Sports
Japan shock Germany 2-1 in second 2022 FIFA World Cup
Another upset was recorded on Wednesday when Japan came from a goal down to defeat Germany at the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
It was the second upset in the ongoing FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar as lowly rated Saudi Arabia Tuesday hammered Argentina, favoured to win the tournament, 2-1.
Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano of Japan scored in the 75th minute and the 83rd minute respectively to cancel out Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty in the first half.
Germany were dominant in the game and started the game with real threats coming close to scoring when Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger had his header a bit to the right.
The Germans got their breakthrough via the spot after Japan conceded a penalty in the 31st minute.
Manchester City midfielder Gundogan put the ball to the right of the Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda who delved to his left.
Kai Havertz thought he had put Germany ahead three minutes after the break but the goal was called off for an offside after a VAR review.
Gonda then continued his series of remarkable saves in the game as Japan kept waiting to catch Germany on the break.
The Samurai then succeeded in the 75th minute when midfielder Doan hit home Japan’s first goal of the match to level up the scoreline.
Eight minutes later, forward Takuma Asano caught a pass down the right side of the field and powered to the roof a shot to give Japan an unbelievable second goal and the lead in the game.
Germany pressed on late on but Japan held on tightly at the back to their lead to create the second upset in the competition so far.
Sports
Ancelotti says mission accomplished as Real Madrid reach cup final
Ancelotti says mission accomplished as Real Madrid reach cup final
It was mission accomplished, said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti after his side fought back from two-goals behind to snatch a rip-roaring 4-4 draw on Tuesday for a 5-4 aggregate win that put them through against Real Sociedad to the Copa del Rey final.
Ancelotti brushed off questions about a sub-par performance by Real Madrid and praised his players’ effort in what he considered a highly entertaining encounter.
“We have achieved our goal today which was to reach the final and there is not much time to think about it,” Ancelotti told a press conference.
“It was an entertaining game with some mistakes and a lot of good things. It was fun and we are in the final.
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“I never saw ourselves out of it because anything can happen at the Bernabeu. When we have to come from behind, we never give up. We never give up, especially at home, with the fans by our side.”
Ancelotti said David Alaba was not to blame after he deflected two balls into his own goal, calling it “bad luck” by the Austrian defender, but urged his defence to play with better focus moving forward.
“It’s not good to concede four goals in a game,” Ancelotti said.
“Right now we are a team that has a lot of effectiveness up-front, but little balance.
“However, we can’t ignore what we did in attack, scoring four goals against Real is not that easy. I think we are doing quite well.”
Real Madrid, who have won the Spanish Cup only once in over a decade, will play either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in a mouth-watering final in Seville next month.
Atletico fought back to hold Barca to a thrilling 4-4 draw ahead of Wednesday’s second-leg in Madrid.
Ancelotti says mission accomplished as Real Madrid reach cup final
Sports
Saka’s stunning return powers Arsenal to victory over Fulham
Saka’s stunning return powers Arsenal to victory over Fulham
Arsenal secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, with Bukayo Saka making a triumphant return from injury to score the decisive goal.
The match saw the Gunners dominate possession, but it was Fulham who came closest to scoring in the opening stages.
Arsenal struggled to break down their resolute defence early on, with Gabriel Martinelli having a goal ruled out for offside and several opportunities narrowly missed.
In the 37th minute, Mikel Merino gave Arsenal the lead, collecting a pass from Ethan Nwaneri to strike a low shot past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The first half ended with Fulham unable to find an equaliser, despite a couple of dangerous moments.
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The turning point came just after the hour mark when Arsenal doubled their advantage. Gabriel Martinelli delivered a perfect cross, and Saka, making his return to action, rose to head home a brilliant goal. The Gunners were cruising with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
However, Fulham responded on added time when Rodrigo Muniz capitalised on a deflected shot to pull one back for the visitors. Despite the late pressure, Arsenal’s defence held firm, and the match finished 2-1 in their favour.
Saka’s return was a key moment, not only for the goal but also for the confidence he brought to the team, sealing another vital three points for Arsenal in their quest for the title.
Saka’s stunning return powers Arsenal to victory over Fulham
Sports
Maguire, Yoro set for Man United return
Maguire, Yoro set for Man United return
Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim has confirmed that defenders, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro are available to play against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday.
The Red Devils boss issued fitness updates on the injured players in the squad including England left-back Luke Shaw, who Amorim says he has returned to training but is still building his fitness before a return to first-team action.
Leny Yoro has suffered repeated injuries this season after arriving at the club from Lille in the summer.
The 19-year-old has been out since March 9 when he picked up a foot injury during United’s draw with Arsenal.
Maguire has been unavailable with a calf injury since the end of February.
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Amorin confirmed that Luke Shaw returned to training on Friday but also noted that the left-back is still working on his fitness before a return to first-team action.
“Luke [Shaw] is not ready yet. We are starting to do some drills with the team but we are building Luke,” Amorim said.
The Red Devils manager also issued injury updates on Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Johnny Evans, and Lisandro Martinez.
“Mason Mount is feeling better but he was on the bench in the last game, Kobbie [Mainoo] is almost ready, Jonny [Evans] is recovering, [Lisandro Martínez] is out. [Harry] Maguire is also ready to go to the game and [Leny] Yoro, yes,” Amorim added.
Maguire, Yoro set for Man United return
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