Football: Albirex Niigata could sign up to four Singaporean players in a boost for 2019 SEA GamesSINGAPORE - In just one season at Albirex Niigata, Adam Swandi has enhanced his reputation as an all-rounded footballer, incisive in attack and tactically sound in defence.The 22-year-old attacking midfielder was the first...

Football: Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia 3-1LONDON (REUTERS) - Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette scored twice in the first half and fellow striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang snatched a last-gasp third goal to secure a 3-1 win over Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday (May 2).Mouctar...

Football: Advantage Atletico after hard-fought draw against Girona in Copa del ReyGIRONA, Spain (AFP) - Antoine Griezmann helped Atletico Madrid edge towards the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday (Jan 9) as they took a valuable away goal from a 1-1 draw with Girona.Griezmann's early shot squirmed its way...

Treat women better, Salah urges Muslim worldLOS ANGELES • Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah has called for change in the way women are treated in the Muslim world in an interview with Time magazine published on Wednesday.The Liverpool forward was named one of the US magazine's 100 most influential figures of the year,...

'Happy' Morata slays MaltaVALLETTA • Spain coach Luis Enrique put up a vigorous defence of Alvaro Morata after the striker was heavily criticised over the weekend for another wasteful display in their opening Euro 2020 qualifying win over Norway, insisting he had "his best match with us".And while the former Barcelona...

Football: 'Pray for no rain' as Manchester City return to China after Beijing debacleSHANGHAI (AFP) - Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with cross-town rivals United was called off at the last minute.The first overseas Manchester derby was...

Football: Spurs back up to second after 3-0 win at CardiffCARDIFF, United Kingdom (REUTERS) - Tottenham moved back into second place in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool, after cruising to a 3-0 win at lowly Cardiff City on Tuesday (Jan 1).Liverpool face third-placed Manchester City on Thursday night,...

Football: AIA Singapore unveiled as new Singapore Premier League title sponsorSINGAPORE - Just hours before the 2019 Singapore Premier League (SPL) kicked off with the Community Shield on Saturday (Feb 23), the country's only professional sports league received a boost with the unveiling of a new title sponsor.AIA Singapore...

Football: Jurgen Klopp fumes over Vincent Kompany foul on Mohamed SalahMANCHESTER (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp claimed Vincent Kompany should have been sent off for his ugly foul on Mohamed Salah as Liverpool's title charge was hit by a 2-1 defeat against Manchester City on Friday (Jan 4) morning (Singapore time).Reds boss Klopp...

Football: Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winnerMADRID (AFP) - Karim Benzema stopped Real Madrid's underwhelming La Liga season going from bad to worse on Sunday (March 31) after firing a last-minute winner to hand the European champions a barely-deserved 3-2 winner over bottom club Huesca.Humbled by...

Football: Spain in charge in Euro qualifying quest after beating Sweden 3-0MADRID (REUTERS) - Spain made it four wins out of four and took full control of their Euro 2020 qualifying group by seeing off closest challengers Sweden 3-0 at home on Monday (June 10) after overpowering their opponents in the second half.Captain...