English

Sport at scmp.com

Friday, Apr 26

11

LIV Golf Adelaide: Japan’s Kozuma steals spotlight with birdie blitz at the Grange as Rahm lurks

www.scmp.com

Jinichiro Kozuma fires a nine-under-par 63 at Grange Golf Club, takes one stroke lead ahead of Danny Lee and Carlos Ortiz.

08

ONE Championship: Muay Thai veterans Liam Harrison, Seksan Or Kwanmuang to face off in catchweight bout in Denver

www.scmp.com

Their meeting on September 6, booked for the 18,000-capacity Ball Arena, will be ONE Championship’s second event in the US.

Thursday, Apr 25

14

Real Madrid v Barcelona in Hong Kong? La Liga president adamant official matches will take place abroad

www.scmp.com

Legal case against Fifa brought down block on domestic matches taking place in foreign territory and Spain tried to move league match abroad in 2018.

11

Pressure off for owner Peter Lau as Romantic Warrior looks to continue all-conquering run

www.scmp.com

After experiencing Hong Kong Derby glory and Cox Plate euphoria among a host of big-race wins, the Japan Home Centre co-founder’s nerves are far more settled ahead of Sunday’s QE II Cup

08

ONE Championship: New strawweight champion Joshua Pacio’s expected rematch with Jarred Brooks off after ACL injury

www.scmp.com

Filipino recently won the belt off the American but it is now unlikely he will be able to defend it until 2025, meaning any upcoming title decider is postponed.

Ex-China boss Cannavaro takes charge at Serie A side Udinese with first game the final 18 minutes of match v Roma

www.scmp.com

Udinese v Roma was abandoned after Evan Ndicka was hospitalised because of a medical emergency but restart will see change of manager in dugout.

06

Klopp apologises to Liverpool fans after Merseyside derby defeat

www.scmp.com

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp apologises to club’s fans after first Merseyside derby defeat at Goodison Park leaves side needing ‘crisis’ to affect Arsenal and Manchester City.

Wednesday, Apr 24

08

ONE Championship: Tynan to face Cerilli in Bangkok as march to heavyweight MMA title belt continues

www.scmp.com

Ben Tynan is two for two in ONE Championship after finishing Duke Didier inside a round, while Mauro Cerilli has had mixed results since signing in 2018.

Tuesday, Apr 23

15

Laureus World Sports Awards: Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid impact, Kylian Mbappe’s speed impress football fan Usain Bolt

www.scmp.com

The Jamaican sprint legend and the England midfielder met at the awards night in Madrid, and says he ‘would love to have competed with Mbappe in my prime’

12

Hong Kong FA technical director Morling outlines vision, 2034 Fifa World Cup qualification remains target

www.scmp.com

New technical director John Morling says qualification for the 2034 World Cup remains a primary ambition for the Hong Kong FA.

06

Inter’s Chinese owner oversees historic 20th title with Milan derby win, cementing place as Italy’s dominant force

www.scmp.com

Steven Zhang took over as chairman in 2018 and club have won two league titles, reached two European finals.

Monday, Apr 22

13

El Clasico abroad could be ‘very positive’ for La Liga, says ex-Real Madrid star, as Bellingham takes plaudits

www.scmp.com

Julio Baptista acknowledges the fixture would ‘lose part of its magic’ if played overseas, but transferring game elsewhere will help boost league.

Sunday, Apr 21

12

Paris Olympics: Hong Kong’s men face Spain in last-chance sevens qualifier, while Uganda among women’s pool matches

www.scmp.com

Draw for World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco pits men in Pool C alongside Spain, Papua New Guinea and Brazil, with women in Pool B alongside Uganda, Paraguay and Jamaica.

07

Asian Tour: Catlin completes dominant Saudi Open win to become first player to go back to back in 5 years

www.scmp.com

American John Catlin cards final round 66 to finish tournament on 24 under, seven shots clear of field at Riyadh Golf Club.

Saturday, Apr 20

11

Paris Olympics: China’s men fail to qualify after U23 Asian Cup campaign starts with two defeats

www.scmp.com

Defeats at hands of Japan and South Korea leave China bottom of Group B and out of running for Summer Games.

Thursday, Apr 18

17

Advantage Bundesliga as Premier League clubs sweat on extra Champions League place following bad night for England

www.scmp.com

The defeats of Arsenal and Manchester City gave Germany’s Bundesliga the edge over England’s Premier League in the race for another spot in next year’s Champions League.

07

Russian Emperor to bypass Champions Day and head to Queen Mother Memorial Cup

www.scmp.com

Son of Galileo ‘flying’ as he eyes Group Three assignment en route to Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) hat-trick bid

Wednesday, Apr 17

05

Paris Olympics: LeBron James, Steph Curry among NBA stars set to be named for Team USA, Leonard to get last spot

www.scmp.com

Warriors coach Steve Kerr to take charge of team that will also include likes of Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum, with Kawhi Leonard expected to be named on 12-man roster.

Tuesday, Apr 16

08

Golden Sixty and Galaxy Patch tune up for Champions Mile with strong trial wins at Sha Tin

www.scmp.com

City’s most successful galloper and rising star set for enthralling Champions Day battle after warming up in style

Chinese heavyweight Zhang Zhilei to battle American Deontay Wilder, says ‘carelessness’ cost him Parker fight

www.scmp.com

Wilder’s signing with Hearn’s Matchroom to take on Queensberry in a 5 v 5 card in Saudi Arabia is a surprise as the pair have been at loggerheads for years.

Monday, Apr 15

12

Son Heung-min: why some fans wore South Korean’s shirt as Bayer Leverkusen celebrated first-ever Bundesliga title

www.scmp.com

Leverkusen finally won the German league title for the first time in their 120-year history on Sunday, ending the ‘curse’ that had seen them fall short so often.

09

ONE Championship: Swedish champion Smilla Sundell back in ring after 8 month break due to fight cancellations

www.scmp.com

The strawweight Muay Thai title-holder was to fight England’s Iman Barlow, but she retired instead, while a bout against Jackie Buntan also fell through.

08

English Premier League: Man City top with win as Liverpool, Arsenal drop points – is it Pep Guardiola’s title to lose?

www.scmp.com

With six games remaining for each contender, we take a look at the run-ins and where potential slip-ups could come, after wins for Crystal Palace and Aston Villa leave City in charge.

05

Masters: Scottie Scheffler emulates Tiger Woods feat in his second Augusta triumph

www.scmp.com

Scottie Scheffler is also the fourth-youngest multiple Masters winner at 27 behind Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros.

Sunday, Apr 14

14

Andrea Atzeni backs up emotional Sydney Cup win with Class Two triumph on Lucky Encounter at Sha Tin

www.scmp.com

Italian jockey back in the winner’s enclosure 24 hours after successful hit-and-run raid in Australia

11

Paris Olympics: Hong Kong’s sports minister backs athletes to win medals even though fewer expected to qualify

www.scmp.com

Six-hour time difference with Paris may help economy as residents can more easily dine out and watch Games after work, sports chief Kevin Yeung says.

09

UFC 300: Zhang Weili wins historic all-China bout in co-main event, Conor McGregor comeback announced

www.scmp.com

Mixed martial arts promotion stages its first title bout between two Chinese fighters, while Conor McGregor is to make long-awaited comeback, UFC president Dana White says.

Friday, Apr 12

11

Can Asians be true English Premier League fans from afar? Ex-Liverpool, Man City keeper addresses elitism and racism as he sees passion at Hong Kong Sevens

www.scmp.com

David James says online trolls aiming spiteful comments and racist abuse at Asian fans of Premier League clubs are stupid and ignorant, as he hails the passion and dedication of overseas supporters.

Thursday, Apr 11

10

Fantasy Premier League: Erling Haaland on bench? Captain Mohamed Salah? Hong Kong football commentator Lau Shun-man’s Gameweek 33 tips

www.scmp.com

Lau Shun-man gives insight into his tactics, when he uses his Wildcard and Free Hit, and why this season he is battling to avoid an all-time low finish.

05

Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Hong Kong in 2025? Football chiefs discuss event – but won’t invite Messi

www.scmp.com

Plans to bring Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al Nassr to the city have been discussed, with the new stadium at Kai Tak Sports Park a potential venue.