MUNICH: Bayern Munich’s Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick and Harry Kane grabbed a double in a comprehensive 5-1 win over 10-man Hoffenheim on Sunday to ensure the reigning champions restored a six-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.
Kane’s two goals came from first-half penalties, while Diaz added the next three goals to see Bayern advance to 54 points from 21 games, well clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund who won 2-1 at VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.
Hoffenheim had Kevin Akpoguma sent off for a 17th-minute foul that allowed Kane to open the scoring from the spot but they equalized through Andrej Kramaric before Bayern took control and imposed themselves on the under-strength visitors.
Hoffenheim stay in third spot on 42 points as their run of five successive Bundesliga wins came to an end.
Akpoguma was sent off for tugging down Diaz as the Colombian winger burst into the Hoffenheim area and Kane tucked away the resultant kick in the 20th minute.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Hoffenheim responded with an attacking approach and, after spurning good chances, pulled level when Bayern’s veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer blundered with a casual clearance that was picked off by Fisnik Asllani, who then teed up Kramaric to make it 1-1.
Another foul on Diaz, this time by Vladimir Coufal, handed Bayern a second penalty on the stroke of halftime and Kane netted again for his 24th goal of the Bundesliga season. Coufal was cautioned but, unlike Akpoguma, was not sent off.
England captain Kane then led a swift counter-attack two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the half, before setting up Diaz for a 3-1 lead at the break.
Neuer made a point-blank stop from Asllani in the 58th minute to atone for his earlier error before Diaz got his second goal four minutes later, with Michael Olize squaring for an easy-looking finish.
Diaz completed his hat-trick in the last minute, collecting the ball on the right of the Hoffenheim area and then running inside before picking his spot and hitting the ball wide of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann into the corner of the net.
Bayern have now scored 79 goals in this Bundesliga campaign, prompting coach Vincent Kompany to praise his strikeforce. “They simply never stop. If things get a little less exciting, they’re right back at it. They’re always hungry to attack,” he said.
Bayern open six-point lead with five-goal thrashing of Hoffenheim
https://arab.news/68fd9
Bayern open six-point lead with five-goal thrashing of Hoffenheim
- Hoffenheim stay in third spot in the German league on 42 points as their run of five successive Bundesliga wins ended
Horses central to major Vision 2030 projects in Kingdom, racing leaders say
- Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh hears about host of new equine projects
RIYADH: Leaders of Vision 2030 projects across Saudi Arabia told delegates at the 41st Asian Racing Conference that equestrianism and other sports are having a crucial impact on wider economic development and investment in the country.
Sport has been at the core of Saudi Arabia’s vision with significant investments in golf, tennis and football but the country’s love of horseracing means it is seen as a central driver of many projects maturing across the Kingdom.
The topic was covered during a panel session on Tuesday at the 41st ARC in Riyadh, organized by the Asian Racing Federation and hosted by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.
On the day news broke of a new racetrack to be constructed at Qiddiya just outside the capital, it was clear that horses are a key part of Saudi communities and a driver of economic growth.
Panelist Tim Hadaway, equestrian development executive director, sports sector, AlUla, said the horse was at the heart of much of their strategic thinking at a venue which will host an FEI World Championship event later this year.
“The horse is really one of the key strategic pillars of the project, part of Vision 2030 to drive economic development and diversity as well as the development of tourism, to showcase this part of the Kingdom to the world.”
He welcomed the increasing collaboration between various horse racing projects in the country.
“We’re working together, looking at what the ecosystem needs across the Kingdom, and to find that really strong infrastructure, that really strong development, that our company is going to see and helps the Kingdom succeed on the international stage.”
Marc Hewett, executive director, head of racecourse, Qiddiya Investment Co., was delighted to announce plans of the new racecourse on the site that will become the home of The Saudi Cup.
“Creating economic stability and economic rights, increasing equity, increasing demand, job creation, sustainability, targets and improving that infrastructure.
“These developments were all based around core, residential, education, sport, and retail projects. We’re embracing the power of play, new residents and social communities, 500,000 residents, 200,000 jobs, tourism, hospitality, education, sports and entertainment.”
