Category: Sports

London, Nov 23 (IANS) Reigning champions Liverpool went down 3-0 against Nottingham Forest at Anfield, while former champions Chelsea continued their superb record at Turf Moor as they rode on goals by Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez to win a hard-fought contest 2-0 at Burnley here on Saturday.

Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest in a clash at Anfield, with Murillo opening the scoring against the run of play on 33 minutes to put the visiting team in front. Nicolo Savona then added to their tally immediately after half-time and Morgan Gibbs-White later netted to consign the reigning champions to defeat.

The Blues made some clear opportunities before Neto scored, meeting a superb delivery from Jamie Gittens with a diving header in the 36th minute, scoring his third goal in his last five starts in the process. Neto came close to scoring a second when he struck the woodwork on the hour, while Burnley’s Martin Dubravka saved from substitute Malo Gusto as we sought to put the game to bed.

Zian Flemming wasted the Clarets’ best chance, and though they applied some late pressure, Enzo struck from close range with a couple of minutes remaining to seal a third straight victory for Chelsea in the league without conceding.

The Blues had defending to do in the opening quarter-hour. Trevoh Chalobah, Santos, and Tosin all made important blocks as the Clarets threatened on the flanks through Jaidon Anthony and Loum Tchaouna. Santos, in particular, enjoyed an excellent first half mopping up.

Chelsea looked most dangerous in transition in the early stages. One fast break ended with Liam Delap shooting high and wide when a pass to either Neto or Gittens was on.

Both teams were working the ball into good areas but were unable to apply the finishing touch. On one such occasion, shortly after the half-hour mark, Delap turned excellently and freed Neto, whose teasing low centre was intercepted by Kyle Walker before Gittens could convert.

However, those two combined for the opening goal in the 37th minute, and the course of the match changed after that, though Burnley had their chances.

In other matches played on Saturday, Crystal Palace defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0, while Fulham defeated Sunderland 1-0 at home, and Brighton overcame Brentford 2-1 in another home encounter.

–IANS

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Madurai, Nov 22 (IANS) Ahead of the start of the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025, the Tamil Nadu Government inaugurated the Madurai International Hockey Stadium, a newly built world-class facility at the Race Course Complex here on Saturday.

Designed to meet rigorous Olympic standards and equipped with the latest infrastructure, the stadium marks a major boost for hockey development in southern India.

The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, inaugurated the facility in the presence of P. Moorthy, Minister for Commercial Taxes, Registration & Stamp Law in Tamil Nadu, and Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services, Tamil Nadu, and MLAs from various constituencies.

Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said, “The newly constructed Madurai International Hockey Stadium is a testament to Tamil Nadu’s ambition to emerge as a global sporting destination. This facility symbolises Madurai’s arrival on the world sporting stage. Our vision extends beyond this tournament — we aim to establish Madurai as the leading hub of hockey excellence in southern India and a catalyst for holistic development.”

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed pride in the new addition to India’s hockey landscape. “It is a proud moment for Indian hockey to see another world-class stadium added to our nation’s infrastructure. On behalf of Hockey India, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government, which has left no stone unturned in creating this facility at a record pace and has worked tirelessly to ensure the best infrastructure for the Junior World Cup.

Facilities like this will inspire young athletes in Madurai and across Tamil Nadu to take up the sport. The Madurai International Hockey Stadium will play a crucial role in expanding the reach of hockey and nurturing future champions,” he said.

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said, “The support extended by the Tamil Nadu Government has been exceptional. The infrastructure of this scale enables us to pitch for more international events in India. It also strengthens the grassroots by offering a good ecosystem where young players can train, compete, and excel. Hosting Junior World Cup matches here will leave a lasting impact on the region’s sporting culture.”

Hosting the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 marks a significant chapter in Madurai’s sporting history. The city will host three pools of the tournament’s 24 competing nations, with matches taking place from November 28 to December 10, 2025. In total, 72 matches will be played across Chennai and Madurai during the tournament.

–IANS

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Rawalpindi, Nov 22 (IANS) Sahibzada Farhan scored an unbeaten half-century after a clinical display by their bowlers, led by Mohammad Nawaz, who helped Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets for their second consecutive win in the Tri-nation T20I series here on Saturday.

Sahibzada Farhan struck an unbeaten 80 off 45 balls to help Pakistan chase the target of 129 in 15.3 overs as the hosts rose to the top of the standings after their bowlers had earlier restricted Sri Lanka to 128/7 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here.

Pakistan will now take on Zimbabwe at the same venue on Sunday in the fourth match of the series, which will secure their place in the final of the tournament.

In pursuit of the target, opening batters Farhan and Saim Ayub (20, 18b, 4×4) provided their team a blistering start, raising 47 runs for the opening wicket partnership in five overs before the latter departed, stumped by Kusal Mendis off skipper Dasun Shanaka. While scoring his 20, Saim became just the ninth Pakistan batter to cross the 1,000 T20I runs landmark during the outing.

Farhan then raised 69 runs for the second-wicket partnership with former skipper Babar Azam (16, 22b, 1×6) in which he contributed 53 runs, also bringing up his sixth T20I half-century off 33 balls.

With Dushmantha Chameera striking twice on consecutive balls, Sahibzada Farhan kept his charge going and ended by hitting the winning runs in style with a boundary in the 16th over. The right-handed opening batter struck six fours and five sixes, also becoming the first Pakistan batter to hit 100 or more sixes in T20Is in a year.

Earlier, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start with Kamil Mishara hitting two fours and as many sixes before departing in the fourth over with 32 runs on the board. Sri Lanka’s progress was further hampered in the subsequent when Mohammad Wasim Jnr’s brilliant throw from third run out Kusal Mendis.

Sri Lanka slumped to 65/3 at the halfway mark, and things turned from bad to worse as they slipped to 78/5 in the 12th over, when player of the match Mohammad Nawaz removed Kusal Perera (25, 19b, 2×4, 1×6) and Dasun Shanaka on consecutive deliveries. Nawaz returned to remove Kamindu Mendis in the 14th over as Sri Lanka slipped to 86/6.

Janith Liyanage, who top scored for Sri Lanka with 41 off 38 balls, hitting three fours and one six, then forged a 31-ball 35-run seventh-wicket stand with Wanindu Hasaranga (11, 12b, 1×4) as they took Sri Lanka to 128-7 in 20 overs.

While Nawaz starred with 3-16 in four overs, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed claimed one wicket each.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 128/7 in 20 overs (Janith Liyanage 41 not out, Kusal Perera 25, Kamil Mishara 22; Mohammad Nawaz 3-16) lost to Pakistan 131/3 in 15.3 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 80 not out, Saim Ayub 20; Dushmantha Chameera 2-29) by seven wickets

–IANS

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Kochi, Nov 22 (IANS) India white-ball player Sanju Samson will lead the Kerala senior men’s cricket team in the BCCI Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26 (Elite Group-A, League Stage) cricket tournament to be played at Lucknow from November 26 to December 8, 2025.

The Kerala Cricket Association informed in a release that Sanju Samson will be the captain of the squad, which will leave for Lucknow on November 22, 2025, from Indore.

Samson, who recently joined five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings from Rajasthan Royals in a trade that involved Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran going the other way in the biggest trade this season, was part of the Indian squad at the recent Asia Cup T20 that India won in the UAE a few months back. Samson will be hoping to maintain his recent form ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The squad coached by former India batter Amay Khurasiya also includes Vignesh Puthur, who was recently released by the Mumbai Indians. Also among other prominent players are Mohammed Azharuddeen M and Rohan S Kunnummal.

The Kerala squad:

Sanju V Samson (C)(WK), Rohan S Kunnummal, Mohammed Azharuddeen M (WK), Ahammed Imran (VC), Vishnu Vinod (WK), Nidheesh M.D, Asif KM, Akhil Scaria, Biju Narayanan N., Ankit Sharma, Krishna Devan R.J, Abdul Bazith P.A, Sharafuddeen N.M,

Sibin P Gireesh, Krishna Prasad, Saly V Samson, Vignesh Puthur, Salman Nizar.

The team officials include Nazir Machan – Observer, Amay Khurasiya – Head Coach, Davis J Manavalan – Coach, Vyshakh Krishna – S&C Coach, Unnikrishnan R S – Physiotherapist, Gireesh E K – Throw down Specialist, Deepesh Sharma – Throw down Specialist, Vijay Srinivasan P S – Performance Analyst, Kiran A S – Team Masseur.

P Prasanth – Chairman of the Selection Committee will accompany the team.

–IANS

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Colombo (Sri Lanka), Nov 22 (IANS) India delivered a powerhouse performance at the iconic P. Sara Oval, storming into the final of the 1st Women’s T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind with a dominant nine-wicket win over Australia.

Earlier, in a commanding display of precision and confidence, India overpowered the USA in Match 6, securing their fourth consecutive win and earning a direct berth in the semifinals.

USA, choosing to bat first, posted 60/8 in 20 overs, with resilient knocks from Tatyana (17 off 41, B2) and Caroline (12 off 26, B2). India’s disciplined bowling unit — Simranjeet Kour (B2), Sunita Srathe (B2), Simu Das (B1), and Ganga Kadam (B3) — kept tight control over the innings, supported by alert fielding that produced multiple run-outs, each bowler claiming one wicket.

Chasing 61 in the Sri Lanka capital, India produced an emphatic and unbeaten performance, finishing the match in just 3.3 overs. B2 batter Simranjeet Kour, later named Player of the Match, dominated with a blistering 31 off 12 balls*, while B3 batter Kavya N.R added a swift 21 off 12* to seal the chase with authority.

India’s clinical execution across B1, B2, and B3 categories stood in poignant contrast to the spirited determination of the young USA team — a team closely nurtured and deeply cherished by Samarthanam USA and CABI. The innings was anchored by Player of the Match Basanti Hansda, whose composure and class defined India’s chase.

The tournament brought together six nations — India, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and the United States of America — marking a new chapter in the global movement for inclusive cricket.

The inauguration of the event witnessed the presence of several eminent dignitaries from politics, diplomacy, corporate and sports sectors, who will join hands to encourage and celebrate the inspiring women athletes representing the visually impaired community.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 22 (IANS) Arsenal legend Sol Campbell has given credit to Gunners’ former manager Arsene Wenger for bringing together a strong squad by getting players to play their own game in his own system and philosophy, as they came up with some brilliant performances and won the Premier League title.

Campbell, who was part of one of the strongest sides coached by Wenger, also talked about the advice he received from the legendary Frenchman, Arsenal’s longest-serving manager.

“The best advice Arsène Wenger gave me was simply to play your game. His system and philosophy were brilliant. He had a system in place and just put players in to play it. He knew how to get the best from players, often extending careers by several years for those who seemed finished both mentally and physically. That ability to resurrect careers was special. He managed to get at least two to four extra years from many players. I completely bought into his philosophy and truly enjoyed playing under his management at Arsenal,” Campbell told JioHotstar on Friday.

Campbell also spoke about how his transfer to the Gunners’ den from Tottenham Hotspur shaped him as a person:

“My lifestyle and environment in East London shaped me completely. Growing up in a family with 11 siblings, without much money, playing street football, these experiences built my character. When the professional move came, I was ready for everything that followed. The truth is, you’re already shaped before you get that big opportunity. If I had a different mentality, I couldn’t have handled that move to Arsenal,” he said.

“I’ll be honest, I had doubts during the transfer and struggled in the first six months. You feel like you’re not growing, but you are growing as a human being. Because the amount of pressure put on you means you have to grow. You either swim or you are going to sink. I chose to swim and grow to the next level. It wasn’t easy at all and tested me in many ways, making me question many things at that time. But those tough early experiences helped me push through. Challenges like these shape you, help you grow as a person, and teach you how to move forward in life,” he added.

On how the experience of watching Arsenal’s matches in the Premier League has evolved, Campbell said: “I’ve watched Arsenal many times in recent years. For their games, you need to arrive 2-3 hours early because the police close the roads for safety. But for other clubs, you can arrive just 30 minutes before kickoff. I prefer that simpler approach – the nostalgic feeling of walking up to the stadium without time slots or parking issues. I grew up with that kind of football where you’d arrive 20-30 minutes before the game, pay at the gate, and go watch. I miss that casual experience, which you can still find more in lower league football.”

On media experiences between his playing days and today, Campbell said, “Today’s players have better balance because they can use social media to share their own story directly. People get to see the unfiltered truth in the players’ own words, which is really important. During my time, we only had newspapers, TV, or radio; they held all the cards. Now, players can present their side of the story properly, which helps create a more balanced discussion about what’s really happening in their careers.”

On his retirement from football, he said. “Sometimes, I watch games and feel like I want to be involved again, but then I remember I’m 50 and my time has passed. It’s beautiful to watch the Premier League and see new players emerge. I’m happy with family life now and watching my kids grow up. I enjoyed playing against world-class players, reading articles praising them, and then facing and stopping them on the field was always special. That feeling of competing against the best and coming out on top is what I loved most about the game.”

On his experiences of visiting India, Campbell said, “I spent five weeks in Mumbai, but I found Rajasthan truly beautiful. I visited Udaipur and saw the lakes where the James Bond movie was filmed during my days off. I threw myself into the experience, and it was amazing. The landscape, colours, and local artists make it an incredible place. Though it was a bit chilly in the mountains, I really enjoyed my time there. Mumbai is also great. It’s vibrant with Bollywood stars, fashion, and constant activity. The city is always moving and grooving. Both places are wonderful, but Rajasthan’s beauty really stands out for me.”

–IANS

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St. Simons Island, Nov 22 (IANS) Indian-American golfer Sahith Theegala fired five birdies in the last six holes but still fell one short of the cut line at the RSM Classic, the final event of the Fall season of the PGA Tour. His first round of even par 70 at the Seaside course was followed by 6-under 66 at the Plantation course.

The 27-year-old Theegala, who has won two titles as a pro so far, ended on 6-under for two rounds, but the cut fell at 7-under, and he missed out by one stroke. He had a best-ever ranking of World No. 11 in the world rankings on June 9, 2024.

Andrew Novak took advantage of more benign weather on Friday and the absence of the pressure facing so many others in the PGA TOUR’s season finale. He had a 7-under 65 on the Plantation Course at Sea Island to take a one-shot lead into the weekend.

Novak has gone three months without competition, dating to the TOUR Championship, the culmination of a breakthrough year. His wife gave birth to their first child two weeks ago. And then he went 61-65 to lead over Stanford alums Michael Thorbjornsen and Patrick Rodgers.

Theegala had a rough opening day at The RSM Classic, the last Fall Season event on the PGA Tour. Theegala, who lost a good part of the year due to injury, shot even par 70 and was way down in Tied-125th place after the first day at the Plantation Course at Sea Island. The event is played over two courses, with the other one being the Seaside course.

Starting on the tenth, the Indian-American had just one birdie on the seventh, which was his 16th hole, and gave that away with a bogey on the ninth, his final hole of the day.

Doug Ghim narrowly missed a putt for 59 on a calm day of low scoring. He settled for a share of the course record on the Seaside Course at Sea Island, posting a 10-under 60 at The RSM Classic.

–IANS

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Panaji, Nov 22 (IANS) Both the semifinals in the FIDE World Cup 2025 will head to a tiebreak after GM Nodirbek Yakubboev and GM Javokhir Sindarov played out yet another drab draw, while GM Andrey Esipenko failed to breach the defence of Chinese GM Wei Yi in Panaji on Saturday.

Just like in the first game, Wei Yi once again found himself under time pressure against Esipenko, this time with black pieces. But the Chinese, who is known for his calm demeanour under pressure, pulled himself out of the hole with some precise moves to make the time control.

With very little to play for in terms of a result, Esipenko offered a draw soon after. Though Wei did not take the offer immediately and tried to make inroads with his queen, it was quite clear that no other result was possible, and he decided to sign the peace pact after 37 moves.

In the other semifinal, the second game between Nordirbek and Sindarov went the same way as the first, as both players were happy to play solid and safe chess till the mandatory 30 move threshold before agreeing to a draw.

Earlier on Friday, Wei Yi, who had defeated India’s Arjun Erigaisi in the previous round, and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev could not breach the defences of their respective opponents with white pieces.

While Nodirbek signed the truce pact with compatriot Sindarov immediately after the mandatory 30 moves, Wei Yi and GM Andrey Esipenko had their chances but could not convert and ended up splitting the point after 33 moves.

But to Esipenko’s credit, the Russian-born Grandmaster equalled the position quite well, and it looked like the Chinese was coming under some time pressure. However, Wei managed to set up a three-pronged attack with a rook, bishop and queen, only for Esipenko to respond with a perfect defensive move to take the game towards a pawn endgame, when the two players agreed to draw.

Results:

GM Andrey Esipenko (FIDE) drew with GM Wei Yi (CHN) (1:1 aggregate)

GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) drew with GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) (1:1 aggregate).

–IANS

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Ahmedabad, Nov 22 (IANS) After a successful Delhi leg, the Tennis Premier League (TPL) Race to Gold Masters initiative got underway in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Hosted in association with the Gujarat State Tennis Association, the tournament will be played at the Gujarat University Tennis Stadium over the Nov 22-23 weekend.

The Race to Gold Masters initiative forms a vital part of TPL’s commitment to discovering India’s next generation of tennis stars and giving them a platform to showcase their skills through the league’s unique 25-point format.

The tournament offers a pathway to boys and girls across U10, U12, U14, and Men’s and Women’s Open categories, designed to strengthen India’s domestic tennis ecosystem by providing emerging talent with vital exposure to international standards and competitive environments. This leg features 160 players representing Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Bhavnagar, and Bharuch, with 40 players from each region participating across all categories.

The winners across the eight categories will receive scholarships worth ₹75,000 each, while also getting the opportunity to interact with tennis legends, including Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna, along with top international names participating in TPL’s seventh season.

In addition, they will also be recognised during a grand felicitation ceremony as part of the seventh season of TPL from December 9 to 14, 2025.

Present at the occasion were TPL Co-Founders Kunal Thakkur and Mrunal Jain, along with Krishna Zaveri, President GSTA, Shrimal Bhatt, General Secretary, GSTA, Rupak Kapadia, Director of Tennis, Gujarat University Tennis Centre, Ajay Vasani, Director of Tennis, Gujarat University Tennis Centre, and Vaidik Munshaw, Director of Tennis, Gujarat University Tennis Centre.

Reflecting on the initiative, Co-Founder Kunal Thakkur shared, “We are thrilled to bring the Race to Gold Gujarat Masters to Ahmedabad. As a city at the heart of India’s sporting transformation—with the 2030 Commonwealth Games and India’s bold bid for the 2036 Olympics centred here, Ahmedabad is the perfect venue for this initiative. Inspired by India’s Olympic ambitions, Race to Gold reflects our commitment to nurturing a player capable of winning an Olympic medal in tennis. This event will also set the tone for Season 7 of the league, which returns to this very venue next month.

Echoing those sentiments, co-founder Mrunal Jain added, “The Race to Gold Gujarat Masters makes this moment even more special, as it represents our commitment to taking Indian tennis to the next level. It’s a special feeling for me to be hosting the event at the TPL here. I’m an Ahmedabadi boy, and it truly feels like I’m bringing the event home. The seventh season of the TPL is going to be a super hit, with top players, higher competition, and an atmosphere that truly celebrates the growth of tennis in India. Over the years, the league has become a platform for rising talent, international stars, and passionate fans to come together, and this season will take that legacy even further.

Krisna Zaveri, President, GSTA, said, “It’s a great opportunity for GSTA to host a tournament like the Tennis Premier League, which brings together some of the biggest names in Indian and international tennis. Events of this scale not only inspire young players but also accelerate the growth of the sport across the state. For GSTA, this aligns perfectly with our mission to build a stronger, more inclusive tennis ecosystem. TPL will play a meaningful role in elevating Gujarat’s tennis landscape and motivating the next generation of athletes.”

The Tennis Premier League caravan will return to Ahmedabad for its seventh season, marking a major milestone in the league’s journey as the TPL expands its footprint out of Maharashtra for the first time since its inception.

This will also be the first time that the tournament’s roster will include players ranked within the Top 50 on the international circuit, providing Gujarat’s tennis fans with an opportunity to witness world-class tennis action in the stadium.

Tennis Premier League Season 7 is scheduled from December 9 to 14 at the Gujarat University Tennis Stadium in Ahmedabad.

–IANS

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Ipoh, Nov 22 (IANS) The Indian men’s hockey team is gearing up to begin their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 campaign in Ipoh, Malaysia, from November 23 to 30. Having won the tournament five times, India are the second-most successful team in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and are set to make their first appearance in the tournament since 2019, when they finished as runners-up.

The upcoming tournament will be the 31st edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, which is considered one of the most prestigious invitational hockey tournaments around the world. This year’s edition will feature India, Belgium, Canada, Korea, New Zealand, and hosts Malaysia, competing in a round-robin format, with the top two teams qualifying for the final.

Led by captain Sanjay, the Indian team will begin its campaign against Korea on November 23. The Men in Blue will then face Belgium on November 24, Malaysia on November 26, and New Zealand on November 27, before concluding their league campaign against Canada on November 29.

With Team India building towards the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup and the 2026 Asian Games next year, this tournament provides an opportunity for competitive preparation as well as testing new combinations.

The squad consists of Pawan and Mohith HS as goalkeepers, while the defensive unit comprises Poovanna Chandura Boby, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Yashdeep Siwach, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, and captain Sanjay.

Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Vivek Sagar Prasad, and Mohammed Raheel Mouseen will be present in the midfield, while Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh, and Abhishek will lead the attack for India.

Ahead of the tournament, Craig Fulton’s Indian team underwent an extensive training camp in Bengaluru. Speaking about the team’s preparations, captain Sanjay said, “We’ve gone through thorough preparations in the build-up to the tournament with a focus on certain areas that we identified. This competitive tournament offers us an opportunity to test ourselves against strong international opponents, and we’re ready to hit the ground running.”

“There’s a good blend of youth and experience in the squad, and the energy within the group is positive. Our preparation helped everyone understand their roles and responsibilities. Now, our focus is on delivering consistent performances and challenging for the title,” he concluded.

All matches of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 will be broadcast live on FanCode from November 23 to 30.

–IANS

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