Geoff Ogilvy join rising stars like Finland’s recent PGA Tour breakthrough Sami Valimaki. The tournament also marks a critical early opportunity for players like Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard, who secured dual PGA Tour status with a strong finish in Dubai.

Simultaneously, the Ladies European Tour culminates its 2025 season at the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de España in Malaga. With €700,000 on the line, the event will finalize the coveted Order of Merit ranking, determining which top ten players earn direct access to the LPGA Q-Series and which seventy retain their tour cards for the following season.

Concurrently, the MENA Golf Tour launches its 2025-26 campaign with the PGA Aroeira Challenge in Portugal, offering a $100,000 purse. The tour’s relaunch provides a crucial competitive platform, exemplified by two contrasting narratives: the triumphant return of injured three-time DP World Tour winner Chris Wood, who dominated the recent Q-School, and the highly anticipated professional debut of the UAE’s promising amateur, Ahmad Skaik, who begins his pro journey with a sponsor exemption. A second event, the Rolear Algarve Challenge, follows immediately before a winter pause.

This coordinated international action underscores golf’s evolving, year-round calendar, offering continuous playing opportunities and development pathways for established stars and emerging talents alike.

In a commanding display of cricketing prowess, Sri Lanka secured their first win in the T20 tri-series with a resounding nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday. Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka was the star of the match, delivering an explosive unbeaten 98 off just 58 balls. His innings, studded with four sixes and 11 boundaries, propelled Sri Lanka to a comfortable 148-1, chasing down Zimbabwe’s modest total of 146-5 with 22 balls to spare. Nissanka’s aggressive yet calculated approach, particularly against Zimbabwe’s pace attack, set the tone for the match. He was well-supported by Kusal Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 25, as the duo forged an 89-run partnership off 64 balls. Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans conceding 44 and 36 runs respectively. Earlier, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Maheesh Theekshana (2-23) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-23), restricted Zimbabwe’s batting lineup. Sikandar Raza’s 37 off 29 balls and Ryan Burl’s unbeaten 37 off 26 were the only notable contributions for Zimbabwe. With this win, Sri Lanka keeps their hopes alive for a spot in the final, which Pakistan has already secured. Sri Lanka must now defeat Pakistan in their upcoming match to advance, as Zimbabwe holds a superior net run-rate.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the groups and schedule for the upcoming T20 World Cup, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown between archrivals India and Pakistan. The tournament, scheduled from February 7 to March 8, will feature 20 nations divided into four groups of five teams each. Defending champions India, led by newly appointed tournament ambassador Rohit Sharma, will face Pakistan in Colombo on February 15 as part of Group A. The group also includes the United States, Namibia, and the Netherlands. India’s campaign begins in Mumbai on February 7 against the United States, followed by matches against Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. Pakistan, which will play all its matches in Colombo, opens its campaign against the Netherlands on February 7, followed by games against the United States, India, and Namibia. The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, one of three venues in Sri Lanka, will host the marquee India-Pakistan clash. Italy, making its debut in a major cricketing event, is placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Group B features co-host Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman, while Group D includes New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, with semifinals potentially hosted in Mumbai, Colombo, or Kolkata. Ahmedabad is slated to host the final, but if Pakistan qualifies, Colombo will serve as the venue. India’s captain Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20 cricket after leading India to victory in the 2024 edition, expressed his hopes for a memorable tournament, emphasizing India’s hospitality and the players’ experience.