#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015306

The Asian Games scheduled to take place in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in September have been postponed until 2023 because of the prevailing COVID-19 situation, Randhir Singh, the acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said on Friday.

The 19th edition of the multi-sport Games, second in size only to the Summer Olympics, was scheduled to take place from Sept. 10-25 in the capital of Zhejiang province, some 175 kilometres southwest of Shanghai.

Question marks had been raised over the event taking place with Shanghai having recently been locked down because of a COVID-19 outbreak.

The local organising committee did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The decision to postpone the Games was taken at an OCA executive board meeting in Tashkent on Friday.

Most international sporting events in China have been postponed or cancelled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the notable exception of the Winter Olympics, which went ahead in Beijing under strict health controls in February.

Hangzhou organisers said in early April that all 56 competition venues for the Games had been completed and test events were continuing as the lakeside city prepared to host more than 11,000 athletes from 44 nations and territories.

Published : May 06, 2022

By : Reuters

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015292

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah relishes “revenge final” when Liverpool face Real Madrid in a repeat of the 2018 Champions League final which left them disappointed.

Shortly after being named Footballer of the year by the Football Writers’ Association, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah said the upcoming Champions League final against Real Madrid will be a “revenge final” as Liverpool look to avenge their loss to Real in the 2018 final.

Real Madrid secured their spot in the final with a comeback win against Manchester City on Wednesday (May 4).

Liverpool claimed their place in the final with a 5-2 win over two legs against Villarreal on Tuesday (May 3), and Salah said he was eager to face Real again in Paris on May 28.

“Yeah, we lost in the final. It was a sad day for all of us. But yeah, I think it’s a revenge final,” Salah said.

After the final four years ago, Salah left the field in tears following a heavy fall under a challenge by Sergio Ramos, with Real going on to clinch the title with a 3-1 victory.

Shortly after Real beat City 6-5 on aggregate, Salah took to social media Tweeting, “We have a score to settle.”

“I said before the game that I wanted to play Madrid in the final. So, we got them,” Salah said on Thursday.

The striker also said it was time to focus on winning the Premier League.

Liverpool are only a point behind City in the hunt for league supremacy with four matches left.

Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (May 7) and have the opportunity to retake the lead as they continue their bid for a historic quadruple of trophies, which Salah says is still in the running.

Published : May 06, 2022

By : Reuters

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015289

ONE Championship and Fairtex Fight Promotion announce a long term partnership to host Muay Thai tournaments together at Lumpinee Stadium. Beginning in July eight athletes in three weight classes (70kg men, 61kg men, 52kg women) will compete in a tournament. The winner receives a ONE Championship contract worth $100,000.

ONE is the world’s largest martial arts organization and a top five global sports property for viewership and engagement. ONE events represent the full spectrum of martial arts, with world-class athletes representing over 80 countries competing across MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, submission grappling, and other disciplines. 

Fairtex Fight Promotion is bringing a new generation of athletes to the world stage from Thailand. Beginning in January of 2022 the show quickly moved to live TV. Events air on Channel 7, Thailand’s largest TV Channel. Supported by Tero Entertainment, the promotion displays a mix of MMA and Muay Thai. The event is at Lumpinee one of the oldest and most revered Muay Thai venues in the world.  
 
Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, said: “I have known Prem Busarabavonwongs for a long time now as a good friend and trusted partner. I appreciate his vision for Fairtex Fight Promotion. His father (Khun Banjong) has been one of Muay Thai’s most influential leaders in history. I am full of gratitude and appreciation. My team and I at ONE are thrilled to partner with Fairtex Fight Promotion with Road To ONE. The best prospects in the world have a chance to earn a US $100,000 contract to compete in ONE. Fairtex Fight Promotion is the future of combat sports in Thailand.” 

Prem Busarabavonwongs Promoter for Fairtex Fight Promotion, said: “We’re grateful that ONE and Fairtex Fight Promotion are partnering together to create a pathway for athletes to earn a contract to compete in ONE. ONE is the best in the world, and we know there is a lot of talent out there. The weight classes are set for Thai athletes and foreign boxers on our promotion to develop. We want a new group of athletes that will follow in the footsteps of boxers like Stamp, Yodsanklai, and Rodtang. All gyms in Thailand are welcome to participate and send their best to compete in Road to ONE in Fairtex Fight Promotion.” 
 

Published : May 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015252

Muay Thai star Buakaw Banchamek has been chosen as manager for Thailand’s kickboxing team for the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, from May 12 to 23.

On Wednesday, Buakaw confirmed on his Facebook page that he would manage the team.

Seven male and five female Thai kickboxers will compete in the games.

The team is flying to Vietnam on Thursday and plans to return on May 14.

Kickboxing Association vice president Kukiat Srinaka and National Sports Development Fund manager Supranee Guptasa met the team before their flight to Hanoi.

Published : May 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015238

The shirt was worn by Diego Maradona when he scored two of the most famous goals in soccer history and was sold for 7.14 million pounds ($8.93 million) on Wednesday (May 4), marking a new auction record for an item of sports memorabilia.

Maradona wore Argentina’s No. 10 shirt in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England in Mexico. Six minutes into the second half he put his team ahead by punching the ball into the net for what became known as the “Hand of God” goal.

Four minutes later Maradona dribbled from his half to score a goal widely considered one of the greatest in World Cup history.

England midfielder Steve Hodge got Maradona’s jersey after the game and announced last month he was putting it up for auction after 19 years on display at England’s National Football Museum.

Sotheby’s said the buyer was anonymous.

The sale broke the previous record for sports memorabilia set by the original autograph manuscript of the Olympic Manifesto from 1892, which went for $8.8 million in 2019.

The sale of Maradona’s jersey was complicated by claims that the wrong shirt was going under the hammer, with his daughter and ex-wife saying Hodge received the shirt Maradona wore in the first half of the match.

Sotheby’s said they used photo-matching technology to “conclusively” match the shirt to both goals by “examining unique details on various elements of the item, including the patch, stripes, and numbering”. Read full story

Maradona, regarded as one of the world’s best-ever footballers, died in November 2020 aged 60.

Published : May 05, 2022

By : Reuters

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015236

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola took a long time before meeting with the media following his side’s collapse in the second leg of a UEFA Champions League semifinal on Wednesday in Spain.

And time is what his side’s going to need to deal with the historic disintegration that was Rodrygo’s Thanos snap of two goals in under 90 seconds, a trick that led to Karim Benzema’s won and converted penalty in extra time of a 3-2 second leg, 6-5 aggregate win that sent Real to the final versus Liverpool.

Guardiola seems shellshocked by the way it all went down, and who could blame him? Riyad Mahrez’s second-half goal put Man City up 1-0 in the game and 5-3 on aggregate, a minute after Guardiola lifted Kevin De Bruyne for Ilkay Gundogan.

That substitution looked fine then but of course hindsight is 20/20 and Guardiola will be left lamenting what could’ve been after Rodrygo’s magic.

“We were close but we were in trouble when they put balls into the box, with so many crosses,” said Guardiola. “I had defeats in the Champions League, at Barcelona, and we could not reach the final, but there’s no doubt it’s hard for us. We can’t deny we were so close to the Champions League final. We didn’t play well in the first half but it’s normal in this competition.”

Guardiola never felt like the Man City was in a lot of trouble until those fateful Rodrygo goals, and Thibaut Courtois’ eight-save day was as important as anything the 21-year-old brace scorer did for Real.

“We didn’t suffer much until they scored, but we didn’t play our best,” Guardiola said. “After [Mahrez’s] goal we controlled the game, Jack [Grealish] helped us control it. We could not finish when we were close.”

Published : May 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015235

Real Madrid fans erupted in joy as they spilled out of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after their side fought back from the brink of elimination to beat Manchester City 3-1 after extra time and 6-5 on aggregate in an enthralling and dramatic Champions League semi-final on Wednesday (May 4).

Jubilant fans praised the players as they look forward to facing Liverpool in the Champions League final in Paris on May 28, a repeat of the 2018 final in Kyiv which the Spanish team won 3-1.
 

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said perseverance was key in the match with the team never letting up.

“Just when everyone thought the match was all but over, there was a small detail and a good play that was enough for Rodrygo to score and from there, with just a bit left, we gave our all,” Ancelotti told a post-match news conference.

Ancelotti said two late goals by Rodrygo meant Real went into extra time with the psychological advantage.
 

“The most important aspect of the overtime was the psychological aspect. When you manage to equalize the match at the last minute – obviously Manchester City suffered a psychological drop. And with Rodrygo’s second goal we were just getting more and more energized. So just control the ball well, defend well, to avoid issues because we had the advantage psychologically,” he said.

Looking forward to the final in Paris, Ancelotti heaped praise on Liverpool, a team he said he knows well.

“I am really happy to be taking part in another final against Liverpool, a great team. I played against Liverpool in a final as a player. I faced Liverpool in 2005, 2007 and now once again against Liverpool. I lived in Liverpool for two years. It’s like a derby for me because I am still an Evertonian.”

Published : May 05, 2022

By : Reuters

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015208

Jurgen Klopp said reaching a third Champions League final in five years with Liverpool felt just as special as the first after his team saw off a spirited fightback from Villarreal on Tuesday to keep their quadruple hopes alive.

Liverpool survived a first-half scare to reach the Champions League final with a 3-2 win at Villarreal on Tuesday (May 3) that secured a 5-2 aggregate victory after the night had threatened to turn sour for Juergen Klopp’s side.

The visitors fell 2-0 down with an insipid first-half performance before fighting back with three goals in a 12-minute spell after the break to advance to their third European Cup final in five seasons.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said reaching the Paris final felt as the first one as they had a tough tie against Villarreal.

“They put us under pressure, everything was great so it feels so special because it was so difficult for us but in the end we deserved it as well and that’s really cool and it was massive, massive from the boys,” the German said.

Villarreal manager was proud of his team and fans but said the effort was “not enough” againt “favourites” of Liverpool.

Villarreal coach Unai Emery REUTERS/Pablo Morano

The Premier League side had won 2-0 in England but looked in danger of coming unstuck on a rain-soaked pitch in Spain, as the hosts pegged them back with goals from Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin.

Liverpool, however, came out transformed after halftime and goals from Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane sealed the deal, with Villarreal ending the match with 10 men following a late red card for Etienne Capoue.

Klopp’s side will meet either Real Madrid or Manchester City, who contest the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday, in the showpiece in Paris on May 28. City lead 4-3 from the first leg.

Published : May 04, 2022

By : Reuters

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015180

Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed seventh World Snooker Championship title, equaling the record held by Stephen Hendry.

Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Judd Trump 18-13 on Monday to win the World Snooker Championship title for the seventh time, equaling the record held by Stephen Hendry.

The world number one returned to the table on Monday with a 12-5 lead from Sunday, but the 2019 world champion Trump fought hard to close the gap within three frames at 14-11.

In the final session, the Rocket dominated the table again, winning the world title at the age of 46 to become the oldest champion in the season-ending tournament.

“That’s probably the greatest result I’ve ever had,” O’Sullivan told the World Snooker Tour website after clinching his 39th ranking title. “As far as I’m concerned, Judd is already an all-time great. The way he plays the game, he plays such dynamic snooker.”

O’Sullivan took his first world title in 2001 by beating John Higgins in the final. After more than two decades, these two great players are still in their top forms as they met in the semifinals at the Crucible Theatre this year with O’Sullivan outplaying his long-time rival 17-11.

Published : May 03, 2022

By : Xinhua

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40015179

Unai Emery sets a challenge to his Villarreal side ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool

Villarreal aim to rekindle the spirit that saw off Juventus and Bayern Munich when they bid to overturn a 2-0 deficit in their Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool on Tuesday (May 3).

A 2-1 LaLiga loss to lowly Alaves was not ideal preparation and coach Unai Emery knows how hard it will be to beat Liverpool, who have only lost three matches this season in all competitions and none by more than two goals.

“We have to play a perfect game, we have to look for our excellence or be close to it and provoke something that nobody has provoked them,” Emery told a news conference on Monday (May 2), acknowledging how superior Juergen Klopp side is compared to almost any other rival in soccer nowadays.

“We managed to defend well many chances that could have increased the goals against, we come at home with the mentality that they have being favourites but we are very excited.”

Emery explained that his team is happy to make their presence felt in the Champions League but said they are not satisfied with only reaching the semi-finals.

After eliminating former champions Juventus in the last 16 and beating Bayern in the quarter-finals, the former Paris Saint Germain and Arsenal manager wants his players and fans to believe Villarreal are ready to deliver another shock.

“Tomorrow the predominant colour will be yellow and the feeling of pride and the feeling of something natural, we are here and we want to play the final,” he said.

Published : May 03, 2022

By : THE NATION