Sports

LONDON — Eyebrows were raised when Tottenham Hotspur became the first Premier League club to spend nothing in the summer transfer window, but they are proving there is simply no price you can put on stability and familiarity.

Mauricio Pochettino’s team were not even at their slick best against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday, but came away with a clinical 3-0 victory that maintained their 100 per cent start to the season.

Earlier this month, when other clubs were indulging in the customary spending frenzy, Tottenham defied convention and decided to stick with what they had — prompting criticism from even the club’s own fans.

Pochettino, who has taken Tottenham to three consecutive top-three finishes, said there was no point in making signings for the “sake of it” although he too might have felt frustrated by the lack of a statement purchase and concerned the still-to-be-completed £800 million ($1 billion) stadium would start eating into the squad budget.

Crucially, however, Tottenham have not sold anyone despite the likes of Belgian duo Toby Alderweireld and Mousa Dembele and England left back Danny Rose all being expected to leave.

That trio played at Old Trafford on Monday as Tottenham won there for the first time in Pochettino’s reign having lost the last four without even scoring a goal.

After failing to win at any of so-called big six since beating Manchester City in February, 2016 it felt like a landmark night for Pochettino and his players.

Alderweireld, a target for United boss Mourinho, and Rose both fell out of favour last season but slotted seamlessly back into a defence that has become the platform from which Tottenham have become consistent Champions League qualifiers.

While Spurs did ride their luck at times, especially in the first half, they picked United off with ease in the second with Brazilian Lucas Moura scoring twice after Harry Kane had headed Tottenham in front.

Little fanfare

Moura arrived with little fanfare from Paris St Germain in January and had few chances to impress last season but he has begun the season in superb form — offering a viable alternative in attack to Son Heung-min and Erik Lamela who were both unavailable against United.

Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen was not at his best on Monday, yet, even on an average night for the Dane he provided the corner for Kane’s opener and played in Moura for his first.

Kane’s pass to Moura helped the Brazilian kill the game — another example of the intuitive inter-play that comes from players well-coached and clear in what they are doing.

Tougher tests will come for Tottenham, starting at Watford, who are also on nine points from three games, on Sunday.

But Pochettino’s blueprint is now so ingrained on the Spurs squad that a title challenge cannot be ruled out — even if Liverpool are tipped as the most likely side to pose a serious challenge to champions Manchester City.

While a stony-faced Mourinho went through a bizarre post-match ritual of applauding the United fans in one corner of the stadium before angrily ending a news conference, Pochettino oozed contentment, embracing his players one by one.

“It’s belief, always. Belief in the way that you work, the trust, the confidence and all together trying to fight for one objective,” he said.

“It was clear we’re a team on the pitch and outside.”

MANCHESTER — Jose Mourinho insists he is only interested in the future prosperity of Manchester United rather than his own position at the troubled club.

Mourinho has found his future as United manager the subject of much discussion after a tempestuous period, dating back to a frustrating close-season transfer window.

That led to conjecture that Mourinho was not happy with the efforts of executive vice chairman, Ed Woodward, who handles player signings at Old Trafford.

Equally damaging has been Mourinho’s relationship with star player Paul Pogba, which has come under close scrutiny after comments made by the France midfielder.

Mourinho was in particularly dour and uncooperative mood ahead of his team’s Premier League meeting with Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham today, although, in one of his few talkative moments, he did reveal his gratitude for the support shown by fans over the first two games of the season.

“The supporters were fantastic in both matches,” said Mourinho. “Not for me, for the team which is the only thing that matters.

“In my career I was never selfish and thinking about myself, I was always a club man.

“That’s what I am. I am really happy when the supporters support the team. Against Leicester, you can say in a normal situation because the team was playing well and was winning.

“But to be supportive of the team against Brighton, where we didn’t play well and lost the match, it gives you a fantastic feeling. 

“I hope that feeling, the players also feel it and the players they are ready to give them everything they have.”

Winning style

Mourinho refused to discuss even the most banal of topics with the media, other than to claim that he was not left frustrated by the defeat at Brighton last weekend.

“No, it is not a frustration because it would also be a frustration if we win every match against the non-top-six team and don’t win against the top six, that would also be a frustration,” he said. 

“We want to win all the time. We want to play well all the time. We don’t want to make mistakes. That is what you always want.

“We want a winning style. Don’t make defensive mistakes. Be dominant. Chances, score goals and go home with the three points.”

Mourinho has clearly been unhappy with the coverage the mainstream media has provided of his club over the past few months — especially a disappointing transfer market and his obviously tricky relationship with key figures at Old Trafford.

And, in response, Mourinho refused to address the issue of whether or not he had entered the new season with a squad that was to his satisfaction.

“You know my answer,” said Mourinho.

“I do not need to answer because I do not even know sometimes why I am here because you know everything.

“During the week it looks like you show that you know everything then I come here and you ask me questions. It’s a bit strange.”

Even when United’s hapless press officer attempted to move the line of questioning onto the meeting with Tottenham, Mourinho refused to play ball or discuss Pochettino’s side.

When asked for his opinion on Spurs’ failure to strengthen their squad this summer, he snapped: “It is not my problem.”

AMMAN — Jordan added another medal to its record Asian Games tally on Monday when Bashar Al Najjar won bronze in the karate -75kg division, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Najjar, 26, cruised through to the quarter-finals with a victory over Dastonbek Otabolaev, from Uzbekistan, but he was stunned, 3-1, by eventual silver medallist Raef Al Turkistani of Saudi Arabia to drop into the repechage process of trying to win bronze.

He regrouped to beat Ka Wai Lee, of Hong Kong, 8-0, before overcoming Pakistan’s Abbas Ghulam in the bronze medal fight. Mahmoud Sajan narrowly missed out on another karate medal in the -85kg weight after losing 3-2 to Iran’s Zabiollah Poorshab in the bronze medal match.

There was also disappointment for the boxing team with Olympian Obada Al Kesbeh missing out on a -64kg quarter-final spot after losing to World Championships silver medallist, Ikboljon Kholdarov, of Uzbekistan.

Monday’s bronze takes Jordan’s tally to 11 medals, including five in ju-jitsu, four in taekwondo and two in karate. 

AMMAN — Saudi Arabian driver Essa Al Dossari is one of the first international drivers to enter the exciting new Jordan Baja, an FIA candidate event for the forthcoming FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

The three-day off-road event for cars, motorcycles and quads will take place in the stunning Wadi Rum area on September 27-29.

Dossari has been out of international rallying action since crashing his ED Racing Nissan Navara on the second stage of April’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. But the Saudi is relishing a return to the hot seat in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan after the car’s return was put on hold in June by the cancellation of the Aseer Rally in Saudi Arabia.

He will be partnered by the UAE navigator Ali Hassan Obaid. Organised by Jordan Motorsport, the event is the first of its kind to be based out of the Red Sea city of Aqaba.

It will run 383.80 competitive kilometres in Wadi Rum — a UNESCO World Heritage site that featured in a number of Oscar-winning films. Entries for the new Jordan Baja close at reduced rates on August 30. The final cut-off for entries will be September 11.

AMMAN — Jordan’s medal run at the Asian Games in Jakarta has been taken up by the ju-jitsu team who won three medals on a glorious Saturday, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Leading the way was Zaid Sami, 25, who won silver in the -94kg after losing his final to three-time World Champion Faisal Al Ketbi of  the UAE.

Sami was in scintillating form as he reached the semifinal with submission victories over Kazakhstan’s Ramazan Kussainov and Iran’s Masoud Jalil Vand. 

A hard fought semifinal win over Ilkhom Juraev, of Uzbekistan, then paved his way to the final, but the experienced Al Ketbi proved too much, leaving him settling for silver.

In the women’s -62kg, Yara Kakish, 27, clinched a bronze medal after beating Violetta Krovyakova, of Turkmenistan, in the third-place play-off.

In the same weight for the men’s, Freeh Al Harahsheh, 22, beat Mirali Agayev, of Turkmenistan, in the bronze medal match. 

To cap off a fine day for Team Jordan, the boxers launched their campaign with a win, as Olympian, Obada Al Kesbeh, looked in fine form when comfortably beating Bhupenra Thapa to book a place in the last 16 of the Light Welterweight division.

Abu Ghaush wins bronze

On Thursday, Jordan’s Olympic hero Ahmad Abu Ghaush continued the Kingdom’s excellent run in taekwondo by winning a bronze medal. The 22-year-old student picked up Jordan’s fourth medal in the sport this week after winning a race against time to be fit following a broken rib that he suffered in training last month.

After receiving a bye into the last 16, Abu Ghaush, the World No. 3, beat China’s Hong Phuc Ly, 27-16.

Next up was a hard fought 15-12 quarter-final win over Mongolia’s Natsagdorj Achitkhuu to book his spot in the last four.

His bid for a place in the final fell just short in a classic semifinal contest against former junior world champion, Amirmohammad Bakhshikhalhori, 18, of Iran.

In a match that could have gone either way, Abu Ghaush had to settle for bronze after losing 10-8 despite being 10-2 down at one stage.

It has been a tremendous week for the Jordan taekwondo team with Juliana Al Sadeq winning gold and Hamzeh Qattan and Saleh Al Sharabaty taking bronze medals.

Juliana Al Sadeq has won gold for Jordan at the Asian Games following a superb performance in the taekwondo -67kg competition in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday, according to the Jordan Olympic News Service.

The 23-year-old won the country’s first medal in sensational style, beating Jandi Kim, of South Korea, in the final 5-1 following a captivating contest.

She started the day with a one-sided 38-0 win over Nisa Sandmali, of Sri Lanka, before booking her place in the semifinal with a 21-5 victory over India’s Melika Mirhosseini.

In the semifinal she gave a performance to remember by beating world bronze medallist Mengyu Zhang, from China, 14-5.

But she saved the best until last to show the taekwondo world that she is in brilliant form, just a week after winning bronze at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Moscow. ‘I am lost for words,’ she said.

‘To win this gold for Jordan is a dream come true and I hope it inspires others here to win more medals for Jordan.’

AMMAN — Olympic swimmer Khader Baqleh came agonisingly close to getting Jordan’s campaign on Sunday at the 18th Asian Games off to a medal start after finishing fourth in the final of the 200m freestyle, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service.

Baqleh sailed into the final by winning his heat, but faced a world class field in the final, led by China’s world record holding 2012 Olympic champion Sun Yang.

In a brilliant race, Yang won the gold medal in a time of 1:45.43, more than a second clear of Japan’s Katsuhiro Matsumoto, with another Chinese swimmer, Ji Xinji, coming third. Baqlah could not quite find the pace to break into the top three, finishing in a very credible time of 1:46.77.

“I gave it all I could but couldn’t quite make it into the medal positions,” said Baqlah. “Congratulations though to the other guys. They swam a great race and I look forward to the next one now.”

MILAN — Juventus came from behind to snatch a dramatic 3-2 win at Chievo as Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for the Italian champions on Saturday, although the Portuguese was not among the scorers in his first Serie A match.

Ronaldo, signed from Real Madrid in July, was thwarted several times by veteran Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino and his handball in the build-up led to a late Juventus goal being disallowed, following a VAR review.

Napoli, last year’s runners-up, gave new coach Carlo Ancelotti a winning start on his return to Serie A after a nine-year absence when they came from behind to win 2-1 at Lazio in the other match on Saturday, the opening day of the new season.

Sami Khedira put Juventus ahead in the third minute after Giorgio Chiellini knocked down a Miralem Pjanic free kick, as they got off to an ideal start in their bid for an eighth successive title.

Chievo looked outclassed but levelled out of the blue when Mariusz Stepinski was allowed a free header from Emanuele Giaccherini’s cross seven minutes before the break.

It got worse for Juventus when their former player Giaccherini was tripped by Joao Cancelo and converted the penalty against his former club to give Chievo a shock lead in the 56th minute.

Juve levelled when Chievo defender Mattia Bani, under pressure from Leonardo Bonucci, deflected a corner into his own net in the 75th minute.

Juve thought they had won the game when Mario Mandzukic headed home in the last minute but, after a lengthy VAR review, the referee ruled that Ronaldo had handled the ball in the build-up and it was disallowed.

Sorrentino was injured in the incident and was prostate on the ground receiving treatment while players argued around him.

In the next attack, Alex Sandro made a weaving run down the left and his low cross was turned in by Federico Bernardeschi. 

Five-times world player of the year Ronaldo nearly grabbed an early Serie A goal when he shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area shortly after Juve’s opener.

Dipping shot

In the second half, he was foiled when Sorrentino made a brilliant one-handed save from his dipping shot and again when the goalkeeper blocked his free kick.

He had another attempt deflected on to the roof of the next by Fabrizio Cacciatore.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was pleased with Ronaldo’s performance but not at the way his side allowed Chievo back into the match.

“We dropped our guard because we thought the game was in hand,” said Allegri, who has won the league and cup double in each of his four seasons at Juventus.

“We needed this reminder right from the start that every match in Serie A is difficult and nothing is to be taken for granted.”

Ancelotti, who has won league titles in England, France and Germany and the Champions League with Real Madrid since leaving AC Milan in 2009, watched his new team make a slow start against Lazio.

Ciro Immobile gave Lazio the lead with a superb individual goal in the 25th minute as he controlled the ball, left three defenders in his wake and curled a shot past Orestis Karnezis.

Arkadiusz Milik had a goal disallowed on the stroke of halftime after a long VAR review, which found that Kalidou Koulibaliy had committed a foul in the build-up, but levelled in the next attack from close range.

Napoli went in front when Lorenzo Insigne curled in a brilliant finish in the 59th minute and never looked in danger after that.

AMMAN — Ali Al Omari has won the 10m pistol title at the National Open Shooting Championship held over the weekend at the Royal Shooting Club, according to the Jordan Olympic Committee News Service. 

The event welcomed 60 male and female shooters. Hazim Al Atiyat took the trap title while Bashar Al Khairi won the skeet title.