Ƶ

Sharjah Self-Defense crowned winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Sharjah Self-Defense crowned winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
The three-day Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday in Sharjah. (UAEJJF)
Short Url
Updated 30 September 2024

Sharjah Self-Defense crowned winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Sharjah Self-Defense crowned winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • MOD UAE finished second, Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club third in the 3-day competition which concluded on Sunday night

SHARJAH: Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club came out on top on the final day of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship – Round 3 No-Gi, held at Al-Bait Metwahid in Sharjah.

Sunday’s showdowns featured under-16 and youth matchups, with MOD UAE in second and Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.

Issa Hilal Al-Hazami, chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, said they were proud to host the event. “The strong participation in a championship that holds such a special name is a great sign of the sport’s continuous growth.”

“The support from families plays a big role in the success of these athletes,” he added.

“We are proud to see them making steady progress towards their dreams, which aligns with the country’s vision of empowering young people and giving them the best opportunities to excel.”

Mohamed Hussain Al-Marzooqi, director of marketing and corporate communications at the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the results highlighted the strength of the sport in the country.

“This championship plays a crucial role in empowering young athletes and developing their skills,” he said.

“The under-16 and youth categories are the future of jiu-jitsu, and their impressive performances show their dedication to building a strong professional career and representing their country in future competitions.”


Handshake spat bad for cricket, says Pakistan captain ahead of India final in Dubai

Handshake spat bad for cricket, says Pakistan captain ahead of India final in Dubai
Updated 20 sec ago

Handshake spat bad for cricket, says Pakistan captain ahead of India final in Dubai

Handshake spat bad for cricket, says Pakistan captain ahead of India final in Dubai
  • India skipped handshakes with Pakistan twice, fueling tensions after a recent military conflict
  • Salman Agha says players may show aggression but must avoid disrespecting their opponents

DUBAI: Pakistan captain Salman Agha condemned India’s refusal to shake hands with their arch-rivals, calling it “not good for cricket” before Sunday’s high-stakes Asia Cup final in Dubai.

Political tension and on-field friction have stalked the teams at the regional tournament following a deadly military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors in May.

India angered Pakistan by not shaking hands in either of the first two meetings between the teams in the UAE. Unbeaten India won comfortably in the group stage and did so again in the Super Four round.

The tension increased when players exchanged words during last Sunday’s clash, with India filing an official complaint over gestures made by Pakistan duo Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan.

Agha said the lack of handshakes had left him perplexed.

“I have been playing competitive cricket since 2007 and have never seen a game go without a handshake,” Agha said on Saturday, speaking for the first time on the controversy.

“It is not good for cricket. Even in worst times between Pakistan and India, players have shaken hands. My father is a great fan of cricket, and he never told me that such a thing happened.”

Agha said players must be careful not to cross the line when it comes to discipline.

“I think every individual has his own style. If someone wants to be aggressive on the ground, then why not. If you control the aggression of a fast bowler, then nothing is left.

“Every player knows how to deal with his emotions. I give free hand to my players to react on the ground unless he is disrespecting other players and the country.”

The Pakistan skipper said his team will follow the protocols for a captains’ photo shoot with the trophy on Sunday, which India is likely to boycott.

“They do what they want to do,” said Agha. “We will do what is in our protocol. Rest is up to them, if they want to come for that it’s up to them. If they do not want to come, don’t come.”

India have won all six of their matches at the tournament and are heavy favorites going into the final. They have not lost to Pakistan in seven white-ball matches dating back to 2022.

“It’s a final so there will be the same amount of pressure on both the teams,” said Agha. “I think the pressure of the final is different. We will try our best to win this.”


Dortmund earn fourth straight league win with 2-0 win at 10-man Mainz

Dortmund earn fourth straight league win with 2-0 win at 10-man Mainz
Updated 13 min 57 sec ago

Dortmund earn fourth straight league win with 2-0 win at 10-man Mainz

Dortmund earn fourth straight league win with 2-0 win at 10-man Mainz
  • Dortmund were without top striker Serhou Guirassy, who was injured during the warm-up
  • Niko Kovac’s team are on 13 points in second place, two behind champions Bayern Munich

MAINZ, Germany: Record-breaking Borussia Dortmund outclassed 10-man Mainz 05 2-0 on Saturday, with goals from Daniel Svensson and Karim Adeyemi, to secure a fourth straight league win that stretched their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund, who host Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League on Wednesday, were without top striker Serhou Guirassy, who was injured during the warm-up.
They have now gone 13 league matches without defeat, going back to last season, and have not conceded a league goal since the first matchday on August 23. Dortmund were in the lead at halftime for the 10th Bundesliga match in a row, setting a league record.
Niko Kovac’s team are on 13 points in second place, two behind champions Bayern Munich, who were 4-0 winners over Werder Bremen on Friday.
“It happened exactly the way we had wanted it to,” Kovac told a press conference. “The team played in a very disciplined and organized way. We scored at the right times and today I saw the team play out an away game as we should.”
“We are only looking at us. I know that football in Germany has expectations that Bayern do not march away on their own this season. But we have to keep things in perspective. It is the fifth matchday and still early in the season. But we are doing it well so far.”
The visitors dominated from the start and went ahead in the 27th minute when Svensson at the far post tapped in a Julian Brandt cutback. The goal came seconds after the hosts had hit the woodwork through Paul Nebel.
Germany international Brandt then delivered another assist after Adeyemi sprinted clear and finished the job in the 44th.
Mainz were left with 10 players when keeper Robin Zentner was sent off after bringing down Adeyemi outside the box but by that time the game had long been decided with Dortmund in complete control.
Brandt nearly scored himself but his stoppage-time effort was spectacularly palmed over the bar by substitute keeper Lasse Riess.


Alvarez double sparks Atletico comeback to stun leaders Real Madrid 5-2​

Alvarez double sparks Atletico comeback to stun leaders Real Madrid 5-2​
Updated 55 min 1 sec ago

Alvarez double sparks Atletico comeback to stun leaders Real Madrid 5-2​

Alvarez double sparks Atletico comeback to stun leaders Real Madrid 5-2​
  • Atletico’s aggressive start paid off when Robin Le Normand opened the scoring with a header
  • Alexander Sorloth’s header in added time before the break gave Atletico a boost

MADRID: Julian Alvarez scored twice as Atletico Madrid came from behind to thrash city rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in a pulsating derby on Saturday that handed the LaLiga leaders their first loss after a perfect start to the season.
The thrilling encounter at a raucous Metropolitano stadium, with nearly 70,000 fans on the edge of their seats, saw Atletico fight back from 2-1 down to claim a memorable victory that lifted them to fourth place with 12 points. Real Madrid remain atop LaLiga on 18 points, two ahead of Barcelona who have a game in hand.
Atletico’s aggressive start paid off when Robin Le Normand opened the scoring with a header in the 14th minute, but Kylian Mbappe burst through to level with an unstoppable strike from close range in a quick counter in the 25th minute, with Arda Guller netting a volley from a Vinicius Jr cross 11 minutes later to put the visitors in front.
Alexander Sorloth’s header in added time before the break gave Atletico a boost and they regained the lead five minutes into the second half when Alvarez converted a penalty after Guler’s high boot clipped rival Nico Gonzalez on the face inside the box.
After Alvarez extended their lead in the 64th minute with a sublime free kick into the top corner, substitute Antoine Griezmann sealed the win in a quick counter in added time.


Grimaldo touch helps Leverkusen to beat St. Pauli 2-1

Grimaldo touch helps Leverkusen to beat St. Pauli 2-1
Updated 27 September 2025

Grimaldo touch helps Leverkusen to beat St. Pauli 2-1

Grimaldo touch helps Leverkusen to beat St. Pauli 2-1
  • Leverkusen have struggled for form so far with new coach Kasper Hjulmand demanding more time
  • They saw St. Pauli bounce back with Hauke Wahl seven minutes later

HAMBURG: Bayer Leverkusen needed the magic touch of Alejandro Grimaldo to set up goals for Edmond Tapsoba and Ernest Poku and earn a 2-1 victory at St. Pauli on Saturday, maintaining their league-record unbeaten run on the road.
Spain international Grimaldo floated a freekick into the box and Tapsoba pounced on a bad clearance to rifle in from close range for a 25th-minute lead.
Leverkusen, domestic double winners in 2024 and runners-up last season, have struggled for form so far with new coach Kasper Hjulmand demanding more time.
They saw St. Pauli bounce back with Hauke Wahl seven minutes later, but Grimaldo delivered a perfectly-timed assist for the 21-year-old Poku in the 58th and the Dutchman drilled the ball past keeper Nikola Vasilj to put them back in front.
Leverkusen, who face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday, held on to the three points to stretch their undefeated run in away matches in the Bundesliga to 36, and climb to fourth on eight points, seven behind leaders Bayern Munich.


Under-fire Amorim accepts criticism as Man Utd crash at Brentford

Under-fire Amorim accepts criticism as Man Utd crash at Brentford
Updated 27 September 2025

Under-fire Amorim accepts criticism as Man Utd crash at Brentford

Under-fire Amorim accepts criticism as Man Utd crash at Brentford
  • Lacklustre United’s third loss in six Premier League games this season has left Amorim fighting to avoid the sack
  • Amorim’s side were punished for shambolic defending as Igor Thiago netted twice in the first half

LONDON: Ruben Amorim said he would not try to protect himself or his players from the mounting pressure after Manchester United crashed to a dismal 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Saturday.
Lacklustre United’s third loss in six Premier League games this season has left Amorim fighting to avoid the sack.
Amorim’s side were punished for shambolic defending as Igor Thiago netted twice in the first half.
Benjamin Sesko, signed from Leipzig in the summer, bagged his first goal for United before half-time.
But Amorim’s misery mounted when United captain Bruno Fernandes had a second half penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher before Mathias Jensen struck in stoppage-time.
After Jensen’s decisive goal, Amorim had to endure chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from jubilant Brentford fans at the Gtech Community Stadium.
“Ups and downs, when you win you feel the momentum is here,” said Amorim, who is still waiting to record successive league wins since taking charge in November.
“When you lose you go back to the same place and fight for the one win that can help you to create the momentum.
“I am always doing my job. If I win I’m in different state of mind, but I am always confident because I know what to do.
“I am trying to do my best for the club and the team, thinking what is the best to win the next game. Not to protect the players or myself, win the next game and create the momentum.”
Brentford might have been reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes when Nathan Collins dragged down former Bees striker Bryan Mbeumo.
But referee Craig Pawson deemed a spot-kick sufficient punishment and Collins did not see red, despite the defender not appearing to have any intention to play the ball.
“The referee told me Bryan is not in control of the ball. I think he is not in control of the ball because he was pulled. But that is the decision and I do not want to focus on the referee,” Amorim said.

- ‘We never settled down’ -

Amorim was reportedly backed by United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe during a recent meeting at the club’s training ground.
But Ratcliffe’s support could be wavering after United’s latest ignominious loss.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss was regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in Europe when he arrived to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.
But Amorim has found it impossible to lift United out of the malaise that has gripped them since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after winning their most recent Premier League title.
Amorim presided over United’s worst top-flight season since 1973-74 and watched as they slumped to a limp 1-0 defeat against Tottenham in the Europa League final last season.
Ratcliffe gave Amorim over £250 million to spend on Sesko, Matheus Cunha and former Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo in a bid to revitalize his spluttering attack.
United have made a miserable start despite that investment, losing to Arsenal, Manchester City and Brentford, as well as suffering a humiliating League Cup loss at fourth tier Grimsby.
Amorim conceded United have a host of problems to solve before result can improve.
“The penalty in the second half changed things, but we never settled down. Possession and control of the game was never there, so we lost,” he said.
“We need to work on a lot of things and my biggest concern is we did not settle down in the game, missed a lot of crosses in final third, and suffered from transitions.
“We play the game of Brentford and when you play the opponents’ game it is harder to win.”