Germany and Britain advanced to the Four Nations final by defeating Japan 4-2 and New Zealand 5-1 respectively on Friday.
Japan defended well in the first 10 minutes, fighting off six shots with goalkeeper Katsuya Takase keeping Germany scoreless. Germany earned their first penalty corner a minute from the break, converted by Martin Zwicker at the right post from Martin Haner’s powerful low flick at the battery to put his side 1-0 ahead at the break.
Japan leveled from their first penalty corner early in the second half when a quick left-to-right pass for Katsuyoshi Nagasawa was flicked high across Tim Jessulat in Germany’s goal. Japan was competitive until 12 minutes from time when Felix Oldhafer was left unmarked in Japan’s circle to score twice and Oskar Deecke added another to have Germany ahead 4-1.
Koji Kayukawa drove in a consolation goal from the top of the circle which caught Jessulat in goal by surprise. Japan coach Siegfried Aikman acknowledged Takase’s goalkeeping skills.
“We had a difficult start and Takase kept us in the match, but I have to acknowledge that Germany had better individual skills and control of the match than Japan,” Aikman said.
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
RSS