The Japan Times - Sports (English)

Kaoru Mitoma signs new Brighton deal

Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma has signed a new contract with Brighton that will keep him at the Premier League club until 2027, ending speculation over his future.

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Tonali has future at Newcastle despite betting probe, says Howe

Eddie Howe insists Sandro Tonali has a future at Newcastle as the Italian midfielder awaits the outcome of an investigation into alleged breaches of betting rules.

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Buttler says Woakes' form a 'frustration' ahead of key World Cup clash

England captain Jos Buttler accepted Chris Woakes's form with the new ball was a major concern heading into the faltering champions' key World Cup clash against South Africa on Saturday.

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Schauffele fights back at windy Zozo Championship

Xander Schauffele finished with a flourish to move three strokes off the lead heading into the last two days of the US PGA Tour's Zozo Championships in Japan on Friday.

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Pochettino advised me not to go into coaching, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta revealed on Friday that "role model" Mauricio Pochettino advised him not to go into coaching as he prepares his Arsenal side to take on Chelsea.

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Australia openers Warner, Marsh pummel Pakistan at World Cup

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh both made half-centuries as Australia's opening pair pummelled Pakistan in their World Cup clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday.

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Bayern 'not rushing' Neuer comeback, says coach Tuchel

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel said the side would "not rush anything" as captain Manuel Neuer edged closer to a return from injury after almost 12 months on the sidelines.

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No suspension for Bayern's Mazraoui over pro-Palestinian posts

Bayern Munich on Friday said defender Noussair Mazraoui would not be suspended, after a probe into the Moroccan player over his social media posts on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

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Billie Jean King wants combined tennis World Cup, shirt numbers

American tennis great Billie Jean King called this week for a combined women and men's World Cup of tennis and for players to wear shirt numbers, to keep growing the sport.

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First-class Fuellkrug lands for Dortmund ahead of Bremen reunion

In-form striker Niclas Fuellkrug's Borussia Dortmund host his former side Werder Bremen on Friday, continuing the forward's stunning late-career flourish.

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Shelton shocked by success after moving into Japan Open semis

Rising tennis star Ben Shelton said Friday that his career has moved "a lot faster than I would have thought" after advancing to the semi-finals of the Japan Open.

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England demolish Australia as WXV1 rugby tournament debuts

England captain Marlie Packer claimed two of her team's six tries as the Red Roses demolished Australia 42-7 on Friday to kick off a new top-tier women's rugby tournament.

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Binder takes charge as wild weather disrupts Australia MotoGP

KTM's Brad Binder produced a scorching late lap to clock the fastest time Friday for a disrupted Australian MotoGP, as championship leader Francesco Bagnaia finished outside the top 10.

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Binder takes charge at Australia MotoGP as Bagnaia misses top 10

KTM rider Brad Binder produced a scorching late lap to stamp his mark on the Australian MotoGP with the fastest time in second practice Friday, as championship leader Francesco Bagnaia finished outside the top 10.

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Jaguars hold off Saints for dramatic NFL triumph

Trevor Lawrence threw for 204 yards and a touchdown and the Jacksonville Jaguars stretched their NFL win streak to four games on Thursday with a 31-24 victory at New Orleans.

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D-backs edge Phillies, Astros rout Rangers in MLB playoffs

Ketel Marte smacked a bases-loaded single in the ninth inning to drive in the winning run as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Philadelphia 2-1 on Thursday in the Major League Baseball playoffs.

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Barista Tuilagi comes of age for Rugby World Cup semi-final

Ever since Manu Tuilagi made his England debut in 2011, the fleet-footed stocky centre has been considered a key part of their success.

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Djokovic to open 2024 at United Cup, but no Nadal

World number one Novak Djokovic will open his 2024 season at the mixed teams United Cup in Australia, but injury-plagued Rafael Nadal was not on the Spain team announced Friday.

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NFL reunion for Tagovailoa and Hurts as Dolphins visit Eagles

Former University of Alabama teammates Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts, now superstar quarterbacks, face each other in the NFL for the first time Sunday in a possible Super Bowl preview.

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'Purpose-driven' Springboks braced for England showdown

For most rugby players the glory of getting your hands on the Webb Ellis cup would be motivation enough to lay your body on the line in a World Cup semi-final.

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Ramos set for Real Madrid reunion as Sevilla start new era

Sergio Ramos has not played against Real Madrid since 2005 but on Saturday, his Sevilla team welcome the Spanish league leaders to the Sanchez-Pizjuan for a reunion.

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Leaders Milan face title rivals Juve as betting scandal rocks Italy

AC Milan will defend their two-point Serie A lead on Sunday night when they face Juventus, a huge match which threatens to be overshadowed by a gambling scandal rocking Italian football.

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Ding ding Round Six -- South Africa and England, a history of World Cup rivalry

South Africa are two wins away from becoming the first team to win the Rugby World Cup four times with England their first opponents in Saturday's semi-final.

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High-flying Nice host struggling rivals Marseille

Second-placed Nice welcome rivals Marseille to the Allianz Riviera on Saturday amid conflicting form for the two teams, though only four places separate them in the table.

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Martin tops opening practice at Phillip Island

Jorge Martin topped the timesheets in Friday's opening free practice for the Australian MotoGP, with championship leader Francesco Bagnaia lagging in 11th.

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Man City seek to stop rot as Chelsea host Arsenal

Manchester City are aiming to avoid a third straight Premier League defeat for the first time in seven years when they host Brighton on Saturday, while Arsenal will provide a stiff test for resurgent Chelsea.

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USA midfielder Adams out five months with injury: report

United States national team midfielder Tyler Adams will be sidelined for five months with a hamstring injury, The Athletic reported on Thursday.

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Diamondbacks edge Phillies 2-1 to tighten MLB playoff fight

Ketel Marte smacked a bases-loaded single in the ninth inning to drive in the winning run as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Philadelphia 2-1 on Thursday in the Major League Baseball playoffs.

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Dettori -- Racing's great entertainer set for final European hurrah

For Frankie Dettori, come Saturday evening the flying dismounts and unabashed displays of emotions in victory or defeat will be a thing of the past as the great showman retires from European racing, leaving a huge vacuum.

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Bangladesh's Najmul urges batsmen to improve after India loss

Stand-in Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said his batsmen must take "responsibility" after a collapse in a seven-wicket defeat by India left them struggling to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals.

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Harden misses 76ers practice for 'personal reasons'

James Harden missed Philadelphia 76ers practice for a second consecutive day on Thursday for what the NBA club called personal reasons, leaving his status in doubt for next week's season opener.

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Stotts resigns as assistant coach for NBA Bucks

Terry Stotts, who was the head coach at Portland for the first nine years of Damian Lillard's career, resigned Thursday as an assistant coach of Lillard's new NBA team, the Milwaukee Bucks.

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