Sports
Frank hails Romero’s last-minute ‘perfect bicycle’
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank hailed a “top performance” from skipper Cristian Romero after his brace salvaged a 2-2 draw against Newcastle.
The Magpies had enjoyed a series of promising opportunities throughout the game before Bruno Guimarães sent them ahead in the 71st minute.
Romero replied seven minutes later with an excellent diving header from Mohammed Kudus’ cross, before Anthony Gordon restored Newcastle’s lead from the penalty spot.
The Spurs skipper had the final say in a dramatic finale, scoring an overhead kick in the fifth minute of stoppage-time which bounced through the box and trickled into the bottom corner.
Speaking about Romero’s display, Frank said: “I think that was the perfect bicycle kick, hit with the shin, aiming for the bottom corner.
“Praising Cuti, I think he deserves that. A top performance defending. On the ball: coolness, calmness, duels, then get up there and score two goals.
“I think the bicycle kick will most likely get a little more praise but I think the header is more exceptional, the way he does that is better than many strikers.”
Romero’s eye-catching strike snatched a point for Spurs, who are still winless in their last five Premier League outings and sit 11th in the table, but Frank praised the “willingness” of his side following a tough run.
He said: “I really liked the character and mentality in the team and what this showed after three tough games.
“To go here to the fourth game in 10 days, the third away game at a very difficult place – go behind two times and come back shows everything about the willingness and mentality in the team.”
At 1-1, Newcastle restored their lead from the spot after Rodrigo Bentancur and Dan Burn tangled at the back post from a corner and referee Tom Bramall was called to the monitor.
He awarded a penalty, which Gordon converted, and Frank said: “The second one is very disappointing to concede because I think for me it’s never a penalty.
“Even speaking to some from Newcastle (they) don’t think it’s a penalty and we need consistency.
“I think the referee’s call on the pitch, he nailed it, and VAR can only be if it’s clear and obvious. But, I want to speak about us and the mentality coming back.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described the two goals conceded as “hugely disappointing” following a strong display throughout the game.
He said: “We’re hugely frustrated with ourselves really. That was a game where we had to work really hard for the first goal.
“I thought we were the dominant team, knocking on the door through the first half.
“The goal came when it came and felt then we were in a strong position having been relatively comfortable defensively to them.
“To concede the two goals in the way that we did is hugely disappointing because we pride ourselves on being better than that defensively.”
Asked about the penalty decision, Howe replied: “I’ve just seen it again, the defender doesn’t look at the ball, he’s just focused on Dan and Dan goes down, so I can see why it was given.”
ISLAMABAD: Eight Pakistani officials have been appointed to key committees of the International Tennis Federation and the Asian Tennis Federation for the 2026–2027 term, marking a significant achievement for Pakistan’s tennis community.
The appointments are being viewed as a recognition of Pakistan’s growing role in the development and governance of tennis at both regional and international levels.
Representation in ITF Committees
Pakistan’s top tennis player and President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, has been selected as a member of the ITF Athlete Commission.
Other Pakistani officials appointed to ITF committees include:
Sara Mansoor – ITF Coaches Commission
Syed Muhammad Ali Murtaza – ITF Juniors Committee
Pakistani Officials in ATF Committees
Several Pakistani representatives have also been appointed to committees of the Asian Tennis Federation:
Salim Saifullah Khan – Finance Committee, Development Advisory Group, Legal, Constitution & Ethics Committee
Ziauddin Tufail – Junior and Coaches Development Committee
Rashid Malik – Marketing and Sponsorship Committee
Shehzad Akhtar Alvi – Tournament Officiating Committee
Sara Mansoor – ATF Advantage All Committee
Muhammad Khalid Rehmani – Senior, Wheelchair and Beach Tennis Committee
Recognition for Pakistan Tennis
Speaking on the occasion, Salim Saifullah Khan said the appointments demonstrate the trust of international tennis bodies in Pakistani officials to contribute to the global development of the sport.
PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi also described the development as a proud moment for Pakistan, saying it will strengthen the country’s role in international tennis and open new opportunities for the sport’s growth in the region.
PTF Secretary General Ziauddin Tufail congratulated the appointed officials and expressed confidence that they would represent Pakistan effectively at the international level.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Aaron Judge wasted no time clubbing his first World Baseball Classic homer.
Judge, the Team USA captain, hit a first-inning two-run home run, while Brice Turang had three hits and four RBI to lead Team USA to a whopping win over Brazil in its World Baseball Classic opener Friday night.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Cal Raleigh #29, Byron Buxton #25, and Roman Anthony #3 of the United States celebrate after scoring from an RBI double hit by Brice Turang #13 of the United States in the fifth inning against Brazil during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game between the United States and Brazil at Daikin Park on March 6, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
There was one out and one on in the first when Judge, the first player to commit to the team last April, connected off Bo Takahashi at Houston’s Daikin Park.
Lucas Ramirez homered twice for Brazil with his father, 12-time All-Star Manny Ramirez, in attendance. He cut the lead to 2-1 with his leadoff homer, and his solo shot in the eighth got Brazil within 8-5.
Aaron Judge #99 of the United States celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against Brazil during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game between the United States and Brazil at Daikin Park on March 6, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
At 20 years, 49 days, he became the youngest player in WBC history with a multi-homer game.
Byron Buxton was hit by a pitch in the fifth to push the Americans’ lead to 4-1. Turang cleared the bases with his double to left field two pitches later to make it 7-1.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Brice Turang #13 of Team USA hits a three-run double in the fifth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game presented by Capital One between Team USA and Team Brazil at Daikin Park on Friday, March 6, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Brazil is in the WBC for just the second time and first since 2013. The team fell to 0-4 all-time in the tournament after losing to Japan, Cuba and China in 2013.
Another highlight for Brazil came when 17-year-old high school senior Joseph Contreras got Judge to ground into a bases-loaded double play to end the second inning. Contreras, the youngest player in the WBC this year, is the son of pitcher José Contreras, who played 11 MLB seasons.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related Article
Luis Díaz scored one goal and made another as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-1 on Friday to extend its lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 14 points over second-place Borussia Dortmund.
With Harry Kane injured, Nicolas Jackson started in the centre-forward position for Bayern, one of seven changes to the side that beat Dortmund in Der Klassiker last weekend.
But it was Colombian Díaz who started the rampage.
He opened the scoring after 33 minutes with a crashing volley and then turned provider 12 minutes later when his clever pass set up Konrad Laimer to make it 2-0.
Bayern’s task was made easier when Rocco Reitz was sent off for rugby tackling Jackson 10 minutes into the second half.
Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images
Jamal Musiala dispatched the resulting penalty to score his first goal of the season and Jackson celebrated his return to the side by adding a fourth 11 minutes from time.
Wael Mohya, 17, grabbed a consolation goal for Gladbach in the dying moments, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
The only disconcerting note for reigning champion Bayern was the withdrawal at halftime of Manuel Neuer. The Germany goalkeeper had returned after missing two games through injury. The extent of his complaint was not immediately apparent.
Gladbach remains in 12th place with 25 points, only three clear of the relegation zone.
Inside the booming business of wellness third spaces and membership clubs
Harry Styles kicks off new era with ‘One Night Only’ comeback show
Eight Pakistanis Appointed to ITF and ATF Committees for 2026–2027 – SUCH TV
Attock Cement’s acquisition approved | The Express Tribune
Policy easing drives Argentina’s garment import surge in 2025
India Us Trade Deal: Fresh look at India-US trade deal? May be ‘rebalanced’ if circumstances change, says Piyush Goyal – The Times of India
-
Business1 week ago
Attock Cement’s acquisition approved | The Express Tribune
-
Fashion1 week agoPolicy easing drives Argentina’s garment import surge in 2025
-
Business1 week ago
India Us Trade Deal: Fresh look at India-US trade deal? May be ‘rebalanced’ if circumstances change, says Piyush Goyal – The Times of India
-
Sports1 week agoLPGA legend shares her feelings about US women’s Olympic wins: ‘Gets me really emotional’
-
Entertainment1 week agoBobby J. Brown, “The Wire” and “Law & Order: SUV” actor, dies of smoke inhalation after reported fire
-
Fashion1 week agoSouth Korea’s Misto Holdings completes planned leadership transition
-
Entertainment1 week agoPakistan’s semi-final qualification scenario after England defeat New Zealand
-
Fashion1 week agoTexwin Spinning showcasing premium cotton yarn range at VIATT 2026