Football

Soccer-Petkovic - ‘Every game tougher’ as Algeria chase African crown

Dec 28 (Reuters) - Algeria coach ‌Vladimir Petkovic admitted he did not expect the ‌level of resistance from Burkina Faso after his ‌side battled to a 1-0 win on Sunday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations last 16.

Football

Rock-solid Okwuosa stands tall as Kuching surge to second spot

PETALING JAYA: A rock-solid defence marshalled by towering centreback James Okwuosa has propelled Kuching City to second place in the Super League as they close out 2025 in impressive fashion.

Football

A tough challenge awaits for calm leader

PETALING JAYA: Tengku Hazman Raja Hassan is facing one of the biggest challenges of his football career as Terengganu's interim head coach, but the former midfielder is ready for the task.

Motorsport

A season to remember for Naquib

PETALING JAYA: Naquib Azlan had a packed season competing across multiple championships, but even he did not expect to end the year with six titles.

Football

Wanted man Motika stays loyal to Negri

PETALING JAYA: Bosnian winger Jovan Motika is suddenly a man in demand and for good reason.

Squash

Haneesha sets sights on big junior farewell

PETALING JAYA: Rising squash player V. Haneesha (pic) is hoping to end her final year as a junior on a high in 2026.

Badminton

Ex-player Khim Wah makes smashing switch to snooker

PETALING JAYA: Former men's doubles shuttler Lim Khim Wah may be best known for his exploits on the badminton court, but he has taken a different path since retiring, choosing not to stay in badminton and instead opening a snooker training centre.

Badminton

Roslin warns against relying on untested Zii Jia at Thomas Cup

PETALING JAYA: Former world No. 1 men's singles shuttler Roslin Hashim has warned against placing hopes on uncertainty.

Golf

Retaining Asian Tour card the hard way keeps Ervin in check

PETALING JAYA: National golfer Ervin Chang (pic) is glad that he saved his best for last in his bid to retain his 2026 Asian Tour card.

Other Sports

Indonesia plan to invite Australia, New Zealand under renamed SEA Games Plus

PETALING JAYA: Imagine Australia and New Zealand competing alongside Southeast Asia's best nations in the SEA Games Plus to inject fresh excitement into the regional showpiece.

Football

Soccer-Mahrez sends Algeria into Africa Cup of Nations last-16

RABAT, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Riyad ‌Mahrez scored a first half penalty as Algeria sealed their ‌place in the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup ‌of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their Group E clash in Rabat on Sunday.

Other Sports

Alpine skiing-Shiffrin roars back to win Semmering World Cup slalom

Dec 28 (Reuters) - ‌Mikaela Shiffrin recovered from a ‌tentative opening run to produce ‌a precise second one under the floodlights and win the women's World Cup slalom ‍in Semmering, Austria on ‍Sunday.

Football

Soccer-Gray's first senior goal earns Spurs gritty 1-0 win at Palace

LONDON, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Archie Gray's first senior ‌goal gave Tottenham Hotspur a vital 1-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Sunday, ending Spurs' poor away run and ‌easing pressure on their manager Thomas Frank.

Other Sports

Chess-Norway's Carlsen claims sixth world rapid chess title in Qatar

Dec 28 (Reuters) - Magnus ‌Carlsen won his sixth world rapid ‌championship title at the FIDE World ‌Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Qatar on Sunday.

Football

Soccer-Own goal hands Sudan fortunate win over Guinea at Cup of Nations

CASABLANCA, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Sudan profited ‌from a late own goal to beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 at the ‌Africa Cup of Nations finals on Sunday, picking up their first points ‌of the tournament in Morocco.

Tennis

Tennis-Kyrgios beats Sabalenka in 'Battle of the Sexes' showdown

DUBAI, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios beat Aryna Sabalenka 6‑3 6‑3 ‌on Sunday in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match billed as a modern take on Billie Jean King's famous win over Bobby Riggs over 50 years ‌ago, but one that ignited controversy over its relevance and meaning.

Football

Soccer-From injury woes to goal machine, Calvert-Lewin charts stunning revival at Leeds

SUNDERLAND, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Six months after Everton ‌let an injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin leave on a free transfer, the English striker is on one of the hottest ‌scoring streaks in the Premier League as he netted in a sixth straight game in Sunday's 1-1 ‌draw at Sunderland.

Football

Soccer-Hojlund double secures Napoli win at Cremonese

CREMONA, Italy, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Rasmus ‌Hojlund struck twice as Napoli claimed an authoritative 2-0 victory away ‌to Cremonese on Sunday to stay firmly in the hunt ‌at the top of Serie A.

Football

Selangor move up to third, Devan leaves Melaka

PETALING JAYA: Selangor have moved up to third thanks to better goal difference after beating Melaka 3-0 in their Super League encounter at the Petaling Jaya Stadium here on Sunday (Dec 28).

Football

Soccer-Mozambique claim maiden Africa Cup of Nations win, Gabon on brink of exit

Dec 28 (Reuters) - Gabon are facing an ‌early exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after slipping to a 3-2 ‌defeat to Mozambique in their Group F clash in Agadir, which ended a 40-year ‌wait for a victory at the continental finals for the southern African side.