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Italy Captain Chiellini to Retire from the National Team

Football - Euro 2020 - Final - Italy v England - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 11, 2021 Italy's Giorgio Chiellini celebrates with the trophy after winning Euro 2020. (Reuters)
Football - Euro 2020 - Final - Italy v England - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 11, 2021 Italy's Giorgio Chiellini celebrates with the trophy after winning Euro 2020. (Reuters)
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Italy Captain Chiellini to Retire from the National Team

Football - Euro 2020 - Final - Italy v England - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 11, 2021 Italy's Giorgio Chiellini celebrates with the trophy after winning Euro 2020. (Reuters)
Football - Euro 2020 - Final - Italy v England - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 11, 2021 Italy's Giorgio Chiellini celebrates with the trophy after winning Euro 2020. (Reuters)

Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini plans to retire from the national team after the "Finalissima" match against Argentina in London on June 1.

"If I’m in form I’ll play and bid the national team goodbye at Wembley, where I reached the apex of my career in Azzurro and perhaps of my entire career," Chiellini said, referring to the Italy’s European Championship title last summer.

The 37-year-old Chiellini had planned to continue playing for the national team through the World Cup at the end of this year but he has moved up his plans after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the tournament in Qatar.

The Finalissima match at Wembley Stadium features the champions of Europe and South America.

Chiellini, who has formed a potent center-back pairing with Leonardo Bonucci during his career, is sixth on Italy’s all-time list with 116 appearances.

A gritty defender, Chiellini was bitten by Uruguay striker Luis Suárez during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Chiellini’s contract with Juventus expires after next season but he wouldn’t commit to remaining in Turin amid speculation that he wants to end his club career in the United States.

"From now to the end of the season I do have to evaluate everything, talk to my family about what is best," Chiellini said after Juventus’ win over Sassuolo in Serie A late Monday. "Let’s reach fourth place first and win the Italian Cup, then we’ll sit down with my two families - at home and with Juventus - to figure out what is best for everyone."

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Sports

African Players in Europe: Salah Joins Exclusive Group

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores his side's opening goal from a penalty kick during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and West Ham at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores his side's opening goal from a penalty kick during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and West Ham at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (AP)
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African Players in Europe: Salah Joins Exclusive Group

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores his side's opening goal from a penalty kick during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and West Ham at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores his side's opening goal from a penalty kick during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and West Ham at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (AP)

Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah joined an exclusive group when he opened the scoring in a 3-1 Premier League victory over West Ham United at the weekend.

He became only the fifth player to either score or assist a goal in each of his team's first six league games of a season after David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland.

Here, AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

His fourth goal this season sparked second-placed Liverpool to a 3-1 win over West Ham at Anfield. Salah converted a 16th-minute penalty after he was brought down by Morocco international Nayef Aguerd.

ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE (Everton)

The Mali midfielder's superb strike helped Everton win in the league for the first time this season and climb out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 victory at Brentford. Doucoure struck after just six minutes with a half-volley.

SPAIN

INAKI WILLIAMS (Athletic Bilbao)

The Ghana international broke the deadlock in Athletic's 2-0 La Liga win over Alaves after 18 minutes when he was sent through on goal, after a clever run in behind the defense. The striker missed a fine chance to double his tally when he slashed an effort off-target with his left foot when well placed.

GERMANY

ERIC MAXIM CHOUPO-MOTING (Bayern Munich)

Choupo-Moting opened the scoring after just four minutes in Bayern's 7-0 Bundesliga rout of lowly Bochum. The Cameroon international tapped in for his first goal of the season in his first league start.

VICTOR BONIFACE (Bayer Leverkusen)

Boniface continued his blistering start with Leverkusen, scoring another brace in a 4-1 win over promoted Heidenheim. The Nigerian smashed the ball home to give Bayer an early lead and netted from a second-half penalty.

SERHOU GUIRASSY (Stuttgart)

Guirassy was another African to score twice, as Stuttgart defeated Darmstadt 3-1. The Guinea international struck with a shot and a dink to raise his season total to 10 goals from five matches.

FRANCE

JEREMIE BOGA (Nice)

The France-born Ivory Coast international winger came off the bench to score a stoppage-time Ligue 1 winner for Nice as they beat local rivals Monaco 1-0 away after Folarin Balogun had two penalties saved for the home team. It was the 26-year-old's first goal since a big-money move from Atalanta in the close season.

STEVE MOUNIE (Brest)

The Benin international forward came off the bench to head a late winner as Brest beat struggling Lyon 1-0. The result left the unheralded club from Brittany on top of the table, a point clear of Nice and two ahead of both Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco.

MORGAN GUILAVOGUI (Lens)

Guinea international Guilavogui was another player to star off the bench as he came on as a substitute and grabbed a late winner for Lens against Toulouse. Last season's runners-up came from behind to win 2-1 and claim their first victory of the campaign.

Sports

R&B Star Usher to Headline 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show

FILE PHOTO: Usher poses at the Met Gala in New York City, New York, US, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Usher poses at the Met Gala in New York City, New York, US, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
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R&B Star Usher to Headline 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show

FILE PHOTO: Usher poses at the Met Gala in New York City, New York, US, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Usher poses at the Met Gala in New York City, New York, US, May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

Grammy-winning artist Usher will headline the halftime show at the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Nevada, the National Football League (NFL), Apple Music and label Roc Nation announced on Sunday.

The 58th Super Bowl is scheduled to take place at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, 2024.

"It's an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list," Usher said in the statement. "I can't wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they've seen from me before."

Since the release of his debut album in 1994, Usher Raymond IV has sold over 80 million records worldwide, climbing atop music charts and bringing home eight Grammy awards, considered by many to be the most prestigious awards in the music industry.

Billboard magazine crowned him the second most successful artist of the 2000s.

"U Got It Bad," "OMG," and "Yeah!" are among the 44-year-old singer's chart-topping hits. Usher is currently performing in Las Vegas as part of his residency show "Usher: My Way."

"Usher is an icon whose music has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape throughout his career," NFL Head of Music Seth Dudowsky said in the news release announcing the decision.

Last year's Super Bowl Halftime Show, headlined by R&B star Rihanna, was the most-watched halftime performance of all time, organizers said.

Iconic artists including the Rolling Stones, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Prince and Bruce Springsteen have taken the Super Bowl stage over the years.

Sports

Al Ahly's El Shahat Puts Ethiopian Saints to The Sword

File: Al-Ahly fans celebrate as they display a shirt with the name of former player Mohamed Abo Treika after their team won the CAF Champions League match against Wydad Casablanca in Cairo's Mokattam district, Egypt June 11, 2023. (Reuters)
File: Al-Ahly fans celebrate as they display a shirt with the name of former player Mohamed Abo Treika after their team won the CAF Champions League match against Wydad Casablanca in Cairo's Mokattam district, Egypt June 11, 2023. (Reuters)
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Al Ahly's El Shahat Puts Ethiopian Saints to The Sword

File: Al-Ahly fans celebrate as they display a shirt with the name of former player Mohamed Abo Treika after their team won the CAF Champions League match against Wydad Casablanca in Cairo's Mokattam district, Egypt June 11, 2023. (Reuters)
File: Al-Ahly fans celebrate as they display a shirt with the name of former player Mohamed Abo Treika after their team won the CAF Champions League match against Wydad Casablanca in Cairo's Mokattam district, Egypt June 11, 2023. (Reuters)

Hussein el Shahat scored twice as Al Ahly of Egypt began their CAF Champions League title defense with a predictable 3-0 qualifying win over Saint George of Ethiopia on Sunday.

El Shahat, popularly known as the Ninja, struck in each half in Cairo before being substituted in the last-32 first-leg clash.

Ahmed Abdelkader, one of many substitutes introduced in the second half by Swiss coach Marcel Koller, completed the scoring in added time.

Saint George, regular but largely unsuccessful African campaigners, were forced to cede home advantage because they do not have an international-standard stadium, AFP reported.

The return match will be played on Friday at the same venue with record 11-time African champions Ahly virtually assured of a ninth straight appearance in the group stage.

From 2016, the Cairo Red Devils have won the competition three times, been runners-up three times, quarter-finalists once and failed to get beyond the group phase once.

Victory over Saint George came one week after a shock 1-0 loss to USM Alger of Algeria in Saudi Arabia in the CAF Super Cup.

Ahly coasted to victory despite lacking new signing Anthony Modeste, who is ineligible for the last-32 round, and suspended Moroccan Reda Slim.

The winners of 24 African titles across four competitions also missed defender Mahmoud Metwally and midfielder Amr el Sulaya due to injuries.

Koller chose three non-Egyptian starters -- Tunisian defender Ali Maaloul, Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng and South African forward Percy Tau.

Sports

Team World Beats Team Europe to Claim Back-to-back Laver Cup Titles

Team World's Taylor Fritz, fourth from left, and Ben Shelton, fifth from left, hoist the Laver Cup in front of teammates, John McEnroe, left, and Rod Laver, second from left, after Team World defeated Team Europe at the Laver Cup tennis tournament in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team World's Taylor Fritz, fourth from left, and Ben Shelton, fifth from left, hoist the Laver Cup in front of teammates, John McEnroe, left, and Rod Laver, second from left, after Team World defeated Team Europe at the Laver Cup tennis tournament in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Team World Beats Team Europe to Claim Back-to-back Laver Cup Titles

Team World's Taylor Fritz, fourth from left, and Ben Shelton, fifth from left, hoist the Laver Cup in front of teammates, John McEnroe, left, and Rod Laver, second from left, after Team World defeated Team Europe at the Laver Cup tennis tournament in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team World's Taylor Fritz, fourth from left, and Ben Shelton, fifth from left, hoist the Laver Cup in front of teammates, John McEnroe, left, and Rod Laver, second from left, after Team World defeated Team Europe at the Laver Cup tennis tournament in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

For the very first time, Team World successfully defended its Laver Cup title.
Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe beat Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev 7-6 (7), 7-6 (7) to help Team World hit the 13-point mark needed to defeat Team Europe.
“It felt unbelievable,” said Team World captain John McEnroe, who added how Team Europe had beaten Team World numerous times.
Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was also a member of Team World last year, said the repeat victory was even more special with it taking place on Canadian soil.
“To win is the best feeling and it’s nice to come back after London and to do it in Vancouver,” The Associated Press quoted him as saying.
Auger-Aliassime said he looks forward to having an opportunity to play as part of a team.
“Every time I play for a team, I feel really good,” he said. “The tour can, playing singles all the time, get lonely I guess. To have teammates and win as a team, for me it’s really special.”
Team World’s 2022 victory marked Swiss star Roger Federer’s last professional appearance before retiring.
Canadian Milos Raonic was attending the tournament as an alternate for Team World in case of injury, and took part in a doubles match after the cup presentation.
He was paired with Chris Eubanks as the pair took on Arthur Fils and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
“Milos is a guy who changed the way Canadians looked at our game of tennis,” McEnroe said of Raonic’s legacy.
Team World took a 10-2 lead in the tournament Saturday to put itself in the driver’s seat.
The opening doubles match Sunday featured several sustained rallies, with Shelton hitting a behind-the-back shot during the second game.
Both sets went to tiebreakers, with Team Europe pushing to stay in the hunt for its second win of the three-day tournament.
But it wasn’t meant to be as Hurkacz missed a drop shot, allowing Team World to clinch the win.
The match was a tight affair, with Team World just edging out their European counterparts 80 to 76 on points.
“We gave 100%. Team World played unbelievable tennis every single match,” said Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg. “Of course we’re very disappointed. We didn’t expect to lose by this much, but what can you say? They played good tennis.”

Sports

Saudi National Teams Continue Participation in 19th Asian Games in China

Saudi Arabia is set to face the Indian national team in the upcoming qualifying round next Thursday.
Saudi Arabia is set to face the Indian national team in the upcoming qualifying round next Thursday.
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Saudi National Teams Continue Participation in 19th Asian Games in China

Saudi Arabia is set to face the Indian national team in the upcoming qualifying round next Thursday.
Saudi Arabia is set to face the Indian national team in the upcoming qualifying round next Thursday.

The Saudi national football and tennis teams continue their active participation in the 19th Asian Games, scheduled to continue until October 8th in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.
The Saudi under-23 football team secured a place in the second round by finishing as the runner-up in Group II with seven points. This followed their 3-1 victory over the Vietnamese team in a match held at Linpeng Sports Center Stadium in Huzhou, China, on Sunday evening, SPA reported.
Mohammed Al-Yami found the net for the Saudi team in the 43rd minute, followed by Mohammed Maran in the 87th minute, and Zakaria Hawsawi in the 90th minute.
Accordingly, Saudi Arabia is set to face the Indian national team in the upcoming qualifying round next Thursday.
On the tennis front, Saudi player Ammar Al-Haqbani advanced to the men's singles 32nd round of the competition by defeating his Qatari opponent Rashid Nayef with a score of two sets to love in the round of 64.
Also, Ammar is set to compete against China's Zhizhen Zhang, who is Asia's top-ranked tennis player and currently ranked 60th in the world, on Monday morning at 11 o'clock in the round of 32.

Sports

Dutch Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Rioters after Ajax v Feyenoord Suspended

Supporters protect themselves as police uses tear gas to disperse supporters after the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord was ended following fireworks thrown on the field at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Olaf Kraak / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT
Supporters protect themselves as police uses tear gas to disperse supporters after the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord was ended following fireworks thrown on the field at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Olaf Kraak / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT
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Dutch Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Rioters after Ajax v Feyenoord Suspended

Supporters protect themselves as police uses tear gas to disperse supporters after the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord was ended following fireworks thrown on the field at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Olaf Kraak / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT
Supporters protect themselves as police uses tear gas to disperse supporters after the Dutch Eredivisie football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord was ended following fireworks thrown on the field at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on September 24, 2023. (Photo by Olaf Kraak / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT

Ajax Amsterdam's home Eredivisie game against defending champions Feyenoord was suspended on Sunday as fans threw flares onto the pitch, and mounted police used tear gas to disperse rioting fans outside the stadium.

A group of angry Ajax fans tried to force their way into the Arena stadium after the game was halted, leading the police to disperse them with tear gas, Amsterdam police wrote on social media platform X.

"After the stopped game supporters broke into the main (stadium) entrance. Order has since been restored," Reuters quoted the police as saying.

"It is a jet black day, this makes it even worse," Ajax coach Maurice Steijn told broadcaster NOS.

Ajax were 3-0 down in the second half when the game was suspended.

Ajax, who have had a poor start to the season with just one win, sit 13th in the 18-team league and they conceded all three goals in the first half.

When flares were thrown onto the pitch for a second time, with many landing near the goal, the referee stopped the match and directed the players down the tunnel.

Fans paid no heed as the club displayed the message "Lighting of fireworks is prohibited" on the big screen at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

"De Klassieker has been permanently suspended after repeated fireworks on the field," Eredivisie said in a statement.

"More information on playing out this game will follow later."

Ajax finished third last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 13 seasons. They had finished champions seven times and runners-up another five over the previous 12 seasons.

Sports

Best Night of My Life Says Evans after Helping Man Utd End Slump

Evans added some calmness to United's defense as they kept their first clean sheet since the opening day of the season. - Reuters
Evans added some calmness to United's defense as they kept their first clean sheet since the opening day of the season. - Reuters
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Best Night of My Life Says Evans after Helping Man Utd End Slump

Evans added some calmness to United's defense as they kept their first clean sheet since the opening day of the season. - Reuters
Evans added some calmness to United's defense as they kept their first clean sheet since the opening day of the season. - Reuters

Jonny Evans thought his Manchester United days were long gone but on Saturday the 35-year-old Northern Irishman played a huge role in helping them emerge from a worrying slump.

Central defender Evans, who was released by Leicester City at the end of last season after their top flight relegation, marked his first start for United since 2015 by setting up Bruno Fernandes for the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Burnley.

His 200th appearance for the Old Trafford club, with whom he won three Premier League titles, could have been even better had his first-half headed goal not been ruled out for offside.

Evans added some calmness to United's defense as they kept their first clean sheet since the opening day of the season.

And he showed superb vision with a peach of a pass for Fernandes to volley United's winner, Reuters reported.

No wonder he looked a happy man afterwards.

"I loved every minute of it. Before the game you get a feeling, I couldn't wait, just pure excitement," Evans, who joined West Bromwich Albion in 2015 and then moved to Leicester City in 2018, told TNT Sports.

"Coming up here on the bus I was buzzing. That was my 200th game for Man Utd, I never thought I would ever reach that figure -- the best night of my life."

UNLIKELY STARTER

Evans came on as a substitute in United's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal and played an inadvertent role in the Gunners' second goal scored by Declan Rice, deflecting the shot in.

He admitted that returning to Old Trafford had not really been in his thoughts and that the prospect of being in the starting lineup had seemed unlikely.

"I got the call and didn't have another option, so I just took it and tried to do my best in training and take my chance. You then just hope your body sees you through," he said.

After Saturday's display he may have given manager Erik ten Hag something to consider, especially with injuries impacting United's squad and a busy fixture schedule ahead.

"He (Evans) showed personality. He was calm, composed, did everything right. Very good performance," Ten Hag said.

While United moved up to eighth place, Burnley dropped to the bottom with one point from five games, although their football offered encouragement.

"The start is difficult in terms of results but I'm hopeful. I don't see any reason to think this team lacks character or margin to grow," manager Vincent Kompany said.

"We've seen improvements today, hopefully more in the weeks to come. Every game we've been dangerous."

Sports

Verstappen Easily Wins F1 Japanese Grand Prix

Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in action during the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit racetrack in Suzuka, Japan, 24 September 2023. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in action during the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit racetrack in Suzuka, Japan, 24 September 2023. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
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Verstappen Easily Wins F1 Japanese Grand Prix

Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in action during the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit racetrack in Suzuka, Japan, 24 September 2023. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in action during the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit racetrack in Suzuka, Japan, 24 September 2023. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Runaway series leader Max Verstappen returned to dominant form on Sunday, winning the Japanese Grand Prix and moving a step closer to securing his third consecutive Formula One drivers’ championship.
The Red Bull driver, who missed out on the podium a week ago in Singapore, started from pole and held on for his 13th win of the season.
McLaren driver Lando Norris was second, 19.4 seconds back of Verstappen, while his teammate Australia rookie Oscar Piastri was third for his first F1 podium.
With Verstappen’s win, Red Bull secured this year’s constructors’ title, their sixth overall and second in a row, The Associated Press reported.
Verstappen increased his lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 177 points. He could wrap up his third consecutive title at the Oct. 6-9 Qatar Grand Prix.
It was a disastrous day for Perez, who was given a penalty for hitting Haas driver Kevin Magnussen and retired from the race after serving the penalty.
Verstappen saw his record 10-race winning streak come to end at Marina Bay in Singapore and came to Japan determined to get back on top of the podium. Prior to Sunday’s race, he led every session at the fast Suzuka circuit, where he wrapped up last year’s championship in a rain-shortened race.

Sports

China Make Golden Start on 1st Day of Asian Games

Gold medallists China's Zou Jiaqi and Qiu Xiuping pose for a photo during a medal ceremony after the women's light-weight double sculls final event of rowing during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 24, 2023. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP)
Gold medallists China's Zou Jiaqi and Qiu Xiuping pose for a photo during a medal ceremony after the women's light-weight double sculls final event of rowing during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 24, 2023. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP)
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China Make Golden Start on 1st Day of Asian Games

Gold medallists China's Zou Jiaqi and Qiu Xiuping pose for a photo during a medal ceremony after the women's light-weight double sculls final event of rowing during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 24, 2023. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP)
Gold medallists China's Zou Jiaqi and Qiu Xiuping pose for a photo during a medal ceremony after the women's light-weight double sculls final event of rowing during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 24, 2023. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP)

Hosts China swept the first gold medals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Sunday in a statement of intent on day one of the region's answer to the Olympics.

China claimed the first gold when Zou Jiaqi and Qiu Xiuping dominated the women's lightweight double sculls rowing to kick off a medal rush for the home nation.

The Chinese pair finished in 7min 6.78sec, with Uzbekistan's Luizakhon Islamova and Malika Tagmativa taking silver -- almost 10 seconds behind.

Indonesia's Chelsea Corputty and Rahma Mutiara Putri won bronze.

The hosts soon doubled up on the rowing lake as the men's lightweight double sculls gold was won by Fan Junjie and Sun Man, who finished five seconds clear of India's Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh.

China won six of the seven golds at the Fuyang Water Sports Centre rowing venue on Sunday morning with only Hong Kong's Lam San-tung and Wong Wai-chun getting in on the party by winning the men's pairs.

China's shooters also claimed the women's 10m team air rifle.

The hosts' rip-roaring start to the 19th Asian Games, which end on October 8, continued as Sun Peiyuan won the first martial arts gold.

Sun successfully defended his men's changquan wushu title from 2018, ahead of Indonesia's Edgar Xavier Marvelo with Macau's Song Chi-kuan third.

Sports

Girona Beats Mallorca 5-3 to Take Provisional Lead of Spanish League

Girona's David López (R) celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and RCD Mallorca in Girona, Spain, 23 September 2023. (EPA)
Girona's David López (R) celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and RCD Mallorca in Girona, Spain, 23 September 2023. (EPA)
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Girona Beats Mallorca 5-3 to Take Provisional Lead of Spanish League

Girona's David López (R) celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and RCD Mallorca in Girona, Spain, 23 September 2023. (EPA)
Girona's David López (R) celebrates after scoring the 1-1 equalizer goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and RCD Mallorca in Girona, Spain, 23 September 2023. (EPA)

Girona routed Mallorca 5-3 to climb to the top of the Spanish league on Saturday ahead of other matches for this round.

Girona moved one point ahead of overnight leader Real Madrid, which visits Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Barcelona can pull level with Girona if it beats Celta Vigo at home later Saturday.

Under coach Míchel Sánchez, Girona is the revelation of the season so far. The modest team from Spain's northeastern Catalonia region has won five straight games since a season-opening draw with Real Sociedad.

After beating Granada 4-2 last round, it has now scored nine goals in its past two games.

“(Being leader) is anecdotal, we are happy for the victory. Winning five in a row in the first division is not at easy task,” Míchel said. “Even more important than the results is the sensation we have, knowing that we are competing well and have a clear idea of how we want to play.”

Mallorca went ahead early through a fourth-minute penalty converted by Vedat Muriqi. But Girona roared back with goals by David López, Artem Dovbyk, Iván Martín, Yangel Herrera and Sávio before substitute Ábdon Prats reduced the deficit for Mallorca with a late brace.

Also later Saturday, Sevilla visits Osasuna while Almeria hosts Valencia.