The China Mail

Toulouse begin Top 14 life without Dupont at title rivals Bordeaux-Begles

French Top 14 leaders Toulouse head to second-placed Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday without talisman Antoine Dupont and a host of other France Six Nations champions.

Vinicius fires stoppage time winner for Brazil

Vinicius Junior struck a winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 win over Colombia in their South American World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

Son says he 'let my team-mates down' in South Korea qualifying draw

Son Heung-min said he "let my team-mates down" after South Korea stumbled in World Cup qualifying with a 1-1 home draw against Oman.

Panama stun 'painful' USA to reach Nations League final

Cecilio Waterman scored a stoppage-time winner as Panama stunned defending champions the United States 1-0 to book their place in the CONCACAF Nations League final on Thursday.

Blues coach sees signs of life after poor start to Super Rugby season

Auckland Blues coach Vern Cotter says the defending Super Rugby champions are improving, despite losing four of five matches this season, and has urged them to dig deep on Saturday against the Canterbury Crusaders.

Endo urges fans to believe Japan can win World Cup

Wataru Endo said Japan can win the 2026 World Cup after becoming the first team to qualify and the Liverpool ace urged fans to buy into the ambitious target.

McKellar demands Waratahs 'front up' against old club Brumbies

NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar returns to his old club ACT Brumbies on Saturday and has a message for his team: "Front up."

Socceroos starting to gel as World Cup edges closer

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic believes his team is starting to hit their stride with a World Cup place firmly in sight, but they are still not where he wants them to be.

England captain Kane says fans are 'bored' by his goal record

England captain Harry Kane believes he is being taken for granted by fans who are "bored" with his goal-scoring record for the national side.

Mitchell grabs share of lead at Valspar aiming for redemption

Keith Mitchell grabbed a share of the lead at the US PGA Tour Valspar Championship on Thursday, saying he's still learning from his agonizing last-round collapse in the event last year.

US border crackdown no threat to 2026 World Cup: football chief

CONCACAF football chief Victor Montagliani played down concerns over a US border crackdown impacting the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, following a flurry of recent cases involving foreign visitors who have been detained or deported after attempting to enter the United States.

Groundbreaking IOC chief Coventry confronts global intrigue and Trump

Kirsty Coventry became the first woman and first African to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday and set her sights on confronting the dual unpredictability of geopolitical intrigue and US president Donald Trump.

Spain grab late leveller against Dutch in Nations League, Croatia down France

Mikel Merino's 93rd-minute equaliser earned Spain a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Nations League quarter-final first leg action on Thursday, while Croatia have one foot in the semi-finals after beating France 2-0.

Djokovic explains his absence from PTPA lawsuit

Novak Djokovic has sought to create some distance between himself and the legal action taken against the ATP and WTA tours by the players' union he formed, calling on younger players to take a stand.

Goretzka downs Italy in Nations League on Germany return

Leon Goretzka marked his return to international football with the winning goal in Germany's 2-1 victory over Italy on Thursday, which handed his country the advantage in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Hojlund says Ronaldo goal celebration was 'not to mock' idol

Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund imitated Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark "Siuuu" celebration after scoring the winning goal against Portugal in a Nations League quarter-final clash on Thursday but said he was not trying to make fun of his "idol".

Perisic stars as Croatia stun France in Nations League

Ivan Perisic scored one goal and made another as Croatia beat France 2-0 on Thursday to seize the upper hand in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie.

Spain salvage streak with last-ditch Netherlands draw in Nations League

European champions Spain salvaged their two-year unbeaten streak in the dying minutes of Thursday's Nations League quarter-final first leg, denying 10-man Netherlands a famous victory with a 2-2 draw.

Hojlund earns Denmark edge over Portugal in Nations League

Rasmus Hojlund earned Denmark a deserved 1-0 lead over Portugal in their Nations League quarter-final first leg clash on Thursday.

Goretzka nets on Germany return to down Italy in Nations League

Leon Goretzka marked his return to international football on Thursday with the winning goal in Germany's 2-1 victory over Italy, which handed his country the advantage in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Gauff and Sabalenka advance in Miami but Rybakina falls

World number one Aryna Sabalenka and third-seeded Coco Gauff eased through their second round matches at the Miami Open on Thursday but seventh seed Elena Rybakina crashed out to American Ashlyn Krueger.

Dramatic McCarthy debut as Kenya snatch World Cup draw

Former Manchester United assistant coach and South Africa star Benni McCarthy debuted as Kenya boss with a 3-3 draw against Gambia in a World Cup qualifying thriller on Thursday.

Japan first to seal World Cup spot as S. Korea, Australia, Iran get closer

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as South Korea were held but still inched closer along with a rampant Australia and a dominant Iran.

Defeated Coe hails 'historic' IOC win for Coventry

Sebastian Coe said Kirsty Coventry's clear victory in the race to be International Olympic Committee president on Thursday was a "historic moment", as the Briton digested his disappointing third-place finish.

Sylvinho accepts Albania will need 'something special' against England in World Cup qualifier

Albania coach Sylvinho believes his side will need "something special" to defeat Thomas Tuchel in his first match as England boss.

Coventry enjoys 'extraordinary moment' as she becomes IOC's first woman leader

Kirsty Coventry became the first woman and first African to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday, saying it was an "extraordinary moment".

New IOC chief Coventry ready to deal with Trump

New IOC chief Kirsty Coventry said on Thursday that "communication will be key" with US President Donald Trump in the run-up to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Tanak grabs lead in Safari Rally Kenya as drivers stay quiet

Ott Tanak took command of Safari Rally Kenya on Thursday when he won the second of the opening day's two stages but competitors remained largely silent in protest after French driver Adrien Fourmaux was fined for swearing.

Kirsty Coventry becomes first woman to lead IOC

Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry became the first woman and African to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Thursday, saying it was an "extraordinary moment".

Kirsty Coventry becomes first woman to lead International Olympic Committee