عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Asian Cup, AFCON Scheduling ‘Not Good’ for Players, Says Arsenal’s Tomiyasu 

Football - Premier League - Fulham v Arsenal - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 31, 2023 Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu in action with Fulham's Raul Jimenez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Fulham v Arsenal - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 31, 2023 Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu in action with Fulham's Raul Jimenez. (Reuters)
TT
20
TT

Asian Cup, AFCON Scheduling ‘Not Good’ for Players, Says Arsenal’s Tomiyasu 

Football - Premier League - Fulham v Arsenal - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 31, 2023 Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu in action with Fulham's Raul Jimenez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Fulham v Arsenal - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 31, 2023 Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu in action with Fulham's Raul Jimenez. (Reuters)

The Asian Cup should be shifted to June and played in the same slot as UEFA's Euros, Arsenal and Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu said ahead of the Jan. 12-Feb. 10 continental championship in Qatar.

The last three editions of the tournament have been played in January and February, opening up hosting opportunities for countries from the Middle East where summers often exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122°F), temperatures considered dangerous for football.

Arsenal could be without Tomiyasu for six games, including four Premier League matches, if Japan go all the way to the final in Qatar.

"I want the Asian Cup to be played in June, the same as the Euros," Tomiyasu told the Evening Standard newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday.

"I don't know why we are playing in January - not only the Asian Cup but the African Cup of Nations as well. It's not good for the players. But it is what it is and I will really try to come back with the title."

Japan, who are bidding for a record-extending fifth Asian Cup crown, kick off their campaign on Jan. 14 against Vietnam, before taking on Iraq and Indonesia in Group D.

Most Viewed

 
Sports

Paolini Becomes First Italian in 11 Years to Reach Rome Final

Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
TT
20
TT

Paolini Becomes First Italian in 11 Years to Reach Rome Final

Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian woman in more than a decade to reach the final of her home Italian Open when she beat American Peyton Stearns 7-5 6-1 on Thursday.

Paolini is the first Italian to advance to the final in Rome since her doubles partner Sara Errani lost to Serena Williams in 2014.

Paolini had found herself a set and 4-0 down to Diana Shnaider in her quarter-final tie before storming to victory and once again the world number five had a slow start in the opening set before mounting a comeback.

"I am very happy, I don't know what to say! It's a dream to be here, it's a dream to play in Italy, it's a dream to be able to play the final," the 29-year-old said, according to Reuters.

Any hopes of a quick start for Paolini were put to rest when Stearns jumped into a 3-0 lead amid muted applause from the home crowd as the Italian soon found herself 4-1 down.

The American looked comfortable and poised to take the opening set before Paolini clawed her way back as she saved set points to level it at 5-5, pumping her fist with a triumphant scream that got the crowd roaring again.

The comeback was complete when Paolini, having won four games in a row, took the opening set after more than an hour of play.

The momentum was firmly with Paolini as she broke Stearns for a fifth time to go 4-1 up in the second set and the deflated American had no answer as the Italian's winners whizzed past her.

Stearns fired a forehand wide on match point as the crowd erupted and Paolini raised her arms in celebration.

"You (the crowd) gave me a boost because today it was a bit of an uphill start and I struggled at the beginning, thank goodness you were there," she added.

"We won this match together. Point after point I managed to fight, to turn it around, even if at the beginning I did not have a good feeling. But I am happy with the way I managed to turn this match around."