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Kobe's Sasaki Scores Late Penalty to Claim Draw in Asian Champions League

Soccer Football - Friendly - Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - June 6, 2023 Vissel Kobe players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
Soccer Football - Friendly - Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - June 6, 2023 Vissel Kobe players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
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Kobe's Sasaki Scores Late Penalty to Claim Draw in Asian Champions League

Soccer Football - Friendly - Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - June 6, 2023 Vissel Kobe players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
Soccer Football - Friendly - Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - June 6, 2023 Vissel Kobe players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

Hosts Vissel Kobe salvaged a 2-2 draw with Chinese Super League outfit Chengdu Rongcheng through Daiju Sasaki's 90th-minute penalty in the Asian Champions League Elite on Tuesday to bring down the curtain on coach Takayuki Yoshida's time in charge.

Yoshida announced last week that he was standing down after three-and-a-half years in charge having led the club to the J-League title in 2023 and 2024, but Kobe were unable to give the 48-year-old a winning send-off.

Yoshinori Muto put Kobe in front in the 18th minute when he scored on the turn from eight yards out but Chengdu forward Felipe lashed in the equaliser from distance in first half stoppage time, Reuters reported.

The Brazilian was on target again from the penalty spot with 13 minutes remaining, although Sasaki was also successful with his spot kick in the final minute to earn Kobe a point.

The draw means Kobe are two points clear in the eastern league phase standings of second-placed Machida Zelvia, who cruised to a 3-1 win over Ulsan HD from South Korea.

Asahi Masuyama gave the home side the lead when he deflected Hokuto Shimoda's volley past Jo Hyeon-woo in the sixth minute and Takuma Nishimura doubled the advantage 15 minutes later.

Oh Se-hun's header two minutes into the second half extended Machida's lead before Um Won-sang slid in to score a consolation for Ulsan in the 55th minute.

GOALKEEPER CHEN DENIES JOHOR DARUL TA'ZIM

Johor Darul Ta'zim moved up to sixth with a 0-0 draw against Shanghai Port with the Malaysian side thwarted by a stellar performance from Chinese goalkeeper Chen Wei while Bergson and Nacho Mendez hit the woodwork for the hosts.

Buriram United, meanwhile, were frustrated by a late penalty decision that earned Gangwon FC a 2-2 draw in Thailand after Mark Jackson's side had come from behind to lead.

Mo Jae-hyeon put the visitors in front in the 33rd minute but Ko Myeong-seok's header levelled the scores 13 minutes into the second half.

Suphanat Mueanta's calm finish from an angle put Buriram in front in the 65th minute before Guilherme Bissoli was judged to have fouled Park Ho-yeong in the area. Kim Dae-won converted the 74th-minute spot kick to earn his side a point.

The first eight finishers in the 12-team league phase will advance to March's last 16 in both east and west Asia with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final to be played in a centralized venue in Saudi Arabia in April.

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Man City Close in on WSL Title with 3-0 Derby Win

Vivianne Miedema celebrates her first goal as Manchester City dominate at Old Trafford. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters
Vivianne Miedema celebrates her first goal as Manchester City dominate at Old Trafford. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters
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Man City Close in on WSL Title with 3-0 Derby Win

Vivianne Miedema celebrates her first goal as Manchester City dominate at Old Trafford. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters
Vivianne Miedema celebrates her first goal as Manchester City dominate at Old Trafford. Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters

A quick-fire first-half double from Vivianne Miedema set Manchester City on course for a 3-0 WSL derby win over Manchester United at Old Trafford that left them on the cusp of winning the league title for the first time since 2016.

The leaders moved up to 49 points after 19 of 22 games with Manchester United second on 38 points. Chelsea, who have won the last six titles, are third on 37 points and Arsenal, who have three games in hand over City, are fourth on 35.

On a day when the weather swung from bright spring sunshine to dark clouds and driving rain, City started off at a frenetic pace and did not let up until they had the three points firmly in the bag, Reuters reported.

Lauren Hemp smacked a shot off the crossbar in the 16th minute and Miedema gave City the lead a minute later from the ensuing corner with a looping header that evaded the dive of Phallon Tullis-Joyce in the United goal.

Two minutes later Miedema scored again as City swept up the pitch with a brilliant passing move, Kerstin Casparij crossing for her unmarked Dutch compatriot to leap into the air and send a downward header bouncing into the net.

Casparij netted the third four minutes after the break, steaming in at the far post to convert after Hemp's cross flew just over the head of City striker Bunny Shaw.

Marc Skinner's United looked a step slow in everything they did, and did not manage an effort on target until late in the second half. It was far too late, though, as City cruised to victory to close in on their first title in 10 years.

In a day of derbies in the WSL, Liverpool held on for a 3-2 win at Everton in the early kickoff, and Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's late game.

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Antonelli Leads Mercedes 1-2 as Verstappen Suffers Qualifying Shock

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
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Antonelli Leads Mercedes 1-2 as Verstappen Suffers Qualifying Shock

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes team-mate George Russell on Saturday as Max Verstappen suffered another qualifying nightmare.

Mercedes have claimed one-two finishes at both grands prix so far in a flying start to the Formula One season and they were again dominant in dry conditions at Suzuka.

The 19-year-old Italian Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history two weeks ago in China and he made it two in a row with a fastest lap of 1min 28.778sec.

Early championship leader Russell was second, 0.298sec behind, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri third and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fourth.

Antonelli, who won the first grand prix of his F1 career in China two weeks ago, said it was "a really clean session".

"There's still work to do in these big tracks with the energy, how to find a solution that allows us to push even more and drive without thinking too much," AFP quoted him as saying.

"But overall I think it was good fun."

Russell was fastest in Friday's first practice but he has trailed his younger team-mate in every session since then.

The British driver said he was struggling with his car for most of qualifying and admitted it was "not ideal" going into Sunday's race.

"I've been really comfortable with the car this whole weekend, it's just in qualifying something didn't quite feel right," he said.

"Let's see tonight, maybe we'll get some answers, maybe I can adjust my driving style to compensate."

Russell's problems paled into insignificance compared with those facing four-time world champion Verstappen, who exited in Q2 and starts from a lowly 11th on the grid for Red Bull.

The Dutchman, who has won in Japan for the past four years, took pole last year with a track-record lap time.

He has railed against new Formula One regulations that see a 50-50 split between conventional and electrical power, and labelled his car "undriveable".

"The car never turns mid-corner, but at the same time this weekend, it's just oversteering a lot on entry," he said.

"It's really difficult, unpredictable."

Verstappen, who finished sixth in Melbourne and retired from the Shanghai grand prix two weeks ago, added: "We have problems that I cannot explain in detail here."

Verstappen was involved in a public confrontation on Thursday when he ejected a reporter from his news conference.

McLaren's world champion Lando Norris was fifth, followed by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Alpine's Pierre Gasly.

Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar was eighth, with Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and Arvid Lindblad of RB rounding out the top 10.

Piastri will be desperate to make an impact in Sunday's race after missing the first two grands prix of the season.

The Australian said his qualifying session was "pretty well executed" after also finishing fastest in Friday's second practice.

"It's nice to be closer," said Piastri of his third place on the grid.

"I think we're learning more and more about the car and about the power unit every weekend."

Esteban Ocon of Haas, Audi's Nico Hulkenberg, RB's Liam Lawson, Alpine's Franco Colapinto and Williams' Carlos Sainz went out in Q2 with Verstappen.

Haas driver Ollie Bearman, who finished fifth at the Chinese Grand Prix, was a shock faller in Q3 and will start from 18th.

Cadillac pair Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas went out with him, as did Williams' Alex Albon and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

The Aston Martin pair, who have yet to complete a grand prix so far this season as they struggle with extreme vibration, finished bottom of the timesheets.

Sports

Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
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Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are back on a big stage in the final of the Miami Open as their growing rivalry heats up.

Gauff, the South Floridian who beat Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open finals, will meet the top-seeded Belarusian at Hard Rock Stadium at 3 p.m. EDT.

This WTA 1000 final will mark their 13th meeting, with the series knotted at 6-6. They faced off three times in finals in 2025. Sabalenka won the last meeting in the group stage of the WTA Finals in November.

“We’ve played so many matches, and it’s physical when I play her every time," Gauff said. “She’s playing great tennis. She’s definitely world No. 1 for a reason and it’s going to be a great challenge."

Gauff is making her first Miami Open final appearance. The Delray Beach, Florida product had never made it past the fourth round in her hometown tournament.

“She’s a fighter,’’ The Associated Press quoted Sabalenka as saying. “She’s a great player. We played a lot of tight matches, a lot of big finals. She is an incredible player. I’m really excited to face her in the final. I think it’s going to be a great battle. I cannot wait to play that."

Sabalenka is attempting to win the “Sunshine Double” — the back-to-back March hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

Sabalenka won in California on March 15 with a three-set victory over Elena Rybakina. Gauff had to retire during her third-round match against Alexandra Eala in Indian Wells because of a nerve injury in her left forearm. Gauff said her team wanted to skip the Miami Open but she insisted.

"With Coco, you know that you have to play an extra ball, and the ball always comes back, sometimes not perfect, but it’s always back on your side," Sabalenka said. “She pushes you into the long rallies and I think that’s what makes her difficult.”

Sabalenka’s new residence is Miami and she has a strong Brazilian following because of her Brazilian fiance, Georgios Frangules.

“I’m super curious how the stadium is going to be on Saturday,’’ Sabalenka said. “It couldn’t be a better final. I feel happy for her that she’s finding her tennis back."