Sports — International

Ronaldo hat-trick steals the show as Portugal and Spain draw classic

By Andy Scott Agence France Presse Cristiano Ronaldo made it clear that he means business at this World Cup after his stunning hat-trick secured a 3-3 draw here with Spain in a tournament classic and saw him reach another career landmark. The Real Madrid superstar crashed in an 88th-minute free-kick to earn a point for the European champions in this Group B opener, after a second-half goal from Nacho had put the Spaniards 3-2 ahead. […]

MLB: Judge, Yankees spark comeback to edge Mets in Subway Series

By Patrick Palugod EBC New York Bureau FLUSHING, New York (Eagle News) – The visiting New York Yankees looked to ride their first game win into game two of a best of three-game “Subway Series” as they again suited up in Citi Field to take on the host, New York Mets. Nearly 42,000 attendees got to the stadium early to represent their hometown favorites. Dressed in either navy and pinstripes or blue and orange, this […]

Minor League Baseball: Despite strong hitting, River Cats fall to Dodgers

By Jason Tajima EBC Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO (Eagle News) — It was another beautiful night in Sacramento, California where the local minor league baseball team, the River Cats, was wrapping up a three-game series against the Oklahoma City Dodgers. The River Cat’s right-handed pitcher, Taylor Hill, stepped-up to the mound in his debut at Raley Field. Hill coming off a strong game did not have the same “juice” tonight and was pulled after the fifth […]

Ex-England captain Butcher named Philippines’ Azkals head coach ahead of Asian Cup

  MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Ex-England captain Terry Butcher has been named as the new head coach of the Philippines as the Azkals prepare to make their Asian Cup debut early next year. The former defender, who played in three World Cups, replaces former USA captain Thomas Dooley, whose four-year reign ended on March 18, officials announced late Thursday. A post on the team’s Facebook page hailed the appointment of Butcher as well as Sheffield-born […]

Shellshocked Spain faces Portugal in early World Cup treat

by Guy Jackson © Agence France-Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Spain and Portugal clash on Friday in an early highlight of the World Cup in Russia as the Spanish camp insist they are united despite this week’s extraordinary sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui. Egyptian fans, meanwhile, will hold their breath to see if prolific Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah really has recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final as the Pharaohs take […]

Russia prove doubters wrong — for now

  by Dmitry Zaks © Agence France-Presse Moscow, Russia (AFP) — Russia have proved the doubters wrong — for the moment. The World Cup hosts showed nerves of steel and ruthless finishing in thumping Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the tournament’s opening match before an anxious crowd of nearly 80,000 in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday. The emphatic result transformed the men in red from villains to heroes and gave Russians a rare sporting reason to rejoice. […]

Messi, the superstar illuminating a small Russian town

by Pedro Reparaz © Agence France-Presse BRONNITSY, Russia (AFP) — Lionel Messi’s arrival in Bronnitsy, a quiet town with 20,000 residents some 50km southeast of Moscow, has brought an unprecedented level of attention to a place most renowned for its Archangel Michael cathedral. But as the euphoric shouts echoing around a temporary stand suggests, its selection as Argentina’s team base camp has transformed it into one of the epicentres of the World Cup. Flags bearing Messi’s […]

2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off; host nation Russia faces Saudi Arabia in opening match

By Vivem Soriano Eagle News Service The highly anticipated FIFA World Cup begins tonight as the host nation Russia battles Saudi Arabia in Moscow’s 81,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium at 11:00 PM (GMT+8). Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are expected to be in attendance. The 21st edition of the World Cup will be hosted for the first time by Russia and will be played in 11 cities – Moscow, St. […]

US, Mexico and Canada win race to host 2026 World Cup

  by Guy Jackson Agence France Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — The United States, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 World Cup after a clear victory over underdogs Morocco in a vote by FIFA member nations on Wednesday. The joint North American bid received 134 of the 203 votes, while Morocco polled 65 in the ballot at a FIFA Congress held in Moscow on the eve of the 2018 World Cup. It means global […]

Indian woman chess star boycotts Iran event over headscarf law

  NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — One of India’s top women chess players has pulled out of an upcoming championship in Iran in protest at having to wear an Islamic headscarf. Soumya Swaminathan, a former world junior girls champion, said the dress code at the Asian Nations Chess Cup starting next month violated her rights. “I find the Iranian law of compulsory headscarf to be in direct violation of my basic human rights including my right […]

FIFA to choose North America or Morocco for 2026 World Cup

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — FIFA members vote Wednesday on whether to award the 2026 World Cup to a slick North American bid or to Morocco, which has African support to bring football’s showpiece event back to the continent. On the eve of the 2018 World Cup, delegates from 207 nations gathered in Moscow are faced with a clear choice. The United States, Mexico and Canada are the frontrunners, boasting modern, established stadiums and well-developed transport links. […]

Spain manager Lopetegui to take over in Real Madrid after World Cup

By Vivem Soriano Eagle News Service Spanish giant and recently-crowned European champions Real Madrid has announced that current Spain national team manager Julen Lopetegui will be the new manager of the capital club after the conclusion of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Lopetegui will be replacing legendary France midfielder Zinedine Zidane as Madrid’s manager after the latter suddenly resigned just days after guiding the club to a historic third straight Champions league crown. Lopetegui […]