The Japan Times - Sports (English)

Crowded schedule 'not good for the game', says Bayern's Tuchel

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel on Thursday hit out at the crowded fixture list, saying it was "not for the good of the game and not for the good of the players".

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Martin cries foul as MotoGP title race goes to the wire

Francesco Bagnaia goes into the final weekend of a thrilling MotoGP season in Valencia with the defence of his crown still in the balance though sole rival Jorge Martin appears to have given up hope, claiming "they stole it (title) from me."

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Dortmund's Nmecha ruled out until 2024 with injury

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha has been ruled out until 2024 with a hip injury, coach Edin Terzic confirmed on Thursday.

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LIV Golf's Smith struggles as Spain rookie leads Australian PGA

Spaniard Joel Moscatel Nachshon fired a remarkable eight-under-par 63 on his DP World Tour debut Thursday to lead the Australian PGA Championship, but defending champion Cameron Smith had a round to forget.

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Ex-West Indies star Samuels banned from cricket for six years

Former West Indies star Marlon Samuels has been banned from all cricket for six years for breaching an anti-corruption code, the sport's world body said Thursday.

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Celtics bounce back to beat Bucks, Lakers comeback falls short

The Boston Celtics got back to winning ways with a 119-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in their top-of-the-table NBA Eastern Conference clash on Wednesday as the Dallas Mavericks thwarted an incredible LeBron James-inspired comeback to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 104-101.

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Afghan spin king Khan out of Australia's BBL with back injury

Star Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan pulled out of Australia's Big Bash League Thursday with a back injury that requires minor surgery, his team said.

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Jet-lagged F1 circus ready for final showdown

Just five days after winning in Las Vegas, Max Verstappen will climb into his Red Bull for the final time this year on Friday when he begins his bid for another record-extending triumph at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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Remarkable Australia comeback over Czechs clinches Davis Cup semis spot

Australia produced a stunning comeback to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 on Wednesday and set up a Davis Cup semi-final clash with Finland.

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LIV unveils 2024 schedule with 12 events in eight nations

The LIV Golf League released its 2024 regular-season schedule on Wednesday even as merger talks continue between LIV's Saudi backers and the US PGA Tour over a framework agreement.

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Greek Rowing champion Ntouskos to start Olympic torch relay

Greek Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Ntouskos will be the first torchbearer in the relay that will travel from Olympia to Paris for next year's Games, the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) announced on Wednesday.

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Tiger Woods and son Charlie to play in parent-child event

Tiger Woods, set to make his return to competition next week following ankle surgery in April, said Wednesday he will partner with son Charlie in a parent-child tournament next month.

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Infantino decries violence at Argentina v Brazil World Cup qualifier

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said Wednesday there was no place in football for violence after ugly clashes ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Argentina.

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As Qatar World Cup glory fades, Arab legacy remains

One year after the Qatar World Cup, billboards emblazoned with the tournament's official slogan, "All is now," still stand by Doha's roadsides.

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Red-hot Djokovic hoping for 'final push' for Serbia in Davis Cup

Novak Djkovic said Wednesday he is aiming to carry his superb form into the Davis Cup and winning the competition with Serbia this week is one of his "greatest goals".

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Mick Schumacher to stay on as Mercedes F1 reserve driver

Mick Schumacher will continue to provide back-up to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell after Mercedes confirmed on Wednesday that he will remain as the team's reserve driver next year.

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O'Sullivan threatens to quit in row with snooker chiefs

Ronnie O'Sullivan has warned he will quit snooker if he is restricted from playing non-tour events in China, saying his career is at a "crossroads".

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Man Utd's Shaw returns to training after injury

Manchester United and England defender Luke Shaw has returned to training after a lengthy injury layoff, the club announced on Wednesday.

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Load of rubbish: litter-hunters vie for unusual world title in Tokyo

Tokyo's well-kept streets may not be the most obvious place to do it, but competitive litter-hunters on Wednesday sifted through the Japanese capital in their first world championship.

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'Odd scheduling': India series puts dampener on Australia celebrations

Australia's World Cup winners have been denied a full-scale heroes' welcome home by a packed cricket schedule that sees them face India on Thursday at the start of a Twenty20 series, four days after meeting in the one-day final.

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History for LeBron as Lakers advance in NBA in-season tournament

LeBron James claimed another piece of NBA history on Tuesday, becoming the first player to break the 39,000-point barrier as the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Utah Jazz to reach the knockout stage of the league's new in-season tournament.

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Goal-scoring defender Souttar hailed as Australia's 'cheat code'

Harry Souttar has been hailed as a "cheat code" after the towering defender scored his 10th goal for Australia in the 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Palestine.

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Pacers out-gun Hawks to advance in NBA in-season tournament

The Indiana Pacers beat the Atlanta Hawks 157-152 in a rollicking NBA shootout on Tuesday to become the first team to reach the knockout stage of the league's new in-season tournament.

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Argentina sink Brazil in World Cup qualifier; Uruguay march on

Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 on Tuesday in an ill-tempered 2026 World Cup qualifying clash marred by pre-match crowd trouble that forced kick-off to be delayed.

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Jamaica stun Canada to reach Nations League semifinals

Jamaica shocked Canada 3-2 on Tuesday to reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League and seal a place at next year's expanded Copa America taking place in the United States.

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Argentina defeat Brazil 1-0 in 2026 World Cup qualifier

Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 on Tuesday in an ill-tempered 2026 World Cup qualifying clash marred by pre-match crowd trouble that forced kick-off to be delayed.

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'Not pleasant' comments fired up South Korea's Son for China clash

South Korea's two-goal skipper Son Heung-min said "not pleasant" comments from opponents China had fired him up to do the business in their World Cup qualifying clash.

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Watson undergoes shoulder surgery, set for 2024 NFL return

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder on Tuesday and is expected to fully recover for the 2024 NFL season, the team announced.

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Wimbledon expansion plan derailed by local council vote

Wimbledon's expansion plans have suffered a significant blow after a local council rejected their proposal to build new tennis courts on land near the All England Club.

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Croatia secure Euro 2024 ticket, France held by Greece

Croatia clinched the final automatic qualifying spot for Euro 2024 on Tuesday as Wales were forced to settle for a play-off place, while France had to come from behind to draw in Greece.

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Southgate wants England to have quiet life at Euros

England manager Gareth Southgate wants his side to enjoy the quiet life at the European Championship in Germany.

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France frustrated by Greece in final Euro 2024 qualifier

France coach Didier Deschamps complained that a lack of goal-line technology had cost his side a victory in Greece in their final Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday after what looked like a certain late goal was not awarded by the officials.

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