Badminton

BAM’s golden demand drives Jonassen’s rallying cry to Jun Hao, Justin

PETALING JAYA: Be bold and daring.

Hockey

Deputy chef de mission Jivan urges SEA Games athletes to stay injury-free, go for glory

PETALING JAYA: One injury is all it takes to undo years of hard work and former national hockey star Jivan Mohan knows that pain better than most.

Badminton

Chance to make history as six shuttlers earn nod for BWF awards

PETALING JAYA: Six Malaysian representatives could create history after being nominated for the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Player of the Year awards.

Badminton

Rexy loosens up over tight schedule of players 

PETALING JAYA: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky is confident that the tight scheduling involving the Thailand SEA Games and the World Tour Finals will not be a major problem for the players.

Other Sports

Alpine skiing-Austria's Kriechmayr wins weather-hit Beaver Creek super-G

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Austria's Vincent Kriechmayr won a weather-hit World Cup super-G race in Beaver Creek on Friday but admitted it felt a little hollow due to the more unfavourable conditions faced by later skiers as Swiss favourite Marco Odermatt only managed fifth.

Football

Soccer-Argentina coach vows to repeat winning formula after World Cup group draw

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the world champions will stick to the same winning formula that delivered glory at the Qatar 2022 World Cup after on Friday finding out their group opponents for next year's global tournament.

Football

Soccer-England to start World Cup quest against familiar foe Croatia

Dec 5 (Reuters) - England will begin their World Cup quest next June against a very familiar foe with seasoned tournament regulars Croatia the first hurdle for Thomas Tuchel's highly-fancied team.

Football

Soccer-World Cup draw reaction

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Reaction to the 2026 World Cup draw that was conducted in Washington DC on Friday.

Football

Soccer-Draw for 2026 World Cup

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Following is the draw for next year's 48-team World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Other Sports

Alpine skiing-Cancelled Beaver Creek downhill switched to Val Gardena

LONDON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Friday's cancelled men's World Cup downhill race in Beaver Creek has been re-scheduled for Val Gardena in Italy on December 18, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) have confirmed.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Verstappen title win would be bookmaker's nightmare

ABU DHABI, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Max Verstappen winning a fifth Formula One title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday could be a nightmare for at least one British bookmaker who offered punters odds of 80/1 in August.

Football

Soccer-Burnley's Mejbri gets four-match ban for spitting towards Leeds fans

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been handed a four-match ban after admitting to spitting towards Leeds United supporters during an English Premier League match in October, the FA said on Friday.

Football

Soccer-Man Utd manager Amorim defends treatment of benched Mainoo

MANCHESTER, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim bristled at reporters on Friday when asked why England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is yet to start a Premier League game this season.

Boxing

Boxing-Joshua's power a huge threat to Paul, says heavyweight Wallin

STOCKHOLM, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is in for a nasty surprise when he steps into the ring against Anthony Joshua on December 19, heavyweight Otto Wallin has told Reuters, describing the British boxer as the hardest hitter he has ever faced. 

Motorsport

Motor racing-From hunted to hunter, comeback king Verstappen chases fifth title

ABU DHABI, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Max Verstappen has won the Formula One title for the last four years but it would be far from 'more of the same' if he snatches a record-equalling fifth in a row at the Abu Dhabi season finale on Sunday.

Golf

Golf-Reitan holds onto narrow lead at Sun City

SUN CITY, South Africa, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Kristoffer Reitan holed a birdie on the 18th to maintain his lead after round two of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City on Friday, with the Norwegian sitting one shot ahead of Frenchman Adrien Saddier.

Other Sports

Winter Games medals get added lustre as metal prices soar

ROME, Dec 5 (Reuters) - For an Olympic athlete, the gleam of a medal is priceless, a reward for years of dedication and sacrifice. But with the recent surge in gold and other precious metal prices, these coveted symbols of success now also hold significantly higher monetary value than in the past. 

Badminton

Heartbreak for Ee Wei, loses grandfather just days before SEA Games

PETALING JAYA: Less than 24 hours after being named co-captain for the Thailand SEA Games, world mixed doubles champion Toh Ee Wei was struck by heartbreaking news when she lost her beloved grandfather on Thursday (Dec 4).

Football

Soccer-Mexico to kick off 2026 World Cup against South Africa, US get dream draw

WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 with joint-hosts Mexico playing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium - iconic venue of the 1970 and 1986 finals - followed by South Korea against a playoff winner after the complex draw was made on Friday.

Football

Soccer-Man City's leaky defence has Guardiola worried before Sunderland test

MANCHESTER, England, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Back-to-back Premier League wins have rejuvenated Manchester City's bid to catch up with leaders Arsenal, but a leaky defence has manager Pep Guardiola worried ahead of Saturday's home clash with Sunderland.