Motorsport

Motor racing-Toyota to become title sponsor of Haas F1 team

ABU DHABI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Toyota Gazoo Racing, the Japanese car maker's motorsport division, will become title sponsor of the Haas Formula One team next season in a deal that strengthens an existing technical partnership.

Cricket

Cricket-Big hundreds by Ravindra and Latham flatten West Indies

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Rachin Ravindra smashed 176, while skipper Tom Latham ended his three-year wait for a test hundred as the New Zealanders combined for a 279-run stand to effectively bat West Indies out of the opening test at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Thursday.

Other Sports

Chess-India's Kushwaha becomes youngest player to earn FIDE rating at age 3

Dec 4 (Reuters) - India's Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha has become the youngest player in chess history to earn an official FIDE rating at the age of three years, seven months and 20 days.

Football

Soccer-Arteta hits out at schedule after Rice, Mosquera forced off deepening Arsenal's injury woes

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has criticised the club's Premier League schedule after midfielder Declan Rice and centre-back Cristhian Mosquera became the latest players to pick up injuries during Wednesday's 2-0 home win over Brentford.

Cricket

Cricket-First-over specialist Starc strikes again in Ashes

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Australia's Mitchell Starc claimed his third first-over wicket of the Ashes series on Thursday, dismissing England opener Ben Duckett for a golden duck on day one of the second test in Brisbane en route to a six-wicket haul.

Football

Soccer-Sevilla stadium partially closed after fans throw objects in derby

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium will be partially closed for the next three games after fans threw objects onto the pitch during their 2-0 loss to Real Betis in Sunday's LaLiga derby, Spain's football federation said on Wednesday.

Cricket

Cricket-England's Root lights up Gabba with first Ashes century in Australia

Dec 4 (Reuters) - England's Joe Root conquered his final frontier with a first Ashes century in Australia as the tourists pushed past 300 on day one of the second test in Brisbane on Thursday despite a six-wicket haul from pace spearhead Mitchell Starc.

Other Sports

Olympics-How retirement home helped New Zealand curlers plot path to Games

Dec 4 (Reuters) - In 2023, the New Zealand men's curling team, comprised of Anton Hood, Ben Smith, Brett Sargon and Hunter Walker, decided they needed to move to Calgary.

Football

Soccer-Arsenal grind past Brentford to go five points clear

LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Arsenal regained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League as Mikel Merino's early goal and a late one from substitute Bukayo Saka earned them an efficient 2-0 home victory over Brentford on Wednesday.

Football

Soccer-Arsenal go five points clear, Villa roar back at Brighton to go third

LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Arsenal re-established their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 home win against Brentford on Wednesday and for the second evening running the goals flowed as Aston Villa won 4-3 in a thriller at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Football

Soccer-Slot searches for positives as Liverpool drop points again

LIVERPOOL, England, Dec 3 (Reuters) - While Liverpool managed to salvage a point against Sunderland despite their lethargic performance in a 1-1 Premier League draw on Wednesday, the match felt like a setback after the champions' encouraging 2-0 victory over West Ham United last weekend.

Football

Soccer-Liverpool salvage nervy 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield

LIVERPOOL, England, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Liverpool's blushes were spared as Florian Wirtz's shot was deflected in off Nordi Mukiele to salvage a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday after Chemsdine Talbi had put the visitors ahead.

Football

Can Rahman be the one?

PETALING JAYA: Could Abdul Rahman Daud be the man to deliver the goals Malaysia desperately need at the Thailand SEA Games – and perhaps even the long-awaited gold when the tournament ends?

Football

Small details, big dreams: Aysar leads Malaysia’s Games push

PETALING JAYA: The smallest details can swing a match, and Malaysia Under-23 utility man Aysar Hadi Sapri (pic) knows it better than most as Harimau Muda gear up for their SEA Games opener in Thailand this Saturday.

Football

Southern Tigers set sights on Cambodian prey

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have been warmly welcomed by Cambodia, with the club praising the country's hospitality and impressive football infrastructure.

Football

Star winger Marselino headlines star-studded Indonesia squad

PETALING JAYA: Indonesia enter the SEA Games as strong favourites to defend the gold medal they won two years ago, thanks to a formidable squad assembled by veteran coach Indra Sjafri.

Athletics

NSC: Athletes have clear individual targets despite 200-medal goal

PETALING JAYA: National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Jefri Ngadirin has clarified that every Malaysian athlete heading to the Thailand SEA Games has clear individual performance goals, even though the public target is simply set at 200 medals.

Cycling

From pedals to pixels

PETALING JAYA: On the track, Mohd Fadhil Zonis has more than blistering speed. The 2023 Asian champion also possesses the stamina to excel in longer-distance events.

Athletics

Hamstring blow forces Shereen out of SEA Games title defence

PETALING JAYA: Just days before the Thailand SEA Games begin next Tuesday, the national athletics camp has been dealt a major blow after women's 400m ace Shereen Samson Vallabuoy was forced to withdraw at the last minute.

Badminton

Doubles dilemma as Malaysia women wait on SEA Games game plan

PETALING JAYA: Uncertainty still surrounds Malaysia's women's doubles strategy for the Thailand SEA Games, with coaches yet to indicate whether they'll follow the men's lead by fielding scratch pairs or stick with their regular combinations when the team event begins on Sunday.