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Nagaland Post, Dimapur TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Lyon win 7th Women’s Champions League title Tokyo Games to be symbol of hope
Lyon players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.
season. Lyon made light of big-name absentees like Ada Hegerberg and Nikita Parris and have not tasted defeat in competitive action since a 1-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the French cup final back on 21 May 2018. England’s Lucy Bronze also finished her Lyon career in style, bowing out with three successive Euro-
pean titles - the first English player, male or female, to do so. The 28-year-old has yet to reveal her next destination, but sealed the ideal exit in San Sebastian. Lyon dominated from the off, Europe’s outstanding talents again showing all the poise and polish required for another triumph. Le Sommer put the defending champions ahead,
Djokovic favourite to win US Open
Havertz wants fast move to Chelsea
M a d r i d, A u g 3 1 (Agencies): Lyon have won a record-extending seventh Women’s Champions League title, beating Wolfsburg 3-1 in the final. Eugenie Le Sommer put the French side ahead in the 25th minute before Saki Kumagai (44) added the second just before half-time - becoming the first Asian player to score in a Women’s Champions League
Washington, Aug 31 (IANS): In a major delight for tennis fans across the globe, the US Open will become the first Grand Slam of the Covid-19 era when it begins on Monday in a spectator-less bubble at the Flushing Meadows, New York. Novak Djokovic, fresh from his recent Cincinnati Masters title, will be seeking his 18th Grand Slam in a roster that misses Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the first time since the 1999 edition of the tournament. The Serbian launches his bid for a fourth US Open crown at Arthur Ashe Stadium as he squares off with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 107thranked Damir Dzumhur. Austrian second seed Dominic Thiem, thirdseeded 2019 US Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev of Russia, Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and German fifth seed Alexander Zverev are also in the fray. Britain’s Andy Murray also could pose a threat as he
final - as Wolfsburg failed to have a shot on target in the opening period. Alexandra Popp (57) netted after the break to ask some questions of Lyon, but Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir (88) - who only joined Lyon in July, making the switch from Wolfsburg secured the victory with a late third as they lifted the Champions League trophy for a fifth successive
Novak Djokovic
lurks in Thiem’s quarter of the draw. Indian fans too have something to be excited about the tournament. India’s number one singles player Sumit Nagal could face Thiem in the next round if he clears American Bradley Klahn in his opening contest. It will be second straight US Open singles main draw for Nagal, who came through the qualifiers last year and played a memorable match against Federer. The tournament will also witness Indian veter-
ans Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan feature at the event. While Bopanna will partner with Denis Shapovalov, Sharan has been tagged with Nikola Cacic in the men’s doubles event. Meanwhile, in the women’s field, Serena Williams will be eyeing a 24th Grand Slam which will equal Margaret Court’s alltime record. World No.1 Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters due to a hamstring injury which puts her out of the reckoning in the main draw.
Lo n d o n, Au g 3 1 (Agencies): Kai Havertz wants to move to Chelsea as soon as possible, with the Premier League side in talks with Bayer Leverkusen for a £90m (€100m) deal for the Germany international. Havertz looks set to become Frank Lampard’s seventh summer addition, hoping to join international team-mate Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Xavier Mbuyamba. The 21-year-old has spent his entire career at Leverkusen, contributing an impressive 36 goals and 25 assists in just 118 Bundesliga appearances. It would represent a big coup for Chelsea to secure the signing of Havertz, who has received interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe. The midfielder reported for duty with the Germany squad on Monday morning ahead of Nations League fixtures against Spain on Thursday and Switzerland on Sunday.
Eng beat Pak by 5 wickets in 2nd T20 MANCHESTER, Aug 31 (Agencies): Captain Eoin Morgan belted a blistering half-century as England chased down a record target at Old Trafford to beat Pakistan by five wickets in the second Twenty20 international. Pakistan posted 195 for four in their 20 overs on a flat wicket, but the home side completed their victory with five balls to spare and a take 1-0 lead in the threematch series. Morgan blasted 66 from 33 balls to secure the win in what is the highest chase in any form of 20-over cricket at Old Trafford. Jonny Bairstow (44 from 24 balls) and Tom Banton (20 from 16 balls) got their side off to a fast start with an opening stand of 66 in 38 deliveries, but when they fell in consecutive balls to spinner Shadab Khan (3-34), the home side appeared to wobble. But Morgan and Dawid Malan (54 not out in 36 balls) led the counterattack and accelerated as their third-wicket partnership grew, finishing with 112 in 62 balls before the skipper was caught in the deep with the side still needing 18 runs to win. Pakistan also got their
England’s Eoin Morgan plays a shot during the 2nd T20 match against Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester.
runs at the top of the order as opener Babar Azam smashed 56 from 44 balls in an opening stand of 72 with Fakhar Zaman (36 from 22 balls). Number three Mohammad Hafeez carried on that momentum with a blistering assault on the home bowlers, who struggled to find the right length and too often dropped too short,
exposing the square boundaries. Hafeez struck four sixes in his 69 from 36 balls before offering a simple catch to Morgan at cover. The pick of the England bowlers was leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who recorded figures of 2-32 as he picked up the wickets of both openers. The third and final
match in the series will be at the same venue on Tuesday. The first match was abandoned due to rain. Brief Scores: England: 199-5 (19.1 overs) Eoin Morgan 66(33), Dawid Malan 54*(36), Shadab Khan 3-34 Pakistan: 195-4 (20 0vers) Mohammad Hafeez 69(36), Babar Azam 56(44), Adil Rashid 2-32
sweeping home at the second attempt having had her first effort parried by Friederike Abt. The lively Delphine Cascarino had created the opportunity, charging down the right flank and laying on a smart cutback across the area. Wolfsburg shook off the setback and settled into the contest, but crucially were unable to carve out any genuine chances. Lyon punished the Germans just ahead of the break, thanks to Kumagai’s high-quality strike. The Japan midfielder drilled home from the edge of the area with a fine technical finish, to leave the French side in total control at the break. Lyon eased into the second half and appeared entirely comfortable, only for Wolfsburg to snatch a lifeline just ahead of the hour. Ewa Pajor delivered a smart cross in latching onto Lyon ‘keeper Sarah Bouhaddi’s fumble, and Popp reacted adroitly with the snap-header finish. Wolfsburg’s bid for an equaliser was ultimately ended by Gunnarsdottir’s scrambled finish, following Le Sommer’s driven shot as Lyon emerged victorious once again.
TO K Y O , A u g 3 1 (Agencies): At a lowkey ceremony to mark the unveiling of the Olympic flame display on Monday, Tokyo officials reiterated that next year’s Games will be a symbol of hope for the world as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. The flame will be on show from Tuesday at the Japanese Olympic Museum, located next to the National Stadium purposebuilt for the Games which were due to take place this year but were rescheduled for 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The flame was last seen in Fukushima after the torch relay was cancelled following its arrival from Greece but before it could start a planned tour of Japan following the decision to postpone the Games in March. Organisers have chosen to display the flame at the JOC museum, held in a small lantern in the corner of the lobby. “Next year, this flame will be carried by about 10,000 torchbearers and will light the Olympic cauldron,” Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori said. “We would like to
Japanese Olympic Committee president Yasuhiro Yamashita (R) receives the Olympic Flame.
make efforts towards this so that we can ensure a great success of the Games.” Organisers have not announced details of the torch relay. The original 121-day plan had the torch travelling to all of Japan’s 47 prefectures. “I suppose athletes aiming to participate in Olympics and Paralympics are training hard every day while having great anxiety (due to coronavirus),” said Japanese Olympic Com-
mittee President Yasuhiro Yamashita who received the flame from Mori. “I am confident that this flame, which is displayed today, will be moral support for such athletes.” To limit crowds gathering to view the flame, there will be a reservation system with a designated date and time. The flame will be on display from September 1-November 1. The Games are due to start on July 23.
‘Messi’s decision to leave is irreversible’ M a d r i d, Au g 3 1 (Agencies): Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona this summer and is “likely” to move to Manchester City, according to presidential candidate Toni Freixa. There had been speculation that the Argentine, who stunned the footballing world by handing in a transfer request at the club last week, might change his mind if current president Josip Maria Bartomeu quit his role, but according to one of the men gunning to take the position, that will not be the case. Pep Guardiola’s side are presently leading the chase for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who believes he has a clause in his contract eligible to allow him to leave on a free transfer, despite La Liga ruling otherwise. Man City face competition from Paris SaintGermain and Inter for the superstar’s signature – the race for which is set to hot up in light of the Freixa’s words and the news that
Ibrahimovic agrees 1 year AC Milan deal Milan, Aug 31 (Agencies): Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a further one-year deal with AC Milan, according to Sky in Italy. The deal is wor th around £6.2m before any bonuses are taken into consideration. The 38-year-old joined the Serie A club for a second time on a six-month deal in January. He scored 10 goals in 18 Serie A games to help Milan to a sixth-place finish and a spot in this season’s Europa League. Speaking to reporters at Milan’s Linate airport on his return to Italy on Saturday night, Ibrahimovic said, “Finally everything is in place and finally I can return to where I feel at home.” He then told Milan’s website, “As I’ve always said, I’m not here to be a mascot. I’m here to bring results and to help the team, the coach and the squad return to where Milan should be.” “We had a great last six months but we haven’t won anything. This year I’ve got the chance to be here from the start so we’ve got to continue like we were, working hard and sacrificing ourselves to reach our goals.”
Lionel Messi
Messi did not show for training on Monday. “As I have heard from several sides, the decision the player has come to is one that has matured over several years and is irrevocable. I don’t believe that there is any going back,” said Freixa. Freixa explained that
the 33-year-old’s desire to leave is driven by the fact that Barcelona have fallen from their pedestal as one of Europe’s leading sides. Furthermore, reports suggest new coach Ronald Koeman has not endeared himself to the players by freezing long-time teammate Luis Suarez out of
his plans. “Messi is a player who strives for maximum success,” Freixa explained. “He alone cannot achieve maximum success, he needs a team for that. He does not have one. Since the treble in 2015, Champions League success is missing. That is what concerns him. His decision is due to the negative sporting development of the team in recent years.” It is probable that Messi winds up reuniting with former Barca coach Guardiola in England. “I think a move to Man City is likely,” Freixa said. “With Pep, Messi experienced his most brilliant years in Barcelona. It would only be logical if both of them worked together again. City, like almost all English clubs, also has the financial means to build a team that can win anything.” Messi is Barca’s record goal scorer, having found the net for the club 634 times in 731 outings.
ISL: Odisha FC sign striker Mauricio Bhubaneswar, Aug 31 (IANS): Odisha FC on Monday announced the signing of striker Diego Mauricio ahead of the seventh edition of the Indian Super League. The Brazilian has signed a one-year contract with the Bhubaneswar-based side. The 29-year-old striker has the experience of playing at many top football leagues around the world. He made his senior club debut for Brazil’s Flamengo in 2010 where he linked up with football legend Ronaldinho. He has played for other Brazilian teams like Sport Club do Recife, Bragantino and Centro Sportivo Alagoano. The Rio de Janeiroborn forward was part of Brazil’s U-20 squad and played in a team that had superstars like Phillipe Coutinho, Casemiro, Oscar, Felipe Anderson, Firmino and the mercurial Neymar. He has also travelled around the world playing in South Korea for Busan IPark and Gangwon FC, Saudi Arabia for Al Qadisiyah, Portugal for Vitoria FC, Russia for FC Spartak Vladikavkaz and China for Shijiazhuang Ever Bright
Diego Mauricio
Football Club. Welcoming Mauricio at OFC, head coach Stuart Baxter said, “We are delighted to secure the services of Diego.” “He is a player who can both combine with his teammates and also create chances on his own. When he gets to know the squad he will be a major asset for us.”
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