The Japan Times - Sports (English)

Beleaguered Italy lose injured Zaccagni for England game

Mattia Zaccagni became the latest player to leave beleaguered Italy's Euro 2024 qualifying camp with an ankle injury ruling the Lazio midfielder out of next week's game against England.

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Rublev downs Dimitrov to set up Shanghai final with Hurkacz

Andrey Rublev beat Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 in a gripping Shanghai Masters semi-final on Saturday and will play big-serving Pole Hubert Hurkacz for the title.

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Fiji vow to play with 'no fear' in World Cup quarters

Underdogs Fiji will be fearless when they tackle England in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, assistant coach Daryl Gibson vowed on Saturday.

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Afghanistan only get it '70-80%' right, says Trott

Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott admitted Saturday that his team "get it 70-80% right" but need to find an extra gear quickly if they are to end a demoralising run of 14 successive World Cup defeats.

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South Africa deny France 'chess game' claims for World Cup quarter-final

South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said on Saturday there will be no late changes to their team for this weekend's Rugby World Cup quarter-final despite claims from France's Raphael Ibanez.

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Dupont World Cup return brings 'added value' to France for ex-captain Dusautoir

Former France captain Thierry Dusautoir said Antoine Dupont's return from injury brings something different to the team for Sunday's crunch Rugby World Cup quarter-final with holders South Africa.

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India bowl out Pakistan for just 191 in key World Cup clash

India bowled out Pakistan for just 191 in their high-profile World Cup clash on Saturday after their bitter rivals lost their last eight wickets for just 36 runs.

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Big-serving Hurkacz powers into Shanghai Masters final

Big-serving Hubert Hurkacz blasted his way into the final of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday with a ruthless 6-3, 6-4 win over Sebastian Korda of the United States.

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France's Woki proud to represent Paris suburb in World Cup last-eight

France lock Cameron Woki said on Saturday playing this weekend's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa in the town where he grew up will be a proud moment.

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Azam departs after 50 in key India-Pakistan World Cup clash

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam fell soon after getting to 50 in Saturday's high-voltage World Cup clash against India.

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Good early start key for All Blacks in Ireland quarter-final: McCaw

Ex-New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said his former side have to start well against Ireland in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final if they hope to upset the odds.

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Pakistan lose openers after steady start against India

Pakistan lost two wickets including previous-match centurion Abdullah Shafique after a steady start against India in their World Cup clash on Saturday.

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Sea of blue as fans march to India-Pakistan World Cup clash

Traffic around the world's biggest cricket stadium came to a standstill Saturday as tens of thousands of jubilant Indian fans spilled onto the roads in their march to the Cricket World Cup clash against archrivals Pakistan.

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Two's a crowd: From Houston to Ahmedabad for Pakistan fans

With their green shirts drowning in a sea of blue, Mohammad Uzair and Asif Syed Ali were a rare sight in Ahmedabad -- two Pakistan fans in an Indian dominated crowd of around 120,000 witnessing the biggest show in cricket.

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Williamson fractures thumb in new World Cup injury blow

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson faces another spell on the sidelines after scans revealed he fractured his thumb in the World Cup win over Bangladesh, his first match in seven months following a serious knee injury.

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Pakistan look to end India World Cup jinx in front of 120,000 fans

Babar Azam's Pakistan look for their first ever World Cup win over India on Saturday in front of a record crowd expected to number around 120,000 fans who will overwhelmingly be backing Rohit Sharma's home side.

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Martin wins Indonesia MotoGP sprint to take championship lead

Spaniard Jorge Martin won Saturday's sprint race at the Indonesia MotoGP to overtake rival Francesco Bagnaia at the top of the championship standings and turn the title race on its head.

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Martin wins Indonesia MotoGP sprint, overtakes Bagnaia in title race

Spaniard Jorge Martin won Saturday's sprint race at the Indonesia MotoGP to overtake rival Francesco Bagnaia in the championship standings.

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Think About It wins world's richest turf race, The Everest

Australian sprinter Think About It, ridden by Sam Clipperton, lived up to its billing as favourite Saturday to outgun I Wish I Win and cross the line first in the world's richest turf race, The Everest.

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Wembanyama shines again in second Spurs game

Victor Wembanyama, this year's number one draft pick in the NBA, shined again with an eye-catching 23-point performance in his second pre-season outing for the San Antonio Spurs.

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Nagelsmann feels responsibility and pressure ahead of debut against USA

New Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann says he is feeling "pressure" and "responsibility" as well as pride as he takes charge of the team for the first time against the United States on Saturday.

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LPGA's Thompson misses cut at PGA's Shriners Children's Open

The LPGA's Lexi Thompson missed the cut at the PGA's Shriners Children's Open despite shooting a two-under par round of 69 on Friday.

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Nagelsman feels responsibility and pressure ahead of debut against USA

New Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann says he is feeling "pressure" and "responsibility" as well as pride as he takes charge of the team for the first time against the United States on Saturday.

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France, Belgium, Portugal survive late scares to reach Euro 2024

France, Belgium and Portugal all blinked with a Euro 2024 place in their grasps but clung on for one-goal victories on Friday night which made them the first sides to qualify for next year's tournament.

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Ronaldo double seals Euro 2024 qualification for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal edged a 3-2 thriller against Slovakia in Porto on Friday to book their place at Euro 2024.

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LPGA's Thompson set to miss PGA cut despite solid second round

The LPGA's Lexi Thompson looks set to miss the cut at the PGA's Shriners Children's Open despite shooting a two-under par round of 69 on Friday.

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Belgium hold on in Austria to qualify for Euro 2024

Belgium held out with 10 men to beat Austria 3-2 in Vienna on Friday and ensure a top-two finish in Euro 2024 qualifying group F.

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WADA will have CAS decide Russia Anti-Doping case

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Friday it will refer Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) objections about its non-compliant status to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

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Watkins lifts England to friendly win over Australia as Henderson booed

England's understudies earned a 1-0 win against Australia thanks to Ollie Watkins' second half strike, but Jordan Henderson was booed by fans during Friday's friendly at Wembley.

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Mbappe double over Dutch fires unbeaten France to Euro '24

Kylian Mbappe fired France into next year's European Championships on Friday, scoring twice as Les Bleus kept their unbeaten qualifying record with a 2-1 win over a depleted Netherlands in Amsterdam.

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Harden will play for 76ers but can't fix Morey relationship

Philadelphia 76ers star guard James Harden said Friday his relationship with Sixers executive Daryl Morey cannot be repaired but he plans to play for the NBA club this coming season.

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Bangladesh need more 'responsiblity' to survive at World Cup

Bangladesh need to start batting with more "responsibility" if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive, said vice-captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

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