Sports — International

Ronaldo in spat with South Korean player during World Cup loss

Doha, Qatar (AFP) Cristiano Ronaldo said he was involved in a verbal spat with a South Korean player who criticised him for failing to leave the field quickly enough when he was substituted during Portugal’s 2-1 World Cup defeat on Friday. Portugal still topped Group H despite the result, which also sent South Korea into the last 16, but Ronaldo looked annoyed as he slowly walked off when his number went up in the 65th […]

Samurai spirit: Japan explodes with World Cup joy

by Harumi OZAWA / Atish PATEL Agence France-Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — As the final whistle blew on Japan’s shock victory over Spain, thrilled fans flooded onto Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble crossing to celebrate a win few had dared to dream of. “Japan, bravo! Japan, bravo!”, they cheered after the 2-1 victory, singing the popular “Vamos Nippon” football chant and waving the country’s flag. Dressed in their team’s blue kit, some with hats against the morning […]

Germany dumped out of World Cup as Japan stun Spain

by John WEAVER Agence France-Presse DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Germany suffered a second straight group-stage exit at the World Cup on Thursday as Japan stunned Spain 2-1, a result which sent both teams through to the last 16. The Germans were the reigning champions when they crashed out in the first round four years ago in Russia and they were eliminated in repeat fashion in Qatar despite beating Costa Rica 4-2. Germany fell behind after […]

‘Total loss of control’ a warning for Spain: Luis Enrique

DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Spain coach Luis Enrique blamed five minutes of “total loss of control” for his team’s shock 2-1 defeat by Japan on Thursday, which saw them qualify for the World Cup last 16 second from Group E. La Roja, among the favorites to win the tournament, would have been eliminated if Costa Rica had held on to beat Germany, although Los Ticos eventually fell to a 4-2 defeat. Alvaro Morata sent Spain […]

Tatum scores 49 points as Celtics defeat Heat, Booker dominates Bulls

MIAMI, United States (AFP) – Jayson Tatum put up a season-high 49 points as the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics enjoyed a 134-121 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. With the victory, in front of the watching British royals Prince William and his wife Kate, the Celtics extended their home winning streak to ten games. It was Tatum’s ninth 30-point game in November, tying his personal best month — only Larry Bird has produced more 30-point […]

Durant propels Nets past Magic, Celtics overwhelm Hornets

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored a season-high 45 points to power Brooklyn to a 109-102 NBA victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday that kept the Nets trending in the right direction. While the league-leading Boston Celtics romped again, leading wire-to-wire in a 140-105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, the Philadelphia 76ers erased a 16-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Hawks 104-101 in star center Joel Embiid’s return from injury. In […]

New Zealand golfer Ko returns to No. 1 in world

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — New Zealand’s Lydia Ko is atop the women’s golf world rankings for the third time in her career, regaining the number one spot on Monday a week after her LPGA Tour Championship triumph. Ko, who first reached number one in 2015, passed American Nelly Korda, who had moved atop the rankings on November 14 after a one-stroke victory at the Pelican Women’s Championship. “I’m very grateful to be world number […]

Top scorer Valencia back in World Cup spotlight with Ecuador

by Rik Sharma Agence France-Presse DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Journeyman Ecuador striker Enner Valencia has drifted in and out — mainly out — of planet football’s consciousness. The striker skirts the periphery of relevance until arriving at the World Cup, where suddenly he is in his element. Ecuador’s 33-year-old captain burst into the limelight in Brazil 2014, scoring three in the group phase against Switzerland and Honduras, although his team were eliminated. Eight years later, […]

World Cup riots in Brussels after Morocco beat Belgium

Brussels, Belgium (AFP) Police used water cannon and teargas after coming under attack from football supporters who brought havoc to the centre of Brussels on Sunday following Morocco’s shock 2-0 World Cup win over Belgium in Qatar. Dozens of fans smashed shop windows, threw fireworks and torched vehicles. Police said that 11 people had been arrested with one remaining in custody. Even before the end of the match, “dozens of people, including some wearing hoodies, […]

Germany keep World Cup hopes alive as Morocco stun Belgium

Doha, Qatar (AFP) by Andy SCOTT / Rik Sharma A late goal by substitute Niclas Fuellkrug allowed Germany to snatch a 1-1 draw with Spain on Sunday as the four-time winners kept their World Cup hopes alive, but Belgium are in danger of a group-stage exit after losing to Morocco. Elsewhere, 2018 runners-up Croatia crushed Canada 4-1 to eliminate their opponents while Costa Rica claimed a shock win over Japan. Keysher Fuller’s 81st-minute goal for […]

Warriors power past Timberwolves in convincing road win

Los Angeles, United States (AFP) Stephen Curry scored 25 points and the Golden State Warriors parlayed a hot start into a comfortable 137-114 NBA win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Curry added 11 rebounds and eight assists and Draymond Green posted his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 assists as the reigning NBA champions put together three straight victories for the first time this season. It was just their second away […]

World Cup history for Ronaldo, Neymar injury scare after Brazil win

by Andy SCOTT Agence France-Presse DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Cristiano Ronaldo claimed a piece of World Cup history on Thursday as Brazil were rocked by an injury scare to captain Neymar after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Serbia. Ronaldo became the first man to score in five different editions of the World Cup as he slotted home a controversial penalty to help Portugal down Ghana 3-2 in their Group H clash. The typically ice-cold spot-kick […]