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MUSCAT: Shoaib Ismail and Adnan Ul Haqs magnificent all-round performances powered Maniz Azad International to a 46-run victory against Bank Muscat in a Senior Division Knockout Tournament game at Muscat Municipality ground 2 in Amerat on Friday.

Adnan struck a vital 51 while Shoaib contributed a breezy 34 as Maniz Azad posted 161 for 7 on the board in 20 overs. Muhammed Umar picked up 3 for 29. Shoaib was unplayable with the ball, taking 5 for 19 while Usman Asghar and Adnan claimed two wickets each as Bank Muscat was dismissed for 115 in 18.5 overs. Abbas Al Balushi topscored with a fine 44.

Brief Scores (Knockout - Senior): Maniz Azad International 161 for 7 in 20 overs (Adnan Haq 51- 6x4, Shoaib Ismail 34 6x4, 1x6, Muhammed Umar 3-29, Vinoth Thangavel 2-35) beat Bank Muscat 115 all out in 18.5 overs (Abbas Al Balushi 44 3x4, Shoaib Ismail 5-19, Usman Asgher 2-17, Adnan Haq 2-15) by 46 runs.

Nadeem helps Orient to victory

In another Senior Division Knockout match, Nadeem Karamat Ali excelled with the bat and ball to steer Orient Travels/Gitacs to an emphatic 6-wicket win over Khalsa United at the same venue in the afternoon.

Khalsa could not post an imposing total on the board as it was restricted to 127 for 9 due largely to Nadeems brilliant 3 for 31. Rafique and Umar Rahman bowled well too, taking two wickets each. Sushil Kadam scored 32.

Orient chased the total down in 16.1 overs, scoring 129 for 4 with Ibrar Hussain striking an elegant 55 not out and Nadeem Karamat contributing 39.

Brief Scores (Knockout - Senior): Khalsa United CT 127 for 9 in 20 overs (Sushil Kadam 32 2x4, Nadeem Karamat Ali 3-31, Rafque 2-18, Umar Rahman 2-13) lost to Orient Travels/Gitacs 129 for 4 in 16.1 overs (Ibrar Hussain 55 6x4, Nadeem Karamat Ali 39 5x4, Muhammad Parvez 2-29) by 6 wickets.

Waleed bats OHI to easy win

Waleed Rahims splendid 65 not out was the highlight of Douglas OHIs exciting 34-run victory against Ideal International in a Senior Division Knockout Tournament match at Muscat Municipality ground 1.

Waleed topscored while Ismail Al Balushi made 32 as OHI compiled 167 for 8. Salman Khan bagged 2 for 27.

Ideal failed to bat with the same flourish and was bundled out for 133 in 18.4 overs despite Salman Khans fluent 38. Viplav Kumar claimed 3 for 37 while Rajender Kumar and Mohsin Alimamad took two wickets each.

Brief Scores (Knockout - Senior): Douglas OHI 167 for 8 in 20 overs (Waleed Rahim 65 5x4, Ismail Al Balushi 32 5x4, Salman Khan 2-27) beat Ideal International 133 all out in 18.4 overs (Salman Khan 38 5x4, Wasim Jamadar 32 4x4, 1x6. Viplav Kumar 3-37, Rajender Kumar 2-22, Mohsin Alimamad 2-24) by 34 runs.

Abdul Jalil stars in Al Hail A win

In another Senior Knockout game, Abdul Jalils superb 62 helped OCT Al Hail A to a thumping 59-run win over Zubair CT at Muscat Municipality ground 1. Abduls brilliant batting led Al Hail side to 165 for 8 in 20 overs. Arif Khan and Ruwan Rupa picked up three wickets each.

Zubairs chase was over quickly as it was bowled out for a dismal 106 in 15.5 overs. Abdul Ghani was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 18 whereas Suhaib Abdul and Hisham Shafi bagged two wickets each.

Brief Scores (Knockout - Senior): Oct Al Hail 'A' 165 for 8 in 20 overs (Abdul Jalil 62 6x4, 3x6, Arif Khan 3-17, Ruwan Rupa 3-27) beat Zubair 106 all out in 15.5 overs (Fazal Khan 24 2x4, Parthiban Mohan 23 1x4, 1x6, Abdul Ghani 3-18, Suhaib Abdul 2-15, Hisham Shafi 2-24, Ismail Al Balushi 2-27) by 59 runs.

Brief Scores (Knockout - Junior): Sam Royals 149 for 8 in 20 overs (Shaji Shanu 43 4x4, 2x6, Mohammed Arif 2-27) lost to Aflag Group CT 153 for 4 in 18.1 overs (Haris Alam 58 9x4, Junaid Iqbal 51 11x4, Vijith Ravi 3-19) by 6 wickets.

Brief Scores (Knockout - Junior): Israr Ghala 226 for 6 in 20 overs (Sagheer Muhammad 72 6x4, 4x6, Wajid Mohammed 39 7x4, Ahmed Tahir 36 5x4, Sooraj A Raj 3-42, Arun Kumar 2-45) Ideal Technology 155 all out in 19.5 overs (Vijesh Vijayakumaran 38 54, 1x6, Yasir Jamal 4-22, Amir Munir 3-20) by 71 runs.

Brief Scores (Knockout - Junior): Pitspot 153 for 9 in 20 overs (Wajid Ali 27 4x4, Mushir Nazir 34 2x4) beat Safara International 117 all out in 19.1 overs (Hardik Toprani 22, Mohazin Moosa 2-21, Anzil Nazumudeen 2-17) by 36 runs.

Brief Scores (Knockout - Junior): Vanderlande 189 for 7 in 20 overs (Vignesh Kumar 36 5x4, Prasanth Reddy 30 3x4, 1x6, Washil 4-31, Yesupaul Martin 2- 39) beat Sketch International 96 all out in 18.2 overs (Manish Bhatia 38 5x4, Vignesh Kumar 3-17, Aasim Mohammed 2-18) by 93 runs.

See more here:
Maniz Azad, Orient, OHI and Al Hail A march on in Senior Knockout tourney - Times of Oman

Bath Rugby head to London Irish on Saturday in Round 15 of the Gallagher Premiership down to their third choice fly-half following an injury to Rhys Priestland .

Blue, Black and White director of rugby Stuart Hooper confirmed on Thursday that first choice stand-off Priestland will miss the game after suffering a hamstring injury on Saturday in the victory over Worcester Warriors

With South African Tian Schoeman ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring his knee in the victory away at Newcastle Falcons earlier this month that once again leaves Hooper stretched in the vital fly half position

Earlier in the day Hooper and Bath confirmed the signing of former England international fly-half Danny Cipriani was a free agent having parted company with Gloucester in December.

However Cipriani, 33, will not arrive at Bath until May leaving Hooper relying on Academy product Orlando Bailey this weekend having finished last weekend's 47-22 win over Worcester at 10, or playing centre Josh Matavesi out of position once again having started there twice last season and been moved over later in games on several occasions.

Centre Cam Redpath is making positive progress towards a return from his neck injury and could also be an option over the coming weeks having played very well there in the 33-17 victory against Worcester back in December following injuries to both Priestland and Matavesi inside eight minutes of the game.

Hooper said: "Rhys won't be available this weekend.

"We are awaiting some more scan results for him but he is going to be a few weeks out of the game. "

"The injury is the back of his knee/hamstring, it is soft tissue but we are getting it scanned and making sure we get the right treatment for him and he is not going to be available this week.

That means Bath will also be without their two senior fly-halves for their European Challenge Cup last 16 knockout game away at Zebre on Good Friday, with the club targeting the competition as a chance for silverware.

Young full back Tom de Granville also looks unlikely to feature this weekend at the Brentford Community Stadium having picked up another injury in the victory over Worcester

Hooper would not be drawn on the extent of the de Glanville injury when speaking to the press on Thursday saying that he still needed an assessment on the player however at this stage in the week he has likely named his his team internally and knows whether he will play or not.

He said: "He has got a bit of a leg injury and we are not sure whether it is one we can turn around this week or not."

With Anthony Watson back from England Six Nations duty, Hooper has a prime full back replacement ready in waiting while Ruaridh McConnochie is also another able option in the 15 shirt.

Bath have been bolstered in the forwards but the return of internationals Beno Obano, Will Stuart and Charlie Ewels from England, prop Jamie Bhatti from Scotland and number eight Taulupe Faletau from Wales with the Six Nations finished, all but the rearranged France v Scotland game on Friday night.

Looking ahead to the closing stage of the season Hooper feels his side are well placed to kick on and climb the table and achieve their target of making the four four.

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He said: "I think if I reflect on where we have been over the last few weeks and more importantly the energy and the work the lads are doing in the week, I feel like were in a strong position.

"Were in seventh place with some good games to come.

"Most of our squad are back on deck now and pretty healthy so I think were in a good position to go week to week.

"The players massively respond to a week-to-week focus. This week is London Irish and well do everything we can to win that game. If we win that game, well be one step closer, but I believe we can push on and I believe we can make the top four.

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Injury latest: Bath Rugby down to third choice fly-half as Rhys Priestland is ruled out - Somerset Live

Picture an alternative scene in May. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is lifting the FA Cup at Wembley having narrowly finished fifth in the Premier League. Does he keep his job?

Louis van Gaal can answer that one.

So, when it comes to scrutinising Solskjaers selection for the quarter-final against Leicester, context is required. Manchester Uniteds manager said he had no regrets about his line-up afterwards, and while that may strike as obduracy amid the wreckage of a disastrous display, it also points to a clarity of thought in the practicalities of life at Old Trafford.

United supporters are perfectly entitled to think a club with the biggest revenue in England should be able to battle to the end in all competitions, and certainly put up a better fight in a knockout game against a squad built at a fraction of the cost.

View original post here:
Solskjaer has every right to rotate but Manchester United's FA Cup exit was a disastrous display - The Athletic

Knockout City is a lot to handle. In the playlists of the funky, futuristic, and over-the-top dodgeball game, few things are as simple as they sound. In a preview staged by maker Velan Studios and Electronic Arts on Tuesday, I often just found myself standing back and watching the action, trying to develop a sense of fundamental play.

Teamwork is as critical to winning (and fun) play as an understanding of Knockout Citys many unique rules and techniques. Good news for that: The first closed beta for the game starts on Feb. 20 on PC.

Because dodgeball is the inspiration, we get to play with multiple balls in the scene, said Guha Bala, Velans co-founder and president. Velan most recently developed Octobers toys-to-life/mixed reality game Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

There are very few moves, but its enormously complex in terms of layers, which allows you to really go through that kind of cycle of introduction, practice, and mastery, Bala said. Ill disagree that there are few moves in here but I see his point about it being easy to learn and then difficult to master.

In one straight-forward free-for-all match, I was seeing novice users (like me) running at top speed once they saw a ball spawn point, winding up to fire away, only to have their element of surprise taken away by someone who was paying better attention when the tutorial showed how to intercept a ball. Theres a melee attack thats also a good counter for separating a foe from their ball, so it really isnt a matter of getting to the good weapons first.

Rolling up in a ball (one of the more wild-card aspects of Knockout City) means a teammate can pick them up and throw them. Just bumping into a rolled-up teammate picks them up; it was a little confusing the first few times that happened, but of course, that means that Knockout City can serve up team-based, knockout game variants where there are no balls.

As for the balls themselves, youve probably guessed that theres more than just your standard, red kickball (which makes a satisfying PROONT noise whenever it hits someone in the face.) Throwing it means quickly flicking the right trigger (a faster, but less effective attack) or charging it up with an auto lock-on to whatever opponent is nearest.

An exploding Bomb Balls big area-of-effect detonation makes it something players want to find and get rid of fast; but it also means that intercepting a pinging Bomb Ball is no longer a way to turn the tables on a foe. (And a generous timing window for catching an incoming ball means I was sitting on the left trigger command for this, somewhat reflexively, but the game came up with a way to force me out of crutch moves and keep me on my toes.)

Because Knockout City is round-based, teams can go from getting killed pretty badly (and tanking the round, sort of like a tennis player in a losing early set) to a very dominant second or third round and a comeback victory. As Bala puts it: I was getting killed in Diamond Dash [a team-based game where KOd players drop a litter of diamonds, meaning sharp teammates can be there to make the save.] But I came out with the last determining point, getting the last diamond for our team that won the match. You had a surprising number of clutch moments like that in this game.

The one area of concern I did have is what latency might do to a fast-paced game. Bala touted the engine that Velan developed specifically for Knockout City, which the studio calls called Viper. Its of course very technical, but, We added another super-high performance engine with a novel computation method to actually hold a physics simulation synchronized, Bala said.

The aesthetics of Knockout City are very important to the game, only because rooftop maps mean pitfalls (in one case, a big swinging wrecking ball) but also bounce pads and perches to reach. Its not a court-based sport, in other words. It also means endless, flashy customizables (there are 17 cosmetic slots and three characters to build up and swap around) which therefore means Velan plans seasonal content and the like, once the game launches on May 21, 2021.

And with cross-play, and cross progression among all platforms, it means Knockout City should have a large user base at launch so that people get into the action quickly. Knockout City is going to be available on everything: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PS5, Windows PC (via Steam and Origin) and Xbox One and Xbox Series X.

As for whether Ill get good at Knockout City, Bala dispensed some protips but mostly said, yeah, watch a few rounds and Ill get the hang of it and if not, Ill at least see a very entertaining game. Just spend some time watching it, he said. I think its a pretty watchable game as well.

Read the original here:
Knockout City, new dodgeball game from Electronic Arts, coming in May - Polygon

Gareth Bale has scored five goals since returning to Spurs on loan from Real Madrid

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho said they had "one foot in the next round" after Gareth Bale inspired them to victory over Wolfsberger in the Europa League last 32 first leg.

Bale crossed for Son Heung-min to head the opener and then cut inside and blasted home their second goal. That was the first time since April 2013 that he scored and assisted a Tottenham goal in the same game.

Lucas Moura added a fine solo goal before half-time in Budapest.

But Michael Liendl's penalty gave Wolfsberger hope and Christopher Wernitznig hit the bar - before Carlos Vinicius probably killed the tie.

"I don't consider this an incredible victory, just a good victory that brings good feelings," said Mourinho. "The plane back will be a different plane than after a defeat."

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho spoke beforehand about how much he wants to win the Europa League and named a strong team, although Harry Kane was left in London for fitness reasons.

They were excellent in the first half but were much less impressive after replacing Son with Vinicius at half-time.

Wolfsberger were limited opposition, sitting sixth in the Austrian league and in a European knockout game for the first time. The game had to be played six hours away in Budapest, Hungary because of Covid restrictions.

The second leg is next Wednesday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Bale and Dele Alli were the notable starters in the line-up for Spurs. Mourinho said beforehand he was worried about the result and not individual performances of fringe players - but he would have been happy with what he saw in the first half.

Bale set up the opener when he received Matt Doherty's pass before crossing for Son, who matched his personal goal tally of last season with 18.

That was Bale's first assist for Spurs since April 2013 against Manchester City - before he left for Real Madrid.

Doherty picked out Bale again, but this time the Welshman cut on to his left foot and smashed a powerful effort past the goalkeeper, his fifth goal of a loan spell from Real.

When Moura beat several defenders on a mazy run to score Spurs' third, it looked as if it could be a rout.

Alli looked in the mood too, with a brilliant nutmeg to create a shooting opportunity although he fired straight at the keeper.

But they looked much less fluent in the second half, with Bale and Alli more peripheral before being replaced.

Mourinho said Bale could feature against West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.

"One of the reasons why he left the pitch by minute 65 was to try to have him available for the next match," he said.

"By taking him off at that minute we managed to save him a few miles in his legs and probably, I know the match is Sunday at 12pm, but I believe he has a chance to play the match."

Moussa Sissoko sloppily conceded a penalty which Liendl scored and the hosts looked more assured. Had Wernitznig's powerful drive off the crossbar gone over the line instead of bouncing on it, it could have been a different tie.

But Vinicius most likely booked Spurs' place in the next round when he stabbed home Erik Lamela's flicked header late on.

Mourinho revealed Kane did not want to risk playing, having recently returned from an ankle problem. He had been due to travel to Hungary.

"He's an experienced guy that had injuries in the past, he knows his body better than anyone," Mourinho said.

"He knows that I want him to play every minute of every game, so it's never a question of a choice.

"I wanted to come here with the best team and the players that could give us more opportunities to win the game and get a good result, but he made the decision based on his feelings.

"Of course myself and the medical department, we agreed with him in giving him this opportunity to take care of his condition, but I believe on Sunday he will be OK and ready."

Player of the match

BaleGareth Bale

Squad number30Player nameTaferner

Squad number17Player nameStratznig

Squad number10Player nameLiendl

Squad number11Player nameVizinger

Squad number27Player nameNovak

Squad number44Player nameLochoshvili

Squad number9Player nameJoveljic

Squad number22Player nameBaumgartner

Squad number4Player nameScherzer

Squad number24Player nameWernitznig

Squad number31Player nameKofler

Squad number19Player nameSprangler

Squad number3Player nameHenriksson

Squad number6Player namePavelic

Squad number8Player nameDieng

Squad number2Player nameGiorbelidze

Formation 4-1-3-2

31Kofler

27Novak22Baumgartner44Lochoshvili4Scherzer

19Sprangler

30Taferner10Liendl24Wernitznig

9Joveljic11Vizinger

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Lloris

2Doherty4Alderweireld15Dier33Davies

17Sissoko8Winks

9Bale20Alli27Lucas Moura

7Son Heung-Min

Match ends, RZ Pellets WAC 1, Tottenham Hotspur 4.

Second Half ends, RZ Pellets WAC 1, Tottenham Hotspur 4.

Foul by Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur).

Kai Stratznig (RZ Pellets WAC) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Offside, RZ Pellets WAC. Alexander Kofler tries a through ball, but Cheikhou Dieng is caught offside.

Foul by Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur).

Guram Giorbelidze (RZ Pellets WAC) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Goal! RZ Pellets WAC 1, Tottenham Hotspur 4. Carlos Vincius (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Erik Lamela.

Attempt missed. Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Pierre-Emile Hjbjerg with a cross.

Attempt missed. Tanguy Ndombele (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Carlos Vincius.

Offside, RZ Pellets WAC. Michael Liendl tries a through ball, but Cheikhou Dieng is caught offside.

Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Guram Giorbelidze (RZ Pellets WAC).

Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by Dominik Baumgartner (RZ Pellets WAC).

Pierre-Emile Hjbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card.

Substitution, RZ Pellets WAC. Mario Pavelic replaces Michael Novak.

Attempt blocked. Luka Lochoshvili (RZ Pellets WAC) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Michael Liendl with a cross.

Corner, RZ Pellets WAC. Conceded by Toby Alderweireld.

Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Tanguy Ndombele replaces Dele Alli.

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Wolfsberger 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur: Gareth Bale scores and assists in Europa League win - BBC Sport