Sultanate’s delegation to Youth Olympic Games leaves today
PARIS: Champions League holders Real Madrid slumped to a rare defeat in the competition as they went down 1-0 away to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, while Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United misfired again in a 0-0 draw with Valencia.
While Bayern Munich were also held by Ajax, it was a happier evening for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as they beat Hoffenheim 2-1, and Juventus were also comfortable winners thanks to Paulo Dybala’s hattrick.
Real were not expected to struggle in Group G as they look to continue their recent dominance of the Champions League, but Julen Lopetegui’s side went behind inside two minutes in Moscow following a mistake by Toni Kroos. The German’s drilled backpass turned into a gift for Nikola Vlasic, and the winger on loan from Everton fired past Keylor Navas to put CSKA ahead.
Casemiro hit the post in the first half — one of three attempts that found the woodwork for the visitors — but Real were weakened by the absences of Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, while Luka Modric started on the bench.
CSKA held on, despite having MUSCAT: The Sultanate’s delegation left today for participation in the 3rd Youth Olympic Games which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentine, from October 6-18.
The delegation is headed by Suada bint Salim al Ismaili, Board member of Oman Olympic Committee, and consists of Ahmed bin Darwish al Balushi, Chef de Mission; five athletes goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev sent off in injury time, and they move above Real to the top of Group G.
“I am sure we will soon be scoring again and winning again,” said Lopetegui, whose team have not found the net in three matches.
It was only Madrid’s third defeat in the Champions League group stage this decade, but Real will nevertheless expect to bounce back next against Czech champions Viktoria Plzen, who were crushed 5-0 by Roma.
Edin Dzeko scored a hat-trick for the Italian side, with Cengiz Under and Justin Kluivert also netting. and three coaches representing athletics, swimming and sailing.
The athletics list includes coach Eid Totash and athletes Mohammed bin Ahmed al Sulaimani who will take part in the 2,000m race (hurdles) and Ali bin Anwar al Balushi who will take part in the 200m race.
The swimming list includes coach
At Old Trafford, the pressure continued to build on Mourinho as United produced another insipid attacking display in their goalless stalemate with Valencia.
They are now four games without a win, and Mourinho’s decision to recall Alexis Sanchez — after dropping the Chilean for the weekend defeat at West Ham United — failed to pay off.
“Our attacking players aren’t in their best moments of confidence and individual level,” moaned Mourinho. “We thought with three or four chances we would score and win the game.” Kamal Khamri and swimmers Shihab bin Alaa Uldin who will participate in 50 m (breaststroke) and 50m (free style) and Lara bint Saif al Yafi’yah who will participate in the 100m (free style) and 50m (free style). Representing the Sultanate in sailing will be Mohammed bin Nabeel al Balushi who will take part in
DYBALA SHINES Mourinho’s side are second in Group H, two points behind Juventus.
Juve eased to victory against 10man Young Boys in Turin, with Dybala scoring a hat-trick to take centre stage in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was serving a one-game ban.
“We were without Cristiano, and at times it is easier with him in the side, but we have to be a great team both with and without him,” said Dybala.
Guardiola saw Manchester City come from behind to beat Hoffenheim in Germany in Group F.
David Silva scored three minutes the sailboard windsurfing on ‘Techno Plus’ boats with his coach Sultan bin Sulaiman al Balushi. A total of 206 countries are expected to take part in the 3rd Youth Olympic Games with the participation of about 4,000 athletes in 32 disciplines to be staged in four sports facilities, namely Youth Olympic Park, Green Park, Technological Park and Standalone Venus. At Athens AEK Athens (GRE) 2 (Klonaridis 53, 63) Benfica (POR) 3 (Seferovic 6, Grimaldo 15, Alfa Semedo 74) At Munich, Germany Bayern Munich (GER) 1 (Hummels 4) Ajax (NED) 1 (Mazraoui 22) At Sinsheim, Germany Hoffenheim (GER) 1 (Belfodil 1) Manchester City (ENG) 2 (Aguero 8, David Silva 87) At Lyon, France Lyon (FRA) 2 (Dembele 70, Dubois 72) Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 (Junior Moraes 44, 55) At Rome Roma (ITA) 5 (Dzeko 3, 40, 90+2, Cengiz Under 64, Kluivert 73) Viktoria Plzen (CZE) 0 At Moscow CSKA Moscow (RUS) 1 (Vlasic 2) Real Madrid (ESP) 0 At Turin, Italy Juventus (ITA) 3 (Dybala 5, 33, 69) Young Boys (SUI) 0 At Manchester, England Manchester United (ENG) 0 Valencia (ESP) 0 from time to get the Premier League champions back on track after they started their campaign with a 2-1 home defeat against Lyon.
Ishak Belfodil had put Hoffenheim ahead after just 44 seconds, but Sergio Aguero equalised in the eighth minute before Silva’s late winner. “This competition isn’t always a red carpet. Manchester City is a fantastic club, but we don’t have a history of having to fight and we fought for absolutely everything here,” said Guardiola.
“This is one of the happiest days I have had at this club as it will help us going forward.”