Maurizio Sarri’s side will face London rivals Arsenal in an all-Premier League final in Baku on May 29 as for the first time all four finalists in the Champions and Europa League come from England.

Chelsea took the lead in the semi-final second leg thanks to Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s first half strike at Stamford Bridge.

But Luka Jovic equalised soon after the interval as a tense clash finished 1-1 after extra time and 2-2 on aggregate.

Cesar Azpilicueta’s penalty was saved by Kevin Trapp in the shoot-out, but Kepa kept out Martin Hinteregger’s effort and then turned away Goncalo Paciencia before Eden Hazard slotted home the decisive kick to spark wild celebrations.

It was a sweet moment of redemption for Kepa after he was widely criticised for his astonishing mutiny in the League Cup final against Manchester City when he refused to be substituted before the Blues lost on penalties.

Hazard also relished his crucial contribution in what could be his last kick at the Bridge amid rumours of a close-season move to Real Madrid.

“I am only thinking to win something for this club,” said Hazard when asked if the final will be his last game for the club.

“If it is my last game I will try to do everything. In my mind I don’t know yet.”

Having already qualified for next season’s Champions League when they guaranteed a top-four finish in the Premier League last weekend, Chelsea can bring an uplifting end to Sarri’s troubled first season in charge by lifting the Europa League.

Former Napoli boss Sarri this week claimed Chelsea “deserve” to win a trophy this season and the Italian is now one victory away from the first major prize of his managerial career.

However, Sarri is not happy that Chelsea will play a friendly in the United States against New England Revolution next week.

The match is designed to raise awareness and money for antisemitism and anti-discrimination causes.

“Now we need to rest. Unfortunately we have to go play in the United States because I think in this moment we need to rest then we have 10 days to prepare the final,” said Sarri.

“We have to recover energy because we are very tired.”

– Frankfurt flummoxed –

Inevitably, Hazard was the catalyst for Chelsea’s 28th minute opener as he twisted and turned to find just enough space for a perfectly-weighted pass to Loftus-Cheek.

Hazard’s vision and execution completely flummoxed the Frankfurt defence, leaving Loftus-Cheek with plenty of time to guide a cool low finish into the far corner for his 10th goal of the season.

But Chelsea couldn’t turn their first half superiority into further goals and a fatal loss of concentration allowed Frankfurt to equalise in the 49th minute.

Jovic had scored Frankfurt’s goal in the first leg and the 21-year-old Serb showed why he is being linked to Real Madrid with another predatory finish.

Chesting the ball down to Mijat Gacinovic, Jovic easily eluded the dozing Luiz as he ran onto the return pass and calmly steered in his 10th Europa League goal this season.

Still lacking any rhythm in extra-time, Chelsea needed an agile goalline clearance from Luiz to stop Sebastien Haller’s shot before the Frankfurt forward was denied again by Davide Zappacosta’s header off the line.

Azpilicueta thought he’d won it for Chelsea in the closing minutes when he bundled home after Trapp dropped Hazard’s cross, but the goal was controversially disallowed for the Spaniard’s challenge on the keeper, setting the stage for Kepa and Hazard to see the Blues through to Baku.

The race is divided into two classes: a 5km race with no-microchip bibs and a maximum number of 3,000 participants, the second over 10km with microchip bibs and a maximum of 10,000 runners.

Neither class has any age restrictions, the entry fee for both is Bt370 and runners will all receive a jersey, a souvenir medal and a certificate of participation.

 All facilities at the event, including the running course, water stations, medical service centers and staff members are officially certified by the Athletics Association of Thailand.

“The Olympic Committee of Thailand has been holding this Olympic Day for several years in order to raise awareness about health promotion and sustainable development for a better quality of life,” said Pichai Chunhavajira, chairman of the organising committee.

“The goal of this year’s event is to have 13,000 participants and we will work together to organise an amazing event. I would like to invite all members of the public to participate.”

Registration is available until 8 June through Thaiticketmajor, Major and EGV Theatre box offices, Thailand Post branches, Tesco Lotus’s One Stop Service points in Bangkok and major provinces.

Registration forms and all the details are available at http://www.thaiticketmajor.com, the event’s call centre (02-262-3456) and at http://www.facebook.com/olympicdayth.

On a day where only 12 out of 144 players broke par, Danthai emerged as the leader of the pack when he marked his card with two birdies and an eagle to stay ahead at the Sobu Country Club.

The Thai, a one-time Asian Tour winner, has already won twice this year with victories coming from a domestic event in February and on the Japan Challenge Tour last month.

“I’m very happy with my score today. It was very windy but I was able to stay bogey-free. I’m playing on this golf course for the first time too. I told myself I’ve to keep all my tee shots on the fairway to give myself that momentum,” said the 23-year-old THai.

” But my putting was very good today too. So that’s why I did not make any bogeys. I had to keep my ball flight low and hit my approach to the front of the green. I played at The Open last year and used some of those experience here,” added Danthai,  looking for his third win of the season.

Australia’s Brendan Jones remained a threat to Danthai’s title ambitions as he trails the Thai by one after signing for a 68 to share second place with Japan’s Tomoyo Ikemura.

The experienced Australian is no stranger to success in Japan, holding multiple wins in the Land of the Rising Sun, with the latest coming only last month in Nagoya.

Asia’s first Major winner, Y.E. Yang of Korea returned with a 69 to take tied-fourth place while Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng, Prom Meesawat together with Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena and Japan’s Shugo Imahira are bunched in equal ninth place after they posted matching 70s.

The Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup is the Asian Tour’s first stop in Japan this season and second of four co-sanctioned events with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) this year.

Heading into the blockbuster showdown, Suzuki believes he can expose the reigning champion’s weaknesses during their match at the Impact Arena and hand Nong-O his first loss with ONE Championship.

“There is no competitor without weakness,” Suzuki said.

“There is always a chance to win in a one-on-one battle. Of course, I have a risk of losing too. The fight is one-on-one, so the situation is even. Nong-O is a complete Muay Thai fighter. His punches, kicks, knees, and elbows are great, but my attacks developed in Japan are also great.”

“Kaibutsukun” has also managed to remain undefeated in The Home of Martial Arts with stunning victories over Deividas Danyla and Mohammed Bin Mahmoud earning his way for a title shot.

Using his lightning speed, incredible power, and unlimited stamina that can carry his offense through the course of any match, Suzuki has proven that he is a perfect adversary for the legendary Thai warrior.

The 34-year-old is the first Japanese athlete to challenge for the title in the sport of Muay Thai and it would mean the world to Suzuki to be able to come full circle and capture the highly-coveted golden strap.

By becoming the first Japanese Muay Thai World Champion in ONE Championship, Suzuki hopes that he would be able to inspire the youth of his nation with his success.

“By winning the World Championship, I think I can make a path for my juniors and for the people who want to become martial artists,” Suzuki said.

“I want to pass on the ‘Yamato spirit.’ That’s my dream. The Japanese fight with unbreakable, strong hearts even in tough situations. That is the ‘Yamato spirit,’ I will fight with responsibility as a representative of Japan, and [I will] win.”

Suzuki wants to deliver his best career performance against the four-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion, and he has faith in himself and his skills to outlast Nong-O and have his hand raised in victory at the end of the night.

“On the ONE Championship stage, my priority is to have an exciting fight. I can’t tell you which attacks I will use, but I will aim for a knockout,” Suzuki concluded.

“I want to say Nong-O, let’s try to knock each other out. Let’s try to give the fans an exciting match on the ONE stage in which one of us goes down.

The victory also came hours before Nadal’s fellow Spaniard David Ferrer played the final match of his career, losing 6-4, 6-1 to Alexander Zverev in his last tournament before retirement.

Nadal has endured a turbulent few weeks after slipping to surprise defeats in both Monte Carlo and Barcelona last month before then being hit by a stomach bug on Sunday.

But there was never much sign of an upset in the Spanish capital, where the world number two opened up with a 6-3, 6-3 victory.

“Right now every victory is important for me because it gives me the option to play again the next day,” Nadal said.

“Two weeks ago maybe playing again was not a chance to improve because I didn’t feel like that in training.

“Now I am feeling better in matches and I think every one gives me the chance to get better.”

Nadal has not arrived in Madrid without winning in either Monte Carlo or Barcelona since 2015 and, after also pulling out of Indian Wells due to a knee injury in March, concern was growing ahead of the French Open later this month.

The 32-year-old, who will be chasing his 18th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, will now face another young talent in America’s Frances Tiafoe, with either Stan Wawrinka or Kei Nishikori waiting in the quarter-finals.

“After Indian Wells, I had a big mental drop,” Nadal said. “I had to stop for two weeks and mentally I dropped.

“I struggled a lot to get fit and recover that energy, which I now feel again.”

Ferrer bowed out after losing to Zverev, calling time on a distinguished career that included 27 ATP titles and a highest ranking of number three in the world.

Renowned for his never-say-die attitude, the 37-year-old reached the French Open final in 2014, as well as five more Grand Slam semi-finals.

“I couldn’t have given more to this sport,” said Ferrer, who left his bandana on the ‘T’ of the service box.

“I don’t know what my legacy will be but I always fought until the last point. Maybe it will be that.”

Nishikori and Wawrinka will meet in the third round on Thursday after Nishikori took just over two hours to win 7-5, 7-5 against Bolivian qualifier Hugo Dellien and Wawrinka defeated Argentina’s Guido Pella 6-3, 6-4.

The Swiss has won his last two matches against Nishikori, including a three-set victory in Rotterdam in February, when he went on to reach his first final since undergoing knee surgery in 2017.

– Osaka in control –

Juan Martin del Potro lost 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to Serbia’s Laslo Djere in his first match since February as the Argentine continues to work his way back from a knee injury.

Nishikori’s compatriot and world number one Naomi Osaka is through to the quarter-finals of the women’s tournament for the first time after she eased past Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-3.

Osaka pulled out of the semi-finals in Stuttgart last month with an abdominal injury but has said she is no longer feeling discomfort during matches.

“I feel fine, so that’s great,” Osaka said.

“I’m at a really good place right now. I feel like I’m having fun playing tennis again which is always a good thing for me. I always play well if I have that mentality.”

In the last eight, the two-time major champion will face Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic who beat Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Kozlova 6-0, 6-2.

A potential semi-final foe for Osaka is world number three Simona Halep, who annihilated Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova 6-0, 6-0 in 44 minutes.

Number two seed Petra Kvitova saw off France’s Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-3 and will now face the Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens.

Ajax’s improbable European run seemed set to go on all the way to the final as they led 3-2 on aggregate deep in stoppage time in the second leg of the semi-final at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

That was when the ball broke to Lucas in the box and the Brazilian sent a low shot beyond Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana to seal their comeback, making it 3-2 to them on the night, 3-3 on aggregate, and taking Pochettino’s men through on away goals.

They will now face fellow comeback kings Liverpool in Madrid on June 1, the first all-English showpiece since 2008.

“It is one of the most important nights in my life,” said Pochettino, who was in tears at full-time. “The most important thing is to congratulate my players. They did a great job.”

“I have said before that they are heroes. I think they are super-heroes now. To have brought the club to the final of the Champions League is very close to a miracle.”

For Lucas there was similar emotion, the player rejected by Paris Saint-Germain as they made way for Neymar stepping up in the ongoing absence of Tottenham’s talisman Harry Kane.

“Football gives us moments like this that we cannot imagine,” said Lucas. “We need to enjoy it. Look at me –- it’s the best moment in my life, my career.”

The Ajax players slumped to the turf as his deciding goal went in, their fans stunned as they fell short of a first final since 1996.

Leading 1-0 after the first leg, the thrilling Dutch side appeared to have killed the tie after captain Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech scored in the first half here.

That left Tottenham needing a comeback to match that of Liverpool against Barcelona the previous night, but in an even shorter amount of time.

A quickfire brace by Lucas early in the second half gave them something to cling to, before he struck the decisive blow.

Erik ten Hag’s team, who had already eliminated Real Madrid and Juventus, were applauded by their devastated fans at full-time and must now somehow lift themselves to try to complete a Dutch league and Cup double.

– ‘Cruel’ for Ajax –

They will take some time to get over falling short of what may be a once-in-a-generation chance to get back to the final of this competition.

“I told the players it is very hard to find the right words in a moment like this and that football is cruel,” said Ten Hag, whose team will now inevitably be broken up without having the chance to grace the biggest stage in the club game.

“We have to endure the cruel side tonight but we have to go on.”

Ajax did go on here, starting brilliantly on the night despite the blow of losing Brazilian winger David Neres to injury just before kick-off, with Kasper Dolberg taking his place.

– Whirlwind start –

That last-minute switch did not perturb them, as they took a fifth-minute lead, Lasse Schoene’s corner being headed in by De Ligt.

Spurs did threaten an immediate reply as a Son Heung-min cross hit the near post, but Ajax escaped and came again, a Tadic shot that fizzed just wide acting as a prelude for what was to follow in the 35th minute.

This time Tadic cut the ball back for Ziyech, whose shot on his left foot flew into the far corner from a difficult angle, a wonderful goal that had surely clinched the tie.

The Spurs fans were understandably subdued, yet Pochettino’s side came back out after half-time and echoed what Liverpool had done at Anfield 24 hours earlier.

They scored their first in the 55th minute, Lucas combining with Dele Alli and slotting low past Onana.

Four minutes after that Onana saved from substitute Fernando Llorente’s effort inside the six-yard box, but the ball came back to Lucas, who turned and managed to find a corner. Tottenham were now just one goal away from completing the turnaround.

With such tension, Ajax no longer appeared so liberated, but Ziyech twice nearly scored again, grazing the post with a first-time shot and then hitting the same upright in the 79th minute.

Jan Vertonghen hit the bar at the other end, but just when it looked like Ajax would hang on, Lucas delivered the knockout blow.

The War Elephants have been drawn against the region’s top team in the four-team event, which will be played over four days and also includes India and Curacao.

Thailand will not be short of motivation, having been overtaken as regional powerhouses by their neighbours.

Vietnam won the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup, reached the quarter-finals in the 2019 Asian Cup and beat Thailand 4-0 in the group stage of March’s AFC U23 Championship Qualification.

Coach Sirisak Yodyadthai hopes to get one back on Vietnam to restore national pride.

“We’ve been following Vietnam and we know they are a dangerous team,” said Sirisak who has been assigned by Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompanmoung to take charge for the tournament.

“But I believe in the abilities of our players. We will prove who the real leader in Asean football is,” said Sirisak, who insiste he would pick the Thai League’s very best players.

A squad of 35 will be chosen by May 15 before being whittled down to 23 by the end of the month.

The final cut is expected to include four internationals: Chanatip Songkrasin of Consadole Sappporo, Thitipan Puangchan of Oita Trinita, Kawin Thamsatchanan of Oh Leuven and Theerathon Bunmathan of Yogkohama F Marinos.

Star striker Teerasil Dangda is also tipped to be included and after injury deprived him of the chance to win his 100th cap at the China Cup, the 30-year-old Muangthong United forward said it would be a dream come true to finally reach his century.

Teerasil Dangda, 1st from right, during a press conference.

“It will be very special for me. I never dreamed that I would be able to play for 100 games in the national team because you never know how long you can play as a football player. I will be highly honoured if I’m offered the opportunity,” Teerasil said.

The winners of the two games on opening day will play the final on June 8 at 7pm, with the losers playing for third placed earlier that day.

The Thai players will wear specially designed yellow jerseys under the theme “Warriors of the King” to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn

Thailand have won the Cup 15 times, last time in 2017.

The Thai-Vietnam game will be played at 7pm on June 5, after the opener between India and Curacao at 3.30pm.

The Thai No 1 took a  month-long rest in Bangkok to recuperate from a knee injury suffered during the second round at Augusta National.

“It’s good to be back on the tour this week after my last start nearly a month ago. I played okay in Augusta National and suffered a slight knee injury. I’ve rested it over the past few weeks when I was back home and I’m ready to get back out to compete here,” he said.

He is unhappy, however, with his inconsistency – he has not recorded a top-10 finish in 11 starts so far this year.

“In the next few weeks, I’m hoping to play more consistently, which is important with so many top events coming up,” he admitted.

“Looking at my stats, my driving and iron play have not been the best and I’m working hard on trying to improve these areas of my game. Hopefully next season, I will get to know the golf courses a bit better too. This week’s course is another good test but I feel fresh and ready to get going again.”

During his absence, Kiradech slipped eight rungs down to 72nd position on the FedExCup points list but is virtually assured of being in the first Playoff event, the Northern Trust in New York in August.

The top-70 players then qualify for the BMW Championship, the second of three Playoff events, before concluding with the Tour Championship which is exclusive to the top-30 players on the FedExCup points list.

This year’s FedExCup sees a hefty jump in prize money on offer, with US$70 million available in the bonus pool and a cool US$15 million for the FedExCup champion.

At the back of Kiradech’s mind is also his hopes of getting into the International Team  for the Presidents Cup to face a Tiger Woods-led United States Team at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia from December 9-15.

He is currently 18th on the team points list, with the top-eight after the BMW Championship earning automatic places in Ernie Els’ International Team. Els will have four captain’s picks.

“I need to stay committed to what I’m doing with my swing and my game,”Kiradech added.

“I also want to keep trying to make the International Team for the Presidents Cup and I know I need to start collecting world ranking points consistently to give myself a chance of finishing in the top-eight for automatic selection.”

Spurs come to Amsterdam needing a special performance if they are to reach the final of this competition for the first time in their history after a Donny van de Beek away goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat in London last week.

However, Pochettino’s team have already made history for the club by getting this far — they last reached the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1962 before being beaten by Eusebio’s Benfica.

Now they are dreaming of a first European final since Keith Burkinshaw’s team beat Anderlecht on penalties to lift the UEFA Cup in 1984, before any of those set to feature on Wednesday were born.

“We are living a dream. Five years ago when we arrived it was to reduce the gap to the top four, and then to have the possibility to play in the Champions League,” Pochettino said at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday.

“I think nobody would believe we would be playing in the Champions League three seasons in a row and competing at this stage.”

– Stumbling –

However, his side are stumbling badly towards the finish line with a depleted squad, set to finish in the top four in the Premier League mainly thanks to the failings of the teams below them.

Harry Kane is out, and Tottenham have been beaten five times in their last six games in all, nine times in their last 10 matches away from home.

The exception in that run came on their last trip to the continent, however, against Borussia Dortmund in the last 16, and now they arrive in Amsterdam with Son available after sitting out the first leg due to suspension.

Jan Vertonghen, who began his professional career in Amsterdam before joining Tottenham in 2012, is in line to return too after coming off with a head knock in the first leg.

“You wouldn’t believe at the start of the season that Tottenham would be in the last week of the season with the possibility of being in the final of the Champions League and to be in the top four,” Pochettino insisted. “Both are real, but this is not the moment to talk.”

Spurs’ status as one of the Premier League’s top six clubs gives them a considerable financial advantage over Ajax, but they cannot match their opponents — four times European champions — when it comes to history.

The club of Cruyff and so many other great names are in sight of a first Champions League final since 1996 and remain in with a chance of a treble, something they last did in 1972 when the man after whom their stadium is now named was starring on the pitch.

– Treble dream –

Erik ten Hag’s team secured the first leg at the weekend when they beat Willem II 4-0 in the Dutch Cup final, and they are top of the league in the Netherlands with two matches left.

They are aiming to carry on an incredible European run that began in the second qualifying round against Sturm Graz on July 25.

“You don’t expect at the beginning of the season to be in this position. I am very proud and happy to be here during this special period,” said Daley Blind, almost echoing Pochettino’s own remarks.

Blind, who returned to the club from Manchester United just before the campaign began, admitted that celebrations after the Cup final were “a bit timid” due to the proximity to this match.

Ajax are now hoping they don’t live to regret not scoring more than once in London.

“Our defensive organisation was excellent,” pointed out Ten Hag. “In the final third we didn’t play all that well but the players’ mindset was to defend our 1-0 lead.”

If they can finish the job on Wednesday, they will be the ones to advance to the final in Madrid on June 1.