Football

Soccer-McLaren steps down after Jamaica's draw with Curacao

(Reuters) -Steve McClaren has resigned as Jamaica's head coach following a goalless draw with Curacao on Tuesday, which dealt a blow to their hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup in North America.

Cricket

Cricket-England eye rare Ashes chance against depleted Australia

(Reuters) -England head into Friday's Ashes opener in Perth with a spring in their step and a golden opportunity to strike the first blow in the five-test series against an Australian team rocked by key injuries.

Tennis

Tennis-ITF defends Davis Cup format amid push for full return to tradition

BENGALURU (Reuters) -The International Tennis Federation believes the current Davis Cup format has strong backing in the game despite growing calls from top stars for the event to make a complete return to its roots, new Chief Executive Ross Hutchins told Reuters.

Cricket

Cricket-Manipur's Lamabam out for rare 'hit ball twice' dismissal in Ranji

(Reuters) -Manipur's Lamabam Singh fell victim to one of cricket's most unusual dismissals when he was given out for hitting the ball twice during a Ranji Trophy plate league match against Meghalaya in Surat on Tuesday.

Other Sports

Surfing-Australia's eight-time world champion Gilmore set for competitive return

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia's eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore will rejoin surfing's world tour next year, the second former title-holder to announce a return this week after Olympic gold medallist Carissa Moore said she was on the comeback.

Football

Soccer-Terse Pochettino blasts 'disrespectful' question about regulars after US thrash Uruguay

(Reuters) -U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino irately swatted away questions about the absence of regular players in his squad on Tuesday after his side thrashed Uruguay 5-1 in an international friendly in Tampa, Florida.

Football

Soccer-Australian Championship to trial VAR-lite for FIFA in playoffs

SYDNEY (Reuters) -The Australian Championship will trial FIFA's new Football Video Support (FVS), a slimmed-down version of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, during its playoffs over the next few weeks, Football Australia said on Wednesday.

Football

Soccer-Advocaat to become oldest coach at World Cup after Curacao qualification

(Corrects typographic error in the first paragraph)

Football

Soccer-Robertson remembers Liverpool teammate Jota after Scotland qualify for World Cup

(Reuters) -Andy Robertson was "in bits" before Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 to qualify for the World Cup, saying he could not help thinking about former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota and their shared dream of playing in football's biggest tournament.

Football

Soccer-Curacao, Haiti and Panama qualify for World Cup

KINGSTON (Reuters) -Haiti defied the odds to book a place at next year's World Cup on Tuesday and they will be joined by both Panama and Curacao, who became the smallest country to ever win a berth at the finals.

Football

Cklamovski hails strong year, eyes winning finish in Vietnam

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia head coach Peter Cklamovski has boldly declared that Harimau Malaya will head to Vietnam next March with one mission - to beat them and finish their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Group F campaign on a high.

Football

Faisal keeps faith as Harimau Malaya push on amid uncertainty

PETALING JAYA: National winger Faisal Halim admits that missing out on qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup would be a huge blow, but insists Harimau Malaya remain focused on completing their campaign on a high.

Other Sports

Ronaldo attends White House meeting between Trump and Saudi crown prince

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Portugal's soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday attended a White House meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Football

Soccer-We were rubbish, but we don't care, says McGinn, as Scotland reach World Cup

GLASGOW (Reuters) -"We were rubbish but who cares?" John McGinn said as scenes of delirium broke out at a joyous Hampden Park on Tuesday after Scotland's 4-2 victory over Denmark sent them to their first World Cup finals since 1998.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Chadwick says WEC is ultimate goal as F1 dream recedes

LONDON (Reuters) -Jamie Chadwick, Britain's foremost female racing driver, said on Tuesday competing at the top level of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) was now her 'ultimate goal' and recognised her Formula One dream was likely over.

Football

Youth and Sports Ministry urged to stay out of FAM-FIFA crisis

PETALING JAYA: The Youth and Sports Ministry have been urged not to intervene in the ongoing FAM-FIFA crisis, with warnings that any government involvement could trigger severe repercussions for Malaysian football.

Badminton

BAM open to sparring sessions with independent shuttlers

PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are open to having the shuttlers under the association sparring with the independent players.

Other Sports

Syarul’s protege Abdul Aziz shows he can be coach’s worthy successor

PETALING JAYA: It did not take long for former top bodybuilder Datuk Mohd Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah to find a successor to his throne.

Other Sports

Setting specific SEA Games marks can be limiting for athletes and sports, says Nurul Huda

PETALING JAYA: Setting specific medal targets can be limiting for national athletes and the sport as well, says Thailand SEA Games chef de mission (CDM) Nurul Huda Abdullah.

Golf

Two more tourneys for Ervin to secure Asian Tour card

PETALING JAYA: Golfer Ervin Chang is taking things one swing at a time in his pursuit to secure his playing card on the Asian Tour next year.