Digest

SOCCER

Zhang anticipating victory over Vietnam

Forward Zhang Yuning on Sunday said he is very confident Team China will defeat Vietnam in their forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier, citing his team's intensive preparations in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates.

After losing its opening two games－to Australia and Japan－in the final phase of Asian zone qualifying, China is in desperate need of a victory over Vietnam on Oct 7 to keep alive its slim hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

"During the past few days, we have increased the training intensity and made physical preparations for the upcoming game," Zhang said.

"I have a strong faith that we will play a good match and beat our opponent."

Zhang came off the bench in a friendly match between the Chinese and Vietnamese Olympic teams in 2019. China lost 2-0 on that occasion, and Zhang vowed next month's game won't see a repeat result.

"I will spare no effort on the pitch and try my best to seize every opportunity. This is also what I told myself to do in training," he said.

Pele in upbeat mood after latest scare

Brazilian legend Pele said Sunday he is "punching the air" to celebrate "every better day" after the 80-year-old suffered his latest health scare.

"As you can see, I'm punching the air in celebration of every better day," Pele wrote on Instagram beside a photograph of him sitting in a hospital chair, watched over by two medical staff.

The three-time World Cup winner was Friday briefly transferred back to an intensive care unit at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, where he underwent surgery earlier this month, after suffering breathing difficulties.

"A good mood is the best medicine and I have plenty of that. It couldn't be different," he added Sunday."I have received so much affection that my heart is full of gratitude. Thanks to all the amazing staff at Albert Einstein Hospital!"

CYCLING

Italy's Ganna retains world time-trial crown

Italy's Filippo Ganna retained his time-trial crown at the world championships in Bruges on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Ineos rider defended his title by beating local favorite Wout van Aert (Jumbo) by five seconds in a carbon copy of last year's outcome.

Another Belgian, Remco Evenepoel, took third, 43 seconds back at the end of a flat 43.3-kilometer course in the opening event of the championships in the Belgian city.

"My shape has much improved since last week," said Ganna, who finished second to Switzerland's Stefan Kueng at the recent European championships.

"I did a small altitude training camp to defend this jersey and I hope to go looking for a third next year."

Ganna missed out on time-trial glory at the Tokyo Olympics but led Italy to team pursuit gold.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Running back Gore eyes switch to boxing

Free agent Frank Gore is telling teams looking for a running back that he isn't interested in playing because he has found a new passion.

And that, according to NFL Network, is boxing.

"I've always loved boxing, so that's what I've been doing," he told the outlet."And we're trying to make a fight happen. If we do that, you'll see me in the ring."

Gore, 38, has 16,000 career rushing yards, good for third all-time behind NFL legends Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726). He's played 16 NFL seasons with five teams since the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2005 draft.

Per the report, Gore hired fight agent Malki Kawa, and a "high-profile fight" is under discussion.

Gore has been training for football, too, but at this point isn't ready to say yes to any interested teams.

"I just fell in love with how hard it is," Gore said of the obstacles boxing presents.

Xinhua - Agencies