PARIS: Bayern Munich overturned a two-goal deficit to stun holders Arsenal 3-2 in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday.
Emily Fox’s early header and Mariona Caldentey’s 23rd-minute shot from the edge of the box appeared to have put Arsenal in total control in Munich.
But Bayern dug deep in the second half to execute an astonishing turnaround.
Alara began the fightback in the 67th minute, with substitute Pernille Harder’s superb strike drawing the Germans level, before Glodis Viggosdottir snatched the winner, prodding home Klara Buehl’s low cross with four minutes left.
“To be honest, this is a winning team with a winning mentality,” Bayern coach Jose Barcala told Disney+.
“We always believe we can win the game even when we are 2-0 down. We stay together, we find solutions together, and until the referee blows the whistle, we stay going and keep believing,” he added.
This was Arsenal’s second defeat out of three, and it left the London side in the play-off zone for a place in the quarter-finals in the new format league phase.
The 18-team table is led by three-time winners Barcelona, who swept aside Belgian European debutants OH Leuven 3-0.
Alexia Putellas opened the scoring for the hosts with a penalty in first-half injury time.
An own-goal from Kim Everaerts extended Barca’s lead after the break with Irene Paredes completing a good night’s work to make it three from three and lift the Spaniards top of the standings on goal difference from Lyon.
The headline match later is Paris Saint-Germain’s trip to Manchester United, marking former United goalkeeper Mary Earps’ first return to her old club since moving to France.
The game will also be the first time United’s women have played a European tie at Old Trafford rather than their regular home at the 12,000-capacity Leigh Sports Village ground.
Bayern battle back to shock Arsenal in Women’s Champions League
https://arab.news/j4dut
Bayern battle back to shock Arsenal in Women’s Champions League
- Bayern dug deep in the second half to execute an astonishing turnaround
- “To be honest, this is a winning team with a winning mentality,” Bayern coach Jose Barcala told Disney+
Saudi Olympian Husein Alireza appointed to IOC Athletes’ Commission
- Rower competed in single sculls event at 2020 Games in Tokyo
- ‘I’m grateful for the trust, inspired by the responsibility,’ he says
JEDDAH: Pioneering Saudi rower Husein Alireza, who competed at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, has been appointed to the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission.
Alireza, who reached the quarterfinals of the single sculls event, joins a select group of representatives from around the world tasked with shaping athlete-focused policies and strengthening the voice of competitors within the Olympic Movement.
“I’m grateful for the trust, inspired by the responsibility,” he said of the appointment, which was confirmed by IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
“This group shapes policy, protects the rights of athletes and plays a vital role in influencing the future of global sport. I look forward to doing my part and serving the movement that shaped my life.”
Alireza said his decision to seek the role was influenced by his experience of building a sport from the ground up in Saudi Arabia.
He played a central role in establishing rowing in the Kingdom at a time when the sport had no formal presence, with a small group of athletes taking responsibility for everything from securing funding and equipment to engaging with ministries, visiting schools and laying the foundations for a national program.
“That experience gave me a hands-on understanding of the entire athlete pathway, from grassroots challenges to governance decisions,” he said.
“Many athletes around the world share those same struggles for opportunity and recognition. I want to make sure their realities and their voices help shape the future of sport.”
Building a sport from the ground up had taught him the importance of athlete advocacy, he said.
“When athletes are included in leadership, development accelerates, systems become more responsive and policy moves beyond protection toward genuine empowerment.”
Alireza’s appointment follows consultations with Emma Terho, chair of the Athletes’ Commission, and reflects the IOC’s confidence in his leadership, professionalism and commitment to athlete representation. He already serves on the athletes’ commissions of the Saudi Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia.
In his new role, Alireza will contribute to shaping the global athlete experience within the Olympic Movement.
The scope of his responsibilities will be clarified in the coming months, including during the commission’s first meeting at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February, when strategic priorities and future initiatives will be set.
