Sport

THURSDAY 22 APRIL 2021 Sport world hails Chauvin conviction I was going to make a celebratory tweet but then I was hit with sadness because we are celebrating something that is clear as day. The fact that so many injustices occurred to make us hold our breath toward this outcome is really telling.

Naomi Osaka Sport | 21 IPL CSK: 220/3 (F du Plessis 95 , R Gaikwad 64) KKR: 202 all out in 19.1 overs (P Cummins 66 not out, A Russell 54, D Chahar 4/29) Son’s late Olunga hat-trick helps Al Duhail penalty revives Tottenham’s edge Esteghlal in ACL thriller top-four hopes

AFC – JEDDAH who nodded home the Al Duhail's restart with Esteghlal REUTERS – LONDON equaliser in the 10th Michael Olunga is equalising a second Michael Olunga starred with a minute. congratulated by time as Diabate’s Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed some hat-trick as Al Duhail SC The Kenyan striker team-mates after header from the respite in a tumultuous week for the defeated Esteghlal of Islamic then added his second the Kenyan scored corner was blocked by club as Son Heung-min’s late penalty Republic of Iran 4-3 in Group of the night, pouncing their fourth goal Benatia but fell to club earned them a 2-1 victory over C of the 2021 AFC Champions on a misplaced pass against Esteghlal Esmaeili who Southampton yesterday to revive League (ACL) yesterday. from Esteghlal centre- yesterday. sent a diving header their hopes of a top-four finish in the Both sides went into the back Masoud Rigi to Pic: Twitter / into the empty net to Premier League. Matchday Three encounter seize possession inside @DuhailSC make it 3-3 with his After Jose Mourinho’s sacking on hopeful of extending an the box and slot home third goal in as many Monday and Tottenham’s igno- unbeaten record, with Al Al Duhail’s second just games. minious part in the Super League Duhail having collected four before the half-hour Five minutes drama which has rocked football, it points from their opening two mark. before the final was left to 29-year-old caretaker games and Esteghlal having Coach Farhad whistle, Olunga com- manager Ryan Mason to try to steady earned the full six points. Majidi’s men were pleted the first hat- the ship. It looked as though the Esteghlal wasted no time, determined to get back trick of the 2021 AFC former Spurs midfielder, handed the instantly taking the game to into the game and 10 Champions League, reins until the end of the season, their opponents and were minutes before the controlling a cross would suffer defeat when Danny rewarded with the opener half time break, they from substitute Ismael Ings gave Southampton a deserved within four minutes. Seyed had restored parity as Mohammed and halftime lead. But Gareth Bale, who Ahmad Mousavi’s whipped Farshid Esmaeili sup- driving home his side’s Mason restored to the starting cross from the right was con- plied a defence- winner on the turn to line-up for the first time since mid- verted into the back of the net splitting pass to round off an enter- March, curled home an equaliser on through Amir Arsalan Mota- Motahari who squared taining battle for the the hour as Tottenham improved hari’s powerful header. it across the face of top spot in the group. after a dismal first half. Al Duhail’s response did goal for Cheick With the win, Al Son had a goal ruled out for not take long as Abdullah Al Diabate who was left Duhail topple Esteghlal offside but the South Korean gave Ahrak’s long ball into the box with a simple tap-in off the summit of Tottenham much-needed cheer was controlled by Edmilson for his third goal of the Group C as the Qataris when he beat Alex McCarthy from who then fired a left-footed 2021 AFC Champions move to seven points, the penalty spot. effort from six yards out that League. Just before the leaving the Iranians a Victory lifted Tottenham into was parried by goalkeeper referee prepared to blow the Esteghlal area and swept home Qatari side in the lead again. point behind. The two sides sixth place with 53 points, two points Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri half-time whistle, Al Ahrak Mohammad Musa’s low cross The game’s end-to-end lock horns again in three days behind fourth-placed Chelsea who into the path of Michael Olunga found space inside the from the right flank to put the action continued after the time. have a game in hand. THURSDAY 22 APRIL 2021 SPORT 23 European Super League fades away REUTERS – MANCHESTER The dramatic rise The European Super League collapsed yesterday as eight of the 12 and swift fall of founding members from England, Italy and Spain abandoned the breakaway project under massive breakaway league pressure from fans, politicians, soccer AP – GENEVA officials and even the British royals. Founder and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli told Reuters he was Super League Timeline: reluctantly calling time on the new league after six English clubs 1990s - Wealthy European Soccer withdrew on Tuesday, with Inter clubs make veiled threats of breaking Milan and Atletico Madrid following away into a Super League to pressure suit and AC Milan indicating they UEFA into giving them more Champions would too. League money and format changes in “The voices and the concerns of their favor. fans around the world have clearly been expressed about the Super 2008 - European Club Association League, and AC Milan must be sen- created to make long-term peace with sitive to the voice of those who love UEFA and lock club leaders into Cham- this wonderful sport,” the Italian club pions League consultation. said in a statement. Agnelli said he still believed in the November 2018 - Real Madrid- merits of the Super League despite backed Super League plan revealed in the overwhelming criticism and had Football Leaks series using hacked no regrets about how the breakaway Aston Villa fans display a banner in protest against the European Super League outside Villa Park in Birmingham, documents. had been conducted. Britain, yesterday, before the hosts' match against Manchester City. “I remain convinced of the beauty 2019 - ECA-backed plan for semi- of that project,” Agnelli said, adding structure went against European Henry apologised in a video on the stable foundation for the game, we closed Champions League in 2024 fails that it would have been the best com- football’s long-standing model. club’s website and social media failed to show enough respect for its amid backlash by leagues and mid- petition in the world. Players, fans, pundits and politi- yesterday. deep-rooted traditions - promotion, ranking clubs. Juventus itself stopped short of cians celebrated the U-turns of the “It goes without saying but should relegation, the pyramid - and for that saying the league was dead but said English teams on Tuesday that left be said that the project put forward we are sorry.” October 2020 - Outgoing Bar- it recognised there were limited the league in tatters and pushed other was never going to stand without the Having triggered an enormous celona president Josep Bartomeu reveals chances of the project being com- founding members to jump ship. support of the fans,” he said. backlash, the Super League had said Super League plan in resignation speech, pleted in the form originally “This is the right result for football “I alone am responsible for the late on Tuesday it would reconsider reportedly urged on by Real Madrid pres- conceived. fans, clubs, and communities across unnecessary negativity brought and look to “reshape” the project, ident Florentino Pérez. The Italian club said in a the country. We must continue to forward over the past couple of days. while stopping short of throwing in statement that it was aware certain protect our cherished national game,” It’s something I won’t forget. And the towel. December 2020 - UEFA works on clubs intended to leave but they had British Prime Minister Boris Johnson shows the power the fans have today “What a beautiful day for football. a 36-team Champions League plan to yet to complete the necessary proce- said. and will rightly continue to have.” Let’s keep playing, let’s keep fighting, start in 2024 that gives clubs the extra dures under the Super League The founding members were Manchester United’s co-chairman let’s keep dreaming,” said Manchester games and money they have demanded. agreement. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man- Joel Glazer also apologised in an open City defender Benjamin Mendy. The Super League argued it would chester City, Manchester United and letter to supporters, saying: “We got Amid celebrations over the col- January - Reports emerge of Real increase revenue for the top soccer Tottenham Hotspur from England, it wrong.” lapse of the project, anger remained. Madrid-backed Super League plan with clubs in Europe and allow them to AC Milan, Inter and Juventus from “We continue to believe that Some pundits said the owners of the financier JP Morgan Chase. UEFA and distribute more money to the rest of Italy and Spain’s Atletico, Barcelona European football needs to become English teams would never be FIFA unite to oppose, threaten bans for the game. and Real Madrid. more sustainable throughout the forgiven. players who take part. However, the sport’s governing Barcelona and Real Madrid were pyramid for the long-term. However, “They were going to sell the souls bodies, other teams and fan organi- the only two founders yet to issue we fully accept that the Super League of our major football institutions,” March 8 - ECA chairman Andrea sations said the league would only official statements by Wednesday was not the right way to go about it,” said Liverpool great Graeme Souness. Agnelli of Juventus praises UEFA’s pro- boost the power and wealth of elite afternoon. Glazer wrote. “I don’t know how these clubs will posed Champions League changes, calls clubs, and that the partially closed Liverpool’s principal owner John “In seeking to create a more manage to get back on-side.” the 36-team, single-standings format "beautiful.”

March 29-31 - ECA-UEFA Gullit, Wenger discuss Icardi hat-trick fires PSG meetings to sign off on the 36-team Champions League format. Super League issues surrounding clubs start pushing for more financial into French Cup semi-finals control of the competition than UEFA is offering. UEFA president Aleksander European Super League REUTERS – PARIS Paris Ceferin rebuffs their demands in rift with Saint-Germain’s Agnelli. Striker Mauro Icardi Mauro Icardi In an exclusive interview with beIN SPORTS, football pundits Ruud scored a hat-trick as Paris in action with April 16 - ECA board and UEFA’s Gullit and Arsene Wenger expressed their views on the European Saint-Germain eased into Angers’ Mateo club competitions committee sign off on Super League which came to a halt yesterday. the semi-finals of the Pavlovic during Champions League changes with no Here are some of the excerpts from the interview aired by beIN French Cup with an yesterday's dissent ahead of expected decision at SPORTS. emphatic 5-0 victory French Cup Monday’s meeting of UEFA executive over Angers at the Parc Quarter Final in committee. RUUD GULLIT, former Chelsea star and Dutch manager des Princes yesterday. Paris. Icardi’s early strike April 17 - Rumors of imminent I think that the minor clubs in the competition, especially in the was followed by an own Super League plan emerge. Premier League, will eventually vanish, as the money they earned goal from Angers defender Vincent April 18 - Reports of a Super League from the premiere league Is higher than all the other leagues. Manceau and then a announcement sparks a backlash by simple headed third from former players and French President According to an article I read which stated that there was no law Neymar in the second Emmanuel Macron. The 12-team Super that can ban a player to play in the premier’s league. half, before the Argentine League is later announced in coordinated striker added two more. statements from the clubs after most fans I am not a fan of the Super League, and I think that The UEFA did Defending champions in Europe are asleep. Agnelli resigns as PSG, who have appeared ECA chairman and from the UEFA exec- an unbelievable job with the Champions League and are now try in the last six French Cup utive committee. to revive the Champions League again. finals, winning five, con- trolled possession, but April 19 - UEFA executive com- I think that some people are trying to find a loophole to earn even Angers had their chances mittee confirms the 36-team Champions more money than they already earn. The big clubs want just more as Ibrahim Amadou fired League revamp. British government money, they think that without them there would not be a narrowly wide and Jimmy Cabot saw his and back into the net. Neymar headed in warns of new legislation on club own- Champions League and I already said this was going to happen effort brilliantly saved by Sergio Rico in from close range before a brilliant run in ership to help block the Super League. the home goal. the box from Angel Di Maria put a second Ceferin denounces the "snakes” who four years ago, and today, it’s really happening. PSG hit the front inside nine minutes on a plate for Icardi, who then added betrayed UEFA, warns Super League with an excellent team goal that was fin- another late on for his fifth goal in the last players could be banned from their FIFA said that they will not allow the players to play in the World ished by Icardi from Julian Draxler’s pin- three games. national teams. Liverpool manager Cup, I do not see this happening because I do not think that a point through ball. There was some good Montpellier and fourth division Jurgen Klopp says he dislikes the Super sponsor will allow for the 50 best players of the world not taking fortune about the second as Neymar’s shot Rumilly-Vallières, who stunned second- League. Fans protest at Liverpool’s part in playing for the World Cup. The most important thing I from close-range hit goalkeeper Ludovic tier Toulouse on Tuesday, are the other stadium and at Leeds, where the team hope for is UEFA to convince these big clubs to stay in the Butelle, before rebounding onto Manceau sides to have sealed a semi-final place. is playing that night. Champions League. April 20 - Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, who would be Super I think you need the big clubs in the Champions League, as Olympics: US to face Australia League chairman, breaks his silence on without them there won’t be a Champions League at all. So an overnight Spanish show. He claims therefore, it is a show of strength to force something, like when in women’s football in Tokyo the project would save European Soccer. the American owners came to Europe, they did what has been At UEFA’s annual meeting later that morning, FIFA president Gianni Infantino done in America with their basketball and Baseball League, and REUTERS – TOKYO DRAW FOR THE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS AT THE says he disapproves of the Super League nobody was or is very happy about it, because the lower clubs TOKYO GAMES project. Ceferin delivers a strong speech will not earn that much money. The US women’s national team will face MEN against the club owners while also Australia, Sweden and New Zealand at this Group A: Japan, South Africa, Mexico, France. inviting some in England to change their summer’s Tokyo Olympics, while in the men’s Group B: New Zealand, South Korea, Honduras, Romania. minds. ARSENE WENGER, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development competition 2016 winners Brazil will take on Group C: Egypt, Spain, Argentina, Australia. The other 14 Premier League clubs Germany following the group stage draw Group D: Brazil, Germany, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia. in England meet to discuss the six rebels. I never believed from the start that this project would go on, just yesterday. WOMEN The project cracks in the evening. Man- because it ignored the basic principle on which football stands. The American women’s team are the Group E: Japan, Canada, Britain, Chile. chester City and Chelsea are first to reigning world champions and four-time Group F: China, Brazil, Zambia, Netherlands. withdraw. Manchester United vice England voted for Brexit to master their destiny. England has the winners of the Olympic tournament and will Group G: Sweden, United States, Australia, New Zealand. chairman Ed Woodward, a leading agi- strongest league in the world and by signing documents like that, start as favourites in Tokyo, with Rio 2016 tator, announces he will leave his job they destroyed the Premier League. What is behind that thinking? winners Germany failing to qualify. Team GB women have drawn 2016 bronze medal- later this year. By midnight, all six English lists Canada, Chile and hosts Japan. Making only their second Olympic tournament clubs are out. appearance, Team GB will be led by England’s interim coach Hege Riise. The unity of the game is the most important fact we need to On the men’s side, Brazil will take on Germany, Ivory Coast and Saudi Arabia. April 21 - Atlético Madrid, Inter protect! Mexico, the 2012 gold medallists, were pitted against hosts Japan, South Africa and Milan, AC Milan and Juventus drop out, France. The men’s team are usually restricted to selecting players under the age of 23, leaving only Real Madrid and Barcelona. I would have never supported a project not based on sporting with just three overage players allowed. However, the age bracket has been raised for the Juventus and AC Milan both signal that merit! Tokyo Games in line with the one-year postponement of the event due to the COVID-19 there is a future for the Super League. pandemic. 22 SPORT THURSDAY 22 APRIL 2021 Shanto stars as Bangladesh score 302-2 on opening day

AP — PALLEKELE the second new ball after the 80th over but the seamers Bangladesh batsman Najmul failed to break the stand. Shanto posted his first Test “There was a tiny bit of hundred yesterday and helped moisture in the morning. I don’t his team reach 302-2 at stumps think we hit our lengths as well on the first day of the first Test as we could have,” Sri Lanka against Sri Lanka. batting coach Grant Flower Mohammad Rizwan in action, yesterday. Shanto finished the day said. unbeaten at 126 after Bang- “If we can get them out ladesh won the toss and elected under 500, we have done well. to bat first at Pallekele Interna- However, two quick tional Stadium. He and captain early in the morning may help Rizwan shines for Mominul Haque (64) put on an us.” unbroken 150-run partnership for the third . SCOREBOARD Pakistan in T20 win Shanto, who came into the BANGLADESH first innings game under pressure after a Tamim Iqbal c Thirimanne b V. Fernando .... 90 string of low scores in the home Saif Hassan lbw b V. Fernando ...... 0 over Zimbabwe series against the West Indies, Najmul Shanto not out ...... 126 REUTERS — was dropped on 28 by Sri Lanka Bangladesh's Najmul Shanto (centre) celebrates his maiden Test Mominul Haque not out ...... 64 in the Zimbabwe reply with wicketkeeper Niroshan ton on opening day of first Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekele Extras (b4, lb6, w7, nb5) ...... 22 34, but he was out to leg- Dickwella. International Stadium, yesterday. PIC COURTESY: SRI LANKA Total (two wickets - 90 overs) ...... 302 In-form opener Mohammad spinner Usman Qadir (3-29), He made the most of the Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Hassan), 2-152 (Iqbal) Rizwan blazed an unbeaten who also claimed the key reprieve by batting through the posted his maiden first class boundaries at will, finding the To bat: Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mehidy half- as Pakistan wicket of home captain Sean Hasan, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed, Taskin Ahmed, day after coming into the match hundred at the age of 17. gaps easily as Sri Lanka quickly Ebadot Hossain defeated hosts Zimbabwe by Williams (9). Usman is the in the third over. During his six- Tamim Iqbal gave Bang- went into a defensive mindset Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 18-7-55-0 (nb 3), 11 runs in the first Twenty20 son of former Pakistan great hour knock, Shanto faced 288 ladesh the early advantage as spreading the field. Vishwa Fernando 17-2-61-2, Lahiru Kumara 19- International at the Harare Abdul Qadir and made his deliveries and hit 14 fours and he attacked from the start After Tamim’s dismissal, 2-63-0, Angelo Mathews 5-1-8-0, Dhananjaya Sports Club yesterday. debut in the recent series in one six. without letting Sri Lanka’s Mominul was patient and made de Silva 16-1-71-0 (nb 2), Wanindu Hasaranga Rizwan played a lone South Africa. “I just wanted to watch and seamers settle in. the most of the loose balls. 15-1-34-0 hand for his team with 82 not Zimbabwe were without be patient,” Shanto said. “If the He hit 90 off 101 balls but Although Suranga Lakmal SRI LANKA: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Lahiru out as they posted 149 for their most experienced ball was in my strength areas, I got out by pushing one to slips did not take a wicket, he was Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissan- seven in their 20 overs. batsman , wanted to play my shots. Wasn’t to give Vishwa Fernando his the most impressive among the ka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, The home side, who have who pulled out of the game thinking of doing nothing, just second wicket in the innings. Sri Lankan bowlers. Wanindu Hasaranga, Niroshan Dickwella (wick- not qualified for the T20 with a stomach bug. et), Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa doing the basics right.” Fernando was the only suc- Lahiru Kumara was the Fernando World Cup in India later this The second match in the The 22-year-old Shanto cessful bowler for Sri Lanka on quickest of the four seamers but Toss: Bangladesh won the toss and elected to year, were always just behind three-game series will be represented his country in two Day 1. was wayward and didn’t pose bat the rate and could only played at the same venue ICC Under-19 World Cups and Tamim was picking up much of a threat. Sri Lanka took manage 138 for seven in tomorrow. The limited overs reply. fixtures will be followed by After being sent in to bat, two Tests. the Pakistan innings was Brief Scores: Pakistan 149 English dominated by Rizwan, who’s for 7 in 20 overs (Mohammad Hyderabad get first points; unbeaten 82 came from 61 Rizwan 82*; Wesley Mad- national balls. No-one else scored hevere 2-11, Luke Jongwe more than 15, with off- 2-24) bt Zimbabwe 138 for 7 selector Chennai defeat Kolkata spinner Wesley Madhevere in 20 overs (Craig Ervine 34, the pick of the home bowling Luke Jongwe 30*, Tinashe removed in attack with 2-11 from two Kamunhukamwe 29; Usman AP — CHENNAI overs. Qadir 3-29 Mohammad shake-up Craig Ervine top scored Hasnain 2-27) by 11 runs. Sunrisers Hyderabad finally got their first points in the Indian AP — LONDON Premier League by beating Punjab Kings by nine wickets The national selector of yesterday. Mumbai captain Rohit England’s men’s cricket Punjab folded for 120 in 19.4 team was removed as part overs after captain Lokesh urges batsmen to step of a restructuring that Rahul won the toss and elected made the role redundant to bat. after more than a century. Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten up after second loss Ed Smith is leaving at 63 off 56 balls ensured the end of April after Hyderabad, which had lost REUTERS — MUMBAI and managed to get to 150-5. about three years in the three in a row, didn’t face any On Tuesday, experienced role, the England and more hiccups in run-chasing Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Delhi leg-spinner Amit Mishra Wales Cricket Board said. this season as they cruised to Sharma (pictured) urged his did the damage with 4-24, Overall responsibility 121-1 in 18.4 overs. team’s batsmen to step up after including the wickets of Rohit for future squad selections Kane Williamson recovered yet another listless and hard-hitting middle order will fall on Chris Sil- from a troublesome elbow performance in the middle batsmen Hardik Pandya and verwood, the team’s head which had kept the New Zea- overs saw the Indian Premier Kieron Pollard. coach. Silverwood will lander out of previous three League (IPL) champions suffer “We are just not being able work with the teams’ games and remained not out their second defeat of their to capitalise on the start that we respective captains, Joe with 16 off 19 balls. campaign. are getting in the powerplay,” Root (test) and Eoin Bairstow and captain David Jonny Bairstow (left) and David Warner during Opting to bat first in Tues- said Rohit, who scored 44 and Morgan (ODIs and Warner (37) yet again gave their partnership yesterday. day’s game against Delhi Cap- added 58 for the second wicket Twenty20s). Hyderabad a strong start of 73 PIC COURTESY: SUNRISERS HYDERABAD itals, Mumbai had reached 67-1 with Suryakumar Yadav. “The current process runs from 10 overs before in the seventh over at the MA “This is something we need of selecting England Warner holed out in the deep Chidambaram Stadium in to understand as a batting unit. teams has been in place while going for a big shot facing a ball. Fast bowler from 60 deliveries including 9 Chennai but then lost their way, That is something we failed to for over 120 years,” said against left-arm spinner Fabian Khaleel Ahmed, who had boundaries and 4 sixes. ending up with a paltry 137-9 do again." , managing Allen. earlier removed opening Andre Russell (54), Pat from their 20 overs. director of the England “It’s been really close in batsman Mayank Agarwal (22), Cummins (66) and Dinesh Rohit’s side had managed team. most of the games, and haven’t took two late wickets to finish Karthik (40) led KKR’s fightback to defend low totals in their “Even though this got through. Probably through with 3-21. but they fell short of the target previous two matches against system has its merits, with carelessness, to be honest,” Leftarm spinner Abhishek and were bowled out for 201/9 Sunrisers Hyderabad and advances in technology Bairstow said as his team failed Sharma took 2-24. in 19 overs. Kolkata Knight Riders but failed and a greater infor- to capitalize on good starts in “A few batsmen got set and Brief scores: to do so on Tuesday as Delhi mation-gathering the previous three unsuccessful couldn’t get those 30s-40s that Punjab Kings 120 all out in registered a six-wicket victory. resource at our disposal chases. could get us through,” Rahul 19.4 overs (M Agarwal 22, S Khan “After the start we got, I than ever before, the Earlier, Punjab’s top-order said. 22, K Ahmed 3/21, A Sharma thought we could have very restructure is in the best batsmen continued to struggle “Every game from now is 2/24) vs SunRisers Hyderabad batted well in the middle overs, interests of helping - especially West Indies duo important for us and we’ve lost to SunRisers Hyderabad 121/1 which we didn’t do,” Rohit said England men’s teams be Chris Gayle and Nicholas always been in that situation, in 18.4 overs (J Bairstow 63 not at the presentation ceremony. successful. Pooran. The pair was dismissed where we get in a place where out, D Warner 37) by nine “That’s something we need “The new structure before the halfway mark and we have to win every game.” wickets. to focus on. It’s been happening also makes lines of left their team in trouble at 47-4 Meanwhile in Mumbai, Chennai Super Kings 220/3 time and again.” accountability much in the ninth over. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 20 overs (F du Plessis 95 not Mumbai had been cruising clearer, with Chris Sil- Gayle was trapped leg defeated Kolkata Knight Riders’ out, R Gaikwad 64, M Ali 25, V at 86-1 against Eoin Morgan’s verwood, as head coach, before wicket for 15 by Afghan- (KKR) by 18 runs at Wankhede Chakravarthy 1/27)vs Kolkata Kolkata before being bundled taking ultimate responsi- istan leg-spinner Rashid Khan Stadium, in yesterday’s other Knight Riders 202 all out in 19.1 out for 152, while they raised bility for picking England and Pooran was out for his third match . overs (P Cummins 66 not out, A 55 for the opening partnership senior men’s squads.” score of zero in four innings Faf du Plessis guided CSK Russell 54, D Karthik 40, D against Hyderabad but could when he was run-out without to 220/3 with an unbeaten 95 Chahar 4/29, L Ngidi 3/28). not capitalise on the brisk start NBA: Knicks roll on with 7th straight win; Hawks beat Magic

RJ Barrett (right) and Reggie Bullock celebrate REUTERS — NEW YORK NBA RESULTS The Hornets have lost five Orlando (18-40) has lost three a point against the Charlotte Hornets. Knicks 109, Hornets 97 of their last six games. They led in a row and nine of its past 10. RJ Barrett scored 18 of his 24 Hawks 112, Magic 96 66-60 at halftime, but were out- Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving points as part of a huge third Nets 134, Pelicans 129 scored 31-16 in the third quarter. scored 32 points and Joe Harris

quarter for the New York Knicks Clippers 113, Trail Blazers 112 Meanwhile, Trae Young, had 24 to lead seven Brooklyn as they topped the visiting Char- wearing googles for the first players in double figures as the Timberwolves 134, Kings 120 lotte Hornets 109-97 for their time due to an injury, scored 25 short-handed Nets held off host seventh straight win. points and Lou Williams came New Orleans. The Knicks (32-27) shot points apiece. Randle also had off the bench to score 22 as host Landry Shamet added 18, 48.2 percent from the field, 10 rebounds and seven assists, Atlanta downed Orlando. Blake Griffin scored 16, Jeff getting a boost from reserves though his streak of games The Hawks (32-26) have Green had 15, and Bruce Brown Derrick Rose and Immanuel with 30 or more points ended won two straight and nine of had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Quickley, who each racked up at four. their last 11 games. The Nets (39-19) played without 17 points. Charlotte (28-29) was led by Atlanta improved to six James Harden, Kevin Durant, Julius Randle and Reggie PJ Washington, who came off games over.500 for the first Nicolas Claxton and Reggie Bullock chipped in with 16 the bench for 26. time since March 11, 2017. Perry. Sport THURSDAY 22 APRIL 2021 21 Global stars want more work to achieve racial justice and equality Sport world hails Chauvin conviction

REUTERSEUTERS — NEW YORKYORK bracedbraced for the possibility of an “Derek“Derek ChauvinChauvin hashas inequality in our country and word to describe the verdict: unpopular verdict and more been found guilty. hope this represents a true “ACCOUNTABILITY,” tweeted Thehe spsportingorting world celebrated protests.protests. “This is monumentalmonumental,, JUSTICE for George! The turning point for how the James. thehe coconvictionnviction ooff fformerormer There were reports leagues George’sGeorge’s death is not in emotions I feel right effects of systemic racism begin On tennis’s biggest stage Minneapolisinneapolis policemanpoliceman DerekDerek had prpreparedepared pplanslans to popostponestpone vain.vain. to be addressed.” Japan’s Osaka stepped up and Chauvinhauvin foforr ththee mumurderrder ooff games ifif thethe verdictverdict sparkedsparked “Convictin“Convictingg him of now are hard to The NBA and its players led took a leading role at the US Georgeeorge FloydFloyd but cautioned violenceviolence but ininsteadstead therethere wwereere allall tthreehree chargescharges describe. 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Statesates tritriggeredggered bbyy tthehe murmurderder One’sOne’s ononlyly BlackBlack driver,driver, seven-seven- Convicting him of all three Blake, in the city of Kenosha, “I was going to make a cel- off Floyd,Floyd, a 46-year-old46-year-old BBlacklack timestimes worworldld championchampion Lewis charges marks a new dawn in Wisconsin. ebratory tweet but then I was man,man, llastast MaMayy tthathat ssparkedparked a HamiltonHamilton on hhisis Twitter The move triggered similar hit with sadness because we globalobal movement uniting ath-ath- account.account. the fight for racial justice: demonstrations across other are celebrating something that letestes arounaroundd tthehe worworld.ld. Lewis Hamilton sports with MLB, MLS and is clear as day,” tweeted Osaka. 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Lou Trivino struck out postponed Mitch Moreland belted two A’s 1, Twins 0 (Game 2) both batters he faced, and Jake REUTERS — TOKYO home runs, Matt Olson crushed Diekman fanned two in the a grand slam, and Sean Manaea Dodgers 1, Mariners 0 ninth for his first save. AP — TORONTO Tokyo Olympic organisers indi- continued Oakland’s run of Brewers 6, Padres 0 The game’s only run came cated yesterday they would brilliant pitching as the Oakland Rays 14, Royals 7 in the fourth inning, when Matt The Women’s World Hockey delay making a decision on the A’s thumped the visiting Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 2 Olson hit a leadoff double and Championship tournament in limit for spectators in venues, Minnesota Twins 7-0 in the White Sox 8, Indians 5 scored on Seth Brown’s one-out Canada has been postponed possibly until June, as a resur- opener of a doubleheader (DH). Yankees 3, Braves 1 single. indefinitely after health offi- gence in coronavirus cases Manaea (2-1) coasted Also, Julio Urias allowed cials in Nova Scotia informed complicates planning. through seven shutout innings Orioles 7, Marlins 5 one hit in seven scoreless the International Ice Hockey Games organisers decided while allowing just six hits and Giants 10, Phillies 7 innings with a career-high 11 Federation the province’s last month that international one walk. He struck out seven. Nationals 3, Cardinals 2 strikeouts as Los Angeles borders are being closed due

spectators would not be Manaea’s only previous Cubs 3, Mets 1 earned a split of a two-game to COVID-19 concerns, an IIHF allowed into Japan, and had complete game came almost Rockies 6, Astros 2 series between division leaders official said yesterday. said they would decide in April exactly three years earlier -- in Seattle. Corey Seager drove IIHF chief Rene Fasel con- on how many domestic spec- April 21, 2018 -- when he threw in the game’s lone run with a firmed the development, tators would be allowed into a no-hitter against the Boston shutout of the day. The A’s third-inning single as the saying the organization was venues. Red Sox. claimed their 10th consecutive Dodgers snapped a two-game informed of the province’s But Tokyo 2020 President Meanwhile, Jesus Luzardo win. losing streak. decision earlier in the day. Seiko Hashimoto told a news Spanish athletes will all teamed with two relievers to The two shutouts gave the The only hit Urias (3-0) Sportsnet.ca first reported the conference the decision would get COVID-19 vaccine, says throw a two-hitter as Oakland A’s four shutouts in their past allowed was an infield single news. take more time while they Minister completed a sweep of visiting five games. Luzardo (1-1) tossed by Mitch Haniger with two outs Fasel said he was “very study the coronavirus situation All Spanish athletes com- Minnesota with its second 5 1/3 innings of two-hit ball, in the third inning. disappointed” by the decision, in the country. peting at this year's Tokyo which comes a little over two “During the month of April Olympics will be vaccinated Oakland Athletics designated hitter Mitch Moreland hits a home run during the fourth inning weeks before the 10-team we would like to show the against COVID-19 before against the Minnesota Twins at Ring Central Coliseum. tournament was set to run in direction we are going in (on heading to the Games, the Pres- Halifax and Truro from May spectator limits) but looking at ident of Spain's National 6-16. the situation going forward, we Council for Sports Jose Manuel He said the IIHF will focus are still considering the timing Franco said yesterday. on rescheduling the tour- for making the final decision,” "There's absolute certainty nament later this year either she said, following a virtual that our sportsmen are going in Nova Scotia or another meeting with the International to be vaccinated in a timely country. Olympic Committee. manner and correctly, with all Fasel called it imperative Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro guarantees, and of course they to hold the tournament this Muto said a decision “could will go to the games with all year because it is the final one come in May or June, necessary sanitary guarantees," before the 2022 Winter depending on the situation.” Franco said. Olympics in Beijing. Japan is battling a fourth He said the authorities were The world championships wave of coronavirus cases, looking to cause the least dis- were canceled last year in with Tokyo and other areas ruption possible in adminis- Nova Scotia because of the implementing restrictions tering the vaccinations, which coronovirus pandemic. including shorter restaurant may mean they are carried out This year’s event had hours to try to halt the surge. at athletes' homes rather than already been pushed back by The Summer Olympics are the Spanish Olympic Committee a month because of safety scheduled to open on July 23. headquarters in Madrid. concerns. Nadal advances, Fognini defaulted at Barcelona Open

AP — BARCELONABARCE wrongdoing and was upset as tournament. He won the BARCELONA OPEN RESULTS he left the court, breaking his event six times in its last nine Men's Singles Round of 32 RafaelRafael NNadala (pictured) racket after hitting it at the net editions. Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Spain, def. Adrian Mannarino, France, 6-4, 6-4. neededneeded threethr sets to beat his post on his way out. The Barcelona Open was Andrey Rublev (3), Russia, def. Federico Gaio, Italy, 6-4, 6-3. 111th-ranked111th-ranke opponent in his Nadal had to overcome a not played last year because Felix Auger-Aliassime (10), Canada, def. Lorenzo Musetti, Italy, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. firstfirst matchmatch at the Barcelona slow start to defeat Ilya of the coronavirus Stefanos Tsitsipas (2), Greece, def. Jaume Munar, Spain, 6-0, 6-2. Open yesterday,yeste while Fabio Ivashka of Belarus 3-6, 6-2, pandemic. FogniniFognini waswa disqualified for 6-4 at the clay-court Nadal was coming off a Alex de Minaur (14), Australia, def. Alexander Bublik, Kazakhstan, 7-6 (3), 6-2. allegedalleged verbalverb abuse. tournament. three-set loss to Andrey Pablo Carreno Busta (6), Spain, def. Jordan Thompson, Australia, 6-4, 6-0. FogniniFognin was defaulted The Spaniard lost the first Rublev in the quarterfinals Bernabe Zapata Miralles, Spain, def. Fabio Fognini (9), Italy, 6-0, 4-4.

wwhilehile tratrailinig 6-0, 4-4 two games and struggled to of the Monte Carlo Masters Corentin Moutet, France, def. Daniel Evans (16), Britain, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. against qqualifieru Bernabe hold his serve in the third. He last week. Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Ilya Ivashka, Belarus, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. ZaZapatapata MirallesMi of Spain, recovered quickly after losing Rublev advanced in Bar- after a lilinen judge told the the first set and cruised in the celona by defeating Federico chair umumpirepi that the ninth- second, then broke early in the Gaio 6-4, 6-3, while second- wild-card entry Jaume Munar 6-4, 6-0, while Felix Auger- seededseeded IItalianta had used foul third. seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas - of Spain 6-0, 6-2. Sixth-seeded Aliassime of Canada rallied to llanguage.anguag Nadal is seeking a record who beat Rublev in the Monte Pablo Carreno Busta defeated beat Italian Lorenzo Musetti FogniniFo denied 12th title in the Barcelona Carlo final - cruised past Australian Jordan Thompson 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.