Espanyol sack Luis Garcia
MADRID, Nov 6: Espanyol has sacked coach Luis Garcia in the wake of the Friday’s 2-2 draw at home to Eibar.The result leaves the Barcelona-based outfit fifth in the Spanish second tier league LiLiga Hypermoton with 24 points from 14 games, three behind second placed Sporting Gijon.In a statement to explain the decision, the club owned by the Chinese ‘Rastar Group’ with Chen Yansheng as President, explained that “the results in recent matches, have led us club to take the decision with the only and clear objective to achieve promotion.”Former player, Luis Garcia joined Espanyol in April 2023, with Espanyol bottom of the first division and was unable to save them from relegation. Former Tenerife coach Ivan Ramis is the favorite to be named as his replacement. (IANS)
Brazil gives FIFA assurances in bid to host 2027 Women’s WC
SAO PAULO, Nov 6: Brazil’s government gave FIFA assurances Saturday about officially bidding to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Latin America has never hosted any of the nine editions of the tournament.Brazil’s sports minister André Fufuca and the president of the country’s soccer body, Ednaldo Rodrigues, delivered the document in person to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The three had photos together at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where they watched local Fluminense beat Boca Juniors 2-1 to win its maiden Copa Libertadores title. “The Brazilian bid to host the Women’s World Cup is part of the current government policy of stimulus to bigger participation of women in football,” Brazil’s sports ministry said in a statement. (AP)
Djokovic beats Dimitrov for 40th Masters 1000 title
PARIS, Nov 6: World no 1 Novak Djokovic eased past Grigor Dimitrov to claim a record-extending seventh ATP Masters 1000 title at Paris Masters.Djokovic delivered a typically resilient all-around performance to clinch a 6-4, 6-3 triumph, becoming the first player to win 40 Masters 1000 crowns on Sunday.The win means World No. 1 Serbian will now head to the season-ending ATP Finals on an 18-match winning streak, dating back to his Wimbledon final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz, ATP Tour reports“Its incredible. To be able to win it after quite challenging circumstances for me this week. Basically, coming back from the brink of losing three matches in a row, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I was very close to losing those matches and somehow managed to find an extra gear when it was needed,” said Djokovic. (IANS)