Abu Dhabi: Valtteri Bottas clocked the fastest time in Friday’s second free practice for this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver outpacing both Red Bulls under the floodlights at the Yas Marina circuit.
The Finn topped the times in one minute and 37.236 seconds to outpace second-placed Max Verstappen by 0.044 seconds with Daniel Ricciardo third, two-tenths adrift.
New five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth-quickest in the second Mercedes after struggling for grip.
The two Ferraris led by Sauber-bound Kimi Raikkonnen were fifth and sixth, four-time champion German Sebastian Vettel failing to make a serious challenge at the top as the three leading teams dominated both sessions.
Dutchman Verstappen had been quickest in the morning in a Red Bull one-two, but Bottas bounced back for Mercedes as the sun went down.
Romain Grosjean was seventh for Haas ahead of Nico Hulkenberg of Renault ahead and Kevin Magnussen in the second Haas with Esteban Ocon 10th for Force India.
Valtteri Bottas sets the early pace in Abu Dhabi as world champion Lewis Hamilton struggles
Valtteri Bottas sets the early pace in Abu Dhabi as world champion Lewis Hamilton struggles
- Flying Finn shows Mercedes teammate how it is done in the UAE capital.
- Hamilton hoping to finish season in style after claiming fifth world title.
Ahly, Esperance book CAF Champions League final places
- Ahly are seeking a record-extending 12th victory in the premier African club competition
- Both clubs have booked final places after 11 clean sheets in 12 qualifying, group and knockout matches
JOHANNESBURG: Title-holders Al Ahly of Egypt and long-time rivals Esperance of Tunisia will meet in the two-leg CAF Champions League final during May.
Ahly overpowered TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 in Cairo to win a semifinal by the same score on aggregate after a goalless first leg last Saturday.
Esperance soaked up constant pressure from Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in Pretoria before snatching a 1-0 win to advance 2-0 overall after also winning 1-0 at home.
Mohamed Abdelmonem, Wessam Abou Ali and Akram Tawfik scored in the second half for Ahly, who are seeking a record-extending 12th victory in the premier African club competition.
Raed Bouchniba came off the bench to score 12 minutes into the second half against Sundowns in a match that lasted 190 minutes after a storm halted play midway through the opening half.
It will be the third time Ahly and Esperance face each other in the final of the Champions League with the Egyptians winning in 2012 and the Tunisians succeeding in 2018.
They also clashed in the semifinals last season with Ahly winning home and away for a 4-0 aggregate triumph.
Both clubs have booked final places after 11 clean sheets in 12 qualifying, group and knockout matches.
Esperance, seeking a fifth Champions League title, will host the first leg in Rades on the outskirts of Tunis on May 18 with the return match in Cairo seven days later.
Sundowns had their chances against Esperance with Peter Shalulile and Aubrey Modiba hitting the woodwork and Namibia captain Shalulile coming close several times.
But the first time Esperance threatened to score they did so as a counterattack ended with Bouchniba racing into the area and firing across goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into the far corner.
Since their lone Champions League title in 2016, Sundowns have reached the semifinals three times and lost on each occasion to north African opponents.
In Cairo, Joel Beya had a goal for Mazembe early in the second half disallowed before a powerful header from Abdelmonem off a corner broke the deadlock on 68 minutes.
A superb cross from veteran Tunisia defender Ali Maaloul was fired into the net by Abou Ali on 83 minutes for his first goal of the African campaign.
Tawfik struck 12 minutes into added time by racing through and slamming the ball across Senegalese goalkeeper Alioune Faty into the far corner.
Arda Guler stretches Real Madrid’s vast Liga lead at Real Sociedad
- The playmaker, 19, has endured an injury-hit season but on his first league start snatched a heavily rotated Madrid side a tight victory at the Reale Arena
- The match was brought forward to Friday from Saturday at little more than a week’s notice, to help Madrid prepare for their Champions League match at Bayern
SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain: Turkish teenager Arda Guler’s strike helped Real Madrid close in on the Spanish title with a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad on Friday, moving 14 points clear at the top of La Liga.
After last weekend’s Clasico win over second place Barcelona it appears a formality for Madrid to take the title back from their arch-rivals, and Guler helped them move one step closer.
The playmaker, 19, has endured an injury-hit season but on his first league start snatched a heavily rotated Madrid side a tight victory at the Reale Arena.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rested virtually his entire first choice team with Tuesday’s Champions League semifinal visit to face Bayern Munich in mind.
Top scorer Jude Bellingham was on the bench after recovering from a stomach problem to earn a late addition to the squad list, alongside Vinicius Junior, Toni Kroos and various other stars.
As a result Madrid conjured little in attack beyond Guler’s goal, with the hosts, sixth, on top in driving San Sebastian rain.
“Arda scored a goal, Arda will be an important player for us in the future, there’s no doubt he’ll be here next year,” Ancelotti told reporters, also praising his team’s commitment despite the rotations.
“It was quite clear that everyone thought we were coming here for a stroll, the only ones who didn’t think so were the players,” he continued.
“I am proud of the players because they had the desire and will to keep winning... I have to thank them because from that point of view, they were spectacular.”
Madrid goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, on loan from Chelsea, pushed away a Takefusa Kubo effort as La Real continued to probe.
Ancelotti also gave defender Eder Militao his first start after his long-term knee injury.
The Brazilian looked uncertain but Real Sociedad could not capitalize, with Benat Turrientes firing narrowly over.
Despite previously failing to generate openings of their own, Madrid took the lead in the 29th minute.
Aurelien Tchouameni swept the ball out to Dani Carvajal on the right, who stroked a low ball across the area.
It was a perfectly placed pass by the Spain international — playing seemingly only as he is suspended for the visit to Munich — and Guler arrived in the right place at the right time to finish.
Kubo thought he had pulled Real Sociedad level against his former side before the break when he beat Militao and slotted home, but Ander Barrenetxea was penalized for a foul on Tchouameni in the buildup.
“Barrene went to steal the ball and the only thing I can say is that the player who loses it was sleeping,” Kubo told Movistar.
Arrizabalaga pushed a Turrientes effort wide in the second half and Ancelotti called on the cavalry for the final 25 minutes, sending Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde into the fray.
Another substitute, Antonio Rudiger, made a vital block on an attempted Oyarzabal dink to deflect the forward’s effort behind for a corner.
Alex Remiro made a fine save to deny Eduardo Camavinga late on as the reinforced visitors took control in five minutes of added time to see out the win.
The match was brought forward to Friday from Saturday at little more than a week’s notice, to help Madrid prepare for their Champions League match at Bayern.
“It’s a pity, whoever watched the game knew that we deserved to win,” added Kubo.
“It’s a pity for the fans, because of the rain, the change of schedule... all that rubbish.”
Barcelona face Valencia on Monday in La Liga but the Catalans have all but thrown in the towel in the title race.
Madrid’s performance was decidedly forgettable but they are eyeing a league and Champions League double for the fifth time in their history — and that would be something to remember.
‘Ballistic’ Bairstow stars as Punjab pull off record T20 chase in IPL win over Kolkata Knight Riders
‘Ballistic’ Bairstow stars as Punjab pull off record T20 chase in IPL win over Kolkata Knight Riders
- Previous highest run chase in T20 history was scripted by South Africa who overhauled 258-5 made by the West Indies in 2023
- Shashank Singh also impressed with the bat, making 68 not out off 28 balls with eight sixes and two fours
KOLKATA: Jonny Bairstow smashed a “ballistic” unbeaten century as Punjab Kings recorded the highest successful run chase in Twenty20 cricket with an eight-wicket thrashing of Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League on Friday.
The England star clobbered nine sixes and eight fours in his 48-ball 108 to help Punjab overhaul Kolkata’s 261-6 with eight balls to spare in hot and humid conditions at the Eden Gardens.
“We got off to a good start and that was key. They got off to a flier themselves so we knew we had to go ballistic in the powerplay,” said Bairstow, named player of the match.
“When you’ve to chase 200-plus you’ve to take risks in the powerplay. Try and whack it as hard as possible.”
Shashank Singh also impressed with the bat, making 68 not out off 28 balls with eight sixes and two fours.
The previous highest run chase in T20 history was scripted by South Africa who overhauled 258-5 made by the West Indies in 2023.
“Shashank has done it all season, a lovely guy and special player. To have someone like him coming in and do that is unbelievable,” added Bairstow.
The match also saw the batsmen club 42 sixes — the most ever hit in a T20 game.
“Cricket has turned to baseball hasn’t it?” said Punjab captain Sam Curran.
“Guys can hit balls for long periods of time, the coaches, training, the dew, dot balls become wide after reviews and you get the extra ball. Stats are going out of the window.”
He added: “Really pleased for Jonny, he’s been on tour for a long time and was eager to score. Shashank, he was promoted to number four, he’s been our find of the season.”
Kolkata skipper Shreyas Iyer said his team will learn from the defeat.
“Both teams played tremendously. You have to go back to the drawing board and see where you went wrong,” said Iyer.
“Not defending hurts but it’s a great lesson for the players.”
Punjab registered only their third win from nine games and moved to eighth spot in the 10-team competition.
Kolkata, with five wins from eight games, remain in second place.
“From the dugout, I was watching the wicket. I felt the ball was coming on with good bounce,’ said Shashank.
“This match, the way Jonny batted was a huge positive. It was a great learning for me, we still have five more matches to go.”
Opening the Punjab innings, Bairstow put on 93 runs with impact sub Prabhsimran Singh (54) and another 85 runs with South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw (26).
Prabhsimran was run out by a direct throw from Sunil Narine who also chipped in with the wicket of Rossouw in the 13th over.
Despite the two dismissals, Shashank continued to unleash big shots, making sure Punjab did not lose their nerve while chasing the big total.
Earlier, Kolkata got off to a blistering start with Phil Salt and Narine sharing 138 runs off just 69 balls for the first wicket after being put in to bat.
Narine, dropped on 16, hammered four sixes and nine fours in his 32-ball 71 before holing out to Bairstow off leg spinner Rahul Chahar.
England’s Curran dismissed Salt who hit a 37-ball 75 studded with six sixes and six fours after being dropped twice by sloppy Punjab fielders.
Venkatesh Iyer chipped in with a cameo 39-run knock as Kolkata posted the highest IPL total ever at the Eden Gardens.
Kozuma shoots 63 to grab lead; Torque top team leaderboard
- Torque GC owns the team lead by shooting 20 under, the lowest first-round counting score by any team this year
- The Iron Heads are one shot back in second, while HyFlyers GC is third at 17 under
ADELAIDE, Australia: After shooting a bogey-free 9-under 63 to grab the first-round lead at LIV Golf Adelaide, Iron Heads GC’s Jinichiro Kozuma credited his putting prowess with helping him get through “some troubles here and there.”
His teammate and Friday playing partner Danny Lee, sitting next to Kozuma during the post-round press conference, was perplexed. “Trouble? What trouble?”
Indeed, the 29-year-old Kozuma seemed to have almost no trouble during the first round at The Grange Golf Club. He was 8 under after his first 11 holes and never gave up the lead on a day of low scoring before enthusiastic jampacked crowds at The Grange.
Kozuma will take a one-shot advantage into Saturday’s second round over Lee and Torque GC’s Carlos Ortiz. Four players are tied for fourth, two shots back – Mito Pereira (Torque), Peter Uihlein (RangeGoats GC), Andy Ogletree (HyFlyers GC) and Anirban Lahiri (Crushers GC).
Torque GC owns the team lead by shooting 20 under, the lowest first-round counting score by any team this year. Besides the contributions from Ortiz and Pereira, captain Joaquin Niemann — who leads the Individual Championship standings this season thanks to two individual wins — contributed a 67.
The Iron Heads are one shot back in second, while HyFlyers GC is third at 17 under. Crushers GC, who lead the season-long team race, are in fourth at 16 under. The hometown favorites Ripper GC, captained by Cameron Smith, are fifth at 15 under.
Kozuma, who’s in his first full year in LIV Golf after earning a spot via the Promotions tournament during the offseason, is leading for the first time after any round in his nine LIV Golf starts. His family is attending its first LIV Golf tournament this week to watch him play.
“I wanted to play really well in front of my family and impress all the family,” said Kozuma, whose round was highlighted by a 40-foot eagle putt. “I guess I got to do that, and I’m really happy about that.”
Non-captain teammates played together in the same group on Friday, and Kozuma and Lee will be together again in Saturday’s second round. They hope it will lead to another day of feeding off
each other.
“Whatever I was doing today and whatever Jinny was doing today worked out pretty good,” said Lee, the winner last year in Tucson. “We’re going to just enjoy each other’s company and keep our head down, keep making putts.”
Ortiz and Pereira also excelled together in the all-Torque group.
“It was really nice playing with these guys,” Ortiz said. “They holed out two holes in a row, so it felt like we were getting some momentum our way. Really happy the way I played, and just get it going.”
Kozuma, Lee, Pereira and Ogletree are among eight individual players who have yet to produce points (top 24 finish) through the first five tournaments this season. That they posted strong opening rounds at Adelaide is an indication that better results may be on
the horizon.
“Not the start (to this season) that I would like,” said Pereira, who finished eighth in the season-long standings last year. “… But trying to work hard to get my game back where it was last year, or
even better.”
For Kozuma and Lee, the focus for the next two rounds is not on points but just playing well and building on the momentum of Friday’s hot start.
“You can’t get too caught up in that kind of stuff,” said Lee, who was slowed by offseason surgery on his wrist. “I feel like that’s only putting a lot of pressure on yourself, so you’ve just got to let it go and keep your head down and just keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
Added Kozuma: “I don’t want to think too much about the points. I want to just enjoy where I’m at right now and play.”
Saudi Arabia exit 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, fail to reach Paris Olympics
- A 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan saw Saad Al-Shehri’s team depart at the quarterfinal stage of competition they won in 2022
DOHA: Saudi Arabia exited the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup on Friday after a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan at Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan.
The defeat means that the Green Falcons, winners of the the last edition of the tournament in 2022, cannot reach the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris — a bitter blow for coach Saad Al-Shehri who had led the team to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
For Uzbekistan, the win brings a small measure of revenge having lost the last AFC U-23 Asian Cup final 2-0 to Saudi Arabia in Tashkent two years ago.
Uzbekistan took the lead through Khusayin Norchaev two minutes into first-half stoppage time, and Saudi Arabia’s task became harder when Ayman Yahya was sent off on 70 minutes.
Saudi’s 10 men could not find an equalizer, and Uzbekistan put the game to bed thanks to Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s goal on 84 minutes.
In Monday’s first semifinal at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Uzbekistan will face Indonesia, who beat South Korea 11-10 on penalties after their quarterfinal ended in a 2-2 draw.
In the other semifinal, Japan, who beat hosts Qatar 4-2 after extra time, will await the winner of the last-eight clash between Iraq and Vietnam.
