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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Indonesia is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, with over 15 million tourists travelling there in 2024.
But one person unlikely to be returning any time soon is former Kitchee midfielder Charlie Scott, who likened his time playing there to being “locked in prison”.
It’s a different story, however, for former AC Milan and Barcelona forward Patrick Kluivert who, on Wednesday, was announced as the national side’s new manager.
Meanwhile, there was more disappointment for Coleman Wong, as he followed up his first-round exit at the Hong Kong Open with elimination in the second qualifying round for the Australian Open.
Advantage Spurs

A Newcastle v Tottenham EFL Cup final would be interesting, wouldn’t it? Of course, we still have semi-final second legs to go but the fact two of the most long-suffering fanbases in English football have the advantage makes for an intriguing prospect.
Just 24 hours after Eddie Howe’s side won 2-0 at Arsenal, Liverpool left north London with a 1-0 defeat.
Tottenham, who handed a debut to new goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, scored the game’s only goal with four minutes of normal time remaining as Lucas Bergavall scored from Dominic Solanke’s cutback.
And it sparked a furious reaction from Liverpool’s players and staff as the Sweden midfielder, already on a yellow card, appeared to foul Kostas Tsimikas just before the goal and was not shown a second booking.
The incident was missed by referee Stuart Atwell and, because it was only a yellow card offence, VAR could not intervene. To make matters worse, Tsimikas was then off the pitch for the goal.
But the victory was far from undeserved for the hosts, who thought they’d taken the lead seven minutes earlier through Solanke, only for VAR to rule it out as Atwell announced the decision to the whole stadium in the latest trial.
Fresh from his heavily criticised performance against Manchester United, Trent Alexander-Arnold was a step further back than the rest of Liverpool’s backline but, luckily for him, the ex-Liverpool forward was even further ahead.
Holders Liverpool will hope to turn the tie around at Anfield on February 6, as Spurs look to move one step closer to a first major honour since they won this trophy in 2008.
Out of the Lop

The decision to finally relieve Julen Lopetegui of his West Ham duties was announced, with Graham Potter expected to replace the Spaniard.
“The first half of the 2024-25 season has not aligned with the club’s ambitions, and the club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives,” the club wrote in a statement, which makes the decision appear anything but mutual, as is usually the case.
Lopetegui arrived in the summer to replace the divisive David Moyes but has overseen a rotten start to the campaign, with the Hammers 14th in the table. The final straw was the 4-1 loss to Manchester City.
Reports in the UK media suggest Potter will be named as the ex-Real Madrid boss’ replacement, though no official announcement has been made.
Potter has been out of work since his dismissal from Chelsea in 2023 and West Ham’s next match is a trip to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round.
Olmo in

Barcelona enjoyed a triple boost on Wednesday.
First, the Spain’s National Sports Council granted the club permission to register big summer signing Dani Olmo as well as Pau Victor, following numerous appeals and rejections.
The Catalans were facing the potentially catastrophic prospect of losing Olmo on a free transfer, yet still having to pay his entire salary until 2030 following a clause inserted into the Spain international’s contract.
He was only initially registered to play for six months – and even that was only possible following a long-term injury to Andreas Christensen, which opened the door to registering a new player under “emergency” circumstances.
Barca were also in action on the pitch, as they beat Athletic Club 2-0 in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
Like in Italy, the Spanish equivalent of the Community Shield is a four-team tournament in Saudi Arabia, played in knockout format, featuring the winners and runners-up in the league and cup.
Goals from academy products Gavi and Lamine Yamal gave the Catalans the victory in Jeddah and they will meet the winners of Real Madrid’s clash with Mallorca, which takes place 24 hours later.
No prizes for guessing the locals will be cheering on in that one.
US withholds Wada payment

The US government did not pay the $3.6 million due to the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2024, making good on a long-running threat anchored in unhappiness with the global watchdog’s handling of cases involving Chinese swimmers and others.
Those funds, normally distributed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, represent about 6 per cent of Wada’s annual budget.
The US anti-doping agency welcomed the decision.
“Since the exposure of Wada’s failed handling of the 23 Chinese swimmers’ positive tests that gave China and its athletes special treatment under the rules, many stakeholders from around the world, including athletes, governments, and National Anti-Doping Agencies, have sought answers, transparency, and accountability from Wada leadership,” USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said in a statement.


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Liverpool leave stars at home, famed F1 Mercedes in US$50 million sale, England stay alive

Chelsea defender Veiga joins Juventus, Butler benched indefinitely, Burnley hold Leeds

Hosts Australia’s sevens joy, despair; Eagles make Super Bowl; Tottenham beaten again

While you were sleeping

Tottenham beat Liverpool in EFL Cup, Barcelona register Dani Olmo; US stop Wada funding

Tottenham players celebrate after Lucas Bergvall’s goal, which will see them take a lead to Anfield for their EFL Cup semi-final second leg. Photo: EPA

 Tottenham Hotspur’s Lucas Bergvall celebrates after opening the scoring against Liverpool in the EFL Cup. Photo: dpa

West Ham announced Julen Lopetegui (pictured) has been fired, with Graham Potter expected to replace him. Photo: AFP

Barcelona have finally been granted permission to register big-money signing Dani Olmo for the rest of the season. Photo: EPA

USADA CEO Travis Tygart welcomes the US government’s to withhold its payment to Wada. Photo: AP

US government backs decision to withhold Wada payment after Chinese swimmers’ doping case

US anti-doping agency CEO Travis Tygart has been heavily critical of Wada after 23 Chinese swimmers were cleared despite testing positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: AP

Ex-Manchester United man felt like he was ‘locked in prison’ while playing in Indonesia

Charlie Scott in action against Aston Villa during the 2023 Citi HKFC Hong Kong Soccer Sevens. Photo: Handout

Sport

Football

Ange Postecoglou’s side earned a 1-0 first-leg victory over the Reds thanks to Lucas Bergvall’s controversial, late winner


Ange Postecoglou’s side earned a 1-0 first-leg victory over the Reds thanks to Lucas Bergvall’s controversial, late winner.
