Germany Stun Ukraine in Nations League Luxembourg Beat Cyprus; Montenegro Ease Past Azerbaijan
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Established 1961 15 Monday, October 12, 2020 Sports Spain edge Swiss 1-0; Germany stun Ukraine in Nations League Luxembourg beat Cyprus; Montenegro ease past Azerbaijan PARIS: Mikel Oyarzabal pounced on a horror slip ing into the Spanish net. But it was not to be as by Swiss captain Granit Xhaka to seal a 1-0 victo- the referee handed Atalanta’s Remo Freuler a yel- ry for Spain in the Nations League on Saturday. low card for a foul on Sergio Busquets in the The night’s other League A Group 4 match saw build-up. It was then the turn of Gerard Moreno Germany beat Ukraine 2-1 in Kiev. At the Estadio to blast high after a smart twist and turn in front Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid, usually home of of the Swiss goal after a nice ball from Sergio Real Madrid’s second string side, Real Sociedad Canales. striker Oyarzabal struck in the 14th minute. The Swiss boldly tried to play out from the back, but Unbeaten run extended Xhaka slipped as he sought to collect goalkeeper Luis Enrique’s side then contented themselves Yann Sommer’s pass. with seeing out the game, extending to 14 their Mikel Merino pounced and threaded the ball current unbeaten run. They have also not lost in through to clubmate Oyarzabal, who finished Madrid in 20 games dating back to 1987. “It was superbly past Sommer. “I am happy for the victory not an easy game, it was not a game in which we and for adding three points,” Oyarzabal told have been especially fluid,” said Enrique. “We took Spanish television. “We knew that (Switzerland) advantage of hard pressing to score the goal and were a powerful team, that they liked to play a lot then we had further opportunities to close down and that they had fewer points than they the game, but without luck.” The Spaniards top deserved. “We also knew they were risking a lot their group, having kicked off with a creditable 1-1 from behind and we wanted to pressure them away draw against Germany before a sparkling 4- because we believed we could rob them and hurt 0 victory over Ukraine, whom they now face on them and that’s the way it worked out.” Tuesday. In Kiev, Germany picked up a first win in There was a golden opportunity for Oyarzabal their Nations League group with a workmanlike 2- to double his tally in the 52nd minute. Switzerland 1 away victory over the Ukrainians. again struggled to clear their lines, Jesus Navas Defender Matthias Ginter gave Germany a fizzed a cross-shot into the area which Sommer first-half lead, then Leon Goretzka capitalized on could only push into the path of Oyarzabal. The a horrible mistake by the Ukraine goalkeeper VALDEBEBAS: Spain’s forward Mikel Oyarzabal (right) scores a goal during the UEFA Nations striker’s effort, however, hit the post and went before Ruslan Malinovskyi converted a late penal- League A group 4 football match between Spain and Switzerland at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadi- wide. It was then the turn of Merino to scuff ty for the hosts. Germany coach Joachim Loew um in Valdebebas in northeastern Madrid on October 10, 2020. —AFP another prime chance. On the hour mark, a badly said he was “satisfied” with the away win, but cleared corner fell to his unfavoured right foot and admitted “we should have been three or four goals he shot high and wide directly in front of goal. ahead before they scored”. “In some phases we However, Germany can expect a much tougher Azerbaijan by the same scoreline in Group 1 of Sergio Ramos then saw an effort shielded away gave the ball away too easily.” After drawing their task against the Swiss in Cologne on Tuesday and League C. In League D action, the Faroe Islands by Xhaka before a header went just wide opening Nations League games against Spain and should have scored more having enjoyed around were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Latvia moments later with Spain in the driving seat. Switzerland, then being held 3-3 by Turkey in a 75% possession against a weakened Ukraine side. and Andorra fought out a goalless draw with Switzerland thought they had an equalizer as friendly on Wednesday, the win lifted Germany to In the evening’s other games, Luxembourg beat Malta in Group 1, while Gibraltar edged Xherdan Shaqiri pivoted and sent the ball spiral- second in the group behind Spain. Cyprus 2-0 and Montenegro eased past Liechtenstein 1-0 in Group 2.- AFP winger James Verity-Amm. Steyn, who new Bulls having been sin-binned on 53 minutes. “Getting yel- Steyn stars as late coach Jake White calls his “general”, had the final low-carded was unacceptable,” he admitted. “One News in brief say with his penalty ensuring the Bulls of victory of my tasks as captain is to set a good example to but not preventing the Griquas from taking a losing my team-mates and I clearly failed. “No one gave us Sordo wins Rally of Sardinia rally secures Bulls bonus point. a chance before the game and I am proud that we “I am happy with the win, but not with the way ran the Bulls close. Our aim is to compete in this hard-earned win we achieved it,” said Botha, one of many new sign- competition and not just take part.” Apart from the ings made by 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning shrewdness of Steyn, the Bulls were indebted to PRETORIA: A strong finish enabled the Bulls to coach White when he took charge last March. “We their scrum, which made life increasingly uncom- beat the Griquas 30-23 in Pretoria Saturday on the lacked discipline at the breakdowns during the first fortable for the Griquas. second day of South African Super Rugby half and all of us need to watch a recording of this The side from northern Cape city Kimberley Unlocked after an unexpectedly close match. The match and study where we did not execute the built a 10-point lead only to concede an additional- Bulls have been among the ‘big four’ of South game plan properly. “The experience of Morne time try to lock Ruan Nortje and turn over level at African rugby with the Lions, Sharks and Stormers (Steyn) was a key factor for us and I do not think 10-10. An Anthony Volmink try helped the under- for decades while the Griquas’ lone major trophy this guy is ever going to grow old.” Back in Pretoria dogs lead 18-10 before a penalty try triggered a came 50 years ago. after six years with French Top 14 outfit Stade Bulls comeback that gave them a victory they just But it took the hosts 63 minutes to go ahead, Francais, Steyn contributed 13 points from two con- deserved. Meanwhile, Malcolm Jaer scored three through a penalty from 36-year-old former South versions and three penalties after missing his first tries and fellow winger Rosco Specman two as the ARGENTIERA: Spain’s driver Dani Sordo and Africa fly-half Morne Steyn, behind closed doors at shot at goal. Cheetahs romped to a 53-31 victory over the Spain’s co-driver Carlos Del Barrio steer to win with their Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC the Rally of Loftus Versfeld owing to the coronavirus. A try from Pumas in Bloemfontein. In a match of two halves, Sardinia in Argentiera yesterday. —AFP stand-in skipper and loose forward Arno Botha ‘Unacceptable’ the home side averaged a point a minute in the first stretched the advantage to nine points before the Griquas captain and fly-half George Whitehead to lead 41-3 at the break against overwhelmed Griquas responded through a second try from also pinpointed indiscipline, and was self critical opponents. —AFP ALGHERO: Spain’s Dani Sordo won the Rally of Sardinia for the second straight year yesterday ahead “They’re a really good team,” Dodgers catcher of fellow Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville of Belgium. Dodgers and Braves Will Smith said. “Really high-powered offense. Got After a three-day battle along the narrow, sandy and some good arms. Should be a good matchup. gravel roads of the Mediterranean island, Sordo held Should be a lot of good baseball. We’re looking for- off Neuville by just 5.1sec with France’s former six- time world champion Sebastien Ogier just one sec- chasing end to MLB ward to it.” Braves star first baseman Freddie ond further behind for Toyota. Ogier’s Welsh team- Freeman batted .341 with 13 homers and drove in 53 mate Elfyn Evans finished fourth over a minute title droughts runs this season. “Arguably the best player in the behind the winner to hold the world championship National League this year in Freddie Freeman-they lead after six of eight rounds. Evans has a 14-point LOS ANGELES: A power-hitting Los Angeles play the game the right way,” Dodgers manager lead on Ogier and 24 on Neuville, who moves up Dodgers squad and a tough-pitching Atlanta Braves Dave Roberts said of the Braves. “Very talented.” from fifth to third. Defending world champion lineup meet in the Major League Baseball playoffs The Braves also feature Marcell Ozuna, who blast- Estonian Ott Tanak is fourth overall, struggling to with each trying to end a World Series title drought. ed 18 homers among 77 hits with 56 runs batted in, sixth in the race after suspension problems on The Dodgers and Braves, both unbeaten in this year’s and 22-year-old leadoff hitter Ronald Acuna, who Friday, but finishing in style yesterday with a win in post-season run, open their best-of-seven National smacked 14 homers.