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Amorim’s Man United reign begins with lacklustre draw at Ipswich
Manchester United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at lowly Ipswich Town in Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge as Marcus Rashford’s early goal was cancelled out by a deflected strike from Omari Hutchinson in the Premier League on Sunday.
There was an electric atmosphere at Portman Road but United silenced the home fans as they took the lead after 81 seconds through Rashford who stole in between two defenders to steer the ball home after a brilliant run down the right by Amad.
United keeper Andre Onana made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Liam Delap as halftime loomed but Ipswich equalised in the 43rd minute as Hutchinson curled a shot into the top corner helped by a deflection off visiting defender Noussair Mazraoui.
After the break Ipswich striker Sam Szmodics almost scored with a back-heel that Onana saved with his feet but neither side could find a winner. The result leaves United in 12th place with 16 points, six off the top four. Ipswich are 18th with nine.
“They are very good players but we have to improve physically, technically and tactically and we need time to do that,” Amorim said as the enormity of the task facing him at United was on show again in a lacklustre performance.
“It’s hard to expect anything now. It’s not a surprise but you have to see it … That’s why I was a little bit anxious because you can’t understand what will happen (until you’re) in the game,” the Portuguese coach told a press conference.
“They were trying but they were thinking too much in the game. That is normal. But we should have had more possession of the ball and kept more of the ball,” he added.
Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen and Alejandro Garnacho were back in the starting lineup as 39-year-old Amorim made three changes from the win over Leicester City in their final match under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy two weeks ago.
Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was sacked and the United fans were keen to find out how he would change the lineup as the former Sporting coach tries to bring success to the Old Trafford club after years of under-achievement.
UNITED HUDDLE
United’s players formed a huddle before kickoff and then started in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mazraoui in a back three alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Evans.
It was United’s first league visit to Ipswich in 22 years – with Van Nistelrooy scoring the only goal that day – but the hosts were stunned as the visitors went ahead through Rashford.
Amorim did not raise a smile after the goal knowing there was a long way to go and a lot more work to be done but the United fans were already singing the Portuguese coach’s name.
Ipswich traded blows with United as they tried to get back on level terms and after Eriksen sent a low shot wide Szmodics fired over for the home side. Garnacho also saw a low effort fly past the post before Hutchinson’s shot was blocked.
Then five minutes before the break Onana made a brilliant stop to deny Delap from point-blank range after fine work down the left by Leif Davis who laid the ball across the box.
It did not take long for Ipswich to equalise however and this time there was nothing even Onana could do to keep out Hutchinson’s deflected curler that found the top corner to delight singer Ed Sheeran and the rest of the home fans.
Ipswich striker Szmodics almost put the hosts in front with his clever back-heel from close range seven minutes into the second half as the Blues sensed they could take three points.
The closest United came after that though was a Fernandes free kick that sailed wide and it was Ipswich who almost fashioned a winner but Conor Chaplin’s sidefoot was straight at Onana after a cross by fellow substitute Jack Clarke.
A draw was about the right result in the end after United’s fast start. It is 11 years since they won the Premier League under Alex Ferguson and after this latest low key performance Amorim has plenty of work to do to make them challengers again.
-Reuters
African teams will battle for the remaining qualification spots for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this weekend as the final round of qualifiers reaches its climax across the continent.
In Kampala, Ghana will attempt to protect a slender 2-1 first-leg advantage when they face Uganda’s U20 girls away from home.
Cameroon are also in a strong position ahead of their return-leg clash against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam after securing a 3-1 victory in the first meeting.
Meanwhile, Benin will fancy their chances of advancing when they host Côte d’Ivoire following a 1-1 draw in Abidjan.
Nigeria’s Falconets are equally close to qualification after earning a 2-0 first-leg victory over Malawi ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter in Lilongwe.
The successful teams will join the global field for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next year.
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The London Marathon broke the record for the highest number of finishers in a marathon, with 59,830 participants completing the course to surpass the mark of 59,226 at last year’s New York City event.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe shattered the world record to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours, followed by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who also breached the two-hour barrier on Sunday.
“To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Record,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.
In the women’s race, three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes in a single race for the first time ever, as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering her own women ‘s-only world record
-Reuters
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By George Akpayen
The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table, which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars.
However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season, and this could see as many as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays.
Top contenders in the race for the battle for the golden boot are Enugu Rangers’ striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece.
On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each.
THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN
Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goal involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each, while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances, which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs.
El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists).
Obioma is however, the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors.
Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far.
THE CHASING PACK
There is also the chasing pack in the race for the Golden Boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo, who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, and Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves.
The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goal scorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners.
There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali.
WORTHY MENTION
However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and sent off once.
Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspirations this season, and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays.
No doubt, there will be twists and turns for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among the factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds-on to claim the top individual prize.
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