08/01/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | JAN 8, 2026

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Juventus bounce back as Roma join Euro hunt

JUVENTUS bounced back from their humiliating draw at home against lowly Lecce at the weekend with a 3-0 win at Sassuolo yesterday to reclaim fourth spot in Serie A. Canadian forward Jonathan David was the architect of Juve’s victory with a goal and an assist for the team’s fourth win in five matches. Dominant but wasteful, Juventus could thank home player Tarik Muharemovic for their opening goal after 16 minutes with the Sassuolo defender turning into his own net. Meanwhile David made up for his missed penalty in the 1-1 draw

second after 71 minutes. But both Juventus and Roma will also have to be wary of Como who has played one less game than both as they target a Champions League qualifying spot. “I never look at the standings, even though a member of my staff told me to look at them today after our victory. I’m not interested in them,” Como’s Spanish coach Cesc Fabregas insisted. – AFP

have 36 points, and Como, on 33 points, with both teams winning their matches yesterday. Attacking duo Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk scored for Roma in a 2 0 win at Lecce after Como earlier swept aside struggling Pisa 3-0 for their third consecutive league win. Roma secured their first away win since Nov 23 thanks to on-loan Irish forward Ferguson after 14 minutes with Ukrainian Dovbyk adding a

and champions Napoli on 37 points. “It’s a win that comes at the right time for me, but the most important thing is that we’re back to winning ways” David insisted. “He played a very good match; his game against Lecce was already very good, right up until his penalty, but for us, he had nothing to prove. We know the player he is,” said Spalletti. However Juve’s fourth spot is under threat from Roma, who also

against Lecce on Saturday setting up Fabio Miretti for his team’s second goal after 62 minutes. A minute later the Canadian added the third himself after taking advantage of a poor clearance from Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric. Luciano Spalletti’s side are fourth with 36 points from 19 games, but have played two more matches than the top three – leaders Inter Milan with 39 points, AC Milan on 38 points

Show stealers

Boulbina stunner sends Algeria through, Diallo shines for Elephants A DIL BOULBINA and Amad Diallo stole the show as Algeria and Ivory Coast scored contrasting last-16 victories in Morocco yesterday to complete the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals line-up. A mouth-watering quarterfinals line-up begins tomorrow when Senegal face Mali (12mn Malaysian time) and Cameroon tackle hosts Morocco (Sat 3am).

Adil Boulbina scores the winner as Algeria beat DR Congo in Afcon last 16 yesterday. – AFPPIC

Jamaica will see them qualify for a first World Cup since 1974. “We are obviously disappointed with the outcome. I thought it was a top-level game between two really good sides,” said coach Sebastien Desabre. “The players gave everything. We fought to the end but unfortunately it was not enough.” In Marrakesh, Diallo sparkled as Ivory Coast became the first Afcon defending champions to reach the quarterfinals since 2010. Diallo struck the opening goal and created the second for Yan Diomande before half-time. Substitute Bazoumana Toure completed the scor ing in the closing minutes. There was a sense of inevitability when the Ivorians went ahead on 20 minutes. Diallo pow ered his way past several defenders before striking the ball beyond goalkeeper Herve Koffi Such was the control of the Elephants that it came as no surprise when they increased their lead after 32 minutes on a cold night. earned the job permanently in March 2019, lead ing the side to second in the Premier League and the Europa League final in the 2020-21 cam paign. United have not finished that high in the League since Solskjaer’s departure the following November when results dipped. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is still seen as a top candidate to permanently succeed Amorim in the summer, as Ineos’s football lead ership have another big decision to make after a series of missteps have left the club facing another restart. The 51-year-old Austrian is widely expected to leave Selhurst Park in the summer, when his contract expires, meaning the timing would work out perfectly for United if they appoint an interim boss such as Solskjaer for the rest of this season. United will assess some of the names they looked at back in the summer of 2024, including Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, although there is also appreciation for the job that Enzo Maresca has done at Chelsea, while some sources also maintain that Julian Nagelsmann could have a chance, as the increasingly influential United recruitment director, Christopher Vivell, knows his work well from Red Bull Leipzig. Nagelsmann may also want a return to club football after the 2026 World Cup with Germany. United will make clear to any candidate that the head coach sits within a wider structure, terms that suddenly became a flashpoint for Amorim given his controversial final press con ference, and McKenna and Maresca may particu larly appeal for such a role. – The Independent

On Saturday, Algeria face in-form Nigeria (12mn), then Ivory Coast take on record seven-time title-holders Egypt (Sun 3am). The cagey clash between Algeria and DR Congo was edging towards a penalty shoot-out when Boulbina was released on the left in the 119th minute and advanced into the area before unleashing a vicious strike into the net. The moment of magic sparked wild celebra tions within the ground, with the majority of the 18,837 crowd backing Algeria. Boulbina was an unlikely hero, making just his second cameo appearance off the bench at the tournament having been included in the squad after featuring for Algeria at the recent Arab Cup in Qatar. “I have always dreamed of playing for the national team. It is the ambition of every Algerian to play for their country and do well,” said Boulbina, who was in tears at the end. “I had my chance and scored and the most important thing is that we won and qualified for the next round.” DR Congo can console themselves with the fact they have an intercontinental playoff to come in March, where a win against New Caledonia or

A stunning strike from sub stitute Boulbina with one min ute of extra-time remaining gave Algeria a 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat after an intense clash. Diallo scored the opening

Notices

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DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG DALAM KEBANKRAPAN NO. PA-29NCC-751-10/2025 Per:

goal and created the second as defending champi ons Ivory Coast overcame west African neigh bours Burkina Faso 3-0 in Marrakesh. While winger Diallo plays for Manchester United, who attract worldwide support, midfielder Boulbina lines up with Al-Duhail in the relative obscurity of the Qatari league. “We fought as a team. Everyone is focused on contributing in whatever way they can. There is also a real chemistry on the pitch, a closeness between us that makes our play more fluid,” said Diallo. “There is a genuine connection, a certain rhythm in the way we play. No one is trying to be the hero or to shine individually for the country. “If I have the chance to make the pass, I do it. It is instinctive – I give my teammate the ball. That is how we play.”

Muhamad Hilmi Bin Mazelan [No. K/P: 931124-07-5211]

Penghutang Penghakiman

Ex parte: Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad [No. Syarikat: 200501009144 (686191-W)]

Pemiutang Penghakiman NOTIS

Dalam perkara Notis Kebankrapan yang bertarikh pada 13-10-2025 Kepada: Muhamad Hilmi Bin Mazelan No. 185, Mukim 16 Tasek Junjong 14120 Simpang Ampat, Pulau Pinang Dan/atau 17-13-5, Tingkat Paya Terubong 5 Mukim 13 11060 Pulau Pinang Dan/atau No. 52 A1, Kampong Keladi 09000 Kulim Kedah AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu Notis Kebankrapan telah dikeluarkan terhadap kamu dalam Mahkamah ini oleh Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad yang beralamat di Tingkat 30, Menara Hong Leong, No. 6, Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur dan Mahkamah telah memerintahkan supaya Notis Kebankrapan tersebut disampaikan kepada kamu dengan menampalkan salinan-salinannya berserta satu salinan termeterai Perintah Untuk Penyampaian Ganti pada papan notis Mahkamah Tinggi di Pulau Pinang dan penampalan di tempat ketara premis Penghutang Penghakiman di No. 185, Mukim 16, Tasek Junjong, 14120 Simpang Ampat, Pulau Pinang dan/atau 17-13-5, Tingkat Paya Terubong 5, Mukim 13, 11060 Pulau Pinang dan/atau No. 52 A1, Kampong Keladi, 09000 Kulim, Kedah dan juga dengan menyiarkan Notis ini sekali di dalam akhbar harian tempatan berbahasa Inggeris iaitu “The Sun” dan bahawa penampalan dan penyiaran sedemikian disifatkan penyampaian yang sempurna dan cukup akan Notis Kebankrapan tersebut kepada kamu selepas tujuh (7) hari dari tarikh penampalan atau penyiaran sedemikian Notis ini mengikut mana yang berkenaan. Jika kamu berniat untuk menentang dan/atau membela diri, kamu Muhamad Hilmi Bin Mazelan [No. K/P: 931124-07-5211] mestilah dalam masa tujuh (7) hari selepas tarikh penampalan dan pengiklanan tersebut menjadi sempurna, memohon kepada Mahkamah untuk mengenepikan Notis Kebankrapan tersebut dengan memasukkan satu afidavit bagi maksud tersebut di mahkamah ini. Jika tidak, suatu Petisyen Pemiutang boleh dikeluarkan terhadap kamu. Notis Kebankrapan tersebut boleh diperiksa oleh kamu atas permohonan di Mahkamah ini. Bertarikh pada 11 Disember 2025 tandatangan ........................................ MASYITAH BINTI AYOIB

Diallo was the provider this time. Passing the ball across the box to 19-year-old Diomande, whose superbly bent shot gave Koffi no chance. Substitute Toure scored his second goal in as many matches when he ran from his own half on 87 minutes, then slammed the ball past Koffi. – AFP Solskjaer in talks over shock return to United

Fans torn over Amorim sacking MANCHESTER UNITED support ers had mixed feelings after the club fired Ruben Amorim, with some mentioning relief having grown weary of rigid tactics, strange team selections and con fusing press conferences. Others voiced anger over yet say in translation. But I think he was feeling the pressure. You could see it in him. And I think he wanted out, to be honest with you mate. I think it’s time for Jose Mourinho to come back.” Another fan was frustrated by the managerial turnover.

Ű BY MIGUEL DELANEY

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER (pic) could make a shock return to Old Trafford after Manchester United held talks with the Norwegian about becoming their interim manager. Having sacked Ruben Amorim after just 14 months in charge on Monday morning – with his explosive rant following a 1-1 draw with Leeds over the weekend proving the final straw for the club’s hierarchy – United appointed U-18s coach Darren Fletcher as interim boss initially.

Portuguese Amorim was the 10th United manager – either interim or permanent – since Ferguson retired in 2013. “Yeah, not massively happy about it, to be honest,” he said. “Regardless of what you think of Amorim as a person or profes sionally, I think if we just keep recycling managers over and over again, we’re going to have the same result. “I think (the club)

another managerial change in the club’s more than decade-long attempt to find the right person to restore their team to the glory days they enjoyed under Alex Ferguson. “A lot of fans are not happy with his substitutions,” a supporter outside Old Trafford said yester day. “The actual team selection and his formation and the way he’s been speaking lately… he’s a very, very stubborn manager. And he will not take criticism. And it’s either my way or, you know, no way.” Another fan suggested Amorim’s defiant outburst after the team’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday was the final straw. “That was the beginning of the end,”the supporter said.“It isn’t the United Way, if you know what I mean, to put your dirty laundry out for the media. “I don’t know if he was like los ing a bit of what he was trying to

The club have spoken to former manager Solskjaer – who was previ ously in charge at Old Trafford from December 2018 to November 2021 and has been out of work since being sacked by Besiktas last August – about taking over until the end of the current campaign and he is seen as having a strong chance of being appointed as interim boss due to his long history with the club. The 52-year-old is always will ing to help United out, given his long-time connection with the Red Devils, having first joined as a player in 1996 and spend ing more than a decade at Old Trafford during the height of the Sir Alex Ferguson era. He took over as caretaker

should have at least given him to the end of the season. I think we’re never going to see pro gress if we

don’t stick with one manager and stick with that way of playing. So yeah, I’m not happy to see him gone.” – Reuters

Penolong Kanan Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya Georgetown

Notis ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Kek Ooi & Lee Hong, Peguamcara bagi Pemiutang Penghakiman yang dinamakan di atas dan alamat untuk penyampaian kepadanya ialah di 53, Tingkat 1, Lebuh Pantai, 10300 Pulau Pinang.

manager in December 2018 following the abrupt sacking of Jose Mourinho and