Sport

Trending:

Osaka staying with her power as does homework on clay ahead of French Open

The four-time Grand Slam winner has enjoyed huge success with her powerful baseline game but has struggled on clay

2024-04-25T10:49:56Z

Teamwork makes the dream work for Asian Champions League finalists Al Ain

Park Yong-woo collapsed to the turf, sodden with sweat, his legs unable to carry him any more. Not far from view, Yahia Nader was on his knees, head in hands, barely able to take in the moment, take in the accomplishment. Some way away, to his left, Soufiane Rahimi embraced whichever teammate was near enough to wrap his arms around, before breaking...

2024-04-24T09:10:19Z

Soccer-Klopp apologises to Liverpool supporters after huge blow to title hopes

LIVERPOOL (Reuters) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp apologised to fans after a 2-0 loss to Everton in the Merseyside derby that all but extinguished their faint hopes of winning the Premier League title. "(Leaders Arsenal and Manchester City) must have a very bad moment," Klopp, who looked completely shattered, said when asked about his team's chances. "I don't know. I can only apologise for

2024-04-24T22:41:41Z

Premier League winners and losers: Arsenal, Fernandes, Mateta amazing but Chelsea and Liverpool shocking

Arsenal are mimicking Manchester City to compete for a title Liverpool have so thoroughly bottled. Chelsea are a mess but tracksuit Dyche is unstoppable.

2024-04-25T12:49:15Z

Nadal fighting hard to play in French Open but not sure if he is 'capable'

The 22-time major champion admits his farewell tour hasn't been as enjoyable as he would have hoped

2024-04-24T16:32:03Z

Klopp apologises to Liverpool fans after huge blow to title hopes: 'It's hard for us as well'

Reds defeat at Everton extinguishes their last hopes of winning the Premier League

2024-04-25T08:19:30Z

Saudi MMA fighter Abdullah Al Qahtani headlines inaugural PFL Mena event in Riyadh

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) will launch its inaugural PFL Mena event next month in Riyadh, with home favourite Abdullah Al Qahtani headlining. The new regional mixed martial arts league, announced earlier this year, will take place on May 10 in the Saudi Arabian capital at The Green Halls, and comprises of athletes from featherweight and...

2024-04-25T11:14:26Z

Al Hilal v Al Ain: Hernan Crespo's side through to Asian Champions League final

Al Ain stood strong to Al Hilal and their luminaries, to a boiling and baying home support, to the early concession, the magnitude of the moment and the unrelenting pinch of the pressure, and strode into the Asian Champions League final. Celebrated as the only Emirati champions of the continent, the UAE club cast aside their starry Saudi Arabian co...

2024-04-23T20:23:17Z

Soccer-Xavi says Barca project behind decision to stay, not money

By Fernando Kallas (Reuters) -Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez said he had unfinished business with the club and money was not what led him to reverse his decision to step down at the end of the season and agree to stay in charge for the 2024-25 campaign. Xavi, sitting alongside club president Joan Laporta and sports director Deco at a press conference on Thursday, said he had seen a huge

2024-04-25T14:04:10Z

Tennis-BJK Cup finals group stage replaced with knockout round: ITF

(Reuters) - The Billie Jean King Cup finals will take place over nine days with a knockout round replacing the group stage, organisers the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Thursday. The tournament will kick off in Seville, Spain on Nov. 12 and end on Nov. 20, with the last two days of the competition overlapping with the first two days of the Davis Cup finals taking place in Malaga,

2024-04-25T12:23:51Z

Liverpool: Michael Edwards ‘already working’ to secure Arne Slot’s first signing at Anfield

Liverpool are lining up Arne Slot's first signing as Reds boss with Michael Edwards making Eintracht Frankfurt's Willian Pacho a key target, according to reports.

2024-04-25T13:34:07Z

Man Utd told ’embarrassing PE teacher’ Ten Hag must be sacked after snubbing critical journalists

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor insists Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has "got to go" after his poor performance this campaign.

2024-04-25T14:25:32Z

Max Verstappen's F1 dominance could go on until 2026, says David Coulthard

Max Verstappen's sheer domination of Formula One could continue for another two years, warned former driver David Coulthard. Verstappen became the first driver this century to start the season with five consecutive pole positions in qualifying for last Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix. He went on to crush the opposition for a fourth win in five. The Red...

2024-04-25T06:58:49Z

Soccer-Female refereeing team to take charge of Serie A game for first time

(Reuters) - An all-woman refereeing team will officiate a Serie A match for the first time this weekend, the Italian Referees' Association (AIA) said on Thursday. League champions Inter Milan host Torino on Sunday, and the game will be refereed by Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi who will be joined by Francesca Di Monte and Tiziana Trasciatti as assistants. This milestone in the traditionally

2024-04-25T13:44:05Z

'Amazing' Al Ain deserve place in ACL final after overcoming Al Hilal, says Hernan Crespo

Hernan Crespo praised the “personality” and “courage” of his Al Ain players after the UAE club defeated Saudi Arabian rivals Al Hilal to reach the Asian Champions League final. Al Ain, the only Emirati side to capture the continental crown, triumphed 5-4 on aggregate in the semi-final despite losing 2-1 in Tuesday’s second leg in Riyadh. Hilal, rec...

2024-04-24T02:54:16Z

Pochettino backs Chelsea's young players despite 5-0 thrashing at Arsenal

'When we have bad days, we are so bad. When we are good, we are capable of everything,' said the manager

2024-04-24T12:16:26Z

Man City's Haaland to miss Brighton game but Guardiola says injury not serious

The goal-scoring striker is suffering from a muscle injury sustained during the Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid

2024-04-24T16:02:08Z

Arsenal v Chelsea player ratings: Odegaard 9, Havertz 8; Mudryk 3, Jackson 4

Ruthless Arsenal threw down the gauntlet in the Premier League title race with a 5-0 thrashing of London rivals Chelsea to move three points clear at the top of the table on Tuesday. Leandro Trossard gave the home side an early lead before Ben White and Kai Havertz scored two each in a dazzling spell after the break to sweep aside a dazed Chelsea. ...

2024-04-24T06:54:56Z

Tennis-Nadal seeding for French Open not being considered, says Mauresmo

PARIS (Reuters) - Former world number one Rafael Nadal is unlikely to be seeded at next month's French Open, Roland Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said on Thursday. On Wednesday, the Spaniard said he was not sure if he would be able to play at this year's French Open, which he has won a record 14 times. The 37-year-old Nadal, a 22-times Grand Slam champion, has plummeted to 512 in

2024-04-25T12:23:49Z

Soccer-Under pressure Juventus and Milan face off in fight for second place

By Trevor Stynes (Reuters) - Juventus v AC Milan is traditionally one of the biggest rivalries in Italian football, but this weekend's Serie A meeting between the pair is a battle for the runners-up spot, with both managers unsure of their future. Milan lost the derby on Monday, a defeat which allowed Inter Milan to clinch the league title with five games still to play. Now Milan, 17 points

2024-04-25T12:23:52Z

Soccer-Bournemouth back to winning ways with 1-0 victory over Wolves

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (Reuters) -Bournemouth snapped a three-game winless run in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory at former manager Gary O'Neil's Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday courtesy of a first-half strike from Antoine Semenyo. The win moved Bournemouth up to 10th place on 45 points, while Wolves, who have picked up just two points in their last six games, remain 12th on 43.

2024-04-24T22:21:35Z

Soccer-Leipzig want fourth spot irrespective of potential extra Champions League place-club

BERLIN (Reuters) - RB Leipzig are determined to wrap up a top-four Bundesliga finish, despite fifth spot possibly earning a place in next season's Champions League, the club's chief business officer said on Thursday. Leipzig, who host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, are fourth on 59 points, two ahead of Dortmund with four games left in the season. A win would put the Saxony club firmly in the

2024-04-25T13:04:00Z

Cricket-Pakistan withdraw injured Rizwan, Irfan from NZ series

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan and all-rounder Irfan Khan have been withdrawn from the ongoing home T20 International series against New Zealand due to injury, the country's cricket board (PCB) said. Rizwan and Irfan both suffered hamstring injuries in the third match in Rawalpindi, where a second-string New Zealand side won by seven wickets to level the five-match

2024-04-25T05:42:43Z

IPL 2024: Getting better 'every hour matters' says Pant after Delhi survive Rashid Khan scare to edge Gujarat

Home team ride Pant's unbeaten 88 to claim important win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium that pushed them to sixth place in the table

2024-04-24T19:02:28Z

Al Ain aim to stick together 'like family' in pursuit of Asian Champions League glory

Al Ain defender Kouame Autonne put his side’s progress to the Asian Champions League final down to their “family” ethic, saying the UAE club will work tirelessly to come back even stronger to clinch the trophy. Al Ain, continental champions in 2003, came through a dramatic semi-final against record four-time winners Al Hilal, advancing to the title...

2024-04-24T13:27:24Z

‘The bare minimum is fight’ – Liverpool captain admits they don’t deserve title

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admits they do not deserve to win the Premier League after the unacceptable way the players have allowed the season to end.

2024-04-25T14:16:03Z

Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez to stay on as manager

MADRID (Reuters) - Xavi Hernandez will stay on as Barcelona manager, the club's president Joan Laporta told a news conference on Thursday, after reversing a previous decision to resign at the end of this season. "We know that he made some statements in the middle of the season, but today we have the good news that he is staying and he has conveyed to me the enthusiasm and confidence he has in the

2024-04-25T11:43:46Z

Tickets to see LeBron James and star-studded USA team in Abu Dhabi go on sale

Basketball fans in the UAE can now get their hands on tickets to watch some of the biggest stars in the game in Abu Dhabi. Tickets for the USA Basketball Showcase Abu Dhabi are now available on ticketmaster.ae. The event sees NBA superstar LeBron James and a star-studded US national team take on Australia and Serbia in Abu Dhabi in July as part of ...

2024-04-25T09:29:08Z

Soccer-Everton deal Liverpool big blow with shock 2-0 derby victory

LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in a pulsating 2-0 home victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday that could prove to be the death of the visitors' withering Premier League title hopes. Everton's first derby victory at Goodison Park in more than 13 years prevented Liverpool from climbing level with Arsenal at the top of

2024-04-24T22:01:33Z

'Avengers assemble': Gauff thanks Lyles for inspiring men's USA basketball super-squad

Tennis star Coco Gauff has thanked American sprinter Noah Lyles for “assembling the Avengers” – in other words, inspiring USA Basketball to put together its most lethal squad for this summer’s Olympic Games. Lyles infamously questioned the NBA for calling its title winners “world champions”, explaining how the term is inaccurate for a North America...

2024-04-24T05:54:48Z

Man Utd captain admits to ‘erratic’ behaviour towards debutant Wheatley

“I think at the end of the game I got a little too erratic to give him (Wheatley) a goal," admitted Bruno Fernandes after the win v Sheffield United.

2024-04-25T14:10:36Z

Soccer-Criticism part of life at Manchester United, Fernandes says

(Reuters) - Players must accept criticism as readily as praise at Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes said after the Portuguese midfielder rescued his side with two goals in a 4-2 home Premier League victory over Sheffield United. Fernandes made it 2-2 from the penalty spot in the 61st minute then put United ahead with a long-range strike 20 minutes later after the hosts had fallen behind twice

2024-04-25T06:22:52Z

Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool need 'crisis' from Man City and Arsenal to win title

Jurgen Klopp is refusing to give up on the Premier League title but conceded Liverpool need a "crisis" from Manchester City and Arsenal after Wednesday night's defeat to rivals Everton. Everton secured their first win in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park since 2010 to leave Liverpool's title aspirations in tatters. Defeat leaves Jurgen Klopp's me...

2024-04-25T04:58:33Z

Alex Eala: I grew up watching Pacquiao fights, now I want to inspire young Filipinas

Alex Eala grew up watching Manny Pacquiao fights, huddled around the TV with family and friends, cheering on the Filipino boxing legend. Now, at 18, Eala is emerging as a role model herself, having become the highest-ranked Filipina in tennis history, and the first player from her country to win a Grand Slam junior singles title. The talented teen ...

2024-04-25T02:58:09Z

Cycling-Australia's Hindley extends with 'second family' Bora–Hansgrohe

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australian cyclist Jai Hindley will continue to race for Bora-Hansgrohe in 2025 after signing a contract extension with the German UCI WorldTeam outfit. Media had speculated Hindley might seek opportunities elsewhere following Bora's signing of Primoz Roglic, the four-times Grand Tour winner. However, Hindley will remain at Ralph Denk's team in service to the Slovenian. "(

2024-04-25T00:21:54Z

Dembele, Mbappe dazzle as PSG close in on Ligue 1 title with big win at Lorient

The Parisians are on 69 points with four games left with Monaco trailing by 11 points

2024-04-25T08:34:35Z

Soccer-Xavi to continue as Barcelona manager, LaLiga club confirms

By Fernando Kallas (Reuters) -Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez on Wednesday reversed his decision to step down at the end of the season and agreed to stay in charge of the LaLiga giants for the 2024-25 campaign, a club spokesperson confirmed to Reuters. Xavi spent most of the day in meetings with Barca officials and agreed to honour the last year of his contract, with a series of unspecified

2024-04-24T23:01:41Z

How Al Ain reached the 2023/24 Asian Champions League final

Al Ain punched their ticket to the 2023/24 Asian Champions League final on Tuesday, seeing off Al Hilal 5-4 on aggregate. A 4-2 win over the Saudi Arabian powerhouse in last week's first leg put Hernan Crespo's side in pole position, and despite losing the return leg in Riyadh 2-1, the UAE club did enough to secure their place in next month's two-l...

2024-04-24T08:25:14Z

'Happy Birthday to the man who made batting look cool': MI greet Tendulkar on his special day

BCCI's honorary secretary Jay Shah said the star batter 'inspired millions worldwide with his heroics with the bat and immaculate display of character'

2024-04-24T12:01:25Z

Cycling-Welshman Thomas to lead Ineos challenge at Giro d'Italia

(Reuters) - Last year's Giro d'Italia runner-up Geraint Thomas will lead the Ineos Grenadiers team at the race which starts next month, the British outfit said on Thursday. Former Tour de France winner Thomas, 37, heads an experienced squad that he said will adopt an aggressive approach to the year's first Grand Tour. "The core is the same as last year's Giro team, with some great additions for

2024-04-25T11:23:40Z

'Dangerous' Sinner content to avoid the pressure storm despite top ranking in sight

The in-form Italian will move to within 330points of World No 1 Djokovic if he wins his fourth trophy of 2024 at the Madrid Open

2024-04-24T20:02:36Z

Woods, McIlroy to receive millions in loyalty payouts for shunning LIV and sticking with PGA Tour

Between them the two players are set to receive a stake around $150 million from the Tour's newly-formed enterprise

2024-04-25T11:04:58Z

Man City to resume Premier League title quest at Brighton without injured Erling Haaland

Manchester City will be without top-scorer Erling Haaland when they resume their quest to retain the Premier League title against Brighton on Thursday. Pep Guradiola's side go into the match third in the table, four points behind leaders Arsenal but with two games in hand on the North London club, who hammered Chelsea 4-0 on Tuesday. Second-place L...

2024-04-24T13:12:56Z

Olympics-New Zealand trampoline couple fall head over heels before Paris

By Ian Ransom (Reuters) - For New Zealand's trampoline gymnastics team, the Paris Olympics will be a labour of love. Dylan Schmidt and Maddie Davidson were Olympic team mates in Tokyo but return to the Games as a couple seeking medals and inspiration from each other. In a career of ups and downs, former world champion Schmidt became New Zealand's first Olympic medallist in gymnastics when the

2024-04-25T06:02:51Z

F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 promises a never before-race weekend

Amidst the sport’s global growth organisers Ethara will host a special event at Louvre Abu Dhabi to announce details of the race’s 16th edition on December 6-8, 2024

2024-04-24T11:46:22Z

Soccer-French President Macron scores penalty in charity match

(Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron continues to show off his sporting abilities ahead of the Paris Olympics after dispatching a penalty in a charity soccer match on Wednesday. Macron, playing alongside a mix of former international players and healthcare professionals, fired his shot low into the bottom corner as the goalkeeper remained rooted to the line. The 46-year-old's team mates

2024-04-25T06:02:59Z

Xavi reveals ‘main reason’ for making Barcelona U-turn despite his ‘original decision’ being ‘right’

Head coach Xavi has revealed he decided to stay at Spanish giants FC Barcelona after his players persuaded him not to leave in the summer.

2024-04-25T14:40:41Z

Dubai: After last-minute dash through floods, UAE teens catch flight, win int'l tournament

With their luggage missing, the youngsters entered the competition without their UAE jerseys — but what they didn’t lack was the motivation to perform for the country

2024-04-22T21:25:38Z

Erik Ten Hag praises Man United 'resilience' after comeback win over Sheffield United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised his players for showing "the resilience to fight back" after twice falling behind to the Premier League's bottom side Sheffield United on Wednesday night. United secured a 4-2 victory at Old Trafford to move up to sixth in the standings but it was nowhere near as convincing as the scoreline might sugge...

2024-04-25T07:13:54Z

PFL MMA launches debut season of PFL Mena in Riyadh

The historic season opener will feature fighters from the Featherweight and Bantamweight divisions

2024-04-25T13:50:39Z