ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 SPORTS 14

De Bruyne’s vision picked apart the Borussia defense again Foden outshines Haaland to give City 2-1 lead over Dortmund MANCHESTER, England, April 7, (AP): Still defense again. already gone before the 17-year-old English- opponents rather than teammates, Phil Foden “I try to look up before I get the ball so I man put the ball in the net. showed Erling Haaland there’s already a try to get a picture of what is happening,” the While Dortmund protested the decision 20-year-old excelling at Manchester City. Belgian midfi elder said. “I could see Phil and on the pitch, City’s midfi elder Fernandinho Foden netted City’s 90th-minute goal to Gundo (Ilkay Gundogan) running to the post turned from his seat in the stands toward the clinch a 2-1 victory over Haaland’s Borussia and tried to chip it.” media sitting behind him to argue the oppo- Dortmund in the fi rst leg of their Champions It succeeded, as De Bruyne sent a perfectly site. “It’s a foul,” he said in the stadium that League quarterfi nal - and even before that it weighted ball fl oating over the Dortmund de- remains without fans during the pandemic. was the local lad repeatedly fl aunting his skills fense. Gundogan brought down the cross at It contributed to Dortmund heading into on the ball to bamboozle the visitors. the far post and laid the ball off for Foden to the second leg trailing, albeit with a valu- “They are a young team full of energy and sweep into the net. able away goal secured by Reus netting in the they counterattack really quick,” Foden said. Champions League for the fi rst time since Oc- “I was frustrated all night. I had many chances tober 2018. to score and I kept going and in the end one SOCCER “We didn’t trust ourselves to go forward so paid off.” much in the fi rst half,” Reus said. “We set up Haaland, who is being touted as a potential “The second goal right at the end was un- well, but it’s such a shame that we didn’t get replacement for Sergio Aguero at City next necessary, because we lost concentration for the reward for the fi ght and the energy that we season, didn’t have the best of auditions to two seconds,” Reus said. “We need to be stop- showed on the pitch. ” live up to a valuation far exceeding $100 mil- ping the cross there.” Winning the Champions League for the lion. European football’s hottest young talent While Foden was the match-winner, Haal- fi rst time since 1997 might be the only way struggled to make an impact, beyond setting and still took the opportunity to chat with his for Dortmund to return to the competition as up an equalizer on the turn for captain Marco young counterpart with mouths covered on the it sits in fi fth place in the Bundesliga - seven Reus to cancel out Kevin De Bruyne’s fi rst- freezing Etihad pitch. And the Norwegian had points from fourth. half strike. one fi nal duty before heading into the dress- “They are the best side in the world at the And it was Foden who played an integral ing room, improbably being asked by one of moment,” Dortmund coach Edin Terzić said part in that City opener that followed Emre referee Ovidiu Hategan’s assistants, Octavian Manchester City’s Phil Foden challenges for the ball with Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham dur- of City. “But we annoyed them a lot and we Can giving the ball away and De Bruyne lead- Sovre, to sign red and yellow cards. ing the Champions League, fi rst leg, quarterfi nal soccer match between Manchester City are still in the game.” ing the breakaway. Foden squared to Riyad “Maybe he’s a fan of Haaland,” City man- and Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, on April 6. (AP) City by contrast is running away with the Mahrez, who kept the ball in play at the far ager Pep Guardiola quipped. Premier League, building a 14-point lead in post before pulling it back for De Bruyne to Dortmund is insistent that Haaland won’t As for Hategan, the referee rightly over- Ederson was trying to control a back pass on its quest for a third title in four seasons to clip into the net in the 19th minute. be linking up next season with City - or any turned a penalty originally awarded against the edge of the penalty area but gave the ball dethrone struggling Liverpool. While City And with City entering the 90th minute fac- other team. Can for fouling City midfi elder Rodri in the away and Bellingham nipped in to score. But remains on track for a quadruple, Liverpool ing going to Germany next week locked at 1-1, “He’s our player and we are very proud he’s fi rst half before enraging Dortmund by denying Bellingham was penalized for fouling Ederson lost 3-1 at Real Madrid in the night’s other De Bruyne’s vision picked apart the Dortmund part of our team,” Terzić said. Jude Bellingham an equalizer before halftime. despite being kicked fi rst and the whistle had first leg. Other hosts yet to decide Isles edge Caps, move into Italy to allow fans at Euros ROME, April 7, (AP): Italy is ready to let fans back into stadiums in time for Rome hosting European Championship Sky Blue FC rebrand games. Other countries are yet to offer the same assurances. as NJ/NY Gotham FC tie for fi rst in East Division The pandemic-delayed tournament is being staged in 12 cities in as many HARRISON, NJ, April 7, (AP): Sky countries, and UEFA told hosts to let Blue of the National Women’s Soc- them know by this week about its plans cer League has rebranded itself as to let supporters into games. NJ/NY Gotham FC. Italian Health Minister Roberto The New Jersey-based club Speranza informed the country’s foot- wanted to recognize its growing reach across the region. It involved ball federation on Tuesday that fans fans in the process. can attend the four matches in Rome’s In addition to the new name, the Stadio Olimpico based on protocols team has a new crest with a crown from scientifi c advisors. that echoes the Statue of Liberty “The willingness obtained from the and an ‘N’ with a combined ‘Y/J.’ Italian government is an excellent re- The team’s primary color will re- sult that is good for the country, not main sky blue, along with black and just football,” FIGC President Gabriele white – an homage to the team’s Gravina said. supporters’ group Cloud 9. “The club has a tremendous his- tory and close relationship with its SOCCER fans, so it was important we lis- tened and remained completely There is a risk that cities could be openminded throughout the pro- cut from the hosting if they can’t say if cess. What emerged is a new crowds will be allowed by June. Those brand that is overwhelmingly fan guarantees are yet to come from coun- driven, respectful of the club’s past, tries including Scotland, which is due and representative of a promis- to stage four games in Glasgow, and ing future,” team general manager Ireland, which also has four fi xtures in Alyse LaHue said in a statement Dublin. Tuesday. While parts of Europe are in the midst of a third wave of coronavirus in- at the League Cup fi nal. The FA Cup fections, the city of Munich says it has fi nal will then have a crowd of 21,000 now submitted updated plans to UEFA. in May thanks to England’s success in Italy will play Turkey in Rome on rolling out a vaccination program and June 11 in the fi rst match of the com- bringing down coronavirus cases. petition, which was postponed by one In Scotland, no date has been set year because of the coronavirus pan- for the return of fans but provisional demic. Italy will also play its other two proposals will be submitted to UEFA matches at the Olimpico, which will this week. Scotland will host the Czech also host a quarterfi nal. Republic and Croatia at Hampden Park Fans have been banned from match- after its men qualifi ed for a fi rst major es in Italy for the majority of the past tournament since the 1998 World Cup. year, apart from a brief period shortly Russia has already confi rmed that after the start of the season when up St. Petersburg’s 65,000-seat stadium to 1,000 spectators were allowed into will be fi lled to at least 50% capac- New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) collides with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Michael Houser (35) during the fi rst period of an NHL hockey game, stadiums. ity for its four games. Denmark is The city with the most games is on April 6, in Newark, N.J. (AP) planning on up to 12,000 fans being London, which will stage seven fi x- allowed into the four matches at the tures at Wembley including the semi- 38,000-capacity Parken Stadium. A fi nals and fi nal. Wembley will see the similar number could be attending Sabres top Devils 5-3, break 10-game winless streak on road return of fans this month for the fi rst games in Romania under government time in more than a year when 4,000 plans for the 55,000-capacity national UNIONDALE, N.Y., April Ryan Strome, Alexis Lafreniere, play goal for San Jose, and Martin Schenn scored for the Lightning, and spectators are allowed into an FA Cup stadium in Bucharest to be at least a 7, (AP): Brock Nelson Kaapo Kakko and Pavel Buchnevich Jones made 29 stops. Andrei Vasilevskiy had 26 saves. semifi nal and 8,000 will be permitted quarter fi lled. also scored for New York, which Hurricanes 5, Panthers 2 Bruins 4, Flyers 2 scored with just under sev- extended its point streak to four In Raleigh, N.C., Vincent Trocheck In Philadelphia, Patrice Bergeron en minutes left and Semyon games (3-0-1). It was the first time in scored a pair of power-play goals recorded a hat trick and reached 900 Varlamov made 29 saves 11 years that eight Rangers scored in against his former team, Jordan Staal career points, and Brad Marchand’s as the New York Islanders a game. also scored twice and Carolina rallied short-handed goal led Boston past Igor Shesterkin made 42 saves in past Florida. Philadelphia. edged Washington 1-0 to his fourth consecutive start. Jesper Fast had a late goal for Marchand’s goal midway through pull even with the Capitals Carolina, and Sebastian Aho had the third period helped put more dis- for fi rst place in the East ICE HOCKEY three assists. tance between the Bruins and Flyers Aleksander Barkov scored both for the final playoff spot in the East Division. goals for the Panthers, whose six- Division. The Bruins now hold a five- Varlamov and Vitek Vanecek Jared McCann, Mike Matheson, Jake Guentzel and Brian Dumoulin game winning streak — the longest point lead over the Flyers for fourth. matched each other save for save Bergeron added an empty-netter in scored for Pittsburgh, which lost for active run in the league — was for more than 50 minutes before snapped. The Panthers had been 18-0- the final minute. Nelson scored his team-leading the second time in seven games. Jake Voracek and Shayne Casey DeSmith allowed four goals on 1 when leading after two periods. 14th goal assisted by defenseman Blue Jackets 4, Lightning 2 Gostisbehere scored for the Flyers. Ryan Pulock at 13:05 of the third eleven shots before being replaced by In Colombus, Ohio, Zac Dalpe Philadelphia’s Carter Hart was out- period. Tristan Jarry. Defenseman Kris scored for the first time in 4 1/2 years, played by fellow 22-year-old goalie Varlamov earned his fourth shutout Letang chipped in with two assists. Joonas Korpisalo made 36 saves and Jeremy Swayman. Hart finished with this season and the 31st of his career. Ducks 5, Sharks 1 Columbus beat Tampa Bay. 22saves. Swayman stopped 40 of 42 It was the first time he blanked his In San Jose, California, David Max Domi and Jack Roslovic each shots. former Capitals team in a regular- Backes and Nicolas Deslauriers each had a goal and an assist for the Blue Predators 3, Red Wings 2, SO Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini competes for the ball with FC Internazionale season game. had a goal and an assist, and Anaheim Jackets, who rebounded after losing In Detroit, Ryan Johansen and Milano’s Nicolo Barella during the Italian Serie A soccer match between New York improved to 16-1-2 at stopped San Jose’s four-game win three in a row. Nick Foligno also Roman Josi scored in the shootout to Bologna and Inter Milan at the Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Nassau Coliseum, remaining the only streak. scored. lift the Nashville over Detroit. on April 3. (AP) team in the NHL with just one regula- Adam Henrique, Isac Lundestrom Tampa Bay has dropped two The Predators improved to 4-0 in tion loss at home. and Max Comtois also scored for straight and five of seven overall shootouts. The Islanders are 11-4-4 in games Anaheim, which had lost three in a while relinquishing first place in the Dylan Larkin and Filip Zadina NHL Results/Standings decided by a single goal, including a row. John Gibson made 34 saves. Central Division to the Florida failed to score in the first shootout of 6-4 record in regulation. Patrick Marleau scored a power- Panthers. Ross Colton and Luke the season for the Red Wings. Sabres 5, Devils 3 Adam Erne and Danny DeKeyser WASHINGTON, April 7, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on In Newark, N.J., Defenseman scored in regulation for Detroit. Tuesday. Rasmus Dahlin scored and set up the Thomas Greiss had 29 saves. Buffalo 5 New Jersey 3 Boston 4 Philadelphia 2 NY Islanders 1 Washington 0 Nashville 3 Detroit SO 2 winning goal by Casey Mittelstadt as Mikael Granlund and Luke Kunin Columbus 4 Tampa Bay 2 Chicago 4 Dallas 2 Buffalo snapped a 10-game road win- scored for Nashville. Juuse Saros Carolina 5 Florida 2 Anaheim 5 San Jose 1 less streak with a win over New made 25 saves. NY Rangers 8 Pittsburgh 4 Jersey. Blackhawks 4, Stars 2 East Division West Division In Chicago, Kirby Dach, Dominik GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA Ramus Asplund, Brandon Montour Washington 39 25 10 4 54 132 118 Colorado 38 26 8 4 56 137 87 and Rasmus Ristolainen also scored Kubilik and Alex DeBrincat scored, NY Islanders 39 25 10 4 54 118 90 Vegas 37 25 10 2 52 119 85 for the Sabres, who recently snapped Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, Pittsburgh 39 24 13 2 50 130 110 Minnesota 37 23 12 2 48 108 94 an 18-game winless streak. Linus and Chicago beat Dallas. Boston 36 20 10 6 46 102 91 Arizona 39 19 15 5 43 107 118 NY Rangers 38 18 15 5 41 125 103 St Louis 38 16 16 6 38 104 124 Ullmark made 27 saves to beat the The Stars rallied from a three-goal Philadelphia 38 18 15 5 41 114 138 San Jose 38 17 17 4 38 106 127 Devils for the fourth time this season. deficit in the third period, but goalten- New Jersey 37 13 18 6 32 91 118 Los Angeles 37 14 17 6 34 100 107 Buffalo 38 9 23 6 24 87 131 Anaheim 40 12 21 7 31 92 131 Damon Severson, Jesper Bratt and der Kevin Lankinen stopped Dallas’ Central Division Pavel Zacha scored for New Jersey, Roope Hintz in the slot with 93 sec- GP W L OT Pts GF GA North Division which is 1-4-2 in its last seven games. onds to play after goals by Andrew Florida 40 26 10 4 56 132 108 GP W L OT Pts GF GA Carolina 38 26 9 3 55 125 94 Toronto 39 26 10 3 55 130 98 Scott Wedgewood made 13 saves in Cogliano and Radek Faksa closed the Tampa Bay 39 26 11 2 54 132 97 Winnipeg 39 23 13 3 49 125 107 his first start in five games. gap. Nashville 40 21 18 1 43 102 115 Edmonton 39 23 14 2 48 127 112 Rangers 8, Penguins 4 The victory stopped Chicago’s Chicago 40 18 17 5 41 113 124 Montreal 35 17 9 9 43 114 96 Columbus 41 15 18 8 38 102 131 Vancouver 37 16 18 3 35 100 120 In New York, Artemi Panarin had a two-game losing streak, and extended Dallas 37 13 14 10 36 100 99 Calgary 40 16 21 3 35 103 124 goal and three assists, Adam Fox had Dallas’ losing skid to two games, Detroit 41 13 22 6 32 90 128 Ottawa 39 13 22 4 30 104 146 a goal and two assists and the Rangers Washington Capitals’ John Carlson (74) fi ghts for position with New York dropping them to sixth-place in the Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each beat Pittsburgh. Islanders’ Leo Komarov (47) during the second period of an NHL hockey Central Division. The Blackhawks division will qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment. Colin Blackwell, Mika Zibanejad, game, on April 6, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP) remain in fourth place.