Showing posts with label tournaments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tournaments. Show all posts


London Showdown: Osimhen and Lookman a No-Go for Ghana Clash

The chances of four key players of the Super Eagles playing in the upcoming friendly game against Ghana at the four-team tournament in England are looking very slim, as revealed by OwnGoalNigeria.com.

The initial match for the Super Eagles in this four-team tournament is scheduled for May 29th against the Black Stars from Ghana. This encounter follows the opening game between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

The timing of the match has come as an unexpected development for four crucial players on the squad, who will still be engaged with their respective clubs during the scheduled date. This situation raises concerns about them potentially skipping both the match and possibly the entire tournament.

The players who may be absent from the game are Victor Osimhen , Ademola Lookman, Maduka Okoye, and Samuel Chukwueze.

Osimhen will participate in his final match of the season on June 1st, just prior to the Super Eagles' initial fixture of the competition. This indicates he won't join up with the team until after being discharged from Galatasaray’s duties.

Additionally, Lookman’s final match with Atalanta, the Italian team, is scheduled for May 25th, which is four days prior to the commencement of the tournament. The soonest he could join up would likely be around the 26th or 27th. Moreover, his current club has requested him to use the summer break to recover from recent injuries and prepare himself physically for the upcoming campaign, as he continues to work towards regaining full fitness.

Because of their allegiance to their clubs, goalkeeper Okoye from Udinese and Chukwueze from AC Milan are reportedly contemplating sitting out the competition.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).


A Masters Victory Could Boost LIV Golf's Visibility Crucially

AUGUSTA, Ga. — At one point during LIV Golf’s concluding round on Sunday at Doral, the top of the leader board was crowded with former Masters winners.

Phil Mickelson, who has won the Green Jacket three times, came close to securing his first LIV championship when he was competing for the lead at the age of 54.

Jon Rahm, who won the 2023 Masters, was also present.

Thus included Sergio Garcia (2017), Patrick Reed (2018), and Charl Schwartzel (2011).

LIV Golf couldn't have planned a more perfect conclusion as the Masters was set for the very next day following that last round.

The sole issue was that the impressive leaderboard failed to conclude with one of those iconic green jacket recipients at the summit, as Australian Marc Leishman emerged victorious instead.

LIV Golf is in urgently requiring greater visibility for its product .

STAY CURRENT WITH THE MOST RECENT INFORMATION BY JOINING THE MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER.

Even though top golfers compete on the PGA Tour’s competing circuit, they seem as hidden as participants in a Witness Protection program.

The viewership figures for LIV have been below those of "I Dream of Jeannie" reruns.

However, LIV undoubtedly harbors the hope that if one of its 12 players competing in the Masters triumphs this week at Augusta National, it could elevate the LIV tournament's status and lend greater legitimacy to their circuit. This is particularly significant because current PGA Tour supporters along with influential figures within the Official World Golf Rankings view LIV as an inferior option due to its smaller 48-player fields and condensed format of just three rounds rather than four.

Measuring this is quite challenging since there has been no concrete proof indicating that Bryson DeChambeau’s victory at the U.S. Open last June at Pinehurst had any significant impact.

However, as more LIV players perform exceptionally well in significant tournaments, it inevitably boosts their prominence.

At last year's Masters, DeChambeau and Cam Smith ended up tied for sixth place, which was also the best among all LIV players. Tyrrell Hatton secured a tie for ninth position, followed closely by Reed who shared the thirteenth spot with others.

In 2023, Rahm emerged as the winner, with Mickelson and Brooks Koepka finishing in a tie for second place, and Reed ending up tied for fourth.

In 2022, Smith shared the third position, Dustin Johnson, who won the 2020 Masters, was tied for twelfth, and Schwartzel was tied for tenth.

Therefore, LIV golfers pose a significant challenge to claim victory this weekend at Augusta. If any of them manages to triumph, it could considerably enhance the competing tour’s reputation.

Rahm is eager to claim another victory at the Masters, especially following a subpar 2024 major season by his usual standards.

“It wasn't one of my best major seasons last year," Rahm stated. "My performance was lacking here where I ended up tied for 45th place, did not fare well at the PGA Championship, and couldn't participate in the U.S. Open due to a toe injury. However, I believe I am now playing significantly better golf as we approach this tournament."

“Playing at Doral last week was extremely challenging. It was definitely one of the hardest setups I’ve played. Feeling really, really good about this year in general.’’

Rahm mentioned that he looks forward to the pressure of performing this week.

I believe my own expectations and the self-imposed pressure have consistently been quite intense," he stated. "In regards to my initial major tournaments after turning professional, I don't think I managed them as well as I could have. The desire to secure victories led me to try controlling every aspect excessively, which was not effective. It took several years for me to understand that all I needed to do was step onto the course and allow things to unfold naturally.

I believe many things shifted significantly after I won my initial major title. It clearly delineates into before and after when attending a major championship, as having achieved one success gives insight into the winning recipe.

When questioned about his insights gained from the previous year at Augusta, where he scored a 65 in the opening round, DeChambeau responded.

I clearly have more to learn," he remarked with a chuckle. "Every year, I pick up bits of information regarding wind patterns and their impact on the trajectory of the golf ball for specific holes or slopes near particular flag positions. These small insights keep enhancing my understanding of the game across different parts of the course.

DcChambeau's tie for sixth place last year represented the highlight of his career so far, surpassing his earlier best finish of a tie for 21st in 2016 when he was still competing as an amateur.

As someone new to this, I thought I had a decent grasp of the golf course, yet I struggled with managing all the anxiety coursing through me, which remains something I'm working on even now," he explained. "In my view, the key emotional hurdle is maintaining your composure. Last week, I believe I stayed quite calm and managed to put up a strong effort.

Fingers crossed that pays off this week.

May his words reach the LIV deities.



Canes vs. Devils: Dance for the Stanley Cup Begins!


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The first-round opponent has been determined for the Carolina Hurricanes.

When the New York Rangers lost to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, they ensured that the New Jersey Devils would make the playoffs, thus setting up a first-round match between the Canes and the Devils.

The home-ice advantage has not been determined yet. Nonetheless, up until now, the Canes lead the Devils by seven points in the standings for the second position within the Metropolitan Division.

The Washington Capitals have already secured the Metro division championship.

The Hurricanes and Devils competed in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Hurricanes emerging victorious in the series 4-1.

The regular season concludes on April 17, followed by the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 19.



Kevin Yu's Dream Masters Run Comes True

During the final round of the Texas Children's Houston Open on March 30, Kevin Yu takes a swing at the tee shot on the first hole. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Kevin Yu remembers waking up at about midnight for four consecutive nights each April over the course of several years just so he could catch the Masters Tournament broadcast live. Sometimes, during these late-night viewings, his dad—who taught golf—would sit beside him on their living room sofa as players made their way through the final holes of the back nine. They often found themselves daydreaming about strolling across the revered grounds of Augusta National together.

This week, at the age of 26, Yu will fulfill his lifelong ambition as he takes part in his first Masters tournament beginning on Thursday.

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A previous global amateur champion, Yu secured his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship in October, which granted him entry into the esteemed Masters Tournament. He now joins an exclusive list of players from Chinese Taipei such as Lu Liang-huan, the Chen siblings—T.C. and T.M.—Lin Wen-tang, and C.T. Pan, who have also competed in this renowned event.

"It’s still hard to believe, truthfully, because ever since I began playing golf, my dream has always been to compete in the Masters. I have seen countless performances from Tiger Woods at the Masters; his incredible shots stand out vividly. Believe me, I've stayed up watching the Masters even when I was very young, and now realizing that I’ll be partaking in this prestigious event makes it feel like an actualized childhood fantasy. I am incredibly thrilled," stated Yu.

During the second round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament held at TPC Scottsdale on February 7 in Scottsdale, Arizona, Kevin Yu played an approach shot on the first hole. [AP/YONHAP]

Yu began playing the sport at a young age due to his father's influence and claimed victory in numerous junior golf competitions starting from when he was eight years old. Whenever they played at the nearby course close to their home in Taoyuan, he aimed to outdo his dad, Tommy.

"My first recollection of playing golf is when my father brought me to a golf course; he would play while I spent time in the sand trap and attempted putts. Eventually, I became determined to outperform him on the green, which ignited my passion for the sport," explained Yu.

In the Yu family, watching the Masters during late nights became an established custom. This ritual served as a strong motivator for pursuing his ambition in golf. Encouraged by C.T. Pan, he ventured abroad to compete in AJGA events. Following his victory at the Junior Players Championship in 2015, he joined Arizona State University where he excelled as one of the leading college players and eventually reached the number one spot in the World Amateur rankings.

During the last round of the Valspar Championship 2025 at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 23 in Palm Harbor, Florida, Kevin Yu takes a shot from a sand trap on the 15th hole. [GETTY IMAGES]

Yu deeply appreciates his parents' efforts in financing his early days in golf, making them frequent attendees at major PGA Tour events. Joined by his younger sister and girlfriend, the whole family gathers at Augusta National, likely engaged in an animated discussion about who might carry Yu’s bag during the pre-Masters Par-3 tournament. Yu understands well the superstition surrounding this event; no winner of the Par-3 has ever gone on to claim the coveted Green Jacket at the Masters.

About two weeks back, he participated in a practice round at Augusta National to experience the ambiance there. Recalling his visit, he mentioned stepping into the clubhouse: "Driving down Magnolia Lane towards the sight of the clubhouse was quite impressive. Everything about it felt incredible; it's difficult to put into words, but this has been the one location where I've always aspired to be."

I participated in a college tournament close to Augusta before, and we sort of got an exterior view of the course. However, being there firsthand took everything to a different level. The greens are certainly challenging for putting, so I attempted to gain insights from local caddies. Using your imagination becomes crucial to making those putts work, requiring great discipline.

This upcoming event won’t mark Yu’s initial significant appearance since he participated in three consecutive U.S. Opens from 2018 through 2020 during his time as an amateur. These prior experiences, along with guidance received from other players afterward, have served as motivation for a promising start at the Masters.

During the second round of the Mexico Open in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on February 21, Kevin Yu tees off for the second hole while being watched. [AP/YONHAP]

"I mean, you clearly experience all the thrill, and you aspire to play great golf; you wish to keep practicing endlessly. However, people advise against getting too intense or overscheduling your practice sessions," Yu explained. He noted that he feels his performance has been quite solid lately. "I must remain razor-sharp mentally and remember that I typically perform better when I'm relaxed rather than reckless." This mindset aligns with his recent record of achieving four top-20 finishes this season, including in his past two tournaments.

I believe I can measure up against them; we often go head-to-head, and I aim to outperform the very same competitors. Joining the big leagues early really gave me an edge. Initially, I trained excessively and felt overwhelmed watching the best players. By matchday, I’d end up drained—a pitfall I intend to avoid moving forward. It’s crucial to stay grounded and recognize that daily improvement is essential, particularly following tough stretches where I'd think, 'Wow, I am nowhere near as skilled.' This realization pushes me to work harder each day.

His close buddy, C.T. Pan—a previous champion on Tour—had an unforgettable Masters initiation in 2020 by tying for seventh place, and Yu aims to replicate, if not surpass, this achievement.

"I'm proud to be a Taiwanese player competing in the Masters. In the past, we've rarely had many players participating. Hopefully, I can deliver some good news to everyone back home. That year, I watched C.T., and it was incredible," he stated.

When asked about his objective for the enchanting week, Yu responded with a laugh, "Aim not to win the Par-3 contest? Nah, I'm just teasing. The main thing is to savor every moment, particularly since my family will be here with me, which makes it incredibly special. My plan is to do my absolute best and cross fingers for an excellent outcome."

BY CHUAH CHOO CHIANG [kjdsports@joongang.co.kr]



NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Evolution of Format, Teams, Rules, and Changes Over the Decades

Starting from the 1926-27 season, the National Hockey League champions have received Lord Stanley’s Cup, which stands as one of the most esteemed awards in all of athletics. This grueling path to emerge victorious as the final team remaining renders winning the Cup potentially the toughest achievement in North American sports.

The Stanley Cup playoffs have consistently presented a challenging journey. Over the decades, what has frequently altered is the structure that decides this path. the NHL's postseason winner .

Present Stanely Cup Playoff Structure

A total of sixteen squads advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs. The initial twelve slots go to teams finishing as one of the top three in their respective divisions: Atlantic and Metropolitan belong to the Eastern Conference, whereas Central and Pacific represent the Western Conference. The final four places are awarded via wildcard criteria; these positions are taken up by the two groups within each conference having secured the most points from amongst those not partaking directly through divisional standing.

The Stanley Cup playoffs consist of four stages where victors are decided through best-of-seven game matches. Clubs that accumulated more points during the regular season enjoy home-ice advantage. These series follow a 2-2-1-1-1 schedule, with teams holding home-ice advantage playing at their venue for Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, whereas their rivals host Games 3, 4, and 6.

During the initial match-ups, the division winners holding the strongest records in their conferences will compete against the wildcard teams having the lowest standings. Should a wildcard have a superior record compared to others, they would face off against another division winner instead. Meanwhile, the teams finishing second and third in every division will go head-to-head under brackets led by their corresponding division champions.

The first-round victors proceed to the second round. Those who win in the second round will go on to compete in the conference finals. Finally, the champions from each conference face off in the Stanley Cup Final.

In the initial two stages, home-ice advantage is granted to the team that had a superior standing during the regular season. For the conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final, the team with the stronger overall performance in the regular season earns the home-ice benefit, irrespective of their divisional ranking.

If two teams are level on regular-season points, the following criteria will be used to break the tie:

1. Superior points percentage: The smaller number of games played.

2. Regulation wins (RW): The majority of wins not including those achieved during overtime or through a shootout.

3. Regulation win plus overtime victories (ROW): The majority of wins not including those achieved through a shootout.

4. Total wins: The majority of games secured regardless of the method.

5. Head-to-head points: The highest points accumulated from matches between tied teams amongst two or more groups. If multiple clubs haven't competed equally against one another, specifically when one team has an additional match ("odd" game), this initial encounter won’t count towards tiebreakers. For scenarios involving over two tied clubs, the ratio of total points gained out of possible points from their mutual encounters (excluding these “odd” games) shall decide rankings.

6. Goal differential: The larger discrepancy between goals scored and goals conceded throughout the regular season, encompassing those tallied in overtime as well as those gained through shootout victories.

7. Goals scored: The higher aim total throughout the regular season, encompassing goals scored in overtime as well as those granted for winning shootouts.

Criteria for the Stanley Cup Playoffs

The NHL consists of 32 teams, and each team plays an 82-game regular season. According to what was stated, 16 teams make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs, with eight from each conference qualifying.

Here’s how the 16-team tournament unfolded for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, culminating in the Florida Panthers beating the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in an exciting seven-game series.



PCB Introduces Full Match Officials' Technology in PSL 10: A First for International Edition (English)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the comprehensive rollout of Match Officials' Technology (MOT) for the upcoming 10th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). This marks an important step towards adopting advanced technology-assisted officiating practices in the league’s timeline. From April 11 onwards, PSL Season 10 will consist of 34 games spread out among four different stadiums, beginning with the match between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars scheduled at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The concluding fixture—the final—will take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where thirteen total matches, including eliminator rounds and the finale itself, will occur. According to the PCB statement, this iteration of the PSL aims to meet international benchmarks through the implementation of various MOT technologies such as automated no-ball recognition systems, Decision Review System (DRS), inning timing mechanisms, and immediate multiple angle video reviews. During these events, umpires will utilize portable devices to document decisions promptly, supported by dedicated Hawk-Eye operators stationed at each location. For the very first time, spectators and participating teams alike will have access to minute-to-minute tracking details regarding pace of play directly from their seats within the stadium or via broadcast streams online. Additionally, viewers watching either on-site displays or televised coverage may anticipate seeing dynamic visualizations related to player challenges alongside countdown clocks indicating remaining game duration. In response to this development, PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer highlighted its significance stating, "By integrating MOT into our framework we aim not only to promote greater openness but also improve overall precision levels leading ultimately to more engaging experiences for all stakeholders involved."

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).


Peluang Emas Indonesia ke Piala Dunia U17 2025: Hanya Butuh Lolos Fase Grup!

diwida.news - Jadwal pertandingan tim nasional U17 Indonesia meraih Piala Dunia U17 tahun 2025.

Tim Nasional U17 Indonesia akan berlaga melawan Korea Selatan di Stadion Prince Abdullah Al Faisal.

Timnas Garuda berpotensi besar mengikuti Piala Dunia U17 2025 yang bakal digelar di Qatar bulan November nanti.

Agar tujuan itu tercapai, Indonesia cukup lulus dari babak grup Piala Asia U17 2025 yang diselenggarakan di Arab Saudi antara tanggal 3 sampai dengan 20 April 2025.

Dalam Piala Asia U17 2025, total ada 16 tim yang akan bertarung diempat kelompok dengan masing-masing grup memuat empat peserta.

Dua tim terbaik di setiap grup akan maju ke babak delapan besar dan dengan sendirinya mendapatkan tempat di Piala Dunia U17 2025.

Tim Nova Arianto berada di Grup C bersama dengan Korea Selatan, Yaman, dan Afghanistan.

Nova Arianto juga paham akan kesulitan yang dihadapi oleh timnya, terlebih lagi seluruh peserta di grup itu berhasil melaju ke Piala Asia U17 2025 setelah meraih posisi pertama di fase kualifikasi.

Untuk mempersiapkan diri, tim nasional sepak bola U17 Indonesia sudah mengikuti pelatihan intensif (TC) di Dubai, Uni Emirat Arab, mulai tanggal 15 Maret 2025.

Seiring dengan TC, tim Garuda Muda sudah bermain dalam tiga pertandingan persahabatan menghadapi Cina tanggal 20 Maret, UEA pada 26 Maret, serta Australia per hari 29 Maret.

Akhirnya, Tim Nasional U17 Indonesia berhasil menang melawan China dengan skor 1-0, seri 2-2 dengan Uni Emirat Arab, dan kalah dari Australia dengan angka 2-0.

Berdasarkan hasil itu, Tim Muda Garuda akan berlaga di Piala Asia U17 2025 dengan keyakinan tinggi.

Mereka akan bertarung dengan Korea Selatan pertama kali pada tanggal 3 April 2025.

Setelah bertanding dengan Korea Selatan, tim nasional U17 Indonesia akan menghadapi Yaman pada hari berikutnya.

Adapun laga pamungkasnya akan melawan Afghanistan pada 11 April 2025.

Apabila tim nasional U17 Indonesia sukses mengalahkan semua lawannya dalam pertandingan, maka secara otomatis mereka akan maju ke babak berikutnya serta menjamin diri untuk tampil di Piala Dunia U17 tahun 2025.

Berbeda dengan penyelenggaraan-penyelenggaraan sebelumnya, Piala Dunia U17 tahun 2025 bakal melibatkan total 48 tim peserta. Benua Asia diberikan kesempatan untuk mengirim sembilan wakil ke turnamen ini, yang mencakup negara tuan rumah yakni Qatar.

Ini berarti bahwa kedelapan tim yang berhasil mencapai tahap perempat final Piala Asia U17 2025 akan mewakili benua Asia dalam Piala Dunia U17 tahun 2025.

Oleh karena itu, kesempatan berpartisipasi dalam Piala Dunia U17 sangat terbuka luas bagi tim nasional U17 Indonesia.

Namun demikian, tim nasional sepak bola U17 Indonesia harus tetap berhati-hati, khususnya terhadap Korea Selatan.

Ternyata, Korea Selatan adalah satu-satunya tim yang berhasil menyabet gelar pemenang turnamen ini dalam grup C.

Meskipun demikian, Korea Selatan telah berhasil memenangkan kejuaran Piala Asia U17 sebanyak dua kali, yaitu pada tahun 1986 dan 2002.

Akan tetapi, itu tidak menjadi standar yang pasti.

Di dunia sepak bola, apa saja dapat berlangsung, dan kejutan senantiasa berpotensi terjadi dalam tiap kompetisi.

Tim Nasional U17 Indonesia juga telah menunjukkan catatan prestasi yang cukup membanggakan dalam turnamen Piala Asia U17.

Indonesia sudah mengambil bagian dalam Piala Asia U17 sebanyak enam kali.

Pencapaian tertinggi yang dicapai terjadi di tahun 1990, saat itu Tim Nasional U17 Indonesia sukses menembus babak semifinal.

Pada kesempatan sebelumnya di gelaran 2018, timnas Indonesia hanya mampu bertahan hingga babak delapan besar.

Pada keempat edisi lainnya (1986, 1988, 2008, dan 2010), Tim Pemuda Garuda hanya mampu mencapai tahap fase grup saja.

Rencana Pertandingan Tim Nasional U17 Indonesia di Piala Asia U17 2025

Jumat, 4 April 2025

Pukul 22.00 WIB: Pertandingan antara Korea Selatan melawan Tim Nasional U17 Indonesia akan berlangsung di Stadion Prince Abdullah Al Faisal.

Senin, 7 April 2025

Pukul 22.00 WIB: Pertandingan antara Tim Nasional U17 Indonesia melawan Yaman akan berlangsung di Stadion Prince Abdullah Al Faisal

Jumat, 11 April 2025

Pukul 00.15 WIB: Pertandingan antara Afghanistan melawan Timnas U17 Indonesia berlangsung di Stadion Prince Abdullah Al Faisal

Bagiannya Grup untuk Piala Asia U17 2025

Grup A

Arab Saudi

Uzbekistan

Thailand

China

Grup B

Jepang

Australia

Vietnam

Uni Emirat Arab

Grup C

Korea Selatan

Yaman

Afganistan

Timnas Indonesia

Grup D

Iran

Tajikistan

Oman

Korea Utara

(*/diwida.news)

Sumber: TribunSolo.com /tribunnews.com

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Vietnam Media Ungkap Peluang Timnas Indonesia Lolos ke Piala Dunia 2026 dan Ancaman Pemecatan Patrick Kluivert

Tim nasional sepak bola Indonesia kini berada pada kondisi yang cukup menguntungkan untuk tampil dengan keyakinan tinggi dan memberikan performa terbaik mereka di pertarungan meraih tempat di Piala Dunia 2026.

Pada edisi sebelumnya, yaitu Piala AFF atau ASEAN Cup 2024, tim nasional sepak bola Indonesia tereliminasi dengan cepat pada fase grup.

Meskipun demikian, tim Garuda yang ikut serta dalam kompetisi itu sebagian besar terdiri dari atlet muda berumur di bawah 21 tahun.

Beberapa nama terkenal seperti Rafael Struick, Marselino Ferdinand, dan Muhammad Ferrari juga ikut bertanding, namun mereka belum cukup bersaing untuk mendorong Tim Nasional Indonesia maju ke tahap selanjutnya.

Setelah gagal dalam ajang ASEAN Cup 2024, PSSI kemudian mengambil keputusan untuk mendepak pelatih utama Shin Tae-yong dan melanjutkan dengan Patrick Kluivert sebagai gantinya.

Dibimbing oleh Kluivert, sebuah sumber media dari Vietnam (Danviet.vn) mengklaim bahwa Tim Nasional Indonesia berencana fokus seluruh usaha mereka demi mewujudkan ambisi sebenarnya yaitu kualifikasi menuju Piala Dunia 2026.

"Mungkin kegagalan pada ASEAN Cup 2024 bukanlah hal yang terlalu signifikan untuk PSSI," demikian tertulis dalam laporan oleh Danviet.

Sebenarnya, sasarannya utama adalah mengkonsentrasikan seluruh usaha untuk kualifikasi putaran ketiga Piala Dunia 2026 di zona Asia.

Tempat ini adalah lapangan permainan untuk Timnas Indonesia yang mengandalkan tim terbaiknya dengan sejumlah pemain asing yang telah menjadi warga negara.

Sebagaimana telah diketahui, pada babak ketiga kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026, tim nasional Indonesia berada di grup C bersama dengan Jepun, Australia, Arab Saudi, Bahrain, serta Tiongkok.

Dibimbing oleh Shin Tae-yong, tim nasional sepak bola Indonesia mampu menduduki posisi ketiga dalam tabel sementara Grup C setelah mengikuti keenam pertandingan yang tersedia.

Jay Idzes dan kawan-kawannya mengamankan 6 poin, jumlah yang sama dengan tiga negara lain di posisi lebih rendah yakni Arab Saudi, Bahrain, serta China.

Empat tim itu cuma unggul satu angka saja dari Australia yang menempati peringkat kedua dengan 7 poin.

Meskipun begitu, Jepang tetap berada di posisi tertinggi dalam tabel dengan koleksi 16 poin serta tanpa kekalahan sampai saat ini.

Menurut data diambil dari halaman Transfermarkt, total nilai tim nasional Indonesia yang dipilih oleh Kluivert pada Maret ini sebesar 36,53 juta euro.

Angka tersebut menempatkan Timnas Indonesia sebagai juara keenam untuk daftar tim dengan nilai tertinggi di Asia, dan angkanya melebihi dari negara pesaing selanjutnya yaitu Australia.

Daftar pemain berdarah campuran yang telah dinafikan seperti Mees Hilgers, Emil Audero, Kevin Diks, Jay Idzes, Calvin Verdonk, Maarten Paes, Thom Haye dan lainnya diharapkan dapat membawa tim nasional Indonesia mencapai prestasi optimal.

Pertandingan selanjutnya untuk tim nasional Indonesia akan menghadapi tuan rumah Australia pada tanggal 20 Maret 2025, dan empat hari setelah itu bertemu dengan Bahrain di kandang sendiri pada tanggal 25 Maret 2025.

Danviet menganggap pertandingan lawan Australia selanjutnya bakal jadi laga penentuan untuk Timnas Indonesia.

"Jelas bahwa pertandingan ini merupakan laga hidup-mati bagi Tim Nasional Indonesia karena bila mengalamai kekalahan, harapan mereka untuk maju secara otomatis ke Piala Dunia 2026 lewat babak kualifikasi ketiga akan semakin suram," demikian tertulis dalam laporannya.

Kesepakatan ini bisa jadi membuat Indonesia tergeser dari peringkat empat yang sekarang diduduki, namun hasilnya sudah cukup untuk menyenangkan mereka.

Timnas Indonesia akan bermain di markas mereka pada tanggal 25 Maret menghadapi tim dari Bahrain.

Tanpa diragukan lagi, ini adalah laga yang wajib dimenangi tim nasional Indonesia guna mempertahankan semangat dan terus maju ke tahap berikutnya.

Untuk kedua pertandingan yang tersisa pada bulan Juni nanti, Timnas Indonesia diperkirakan dapat mengamankan poin saat berhadapan dengan China dan Jepang.

Berikutnya, pada tanggal 5 Juni, skuad Indonesia bakal menghadapi pasukan China di markas mereka sendiri. Pertarungan ini merupakan kesempatan emas bagi Timnas Indonesia untuk mendapatkan tiga angka penuh," sebut Danviet.

Pada tanggal 10 Juni, pasukan Indonesia bakal bermain dalam laga pamungkas Grup C pada fase kualifikasi ketiga sewaktu berkunjung ke Jepang.

Pada saat tersebut, tim Jepang mungkin telah sukses mendapatkan tempat di Piala Dunia 2026; oleh karena itu, mereka tidak pasti dapat mempertahankan komitmennya pada tingkat puncak. Ini memberikan peluang kepada tim Indonesia untuk bermimpi bisa menghasilkan keajaiban.

Jika tidak berhasil menyelesaikan lomba di peringkat kedua teratas dalam tabel klasemen Grup C dan memperoleh tempat langsung menuju Piala Dunia, Timnas Indonesia tetap harus berusaha finish pada urutan ketiga atau keempat.

Kelompok peringkat ketiga dan keempat nanti akan bertarung dalam laga kualifikasi selanjutnya, di mana mereka akan bersaing melawan masing-masing dua tim wakil dari Grup A dan B.

Enam tim itu akan dipecah menjadi dua kelompok dengan masing-masing kelompok terdiri dari tiga tim.

Tim yang sukses memenangi grup akan maju ke Piala Dunia, sementara tim tersebut runner-up akan berkompetisi sampai ke tahap akhir play-off .

Dengan melihat kondisi terkini, Danviet menganggap bahwa tim nasional sepak bola Indonesia memiliki kesempatan untuk memperoleh tempat langsung di Piala Dunia 2026 jika mereka berhasil menyelesaikan musim di urutan kedua tabel klasemen.

Akan tetapi, jika tim nasional Garuda tersingkir dari peringkat empat besar di grup C, Kluivert berpotensi kehilangan posisinya sebagai pelatih kepala Tim Nasional Indonesia.

"Singkatnya, tim Indonesia masih memiliki kesempatan untuk mengejar posisi kedua di Grup C pada tahap kualifikasi ketiga," jelas Danviet.

Pada skenario paling buruk, mereka bisa tetap berkompetisi untuk meraih tempat keempat di klasemen tersebut dan selanjutnya melakukan analisis yang lebih rinci.

Bila Indonesia cuma menduduki peringkat kelima atau keenam dalam grup C, jelas tim tersebut akan tereliminasi dan hal ini mungkin mengakibatkan pecatnya sang pelatih Kluivert beserta staf tekniknya.

Serunya menanti, tim nasional sepak bola Indonesia yang ditangani oleh Kluivert berhasil membuktikan kebolehannya dengan mendapatkan tempat di Piala Dunia 2026.



Tom Izzo's Hilarious Response to Michigan State's Second Round Game Start Time

When Michigan State was drawn into Cleveland for the first and second rounds of the NCAA men's tournament, it probably didn't expect to play its opening game well past 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

That's the fate that befell the Spartans, however—and they made the most of it, overcoming a slow start to demolish Bryant 87–62.

Did this performance earn Michigan State an earlier start time for the second round Sunday? It did not. The Spartans will play New Mexico at 8:40 p.m. Eastern Time. When told of this development, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo had a priceless reaction.

After working through a pained facial expression, he deadpanned, "Guess it's an hour earlier."

Izzo will encounter a recognizable figure in the second round since Coach Richard Pitino of the Lobos is at the helm. Minnesota from 2014 to '21. In 2019, their two squads met in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Des Moines—with the Spartans winning 70–50.

More March Madness on Sports Illustrated

This piece was initially released on www.si.com as Tom IzzoHad an Understandable Response to the Starting Time of Michigan State's Second-Round Game .



How Did Charlie Woods and Kai Trump Perform in the Third Round of the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley?

Charlie Woods Once more, Rose climbed the leaderboard on the third day of the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in South Carolina.

Woods, who was born to an iconic golf player, Tiger Woods , and Kai Trump, the granddaughter of the U.S. President Donald J. Trump , are participating in an event touted as "the most esteemed competition for young golfers" this week.

How was Charlie Woods' performance in the third round?

Woods had an up-and-down round resulting in a score of 73 (1-over). He managed to birdie two out of his first three holes and totaled four birdies for the day, though he also recorded three bogeys along with one double bogey.

He finished the competition with an overall score of 8-over par and moved up to the 25th position among 36 players.

Last autumn, Woods competed on Benjamin’s second-string squad and concluded his junior year as the eleventh-ranked boy golfer in Florida according to iWanamaker. In 2023, Woods became a member of Benjamin’s boys golf team that clinched the state championship title.

How was Kai Trump's performance in the third round?

Trump scored an 83 (11-over) in the third round, recording eight bogeys and two double bogeys, along with a final-hole birdie. Currently, she holds the lowest position among the 24 golfers participating, standing at 35-over for the entire competition.

Trump earned an All-County nod for Benjamin during the previous autumn season and concluded her junior year as the No. 151-ranked female golfer in Florida. She has pledged to compete in college golf at the University of Miami.

Canadian golfer Aphrodite Deng tops the girls competition with a lead of four strokes after scoring an impressive 6-under par in her third round, putting her at 8-under par for the entire tournament.

The inaugural Junior Invitational at Sage Valley took place in 2011 and swiftly transformed into a must-visit competition for elite young golfers worldwide. The event awarded its first female champion in 2022.

Former champions feature present pro golfers such as Scottie Scheffler, Akshay Bhatia, and Joaquín Niemann.

Eric J. Wallace serves as the deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. You can contact him at ejwallace@gannett.com.

The article initially appeared in The Palm Beach Post. How did Charlie Woods and Kai Trump perform in the third round of the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley?



Queensland into Shield final after draw with SA


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Queensland secured their spot in the Sheffield Shield final against South Australia following a draw in the last round of the season, with other outcomes also working in their favor.

On the afternoon of day four, South Australia’s captain Nathan McSweeney and acting Queensland leader Marnus Labuschagne exchanged handshakes as it became evident that victory was out of reach for both teams.

After declaring with a score of 7-614 in their initial innings, South Australia concluded their second attempt at bat at 5-252. Following this, they dismissed Queensland for 370 runs. However, they were unable to secure victory before running out of time for their upcoming home semi-final.

On Tuesday night, viewers from Queensland found themselves fixated on their TV screens, wishing for neither Western Australia nor New South Wales to triumph in their individual games, thus preventing them from overtaking their position heading into next week’s finale.

Tasmania’s 326-run victory against New South Wales and Victoria’s narrow 34-run triumph over Western Australia set the stage for Queensland to secure second place on the leaderboard and play at Karen Rolton Oval starting the following Wednesday.

"Overall, I am very pleased with the efforts of those lads," stated Labuschagne.

Given our current standing, having gone through five matches without any victories and managing to secure three wins along with a tie in the past five outings, this represents quite an impressive achievement.

When they resumed with scores of 2-66 on day four, South Australia went on to score an additional 186 runs, losing only three wickets in the process.

Jason Sangha scored his fifth first-class hundred with an undefeated 103, achieving three figures by guiding Mitch Swepson’s delivery over the long-off boundary.

It marked one of four sixes for the ex-Sydney Thunder skipper, who had previously slog-swept former Test spinner Swepson over long-on during the game.

On day four, Sangha's achievements stood out as his high-profile teammates faltered around him.

Following his capture of centurion Conor McInerney early on, part-time bowler Labuschagne (2-34) dismissed former Test player Nathan McSweeney (27), ultimately emerging as the unexpected top wicket-taker of the game.

Labuschagne recorded match figures of 4-107.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey (56), who has been impressively consistent this season, reached his fifty before hitting another part-time bowler, Matt Renshaw, to Ben McDermott at cover.

Carey, having scored 104 in the initial innings, has maintained an average of 120.67 over his last four first-class appearances at bat.



악천후도 두려지지 않는 하먼… 마스터스 전 우승 예감

브라이언 하먼(38·미국)은 2년 전 메이저 대회 디오픈 마지막 날 쉴 새 없이 비가 쏟아지는 가운데 6타 차 승리를 거머쥐었다. 170cm 작은 체격에 드라이브샷 비거리도 290.7야드(168위)에 불과하지만 위기를 벗어나는 쇼트 게임 능력이 경지에 이르렀다는 평을 듣는다. “포기하지 않으면 기회는 오게 돼 있다”는 신조를 갖고 있다.

하먼이 강풍과 추위 속에 열린 미국프로골프(PGA) 투어 발레로 텍사스 오픈(총상금 950만달러)에서 다시 우승컵을 들어 올리며 통산 4승째를 올렸다.

하먼은 7일(한국 시각) 미국 텍사스주 샌안토니오 TPC 샌안토니오(파72·7438야드)에서 열린 대회 최종 4라운드에서 버디 3개, 보기 4개, 더블보기 1개로 3오버파 75타를 기록했다. 최종 합계는 9언더파 279타. 2위 라이언 제러드(6언더파·미국)를 3타 차로 제치고 정상에 올랐다. 우승 상금은 171만달러(약 25억원). 하먼은 2023년 7월 디오픈 우승으로 세계 랭킹 8위까지 올랐지만 지난 2년간 이렇다 할 성적을 내지 못해 지난주 49위까지 떨어졌다. 이번 우승으로 22위로 반등했다. 하먼은 “악천후 속에서도 우승을 지켜낸 게 자랑스럽다”고 했다.

이날 4라운드 출전 선수 평균 스코어는 74.8타였다. 토미 플리트우드(잉글랜드)를 포함해 네 명은 80타를 넘겼다. 3타 차 선두로 최종 라운드를 나선 하먼도 3타를 잃었지만 우승 트로피를 손에 넣기엔 부족하지 않았다.

하먼은 6번 홀(파4) 보기에 이어 9번 홀(파4) 티샷 실수로 더블보기를 하며 1타 차이까지 추격당했다. 하지만 선두를 한 번도 내주지 않는 끈질긴 경기 운영 능력을 보였다. 후반 들어 12번 홀(파4)과 14번 홀(파5)에서 천금 같은 버디를 잡아, 15·16번 홀에서 연속 보기를 하고도 승리를 지켰다. 하먼을 추격하던 앤드루 노백(미국)은 마지막 두 홀을 남기고 2타 차까지 따라붙었지만 17·18번 홀에서 연속 보기로 무너졌다. 이날 4타를 잃은 노백은 매버릭 맥닐리(미국)와 공동 3위(5언더파)로 내려앉았다.

이날 4타를 줄이며 공동 5위(4언더파)에 오른 패트릭 피시번(미국)은 17번 홀에서 무려 32m 이글 퍼트에 성공했다. 2008년 이후 PGA 투어에서 가장 긴 퍼트 성공 기록이다.

재미 교포 김찬이 공동 5위에 올랐다. 한국 선수는 김시우와 김주형이 출전했지만 2라운드 컷 탈락했다. 오는 10일부터 미국 조지아주 오거스타 내셔널에서는 올해 첫 메이저 대회 마스터스가 열린다.



내가 1650억 코리안리거다! ‘156km 강속구 통타’ 이정후, 2루타+안타 폭발→타율 .344…SF 승승승승승승승 이끌다 [SF 리뷰]

[diwida.news >=이후광 기자] ‘바람의 손자’ 이정후(샌프란시스코 자이언츠)가 연이틀 무시무시한 장타력을 뽐내며 팀의 7연승 행진에 힘을 보탰다. 얼마나 시즌 초반 활약이 강렬하면 6년 총액 1억1300만 달러(약 1650억 원) 초대형 계약이 저렴해 보일 정도다.

이정후는 7일(이하 한국시간) 미국 캘리포니아주 샌프란시스코 오라클파크에서 펼쳐진 2025 메이저리그 시애틀 매리너스와의 인터리그 3연전 3차전에 3번 중견수로 선발 출전해 4타수 2안타 1득점으로 맹활약했다.

시작하자 마자 홈런을 때려냈다. 경기가 0-1로 앞서간 첫 회 말, 두 명의 아웃 카운트가 있었지만 주자가 없던 상태였다. 시애틀의 선발 피처인 브라이언 웅에게 맞춰 공 계수 2B-2S에서 다섯 번째 구종으로 낮은 스피드 97mph(약 156km/h)의 패스트볼을 잡아당겨 왼쪽 담장을 넘기는 2루타를 만들어냈다. 지난 일주일 동안 계속된 7게임 연속 안타와 이번 오프닝 이후 8게임 연속 도루 기록에 추가되는 순간이었다. 시즌 여섯 번 째 2루타를 적중시키면서 이 분야에서는 최상위권으로 진입하였다. 그러나 다음 타자의 맷 차퍼맨이 스윙 밖으로 미끄러지는 삼진 아웃으로 바뀌었으며, 결국 점수가 들어오는데 실패하게 되었다.

이정후의 방망이는 멈추지 않았다. 0-2로 끌려가던 4회말 무사 1루에서 안타를 치며 일찌감치 멀티히트를 달성했다. 1B-2S 불리한 카운트에서 우의 4구째 96.2마일(154km) 하이패스트볼을 공략해 좌전안타를 때려냈다. 2경기 연속 멀티히트였다.

헬리엇 라모스의 1타점 우전 적시타 때 2루에 도달한 이정후는 마이크 야스트렘스키의 역전 스리런포가 터지면서 동점 득점을 올렸다.

4-2로 리드한 5회말에는 2사 2루 득점권 찬스에서 우익수 뜬공으로 물러났다. 우를 만나 8구까지 가는 끈질긴 승부 끝 몸쪽 높은 90.5마일(145km) 체인지업을 받아쳤지만, 범타가 되며 아쉬움을 삼켰다.

이정후는 4-3으로 근소하게 앞선 8회말 1사 주자 없는 상황에서 마지막 타석을 맞이했다. 에두아르드 바자도를 상대로 1B-2S 불리한 카운트에 몰린 가운데 4구째 뚝 떨어지는 슬라이더에 헛스윙 삼진을 당했다. 헬멧이 벗겨질 정도로 풀스윙했으나 공을 맞히지 못했다.

이정후의 시즌 타율은 이전 3할2푼1리에서 새롭게 3할4푼4리를 기록하며 크게 향상되었다.

샌프란시스코는 시애틀에 5-4 끝내기승리를 거두며 3연전 스윕과 함께 파죽의 7연승을 질주했다. 시즌 8승 1패.

선발 조던 힉스는 5⅓이닝 6피안타(2피홈런) 1볼넷 5탈삼진 3실점 투구에도 승리가 무산됐다. 4-3으로 리드한 9회초 마무리 카밀로 도발이 블론세이브를 기록했다. 2사 2루 위기에서 3안타의 칼 롤리를 고의4구로 내보내는 승부수를 띄웠지만, 랜디 아로자레나에게 1타점 동점 2루타를 헌납했다.

타선은 4회말 4득점 빅이닝에 성공했다. 선두타자 윌리 아다메스와 이정후의 연속 안타로 맞이한 1사 1, 2루에서 라모스가 1타점 적시타, 야스트렘스키가 역전 3점홈런을 연달아 때려냈다.

승부처는 마지막 9회말이었다. 선두타자 야스트렘스키가 볼넷을 골라낸 뒤 루이스 마토스가 야수선택으로 출루했다. 패트릭 베일리의 큼지막한 타구가 우익수 빅터 로블레스의 엄청난 호수비에 잡혔지만, 그 사이 마토스가 2루를 밟았고, 대타 윌머 플로레스가 짜릿한 끝내기안타를 치며 승부의 마침표를 찍었다.

반면 3연패에 빠진 시애틀은 3승 7패가 됐다. 선발 우는 6이닝 5피안타(1피홈런) 1볼넷 6탈삼진 4실점 난조에도 타선 도움에 패전을 면했다. 패전투수는 그레고리 산토스. 3번타자 롤리의 홈런 포함 4타수 3안타 1타점 1볼넷 1득점 활약은 패배에 빛이 바랬다.

샌프란시스코는 8일부터 신시내티 레즈를 홈으러 불러들여 주중 3연전을 치른다. 첫날 로건 웹(샌프란시스코)과 헌터 그린(신시내티)의 선발 맞대결이 예고됐다.

/backlight@diwida.news >.co.kr



Skenario Red Sparks Selesaikan Posisi Kedua di Liga Voli Korea, Megawati Wajib Dimainkan Lagi

Dua tim peserta putaran playoff akan bertemu dalam laga pamungkas di tahap regular kompetisi Liga Voli Korea.

Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks serta Suwon Hyundai E&C Hillstate akan bermain dalam laga pemanas sebelum bertemu timnya masing-masing.

Hyundai akan berlomba lebih dulu pada hari Selasa, tanggal 18 Maret 2025.

Mereka akan bermain away melawan Gwangju AI Peppers Savings Bank.

Red Sparks menghadapi pertandingan akhirnya di markas mereka melawan Gimcheon Korea Expressway Hi-Pass pada hari Rabu, tanggal 19 Maret 2025.

Sebenarnya, posisi Red Sparks menguntungkan dibandingkan Hyundai untuk dapat menyelesaikan musim di tempat kedua dalam tabel akhir.

Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi dan timnya unggul signifikan dalam hal jumlah kemenangan dibandingkan dengan Hyundai walaupun skor total kedua tim adalah 63.

Red Sparks telah meraih 23 kali kemenangan, sedangkan Hyundai hanya mencapai 20 kemenangan dari total 35 laga yang dijalani.

Namun demikian, Red Sparks tetap berhati-hati terhadap dorongan semangat yang dimiliki oleh skuad Hi-Pass.

Kekalahan mereka menjadi semakin buruk karena tidak pernah sekalipun mengalahkan Red Sparks di musim ini.

Terlebih lagi, Hi-Pass tetap dalam tingkat kepercayaan diri yang cukup baik setelah meraih enam kemenangan dari tujuh laga terakhirnya.

Senior middle blocker Hi-Pass, Bae Yoo-na menyatakan keinginannya untuk dapat menahan permainan Megawati dan kawan-kawan.

"Pertandingan terakhir akan menghadapkan saya dengan JungKwanJang, lawan yang belum bisa menaklukkan saya sepanjang musim ini," ujar Bae Yoo-na, seperti dikutip dari TheSpike.

"Aku berharap untuk menutup musim ini dengan kemenangan," ujar sang atlit yang telah berumur 35 tahun tersebut.

Blok Hi-Pass terus mengganggu serangan Red Sparks sebab tim tersebut memiliki dua pemain penyerang tengah yang handal yaitu Bae Yoo-na dan Kim Se-been.

Red Sparks perlu meraih kemenangan agar bisa mempertahankan urutan kedua di tabel klasement.

Oleh karena itu, Megawati akan diperlukan lagi di pertandingan selanjutnya ketika berhadapan dengan Hi-Pass.

SKENARIO RED SPARKS MENJADI PEMEGANG POSISI KESEGARAAN KEDUA DALAM KLASIFIKASI LIGA VOLI KOREA

1. Tim Red Sparks unggul dengan skor 3-0 atau mungkin 3-1, terlepas dari hasil pertandingan dengan Hyundai.

2. Tim Red Sparks berhasil memenangkan pertandingan dengan skor akhir 3-2, demikian pula halnya dengan tim Hyundai yang juga unggul dengan angka tersebut.

3. Tim Red Sparks mengalami kekalahan dengan angka 2-3, sementara itu Hyundai juga kalah dengan skor minimal 2-3.

4. Tim Red Sparks mengalami kekalahan dengan angka akhir 0-3 atau mungkin 1-3, serupa halnya dengan tim Hyundai yang juga menelan kekalahannya dengan skor tersebut yakni 0-3 atau 1-3.



Rory McIlroy Triumphs in Playoff Against J.J. Spaun for The Players Championship Title

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. — It turns out Rory McIlroy It took just three solid swings to secure victory in the Players Championship on Monday during a playoff against J.J. Spaun .

McIlroy launched his first drive off the tee and followed up with a pitching wedge on the par-5 16th, positioning himself for a birdie opportunity. Then, facing the challenging par-3 17th with its island green at TPC Sawgrass under brisk conditions, he managed to land his 9-iron shot successfully despite the chilly, sharp breeze. This performance essentially secured him a second victory in golf’s most lucrative tournament.

Spaun lingered with his 8-iron until he noticed the sounds of displeasure from the crowd gathered past the 17th green. The ball sliced through the breeze and landed well beyond the green, plunging into the water, which resulted in a triple bogey and dashed his chances.

He remarked, 'It was an excellent shot... flawless if only it were at the correct distance,' adding, 'I simply couldn’t fathom how far it went. Just typical for me when wind comes into play.'

McIlroy secured his place as the eighth player to win the Players Championship more than once when he triumphed this year, adding to his previous victory in 2019. This marks the first occasion in his professional journey where he enters the Masters with two wins under his belt. His most recent success came at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am just last month.

A four-hour rain delay led to the first three-hole playoff at The Players Championship in a decade. During this event, McIlroy needed to sink a crucial 4-foot par putt on the final hole. Meanwhile, Spaun missed his winning attempt with a 30-foot birdie putt that fell just shy of the cup.

Disappointed after losing his three-stroke advantage on the latter part of the course, McIlroy glanced towards the potential playoff and stated, "Just make five solid swings tomorrow morning and finish this off."

The 336-yard shot on the 16th hole. A pitch with his pitching wedge leaving him within 35 feet. Then, an approach with a 9-iron that landed safely ashore. Those were the key plays required for him to outperform Spaun and secure the top prize of $4.5 million from the total pot of $25 million.

The three swings essentially determined the champion," McIlroy stated. "I empathize with J.J.; he's had an excellent week. It was tough to witness how things concluded for him.

It echoed a 2008 playoff matchup Sergio Garcia and Paul Goydos Back when the 17th hole was utilized for sudden-death playoffs, Garcia managed to reach the green. In contrast, Goyos fell short and ended up in the water hazard. There’s nothing quite as isolating as walking alone towards the drop area, realizing it’s all over.

Now, McIlroy boasts 39 victories globally and carries significant momentum as the Masters approaches in just a month’s time. The only item missing from his collection is the Green Jacket, which would grant him entry into the elite circle of players who have achieved the career Grand Slam in golf. It has been since 2014 since he last claimed a major title.

Considered as good as winning a major, The Players Championship saw McIlroy performing well at Sawgrass even though he missed over half of the fairways throughout the week.

"I believe I am a more skilled player now than at any point in the past, and it’s gratifying to witness the rewards of my hard work," McIlroy stated.

Spaun secured $2,725,000 for coming in second place and climbed to No. 25 in the global rankings, which was sufficiently high to guarantee him entry into the Masters.



3-2！朱婷老东家大逆转 挽救五个赛点 安娃32分+MVP 国际排联惊叹发文

3月17日，意甲女排1/4决赛第二回合上演了一场史诗级对决，朱婷的老东家斯坎迪奇女排在客场先丢两局的情况下，展现惊人韧性，在决胜局挽救五个赛点后，以3-2（19-25、22-25、25-23、25-20、22-20）大逆转布斯托阿斯奇奥女排，总比分2-0晋级四强，这场胜利不仅展现了斯坎迪奇的强大心理素质，也让本赛季最精彩的比赛之一诞生，半决赛中，他们将迎战米兰女排，争夺决赛席位。

本场比赛，斯坎迪奇5人上双，头号得分手安特罗波娃上演统治级表现，轰下32分（61扣27中1拦4发）并且荣膺MVP，赫尔博茨贡献16分（30扣15中，1拦），明加尔迪13分（31扣11中2拦），恩瓦卡勒11分（16扣6中3拦2发），卡罗尔11分（18扣7中4拦）。

而布斯托阿斯奇奥女排方面3人上双，皮瓦拿下25分（41扣23中1拦1发），奥博萨22分（40扣19中3拦），昆兹勒20分（51扣17中1拦2发），虽拼尽全力，仍未能拖入第三回合。

比赛的最大看点无疑是惊心动魄的第五局，从一开局，布斯托阿斯奇奥女排就以7-3占据领先，皮瓦和昆兹勒不断施压，让斯坎迪奇一度陷入绝境。但斯坎迪奇拒绝放弃，安特罗波娃凭借一记ACE将比分追至8-7，达席尔瓦紧接着拦网得分，帮助斯坎迪奇8-8扳平，双方进入比分交替的拉锯战。

皮瓦的连续进攻让布斯托阿斯奇奥女排19-18领先，但安特罗波娃挺身而出，不仅再次追平19-19，还一举反超20-19。布斯托阿斯奇奥拒绝认输，皮瓦再度追至20-20。然而，安特罗波娃关键时刻再度贡献关键分，21-20后更是在赛点上完成关键拦网，22-20锁定胜局！斯坎迪奇女排挽救5个赛点，以最戏剧化的方式，挺进意甲女排四强！

比赛结束后，FIVB国际排联官方也忍不住发文惊叹：“她最爱的‘二号位致命一击’！我们也爱！斯坎迪奇再度杀入意甲半决赛！在本赛季最惊心动魄的比赛之一，斯坎迪奇在决胜局挽救五个赛点，以22-20赢下，成功锁定四强席位。”

随着斯坎迪奇女排的晋级，将在半决赛迎战米兰女排，这将是一场巨星云集的较量，面对同样实力强劲的对手，斯坎迪奇能否延续今日的逆袭气势，再进一步，让我们拭目以待！

本赛季意甲女排四强情况已出3席：科内利亚诺，米兰，斯坎迪奇。诺瓦拉女排和基耶里女排则将于3月20日进行第三回合的较量，胜者将获得四强门票。



India Women's Hockey Captain: 'Our Play Will Repay Hockey India'

New Delhi [India], March 16 (ANI): The captain of the Indian women's team Salima Tete was honored at the 7th Hockey India Awards were presented to her on Saturday following her team's victory and winning the gold medal at the Women's Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024 held in Rajgir, Bihar, the previous year.

She conveyed her thanks to Hockey India At the federation's 7th Annual Awards ceremony, highlighting the players' duty to excel in their performances.

" Hockey India She said they are putting in tremendous effort for us, and we must reciprocate by performing excellently. "We promise to give our absolute best in each tournament," she stated to ANI.

When discussing the importance of the awards ceremony, Tete emphasized that it acts as an inspiration for the athletes participating and for the aspiring youngsters who watch it.

"This yearly event serves as excellent inspiration for us and for the children observing it live. Receiving an accolade happens only once in a lifetime, so I wish to extend my congratulations to all the recipients. This honor isn’t bestowed upon everybody—it’s a testament to their dedication and effort," she stated.

The Hockey India The 7th Annual Awards ceremony took place in New Delhi on March 15, gathering India's hockey community. The National Federation honored the nation’s top hockey players, officials, and legendary figures for their significant contributions to the sport and for bringing glory to the country, as stated in an official statement. Hockey India .

The significance of this year’s awards was heightened as they marked both the centennial celebration of Indian hockey by the governing body and the 50th anniversary of India’s legendary 1975 World Cup win. In honor of these milestones, Hockey India honored the players from the winning 1975 World Cup team Hockey India The Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award comes with a cash prize of INR 50 lakhs.

The memorable night witnessed prominent figures from Indian hockey gather and showcased an unprecedented prize fund of INR 12 crore, marking the largest in the sport’s history. Hockey India Annual Awards.

At the peak of the evening’s accolades, Savita and Harmanpreet Singh were recognised as the Hockey India The Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2024 recipients in the women's and men's categories, respectively.

The awards ceremony kicked off by celebrating India’s notable achievement from 2024—the country securing a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Members of the Indian Men's Hockey Team were honored with a shawl along with an individual prize of ₹15 lakhs, whereas reserve players got ₹5 lakhs each, and the coaching and supporting team received ₹7.5 lakhs per person for their efforts and dedication.

In the second group, eight states received recognition for their crucial contribution to advancing hockey and their exceptional achievements during the 14th competition. Hockey India In the National Championships 2024, teams from Hockey Haryana, Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Association of Odisha, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, and Hockey Punjab claimed medals in different sections of the competition. Each team was presented with an award check worth INR 10 lakhs for their outstanding performances.

At the same time, the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu received the accolade of Best Member Unit of the Year 2024 due to their significant contributions towards transforming grassroots hockey via the inception of India’s inaugural statewide school hockey league—the Tamil Nadu School Hockey League. This pioneering effort included participation from 8 regions, encompassing 306 educational institutions with more than 5,500 participants engaging in over 500 games across approximately 45 locations, marking an important advancement for the game within the country.

The Indian men's and women's hockey teams were awarded INR 2.28 crore and INR 1.41 crore, respectively, as bonuses. These amounts encompassed a payment of INR 50,000 per player and INR 25,000 per support staff member for each international game victory.

In the Personal Accomplishment Honors, Harmanpreet Singh received a prize of INR 10 lakh for being named the FIH Men's Player of the Year 2024 at the FIH Hockey Star Awards 2024, along with an extra INR 1 lakh for his outstanding play during the Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 held in Hulunbuir City, China.

PR Sreejesh got INR 5 lakhs for receiving the title of FIH Men's Goalkeeper of the Year 2024. Deepika earned INR 1 lakh apiece for securing both the top goalscorer position and best player award at the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 held in Rajgir, plus an additional INR 1 lakh for leading the goal-scoring chart at the Junior Women's Asia Cup 2024 in Muscat, Oman.

Araijeet Singh Hundal was awarded INR 1 lakh for being named the Player of the Tournament at the Junior Men's Asia Cup 2024 held in Muscat, Oman.

The Milestone Awards 2024 celebrated remarkable accomplishments in global hockey. Boby Singh Dhami, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, and Sakshi Rana each earned an award of ₹100,000 for netting their first goals in an international game. Jarmanpreet Singh and Shamsher Singh were granted ₹100,000 apiece for achieving 100 international appearances. Meanwhile, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Sumit received awards worth ₹150,000 each for attaining 150 international matches under their belts. Amit Rohidas secured a prize of ₹200,000 for participating in his 200th international match, whereas Sushila Chanu was feted with ₹250,000 for her participation in her landmark 250th international contest.

The champions of the Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 held in Hulunbuir City, China, as well as those from the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in Rajgir, Bihar, were awarded INR 3 lakhs for each player and INR 1.5 lakhs for every member of the support staff. In contrast, the victorious teams at both the Junior Men’s Asia Cup 2024 and the upcoming Junior Women’s Asia Cup 2025 earned INR 2 lakhs per player and INR 1 lakh per support staff member for their accomplishments.

In the meantime, the last classification within this category is Hockey India The Annual Awards 2024 commenced with Ripudaman Sharma emerging as the winner. Hockey India President Award for Umpire/Umpires Manager of the Year 2024 and received an honorarium of INR 2.5 lakh. Anil Kumar P K was bestowed this recognition. Hockey India President's Award for Technical Official of the Year 2024, along with an INR 2.5 lakh prize.

The Hockey India The President's Award for Exceptional Success in 2024 went to the Beighton Cup Hockey Tournament, receiving an award of INR 5 lakhs. Furthermore, the Hockey India The Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution 2024 was bestowed upon Prasar Bharati, India's national public broadcasting company, which serves as the official channel for theHero. Hockey India The League 2024-25 has played a key part in broadening the league’s presence throughout India and internationally.

The award ceremony witnessed Savita securing the esteemed Hockey India The Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year 2024 went to Savita, who received INR 5 lakh plus a trophy. As a key player on the Indian women’s national hockey team, she played an essential role in their achievements, marking this as her second consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year honor.

Amit Rohidas, acknowledged as one of the globe’s top first rushers, claimed victory Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Best Defender 2024, receives INR 5 lakh.

Hardik Singh, who had previously secured both the Men's Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year accolades, has now added another title to his achievements. Hockey India The Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year 2024, which includes a prize of INR 5 lakh.

At the same time, Abhishek, an essential player in India's attacking lineup, kept his position. Hockey India The Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year, which includes INR 5 lakh and a trophy as recognition.

Deepika along with Aarjeet Singh Hundal, who experienced significant success with both their junior and senior squads during the year, claimed the championships. Hockey India The Asunta Lakra Award for Emerging Female Player of the Year 2024 (Under-21) Hockey India The Jugraj Singh Award for Emerging Male Player of the Year 2024 (Under-21) was presented to them, with each recipient receiving INR 10 lakhs along with a trophy. This marked Araijeet's second successive time winning the title of Emerging Male Player of the Year.

Savita, having recently achieved her 300th international cap and playing a crucial role in the Indian women's hockey team's achievements, has now claimed her third. Hockey India The Balbir Singh Senior Award for Player of the Year 2024 went to a woman player. Simultaneously, the present captain of the Indian men’s team, who guided India to a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics as well as multiple significant wins, secured his second consecutive Senior Player of the Year accolade. This athlete had previously been bestowed this honor during the 4th Annual Awards ceremony in 2021. Each awardee was presented with INR 25 lakhs along with a commemorative trophy.

At a crucial juncture, the 1975 World Cup-winning squad was feted for their achievements. Hockey India The Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024 has been announced with a prize of INR 50 lakh. Distinguished former athletes who graced the event were Leslie Fernandez, Onkar Singh, Ashok Diwan, B P Govinda, Kaliah P E, Brigadier HJS Chimni, V J Phillips (who was the top scorer in the tournament), Ashok Kumar, Aslam Sher Khan, and Brigadier Harcharan Singh.

Ashok Kumar accepted the accolade on behalf of team leader Ajit Pal Singh, with Chanchal Randhawa (the widow of the late Surjit Singh), Naveen Pawar (the son of the late Shivaji Pawar), Satpal Singh (the brother of the late Mohinder Singh), Manjeet Kaur (the wife of the late Varinder Singh), and Sheela Kindo (the spouse of the late Michael Kindo) all attending this significant event. (ANI)

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).


Alex de Minaur and Coco Gauff Outmatched in Shock Exits at Indian Wells

Alex de Minaur suffered a straight-sets loss against Argentine 25th seed Francisco Cerúndolo with scores of 7-5, 6-3 at the Indian Wells tournament.

The player currently ranked tenth globally and ninth in California hasn’t managed to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells, which is frequently referred to as the fifth major tournament.

De Minaur defeated the Argentine in four sets at the Australian Open earlier this year , however, his mistake-filled display led to his downfall after just one hour and fifty minutes.

The individual aged 26 made 39 unforced mistakes in a performance that was unusually inconsistent.

"I'm extremely delighted. I anticipated this would be quite a challenge today," Cerúndolo stated.

Alex is an incredible player and a real competitor. He’s been enjoying some fantastic seasons, ranking among the top ten players, and we had quite a contest in Australia which he won. However, today I faced another match and seized this new chance; I believe I performed exceptionally.

I'm extremely delighted to have defeated a top-notch opponent and advanced to the quarterfinals at Indian Wells.

In another part of the competition, Ben Shelton made history as the youngest American male player since Andy Roddick in 2004 to advance to the quarter-finals at Indian Wells, defeating Brandon Nakashima in consecutive sets.

In the second set of his 7-6 (6), 6-1 win, the 22-year-old Shelton dominated. Following an initial set that lasted 61 minutes, he quickly built up a commanding 5-0 lead in only 20 minutes during the decisive set.

The 11th-seeded Shelton hasn't dropped a set in five career matches against Nakashima, a 23-year-old American.

In the women’s competition, third-seeded Coco Gauff faced an unexpected defeat in the round of 16 against unseeded player Belinda Bencic. The 28-year-old wildcard participant from Switzerland staged a comeback to win with scores of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.


In return for her win at the Australian Open in January where she came back after losing the initial set, Bencic defeated Gaolf afterwards.
(Note: There seems to be an error with "Gaolf" as this does not match correctly with either names provided; I've kept it consistent with your original input.)

The loss occurred just one day prior to Gauff's 21st birthday, with the 2023 US Open winner being broken at 4-4 in the last set despite leading 40-0 earlier.

Throughout the tournament, Gauff faced difficulties with her serves and recorded eight double faults against Bencic, compared to only four aces.

Australian Open winner Madison Keys The fifth-seed player made a comeback with a 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-3 win against the 19th-seeded Donna Vekić.

The 30-year-old U.S. player stretched her consecutive wins to 15 matches after falling behind 5-3 and facing two match points in the second set.

Lead player Aryna Sabalenka easily secured a win with a score of 6-1, 6-2 against Sonay Kartal, who was up against someone ranked within the top 10 for the very first time.

Jack Draper from Britain defeated Taylor Fritz, the three-time seeded American and former champion at Indian Wells, with scores of 7-5, 6-4.

AP/ABC



Tendulkar vs Lara: Nostalgia Returns as India and West Indies Legends Clash in IML 2025 Finale

Raipur (Chhattisgarh), India, March 15 (ANI): The scene is prepared for an encounter between two cricket legends in the finals of the first-ever International Masters League. The big match will take place on Sunday, March 16. Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara will be leading the team India Masters And the West Indies Masters faced off against each other in the final match of the tournament at the SVNS International Stadium in Raipur.

The India Masters One of the top contenders before the tournament began has had an almost flawless journey through the IML. Even though they suffered their sole defeat during the league phase against Australia Masters, they got revenge by defeating Shane Watson's team in the first semifinal on Thursday, March 13.

The team started its campaign with an thrilling four-run victory over the Sri Lanka Masters, followed by a dominant nine-wicket win against the England Masters. India Masters Then they sealed a hat-trick of victories with an eight-wicket victory over the South Africa Masters, but their winning streak came to an end when the Australia Masters won the fourth game. Sachin Tendulkar On their side, however, reclaimed the upper hand by outscoring the West Indies Masters by seven runs, securing the second position in the league stage of the competition. They subsequently defeated Australia Masters in the semifinal by 94 runs.

In contrast, the West Indies Masters kicked off their tournament with successive victories over the Australia Masters and the England Masters. Nonetheless, they faced setbacks as they suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of the Sri Lanka Masters. India Masters A 29-run win against the South Africa Masters in their last group match allowed them to clinch a spot in the semi-finals. In the second semi-final on March 14, they managed to narrowly defeat the Sri Lanka Masters by six runs through sheer composure.

The IML final between India Masters The West Indies Masters event on Sunday is set to deliver an exhilarating finale to a spectacular competition where spectators have had the chance to revisit cricket's glorious past by admiring the legendary skills and iconic performances of cricket greats once more.

The IML finale will be broadcast live on JioHotstar as well as Colors Cineplex (SD & HD) and Colors Cineplex Superhits starting at 7 PM. (ANI)

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).


Florida's Elite Eight Victory Bolsters SEC's Impressive March Madness Men's Record

In 2025, college basketball has been the SEC's sport—and fans around the country are just living in it.

After putting a record 14 team s in the NCAA men's tournament this year, the conference set a new record Saturday when No. 1 Florida defeated No. 3 Texas Tech, 84–79, in the Elite Eight. The win gave the SEC 20 wins this tournament—the most in history.

The record was previously held by the ACC, which won 19 games in 2016 as it reaped early fruits of its expansion.

The SEC appears far from done, with four teams—the Gators, Alabama, Tennessee and Auburn—still alive and kicking.

Other squads contributing to the league's pile of wins include Arkansas, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. The Aggies were knocked out in the second round, while the Razorbacks, Wildcats and Rebels bowed out in the Sweet 16.

Notably, when the ACC set that record in '16, it did not win the national title—North Carolina fell to Villanova in the championship. It remains to be seen whether the league converts its dominance into a crown.

More March Madness on Sports Illustrated

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Florida's Elite Eight Win Gives SEC Impressive Men's March Madness Record .