Surprise Bento dismissal raises questions about rest of UAE World Cup qualifying campaign
DUBAI: It takes something special to top the drama of a 98th-minute winner which kept UAE dreams of automatic World Cup 2026 qualification alive.
Uae Sport News
Big hitters shine as unstoppable Indian Premier League begins
The 18th Indian Premier League has begun with a bang. Although not as big a one as the very first match in 2008, when Brendon McCullum smashed an unbeaten 158 off 73 deliveries in a total of 222 for Kolkata Knight Riders, it has generated some powerful batting displays. In the first five matches, an average of 208.7 runs has been scored per innings in the first five matches; in 2008, it was 152.
Scheffler, McIlroy focus on Houston while preparing for Masters
HOUSTON: Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy play their final tuneups for the Masters at this week’s PGA Houston Open, seeking a title while preparing for Augusta National.
LeBron James buzzer-beater rescues Lakers to halt losing streak
LOS ANGELES: LeBron James tipped in a buzzer-beating rebound with 0.1 seconds remaining as the Los Angeles Lakers halted their three-game losing streak with a pulsating 120-119 road victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. A thrilling duel in Indianapolis saw the Pacers climb out of a 13-point fourth-quarter hole to snatch a 119-118 lead with 42 seconds remaining and leave the Lakers staring down the barrel of a fourth straight defeat. But with the clock ticking down, Luka Doncic made one last drive to the basket – only to see his attempted 13-foot floater bounce off the rim. James reacted fastest, leaping to palm the ball into the bucket for the winning score and give the Lakers a precious victory in the race for Western Conference playoff berths. The 40-year-old James – who had failed to score from the field in the opening three quarters – finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Lakers coach J.J. Redick saluted the veteran superstar’s perseverance in dragging his team over the line despite having an offensive off-night. “It’s another great example of where he doesn’t necessarily have it going early, and got off to a slow start offensively,” Redick said. “But he was so good defensively for us.
Arsenal stage 3-goal comeback against Real Madrid, set up Women’s Champions League semifinal against Lyon
LONDON: Alessia Russo scored twice and Arsenal staged a remarkable comeback to reach the Women’s Champions League semifinals with a 3-0 win over Real Madrid.
Tour de France champion Pogacar targets Paris-Roubaix’s cobbled ‘hell’
PARIS: Three-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar will race the notorious Paris-Roubaix, known as the ‘Hell of the North’ for its treacherous cobbled mining roads, for the first time, his team UAE announced on Wednesday. Of the five big one-day races known as ‘Monuments’, Paris-Roubaix is the least suited to the Slovenian’s slender frame and adding that title would confirm his growing status as one of the all-time greats. He will be the first reigning Tour de France champion to tackle what is often a mudfest since Greg Lemond in 1991 — the American finished 55th. Cycling legends Bernard Hinault and Eddy Merckx also tried to win the one-day race in 1982 and 1975 respectively, a year after winning the Tour de France. Neither was successful although Merckx finished second, edged out on the line by Roger De Vlaeminck.
Philippines teen Eala ousts No.2 Swiatek from Miami Open
MIAMI: Alexandra Eala, a 19-year-old wildcard from the Philippines, produced a huge upset at the Miami Open on Wednesday, defeating world number two Iga Swiatek 6-2 7-5 to reach the semifinals. Ranked 140th in the world, Eala, the first woman from her country to reach the last eight of a WTA 1000 tournament, took advantage of a unusually poor display from Swiatek, keeping her focus as she fought back from 4-2 down in the second set. Eala broke the Pole for the eighth and final time when Swiatek was serving to stay in the match at 6-5 down in the second set and looked in disbelief as she struggled to contain her emotions. “It’s just surreal,” said Eala, who has now beaten three grand slam winners on her route to the last four at Miami — having dealt with Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys before upsetting four-time French Open champion Swiatek. “I’m trusting my shots and I have a great team to tell me that I can do it,” she said. Eala moved to Spain at the age of 13 to join Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca. Eala will face the winner of Wednesday’s quarter-final between Britain’s Emma Raducanu and American Jessica Pegula.
De Kock fireworks see Kolkata thrash Rajasthan in IPL
GUWAHATI, India: South Africa’s Quinton de Kock struck an unbeaten 97 as holders Kolkata Knight Riders registered their first win of the IPL season with an eight-wicket hammering of Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday. Spinners Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy combined to help restrict Rajasthan to 151-9 after KKR elected to field first in Guwahati. De Kock bossed the chase with his 61-ball innings laced with eight fours and six sixes as Kolkata achieved their target with 15 balls to spare. De Kock, who has retired from Tests and one-day international cricket for South Africa and whose T20 international future remains uncertain, showed no signs of rustiness. “To be fair, haven’t felt any challenges yet,” De Kock said. “Have had three months off which felt nice. Had about a 10-day build-up to this season.