FC Barcelona fight back to win 7-goal thriller at Villarreal

Published

4 weeks ago

August 28, 2023

FC Barcelona fight back to win 7-goal thriller at Villarreal

FC Barcelona fought back to secure a barnstorming 4-3 win at Villarreal on Sunday, with last year’s LaLiga top scorer Robert Lewandowski bagging the winner late in the second half.

Villarreal were arguably the better side throughout the match, but a clinical FC Barcelona scored at key moments.

They were helped by a brilliant performance from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who created most of their opportunities, including an assist, and had two shots off the woodwork.

Villarreal’s Alexander Sorloth and Alex Baena wasted golden opportunities in the first minutes and Sorloth had an effort ruled out after a VAR check showed he was marginally offside in the build-up.

FC Barcelona, however, took an early two-goal lead thanks to a perfectly placed cross by Yamal that allowed Gavi to open the scoring in the 12th minute with a close-range header.

Three minutes later, they doubled their advantage with a shot by Frenkie De Jong following a defensive mistake.

But the hosts kept up their relentless pace and recovered with first-half goals by Juan Foyth and Alexander Sorloth, and from Alex Baena five minutes after the break.

After a string of saves by FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Foyth’s bullet header from a corner in the 26th minute fired up the home crowd.

Sorloth scored the equaliser from close range 14 minutes later after a fine team move involving Gerard Moreno and Alfonso Pedraza, who delivered a cross for the Norway forward to level.

Pedraza was involved in another fine build-up to Villarreal’s third in the 50th minute.

This was after powering up the left channel in a fast counter-attack and putting it on a plate for Baena to cut inside and finish with a curling shot into the top corner.

However, last year’s LaLiga champions woke up with Yamal creating all types of trouble for the hosts’ defence.

He almost levelled the game in the 56th minute, but his thunderous strike from the edge of the box smashed against the crossbar.

Substitute Ferran Torres struck from close range to level the match again in the 68th minute for the visitors.

This after Yamal stroke another bullet against the woodwork, only this time the ball bounced to Lewandowski, who tapped in the rebound off the post.

It was Lewandowski’s first goal of the season which gave FC Barcelona a hard-fought win after a pulsating affair in what was their second win in three games this season.

They are third in the LaLiga standings on seven points, level with Girona, trailing leaders Real Madrid by two points.

16th INAC: Indian instructor educates Nigerians on benefits of Yoga

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2023

Desmond Ukafor

The Indian High Commission in Nigeria on Friday in Abuja urged Nigerians to embrace Yoga as a means of exercise for their overall well-being..

Diptiranjan Mohanty, Teacher of Indian Culture, High Commission of India in Abuja, gave the advice during the 16th International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC).

Mohanty, who demonstrated the exercise , said that Yoga is an aspect of Indian culture known to reduce stress, anxiety as well as improve brain function.
He said that practicing Yoga also improves cardiovascular function, quality of sleep, bone health and reduces inflammation.

“Yoga is part of our culture, we want our Nigerian friends and people across the globe to practise it as a lifestyle.
“It improves body flexibility and balance.

“Yoga is known to harmonise the mind, body and soul, and it is a method to detoxify theo body and make a healthy mind and a happy soul,” he said.

Mohanty said that Nigerians who were interested in learning how to practice yoga could attend free classes for the execise at the Indian High Commission in Abuja.

According to him, this is held Monday to Friday, from 4.00p.m. to 7.00p.
He said that India was at the expo to showcase its arts and crafts like Saree fabric, Masala Chai (indian tea), locally prepared to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol.

In the course of the expo, delegates from Taraba, Kaduna, Borno, Katsina, Ogun and Rivers states presented colourful dance performances.

Ogun and Rivers as well as Cuba presented cuisines peculiar to their culture, which delegates from other nations savoured.

Sport

UEFA to raise payments for clubs not in European competition

Published

3 weeks ago

September 7, 2023

Fellow Press

Clubs that fail to qualify for UEFA’s competitions are set to receive a greater share of revenue from the European governing body from next season.
The arrangement is under a new distribution model announced on Wednesday by UEFA.
UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) signed a renewed working agreement until 2030 which will “bolster long-term stability and sustainable growth in European club football,” the governing body said in a statement.

The change will be effective from the start of the 2024-25 season, coinciding with a new format in UEFA’s Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.

Under the new model for the 2024-2027 cycle, seven per cent of the revenue UEFA earns from the three competitions will be distributed to clubs not competing in them, up from four per cent.

The European Leagues Association, which represents professional soccer leagues in Europe, said the change would result in 308 million euros ($330.02 million) being shared among non-participating clubs, up from the current 175 million euros.

“Today’s announcement … will help all clubs across Europe to safeguard their competitiveness on and off the pitch while keeping investing in youth and talent development,” it said in a statement.

UEFA said further details of the new system would be unveiled at a later date.