Football

Soccer-Norway must improve for World Cup push after Nations League promotion

(Reuters) - Norway coach Stale Solbakken celebrated his team's promotion to Nations League Group A after Sunday’s victory over Kazakhstan, but emphasised that despite their potential more improvement was needed as they target qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Canadian GP agrees to carbon-reducing date change from 2026

(Reuters) - Formula One's Canadian Grand Prix will be held in May instead of June from 2026 onwards to help reduce the sport's carbon footprint and consolidate the European season into one consecutive period.

Badminton

Ampang Jaya BC's Jia Jie emerges as Irish Open runner-up

PETALING JAYA: From losing in the first round to emerging as the runners-up in the Irish Open, professional shuttler Tan Jia Jie has come a long way in his career.

Cricket

Cricket-Stoinis blitzes Pakistan, Australia sweep T20 series

HOBART, Australia (Reuters) - Marcus Stoinis blasted 61 not out off 27 balls as Australia steamrollered Pakistan by seven wickets in the third T20 International to complete a 3-0 series sweep on Monday.

Cricket

Cricket-Pakistan appoint Aqib as interim white-ball head coach

(Reuters) - Former fast bowler Aqib Javed has been appointed Pakistan's interim white-ball coach until next year's Champions Trophy, the country's cricket board (PCB) said on Monday.

Football

Soccer-Bentancur banned for seven games after racist remark about Son

(Reuters) -Tottenham Hotspur's Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for seven matches after the Uruguayan made a racist remark about South Korean people when talking about teammate Son Heung-min during a television appearance, the Football Association said on Monday.

Football

Soccer-Dutch leave De Jong, Van Dijk out of last Nations League clash

(Reuters) - Captain Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Frenkie de Jong have both been released from international duty this week and will not travel for the Netherlands’ last Nations League group game against Bosnia & Herzegovina, coach Ronald Koeman said.

Tennis

Tennis-Retiring Nadal focused on helping Spain win Davis Cup

MALAGA, Spain (Reuters) -Rafa Nadal will not dwell on his impending retirement at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga and only focus on helping Spain claim the trophy this week should he be called into action, the 38-year-old said on Monday.

Football

Soccer-Wood hits hat-trick as NZ storm through in Oceania World Cup qualifiers

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Skipper Chris Wood scored a hat-trick as New Zealand remained on course for a first World Cup appearance since 2010 by thrashing Samoa 8-0 on Monday to make it three wins out of three in Oceania qualifying group stage.

Football

Soccer-Marquinhos asks Brazil fans to keep the faith

(Reuters) - Five-times World Cup winners Brazil have struggled to impress in South America's qualifiers for the 2026 tournament but defender Marquinhos had called on fans to stick by the side ahead of Tuesday's home game against Uruguay.

Other Sports

Triathlon-Belgium's Van Riel clinches first men's T100 world title in Dubai

(Reuters) - Belgian Marten Van Riel overcome the challenge provided by German Rico Bogen to secure the inaugural men's T100 triathlon world championship title on Sunday in Dubai.

Rugby

Rugby-Schmidt not contemplating Wallabies Grand Slam yet

(Reuters) - Australia coach Joe Schmidt was not getting carried away with thoughts of a first Grand Slam tour in 40 years despite the Wallabies thrashing Wales 52-20 on Sunday to back up their last-gasp win over England.

Rugby

Rugby-New Zealand's Finau out, Barrett in doubt for Italy test

(Reuters) - New Zealand flanker Samipeni Finau failed a concussion test after a head-knock in the tight loss to France and has been ruled out of the Italy clash in Turin on Saturday, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said.

Football

No going back for Nooa as he wants to repay Selangor’s trust

PETALING JAYA: National midfielder Nooa Laine is determined to repay Selangor’s trust after joining the team on a permanent basis.

Hockey

Women hockey team storm into ACT semis

KUALA LUMPUR: The national hockey team qualified for the semi-finals after ending their round-robin fixtures in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) with a 2-0 win over Thailand at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in India yesterday.

Football

Cools says Harimau Malaya ready to overcome India and thousands of their supporters

PETALING JAYA: Beware Malaysia as India are out for a revenge in an international football friendly game. But Harimau Malaya’s captain Dion Cools says they will not be intimidated at all.

Badminton

Jun Hao runs out of gas in finale but finds spur to keep going

PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao is remaining upbeat despite missing out on the Japan Masters title.

Badminton

Zulaikha finally nail senior title after beating China’s Shengxuan

PETALING JAYA: Women’s singles shuttler Siti Zulaikha Azmi ended her wait for a senior title when she captured the Malaysian International Series.

Golf

Winnie makes cut in first pro event abroad

PETALING JAYA: Winnie Ng earned a memorable milestone when she made the cut in her first overseas golf pro event in Taiwan.

Motorsport

Superb end as JJ and Selim blaze track to finish third overall

PETALING JAYA: National racer Jazeman Jaafar capped off his debut season in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia series by finishing third in the championship.