Lille OSC on Friday climbed six points clear of title rivals Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 with a tight 2-0 win against Metz. They now lead the French top flight with 69 points from 32 games, while PSG have 63, AS Monaco 62 and Olympique Lyonnais 61 ahead of their catch-up games this weekend. Turkish veteran striker Burak Yilmaz got the opener on the hour and compatriot Zeki Celik scrambled home a second at the death after Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan had saved an early Metz penalty. “We had a very sluggish start to the match,” Lille manager Christophe Galtier said. “We struggled to get the ball out. The desire to do well made us rush and we were wasteful. Mike kept us in the game by stopping the penalty.” Yilmaz showed great experience, wrong-footing the Metz goalkeeper, and shooting hard and low inside the near post to score. As they dug deep, Celik scrambled home a corner on 89 minutes to provide a harsh scoreline for the hosts. Maignan saved a 17th-minute penalty, diving low to turn Aaron Leya Iseka’s spot-kick beyond the post. This came after John Boye’s volley for Metz was goal-bound, but stopped on the line by defender Jose Fonte, who raised an arm to protect his face. PREMIER LEAGUE Reuters, LONDON Fulham manager Scott Parker praised his relegation-threatened side, even though a stoppage-time goal by Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore condemned them to a 1-0 loss that left them mired in the bottom three of the Premier League. Fulham are in 18th spot, three points behind Newcastle United, who have two games in hand, but Parker refused to find fault with his side. “It’s a painful one. I’ve been involved in football for a long time and that’s a blow, obviously ... it’s a hard one to take, and we go again now,” he told BT Sport.
A 48m Damian McKenzie penalty yesterday put the Waikato Chiefs into play-off contention in Super Rugby Aotearoa in Dunedin when they downed the Otago Highlanders 26-23 in a dramatic golden-point finish. Chiefs captain Brad Weber described the sudden-death decider as “fantastic” after the score was locked at 23-23 at the end of regulation time. McKenzie missed a chance to win the game before 80 minutes when he missed a 50m penalty after the hooter had gone. However, five minutes into extra time, after the Highlanders had missed a drop-goal attempt, Anton Lienert-Brown won a penalty for the Chiefs and McKenzie calmly settled the issue. It lifted the Chiefs to third in the competition, just two points behind the Auckland Blues and six away from leaders the Canterbury Crusaders. The Highlanders slipped to fourth on 10 points, five ahead of the Wellington Hurricanes, who face the Crusaders today. “We really needed that,” Weber said. “Whichever team won tonight was really going to push their claim for this title, so we’re happy to be on the right side.” “It’s the sort of rugby people love,” he said. “They want to come and see tight finishes, and golden point is great. I hate a draw, so it’s fantastic.” The Chiefs went into the match as underdogs with the Highlanders backing up from an upset victory over the Crusaders. However, captain Ash Dixon said that they were unable to repeat that performance. “We came out a bit flat,” he said. “For us to keep progressing in this competition, we’ve got to turn up week in and week out, and we just weren’t consistent tonight.” In a frantic opening, Etene Nanai-Seturo scored in the corner to open the Chiefs account and the Highlanders replied almost immediately with James Lentjes scoring from a well-worked lineout move. Then followed 30 minutes of attack, counterattack and fruitless shots at goal
Queensland Reds flyhalf James O’Connor kicked a late penalty to secure a 24-22 victory over the ACT Brumbies in front of 22,000 fans in Brisbane yesterday to maintain his side’s 100 percent record this season and secure a home final in the Super Rugby AU. The Reds had trailed by nine points with 15 minutes remaining, but finished the stronger side, with O’Connor kicking 14 points and having a hand in both of his side’s tries, which were scored by center Josh Flook and wing Jordan Petaia. The Brumbies looked in control for much of the game and led for most of it, scoring tries through hooker Folau Fainga’a, fullback Tom Banks and wing Tom Wright. The Reds head the Super Rugby AU table with 32 points from their seven games and are to host the May 8 final, while the Brumbies have already secured a home playoff in second place with 25 points. The Brumbies are set to meet the team who finish third in a semi-final on May 1, which is likely to be either the Melbourne Rebels or the Western Force.
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli said that Harshal Patel has solved the team’s death-overs woes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) following the seamer’s bowling masterclass in Friday’s victory against champions the Mumbai Indians. Patel claimed three wickets in four balls in the dramatic 20th over and conceded only one run to help restrict a star-studded Mumbai to a modest 159-9. His 5-27 was also the first five-wicket haul any bowler has taken against five-time champions Mumbai, the most successful team in the Twenty20 league’s history. “The last six overs for us, probably the best we’ve ever had,” Kohli told broadcaster Star Sports after Patel scored the winning run to secure their narrow victory in Chennai. “I think his spell was the difference in containing those 20-25 runs at the end. He is going to be [Bangalore’s designated death bowler], and he’s relishing the responsibility.” Among Patel’s victims were Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan and Kieron Pollard, who form what is probably the league’s most destructive middle order. “The wickets that he got weren’t fluke wickets,” Kohli said. “He actually wanted the guys to hit where they ended up getting caught. That was the hallmark of his game, he was very clear in what he wanted to do.” Patel, who troubled batsmen with his mix of yorkers and slower deliveries, said being told early about his role helped his preparation. “When we gathered for the first camp, there was a very clear instruction to me that I’m going to bowl at least two overs at the death,” the 30-year-old told reporters after collecting the man-of-the-match award. “That gave me a lot of clarity and confidence to work on my skills and develop plans against the batters I’m going to face in the death overs in various teams.”
SECOND COMPLETE GAME: The San Diego starter struck out 10 and faced 28 batters, throwing 77 of his 112 pitches for strikes for the first no-hitter in the majors this season
San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove on Friday pitched the first no-hitter in the history of his hometown team, allowing only one baserunner in a 3-0 victory over the Texas Rangers. The Padres were the only active MLB franchise without a no-hitter and it came in their 8,206th regular-season game from a 28-year-old who grew up just down the road in El Cajon, California. In only his second start for San Diego, Musgrove (2-0) struck out 10 and faced 28 batters, one over the minimum. He threw 77 of his 112 pitches for strikes. The only Rangers baserunner was Joey Gallo, who was hit by a pitch with two outs in the fourth inning. It was the first no-hitter in the majors this season and only the second complete game. Kohei Arihara (0-1) made his first start for the Rangers after pitching for the past six seasons in Japan. He allowed five hits and three runs over four innings. ANGELS 7, BLUE JAYS 1 In Dunedin, Florida, Shohei Ohtani homered and drove in four runs, sending Los Angeles to the victory. Ohtani completed a four-run second with a three-run double to deep right-center off T.J. Zeuch (0-1). He also connected for a solo drive to center during Los Angeles’ three-run fifth. Jared Walsh also went deep for Los Angeles, while Andrew Heaney (1-1) struck out nine in six scoreless innings. BRAVES 8, PHILLIES 1 In Atlanta, Georgia, Ronald Acuna Jr had four hits, including a long two-run homer that gave Atlanta the lead, and made a leaping catch to support Charlie Morton’s six strong innings. Acuna’s fifth-inning blast off Zack Wheeler (1-1) landed deep in the center-field seats behind the Braves bullpen for a 2-1 lead. He also had two doubles and an infield single. INDIANS 4, TIGERS 1 In Cleveland, Ohio, Franmil Reyes homered twice for Cleveland and Zach Plesac pitched seven dominant innings. Reyes hit a
The Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday received their World Series rings in front of the loyal hometown fans who did not get to witness last year’s championship run in person. Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts and the Dodgers collected their jewelry before Los Angeles’ home opener. The team raised a championship banner behind center field to the roars of a Chavez Ravine crowd. Those fans never got into Dodger Stadium to witness their team’s run to their first championship in 32 years. The Dodgers were well aware that their ring ceremony was a cathartic moment for the players and their millions of fans who were forced to enjoy a title run from afar amid COVID-19 restrictions. “We’ve had a year that we could have never imagined,” said Dodgers owner Mark Walter, who hoped the championship season could “serve as an inspiration to finish this fight against the terrible pandemic, and to continue the fight for justice and equality for everyone.” In the game, Justin Turner homered in the sixth inning as the Dodgers completed the festivities with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Nationals. Walker Buehler (1-0) pitched six strong innings as the Dodgers won a tidy pitchers’ duel in their home opener without injured star outfielders Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger. Corey Knebel struck out the side in the ninth for his second save, completing the shutout by four Dodgers pitchers.
Bradley Beal shook off a sluggish performance and a sore back to score six points in the final 6.1 seconds, lifting the Washington Wizards past the Golden State Warriors 110-107 on Friday. Russell Westbrook had 19 points, 14 assists and 14 rebounds for his league-leading 21st triple-double. Rui Hachimura added 22 points and five rebounds for the Wizards, who had lost 12 of 16. Robin Lopez scored a season-high 20. Beal was double-teamed nearly every time he touched the ball in the second half. He had missed nine of 15 shots and was zero for four beyond the arc before making one in the left corner and getting fouled by Andrew Wiggins. “You have a bad game and things aren’t going your way, you always want something to uplift you,” Beal said. “That was the moment for me.” “It definitely boosted some confidence for me,” he said. “I was just trying to make a play.” That came moments after Beal’s three-point attempt at the top of the arc hit the front of the rim. He finished with 20 points and six assists. “It was a big-time shot by a big-time player, especially coming back,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. “The staff told me he had some back tightness and they would keep me updated. I was asking every two minutes. It was great to have him back.” After Deni Advdija stole a pass from Damion Lee, Beal was fouled again on the other end and made both free throws. Stephen Curry missed a long-range as time ran out. “Three-point lead with under 20 seconds to go, you have to close that game out,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Beal made a huge shot and we just couldn’t convert on the next play. Tough loss. We’re all going to lose sleep tonight.” In other games on Friday, it was: ‧ Hawks 120, Bulls 108 ‧ Pelicans
Martin Jones made 32 saves to stymie Los Angeles again, while Patrick Marleau scored his 566th career goal as the San Jose Sharks beat the Kings 5-2 on Friday. Kevin Labanc, Rudolfs Balcers and Dylan Gambrell also scored, while Brent Burns had three assists to give San Jose their fifth win in six games. Tomas Hertl added an empty-net goal. The key to the victory was once again Jones. He beat the Kings for the sixth time this season and has a .933 save percentage in seven games against his former team. He joined Mike Vernon (1997-1998 against Anaheim) as the only Sharks goaltenders to beat one team six times in a season. “It’s going well,” Jones said. “It’s obviously more fun winning hockey games. The challenge for us as a group is when things are going well to not change anything. When we play a certain way, we’re a tough team to play against.” Alex Iafallo and Jaret Anderson-Dolan scored for Los Angeles, while Cal Petersen made 24 saves. The Kings have lost seven of nine. “Getting the first goal is a positive,” Kings captain Anze Kopitar said. “We hit the snooze button for a little bit and next thing you know we’re down 3-1. That’s certainly not the recipe for success.” Marleau scored in back-to-back games for the first time since November 2018 when Burns’ centering pass hit his skate and deflected past Petersen to make it 2-1 in the first. Marleau played his 1,762nd career game, five shy of tying Gordie Howe’s all-time record. “Patty has been real good in the last few weeks,” coach Bob Boughner said. “It’s nice to see him being at the top of his game as he’s approaching that record. He’s in a good spot for us,” Boughner said. That goal was part of a three-goal first period that Jones made stand up with a
Whether it is graphics showing changes in oil patterns on the lanes or more emotion being shown on strikes, the sport of bowling has caught up with the times when it comes to putting a captivating show on television. Fox Sports and the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) have made the most of their partnership, which is in its fourth year. Going into this weekend’s US Open, which is the fifth and final major of the season, ratings on Fox and FS1 continue to hold steady at a time when other sports have experienced huge drops. The US Open, which is in Reno, Nevada, is to have its finals today air on FS1. “We are bringing an upgraded viewing experience for every viewer at home,” PBA chief executive officer Colie Edison said. “They’re able to understand this is not when you or I go to a birthday party and throw the ball right down the middle of the lane.” “They are able to be really engaged into the intricacies of the sport and view this not just as recreation,” Edison said. The PBA produces the events, but a lot of the technological evolutions have been in partnership with Fox. There is a StrikeTrack, which shows the ball speed, location and revolutions per minute and other features. There are also graphics that track the change in oil patterns on the lane, while the scorebox updates with the maximum score each bowler could get, which makes it easier to understand the flow of matches. “Viewers can more easily understand the oil patterns, they can understand the strategy of the players as they spin the ball,” said Bill Wanger, who heads up Fox’s scheduling and programming. “Another thing that is quite appealing to people is if a bowler doesn’t get a strike, and he’s trying to pick up a spare, we have statistics
CONTROVERSIAL CALL: With the bases loaded, Michael Conforto stuck out his right elbow pad and got grazed by the ball, leading to the umpires ruling a hit by pitch
With fans at Citi Field for the first time in 557 days, Michael Conforto and the New York Mets got some serious home cooking. Even the umpire knew it. Jeff McNeil on Thursday launched a tying homer in the ninth inning on his 29th birthday, before the Mets were handed the winning run on a disputed hit by pitch for a bizarre 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins in their home opener. “We caught a little break,” McNeil said. With the bases loaded and one out, a scuffling Conforto stuck out his right elbow pad just enough to get grazed by a 1-2 breaking ball from Marlins closer Anthony Bass that appeared to be in the strike zone. Plate umpire and crew chief Ron Kulpa at first signaled strike, then quickly ruled Conforto was hit by the pitch. Conforto headed to first base as Luis Guillorme scored and the Mets celebrated a fortuitous comeback win. “That one there, makes a clear move to get hit, try to get hit, but for me I guess the tough part is you can’t really tell on the replay if it hits him or not,” Miami manager Don Mattingly said. “And I guess the toughest part is, it’s just a strike. Kind of that simple. You would think all the replay we do, that you could say that ball’s a strike.” Mattingly and his players argued with Kulpa before the umpires went to a replay review that lasted 58 seconds. The call was upheld. “It’s one of those plays where it looked like the guy was hit,” Kulpa told a reporter. “The guy was hit by the pitch in the strike zone. I should have called him out.” According to the rules, if a batter is plunked by a pitch in the strike zone, it is a strike and not a hit by
The Taiwan Mulan Football League begins today, with the spotlight on a “clash of the giants” of the women’s game in Taichung, where defending champions Hualien City are to be visitors for what is expected to be a fierce contest against Taichung Blue Whale. Hualien City head coach Chu Wen-pin and team captain Wang Hsiang-hui on Thursday said at the Mulan League launch event in Taipei that they are confident of repeating their championship-winning form, but other clubs have strengthened their squads, so improved teamwork and performance would be needed in every match. “The other teams made signings during the off-season, boosting their squads with the addition of new players. It will take at least three rounds of play to get to know their tactics, strengths and weaknesses,” Chu said. “As champions, we are under pressure, as all the other teams will be aiming to beat us. So our players must redouble their efforts and have better teamwork to reach the top again.” Chu led the team on an unbeaten run last year — 12 wins and three draws — to take the league title, then added the “double” by defeating Taichung Blue Whale 1-0 to claim the Mulan Football League Cup at the end of the season. “Our players have gained lots of experience over the years, and we have a nice mix of youngsters, newly established regular starters and a core of veterans,” Wang said. “I believe the good chemistry, as well as players competing to get into the starting lineup, will be key if we want to defend the title this year.” Taichung Blue Whale, who won three consecutive league titles from 2017 to 2019, are expected to be Hualien City’s main challengers this season. Michelle Pao is to lead the Blue Whale attack on the back of winning last season’s Golden Boot
Manchester United on Thursday defeated Spanish club Granada 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final in Spain, while Arsenal conceded a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw at home to Czech champions Slavia Prague. Marcus Rashford raced on to a long ball from Victor Lindelof to fire United in front at Los Carmenes on 31 minutes against a team enjoying a brilliant debut European campaign. Bruno Fernandes converted a late penalty after he was pushed over in the penalty area by Yan Eteki, with the Portuguese midfielder’s spot-kick squirming agonizingly through the hands of Rui Silva. “They [Rashford and Fernandes] have been exceptional, so important for us,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BT Sport. “It was a very good run by Rashford, takes the ball fantastically. Bruno is so confident on penalties, even though the ’keeper almost saved it.” However, Solskjaer will be without the suspended trio of captain Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay for the second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday next week. “It was not a perfect night,” he said. “We got three yellow cards and three suspensions, [but] 2-0 is a very good result. We know how difficult it is to come to Spain.” Yangel Herrera volleyed against the post for Granada as Spain international David de Gea kept a clean sheet on his first appearance for United since the end of February. In London, Arsenal’s poor league form under Mikel Arteta has left the Gunners with the Europa League as their only hope of silverware this year, but the 2018-2019 runners-up were denied a victory at the Emirates Stadium following a 94th-minute header by Tomas Holes. Nicolas Pepe had come off the bench to give Arsenal the lead four minutes from time, only for Holes to nod in a corner and extend Slavia’s unbeaten run to
The Western Force yesterday scored a late try off a rolling maul and held off the Melbourne Rebels in a dramatic finish to claim their second win in Super Rugby AU, the 16-15 victory keeping alive their hopes of making the playoffs. The Rebels looked to have won an ugly arm-wrestle of a match until Force replacement forward Tim Anstee crashed over the line from an attacking lineout to score the first try of the match with four minutes left. Argentina flyhalf Domingo Miotti converted to give the Force a one-point lead, but they had to defend it with their lives as the Rebels came back at them to try to snatch a win that would have all but assured them of the third and final playoff spot. The Force pack, who were hard on the ball at the breakdown throughout the contest, forced a turnover after the final hooter, but fullback Jack McGregor’s attempted kick into touch was intercepted and the Rebels twice set up for drop-goals. On the first attempt, the pass failed to reach Reece Hodge in the pocket and on the second the fullback skewered his kick well wide of the posts, bringing an end to the contest. It was another in a series of disappointments for Hodge, who missed three potentially match-winning penalties for Australia in Tests against New Zealand and Argentina (twice) last season. The rest of the contest was forgettable, as Matt To’omua kicked four penalties and Hodge one for the Rebels, while Miotti replied with three for the Force. The victory brought the Force within a point of the Rebels in the battle for third place, with two rounds of matches remaining. Runaway leaders the Queensland Reds and the ACT Brumbies meet in a top-of-the-table clash in Brisbane today. The first meeting this season set a new standard and the return
FOOTBALL Adams suspect in killings A former NFL player is suspected of killing five people, including a doctor and his wife, in South Carolina before dying by suicide on Thursday. The suspect, identified as former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Phillip Adams, allegedly fatally shot the five victims on Wednesday in Rock Hill. He then returned to his parents’ house, where he killed himself early on Thursday morning after a standoff with police. The five victims were a 70-year-old doctor, his 69-year-old spouse and two of their grandchildren, aged five and nine, and a 38-year-old man. Adams also played for the New England Patriots, the New York Jets, the Oakland Raiders and the Atlanta Falcons. GOLF McIlroy hits his dad Rory McIlroy on Thursday endured his worst ever start to a Masters and while it might leave a mark on his psyche, the Northern Irishman’s father might have felt the sting even more after being struck by one of his son’s errant shots. McIlroy, who two weeks ago sent a tee shot into a swimming pool at a match play event in Austin, Texas, hit his father in the left leg with his second shot at the seventh hole en route to a four-over 76. “I knew it was my dad when I was aiming at him,” McIlroy said. McIlroy’s father walked away before joking with a reporter that he was going to demand an autographed glove. “I think he just needs to go put some ice on it, maybe I’ll autograph a bag of frozen peas for him,” McIlroy said. SOCCER Hertha sacking sparks spat Hungary on Thursday summoned a German embassy official after Bundesliga side Hertha BSC sacked their Hungarian goalkeeping coach for making anti-immigration comments in an interview. The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Hertha’s dismissal on Tuesday of goalkeeping coach Zsolt Petry “restricted
‘PERSEVERANCE’: Devin Booker said that his team had the right approach, and while it was not a pretty win, ‘any time you can beat a team like that, it is good’
Devin Booker on Wednesday did the heavy lifting offensively, scoring 35 points as the Phoenix Suns edged the Utah Jazz 117-113 in overtime in a Western Conference showdown between the two best teams in the NBA. The Suns not only won their seventh straight game, but the nail-biting victory gave them an important psychological edge over the Jazz as the season nears the final stretch. “It came down to perseverance,” Booker said of a thrilling match that lived up to its pre-game billing. “We had the right approach. It wasn’t a pretty win, but any time you can beat a team like that, it is good.” The second-place Suns improved to 36-14 and cut the Jazz’s lead atop the Western Conference to 1.5 games. Both teams came into the contest having won nine of their previous 10. Chris Paul had 29 points and nine assists, while Deandre Ayton finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for Phoenix, who picked up their second win in two meetings with the Jazz this season. Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 41 points for the Jazz. Mitchell forced the overtime with a key three-pointer late in regulation time in front of the crowd of 5,100 at the Phoenix Suns Arena. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 20 points, while Rudy Gobert chipped in 16 points and 18 rebounds for the Jazz, who have lost two in a row on the road. NETS 139, Pelicans 111 In New York, Kevin Durant scored 17 points in his return from injury as the Brooklyn Nets clobbered the New Orleans Pelicans. It was a perfect shooting night for Durant whose return came after star point guard James Harden went out with a hamstring injury. Durant liked being thrown into the game after starting the night on the Nets bench. “It worked out. I wasn’t trying to ease into the game,” said Durant, who came
The Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday beat the New York Yankees 4-3, with Anthony Santander delivering a game-saving dart from right field to home plate. Santander might not have had the chance if Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres had gotten a routine throw across the diamond an inning earlier. Santander threw out Gio Urshela trying to score on a fly ball in the 11th, moments after pinch hitter Chance Sisco’s go-ahead single in the top half. Brett Gardner bunted Urshela, the automatic runner, to third to open the inning. D.J. LeMahieu then ripped a liner to right. Santander set himself, caught it and delivered a perfect throw home, a couple steps ahead of Urshela, who slid face first into catcher Pedro Severino’s tag. “Well, he hit the ball to the right guy,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. It was the second laser home from Santander in the game, but he came up just short trying to get Tyler Wade in the 10th. Santander also homered in the fifth. Wade’s run might have been the winner if not for Torres’ blunder in the top of the 10th. The 24-year-old skipped a throw past first baseman Jay Bruce on a two-out grounder by the slow-footed Severino, allowing Santander to score from third. “I think the important thing is to continue to reinforce a lot of the good things, a lot of the progress that he legitimately has made,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, adding that “he has all the capabilities to be able to go out there and do it.” “You have a high-profile miscue or something, you have to be able to work past that,” Boone said. Sisco’s one-out hit off Chad Green (0-1) scored Rio Ruiz from third following a sacrifice bunt by Freddy Galvis. “I felt fortunate,” Hyde said. “You get four hits through 11 innings against the New York Yankees, you’re not usually
After several humbling losses to the West Division leaders, the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday sent quite the message to the Colorado Avalanche in their last of eight regular-season matchups. Eight was more than enough for the Wild to slow the Avalanche. Kevin Fiala notched his first career hat-trick, while Kirill Kaprizov had two of Minnesota’s three power-play goals as the sharp-shooting Wild beat Colorado 8-3 to hand the Avalanche their first regulation loss in 16 games. “We can play against you guys,” Fiala said. “If we’re going to meet them in the playoffs.” Luke Johnson, Ryan Hartman and Joel Eriksson Ek also scored as the Wild caught NHL wins leader Philipp Grubauer on a rare off night in the net. He was pulled midway through the third period for Jonas Johansson, who gave up the eighth goal — to Fiala — that matched the all-time Wild record. They finished with just 19 shots on goal, scoring on a staggering 42 percent of their on-target attempts. “They were the more hungry team. They came out in the first period again at a pace and intensity that we didn’t match,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. Nathan MacKinnon got the Avalanche on the board 26 seconds into the second period after the Wild had built a 3-0 lead. Andre Burakovsky and Mikko Rantanen each scored to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Kaprizov responded with a snipe through traffic less than four minutes later. The Russian right wing became the first Wild rookie with two power-play goals in a game. “He’s a great player. He’s been awesome for us the whole season, and I feel like all the lines are rolling,” Fiala said. Two of Fiala’s goals were on a power play, too, as the Wild went four for five against an Avs penalty kill that entered the evening ranked second in the league. The Avalanche
TENNIS French Open pushed back The French Open has been delayed by one week because of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers said yesterday. The clay-court Grand Slam tournament was set to start on May 23, but first-round matches would now get under way on May 30. The French Tennis Federation said that the decision was taken to maximize chances that the event would be played “in front of as many spectators as possible” in a safe environment. CRICKET Zaman, Azam lead Pakistan Fakhar Zaman hit his second successive century and captain Babar Azam made 94 to set up a 28-run win for Pakistan in the series-deciding third and final one-day international against South Africa in Centurion on Wednesday. South Africa’s chances of chasing down Pakistan’s total of 320-7 were effectively snuffed out by left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, who took three wickets in successive overs to reduce the hosts to 140-5 in the 28th over. Batsman Kyle Verreynne (62) and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo (54) put on 108 off 100 balls for the sixth wicket, but both were dismissed in the space of seven balls as South Africa were bowled out for 292. Azam said that Pakistan wanted to continue winning when they go into a four-match Twenty20 series, which is to start in Johannesburg tomorrow. “It’s a confidence game and we gained a lot of confidence,” he said. “We will take that and try and win the T20 series.” SOCCER Wenger backs offside system FIFA would be ready to implement an automated system for offside calls at next year’s World Cup in Qatar, FIFA head of global development Arsene Wenger said. The International Football Association Board last month said that it was continuing to review the offside law and planned to test technology that would allow for “semiautomatic” decisions to limit the need for long waits for video
TAKE TWO: Tainan TSG are the favorites going into this season, which starts on Sunday. They have fearsome forwards and national ’keeper Pan Wen-chieh between the posts
Defending champions Tainan TSG (Taiwan Steel Group) face a tough challenge from their southern neighbors Taipower and CPC FC when the Taiwan Football Premier League (TFPL) season starts this weekend with four matches on Sunday. Promoting grassroots soccer, and organizing relegation and promotion between the top and second divisions last year was important for the progression of Taiwanese soccer, CTFA chairman Chiou I-jen told a news conference in Taipei yesterday. “We are going in the right direction ... and becoming more competitive” for international competitions, Chiou said. Still the favorites, Tainan TSG have the league’s most fearsome forwards, with three international star players. The team are also captained by Wu Chun-ching, who won last year’s Most Valuable Player award, and have national goalkeeper Pan Wen-chieh between the posts. Team manager Lo Chih-tsung has bolstered the offense by signing last year’s Golden Boot winner Ange Samuel, the Ivory Coast striker who netted 20 goals for Tatung FC to top the scoring charts last year, in one of the big off-season moves among the clubs. Samuel is likely to feature up front, in rotation with Marco Fenelus from the Turks and Caicos Islands, Benchy Astama from Haiti, and Yu Chia-huang from Yilan County. Fenelus came second on the scoring charts with 19 goals last year, tied with Taichung Futuro forward Joo Ik-seong from South Korea, while Astama was fourth with 16. Wu and Pan represented the team in handing over the TFPL trophy for the new season. “We are ready to defend our league title, aiming to repeat our winning form from last year, but other clubs have new signings and have added foreign players to strengthen their lineups,” Wu said. “It is a very good development — for Taiwan’s overall soccer environment, and for the league — to have stronger competition,” he said. Pan, who took three consecutive league titles
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