BASKETBALL
US trounce Taiwan B
Taiwan’s men’s national B team were thoroughly thrashed by the US, represented by the UC Irvine Anteaters, in the William Jones Cup in Taipei yesterday. The home squad initially put up a decent fight, ending the first quarter five points down at 32-27, but things only went downhill from there and they ultimately lost 117-59. In earlier games, Qatar beat the United Arab Emirates 81-57, while the Philippines, represented by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, edged Iran 98-90. South Korea, represented by Anyang KGC, beat the Japan U22 squad 97-89.
SOCCER
Messi, Miami on a roll
Lionel Messi on Tuesday extended his remarkable goal-scoring streak as Inter Miami powered into the final of the Leagues Cup with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Philadelphia Union. The Argentina superstar took his tally to nine goals in six appearances for Miami in an entertaining semi-final at Philadelphia’s Subaru Park. Venezuelan international Josef Martinez, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Jordi Alba, and substitute David Ruiz scored Miami’s other goals, with Alejandro Bedoya the lone scorer for outgunned Philadelphia. The result leaves Messi preparing for the 42nd final of his career with Miami facing Nashville SC in Saturday’s final of the World Cup-style tournament for teams from the US’ MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX. Nashville booked their place in the final later Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Mexican side CF Monterrey.
SOCCER
Neymar signs with Al-Hilal
Neymar on Tuesday became the latest superstar soccer player to take the riches on offer from the Saudi Pro League, completing a move to Al-Hilal after six seasons at Paris Saint-Germain. The clubs reached an agreement on the transfer of the Brazil forward for a reported 90 million euros (US$98 million), a record for a league that is now financially backed by the oil-rich state. The 31-year-old Neymar signed a two-year contract that is expected to earn him an annual salary of about US$100 million. “I have achieved a lot in Europe and enjoyed special times, but I have always wanted to be a global player and test myself with new challenges and opportunities in new places,” Neymar said in the club’s announcement.
BASEBALL
Elder, Ozuna back on track
Bryce Elder and Marcell Ozuna have never lost faith in themselves, and it is paying off. Bouncing back from a rough stretch, Elder pitched seven innings to lead a one-hitter, getting all the run support he needed when Ozuna hit a three-run homer in the first to lead the Atlanta Braves past the reeling New York Yankees 5-0. “I’m not going to sit up here and say I was always confident,” said Elder, a first-time All-Star this season, but just 1-3 with a 7.94 earned run average over his previous six starts. “You just have to say: ‘Forget it. I’m just going to go back to trying to make one pitch at a time,’” Elder said. At the end of April, Ozuna was hitting .085 with a pair of solo homers accounting for his only RBIs, prompting plenty of fans to call for his release. The Braves stuck with the burly designated hitter, who has batted .275 with 22 homers and 58 RBIs since. “I knew I was a good player,” Ozuna said. “I just never give up. The only thing I have in my mind is to show them what I can do.”
Manchester City have reached do-or-die territory in the UEFA Champions League earlier than expected ahead of what Pep Guardiola has described as a “final” against Club Brugge today. City have disproved the suggestion a new format to Europe’s top club competition would remove any jeopardy for the top clubs as Guardiola stares down the barrel of failing to make the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in his career. The English champions have endured a torrid season both in their English Premier League title defense and on the continent. A run of one win in 13 games, which included Champions League
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about ￡2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday poured in 35 points as the Thunder grabbed a bounce-back 118-108 victory in Portland to push their NBA-best record to 37-8. The Thunder, surprised by the short-handed Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, fended off a late surge from the Trail Blazers to snap their four-game winning streak. Jalen Williams scored 24 points and Isaiah Joe added 16 off the bench. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, back after a five-game absence with a calf injury, added 14 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a big block. The Western Conference leaders were under pressure late as Portland, trailing by 15 heading
The Golden State Warriors on Wednesday withstood Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 52-point outburst to beat the Western Conference leading Thunder 116-109. Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points and Warriors superstar Stephen Curry scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half as Golden State erased a double-digit deficit and pulled away late for the victory. “We just stayed solid,” said Curry, who entered the contest mired in a shooting slump and had just four points on one basket in the first half. “Just all-around effort.” The Thunder, fueled by 31 first-half points from Gilgeous-Alexander, led by as many as 14 in the
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