ARSENAL CLINCH SHIELD IN FINAL SHOOTOUT

LONDON: Pierre-emerick Aubameyang clinched the Community Shield for Arsenal with his penalty securing a 5-4 shootout victory over Liverpool on Saturday in the curtain-raiser to a season that is beginning late and without fans due to the pandemic. The game was settled on penalties at Wembley Stadium after Takumi Minamino’s first goal for Liverpool in the 73rd minute cancelled out Aubameyang’s early opener.

Injured Osaka out of W&S Open final

NEW YORK: Japan’s Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Western & Southern Open WTA final due to a left hamstring injury on Saturday, two days before the start of the US Open. The world No 10’s withdrawal means Victoria Azarenka takes the title by walkover. “I’m sorry to have to withdraw today with an injury,” said Osaka, who is on the Monday night schedule at the US Open where she is due to play fellow Japanese Misaki Doi.

NBA playoffs to resume, players to keep up fight

WASHINGTON: NBA playoff games are set to resume on Saturday, but players are determined to keep the focus on the fight for social justice and racial equality with the help from club owners and the league. NBA commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Players Association executive director Michele Roberts said in a joint statement on Friday that “All parties agreed to resume NBA playoff games on Saturday.”

Humpy helps India reach Chess Olympiad final

CHENNAI: Koneru Humpy beat Monika Socko in a tie-break to help India pip Poland in the semi-finals and reach the summit clash of the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad on Saturday. After the two teams won one round each in regular play, Humpy was pitted against Socko for the Armageddon (tie-break), and the Indian won with black pieces to clinch a spot in the final for her side.