The Japan Times - Sports (English)

Diamondbacks rout Rangers to pull level in World Series

Arizona pitcher Merrill Kelly struck out nine and scattered three hits over seven innings to spark the Diamondbacks over Texas 9-1 on Saturday and level the World Series.

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Parents of Liverpool winger Diaz kidnapped in Colombia

The mother of Liverpool's Colombian winger Luis Diaz was rescued from kidnappers on Saturday but a search remains on for his father, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Saturday.

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Embiid and Maxey spark 76ers over Raptors, Pelicans romp

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 34 points to power Philadelphia's 114-107 NBA comeback victory at Toronto on Saturday.

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Rugby World Cup officiating criticised by former All Blacks

Former All Blacks and New Zealand's media lamented the impact of cards in Test rugby following the "heart-wrenching" 12-11 loss to South Africa in the World Cup final on Saturday.

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LAFC and Philadelphia start MLS playoff push with wins

Last year's MLS Cup finalists, Los Angeles FC and the Philadelphia Union, launched their bids for a return to the title game with victories in the opening games of the playoffs on Saturday.

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Tyson Fury wins split decision against MMA fighter Ngannou

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury beat mixed martial arts fighter Francis Ngannou in a split decision after their boxing bout went the distance in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

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Hamilton and Russell frustrated by car and race stewards

Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell both said they felt frustrated by the unpredictable performance of their car and the race stewards on Saturday after qualifying sixth and eighth for Sunday’s Mexico Grand Prix.

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Philadelphia beat New England in MLS playoffs opener

The Philadelphia Union opened the first round of Major League Soccer's playoffs with a convincing 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday in game one of their best-of-three series.

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'We're not geniuses!' Nienaber says after final selection pays off

Strength in depth and the positional versatility of the 33-strong squad were behind South Africa's record fourth World Cup title, coach Jacques Nienaber said, warning not to dub his staff "geniuses" over their leftfield selection.

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Ferrari's Leclerc grabs surprise pole for Mexico Grand Prix

A surprised Charles Leclerc admitted he did not expect his success on Saturday after he secured pole position ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz as Ferrari locked out the front row for Sunday’s Mexico Grand Prix.

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Red card will be with me forever, says All Blacks skipper Cane

Distraught New Zealand captain Sam Cane said he "would have to live forever" with the red card he received in the 12-11 defeat to South Africa in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.

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Ferrari's Leclerc on pole for Mexico Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc secured pole position ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz as Ferrari locked out the front row of the grid with an unexpected perfect performance in Saturday’s qualifying session for Sunday’s Mexico Grand Prix.

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World champion Sakamoto captures Skate Canada crown

Two-time reigning world champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan captured the women's crown at Skate Canada after winning Saturday's free skate final.

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Kolisi happy to escape 'dark place' for World Cup glory

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said New Zealand had taken his side to a "dark place" in the Rugby World Cup final, but praised his South Africa side for finding a way to win a record fourth title.

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Cambiaso ends Juve's three-year absence from Serie A summit

Juventus moved top of Serie A for the first time in over three years on Saturday after Andrea Cambiaso's stoppage-time winner in a dramatic 1-0 success over struggling Verona.

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Three key things from Rugby World Cup final

South Africa won a record fourth Rugby World Cup title on Saturday, beating three-time winners New Zealand 12-11 in a thrilling and gritty encounter at the Stade de France.

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Cambiaso's last-gasp Verona winner fires Juve top

Andrea Cambiaso fired Juventus top of Serie A after forcing home a stoppage-time winner in Saturday's dramatic 1-0 success over struggling Verona.

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South Africa beat New Zealand by a point to win record fourth Rugby World Cup

Handre Pollard kicked four penalties to help South Africa to a nail-biting 12-11 victory over 14-man New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday to claim a record fourth title.

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Endeavor boss says PGA Tour rejects partnership bid: report

The US PGA Tour has rejected a bid by sports ownership group Endeavor to form a strategic partnership, Endeavor president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro told Sportico.

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New Zealand captain Sam Cane sent off in Rugby World Cup final

New Zealand captain Sam Cane became the first player to be red-carded in a Rugby World Cup final when he was judged to have performed a dangerous tackle on South Africa's Jesse Kriel in the first half of the match.

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Bangladesh captain Shakib stumped by 'worst' World Cup display

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan said his team's 87-run loss to the Netherlands in Kolkata on Saturday was their worst-ever World Cup performance.

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Barca to investigate alleged racial abuse of Vinicius in Clasico

Barcelona said they would investigate alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Junior in their 2-1 Clasico defeat by Real Madrid on Saturday.

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Hurkacz battles into Basel final to face Augier-Aliassime

Hubert Hurkacz beat Ugo Humbert in the Swiss Indoors semi-finals on Saturday to inch closer to a place in the season-ending ATP Finals.

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Verstappen completes practice clean sweep in Mexico

Max Verstappen completed a clear sweep of all three practice sessions at the Mexico Grand Prix when he topped the times for Red Bull ahead of Williams’ Alex Albon in Saturday’s final practice.

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Hwang strikes as Wolves peg back charging Newcastle

Hwang Hee-chan scored a brilliant equaliser to slow Newcastle's Premier League charge as Wolves battled back to earn a 2-2 draw after Callum Wilson's double at Molineux on Saturday.

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Chelsea slump again as Nketiah shines for five-star Arsenal

Chelsea slumped to another damaging home defeat against Brentford on Saturday as Eddie Nketiah hit a first Premier League hat-trick in a 5-0 win for Arsenal against struggling Sheffield United.

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'Emotional' Neuer admits Ter Stegen is Germany number one after comeback

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer admitted that he was no longer Germany number one after making an emotional return to Bundesliga action from a year-long injury on Saturday.

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Djokovic lists Paris Olympics among 'big goals'

Novak Djokovic said winning Olympic gold next year is one of his main ambitions as he returns to action at the Paris Masters next week after taking time off following his record-tying 24th Grand Slam title in New York.

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Rovanpera set for world rally title after Evans crashes out

Kalle Rovanpera was able to take his foot off the gas in his pursuit of the world rally championship title after his main rival, Elfyn Evans, retired on Saturday from the Central European Rally, the penultimate event of the season.

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Arsenal hat-trick hero Nketiah 'top level' for Arteta

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said Eddie Nketiah is a "top level" striker with the ability to get even better after scoring a hat-trick in Saturday's 5-0 demolition of Sheffield United.

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Netherlands demand 'bigger nation' status after new World Cup shock

All-rounder Bas de Leede demanded the Netherlands be afforded "bigger nation" status after defeating Bangladesh by 87 runs at the World Cup in Kolkata on Saturday.

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Man City loanee takes Reims up to fourth in Ligue 1

A late goal by on-loan Manchester City youngster Josh Wilson-Esbrand gave Reims a 1-0 win over Lorient on Saturday as they climbed up to fourth place in Ligue 1.

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