The Blue Tigers went on to double their lead eight minutes later and the second goal also stemmed from another throw-in, this time worked short. Muhammad Uvais exchanged passes with Chhangte before swinging the ball into the box.
Even though Muhammad Uvais’ cross was slightly overhit, Anwar Ali recovered well to whip in a precise delivery for Rahul Bheke, whose thumping header was parried by the goalkeeper.
The rebound, though, dropped invitingly to Sandesh Jhingan, who made no mistake from close range to make it 2-0.
Tajikistan looked to respond through set-pieces and pulled one back in the 23rd minute after some combination play near the box helped set up Shahrom Samiev, who got the better of Sandesh Jhingan before slotting into the net to halve the deficit.
Anwar Ali had another chance to reopen India’s two-goal lead three minutes later but his volley was tipped away by the Tajikistan goalkeeper.
As the second half came to a close, the hosts continued their search for an equaliser and got half-chances through a couple of set-pieces. India’s defence, though, held firm to take a 2-1 lead into the break.
The hosts came out for the second half with greater attacking intent and had India on the back foot, forcing custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu into making a flurry of saves inside the first 10 minutes.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, in fact, proved to be a thorn in the side of Tajikistan for the rest of the half as he continued to thwart the hosts’ attacks.
Tajikistan had a golden chance to equalise in the 72nd minute after Vikram Partap Singh conceded a penalty. Rustam Soirov stepped up to the spot and looked to slot the ball to the left but Gurpreet denied him with his leg to keep India’s lead intact.
Substitute Mahesh Singh Naorem tried to put the game to bed for India in the 86th minute with a strong effort from distance that forced the goalkeeper into conceding a corner.
Tajikistan’s final chance to find an equaliser came in injury time when a floating ball into the box found Vahdat Hanonov, who couldn’t keep his header on target.
The Blue Tigers will take on world No. 20 Islamic Republic of Iran in their next CAFA Nations Cup match on Monday.
New-look Manchester City will try to rebound from their first setback of the season on Sunday (9 am ET), when they travel to the south coast of England to take on struggling Brighton.
WATCH —Brighton vs Manchester City
Man City (6th, 3 points) were comprehensively beaten 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and it was notably the expensive summer signings who struggled their ways through from first to last whistle. Midfielders Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders (signed for a combined $108 million) struggled with the tempo and physicality of Spurs as the visitors bossed the midfield and City struggled to create chances despite having 61 percent of possession. Goalkeeper James Trafford ($36 million this summer) also had a rough outing as he practically gave the ball to Spurs inside his own penalty area for a goal, not to mention a few more nervy moments in the first two games.
Brighton (18th, 1 point), a club constantly rebuilding and reloading, are in the midst of another difficult transition period following Joao Pedro’s move to Chelsea ($82 million). 180 Premier League minutes later, the typically soaring Seagulls have just one goal (from the penalty spot) despite amassing 3.8 xG against Everton and Fulham. Fabian Hurzler’s side scored the 5th-most goals (66) in the Premier League as Pedro provided 10 goals, 6 assists last season.
For live updates and highlights throughout Brighton vs Manchester City, check out PST’s live blog coverage below.
How to watch Brighton vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9 am ET, Sunday Venue: Amex Stadium — Brighton TV Channel: Peacock Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
Brighton team news, focus
OUT: Julio Enciso (knee), Adam Webster (knee), Solly March (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Georginio Rutter (undisclosed)
The Spaniard Juan Ayuso showed a remarkable recovery after his collapse in the Pyrenees only 24 hours previously to go it alone on the climb to the finish and triumph in stage seven of the Vuelta a España.
Torstein Træen retains the red jersey, holding a 2min 33sec lead over Jonas Vingegaard, who moved from fifth to second in the standings but without closing the gap to the Norwegian.
Ayuso, tipped to be one of the main challengers to Vingegaard, the pre-race favourite, had slipped way down the general classification after being dropped on the final climb on Thursday, but was back to his best on the 188km ride from Andorra la Vella to Cerler. The Italian Marco Frigo crossed the line more than one minute behind Ayuso in second, with another Spaniard, Raúl García Pierna, third.
Ayuso broke away early in the stage before he was joined by a group of 11 riders, including his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Jay Vine, the . Ayuso made his telling move 11km from the finish.
The 22-year-old, who finished third overall in 2022 and fourth the following year, was just eight seconds behind the then leader, Vingegaard, in second place before Thursday’s downfall. While Ayuso is still almost seven and a half minutes off the red jersey, he has managed to win his first individual Vuelta stage, following up the team time trial victory on stage five.
“It’s amazing to win a stage in the Vuelta, which is my favourite race,” Ayuso said. “The way I won the race, I will remember always. I’m super-proud.”
Vingegaard had managed to get away from Træen in the final kilometres, but the Bahrain Victorious cyclist fought back. “It was a decent day,” the Dane said. “It was not an easy day and we wanted to try to save our energy a bit, so we decided not to do anything today.”
Saturday’s stage eight will be a flat 163.5km ride from Monzón Templario to Zaragoza.
Elsewhere, there was positive news regarding the condition of Chris Froome, with Israel-Premier Tech posting that the British cyclist was in “good spirits” after successful surgery following a crash in the south of France that left him with a fractured vertebrae, collapsed lung and five broken ribs.
Froome, 40, crashed while on a training ride on Wednesday and was airlifted to hospital in Toulon, about 100 miles from his home in Monaco.
Chris Froome has had surgery after a serious crash on Wednesday. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
A statement from Israel-Premier Tech said: “Chris has successfully undergone surgery after his recent injuries. The procedures went as planned, and Chris is currently recovering in hospital under the care of his medical team. He is in good spirits and grateful for the excellent medical support he has received. Chris and his family would like to thank fans, friends, and the cycling community for their concern and kind messages during this time.”
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Froome’s injuries will end his season and could mean the end of one of the most successful Grand Tour careers in cycling’s history, with the four-time Tour de France champion in the final months of the five-year contract he signed when he left Ineos Grenadiers to join Israel Premier-Tech before the 2021 campaign.
Froome also won the Giro d’Italia in 2018 and the Vuelta a España in both 2011 and 2017 – all with Team Sky. Only four men have more Tour de France titles, with Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Induráin all five-time winners. Only Merckx, Anquetil and Hinault have more than Froome’s seven Grand Tour titles, which leave him tied with Induráin, Alberto Contador and Fausto Coppi.
However, Froome has never recovered his best form since a serious crash during the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné, which left him in intensive care with a fractured femur, elbow, ribs and pelvis.
The last of his 46 professional career wins came at the 2018 Giro and his best result since that 2019 crash was third place on stage 12 of the 2022 Tour de France to Alpe d’Huez as Tom Pidcock took victory.
Froome broke his collarbone at the UAE Tour in February and had previously hinted that 2025 could be his final year of competitive racing. He last raced at the Tour of Poland this month, finishing 68th overall.
Good news for Gianluca Mancini who returns to the Italian national team.
Gennaro Gattuso has released his first squad list as Italy’s national team coach, and there’s some good news for Roma: Gianluca Mancini is returning to the Azzurri squad.
The Giallorossi defender has been named in the 28-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, returning to the national team more than a year after his last appearance.
Brentford’s Ambitious Pursuit of Maximilian Beier Stalls
Brentford’s bold attempt to land Borussia Dortmund striker Maximilian Beier has been firmly rejected, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic. The Bees tabled a £45 million offer that would have smashed their transfer record, yet Dortmund held their ground. It leaves Brentford at a crossroads with uncertainty surrounding Yoane Wissa’s future and the club’s need for attacking reinforcements.
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Record-Breaking Intent
The bid for Beier was not just sizeable, it was historic. As Ornstein reported, “The bid would have exceeded the club-record £37m Brentford paid Bournemouth for Dango Ouattara earlier this month.” That investment alone signalled a willingness to back new manager Keith Andrews, yet the German forward was seen as a potential centrepiece of Brentford’s new era.
Beier’s numbers last season were solid if not spectacular. He scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for Dortmund after joining from Hoffenheim. His development in the Bundesliga has been steady and at only 22, he offers room for growth. Brentford’s analytics-driven recruitment team clearly saw untapped potential, though Dortmund’s refusal suggests they consider him integral to their campaign.
Wissa’s Unsettled Position
Much of this pursuit links directly to Yoane Wissa’s unresolved situation. The 29-year-old has long been admired for his versatility, but Newcastle United’s interest has unsettled him. Two offers from the Tyneside club have already been rejected, yet Wissa remains adamant about a move. As Andrews confirmed, “Nothing has changed in terms of my stance. There has been no movement. No (he will not feature against Sunderland), I’ll focus on the group that’s settled and doesn’t have issues ongoing.”
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His omission from Brentford’s first fixtures underscores the manager’s insistence on unity. For now, the Congolese international remains sidelined, leaving the Bees with a potential gap in their attacking options.
What Beier Would Have Brought
Beyond the headline fee, Beier represented a stylistic fit. He is mobile, presses intelligently and can stretch defences. That profile aligns with Brentford’s tactical DNA under both Thomas Frank and now Andrews. His Bundesliga pedigree could have offered both immediate impact and long-term value, which makes Dortmund’s rejection even more painful for supporters.
As Ornstein highlighted, “The London club are not expected to raise their offer for the 22-year-old striker.” That admission essentially closes the door on this chase, unless circumstances change dramatically.
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Transfer Strategy in Focus
For Brentford, missing out on Beier may not be terminal but it does raise questions. With Ouattara already signed, their summer spend has been significant. However, losing Wissa without a direct replacement would risk undermining Andrews’ promising start. A first Premier League win against Aston Villa followed by progress in the Carabao Cup shows momentum, but the transfer market remains crucial in sustaining it.
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From a Brentford supporter’s perspective, this report is hard to swallow. The club finally makes a statement bid, a £45 million approach that proves ambition, yet it is met with rejection. That hurts more when you realise we might still lose Wissa. He may not be a superstar, but his goals and tireless work have been vital. Hearing our manager say “I’ll focus on the group that’s settled” feels like we are already preparing for life without him.
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Keith Andrews deserves credit for his start, with the Villa and Bournemouth results giving us belief, but recruitment is where fans get nervous. It is good to spend £37 million on Ouattara, yet it looks risky if he and Ivan Toney shoulder the entire burden. Beier looked like someone who could grow into a leader of the line, and his age profile fits perfectly.
Supporters worry that failing to land him might mean the club settles for a cheaper alternative. That is not good enough in the Premier League where margins are slim. If Newcastle come back again for Wissa and we let him go without a top-class replacement, frustration will grow. We are proud of Brentford’s smart approach, but sometimes you need to push harder, and fans feel this was the moment to do it.
Sacha Hickey has probably the best record in amateur boxing. She has only lost once in her whole life.
The GB boxer has been a stellar junior and youth international and is now carrying that form into elite competition.
This year alone she has won gold medals at significant competitions, the Strandja tournament in Bulgaria and the World Boxing Cup in Brazil, and beaten two Olympians in the process.
The 21-year-old has not lost a bout since 2018. That kind of winning run is almost unheard of in amateur boxing, especially for someone who has been an international from age group to elite level.
She could have the best record in international amateur boxing.
“Probably is to be fair,” Hickey told Sky Sports. “You can’t pick and choose who you box at elite level.”
Image: Hickey beat Italian Olympian Angela Carini at the Strandja tournament
She added: “I’ve probably only ever won a 3-2 [split decision] four times maybe, all the others have been unanimous.”
Hickey is hoping to extend that seven-year winning run at the World Championships, which begin in Liverpool on September 4.
“I think I’ll top the podium, I think I’ll be the one to do it,” Hickey said. “All it is really is hard work and self-belief, they’re probably the main two things
“It’s hard, the training, but when you’re in there it comes easy.”
Hickey is not only gunning for a first World Championship medal, she is a real prospect for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
It all began for her by playing the boxing game on the Nintendo Wii when she was a child. Her brothers wanted to go to a real boxing club and she followed them to Fisher ABC in Bermondsey.
Image: Hickey has been training for the Worlds at the GB gym in Sheffield (Photos: GB Boxing)
“I was the only girl there,” she recalled. “It was intimidating a bit, but it was like no one was really bothered. I feel like Fisher is one of those places where you can be anyone. No one’s really bothered and everyone gets along.
“You can be anyone, do anything really, you can just come along and train. Down Fisher it was like a family.”
There she was trained by legendary coach Steve Hiser. “Because I was his first girl fighter, I think it was quite special for him, to have me and make me into a champion,” she said.
“He was quite old school.”
It prepared her for the position she is in now. “Even since I was a schoolgirl, if I went sparring they would stick me in with the seniors, or at least the youths they put me in with. I’ve always really gone above my level,” Hickey added.
“Down at Fisher I’d always spar the boys, so I never really had it my own way, I always got pushed in the gym. So when it came to the fighting, it came easy.”
She added: “It’s actually crazy that we were just playing the Nintendo Wii one day and then the next thing you know you’re training to hopefully go to the Olympic Games.”
Charles Leclerc conceded the opening day of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend was “probably the worst Friday of the season” after ending up almost a second shy of the pace.
After taking a surprise pole position last time out in Hungary, Leclerc struggled for pace at Zandvoort, setting the eighth fastest time in Free Practice 2 for Ferrari as he trailed Lando Norris by 0.944s.
“I would sum it up as a very, very, very difficult Friday – probably the worst Friday of the season, which is right after the holidays, so it’s a bit of a wake-up call,” said Leclerc.
“We’ve had some difficult Fridays and now it’s up to us to turn the situation around.
“But for sure, it’s not been an easy day. FP1 was extremely difficult. FP2 was slightly better but still very far off where we want to be. I don’t expect to fully return the situation, because I think McLaren is in a league of its own with Aston Martin, in what was a surprise for us.
“We’ll try to improve the car, because there is plenty to be done.”
Reflecting that Ferrari is “losing basically 90% of the time in two corners”, Leclerc refused to set any targets for what is possible this weekend.
“I don’t know. It’s a very strange season,” he added. “I would never have said that I would be on pole in Budapest, so I don’t really want to fix myself targets today, because after what was a very difficult weekend, it’s not very exciting targets.
“I’m looking forward to trying to turn the situation around and trying to make a miracle tomorrow, but it’s not going to be an easy weekend.”
On the other side of the garage, Lewis Hamilton offered a more positive assessment of the day, after finishing three places and 0.098s ahead of his team mate.
“It’s not been the worst of days,” said the seven-time World Champion. “I think we were making progress. We were obviously quite far off in FP1, a lot further than normal. The first lap felt pretty decent, getting back, and it was a bit of a challenge from then. We made some progress over lunch, so we progressed but were still quite a chunk off. We’ve got some work to do overnight.”
A pair of spins punctuated Hamilton’s day, but he was determined to take the positives even from these difficult moments.
“I think the first one was just pushing too much,” he said. “I think we ultimately said the ride quality was not where we would want it, because the car was quite unpredictable. The second one, I touched the grass and had a snap, and that was that. I was pushing, which is positive, I guess. Hopefully, no more.”
