Sports — International

World Cup riots in Brussels after Morocco beat Belgium

Brussels, Belgium (AFP) Police used water cannon and teargas after coming under attack from football supporters who brought havoc to the centre of Brussels on Sunday following Morocco’s shock 2-0 World Cup win over Belgium in Qatar. Dozens of fans smashed shop windows, threw fireworks and torched vehicles. Police said that 11 people had been arrested with one remaining in custody. Even before the end of the match, “dozens of people, including some wearing hoodies, […]

Germany keep World Cup hopes alive as Morocco stun Belgium

Doha, Qatar (AFP) by Andy SCOTT / Rik Sharma A late goal by substitute Niclas Fuellkrug allowed Germany to snatch a 1-1 draw with Spain on Sunday as the four-time winners kept their World Cup hopes alive, but Belgium are in danger of a group-stage exit after losing to Morocco. Elsewhere, 2018 runners-up Croatia crushed Canada 4-1 to eliminate their opponents while Costa Rica claimed a shock win over Japan. Keysher Fuller’s 81st-minute goal for […]

Warriors power past Timberwolves in convincing road win

Los Angeles, United States (AFP) Stephen Curry scored 25 points and the Golden State Warriors parlayed a hot start into a comfortable 137-114 NBA win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Curry added 11 rebounds and eight assists and Draymond Green posted his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 assists as the reigning NBA champions put together three straight victories for the first time this season. It was just their second away […]

World Cup history for Ronaldo, Neymar injury scare after Brazil win

by Andy SCOTT Agence France-Presse DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Cristiano Ronaldo claimed a piece of World Cup history on Thursday as Brazil were rocked by an injury scare to captain Neymar after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Serbia. Ronaldo became the first man to score in five different editions of the World Cup as he slotted home a controversial penalty to help Portugal down Ghana 3-2 in their Group H clash. The typically ice-cold spot-kick […]

Favorites Brazil kick off World Cup bid as Ronaldo and Portugal enter fray

by Andy SCOTT Agence France-Presse DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Favorites Brazil begin their bid to win a sixth World Cup on Thursday when they take on Serbia, while Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to put his acrimonious departure from Manchester United behind him as Portugal enter the fray against Ghana. Brazil will be wary of a dangerous Serbian side when the teams meet at Lusail Stadium, especially after seeing Argentina suffer a shock defeat against Saudi […]

Germany shocked by Japan, Spain hit seven

  Doha, Qatar (AFP) by John WEAVER Japan produced a stunning comeback to shock Germany in their World Cup opener on Wednesday, while Spain started in style by putting seven past Costa Rica. Elsewhere on the fourth day of action in Qatar, Belgium edged out Canada 1-0 while 2018 finalists Croatia drew with Morocco. The build-up to the Group E match between Germany and Japan in Doha was dominated by intense speculation over whether German […]

Aussie Simmons loses with Nets in NBA return to Philly

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Brooklyn’s Ben Simmons endured a defeat Tuesday in the Australian’s emotional NBA return to Philadelphia as a short-handed 76ers’ squad lacking three top stars humbled the Nets 115-106. The pre-game focus was on ex-Sixer Simmons playing his first game in Philadelphia since being traded to the Nets in February, but the home team lacking injured starters Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey stole the show. Tobias Harris scored 18 […]

Russia unveils new icebreaker in push for energy markets

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (AFP) — President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday oversaw the launch of a new nuclear-powered icebreaker as Russia pushes to develop the Arctic and seeks new energy markets amid sanctions over Ukraine. Addressing a Saint Petersburg ceremony for the launch of the Yakutia icebreaker by video link, Putin said such vessels were of “strategic” importance for Russia. In addition to floating out the Yakutia, authorities also symbolically raised a flag on another nuclear-powered […]

Bulls end Celtics’ nine-game NBA win streak

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Chicago Bulls, led by 28 points from DeMar DeRozan, ended the Boston Celtics’ nine-game NBA winning streak with a 121-107 victory on Monday. Zach LaVine, who was frustrated to be pulled from the waning minutes of the Bulls’ loss to Orlando on Friday, scored 22 points. Nikola Vucevic added 12 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago — who had also beaten the Celtics at home in October but […]

Irving returns in Nets win, Warriors end road skid

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Brooklyn Nets marked Kyrie Irving’s return from an eight-game suspension with a 127-115 victory over Memphis on Sunday as the NBA champion Golden State Warriors finally earned their first road win of the season. Irving, who was suspended by the Nets after his social media post linking to a movie condemned as anti-semitic sparked a furor, scored 14 points in 26 minutes on the floor. Kevin Durant led […]

Door opens for Warner’s Australia captaincy ban to be lifted

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) – Cricket Australia amended its player code of conduct policy Monday, paving the way for David Warner to apply to have his lifetime leadership ban lifted. The dynamic opener and former Test vice-captain was banned from any leadership role in Australia over his part in the Cape Town ball tampering affair in 2018. He was also slapped with a one-year playing suspension, but bounced back to reclaim his place in the national side […]

Celtics notch eighth straight NBA win

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – Boston’s bench came up big Wednesday to help the Celtics notch an eighth straight NBA victory, 126-101 over the Hawks in Atlanta. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 22 points and his fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum added 19, but Brown said it was the 44 points from the Boston reserves that ultimately made the difference. “They won the game,” Brown said after Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet scored 15 points […]