分类： sports

In a dramatic turn of events, Barcelona reclaimed the top spot in La Liga on Saturday, thanks to Ronald Araujo’s last-gasp goal in the 93rd minute, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Girona. The Uruguayan defender, deployed as an emergency striker, delivered the decisive blow, handing Barca a one-point lead over Real Madrid, who face Getafe on Sunday. This crucial win came after two consecutive defeats, offering a much-needed boost for Hansi Flick’s side. Barcelona’s early lead, courtesy of Pedri Gonzalez’s composed finish, was canceled out by Axel Witsel’s spectacular overhead kick. Despite a lackluster performance, Barca’s resilience shone through as Araujo’s late strike snatched all three points. Flick, who made tactical substitutions with an eye on upcoming Champions League and Clasico fixtures, acknowledged the team’s struggles but emphasized the importance of the victory. Girona, despite their spirited display, were left ruing missed opportunities as they suffered their fifth defeat of the season. Elsewhere, Antony’s brace helped Real Betis secure a 2-2 draw against Villarreal, keeping the race for the top spots tightly contested.

Jamaican football enthusiasts will have to wait a little longer to witness Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw back in action for the Reggae Girlz. The 28-year-old Manchester City striker, who has been grappling with injuries in recent seasons, will not participate in the upcoming friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago on October 28. This decision comes as the team gears up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers next month. Shaw last represented Jamaica in late 2024 against South Africa.

Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby explained that the decision to delay Shaw’s return was a collaborative effort between the Jamaica Football Federation and her English club, Manchester City. The primary focus is on ensuring the striker’s well-being, especially with more critical national team fixtures on the horizon. Busby emphasized the potential risks associated with substandard pitches and the friendly nature of the upcoming match, making it prudent to prioritize Shaw’s health.

‘She is in great form, but they [Manchester City] have some concerns, and we want to make sure we are monitoring things going into these matches,’ Busby stated during a press conference. ‘The collaboration and discussion led us to compromise and wait until the next round of World Cup qualification to bring her in.’

Shaw has been in impressive form for Manchester City this season, scoring four goals and providing one assist in six Women’s Super League matches. However, Busby noted that she is not yet at her peak performance level. ‘It is great to see her in fine form, but she is not quite there yet,’ he said. ‘It’s fantastic for us and problematic for the rest of the Women’s Super League.’

In addition to Shaw, key players Drew Spence and Trudi Carter will also miss the match due to injuries. Despite these absences, Busby remains confident in the team’s ability to perform well against Trinidad and Tobago. He highlighted the strong core of experienced players and the opportunity to integrate new talent, such as Tianna Harris and Gabrielle Gayle, who have been excelling in Europe and Mexico, respectively.

Busby also mentioned the inclusion of Jaileah McPherson, the captain of the Under-20 team, who has been performing well in college. ‘We feel compelled to support her with the national team, and her schedule allowed her to join us for these games,’ he explained.

The Reggae Girlz, who have qualified for the past two World Cup tournaments in 2019 and 2023, are now setting their sights on the 2027 edition. Busby expressed excitement about the upcoming match, emphasizing the historic rivalry with Trinidad and Tobago. ‘They are our biggest Caribbean rivals, and we look forward to the game as a big test prior to our qualifying matches,’ he said.

The squad for the match includes goalkeepers Rebecca Spencer and Sydney Scheidner, defenders Allyson Sawby, Tianna Harris, Konya Plummer, Chantelle Swaby, Tiffany Cameron, and Gabrielle Gayle, midfielders Jaileah McPherson, Deniesha Blackwood, Izzy Groves, Atlanta Primus, and Vyan Sampson, and forwards Kayla McKenna, Natasha Thomas, Shania Hayles, Jody Brown, Njeri Butts, and Kiki Van Zanten.

Jamaican jockey Larris Allen has achieved a monumental milestone in his illustrious career, securing his 500th win on the international racing circuit on Monday, October 13, 2025. The historic victory took place at Lethbridge Racetrack in Canada, where Allen rode Pole to Pole, trained by Lyle Magnuson, to a commanding 4 ¼ lengths win in the six-furlong Allowance race. The triumph, completed in 1:10.1, solidified Allen’s status as one of the premier jockeys in the sport. Allen, who began his North American racing career in 2028, didn’t stop at this milestone. He went on to ride three more winners that day, showcasing his exceptional talent and consistency. In the second race, he guided Jacrodra’s, another Magnuson-trained horse, to a 1 ¼ lengths victory in 1:09.2. Allen’s dominance continued in the fifth race, where he piloted I Will Stand, trained by Jim Depew, to a 2 ¼ lengths win over seven furlongs in 1:25.2. The highlight of the day came in the seventh race, the CAN$10,900 Farewell Stakes, where Allen partnered with Chicle Sparks, trained by Monkumar Mohindee, to deliver a breathtaking performance. Chicle Sparks stormed to victory by an astonishing 5 ¼ lengths, finishing in 1:25.0. With this remarkable day, Allen’s career statistics now stand at 503 wins, 353 seconds, and 371 thirds from 1,949 mounts, with Stakes earnings totaling CAN$1,867,505. Meanwhile, fellow Jamaican jockey Oshane Nugent is also making waves on the international circuit. Nugent secured his latest victory on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Lethbridge, riding Wocka Wocka, trained by Floyd Buffalo, to a dominant 6 ¾ lengths win in the CAN$13,050 Amote Open Derby. Wocka Wocka finished ahead of Reboso (Tevin Foster) and Tapologist (Ryan Nelson) with a time of 1:27.2. Nugent’s record for the year includes seven wins, seven second-place finishes, and three third-place finishes, earning CAN$38,022 in Stakes earnings. The performances of Allen and Nugent highlight the growing influence of Jamaican jockeys on the global racing stage.

The highly anticipated $1.09-million Princess Popstar Trophy, a Restricted Allowance I race for native-bred and imported two-year-olds, is set to take place tomorrow over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m). The event has drawn a competitive field of six runners, with the spotlight firmly on the American-bred bay colt, Sir Don, who is making his second appearance on local soil. Sir Don’s dominant debut win, clocking an impressive 46.4 seconds over four furlongs, has established him as the clear favourite. His recent morning gallops indicate he is in peak condition, further solidifying his status as the horse to beat. Among the contenders, Tia Maria has shown promise with consistent finishes, while God’s Plan, a debut winner, is expected to challenge for second place. Infinity Star, Brody’s Unity, and Comuna Trece round out the field, with Comuna Trece likely to secure another runner-up finish given her previous performance against Sir Don. The Jamaica Observer’s Supreme Racing Guide provides an in-depth analysis of the runners and their prospects, highlighting Sir Don’s speed and class as key factors in his favour.