Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar are Ballon d'Or nominees

LONDON (Reuters) - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will go head-to-head once again for the title of world's best footballer after being short-listed along with Neymar on Monday for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or.

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Higuain brace takes Napoli top with win over 10-man Inter

MILAN (Reuters) - Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain scored twice to put them top of Serie A with an extraordinary 2-1 win over Inter Milan who twice hit the woodwork in stoppage time after playing the entire second half with 10 men on Monday.

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Valencia coach Nuno steps aside after poor run

MADRID (Reuters) - Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo has stepped down "by mutual consent" after Sunday's 1-0 La Liga defeat at Sevilla left the ambitious Singapore-owned club languishing in mid-table.

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Sports Comm identifies three keys areas to improve stadium safety

PETALING JAYA: The Sports Commissioner has identified three key areas on stadium safety to avoid a recurrence of the crowd trouble which marred Malaysia’s World Cup qualifying match against Saudi Arabia in September.

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BAM’s Morten says ‘underperforming’ players still needed

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttlers Chong Wei Feng and Liew Daren have reached their maximum, but their services are still needed to help improve the standard of the second-liners.

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Give me more time, Wei Feng urges BAM

KUALA LUMPUR: Under-performing national No. 2 shuttler Chong Wei Feng wants the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to keep their promise.

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Spurs manager Pochettino proud of high-fliers

(Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino praised his side for digging deep against Chelsea in Sunday's 0-0 draw after their energy-sapping midweek Europa League trip to Azerbaijan began to tell in the second half.

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Liverpool's Coutinho set to return against Southampton

(Reuters) - Midfielder Philippe Coutinho is on course to return to Liverpool's squad for their Capital One (League) Cup quarter-final clash against Southampton on Wednesday, manager Juergen Klopp has said.

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Vardy success will spark hunt for next gem, says Smalling

(Reuters) - Jamie Vardy's rise from non-league anonymity to Premier League record-breaker could herald an era where top-flight managers scour England's lower leagues in the hope of discovering the next "hidden gem", Manchester United's Chris Smalling said.

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Costa 'privileged' to be dropped so late, says Mourinho

(Reuters) - Chelsea striker Diego Costa is "privileged" to be one of the last first-team regulars to be dropped from the starting line-up, Blues manager Jose Mourinho said.

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BAM’s Norza not amused with shuttlers’ slow progress

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria’s patience is wearing thin over the lack of progress of several national shuttlers.

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Muar City thrash Klang United 15-0 in Purple League

KUALA LUMPUR: Muar City BC rode on the strength of their Korean badminton stars to stay in the lead in the Resorts World Genting Purple League.

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Fighting Felda prove doubters wrong with JDT victory

JOHOR BARU: Felda United accomplished three tasks when they dumped favourites and reigning Super League and AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta’zim out of the Malaysia Cup competition on Saturday.

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Young Hyeok-jin underlines talent with Macau Open win

MACAU: Young South Korean shuttler Jeon Hyeok-jin has finally come of age. The 20-year-old produced a top-notch performance to gun down world No. 9 Tian Houwei of China for the Macau Open title.

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Macau is Sindhu’s happy hunting ground

MACAU: Macau is definitely India shuttler P.V. Sindhu’s favourite hunting ground.

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Record for goal-king Vardy as Leicester hold United

LONDON (Reuters) - Jamie Vardy wrote his name into the record books on Saturday, becoming the first player to score in 11 successive Premier League matches as his Leicester City team drew 1-1 with Manchester United at the King Power Stadium.

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Barca's ruthless trident only happy if they all score

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona's devastating attacking trident of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez are only happy if they all score, emphasising the camaraderie between them, says coach Luis Enrique.

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McClaren feeling the heat after Newcastle ship five at Palace

LONDON (Reuters) - Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren faced increasing pressure after a thumping 5-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday sent them to a third Premier League defeat in five games as they dropped into the relegation zone.

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Rampant Bayern cruise past Hertha to go 11 points clear

BERLIN (Reuters) - Unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich opened up an 11-point gap at the top after goals from Thomas Mueller and Kingsley Coman eased them past Hertha Berlin 2-0 on Saturday, their 13th win in 14 league games.

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Neymar double as Barca's rampant strikers sink Sociedad

BARCELONA (Reuters) - A Neymar double, a spectacular volley from Luis Suarez and a goal for Lionel Messi saw top of the table Barcelona's unstoppable strike force sweep aside Real Sociedad 4-0 in La Liga on Saturday.

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Can Low-Tan assume the title as second national doubles pair?

MACAU: Low Juan Shen-Tan Kian Meng could well be the answer to Malaysia’s search for a solid second men’s doubles pair.

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Soon Huat couldn't last the distance in Macau Open semis

MACAU: It’s the end of the road for Goh Soon Huat at the Macau Open.

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Soon Huat almost got his celebration too early in a day full of upsets at Macau Open

MACAU: National shuttler Goh Soon Huat thought he had won the match when the linesman called B. Sai Praneeth’s shot out.

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Jin Wei claims easy win for Asean Schools Games gold

KUALA LUMPUR: There is just no stopping shuttler Goh Jin Wei.

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Malaysia Cup semi-finals cast decided

PETALING JAYA: Pahang kept their hope of defending their Malaysia Cup title alive despite falling to a defeat to Lions XII at Jalan Besar Stadiumin Singapore on Saturday.

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Chong Wei steers Petaling Jaya to victory in Purple League

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Lee Chong Wei had to overcome tiredness and his Japanese opponent to steer Petaling Jaya BC to a sensational win in the Resorts World Genting Purple League.

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Fai Yin gains plenty of experience from partners in Purple League

KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed doubles shuttler Wong Fai Yin is one lucky guy.

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Bingjiao wants to emulate idol Wang Xin

MACAU: He Bingjiao first saw Wang Xin on television – playing in the final of the 2010 Uber Cup.

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JDT hitman hoping for a good weather for Saturday's match

JOHOR BARU: Good weather and a dry pitch. That’s what Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) striker Safee Sali is hoping for when his team take on Felda United in the Malaysia Cup quarter-final, second-leg tie at the Larkin Stadium on Saturday.

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Van Gaal thinks Leicester could win Premier League title

(Reuters) - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes that Leicester City's Premier League heroics are no flash in the pan and that the surprise leaders must be taken seriously as potential title contenders.

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Pochettino praises mature Spurs, says Kane is staying put

(Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed his side's patience and maturity after their persistent probing broke down a packed Qarabag defence to send them through to the Europa League knockout rounds on Thursday.

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Liverpool will be patient with Sturridge, says Klopp

(Reuters) - Liverpool will be patient with Daniel Sturridge after the striker suffered a foot problem in training hours before Thursday's Europa League win over French side Bordeaux, says manager Juergen Klopp.

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Spurs, Liverpool and Bilbao through, Dnipro out

LONDON (Reuters) - The value of an in-form striker was underlined as Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao needed goals from pivotal front men to grab vital wins that booked places in the Europa League last 32 on Thursday.

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Maybank cuts tie with BAM

KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have suffered a big blow ahead of the Olympic Games as Maybank has withdrawn as one of their main sponsors.

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Malaysian pair lost, but gain praises from opponent at Macau Open

MACAU: Inexperience has cost qualifiers Low Juan Shen-Tan Kian Meng dearly at the Macau Open.

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Japan have abundance of quality badminton players

MACAU: Japan may have booted out former world No. 3 Kenichi Tago from the national team for indiscipline, but they are not fretting over the lack of quality shuttlers.

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Purple League a platform for former players to give back as coaches

KUALA LUMPUR: It feels just like the good old times. Former international shuttler Foo Kok Keong is delighted to see his former team-mates having a prominent role to play in the Resorts World Genting Purple League.

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Selangor will be wary when they host Sarawak in Malaysia Cup tie

PETALING JAYA: Selangor coach Mehmet Durakovic is a pragmatic man.

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Coach Elavarasan wants individual brilliance in Malaysia Cup return leg

PETALING JAYA: Football may be a team game, but PKNC FC coach E. Elavarasan is counting on the individual brilliance of his players to propel them into the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup.

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Pahang: FAM to blame for Borji controversy

PETALING JAYA: The Pahang FA are incensed with the Football Association Malaysia’s (FAM) threat to demote them to the Premier League if they fail to settle their dues with former player Mohamed Borji of Morocco.

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FIFA criticises Singapore's decision to free suspected match-fixer

ZURICH (Reuters) - FIFA is "very disappointed" at Singapore's decision to free Dan Tan Seet Eng, named by the Interpol as "the leader of the world's most notorious match-fixing syndicate".

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United draw leaves Champions League hopes in balance

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester United endured a frustrating night when they were held to a goalless draw by PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford on Wednesday, squandering the opportunity to seal their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

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Real take top spot by thwarting Shakhtar rally

LVIV, Ukraine (Reuters) - Real Madrid, who had already sealed a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, ensured top spot in Group A with a remarkable 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

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Sturridge could return for Liverpool

LONDON (Reuters) - England striker Daniel Sturridge is in contention to make a first appearance under manager Juergen Klopp in Liverpool's Europa League game at home to Girondins Bordeaux on Thursday.

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Ibrahimovic's happy homecoming as PSG thrash Malmo

MALMO, Sweden (Reuters) - Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic crowned a triumphant homecoming with a second-half goal as Paris St Germain crushed Malmo 5-0 on Wednesday to book a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

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Malaysia Cup: Last hurrah for Fandi’s Lions on Saturday?

PETALING JAYA: Singapore football will officially sever ties with the M-League early next month. But their sojourn in the M-League could come to an end as early as Saturday.

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Chong Wei, pick and choose your battles

KUALA LUMPUR: Former badminton great Foo Kok Keong has applauded Lee Chong Wei for taking a break after winning three back-to-back Open titles in one month.

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Jin Wei poised for more highs in Asean Schools Games

KUALA LUMPUR: Shutler Goh Jin Wei is in the running for two gold medals in the 7th Asean Schools Games in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

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Kenny Goh leaves BAM for Asian badminton job

KUALA LUMPUR: Kenny Goh is leaving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) after nine years of service.

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Beaming Messi back playing like he was never away

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona kept winning during Lionel Messi's injury absence but the fans were still clearly delighted to have him back on Tuesday and he rewarded their patience with a signature performance against AS Roma.

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Vardy thanks team mates after record scoring run

(Reuters) - Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has credited his team mates for helping him equal Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of scoring in 10 consecutive English Premier League games.

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Mourinho says doused halftime row with Costa with 'kisses and cuddles'

(Reuters) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he and striker Diego Costa have made up with "kisses and cuddles" after their halftime row in Tuesday's 4-0 Champions League win over Israeli opponents Maccabi Tel Aviv.

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Rooney and Martial back for United, says Van Gaal

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United will have their captain Wayne Rooney, French teenager Anthony Martial and Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini available for Wednesday's Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford.

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Ten-man Bayern crush Olympiakos to book knockout place

MUNICH (Reuters) - Ten-man Bayern Munich eased into the Champions League knockout stages after demolishing Greece's Olympiakos Piraeus 4-0 on Tuesday to secure top spot in Group F with a game to spare.

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Chelsea repeat drubbing of Maccabi to close in on last 16

HAIFA, Israel (Reuters) - Chelsea enjoyed their second 4-0 Champions League victory over 10-man Maccabi Tel Aviv this season to move into prime position to reach the knockout stages of the competition from Group G on Tuesday.

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Lions XII to exit M-League after season ends

PETALING JAYA: Singapore Lions XII will no longer play in the M-League.

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Grieving Soon Huat toughed it out in Macau Open

MACAU: It has been a tough few months for national shuttler Goh Soon Huat.

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Chong Wei pulls out of Macau Open

MACAU: Shuttler Lee Chong Wei has pulled out from the Macau Open.

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Real president Perez backs coach Benitez

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has backed coach Rafa Benitez despite Saturday's humiliating 4-0 drubbing at home to arch rivals Barcelona in the La Liga 'Clasico'.

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Blatter, Platini face December ruling from ethics judges

ZURICH (Reuters) - FIFA's ethics judges said on Monday they were aiming to decide the fate of suspended president Sepp Blatter and the man who hopes to succeed him, Michel Platini, by the end of December, following an investigation into graft allegations.

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Sunderland will park the bus to stay up, says Allardyce

LONDON (Reuters) - Sunderland will have to 'park the bus' to help them stay in the Premier League this season, manager Sam Allardyce said after they snatched a scrappy 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Monday.

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Messi primed as blistering Barca prepare for Roma

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi is set for his first start for nearly two months when Barcelona, fresh from pulverising Real Madrid 4-0 at the weekend, set their sights on Champions League qualification when AS Roma visit the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

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Leicester's improvement not rocket science, says Drinkwater

(Reuters) - Leicester City's meteoric rise from relegation strugglers to table-toppers is not down to "rocket science" but due to the team playing to their strengths, midfielder Danny Drinkwater has said.

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Liverpool players hail Klopp impact after defeating City

(Reuters) - Liverpool's players were quick to credit manager Juergen Klopp's tactics after they ran out convincing 4-1 winners against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

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Arsenal's slim European hopes boosted by Zagreb scandals

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger still believes his side have a "strong chance" to qualify for the Champions League last 16 for a 16th consecutive season as the Premier League side and Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb face a do-or-die contest.

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Chong Wei wins Hong Kong Open title

PETALING JAYA: It has been rich pickings for shuttler Lee Chong Wei.

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Two-goal Kane on target again as Spurs thrash West Ham

LONDON (Reuters) - A double from Harry Kane, who scored in his fifth consecutive club match, inspired Tottenham Hotspur to a 4-1 win over London rivals West Ham United in the Premier League at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

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Suarez, Neymar humiliate Real in 4-0 'Clasico' romp

MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona dealt a stinging blow to Real Madrid's title hopes when Luis Suarez and Neymar continued their scintillating form to fire the champions to a stunning 4-0 victory in the La Liga 'Clasico' on Saturday.

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Benitez struggles to make sense of 'Clasico' drubbing

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez struggled to find explanations after watching his side humiliated 4-0 at home by arch rivals Barcelona in Saturday's La Liga 'Clasico'.

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Klopp promises more to come after Liverpool rout City

(Reuters) - The Juergen Klopp effect began to really take hold on Saturday as Liverpool hammered mercurial Manchester City 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium to provide the Merseysiders' new coach with his most striking Premier League win yet.

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PSG canter past Lorient on emotional afternoon

PARIS (Reuters) - Paris St Germain took another step towards a fourth straight Ligue 1 title when they beat Lorient 2-1 away on Saturday with goals by Hervin Ongenda and Blaise Matuidi on an emotional afternoon eight days after the Paris attacks.

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Messi won't be 100 percent for 'Clasico' - Luis Enrique

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will not be at full fitness for Saturday's La Liga 'Clasico' at Real Madrid if he makes his return from injury but "the feelings are positive", coach Luis Enrique said on Friday.

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Hamburg surprise Dortmund 3-1 as Bundesliga resumes

BERLIN (Reuters) - Hamburg SV hit Borussia Dortmund on the break to clinch an unexpected 3-1 victory on Friday as the Bundesliga resumed amid tight security following the deadly shootings in Paris last week and the cancellation of Germany's friendly with Netherlands due to security fears.

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Aguero back but City below full strength for Liverpool game

LONDON (Reuters) - Premier League leaders Manchester City will have striker Sergio Aguero back for Saturday's home game with Liverpool but David Silva would be "a risk" and three other senior players are all injured, manager Manuel Pellegrini said on Friday.

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FIFA reform committee concludes work amid secrecy

ZURICH (Reuters) - FIFA's reform committee avoided giving details on its final proposals for cleaning up football's scandal-plagued governing body after winding up its third and final meeting on Friday.

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No Lee Chong Wei in Dubai Superseries Finals

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Lee Chong Wei's return to form in the Superseries Tour has come a tad too late.

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Just Grand Prix tournaments will do for doubles pair Vivian-Woon

KUALA LUMPUR: The last-minute withdrawals of Malaysia’s top two women’s doubles pairs from two recent international tournaments have raised eyebrows.

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World champion Jin Wei promises to keep her feet on the ground

SEPANG: There’s hardly any rest for newly-crowned world junior champion Goh Jin Wei.

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United lose Rooney, Martial, Carrick and Fellaini

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United will be without skipper Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Anthony Martial for their visit to Watford on Saturday when the Premier League resumes after the international break.

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Real's Bale fit and ready for 'Clasico' battle

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is confident he is back to full fitness and says he is "ready for battle" when leaders and champions Barcelona visit in the La Liga 'Clasico' on Saturday.

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Full Real squad available to Benitez for 'Clasico'

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez has a full squad available, including forward Karim Benzema, for Saturday's La Liga 'Clasico' at home to Barcelona.

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Wenger calls for routine blood tests

LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called for routine blood tests in football to improve anti-doping measures which he says are currently 'superficial'.

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Easy does it for young shuttlers to reach full bloom

KUALA LUMPUR: Sometimes, certain players take longer than others to bloom in sports.

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Doubles pair in the quarter-finals of Hong Kong Open

KUALA LUMPUR: Doubles shuttlers Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong are back in the groove.

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Blatter, Platini lose appeals against provisional FIFA bans

ZURICH (Reuters) - Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter and European soccer chief Michel Platini have lost their appeals against provisional 90-days bans by the global soccer body's ethics committee, FIFA said on Wednesday.

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Beckham says 'Number 7' shirt should inspire Memphis

(Reuters) - David Beckham has urged Manchester United winger Memphis Depay to use the club's famous 'Number 7' shirt as an inspiration to kickstart his floundering Red Devils career when he comes back into the team against Watford on Saturday.

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Man City's Nasri rules himself out for three months

(Reuters) - Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has ruled himself out of action for three months due to a hamstring injury but insists he will return "better than ever".

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Sterling has point to prove as Man City face Liverpool

LONDON (Reuters) - Four months after quitting Liverpool for Manchester City, Raheem Sterling will have the first opportunity to justify the move by getting one over his former employers when the teams meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

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Turkey fans boo minute's silence for Paris victims

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish fans booed during the minute's silence for the victims of the Paris attacks before their national team drew 0-0 with Greece in a friendly international football game on Tuesday.

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Boost for Klopp as injury-prone Sturridge returns to training

(Reuters) - Striker Daniel Sturridge has returned to full training, taking him a step closer to making a first appearance under manager Juergen Klopp when Liverpool take on his former employers Manchester City on Saturday.

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France's Man United striker Martial suffers foot injury

LONDON (Reuters) - France's Manchester United striker Anthony Martial left Wembley Stadium on crutches with his left foot strapped after suffering an injury in the 2-0 friendly defeat by England on Tuesday.

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Chelsea's Fabregas denies reports of rift with Mourinho

(Reuters) - Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has denied suggestions of a rift with manager Jose Mourinho, accusing "certain individuals from outside" of trying to destabilise the club and refuting reports that he is leading an alleged dressing-room revolt.

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Newly-crowned world champion Jin Wei is still 'hungry' after success

PETALING JAYA: She’s talented. She’s humble. And she definitely has a big appetite!

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Malaysia show heart in slim 2-1 defeat to UAE

SHAH ALAM: The national football team put up a much improved better display. But it was still not enough as they were edged 2-1 by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Shah Alam Stadium.

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Shuttler Jing Yi earns lucky break in Hong Kong

PETALING JAYA: The Hong Kong Open has to be shuttler Tee Jing Yi’s favourite event. The Penangite earned a free pass into the main draw following the withdrawal of India's Saina Nehwal.

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Chong Wei expected to cross path with Chen Long in Hong Kong

KUALA LUMPUR: A quick re-match between Lee Chong Wei and China’s Chen Long is on the cards at the Hong Kong Open.

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Frost: Jin Wei could break top 10 before 20

KUALA LUMPUR: Fifteen-year-old shuttler Goh Jin Wei can buck the trend and be a hit after her World Junior Championships success.

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Euro 2016 will not be moved from France - Germany's Loew

HANOVER (Reuters) - The 2016 European Championship football tournament will take place in France despite Friday's deadly attacks in Paris, which could have happened anywhere, Germany coach Joachim Loew said on Monday.

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Aguero encouraged by early signs of De Bruyne partnership

(Reuters) - Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has been encouraged by the early signs of his partnership with attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and hopes they can form a strikeforce that will drive the side on to trophy-winning success.

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Kane expects England improvement for France friendly

(Reuters) - Striker Harry Kane says there is no reason to press the panic button ahead of Tuesday's international against France and is confident England can redeem themselves after a lacklustre performance in the 2-0 friendly loss to Spain.

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Germany vs Netherlands friendly to symbolise unity - Loew

HANOVER (Reuters) - Germany coach Joachim Loew hopes his team's friendly against the Netherlands on Tuesday will be a "symbol for freedom" and show everyone that the world is united with France following the deadly attacks in Paris on Friday.

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Thai Khosit gives local lad Joo Ven a beating to lift Maybank Malaysia International title

KUALA LUMPUR: Disappointment was written all over youngster Soong Joo Ven’s face.

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Euro 2016 in France must not be cancelled - organisers

PARIS (Reuters) - The Euro 2016 finals in France should not be cancelled even though the risk levels have gone up, the head of the organising committee said on Saturday following the attacks in Paris.

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Ukraine beat Slovenia 2-0 in Euro playoff

LVIV, Ukraine, Nov 14 (Reuters) – Ukraine translated their dominance into goals by beating Slovenia 2-0 in the first leg of their Euro 2016 playoff on Saturday.

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Two Malaysians in semi-finals of World Junior Badminton

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttlers Goh Jin Wei and Lee Ying Ying have given Malaysian women’s singles a big boost.

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Say what you want, we're playing for national pride, says Aidil

PETALING JAYA: Playing behind closed doors could well be a blessing in disguise for the national team.

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Acid test for Kim Swee when Harimau Malaya face UAE

PETALING JAYA: The match against the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday is Malaysia’s last outing for the year.

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Spain dismissal of England suggests La Roja back on song

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's 2-0 win over England on Friday suggested their recovery from last year's World Cup flop is on track and confirmed they will be among the favourites when they bid for an unprecedented third straight continental title at Euro 2016.

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Red card could spell end for erratic David Luiz

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The international future of David Luiz looked to be in question after a poor performance and a needless sending off left coach Dunga fuming at his irresponsibility in Brazil's 1-1 draw against Argentina on Friday.

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France beat Germany as attacks overshadow friendly

PARIS (Reuters) - Olivier Giroud and Andre-Pierre Gignac scored as Euro 2016 hosts France beat world champions Germany 2-0 in a friendly overshadowed by attacks in the French capital that, according to early media reports, left at least 40 dead on Friday.

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Double for Dutchman Robben in 3-2 win over Wales

CARDIFF (Reuters) - Netherlands enjoyed a 3-2 friendly win away to a weakened Wales on Friday with Arjen Robben proving the match-winner with two goals from his lethal left foot as they put their failure to reach Euro 2016 to one side.

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Joo Ven the saving grace in Maybank Malaysia International

KUALA LUMPUR: Beating a senior player for the first time is always a moment to savour for any junior.

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Argentina-Brazil match postponed because of rain

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - The World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil was postponed less than an hour before kick off on Thursday due to heavy rain that left the pitch waterlogged and fans in traffic unable to get to the ground, Brazilian officials said.

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Rooney faces 'huge challenge' for England starting place

(Reuters) - Wayne Rooney has said he faces a "huge challenge" to keep his place in England's starting line-up and hailed their current crop of forwards as the "best group of strikers" he has played with.

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England have potential but lack organisation - Del Bosque

ALICANTE, Spain (Reuters) - Roy Hodgson's England have "great potential" but need to be more organised, said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque on the eve of Friday's friendly between the two nations.

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Palestine hand Malaysia another thrashing in World Cup qualifer

PETALING JAYA: Palestine handed Malaysia another 6-0 bashing in their World Cup Group A qualifying match in Amman, Jordan.

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Brazil will counter-attack against Argwnrina, says Martino

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Brazil will sit back and absorb Argentina pressure before breaking out in counter-attacks in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier, according to home coach Gerardo Martino.

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Sweden and Ibra aim to silence Danes in playoffs

LONDON (Reuters) - Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said last year's World Cup was not worth watching without him and hopes history does not repeat itself when they play Denmark for a place at Euro 2016.

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Neymar the best in the world right now, says Dunga

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Neymar is the best player in the world right now and his return to the Brazil team to face Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers will give the visitors a vital boost, coach Dunga said on Wednesday.

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Yee Han proves a point by advancing in Maybank Malaysia International

PETALING JAYA: Forgotten shuttler Chong Yee Han showed he still has plenty to offer.

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Manchester United's Memphis working hard to rediscover best form

(Reuters) - Winger Memphis Depay has hit back at his critics, insisting he is working hard to rediscover his best form after being axed from Manchester United's first team by manager Louis van Gaal.

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Yoke Meng expects juniors to kick on in individual events

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have finished fifth in the World Junior Mixed Team Championships in Lima, Peru. But BAM development manager Kwan Yoke Meng believes they will do better in the individual events.

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Aguero targets Liverpool game for return from injury

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero believes he will be fit to return after the international break, targetting Liverpool as his comeback game from injury.

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Milner pulls out of England squad with hamstring injury

(Reuters) - James Milner has withdrawn from the England squad for friendlies against Spain and France after the Liverpool midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in their Europa League win over Rubin Kazan last week, the Football Association said.

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Maracana to host Olympic football finals, FIFA says

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - The men's and women's Olympic football finals will be played at the Maracana stadium, FIFA announced on Tuesday.

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Chelsea fined 50,000 pounds and West Ham 40,000

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea and West Ham United have been fined 50,000 ($75,535) and 40,000 pounds respectively after both clubs admitted FA misconduct charges following their bad-tempered Premier League clash last month.

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Schweinsteiger backs Van Gaal to achieve success at United

(Reuters) - Bastian Schweinsteiger has backed Louis van Gaal to achieve as much success with Manchester United as he managed at Bayern Munich and pleaded with fans to be patient and wait for the Dutch coach's ideas to take root.

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Benzema files complaint over French sex tape probe

PARIS (Reuters) - Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will lodge a complaint for violation of judicial confidentiality after French radio Europe 1 published extracts of phone taps that could incriminate the France international, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

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I'm not smart enough to be FIFA president, says Ronaldo

LONDON (Reuters) - World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo is not clever enough to become FIFA president one day in the future, he told Reuters on Monday.

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Analysis - What has happened to Chelsea's Diego Costa?

LONDON (Reuters) - Diego Costa has turned into a pale imitation of the player who took the Premier League by storm last year and Chelsea must get him firing on all cylinders again to have any hope of salvaging their wretched season.

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Italy coach Conte preparing for life without Pirlo

ROME, (Reuters) - Italy coach Antonio Conte hinted that Andrea Pirlo’s international future may be over on Monday after omitting the midfielder from his latest squad.

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Misfiring Real need quick response ahead of Barca visit

(Reuters) - Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez needs to get his misfiring side back on track quickly for the visit of Barcelona's ruthless attack in 'El Clasico' following another lacklustre display in a 3-2 defeat by Sevilla.

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Neymar's Nou Camp magic brings back memories of Ronaldinho

(Reuters) - With sublime control, a back heel flick, a pirouette and a sweet volleyed finish, Neymar fashioned a glorious goal at the Nou Camp on Sunday to rekindle memories of Barcelona's greatest Brazilian wizards.

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Giroud right to be angry at himself, says Wenger

(Reuters) - Arsenal's Olivier Giroud missed a flurry of chances in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Tottenham Hotspur but manager Arsene Wenger was satisfied to see the striker's frustration with his own performance.

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Palace inflict first defeat on Liverpool boss Klopp

LONDON (Reuters) - Juergen Klopp tasted defeat for the first time as Liverpool manager after Crystal Palace's Scott Dann scored with eight minutes remaining to grab a 2-1 win at Anfield on Sunday.

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Sacrifices a part of life for India’s top women badminton pair

KUALA LUMPUR: India’s No. 1 Ashwini Ponnappa-Jwala Gutta will miss Tuesday’s Deepavali as they will be competing in the China Open in Fuzhou.

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Villa hold Man City in Garde's first match in charge

LONDON (Reuters) - Bottom club Aston Villa finally stopped the rot by holding Premier League leaders Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in new manager Remi Garde's first match in charge on Sunday.

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Neymar hits double as Barca sink Villarreal

(Reuters) - A delightful flick and volley from Neymar allowed him to complete a double as Barcelona beat Villarreal 3-0 to go three points clear at the top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with Sevilla later on Sunday.

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Miserly Inter notch eighth single-goal win of the season

MILAN (Reuters) - Miserly Inter Milan notched their eighth Serie A win of the season, all of them by single-goal margins, when they beat Torino 1-0 on Sunday with a typically cautious performance.

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Kepong back to winning ways in Purple League

KUALA LUMPUR: Kepong Badminton Club (BC) got their Resorts World Genting Purple League campaign back on track after edging Petaling BC 12-9 for their first win of the season.

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Soon Kit ready to restore Malaysian badminton to former glory

KUALA LUMPUR: It pained Cheah Soon Kit to see Malaysia’s drastic decline in men’s doubles.

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Satheishtharan happy to get winning point for Malaysia in World Juniors

KUALA LUMPUR: R. Satheishtharan passed his first test with flying colours at the World Junior Championships in Peru.

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Valencia put five past high-flying Celta

(Reuters) - Valencia's Paco Alcacer and Dani Parejo both hit doubles in a surprise 5-1 away thrashing of high-flying Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday.

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Milan held by Atalanta, Bologna win at Verona

(Reuters) - AC Milan's winning streak ended as they were held 0-0 at home by Atalanta in Serie A on Saturday while Bologna beat struggling Hellas Verona 2-0 away to move out of the relegation zone.

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Al Ahli and Guangzhou Evergrande goalless in ACL final first-leg

DUBAI (Reuters) - Dubai’s Al Ahli and China’s Guangzhou Evergrande drew 0-0 in the first-leg of the Asian Champions League final on Saturday in a fractured encounter with few chances at the Rashid Stadium.

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Guardiola to hold Bayern contract talks after winter break

BERLIN (Reuters) - Bayern Munich and coach Pep Guardiola will discuss a possible extension of his three-year deal, which runs to the end of this season, after the start of the winter break next month, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Saturday.

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Goal addicts Bayern cruise past Stuttgart 4-0

BERLIN (Reuters) - Champions Bayern Munich needed only one half to demolish VfB Stuttgart 4-0 on Saturday as they increased their lead at the top of the Bundesliga with another goal-rich performance to eight points and kept course for a record fourth consecutive title.

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Malaysia halted by Great Wall of China in World Junior Championships

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s hopes for a mixed team medal at the World Junior Championships in Peru ended but Cheam June Wei can still afford a smile.

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Newcastle snatch improbable Premier League win at Bournemouth

LONDON (Reuters) - Newcastle United earned an important and highly improbable Premier League victory at Bournemouth on Saturday, snatching a 1-0 victory completely against the run of play thanks to a first half Ayoze Perez goal.

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Wei Feng fast reaching career crossroads as Olympics seemingly impossible

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Chong Wei Feng is in a dilemma.

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Malaysia closing on to become group champions in World badminton meet

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a day of high and low for shuttler Teoh Mei Xing in the World Junior Championships in Peru.

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Messi, Tevez, Fleetwood's Ball vie for FIFA goal of year

LONDON (Reuters) - Argentina's Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, English third tier player David Ball and U.S. women's international Carli Lloyd were among players included on the shortlist for FIFA's goal of the year award on Friday.

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Suspended FIFA chief Blatter in hospital - lawyer

NEW YORK, ZURICH (Reuters) - Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter, his federation mired in a corruption crisis, is in hospital for medical checks but should be discharged soon, his U.S. lawyer said on Friday.

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Tanongsak saves the day for Puchong United

KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk saved the day for Puchong United in the Resorts World Genting Purple League.

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Van Gaal says fans should support team, not jeer players

LONDON (Reuters) - The chorus of disapproval that strikes up every time Manchester United struggle to find the net is having a negative effect on the players, manager Louis van Gaal said on Friday.

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Ribery to sue CNN for $1.5 million over image rights

PARIS (Reuters) - Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is suing CNN for $1.5 million in damages after the American broadcaster used a picture of the former France international to illustrate a story on cryotherapy, his lawyer said on Friday.

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Man City must be on Garde for Villa, says Pellegrini

LONDON (Reuters) - Premier League leaders Manchester City must beware a response from bottom club Aston Villa on Sunday now they have a new man in charge, manager Manuel Pellegrini said on Friday.

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South Korea showing depth for next Thomas Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: South Korea have sent an early warning that they have enough depth in the men’s singles department for next year’s Thomas Cup Finals in May in China.

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No Kunalan in Kim Swee's team against Palestine

PETALING JAYA: Winger S. Kunalan is the latest casualty in the national football team.

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Palestine to host World Cup qualifiers in Jordan

ZURICH (Reuters) - Palestine will host this month's home World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Malaysia in Jordan, football's governing body FIFA said on Thursday.

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Ronaldo tired of Messi comparisons, says 'not a fake person'

MADRID (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo is tired of comparisons with Lionel Messi and appreciates that some people must dislike his personality or the ways he sees football.

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Ibe on target to maintain Liverpool momentum under Klopp

(Reuters) - Liverpool's revival under manager Juergen Klopp continued to gather steam as the Merseyside club notched up a third win in a row with a 1-0 away victory over Russian side Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday.

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Mourinho loses suspended stadium ban appeal

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has lost an appeal against the suspended one-match stadium ban and 50,000 pounds ($76,115) fine he received last month, the Football Association said on Thursday.

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Joo Ven leads Cheras to win in Purple League

KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Soong Joo Ven has made a promising comeback from a shoulder injury.

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New venue for Malaysia vs Palestine World Cup qualifying match still undecided

PETALING JAYA: The national team will fly off to Amman, Jordan, on Friday without a single clue where their 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Palestine on Nov 12 will be held.

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Under-fire Benitez needs Ronaldo back at very best

BARCELONA, Nov 5 (Reuters) - With coach Rafa Benitez under-fire for Real Madrid's perceived lack of attacking threat, the Spaniard needs Cristiano Ronaldo to return to his very best at Sevilla on Sunday.

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Mourinho has platform to relaunch season after Dynamo win

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea now have the perfect platform to relaunch their season and banish all talk of manager Jose Mourinho's departure after their 2-1 home win over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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No more Champions League naivety, says City's Hart

(Reuters) - Manchester City's 3-1 Champions League win at Sevilla shows the Premier League side have moved past the "reckless" and "naive" displays that caused them to stumble in previous campaigns, goalkeeper Joe Hart has said.

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Formidable Bayern crush Arsenal to top group

MUNICH (Reuters) - Bayern Munich dismantled Arsenal 5-1 in Champions League Group F on Wednesday after a sensational first-half performance to close on the knockout stages with two matches left.

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AFF propose an U-21 SEA Games football competition

PETALING JAYA: The Asean Football Federation will propose to the South-East Asian Games Federation that the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games Under-23 football competition be made an Under-21 tournament.

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Lions XII on the prowl after making Malaysia Cup knockout stage

PETALING JAYA: The Lions are lurking for title No. 2

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Danish badminton star Axelsen is one cool ‘competitive dragon’

KUALA LUMPUR: Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen enjoys being at home in Odense... if he's not terrorising opponents on the badminton courts as one of the world's rising stars.

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Liverpool to dampen down Gerrard speculation

LONDON (Reuters) - Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been invited to train at the club during the American close-season but there have been no discussions about a playing contract, sources close to manager Juergen Klopp said on Wednesday.

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Bayern expect 'long-ball' Arsenal, Wenger seeks discipline

(Reuters) - Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola expects to face a compact Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but said forcing the Gunners to play long balls out of the back would give the Germans a chance to control the game.

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United's Van Gaal still hasn't learnt Smalling's name

(Reuters) - Manager Louis van Gaal may have got his decision to leave Wayne Rooney on the pitch against CSKA Moscow spot on, but one thing the Dutchman seems to find impossible to get right is Manchester United defender Chris Smalling's name.

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French police question Benzema in soccer sextape inquiry

PARIS (Reuters) - French police questioned Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema on Wednesday in connection with an inquiry into an alleged attempt to blackmail fellow-France soccer international Mathieu Valbuena, a police source said.

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Real seal last 16 spot as Nacho strike sinks PSG

(Reuters) - Real Madrid booked a place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday after substitute Nacho Fernandez scored late in the first half to clinch a 1-0 home win over Paris Saint Germain.

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Malaysia-Palestine World Cup qualifier to go ahead in Hebron

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will go ahead with their travel plans for their World Cup qualifiers against Palestine despite the growing unrest in Hebron.

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Second season of Purple League will be grander

KUALA LUMPUR: The Purple League promises to be a grandeur affair this season.

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Kian Meng-Pei Jing fumble in first round of Korean Open

PETALING JAYA: New Malaysian mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing threw away three match points and were knocked out in the first round of the Korean Open Grand Prix Gold.

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Chelsea's Fabregas denies reports of rift with Mourinho

(Reuters) - Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has denied suggestions of a rift with manager Jose Mourinho, accusing "certain individuals from outside" of trying to destabilise the club and refuting reports that he is leading an alleged dressing-room revolt.

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All to play for in return leg of Asian Champions Trophy

PETALING JAYA: There is still everything to play for in both the return-leg of the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) semi-finals.

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Klopp's indomitable spirit important for Liverpool - Ibe

(Reuters) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has helped instil a never-say-die mentality among his players to believe a game can always be won regardless of the situation, winger Jordon Ibe has said.

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Mourinho handed stadium ban and fine

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been given a one-match stadium suspension with immediate effect and fined 40,000 pounds over a misconduct charge, the Football Association said on Monday.

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Garde watches on as Tottenham beat Villa to go fifth

LONDON (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur left new Aston Villa manager Remi Garde in no doubt about the challenge he faces after a 3-1 victory kept the beleaguered club bottom of the Premier League on Monday.

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United's Rooney given vote of confidence by Van Gaal

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has given a vote of confidence to the team's misfiring captain Wayne Rooney ahead of Tuesday's Champions League home group game against CSKA Moscow.

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Malaysia Cup: Already qualified Selangor may rest some regulars

PETALING JAYA: The early qualification for the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals has given Selangor the luxury of resting their key players in their final Group C match against Felda United on Wednesday.

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Southampton have hit new heights, says Koeman

LONDON (Reuters) - Southampton manager Ronald Koeman described his side's first-half display in the 2-0 derby victory over Bournemouth on Sunday as "the best 45 minutes" since he was appointed last year.

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Garde to be named new Aston Villa manager - reports

LONDON (Reuters) - Former Arsenal midfielder Remi Garde will be named as Aston Villa's new manager on Monday, according to British media reports.

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Costa avoids disciplinary action over tangle with Skrtel

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea striker Diego Costa has avoided disciplinary action after appearing to kick out at Liverpool's Martin Skrtel in Saturday's 3-1 defeat, according to English Football Association sources.

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Former junior world champs look for breakthrough in Korea

KUALA LUMPUR: Former world junior champions Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han know they have not lived up to expectations.

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Barca players apologise to Getafe over Halloween prank

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona have apologised to La Liga rivals Getafe after some of their players donned Halloween outfits and cavorted around the Madrid club's Coliseum stadium after Saturday's 2-0 victory for the Spanish and European champions.

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Kone treble inspires Everton, Southampton win

LONDON (Reuters) - Arouna Kone grabbed a hat-trick as Everton piled on the Premier League relegation worries for Sam Allardyce's Sunderland with a 6-2 demolition job at Goodison Park on Sunday.

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Real heavyweights returning for PSG clash

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez has been relying on second-string players to get the club through a mini injury crisis but should have several of his heavyweights back when Paris St Germain visit in the Champions League on Tuesday.

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Fiorentina turn on style to join Inter at the top

(Reuters) - Fiorentina hit four goals before halftime, including a cheeky backheel by Gonzalo Rodriguez and a Panenka-style penalty from Khouma Babacar, to beat Frosinone 4-1 and join Inter Milan at the top of Serie A on Sunday.

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JDT edge Istiklol for historic AFC Cup title

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have created football history after becoming the first Malaysian team to win an Asian club competition.

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