SPORTS
Scrappy Arsenal Edge 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk
Arsenal needed an own goal to seal a scrappy 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday as they made it two wins out of three in the Champions League.
The win is is coming after the blow of their first domestic league defeat of the season at the weekend.
The hosts missed a penalty in the second half and squandered a number of decent chances, but the reality was they never found top gear and had to withstand some late pressure from their Ukrainian opponents.
Arsenal, who were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, made a fast start with Brazilians Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus both having good opportunities before a fortunate opener in the 29th minute.
A low shot from Martinelli rebounded off the post and off the back of Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
Arsenal would have doubled their advantage before halftime were it not for Shakhtar captain Mykola Matviyenko who hooked the ball off the line to prevent a diving Kai Havertz nodding in.
Leandro Trossard also missed a second-half penalty awarded by VAR following a handball in the box.
“We had four big, big chances (in the first half). We should have converted them and put the game to bed,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters after the game.
The second half was difficult he added. “We looked tired and lacked sharpness with and without the ball.”
Shakhtar, who are yet to win in the Champions League this season, put more pressure on Arsenal after the interval.
The Ukrainian side went close to equalising, when substitute Pedrinho had a long-range effort superbly saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya in stoppage time.
“I think we deserved an equaliser” Shakhtar coach Marino Pusic told reporters. “We were chasing for an equaliser till the end of the game… we did our best”.
Victory lifts Arsenal provisionally into the top four of the new 36-team league phase before Wednesday’s fixtures with their next match away at Inter Milan.
Shakhtar will seek to bounce back in their next match at home to Swiss side Young Boys.(Reuters/NAN)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Tuesday defeated the Nigerian Police Force in the final bout of the Greco- Roman category 63 kg at the maiden Comptroller General of Customs Military/Paramilitary Wrestling Championship.
Report says that the bout held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the Moshood saw Alfred Parkistan of NSCDC winning Okasha Sani of Nigerian Police 10-0 in a one sided contest.
The all conquering Parkistan had earlier defeated David Edah of the Nigerian Air-Force 10-0 to book an easy passage to the final.
Speaking after the match, the champion said that he achieved the victory through dedication and hard work.
“My opponent is also a good fighter, I had to apply my skills to win the final game.
“I thank the Comptroller General of Customs for making the championship come to a reality.
“We want more of such competitions to make us fit for major championships,” he said
The other final bout was more keenly contested, as Samuel Kure (Customs) beat Chinoso Robinson (Nigeria Police Force) 7-6 in the 82kg category.
In the last bout, Musa Abdullahi (Nigeria Air-Force) lost to Tobechukwu Udeh (Nigeria Army) 8-0 in the 82kg.
The maiden edition of Comptroller General of Customs Military and Paramilitary Wrestling Championship is tagged ‘National Wrestling Championship ABUJA 2024’
The Championship is organised by the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) in collaboration with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Comptroller General of Customs.
The participating teams include: the Nigeria Defense Staff, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Others are: Nigeria Correctional Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS),Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Fire Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
The championship which started on Oct.19 is expected to end on Thursday. (NAN)
Vinicius Junior scored a hat-trick as title holders Real Madrid fought from two goals down to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Antonio Rüdiger’s header in the 60th, Vinicius Junior two minutes later, Lucas Vazquez in the 83rd and Vinicius Junior with a stunning solo in the 86th and in stoppage time clinched victory for the Spanish side.
The final result had appeared unlikely at half-time when Dortmund led 2-0 from Donyell Malen and Jamie Bynoe Gittens.
The record 15-time champions Real prevailed like in last season’s final they had won 2-0 against Dortmund at Wembley.
Real rebounded from a 1-0 defeat against Lille and have six points, the same as Dortmund who dropped their first points in their late collapse, after having won their first two games.
“We changed formation, but also the dynamics in the second half. This is our competition and make no mistake we want to win it again,” Vinicius Junior told Movistar. (dpa/NAN)
Following are the results of Match Day 8 results in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), played on Monday and dates of the remaining fixtures.
Ikorodu City FC 4-2 Lobi Stars FC
Shooting Stars FC 1-0 Katsina United FC
Niger Tornadoes FC 0-1 River United FC
Akwa United FC 0-0 Enugu Rangers FC
The following Match Day nine fixtures would be played on Oct.
26.Lobi Stars FC Vs Bayelsa United FC
Bendel Insurance FC Vs Abia Warriors FC
While the following would be played on Oct.27.
Shooting Stars FC Vs Akwa United FC
Nasarawa United FC Vs Kano Pillars FC
River United FC Vs El Kanemi Warriors FC
Heartland FC Vs Remo Stars FC
Enyimba international FC Vs Ikorodu City FC
Kwara United FC Vs Enugu Rangers FC
Katsina United FC Vs Niger Tornadoes FC
Plateau United FC Vs Sunshine Stars FC.
(NAN)
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