The Japan Times - Sports (English)

Xavi hints injured stars could return for Clasico

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he could start some key players against Real Madrid on Saturday who have been out injured in recent weeks, if they arrive 100 percent fit.

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Bayern's Manuel Neuer to make comeback after year out

Bayern Munich captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will make his comeback in Saturday's home Bundesliga match with Darmstadt, having missed almost a year with a broken leg, coach Thomas Tuchel said on Friday.

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Dutch count on coach's inside knowledge of Bangladesh at World Cup

Dutch skipper Scott Edwards hopes the Netherlands can benefit from coach Ryan Cook's inside knowledge of Bangladesh to help rescue their fading World Cup dreams.

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England scrum-half Youngs relishing last Test before retirement

England scrum-half Ben Youngs says he feels honoured to end his international career "on my own terms" when he plays his final Test match in the World Cup third-place playoff on Friday.

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World player nominee Aki extends contract with Ireland

Bundee Aki, whose performances for Ireland in achieving the Six Nations Grand Slam and at the World Cup have earned him a nomination for world player of the year, extended his contract with the IRFU to 2025 on Friday.

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New Zealand's Latham wary of 'Australia we know'

New Zealand captain Tom Latham said Australia had reverted to type following a shaky start as the trans-Tasman rivals geared up for a World Cup clash in Dharamsala on Saturday.

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Martin throws down the gauntlet at Thailand MotoGP

Jorge Martin thrilled and later spilled as he topped the timesheet at Friday's second practice in Thailand's MotoGP, while championship leader Francesco Bagnaia secured 7th spot.

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New Zealanders shedding cynicism to support All Blacks, says Foster

New Zealanders are "generally cynical" and conservative but All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said Friday he can sense there is "a lot of excitement" back home ahead of his team's bid for a record fourth World Cup title.

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Taskin says 'nothing for bowlers' at World Cup batting paradise

Bangladesh spearhead Taskin Ahmed said Friday "there's nothing much for bowlers" at the World Cup as runs flow in India's batting paradise.

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Newcastle 'in limbo' over Tonali betting ban

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said there is a "high chance" that Sandro Tonali could be involved in Saturday's Premier League fixture at Wolves despite being handed a 10-month ban by Italian authorities for breaching betting rules.

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Australia target victory over New Zealand 'mates' in World Cup

Australia skipper Pat Cummins believes Saturday's World Cup clash with New Zealand will be a battle between "mates" as the push for semi-final places enters a critical phase.

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Newcastle still waiting for confirmation of Tonali ban

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said there is a "high chance" Sandro Tonali could be involved in Saturday's Premier League fixture at Wolves despite being handed a 10-month ban by Italian authorities for gambling.

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Cummins hails 'rare' Starc talent for World Cup wicket record

Australia captain Pat Cummins on Friday hailed fast bowler Mitchell Starc as a "rare" talent for his record of taking a wicket in every World Cup match he has played.

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Atkin-Davies grabs four tries as England rout Canada

Forward Lark Atkin-Davies claimed four of England's seven tries as the Red Roses routed Canada 45-12 in Dunedin on Friday to chalk up their second win of the women's WXV1 tournament in New Zealand.

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Long-suffering Tigers fans ready to roar at baseball's Japan Series

Fans of baseball's Hanshin Tigers are at fever pitch ahead of Saturday's start to the Japan Series, with the country's most passionately supported team desperate to win only their second national title.

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'Traitor' Lukaku awaits hostile return to leaders Inter

Romelu Lukaku is set for possibly the most hostile reception of his career when he returns to the San Siro to face Serie A leaders Inter Milan on a bumper Sunday in which champions Napoli host AC Milan.

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Floundering giants Marseille and Lyon face off

Lyon, seven times league champions, sit rock bottom of Ligue 1 as they prepare to play rivals Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday, with Fabio Grosso's men desperately seeking their first win.

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Buttler's men latest England team to struggle with World Cup defence

Australians have long insisted a key problem for English sports teams is not losing but the fall-out from winning.

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Three duels to savour in Rugby World Cup final

Defending champions South Africa and New Zealand battle it out on Saturday bidding to become the first team to win the Rugby World Cup four times.

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Rugby World Cup fever builds in New Zealand ahead of 'cracking' final

Rugby World Cup fever is building in New Zealand with a former All Blacks captain predicting a "cracking" final against South Africa in Paris this weekend while tickets are being snapped up for a stadium screening at the country's home of rugby, Eden Park.

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Darmstadt aim to upend Bayern on Neuer's comeback

Bundesliga minnows Darmstadt will be out to spoil Manuel Neuer's potential return from injury when they face champions Bayern Munich on Saturday.

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Boks expect 'grind' against All Black rivals in World Cup final

Defending champions South Africa expect Saturday's Rugby World Cup final against "greatest foes" New Zealand to be a "grind" as both teams eye what would be a record fourth tournament title.

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Barcelona forced to lean on youth in Madrid Clasico battle

La Liga champions Barcelona host bitter rivals Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the season on Saturday, forced into leaning heavily on players from their feted La Masia youth academy.

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Man City loom for goal-shy Man Utd

Manchester City will test the strength of Manchester United's recent revival at Old Trafford this weekend, while red-hot leaders Tottenham are seeking their eighth win in 10 games.

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Ottawa's Pinto gets 41-game NHL ban for sports gambling

Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto was banned for 41 games, equal to half a season, by the National Hockey League on Thursday for activities relating to sports wagering.

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Miami's Messi named finalist for MLS Newcomer of the Year

Lionel Messi was among three finalists named on Thursday for Major League Soccer's Newcomer of the Year award despite the Argentine star playing only six league matches for Inter Milan.

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Liverpool thump Toulouse as Brighton get first win in Europe

Liverpool eased Toulouse aside 5-1 to register a third straight Europa League win Thursday, while Brighton beat ailing Dutch giants Ajax for the club's first ever victory in continental competition.

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West Ham's unbeaten run snapped in Greece as Rangers held

West Ham's 17-match unbeaten European run came to an end on Thursday with a 2-1 loss away to Olympiakos, while Rangers battled for a point in a goalless Europa League draw at Sparta Prague.

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'Brotherly Shove' dividing NFL as Eagles face Commanders

A perfectly legitimate piece of innovative tactical genius or an abomination that should be legislated out of existence?

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Sri Lanka's Theekshana says England 'underestimated' us

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana on Thursday said defending champions England "underestimated" his team in their key World Cup clash.

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Retallick to start for New Zealand in World Cup final

New Zealand coach Ian Foster has made one change to his starting XV to play South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, Brodie Retallick replacing Sam Whitelock in the second row.

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Postecoglou targets long-term success for high-flying Spurs

Ange Postecoglou says he is more concerned about laying the groundwork for "sustainable" success at Tottenham than the immediate chance to establish a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

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