26/09/2025

SPORTS FRIDAY | SEPT 26, 2025

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Red-hot Kane has Bremen in his sights

JUST over two years since moving to Bayern Munich, in-form striker Harry Kane can set yet another record in Friday’s home clash with Werder Bremen. Playing his 104th game for Bayern, Kane needs two goals to become the fastest man to 100 goals with a club in Europe’s top-five leagues, breaking the record of 105 matches jointly held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland. Kane is already the fastest to 50 Bundesliga goals, bringing that mark up in 43 matches, a record he also took from the Norway striker. Kane made his Bundesliga debut in August 2023 against Bremen, scoring a goal and setting up another in a 4-0 win, just days after arriving from boyhood club Tottenham.

of the attacking burden, Bayern’s new recruits will be allowed to settle in. Starting his first match since arriving on deadline day at Hoffenheim on Saturday, Nicolas Jackson will be given time to adjust to German football, something the confidence player was rarely afforded at Chelsea. With goals flowing nicely for Bayern so far – the club has scored a record 18 in their opening four matches – injured stars Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies will not be rushed back. After Saturday’s 4-1 win at Hoffenheim, Kane told Sky Germany he hoped the good times keep rolling. “To be honest, I never set limits for myself. I feel good. I just have to keep going. “At the moment, I’m just riding this wave and

enjoying it.” Speaking yesterday, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany recalled playing against Kane during his time at Manchester City, saying the England captain then and now “it’s two different players”. “He was always a goalscorer, it’s what he built his career on. “But he’s made a conscious decision to open up his game to different things, like how he’s dropping to receive between the lines,” said Kompany. “He just keeps developing, he keeps working on it, and he’s a leader in our team. “To have one of the best-performing players also show the example in training and the details of preparation for each game, it’s something I’m very fortunate to have as a coach.” – AFP

In four matches against Bremen, Kane has four goals and three assists. On Saturday, Kane scored his ninth Bundesliga hattrick – and his second so far this season. The 32-year-old’s form is sounding an ominous warning for Bayern’s rivals already this campaign. Sitting two clear of perennial chasers Borussia Dortmund on the table, Bayern are the only Bundesliga club to win all four of their matches. Including the Super Cup, the German Cup and last Wednesday’s squashing of Club World Cup holders Chelsea in the Champions League, Bayern have started the season with seven wins in seven games. With Kane more than keen to bear the brunt

Fascinating encounter Postecoglou’s Forest held by Antony’s Betis on European return A N T O N Y denied Ange Postecoglou his first win as Nottingham

SHORTS Alvarez hattrick helps Atletico edge Rayo

JULIAN ALVAREZ scored a hattrick to snatch Atletico Madrid a thrilling 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga yesterday. The Rojiblancos fell behind in the 78th minute but Alvarez, who had opened the scoring, struck twice more in the final stages to claim three points for Diego Simeone’s side. The Argentina international helped Atletico secure only their second win from six league matches during a shaky start to the campaign. Atletico are ninth and trail league leaders Real Madrid by nine points ahead of Saturday’s (10.15pm Malaysian time) derby clash against Xabi Alonso’s side. “We needed to get three points to get confidence from winning, we’ve been playing well but because of small details we weren’t getting good results,” Alvarez told Movistar . “We have to keep working and improve some things to get on a winning run.” Reds’ defender Leoni faces months out LIVERPOOL defender Giovanni Leoni is set to be sidelined for several months after suffering a serious injury on his club debut. British media reported Leoni had suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury during Tuesday’s 2-1 League Cup win over Southampton. He had impressed in his first game for the club but in the 81st minute the defender landed awkwardly after a challenge on the touchline and was taken off the pitch on a stretcher. “It wasn’t the debut I had always dreamed of, but I will give everything to be back playing in this magical stadium as soon as possible,” Leoni wrote in a statement on social media thanking fans for their support.

home undergoes renovation, Betis took the lead in the 15th minute through Bakambu. Antony floated inside from the right and fed the DR Congo international, who turned and drilled into the top corner at the near post. Forest levelled swiftly through Brazilian striker Jesus, who tapped home from close range after Morgan Gibbs White’s low pass cut through the defence to find him. Jesus had his second just five minutes later, heading in from a corner as Betis left him in space. Callum Hudson-Odoi almost grabbed a third but hit the post with the goal gap ing. It came to cost Forest. Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini made a triple change at the break to try and inspire his side. The Andalucians probed for an equal iser in the second half and almost found one when Pablo Fornals lashed towards goal from distance but the ball sailed wide. Eventually their pressure told and Antony tucked home from Marc Roca’s cross with five minutes remaining. “We wanted the three points, but we have to turn the page and continue,” said Antony. “We scored first and we had to keep the same intensity, but it dropped… “I spoke with my brother today, he told me I was going to score a goal and I’m very happy (I did).” Just as in their early League Cup elimi nation by second-tier Swansea a week ago, Postecoglou’s side let a lead slip. “I’m just disappointed that the players and supporters don’t get the rewards for our efforts,” added Postecoglou. “I’ve just got to make sure they keep their heads up because there’s plenty to be positive about, and the wins will come.” Forest, who have played four away games in a row since the coach was appointed, host Sunderland at home on Sunday (12.30am Malaysian time). – AFP without the teenager but they thrashed Valencia and Getafe without him in their previous two games. “I’m really happy, I never think about which player we are missing, I only focus on the team we have,“ said Flick. “Which players are the options for being in the starting XI … I’m happy with my team. It makes no difference, every starting XI can win matches. It’s not a big problem.” – AFP

Forest manager by claiming Real Betis a 2-2 Europa League draw yesterday, as the English side returned to continental competition for the first time in 30 years. The new coach seemed

set to triumph in his fourth match at the helm of the two time European Cup winners thanks to a first half brace from Igor Jesus, after Cedric Bakambu sent the Spanish side ahead. However, Antony popped up in the box to slot home in the 85th minute and claim Betis a share of the spoils. Postecoglou, who won the Europa League last season with Tottenham before being sacked little over a fort night later, is aiming to end Forest’s wait since 1990 for a major trophy. “It’s a difficult place to come, difficult conditions, people don’t realise the humidity out there, how energy-sapping it is, even the pitch,” Postecoglou told TNT Sports . “I thought our football was outstanding at times in the first half. “The thing I could fault is we didn’t put the game to bed.” Forest’s coach dropped tar get man Chris Wood to the bench in favour of Jesus, and the striker signed this summer from Botafogo delivered for the Australian. Betis’ key man was former Manchester United winger Antony, and he helped create the opening goal. Hosting the game at the Cartuja stadium in Seville while their Benito Villamarin

Real Betis’ Antony fights for the ball with Nottingham Forest’s Morato during the first round of the UEFA Europa League. – AFPPIC

Ballon d’Or disappointment will inspire Yamal: Flick

BARCELONA star Lamine Yamal will be driven to greater heights after being beaten to the Ballon d’Or by Ousmane Dembele, the club’s coach Hansi Flick said yesterday. The 18-year-old winger finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain attacker Dembele at the glitzy gala in Paris on Monday in the battle to be crowned the world’s best player, but won the Kopa Trophy for best young player. “I spoke with him yesterday, and I think he sees

it (in the) right (way), so it’s for him also motivation for the next years,” Flick told a news conference. “Dembele, he deserved it also, it’s a vote and a lot of things can happen and I think he accepted this in a good way, and he’s motivated to show it this season. “Maybe next season he also will be an option for the Ballon d’Or, but I really appreciate that a lot of players from our team are in this situation, and it’s great for our team. It shows a lot how your last

season was, and this is also our goal for this season.” Yamal starred as Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. The winger out with a groin issue as the champions try to keep pace with La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who beat Levante on Tuesday to move five points clear of Barca. Last season the Catalans struggled in games