Sports

Barca waste chance to move 10 clear as none of top four win in Spain

Published

1 year ago

27/02/2023

MADRID, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) — FC Barcelona wasted a chance to move 10 points clear at the top of La Liga on Sunday when they lost 1-0 away to Almeria.

El Bilal Toure’s 23rd-minute shot, which went in off the underside of the bar, led to the only goal of the game as the forward found space between the Barcelona defenders.

What followed was an exercise in frustration for Barca who tried, but failed to create clear chances against a rival that had lost three consecutive matches and started the game in the relegation zone.

Xavi Hernandez commented post-match that it was his side’s worst display of the season.

The result ends a dreadful week for Barca, who were knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday night as they wasted the chance to take an almost definitive grip on La Liga after a 1-1 draw between second-placed Real and Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s Madrid derby.

A dull Madrid derby came to life in the 64th minute when Atletico’s Angel Correa was sent off for elbowing Real Madrid defender, Antonio Rudiger in the chest, although Rudiger did go down very easily.

Atletico took the lead with a man less 12 minutes from time when Jose Gimenez headed home following a free kick.

Real Madrid salvaged a point five minutes from time when 18-year-old forward, Alvaro Rodriguez equalized from Luka Modric’s corner.

Real Sociedad slipped to a rare away defeat in Valencia, who took three vital points when Real Sociedad defender, Igor Zubeldia slid a cross into his own net.

Celta Vigo’s impressive young midfielder, Gabri Veiga scored twice as his side won 3-0 at home to Valladolid.

Haris Seferovic had opened the scoring for Celta in the 16th minute thanks to an assist from Veiga, who could be close to earning a first international cap in March.

Osasuna ended Sevilla’s recent recovery with a 3-2 win in the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

David Garcia put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute and although Nemanja Gudelj equalized in the 62nd minute, an own goal from Fernando put Osasuna back in front five minutes later.

Youssef En-Nesyri made it 2-2 in the 77th minute, but Ez Abde won the game for Osasuna with an angled shot in the 83rd minute.

Cadiz continued their solid home form with a 1-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano, thanks to Sergi Guardiola’s 73rd-minute goal against his former club.

Rayo’s afternoon was made worse with an injury to the key midfielder, Santi Comesana and a late red card for Alejandro Catena.

Athletic Club Bilbao were unable to capitalize on Rayo’s slip-up after a disastrous 3-2 defeat at home to Girona which saw the home side lose three players (Unai Simon, Yeray Alvarez and Jon Morcillo) through injury and score two own goals through Oscar de Marcos and Mikel Vesga.

Aleix Garcia scored a brilliant opening goal for Girona before Oscar de Marcos deflected into his own net following a corner, Yuri Berchiche pulled a goal back for Athletic with a shot from outside of the area, but Vesga’s own goal on the stroke of halftime made it 3-1 before Raul Garcia gave Athletic hope with a late goal.

Espanyol won 2-1 at home to Mallorca thanks to two goals from Martin Braithwaite, who scored either side of Vedat Muriqi’s 40th-minute equalizer.

There was drama at Elche on Friday night when Betis came back from 2-0 down in a match that saw the visitors given three penalties, while Elche had three players sent off.

Source(s): Xinhua

Sports

The table tennis star Dheema, first Maldivian athlete to qualify for Olympics

Published

18 hours ago

18/05/2024

The table tennis star, Fathimath Dheema Ali, who will be partaking in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, has received a warm welcome upon returning to Male’ City. Dheema showcased her exemplary skills amidst stiff competition from the finest table tennis players in South Asia and emerged victorious in the South Asia Regional Olympic Qualifications. Her triumph signifies a momentous milestone for the Maldives in the realm of international sports.

Upon arrival back to the Maldives, the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu and senior officials of the ministry along with the President of Maldives Olympic Committee (MOC) Mohamed Abdul Sattar and key figures from the Table Tennis Association of the Maldives extended their heartfelt and warm welcomes to Dheema. The minister organised a special ceremony held in the Youth Centre, commemorating the groundbreaking achievement of Dheema.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the table Tennis Association Ali Rasheed rejoiced, stating that Dheema’s historic performance marked a significant milestone in the history of the Maldives. Highlighting that this remarkable victory was a result of 10 years of her unwavering commitment and dedication, Ali affirmed that the administration and countries in which she received training played a pivotal role for her success. On this stance, he expressed heartfelt gratitude towards all who were engaged in assisting to ensure this significant opportunity was secured.

While Dheema successfully qualified for the Olympic Games, previously Maldivian athletes competed in the games in invitational (tripartite) opportunities provided. As such, Maldivian athletes have been actively participating and competing in athletics, badminton and swimming since 1988.

Source(s): PsmNews

Sports

Minister announces survey for 20-year sports development plan

Published

3 days ago

15/05/2024

Minister of Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu has announced a special survey for the Maldives’ 20-year sports development plan.

The draft plan was developed in February and focuses on cultivating top athletes by training coaches in schools, hosting major tournaments in the Maldives, and expanding sports associations’ activities in the atolls.

At a press conference, Minister Rafiu highlighted ongoing collaboration with sports associations. He said that detailed work on the long-term policy is available on the ministry’s website. He also said that the survey is a critical part of the process and spans 22 pages and requires time for completion by each association.

Additionally, Minister Rafiu mentioned agreements with Malaysia for training athletes and administrators. He also said that discussions about the plan have taken place with France, and talks are ongoing with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Source(s): PsmNews

Sports

Mbappe announces PSG departure at end of season

Published

1 week ago

11/05/2024

MARSEILLE, May 10 (Xinhua) — Kylian Mbappe confirmed on Friday that he will leave French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, without revealing his next destination.

But according to multiple media reports, he will join the La Liga powerhouses Real Madrid after the season ends.

“I wanted to announce to you all that it’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks,” Mbappe said in a video posted on social media.

“I will play my last game at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.”

The French international joined PSG on loan from Monaco in 2017 and officially signed with the capital-based side after the season ended for a transfer fee of 180 million euros.

During his seven years with the team, Mbappe helped the club claim six league titles and three French Cup victories, making 306 appearances and scoring 255 goals, becoming the top scorer in the team’s history.

“It’s a lot of emotions, many years where I had the chance and the great honor to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world,” said the 26-year-old.

“It allowed me to arrive here, to have my first experience in a club with a lot of pressure, to grow as a player of course, by being alongside some of the best in history, some of the greatest champions,” he added.

“It’s hard and I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that… but I think I needed this, a new challenge, after seven years.”

PSG have already secured the Ligue 1 title of this season and reached the French Cup final, where they will compete for the championship against Lyon on May 25th.

However, in the Champions League where the team most aspired to make a mark, they suffered another disappointing exit as they were eliminated in the semifinals after being defeated in both legs by Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

Source(s): Xinhua