16/04/2026

Read

iPaper at Malaysian Paper

www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download

app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Malaysian Paper or download

SCAN ME

SCAN ME

THURSDAY | APR 16, 2026

Malaysian Paper

Barca’s epic collapse Catalans crumble after two-goal start wasted, gifting Atletico control

A TLETICO MADRID sent 10-man Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League and reached the final four with a 3-2 aggregate victory despite yesterday’s 2-1 quarterfinal second leg defeat. Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres fired visitors Barca ahead inside 24 minutes but Ademola Lookman’s strike gave Atletico the edge in the gripping all-Spanish tie once again after their 2-0 win in the first leg. Diego Simeone’s side returned to the semifinals for the first time since 2017 by holding on against the La Liga champions in a compelling and bloody battle. Barcelona defender Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth as he ran in on goal in the final stages, hamper ing their chances of finding a third goal to force extra-time. Atletico will face the winner of Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon in the semifinals. “We’ll go into it with all our hope, with total belief. We know the strengths we have and our flaws,” said Simeone. “We’re ready. We’re going to go after what we’ve been chasing for many years.” Simeone led the Rojiblancos to the Champions League final in 2014 and 2016, with both ending in painful defeats by cross-town rivals Real Madrid. The last time Atletico made the semifinals was 2017. “It’s been fourteen years now (at the helm), it still excites me to see that the team keeps competing,” said the Argentine coach. “The players have changed, we’ve had to start over a bunch of times, and here we are again among the four best teams in Europe.” Atletico midfielder Koke told Movistar : “(We’re) very happy, knocking out a great Barca side. We had a great game away … it was really hard for us at the start (of this one), but the team knew how to get back on its feet,” . Barcelona last won the Champions League in 2015 and their wait for a sixth crown continues, but midfielder Frenkie de

Jong said that the club was on the right path despite their elimination. “I think we had a very good game, we gave our lives out there, we tried every thing,” said the Dutchman. “I feel like luck was not on our side. We have to continue – we’re on a good path, we’re growing every year.” Barca coach Hansi Flick benched for wards Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski for workhorses Torres and Gavi, looking to press Atletico relentlessly in the sixth match between these sides this season. The Catalans were frustrated early in the second half when Torres volleyed home but the goal was disallowed for offside. Flick sent on Rashford and Lewandowski with around 20 minutes remaining to find the goal that last season’s semifinalists needed. The game spun away from Barca when Eric Garcia was sent off for clipping Sorloth’s heels as he ran through on goal, similar to Pau Cubarsi’s red card in the first leg. Flick threw centreback Ronald Araujo up front for the final stages but there was no way back and Atletico gritted their teeth through eight minutes of stoppage time before the celebrations could begin. “We played a fantastic first half, (but) we have to score more goals. It was really possi ble, (but) we conceded the goal we didn’t expect at this moment,” Flick told reporters. “When you see both matches we deserved to get to the semifinal. The men tality, the attitude they showed on the pitch – I’m really proud about that.” Flick said although he was happy with his players, being knocked out was disap pointing and something they had to learn from. “Every day we have to learn more, we have to be better and this is what we have to do,” he said. “It’s very disappointing for everyone and I am also disappointed. It’s football, it’s life, and we have to come back.” – AFP

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal (left) looks dejected as Atletico Madrid’s players celebrate at the end of the Champions League quarterfinal, 2nd leg match at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid yesterday. – AFPPIC

Rexy sharpens squad in Herning ahead of Thomas, Uber Cup tests 7 No rift, says Stokes - p28 Dark horse tag embraced - p31 7 Slot in firing line - p30 7

NATIONAL doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky announced that among the contents of the programme at the training camp based in Herning is the element of match simulation as an important preparation ahead of the 2026 Thomas Cup and Uber Cup in Horsens, Denmark from April 24 to May 3. According to him, the approach is seen to be able to help players adapt to the real situation of the competition without having to undergo friendly matches with foreign players. “There is no (friendly match). We will do a simu lation for one day but among us we will (only) involve people to come and watch. (For) those eight days, we have already done the programme but there is a simulation,” he told reporters at the Badminton Academy Malaysia (ABM) on Tuesday.

“What I will do is ensure they are prepared for whichever match they are fielded in because their opponents are also not to be underestimated as all of them are strong,” he said on Tuesday. At the Uber Cup tournament, Malaysia have been drawn in Group B alongside Japan, followed by Turkey and South Africa. The challenge for the national women’s badmin ton squad will be spearheaded by last year’s women’s doubles world runners-up Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, with support from Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee as well as the young pair Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan. Malaysia have also listed K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching, Siti Zulaikha Azmi and former world jun ior champion Goh Jin Wei to compete in the women’s singles event. – Bernama

Wooi Yik, as well as Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and the professional pair of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani. The national men’s squad was drawn in Group B with Japan, England and Finland. The national Uber Cup squad is expected to be capable of ending a 16-year drought of reaching the knockout stage, having last achieved the feat in the 2010 edition. The confidence was expressed by national women’s singles head coach Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin based on the current performance of the country’s women shuttlers selected for the prestig ious tournament. “In terms of performance, I feel we need to reach the knockout stage. But for the players, I do not want to put any pressure on them.

He said the entire training programme had been carefully planned, including special sessions to strengthen compatibility among doubles players. “Yes, we have all been training here. The objec tive is to build a‘team feeling’, which is how we focus as a team. This is different from individual events because it is a team tournament. “So our emphasis is on how all players train as a team well, help each other and ultimately make this team stronger,” he said. For the Thomas Cup competition, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has listed the country’s professional men’s singles, Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin. For the men’s doubles event, the country’s chal lenge is led by world number two Aaron Chia-Soh

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com