Sports

India's Rodrigues beat anxiety and tears to become World Cup star

BY FAISAL KAMAL

  • Rodrigues, who was dropped for the World Cup in 2022, said she has struggled mentally throughout the tournament.
  • India's newest cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues overcame anxiety and tears to lead her country into the women's World Cup final with a sublime century against Australia.
  • Rodrigues, who was dropped for the World Cup in 2022, said she has struggled mentally throughout the tournament.
India's newest cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues overcame anxiety and tears to lead her country into the women's World Cup final with a sublime century against Australia.
The 25-year-old batter scored 127 not out as India chased down a record 339 at Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium, securing a place in Sunday's final against South Africa.
India have been to the one-day final twice before but have never won it.
Rodrigues, who was dropped for the World Cup in 2022, said she has struggled mentally throughout the tournament.
She was not an automatic choice for this edition and was even dropped from the league game against England after a string of modest scores.
"I have almost cried every day through this tour," Rodrigues said after the semi-final victory on Thursday in her home city, breaking down.
"Not doing well mentally, going through anxiety. I knew I had to show up and God took care of everything," said the batter, after her third ODI century.
A devout Christian born in Mumbai, Rodrigues said she was told just five minutes before the match to bat at number three. 
She responded with what she called her "best knock ever", forging a 167-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who made 89.
Harmanpreet fell in the 36th over but Rodrigues stood firm in humid conditions, pausing in between and even talking to herself during the 134-ball marathon.
"I was praying, I was talking to God because I feel I have a personal relationship with him and when I cannot carry myself, he always carries me," Rodrigues said.
"I knew how important this match was and I wanted to be there to finish it off."
She sank to her knees in tears after Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary and later embraced her emotional parents on the sidelines.

'Mental resilience'

Rodrigues has been a dependable -- if not spectacular -- presence for India since her white-ball debut in 2018, scoring 1,725 ODI runs at an average of over 35, mostly as a middle-order batter.
Harmanpreet praised her teammate's composure in the heat of battle.
"Jemimah is someone who always wants to do really well for the team," said Harmanpreet. 
"She is very calculative and wants to take responsibility. We always trust her and today was a very special knock."
Former Indian men's captain Sunil Gavaskar said Rodrigues's experience in overseas leagues had helped her develop a mature approach to batting.
"She has got some experience," Gavaskar told the India Today channel. "She knows how to pace an innings. She has the ability."
Australia, unbeaten until the semi-final and strong favourites to retain their crown, were left reeling by Rodrigues's masterclass.
Their captain Alyssa Healy said the seven-time champions "let ourselves down" and were "un-Australian" in not being as clinical as they would normally be.
But she reserved special praise for the hero of the hour, Rodrigues.
"Her resilience -- her mental resilience -- out there to get her team over the line was exemplary, so full credit to her," she said.
fk/abh/pst

Sports

India savours 'greatest day' after Women's World Cup heroics

  • Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to take India into their third final of an ODI World Cup, triggering emotional scenes.
  • India's stunning World Cup semi-final win over Australia was described Friday as the greatest day in the history of women's cricket in the country, with Jemimah Rodrigues hailed for her "innings of a lifetime".
  • Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to take India into their third final of an ODI World Cup, triggering emotional scenes.
India's stunning World Cup semi-final win over Australia was described Friday as the greatest day in the history of women's cricket in the country, with Jemimah Rodrigues hailed for her "innings of a lifetime".
Batter Rodrigues hit an unbeaten 127 as the hosts chased down a record 339 in Mumbai on Thursday to oust reigning seven-time champions Australia in Mumbai.
India face South Africa in the final at the same venue on Sunday as both teams attempt to win the one-day tournament for the first time in its 52-year history.
Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to take India into their third final of an ODI World Cup, triggering emotional scenes.
The 25-year-old Rodrigues sank to her knees in tears while her teammates rushed to celebrate the sensational upset.
"This is the greatest day in the history of Indian women's cricket," veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle said on X.
Virat Kohli, the star batsman from the men's team, called Rodrigues's display the "standout performance".
"A true display of resilience, belief and passion," he said on social media.
Former men's captain Sunil Gavaskar called the victory "exhilarating" and "absolutely thrilling", especially because they were clear underdogs.
"They'd lost to three big guns in the tournament and then to come back the way they have just tells you the determination of this team," the batting great said on TV channel India Today.  
"So clearly you can say that the Indian women's team has definitely come of age."
India lost three successive matches in the league phase before clinching the last semi-final spot, in contrast to Australia's unbeaten run into the final four.
India were in trouble at 59-2 in reply to Australia's massive 338 when Rodrigues turned the game on its head in a 167-run third-wicket partnership with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who hit 89.
Rodrigues, a middle-order batter who had a modest start in the tournament and was dropped in the league game against England, was promoted to number three and delivered when it mattered.
"When you are left and then come back into the team the pressure is way too high... today's innings was a marvellous innings," said Gavaskar.
That was echoed by former national cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who called it an "innings of a lifetime".
"Fantastic to watch free-flowing cricket by Jemimah Rodrigues," he said on X.
"In and out from the team but she never stopped believing."
India have twice been runners-up, in 2005 and 2017.
In 2017 they beat Australia in the semi-finals before losing to England.
fk/abh/pst

death

Tributes as death of Australian teenager touches cricket world

  • On Friday, the Victoria and Tasmania teams put their bats out as a symbol of respect, wore black armbands and held a minute's silence as Austin's image was beamed on a big screen before resuming their domestic match in Melbourne.
  • Players wore black armbands and held a minute's silence as tributes poured in Friday for the Australian teenager whose death touched the cricket world.
  • On Friday, the Victoria and Tasmania teams put their bats out as a symbol of respect, wore black armbands and held a minute's silence as Austin's image was beamed on a big screen before resuming their domestic match in Melbourne.
Players wore black armbands and held a minute's silence as tributes poured in Friday for the Australian teenager whose death touched the cricket world.
Ben Austin, 17, died on Thursday after being hit in the neck before a local Twenty20 game in Melbourne while in the nets facing a ball-throwing device.
He was wearing a helmet, but reportedly not a stem guard, which protects the neck.
It revived memories of Test star Phillip Hughes, who was killed in 2014 when hit in the neck by a ball during a domestic Sheffield Shield game.
On Friday, the Victoria and Tasmania teams put their bats out as a symbol of respect, wore black armbands and held a minute's silence as Austin's image was beamed on a big screen before resuming their domestic match in Melbourne.
There were similar scenes in Perth, where Western Australia were playing South Australia.
In Mumbai, both India and Australia wore black armbands during their women's one-day World Cup semi-final on Thursday.
"Thanks to the Indian team for joining us in wearing black armbands to pay tribute to Ben Austin, a young man from Melbourne who tragically lost his life playing the game we all love," the Australian side said. 
"Sending love to Ben's friends, family and cricket mates."
Flowers and cricket bats were placed at the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club where the accident occurred on Tuesday.
"It makes you so proud to realise how connected the cricket community is and how much we look after each other," Cricket Victoria chief Nick Cummins told Australian media.
"It doesn't take a lot of imagination to put yourself in the Austin family's position."
Austin's death resonated globally with England's Barmy Army linking to a GoFundMe page set up to help the family.
"Rest in peace, Ben Austin, never forgotten," said the official supporters group, who are set to descend on Australia in force this month for the Ashes Test series.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan paid tribute, as did a "deeply saddened" England and Wales Cricket Board.
"Gone far too young. Thoughts are with his family and close friends," Vaughan said on X.
mp/pst

Sports

Jackson throws four TD passes as Ravens rout Dolphins

  • With the victory, the Ravens began a stretch of five consecutive games against teams with losing records.
  • Lamar Jackson made a triumphant return after missing three games with a right hamstring injury, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 28-6 NFL victory at Miami on Thursday.
  • With the victory, the Ravens began a stretch of five consecutive games against teams with losing records.
Lamar Jackson made a triumphant return after missing three games with a right hamstring injury, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 28-6 NFL victory at Miami on Thursday.
Two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Jackson, who grew up in South Florida, completed 18-of-23 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns without an interception to spark the Ravens.
"I felt great just to be touching the grass," Jackson said. "It was awesome."
Derrick Henry carried 19 times for 119 yards while Jackson ran five times for 14 yards.
"He was leading us all night, picking his poison," tight end Mark Andrews said of Jackson. "When we have 8 (Jackson's jersey number) back there leading the charge we're in good hands.
"I don't think there was any rust or anything like that. He looked great tonight, throwing the ball, running the ball. He was commanding us."
Baltimore improved to 3-5, tying Cincinnati for second in the AFC North division, 1.5 games behind Pittsburgh (4-3).
"Our guys stay poised and play off each other whatever we do," Jackson said.
Miami slid to 2-7 with home fans booing most of the night, some putting paper bags over their heads as the Dolphins struggled and many Tua Tagovailoa passes went woefully off target.
With the victory, the Ravens began a stretch of five consecutive games against teams with losing records.
Jackson, who said his team's poor start means "it's do or die each and every week," played like it.
Riley Patterson's 49-yard field goal gave the Dolphins the lead, but on their next possession, Baltimore's Alohi Gilman forced and recovered a Tahj Washington fumble to set up Jackson's two-yard touchdown toss to Andrews for a 7-3 Ravens lead.
Jackson connected with Andrews on a 20-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter but Patterson answered with a 43-yard field goal to lift Miami within 14-6 at halftime.
The Ravens took the second-half kickoff and drove 68 yards in 11 plays over 6:51 with Jackson's three-yard touchdown throw to Charlie Kolar ending the march.
Jackson flipped a nine-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter for a 28-6 Baltimore edge and two late turnovers sealed Miami's fate.
js/bb

Sports

NBA champs Thunder roll past Wizards, Bucks and Spurs win

  • Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and Finals MVP, scored 31 points with three rebounds and seven assists before sitting out the fourth quarter as the Thunder polished off their sixth straight win.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another dominant performance as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder remained perfect in the young NBA season with a 127-108 victory Thursday over the Washington Wizards.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and Finals MVP, scored 31 points with three rebounds and seven assists before sitting out the fourth quarter as the Thunder polished off their sixth straight win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another dominant performance as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder remained perfect in the young NBA season with a 127-108 victory Thursday over the Washington Wizards.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player and Finals MVP, scored 31 points with three rebounds and seven assists before sitting out the fourth quarter as the Thunder polished off their sixth straight win.
Two days after they clawed back to beat Sacramento, the Thunder took charge early, building a 59-49 halftime lead and never trailing in the second half.
Isaiah Joe and Ajay Mitchell added 20 points each off the bench for Oklahoma City, who scored 26 points off 23 Wizards turnovers.
The Thunder were again without injured Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, and they've been rocked this month by the news that 20-year-old guard Nikola Topic is undergoing treatment for testicular cancer.
But the season debut of Joe, who missed the first five games with a bruised knee, was a welcome jolt of on-court energy.
"He hit the ground running," coach Mark Daigneault said.
"Man, my teammates, I've got to give them all the credit -- they find me when I'm open," Joe said in an on-court interview. "The rest, I just had to do my job and make shots."
Turnovers also bedeviled the Golden State Warriors as they dropped a 120-110 decision to the Bucks in Milwaukee, despite the absence of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Warriors star Stephen Curry scored 27 points on eight-of-19 shooting and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 points, but 22 turnovers were too much for Golden State to overcome.
Two-time MVP Antetokounmpo, averaging 36.3 points over the first four games of the season, was a late scratch with a sore left knee.
But Ryan Rollins stepped up with a career-high 32 points to lead the Bucks against his former team.
In a game that featured 16 lead changes, it was the Bucks who put together the more convincing runs. Up 87-84 entering the fourth, Milwaukee never trailed in the final period.
Rollins closed out the win with a step-back three-pointer with 24.8 seconds left to post the first 30-point game of his career.
"Feels great," he said in an on-court interview. "Doesn't get better -- we got a W.
"(I was) just out there playing aggressive, looking for my shot, getting downhill, creating stuff for others and myself," he added.

Aggressive mindset

He said the Bucks knew that without Antetokounmpo they had to be aggressive.
"Don't pass up any open shots," he said. "Everybody had that mindset and on defense we just had to pick up full court, play aggressive -- that's what we did, we came out and with the W."
The San Antonio Spurs also remained unbeaten, improving to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history with a 107-101 home victory over the Miami Heat.
French star Victor Wembanyama scored 27 points and grabbed his season-high 18 rebounds for the Spurs, adding six assists, a steal and five blocked shots for good measure.
Stephon Castle added 21 points for San Antonio, who beat a Heat team led by Bam Adebayo's 31 points.
The Heat twice took a one-point lead on Adebayo baskets early in the fourth quarter, but Devin Vassell's three-pointer -- off a feed from Wembanyama -- put San Antonio ahead 93-91 with 5:26 remaining and the Spurs pulled away from there.
bb/js

Liga

Real Madrid and Barcelona aim to shake off Clasico consequences

  • "Today I want to apologise to all Madrid fans for my reaction to being substituted in the Clasico.
  • Real Madrid may have beaten Barcelona in last weekend's Clasico but the game exposed problems in both camps, from the difficulties in dealing with Vinicius to the concerning recent form of the Catalans.
  • "Today I want to apologise to all Madrid fans for my reaction to being substituted in the Clasico.
Real Madrid may have beaten Barcelona in last weekend's Clasico but the game exposed problems in both camps, from the difficulties in dealing with Vinicius to the concerning recent form of the Catalans.
Madrid's Brazil superstar Vinicius finally issued an apology on Wednesday, three days after his team defeated arch-rivals Barca 2-1, following his huff at being substituted at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He remonstrated with coach Xabi Alonso and marched off down the tunnel after being hauled off in the 72nd minute and replaced with Rodrygo.
"Today I want to apologise to all Madrid fans for my reaction to being substituted in the Clasico. Just as I have already done in person during today's training, I also want to apologise again to my teammates, club and president," said the 25-year-old, who did not mention Alonso.
The flashpoint comes with negotiations ongoing over a new contract, although his current deal does not expire until 2027.
Vinicius has weighed in with five goals this season in La Liga, although he has been replaced as the main man in the Real squad by Kylian Mbappe with the Frenchman on 16 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions so far -- after scoring 44 in all competitions in his first season at the club.
Real fans will be hoping Alonso and Vinicius can go some way towards repairing their relationship in time for Saturday's home meeting with struggling Valencia, who are in the relegation zone.
After that Madrid, who are five points clear of Barcelona at the summit of La Liga, head to Liverpool on Champions League duty.
Hansi Flick's Barca must bounce back at home to Elche on Sunday after suffering a second defeat in their last three domestic outings, a run that has followed a defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
However, the reigning champions are dealing with something of an injury crisis just now -- playmaker Pedri, who was sent off in the Clasico, has now been ruled out for several weeks with a thigh muscle tear.
He joins goalkeepers Joan García and Marc Ter Stegen, as well as Gavi and Raphinha in the treatment room, while Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo have at least returned to training.
Elsewhere in La Liga this weekend, third-placed Villarreal entertain Rayo Vallecano while fourth-placed Atletico Madrid -- unbeaten in La Liga since losing on the opening weekend -- take on Sevilla.
Real Sociedad, who are languishing just above the drop zone, host Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby in San Sebastian.
Fixtures (times GMT)
Friday
Getafe v Girona (2000)
Saturday
Villarreal v Rayo Vallecano (1300), Atletico Madrid v Sevilla (1515), Real Sociedad v Athletic Bilbao (1730), Real Madrid v Valencia (2000)
Sunday
Levante v Celta Vigo (1300), Alaves v Espanyol (1515), Barcelona v Elche (1730), Real Betis v Mallorca (2000)
Monday
Real Oviedo v Osasuna (2000)
rsc/dam/as/dmc

Sports

Ambitious Paris FC making steady progress after landing in big time

BY ANDY SCOTT

  • Key stats 2 - The number of points separating the top six teams in Ligue 1, which represents the smallest gap between the top six this far into a season since 2011/12 9 - PSG have dropped nine points out of a possible 18 in their last six league outings 26 - If Pogba plays on Saturday it will be his first competitive appearance in 26 months  Fixtures (times GMT) Saturday Paris Saint-Germain v Nice (1600), Monaco v Paris FC (1800), Auxerre v Marseille (2005) Sunday Rennes v Strasbourg (1400), Lens v Lorient, Lille v Angers, Nantes v Metz, Toulouse v Le Havre (all 1615), Brest v Lyon (1945) as/mw
  • Promoted to the top flight of French football at the end of last season in the wake of a takeover by the super-rich Arnault family, Paris FC do not yet quite look ready to mix it with Ligue 1's big guns.
  • Key stats 2 - The number of points separating the top six teams in Ligue 1, which represents the smallest gap between the top six this far into a season since 2011/12 9 - PSG have dropped nine points out of a possible 18 in their last six league outings 26 - If Pogba plays on Saturday it will be his first competitive appearance in 26 months  Fixtures (times GMT) Saturday Paris Saint-Germain v Nice (1600), Monaco v Paris FC (1800), Auxerre v Marseille (2005) Sunday Rennes v Strasbourg (1400), Lens v Lorient, Lille v Angers, Nantes v Metz, Toulouse v Le Havre (all 1615), Brest v Lyon (1945) as/mw
Promoted to the top flight of French football at the end of last season in the wake of a takeover by the super-rich Arnault family, Paris FC do not yet quite look ready to mix it with Ligue 1's big guns.
The capital city's second side have marked their arrival in the top flight by moving into the Stade Jean-Bouin, the 20,000-capacity home of Top 14 rugby team Stade Francais which sits just across the road from Paris Saint-Germain's Parc des Princes.
So close is it to PSG's home that the reigning French and European champions have a club shop which is built into the Stade Jean-Bouin itself.
And Paris FC look certain to be playing in the shadow of their illustrious neighbours for some time to come.
It is now almost exactly a year since they were bought by the Arnault family, one of the wealthiest in the world with Bernard Arnault the founder of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. Energy drinks giant Red Bull also took a minority shareholding. 
Progress so far has been steady, with money spent in the transfer market coming into this season but no especially glamorous signings made -- the most eye-catching arrivals were Brazilian defender Otavio from Porto and Nigeria winger Moses Simon from Nantes.
Indeed their most impressive player has been the Algerian international winger Ilan Kebbal, who has been at the club since 2022 and has five goals and four assists already this season.
Coached by Stephane Gilli, they have won just three of their first 10 games and currently sit just two points above the relegation zone.
However, Wednesday saw Paris FC claim perhaps their most remarkable result yet as they came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at home to Lyon with Jurgen Klopp, Red Bull's head of global soccer, watching on. That set them up for Saturday's trip to Monaco.
"Every match is hard in Ligue 1, but I think the team is progressing, we are on the right road, and with the squad we have now we have everything we need to have a good season," captain Maxime Lopez, once of Marseille, told AFP recently.
What would count as a good season? "Our objective remains survival as a priority," Gilli said recently.
In the meantime Paris FC continue to adapt to life in the elite and January could be pivotal, when the transfer window opens and when they go over the road for a first meeting with PSG since 1978.
Player to watch: Paul Pogba
Could this be the weekend on which France's 2018 World Cup-winning midfield star finally makes his return to competitive action?
The latter seasons of the 32-year-old's career have been marred by injury and a doping ban, and he has not played since September 2023, when he made the last of the 12 appearances of his second spell at Juventus.
Signed by Monaco in June on a two-year deal, the ex-Manchester United man has been gradually building up his fitness ever since, and suffered some minor setbacks. But he is on the verge of making his debut and it could come on Saturday against Paris FC.
"It wouldn't be illogical to see him," said Monaco coach Sebastien Pocognoli after the midweek win at Nantes. 
Key stats
2 - The number of points separating the top six teams in Ligue 1, which represents the smallest gap between the top six this far into a season since 2011/12
9 - PSG have dropped nine points out of a possible 18 in their last six league outings
26 - If Pogba plays on Saturday it will be his first competitive appearance in 26 months 
Fixtures (times GMT)
Saturday
Paris Saint-Germain v Nice (1600), Monaco v Paris FC (1800), Auxerre v Marseille (2005)
Sunday
Rennes v Strasbourg (1400), Lens v Lorient, Lille v Angers, Nantes v Metz, Toulouse v Le Havre (all 1615), Brest v Lyon (1945)
as/mw

Bundesliga

Rebuilt Leverkusen hope to reignite Bundesliga rivalry at Bayern

BY DANIEL WIGHTON

  • Under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen went toe-to-toe with Bayern for more than two seasons, pushing them harder than any German side had done since Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund more than a decade before. 
  • Bayer Leverkusen will resume their recent Bundesliga rivalry at Bayern Munich on Saturday but are almost completely unrecognisable from the side who struck fear into the hearts of the Bavarian giants in past seasons. 
  • Under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen went toe-to-toe with Bayern for more than two seasons, pushing them harder than any German side had done since Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund more than a decade before. 
Bayer Leverkusen will resume their recent Bundesliga rivalry at Bayern Munich on Saturday but are almost completely unrecognisable from the side who struck fear into the hearts of the Bavarian giants in past seasons. 
Under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen went toe-to-toe with Bayern for more than two seasons, pushing them harder than any German side had done since Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund more than a decade before. 
Alonso's Leverkusen won three and drew three of their six domestic fixtures with Bayern during his tenure at the club, including a 3-0 demolition in February 2024 on the way to an unbeaten league and cup double. 
This season however, the clubs' fortunes have reverted to type. 
Leverkusen lost several first-team cornerstones in the summer and are on their second coach of the season, with Kasper Hjulmand replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag after just two Bundesliga games. 
With just eight games played, Leverkusen sit fifth, seven points behind an unstoppable Bayern.
Bayern's 4-1 German Cup win over Cologne on Wednesday was their 14th in 14 games, breaking a decades-old record for the best start in the history of Europe's top-five leagues.
The contrasting records have Leverkusen looking unlikely to be the first to take points off Bayern this season, but there is hope. 
Under Hjulmand, Leverkusen have won six and drawn four, losing just one match -- albeit a 7-2 thumping at the hands of European champs Paris Saint-Germain. 
With Wednesday's 4-2 German Cup win over second-division Paderborn going to extra time, Hjulmand promised to give his side time to recover before the trip to Bayern. 
"Those extra 30 minutes were not ideal for us, but that's football.
"From now, it's all about recovery, treatment, nutrition, and everything necessary to be ready to win against Bayern. 
"These next few days are important - not much training, but regaining energy."
Reborn under Hjulmand this season, midfielder Jonas Hofmann said Leverkusen would travel to Munich "not to complain, but to take something away with us."
One to watch: Tiago Tomas
Brought in late in the window to replace the Premier League-bound Nick Woltemade, Tiago Tomas has quickly established himself in the forward line for an improving Stuttgart. 
Tomas has scored twice in the league and offers speed on the wings, linking well with strikers Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic. 
After another summer of upheaval, Stuttgart have won their past five league matches and sit third. 
"I've heard some people say we're struggling, but I think it's normal," Tomas said in an interview with the Bundesliga website on Wednesday. "If during the process you can have the wins we've had, I don't think we're struggling at all."
"I'm excited for what's next. I think we're growing together as a team."
Stuttgart travel to second-placed RB Leipzig on Saturday. 
Key stats
5 - St Pauli have lost their last five Bundesliga games, the worst run of any team in the top five European leagues.
8 - Bayern have won eight from eight to start the league season. Their best ever opening run was winning the first 11 Bundesliga games in 2012-13. 
37 - Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their past 37 away games, dating back to May 2023 -- a run of 25 wins and 12 draws. 
Fixtures (1430 GMT unless stated)
Friday 
Augsburg v Borussia Dortmund (1930)
Saturday
RB Leipzig v Stuttgart, Heidenheim v Eintracht Frankfurt, Union Berlin v Freiburg, Mainz v Werder Bremen, St Pauli v Borussia Moenchengladbach, Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen (1730)
Sunday
Cologne v Hamburg (1430), Wolfsburg v Hoffenheim (1630)
dwi/mw

ENG

Australia coach Schmidt pleads for Edmed patience ahead of England clash

BY JULIAN GUYER

  • Gordon, the eight-cap fly-half who played at the last Rugby World Cup for the Wallabies before leaving the 15-a-side code to join rugby league side Gold Coast Titans, has secured a release from his NRL deal to join Australia's tour.
  • Wallaby boss Joe Schmidt has insisted Tane Edmed needs time to develop as the fly-half prepares to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.
  • Gordon, the eight-cap fly-half who played at the last Rugby World Cup for the Wallabies before leaving the 15-a-side code to join rugby league side Gold Coast Titans, has secured a release from his NRL deal to join Australia's tour.
Wallaby boss Joe Schmidt has insisted Tane Edmed needs time to develop as the fly-half prepares to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Edmed, who featured in Australia's unconvincing 19-15 win over Japan in Tokyo last weekend, has kept his place after Carter Gordon's long-awaited return to Test rugby union was again put on hold by injury.
Gordon, the eight-cap fly-half who played at the last Rugby World Cup for the Wallabies before leaving the 15-a-side code to join rugby league side Gold Coast Titans, has secured a release from his NRL deal to join Australia's tour.
But he remains sidelined by a quad problem, with Edmed, 25, winning his sixth cap this weekend.
"All we can do is keep investing in the people we've got and I think if any of the people in the room had the opportunity to have a chat with Tane they'd see what a quality young man he is and how hard he's working at his craft," said Schmidt after naming his side on Thursday.
But Schmidt who worked with outstanding fly-halves Jonathan Sexton and Beauden Barrett while member of his native New Zealand's backroom staff, added: "You don't turn up in your fourth Test match and start running the game like you do when you've had 50 Tests. 
"You learn from experiences and that allows you to get better -- and getting better is never linear either. There are going to be tough moments for Tane and we know that and there's going to be some really good moments."
By contrast, England will have George Ford at fly-half after the 102-cap veteran kept the No 10 shirt ahead of Fin Smith, on the bench this weekend, and playmaker Marcus Smith, omitted from Steve Borthwick's matchday 23 entirely.
Ford is renowned for his kicking game but Schmidt denied he was a conservative pick.
"George Ford has one of the best passing games in world rugby," he said. "A lot of people focus on his kicking game, but (not) his passing game and he’s got good acceleration. So he is a genuine triple threat."
Australia's hopes of recording back-to-back wins against England at Twickenham for the first time in 16 years have been hampered by an inability to select English-based players such as Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and James O’Connor, with Prem clubs not obliged to release overseas stars for a match taking place outside World Rugby's official window for the Autumn Nations Series.
England, by contrast, are at full strength thanks to a player-release agreement between their governing Rugby Football Union and the Prem.  
That has led to suggestions the Wallabies' face an unfair handicap in their bid to climb the global rankings (they are currently seventh) and secure a premium top-six seeding for December's draw for their home 2027 Rugby World Cup.

'Shuffle your cards'

But Schmidt, who has made eight changes to the starting 15 that beat Japan, said similar restrictions applied last year when Australia defeated England 42-37 thanks to Max Jorgensen's last-gasp try in a match where high-profile rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made an impressive debut.
"You often get dealt a set of cards," explained Schmidt, who still has Jorgensen and Suaalii, along with returning regular captain and back-row Harry Wilson, in his team. "If those cards aren't available, you shuffle what you've got and try to put out your best hand."
England coach Borthwick has selected a back division primed for the high-ball contest that is now such a big part of modern rugby union, with Tommy Freeman, who featured for the British and Irish Lions during their 2-1 series win in Australia, moved to outside centre from the wing. 
"So it does appear to us that there is a bit of a menacing aerial threat," said Schmidt, who will look to Suaalii to combat that challenge.
For England, on a run of seven straight victories, Freeman's selection at outside centre is a sign of how they want to both focus on the present and plan for the future. 
"I want us to win the World Cup but I also want us to win now," said Borthwick, whose predecessor Eddie Jones was criticised for pinning all his hopes on the 2023 edition. "I am not trying to make a differentiation."
jdg/dmc

Pr

Liverpool feel pressure to end 'crisis' run, Man City test Bournemouth limits

BY KIERAN CANNING

  • Villa have overcome their difficult start with four consecutive wins, including notable scalps against Tottenham and City, to surge back into contention for the Champions League places.
  • Liverpool face an in-form Aston Villa as the Premier League champions look to arrest their remarkable collapse on Saturday, while Arsenal aim to surge further clear in the title race.
  • Villa have overcome their difficult start with four consecutive wins, including notable scalps against Tottenham and City, to surge back into contention for the Champions League places.
Liverpool face an in-form Aston Villa as the Premier League champions look to arrest their remarkable collapse on Saturday, while Arsenal aim to surge further clear in the title race.
The Gunners hold a four-point lead over Bournemouth, who travel to Manchester City, before their trip to Burnley.
Third-placed Tottenham are only five points off the top but are aiming to end a three-game winless run at home when they host London rivals Chelsea.
AFP Sports looks at three of the key fixtures of the weekend:

Slot feels the heat

Liverpool boss Arne Slot badly needs his star names to get back on track after being dumped out the League Cup by Crystal Palace on Wednesday to compound a miserable run for the Premier League champions.
Slot made his priorities clear by making 10 changes as Palace cruised to a 3-0 win at Anfield against a youthful Liverpool selection.
The Dutchman said he could not risk any more injuries to his key players with the visit of Villa quickly followed by clashes against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
"I don't think it is possible if you lose six out of seven that there is even more pressure," said Slot. "If you are on a run of results like this, if you play for Liverpool, if you manage Liverpool, you know the pressure is there."
Five games into the Premier League campaign, Liverpool led Villa by 12 points. Four matches later they meet separated only by goal difference.
Villa have overcome their difficult start with four consecutive wins, including notable scalps against Tottenham and City, to surge back into contention for the Champions League places.
At the same time, Liverpool's title defence has imploded.
The Reds have not kept a clean sheet for 10 games as Slot struggles to find the right balance to a side disrupted by a huge squad turnover during the transfer window.
Liverpool spent a Premier League record near £450 million, but crucially lost more players than they recruited with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz particularly missed.
"To see the champions lose four games in a row in the Premier League with the expenditure in the summer, I think we're in crisis time for Liverpool right now," said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

Bournemouth unbeaten run on the line

The league's longest unbeaten run faces a stern test on Sunday when Bournemouth visit the Etihad, hoping to land another blow to City's title challenge.
The Cherries have not lost since the opening night of the campaign at Liverpool to spark ambitions of qualifying for Europe for the first time in the club's history.
City are six points adrift of Arsenal after a 1-0 defeat at Villa last weekend ended their nine-game unbeaten run.
Pep Guardiola's fear that his side were becoming too reliant on Erling Haaland was realised.
No City player other than the Norwegian has scored more than once in the Premier League this season.
Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki have missed much of the opening few months of the season through injury, but both scored in a 3-1 League Cup win over Swansea in midweek to bolster the firepower at Guardiola's disposal.

Spurs seek home comforts

Thomas Frank has made a fine start to solving Tottenham's troubles on the road, but is yet to foster the "fortress" he desires at home.
Of Spurs' 17 points from nine games, 13 have come away from home thanks to impressive wins at Manchester City, West Ham, Leeds and Everton.
But Bournemouth and Villa have won in north London either side of a disappointing 1-1 draw against bottom-of-the-table Wolves.
"We would like our home to be a fortress," said Frank. "It cannot only be the team, it cannot only be the fans. It needs to be both.
"We need to bring energy to each other. We need to work unbelievably hard, perform well, try to be positive."
Only a second league win over Chelsea since 2018 would quickly win over any doubters the Dane faces in the Spurs support.
Fixtures
Saturday (all times GMT)
Brighton v Leeds, Burnley v Arsenal, Crystal Palace v Brentford, Fulham v Wolves, Nottingham Forest v Man Utd (all 1500), Tottenham v Chelsea (1730), Liverpool v Aston Villa (2000)
Sunday
West Ham v Newcastle (1400), Man City v Bournemouth (1630)
Monday
Sunderland v Everton (2000)
afp

IRL

Farrell eyes 'reset' as Ireland-All Blacks ready for 'Battle of Chicago'

  • Farrell said Thursday that this weekend's Test in Chicago provides him with an opportunity to gauge Ireland's progress midway through the World Cup cycle.
  • Ireland coach Andy Farrell says his team's clash with New Zealand in Chicago on Saturday marks the start of the long build-up to the 2027 World Cup as he returns to the helm of the Six Nations giants.
  • Farrell said Thursday that this weekend's Test in Chicago provides him with an opportunity to gauge Ireland's progress midway through the World Cup cycle.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell says his team's clash with New Zealand in Chicago on Saturday marks the start of the long build-up to the 2027 World Cup as he returns to the helm of the Six Nations giants.
Farrell, who stepped away from Ireland duties in late 2024 to oversee the British & Irish Lions' victorious tour of Australia earlier this year, said Saturday's Test at Soldier Field is an opportunity to "reassess" his squad with the World Cup just two years away.
The Irish are facing the All Blacks on US soil nine years after scoring their first every victory over New Zealand in a memorable 40-29 win over the Kiwis at the same venue in 2016.
That win -- the first in 111 years of trying -- proved to be a watershed moment in the history of Irish rugby, infusing the squad with the belief in their ability to go toe-to-toe with the best side in the world.
Since then Ireland have beaten the All Blacks on four further occasions, notably clinching a 2-1 series victory in New Zealand in 2022.
The All Blacks however have won their last two meetings against the Irish, who suffered an agonising 2023 World Cup quarter-final loss to the New Zealanders in Paris.
Farrell said Thursday that this weekend's Test in Chicago provides him with an opportunity to gauge Ireland's progress midway through the World Cup cycle.
"Many teams are reassessing where they're at, every single season," Farrell said. 
"Halfway stage though between World Cup cycles is being talked about.
"There's always a reassessment of where all parts of our game are at and we've certainly done that. 
"It's up to us to make sure that we keep kicking on, because staying where we are isn't going to be good enough going forward."

'Need to kick on'

Farrell though says he is relishing the chance to run the rule over his team as 2027 looms on the horizon. 
"It's not daunting -- it is what it is," Farrell said. "This is where you want to be. This is the challenge that you want in front of your team to see how you react. 
"We constantly say big opportunities are there to be taken and if they're not, we've got to understand why and learn from that. So in that regard you can't lose," he added.
Farrell -- who described Saturday's game as "the battle of Chicago, round two" -- wants to see improvements across the board.
"It's about us all, including myself and all the backroom staff, to keep getting better, keep improving, to keep challenging one another to reassess where our standards lie and how we need to kick on with that," he said. 
"Because every team is going to progress over the next couple of years and we need to be at the forefront of that."
New Zealand meanwhile are aiming for a winning start to their latest bid for a Northern Hemisphere Grand Slam over Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.
The All Blacks last completed an autumn series slam in 2010.
Despite winning their two most recent fixtures against the Irish, the All Blacks are wary of another ambush in Chicago.
Hooker Codie Taylor, a veteran of the 2016 defeat in the Windy City, said the All Blacks were determined to avoid a repeat.
Taylor said the All Blacks had suffered off-field distractions nine years ago after arriving as the city celebrated the Chicago Cubs' World Series baseball triumph.
"We probably turned up, got caught up in the lights of the city and went down to an Irish team that was determined to beat us for the first time," Taylor said.
"We reflected on that and this week we've had the opportunity to get out and see some things in Chicago and now Test week has rolled around and there is a sense of intensity with the preparation." 
rcw/lp

JPN

Jones wants Japan to enhance 2015 legacy against South Africa

  • "In terms of the history of Japanese rugby, obviously, 10 years ago was a pretty symbolic game for Japan," Jones said of the 2015 victory over the Boks.
  • Eddie Jones has called on his Japan team to try to emulate the 2015 side that pulled off one of rugby union's biggest shocks when they beat South Africa in a game that became known as the "Miracle of Brighton".
  • "In terms of the history of Japanese rugby, obviously, 10 years ago was a pretty symbolic game for Japan," Jones said of the 2015 victory over the Boks.
Eddie Jones has called on his Japan team to try to emulate the 2015 side that pulled off one of rugby union's biggest shocks when they beat South Africa in a game that became known as the "Miracle of Brighton".
Japan, then coached by Jones in his first stint at the helm of the Brave Blossoms, upset the Springboks 34-32 in the southern English city in pool play of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
It was a first World Cup victory since 1991 and was a result that has seen them claim a seat at the sport's high table, albeit with some varying results along the way.
The last time the two sides met, the Boks came out 26-3 winners in the quarter-final of the 2019 RWC, a tournament they went on to win on Japanese soil.
They contest just their fourth outing at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus hailing the fixture as a perfect opportunity to give his 12 Japan-based players some invaluable game time ahead of Autumn Series fixtures against France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.
The Japanese, having been pipped 19-15 by Australia last week, will take on Ireland, Wales and Georgia after Wembley.
"In terms of the history of Japanese rugby, obviously, 10 years ago was a pretty symbolic game for Japan," Jones said of the 2015 victory over the Boks.
"Now Japan, because of that game, get the chance to play such quality Test matches: Australia last week, South Africa this week, Ireland, Wales, Georgia.
"It's up to this team now to make sure that the legacy of what happened in 2015 is enhanced.
"The players understand the responsibility they have. They enjoy the responsibility. So there's a chance to show how much we can handle that responsibility."
Jones added: "The opportunity is for this group of players to make their own headlines and we want this group of players to enjoy the spotlight that's going to be on them on Saturday and play with the cohesion and a physicality that's never been seen."
Bok coach Erasmus, who was not involved in the national set-up in 2015, said he had the utmost respect for Jones.
"I always have a lot of respect for him," said the South African who has overseen back-to-back World Cup triumphs for the Springboks.
"People always try to build up a thing between coaches, but he's one of the coaches I really respect.
"We have a bottle of wine, but we only give that when we're winning, so if he wants it, he must let us win!"
Jones said his players will back themselves more than in recent times.
"We know there'll be a time where South Africa gets some momentum, they'll get some possession, and that'll be the test of our defence and ultimately, in that period of time when they do get momentum, the stature of the game, the state of the game, the result of the game, will depend on the quality of the defence," the Australian said.
"The players have started taking a hell of a lot more pride in that we've got the ability to defend and defend for long periods against quality attack, and we know that's going to be tested on Saturday."
Erasmus countered that his backroom staff were "analysing Japan and how well they played last weekend and how they're building under Eddie and what they're trying to do".
"We always try to make plans to see how we can win the next match."
lp/dmc

Sports

Australia say 'let ourselves down' after India end world domination

  • It was seven-time champions Australia's first loss in the ODI World Cup since 2017, when India beat them in the semi-final.
  • Stunned captain Alyssa Healy says Australia let themselves down after their reign as one-day world champions was brought to a shuddering halt by hosts India.
  • It was seven-time champions Australia's first loss in the ODI World Cup since 2017, when India beat them in the semi-final.
Stunned captain Alyssa Healy says Australia let themselves down after their reign as one-day world champions was brought to a shuddering halt by hosts India.
The world's most dominant side put together an imposing 338 in their semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday, with the odds heavily in favour of them winning.
But fielding mistakes coupled with Jemimah Rodrigues's glorious unbeaten 127 saw India pull off a record chase to set up a final against South Africa.
"Just disappointed," said Healy. 
"Ultimately we just weren't sharp enough in all three facets to give ourselves the opportunity to win that semi-final.
"Not taking anything away from the Indian performance, (but) there's an element of we let ourselves down."
It was seven-time champions Australia's first loss in the ODI World Cup since 2017, when India beat them in the semi-final.
The defeat also revived bitter memories of being knocked out at the same stage of the Twenty20 World Cup last year as three-time defending champions.
Wicketkeeper Healy, playing at her last ODI World Cup, admitted they failed to capitalise on their opportunities, with a key moment coming when she dropped Rodrigues on 82.
Tahlia McGrath then repeated the blunder on 106.
"It feels a little bit un-Australian to not be as clinical as we normally are, and knowing how well we played at this World Cup," said Healy.
"I think we're playing some unbelievable cricket, and that's why it doesn't quite feel right sitting here at the losing end, not getting to Sunday's fixture.
"I simply say that because of the different contributions that we've had right throughout, it wasn't just one person making all the runs and taking all the wickets.
"I think the team contributed equally right throughout, which put us in a really nice place heading into this final series."
Despite the devastating loss that left a team that has long dominated women's cricket without a world title, all-rounder Ellyse Perry said she did not expect a major overhaul of the side.
"Some days you just don't quite play well enough... but at the end of the day, I think hopefully there's a lot of joy in our cricket," she told cricket.com.au.
"People enjoy watching us play and there's more opportunity ahead."
mp/pst

Global Edition

Record-breaking India upset Australia to reach World Cup final

  • It meant seven-time champions Australia suffered their first defeat in the ODI World Cup since 2017, when India beat them in the semi-final.
  • Jemimah Rodrigues hit an unbeaten 127 as India pulled off a record chase of 339 against Australia on Thursday to set up a World Cup final against South Africa.
  • It meant seven-time champions Australia suffered their first defeat in the ODI World Cup since 2017, when India beat them in the semi-final.
Jemimah Rodrigues hit an unbeaten 127 as India pulled off a record chase of 339 against Australia on Thursday to set up a World Cup final against South Africa.
Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who hit 89, put on 167 runs for the third wicket as India won with nine balls and five wickets to spare at DY Patil Stadium, on the outskirts of Mumbai.
The hosts finished on a total of 341-5 in reply to Australia's impressive 338 and ensured there will be a new name on the 50-over trophy on Sunday.
Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to trigger wild celebrations in the Indian camp, with smiles and tears of joy in the dugout.
"Firstly, I want to thank Jesus, because I couldn't do this on my own. I know he carried me through today," said player-of-the-match Rodrigues, a Christian born in Mumbai.
"It was really hard these last four months, but it just feels like a dream and it's not sunk in yet.
"Towards the end, I was just quoting a scripture from the Bible -- to just stand still and that God will fight for me. I just stood there and he fought for me."
India have twice been World Cup runners-up, in 2005 and 2017.
The hosts topped Australia's 331-7 against India earlier in the current tournament -- which was itself a new record chase for a women's one-day international.
It meant seven-time champions Australia suffered their first defeat in the ODI World Cup since 2017, when India beat them in the semi-final.
India appeared to be in deep trouble at 59-2 in the 10th over with Shafali Verma (10) and star batter Smriti Mandhana (24) dismissed.
But Rodrigues and Kaur rode out the storm and then took the attack to the opposition in front of a sizeable, partisan crowd.

Dropped chances

A key moment in the game came when Australia captain and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy dropped Rodrigues when she was on 82.
Annabel Sutherland broke through to dismiss Kaur for 89, with India needing another 113 for victory.
Rodrigues had another reprieve when she was put down by Tahila McGrath on 106 and stayed cool despite Deepti Sharma's run out for 24 and then Richa Ghosh's dismissal for 26.
Kaur said she did not "have words to express myself".
"Feeling great, we've been working for so many years," she said. "It's an amazing feeling.
Healy said her team had let themselves down.
"Did not finish with the bat well, did not bowl that great, dropped chances in the field," she said. "But ultimately, outdone in the end."
Australia earlier elected to bat in overcast conditions and Phoebe Litchfield smashed 119 off 93 balls.
India struck regular blows after a second-wicket partnership of 155 between Litchfield and Ellyse Perry, who made 77 after overturning an early lbw decision.
But Ashleigh Gardner ensured that Australia's good start did not go to waste, contributing a brisk 63 before a clatter of wickets in the final over.
Spinners Shree Charani and Deepti took two wickets each.
Both teams wore black armbands in memory of 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who died Thursday after being struck with a ball while training in Melbourne.
fk/jw/dmc

WorldSeries

Desperate Dodgers mull using Ohtani as relief pitcher

  • "What better way to win the World Series, in game seven," he said.
  • With the Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series repeat bid in the balance, manager Dave Roberts reiterated Thursday that everything is on the table in game six, including using two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani as a relief pitcher.
  • "What better way to win the World Series, in game seven," he said.
With the Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series repeat bid in the balance, manager Dave Roberts reiterated Thursday that everything is on the table in game six, including using two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani as a relief pitcher.
"We'll see how he comes in (Friday)," Roberts said after the Dodgers trained following their arrival in Toronto for game six on Friday and, if necessary, game seven on Saturday.
The Blue Jays won two straight in Los Angeles to seize a 3-2 lead in Major League Baseball's best-of-seven championship series to reach the brink of their first title since 1993.
"Obviously, when you're facing elimination, then you've got to have those conversations," Roberts said. "So whatever it takes for us to win tomorrow."
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, masterful in a complete-game win in game two, will start on the mound for the Dodgers on Friday.
Ohtani, who started game four and was the losing pitcher in that contest, said he would be willing to come out of the bullpen if the team needed it.
Ohtani has been superb on the mound as a starting pitcher this season after not pitching in 2024 as he recovered from elbow ligament surgery.
The Dodgers have carefully managed his pitching return, spacing his starts and gradually building up the length of his outings.
His key role in the batting lineup could also be a factor.
Under major league rules, if Ohtani starts a game as a pitcher and is replaced on the mound he can continue batting as a designated hitter.
But if he pitches out of the bullpen and is the designated hitter, the Dodgers would lose the designated hitter when he is replaced on the mound.
"I think we would consider everything," Roberts said.
"And it's more of just kind of doing whatever we can to get through (Friday) and then pick up the pieces and then see what's the best way to attack a potential game seven.
"Everything should be on the table and will be, for sure."
Roberts said his players were in "good spirits" despite facing the end of their title repeat bid.
"What better way to win the World Series, in game seven," he said. "The thing that's encouraging for me is I know I gave our players an option to not workout today because of the long series and 18 innings and travel and all that stuff, and not one guy took the option."
bb/js

WorldSeries

Blue Jays vie to close out sputtering Dodgers in World Series

  • The Blue Jays, up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series and chasing their first World Series title since back-to-back triumphs in 1992 and 1993, now have a chance to close it out at home.
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers know they must get their offense firing to resuscitate their bid for a second straight World Series title as the Toronto Blue Jays host game six on Friday with a chance to clinch their first Major League Baseball crown in 32 years.
  • The Blue Jays, up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series and chasing their first World Series title since back-to-back triumphs in 1992 and 1993, now have a chance to close it out at home.
The Los Angeles Dodgers know they must get their offense firing to resuscitate their bid for a second straight World Series title as the Toronto Blue Jays host game six on Friday with a chance to clinch their first Major League Baseball crown in 32 years.
"We've got to put runs on the board and do a better job," Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said. "And we just haven't done that for about two and a half games.
"We all know what we're capable of and we haven't done it for two games. So maybe the day off, we'll cool them down over there and we'll reignite us."
Freeman delivered a walk-off home run to give the Dodgers an 6-5 victory in an 18-inning game three epic.
But offensive fireworks have been in short supply for the high-priced, high-octane Dodgers, who then dropped games four and five at home.
The Blue Jays, up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series and chasing their first World Series title since back-to-back triumphs in 1992 and 1993, now have a chance to close it out at home.
"I can't wait," Toronto manager John Schneider said of the reception he expects at Rogers Centre -- where thousands turned out for watch parties for the games played in LA.
"I'm just excited as hell to see what this place is like, the guys are, too."
Freeman said those Blue Jays fans shouldn't count the Dodgers out just yet.
"We faced this last year," he said, recalling the Dodgers faced elimination in the National League division series and won two games in a row.
"So we can do it again. Baseball is a hard game, and it has been hard for us the last two days. But we've been in this situation before like last year, and we can do it again."
To do so, they will have to step it up at the plate. The Dodgers scored just one run and struck out 12 times against Jays rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage in game five.
Shohei Ohtani has had his moments, but he has had precious little backup.
Mookie Betts, hitting .130 in five World Series games and .234 in the postseason, has been unable to make the Blue Jays pay for walking Ohtani.
"I've just been terrible," Betts acknowledged after the Dodgers' 6-1 game-five defeat with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts saying he thinks Betts is "pressing."
"I think you can see there's a little anxiousness in there."

'Just win'

The Dodgers are hoping they at least have a sure thing on the mound in Japanese hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched a four-hit complete game in the Dodgers' game-two triumph.
Yamamoto said he wouldn't approach the elimination game differently.
"I just don't feel too much difference," he said. "I have to just get myself ready, and then only one thing we have to do is just win."
The Blue Jays send veteran Kevin Gausman to the mound. Gausman gave up four hits and three runs over six-plus strong innings, retiring 17 straight batters at one point in a performance that was overshadowed by Yamamoto's.
"Kev kind of matched him pitch for pitch there until the seventh," Schneider noted. "We've got all the confidence in the world in Kev."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he and players have dived into analysis of at-bats, hitting mechanics and so forth, but on Friday it will come down to fighting.
"Right now we've got to find a way to win one game," he said. "I could dive into my thoughts, but I think at the end of the day, they just have to compete and fight in the batter's box.
"It's one-on-one, the hitter versus the pitcher, and that's it."
bb/js

Sports

Latest NFL Chiefs-Bills duel has both chasing division leaders

  • The Bills have won four regular season meetings in a row since a Chiefs triumph in 2020, snapping a 15-game Kansas City win streak last year in Buffalo.
  • Patrick Mahomes will lead the Kansas City Chiefs into Buffalo on Sunday to face Josh Allen's Bills in the latest renewal of what has become one of the NFL's top rivalries.
  • The Bills have won four regular season meetings in a row since a Chiefs triumph in 2020, snapping a 15-game Kansas City win streak last year in Buffalo.
Patrick Mahomes will lead the Kansas City Chiefs into Buffalo on Sunday to face Josh Allen's Bills in the latest renewal of what has become one of the NFL's top rivalries.
The Chiefs are 4-0 against Buffalo in the playoffs, eliminating the Bills in four of the past five seasons, twice in the AFC Championship game.
The Bills have won four regular season meetings in a row since a Chiefs triumph in 2020, snapping a 15-game Kansas City win streak last year in Buffalo.
This time, however, both clubs are fighting just to remain atop their own divisions at mid-season.
The Bills (5-2) are second to New England (6-2) in the AFC East while the Chiefs (5-3) share second with the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West, both a game behind Denver (6-2).
That adds a bit more tension to an already intense rivalry, Chiefs quarterback Mahomes said.
"We have a familiarity with this team as many times as we've played them," Mahomes said. "But they do a good job with their game plans.
"We know it's going to take our best football. That's the biggest thing I've learned from this rivalry. It's going to be one play here or there that's going to change the outcome. You've got to go out there and make it."
The Chiefs won in Buffalo in the 2023 playoffs on the way to a Super Bowl triumph and know they will face one of the NFL's loudest and most passionate fan bases.
"It will be a great challenge for us," Mahomes said. "It will be loud. That's what you want as a football player, to go into a hostile environment. It comes down to players making plays in big moments."
Bills quarterback Allen, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, likes his club's chances of extending their regular-season win streak over Kansas City.
"I'm very confident. I'm very confident in the players that we've got. I'm very confident in myself," Allen said. "We (have) an opportunity this week against a team that has been the best team in the league for a really long time.
"They're playing really good football so we've got to put our best foot forward, have a good week of practice, and go out there and execute on Sunday."
Bills coach Sean McDermott said Bills-Chiefs games give each club a good measure of how they stack up against the NFL's elite.
"There have been great battles and I think that's one of the reasons you do this, is the competition," McDermott said. "You look forward to the competition and no different this week. We know the challenge that's in front of us."
The Chiefs will have Kareem Hunt at running back. He has five touchdowns and a knack for picking up key yards in clutch moments.
"Every time he's in there, it seems like good things happen," Mahomes said. "His track record speaks for itself."

Colts visit Steelers

The week's only other contest involving two clubs with winning records sends the NFL-best Indianapolis Colts, the AFC South leader at 7-1, at AFC North leader Pittsburgh (4-3).
The Colts are the NFL's top-scoring attack with 33.8 points a game. They have scored 27 or more points in every game and at least 30 in six of their past eight starts.
The Steelers come off losses to Cincinnati and Green Bay.
Sunday's other NFL games include Chicago at Cincinnati, Minnesota at Detroit, Carolina at Green Bay, Denver at Houston, Atlanta at New England, San Francisco at the New York Giants, New Orleans at the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee, Seattle at Washington and Jacksonville at Las Vegas. Arizona visits Dallas on Monday.
js/bb

FRA

Sinner and Zverev march into Paris Masters last eight

BY NEIL FULTON

  • - 'My kryptonite' - Zverev continued his title defence with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Spanish 15th seed Davidovich Fokina in the day's final match-up.
  • Jannik Sinner eased past Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 at the Paris Masters on Thursday to set up a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton, while reigning champion Alexander Zverev earned a straight-sets win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round.
  • - 'My kryptonite' - Zverev continued his title defence with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Spanish 15th seed Davidovich Fokina in the day's final match-up.
Jannik Sinner eased past Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 at the Paris Masters on Thursday to set up a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton, while reigning champion Alexander Zverev earned a straight-sets win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round.
A maiden crown in the French capital will return Sinner to number one in the world rankings after current incumbent Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock early exit at the hands of Britain's Cameron Norrie.
The Italian four-time Grand Slam champion is yet to drop a set in the tournament as he hones in on what would be a fifth title of the season.
"Today I felt like the first set was very crucial. Francisco is a very talented player, it's very difficult to play against him because his level is very high," Sinner said on-court.
"In the second set I raised the level... and I'm very happy to be in the quarter-finals here for the first time."
Sinner edged a close first set, which featured four consecutive breaks, when he pounced on 21st-ranked Argentinian Cerundolo's serve at 6-5 to seize the initiative.
The 24-year-old then immediately stepped it up in the second set, racing into a 5-1 lead before serving out to book a meeting with US fifth seed Shelton in Friday's quarter-finals.
Shelton beat Russia's Andrey Rublev 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 to reach the last eight.
The victory marked another landmark moment for the 23-year-old this season -- following on from his first 1000-level title, won in Toronto this summer -- as he will make his debut appearance at the ATP Finals in Turin.
"It's an accumulation of a year's work, a lot of ups-and-downs, great results, poor results and having to bounce back," Shelton said of reaching the season-ending event.

'My kryptonite'

Zverev continued his title defence with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Spanish 15th seed Davidovich Fokina in the day's final match-up.
The German third seed will next meet an old foe in former world number one Daniil Medvedev, who fought past Lorenzo Sonego of Italy in three sets.
Zverev and Medvedev have met twice before in the Paris Masters, with the now-11th seeded Russian winning on both occasions, including the title-match in 2020.
"Daniil is somebody that I know extremely well and he beats me most of the time. He's a bit like my kryptonite," Zverev admitted.
Earlier, Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan beat US fourth seed Taylor Fritz 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to set up a last-eight clash with Australian world number six Alex de Minaur.
Despite arguably being in the form of his life in 2025, 13th seed Bublik said it would require something miraculous for him to win a career-first Masters title.
"I have three matches to go, I have to beat the top ten players, maybe Jannik in the final, so that sounds a bit like a miracle," the 28-year-old said.
Bublik's next opponent, De Minaur, eased past Russian 10th seed Karen Khachanov 6-2, 6-2, and in the process cemented his place at next month's ATP Finals.
Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime reached the quarter-finals as he came from behind for the third time in as many matches in Paris to beat German Daniel Altmaier 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The ninth seed is one spot outside the last ATP Finals berth, which is currently occupied by Lorenzo Musetti, who lost Wednesday to Sonego.
That result coupled with an Auger-Aliassime charge to the title-decider in Paris would send the 25-year-old above the Italian in the race to the eight-man showpiece.
However, before he can think too much about that, Auger-Aliassime must stop the in-form Valentin Vacherot of Monaco.
The Shanghai Masters champion continued his sensational run by ousting Norrie in straight sets in the opening match on centre court.
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Breeders

Sierra Leone chases rare repeat in Breeders' Cup Classic

  • Journalism, Baeza and Nevada Beach are all Grade One-winning three-year-olds, and Journalism and Baeza finished second and third behind Sovereignty in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
  • Sierra Leone vies for a rare Breeders' Cup Classic repeat at Del Mar on Saturday in what promises to be a compelling contest despite the late scratch of Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty from the $7 million showpiece.
  • Journalism, Baeza and Nevada Beach are all Grade One-winning three-year-olds, and Journalism and Baeza finished second and third behind Sovereignty in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
Sierra Leone vies for a rare Breeders' Cup Classic repeat at Del Mar on Saturday in what promises to be a compelling contest despite the late scratch of Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty from the $7 million showpiece.
Sovereignty, the homebred that gave the Godolphin stable a long-coveted first Kentucky Derby victory in May before winning the Belmont and Travers Stakes, was withdrawn by trainer Bill Mott after developing a fever on Monday night.
That means the 2025 edition of the 1 1/4-mile Classic -- highlight of a 14-race, $34 million Breeders' Cup slate at Del Mar Racetrack near San Diego -- won't pit the year's dominant three-year-old against an outstanding group of older horses.
But with last year's second- and third-place finishers Fierceness and Forever Young back again, a still-formidable field of nine will go to the gate at the same Del Mar track where Sierra Leone benefitted from a fast pace and out-dueled a game Fierceness in the final straight.
"He's in a position to repeat at the same venue, and he's coming off his best work of the season," trainer Chad Brown said of Sierra Leone, who won the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga in a light 2025 campaign and could become just the second repeat winner of the Classic, after Tiznow in 2000-01.
Since then, six winners have attempted the repeat with 2009 winner Zenyatta coming closest when she lost by a head to Blame in 2010.
"On top of how magnificent the horse looks and how brilliantly he's training is the fact that he's got a really good race over this racetrack last year," Brown added of the horse that drew the seventh post and was priced at 7-2 after Sovereignty's withdrawal.
Fierceness, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, was installed as the 5-2 favorite and will break from the first post -- from where he captured a huge victory in the 1 1/4-mile Grade One Pacific Classic at Del Mar on August 30.
Sierra Leone stablemate Contrary Thinking is expected to set the pace out of the fourth post with Florent Geroux aboard.
Pletcher's Mindframe could pose a danger from the eighth post and the Pletcher-trained Antiquarian has shown speed that could make him a threat on a fast course.
Journalism, Baeza and Nevada Beach are all Grade One-winning three-year-olds, and Journalism and Baeza finished second and third behind Sovereignty in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
Japanese import Forever Young, trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Ryusei Sakai, is the only overseas raider in the field.

History on line in Turf

Rebel's Romance, trained by Britain's Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, will be chasing an unprecedented third victory in the 1 1/2-mile, $5 million Turf.
The seven-year-old Godolphin Racing gelding, winner of the 2022 Turf at Keeneland before last year's triumph at Del Mar, is showing no signs of slowing down with five victories in 2025.
"Most horses start to dip away in their careers," Appleby acknowledged. "He's still holding his own at Grade One level."
Only two other horses have three Breeders' Cup wins. Beholder won the 2012 Juvenile Fillies and the Distaff in 2013 and 2016. The great mare Goldikova won the Mile in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Primed to stop Rebel's Romance joining that group is Minnie Hauk, whose Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up finish ended a string of five wins including three Group Ones.
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien, who shares the record for most Breeders' Cup victories with the late D. Wayne Lukas with 20, is seeking an eighth Turf crown in a field that includes eight overseas contenders.
O'Brien not only needs just one victory this weekend to surpass Lukas, but with 25 Grade or Group One wins this year he arrives at Del Mar needing three to match his own one-year record of 28 set in 2017.
O'Brien opens with a strong contingent in Friday's five races for two-year-olds that includes Gstaad in the Juvenile Turf, Precise in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and True Love in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.
bb/js

FRA

Sinner marches into Paris Masters quarters, Bublik downs Fritz

BY NEIL FULTON

  • - 'A miracle' - Earlier, Bublik downed Fritz 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to set up a last eight meeting with Australian world number six Alex de Minaur.
  • Jannik Sinner eased past Argentine world number 21 Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 in the third round of the Paris Masters on Thursday, while Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan beat US fourth seed Taylor Fritz in straight sets.
  • - 'A miracle' - Earlier, Bublik downed Fritz 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to set up a last eight meeting with Australian world number six Alex de Minaur.
Jannik Sinner eased past Argentine world number 21 Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 in the third round of the Paris Masters on Thursday, while Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan beat US fourth seed Taylor Fritz in straight sets.
A maiden crown in the French capital will return Sinner to number one in the world rankings after current incumbent Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock early exit at the hands of Cameron Norrie.
The Italian four-time Grand Slam champion is yet to drop a set in the tournament as he hones in on what would be a fifth title of the season.
"Today I felt like first set was very crucial. Francisco is a very talented player it's very difficult to play against him because his level is very high," Sinner said on-court.
"In the second set I raised the level... and I'm very happy to be in the quarter-finals here for the first time."
Sinner edged a close first set, which featured four consecutive breaks, when he pounced on Cerundolo's serve at 6-5 to seize the initiative.
The 24-year-old then immediately stepped up his level in the second set, racing into a 5-1 lead before serving out to book a last-eight meeting with US fifth seed Ben Shelton on Friday.
Shelton beat Russia's Andrey Rublev 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 to reach the last eight.
The victory marked another landmark moment for the 23-year-old this season -- following on from his first 1000-level title, won in Toronto this summer -- as he will make his debut appearance at the season-ending ATP Finals.
"It's an accumulation of a year's work, a lot of ups-and-downs, great results, poor results and having to bounce back," Shelton said of reaching Turin.

'A miracle'

Earlier, Bublik downed Fritz 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 to set up a last eight meeting with Australian world number six Alex de Minaur.
Despite arguably being in the form of his life in the latter half of 2025, Bublik said it would require a "miracle" for him to win a career-first Masters title in Paris.
"Tennis is very brutal that way, if you have results you're playing your best tennis, if you're not, you're down," the 28-year-old said.
"I have three matches to go, I have to beat the top ten players, maybe Jannik (Sinner) in the final, so that sounds a bit like a miracle."
Bublik's next opponent, De Minaur, eased past Russian 10th seed Karen Khachanov 6-2, 6-2, and in the process cemented his place at next month's ATP Finals in Turin.
Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime reached the quarter-finals as he came from behind for the third time in as many matches in Paris to beat German Daniel Altmaier 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The ninth seed is one spot outside the last ATP Finals berth, which is currently occupied by Lorenzo Musetti, who lost Wednesday to fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
That result coupled with an Auger-Aliassime charge to the title-decider in Paris would send the 25-year-old above Musetti in the race to the eight-man showpiece in Turin.
However, before he can think too much about that, Auger-Aliassime must stop the in-form Valentin Vacherot of Monaco.
The Shanghai Masters champion continued his sensational run by ousting Briton Norrie in straight sets in the opening match on centre court.
Reigning champion and third seed Alexander Zverev of Germany will round off the day's action when he plays Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
nf/lp