BERLIN, May 1 (Xinhua) — Borussia Dortmund secured a crucial 1-0 lead over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal, thanks to a decisive goal from Niclas Fullkrug.

The match started evenly, with both teams creating opportunities. Ousmane Dembele and Marcel Sabitzer for Dortmund had chances to open the scoring, but the deadlock persisted until the 36th minute. Nico Schlotterbeck delivered a precise cross into the PSG box, finding Fullkrug who drove the ball past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Dortmund the lead.

Dortmund maintained pressure, with Donnarumma making a critical save from a Sabitzer volley just before halftime. PSG intensified their attack after the break, with Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi hitting the post within minutes of each other, narrowly missing equalizers.

Despite PSG’s strong efforts, Dortmund continued to threaten, notably when Fullkrug missed a close-range opportunity and later headed over the bar. The game remained open with both sides exchanging attacks in the final stages; Dembele and Vitinha for PSG missed their shots, while Julian Brandt’s effort was blocked by Marquinhos at a crucial moment.

Dortmund’s defense held strong, preserving their 1-0 victory to take into the second leg in Paris.

“It was a great team performance tonight. We helped each other and can be very delighted with the outcome of the game,” commented Dortmund veteran defender Mats Hummels.

“The boys played a great game. They had opportunities to add more goals to the lead but of course we also were lucky twice. Overall, a great performance which gives us a great position for a tough second leg in Paris. We have a big chance to qualify for the Champions League final,” said Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic.

Source(s): Xinhua

Both the men’s and women’s teams from the Maldives contigent have secured wins at the recent Asian Carrom Championship’s team events.

Held at the Social Center, Male’ City, the men’s team secured a silver medal win while the women’s team secured a bronze medal.

This was also the first time men’s team have played in a finals of an international sports tournament in the last 21 years.

Maldives men’s team faced a 3-0 defeat against India.

The women’s team managed to advance until the semi-finals, and was knocked out with a 3-0 defeat against India.

Besides the team event, the Maldives contingent secured a men’s doubles win as well. At the doubles event, Ismail Azmeen and Hassan Nazim secured silver medal wins.

Source(s): sun.mv

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, April 30 (Xinhua) — Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho emphasized the importance of focusing solely on the present ahead of their critical UEFA Champions League semifinal against PSG. The 24-year-old English winger urged his team to put past achievements behind them and concentrate exclusively on the upcoming match this Wednesday.

“The group stage is a thing of the past. We shouldn’t think and talk about the final either. It’s this game now, nothing else,” Sancho said.

While fans are nostalgic about a potential repeat of the 2013 “German final” against Bayern Munich, Dortmund is keen to move past a recent disappointing 4-1 league defeat to Leipzig. The loss has added an extra layer of pressure on the team as they prepare for the semifinal.

“The venue and that both again have reached the last four rounds is triggering memories. It’s good for German football and it is a curious fact,” Neuer said.

The final in 2024 is set to take place at Wembley, the same venue as in 2013, adding to the sense of deja vu. However, Sancho, currently on loan from Manchester United, is battling fitness issues as he struggles to return to his best form.

“We all know about his skills and options. But at present, he has to deal with Ups and Downs. We are trying to help him and give him time, but to perform every three days on the highest level remains a challenge,” BVB coach Edin Terzic said.

Terzic added Sancho’s training performance is encouraging, and “we are convinced he is reaching his top level shortly.”

Despite his struggles, Sancho recently became the first Englishman to score 40 goals in the German Bundesliga, surpassing Tony Woodcock’s record of 39.

The striker called his 1-0 lead a “bitter-sweet moment” as Leipzig later turned the game in its favor.

The stage of the Champions League might deliver the opportunity to set a mark for Sancho as his harvest has been far from satisfying so far.

Two goals and two assists in 15 competitive games don’t seem to meet the expectations of the club and the player.

Sancho’s future in Dortmund’s shirt remains uncertain. Some reports speak of United’s intention to allow his stay with the Black and Yellows, while other media talk about a possible return in case the Red Devils trigger the departure of current under-fire coach Erik Ten Hag.

For now, Sancho remains focused on the immediate task against PSG. “We need to perform perfectly over 90 minutes on Wednesday, so we have a week later,” he asserted, viewing the Champions League as a potential turning point to overcome recent challenges and possibly reignite discussions of a historic final at Wembley.

Source(s): Xinhua