LONDON, Oct 27 — Luis de la Fuente won the Ballon d’Or for men’s coach of the year on Monday after leading Spain to World Cup glory.

“Teamwork makes us invincible. This is a great honour,” de la Fuente said after collecting the award at a ceremony in London.

“The secret is to work with very generous players that put the team first. We’ve got such an amazing pool of talent, the best in the world, so as a coach I have such a great amount of talent to work with. So this is their success,” he added.

In an age of coaches who were previously star players, 65-year-old de la Fuente stands out as a technician who worked his way up through the national coaching ranks in Spain.

After a solid career as a player led to an undistinguished stint in club coaching, he was flicking through the sports pages in 2013 when he saw an advert placed by the Spanish Football Federation for a youth team coach.

He applied, got the job with Spain’s Under-19s, and 13 years later some of the players from that squad were part of the teams he has led to victory in the Nations League, Euro 2024 and then the World Cup.

De la Fuente insisted from the start in the United States this summer that he had the strongest squad in the tournament, even when they stumbled to a goalless draw against World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match.

They built momentum with each match and dispatched one of the pre-tournament favourites, France, in a clinical 2-0 win in the semi-final.

In a tight final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in New Jersey, de la Fuente’s men kept their cool in the face of muscular tactics from the opposition and Ferran Torres smashed in the winning goal for a 1-0 victory.

“This is recognition for a job very well done over many years,” de la Fuente told AFP.

“I believe Spanish football, both in terms of coaching and the game itself, serves as an example of excellent youth development, which ultimately paves the way for future success.”

The women’s coaching award also went to a Spaniard as Barcelona’s Pere Romeu was rewarded for masterminding a season in which they won the Spanish league, Spanish cup, Super Cup and Champions League. — AFP 

PARIS, Oct 27 — Mika Godts scored his first Paris Saint-Germain goal as the reigning European champions put aside a raft of injuries to key players to go top of Ligue 1 with a 2-0 win at home to Lyon on Monday.

Godts, the Belgian international signed from Ajax, came off the bench and set up Senny Mayulu for the 72nd-minute strike which broke the deadlock at the Parc des Princes.

He then sealed the win late on as PSG made it eight straight victories in all competitions and moved into first place in the table, one point ahead of Rennes.

“Mika is an ambitious player with a lot of quality, and he is only 21,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique.

“We have full confidence in him and we signed him because we want him to be here for many years.”

The game was initially due to be played on Sunday before being postponed by 24 hours following a request by Paris police who wanted to divert resources amid a wave of violent protests in the French capital.

That meant a clash with the Ballon d’Or ceremony happening at the same time in London, in which 10 PSG players were among the 30 nominees for the most prestigious individual award in football.

Among the nominees were last year’s laureate Ousmane Dembele and Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, perhaps the team’s standout performer during their run to a second straight Champions League title last season.

Dembele and Kvaratskhelia were both unavailable for this game anyway due to injuries picked up in last week’s 4-2 win over Barcelona, with the latter facing months on the sidelines after tearing his ACL.

“I would like to dedicate this win to ‘Kvara’,” said Luis Enrique. “We are very proud of him. We remain motivated as a team to keep winning but this victory is for him.”

A year ago Dembele picked up his Ballon d’Or award at a theatre in Paris while PSG were losing 1-0 in Marseille in a game postponed by 24 hours because of stormy weather.

Ominous 

This time PSG — with Nuno Mendes and captain Marquinhos also injured — maintained their focus to claim a fifth successive Ligue 1 victory, although it took them some time before they translated their dominance into a goal.

Godts, who replaced Joao Neves just before the hour mark, fed Mayulu on the edge of the box and the 20-year-old scored his first of the season with a fierce drive into the bottom corner.

Lyon had come close twice in the first half, with Julien Duranville and Zachary Athekame forcing good saves from Matvey Safonov.

They could have gone top themselves with a win, but PSG made sure of the three points as Quentin Ndjantou released Godts in the 84th minute and he picked his spot beautifully.

“They deserve it because they deserve to play more often, but it is difficult in this team,” Luis Enrique added when asked about the impact of his substitutes.

PSG failed to win any of their first three games in Ligue 1 this season, so the fact they find themselves clear at the top already is ominous for the rest of French football.

“It is still just the start of the season,” Luis Enrique insisted.

“We have only played three Champions League games and don’t forget that last season we won our first three Champions League games and didn’t finish in the top eight.

“The season is very long but we have shown we are a very reliable and resilient team that always wants to win.

“Now is not the time to be at 100 per cent, but we will try to find our rhythm going into the key part of the season, which will be around April.” — AFP 

RIYADH, Oct 27 — The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 announced on Monday the completion of the tournament’s match schedule, confirming kickoff times and venues for all matches, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The competition will take place in the kingdom from January 7 to February 5, 2027.

Saudi Arabia will host the AFC Asian Cup finals for the first time in the tournament’s 19th edition, featuring 24 national teams competing in 51 matches across eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar.

The tournament will kick off on January 7, with Saudi Arabia facing Palestine at 8pm at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, which has a capacity of approximately 72,000 spectators.

The group stage will continue through January 20, with the Round of 16 beginning on January 22. The quarterfinals will be played on January 28 and 29, followed by the semifinals on February 1 and 2.

The tournament will conclude on February 5 with the final, scheduled for 8 pm at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, where the champion of the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup will be crowned. — Bernama-SPA 

LONDON, Oct 27 — Harry Kane is targeting Champions League glory for Bayern Munich and ending England’s wait for a major international tournament after lifting the Ballon d’Or in the highlight of his career to date on Monday.

In his native London, Kane became the first English winner of the award in 25 years as he beat off competition from Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to be crowned the world’s best player.

The 33-year-old was rewarded for a remarkable 73 goals in 65 games for club and country last season as he propelled Bayern to a league and cup double.

“I’d say a dream come true but it’s beyond my wildest dreams, so just incredible,” said the England captain.

“I think it’s massive for England, for our country. Being here in London was a good omen for me and it’s been too long. To put us back on the map and put us here with this trophy, I’m extremely proud.”

Kane is England and Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer but his haul of collective trophies is limited to domestic German honours since he joined Bayern in 2023.

Bayern bowed out to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals last season.

And after losing two finals of the European Championship in 2021 and 2024, Kane suffered more heartbreak with England in a defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals.

But at the age of 33 he believes he can still win some of the biggest prizes in football.

“I still have a lot to achieve in this game. The Champions League, at club level, and to win a major trophy with England is the number one priority for sure,” he added. “There’s so many great things I want to achieve.”

Unlike Spain’s Yamal and France captain Mbappe, who both won the World Cup as teenagers, Kane did not appear destined for greatness.

He was farmed out on loan by Tottenham four times to the lower leagues before breaking into the first team, but he said memories of those times drive him to succeed at the top level for as long as possible.

“I had to go through many ups and downs, especially early in my career, when you’re learning about yourself, both as a professional and in life,” he said.

“I found ways to improve and get the edge on maybe other players who had more ability than me.

“From that moment I think it helped shape me as a professional because I never take it for granted. I know there’s always someone like me, someone younger, trying to take my spot, whether it’s with the England team or the Bayern team.” — AFP 

LONDON, Oct 27 — Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph is the crowning moment for a player whose trophy collection does not do justice to his remarkable talent and consistency.

The Bayern Munich striker, 33, is the first Englishman to win football’s most coveted individual honour since Michael Owen in 2001.

Kane’s numbers are staggering and the England captain appears to be improving with age, with 73 goals for club and country last season.

In September he became the fastest player to reach 100 Bundesliga goals, hitting the landmark on his 98th league appearance for Bayern.

He is also Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer with 280 goals, England’s record scorer with 91, and the highest-scoring English player in the Champions League (58).

But for all his personal achievements in club and international football, Kane’s medal collection is limited to German domestic triumphs since he arrived at Bayern in 2023.

He was on the losing side for Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool and was in England teams that twice lost the European Championship final.

Kane’s lethal finishing is not the only string to his bow.

Honing an instinct he first developed as a youth team player, Kane has also blossomed into a gifted playmaker.

“I feel like I’ve always had the passing range and the vision and the football brain — the game understanding — throughout my whole career, and I think that’s just flourished these last couple of years especially, these last few years since I’ve been here at Bayern,” he told Uefa.com.

Ageing like fine wine 

The clean-cut Kane, married to his childhood sweetheart Katie Goodland, is an understated throwback in an era of football bling.

But it has not always been plain sailing for a player who struggled to make an impression early in his career with Tottenham and was farmed out to other clubs on loan.

There were almost two years between Kane’s first Spurs goal, against Shamrock Rovers in 2011, and his next, against Hull in 2013.

Even after his breakthrough season in 2014/15, he was dubbed a “one-season wonder”, an accusation that has proved laughably wide of the mark.

Bayern boss Vincent Kompany has spoken of Kane’s numerous qualities, including his distribution, work rate and “game intelligence”.

“To combine that side of his game with the numbers he has, you have to do the job to help the team progress and then still arrive in the box, so it is not an easy thing,” Kompany said.

“That is something we have seen and been able to enjoy, and that was maybe underestimated at the time in England, but he is ageing like fine wine so I am just enjoying seeing that side of his game for us as well.”

Bayern teammate Jonathan Tah praised Kane’s remarkable work ethic after seeing it up close.

“I played against him a lot and every time he got better — now I’m playing with him I see why,” he told the Times.

“He’s never satisfied, you see him working before and after training. He’s the greatest finisher I’ve seen in my life — and he’s still working on it.” — AFP 

BEIJING, Oct 27 — Kylian Mbappe was dropped Tuesday by two major brands in China after a video circulated online in which the French football star apparently joked about former leader Mao Zedong.

“Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments,” drinks giant Dongpeng said in a statement, adding that “with immediate effect we are terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe”.

Mengniu, China’s largest dairy producer, also cut ties with the Real Madrid and France forward.

“With immediate effect our company is terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe,” Mengniu said in a statement.

“Mengniu firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people,” it added.

The announcements came after a video emerged online with Mbappe saying that the funniest internet meme he had seen was of his face photoshopped onto that of “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator”.

This was an apparent reference to a meme of Mbappe superimposed on an image of Mao, one of several using the footballer’s face and other historical figures.

The authenticity of the video could not immediately be verified by AFP Fact Check.

“Dongpeng Beverage ends cooperation with Mbappe” was the top-trending topic on Chinese social media site Weibo.

The 27-year-old Mbappe lost out to Harry Kane for the Ballon d’Or on Monday. — AFP

LOS ANGELES, Oct 27 — Rafael Nadal will return to hardcourt competition for the first time since his retirement in November 2024 in a one-night Las Vegas exhibition event next February, organisers announced on Monday.

The 40-year-old Spanish left-hander who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles will compete in “The MGM Slam” on February 28, 2027, at T-Mobile Arena.

Other players and a format for the event will be disclosed later.

Nadal, winner of a record 14 French Open singles titles, makes a hardcourt return in Vegas after playing in an exhibition event at his academy in Spain earlier this month.

Nadal played a 2024 match in Las Vegas against countryman Carlos Alcaraz.

“I remember how impressive it was to feel the energy of a full arena in a city like Las Vegas,” Nadal said.

“Now I return in a different stage of my life, without the pressure of the tour but with the same passion for this sport. I have always loved competing, and even if my professional career is finished, that feeling never really goes away.”

Earlier this year, eight ATP Tour stars played in a Vegas event where players competed in a 10-point tie-breaker format — with Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca winning the title. — AFP  

LONDON, Oct 27 — Harry Kane became England’s first Ballon d’Or winner in 25 years in his native city of London on Monday, beating Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.

Alexia Putellas claimed the women’s prize for a third time to extend Spain’s domination of the award, thanks to her role in leading Barcelona to last season’s Champions League before moving to London City Lionesses.

The first ever Ballon d’Or ceremony on English soil got off to an inauspicious start as the London traffic caused a delay of nearly an hour, with many of the star names arriving late.

But there was a happy ending for the hometown hero as Kane collected the crowning glory of his career to date, becoming the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

The 33-year-old Bayern Munich forward struck a remarkable 73 goals in 65 games for club and country last season, propelling the German giants to a league and cup double.

He also scored six times as England finished third at the World Cup.

“I love to represent my country and to bring this trophy back to them and have an English winner I think is something that’s really, really special, especially here in London,” Kane told AFP. “What a crazy night and I’m really, really happy.”

Despite being England and Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer, Kane’s medal collection is limited to German domestic triumphs.

He was on the losing side for Spurs in the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool and twice tasted bitter defeat in the final of the European Championship with England.

But joining Bayern in 2023 and his remarkable goalscoring consistency have earned him the highest individual award in football.

“Making the move to Bayern Munich was a big step in my career,” Kane told AFP earlier. “Some people saw it as a risk but for me it was always about improving and seeing if I could get better around the team-mates, the team, the club and it has pushed me onto another level.

“Being a number nine for Bayern and England you are expected to score goals and to do that the number of times I did last year is something I’m really proud of,” he added.

Putellas back on top 

The winner in 2021 and 2022, Putellas’s third Ballon d’Or caps her return to the top of the women’s game after an anterior cruciate ligament injury derailed her rise four years ago.

Putellas succeeds Spain team-mate Aitana Bonmati, the winner the past three years whose season was quashed by a leg break.

“This is a consequence of all that we achieved last season,” said Putellas.

“I am really grateful for having been (at Barcelona) 14 seasons as a player, it is something incredible. It was like a perfect story.”

Yamal made the boldest fashion statement of the contenders with a pink flower on the front of his black suit.

The Barcelona winger scooped up the first award of the night for young talent of the year for the third consecutive time.

But the 19-year-old fell short of becoming the youngest ever Ballon d’Or winner, finishing third, after he failed to produce his best form during Spain’s World Cup success.

Mbappe finished second but his wait to win the Ballon d’Or goes on despite being the top scorer in the World Cup, Champions League and La Liga as his goals did not lead to collective triumphs for France or Real Madrid.

Luis de la Fuente beat out Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to be named men’s coach of the year after leading Spain to World Cup glory.

“This is recognition for a job very well done over many years,” De la Fuente told AFP. “I believe Spanish football, both in terms of coaching and the game itself, serves as an example of excellent youth development, which ultimately paves the way for future success.”

Barcelona’s Pere Romeu scooped the prize for women’s coach of the year.

Paris Saint-Germain missed out on any of the main individual awards despite winning a second consecutive Champions League, but did have the consolation of men’s club of the year.

Spanish duo Unai Simon and Cata Coll were named best men’s and women’s goalkeeper. — AFP 

DAKAR, Oct 26 — Signs across the Senegalese capital proclaim 'Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates' ahead of the Youth Olympic Games, which will mark the continent’s first time to hold an Olympic event when they kick off on Saturday.

Over the course of two weeks some 2,700 athletes aged 17 or younger are expected to compete across 25 sports, including Russians who are returning to the Games following a ban.

Events ranging from athletics to beach wrestling, rugby sevens to breaking will be held across eight venues in three locations.

Dakar, the nearby suburb of Diamniadio and the beach town of Saly, 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the capital, will all host events.

In total, 136 Senegalese athletes will participate.

The fourth edition of the YOG opens with Senegal mired in debt amid a severe economic crisis.

While a sense of excitement is beginning to stir in the capital, the Youth Olympics have struggled to stoke wild enthusiasm across Senegal, where many are more concerned with the high cost of living, unemployment and economic hardship.

Senegalese authorities, who have overseen extensive infrastructure projects, view their efforts as an investment in the future as well as an occasion for training and long-term skill development.

They also hope the event will highlight Dakar as a major African destination.

Upon welcoming the Youth Olympic flame to Dakar on September 12, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye told the country that “all of Africa’s youth is watching (you) with confidence and pride”.

He said he wanted those who attended “to take away from the experience that Africa’s youth is brimming with energy, that they are standing tall and determined, and that they are proud”.

The flame then travelled 3,600 kilometres (2,200 miles), touring all 14 regions of Senegal.

Return of Russian athletes 

The Games will mark the return of Russians to Olympic competition under their own colours following a ban.

In July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) effectively lifted the Russian Olympic Committee’s (ROC) suspension.

According to the ROC, 13 Russian athletes will participate and 10 coaches will accompany them to Senegal.

During a meeting in Moscow a week ago, Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, who also heads the ROC, told the young athletes that “after your victories—and I’m sure there will be some—the Russian anthem will be played and the Russian flag will be raised”.

Cyclist Angelina Novolodskaya shared her excitement with AFP.

“When I was told that there would be Youth Olympic Games and that I could go, it was just ‘Wow’. It’s so cool and extraordinary”, she said.

However, it is up to each sport’s international federation whether to authorise the Russian athletes’ participation.

The international athletics governing body, World Athletics, is maintaining a ban, while the judo and swimming federations have allowed the Russians’ return with their flag and national anthem.

The Dakar Youth Games will also welcome a refugee Olympic team, composed primarily of athletes based in Africa.

Milestone 

The IOC has called the Dakar YOG an important milestone for the continent and an opportunity to showcase Senegal’s cultural richness and Africa’s growing role within the Olympics.

That said, Senegal has recently doubled its maximum penalty for same-sex relations, amid a wave of homophobia in the conservative, predominantly Muslim nation.

As the Games approached, Human Rights Watch called on Senegalese authorities to halt what it said was a “brutal crackdown” on LGBTQ people.

“The Olympic Charter prohibits discrimination on any grounds and commits host countries to respect human rights and human dignity”, it said.

South Africa could potentially become the first African nation to host the Olympic Games, having already paved the way by hosting the men’s FIFA World Cup in 2010. The country is officially in the running for the 2036 Summer Olympics. — AFP

MANCHESTER, Oct 26 — Winless in eight games and hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone, struggling Manchester United are facing the prospect of yet another managerial change, with Michael Carrick likely to pay the price.

The former United midfielder was warmly applauded by fans as he made his way down the tunnel after his team’s chastening 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Moments later a chorus of boos erupted as the players left the pitch — with fans clear in their minds where the blame lies for United’s current malaise.

Carrick was handed a two-year deal in May after inspiring an impressive revival following the team’s struggles under Ruben Amorim — United secured third place in the Premier League and a return to the Champions League.

But a drastic decline this season is an all-too-familiar story for United supporters, who last witnessed a Premier League title triumph 13 years ago under Alex Ferguson.

An emotional Carrick denied his lap of the pitch at full-time on Sunday was a goodbye as he struggles to come to terms with his team’s precipitous decline.

“I definitely knew that we hadn’t cracked it and there was a lot of work to be done, but that doesn’t mean to say that it should have gone this way,” he said.

Carrick, 45, is clinging on but his position appears increasingly precarious, with former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann apparently in the frame for the job.

The United boss, who won multiple titles in the club’s golden era under Ferguson, was the seventh permanent appointment since the Scot retired.

David Moyes was proven in the Premier League, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho had stellar records and Erik ten Hag and Amorim were seen as rising stars of coaching.

Sentimental choice 

Carrick is in the same category as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was in charge for three years from 2018 — a sentimental choice as a former player who played a major role in the club’s glory years under Ferguson.

“The Manchester United fans are singing the Michael Carrick song because I think they know what’s going to happen here. They’ve seen this before. He’s one of their own and he’s popular,” former United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports.

“But the owners, the sporting department and the players are not popular and they’ve badly let this football club down.”

The problems at the club, as Neville points out, go far beyond the dugout.

Despite fierce, ongoing protests from fans, the US-based Glazer family still hold a majority stake in the club Malcolm Glazer bought via a leveraged takeover in 2005, saddling United with huge debts.

Any hopes that the arrival of British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe as a minority owner in 2024 would signal a new dawn have been dashed.

Ratcliffe has overseen cost-cutting measures including widespread redundancies and ticket hikes but the club’s debt has still soared above £1.1 billion (RM6 billion).

United, who for years bullied their rivals in the transfer market, lost out on the biggest names as they targeted a summer midfield rebuild, with Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes all choosing other clubs.

United instead recruited Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos — none of whom have made a strong impression — for combined fees of about £150 million.

Significant rifts have emerged in recent weeks.

Lisandro Martinez criticised director of football Jason Wilcox for not doing more to strengthen Carrick’s squad.

Last week captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned Carrick’s tactics in a 4-1 humbling by Champions League debutants Como.

Carrick is expected to take the blame, but the route back to the top for one of the world’s biggest clubs appears tougher than ever.

“It can’t just be the manager again. There has got to be consequences above that. You can’t keep letting the people pick the manager who keep getting it wrong,” said Neville.

“It’s years now without a Premier League title. That will be another five or 10 before you know it because there are other clubs set up for success and Manchester United aren’t.” — AFP 

LONDON, Oct 26 — Harry Kane is favourite to become England’s first Ballon d’Or winner in 25 years when the award is presented in London on Monday, but he faces stiff competition from La Liga pair Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.

Alexia Putellas is the clear frontrunner to win the women’s prize for a third time, with Aitana Bonmati’s three-year reign set to come to an end after an injury-hit spell.

The ceremony to decide the world’s best male and female footballers is being held in London for the first time — 70 years after England winger Stanley Matthews was presented with the inaugural award.

Bayern Munich and England forward Kane struck a remarkable 73 goals in 65 games for club and country last season, propelling the German giants to a league and cup double.

But semi-final exits in both the Champions League and at the World Cup in the United States mean a triumph for Kane at the London Palladium is far from certain.

“I’d love to be able to achieve something like that. It would be a massive milestone in my career,” said the 33-year-old former Tottenham forward.

“I think my wife would prefer to know and my family... it’s very stressful for everyone,” added the England captain.

Only four players from England have won the Ballon d’Or. Michael Owen was the last to triumph in 2001, following in the footsteps of Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany praised Kane’s focus on his team, saying: “What made Harry happy the most in recent years is that he finally won his first team trophies here.

“Now if he can crown his career or his season with the Ballon d’Or, that would be deserved for the way he plays for the team.”

‘I deserve it’ 

Yamal finished second to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele last year and the 19-year-old Barcelona superstar seems destined to be a Ballon d’Or winner one day.

However, a hamstring injury ended his club season early and he failed to show his most irresistable form during Spain’s World Cup triumph, which was built on impressive teamwork.

But that has not diminished his confidence ahead of the ceremony.

“For me, Mbappe and me, we’re the two best players in the world,” Yamal said last month.

“I honestly think that, as the best in the world, maybe there are two of us, and this year I would deserve it because of what I’ve won.”

Mbappe, by contrast, boasts plenty of personal milestones without medals for either Real Madrid or France.

The 27-year-old was top goalscorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup without winning any of those trophies.

His 10 World Cup goals in North America made him the top goalscorer in the competition’s history, on 22.

“Being the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, overtaking all the great legends in the history of the sport in the most important tournament there is, is something that really stands out,” said Mbappe.

“Who am I voting for? Myself.”

The Ballon d’Or was established by the magazine France Football, with the first award given to Matthews in 1956.

One football journalist from each of the 100 top nations in Fifa’s rankings is invited to cast votes for their top 10 players from a 30-man shortlist.

Although the award carries no cash prize, it can generate huge bonuses from clubs and commercial partners as well as increasing a player’s overall market value.

Putellas, winner of the women’s award in 2021 and 2022, was a member of the Barcelona side that regained the Champions League last season before moving to London City Lionesses.

Her former Barcelona team-mate, Poland’s Ewa Pajor, is Putellas’s main challenger after scoring 11 Champions League goals in Barca’s latest triumph. — AFP 

AUSTIN, Oct 26 — Max Verstappen admitted he had the wrong tyre strategy and lacked pace as he hung on to claim third place for Red Bull in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion, who started from second on the grid, opened the race with two stints on soft tyres that left him with a lot of work to do as he was stuck with a two-stop strategy.

Runaway world championship leader Kimi Antonelli won convincingly for Mercedes ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and now needs only two points in Mexico next weekend to become F1’s youngest champion.

Verstappen had hoped to compete with the 20-year-old Italian but was ultimately unable to match his overall speed and performance.

“I think our overall pace was not good enough and probably the tyres that we had available were not the right ones,” he said.

“It’s something that we have to understand because I think in the last few races it was always working well for us.

“For whatever reason it didn’t work out here. And this choice of tyres also meant everyone knew we had to be on a two-stop race. We still managed to get on the podium, maybe a little bit luckily with the VSC (Virtual Safety Car) at the end, but I’ll take it.”

After two consecutive wins at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and the Singapore Grand Prix it was a disappointment for Verstappen but it extended his strong run of results in the second half of the season.

It also meant the end of his slim hopes of fifth world championship title. — AFP

BARCELONA, Oct 26 — Kylian Mbappe said reaching a milestone 100 goals for Real Madrid during the 2-1 Clasico win over Barcelona in La Liga yesterday was “just a detail” compared to the team’s victory.

The French forward hit a brace to bring up his century for Los Blancos across all competitions since joining in 2024.

Mbappe’s double, either side of a Raphinha strike for the hosts at Camp Nou, brought third-place Real Madrid within three points of the La Liga leaders and reigning Spanish champions.

“I’m very happy, I think everyone knows I like to score goals, I like to help the team with that, but I think today it’s just a detail, because… the most important thing is the team’s win,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.

“Honestly, the real star of the game today is the team, the group, because we knew we had to play a big game, a team game…

“We know that in the end it was a great game, but it still only counts as three points, and we need to pick up a lot of points to win La Liga.”

Jose Mourinho’s Madrid have now won five matches in a row and seem to be coming into strong form.

“It doesn’t mean anything, we have to continue, because five games for us is nothing, we want to win every game,” added Mbappe, 27.

“(Winning) is a good message today, but we can’t think the season is done — next week (at Racing) Santander we have to put in the same intensity.” — AFP

AUSTIN, Oct 26 — Kimi Antonelli said his mindset will not change as he heads to next week’s race in Mexico seeking the two points he needs to become Formula One’s youngest world champion.

The 20-year-old Italian delivered a well-executed and dominant drive to claim his ninth victory this year for Mercedes in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix and move within reach of the title.

Antonelli is on the brink of smashing the previous record for youngest champion, held by Sebastian Vettel who was 23 years and 133 days old when he won his first title in 2010

He is also set to become the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

“The best way, the perfect way, would be to finish off in style and then just enjoy the rest of the season,” he said.

“I’m very aware that it’s very close but the mindset doesn’t change.

“I want to finish the season on a high in order to then go with high hopes into 2027. But we’ll first focus and worry about finishing this well, and then we’ll see.”

After yesterday’s triumph at the Circuit of the Americas he leads with 365 points ahead of nearest rival and team-mate George Russell on 242 and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari on 241.

He will be champion if he finishes in the top nine or, if he doesn’t score, Russell or Hamilton fail to win.

But on current form, after winning again for the first time in four races, he looks certain to take the title in his own happy, generous and infectious style.

“That was the perfect way to end the weekend,” he said.

“It was an incredible team effort, especially from strategy, to believe in me and go for one stop because I wasn’t sure whether one or two stop was the quickest.

“But I’m really happy that we made it stick. Today was a really important victory for me and for the team, especially after having a couple of difficult races, so being back on top feels very good.”

Antonelli’s ability on the track and infectious attitude off it have landed him numerous admirers around the paddock, including 1996 world champion Damon Hill.

“The team love him, he’s enjoying everything he’s got in F1 and he’s very grateful for all the breaks they’ve given him at Mercedes,” Hill said on the BBC.

“But he delivers. He’s such a nice kid. It’s incredible. Twenty years old and he’s on the verge of winning his first championship, which I’m sure will be the first of many.”

‘Rubbish’ 

Russell needed to finish in the top eight to remain notionally in the title race and he did indeed finish eighth after taking an early five-second penalty.

“My pace was just rubbish today. That’s the long and short of it,” he said.

“Of course, the five seconds didn’t help things and probably cost me two or three positions, but nevertheless, the pace was not good enough when it needed to be.”

Hamilton is the only other driver who still has a mathematical chance of catching Antonelli but the seven-time champion was left to rue missed opportunities in Sunday’s race.

“I felt the race was lost in my first two stints,” said Hamilton. “I lost so much time. I couldn’t turn the car in the lower speed corners particularly.

“I was adjusting my settings and by the last stint I was closer to the right balance.

“I think I’ve lost a lot of points in the last five races or so and I think it’s really come from set-up or just not perfecting the set-up. It’s something I’ve really got to get on top of.” — AFP

RAVENNA, Oct 26 — Brazil legend Ronaldinho will make his playing return aged 46 next month for Ravenna, the third-division Italian club announced on Saturday.

The 2002 World Cup winner’s move to Ravenna was announced in June.

He is aiming to score his 300th career goal.

The former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker retired in 2015, 10 years on from claiming the Ballon d’Or and has become a shareholder in Ravenna, situated between Venice and San Marino.

“The wait now has a date: Sunday, November 15,” Ravenna said in a statement.

“The Brazilian legend will wear the Ravenna FC shirt in the derby against Forli.

“An event that will turn the eyes of the world toward the Bruno Benelli Stadium.”

Ravenna are second in Group B of the Italian third tier, six points below leaders Spezia and are aiming for a return to Serie B for the first time since 2008. — AFP

NINGBO (China), Oct 25 — World number one Elena Rybakina won her fourth title of an outstanding season with a ruthless straight-sets victory over Leylah Fernandez in the Ningbo Open final on Sunday.

The top seed and defending champion cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win over the world number 30 from Canada.

Rybakina, the Australian and US Open champion, collected her 15th WTA crown in all and went a long way towards securing the year-end number-one ranking.

Rybakina broke and then held her own serve with a delicious two-handed crosscourt backhand for a 4-2 lead in the opening set.

The Moscow-born Kazakh immediately put Fernandez under pressure again on the Canadian’s serve and it was soon 5-2 to the reigning champion when her opponent fired into the net.

The 27-year-old Rybakina, who missed this month’s Wuhan Open with a foot injury, began to turn the screw and sealed the set to love in under 40 minutes.

Fernandez, who was looking to win her second title in as many months, was broken once more as a clinical Rybakina grabbed a 2-1 second-set lead.

Rybakina saw off two break points in the fourth game to hold, and with that, Fernandez’s resistance was broken.

Rybakina was within sight of retaining her trophy after breaking once more for 5-2, then sealed the deal on her first championship point with a searing forehand. — AFP

TOKYO, Oct 25 — Japanese athlete Masatora Kawano set a men’s marathon race walk world record at the All Japan Race Walking meeting in Yamagata Prefecture on Sunday, finishing the 42.195-kilometre course in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 14 seconds, Kyodo News reported.

World Athletics approved the marathon race walk, contested over the traditional marathon distance, as the replacement for the 35-km race walk at major championships in December 2024.

It officially introduced the new event in January this year and set 2:56:30 as the performance standard required for the inaugural men’s world record, with Kawano the first to break that barrier.

The meet in the town of Takahata served as a qualifier for the World Athletics Championships in Beijing next September.

Australia’s Rebecca Henderson also set a world record in winning the women’s race with a time of 3:14:52.

Kawano, 28, is a two-time world championships medalist and former world record holder in the 35-km event.

He finished sixth in the men’s 50-km race at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. — Bernama-Kyodo

TOKYO, Oct 25 — Former world number one Naomi Osaka cast doubt on her future Sunday saying she would consider quitting tennis if her three-year-old daughter asked her to.

The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan took 15 months away from the sport after the birth of her daughter Shai, before returning in 2023.

She is in Tokyo to play at the Pan Pacific Open this week and said becoming a mother had reshaped her priorities.

“I wouldn’t say I’m part-timing it but my entire day doesn’t consist of that,” said the 29-year-old, now ranked 19 in the world.

“It’s tough, sometimes I look towards my future and I often wonder how long I’m going to play.

“Because if my daughter did say she didn’t want me to travel as much, I’m not the type of person to ignore that.”

Osaka also stepped away from tennis in 2021 to prioritise her mental health.

She said her “mindset is changing a lot” with age.

“My daughter is my biggest priority,” she said.

“I try my best to put as much energy as I can into tennis.

“If I think about it in certain ways, I’m really proud of where I am now because it’s not like I can dedicate my entire time to the sport.”

Online abuse

Osaka said juggling her duties as a player and a mother was something she was “figuring out little by little”.

She also offered support to the American Coco Gauff, who said she had received an “insane” amount of racist abuse on the internet at this month’s China Open.

World number five Gauff, who is Black, said the experience had been “kind of draining”.

Osaka, whose mother is Japanese and father from Haiti, said “nobody should have to go through that”.

“It’s sad but I’m used to it on my end,” she said.

“I feel like for me, I’ve dealt with that my entire career through decisions that I make that seem to make some people upset. It’s tough.”

Osaka said efforts made by women’s tennis governing body the WTA to combat social media abuse did not “ever seem to fully work all the way”.

“I know that some people are like, OK, if it bothers you that much, stay off social media,” said Osaka.

“But sometimes that’s the best way to connect with your fans.

“From my end, what I do about it is I don’t really go on social media at all.”

Osaka is seeded seven in Tokyo and plays Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the first round.

World number one Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala are also competing.

Osaka said she was “not far off” refinding her best form and was “optimistic for next year”. — AFP

PHILLIP ISLAND, Oct 25 — Marc Marquez was denied the chance Sunday to stretch his world championship lead over injured Jorge Martin with the last Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island cancelled due to treacherous conditions.

Organisers pulled the plug despite a sell-out crowd with persistent rain and poor visibility making racing unsafe. The Moto3 and Moto2 races were also called off.

“Limited visibility has resulted in the cancellation of the Australian MotoGP,” organisers said.

It was an inglorious end to nearly three decades of the sport at the waterfront circuit two hours from Melbourne, with the Australian race moving to a city-centre street circuit at Adelaide next year.

While a blow for Ducati’s Marquez, it was an escape for Aprilia’s Martin, who had been ruled out of the race with a fractured forearm sustained when he crashed during the sprint on Saturday, won by his fellow Spaniard.

He risked sliding further behind seven-time world champion Marquez with only four legs of the season to go, starting next week in Malaysia.

Instead he will leave Australia just 10 points adrift.

Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi is third in the standings, 50 points behind Marquez.

Whether Martin can ride at Sepang remains to be seen.

His team said in a statement the break was not as bad as initially thought and he would not need to return home to Spain for surgery.

“The only confirmed injury is a non-displaced fracture of the distal radius,” Aprilia said, meaning the bone remains aligned.

“Consequently the rider will not be returning to Spain and will undergo the necessary treatment over the coming days.”

The picturesque and often windswept Phillip Island track has been a staple on the calendar since 1997.

But its contract expires this year.

Promoter MotoGP Sports Entertainment wanted to broaden its appeal and shift it to Melbourne’s Albert Park, which hosts the Australian Formula One.

The Victoria state government was adamant it should remain at Phillip Island.

With negotiations breaking down, South Australia stepped in and secured the race for six years from 2027 in Adelaide – the first MotoGP to be held in a city?centre location. — AFP

LONDON, Oct 25 — Roberto De Zerbi said Tottenham’s historic 2-0 victory against London rivals Chelsea proved his side have a winning mentality as they banished their dismal start to the season.

Tottenham won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League for just the second time in 36 years and the first since 2018.

Trips across the capital to west London have largely been fruitless experiences for Tottenham over the last four decades.

But De Zerbi’s men enjoyed a memorable visit to the Bridge on Saturday thanks to a comical own goal from Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders and a late wonder-goal from Mathys Tel after Blues star Cole Palmer was sent off.

“It was a big moment for the fans, the club and the players also. They deserved this win, they prepared very well,” De Zerbi said.

“We are improving a lot, we are improving in the mentality, in the group and the relationships with the players and then we are improving on the pitch.”

Tottenham started the season on a dismal run of six league games without a win, raising the spectre of another relegation battle after they narrowly avoided dropping into the Championship on the final day of last season.

With the pressure mounting on De Zerbi, the Italian has drawn his players closer together thanks to meals together and a trip to Marbella.

‘The spirit, the belief’ 

A win against promoted Coventry on Monday lifted the tension around the north London club and vanquishing Chelsea was another reward for De Zerbi’s team-building ethos.

“Now it is a complete team. When we stay for dinner and stay together in the dressing room I see a different group, a different relationship and different atmosphere among the players,” he said.

“The character was today great but we have many, many new players. The players who stayed here last season, two or three seasons ago, they suffered the last results, two times 17th position, we are working to change the last part of the history of the club.”

Tottenham were beginning to lose the faith of their long-suffering fans after another miserable start to the season.

But De Zerbi was adamant he never doubted they would get back on track.

“I have to believe for sure in this group. I never lost the confidence in my players,” he said.

“The week in Marbella, to speak better face to face, to open ourselves and remove the mask it is important.

“It is important for the spirit, the belief. The atmosphere inside the dressing room is maybe more important than the tactics.”

For Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, it was a painful setback as the optimism engendered by successive victories over Bournemouth and Everton was washed away on a rain-lashed evening.

Alonso’s expensively assembled team sit in fourth place but remain very much a work in progress after the third league loss of his first season in charge.

“We are all disappointed with the result, with the performance collectively and individually we were not at our best level,” he said.

“It was about the first goal and it went their way and with 10 men it was difficult but we can do better.”

Alonso refused to blame Penders and Palmer for their roles in the defeat.

“We feel for everyone, it is a team thing, a collective. We have to move on,” he said before adding he “hadn’t seen” Palmer’s two bookings. — AFP

LONDON, Oct 25 — Manchester City’s flawless start to the Premier League season was ended in a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday that allowed Arsenal to join them at the top of the table with victory over Everton.

Tottenham won at Chelsea for just the second time in 42 visits to Stamford Bridge as Mike Penders’s own goal and a Cole Palmer red card cost the Blues in a 2-0 defeat.

Enzo Maresca had become the first manager to win his first seven Premier League games in charge of a new club but failed to find a solution to City’s struggles at Villa Park, where they have now lost for the past four seasons.

Nicolas Jackson struck twice for Unai Emery’s men to continue a fine run of form for a new-look Villa side.

Erling Haaland briefly levelled early in the second half, but Maresca was left to rue City not making more of their dominance for large spells of the game.

“We lost because we probably are not being clinical enough in their box,” said Maresca.

The Villa side that won the Europa League last season was decimated by high-profile departures during the transfer window.

But Emery has quickly moulded his new squad into shape with Jackson proving his critics from a difficult spell at Chelsea wrong.

The Senegal international pounced on an error by Marc Guehi to fire Villa ahead after just six minutes.

Another of Villa’s new signings Zion Suzuki then thwarted City with a string of stunning saves.

Haaland headed in his 13th goal in 10 games this season to equalise.

Villa, though, swiftly responded as Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to keep out Jackson’s low shot on the hour mark.

“A fantastic day to share with our supporters in Villa Park,” said Emery.

“We felt that this is our fortress and the energy the supporters gave us was really fantastic.”

Arsenal’s set-piece prowess

Arsenal took advantage to move alongside City on 21 points from eight games with a routine 2-0 win against Everton.

Shorn of the creative inspiration of Bukayo Saka, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury, Arsenal had to rely on their set-piece prowess to get the job done.

Ezri Konsa bundled in his first goal for the club after Everton failed to clear a corner to open the scoring on seven minutes.

Fellow centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes doubled the lead for Mikel Arteta’s men midway through the second period.

“We had some problems to finish the actions but we scored from a set-piece,” said Arteta. “That gave us the confidence and composure to go and dominate the game.”

Tottenham climbed out of the bottom three as Chelsea self-imploded at the Bridge.

A game hampered by wild weather conditions exploded into action in the final 15 minutes when, on his first Premier League start, Penders, deputising for the injured Emi Martinez, miscued his attempted punch from a Spurs corner over his own line.

Moments later Palmer was dismissed for a second yellow card after catching former teammate Conor Gallagher.

Spurs took full advantage as Mathys Tel’s low strike also deceived Penders to win for only the second time at their London rivals since 1990.

Fulham also moved out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win at Coventry thanks to Oscar Bobb’s individual effort.

On Sunday the focus turns to Manchester United boss Michael Carrick when his side take on Bournemouth.

A seven-game winless streak has plunged Carrick’s future into doubt just months after he was hired on a two-year deal after a successful interim spell in charge at the end of last season. — AFP

AUSTIN, Oct 25 — Runaway world championship leader Kimi Antonelli showed no nerves as he stormed to pole position with a perfectly measured fastest lap in qualifying on Saturday for the United States Grand Prix.

The 20-year-old Italian will wrap up the drivers’ championship if he wins in Austin on Sunday, his Mercedes teammate George Russell finishes outside the top eight and Lewis Hamilton finishes outside the top four.

Antonelli secured his seventh pole of the season and his first in eight races with a fastest lap in 1min 34.035sec to outpace Max Verstappen, his nearest challenger, by 0.179sec with Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar a career-best third.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth ahead of Russell, in the second Mercedes, and seven-time champion Hamilton in the second Ferrari.

Antonelli leads Russell by 102 points in the championship and is aiming to become Formula One’s youngest champion and Italy’s first since Alberto Ascari of Ferrari in 1953.

“We got pole so we’ll try to win tomorrow,” said Antonelli. “Max has been very quick and did an incredible job in qualifying so it’s not going to be easy.

“Hopefully, we’ll be leading into Turn One and we’ll try to set the pace – even though it’s going to be very tight.

“I’m very happy with qualifying, but Q3 was very tough with the wind, gusty and unpredictable, but I’m happy to stick it on pole.”

Verstappen, who won this race from pole last year and will go in search of his fifth victory in Austin, said: “Q3 was not good. Q1, Q2 it was nice, but for whatever reason with both sets of tyres, I just didn’t have the balance. No mistakes, but just no grip.”

McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and reigning world champion Lando Norris qualified seventh and eighth ahead of Racing Bulls’ rookie Arvid Lindblad, who has a five-place grid penalty, and Liam Lawson.

The session took place in hot and cloudy conditions, the two Cadillacs leading out ahead of fellow Americans Haas before Leclerc clocked a marker time of 1min 35.200sec to set the pace ahead of Verstappen.

After seeing 207 laps deleted on Friday and 42 in final practice, all the drivers knew how important it was to avoid exceeding track limits in the qualifying hour – a problem that left Alpine’s Pierre Gasly requiring a late lap, with seconds to spare, to survive the first qualifying session after losing his earlier time.

The top ten shootout began with Antonelli quickest on the opening runs ahead of the two Red Bulls and Leclerc back in fourth, Ferrari seemingly unable to find the progressive speed needed to stay on the pace of Mercedes and their young tyro.

As so often this year, the precocious Italian found the speed he needed as he prepared for his final run and delivered pole with his now customary elan. — AFP

BARCELONA, Oct 24 — Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said it was unfair to compare his side to Spanish champions Barcelona ahead of Sunday’s La Liga Clasico.

Hansi Flick’s Barca have won back-to-back La Liga titles and lead the top flight, in which they are unbeaten, while Mourinho arrived this summer after Madrid went two seasons without a major trophy.

The panorama has changed slightly, after Barca suffered their first defeat of the season at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, while Madrid have won their last four matches.

Madrid are third in La Liga, trailing Barca by six points before Sunday’s meeting at Camp Nou.

“I think the people that thought a week ago Barca would thrash us will keep thinking the same thing,” Mourinho told reporters on Saturday.

“I don’t think just for the Paris game, or Madrid’s (4-1 win against) Leipzig, they will change their way of thinking.”

Mourinho highlighted that he has only been at the helm a few months, in comparison to Flick, who arrived at Barca in 2024.

“People look at us like a finished product, but finished products in football are difficult because they are never finished... but they look at us like we’re in an advanced phase of the process,” continued Mourinho.

“We’ve been working for three months, out of that you can take pre-season when the players were arriving (back from the World Cup), and the recent international break, then we’ve been together a month-and-a-half, two months...

“This is the start of a product, we’re in an initial phase where the coach is learning, analysing, bit by bit defining paths, the players are learning about the coach... comparing a team in this state (to more established sides), I think is unfair.”

Mourinho said form did not matter when it comes to the Clasico.

“We’ve been in a good dynamic, winning games, playing well, scoring goals, but in the Clasico it doesn’t matter what you did before, it has no influence,” said Mourinho.

“The Clasico is unique, normally the football world stops to watch it. Hopefully it’s a great game. And we win.”

Mourinho said he would not change his plans to try and stop Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.

The 19-year-old Spain international is in sublime form and hopes to win the Ballon d’Or award on Monday.

“He’s a great player and great players you respect,” added Mourinho.

“One thing is respecting, another thing is to change plans, structures, forgetting your own essence. That we will not do, neither for him or any other player of great quality we face.”

‘A great colleague’

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed Jules Kounde was still out injured for the game, along with Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen.

The German coach said he expected a Madrid side arriving with “a lot of confidence” and praised his opposite number Mourinho.

“I have the highest respect. When you’re managing teams on this level for so many years and you always have success, it’s about quality, he showed this at every club,” Flick told reporters.

“Every player from the (Germany) national team who worked under him speaks with a great respect, I think the same. He’s a colleague, a very, very successful colleague and a great colleague.”

Flick said the 4-2 defeat in Paris by PSG gave his team some clues as to where they need to improve.

“We analysed this game. We did many things really good but we saw some situations where we have to improve,” added Flick.

“We have to grow as a team. Tomorrow we play against one of the best teams in the world so it’s a good opportunity to grow. To challenge ourselves, to improve ourselves and to grow as a team.” — AFP

MELAKA, Oct 24 — Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari has congratulated the national contingent on achieving its target of six gold medals at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. 

He expressed his appreciation to all national athletes for delivering outstanding performances and striving with great determination to achieve the target. 

“Alhamdulillah, I would like to commend and congratulate our national athletes for successfully achieving the target as of today. 

“This achievement is the result of the collective efforts of our athletes, coaches, sports associations, the National Sports Council (NSC), the National Sports Institute (NSI) and all parties involved,” he told Bernama at Kompleks Belia dan Sukan Negeri Melaka here today. 

Earlier, he officiated the Malaysia Aktif programme and the launch of the 2026 Melaka-level Basic Sports Training Skills (KLAS) in Martial Arts programme, which was also attended by Melaka Youth and Sports Department director Ahmad Syammeil Mohamad Karim. 

Dr Mohammed Taufiq said he hoped the achievement would serve as a catalyst for national athletes to continue improving their performance and secure more successes for Malaysia in the future. 

The national contingent had earlier set a target of six gold, 10 silver and 16 bronze medals at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, with medals expected from athletics, badminton and boccia. 

As of 10am today, Malaysia had won six gold, eight silver and 13 bronze medals. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Independent Malaysian mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing stormed into the French Open 2026 final after defeating China’s Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui in the semi-finals in Paris today.

At Arena Grand Paris, the world No. 31 needed just 31 minutes to beat their sixth-seeded Chinese opponents 21-13, 21-9.

They will face either top seeds Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping of China or French pair Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue in the final.

The final will be Pang Ron-Pei Jing’s second together this season and gives them a chance to go one better after finishing runners-up to Feng and Huang at the China Masters last September. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — National squash player S. Sivasangari moved within one win of clinching the Silicon Valley Open 2026 title after reaching the final in Redwood City, California, on Friday.

The third seed fought back from a game down to oust India’s Anahat Singh 5-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 in 37 minutes in a rematch of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games final.

Sivasangari, who retained the women’s singles gold medal at the Asian Games in Japan last month, will determine the title against Egypt’s eighth seed Farida Mohamed in the final later today.

Farida made it to the final as she prevailed against seventh seed and home player Marina Stefanoni 11-3, 4-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8.

The victory put the world No. 4 Sivasangari through to her second consecutive final at the tournament, giving her a chance to make amends for last year’s 10-12, 11-4, 4-11, 4-11 defeat to American Olivia Weaver.

The women’s category at the Silicon Valley Open offers total prize money of USD143,500 (about RM585,637). — Bernama

BARCELONA, Oct 24 — Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho will renew one of football’s most bitter rivalries on Sunday when he takes charge of his first Clasico since returning to the club, with La Liga leaders Barcelona awaiting him at Camp Nou.

The Portuguese veteran’s first spell at Madrid was defined in large part by his battle to end Barca’s dominance under Pep Guardiola, with relations between the Spanish giants slumping to their lowest ebb.

Mourinho managed to break Barca’s spell by guiding Real Madrid to the Spanish title in 2012, the crowning achievement of his reign from 2010-13.

Clasicos became increasingly compelling during that period, some would say not for the right reasons, as he and his staff clashed with their Barcelona counterparts both pitch-side and verbally in the media.

The 63-year-old worked as an assistant at Barca under Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal in the 1990s but was overlooked for Guardiola in 2008 when the Catalans replaced Frank Rijkaard.

Mourinho’s frequent battles with Guardiola, Lionel Messi and even with Madrid’s own icons like Iker Casillas sometimes overshadowed his sporting achievements.

The most infamous flashpoint was when Mourinho poked then Barca assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye in August 2011.

Earlier that year, at the end of the prior season, Madrid and Barca clashed four times in just 18 days, illustrating the intensity of the rivalry.

The first was in La Liga, a 1-1 draw, which helped Barcelona take a step towards retaining the Spanish title as Madrid trailed them.

Mourinho’s Madrid beat Barca to win the Copa del Rey in the second, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the winner in extra-time.

Then the Catalans got the better of Los Blancos in a Champions League semi-final double header, winning the first leg 2-0 in the Santiago Bernabeu, with Madrid defender Pepe sent off. Mourinho called it a “scandal”.

Barcelona held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in the second leg to reach the final, which they went on to win.

It was in this period that Guardiola said he could not and would not compete with the “boss” Mourinho in the press room.

Stopping Flick’s Barca

Mourinho has hit the ground running in his second spell at Madrid in that regard.

The coach brandished print-outs of incidents after losing the derby clash to try and prove his point that Atletico Madrid deserved two red cards, and refused to attend a press conference after Vinicius Junior was sent off against Villarreal.

Many believe Mourinho employs these tactics as a distraction to take the pressure off his team when they are not performing.

A victory in the Clasico might encourage him to focus on the football, and stopping Hansi Flick’s side – back-to-back Spanish champions – is one of the main reasons he was rehired by president Florentino Perez.

Flick’s Barca have won six of seven Clasicos against Real Madrid since the German arrived, scoring 22 goals and shipping only 11.

Mourinho insists it is impossible for his team to be at the level he wants them to be at after such a short time in charge.

“I’ve been here for over a hundred days. Obviously, we are not where I want, but there are things we are doing better today than before,” said the coach.

Madrid have won their last four matches between La Liga and the Champions League, and after sharing minutes around early in the season, some preferences are emerging.

Although Mourinho said initially he did not see midfielder Federico Valverde as a right-back, where he has been used in the past, he has selected the Uruguayan there in the last two games, ahead of Denzel Dumfries and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“We created a lot on that side, and Fede had a fantastic match,” said Mourinho after the Leipzig win.

In Valverde’s place in midfield Mourinho deployed Arda Guler against Sevilla on Sunday and then Bernardo Silva against the German side, with Madrid improving on the ball and retaining more possession.

However the Clasico poses a different challenge. Mourinho, who deployed defender Pepe in midfield against Barca, may revert to type to try and spoil the hosts’ flowing football. — AFP

PHILLIP ISLAND (Australia), Oct 24 — World champion Marc Marquez beat brother Alex to clinch pole position Saturday at the Australian MotoGP, but he needed some white-knuckle laps to do so after crashing early on.

Under dark clouds and with spots of rain falling, the Spanish Ducati rider powered round the waterfront circuit at Phillip Island with a blistering lap of 1min 34.203 sec.

It was enough to topple Alex, also on a Ducati, by a massive 1.494sec, with Honda’s Johann Zarco third to join them on the front row.

Championship leader Jorge Martin, who is two points clear of Marc Marquez with five rounds of the season left, was fourth, but well off the pace.

Home hero Jack Miller and last year’s winner Raul Fernandez accompany him on the second row.

Marco Bezzecchi, who won last week in Indonesia and is third in the standings, 46 points behind Martin, will start in ninth.

“You cannot crash in the first lap because it means that you don’t have a lap time. So it was a big mistake,” said Marc Marquez.

“But the team was ready with the other bike, I kept focus and that last lap was a good lap.”

Marquez, who dominated morning practice, slid off on his first flying lap at Turn 4 as he pushed too hard.

Undeterred, he limped back to the pits and climbed onto his spare bike and immediately set the new fastest time.

It was surpassed by Zarco, but Marquez came back out at the death to blitz a new quickest time and secure his 78th career pole.

The sprint race is later Saturday and the main event on Sunday, with thunderstorms forecast.

They will go ahead without Honda’s Luca Marini, who has a virus and will take no further part in the weekend action.

Phillip Island has been a staple on the calendar since 1997 but the Australian race is moving next year to a street circuit in Adelaide. — AFP

LONDON, Oct 24 — Nottingham Forest climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 1-1 draw away to Ipswich on Friday.

The result could have been so much better for the visitors, with Forest missing several chances at Portman Road as a defensive error gifted Ipswich their equaliser.

Oliver Glasner’s men were the dominant side for much of the game and Forest deservedly went ahead in the 13th minute when Neco Williams turned in Daniel Munoz’s right-wing cross at the back post for his first Forest goal since April.

The returning Morgan Gibbs-White had an effort saved by the toe of Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton before Leif Davis hacked the ball off the line.

Having been in control, Forest were undone in the 41st minute when a dawdling Nikola Milenkovic produced a backpass that was too short, with Julio Enciso seizing on the loose ball to slot past Forest keeper Matz Sels.

Forest thought they had a penalty early in the second half when midfielder James McAtee was brought down by Issa Diop.

Referee Thomas Bramall initially waved play on but the VAR recommended an on-field review for a red card for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

After reviewing the footage, Bramall decided to award a yellow card and a free-kick, explaining McAtee “had knocked the ball to the right side of the goal”.

An energised Forest then missed several chances as they went in search of what would have been just their second league win of the season following a poor start to the campaign under former Crystal Palace manager Glasner.

The unmarked Murillo headed a corner wide, Dan Ndoye had an effort cleared off the line and former Ipswich striker Liam Delap headed over from six yards and whipped a low shot just wide.

The point moved Forest above Coventry and Tottenham into 16th place on six points, although they could yet end the weekend back in the bottom three. Ipswich are ninth. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Malaysia’s professional men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani upset defending champions Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae of South Korea in the French Open quarter-finals on Friday.

The fifth seeds needed just 36 minutes to send the top seeded pair packing 21-15, 21-18 during the Super 750 tournament at the Arena Grand Paris.

In the semi-finals, Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, currently ranked fifth in the world, will face Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin, who dispatched South Korean duo Kang Min Hyuk-Lee Jong Min 21-14, 21-19.

Another Malaysian men’s doubles pair, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, also made the last four after their compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik retired with the former leading 5-0, barely two minutes into the game.

The world No. 11 pair will next take on Indonesia’s Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin, who edged China’s Hu Ke Yuan-Lin Xiang Yi 23-21, 21-18.

In the women’s doubles, national top pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah continued their impressive run by sweeping aside Bulgaria’s eighth seeds Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva 21-12, 21-15 in 39 minutes.

The second seeds, fresh from their Denmark Open triumph last Sunday, will face third seeds Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi for a place in the final.

The Japanese pair booked their semi-final spot after surviving a rubber-game battle against compatriots Ririna Hiramoto-Chiharu Shida 21-18, 16-21, 21-15. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — National mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing advanced to the semi-finals of the 2026 French Open after battling hard to overcome Germany’s Marvin Seidel-Thuc Phuong Nguyen in Tremblay-en-France today.

In the 57-minute quarter-final at the Grand Paris Arena, the Malaysian pair were pushed to a deciding game before securing a 21-17, 20-22, 21-18 victory.

It is the third time Pang Ron-Pei Jing have reached the semi-finals of a Super 750 tournament this year, having done so at the 2026 Denmark Open and 2026 China Masters.

Awaiting them in the semi-finals are sixth seeds Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui of China.

The Chinese pair advanced after defeating third seeds Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Bøje of Denmark 12-21, 21-9, 21-9.

The semi-final clash will be the first meeting between the two pairs. — Bernama

PARIS, Oct 23 — In a fresh hammer blow for Kenyan athletics, world marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended for doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced today.

The highly decorated 33-year-old Kenyan, who won Olympic gold in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, was suspended after an out-of-competition sample tested positive for banned blood booster EPO.

An athlete is provisionally suspended while the case is investigated.

Jepchirchir joins more than 140 Kenyan athletes, including current women’s marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich, who have been suspended or banned by the AIU since 2017.

The AIU said Jepchirchir’s out-of-competition sample had been collected in Kenya prior to her recent Sydney Marathon victory.

Jepchirchir’s lauded career has also seen her as a former world record-holder in the half-marathon while she is a four-time World Marathon Major winner having captured the Sydney Marathon (2026), the London Marathon (2024), the Boston Marathon (2022) and the New York Marathon (2021).

The decision of World Athletics to award Nairobi the 2029 world championships is likely to increase the scrutiny of the east African nation’s anti-doping policies. — AFP

TOKYO, Oct 23 — The head of the Asian Football Confederation today said the region supported Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election as Fifa president following fierce criticism of his aborted World Cup selloff plan.

The 56-year-old Swiss was present at a Tokyo meeting of the AFC when president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa gave his unequivocal backing.

The AFC in August had joined Uefa (Europe) and Concacaf (North and Central America and the Caribbean) in condemning Infantino over his plan to open Fifa’s premium competitions such as the World Cup to private investors.

Infantino has faced calls to quit and has lost the support of many associations in his bid to be re-elected to a fourth and final term.

“I think that we reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as Fifa president,” said Sheikh Salman, in a significant boost to Infantino’s prospects.

“I think you’ve visited a lot of countries in Asia. I’ve spoken to a lot of members within this continent.

“I know your feeling and I think your commitment is clear as well. Your support to Gianni is very clear.”

Hinting at previous discord, Sheikh Salman told the AFC Extraordinary Congress and Infantino: “Gianni, yes, we had some issues we spoke about in the past.

“But let’s not relate the two things together. We need to move forward... football is strongest when we work together.”

Infantino, who apologised last week for the failed project, has headed Fifa since 2016 and is running for re-election in March.

The deadline for submitting candidacies is November 18.

No heavyweight candidate has put themselves forward to run against him so far, despite outspoken condemnation especially from Europe.

Many leading European national associations have withdrawn their support for Infantino over controversies including his relationship with US President Donald Trump. — AFP

MANCHESTER, Oct 23 — Manchester United great Wayne Rooney has labelled the current squad “babies” and “selfish” after a humiliating Champions League capitulation and post-match criticism by Bruno Fernandes of manager Michael Carrick.

Carrick’s men are 13th in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s visit by Bournemouth and could drop into the bottom three if results go against them this weekend.

With the club beset by infighting and off to their worst domestic league start for decades, Carrick was left clinging to his job after the 4-1 defeat at Como on Wednesday.

Deepening the sense of crisis, the captain Fernandes afterwards took aim at his manager’s tactics, saying United had to be more “brave”.

Defender Lisandro Martinez last week criticised the club’s board for not investing enough in the transfer market.

Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer, said he was in “shock” and “disbelief” at the Como display.

A friend and ex-teammate of Carrick, former striker Rooney pointed the finger at the players.

“When Martinez came out, I said this is an absolute nightmare because it will rip the dressing room apart,” Rooney told The United Stand podcast on Thursday.

“That was the start. We’ve seen it now with Bruno and you’re going to see it with more players because these players, they don’t want to take responsibility.

“You can say whether Bruno was right or wrong in what he said but you have to take responsibility on the pitch. You have to take responsibility as a group of players.”

He added: “These players, they’re selfish. They don’t care about their team-mates, don’t care about the manager, the staff or the fans, they care about themselves.

“If they’re not getting what’s right for them, they’re like babies and just throw their toys out of the pram and go and deflect the blame on to anyone else but themselves.” — AFP

PARIS, Oct 23 — Bournemouth pulled off a sensational 3-0 home victory over 10-man AC Milan yesterday to make it three wins from their opening three games in the Europa League.

Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier converted first-half penalties to put Bournemouth firmly in control against AC Milan, one of Europe’s leading clubs.

Milan goalkeeper and skipper Mike Maignan was red carded early on for a foul on Tyler Adams and his side never fully recovered.

Amine Adli scored a sublime 84th free-kick to make it 3-0, the Premier League side having opened their inaugural Europa League campaign with victory at Real Sociedad followed by a 3-0 home win over Sturm Graz last week.

Bournemouth, who became the first English club since Sunderland in 1973/74 to win the first three European fixtures in their history, will now face Sparta Prague and Celta Vigo in November.

“It means a lot. We came off two victories, so that gave us a good feeling for this game,” Kluivert told TNT Sports.

“We trust ourselves. It doesn’t matter who we play against. We know what we’re capable of, and I think we showed that today.”

Bournemouth’s Premier League rivals Crystal Palace rebounded from a 5-0 weekend thrashing by Brighton to claim a 2-2 draw with Beskitas in Istanbul, while Scottish giants Celtic suffered a third successive defeat, going down 2-1 to Celta Vigo.

Bayer Leverkusen, however, also made it three straight wins with a Jonas Hofmann double earning a 2-0 away win at OFI Crete as both Juventus and Sunderland lost ground in the third matchday.

The once mighty Hungarian side Ferencvaros kept pace with Leverkusen on nine points thumping Portuguese outfit Torreense 4-1, while Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise won 4-0 against Israeli outfit Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Saint-Gilloise, Sunderland and Juve all have seven points from three games.

Juventus thought they had come from behind to beat French side Rennes but had their late ‘winner’ ruled out for a marginal offside.

Zeki Celik put Juve ahead after five minutes only for a poor clearance 10 minutes later allowing Musa Al-Taamari to poke home an equaliser. Jut before the break Boulaye Dia put the visitors ahead.

Juventus made it 2-2 thanks to a handball and a spot-kick transformed by Nick Woltemade before VAR provided the biggest talking point, disallowing Jhon Lucumi’s 88th minute strike.

Clad in a new all-pink kit, Sunderland were left kicking themselves after a 1-1 draw in Poland.

The Blacks Cats took a second minute lead in Poznan thanks to Timur Tutierov and dominated the game without being able to close out the win.

With two home games remaining, however, the second round still beckons for Regis Le Bris’ side.

Marseille went down 1-0 to Sturn Graz while Lyon suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Hoffenheim.

In the Conference League, former Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah opened the scoring from the penalty spot in Trabzonspor’s 2-0 win over Scottish side Hearts.

Brighton were held to a 0-0 draw at Czech side Jablonec, as Monaco thumped Freiburg 3-0 and Ajax snuck a 2-0 win over Atalanta. — AFP

AUSTIN, Oct 23 — Lewis Hamilton yesterday welcomed Formula One’s decision to return to Africa, but revealed reservations over the choice of Rwanda to host the continent’s first Grand Prix in more than three decades.

The seven-time world champion also said he wanted to stay in F1 racing into his forties to make sure he can fulfil his dream of racing in an African Grand Prix.

Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver said he was aware of concerns regarding Rwanda and said they should not be overlooked.

“Of course, I don’t get to choose where we go and, naturally, there’s problems all over the world today,” he said. “I’ve seen many of the stories, but I think we really have to approach it with humility.”

Formula One announced a 10-year agreement to race in Rwanda last week with the race set to join the calendar after a circuit has been built in the early 2030s.

The last time an F1 race was held in Africa was the 33rd South African Grand Prix near Johannesburg in 1993 when Hamilton was just eight years old.

“There’s a lot that we don’t know,” added Hamilton who has called for a return to Africa for many years.

“Growing up in England, they never taught us anything about Africa. It needs to be on the curriculum...

“A lot of the problems they have there are still the results of colonialism and the west intervening, but if you see the people, you see so many designs that are out there today. Top brands come from Africa, and it’s got all the richest resources.

“I really hope, and I still have hopes, that Africa unites. I know there’s many people that don’t want that to happen—because they would be so powerful if they did, but I’m still hopeful that at some stage they will.

“And, of course, going doesn’t mean that you neglect the things that are happening there.

“So hopefully many people start to educate themselves a little more about what is happening, what has happened for hundreds of years and I hope that does spark the conversation.”

Hamilton, who warmly praised runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes as he sat alongside him at a news conference, revealed also that he hopes to continue racing into his mid-forties.

“I’m looking forward to racing with him longer. I mean, I’m now forced to have to stay a lot longer because we have a race in Africa—and that’s been my dream, to be able to race in Africa.”

“So, you’ve got time,” said the 20-year-old Italian. “You’ve got to do at least the first one.”

“Yeah,” replied Hamilton. “I have to keep fighting to try and stay fit if I can. If I can still punch out good results over the next year, we’ll keep it going.” — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Top national women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and two men’s doubles pairs secured their berths in the quarter-finals of the French Open after clearing their round-of-16 hurdles early this morning.

In the men’s doubles, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun produced a stellar display to stun Japan’s eighth seeds Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in straight games, 25-23, 21-14.

The win not only levelled their head-to-head record against the 2021 world champions at 2-2 but also set up an all-Malaysian quarter-final clash against top national pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.

Also advancing to the last eight were professional duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who were pushed to the limit before edging Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard 21-6, 14-21, 21-18 after bouncing back in the decider.

A formidable challenge awaits Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin in the quarter-finals, where they will take on South Korea’s world number one pair Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae, to whom they have lost four of their six previous meetings.

The South Koreans had earlier ended the campaign of young Malaysian pair Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King with a 21-14, 21-16 victory.

In the women’s doubles, Pearly-Thinaah were forced to fend off a spirited challenge from younger compatriots Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting before prevailing 21-14, 22-20.

Pearly-Thinaah will next meet Bulgaria’s Gabriela Stoeva- Stefani Stoeva for a place in the semi-finals. — Bernama

AUSTIN, Oct 23 — Kimi Antonelli admitted on yesterday that he needs to have a ‘perfect weekend’ at the United States Grand Prix to realise his dream of winning a maiden drivers’ world championship.

Mercedes’ 20-year-old Italian could become the youngest champion in F1 history and the first from Italy since Alberto Ascari in 1953 if he wins Sunday’s race and nearest rival and team-mate George Russell fails to finish in the top eight.

He would also need seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari to finish outside the top four.

“If you think about it, it’s crazy,” said a smiling and relaxed Antonelli, speaking to reporters at a news conference at the Circuit of the Americas.

“For me, it needs to be a perfect weekend and the others they need to do a poor result, which is unlikely.

“Of course, anything can happen and it’s crazy to think about it. We had a meeting this morning and we said ‘just have fun’ so we’re in the same mindset that I’ve had all year.

“So, we go one race at a time and I just try to do my best every weekend and then we’ll see.”

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who vacated his seat at Mercedes for Antonelli when he moved to Ferrari, warmly praised him for his talent and his general demeanour.

Asked, as a multiple champion, if he had any advice to give the young Italian who is on the brink of glory, Hamilton smiled and said: “Slow down!” — AFP

SAN ISIDRO, Oct 23 — The verdict in the trial over the 2020 death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona will be delivered on December 22, the court announced yesterday, after six months of hearings.

The trial of seven healthcare professionals accused of negligence in the star’s death concluded yesterday with brief statements from Maradona’s daughter and some of the defendants.

“I hope my father receives the justice he deserves...like anyone else,” said Dalma Maradona, her voice breaking with emotion.

The main defendant in the case, Leopoldo Luque, Maradona’s primary doctor, declared: “I am innocent.”

Maradona died at age 60 from heart failure coupled with pulmonary edema.

He was found dead in his bed on November 25, 2020, at a residence in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, rented for his convalescence, following minor neurosurgery.

His death plunged the country into mourning in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prosecutors requested prison sentences ranging from four to twelve years for six of the seven defendants, with the heaviest sentence -- 12 years—sought for Luque.

In closing arguments Wednesday, Luque’s defense attorneys rejected the prosecution’s argument that Maradona’s death was foreseeable, calling their client a “scapegoat” in the case. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — National swimmers Abd Halim Mohammad and Shahafiq Abdullah rose to the occasion at the Asian Para Games today, delivering a silver and a bronze medal respectively to take Malaysia’s medal haul in the pool to four.

Abd Halim led the charge at Nagoya City General Gymnasium (Rainbow Pool) by clinching the silver medal in the men’s 100-metre (m) breaststroke SB8 (physical impairment) final with a time of one minute 14.45 seconds.

China’s Xu Haijiao took the gold in 1:12.80s while his compatriot Li Ting settled for bronze in 1:16.56s.

Shahafiq then ensured another podium finish for the national contingent shortly after by battling his way to a bronze in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB7 final after clocking 1:36.41s.

Indonesia’s Abdil Majid Rahman emerged victorious to claim gold in 1:20.26s while China’s Zhang Yilong took the silver in 1:21.98s.

Today’s two-medal contribution took the national para swimming squad’s overall tally at the Games to four medals, comprising one gold, one silver and two bronzes.

Meanwhile, Carmen Lim had to settle for sixth place in the women’s 100m backstroke S8 final with a time of 1:38.08s in an event cleanly swept by China through Zheng Tingting (1:20.43s), Zhu Hui (1:21.66s), and Lu Weiyuan (1:22.07s).

In other finals, Rusdianto Rusmadi finished fifth in the men’s 100m backstroke S8 after recording 1:15.86s.

The women’s 100m breaststroke SB9 saw Ong Jia Xuan clock 1:31.06s to finish sixth while teammate Elysha Cheong Hui Yin touched the wall in seventh place (1:33.05s).

Elysha was also in action in the women’s 50m freestyle S10 final earlier by wrapping up the race in sixth place with a time of 33.86s. — Bernama

MANCHESTER, Oct 22 — Enzo Maresca said it is his job as Manchester City boss to help Phil Foden rediscover his best form after the England international ended his long goal drought.

Foden had not scored for 10 months before netting in City’s 3-2 win over Ipswich last weekend and then scored a Champions League hat-trick in a 5-1 rout of AEK Athens on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old swept the board of personal awards for the Premier League’s best player in the 2023/24 season after a 27-goal campaign.

But Foden, who has admitted struggling with mental health issues, has failed to hit top form for the past two seasons.

“Since we started I sat down with Phil two or three times, especially at the beginning. Just to show him, I don’t know if love is the right word to use, but just to show him how important he is,” said Maresca, who took charge of City in June.

“I said many times that I know Phil from years ago so I know how for different reasons, the last few years it was not good enough.

“When you have more players like Phil available, you are a better team because again it’s a matter of improving players. If you improve the players, you improve the team.

“So for me, I think it’s my duty to try to help Phil to be again one of the best players in England.”

Other than a 4-2 Champions League defeat to holders Paris Saint-Germain, Maresca has made a flawless start to the daunting task of succeeding Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

The Italian is the first manager ever to win his first seven Premier League games in charge of a new club.

However, City’s fine form has been overshadowed by the threat of severe sanctions against the club for widespread flouting of Premier League financial rules.

A large points deduction, which could lead to relegation, is likely unless City win an appeal against a guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of wrongdoing.

Maresca said the mood in the dressing room remained buoyant despite the cloud hanging over the club.

“In any club, when you lose important players, many important players, and you lose the manager after 10 years, it always takes time to compete again,” he said on Thursday.

“But this organisation last summer changed many important players, changed the manager after 10 years and we are competing at the moment.”

City travel to Aston Villa on Saturday, boosted by the return of Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian, who has scored 12 times in nine appearances this season, missed the AEK Athens match after picking up a foot injury against Ipswich.

Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Nico O’Reilly remain injury doubts. — AFP

TOKYO, Oct 22 — Wrong national anthems were played three times at the Asian Para Games in Japan’s Nagoya this week, prompting the mayor to apologise just days after the city hosted the mishap-plagued Asian Games.

The Asian Para Games is taking place in the central Japanese hub city through Saturday, featuring around 4,000 athletes and officials in 18 sports.

Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa apologised on Wednesday for the latest error, which occurred despite officials’ pledges to implement steps to prevent mistakes, including playing the correct national anthems.

“These things happened during the Asian Games, so of course the operations were reviewed and examined based on the lessons learned. The fact that it happened again is really just unacceptable,” the mayor told a press conference.

On Monday, a Taiwanese athlete won a men’s para taekwondo competition, but the Iranian anthem was played in its entirety, according to Nagoya officials at the mayor’s press conference.

Officials realised their mistake after the ceremony, they said.

On the same day, the Iranian anthem was played again during a women’s para taekwondo ceremony, where a Mongolian competitor was receiving the gold medal, according to the city.

The incorrect music was stopped after the Mongolian delegation pointed out the error.

Organisers then played the Mongolian anthem after the music was provided by the delegation, Nagoya officials said.

Separately on Monday, officials broadcast the South Korean anthem for about five seconds, instead of the Chinese one, before a sitting volleyball match between China and Iran.

“It is unacceptable, or rather, it’s painful. I am very sorry about it,” the mayor said, adding that he felt the tournament was otherwise progressing smoothly.

The Asian Games, which concluded in early October, faced heavy criticism for shortcomings ranging from inadequate accomodations for athletes to the playing of wrong national anthems.

On September 18, organisers played North Korea’s national anthem for the South Korean hockey team. — AFP 

MUNICH, Oct 22 — Declan Rice scored a late equaliser to grab last season’s runners-up Arsenal a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Eberechi Eze opened the scoring for Arsenal after coming on for the injured Bukayo Saka but Alphonso Davies brought Bayern level after a sublime pass from Harry Kane.

Kane put Bayern on track for victory when he converted a second-half penalty, but his England teammate Rice equalised with eight minutes remaining to earn Arsenal a point.

The Gunners have seven points from three games in the league phase, two more than Bayern.

Bayern were without in-form winger Michael Olise, Germany captain Joshua Kimmich and midfielder Jamal Musiala. Coach Vincent Kompany had been a doubt due to illness but took his place in the dugout.

“We looked dangerous, we got the goal and we had a moment there where we could have killed off the game,” Kane told DAZN.

“Probably a draw was a fair result overall... There’s a lot of games and we’ve got players with injuries, players missing tonight, so we take the point and move on.”

Despite the absences, the England captain ensured Bayern posed a consistent threat against Arsenal’s miserly defence with another excellent performance ahead of next week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Kane’s hometown of London.

Kane’s second-half penalty, his 16th goal in 23 matches against Arsenal, extended his scoring streak to 10 straight Champions League games. Kane is one shy of the record held by Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored in 11 consecutive matches for Real Madrid.

“I had an amazing season last year, I’m extremely proud of it. The Ballon d’Or would be amazing to win, but there’s nothing I can do, the voting closed a long time ago, I have to wait for the night and see what happens,” Kane said of the award.

The draw was just the second time Arsenal had dropped points in 12 games in all competitions this season.

“I think it was a top-notch game for both sides,” said Arsenal forward Kai Havertz. “We can be proud of our performance, especially since it’s anything but easy to hold your own here. Bayern is one of the best teams in Europe.”

Early Saka blow 

Arsenal were hit with an early blow when Saka fell to the ground eight minutes in, grabbing his thigh and immediately signalling to the bench.

Bayern’s two previous Champions League opponents were from Norway and the perennial Bundesliga winners seemed to struggle with Arsenal’s physicality as Mikel Arteta’s side pinned them back in the early stages.

With 25 minutes gone, Odegaard floated a simple pass across Bayern’s defence and into the path of the onrushing Eze, who collected and stroked the ball past Manuel Neuer.

Caught out by Eze’s perfectly timed run, the hosts looked even more surprised when VAR overturned the linesman’s offside call and awarded the goal.

The pre-match chatter had been dominated by talk of Kane’s Ballon d’Or prospects and he showed why he is among the favourites when he set up Davies’s equaliser 10 minutes later.

Kane spotted Davies on the move and threaded the ball through the midfield and around Gabriel for the Canadian winger to guide the ball into the bottom corner.

With the hosts now in the ascendancy, Ezri Konsa saw yellow for taking Kane out of a Bayern counter minutes later.

After the break, Neuer and David Raya took turns producing magnificent saves, with the Bayern captain tipping Bruno Guimaraes’s header onto the crossbar and the Spaniard denying Dayot Upamecano.

Both sides traded surges forward but Kane would again prove crucial as Bayern took the lead.

Kane’s shot from the edge of the penalty area connected with Jurrien Timber’s arm, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot before Kane stepped up and buried his kick.

Bayern looked to be in control but the match turned again when late substitute Viktor Gyokeres threaded a clever pass to Rice, who slammed in an equaliser. — AFP 

Real Madrid rout Leipzig to continue perfect European start

MADRID, Oct 22 — Real Madrid claimed a third Champions League victory in as many games by thrashing RB Leipzig 4-1 on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande among the goals for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for Madrid from close range towards the end of a tight first half, with Arda Guler doubling the record 15-time European champions’ advantage soon after the interval.

Mbappe bent home a third before Tidiam Gomis pulled one back for the German side and Diomande rammed a volley into the top corner to cap Madrid’s triumph late on.

“We know every point is important to get into the top eight, we know we have to win as many games as possible — we’ve won three and there are five to go,” Mbappe told Movistar.

The French superstar, who hopes to win the Ballon d’Or next week, has netted in each of Madrid’s Champions League matches this season and has 12 goals in 12 games.

“I’m doing well (but) I think I can do more,” said Mbappe.

“I’m one of the few players who always has to demand more from himself... right now it’s a good moment, but we have to keep going and I have to do more.”

Their fourth consecutive win across all competitions will boost Madrid’s morale ahead of Sunday’s La Liga Clasico against bitter rivals Barcelona.

Without a major trophy for two seasons and having endured a shaky domestic start, Madrid can at least boast a perfect European record in the league phase, unlike Barca after their defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

“For a Clasico, confidence doesn’t exist,” Mourinho told Movistar.

“It’s one more league game, but it’s not a game like the others. We’re losing 24 hours of rest (compared to Barca).”

Mourinho started with Vinicius, serving a four-match ban in La Liga, on the left flank and benched former Leipzig winger Diomande, despite his encouraging form.

Visitors Leipzig created the first big chance, with Madrid stopper Thibaut Courtois getting down low to make a superb save from Romulo Cardoso.

Vinicius, who improved on a poor showing at Roma last week without breaking out of his rut, drew a save at full stretch from Leipzig’s Maarten Vandevoordt.

Madrid carved out an advantage in the final stages of a low-key first half when Valverde cut the ball back for Guler, whose shot was blocked by Vandevoordt, but Silva darted in to score his first goal for the club.

Guler put Madrid two goals ahead in the 52nd minute, holding off a defender and turning home Mbappe’s header back across goal from Jude Bellingham’s cross.

Sad Vinicius 

Mourinho sent on Diomande for Vinicius with 20 minutes remaining, with the Brazilian left looking downcast on the bench, aware he cannot play again until November 4, when Madrid visit AEK Athens.

“I think it’s good that he’s sad, because it means he wants to give a lot to the team, to the fans,” said Mbappe.

“I think he just needs to stay calm, he needs to be calm, proud of who he is, because a great player must always be proud of what he is, and keep his confidence, because the quality is there.”

Mourinho thought the Brazilian winger had a decent game.

“I don’t want to say he’s sad, because that’s a feeling only he can say if he has, but his coach is happy,” said Mourinho.

Vinicius watched on as Madrid’s record 140 million euro (US$157m) signing Diomande pulled the ball back to Mbappe on the edge of the box for the third, with the France attacker bending home.

Leipzig quickly grabbed a consolation goal at the other end as Dean Huijsen switched off, with Gomis firing past Courtois.

Diomande ended proceedings with a bang as he rattled an emphatic volley from Brahim Diaz’s cross into the top corner for his third goal in his last four appearances. — AFP 

LONDON, Oct 22 — Short of confidence and bereft of ideas — have proud European giants Manchester United sunk to a new low after a 4-1 Champions League humbling on the shores of Lake Como?

The three-time European champions left northern Italy with their tails between their legs and serious questions over Michael Carrick’s future just two months into the season.

United avoided equalling their worst-ever defeat in Europe’s top competition by the skin of their teeth, thanks to a late goal from substitute Joshua Zirkzee.

But that did not mask an embarrassing defeat against a team playing in Italy’s fourth tier as recently as 2019.

Carrick said Sunday’s point at Premier League rivals Leeds marked a “fresh start”, days after defender Lisandro Martinez ripped into the club’s hierarchy in a blockbuster interview following a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid.

The United boss said in the run-up to the Como game that he did not need reassurances from club bosses over his future.

But the Red Devils are now winless in seven games in all competitions and it is difficult to see where their next victory will come from.

It is an unwelcome case of rinse and repeat for long-suffering United fans, who have been on a rollercoaster ride since the retirement of Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Carrick’s struggles bear an uncanny resemblance to those of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a cherished club legend who took up the managerial reins and started well before a rapid decline in results.

‘Unacceptable’ 

Carrick took full responsibility for the defeat against Como, apologising to travelling fans for the lacklustre showing.

“As a supporter of this football club for so long, to see a performance like that is unacceptable, I have to say,” he told TNT Sports.

The former midfielder, who won multiple trophies under Ferguson at Old Trafford, deflected a question about whether he had the backing of the United board.

“It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about digesting the game and how it went. That is the most important thing right now.”

United’s problems are abundantly clear — no cohesion, a lack of cutting edge and a frustrating defensive frailty.

Most damning of all, they look short of fight.

United’s hierarchy chose to focus almost exclusively on strengthening the midfield in the summer transfer window, bringing in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.

That left glaring gaps elsewhere in the squad, particularly at left-back and in attack, exacerbated when the sole senior forward, Benjamin Sesko, was injured.

Even their talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes has struggled this season and was hauled off in the second half in Italy after an ineffective display.

The Portugal international did not hide his frustration after the drubbing, questioning the tactics of his manager.

“It’s a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence,” he said.

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole said the spotlight would be on the United boss but he believes many of the players at the club are not good enough.

“The rot at this club has been there for many, many years. Michael Carrick is the man who is at the wheel at the moment,” he said.

“Let’s not forget he dragged the club into the Champions League. And they are where they are now. It’s a difficult period.”

“It was a terrible, terrible night,” said former United forward Dimitar Berbatov. “A terrible game for United.

“Nothing was happening and Como outplayed them in every way possible, from the goals, from taking the ball, the possession, the confidence. Everything was there for Como and it was like they were playing a second team, almost.”

United have just three points from their opening three Champions League matches after a win against Sabah and defeat to Atletico.

Their next match against Bournemouth now looks like a must-win as they seek to haul themselves up from 13th in the Premier League.

After this weekend they face Chelsea, Roma, Aston Villa and Liverpool.

Who would want to be in Carrick’s shoes? — AFP 

BIRMINGHAM, Oct 22 — Aston Villa maintained their perfect start to the Champions League on Wednesday, cruising to a 3-1 win against Norwegian side Viking to strengthen their push for a top-eight finish in the league phase.

Ross Barkley put the dominant home side ahead midway through the first half and Emiliano Buendia stroked home a penalty to double their lead at Villa Park.

An own goal from Henrik Heggheim shortly after the hour mark made the game all but safe for Villa, though the visitors grabbed a late consolation.

“We played a very safe match,” Villa boss Unai Emery told TNT Sports. “First half we dominated, we were feeling comfortable.

“The second half we started not like the first half and conceded some corners. In 90 minutes overall we were better and dominated more than less.

“We’re so happy how we’re getting those three points.”

Emery’s new-look team have now won all of their opening three Champions League matches following a 3-2 victory against Club Brugge and a 6-0 mauling of Fenerbahce.

An upturn in fortunes in the Premier League means Villa have now won five out of six games in all competitions — a dramatic turnaround after a slow start to the season.

Viking drew 3-3 with six-time European champions Bayern Munich last week but the home team were dominant from the start on Wednesday.

Nicolas Jackson had two free headers, both of which he directed tamely at goalkeeper Arild Ostbo.

The opener came in the 23rd minute when midfielder Barkley rose to nod home Ibrahim Mbaye’s corner.

Villa doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 37th minute when Zlatko Tripic was penalised for a foul on Alysson after a VAR review. Buendia stepped up and nonchalantly stroked the ball home.

The visitors started the second half brightly, forcing Villa back, but Alysson was inches away from extending Villa’s lead.

And they had a three-goal cushion after Heggheim deflected Alysson’s effort into the net following a swift counter-attack.

Peter Christiansen gave the away fans something to cheer in the final few minutes with a superb volley following a cross from the right.

Victory leaves Villa well placed to finish in the top eight, which would guarantee direct qualification for the last 16 of Europe’s top club competition.

Villa enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 season, finishing fourth in the Premier League and winning the Europa League — their first major trophy for 30 years.

Emery was faced with the task of a huge rebuild after a series of high-profile departures during the summer transfer window, including Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Emiliano Martinez, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne.

But his new side is rapidly taking shape, helped by new signings such as Jackson and Switzerland forward Johan Manzambi, who missed Wednesday’s match with an injury. — AFP 

PARIS, Oct 22 — Manchester United were hammered 4-1 by Como in the Champions League on Wednesday as the pressure increased on beleaguered manager Michael Carrick, while a late Declan Rice equaliser earned Arsenal a 2-2 draw away to Bayern Munich.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid thumped RB Leipzig 4-1 and there were also notable victories for Inter Milan, Aston Villa and Real Betis.

The most remarkable scoreline, though, came in driving rain on the banks of Lake Como, where United suffered their joint-heaviest loss in the Champions League in the last 30 years.

Nico Paz scored twice for Cesc Fabregas’s Como, with Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon getting their other goals. This was a second 4-1 home win in this season’s competition for the tournament debutants.

Joshua Zirkzee pulled one back at the death for United, but they are now seven games without a win in all competitions.

The Red Devils have just one win in the Premier League this season and have now suffered back-to-back losses in Europe. Carrick’s position risks becoming untenable.

“I have not given my own position any thought,” Carrick said.

“For us to play in that way, it’s not acceptable. It wasn’t a good performance at all,” he admitted.

Last season’s beaten finalists Arsenal have seven points from a possible nine after Rice struck in the 82nd minute to earn a draw in Munich.

Bukayo Saka went off injured early on but his replacement Eberechi Eze fired Arsenal into the lead, only for Alphonso Davies to level before the interval.

Harry Kane set up that goal with a magnificent pass and then gave Bayern the lead from a second-half penalty, his 10th strike this season in all competitions.

But Arsenal hit back as Bayern registered a second straight Champions League stalemate.

“We looked dangerous, we got the goal and we had a moment there where we could have killed off the game,” Kane told broadcaster DAZN.

“Probably a draw was a fair result overall... There’s a lot of games and we’ve got players with injuries, players missing tonight, so we take the point and move on.”

Real three from three 

Jose Mourinho’s Real are one of five teams with three wins from three in this season’s Champions League, as goals either side of half-time from Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler set them on their way at the Bernabeu.

Kylian Mbappe made it 12 goals in 12 games this season for Real before Tidiam Gomis pulled one back, but Yan Diomande completed Real’s victory with a spectacular volley against his former club.

“We know every point is important to get into the top eight, we know we have to win as many games as possible — we’ve won three and there are five to go,” Mbappe told Movistar.

Villa also have a perfect record after three games, as they won 3-1 at home to Viking Stavanger with Ross Barkley’s opener being followed by Emiliano Buendia’s penalty and Henrik Heggheim’s own goal.

Peter Christiansen got one back for the Norwegian champions who are still looking for their first win.

Inter had Alessandro Bastoni sent off midway through the second half before Carlos Augusto’s late goal secured a 1-0 win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, as the Italian champions got their first points.

Betis have maximum points as an Isco penalty handed them a 1-0 win over Feyenoord in Seville.

PSG blow 

Club Brugge defeated Lens 3-0 in Belgium as Hans Vanaken, Joaquin Seys and Carlos Forbs all found the net.

Victor Osimhen sealed a 4-2 victory for Galatasaray away to his old side Lille in France, after earlier efforts from Yunus Akgun and Aleksey Batrakov and a Nabil Bentaleb own goal.

Teenager Soriba Diaoune got both goals for Lille, who have lost three out of three.

LASK of Austria have their first points after a fine 3-2 victory over Sporting in Lisbon.

Luis Suarez scored twice for Sporting, including an early penalty, but Christoph Lang, Sasa Kalajdzic and Krystof Danek all netted in between for the visitors.

Reigning champions PSG are top of the 36-team standings after beating Barcelona 4-2 on Tuesday, but the French side confirmed Wednesday that star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in that game.

He will undergo surgery in the coming days amid doubts as to whether he will play again this season. — AFP 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Professional mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing made a winning start to their French Open 2026 campaign, battling back from a game down to reach the second round at Arena Grand Paris yesterday.

Pang Ron-Pei Jing prevailed against China’s Gao Jia Xuan-Wu Meng Ying 14-21, 21-15, 21-15 in 46 minutes to set up a meeting with Taiwan’s Liu Kuang Heng-Hsu Yin-Hui, who stunned fifth seeds from Thailand Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran 21-13, 22-24, 22-20.

Unfortunately, husband-and-wife pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie suffered an early exit after failing to capitalise on winning their opening game 21-17 against Germany’s Marvin Seidel-Thuc Phuong Nguyen, losing the next two games 15-21, 20-22.

Meanwhile, national women’s doubles pair Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting progressed to the second round as they trounced home pair Margot Lambert-Camille Pognante 21-11, 21-12.

A potential all-Malaysian affair awaits Xin Yee-Carmen should national women’s doubles top pair and newly-crowned Denmark Open champion Pearly Tan-M Thinaah beat Turkish pair Bengisu Ercetin-Nazlizan Inci in the other first round tie.

The French Open 2026 offers total prize money of US$950,000 (RM3.88 million). — Bernama 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik cruised into the second round of the 2026 French Open at the Arena Grand Paris early today.

The fourth seeds needed just 37 minutes to beat China’s He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu 21-15, 21-19.

They will next face Thailand’s Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul, who defeated another Malaysian pair, Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, 19-21, 21-10, 21-19.

Meanwhile, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also advanced to the second round after recovering from a first-game defeat to beat Japan’s Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi 18-21, 21-15, 21-17.

The Malaysians will next take on eighth seeds Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan.

In the women’s doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah defeated Türkiye’s Bengisu Ercetin-Nazlıcan Inci 21-11, 21-15 to set up a second-round clash against fellow Malaysians Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting. — Bernama 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Malaysian squash players S. Sivasangari and Rachel Arnold will face each other in the quarter-finals of the Silicon Valley Open in Redwood City, the United States, after winning their respective second-round matches on Wednesday.

World number four Sivasangari overcame compatriot Aifa Azman in five games, winning 6-11, 11-2, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7 at SquashZone.

Rachel, meanwhile, defeated American world number 10 Amanda Sobhy 11-9, 8-11, 13-11, 11-13, 11-8 in another five-game encounter.

The victory marked Rachel’s first win over Amanda, who had beaten the Malaysian in all three of their previous meetings.

Sivasangari and Rachel will now face each other for a place in the semi-finals. — Bernama