Month: September 2019

The latest chapter in this historic rivalry will begin on Tuesday when River host the Xeneize in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-final

Here we go again. Less than a year after Argentina’s Superclasico rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors brought the world of football to a standstill with their thrilling, scandalous first Copa Libertadores final, the pair meet again in the South American competition.

They may be clashing this time round in the semi-final stage rather than the decider, but that will make no dent in the famously fervent passion on display from both sets of fans over two legs in October. Indeed, the shocking events of 2018 mean the upcoming tie could be the keenest-fought yet.

In one sense, the 2018 Copa Libertadores still remains open. On November 25, the day after their team coach was ambushed by bottle and stone-wielding River fans just a few blocks from the Monumental Stadium ahead of the second leg, Boca made an official complaint first to CONMEBOL and later the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

That presentation soon became yet more ammunition for merciless mocking on the part of River’s faithful following their 3-1 win after extra time in the rescheduled return match, held in the incongruous surroundings of Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu. But it is nevertheless still pending, with Boca holding out, perhaps unlikely, hope that their rivals’ trophy could yet be stripped from them by the end of the year.

“We will take this until the end,” Boca president Daniel Angelici vowed upon filing the writ and so far he has proved true to his word, doggedly pursuing the legal battle for the best part of 12 months.

All of which means, of course, that there is no love lost between the two Buenos Aires giants. But then there has never been much to spare over the course of a century-old rivalry that began in the grimy docks of La Boca and accompanied each side as they grew to national and continental predominance. That mutual enmity has never been better shown than on the occasions they have locked horns in the Libertadores.

Back in 2004, the last semi-final match between Boca and River, a young Carlos Tevez was in the eye of the storm. The 20-year-old striker swooped in the second leg with an 88th minute goal and was promptly sent off for mocking the seething Monumental with his ‘chicken dance’ that almost sparked a riot. River immediately responded against the 10-man Xeneize to send the game to penalties, where Maxi Lopez missed the decisive kick to send the visitors through.

Not until 2015 would the two sides meet again in the Copa, in another tie that made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Leading 1-0 from the first leg, as River’s players entered for the second half, they were attacked from the Bombonera stands by a fan wielding home-made pepper spray, an act that caused the game to be abandoned and the Millonario declared winners.

Unsurprisingly, this time round absolutely no stone will be left unturned to avoid further trouble, particularly a repeat of the bus attack that left Boca’s Pablo Perez needing medical attention after glass from the vehicle’s shattered window scratched his retina. The last Superclasico on September 1 saw over 1000 police officers stationed in and around the Monumental, while the Boca coach’s entrance was done with the street totally sealed off to home supporters.

The hope is that all eyes will remain on events on the pitch in two matches that bring together arguably South America’s strongest teams. With international stars like goalkeepers Franco Armani and Esteban Andrada on show, wily veterans such as Tevez, Lucas Pratto and, of course, ex-Roma idol Daniele de Rossi and the usual smattering of exciting young talents – River’s Exequiel Palacios and Lucas Martinez Quarta, and Boca pair Alexis McCallister, on loan from Brighton, and Emanuel Reynoso demand special attention – the stage is set for a fascinating cup tie that will show off the best of the continent’s football.

It is clear though, as Ariel Ortega, the mercurial ex-River and Argentina playmaker and veteran of scores of Superclasicos, points out, that this will not just be another game. “If Boca come up 10 times, give them to me 10 times, even more after all that’s happened,” the retired star fired to La Pagina Millonaria .

“If River go through again you’ll kill Boca’s fans, they’ll die. I speak to kids who are huge fanatics and they don’t want to play, you’ll bury them. These are beautiful games to play, no other game in the world can match this.”

A win for the Millonarios over two legs would certainly be a mortal blow to their rivals, still reeling from 2018’s immensely painful reverse having led three times over 180 minutes. Victory for Boca, on the other hand, could well spell the end for River coach Marcelo Gallardo who, after delivering two Libertadores wins and establishing himself as one of Argentina’s finest trainers, may decide it is time to move on.

Off the pitch, too, all eyes will be peeled on fans’ behaviour and possible violence hotspots, not least due to the sensitive period Argentine society is facing as a whole in the midst of economic crisis and fiercely-fought presidential elections.

Whatever happens, then, the Superclasico will be headline news across South America throughout October and beyond, overshadowing even a game of the calibre of Flamengo’s meeting with Gremio in the ‘other’ semi. Just like 2018’s chaotic double-header, the latest edition of this most fierce of rivalries will make compelling viewing from start to finish.

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The Reds have won seven in a row to open up a five-point gap but the Dutchman says it’s too early to draw conclusions

Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool’s players are not getting carried away despite their perfect start to the Premier League campaign.

The Reds made it seven league wins in a row to start the season by edging past Sheffield United on Saturday. 

Their 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane briefly took them eight points clear at the top of the table, though Manchester City reduced the gap to five by beating Everton later in the day.

Nonetheless, it has been a remarkable run for Jurgen Klopp’s side, who have now won their last 16 league games in a run stretching back to March. Only City can boast a longer winning streak in Premier League history, with Pep Guardiola’s team racking up 18 straight victories in 2017-18.

The plaudits keep on coming for the European champions, but Van Dijk says Klopp’s players will continue to narrow their focus and, to coin a footballing cliché, continue to take things game by game.

“It’s the media who love statistics,” said the Dutchman. “The reality is we have nothing at the moment. We want to continue to do well and there’s still plenty of room for improvement.”

Asked if there was any psychological significance in being the team with the advantage at this stage of the season, Van Dijk was similarly firm.

“No. It’s far too early,” he said. “We’re almost in October and the busy period will come. There are still so many games left and the only thing we focus on is the game ahead of us.

“We don’t want to look at the others because there’s no point doing that. Everyone realises that as well because last season we saw how it turned quickly. We just want to focus on the game ahead of us.”

Liverpool were far from their best against Sheffield United, struggling for rhythm and wasting a pair of first-half chances before Gini Wijnaldum’s volley squirmed through goalkeeper Dean Henderson, 20 minutes from time. It was a narrow win but a priceless one, even at this stage of the season.

“They made it very hard for us and I’m very happy we got the three points,” Van Dijk said. 

“We have to win every game, that’s how it is. Everyone knew how tough it would be. It’s a great place to come, passionate fans, a great atmosphere. It was a tough game.

“Sympathy [for Henderson]? I’m just thinking about my team and the fact we won. It doesn’t matter for me how the goal has gone in, it has gone in and that’s what matters.”

Van Dijk added: “We’re definitely growing, we’re definitely getting more experience of that situation and hopefully that will help us in the long run.

“We have to be confident, you have to think you’re going to win every game otherwise you might as well stay at home. 

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“We have the quality, we have the players. We’ll take this, recover and then prepare for Salzburg.”

Liverpool expect to discover this week what punishment, if any, they will face if found to have fielded an ineligible player in their Carabao Cup third-round win over MK Dons.

It has emerged that midfielder Pedro Chirivella, a second-half substitute in the Reds’ 2-0 win, may have played without the club having secured an International Transfer Certificate (ITC), required following the Spaniard’s return from a loan to Extremadura last season.

The EFL has confirmed that an investigation has been launched, and could kick Liverpool out of the competition if found guilty.

But Anfield sources have told  Goal  that the club believe they would have a strong mitigation, having applied for Chirivella’s ITC back in July. The issue, while an oversight on their behalf, also lies with the Football Association, who are the ones to grant the ITC. 

It is understood that a fine is, at this stage, the likeliest outcome. 

The Reds have been drawn to play Arsenal at home in the fourth round.

The Croatian striker will not be leaving Italy just yet as talks with the Qatari outfit have come to an end, but other suitors are circling

Mario Mandzukic looks set to remain at Juventus after ending negotiations with Qatari side Al Rayyan.

The Croatia international had been linked with a move to Qatar for several months, though reports in Italy stated he was reluctant to make the switch.

Al Rayyan were said to be offering 33-year-old Mandzukic a €7 million salary, while Juventus were holding out for a fee of €10m.

Juve revealed two weeks ago that Mandzukic was in talks over a potential move to Qatar, but it seems the former Bayern Munich star will remain in Turin until January at least, as Al Rayyan confirmed on Saturday that negotiations are over.

“Al Rayyan announces the suspension of negotiations with Croatian player Mario Manzukic,” a statement from the club read.

Mandzukic joined Juve from Atletico Madrid four years ago and has made 162 appearances in all competitions for the Italian giants, scoring 44 times and winning four Serie A titles.

But the striker has not featured for the Bianconeri this season, as he is not part of new coach Maurizio Sarri’s plans, having even been left out of their squad for the Champions League. The reigning Serie A champions will try to offload him and fellow outcast Emre Can in January.

“We are evaluating his situation and he too must do so calmly,” Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici told Sky Sport in Italy on Saturday.

“He is a great player and has an added value, a special guy. If he considers it appropriate to leave, he will be satisfied, otherwise we will evaluate other possibilities.”

Qatar is not the only source of interest in Mandzukic, however, as he rejected an offer from French champions Paris Saint-Germain in August, while Manchester United have been linked with him since the summer.

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The Red Devils are looking to bolster their attack after seeing Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez leave to join Serie A side Inter and are said to be considering making a bid for Mandzukic in January.

Meanwhile, fellow Premier League side West Ham and MLS outfit LAFC are said to be monitoring his situation.

Mandzukic is currently tied to Juve until 2021, having signed an extension in April this year.

The Scot helped Liverpool to their 16th league win in a row as they beat newly-promoted Sheffield United on Saturday

Andy Robertson says Liverpool can’t be expected to win comfortably every week by playing attractive football.

The left-back played a crucial role as the Reds kept a clean sheet to see off newly-promoted Sheffield United on Saturday.

But after storming to a number of convincing victories last season, Jurgen Klopp’s side have seemingly found resounding wins harder to come by this season.

But Robertson says the side can’t be expected to ease to victory every single week, telling the club’s official website: “Look, you can’t win 4-0, 5-0 every single week by playing beautiful football and everyone claps you off the park because they’ve been given a show.

“When you’re not at your best and the other team are putting you under pressure then it’s important to get the win.”

The Scot has been an ever-present for Liverpool in the league this season, and has formed a crucial relationship with fellow defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk.

He also has two assists to his name in the current campaign, with Klopp’s men boasting the joint-best defensive record in the league, having conceded just five goals in seven games.

However, one worry for the German will be a lack of clean sheets, with the Reds managing just one from their opening six games before adding to that tally thanks to Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane.

Robertson was therefore pleased to come away with another clean sheet, having helped keep out an effort from Sheffield United’s John Fleck just minutes before Georginio Wijnaldum scored the only goal of the game.

“It’s so important to come to these places and keep a clean sheet because the worst-case scenario is you draw 0-0,” added Robertson. “Yeah, it might not be ideal, but then you take it and you move on.

“But like I said, when we’re not at our best, it’s important we win and luckily we did that.”

Jurgen Klopp has now guided his side to 16 Premier League wins in a row, as well as eight league away wins in a row.

The Reds sit five points ahead of champions Manchester City after winning their first seven games of the season.

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MOSCOW/KIEV – Ukraine must investigate the activities of US presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son to establish whether his role in a Ukrainian gas company complied with the country’s laws, Mykola Azarov, Ukraine’s former prime minister, said in an interview.

Azarov did not specify to which Ukrainian laws he was referring.

Hunter Biden’s role in the company, Burisma Holdings Limited, is in focus after the White House released a memo showing US President Donald Trump asked his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a July phone call to get prosecutors to look into his activities. Zelenskiy agreed.

“It’s a fact (his directorship and fees) and not made up. It should be investigated so that the ‘i’s can be dotted and the ‘t’s crossed,” Azarov told Reuters.

A spokesperson for Joe Biden’s campaign declined to comment on Azarov’s investigation call and none of Hunter Biden’s critics have provided any evidence that he broke Ukrainian law.

Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau said on Friday it was investigating activity at Burisma between 2010-2012, but that it was not looking into changes to its board in 2014, when Hunter Biden joined.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives are pursuing an impeachment inquiry against Trump, a Republican, after a whistleblower complained about his call with Zelenskiy. Lawmakers are looking into whether Trump’s actions jeopardized national security and the integrity of US elections, saying he appeared to be soliciting a political favor from a foreign leader to get re-elected.

Azarov lives in Moscow, but says he remains well-connected with parts of Ukraine’s political establishment and would like to return one day. He did not provide further details.

Hunter Biden was a director on Burisma’s board from 2014 until at least 2018, according to documents filed by the company in Cyprus, where it is registered.

Azarov, who was prime minister from 2010-2014, is himself wanted by Ukrainian authorities for alleged abuse of power. An Interpol red notice issued in 2015 at the request of Ukrainian authorities said he was wanted on accusations of charges including embezzlement and misappropriation.

Azarov denies any wrongdoing and Reuters cannot determine whether there is any active investigation on him.

Azarov said he was not aware of any evidence suggesting wrongdoing on Hunter Biden’s part, but said it was in the Ukrainian public interest to ascertain the legality of his activities.

In particular, he said it was important to investigate what Biden had done for Burisma to justify his remuneration from Burisma.

The younger Biden has said he consulted for Burisma, but critics have suggested he was not doing actual work in return for his compensation, an allegation he denies.

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“I think it’s essential (he’s investigated),” Azarov told Reuters in Moscow, where he fled after street protests toppled Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovich in 2014.

“If, using his knowledge, he played an active role then there’s nothing scandalous about it,” Azarov said. “But if he was simply on the books and getting money, then that could be seen as a violation of the law.”

Burisma was not available for comment on Saturday night.

Ukrainian prosecutors have said they are not investigating Hunter Biden, but are looking into the legality of Burisma’s activities before Biden joined its board. Burisma, which denies any wrongdoing, has faced allegations of dodging taxes and of improperly securing licenses for gas deposits.

Azarov said he thought it was “absolute nonsense”, but that he believed allegations from Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others that Joe Biden had gotten Ukraine’s prosecutor general fired to protect his son Hunter must also be investigated. He did not provide the basis for his views.

The former US vice president has denied using his influence to get Ukraine’s prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin, fired in 2016 to prevent him investigating his son’s involvement and has said he and his son have done nothing wrong.

Shokin has said he was forced out at Joe Biden’s behest to thwart an investigation of Burisma and Hunter Biden.

Reuters

Bernard Foley says he won’t be easing back into the Waratahs fold if he plays this weekend.

While the playmaker stopped just short of declaring himself a certain start for the Reds match, the 26-year-old was confident he would survive a full game.

Foley said he expected to wear a target alongside the number 10 on his back at Suncorp Stadium.

“I suppose it will be a good test for my shoulder and I’m sure the Reds will probably send a bit of traffic that way but I’m putting my hand up to play 80 minutes,” he said.

“There’s no room to be carrying an extra back or an inside back at that so for me I’m confident I can go and play the full 80.”

Foley’s injury ended a run of 64 consecutive Waratahs matches and the Wallabies flyhalf said it had given him a rare outsider’s look at the team he has controlled for much of the past three seasons.

“I suppose watching on the sideline you get to see the game a bit differently,” he said.

“Being involved so heavily the last couple of years you don’t get that (wider) idea and it’s a lot easier to say it from the sidelines and to see things and try and adapt it (the game).

With a new coach and a relatively new-look backline, Foley said that spectators’ perspective would help him transition back into the side.

“We’ve adapted and evolved the game from the last couple of seasons so getting an idea from the sidelines watching, asking questions has probably allowed me to understand that style of play rather than going straight back in.”

From that outside perspective, Foley said he had seen potential in the side going forward ,despite a 1-2 record to start the year.

“You can’t question the hard work and the intent and the energy levels the Waratahs have (brought), “he said.

“I suppose it’s been a little bit to our own detriment. We’ve worked so hard to the point that we probably played into the Highlanders’ hands trying to play so attacking.

“I think with the leadership and the hard work we’ve done in this team it’s probably setting us up well for the next couple of games.”

The layoff has also given a Foley a more temporary addition.

“I’ve been able to grow a beard for once,” he said.

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“I’m actually looking forward to playing the game and then I can shave my beard off.

“I lost a bet so I had to keep the beard until I returned so lucky it wasn’t a six-month injury or something like that.”

The Reds take on the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, kicking off at 4:05pm AEDT.

WUHAN, China – Duan Yingying became the first Chinese winner of the Wuhan Open, as she and partner Veronika Kudermetova downed Aryna Sabalenka and Elise Mertens 7-6(3), 6-2 in the doubles final here this evening.

Having won the Wuhan Open singles title earlier in the day, Sabalenka started the doubles final as she meant to go on, with the big-serving Belarusian scoring an ace with the opening shot of the match.

However, Duan/Kudermetova matched Sabalenka/Mertens stroke for stroke, with both pairs serving up three aces over the course of a first set that went to a tiebreak with neither duo having lost any service games.

Roared on by a capacity crowd, Duan/Kudermetova turned the screw in the tiebreak, going 4-0 up before ultimately seeing out the set with a 7-3 victory.

The second set began in an equally tight fashion as both pairs held their service games to 3-2, before Duan/Kudermetova stretched their legs to take the following three games and finish with a 6-2 set win.

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China’s railways are expected to see a travel rush in the coming 10 days as many people intend to go back to their hometown or visit tourist attractions during the National Day holiday.

A total of 142 million train trips are expected to be made from Sept 28 to Oct 7, an increase of 8.8 percent year on year, data from the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. showed.

Trains throughout the country are expected to carry 9.55 million passengers on Saturday, the first day of the National day holiday travel rush, up 5.5 percent from last year.

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The peak of train transport is expected to be registered on Oct. 1, with 17.5 million passenger trips, 1.25 million more than the peak time in 2018.

The company has taken a string of measures to raise transport capacity and improve services to deal with the rush of holiday traffic.

More trains will be put into service in accordance with the surging demand, said the company.

Rebels coach Tony McGahan says this weekend’s clash with the Hurricanes is as important as any Australian derby.

The Rebels could overtake the Hurricanes with a win over them this weekend, sitting just three points adrift of their Kiwi rivals.

With the new conference system, Australia teams will be directly competing with New Zealand teams for playoff spots, a move that McGahan said made trans-Tasman wins as critical as derbies.

“Playing the Highlanders, Chiefs, Hurricanes,  Blues, Crusaders – those games are like conference games now because they’re competing with us for a finals spot,” he said.

“So it’s important for us to make sure at home we continue to meet expectations and the demands of what the group puts on us.”

Refreshed after a much-needed bye week that ended a brutal opening six weeks, McGahan said he hoped captain Nic Stirzaker would rack up more minutes, after an interrupted start to the year.

“He’s had a limited impact on what we’re doing especially from on-field,” he said.

“Off-field he’s stayed connected, he drives the group and drives himself.

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“Those first 30 minutes (against the Waratahs), the side had some good continuity and real understanding of what we were trying to do.”

Stirzaker said he had moved on after his tumultuous start to the year.

“It was definitely frustrating but I haven’t thought about it too much.

“Since I’ve been back I’ve been back.

“Obviously I came off early with the head knock last week but I’m looking forward to this weekend to try and string a few games together.

Stirzaker’s limited form did not impact his Test hopes, with the scrumhalf invited to the Wallabies camp last week – one of 11 Rebels players among the 45 who were part of the gathering.

The Rebels take on the Hurricanes at 7:45pm AEST on Friday LIVE on FOXSPORTS.

 

3D art created in a paddy field celebrates the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Shenyang city, Northeast China’s Liaoning province. The large paddy field paintings are composed of nine-colored rice, and occupy an area of 10 hectares.

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