LEVERKUSEN, Germany: Bayern Munich lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, their first home “Der Klassiker” loss in a decade, allowing Bayer Leverkusen, who came back to win 2-1 over Hoffenheim, to go 13 points clear with seven games remaining.
Leverkusen’s victory put the onus on Bayern in Saturday’s late match, but the German champions lost at home with Dortmund scoring goals in each half through Munich-born Karim Adeyemi and defender Julian Ryerson.
Harry Kane had the ball in the net in the dying stages to give Bayern hope of a comeback, but the England captain’s goal was struck off for offside.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel sent “congratulations to Leverkusen.”
Asked if the title race was over, Tuchel replied “of course,” saying “it’s self-evident, clear.”
Bayern defender Joshua Kimmich was livid and publicly criticized his team.
“I wonder how we can put in such a performance in a game like this. It’s completely incomprehensible.
“In the second half you had the feeling that nothing was at stake, it was like a friendly.
“We need to go home and question ourselves.”
Dortmund’s first league win in Munich in 3,641 days, dating back to 2014 when Jurgen Klopp was in the dugout, took them three points clear of RB Leipzig and back into fourth place with the battle for the Champions League intensifying.
The win in Munich “took too long” said Dortmund coach Edin Terzic.
“We had a bit of luck, but we worked hard for it,” Terzic told Sky.
Earlier on Saturday, Maximilian Baier gave Hoffenheim a 1-0 lead at Leverkusen.
But with this season’s unbeaten record in serious danger a day after Xabi Alonso pledged to stay on as coach for another year, the league leaders hit back.
Robert Andrich levelled in the 88th minute before an injury-time Patrik Schick volley sealed another remarkable comeback win.
Leverkusen’s late win continued their record of victories in the dying moments this season.
Alonso’s side have scored late to beat Augsburg, Leipzig, Stuttgart in the German Cup and Qarabag twice against in the Europa League.
“I was always optimistic,” Alonso told reporters. “We said at half-time that one goal is important. Everything can change in one moment.
“We have a winner’s mentality — we built that for ourselves this season.”
“We kept fighting and kept believing until the end,” Leverkusen goalscorer Andrich said to Sky.
“I had no doubt we’d score at least one today. I knew eventually one of our shots had to go in.”
The midfielder, who stood alongside his coach as the team celebrated in front of the home fans after the match, said Alonso told the players on Friday he would stay beyond the season.
“He said he wasn’t going anywhere — he said he’d stay here.
“The timing he chose was very good. Now we can keep pushing and hopefully achieve something great this season.”
Dortmund’s win meant RB Leipzig’s bid for a Champions League spot took a hit, after the German Cup holders played out a scoreless draw at home against lowly Mainz despite dominating possession and territory.
The home side were twice denied in the opening half, with an eighth-minute handball penalty overturned by VAR and a Lois Openda goal chalked off for offside.
“I can’t hear another word about expected goals — we just didn’t take our chances,” lamented Leipzig’s David Raum.
Champions League regulars for the past decade, RB Leipzig and Dortmund face off in the league in late April at the Red Bull Arena.
New Wolfsburg manager Ralph Hasenhuettl, the former Southampton coach, claimed victory in his first match in charge, 2-0 at Werder Bremen.
Bremen were reduced to 10 men just before half time following a last-man foul from Anthony Jung. Maxence Lacroix put the Wolves in front shortly afterwards.
Lacroix was sent off in the second half, but Wolfsburg’s Lovro Majer scored to seal the win.
Freiburg took a step toward European qualification in long-serving coach Christian Streich’s final season at the club with a 3-0 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach.
The Black Forest side were in full control against struggling Gladbach, Michael Gregoritsch, Merlin Roehl and Ritsu Doan all scoring goals.
Union Berlin held Eintracht Frankfurt to a 0-0 away draw, picking up a valuable point to go nine clear of the relegation spots.
‘It’s all over’: Bayern defeat sends Leverkusen 13 points clear
https://arab.news/4ama4
‘It’s all over’: Bayern defeat sends Leverkusen 13 points clear
- Leverkusen’s victory put the onus on Bayern in Saturday’s late match
- The German champions lost at home with Dortmund scoring goals in each half through Munich-born Karim Adeyemi and defender Julian Ryerson
Uzbekistan and Japan to contest 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup final
- Semifinal wins mean both nations progress to the Olympic Games in Paris this summer
- Winner of third place playoff between Iraq and Indonesia will also qualify for Paris 2024
DOHA: Uzbekistan and Japan will face each other in the final of the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup after beating Indonesia and Iraq in their respective semifinals in Qatar on Monday.
The results mean both countries also qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Indonesia and Iraq will contest third place, with the winner also booking their spot at the Games. The loser will have a final chance to qualify in a game against an African federation team.
In the first semifinal at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Uzbekistan took the lead after 68 minutes, thanks to Khusayin Norchaev. Their victory was sealed by an own goal by Pratama Arhan in the 86th minute.
Later in the evening at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Japan beat Iraq — the last Arabian team standing — 2-0 with goals from Mao Hosoya (28 minutes) and Ryataro Araki (42).
The current holders of the trophy, Saudi Arabia, exited the competition at the quarterfinal stage following a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan.
The final between Uzbekistan and Japan is set to take place on Friday at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
China to host 2025 Saudi Super Cup, attracting global football stars
- Despite strong bids from Doha and Abu Dhabi, the Chinese proposal emerged as the frontrunner
- Qualification for the upcoming Super Cup has been secured by Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr
Riyadh: In a significant move for Saudi football, China is set to host the Saudi Super Cup 2025 tournament from Aug. 14 -17, according to the sports daily Arriyadiyah, a sister publication of Arab News.
Reports suggest that the decision to award China the hosting rights came after intense competition, particularly from Emirati and Qatari contenders. Despite strong bids from Doha and Abu Dhabi, the Chinese proposal emerged as the frontrunner. Additionally, Saudi officials are keen to relocate the tournament away from the Gulf region, aiming to engage a broader global audience and promote Saudi football.
One of the driving factors behind China’s successful bid is the presence of renowned international football stars in Saudi teams, contributing to their widespread popularity. Leading figures like Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr, Neymar Jr. representing Al-Hilal, Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, and Firmino, captain of Al-Ahli, add considerable allure to the competition.
The previous edition, held in Abu Dhabi, saw Al-Hilal clinch victory over their rivals Al-Nassr with a 2-1 scoreline.
Qualification for the upcoming Super Cup has been secured by Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, based on their performance in the Saudi Pro League, known as the Roshn Saudi League. However, the participants from the King’s Cup, as well as its runner-up, are yet to be determined.
In recent Roshn League action, the Yellow Team, Al-Nassr, secured their place in the Super Cup by defeating hosts Al-Khaleej with a solitary goal. This victory propelled them to 71 points, firmly securing their second-place standing, a position out of reach for Al-Ahli, currently in third with 52 points and six matches remaining. Even with a perfect score, Al-Ahli would fall short of overtaking Al-Nassr, who, despite potential losses in their remaining fixtures, maintain a comfortable lead.
The Blue Team, Al-Hilal, who still need seven points to conclude their league campaign, have also booked their spot in the Super Cup. The tournament’s semifinals will feature clashes between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, as well as Al-Nassr against Al-Khaleej.
Both Al-Khaleej and Al-Ittihad will vie for a spot in the final, eyeing the opportunity to secure one of the two coveted slots in the Super Cup.
In the event that both teams fail to progress and the finalists emerge from the capital’s rivalry — Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr — Super Cup regulations dictate that the available slots will be awarded to the third and fourth-placed teams in the Roshn League standings.
Should only one of the capital’s teams advance to the cup final, they will automatically claim their Super Cup berth, either as champions or runners-up, with the remaining slot going to the third-placed team in the league.
Moroccan World Cup star Amallah enjoying La Liga life with Valencia
- Before his club’s trip to Barcelona, the midfielder spoke to Arab News about playing in Spain, his country’s World Cup heroics and Arab players in Europe
VALENCIA: At international and club level, the past few years have been pretty memorable for Valencia and Morocco star Selim Amallah.
The 27-year-old joined the La Liga team on loan from Segunda Division club Real Valladolid in the summer of 2023, having been part of the Moroccan squad that reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
On Monday night the Belgian-born midfielder will be part of the Valencia team, currently eighth in La Liga and led by club legend Ruben Baraja, that will take on Barcelona at Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys.
Amallah is delighted with the way things have worked out for him.
“I’m thrilled to be playing in Spain because it’s one of the best leagues globally,” Amallah, fresh from a practice session at Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, Valencia’s state-of-the-art training complex, told Arab News.
“It’s a league I wanted to play in and I've succeeded,” he said. “I anticipated more playing time initially,” he added. “I recognize the invaluable learning experience this season has offered. Frankly, I’m very happy to be here.”
While historically many players from North Africa have thrived in La Liga and other European leagues, very few from the Middle East or Gulf states have even attempted to make that leap.
Amallah feels more Arab players should make that move, not just to experience new sporting challenges and cultures, but primarily to succeed as professionals on the pitch.
“Yes, of course, I believe making history in a championship or for your country is something you aspire to achieve, and it’s one of my goals,” he said.
Without question the highlight of Ramallah’s career to date was Morocco’s incredible march to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Along the way, the Atlas Lions defeated Spain and Portugal, before losing out to France, who were defending world champions.
“It was truly incredible,” said Amallah. “These are memories that I believe will last forever. None of us expected to reach such a remarkable level. We also demonstrated that Moroccan players and our clubs can compete at the highest levels of football. We take immense pride in representing our country.”
Part of the experience in Qatar was the overwhelming support that teams from Arab countries received, with members of various communities uniting to support the regional teams.
“It was an immense source of pride, as our support extended beyond just the Moroccan people to encompass all Muslim communities,” said Amallah. “We took great pride in demonstrating the significant presence of Muslims in football, proving our ability to not only inspire pride among Moroccans but also among the entire Arab and African world through our dedication on the field.”
After the euphoria of Qatar 2022, there was more good news for Morocco when the country was named co-host of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
But before the football world showpiece, Amallah said that he and his colleagues will be eyeing more success on the pitch.
“I believe there’s still more for us to prove and demonstrate that Morocco remains a force to be reckoned with,” he said. “We have an exceptional team with talented players, and while the expectations may have risen, we’re determined to rise to the occasion and give our all to represent our country.”
Champions Al-Nassr end women’s Premeir League season on a high
- Celebrations included firwroks display after 1-0 win over Al-Ittihad in Riyadh
RIYADH: Al-Nassr women’s football club, winners of the 2023-2024 Premier League, ended their season on a high with a 1-0 victory over Al-Ittihad on Sunday night.
Al-Awwal Park Stadium was lit up with fireworks as Al-Nassr were crowned champions for a second year in a row, having already won the title last month against Al-Hilal.
Al-Nassr midfielder Lina Boussaha scored the winning goal in the second minute.
Members of Al-Nassr men's team Otavio and Alex Telles were spotted cheering from the sidelines as the team secured the league win.
Fans enjoyed a half-time show with prizes including signed Al-Nassr football shirts.
Arsenal, Man City win to keep it tight at the top in race for league title
Arsenal survived a late scare at Tottenham to stay narrowly ahead in the race for the Premier League title on Sunday.
A 3-2 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ensured Mikel Arteta’s team remained at the top of the standings, ahead of defending champion Manchester City, which won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.
But Arsenal had to endure a nervous finish despite powering to 3-0 lead in a London derby that was supposed to be one of its biggest tests in the title chase.
“The last 20 minutes wasn’t nice, but it was worth it,” Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka said afterward. “We know it is a big derby and they don’t want to lose 3-0 at home. Momentum shifted their way, but I am proud of the boys — we managed to get the three points.”
An own-goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and further strikes from Saka and Kai Havertz put Arsenal into a commanding position at the break. But in the face of a potential rout, Tottenham responded in the second half through Cristian Romero and a penalty from Son Heung-min in the 87th minute.
Under pressure, Arsenal held on and remains one point clear at the top, having played a game more than City.
The advantage is still with Pep Guardiola’s team, which will clinch a fourth-straight title if it wins its remaining games this season and responded to Arsenal’s win with victory of its own at relegation-fighting Forest.
With Liverpool’s title hopes further diminishing after dropping five points in two games this week, it is down to Arsenal to challenge City’s domestic dominance.
Having collapsed late on in last season’s title race, Arteta’s players look more capable of going the distance this time around.
An away fixture against its fiercest rival, Tottenham, was a major test of its credentials at this stage of the campaign. And while Arsenal was guilty of letting Spurs back into a game that should have been killed off much earlier, victory when tension was high was a test of character.
“Maybe last season that could have ended in a draw and we showed we have the experience,” Saka said. “We know City are an amazing team, but they are not perfect, we just need to do our job.”
MAN CITY WINS
Arsenal’s win meant the pressure was on City to keep the heat on its title rival.
It was always favorite to beat a Forest team that is desperately fighting for survival but without Phil Foden, who was ill, and Erling Haaland on the bench, Guardiola was without two of its big match-winners in the starting 11.
An injury to goalkeeper Ederson also forced City into a change at halftime.
But Guardiola’s team looks to be in unstoppable form and a 2-0 win extended its unbeaten record in the league to 19 games, dating back to a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa at the start of December.
Back then there were questions about City’s ability to win a sixth title in seven years. While Arsenal may lead the way, City’s title-winning know-how could make the difference.
So could Haaland, who stepped off the bench to score the goal that effectively killed off Forest’s challenge.
Josko Gvardiol headed City in front in the first half, but Chris Wood had two clear chances from close range to score for Forest.
Haaland missed City’s last two games through injury, but was quickly back on the scoresheet with a clinically taken goal just nine minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Among those in the crowd to watch were his father, Alf-Inge, and rock star Noel Gallagher.
The goal saw Haaland move clear of Cole Palmer as the league’s top scorer with 21 goals.
“It’s an important win, it does not matter how we do it, and it is good to be back,” Haaland said. “We knew it was going to be a fight, and the pitch was not the easiest to play on but we cannot complain, it is about winning and that is exactly what we did.”
BOURNEMOUTH RECORD
Without a win in its first nine league games this season, Bournemouth is now in the top half of the table and has set its own Premier League points record.
A 3-0 win against Brighton moved Andoni Iraola’s team up to 10th and on 48 points. Bournemouth’s previous best in the top flight was 46 points in the 2016-17 season under former manager Eddie Howe.
Goals from Marcos Senesi, Enes Unal and Justin Kluivert secured victory against a Brighton team that is going in the other direction after six games without a win.
