Football

Soccer-Allegri downplays Italy links as he focuses on Milan's top-four bid

April 4 (Reuters) - Massimiliano Allegri has been linked ⁠with the Italy manager's role, but the AC Milan coach said on Saturday he has ⁠not given that any thought as he focuses on getting his team back into the Champions ‌League.

Cricket

Cricket-Capitals gain after Rizvi impact sinks Mumbai

NEW DELHI, April ⁠4 (Reuters) - Sameer Rizvi dazzled in the impact player's role again as ⁠he hammered 90 off 51 balls to secure Delhi Capitals a ‌six-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday.

Football

Soccer-Haaland bags hat-trick as Man City hammer Liverpool 4-0 in FA Cup quarter-final

MANCHESTER, England, April 4 (Reuters) - Erling Haaland scored a ⁠hat-trick as Manchester City crushed Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to cruise into the FA Cup semi-finals ⁠and Chelsea also booked their spot in the last four with a 7-0 win over third-tier strugglers Port Vale. 

Other Sports

Curling-Sport's new professional league bets big on Olympic buzz

April 4 (Reuters) - Curling's first professional league is ⁠striking while the iron is hot, launching just over a month after the sport captivated audiences at the Winter Olympics.

Rugby

Rugby-Force stun Reds, Chiefs thrash Tahs to go third in Super Rugby

April 4 (Reuters) - Rugby league convert Zac Lomax was ⁠a late withdrawal from what would have been his Super Rugby Pacific debut with a tight hamstring ⁠but his Western Force teammates managed to stun the Queensland Reds 42-19 without him in Brisbane on ‌Saturday. 

Football

Soccer-Trippier to leave Newcastle at end of season

April 4 (Reuters) - Former ⁠England right back Kieran Trippier will ⁠leave Newcastle United after four and ‌a half years when his contract expires this summer, the Premier League club said on Saturday.

Badminton

Jin Wei and Co must join Denmark camp for Uber Cup nod

PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Goh Jin Wei and Co will not be part of the Uber Cup team if they choose to skip the centralised training.

Badminton

Haikal admits he pushed for split with Hon Jian to reset career

PETALING JAYA: National men's doubles player Mohd Haikal Nazri has opted to hit the reset button on his career after a difficult run of results, deciding to part ways with Choong Hon Jian in a bid to rebuild from the ground up.

Badminton

Eogene or June Wei for Zii Jia slot?

PETALING JAYA: Will it be Eogene Ewe or Cheam June Wei who steps in for Lee Zii Jia if the latter is not fit for duty at the Thomas Cup?

Cricket

Cricket-Iyer says Punjab players want to impress each other, not outsiders

NEW DELHI, April 4 (Reuters) - Punjab ⁠Kings captain Shreyas Iyer said an internal competitive edge has driven his ⁠side's early-season success rather than any desire to impress those outside the ‌dressing room, after scoring a second successive Indian Premier League (IPL) win on Friday.

Football

Soccer-Japan underline status as Asia's best World Cup hope in mixed window

April 4 (Reuters) - Wins over England ⁠and Scotland underline Japan's status as the Asian nation most likely to make a major impact at the ⁠World Cup during an international window of mixed fortunes for the continent's qualifiers for this summer's finals.

Football

Soccer-Fernandez's agent criticises Chelsea's 'unfair' ban

April 4 (Reuters) - Enzo ⁠Fernandez's agent Javier Pastore has criticised Chelsea's ⁠decision to ban the midfielder for two ‌games after recent public comments about his future, saying the Argentina international does not understand the punishment.

Football

Soccer-One killed, dozens hurt as Peru stadium event goes awry

April 3 (Reuters) - At ⁠least one person was killed and several ⁠injured on Friday ahead of a derby match at ‌the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in the Peruvian capital, said club Alianza Lima, a day before it faces off against Universitario.

Badminton

Zii Jia’s ABM return delayed as ankle rehab continues

PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia's return to train at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) will have to wait.

Hockey

Carolan focuses on MHL as he seeks fresh faces for Speedy Tigers   

PETALING JAYA: New national hockey team head coach Brendon Carolan has the perfect opportunity to scout for fresh faces when the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) starts next week.

Badminton

Ee Wei can stomach any challenge that comes her way now

PETALING JAYA: Reigning world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei skipped last year's Asian Championships following a disappointing showing at the All-England, which led to a temporary split between the pair.

Squash

Joachim treads with caution as he steps closer to world meet

PETALING JAYA: National squash player Joachim Chuah is keeping cool as he is just one step away from qualifying for his maiden World Championship appearance.

Football

Pan-gon eyes Kuching danger men in Malaysia Cup semis

PETALING JAYA: Selangor head coach Kim Pan-gon has his eye on several key Kuching players who could prove dangerous when the two sides clash in the Malaysia Cup semi-final first leg match at the Petaling Jaya Stadium tomorrow.

Badminton

Rexy: Don’t hide behind your elite teammates

PETALING JAYA: Relying on a small group can come back to bite and that is something Rexy Mainaky wants to avoid.

Badminton

National body will assess Zii Jia’s form before naming Thomas Cup squad

PETALING JAYA: There is no way Malaysia will bring an injured player to the Thomas Cup Finals.