15/05/2025

THURSDAY | MAY 15, 2025

30

SPORTS

Forest striker Awoniyi in induced coma

NOTTINGHAM FOREST striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma to aid his recovery from urgent abdominal surgery. The Nigeria international underwent a procedure on Tuesday, having suffered a serious injury during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester. There is no suggestion that the 27-year-old’s condition is life threatening and the coma will help restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate. Awoniyi collided with a post late on against the Foxes and received several minutes of treatment before being allowed to return to action. The extent of his injury was revealed on Monday by the club’s medical staff and he was rushed to hospital for treatment. Forest said on Tuesday afternoon that he was “recovering well”.

action and presence. “In the final 10 minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines. “His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain – something no one with genuine care could ignore – triggered him to go onto the pitch. “It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur.” – The Independent

Leicester City. “At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy for us; it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a football club – it’s family – and he instils that message in all of us. “That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own. “In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through

The midlands club also said the seriousness of Awoniyi’s injury validates owner Evangelos Marinakis storming on to the pitch after the match, claiming talks of a confrontation with Nuno Espirito Santo was “fake news”. Marinakis was seen remonstrating with head coach Nuno after the game, with the Greek businessman furious his injured player was allowed to continue. A club statement read: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against

Black Cats dare to dream

14/05/2025 (WED)

5966/2025

9544 1295 5223

Draw Date: 14/05/25 (Wed)

Draw No: 5913/25 Venue: WISMA GENTING, KL

2323 4891 0698 6858 9459

8827 1770 8990 4942 4339

0974 0599 6138 6267 2580

7425 7213 8172 4782 2639

5871 8625 3514

9388+ 5747 4579+ 3674 4949+ 6740 3725+ 1993 7181+ 4162

4728+ 1428 1306+ 1552 7649+ 5005 3874 + 9923 0359+ 0404

16,803,759.40

9544 1295 9544

5223 5223 1295

5223 5223 1295

9544 9544 1295

208,264.76

RM3,072,149.00

Dan Ballard (centre) celebrates after scoring in the final seconds of extra time to send Sunderland to the Championship playoff final at Wembley. – REUTERSPIC

5871+ 8625 5871+ 3514 8625+ 3514

8625+ 5871 3514 + 5871 3514 + 8625

9544 1295 5223 DRAGON

S UNDERLAND reached the Championship playoff final in the most dramatic fashion as Dan Ballard’s goal in the dying seconds of extra-time sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory against Coventry yesterday. Regis Le Bris’ side trailed to Ephron Mason-Clark’s goal late in the second half of the semifinal second leg. But, with a penalty shoot-out moments away, Ballard headed home in stoppage-time to earn a 1-1 draw and spark wild celebrations from over 46,000 fans packed into the Stadium of Light. Sunderland will face Sheffield United in the playoff final at Wembley on May 24. United finished in third place, 14 points clear of fourth-placed Sunderland in the regular season, with both teams winning one against each other this season. Sunderland’s bid to return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence – a dark period that has included a spell in the third tier – remains alive. But Le Bris’ men will have to improve significantly on a nervous display that nearly gifted a place in the final to Coventry. “It’s really fantastic because this scenario was absolutely incredible. We were probably too nervous for the first part of the game,” Le Bris said. “It was a little bit frustrating because we knew on the bench we could play better. We changed our structure. During extra-time, we were good. “This final corner-kick was fantastic for Ballard. The players deserve to live this and we have a fantastic final to play. We just enjoy it now.” Languishing in 17th place until they were revitalised when former Chelsea and Everton boss Frank Lampard took charge in November, Coventry were desperately unlucky to fall short in their promotion bid as their 24-year Premier League exile continues. “We dominated huge periods of this

game. It was wave after wave,” Lampard said. “I’ve been around a lot so I’ve taken whacks and I’ve had success. I can be a bit more balanced but for those players, they don’t deserve that. “We’re not bitter, and congratulations to Sunderland but we were the better team over the two matches. That’s why they’ll be so happy going to Wembley.” Having won the first leg 2-1 at Coventry on Friday, Black Cats adopted an ultra-cautious game-plan that led Lampard’s men seize the initiative. Jack Rudoni should have equalised from Mason-Clark’s header just before half-time, but the midfielder poked over from inside the six-yard box. It was a similar story in the second half as Coventry kept probing intelligently and Sunderland curiously opted to sit deep inside their own half. Having defended tirelessly to keep Coventry at bay, Sunderland almost delivered the knockout blow through Trai Hume, whose volley was turned away by Ben Wilson at full stretch. But, with time running out for Coventry, Mason-Clark hauled the Sky Blues level in the 76th minute. Milan van Ewijk made a clever over lapping run and whipped a pin-point cross into the Sunderland area for Mason-Clark to volley home from close-range. Coventry should have settled the tie when Haji Wright headed wide from five yards in the final seconds of stoppage-time. The tense extra-time period was almost over when Ballard stole the tie for Sunderland. – AFP Ballard’s last-gasp goal sends Sunderland to playoff final

RM297,563.10

RM185,833.30

865 871 + HORSE

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RM1,042,611.00

688 625 + RAT

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RM2,111,506.00

OX

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871 625 514

38,771,945.29

13,034,295.81 5 17 26 27 36 48

RM669,023.90 871 + 625 + 514 625 + 514 + 871 871 + 514 + 625 514 + 871 + 625 625 + 871 + 514 514 + 625 + 871

3 6 18 19 31 42 32

5,649,270.52 100,000.00

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