Sports News Roundup: Slovenia beat Australia in BJK Finals opener; Spurs forward Richarlison to undergo pelvic surgery and more

Johnson, 29, died following what his club called a "freak incident" during a match against Sheffield Steelers in Sheffield, northern England, on Oct. 31, after his neck was cut by a skate blade of another player. Soccer-Quest for decision-making utopia is futile, says Postecoglou After yet another round of Premier League fixtures in which VAR played an unwitting lead role, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou perhaps hit the nail on the head after a riotous 4-1 home defeat against Chelsea on Monday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Tennis-Slovenia beat Australia in BJK Finals opener

Last year's Billie Jean King Cup runners-up Australia suffered an awful start to the Finals as they lost to Slovenia in their opening Group B match in Seville on Tuesday. Kaja Juvan got outsiders Slovenia off to a flyer with a 6-4 6-1 defeat of a rusty Ajla Tomljanovic.

Soccer-Bayern's Upamecano and Goretzka ready to face Galatasaray says Tuchel

Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka will resume their defensive duties in the Champions League Group A match against visiting Galatasaray on Wednesday after their comeback from injury in the Bundesliga at the weekend. The pair were a surprise addition in Bayern's 4-0 demolition of title rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday and despite only just returning from injury should be ready for Wednesday.

Soccer-Spurs forward Richarlison to undergo pelvic surgery

Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison said on Monday that he will be undergoing pelvic surgery. Richarlison remained on the bench for Spurs' 4-1 defeat by Chelsea on Monday, and the striker who has struggled for form and goals this season spoke to ESPN Brazil after the game about his medical problems.

UK coroner calls for mandatory ice hockey neck guards after death

A British coroner overseeing an investigation into the death of Nottingham Panthers ice hockey player Adam Johnson has called for neck guards to be made mandatory. Johnson, 29, died following what his club called a "freak incident" during a match against Sheffield Steelers in Sheffield, northern England, on Oct. 31, after his neck was cut by a skate blade of another player.

Soccer-Quest for decision-making utopia is futile, says Postecoglou

After yet another round of Premier League fixtures in which VAR played an unwitting lead role, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou perhaps hit the nail on the head after a riotous 4-1 home defeat against Chelsea on Monday. A manic derby featured nine VAR checks, five disallowed goals, two red cards and enough mayhem to fill a season in the 111 minutes the game took to complete.

Soccer-Real's Bellingham likely to feature against Braga after shoulder injury

Real Madrid are optimistic about Jude Bellingham's chances of playing against visiting Braga on Wednesday, manager Carlo Ancelotti said, with the midfielder having scored in all three of their Champions League games this season. Bellingham has made an exceptional start to his Real career but the England international, who also has 10 goals in 11 LaLiga games, suffered a dislocated shoulder in Sunday's scoreless draw with Rayo Vallecano.

Soccer-Second half goals see Kawasaki stay perfect in Asian Champions League

Kawasaki Frontale moved a step closer to the Asian Champions League last 16 with a 4-2 home win over Thailand's BG Pathum United at Todoroki Stadium on Tuesday that took the Japanese side six points clear at the top of Group I. Second half goals from Kazuya Yamamura and Taisei Miyashiro sealed the win for Frontale after BG Pathum's Freddy Alvarez was sent off in the 56th minute for stepping on Tatsuki Seko's calf.

Soccer-Unrepentant Arteta says he had duty to defend his players

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained unrepentant on Tuesday about his emotional outburst following his team's 1-0 defeat by Newcastle United in the Premier League after which he labelled the officiating "embarrassing and a disgrace". Speaking ahead of his side's Champions League home clash against Sevilla, the Spaniard said he would do the same again.

Soccer-Independent Regulator to safeguard English clubs

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed plans for an independent football regulator to safeguard the future of English soccer clubs in his King's Speech on Tuesday. The Independent Regulator for Football (IREF) will have the power to step in to address cash flow and other systemic issues within clubs, many of which are financially vulnerable.

Cricket-Opener Zadran hits ton as Afghanistan set Australia 292 for win

Opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran struck Afghanistan's maiden World Cup hundred to help his team post 291 for five wickets in their group match against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. Zadran anchored the Afghan innings with an unbeaten 129 from 143 balls after the South Asian side won the toss and elected to bat. The 21-year-old Zadran's fifth hundred in the 50-overs format was studded with eight fours and three sixes.

(With inputs from agencies.)