The China Mail - Sports (English)

NHL Kings postpone game while NFL monitors LA area wildfires

Wildfires near Los Angeles have prompted the Los Angeles Kings to postpone their scheduled NHL home game Wednesday and the NFL to monitor developments ahead of Monday's planned playoff game.

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Barcelona defeat Athletic without Olmo to reach Spanish Super Cup final

Young starlets Gavi and Lamine Yamal fired Barcelona, without Dani Olmo after his licence to play was revoked, into the Spanish Super Cup final with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

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Bulgaria's Popov claims first World Cup win in Madonna di Campiglio slalom

Albert Popov claimed his first ever victory in the alpine skiing World Cup after surprising the field in Wednesday's slalom in Madonna di Campiglio.

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Niemann and Nicolai Hojgaard accept special Masters invitations

Dane Nicolai Hojgaard and Chilean Joaquin Niemann have accepted special invitations into the 2025 Masters field, Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley announced on Wednesday.

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Hosszu, swimming's 'Iron Lady', retires at 35

Katinka Hosszu, a triple Olympic swimming gold medallist, announced she was quitting the sport aged 35 on Wednesday.

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US withholds $3.6 mln payment to WADA after no audit

The United States has withheld a dues payment of $3.6 million to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for not conducting an independent audit of operations, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said Wednesday.

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Kiwi blaster Guptill retires from international cricket

New Zealand's leading run-scorer in T20I cricket, Martin Guptill, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 38, New Zealand Cricket announced on Wednesday.

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Dani Olmo cleared to play for Barcelona by Spanish sports council

Barcelona players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor can play for the club on a temporary basis after the Spanish sports council (CSD) granted the Catalans precautionary permission on Wednesday.

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Man Utd's Maguire given driving ban for speeding

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been banned from driving for 56 days and ordered to pay £1052 ($1299) after being caught speeding twice in three days.

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Neymar says 2026 World Cup will be his last

Neymar said that the 2026 World Cup will be his last adding he was confident that Brazil would qualify for the finals in North America.

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Arsenal's Man Utd clash headlines intriguing FA Cup third round

Arsenal and Manchester United will fight for a restorative victory in the stand-out tie of an FA Cup third round packed with potential giant-killings, a family divided and a Manchester derby with a difference.

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Norway's McGrath leads Madonna di Campiglio World Cup slalom

Atle Lie McGrath topped the times in the first run of Wednesday's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, where Olympic champion Clement Noel failed to qualify for the second run.

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Al-Rajhi takes Dakar stage as five-time champion Al-Attiyah slips down

Saudi Arabian Yazeed al-Rajhi won Wednesday's fourth stage of the Dakar Rally, in which five-time winner Nasser al-Attiyah dropped to seventh overall.

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Brest to play Champions League knockout games in Guingamp

France's Champions League surprise package Brest will continue to play home matches in the knockout phase of Europe's elite club competition in neighbouring Guingamp should they qualify, the club announced on Wednesday.

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Ancelotti says Vinicius red card ban unfair

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Vinicius Junior's two-match ban after being sent off against Valencia in La Liga is unfair.

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West Ham sack manager Lopetegui with Potter expected to take over

West Ham sacked manager Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday after just 22 games in charge, with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter expected to replace him at the London Stadium.

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Bournemouth striker Unal tears ACL in training session

Bournemouth striker Enes Unal suffered a serious knee injury during a training session, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

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Arteta mocked by League Cup organisers after 'tricky' ball excuse

League Cup organisers have poked fun at Mikel Arteta after the Arsenal manager suggested the "tricky" match ball played a part in his side's defeat by Newcastle.

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France goalkeeper Samba joins Rennes

French international goalkeeper Brice Samba has joined Rennes from their Ligue 1 rivals Lens, the two clubs announced on Wednesday.

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France coach Deschamps to step down after 2026 World Cup

France's 2018 World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday he will leave his post after the 2026 tournament in North America.

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Dutch great Kluivert named Indonesia coach in hunt for World Cup spot

Netherlands and Barcelona great Patrick Kluivert was named Indonesia coach on Wednesday, tasked with taking the country to their first World Cup since independence.

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France coach Deschamps says will leave after 2026 World Cup

France's 2018 World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday he will leave his post after the 2026 finals.

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Dutch great Kluivert named coach of Indonesia

Netherlands and Barcelona great Patrick Kluivert was named Indonesia coach on Wednesday, tasked with taking the country to their first World Cup since independence.

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New Zealand crush Sri Lanka by 113 runs in 2nd ODI to win series

New Zealand ripped through Sri Lanka's top-order Wednesday to win the rain-reduced second one-day international in Hamilton by 113 runs and clinch the series.

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West Ham cancel Lopetegui press conference as sacking rumours swirl

West Ham have cancelled Wednesday's scheduled press conference featuring manager Julen Lopetegui, with widespread reports saying the Premier League club are preparing sack the Spaniard.

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Questions remain over South African involvement in Champions Cup

Doubts are still lingering over the future participation of the three South African teams in the Champions Cup as clubs continue to send weakened sides to Europe.

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Theekshana hat-trick restricts NZ to 255-9 in 2nd Sri Lanka ODI

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana took a hat-trick Wednesday as New Zealand posted a competitive 255-9 in a rain-reduced second one-day international in Hamilton.

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Young's buzzer-beater lifts Hawks, Celtics down Nuggets

Trae Young's sensational buzzer-beating three-pointer lifted the Atlanta Hawks to a 124-121 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday as Boston beat Denver in a battle of the last two NBA champions.

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Devajit Saikia: lawyer, modest player and next India cricket chief

The man set to become one of cricket's most powerful figures as head of India's board enjoys close ties to the country's ruling party and is something of an unknown among fans after a modest playing career.

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Djokovic with point to prove against younger rivals at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic returns to the scene of his greatest triumphs this week at the Australian Open, adamant he is ready and able to see off the challenge from Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam crown.

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Kyrgios suffers new injury setback days before Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios pulled out of an exhibition match with Novak Djokovic citing an abdominal strain on Wednesday, casting doubt on whether he will be fit for the Australian Open starting this weekend.

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NFL's Raiders fire head coach Pierce

The Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday after the team went 4-13 in his first full NFL season at the helm.

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