Japan Qualify for BJK Cup Finals with Win Over Canada

Japan's Moyuka Uchijima levelled the tie when she breezed through the second match against Canadian Marina Stakusic, winning 6-3, 6-3 - AFP
Japan's Moyuka Uchijima levelled the tie when she breezed through the second match against Canadian Marina Stakusic, winning 6-3, 6-3 - AFP
TT
20

Japan Qualify for BJK Cup Finals with Win Over Canada

Japan's Moyuka Uchijima levelled the tie when she breezed through the second match against Canadian Marina Stakusic, winning 6-3, 6-3 - AFP
Japan's Moyuka Uchijima levelled the tie when she breezed through the second match against Canadian Marina Stakusic, winning 6-3, 6-3 - AFP

Japan became the seventh team to book their place at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals when they came from behind to beat Canada 2-1 in Tokyo on Sunday.

Victory in the doubles put them top of Group A and means they will be heading to Shenzhen in September to join hosts China, defending champions Italy and fellow qualifying group winners Ukraine, Spain, Great Britain and Kazakhstan.

The one remaining place will go to either Slovakia or USA, who meet in Bratislava later on Sunday, AFP reported.

Canada and Japan had both blanked Romania 3-0 in their opening matches, setting up the head-to-head finale which was played out in front of a noisy Tokyo crowd.

The Canadians made the better start with Victoria Mboko edging Ena Shibahara over three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (8/10), 7-5.

Moyuka Uchijima then levelled the tie when she breezed through the second match against Marina Stakusic, winning 6-3, 6-3.

That left everything on the doubles where Japan could call on the experienced Shuko Aoyama, now 37, and Eri Hozumi against Rebecca Marino and Kayla Cross.

The Japanese took the first set 6-3 but the Canadians hit back strongly to lead 5-1 in the second, at which point they wobbled, losing four games in a row.

They held their nerve to break again and take the set 7-5 but were immediately in trouble in the decider when Marino was broken.

As pressure mounted and errors crept into the Canadians' game, the Japanese pair turned the screw to see out a 6-2 final set which qualified them for the China showpiece.

The BJK Cup qualifiers featured six groups of three nations with the winners booking a ticket to the eight-team final tournament.



Cancelo Ruled Out of Al-Hilal’s Asian Champions League Semi with Al-Ahli 

Football - Saudi Pro League – Al-Hilal v Al-Shabab - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 21, 2025 Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is seen during the match. (Reuters) 
Football - Saudi Pro League – Al-Hilal v Al-Shabab - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 21, 2025 Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is seen during the match. (Reuters) 
TT
20

Cancelo Ruled Out of Al-Hilal’s Asian Champions League Semi with Al-Ahli 

Football - Saudi Pro League – Al-Hilal v Al-Shabab - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 21, 2025 Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is seen during the match. (Reuters) 
Football - Saudi Pro League – Al-Hilal v Al-Shabab - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 21, 2025 Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is seen during the match. (Reuters) 

Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus has ruled Joao Cancelo out of the remainder of his side's Asian Champions League Elite campaign with a hamstring injury ahead of their all-Saudi Pro League semi-final against Al-Ahli in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The former Manchester City and Barcelona defender limped off 42 minutes into Al-Hilal's 7-0 thrashing of South Korea's Gwangju on Friday and Jesus confirmed the 30-year-old would play no further part in the continental championship.

"The only negative part of an excellent night was the injury to Joao Cancelo," said Jesus. "He's one of the players who is very important for the team for his attacking ability.

"We will not have him. He will be out for four to six weeks, that means his season is practically over, but he will be well prepared for our participation in the Club World Cup."

Al-Hilal remain on track for a record-extending fifth Asian title but face a difficult challenge against an Al-Ahli side that is the only undefeated team left in the competition.

The clubs have already met three times this season in domestic competition, with Al-Ahli winning the most recent encounter in the Saudi Pro League thanks to a hat-trick by England striker Ivan Toney.

That win was coach Matthias Jaissle's first against Al-Hilal in five attempts and the German is confident his side can repeat the feat.

"It helps definitely to know, to feel that we are capable to win against Al-Hilal," said Jaissle.

"We've played against Al-Hilal so often and they have huge quality in their squad, but we're well prepared. We know exactly what will come tomorrow, there will be no surprises on the pitch. Details will be decisive."

The semi-final will be played at Al-Ahli's home at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Jaissle is hoping the support of the local fans will be a factor in deciding the outcome.

"The results in the matches since the competition started show clearly that this competition fits us," he said. "But we didn't achieve anything so far.

"Everything has to fit together, all the details in all phases of the game. Then you need sometimes a bit of luck and the extra energy of the fans."