Cricket

Cricket-Head, Smith earn praise as Australian media revel in Ashes win

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Travis Head's swashbuckling ‌batting and the decision making of stand-in captain Steve Smith were hailed ‌as the keys to Australia's Ashes victory over England as the nation's ‌media revelled in their 4-1 series win.

Badminton

Kento Momota announces marriage, keeps bride's identity under wraps

PETALING JAYA: Badminton great Kento Momota has shared happy news off the court after confirming that he has tied the knot.

Tennis

Tennis-Kyrgios says he won't play singles at Australian Open, Wawrinka gets wildcard

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Former Wimbledon finalist Nick ‌Kyrgios said on Friday he will not play in the singles competition at this ‌month's Australian Open as he is not ready to play five-set matches.

Football

Soccer-Martinelli apologises after pushing injured Bradley

LONDON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Arsenal forward Gabriel ‌Martinelli apologised to injured Liverpool right back Conor Bradley after trying to push him ‌off the pitch near the end of the 0-0 draw on Thursday.

Football

Wilkin hails Sabah’s spirit ahead of Kuala Lumpur test

PETALING JAYA: It has been a season of ups and downs but one thing is constant for Sabah football team – the commitment of the players.

Badminton

From court to classroom, Yufei finds spark to reignite her career

KUALA LUMPUR: China's singles shuttler Chen Yufei (pic) believes education is very important even for top athletes.

Other Sports

Malaysia target 55 golds at Asean Para Games

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will be banking on athletics, swimming, bowling and cycling to power their push for a 55-gold medal target at the Asean Para Games in Thailand from Feb 20-26.

Football

FAM brace for shake-up as Hamidin comeback looms

PETALING JAYA: Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin could return to the top post of the FAM if the association's executive committee resign en bloc.

Football

National body stand by decision to reinstate Azman despite investigation

PETALING JAYA: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have defended their decision to reinstate Datuk Noor Azman Rahman as secretary-general, insisting that due process has taken place.

Football

Brazilian Bergson links up with Jairo, Yago for JDT’s all-Da Silva attack

PETALING JAYA: Striker Bergson da Silva of Brazil may not be a regular starter for Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) this season but he remains a threat for the rivals whenever he shows up in the domestic game.

Badminton

Home heartbreak won’t keep Pearly-Thinaah down for long

KUALA LUMPUR: Losing an unbeaten run to a lower ranked pair on home soil was a bitter pill to swallow for doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.

Cycling

Alyssa stuns Izzah in keirin to boost Podium Programme hopes

NILAI: Up-and-coming track cyclist Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid is set to earn a place in the Podium Programme after announcing herself in style at the President's Cup.

Football

No resignations yet as football association’s exco weigh options to avoid FIFA ban

PETALING JAYA: Acting Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi has dismissed speculation that resignations have taken place within the executive committee, stressing that no final decision was made following a discussion yesterday.

Badminton

Jun Hao bent on regaining giant-killing form

BUKIT JALIL: Losing does not mean giving up, and Malaysia's men's singles player Leong Jun Hao is determined to reclaim the giantkiller reputation he once built.

Badminton

Koo behind win and defeat of Ben-Sean and Goh-Izzuddin

BUKIT JALIL: England's men's doubles pair Ben Lane-Sean Vendy appeared to put into practice lessons once imparted by former world No. 1 Koo Kien Keat as they frustrated his current proteges Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the second round of the Malaysian Open yesterday.

Badminton

World champs Tang Jie-Ee Wei cheer on juniors after victory

KUALA LUMPUR: Reigning mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei hope teammates Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin can become one of the top pairs in the world just like them.

Badminton

Herry’s boys Aaron-Soh, Man-Tee out to roar at Axiata Arena

BUKIT JALIL: National men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi was smiling from ear to ear yesterday.

Cycling

Ridwan vows stronger return after near miss in Nilai

NILAI: Thailand SEA Games double gold medallist Mohd Ridwan Sahrom has vowed to come back stronger after narrowly missing the podium in the men's elite keirin in the first leg of the President's Cup.

Football

Soccer-Milan salvage unbeaten run in dramatic draw with Genoa

MILAN, Jan 8 (Reuters) - A late Rafael Leao ‌goal earned AC Milan a 1-1 draw with Genoa at the San Siro on Thursday where the ‌hosts extended their unbeaten run in Serie A thanks to a penalty miss from the visitors ‌on the stroke of fulltime.

Football

Soccer-Lacklustre Arsenal held to dour 0-0 draw by Liverpool

LONDON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Arsenal missed the chance ‌to go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League in a turgid 0-0 draw with champions Liverpool at a rain-drenched ‌Emirates Stadium on Thursday.