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Ten Hag bemoans Man Utd's lack of killer instinct in Palace stalemate

Ten Hag bemoans Man Utd's lack of killer instinct in Palace stalemate
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Updated 21 September 2024

Ten Hag bemoans Man Utd's lack of killer instinct in Palace stalemate

Ten Hag bemoans Man Utd's lack of killer instinct in Palace stalemate

LONDON: Manchester United must be more ruthless said Erik ten Hag after missing a host of chances in a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes hit the bar for the visitors in the first half as United dominated on a ground where they were thrashed 4-0 just four months ago.
But only a stunning double save from Andre Onana after the break denied Palace their first league win of the season.
A point leaves United down in 11th after winning just two of their opening five matches of the new Premier League campaign.
“I’m not content, we should have won,” said Ten Hag. “First half we left them alive, the second half was more balanced.
“We played very good (in the first half), total control of the game, the only thing was in the box and in the box is where the game is decided. We should be more clinical there.”
The humiliation of their last visit to Selhurst Park in May was the nadir of a troubled season for United.
Many wondered whether Ten Hag would even oversee another match but a shock FA Cup final victory over Manchester City handed the Dutchman a second chance.
The Red Devils this time arrived in south London on a high after scoring 10 goals in the past week to dispose of Southampton 3-0 and smash Barnsley 7-0 in the League Cup in midweek.
Marcus Rashford had ended a barren run by scoring three times in those two matches, but he was surprisingly dropped to the bench by Ten Hag.
However, the decision to keep Garnacho on the left was inspired as the Argentine tore Palace to shreds early on without applying the final touch.
Former United goalkeeper Dean Henderson kept the Eagles in the game before half-time.
Garnacho did not get enough on his curling effort to beat Henderson with his first big chance before the England stopper denied Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez.
United knew their luck was not in when the visitors then hit the bar twice in the matter of seconds.
Garnacho sprinted onto Diogo Dalot’s incisive pass to curl off the woodwork before Fernandes’ follow-up effort also clipped the bar.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner reacted with a double substitution at half-time which resulted in a far more competitive second half.
“In the first half we needed a great goalkeeper and fortunately we had one today,” said Glasner.
“In that second half it was more like a Crystal Palace team and that is what we need to be competitive against a team like Manchester United.”
Fernandes was inches away once more with an audacious outside of the boot effort that flew wide after a neat one-two with Joshua Zirkzee.
But only a moment of magic from Onana prevented United from slipping to a third defeat in five league games this season.
The former Ajax ‘keeper got down well to parry Eddie Nketiah’s strike from distance before leaping off the ground to prevent Sarr tapping in the rebound.
“It’s not so important (how I made the double save) because we didn’t win,” said Onana. “Unfortunately we didn’t score. It’s pitiful to go back home with the one point when you deserve to win.”
Palace had another huge chance to snatch all three points when Eberechi Eze side-footed wide with the goal gaping from close range.
A draw leaves Palace down in 16th, but it is United who will be more frustrated with the missed opportunity to gain some momentum with three wins in eight days.


Mahrez wins it for Al-Ahli after Al-Ittihad stumble in Asia

Mahrez wins it for Al-Ahli after Al-Ittihad stumble in Asia
Updated 16 September 2025

Mahrez wins it for Al-Ahli after Al-Ittihad stumble in Asia

Mahrez wins it for Al-Ahli after Al-Ittihad stumble in Asia
  • Al-Ahli started their defence of the AFC Champions League Elite with a win over Central Asian opponents

JEDDAH: Al-Ahli started their defense of the AFC Champions League Elite Monday with a dramatic 4-2 win over Nasaf Qarshi while Jeddah rivals Al-Ittihad slumped to a 2-1 loss at Al-Wahda of the United Arab Emirates.

The holders found themselves 2-0 down at the break thanks to two goals from Khusayin Norchaev. 

Merih Demiral gave the ball away just after the half-hour and the striker made no mistake. Then, four minutes before the break, the 23-year-old ran on to a through ball and slotted past Edouard Mendy from the right side of the area.

Al-Ahli threw everything at the Central Asian visitors in the second half and were given a lifeline after 65 minutes.  Abduvohid Nematov came out of his area to clear a pass over the top, missed and there was Millot to shoot into the empty net.

Four minutes later and the French midfielder was on hand to score from much closer range, slotting home a loose ball after the away team had failed to clear a number of dangerous attacks.

Then, four minutes into added time, Riyad Mahrez cut it from the right to fire a low shot into the opposite corner and there was still time for Mohammed Sulaiman to add a fourth and seal a dramatic victory.

It was the opposite feeling for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad. The Tigers went ahead in Abu Dhabi when Steven Bergwijn smashed home a fierce drive from well outside the area in the 21st minute.

The goal came against the run of play, with Al-Ittihad struggling to find their rhythm. It didn’t improve as the Jeddah giants were reduced to ten men eight minutes before the break as Muhannad Al-Shanqiti saw red for a foul on Facundo Kruspzky. 

The hosts finally got the goal they deserved just after the hour. Omar Khribin scored plenty of goals for Al-Hilal and the Syrian turned provider, passing for Caio Canedo to slot home from close range.

Al-Ittihad looked like going back home with a point but that was snatched away in the 98th minute. Predrag Rajkovic saved a close range header from Alaeddine Zouhir and there was Lucas Pimenta to fire home the rebound. 


Sri Lanka survive Hong Kong scare for four wicket Asia Cup win

Sri Lanka survive Hong Kong scare for four wicket Asia Cup win
Updated 15 September 2025

Sri Lanka survive Hong Kong scare for four wicket Asia Cup win

Sri Lanka survive Hong Kong scare for four wicket Asia Cup win

DUBAI: Sri Lanka were made to sweat before edging Hong Kong by four wickets in the Asia Cup on Monday, as Wanindu Hasaranga’s late cameo spared the former champions an embarrassing stumble.

Chasing 150 on a sluggish surface, Sri Lanka looked comfortable at 119 for two with 31 needed off 30 deliveries, but a flurry of wickets, four for eight runs, set nerves jangling.

Hasaranga steadied the innings with an unbeaten 20 off nine balls, striking two fours and a six to seal victory with seven balls left.

Pathum Nissanka was again the batting linchpin, cracking 68 off 44 balls with six fours and two sixes. The opener, ranked seventh in the ICC T20 batting standings, posted back-to-back half-centuries to become the tournament’s leading scorer with 118 runs. Fortune favored him. He was reprieved on 22, 58 and 59, before being run out going for a risky second.

Hong Kong’s spirited effort was undermined by sloppy fielding as they grassed five catches that might have turned the contest on its head.

“It was a very good performance but we’re disappointed we dropped so many catches,” said skipper Yasim Murtaza.

Earlier, after being sent in, Hong Kong charged to 31 for no loss in the first three overs. A 61-run stand from Anshuman Rath (48) and Nizakat Khan (52) anchored their innings, the latter posting his 12th half-century.

Dushmantha Chameera’s pace proved too hot to handle, finishing with two wickets.

“Very pleased with my form, but we have a long way to go,” said Nissanka, who continues to flourish at the top of the order.

The win puts Sri Lanka top of Group B, all but ensuring a place in the second round with one match in hand.


UAE hammer Oman in Asia Cup to keep Super Four hopes alive

UAE hammer Oman in Asia Cup to keep Super Four hopes alive
Updated 15 September 2025

UAE hammer Oman in Asia Cup to keep Super Four hopes alive

UAE hammer Oman in Asia Cup to keep Super Four hopes alive
  • UAE play Pakistan, who went down to tournament favorites India in key match, next on Wednesday
  • The winner of the match will likely move into the Super Four stage of the eight-nation tournament

ABU DHABI: Skipper Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu struck attacking half-centuries to lead United Arab Emirates to a thumping 42-run win over Oman in the Asia Cup on Monday.

Waseem, who hit 69, and Sharafu, who made 51, put on 88 runs for the opening wicket to guide hosts UAE to a challenging 172-5 in Abu Dhabi.

The home bowlers then combined to dismiss Oman for 130 in 18.4 overs for their first win in this edition of the regional tournament played in the T20 format.

Medium-pace bowler Junaid Siddique stood out with figures of 4-23. Haider Ali and Muhammad Jawadullah took two wickets each.

The batters had set up victory. Waseem and Sharafu started cautiously but soon took the attack to the opposition with a flurry of boundaries.

Sharafu fell for his 51 but Waseem kept up the charge and reached fifty with a six. The captain was run out in the final over.

UAE play Pakistan, who went down to tournament favorites India in a key match, next on Wednesday with the winner likely to move into the Super Four stage of the eight-nation event.

Oman were never in the chase and lost five wickets for 50 runs with captain and opener Jatinder Singh scoring 20 as they slumped to a second straight defeat.

Defending champions India, who won the previous edition played in a 50-overs format, lead the table in Group A with two wins in two matches are nearly through to the next stage.

Along with regional bragging rights, the competition will serve as a build-up toward the T20 World Cup in February-March in India and Sri Lanka.

 


UAE hammer Oman in Asia Cup to keep Super Four hopes alive

UAE hammer Oman in Asia Cup to keep Super Four hopes alive
Updated 15 September 2025

UAE hammer Oman in Asia Cup to keep Super Four hopes alive

UAE hammer Oman in Asia Cup to keep Super Four hopes alive
  • Waseem, who hit 69, and Sharafu, who made 51, put on 88 runs for the opening wicket to guide hosts UAE to a challenging 172-5 in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI: Skipper Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu struck attacking half-centuries to lead United Arab Emirates to a thumping 42-run win over Oman in the Asia Cup on Monday.

Waseem, who hit 69, and Sharafu, who made 51, put on 88 runs for the opening wicket to guide hosts UAE to a challenging 172-5 in Abu Dhabi.

The home bowlers then combined to dismiss Oman for 130 in 18.4 overs for their first win in this edition of the regional tournament played in the T20 format.

Medium-pace bowler Junaid Siddique stood out with figures of 4-23. Haider Ali and Muhammad Jawadullah took two wickets each.

The batters had set up victory. Waseem and Sharafu started cautiously but soon took the attack to the opposition with a flurry of boundaries.

Sharafu fell for his 51 but Waseem kept up the charge and reached fifty with a six. The captain was run out in the final over.

UAE play Pakistan, who went down to tournament favorites India in a key match, next on Wednesday with the winner likely to move into the Super Four stage of the eight-nation event.

Oman were never in the chase and lost five wickets for 50 runs with captain and opener Jatinder Singh scoring 20 as they slumped to a second straight defeat.

Defending champions India, who won the previous edition played in a 50-overs format, lead the table in Group A with two wins in two matches are nearly through to the next stage.

Along with regional bragging rights, the competition will serve as a build-up toward the T20 World Cup in February-March in India and Sri Lanka.


Norway to give ticket sales from Israel qualifier to MSF

Norway to give ticket sales from Israel qualifier to MSF
Updated 16 September 2025

Norway to give ticket sales from Israel qualifier to MSF

Norway to give ticket sales from Israel qualifier to MSF
  • Donation is to help alleviate “humanitarian suffering” in Gaza, Norway’s football association says

OSLO: Ticket sales from Norway’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Israel will go to medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to help it alleviate “humanitarian suffering” in Gaza, Norway’s football association said on Monday.
The October 11 match in Oslo “will be played against the backdrop of grave humanitarian suffering, and we are not and can not remain indifferent to this,” the head of the Norwegian football association, Lisa Klaveness, told reporters at a press conference.
“We think it is entirely justified to give the ticket sales to Doctors Without Borders, which is providing concrete, emergency aid on the ground in Gaza,” she said.
Klaveness criticized the “disproportionate attacks targeting Gaza for far too long.”
The match will be played in a sold-out Ullevaal Stadium, which has the capacity to host a little over 27,000 spectators.
“We are moved to see donors willing to make such a significant contribution to support our colleagues plunged into a brutal and desperate situation in Gaza, where they need all possible support, both financial and moral,” said Lindis Hurum, the secretary general of the Norwegian branch of Doctors Without Borders.
Norway tops Group 1 with five victories in five matches, ahead of Italy and Israel.
In their away match played on neutral ground in Debrecen on March 25, Norway beat Israel 4-2.