Barcelona sacked head coach Ronald Koeman on Thursday after losing 1-0 to newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano.
FC Barcelona sacked coach Ronald Koeman on Thursday just hours after they suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Rayo Vallecano.
“FC Barcelona have tonight sacked Ronald Koeman as first team coach. Club President Joan Laporta informed him following the defeat to Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman has said goodbye to the squad tonight,” read a club statement issued shortly after midnight.
The defeat in the Vallecas Stadium came just three days after Barca were beaten 2-1 at home to bitter rivals Real Madrid in the first ‘Clasico’ of the season, and the club currently sit ninth in the La Liga table with 15 points from 10 games and just four wins all season.
Barcelona
Speaking after the defeat, Koeman commented, “Other teams could have more balanced squads, but we have shown that we can compete with them.”
“Bad luck and injuries are excuses, we have shown we can play at a good level but it is not enough,” he added.
As a player, Koeman famously led Barcelona to the 1992 European Cup by scoring the winning goal in the final against Sampdoria at Wembley. The Dutchman was appointed head coach in the summer of 2020, replacing Quique Setien who had been sacked after barely six months in charge.
Koeman led Barca to the Copa del Rey with a win over Athletic Bilbao in April 2021. But Barca finished third in La Liga, seven points behind Atletico Madrid, and crashed out of the UEFA Champions League in the last 16 with 5-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Many expected those results to cost Koeman his job in summer, but perhaps because of his work with some of the club’s young players, such as Pedri and Ronald Araujo, and perhaps because of the lack of a credible alternative, the Dutchman remained in his post.
Koeman’s task this season was made harder by the financial problems at the club which led to the departure of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, as well as injuries to Araujo, Pedri and Ansu Fati.
He clung to his job at the start of October after a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, with Laporta giving him a public vote of confidence, but two defeats in four days have finally led to his departure.
Former midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who is currently coaching Qatari club Al-Saad, is a favorite to replace Koeman, although former left-back and current Barcelona B-team coach Sergi Barjuan could be a possible short-term replacement.
Former two-sport ONE world champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand is choosing to keep her fighting words to a minimum ahead of her highly-anticipated fight against Brazilian banger Julie Mezabarba.
Stamp and Mezabarba lock horns in the semifinal round of the historic ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix, which resumes at ONE: NEXTGEN this Friday, 29 October, live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The third-ranked atomweight fighter in ONE Championship is one of the favorites to win the tournament. But Stamp recognizes Mezabarba as a legitimate threat to her run to the top, and is treating the Brazilian as a worthy adversary.
“She (Mezabarba) is quite strong, quite tough, and a little bit bigger than me so it’s going to be a tough fight for me,” Stamp said in a recent faceoff interview with ONE Championship.
Stamp made it to the semifinal round of the Grand Prix following a masterful performance against rival Alyona Rassohyna early last month at ONE: EMPOWER, while Mezabarba earned her spot as an alternate after beating Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi on the same card.
Mezabarba was then tapped as a replacement for the injured Seo Hee Ham, Stamp’s original opponent.
Stamp and Mezabarba have shown a mutual respect for each other, for the most part. The two showed admiration for each other’s skills during a recent virtual faceoff session with ONE Championship, hosted by commentator Michael Schiavello.
However, Mezabarba has brazenly predicted finishing Stamp within three rounds, with the Brazilian stating that she isn’t ‘playing around.’
That being said, many feel Stamp has a significant advantage over the tough Mezabarba.
“This isn’t something I’m concerned about because I mastered Muay Thai and I have been practicing it all my life so I do not worry about that,” Stamp said.
“In my mind, I only need this victory in this fight. She says that she wants to knock me out but she also needs to be careful because she might be the one to get knocked out instead.”
Four champions comprising Arpichaya Yubol, Prom Meesawat, Chapchai Nirat and amateur Ramil Saelim confirmed to compete in the Bt3 million Thailand Mixed hosted by TrustGolf at the Black Mountain Golf and Resort between November 16-19 in Hua Hin.
The inaugural edition’s winner Arpichaya, the only female champion, second leg’s co-winners Prom and Chapchai and the latest victor Ramil will lead the stellar line-up of the fourth Thailand Mixed event which will be staged under strict protocols against COVID-19.
Saraburi-based Arpichaya is upbeat about her return to the Black Mountain, which measures 7,246 yards off the men’s tees and 6,303 yards off the women’s, after winning the first edition of the Thailand Mixed event here in March.
“It’s crucial to prepare yourself physically well as the course is hilly. You have to walk up and down a lot. You can be worn down during the last few holes, so you have to keep your momentum well,” said the 18-year-old girl who just celebrated her second win in 2021 and her ninth career title at the Watermill Golf Club and Resort in Nakhon Nayok last week.
Quartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black Mountain
“There are some tough and easy spots on every hole. You just have to know where to aim your shots. Once you hit to the wrong place on the green, you can end up with three puts,” added the 2018 Thai LPGA Tour No 1.
Home-town hero Prom who shared title with his close friend Chapchai in the second Thailand Mixed due to bad lights in Chiang Mai six months ago loves the idea of having the men and women pit against one another.
Quartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black Mountain
“It’s good to have a mixed event like this, so the women can see the aggressive game of the men while the men can experience the women’s style,” said Prom who settled at lone third at Singha Pattaya Open, an All Thailand Golf Tour event, on Sunday.
Asked about his view on the Black Mountain, Prom says: “There may be some advantages or disadvantages at the Black Mountain due to its hilly condition. But you have to give credits to the orgnisers for setting up such a perfect layout.”
Chapchai who settled at third in third Thailand Mixed at the at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club in Cha-Am is happy to return to the Black Mountain where he won the ADT Thongchai Jaidee Foundation back in 2016.
“I’ve played at the Black Mountain many times and won a tournament there. The course distance is moderate, butt the greens are tough. I hope to make a top 10 finish in the fourth Thailand Mixed,” said the 38-year-old Chapchai.
“I didn’t play golf much at the start of the season due to COVID-19. I came to the Thailand Mixed event in Chiang Mai only 50 % ready, but I ended up winning the title (with Prom). It was beyond my expectation and really boosted my confidence,” the four-time Asian Tour winner added.
By beating Pannarai Meesom-us after five play-offs in the previous edition, Ramil became the first amateur and the youngest winner at 16 in the Thailand Mixed event.
“Winning the Thailand Mixed is a good boost for me. It makes me feel more confident in a lot of aspects in playing golf. However, I’ve never played at the Black Mountain before, so I plan to practice there a few days before the tournament,” said Ramil, a protégé of Chapchai.
“In every tournament that I play, I try to pick up experience and use it to improve my game. Whatever I’m already good at, I will try to maintain it and keep working hard on a regular basis,” he added.
The tournament, organized by TrustGolf, an indoor training center with advanced technology, is supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the National Sports Development Fund, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Bangkok Bank, B.Grimm Company, Bond Holdings, AISPLAY, Bridgestone, Trust Pharmacy, Trust Live Streaming, the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration and Black Mountain Golf and Resort Hua Hin.
Fans can watch live streaming of the competition on AISPLAY APP, https://www.facebook.com/trustgolfclub and at TrustGolf Youtube channel from 9am onwards during tournament days.
Quartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black MountainQuartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black MountainQuartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black Mountain
Star players are ready to give it a swing in the second US$2.5 million “SAT-TWT Open” Road to World Ranking tournament which is due at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, Chonburi from November 3-5.
Star players are ready to give it a swing in the second US$2.5 million “SAT-TWT Open” Road to World Ranking tournament which is due at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, Chonburi from November 3-5.
Three in-form stars including nine-time pro tour winner Arpichaya Yubol, big-hitting Pattaraporn Moungchoo and the up-and-coming Phannarai Meesom-us are among contender aiming for the winner’s cheque of Bt367,500.
Fresh from winning her ninth career title at the Watermill Golf Club and Resort in Nakhon Nayok last week, 18-year-old Arpichaya hopes to carry her great momentum to the Phoenix Gold. “I’ve been playing at this course since I was a child, and it’s getting tougher and tougher. If you miss the fairway, it’s going to be difficult for your next shot,” said the Saraburi-based who has bagged two crowns this season including the Thailand Mixed event in Hua Hin in February.
Female Pros Ready for Actions at TWT at Phoenix Gold
“So far, I have been up-and-down in my form, but there are some pretty good results for me to be happy about. Now, I’m focusing on my putts and driver speed. I also work on my fitness especially my muscles when I have free time,” Arpichaya added.
For Pattaraporn, she is well aware that a good game plan is required in order to shoot scores at the Phoenix Gold.
“I’m a big hitter. If I cannot hit the fairways, I will be in trouble at this course. It’s a tough course with fast green speed. The course will not favour my style, so I have to come up with some good plan,” said the 24-year-old from Nakhon Ratchasima.
“This year, I’m trying to change my mindset. It pays off quite well as I’m more confident with my game and I start showing good results,” said Pattaraporn who finished tied 14th in the Thailand Mixed third leg in Cha-Am a few weeks ago.
Female Pros Ready for Actions at TWT at Phoenix Gold
Pannarai who just lost an epic play-off to 16-year-old boy Ramil Saelim, an amateur, in the Thailand Mixed, hopes to rely on her familiarity with the course to have a career breakthrough in Pattaya. “As I have played the course for a long time, I know where to hit my shots in order to put myself in a good position. The challenge is the narrow fairways that you cannot afford to miss. The greens are not too difficult and there are some par five holes that you can hit your second shot to the green,” said Pannarai who just turned 17 on October 25.
“I didn’t start the year well, but I tried to be patient and learn from mistakes. I have tried to fix my weakness and things are going to the right direction. I just need to be more consistent and cut down errors,” the teenager said.
The second stop of the SAT-TWT Open which offers a total prize money of Bt2.5 million will be held under strict protocols by the province and the government against COVID-19 which must be respected by players, guests and tournament’s officials. Players and officials must produce negative results of their Swap Test or ATK within 72 hours on the registration day in order to take part in the competition. Furthermore, players and their company must receive at least two doses of vaccines against COVID-19.
The SAT-TWT Open is a stroke play tournament of 54 holes (18 for each round). An approximate number of 114 players are to compete in 36 holes with the top 60 moving forward to the final round. The winner will be rewarded with a handsome cheque of Bt367,500.
The SAT-TWT Open is supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, National Sports Development Fund, SCB Bank, P. Overseas Steel Public Company Limited and Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club. Fans can follow updates of the tournament on THAI WPGA Facebook Page or at http://www.thaiwpga.com
Female Pros Ready for Actions at TWT at Phoenix Gold
Roman Kryklia and Itsuki Hirata Withdraw from Bouts Due to Medical Issues
ONE Championship™ (ONE) today announced multiple changes to the upcoming ONE: NEXTGEN card, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Friday, 29 October.
ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia has withdrawn from his ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title bout against Iraj Azizpour. Taking Kryklia’s place is Anderson “Braddock” Silva, who will face Azizpour in a heavyweight kickboxing non-title bout.
Undefeated Japanese star Itsuki Hirata has also withdrawn from her semifinal bout with Indian phenom Ritu Phogat in the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix. Jenelyn Olsim, who was originally scheduled to face Jihin Radzuan in a World Grand Prix alternate bout at ONE: NEXTGEN II, steps in to face Phogat.
Kryklia and Hirata were both forced to withdraw from their bouts due to undisclosed medical issues.
Stamp Fairtex vs. Julie Mezabarba, the other World Grand Prix semifinal, will now serve as the main event for ONE: NEXTGEN.
To watch the event, check your local listings for the global broadcast to over 150 countries or tune in via ONE Championship’s YouTube channel or the ONE Super App (some regions excluded).
ONE: NEXTGEN Friday, 29 October
ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix – Semifinal (3) Stamp Fairtex vs. Julie Mezabarba Atomweight: 47.7 KG – 52.2 KG
ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix – Semifinal (4) Ritu Phogat vs. Jenelyn Olsim Atomweight: 47.7 KG – 52.2 KG
Kickboxing Anderson “Braddock” Silva vs. Iraj Azizpour Heavyweight: 102.2 KG – 120.2 KG
Mixed Martial Arts Kirill Grishenko vs. Dustin Joynson Heavyweight: 102.2 KG – 120.2 KG
Mixed Martial Arts Miao Li Tao vs. Jeremy Miado Strawweight: 52.3 KG – 56.7 KG
Kickboxing Beybulat Isaev vs. Bogdan Stoica Light Heavyweight: 93.1 KG – 102.1 KG
The sunlight-ignited Olympic flame for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games embarked on its way from the ancient Olympia in Greece, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games, to China last week and has successfully arrived in Beijing.
In another 100 days, the XXIV Olympic Winter Games will unfold in Beijing, China from 4 to 20 February 2022, and the Olympic flame will be lit again at the Beijing National Stadium. This is a return. Beijing will become the world’s first “double-Olympic city” to have hosted both Summer and Winter Olympics.
Now is the time of the Beijing Winter Olympics. At the moment, China is in intense and busy preparations for the Winter Olympics. Preparatory work such as international test competitions, cross-competition-zones comprehensive rehearsals, and the overall plan of the opening and closing ceremony has started one after another. China is actively cooperating with other countries and international sports organizations. On the premise of being fully and well prepared in pandemic prevention and control, China is striving to contribute a “simple, safe and splendid” Olympic Games to the world.
Successfully hosting an excellent Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics is China’s solemn commitment to the international community. Chinese President Xi Jinping, in personal care about the preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics, has made many on-the-spot inspections and put forward the idea of “green, inclusive, open and clean”, which is exactly an expression of China’s new development philosophy and which persists in the whole preparation process for Beijing Winter Olympics. To hold a green Olympic Games, priority must be given to ecological preservation, resources conservation and environmental friendliness, so as to lay a beautiful Chinese background for the Winter Olympics. To host an inclusive Olympic Games, efforts must be made for extensive participation, joint contribution and common enjoyment, so as to generate good social effect of the Winter Olympics. To host an open Olympic Games, we must stay oriented to the world, the future, and modernization, so as to render the Winter Olympic Games into a booster for opening to the outside world. To run a clean Olympic Games, we must be diligent and thrifty, eliminate corruption, improve efficiency, maintain zero tolerance for doping, and make the Winter Olympics as pure as ice and snow.
Special representative and vice president of Beijing 2022 Yu Zaiqing (L) holds up a lantern containing the Olympic flame as he walks out of the cabin at the Beijing Capital International Airport on Oct. 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
In another 100 days, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will begin. Each time as the Olympic Games approach, a bridge leading to the ancient Olympic spirit will be built again. This bridge will let the ancient Olympic spirit shine into the reality and the future. The Olympic spirit of “mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play” entrusted to the Olympic Charter is highly consistent with President Xi Jinping’s idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Currently, the world is undergoing the intertwined implications of major and profound changes unseen in a century and a once-in-a-century pandemic, with world peace and development confronted with severe tests. As a community with a shared future, mankind should be more united and go hand in hand to jointly meet unprecedented challenges. In July this year, the IOC added “Together” into the Olympic motto as “Faster, Higher, Stronger—Together”, whereas the motto of Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics is “Together for a Shared Future”, which represents an interpretation of the Chinese action plan of the Olympic motto and a call for enhanced solidarity and cooperation under the Olympic flag to overcome difficulties and ignite the flame of hope of mankind to together move towards the future.
My hometown is in Northeast China. Thanks to its natural advantages, the region has nurtured many excellent ice and snow athletes and cultivated many Winter Olympic champions, which has endowed me with a special feeling towards ice and snow sports. To my happy surprise, although Thailand is located in the tropics and devoid of the natural conditions required for most ice and snow sports, the development of ice and snow sports here and Thai people’s yearning and love for ice and snow sports have not been hindered. At present, many Thai ice and snow athletes and their teams are preparing for the Beijing Winter Olympics. The Chinese Embassy is also sparing no effort to provide guarantee and assistance for Thai athletes to realize their dream of the Winter Olympics.
In another 100 days, the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games will open, coinciding with the Beginning of Spring in the Chinese lunar calendar. Please accept, then, the sincere invitation of the 1.4 billion Chinese people to “Meet in Beijing” with the world. Let’s await the kindling and blooming of the Olympic flame at the Beijing Winter Olympics; let’s cheer for the Olympic athletes of our two countries together; and let’s hope that, under the guidance of the Olympic spirit, people all over the world will work together, help each other and cooperate for win-win outcomes to jointly create a better future.
By Chinese Ambassador. Han Zhiqiang
The Olympic flame for Beijing 2022 Winter Games on display during a welcoming ceremony held at the Olympic Tower in Beijing, China on Oct. 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in El Clsaico on Sunday to stand second in the La Liga standings.
Goals from David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez gave Real Madrid a 2-1 win in El Clasico away to FC Barcelona on Sunday afternoon.
Madrid won the game by being organized at the back and taking their chances on the break. Sergio Aguero scored in the 97th minute for a Barcelona side that otherwise failed to test Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois.
Both sides lined up more or less as expected with Jordi Alba passed fit to accompany Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Oscar Mingueza in defense, while Memphis Depay partnered Ansu Fati in attack for Barca.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti fielded experienced trio Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro in midfield, with the pace of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo partnering Karim Benzema in attack.
The game began with both teams looking to press high up the field, with the result that there was a lot of tension, but that both keepers were virtual spectators.
Vinicius was looking dangerous for Real Madrid, causing Mingueza problems with his pace and dribbling ability, and the Brazilian had a penalty appeal turned down after turning the defender and then going down after slight contact.
He then had a shot blocked after turning Marc-Andre Ter Stegen inside out, although a late offside flag spared his blushes.
At the other end, Sergino Dest should have scored when Fati’s dummy left him with just Courtois to beat, but the American blazed over the bar as the game opened up.
Real Madrid made Barca pay for Dest’s miss in the 32nd minute when Alaba thumped home from the edge of the area to finish a counter-attack that he had started deep in his own half. After taking a pass from Vinicius, the defender hit his shot across Ter Stegen into the far corner of the net.
The Austrian then blocked Fati’s effort in the last minute of the half as Barca looked to react.
Koeman ended Mingueza’s misery at half-time, replacing him with Philippe Coutinho and dropping Dest back into defense, and Coutinho was quickly into action with a shot blocked by the Madrid defense, before Courtois saved from Fati.
Barca were pressing without really calling Courtois into action, while at the other end Dest almost gifted Vinicius a second for Madrid with a weak backpass, but recovered in time to frustrate the winger, before Benzema shot tamely at Ter Stegen after great work from Modric.
Madrid’s attacks always looked slightly sharper than Barca’s, and with 15 minutes left to play, Aguero replaced the tiring Fati, while Sergi Roberto replaced the disappointing Frenkie de Jong.
Aguero saw a header loop over the bar as Barca tried to make something happen, with Madrid packing their box and slowing the game down when they had the ball.
Courtois went down holding his knee in the last minute of normal time, but was able to continue just before Madrid scored their second of the game.
Coutinho failed to take a chance in the Madrid area, and after a scramble in their area, the visitors broke with the ball falling to Marco Asensio, and although Ter Stegen saved his shot, Vazquez was on hand to put the ball into the empty net.
Aguero pulled a goal back after good work from Dest, but it was too late for Barca.
The 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifier between Thailand and Mongolia ended in a 1-1 draw on Monday.
Thai footballer Jakkrit Palapon scored the first goal in the 10th minute, but Mongolia’s Baljinyam Batbold evened the score in the 76th minute.
The Thai national team will next play Laos on Thursday (October 28) at 2pm (Thai time). The game can be watched on AIS Play or via The Nation Thailand website.
Thailand, Mongolia in 1-1 drawThailand, Mongolia in 1-1 drawThailand, Mongolia in 1-1 drawThailand, Mongolia in 1-1 draw
Thailand beat Laos 3-0 on Thursday
Thailand beat Laos 3-0 on Thursday
Thailand beat Laos 3-0 on Thursday
Quartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black Mountain
Quartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black Mountain
Quartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black Mountain
Quartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black Mountain
Quartet of champions ready for 4th Thailand Mixed at Black Mountain
Female Pros Ready for Actions at TWT at Phoenix Gold
Female Pros Ready for Actions at TWT at Phoenix Gold
Female Pros Ready for Actions at TWT at Phoenix Gold
ONE: NEXTGEN
Chinese Ambassador. Han Zhiqiang
Special representative and vice president of Beijing 2022 Yu Zaiqing (L) holds up a lantern containing the Olympic flame as he walks out of the cabin at the Beijing Capital International Airport on Oct. 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
The Olympic flame for Beijing 2022 Winter Games on display during a welcoming ceremony held at the Olympic Tower in Beijing, China on Oct. 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Thailand, Mongolia in 1-1 draw
Thailand, Mongolia in 1-1 draw
Thailand, Mongolia in 1-1 draw
Thailand, Mongolia in 1-1 draw
Buriram Utd conquers Ratchaburi FC
Buriram Utd conquers Ratchaburi FC
Buriram Utd conquers Ratchaburi FC
Buriram Utd conquers Ratchaburi FC
Buriram Utd conquers Ratchaburi FC
Buriram Utd conquers Ratchaburi FC
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