The China Mail - Sports (English)

Maguire grateful for Beckham support in troubled times

Harry Maguire has thanked David Beckham after the former Manchester United star contacted the troubled England defender to offer support when he was booed by Scotland fans earlier this season.

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Nadal to play Australian Open after injury: official

Rafael Nadal will return to Grand Slam action at the Australian Open in January, tournament director Craig Tiley said Wednesday, for what will almost certainly be the Spaniard's farewell to Melbourne.

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Spain can test De la Fuente project against Scotland

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was a surprise appointment and an early humiliating defeat by Scotland in March put his fledgling project on the ropes no sooner than it had begun.

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Seven and hell: Pakistan's losing World Cup record against India

It is cricket's fiercest rivalry, watched by millions, sparking raucous celebrations in victory and wild accusations in defeat, but when India and Pakistan clash at the World Cup, there has been only one winner.

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Rangers sweep Orioles to advance, Astros rout Twins

The Texas Rangers kept their dream of a first-ever World Series crown alive on Tuesday, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 to seal a 3-0 clean sweep of their American League Division Series.

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NFL legend Brady the unlikely benchmark for Sexton

Johnny Sexton had not heard of NFL legend Tom Brady till seven years ago -- now Ireland's rugby talisman must be sick and tired of comparisons between the two of them.

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LIV Golf bid for ranking points rejected by official body

LIV Golf's bid to be recognised by the sport's global rankings body has been rejected, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) organisation confirmed on Tuesday.

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Olympic gymnast icon Retton 'fighting for life': daughter

Olympic gymnastics icon Mary Lou Retton is "fighting for her life" in intensive care after being diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia, her daughter said Tuesday.

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Bowen says form of his life earned England recall

West Ham's Jarrod Bowen said he is in the form of his life as he prepares to fulfil a childhood dream of playing for England at Wembley.

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Marathon world record holder Kiptum sidesteps talk of two-hour mark

Kenya's freshly-minted marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum says he has "no plan" to try and run under the mythic two-hour mark.

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The 10 stadiums of Euro 2028

England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales will play host to Euro 2028, UEFA confirmed on Tuesday.

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Pakistan believed in target chase, says hero Rizwan

Pakistan's batting hero Mohammad Rizwan said his team was confident of achieving a World Cup record chase against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, clinching Tuesday's match by six wickets.

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LIV golf bid for ranking points rejected: report

LIV Golf's bid to be recognised by the sport's global rankings body has been rejected, a US media report said Tuesday.

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Labit's France 'relieved' with Dupont return

France attack coach Laurent Labit said on Tuesday it was "a relief" to have captain Antoine Dupont back training and in line to play South Africa in this weekend's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

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Rizwan, Shafique lead Pakistan to World Cup record win over Sri Lanka

Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique clubbed centuries as Pakistan chased down the highest target in World Cup history to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

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Springboks delighted for flag reprieve, says Erasmus

South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said on Tuesday he was glad the Springboks will be able to fly their flag in this weekend's Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

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'Surprised' Shelton fights back to reach Shanghai last eight

US Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton fought back from a set down to defeat sixth seed Jannik Sinner on Tuesday and reach the Shanghai Masters last eight in one of the biggest victories of his young career.

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Host nations from UK, Ireland set to enter Euro 2028 qualifying

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will enter qualifying for Euro 2028 despite being named hosts, the head of the English Football Association (FA) said on Tuesday.

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England happy to be public enemy number one against Fiji -- Vunipola

England are more than happy to assume the role of public enemy number one when they take on Fiji in the World Cup quarter-finals in Marseille on Sunday, veteran Billy Vunipola said Tuesday.

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England hero Malan driven by 'hunger' at Cricket World Cup

Dawid Malan says he is driven by a "hunger" for runs after notching his sixth one-day international hundred in just 23 innings in England's convincing World Cup win against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

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Schmidt's attention to detail driving All Blacks ahead of Ireland clash

New Zealand attack coach Joe Schmidt is using his famous attention to detail to try to plot the downfall of his former charges ahead of the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland on Saturday.

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Ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard announces end of career

Belgian attacking midfielder Eden Hazard announced his retirement on Tuesday after failing to find another club following his release by Real Madrid.

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Roaring Shelton fights back to reach Shanghai last eight

US Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton fought back from a set down to defeat Jannik Sinner on Tuesday and reach the Shanghai Masters last eight in one of the biggest victories of his young career.

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Topley, Malan star as England hammer Bangladesh at Cricket World Cup

Dawid Malan bludgeoned 140 before Reece Topley destroyed the Bangladesh top order on Tuesday as England bounced back from their mauling by New Zealand in their World Cup opener.

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England's Topley destroys Bangladesh after Malan's World Cup ton

Dawid Malan bludgeoned 140 before Reece Topley destroyed the Bangladesh top order on Tuesday as England bounced back from their mauling by New Zealand in their World Cup opener.

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Mendis, Samarawickrama hit tons as Sri Lanka make 344-9 against Pakistan

Swashbuckling Kusal Mendis smashed the fastest century for Sri Lanka in a World Cup match on Tuesday, guiding his team to an imposing 344-9 against Pakistan in Hyderabad.

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Mendis, Samarawickrama blast centuries for Sri Lanka against Pakistan

In-form Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama both hit centuries as Sri Lanka piled up the runs against Pakistan in the World Cup on Tuesday.

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Favourites or underdogs: Wales comfortable with either tag, says Thomas

Wales, unbeaten in pool play, were hailed by self-proclaimed underdogs Argentina as favourites for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final, but assistant coach Jonathan Thomas insisted the Welsh were unbothered by either tag.

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International golf returns to China with LPGA Shanghai

International golf returns to China after a four-year pandemic hiatus when the LPGA Shanghai tees off on Thursday, with the host city hoping a hometown hero might be crowned champion.

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Afghanistan hope Rashid 'delivers' against India

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi hopes leg-spin wizard Rashid Khan "delivers" against India at the World Cup on Wednesday as they attempt to stay on track after an opening defeat in the tournament.

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UK and Ireland to host Euro 2028 as Italy, Turkey awarded Euro 2032

The United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland will co-host Euro 2028, while Italy and Turkey will be joint hosts of the 2032 tournament, UEFA announced on Tuesday.

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Belgian football star Eden Hazard announces retirement

Belgian attacking midfielder Eden Hazard announced his retirement on Tuesday after failing to find another club following his release by Real Madrid.

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