Our Uber Cup team’s quarterfinal exit is NOT a setback.  

National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen says instead, their 3-0 defeat to powerhouse China should be viewed as a positive outcome for our young squad. 

He says despite their relative lack of experience, they manager to give China a serious challenge, and they must now work to improve even further.  

Jonassen also praised team captain M. Thinaah for guiding the squad throughout the campaign.

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Nottingham Forest have one foot in the Europa League final, after beating Aston Villa 1-0 in their semifinal first leg this morning.  

Forest striker Chris Wood converted a second-half penalty, to give them the advantage ahead of next week’s return leg at Villa Park.  

Meanwhile, Villa boss Unai Emery slammed the referee for not giving a red card to Forest’s Elliot Anderson for his first half foul on Ollie Watkins.  

Despite the setback, Emery insists that his team can still bounce back in the return leg at Villa Park, and reach their first European final since 1982.

The winner will face either Braga or Freiburg, with Braga having a 2-1 lead on aggregate.  

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Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are closing in on their first-ever appearance in a European final.  

This, after they beat Shakhtar Donets 3-1 in the Europa Conference League.  

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In other sports news

Everton will reportedly revive their interest in Chelsea forward Liam Delap this summer, while they are also keen on getting Man City defender John Stones.  

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Liverpool’s Mo Salah may reportedly turn down offers from the Saudi Pro League this summer, in favour of a move to Turkey’s Fenerbahce.

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And Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has extended his contract until 2031.