The China Mail - Sports (English)

Butler shines as Heat push NBA win streak to seven games

Jimmy Butler scored 36 points to help the Miami Heat shake off a slow start and beat the Brooklyn Nets 122-115 on Thursday, pushing their NBA winning streak to seven games.

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Viva Las Vegas or risk of flop for F1's newest race?

Formula One's push to conquer America enters a new phase this weekend as the sport brings its high-octane show to the neon lights of the Las Vegas strip.

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Diaz double fires Colombia over Brazil after kidnap drama

Luis Diaz scored a fairytale second-half double to fire Colombia to a 2-1 upset over Brazil on Thursday, capping a roller coaster month that saw his father kidnapped by guerrillas for 12 days.

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Paris derby as Racing 92 await arrival of 'superb' Kolisi

Two of French rugby's in-form sides meet in the Top 14 on Saturday as leaders Stade Francais host Racing 92, although South Africa's two-time World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi is not expected to make his debut for another week.

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Wales prove there is life after Bale in Euro 2024 turnaround

Life after Gareth Bale appeared bleak for Wales, but Rob Page's men have the chance of a third consecutive appearance at the European Championship in their own hands after a remarkable turnaround in Euro 2024 qualifying.

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Germany seek stability in Nagelsmann's home debut

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann takes charge of his first match on home soil in Saturday's friendly against Turkey in Berlin, promising improvements in defence seven months from hosting Euro 2024.

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Uruguay stun Argentina; emotional Diaz double as Colombia sink Brazil

Uruguay ended Argentina's 14-match unbeaten streak with a 2-0 victory over the world champions in World Cup qualifiers on Thursday as Luis Diaz scored twice to fire Colombia to an emotional 2-1 win over Brazil.

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Australia trying to focus only on football for Palestine game - Arnold

Australia coach Graham Arnold said it has been "quite stressful" preparing to play Palestine next week against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict, but hopes football can bring some joy.

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Angels' Ohtani wins historic AL MVP, Braves' Acuna wins NL honor

Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani won the American League Most Valuable Player award Thursday, becoming the first to twice claim the honor by unanimous vote.

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Three share lead in rain-hit RSM Classic

Late birdies lifted Cameron Young and Davis Thompson into a share of the clubhouse lead alongside rookie Eric Cole on Thursday in the rain-disrupted first round of the PGA Tour RSM Classic.

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Djokovic's ATP Finals record bid on course after Sinner beats Rune

Novak Djokovic's bid for a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title will continue after Jannik Sinner beat Holger Rune 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 and capped a perfect Thursday in which he became the first Italian to reach the semi-finals.

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Hungary and Slovakia reach Euro 2024 while starlet Yamal scores for Spain

Hungary and Slovakia booked their tickets for Euro 2024 on Thursday while 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal scored again for already-qualified Spain.

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Yin, Hataoka share lead at LPGA Tour Championship

China's Yin Ruoning shook off her pre-round doubts to fire nine birdies in a nine-under-par 63 on Thursday and share the LPGA Tour Championship first-round lead with Japan's Nasa Hataoka.

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Southgate uses Bobby Charlton footage to inspire England

Gareth Southgate has used clips of Bobby Charlton to inspire his England players before they pay tribute to the World Cup winner in Friday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta.

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Alexander-Arnold revels in new role for England

Trent Alexander-Arnold admits his move into midfield for England has given him extra "excitement" when he plays for his country.

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Starc predicts 'spectacle of cricket' in World Cup final against India

Australia's Mitchell Starc believes Sunday's World Cup final against India at Ahmedabad's 130,000-capacity stadium will be "loud and a spectacle of cricket".

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Hungary reach Euro 2024 and starlet Yamal scores again for Spain

Hungary clinched their ticket for Euro 2024 on Thursday thanks to an own goal from Bulgaria's Alex Petkov deep in stoppage time, which gave the Hungarians a 2-2 draw in Sofia.

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Hungary qualify for Euro 2024 after clinching draw

Hungary qualified for Euro 2024 when a Bulgarian own goal late in stoppage time gave them a 2-2 draw in Sofia on Thursday.

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Hamilton defends F1 Vegas race after Verstappen outburst

Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has defended the organisation of the Las Vegas Grand Prix after criticism from current world champion Max Verstappen.

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Arsenal boss Arteta charged over VAR rant

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been charged by the Football Association over an explosive VAR rant following his side's controversial defeat against Newcastle.

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South Africa coach 'proud' of injured Bavuma despite World Cup exit

South Africa coach Rob Walter on Thursday said he was "proud" of Temba Bavuma despite the injured captain being unable to break the country's World Cup jinx.

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'Nothing close to a choke', says Proteas coach Walter after defeat

South Africa coach Rob Walter dismissed claims his team suffered another dose of World Cup semi-final stage fright in their tense three-wicket defeat to Australia, insisting it "was nothing even remotely close to a choke".

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Fury to fight Usyk for undisputed heavyweight crown on February 17

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will clash in a "historic" fight for the undisputed heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia on February 17.

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Salah scores four, Lesotho shock Nigeria in World Cup qualifying

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored four goals as Egypt trounced Djibouti 6-0, and minnows Lesotho pulled off a shock 1-1 draw in Nigeria in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

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Final frontier step too far for South Africa

South Africa lost their fifth Cricket World Cup semi-final on Thursday, going down by three wickets to five-time champions Australia in Kolkata.

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Head breaks South African hearts as Australia set up World Cup final with India

Travis Head starred with bat and ball as Australia set up a World Cup final clash with India after a tense three-wicket win over South Africa in Kolkata on Thursday.

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Sinner into ATP Finals semi with Djokovic at risk of exit

Jannik Sinner made history as the first Italian ever to reach the last four of the ATP Finals on Thursday after Novak Djokovic beat Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-1.

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France full-back Jaminet leaves Toulouse for Toulon

France international Melvyn Jaminet is to leave Toulouse and join Top 14 rivals Toulon, AFP learned on Thursday from a source close to the player.

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Sinner first Italian to reach ATP Finals semis, Djokovic risks exit

Jannik Sinner became the first Italian ever to reach the last four of the ATP Finals on Thursday after Novak Djokovic beat Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7/1), 4-6, 6-1.

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Asian heavyweights win big to launch World Cup qualifying in style

Asia's footballing heavyweights made fast starts to World Cup qualifying on Thursday with Australia, Japan and South Korea plundering 17 goals between them in big wins on home soil.

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Rohit the 'genuine hero' of India's run to World Cup final

Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami starred as India beat New Zealand to reach the World Cup final but Nasser Hussain believes captain Rohit Sharma has been their "real hero" of the tournament.

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Miller hits ton but Australia bowl out South Africa for 212

David Miller hit a defiant century to help rescue South Africa against Australia in the Cricket World Cup semi-finals on Thursday but the five-time champions will only chase a modest 213-run target to make the final.

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