Football

Soccer-'The World Cup curse,' Italy in tears after missing out for third straight time

ROME, April 1 (Reuters) - ⁠Italy woke up angry and disillusioned on Wednesday after the national team ⁠missed out on the World Cup for the third time in ‌a row after a playoff defeat to Bosnia, prolonging a sporting nightmare for the soccer-mad country.

Football

Factbox-Soccer-World Cup group lineups

April 1 (Reuters) - ⁠Following are the groups ⁠for the 2026 World ‌Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and ​Mexico from June 11 ⁠to July ⁠19.

Football

Soccer-Australia savour goal glut before World Cup but squad depth questions remain

MELBOURNE, March 31 (Reuters) - Australia's friendly wins over ⁠Cameroon and Curacao were a boost before they head overseas to continue their World Cup buildup but the matches also left nagging questions ⁠about the Socceroos' squad depth.

Football

Soccer-Iraq qualify for World Cup with win over Bolivia

MONTERREY, Mexico, March 31 (Reuters) - Iraq grabbed the last ⁠available place at the World Cup by beating Bolivia 2-1 in their inter-confederation playoff on Tuesday, sealing their return ⁠to the finals after a 40-year absence.

Cricket

Cricket-Connolly hits reset button and fires Punjab to victory on IPL debut

April 1 (Reuters) - Cooper Connolly marked ⁠his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut by smashing an unbeaten 72 to ⁠guide Punjab Kings to a three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans on ‌Tuesday, and the Australian all-rounder credited his turnaround in form to a mental reset.

Badminton

Injured Zii Jia postpones training stint with national squad

PETALING JAYA: The national badminton squad may have to wait a little longer after there was no sign of professional men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara on Wednesday (April 1).

Football

Soccer-Mexico draw 1-1 with Belgium in Chicago ahead of World Cup

March 31 (Reuters) - Mexico ⁠and Belgium played out a 1-1 ⁠draw in a friendly at Soldier Field ‌on Tuesday, capping off their final warm-up matches before finalising their 26-man World Cup squads.

Football

Soccer-Tuanzebe shines for DR Congo as they qualify for World Cup

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, April 1 (Reuters) - Former ⁠England under-21 international Axel Tuanzebe basked in the adulation of one of ⁠Africa's largest nations on Tuesday after his goal in extra time against ‌Jamaica put the Democratic Republic of Congo into the World Cup.

Rugby

Rugby-League recruit Lomax set for Super Rugby debut off the bench

SYDNEY, April 1 (Reuters) - Former ⁠Australia rugby league international Zac Lomax is set to ⁠make his Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench ‌this weekend after being named in the Western Force squad for their match against the Queensland Reds.

Football

Soccer-Japan high on confidence ahead of World Cup after beating England

April 1 (Reuters) - Japan claimed ⁠their first victory over England with a 1-0 win in a ⁠friendly at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday, giving coach Hajime Moriyasu ‌confidence his side can beat anyone at the World Cup.

Cricket

Cricket-Maxwell, Konstas dropped from Australia's contracted players list

MELBOURNE, April 1 (Reuters) - Veteran all-rounder ⁠Glenn Maxwell and top-order batter Sam Konstas have been dropped from Australia's list ⁠of contracted players, while fast bowler Brendan Doggett has earned his first ‌after making his test debut in the Ashes.

Football

Soccer-Brazil score twice late on to beat Croatia 3-1 in World Cup tune-up

March 31 (Reuters) - Brazil beat Croatia 3-1 in ⁠a World Cup warm-up in Orlando on Tuesday, with Igor Thiago converting a late penalty and ⁠Gabriel Martinelli adding a stoppage-time goal to seal the win.

Football

Harimau Malaya fall to Vietnam, but Cklamovski hails players’ resolve

PETALING JAYA: In a match billed as the "Game of Dignity" by pundits, Malaysia were unable to match a fired-up Vietnam side.

Football

Soccer-DR Congo score extra-time winner to qualify for World Cup

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, March 31 (Reuters) - The Democratic Republic of ⁠Congo qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 after Axel Tuanzebe netted an extra-time winner ⁠to see off Jamaica 1-0 in their inter-confederation playoff on Tuesday.

Football

Soccer-Sweden’s 'great escape' complete as Potter clinches World Cup berth

March 31 (Reuters) - Sweden finished rock ⁠bottom of their qualifying group with no wins yet booked their World Cup spot on Tuesday with a frantic ⁠playoff victory over Poland as manager Graham Potter orchestrated a stunning 'great escape' five months after taking charge.    

Football

Sabah’s Tierney targets Challenge Cup amid tough season

PETALING JAYA: Fergus Tierney has set his sights firmly on delivering silverware, with the Sabah forward determined to fire his side to Malaysia Challenge Cup glory.

Football

Ex-Kedah player San Martin battles hardship after unpaid dues

PETALING JAYA: Former Kedah midfielder and current technical director Nelson San Martin has issued a heartfelt public appeal, revealing he is battling severe financial hardship after months of unpaid wages.

Football

Kuching fined RM30,000 after Super League team list error

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) yesterday confirmed a technical error in the preparation of the team list for the Super League match between Penang and Kuching City at the City Stadium in Penang on March 15.

Hockey

Terengganu eye another MHL high with Faizal and new signings

PETALING JAYA: Terengganu coach Mohd Harfizi Baharom remains confident of his side's prospects ahead of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), which begins on April 11, despite key changes to the squad.

Golf

Natasha takes a breather after wrapping up LPGA Ford C’ship

PETALING JAYA: LPGA Tour rookie golfer Natasha Andrea Oon will be looking to a well deserved two-week break after wrapping up her campaign at the Ford Championship in Arizona with a tied 60th finish.