Cricket

Cricket-Australia coach defends World Cup planning, puts blame on players

MELBOURNE, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Australia head ⁠coach Andrew McDonald put the blame for the team's humiliating T20 ⁠World Cup exit squarely on the players, rejecting criticism of their ‌preparations and a "false narrative" that the nation is not taking the format seriously.

Other Sports

Olympics-Figure Skating-Sakamoto's final Olympic skate ends in tears and silver

MILAN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Kaori Sakamoto's final ⁠Olympic skate ended in bittersweet fashion on Thursday, the three‑time world champion leaving Milano Cortina with a silver medal that ⁠felt as much like a lesson as an achievement.

Squash

Rachel races into Cincinnati Gaynor Cup quarters

PETALING JAYA: National squash player Rachel Arnold secured her spot in the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup quarter-finals after dispatching Egypt's Menna Hamed in straight games on Thursday (Feb 19).

Other Sports

Olympics-Figure skating-Liu's golden skate caps joyful comeback story

MILAN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Four years after she ⁠stepped away from her sport saying she had lost her love for it, American Alysa Liu skated on Thursday night as though she ⁠had flicked the light back on in a long-darkened disco, and soared to Olympic women's gold.

Other Sports

Olympics-Curling-World champions Britain to play Canada for men's curling gold

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 19 (Reuters) - ⁠World champions Britain nabbed a steal of two in the final end to beat Switzerland 8-5 ⁠in a thrilling semi-final clash on Thursday in the men's curling competition at the Winter Olympics ‌and set up a final against Canada.

Athletics

Athletics-Britain's Hodgkinson smashes world indoor 800m record in Lievin

Feb 19 (Reuters) - Keely ⁠Hodgkinson on Thursday smashed the women's world ⁠indoor 800 metres record set by ‌Slovenia's Jolanda Ceplak on the day Britain's Olympic champion was born nearly 24 years ago.

Other Sports

Olympics-Figure skating-Dazzling Liu strikes gold to end U.S. women's Olympic medal drought

Feb 20 (Reuters) - Alysa Liu delivered a dazzling performance to win ⁠the gold at the Milano Cortina Games on Thursday as she capped a remarkable comeback journey to snap a 20-year Olympic medal drought for Americans in the women's figure ⁠skating event.

Motorsport

Motor racing-F1 will thrill in new engine era and Verstappen sure to stay, Domenicali says

Feb 20 (Reuters) - Formula One chief executive Stefano ⁠Domenicali has assured fans that the sport's new engine era will still provide plenty of thrills and ⁠Max Verstappen is in no danger of walking away.

Hockey

Olympics-Ice hockey-Captain Knight bows out on a high as US win gold

MILAN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Hilary Knight had the ⁠perfect ending to her fifth and final Olympics, with the U.S. captain scoring the late goal that sent the ⁠championship game to overtime before her side beat Canada to take the women's ice hockey gold medal on Thursday.

Hockey

Olympics-Ice hockey-Poulin urges team to take pride despite silver

MILAN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin leaves Milan with an injured knee ⁠but her pride intact, praising her teammates for a well-fought overtime effort ‌that came up short against the United States 2-1 in the Olympic women's ice hockey final.

Hockey

Olympics-Ice hockey-United States earn gold, revenge in OT win over Canada

MILAN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - The United States tasted revenge ⁠sweeter than maple syrup as they came from behind to beat defending champions Canada 2-1 to win gold in an overtime thriller in women's ice hockey at the Milano ⁠Cortina Olympics on Thursday.

Badminton

Rosman sees bright future for Carmen-Xin Yee

PETALING JAYA: Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee may well be Malaysia's next big hope in women's doubles, but the 19-year-olds must stay patient as they work their way towards the world elite.

Other Sports

New timer system gets thumbs-up from champ Farah

KUALA LUMPUR: Top national lawn bowler Nor Farah Ain Abdullah (pic) has given the thumbs-up to the new format introduced in the Seven-Nation Invitational Lawn Bowls Championship.

Football

Proud Munoz salutes JDT’s fighting spirit in ACLE triumph

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) head coach Xisco Munoz was gushing with pride after watching his men claim a hard-fought 1-0 win over Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) East Zone match to check into the last 16.

Badminton

Positive start for Roslin in Egypt role despite Cup miss

PETALING JAYA: Former world No. 1 singles player Roslin Hashim has already tasted success with Egypt despite being in charge for less than three months.

Athletics

Shot putter Ziyad turns into a ‘night owl’, feels fresher during Ramadan

KUALA LUMPUR: For national para athlete Mohd Ziyad Zolkefli, the month of Ramadan is not merely a time for worship, but also a period to maintain a high level of athletic discipline.

Squash

The Philippines assignment under humble set-up proves rewarding for Wee Wern

PETALING JAYA: Former national squash player Low Wee Wern may have been away from her hometown in Penang during Chinese New Year, but her players in the Philippines made sure she felt right at home.

Football

Coach Hazman wants quick response from Terengganu after Malaysia Cup blow

PETALING JAYA: Terengganu are determined to prevent their Malaysia Cup disappointment sap their hunger, with the Turtles quickly turning their attention back to the Super League challenge.

Hockey

The going gets tougher but hardy Andy keeps World Cup dream alive

PETALING JAYA: Rising hockey player Andywalfian Jeffrynus had his first taste of senior hockey last year, but the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers will present his sternest test yet with the national team.

Other Sports

Level up as Aruwin finishes as best Asian in women’s slalom

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's sole representative at the Milan Winter Olympics, Aruwin Saleh­huddin, can hold her head high after finishing as the best Asian athlete in the women's slalom.