Latest news with #Lestienne
New Paper
18-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Lion City Sailors denied at final hurdle as Sharjah FC clinch AFC Champions League Two title
For six electrifying minutes on May 18, the air of excitement inside the Bishan Stadium was palpable as the majority of the 9,737 capacity crowd was suddenly charged by hope in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two final. The hosts, Singapore's Lion City Sailors, had just clawed their way back with Maxime Lestienne's equaliser in the first of 11 minutes of stoppage time against United Arab Emirates' Sharjah FC, who had taken a 74th-minute lead. But the Sailors supporters' hearts were shattered in the seventh minute of stoppage time, as Sharjah midfielder Marcus Meloni silenced the stadium with a clinical winner, dashing the Sailors' bid to become the first club from Singapore to win a continental title as they won 2-1. At the final whistle, the Sailors slumped to the ground while a long night of celebrations was just getting started for Sharjah and their 500 travelling fans. Sailors captain Hariss Harun was crestfallen after the late defeat. "For a moment, when we got the goal back, we had the belief to try to go and win the game. But of course, it's risk and reward. They got a second goal and we ran out of time. We are disappointed," said the Singapore skipper, 34. "It's been historic for us as a club to come this far. Obviously, when we get to the final, we want to win it as well. But today showed that it wasn't meant to be." The tight encounter saw the Sailors enjoy most of the chances, but it was Sharjah who made the breakthrough in the 74th minute. Brazil-born attacker Caio Lucas was afforded time to pick out the overlapping Khaled Ibrahim at the far post. He then pulled the ball back for Tunisian international Firas Ben Larbi to finish past Izwan Mahbud. There was a glimmer of hope yet when the fourth official signalled 11 minutes of added time, a just reward for the Sailors who were often frustrated by Sharjah players going down to receive treatment. Just a minute into stoppage time, Lestienne looked to have sent the game into extra time. The Belgian expertly guided Diogo Costa's low cross into the bottom corner of the net. But Sharjah restored their advantage six minutes later when Meloni, who was born in Brazil but represents the UAE internationally, found space just inside the left side of the box and found the far corner of Izwan's net, as the travelling fans erupted in sheer delirium. The hosts went close twice in search of another equaliser, first a scramble in the box in the ninth minute of added time from a Lestienne cross and then substitute Shawal Anuar went close minutes later but could not connect with the ball as Sharjah saw out the game to bag the US$2.5 million (S$3.2 million) prize money, with the Sailors receiving US$1 million. Lion City Sailors' goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud in action during the match. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO While it will count as consolation, the Sailors, who became Singapore's first privatised football team in 2020, had already made history by being the first team from the Republic to feature in a continental final. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the guest of honour who handed out medals to both the winners and runners-up, said in a Facebook post later: "The players and their coaches and trainers did give it their all, eventually going down 2-1 in a close-fought match. "It will always be tough competing internationally. But there's something to the spirit of a small country." The point of pride is one that Sailors coach Aleksandar Rankovic made in his post-match conference. The Serb said: "The No. 1 lesson (from our campaign), is that you should never stop dreaming and believing. Every game we played in this campaign, we were the underdog and rightfully so because we come from Singapore. This year showed me that if you believe it... if you have a group of players that I have, you can go so far. "Is that going to be the case next year? I don't know, but if we can repeat at least half of what we did this year, especially in the Champions League, I will be very satisfied." His counterpart, Romanian Cosmin Olaroiu, who will be taking over as UAE coach, said: "My dream was to win a continental trophy... and finally, I did this. And of course, I have the dream to participate in the World Cup and I will do my best to reach this one. And I think this fantastic nation deserves that." ACL2 Champions Sharjah FC, lifting the trophy after beating Lion City Sailors, at Bishan Stadium. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR The Sailors' unprecedented voyage to the final started with them topping Group F ahead of 2023 Chinese Super League second runners-up Zhejiang Professional, Thai League 1's third-placed Port FC and Indonesia Liga 1 champions Persib Bandung. In the knockout rounds, there was a convincing aggregate win over Muangthong United from Thailand in the round of 16 before lady luck shone on them, as they were able to turn a 6-1 quarter-final, first-leg loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima into a 3-0 win after the Japanese side fielded an ineligible player. They then held the Japanese side to a brave 1-1 draw at home. In the semi-finals, the Sailors came through with a 2-1 aggregate win over Australia's Sydney FC. Having clinched the 2024-25 Singapore Premier League title on May 10, the Sailors are still on course for a double, though. They will face Brunei DPMM in a two-legged Singapore Cup semi-final on May 21 and 27. Will the Sailors enjoy such support again when they return to domestic competition? That was on the mind of several local football supporters after the match. One of them, Nicole Yang, who works in the banking industry, was in the South Stand, where she said fellow home supporters barely sat down during the match. "It was electrifying when the Sailors equalised, but heartbreaking when Sharjah got the late winner," said the 26-year-old. "It would be great for Singapore football if this level of support can be translated to the Singapore Premier League."
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to Watch Bu Yunchaokete vs. Constant Lestienne at the 2025 Open Sud de France: Live Stream, TV Channel
Constant Lestienne (No. 177) will take on Bu Yunchaokete (No. 71) in the Round of 16 at the Open Sud de France on Wednesday, January 29. Yunchaokete secured a two-set victory over Daniel Altmaier (7-6, 6-3) in the Round of 32 in his most recent match on Monday. Lestienne earned a victory in two sets the last time he competed, 6-3, 7-5 over Borna Coric in the Round of 32 on Tuesday. Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo! Bu Yunchaokete vs. Constant Lestienne: live stream info & TV channel Tournament: Open Sud de France Open Sud de France Round: Round of 16 Round of 16 Date: Wednesday, January 29 Wednesday, January 29 Live Stream: Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo Court Surface: Hard Bu Yunchaokete vs. Constant Lestienne matchup stats Yunchaokete is 14-11 on hard courts over the past 12 months. Yunchaokete has won 18.6% of his return games on hard courts over the past year, and 83.2% of his service games. Yunchaokete is 86th in break points won on hard courts over the past 12 months, converting 49 of 130 (37.7%). In the the Australian Open, Yunchaokete's most recent tournament, he was defeated 6-7, 4-6, 6-7 by No. 219-ranked Hady Habib on January 12 in the Round of 128. Lestienne hasn't won a title on hard courts over the past 12 months, registering a 9-10 match record on that surface. While playing on hard courts, Lestienne has a 67.4% winning percentage in service games and a 30.7% winning percentage in return games. On hard courts Lestienne has won 49.1% of break points (57 out of 116) which ranks 71st. In the Australian Open, Lestienne's last tournament, he went head to head with No. 125-ranked Vit Kopriva in the Qualification Round 1 on January 7 and was defeated 3-6, 1-4. Yunchaokete vs. Lestienne futures odds Tennis odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds updated Tuesday at 3:56 PM ET. Yunchaokete Odds to Win the 2025 Open Sud de France: +1800 +1800 Lestienne Odds to Win the 2025 Open Sud de France: +4000 Tennis odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Tuesday at 3:56 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
USA Today
27-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How to Watch Borna Coric vs. Constant Lestienne at the 2025 Open Sud de France: Live Stream, TV Channel
In the Open Sud de France Round of 32 on Tuesday, No. 103-ranked Borna Coric takes on No. 177 Constant Lestienne. Coric was last in action on January 13, 2025 at the Australian Open, where he fell to Cristian Garin (5-7, 1-6, 2-6) in the Round of 128. Lestienne is coming off a two-set win in his most recent match on Monday in the qualifying round over Terence Atmane (6-4, 6-0). Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo! Borna Coric vs. Constant Lestienne: live stream info & TV channel Tournament: Open Sud de France Open Sud de France Round: Round of 32 Round of 32 Date: Tuesday, January 28 Tuesday, January 28 Live Stream: Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo Watch Tennis Channel on Fubo Court Surface: Hard Borna Coric vs. Constant Lestienne matchup stats In 15 hard-court tournaments over the past 12 months, Coric is 11-15 in matches. Coric has won 19.5% of his return games on hard courts over the past year, and 78.2% of his service games. Coric has converted 38.1% of his break-point opportunities on hard courts (56 of 147) over the past 12 months. In his last tournament (the Australian Open), Coric was beaten by Garin 5-7, 1-6, 2-6 on January 13, in the Round of 128. Lestienne hasn't won a title on hard courts over the past year, posting an 8-10 record on that surface. Lestienne has gone 120-for-178 in service games while playing on hard courts (67.4% winning percentage), and 53-for-180 in return games (29.4%). Lestienne's 54 break points won on 111 total break points on hard courts (48.6% winning percentage) ranks 77th. On January 7, Lestienne was defeated by No. 125-ranked Vit Kopriva, 3-6, 1-4, in the Qualification Round 1 of his most recent tournament, the Australian Open. Coric vs. Lestienne futures odds Tennis odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 4:01 PM ET. Coric Odds to Win the 2025 Open Sud de France: +1800 Tennis odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 4:01 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
