Sport
Semenyo fires Manchester City toward Carabao Cup Final with win at Newcastle
Manchester City moved a step closer to the Carabao Cup final after securing a 2–0 victory over Newcastle United in the first leg of their semi-final at St James’ Park on Tuesday night, with new signing Antoine Semenyo once again proving decisive.
Semenyo, who joined City in a £65 million move, continued his impressive start to life under Pep Guardiola by scoring for the second consecutive game. His strike made him the first City player since Emmanuel Adebayor in 2009 to score in his first two appearances for the club and put the visitors ahead against the run of play.
Newcastle started brightly and threatened early, with Yoane Wissa forcing goalkeeper James Trafford into action and later seeing efforts hit the woodwork twice in quick succession after the break. City, however, made the most of their reprieve, breaking forward on the counter as Jeremy Doku led the charge before Semenyo pounced to open the scoring.
Eddie Howe had voiced frustration before the match over a rule change that allowed Semenyo to feature in the tie despite earlier appearances for Bournemouth in the competition, and Newcastle were made to pay as City grew in control during the second half.
Semenyo appeared to have doubled his tally following a corner, but the goal was ruled out after a lengthy VAR review for interference by Erling Haaland. City remained composed and eventually sealed the win deep into added time when substitute Rayan Cherki finished off a sweeping move initiated by Rayan Ait-Nouri.
The result gives City a commanding advantage ahead of the second leg in Manchester next month, as Guardiola’s side look to book their place at Wembley, while Newcastle face a difficult task to overturn the deficit.
Football fans across Afghanistan can meanwhile tune in tonight, Wednesday January 14, to Ariana Television to watch the second semi-final where Chelsea will take on Arsenal.
Fans can follow Ariana News and Ariana Television’s social media pages for match details.
Afghanistan’s U-15 national football team defeated India 2-1 in the quarter-finals of Tier C at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan on Thursday.
The match marked Afghanistan’s eighth appearance in the competition, with the young Afghan side recording their fifth victory.
Afghanistan will face Hungary in the semi-finals of the placement competition for positions 81 to 88 later on Thursday.
Afghanistan’s U-15 national football team secured a convincing 6-2 victory over Namibia in the Round of 16 of the lower bracket in Tier C at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
Afghanistan will now face India in the quarter-finals for positions 81 to 88, today (Thursday).
Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 37 runs in the opening match of their three-match T20I series in Sharjah on Tuesday, thanks to a blistering half-century from Ijaz Ahmadzai and impressive all-round performances from Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Afghanistan were struggling at 66 for 5 in the 12th over before Ahmadzai turned the innings around with an explosive knock. He reached his half-century off just 20 balls, putting Zimbabwe’s bowlers under pressure with a series of powerful shots.
Ahmadzai combined with Shahidullah, who scored 46 off 42 balls, to rebuild the innings. The pair added 61 runs in just 4.5 overs, helping Afghanistan recover from their early setbacks.
Rashid Khan provided another late surge, smashing 30 runs off just 10 deliveries, including four sixes and a four. Afghanistan were eventually bowled out with one ball remaining in their innings but managed to post a competitive total of 177.
Newman Nyamhuri was Zimbabwe’s leading bowler, claiming four wickets for 31 runs.
In reply, Zimbabwe struggled against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 140, handing Afghanistan a comfortable victory.
Rashid played a key role with the ball, taking two wickets for 20 runs, while Fazalhaq Farooqi also claimed three wickets to restrict Zimbabwe’s chase.
Afghanistan tightened their grip during the middle overs as Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck crucial blows. Mujeeb finished with two wickets, while Zimbabwe continued to lose batters at regular intervals and failed to build the partnerships needed to challenge the target.
The victory marked Afghanistan’s sixth consecutive T20I win against Zimbabwe and improved their overall record in the format to 20 wins against two defeats.
The sides will meet again for their next T20I on Thursday.
Afghanistan rejects UN report showing fourfold rise in poppy cultivation
Afghanistan beat India 2-1 at FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival
Afghanistan seeks stronger standards cooperation with Turkey and regional partners
Afghan woman charged in Nevada over alleged illegal voting in US election
At least 68 people dead in Spain’s second major train crash this year
Cricket Bonanza: Afghanistan set for packed international schedule
ACB announces Afghanistan squads for Bangladesh, Zimbabwe series
Afghanistan to face Pakistan, India and Australia at 2027 Cricket World Cup
Four members of one family killed in Helmand in Pakistan airstrike
US imposes sanctions on 13 tied to Iran weapons procurement
Tahawol: Interest in joining pro-Russian forces discussed
Saar: Refugee returns to Afghanistan ahead of winter discussed
Tahawol: Emphasis on security cooperation at Tehran talks discussed
Saar: Pakistan threatening strikes on Afghanistan
Iran says outcome of Israeli elections ‘makes no difference’
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan rise above England to match their highest-ever ODI ranking
-
Business4 days agoIran moves to ease export barriers to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghanistan, Turkmenistan discuss Herat gas pipeline expansion and distribution networks
-
Latest News4 days agoBalkhi: 1,119 Afghan civilians killed or injured in Pakistani attacks since 2022
-
International Sports4 days agoATN secures exclusive rights to broadcast ILT20 Season 5 in Afghanistan
-
Regional3 days agoOfficials from Mecca pact countries to meet Iranian officials in Tehran
-
World4 days agoFour ways US foreign policy could change if Democrats win in November
-
Sport2 days agoAfghanistan advance to Tier C at FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival