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India spots restricted to Asian Champions League 2, despite increase in berths in ACL Elite  Indian Super League clubs will continue to play in the Asian Champions League 2 next season, despite Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announcing increased berths for the Champions League Elite for other countries.This season’s ISL winner will get a direct group stage spot in ACL 2, while the Super Cup winner, FC Goa, will earn a playoff spot.In the Elite competition, clubs from Saudi Arabia and Japan are due to see their slots increased to five in the competition’s expanded league phase.The AFC announced that its Professional Football Committee had adopted changes to the competition that will see the 2026/27 ‌edition of the club championship feature 32 teams, up from 24 at present, when it kicks ‌off in September.Japan currently has three automatic berths ‌in ⁠the league phase while Saudi Arabia has ⁠two plus a playoff place.Organisers have increased Saudi Arabia’s quota of guaranteed berths to three – in line with the Japanese – while granting the ​two countries an additional ‌two playoff slots.Japanese and Saudi Arabian clubs have dominated the competition since the adoption of the new format in 2024 with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli due ‌to meet J-League outfit Machida Zelvia in the ​latest final on Saturday.The expansion will see the league phase in both west and east ⁠Asia grow from 12 to 16 teams on each side of the confederation with the first eight finishers progressing ‌to the knockout rounds next season.The United Arab Emirates has also seen its allowance increase to three automatic slots with one playoff place available while Qatar has been granted three confirmed berths.South Korea has been given one additional playoff spot to its existing three confirmed places ‌while Thailand has seen its quota increase from one to three ​guaranteed league phase slots.China retains its two automatic spots but loses a playoff place after ⁠all three of its participants failed to advance to the ⁠knockout rounds of the current edition.Australia has had a playoff slot added to its one confirmed ‌place in the league phase while Jordan and Vietnam have both been given playoff places.The decisions are subject ​to ratification by the AFC’s executive committee.Published on Apr 24, 2026  #India #spots #restricted #Asian #Champions #League #increase #berths #ACL #Elite

India spots restricted to Asian Champions League 2, despite increase in berths in ACL Elite

Indian Super League clubs will continue to play in the Asian Champions League 2 next season, despite Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announcing increased berths for the Champions League Elite for other countries.

This season’s ISL winner will get a direct group stage spot in ACL 2, while the Super Cup winner, FC Goa, will earn a playoff spot.

In the Elite competition, clubs from Saudi Arabia and Japan are due to see their slots increased to five in the competition’s expanded league phase.

The AFC announced that its Professional Football Committee had adopted changes to the competition that will see the 2026/27 ‌edition of the club championship feature 32 teams, up from 24 at present, when it kicks ‌off in September.

Japan currently has three automatic berths ‌in ⁠the league phase while Saudi Arabia has ⁠two plus a playoff place.

Organisers have increased Saudi Arabia’s quota of guaranteed berths to three – in line with the Japanese – while granting the ​two countries an additional ‌two playoff slots.

Japanese and Saudi Arabian clubs have dominated the competition since the adoption of the new format in 2024 with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli due ‌to meet J-League outfit Machida Zelvia in the ​latest final on Saturday.

The expansion will see the league phase in both west and east ⁠Asia grow from 12 to 16 teams on each side of the confederation with the first eight finishers progressing ‌to the knockout rounds next season.

The United Arab Emirates has also seen its allowance increase to three automatic slots with one playoff place available while Qatar has been granted three confirmed berths.

South Korea has been given one additional playoff spot to its existing three confirmed places ‌while Thailand has seen its quota increase from one to three ​guaranteed league phase slots.

China retains its two automatic spots but loses a playoff place after ⁠all three of its participants failed to advance to the ⁠knockout rounds of the current edition.

Australia has had a playoff slot added to its one confirmed ‌place in the league phase while Jordan and Vietnam have both been given playoff places.

The decisions are subject ​to ratification by the AFC’s executive committee.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#India #spots #restricted #Asian #Champions #League #increase #berths #ACL #Elite

Indian Super League clubs will continue to play in the Asian Champions League 2 next season, despite Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announcing increased berths for the Champions League Elite for other countries.

This season’s ISL winner will get a direct group stage spot in ACL 2, while the Super Cup winner, FC Goa, will earn a playoff spot.

In the Elite competition, clubs from Saudi Arabia and Japan are due to see their slots increased to five in the competition’s expanded league phase.

The AFC announced that its Professional Football Committee had adopted changes to the competition that will see the 2026/27 ‌edition of the club championship feature 32 teams, up from 24 at present, when it kicks ‌off in September.

Japan currently has three automatic berths ‌in ⁠the league phase while Saudi Arabia has ⁠two plus a playoff place.

Organisers have increased Saudi Arabia’s quota of guaranteed berths to three – in line with the Japanese – while granting the ​two countries an additional ‌two playoff slots.

Japanese and Saudi Arabian clubs have dominated the competition since the adoption of the new format in 2024 with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli due ‌to meet J-League outfit Machida Zelvia in the ​latest final on Saturday.

The expansion will see the league phase in both west and east ⁠Asia grow from 12 to 16 teams on each side of the confederation with the first eight finishers progressing ‌to the knockout rounds next season.

The United Arab Emirates has also seen its allowance increase to three automatic slots with one playoff place available while Qatar has been granted three confirmed berths.

South Korea has been given one additional playoff spot to its existing three confirmed places ‌while Thailand has seen its quota increase from one to three ​guaranteed league phase slots.

China retains its two automatic spots but loses a playoff place after ⁠all three of its participants failed to advance to the ⁠knockout rounds of the current edition.

Australia has had a playoff slot added to its one confirmed ‌place in the league phase while Jordan and Vietnam have both been given playoff places.

The decisions are subject ​to ratification by the AFC’s executive committee.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

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#India #spots #restricted #Asian #Champions #League #increase #berths #ACL #Elite

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Deadspin | Report: North Carolina C Henri Veesaar to enter NBA draft <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28542865.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28542865.jpg" alt="NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-VCU at North Carolina" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) bites his jersey against the VCU Rams in the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>North Carolina center Henri Veesaar is entering the NBA Draft, CBS Sports reported on Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Raleigh News & Observer reported that Veesaar informed new head coach Michael Malone and his staff on Thursday evening that he would not return for his senior season.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-3"> <p>Veesaar, who is projected to be a late first-round pick, averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.6% from 3-point range in 31 games (all starts) last season.</p> </section> <section id="section-4"> <p>The 7-footer from Estonia was a Second Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Veesaar came to North Carolina after spending two seasons at Arizona, averaging 6.3 points in 66 games (five starts).</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Report #North #Carolina #Henri #Veesaar #enter #NBA #draft

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Deadspin | Alexander Steen taking reins as Blues GM on July 1 <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/10567895.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/10567895.jpg" alt="NHL: St. Louis Blues at Toronto Maple Leafs" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Jan 16, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen (20) lines up prior to a face-off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Blues beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Alexander Steen will take the baton from Doug Armstrong and officially become the St. Louis Blues’ general manager on July 1, the team confirmed Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Armstrong then will serve as the team’s president of hockey operations through 2029, following a transition plan originally announced in June 2024.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>“I think Alex is hungry. He’s ready,” Armstrong said. “A new leadership voice at that level is going to be great for the franchise.”</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Armstrong, 61, has been with the organization since 2008 and served as the GM since 2010. He was named the NHL general manager of the year in 2012, guided the Blues to the postseason on 11 occasions and led St. Louis to its first Stanley Cup title in 2019.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-5"> <p>Steen, 42, was a member of the Blues’ Cup-winning team. The forward retired in 2020 after recording 622 points (245 goals, 377 assists) in 1,018 career games with the Maple Leafs and Blues after being selected by Toronto with the 24th overall pick of the 2002 NHL Draft.</p> </section> <section id="section-6"> <p>Steen joined the front office in 2023 and was promoted to special assistant to the general manager in 2024.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Armstrong said Steen has been working as the de facto GM since the second half of the 2025-26 season. The Blues finished fifth in the Central Division and missed the playoffs.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>“What I told the players right after the trade deadline is, for all intents and purposes that Alex is the GM as far as you’re concerned now. There are no more trades, there are no more waivers (this season),” Armstrong said. “Now Alex has to put his stamp on the team in exit meetings and (set) his expectations.”</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>In addition to helping to prepare for the June 26-27 draft, looming decisions for Steen include contracts for restricted free agents Dylan Holloway, Jonatan Berggren and Matthew Kessel, and unrestricted free agents Oskar Sundqvist and Justin Holl.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Alexander #Steen #reins #Blues #July

Deadspin | Report: Jim Furyk to captain 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup team  Sep 25, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Jim Furyk coaches on the eighteenth green during a practice round of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Bethpage Black. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images   Jim Furyk will captain the United States Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027, a PGA of America source confirmed Friday to Golf Digest.  This will be the second Ryder Cup captaincy for Furyk, 55. Tiger Woods was believed to be the frontrunner for the role, but he pulled out of consideration after his arrest on DUI charges last month and his subsequent decision to go to Europe for an inpatient rehabilitation program.  Furyk served as captain at the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France. Team Europe routed the Americans 17 1/2-10 1/2, and there were reports of infighting and at least one player, Patrick Reed, complaining about the pairings.  Since then, Furyk captained the 2024 U.S. Presidents Cup team, which handed the International Team an 18 1/2-11 1/2 loss at Royal Montreal Golf Club.  As a player, he was part of nine Ryder Cup teams, victorious on American soil in 1999 and 2008. He also appeared in seven Presidents Cups as a player and was a 17-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 2003 U.S. Open.   The U.S. has not won a Ryder Cup in Europe since captain Tom Watson’s team won 15-13 at The Belfry in England in 1993. The players on that team included rookie Davis Love III, Fred Couples, Payne Stewart, Lanny Wadkins and 51-year-old Raymond Floyd.  Furyk succeeds Keegan Bradley as captain. Bradley had expressed an interest in taking another shot at the Europeans and captain Luke Donald, who will lead the team for the third time in 2027. Furyk was a vice-captain for the 2025 team.  Team Europe has won the past two Ryder Cup competitions. In 2025, the Americans fell behind on the first two days and mounted a furious comeback attempt on Sunday but fell short, losing 15-13 at Bethpage Black. In 2023, the Europeans defeated the Zach Johnson-led U.S. squad 16 1/2-11 1/2 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club near Rome.  The next Ryder Cup is scheduled to be held Sept. 17-19, 2027.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Report #Jim #Furyk #captain #U.S #Ryder #Cup #teamSep 25, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Jim Furyk coaches on the eighteenth green during a practice round of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Bethpage Black. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Jim Furyk will captain the United States Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027, a PGA of America source confirmed Friday to Golf Digest.

This will be the second Ryder Cup captaincy for Furyk, 55. Tiger Woods was believed to be the frontrunner for the role, but he pulled out of consideration after his arrest on DUI charges last month and his subsequent decision to go to Europe for an inpatient rehabilitation program.

Furyk served as captain at the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France. Team Europe routed the Americans 17 1/2-10 1/2, and there were reports of infighting and at least one player, Patrick Reed, complaining about the pairings.

Since then, Furyk captained the 2024 U.S. Presidents Cup team, which handed the International Team an 18 1/2-11 1/2 loss at Royal Montreal Golf Club.


As a player, he was part of nine Ryder Cup teams, victorious on American soil in 1999 and 2008. He also appeared in seven Presidents Cups as a player and was a 17-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 2003 U.S. Open.

The U.S. has not won a Ryder Cup in Europe since captain Tom Watson’s team won 15-13 at The Belfry in England in 1993. The players on that team included rookie Davis Love III, Fred Couples, Payne Stewart, Lanny Wadkins and 51-year-old Raymond Floyd.

Furyk succeeds Keegan Bradley as captain. Bradley had expressed an interest in taking another shot at the Europeans and captain Luke Donald, who will lead the team for the third time in 2027. Furyk was a vice-captain for the 2025 team.

Team Europe has won the past two Ryder Cup competitions. In 2025, the Americans fell behind on the first two days and mounted a furious comeback attempt on Sunday but fell short, losing 15-13 at Bethpage Black. In 2023, the Europeans defeated the Zach Johnson-led U.S. squad 16 1/2-11 1/2 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club near Rome.

The next Ryder Cup is scheduled to be held Sept. 17-19, 2027.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Jim #Furyk #captain #U.S #Ryder #Cup #team">Deadspin | Report: Jim Furyk to captain 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup team  Sep 25, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Jim Furyk coaches on the eighteenth green during a practice round of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Bethpage Black. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images   Jim Furyk will captain the United States Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027, a PGA of America source confirmed Friday to Golf Digest.  This will be the second Ryder Cup captaincy for Furyk, 55. Tiger Woods was believed to be the frontrunner for the role, but he pulled out of consideration after his arrest on DUI charges last month and his subsequent decision to go to Europe for an inpatient rehabilitation program.  Furyk served as captain at the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in France. Team Europe routed the Americans 17 1/2-10 1/2, and there were reports of infighting and at least one player, Patrick Reed, complaining about the pairings.  Since then, Furyk captained the 2024 U.S. Presidents Cup team, which handed the International Team an 18 1/2-11 1/2 loss at Royal Montreal Golf Club.  As a player, he was part of nine Ryder Cup teams, victorious on American soil in 1999 and 2008. He also appeared in seven Presidents Cups as a player and was a 17-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 2003 U.S. Open.   The U.S. has not won a Ryder Cup in Europe since captain Tom Watson’s team won 15-13 at The Belfry in England in 1993. The players on that team included rookie Davis Love III, Fred Couples, Payne Stewart, Lanny Wadkins and 51-year-old Raymond Floyd.  Furyk succeeds Keegan Bradley as captain. Bradley had expressed an interest in taking another shot at the Europeans and captain Luke Donald, who will lead the team for the third time in 2027. Furyk was a vice-captain for the 2025 team.  Team Europe has won the past two Ryder Cup competitions. In 2025, the Americans fell behind on the first two days and mounted a furious comeback attempt on Sunday but fell short, losing 15-13 at Bethpage Black. In 2023, the Europeans defeated the Zach Johnson-led U.S. squad 16 1/2-11 1/2 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club near Rome.  The next Ryder Cup is scheduled to be held Sept. 17-19, 2027.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Report #Jim #Furyk #captain #U.S #Ryder #Cup #team

Too often in this Indian Premier League (IPL), Tristan Stubbs has had to come in to bat when Delhi Capitals has lost a spate of wickets. It has resulted in the South African having to rebuild rather than attack from the get-go, as indicated by a middling strike rate of 137.06 after six matches.

It prompted Venugopal Rao, Capitals’ Director of Cricket, to remark after their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad that they could look to free up the 25-year-old by moving him to No. 3.

READ | Floundering Delhi faces visit from red-hot PBKS

“Being in the middle-order in general, you come into different situations all the time. You are sort of mentally prepared for that. I don’t really mind where I come in. If the team asks me to bat higher up the order, I will be more than happy to do it,” Stubbs said on Friday ahead of DC’s clash against Punjab Kings. “I have batted through my whole career from 3 to 6. It changes all the time. With (playing) Test cricket as well, it has allowed me to be able to try and change gears and do what I think is right out there.”

Stubbs doesn’t expect the surface for Saturday’s afternoon clash to be a batting featherbed. “From the T20 World Cup to now, we haven’t seen an absolute belter here. It will probably be really similar,” he stated, before adding partly in jest, “Hopefully it is really low, ragging and 120 plays 120. That will be great.”

PBKS, meanwhile, is a well-drilled outfit under Shreyas Iyer. Praising the skipper, Punjab’s spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said: “Shreyas’ leadership qualities are special. The rapport he has with each player, he knows how to get the best out of everyone.”

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#IPL #Happy #bat #higher #order #DCs #Stubbs">IPL 2026: Happy to bat higher up the order, says DC’s Stubbs  Too often in this Indian Premier League (IPL), Tristan Stubbs has had to come in to bat when Delhi Capitals has lost a spate of wickets. It has resulted in the South African having to rebuild rather than attack from the get-go, as indicated by a middling strike rate of 137.06 after six matches.It prompted Venugopal Rao, Capitals’ Director of Cricket, to remark after their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad that they could look to free up the 25-year-old by moving him to No. 3.READ  |          Floundering Delhi faces visit from red-hot PBKS“Being in the middle-order in general, you come into different situations all the time. You are sort of mentally prepared for that. I don’t really mind where I come in. If the team asks me to bat higher up the order, I will be more than happy to do it,” Stubbs said on Friday ahead of DC’s clash against Punjab Kings. “I have batted through my whole career from 3 to 6. It changes all the time. With (playing) Test cricket as well, it has allowed me to be able to try and change gears and do what I think is right out there.”Stubbs doesn’t expect the surface for Saturday’s afternoon clash to be a batting featherbed. “From the T20 World Cup to now, we haven’t seen an absolute belter here. It will probably be really similar,” he stated, before adding partly in jest, “Hopefully it is really low, ragging and 120 plays 120. That will be great.”PBKS, meanwhile, is a well-drilled outfit under Shreyas Iyer. Praising the skipper, Punjab’s spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said: “Shreyas’ leadership qualities are special. The rapport he has with each player, he knows how to get the best out of everyone.”Published on Apr 24, 2026  #IPL #Happy #bat #higher #order #DCs #Stubbs

Floundering Delhi faces visit from red-hot PBKS

“Being in the middle-order in general, you come into different situations all the time. You are sort of mentally prepared for that. I don’t really mind where I come in. If the team asks me to bat higher up the order, I will be more than happy to do it,” Stubbs said on Friday ahead of DC’s clash against Punjab Kings. “I have batted through my whole career from 3 to 6. It changes all the time. With (playing) Test cricket as well, it has allowed me to be able to try and change gears and do what I think is right out there.”

Stubbs doesn’t expect the surface for Saturday’s afternoon clash to be a batting featherbed. “From the T20 World Cup to now, we haven’t seen an absolute belter here. It will probably be really similar,” he stated, before adding partly in jest, “Hopefully it is really low, ragging and 120 plays 120. That will be great.”

PBKS, meanwhile, is a well-drilled outfit under Shreyas Iyer. Praising the skipper, Punjab’s spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said: “Shreyas’ leadership qualities are special. The rapport he has with each player, he knows how to get the best out of everyone.”

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#IPL #Happy #bat #higher #order #DCs #Stubbs">IPL 2026: Happy to bat higher up the order, says DC’s Stubbs

Too often in this Indian Premier League (IPL), Tristan Stubbs has had to come in to bat when Delhi Capitals has lost a spate of wickets. It has resulted in the South African having to rebuild rather than attack from the get-go, as indicated by a middling strike rate of 137.06 after six matches.

It prompted Venugopal Rao, Capitals’ Director of Cricket, to remark after their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad that they could look to free up the 25-year-old by moving him to No. 3.

READ | Floundering Delhi faces visit from red-hot PBKS

“Being in the middle-order in general, you come into different situations all the time. You are sort of mentally prepared for that. I don’t really mind where I come in. If the team asks me to bat higher up the order, I will be more than happy to do it,” Stubbs said on Friday ahead of DC’s clash against Punjab Kings. “I have batted through my whole career from 3 to 6. It changes all the time. With (playing) Test cricket as well, it has allowed me to be able to try and change gears and do what I think is right out there.”

Stubbs doesn’t expect the surface for Saturday’s afternoon clash to be a batting featherbed. “From the T20 World Cup to now, we haven’t seen an absolute belter here. It will probably be really similar,” he stated, before adding partly in jest, “Hopefully it is really low, ragging and 120 plays 120. That will be great.”

PBKS, meanwhile, is a well-drilled outfit under Shreyas Iyer. Praising the skipper, Punjab’s spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said: “Shreyas’ leadership qualities are special. The rapport he has with each player, he knows how to get the best out of everyone.”

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#IPL #Happy #bat #higher #order #DCs #Stubbs

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