15 TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019 sports ‘BRAVE 24 could prove a seminal moment for the Liverpool fall to Sevilla sport’, IMMAF president • Liverpool lose 2-1 TDT | Manama to 10-man Sevilla in RAVE Combat Federation’s Fenway friendly Bfirst trip to England is set to take mixed martial arts to Yasser Larouci the next level and could prove stretchered• off after to become the start of a new era to the sport. That’s accord- horror tackle ing to IMMAF president Ker- rith Brown, who’s in charge AFP | New York of the biggest amateur MMA tournament in the world, and lejandro Pozo delivered a partner of BRAVE CF and the the late dagger in 10- Kingdom of Bahrain, the host Kerrith Brown Aman Sevilla’s 2-1 friendly nation for the IMMAF-WMMAA win over Liverpool in Boston World Championships. Sunday, a defeat made worse According to Brown, a for the European champions former Olympic athlete and when they saw Yasser Larouci bronze medallist in judo, stretchered off. BRAVE Combat Federation is Liverpool manager Jurgen doing the right thing by ex- KNOW WHAT Klopp was furious at Joris Gag- posing MMA to a new audience non’s outrageous kick at an and believes the publicity that on-rushing Larouci in the 76th will be drawn from BRAVE 24 minute. Gnagnon was shown a could prove to become a semi- IMMAF president straight red card after sweeping Liverpool’s Harry Wilson (L) and Sevilla’s Rodriguez Sergio Reguilon fight for the ball nal moment for the sport in the Kerrith Brown is one of the Frenchman’s legs out rounded Liverpool keeper Si- African Cup of Nations. Divock Origi who swept in from continental and world scales, a former Olympic from underneath him, toppling mon Mignolet and knocked the As in a 3-2 defeat to Borussia close range in the 44th. and hopes that the 2019 edition athlete and bronze him to the pitch where his head winner into an unguarded net. Dortmund on Friday in Indiana, Both teams made wholesale of the World Championships medallist in judo bounced hard on the ground. Sevilla had enjoyed by far the there was some shaky defending changes at halftime, but even a also benefits from the already “(It’s) much too early in the majority of scoring chances on from Liverpool. match that was just one more historical show. season to create headlines with a sweltering evening at Fen- Nolito’s powerful shot in step in both team’s pre-season “Publicity from the event saying the things I think about way Park -- home of the World the 37th minute past Liver - preparations there was nothing should boost Brave’s profile the situation,” Klopp said at his Series Champion Boston Red pool starting goalkeeper Andy laid back about Sevilla. over here and I hope also in- post-match press conference, Sox. Both Liverpool and the Red Lonergan -- who was at Mid- A foul was called on Ever crease awareness about the where he added that it appeared Sox are owned by groups led by dlesbrough last season -- was Banega for a hard tackle in amateur World Champion- mixed martial arts as a whole. that the 18-year-old Larouci was John W. Henry. Sevilla’s reward after a half- the 12th minute and when he ships in Bahrain in Novem - Brown is proud to be associat- “lucky” in terms of avoiding se- Players were granted water hour of pressure. slammed the ball to the ground ber. I think a lot of benefits for ed with such a key figure in the rious injury. breaks in the hot, humid con- It needed a sprawling save in protest he was shown a yel- the sport will come through combat sports world. “But of course, how it always ditions, and even the pitch cre- from Lonergan in the 13th min- low card. connections made at the event “It is fantastic that His High- is with these things we have to ated on the baseball diamond ute to deny Luuk de Jong af - Liverpool midfielder Harry and the opportunities that are ness has engaged the interest wait a little bit. I don’t know received extra water during the ter Liverpool lost possession in Wilson took a smack to the face developed from these. Look- of such reputed influencers, 100 percent. It looks like he was match. their own territory and de Jong just before halftime -- an in - ing back, it could prove a truly which can only help raise lucky but I only spoke quickly to The pro-Liverpool crowd was just wide with a header in fraction that paled in compar- seminal event”. the profile of the sport. I feel the Doc and that’s what he said, weren’t treated to many of the the 23rd. ison to that of Gnagnon -- who The former judoka has also proud to be associated with the but we have to see.” club’s stars as Brazilian inter- was arguing with the referee as praised the work done by His work of His Highness Sheikh Even with the La Liga outfit nationals Roberto Firmino and ‘Not too cool’ Larouci received treatment. Highness Shaikh Khaled bin Khalid and his commitment reduced to 10 men, Liverpool Alisson were both absent for Liverpool’s equalizer came “Harry got a knock on his jaw Hamad Al Khalifa, the founder to the sport globally. BRAVE 24 were unable find a way ahead, the Reds following their Copa off a scrappy set piece as Trent and a finger in his eye, so not too and visionary of BRAVE CF, in will be yet another milestone and Pozo sealed it in the 90th America campaign along with Alexander-Arnold’s corner was cool,” Klopp said. “He should be attracting so many VIP per- for Bahraini MMA, and I wish minute as he smoothly collected Mohamed Salah and Sadio kept alive by Nat Phillips, the OK as well but couldn’t carry on sonalities to the event and fo- the team every success for the a pass from Munir El Haddadi, Mane, both missing due to the ball falling to an unmarked as well.” cusing on the development of event”, said Brown. Atlanta United blank D.C. United 2-0 Rakitic unmoved by transfer rumours AFP | Los Angeles Reuters | Tokyo “In some way it also fills me with pride because if other ity Martinez scored the arcelona midfielder Ivan teams ask about me it is because Peventual winner and Brad BRakitic accepts his days at I am doing things really well.” Does it bother me? Guzan earned his 10th shutout the Nou Camp may be num - Rakitic said he is simply try- No it doesn’t, I as Atlanta United FC beat the bered, but for now he is con- ing to enjoy his soccer at Barca have to understand Wayne Rooney-less D.C. United centrating on preparing for as they seek to put disapoint- 2-0 on Sunday. next season with the Spanish ments of recent seasons behind soccer in general Pity Martinez scored in the champions. them. works like that 89th minute and Josef Martin- After the arrival of Frenkie “I think the club has other IVAN RAKITIC ez added the insurance goal in de Jong from Ajax and 31-year- things to do right now other stoppage time as second place old Sergio Busquets signing a than speak about my issues,” Atlanta improved to 11-8-3 on new five-year deal last year, the 31-year-old said. tacking group that also includes the MLS season. Barcelona’s midfield is looking Coach Enesto Val- Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Phil- Guzan stopped three shots a little crowded and the Croat verde has an embar- lipe Coutinho and Ousmane for the shutout over D.C. Unit- could be the man shipped out rassment of riches Dembele. ed, who missed Rooney as this summer. when it comes to French international Griez- they rely heavily on him for Speaking ahead of his side’s attacking mid- mann, who is likely to play his much of their scoring. Guzan pre-season match against fielders at his first game in a Barcelona shirt now has a league-leading 10 Chelsea in Japan on Tues- disposal after the on Tuesday, accepts that Barca shutouts. day, Rakitic admitted it was arrival of Antoine play a different brand of football D.C.’s loss dropped them to awkward talking about his Griezmann from to Atletico but he is confident third place in the Eastern Con- future but he was used to La Liga rivals he can adjust. ference with a 9-6-8 record, one Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez, right, and D.C. United defender the rumours. Atletico Ma- “They are two different ways point back from Atlanta. Donovan Pines, left, battle for the ball in front of the D.C. United goal “Does it bother drid this of attacking,” Griezmann said. Rooney was left off the ros- me? No it doesn’t, I month. “At Atletico it’s very quick and ter of the key regular season because of injuries since joining thing we want to push right have to understand Griez- the other way is with lots of contest after coach Ben Olsen the MLS team last year. now.” soccer in general mann patience. I will adapt like I did allowed him to take some time “There are some signs of Rooney leads the team in works like that,” joins a at Atletico.” off due to some “niggling” inju- wear and tear, some little nig- goals, with 11, and assists, with Rakitic said at a loaded “It’s a style I like.