Rangers fail in bid to return to Scottish top flight

(Reuters) - Rangers failed in their bid to return to the Scottish Premier League after a turbulent few years when they were thrashed 6-1 on aggregate by Motherwell in the promotion playoff final.

http://ift.tt/1PYeT2k

Leicester players sorry after racist sex tape allegations

LONDON (Reuters) - Three Leicester City youth players, including manager Nigel Pearson's son James, have apologised after British Sunday newspaper allegations that they appeared in a racist sex tape during the club's post-season Thailand trip.

http://ift.tt/1EMEzTH

Europe should weigh World Cup boycott to oust FIFA's Blatter, UK says

LONDON/ZURICH (Reuters) - Britain said Europe should consider boycotting future World Cups if Sepp Blatter doesn't quit as head of football's governing body over a corruption scandal, while Swiss authorities denied they would soon question the newly re-elected FIFA president.

http://ift.tt/1EMEzD3

FA Cup wins must fuel title challenge, says Walcott

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal must not rest on their laurels after successive FA Cup victories and instead use one of the side's "best squads" to inspire them to Premier League glory next season, according to forward Theo Walcott.

http://ift.tt/1FVoGj0

Marvellous Messi leads Barca to Cup final triumph

BARCELONA, May 30 (Reuters) - A magical Lionel Messi goal, the first of a personal double, led treble-chasing Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the King's Cup final on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1FLHyzH

Dortmund farewell too painful for Klopp after Cup loss

BERLIN (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp battled to contain his emotions on Saturday after his final game on their bench saw his team lose 3-1 to VfL Wolfsburg in the German Cup final.

http://ift.tt/1FLHxMj

PSG land unique treble as Cavani grabs French Cup winner

PARIS (Reuters) - Paris St Germain achieved a unique domestic treble when Edinson Cavani's goal secured a 1-0 French Cup final victory over Ligue 2 team AJ Auxerre on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1FLHxM1

Blatter will not see out term of office says FA's Dyke

LONDON (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter will be forced to resign over the corruption scandals swirling around the game's world governing body, English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke told reporters on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1FLHv71

Hectic schedule not a bother for Wee Kiong-V Shem

KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles shuttlers Tan Wee Kiong-Goh V Shem will be a spent force by the time they arrive in Singapore for the SEA Games.

http://ift.tt/1AAJ4G6

Chelsea beat Thai All-stars 1-0 in first tour game

BANGKOK (Reuters) - English champions Chelsea kicked off their end-of-season tour with a 1-0 win over a Thai All-Stars team in a friendly on Saturday less than a week after their last Premier League match.

http://ift.tt/1HZK71K

Indonesian FA suspended by FIFA for government meddling

ZURICH (Reuters) - The Indonesian Football Association has been suspended by football's world governing body FIFA because of government meddling in the Southeast Asian country's domestic league.

http://ift.tt/1SIBPkY

Rooney targets silverware as Man United captain

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney believes finishing in the Premier League's top four last season was essential for the record 20-times English champions.

http://ift.tt/1JdLZFZ

U.S. official 'fairly confident' of more FIFA indictments - NYT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official said on Friday he is "fairly confident" there will be another round of indictments in the criminal investigation into alleged corruption within football's governing body, FIFA, the New York Times reported.

http://ift.tt/1JdLXxR

It's all over for Malaysia in Australian Open

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s challenge in the US750,000 (RM2.7mil) Australian Open ended with the defeat of men’s doubles shuttlers Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the quarter-finals.

http://ift.tt/1G8jpqn

Pele urges national players to broaden their horizon

KUALA LUMPUR: The world is out there. Those were words from the “King of Football” Pele for the Malaysian national team players at the KL Convention Centre.

http://ift.tt/1HS4Eby

SEA Games: Singaporean held in match-fixing attempt

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean and several others have been arrested on for allegedly trying to fix the SEA Games football competition.

http://ift.tt/1HS4DnM

SEA Games: Nurridzuan hoping to carry on club form in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Nurridzuan Abu Hassan is keeping his fingers crossed he can emulate his club form in the Singapore SEA Games.

http://ift.tt/1d3KzkS

Selection headache for Dollah ahead of World Cup qualifiers

PETALING JAYA: National coach Dollah Salleh has a selection headache ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

http://ift.tt/1HS4y3y

New Zealand to vote for challenger Ali in FIFA election

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand Football will vote for FIFA presidential challenger Prince Ali bin Al Hussein later on Friday, snubbing their Oceania colleagues and switching allegiance from embattled incumbent Sepp Blatter.

http://ift.tt/1LNjNcz

Perak skipper Nasir tipped to go far

PETALING JAYA: Perak skipper Mohd Nasir Basharuddin has been included in the national training squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers after impressing national coach Dollah Salleh against Tottenham on Wednesday.

http://ift.tt/1HypG9D

JDT's looking good with Diaz

JOHOR BARU: Coach Mario Gomez is convinced the return of Argentine Jorge Diaz has solved the JDT’s attacking woes.

http://ift.tt/1SE4esv

U.S. charges against FIFA officials, possible sentences

(Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has charged five executives and nine officials of football's global governing body, FIFA, with racketeering.

http://ift.tt/1SE4bgj

UEFA will not boycott FIFA Congress, Scottish football body says

ZURICH (Reuters) - European football's governing body UEFA will attend Friday's FIFA Congress as planned, the Scottish Football Association said on Thursday.

http://ift.tt/1KrVMXE

Time for Blatter to go, says Australian former FIFA official

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Les Murray, a former member of FIFA's Ethics Committee, says it is time for Sepp Blatter's long reign as president of football's governing body to come to an end, even if there is no evidence the Swiss is personally corrupt.

http://ift.tt/1SE4ckc

V Shem-Wee Kiong do it the hard way in Aussie Open

PETALING JAYA: When the going gets tough, only then, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong gets going. The Malaysians survived a tough test to reach the men’s doubles second round at the Australian Open badminton championships.

http://ift.tt/1Br3OL3

Koo-Tan check into quarters at Australian Open

PETALING JAYA: Independent shuttlers Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong continued to shine at the Australian Open in Sydney.

http://ift.tt/1BqTzXg

Spurs defender looking for more stability at the back

PETALING JAYA: Tottenhan Hotspur have work to do in defence.

http://ift.tt/1cjj0mY

Warner's 'football tsunami' warning finally comes true for FIFA

ZURICH (Reuters) - Almost exactly four years to the day since former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner stood in the lobby of the Baur au Lac hotel and warned FIFA a "football tsunami" was about to hit it, his words have finally came true.

http://ift.tt/1Ayaz2P

U.S. seeking to extradite FIFA officials, process could take years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is seeking to extradite corporate executives and officials of FIFA, the international association responsible for governing football and the World Cup, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Wednesday.

http://ift.tt/1cjj0mT

JDT striker Diaz back with a bang in AFC Cup

JOHOR BARU: It could not have been scripted any better! First, he left in a huff. Then, he returned.

http://ift.tt/1GDOTU0

Dnipro make case for defence ahead of Europa final

WARSAW (Reuters) - If Ukrainians Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk are going to shock holders Sevilla to win the Europa League they must find a way to blunt the competition's sharpest strike force, coach Myron Markevych said on Tuesday.

http://ift.tt/1ExBGWR

Nine FIFA officials, five others indicted on corruption charges

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nine high-ranking soccer officials, including two current vice-presidents of world governing body FIFA, and five sports marketing executives have been indicted on federal corruption charges, U.S. law enforcement officials said on Wednesday.

http://ift.tt/1GDOQHL

Malaysia's singles challenge in Aussie Open is over

PETALING JAYA: It was hardly a surprise. The Malaysian challenge in the singles competition at the Australian Open badminton tournament ended in the first round.

http://ift.tt/1RnNSm7

Wei Feng the sole singles survivor in Aussie Open

PETALING JAYA: Two down and one remain. The odds seemed stacked against Malaysia making much headway in men’s singles at the RM2.7mil Australian Open badminton tournament.

http://ift.tt/1Kz9Mlq

Napoli to hold news conference amid Benitez speculation

MILAN (Reuters) - Napoli coach Rafael Benitez will hold a news conference on Thursday amid speculation that the Spaniard is set to take over at Real Madrid, the Italian club announced on Tuesday.

http://ift.tt/1Kz8pn0

Arrested FIFA officials face extradition to U.S.

ZURICH (Reuters) - Six football officials, including some high-ranking members of world governing-body FIFA, were arrested by Swiss police on Wednesday and detained pending extradition to the United States.

http://ift.tt/1Kz8pmI

Blatter shrugs off Figo dictator jibe as election nears

ZURICH (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter shrugged off Luis Figo's accusation he had turned world football's ruling body into a dictatorship as the election campaign moved towards its final stages on Tuesday.

http://ift.tt/1Kz8mYd

Striker Diaz is back at JDT

JOHOR BARU: Surprise, surprise! Jorge Diaz is back for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).

http://ift.tt/1LFYx8F

Rookies to the fore in SEA Games football squad

PETALING JAYA: Have rookies will travel? The National Under-23 football coach Ong Kim Swee seems to think so.

http://ift.tt/1FUGe0K

Key Real players rally behind sacked Ancelotti

MADRID (Reuters) - Some of Real Madrid's key players have rallied around coach Carlo Ancelotti after the Italian was made the scapegoat for a season without major trophies and sacked on Monday.

http://ift.tt/1LFYx8x

West Ham back in Europe after 'fair play' success

LONDON (Reuters) - West Ham United have qualified for next season's Europa League after finishing top of the Premier League's Fair Play table.

http://ift.tt/1FUGe0D

Lee happy to be team player in quest for individual goals

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Former world number one Lee Chong Wei is by far the biggest name in the Southeast Asian Games' badminton tournament but the Malaysian shuttler is happy to keep his return from a doping ban low-key as he eyes bigger goals.

http://ift.tt/1duTZa4

Di Matteo leaves Schalke after disappointing season

BERLIN (Reuters) - Schalke 04 coach Roberto Di Matteo left the club on Tuesday after the Italian said a difference of opinion over plans for next season made it impossible for him to see out the remainder of his contract to 2017.

http://ift.tt/1FcYBrO

Soccer-Early goals seal Norwich's win in playoff final

LONDON (Reuters) - Norwich City were promoted to the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the Championship playoff final at Wembley on Monday to secure a 120 million pounds bonanza from the richest game in world football.

http://ift.tt/1HHLGBw

McClaren sacked as head coach by Derby Country

(Reuters) - English Championship side Derby County on Monday fired head coach Steve McClaren "with immediate effect" after the team finished eighth in the second tier this season.

http://ift.tt/1HHLGBv

Drogba may join Lampard and Gerrard in U.S

LONDON (Reuters) - Didier Drogba will not play for another English team when he leaves Chelsea and may follow Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard by ending his career in the United States.

http://ift.tt/1JSvdN6

SEA Games football coach axe strikers in final squad

SUBANG: There are no sentiments for National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee. He axed strikers Rozaimi Abdul Rahman and Mohd Ferris Danial from the Singapore SEA Games squ

http://ift.tt/1HGrEY4

Six Johor teams make it to Allianze national finals

PETALING JAYA: Twelve out of the 16 teams for the Allianz Junior Football Camp national finals have been decided.

http://ift.tt/1HFgc1G

Stoke loss casts shadow over Liverpool's Istanbul celebration

LONDON (Reuters) - A gloomy shadow will hang over the proceedings at Merseyside on Monday evening as the Liverpool squad who staged a famous comeback in Istanbul to win the 2005 Champions League final hold a 10-year anniversary celebration.

http://ift.tt/1HFgeGT

Blatter misled us all, says Platini

PARIS (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter misled the world of football by reneging on a commitment to step down in 2015, UEFA president Michel Platini said on Monday.

http://ift.tt/1Hs84w2

Walcott hat-trick gives Wenger FA Cup final headache

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces a selection headache ahead of next weekend's FA Cup final against Aston Villa after Jack Wilshere and hat-trick hero Theo Walcott fired the Gunners to a 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

http://ift.tt/1LwI4mo

Celebrating Drogba challenges 'new Chelsea' to emulate him

LONDON (Reuters) - The departing Didier Drogba threw down the gauntlet to the young Chelsea squad on Sunday as he led Premier League celebrations at Stamford Bridge, telling them they had to win more titles to stand comparison with the class of 2005.

http://ift.tt/1epqqqw

Manchester United decide against signing Falcao

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United will not be signing Colombia forward Radamel Falcao on a permanent basis, the Premier League club said on Sunday after the final game of the season.

http://ift.tt/1FOzgu3

Gerrard and Lampard bid farewell with goals

LONDON (Reuters) - It was not meant to be this way.

http://ift.tt/1F4DUxj

West Ham part company with manager Allardyce

LONDON (Reuters) - West Ham United are seeking a new manager after the Premier League club said on Sunday they would not renew Sam Allardyce's contract.

http://ift.tt/1IXneh6

Indonesia throw young guns into SEA Games badminton competition

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia will parade many new faces in the badminton competition at the Singapore SEA Games from June 5-16.

http://ift.tt/1SwWXut

Lions coach Fandi salutes his FA Cup champs

KUALA LUMPUR: Sheer grit and determination. That’s what landed Lions XII the FA Cup.

http://ift.tt/1LykGFI

BAM TD Frost wants a 'triple double' in world rankings

KUALA LUMPUR: Morten Frost has thrown down the gauntlet to the national men’s doubles shuttlers. The BAM technical director is hoping to see three pairs in the world’s top 20 in 12 months.

http://ift.tt/1ISSvmO

Real heavyweight Ronaldo backs coach Ancelotti

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo has signalled strong support for coach Carlo Ancelotti and sent a clear message to club president Florentino Perez that he does not want the Italian to be sacked.

http://ift.tt/1F8UJZ2

Klopp bids farewell to Dortmund with Europa League spot

DORTMUND (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund secured a place in next season's Europa League with a 3-2 win over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga finale on Saturday as coach Juergen Klopp bade an emotional farewell to the fans in his last home game after seven years in charge.

http://ift.tt/1Gwz6WZ

Champions Bayern will come back stronger, says Guardiola

MUNICH (Reuters) - Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola pledged his team would come back stronger next season after they lifted the league trophy in a huge post-match party following a 2-0 victory over Mainz 05 to end their Bundesliga campaign in style.

http://ift.tt/1JMcKBK

Hee Chun-Kok Siang hope for better fortunes in Australian Open

KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles shuttler Teo Kok Siang is hoping for a reversal of fortune at the richest Superseries tournament – the US$750,000 (RM2.7mil) Australian Open – in Sydney.

http://ift.tt/1cTjjpb

Kg Pertama and SMK Kulim grab four berths to Allianz football finals

GEORGE TOWN: Kampung Pertama FC and SMK Kulim have supplied two representatives each for the Allianz Junior Football Camp (AJFC) Under-16 national finals.

http://ift.tt/1Kc3JzW

Countdown begins for Malaysias SEA Games footballers

PETALING JAYA: The countdown to the Singapore SEA Games has begun for the national football Under-23 team.

http://ift.tt/1AqwPvt

Suarez out of Barca's final La Liga outing of the season

MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has not recovered from a hamstring strain and will be rested for the champions' final La Liga game of the season later on Saturday as a precaution.

http://ift.tt/1AqwRDy

Indonesia hit with World Cup penalties by AFC

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia, already facing the prospect of a FIFA ban for government interference, have been forced to play their World Cup and Asian Cup qualifier against Iraq in an empty stadium and their home tie against Thailand at a neutral venue.

http://ift.tt/1Kc3F3p

France thrash Germany to win European under-17 title

BURGAS, Bulgaria (Reuters) - France won the European under-17 championship for the second time by overpowering Germany 4-1 helped by Odsonne Edouard's brilliant hat-trick in an entertaining final in the Black Sea city of Burgas on Friday.

http://ift.tt/1Aq32Tv

Morten happy with how things go so far

KUALA LUMPUR: In less than three months, Morten Frost has restored some order to Malaysian badminton.

http://ift.tt/1GuKcM0

Chong Wei to star in reality show soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Chong Wei fans can soon catch their idol in a television series as the former world No. 1 has agreed to feature in a reality show.

http://ift.tt/1F6SSE7

Nazmi's good for 2017 SEA Games

PUTRAJAYA: Footballer Mohd Nazmi Faiz Mansor could very well feature in four SEA Games. The 21-year-old has already played in two SEA Games – winning the gold in Jakarta in 2011 before returning home empty-handed at the Myanmar Games in Naypyitaw two years ago.

http://ift.tt/1LtdpXJ

Luis Enrique dismisses questions on Barcelona future

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona coach Luis Enrique on Friday dismissed questions about whether he will stay on next season, saying he will comment once the current campaign, when the Catalan giants could secure a treble of trophies, is over.

http://ift.tt/1GtXJDy

I won't give medal away this time, says Mourinho

LONDON (Reuters) - Jose Mourinho will receive a third Premier League winners' medal on Sunday but the Chelsea manager is not feeling so charitable this time -- meaning no surprise souvenir for a lucky fan at Stamford Bridge.

http://ift.tt/1Ltdn2i

Playoffs go ahead at Wembley despite unexploded bomb

LONDON (Reuters) - This weekend's English promotion playoff finals will go ahead at Wembley stadium as planned despite an unexploded World War II bomb being discovered nearby, officials said.

http://ift.tt/1GtXIj5

The door still open for Boon Heong-Kien Keat to don national colours

KUALA LUMPUR: The door is still wide open for former internationals Tan Boon Heong-Koo Kien Keat to represent Malaysia in major tournaments.

http://ift.tt/1F0Djwx

Peng Soon going for gold in Singapore SEA Games

KUALA LUMPUR: With his wife five months pregnant and court partner Goh Lui Ying back at her best, mixed doubles shuttler Chan Peng Soon is set on nailing his first gold medal in Singapore SEA Games.

http://ift.tt/1dnIG3c

'Irreplaceable' Xavi calls time on Barcelona career

(Reuters) - If you ask Barcelona and Spain fans about their most cherished footballing memories over the past decade the chances are they will involve an exquisite intervention from midfield maestro Xavi.

http://ift.tt/1LgcrgS

Figo struggling to show same magic off the field

(Reuters) - Luis Figo was one of the most talented, successful and exciting players of his generation, leading Portugal to a series of impressive performances which put many bigger countries to shame.

http://ift.tt/1AhuL9b

Wenger says tired legs cost Arsenal against Sunderland

LONDON (Reuters) - Fatigue had cost Arsenal in Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Sunderland that ended their pursuit of second place in the Premier League, manager Arsene Wenger has said.

http://ift.tt/1AhuJ0Z

Chelsea's Fabregas has three-match ban reduced to one

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has had his three-match ban following his bizarre sending off against West Browmwich Albion reduced to one game, the Premier League champions said on Wednesday.

http://ift.tt/1LgchWQ

Khairy: Unruly fans can't be tolerated anymore

KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is running out patience with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

http://ift.tt/1Lb7k1m

Chong Wei will not appeal guilty verdict

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Lee Chong Wei will not make an appeal to clear his name over a doping offence.

http://ift.tt/1Hh5bhA

Sathia wants "resting" culture gone

PETALING JAYA: The Football Coaches Association of Malaysia (FCAM) have had enough of teams telling out-of-favour coaches to take a “rest” instead of terminating their contracts.

http://ift.tt/1K0vJXf

Sterling wins Liverpool award, booed by some fans

LONDON (Reuters) - Raheem Sterling has been named Liverpool's young player of the year but was booed by a small number of fans when he collected the award on Tuesday amid speculation that the England winger is angling for a move away from Anfield.

http://ift.tt/1Hh0HHO

Figo denies he is planning to withdraw from FIFA election

LONDON (Reuters) - FIFA presidential candidate Luis Figo says he has no plans to quit his campaign at a joint news conference in the Netherlands with fellow hopeful Michael van Praag.

http://ift.tt/1Hh0JPO

Kane named in England under-21 Euro Championship squad

LONDON (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has been included in the provisional England squad for this year's under-21 European Championship in the Czech Republic, manager Gareth Southgate said on Wednesday.

http://ift.tt/1Hh0JiV

Vivian-Khe Wei: Stick with us

KUALA LUMPUR: Keep us together and we’ll fly high! That’s the view of top women’s doubles pair Vivian Hoo and Woon Khe Wei.

http://ift.tt/1BbIycg

V Shem-Wee Kiong can bounce back at Australian Open

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s top men’s doubles shuttlers Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong have been handed a quick chance to arrest their problems with inconsistency.

http://ift.tt/1FrAs4p

Ex-BAM coach Rashid getting down to business

KUALA LUMPUR: Former national coach Rashid Sidek has his plans all laid out to take the shuttlers of new professional club – Sports Affairs Academy (SAA) in Cheras – to greater heights.

http://ift.tt/1HpTfN2

Coach Kim Swee: Go all out in final test before SEA Games

PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee wants his players to strut their stuff in the final warm-up match against Indonesia at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung on Thursday.

http://ift.tt/1c2AJ1K

Mertens double keeps Napoli in Champions League contention

MILAN (Reuters) - Dries Mertens scored twice to help Napoli stagger to a 3-2 win over relegated Cesena on Monday which kept them in contention for a place in the Champions League next season.

http://ift.tt/1FqHW7S

Dozens arrested in Italian match-fixing probe

MILAN (Reuters) - Fifty people have been arrested and 70 questioned in a nationwide swoop over suspected match-fixing in the third, fourth and fifth tiers of Italian football, the ANSA news agency reported on Tuesday.

http://ift.tt/1JWsDnh

Platini hints at easing of FFP rules

(Reuters) - UEFA president Michel Platini has suggested European football’s break-even rule known as Financial Fair Play (FFP) could be "eased" with the executive committee to discuss the idea in June.

http://ift.tt/1FqHV3T

FA Cup final tickets on sale on Tuesday

PETALING JAYA: Kelantan will enjoy the lion’s share of supporters in the FA Cup final at the 100,000 capacity National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1S1ECp1

Messi eulogised after leading Barca to La Liga triumph

MADRID (Reuters) - (This version of the story was refiled to fix garble in final paragraph)

http://ift.tt/1S1EBBy

Calmer summer can boost Arsenal title challenge

LONDON (Reuters) - Victory at home to Sunderland on Wednesday will guarantee Arsenal at least third place in the Premier League and spare them their usual headache at the start of the season.

http://ift.tt/1EeXkig

Benfica win Portuguese league for second year running

LISBON (Reuters) - Benfica won the Portuguese league for the second year running on Sunday with one game to spare when they drew 0-0 at Vitoria Guimaraes and rivals Porto were held 1-1 at Belenenses.

http://ift.tt/1S1EBBu

Sudirman Cup platform to thrust youngsters to the fore

DONGGUAN (China): This year's Sudirman Cup has been a real eye opener with several countries using it as a platform to usher in a change of guard.

http://ift.tt/1AfFO2f

Toure double lifts Man City to win at Swansea

LONDON (Reuters) - Yaya Toure scored twice to lift Manchester City to a 4-2 win at Swansea City in an entertaining Premier League game on Sunday in which the hosts fought back from 2-0 down to level the scores.

http://ift.tt/1daZdaD

PSG clinch third French title in a row

PARIS (Reuters) - Paris St Germain clinched a third successive Ligue 1 title, with a game to spare, and stayed on course for an unprecedented domestic treble with a 2-1 win at Montpellier on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1daZcnf

Azraai rediscovers his Midas touch to steer Kelantan into Cup final

PETALING JAYA: Kelantan coach Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah has rediscovered his Midas touch.

http://ift.tt/1FhWXHH

Gerrard rules out Liverpool loan return as he heads to MLS

(Reuters) - There was no happy ending to Steven Gerrard's Anfield farewell and there will be no fairytale return to play for his boyhood club after the Liverpool captain ruled out coming back on loan when he begins his American adventure.

http://ift.tt/1daZ86T

China win 10th Sudirman Cup

DONGGUAN: It took China just three ties to win the Sudirman Cup for the 10th time.

http://ift.tt/1daxxTr

Japan surprise South Korea to make Sudirman Cup final

DONGGUAN: Mixed doubles pair Kenta Kazuno-Ayane Kurihara are Japan's heroes after delivering the winning point to beat South Korea 3-2 in the Sudirman Cup semi-finals.

http://ift.tt/1A9V0xP

Lions edge Terengganu to reach Cup final

PETALING JAYA: Singapore’s Lions XII are back in business. The invitational side, who made their return to Malaysian football three seasons ago, will be gunning for their second silverware after edging Terengganu on the away goals rule (4-4 on aggregate) for a place in the FA Cup final.

http://ift.tt/1Pq1bVG

Southampton's Mane grabs fastest Premier League hat-trick

(Reuters) - Southampton's Senegal forward Sadio Mane scored the fastest Premier League hat-trick as he broke a 20-year-old record to help them lead 5-1 at home to Aston Villa by halftime on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1Pq18ZY

Barca not out for revenge against Atletico, says Luis Enrique

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid were the scourge of Barcelona last season but the Catalans' coach Luis Enrique says they will not be on a revenge mission when they visit the Calderon on Sunday looking to win back their La Liga crown.

http://ift.tt/1L9kpZS

China crush Indonesia to reach Sudirman Cup final

DONGGUAN: Indonesia failed to topple mighty China in the semi-finals of the Sudirman Cup but youngster Jonatan Christie still came out of it feeling like a winner.

http://ift.tt/1d61gg4

United duo Rooney and Shaw to miss Arsenal game

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney and left back Luke Shaw will miss the Premier League game against Arsenal on Sunday due to injury.

http://ift.tt/1FpHybF

Middlesbrough swat away Bees to reach playoff final

LONDON (Reuters) - Middlesbrough moved within one victory of securing a golden ticket to the Premier League by cruising past Brentford 3-0 to win their Championship semi-final promotion playoff 5-1 on aggregate on Friday.

http://ift.tt/1FpHAQC

Kelantan banking on home record for FA Cup tie

PETALING JAYA: Kelantan have a feared reputation of being the “comeback kings” in Kota Baru.

http://ift.tt/1JN7ATR

Mourinho more focussed on beach than transfer market

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is expecting to be busier on the beach than in the transfer market as he prepares to defend the Premier League title next season.

http://ift.tt/1JN7ADy

Terengganu hoping for good result on return to Sultan Mizan Stadium

PETALING JAYA: Terengganu are aiming to mark their return to the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak with a bang.

http://ift.tt/1JN7zPR

Youngsters power Japan and Indonesia to Sudirman Cup semis

DONGGUAN: The young guns ruled the day for Japan and Indonesia in the Sudirman Cup. Thomas Cup winners Japan edged an under-strength Denmark side 3-2 while Indonesia overcame Taiwan 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the world mixed team event at the Dongfeng Nissan Sports Centre here.

http://ift.tt/1L6T5vj

Pair learns importance of consistency after losing to world No.1

DONGGUAN: Losing is part of an athlete’s learning curve. And Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair of Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong believe that “we can only get better from here”.

http://ift.tt/1L6B6Fe

Barca forward Suarez sustains hamstring strain

MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Luis Suarez picked up a hamstring strain in Tuesday's Champions League match at Bayern Munich and will undergo a course of physiotherapy, the La Liga leaders said on Thursday.

http://ift.tt/1QOBQlF

FC Tokyo snap up 13-year-old 'Japanese Messi'

TOKYO (Reuters) - FC Tokyo have taken advantage of Barcelona's punishment for breaching rules on the transfer of young players by swooping to bring home a 13-year-old player dubbed the "Japanese Messi".

http://ift.tt/1QOBNGt

Chelsea make it five Brazilians after Nathan swoop

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea's Brazilian contingent will grow in size to five players after they agreed to sign Brazilian teenager Nathan from Atletico Paranaense on Thursday

http://ift.tt/1K9JlTf

FAM sec-gen Hamidin takes over as national team manager

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin is the new national team manager. Hamidin’s appointment was made by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) executive committee at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya on Thursday.

http://ift.tt/1EHsgJr

Allegri must decide which Juventus to send to Berlin

MILAN (Reuters) - Juventus have shown an uncanny ability to change their approach according to the circumstances and coach Massimiliano Allegri now has to decide which version of his side he wants to face Barcelona in the Champions League final next month.

http://ift.tt/1EHsgcs

Tired Pahang ready for FA Cup showdown against Kelantan

PETALING JAYA: Pahang coach Zainal Abidin Hassan knows that his men are exhausted from all that travelling and playing.

http://ift.tt/1G9QwZc

Real forwards flop as holders exit Champions League

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid paid more than 200 million euros (145 million pounds) to assemble their forward line of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema but the attacking trio failed them again in Wednesday's Champions League exit to Juventus.

http://ift.tt/1KMpgiI

Emotional Anfield gathers for Gerrard's last home game

LONDON (Reuters) - An emotional Anfield will witness the end of an era on Saturday when Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard makes his final home appearance after more than 700 games and 17 years playing for his boyhood club.

http://ift.tt/1KMpg2d

Pahang scrape through in AFC Cup

PETALING JAYA: Pahang have qualified for the AFC Cup last 16 – by the skin of their teeth.

http://ift.tt/1AXS9TY

United director hits back at fans' criticism of Glazers

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United's "one-year experiment" without Champions League football has not seriously harmed profitability although it was painful, the club's group managing director Richard Arnold said on Wednesday.

http://ift.tt/1RGc30g

Koreans thrash India to enter Sudirman Cup quarters

DONGGUAN: South Korea warmed up for a quarter-final showdown with Malaysia in the Sudirman Cup by whipping India 4-1 in their last Group D match.

http://ift.tt/1PGFVWq

Sudirman Cup: Peng Soon-Liu Ying playing 'saviour' role well

DONGGUAN: Mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying are simply relieved to have overcome the early hurdles at the Sudirman Cup.

http://ift.tt/1cwxTmr

Frost: Don’t give up yet, Wei Feng

DONGGUAN: Don’t give up! Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost has urged Chong Wei Feng not to quit yet.

http://ift.tt/1cSPXrF

AFC suspend general secretary Soosay

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - The Asian Football Confederation suspended its general secretary Alex Soosay on Wednesday following allegations he asked another official to hide some documents during a corruption probe.

http://ift.tt/1bP4gfj

Pogba could start for Juventus at Real after injury

MADRID (Reuters) - Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba could start Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, second leg at Real Madrid after returning from injury at the weekend, Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Tuesday.

http://ift.tt/1Fk8IR5

Messi is the best player of all time - Bayern's Guardiola

MUNICH (Reuters) - Barcelona's Lionel Messi is the best player ever, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday after the Spanish side eliminated the Bavarians 5-3 on aggregate to reach next month's Champions League final.

http://ift.tt/1bP4dQO

Bayern, Guardiola at crossroads after Champions League exit

MUNICH (Reuters) - Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola have reached a crossroads after Tuesday's Champions League exit to Barcelona, with the team in need of renewal and the Spanish coach under growing pressure to deliver European silverware.

http://ift.tt/1Fk8IAF

Hazard doubles up with Footballer of Year honour

LONDON (Reuters) - Eden Hazard was named England's Footballer of the Year on Tuesday after his consistently outstanding performances throughout the season helped Chelsea win the Premier League title.

http://ift.tt/1cQcF3F

Real staring down the barrel before Juve clash

MADRID (Reuters) - Stuttering holders Real Madrid could see their last chance of silverware slip away if they are unable to overturn a 2-1 deficit in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, second leg at home to Juventus.

http://ift.tt/1JFdZAE

AFC Cup: Pahang coach Zainal wants a win, no buts

PETALING JAYA: Pahang are set for the “Thrilla in Manila!” The Elephants are set to slug it out with the Philippines’ Global FC in their final Group G match in the AFC Cup.

http://ift.tt/1Fi8WYZ

Keeper Mohd Farhan, shootout hero in the making

PETALING JAYA: Goalkeeper Mohd Farhan Abu Bakar hopes to master the art of stopping penalty kicks.

http://ift.tt/1PEpvxG

Sudirman Cup: Two days for Vivian-Khe Wei to buck up

DONGGUAN: Two days – that’s all top women’s doubles players Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei have to lift their game.

http://ift.tt/1FbjbMH

Wei Feng ‘tired of everything’ after BAM decision

KUALA LUMPUR: Zulfadli Zulkiffli was jumping for joy, but a disappointed Chong Wei Feng may now opt for an early retirement.

http://ift.tt/1JDBt9d

Tepid Arsenal sunk by late Gomis header

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal's hopes of catching Manchester City for second place in the Premier League suffered a setback after a late Bafetimbi Gomis header, verified by goalline technology, handed Swansea City a 1-0 win at the Emirates on Monday.

http://ift.tt/1PDobeE

Barcelona wary of 'crazy' game at Bayern - Luis Enrique

MUNICH (Reuters) - Barcelona want to avoid their Champions League semi-final, second leg at Bayern Munich on Tuesday turning into a frantic encounter that could jeopardise their 3-0 first leg advantage, coach Luis Enrique said.

http://ift.tt/1PDobeD

Chong Wei in, Wei Feng out for World Championships

KUALA LUMPUR: Former world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei will go for this year’s World Championships in Jakarta from Aug 10-16 after all.

http://ift.tt/1K1jWej

Axelsen wants Danish team to focus on Sudirman Cup

DONGGUAN: Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen is rallying his team-mates to stand up to the challenge in the Sudirman Cup.

http://ift.tt/1KAVSMh

Bayern's Guardiola rules out Manchester City move

MUNICH (Reuters) - Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola on Monday shot down swirling rumours of a possible move to Manchester City next season, saying he would see out his contract at the German champions.

http://ift.tt/1FfwPAn

AFC Cup: Amri warns JDT not to underestimate Balestier

PETALING JAYA: Striker Mohd Amri Yahyah has warned his Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) team-mates not to take bottom side Balestier Khalsa of Singapore for granted in their final AFC Cup Group F match at the Larkin Stadium on Tuesday night.

http://ift.tt/1FfwRIG

Belgian player dies of heart attack on pitch, second in two weeks

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian lower-league defender Tim Nicot, 23, died on Monday after suffering a heart attack during a friendly on Saturday, the second such death in Belgium in two weeks.

http://ift.tt/1FfwRIz

Plucky Germany stage fight back in Sudirman Cup

DONGGUAN: For a nation more famous for football, Germany are on the verge of making the knockout stages in the Sudirman Cup for a second successive year.

http://ift.tt/1bKe8qJ

Chong Wei’s back! Malaysia stun Korea in Sudirman Cup

DONGGUAN: Like a kid in a candy store! Former world No.1 Lee Chong Wei could hardly hide his excitement at being back on the world stage.

http://ift.tt/1KW4WMo

Crisis-hit Bayern with mountain to climb against Barca

MUNICH (Reuters) - Bayern Munich will not only have to overturn a 3-0 Champions League semi-final first leg deficit against Barcelona on Tuesday but they will have to do it against a superb defence and in the midst of their biggest slump in years.

http://ift.tt/1IsY3UX

Pellegrini upbeat as Man City turn on the style

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester City were left wondering what might have been in the Premier League this season but manager Manuel Pellegrini is optimistic for the future after his side returned to their free-flowing best to dismantle Queens Park Rangers 6-0 on Sunday.

http://ift.tt/1AQfxTa

Liverpool's top four hopes all but ended with Chelsea draw

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea effectively ended Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League after the newly crowned Premier League champions held them to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

http://ift.tt/1Qz7gft

Leicester's fighting Foxes have escape in sight

LONDON (Reuters) - It has taken Leicester City little more than a month to double their points tally and after Saturday's 2-0 victory over Southampton the Foxes can almost taste Premier League survival.

http://ift.tt/1Ky648g

Bayern slump continues as Barca await

BERLIN (Reuters) - Ten-man Bayern Munich slumped to a 1-0 home defeat by Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, a fourth straight loss which has hit confidence ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona next week.

http://ift.tt/1Ky61Jy

V Shem-Wee Kiong spring surprise at Sudirman Cup

DONGGUAN: What do you do when you’re not given a hell of a chance to win? You do the exact opposite!

http://ift.tt/1J2ub0G

Pahang confident of securing FA Cup final ticket

PETALING JAYA: Defending champions Pahang are confident of snatching the FA Cup final ticket in Kota Baru.

http://ift.tt/1HaIBwa

China show intent in Sudirman Cup by blanking Germany

DONGGUAN: FIVE-time world champion Lin Dan is still the ace for China as the hosts got off to a roaring start in the Sudirman Cup.

http://ift.tt/1PaWyOY

Real's title hopes hit by draw with Valencia

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid's hopes of overhauling La Liga leaders Barcelona suffered a stinging blow when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Valencia on Saturday to slip four points behind their arch rivals with two games left.

http://ift.tt/1H6VG6X

Burnley win praise but not enough games to avoid drop

(Reuters) - Burnley won plenty of praise for the way they played, but not enough matches to stay in the Premier League and their relegation after one season in the top flight came as no real surprise on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1H6VF2Y

Wasteful Pahang take slim lead in FA Cup tie

PETALING JAYA: It’s not all cut-and-dry for FA Cup defending champions Pahang. They squandered a hatful of chances in their 1-0 win over Kelantan in the semi-final first leg in Kuantan on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1cAt7F4

Malaysia face uphill battle in Sudirman Cup

SEPANG: Let’s not kid ourselves here. Malaysia face an uphill task to progress from the group stage of the Sudirman Cup, which starts in Dongguan, China, on Sunday.

http://ift.tt/1cAoB9F

PSG close in on Ligue 1 title with Cavani treble

PARIS (Reuters) - Paris St Germain took a big step towards the Ligue 1 title when Edinson Cavani's hat-trick inspired them to a 6-0 home win against mid-table En Avant Guingamp on Friday.

http://ift.tt/1EWQiCG

Brazil football legend Pele expected to leave hospital Saturday

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian football legend Pele is expected to be released on Saturday after undergoing prostate surgery, the hospital treating him in Sao Paulo said on Friday.

http://ift.tt/1EWQfGW

Dunga takes over Brazil's Olympic team

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil have appointed national team coach Dunga as manager of their Olympic football squad to replace Alexandre Gallo, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Friday.

http://ift.tt/1EWQhi4

No wild card for Chong Wei

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no wild card joy for shuttler Lee Chong Wei, after all.

http://ift.tt/1IVkqRX

United's Carrick out for the season - Van Gaal

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick will miss the final three games of the Premier League season with a calf problem, manager Louis van Gaal said on Friday.

http://ift.tt/1dSfqlc

Kelantan coach hoping for away goal in Pahang fortress

PETALING JAYA: The Darul Makmur Stadium has been a fortress for Super League leaders Pahang - The Elephants having lost just once in 11 home matches in all competitions this season.

http://ift.tt/1dSfsJG

Former Brazil football great Pele undergoes prostate surgery

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian football legend Pele has undergone prostate surgery and is in stable condition, a Sao Paulo hospital said on Thursday.

http://ift.tt/1P5Y4lB

Sturridge expected to return to training in September

LONDON (Reuters) - Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is expected to return to training in September following his hip surgery in the United States, manager Brendan Rodgers said on Friday.

http://ift.tt/1dSfp0L

Jing Yi wants to make amends at Sudirman Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Tee Jing Yi heads into her third Sudirman Cup with one thing on her mind: prove that women shuttlers can deliver the goods.

http://ift.tt/1zR3H08

A change of mind for Iskandar after pep talk

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin was on the verge of quitting the sport just a month ago.

http://ift.tt/1AHMEbI

Manchester United agree deal for PSV's Depay

LONDON (Reuters) - Dutch international forward Memphis Depay has agreed to join Manchester United when the transfer window opens in June, his club PSV Eindhoven said on Thursday.

http://ift.tt/1IjTw5F

Gary praying hard for injury-free spell SEA Games

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) midfielder Gary Steven Robbat is praying for a clean bill of health for the Singapore SEA Games.

http://ift.tt/1IkRXUZ

Penang coach Tiago keeps faith in Beto

GEORGE TOWN: Penang will keep their faith in under-fire Brazilian striker Alberto Goncalves when they take on Negri Sembilan in a rescheduled Premier League match at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi.

http://ift.tt/1EdeZbm

United agree deal to sign Depay from PSV

LONDON: Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Dutch international forward Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven, the Premier League giants announced on Thursday.

http://ift.tt/1IjQwpN

Kumaahran believes Brazil stint gives him edge for SEA Games nod

PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 striker S. Kumaahran is confident his training stints with Brazilian giants Cruzeiro will give him the edge for a spot in the final 20-man squad for the Singapore SEA Games.

http://ift.tt/1EXrrQn

Pahang on a surge ahead of crucial Cup ties

PETALING JAYA: Grabbing the Super League lead is just the right tonic for Pahang as they prepare for crucial matches in the FA Cup and AFC Cup.

http://ift.tt/1JqJ372

Liverpool striker Sturridge says hip surgery successful

(Reuters) - Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has had successful surgery on a hip problem that effectively ended his season, he said on social media on Tuesday.

http://ift.tt/1GZOe0a

Messi is unstoppable, says Bayern coach Guardiola

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says there is no way of stopping Barcelona's Lionel Messi in his present form ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday.

http://ift.tt/1GZOe09

Manchester United to face Barcelona as part of U.S. tour

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United will face Barcelona as part of their four-match U.S. tour this year, the club said on Tuesday.

http://ift.tt/1GZOdcF

Celtic win Scottish title again

LONDON (Reuters) - Celtic won the Scottish league title for the fourth year in a row after Aberdeen lost 1-0 to Dundee United on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1KfFoJl

Chong Wei unfazed by higher ranked players in Sudirman Cup

PETALING JAYA: Former world No.1 Lee Chong Wei is quietly confident of taking on his rivals at the Sudirman Cup mixed team event which begins in Dongguan, China, on Sunday.

http://ift.tt/1QintFN

Arsenal all but seal Champions League qualification

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal all but sealed Champions League qualification for an 18th successive season after they eased past relegation-threatened Hull City 3-1 in the Premier League on Monday.

http://ift.tt/1IaVoNO

Benzema ruled out of Champions League clash at Juventus

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has not recovered sufficiently from a knee injury and has been left out of the squad for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at Juventus, the holders said on Monday.

http://ift.tt/1cdfLhJ

Pahang: In Dickson we trust

PETALING JAYA: Pahang are looking to in-form striker Dickson Nwakaeme to propel them to the top of the Super League standings.

http://ift.tt/1Qf49sY

Analysis - Mourinho already looking ahead to next season

LONDON (Reuters) - Before the last strands of blue ticker tape were being swept from the Stamford Bridge pitch on Sunday, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho would have cast his mind forward to the task of retaining the Premier League title.

http://ift.tt/1ERunhx

Striking deficiencies giving Van Gaal much to ponder

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal accepts that finding a cure for his side's misfiring forward line will be essential if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next season.

http://ift.tt/1ERuolq

National badminton squad chillex ahead of Sudirman Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Jovial and relaxed. That’s how the national shuttlers, headed by former world No.1 Lee Chong Wei, are shaping up for the Sudirman Cup in Dongguan, China, from May 10-17.

http://ift.tt/1AzFRRn

World meet wild card could be the answer for Chong Wei

KUALA LUMPUR: A wild card can save the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and three shuttlers a lot of stress.

http://ift.tt/1AzFTIY

Real Madrid face another defensive barrier at Juventus

TURIN, Italy (Reuters) - Having battled to break down one of Europe's meanest defences in the quarter-finals, Real Madrid will have to do it all over again when they face Juventus in their Champions League semi-final.

http://ift.tt/1R40tvJ

Ever-present skipper Terry cannot resist a dig at Benitez

LONDON - Chelsea skipper John Terry could not resist a dig at his detractors after clinching his fourth Premier League winners' medal as the Blues beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on a joyous Sunday afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

http://ift.tt/1DY6roC

Aguero overshadows Kane in battle for Golden Boot

LONDON (Reuters) - Sergio Aguero won his personal striking duel with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, scoring the winner for Manchester City as they ended a four-game losing streak on the road in the Premier League on Sunday.

http://ift.tt/1JKfWPk

Winning start for new JDT coach

JOHOR BARU: Coach Mario Gomes has got his Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) reign off to a winning start. The Argentine got his tactics spot-on as JDT beat Felda United 1-0 in a Super League match at the Larkin Stadium here on Sunday.

http://ift.tt/1dFfrsH

Mourinho's Chelsea sequel as good as the original

LONDON (Reuters) - Jose Mourinho heard phrases like 'never go back' and 'the sequel is rarely as good as the original' when he agreed to rejoin Chelsea, but how he has rammed those words back down the throats of his critics.

http://ift.tt/1dFft3M

Suarez brings more than just goals to Barcelona attack

BARCELONA (Reuters) - After a slow start at Barcelona, Luis Suarez now has a strike rate comparable to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while his selfless style has also helped instill a spirit of camaraderie within their deadly attack.

http://ift.tt/1QcbcCJ

Chelsea are boring under Mourinho, says Gullit

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea play "ugly" football under Jose Mourinho and the Premier League's runaway leaders deserve to be branded as boring because of their refusal to attack teams, their former manager Ruud Gullit has said.

http://ift.tt/1dFb298

Badminton vet Hyun-il wins New Zealand Open crown

KUALA LUMPUR: An old-timer shone in men’s singles while a newcomer stole the show in women’s singles at the New Zealand Open Grand Prix Gold in Auckland.

http://ift.tt/1IChZn9

West Brom's parked bus frustrates Van Gaal and United

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal cut a frustrated figure after his team lost 1-0 at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, their third successive defeat in the Premier League.

http://ift.tt/1R0pGqF

Suarez grabs hat-trick as Barca rout Cordoba 8-0

BARCELONA, (Reuters) - Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick and Lionel Messi bagged a brace as Barcelona thrashed bottom side Cordoba 8-0 on Saturday to move a step closer to their fifth La Liga title in seven years.

http://ift.tt/1OPcxSJ

Police beaten but remain top in Super League

PETALING JAYA: Super League leaders Police fell to a shock 3-1 defeat to relegation battlers Armed Forces. But they remain atop the table by one point.

http://ift.tt/1OPcxCq

Resurgent Leicester beat sorry Newcastle to pull clear of drop zone

LONDON (Reuters) - Resurgent Leicester City pulled four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone thanks to Leonardo Ulloa's brace in a 3-0 victory against free-falling Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

http://ift.tt/1GFfyeE

Memories more important than medals for Mourinho

LONDON (Reuters) - Jose Mourinho said it is memories rather than medals that motivate him as his Chelsea side sit on the brink of a first Premier League title for five years.

http://ift.tt/1FFGizw

Sanchez could miss start of next season

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez could miss the start of next season's Premier League campaign should Chile progress to the latter stages of the Copa America, manager Arsene Wenger confirmed.

http://ift.tt/1DKfaJK

Drogba can't wait for 'crazy' Chelsea Sunday

LONDON (Reuters) - Veteran striker Didier Drogba is expecting a "crazy" Stamford Bridge atmosphere when Chelsea attempt to clinch the Premier League title for the first time in five years with a win at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

http://ift.tt/1FFGij6

Berlusconi meets Thai businessman as Milan sale decision nears

MILAN (Reuters) - Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Saturday more time was needed to seal an accord over a sale of a stake in AC Milan with Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol but said he could retain control of the football club.

http://ift.tt/1DKfatl

Pek Siah starts cracking the whip as BAM coach

KUALA LUMPUR: Small she may be, at just 154cm tall, but former international Lim Pek Siah’s ready to prove that she’s one tough cookie.

http://ift.tt/1E1T7i6

Chong Wei: I'll leave it to BAM

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Lee Chong Wei will let Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost decide on his participation in this year’s World Championships.

http://ift.tt/1E1T4mF

Chong offically starts training again

KUALA LUMPUR: “I’m a free man!” There was an overwhelming joy and relief in shuttler Lee Chong Wei’s face when he officially reported for national duty at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara on Friday.

http://ift.tt/1c2G4HA

Figueroa back back in the picture after JDT U-turn decision

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) dropped Argentine Luciano Figueroa to make way for Sierra Leone’s Alhaji Kamara during the second transfer window. That was on April 1.

http://ift.tt/1QTUWaZ

Perak winger Nurridzuan wary of wounded Red Giants

PETALING JAYA: Nurridzuan Abu Hassan scored an important goal in Perak’s 2-1 upset win over Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) last week.

http://ift.tt/1Q7whhN

Sime Darby positive to stay in the top flight next season

GEORGE TOWN: Sime Darby FC will not press the panic button despite languishing at the bottom of the 12-team Super League standings with only two points.

http://ift.tt/1QTUWHZ

Injuries hurt Arsenal's title bid, laments Wenger

LONDON (Reuters) - Although pleased with the progress of his Arsenal side this season, manager Arsene Wenger is frustrated injuries have hampered the Gunners' premier league challenge.

http://ift.tt/1KzpqdR