All the prayer warriors of different Churches

Lyon players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.

Madrid, Au g 3 1 final - as Wolfsburg failed to season. pean titles - the first English (Agencies): Lyon have have a shot on target in the Lyon made light of player, male or female, to won a record-extending sevopening period. big-name absentees like do so. The 28-year-old has enth Women’s Champions Alexandra Popp (57) Ada Hegerberg and Niyet to reveal her next destiLeague title, beating Wolfsnetted after the break to ask kita Parris and have not nation, but sealed the ideal burg 3-1 in the final. some questions of Lyon, tasted defeat in competitive exit in San Sebastian.

Eugenie Le Sommer but Sara Bjork Gunnarsdotaction since a 1-0 loss to Lyon dominated from put the French side ahead in tir (88) - who only joined Paris Saint-Germain in the the off, Europe’s outstandthe 25th minute before Saki Lyon in July, making the French cup final back on 21 ing talents again showing Kumagai (44) added the switch from Wolfsburg - May 2018. all the poise and polish second just before half-time secured the victory with England’s Lucy Bronze required for another tri- becoming the first Asian a late third as they lifted also finished her Lyon caumph. player to score in a Womthe Champions League reer in style, bowing out Le Sommer put the deen’s Champions League trophy for a fifth successive with three successive Eurofending champions ahead,

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

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.

B u t M o r g a n a n d 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 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 Havertz wants fast move to Chelsea

London, 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. 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.

Madrid, 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

Mil an, Aug 31 (Agen

cies): Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a further one-year deal with AC Milan, according to Sky in Italy.

The deal is worth 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.”

TO K YO, Au 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.

Japanese Olympic Committee president Yasuhiro Yamashita (R) receives the Olympic Flame.

make efforts towards this so mittee President Yasuhiro that we can ensure a great Yamashita who received success of the Games.” the flame from Mori.

Organisers have not “I am confident that announced details of the this flame, which is distorch relay. The original played today, will be moral 121-day plan had the torch support for such athletes.” travelling to all of Japan’s To limit crowds gath47 prefectures. ering to view the flame,

“I suppose athletes there will be a reservation aiming to participate in system with a designated Olympics and Paralympics date and time. are training hard every day The flame will be on while having great anxiety display from September (due to coronavirus),” said 1-November 1. The Games Japanese Olympic Comare due to start on July 23.

Djokovic favourite to win US Open

Novak Djokovic lurks in Thiem’s quarter of ans Rohan Bopanna and the draw. Divij Sharan feature at

Indian fans too have the event. While Bopanna something to be excited will partner with Denis about the tournament. InShapovalov, Sharan has dia’s number one singles been tagged with Nikola player Sumit Nagal could Cacic in the men’s doubles face Thiem in the next event. round if he clears AmeriMeanwhile, in the can Bradley Klahn in his women’s field, Serena Wilopening contest. liams will be eyeing a 24th

It will be second Grand Slam which will straight US Open singles equal Margaret Court’s allmain draw for Nagal, who time record. World No.1 came through the qualiNaomi Osaka withdrew fiers last year and played a from the Cincinnati Masmemorable match against ters due to a hamstring Federer. injury which puts her out

The tournament will of the reckoning in the also witness Indian vetermain draw.

Eng beat Pak by 5 wickets in 2nd T20

England’s Eoin Morgan plays a shot during the 2nd T20 match against Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester.

‘Messi’s decision to leave is irreversible’

“We would like to

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

Lionel Messi Messi did not show for the 33-year-old’s desire to training on Monday. leave is driven by the fact

“As I have heard from that Barcelona have fallen several sides, the decision from their pedestal as one the player has come to is of Europe’s leading sides. one that has matured over Furthermore, reports several years and is irrevosuggest new coach Ronald cable. I don’t believe that Koeman has not endeared there is any going back,” himself to the players by said Freixa. freezing long-time team

Freixa explained that mate 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

ISL: Odisha FC sign striker Mauricio

634 times in 731 outings.

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.”