Sports

How relentless Arsenal revived title hopes after overpowering Liverpool

Published

3 months ago

05/02/2024

Arsenal must have had a sinking feeling deep down, knowing that their much-anticipated showdown with Premier League leaders Liverpool had the potential to deal a severe blow to their title ambitions. A defeat in this high-stakes clash would have left Mikel Arteta’s side trailing by a daunting eight-point margin, as Liverpool had only suffered a solitary league defeat before setting foot at the Emirates Stadium.

Yet, Arsenal showed immense character on Sunday, defying doubt and rallying as a cohesive unit to firmly position themselves in the heart of the title race with a crucial 3-1 triumph. They left no stone unturned, pouring their heart and soul into every minute of the game.

The Arsenal players employed aggressive ball-winning tactics, meticulously designed to unsettle Jurgen Klopp’s formidable side and disrupt the well-established rhythm that had propelled them to the top of the league table. It was a display of sheer tenacity and an unwavering commitment to their cause.

Throughout the game, Arsenal displayed a ferocious pressing game that left Liverpool struggling to slow down the tempo. The hosts got off to a lightning start, as Bukayo Saka gave them the lead inside 15 minutes, capitalizing on a rebound after Alisson had saved Kai Havertz’s initial effort.

Arsenal continued to dominate proceedings, but a defensive blunder allowed Liverpool to equalize just seconds before halftime. Gabriel inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following a mix-up between goalkeeper David Raya and William Saliba, who were challenging Luis Diaz.

There was a momentary concern that Arsenal might pay the price for their lapse, as Liverpool gradually gained momentum. However, the admirable energy of Gabriel Martinelli provided a crucial weapon for the hosts. In a pivotal moment midway through the second half, another calamitous error occurred due to the Brazilian striker’s intervention.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had expected his goalkeeper Alisson to deal with a high ball forward while under pressure from Martinelli. However, a collision between Martinelli and Van Dijk caused Alisson to miss his kick, allowing Martinelli to calmly roll the ball into the empty net. With that goal, Arsenal firmly took control of the match and set themselves on the path to victory.

To add insult to injury for Liverpool, their misery was further compounded in the dying moments of the match. Defender Ibrahima Konate received a second yellow card for a foul committed on Havertz, leaving his team with a numerical disadvantage.

But the misfortune didn’t end there. In stoppage time, substitute Leandro Trossard delivered the final blow, scoring the third goal for Arsenal. Alisson, once again, found himself at fault as he allowed a near-post shot to sneak in through his legs.

While Martinelli’s electrifying performance rightfully captured the spotlight, it’s important not to overlook the contributions of Declan Rice, who played a crucial role as the unsung hero. At just 25 years of age, Rice has consistently demonstrated his value to Arsenal throughout the season, and in this particular match, he showcased his talent once again.

Rice’s accuracy was nothing short of impressive, hardly wasting a single pass. His ability to win possession was unparalleled, consistently coming out victorious in midfield battles. When Arsenal needed a sense of authority and control in the middle of the park, Rice provided just that, instilling a sense of confidence in his teammates.

The exuberant scenes of celebration that followed the final whistle spoke volumes about the significance of this victory for Arsenal. They were determined to erase the memories of their recent FA Cup third-round defeat at the hands of Liverpool, where their profligacy in front of goal proved costly. This win served as the perfect response, especially considering that another loss would have likely derailed their season.

With this crucial win, Arsenal have significantly closed the gap on Liverpool, reducing their lead at the top to a mere two points. Should Manchester City triumph in their two games in hand, starting with their clash against Brentford on Monday, they could potentially seize the top spot.

However, Arsenal aren’t preoccupied with such thoughts at the moment. Their sole focus is on their own resurgence and the fact that they have firmly reestablished themselves as contenders in the title race. That is all that truly matters to them at this juncture.

The future will unfold in due time, but for now, Arsenal can relish in their hard-fought triumph and the renewed hope it has ignited.

Source(s): CGTN

Sports

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

Published

10 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