Shanghai (AFP) – Andre Villas-Boas left Shanghai SIPG on Thursday after the Portuguese coach failed to lead the big-spending club to a trophy in his turbulent first season in China. The 40-year-old, who will drive in the Dakar Rally in January, saw his side lose Sunday's FA Cup final to rivals and underdogs Shanghai Shenhua. […]

Doha (AFP) – A November 30 deadline to announce if the Qatar-hosted Gulf Cup will take place amid an ongoing regional political crisis has been pushed back, an official said Thursday. The final decision will now be made early next week following a meeting on December 4 — just 18 days before the tournament is scheduled […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – Malaysia on Thursday defended striking a deal with Barcelona footballer Luis Suarez to help boost tourism after an opposition MP criticised the move to sign up a player notorious for biting rivals. Government agency Tourism Malaysia inked the one-year deal in early November, hoping that using the Uruguayan in its marketing […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Chinese Super League side Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng, who have been linked with an audacious move for Brazilian veteran Kaka, on Thursday retained coach Gregorio Manzano for another season. The 61-year-old Spaniard, whose long career in management has included spells at Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, led Guizhou to a mid-table finish when the […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is not expecting Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to set his team up defensively when the sides clash on Saturday despite his reputation for "parking the bus" in big matches. United travel to the Emirates Stadium sitting second in the Premier League and on the back of a […]

Sydney (AFP) – Australian football is embroiled in a governance crisis and could face a take-over from FIFA after Football Federation Australia failed to pass a proposed reform of its congress on Thursday. A key resolution at the FFA Annual General Meeting in Sydney to create a more democratic governance model was voted down, leaving […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil are full of confidence ahead of Friday's World Cup draw in Russia — and it's not all just about Neymar. Coming back after the mother of all humiliations in that 7-1 defeat to Germany while hosting the tournament in 2014, Brazil are once more among the top contenders. The […]

Berlin (AFP) – Joachim Loew is comfortable with Germany carrying the favourites tag for next year's World Cup, but the head coach has a few areas to strengthen before his team's title defence in Russia. England or Spain are lurking in pot two as potential group-stage opponents for the world champions in Friday's draw at […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Brazilian side Gremio won their third Copa Libertadores crown on Wednesday with a 2-1 triumph over Argentina's Lanus in La Fortaleza stadium. Gremio arrived in Argentina off a 1-0 win in the first leg of the final in Porto Alegre, and bolstered their advantage with first-half goals from Fernandinho and Luan. […]

Moscow (AFP) – The World Cup draw in the Kremlin on Friday launches Russia's bid to turn a page on its history of football hooliganism and racism while warding off a terror threat linked to Moscow's intervention in Syria. The success of the tournament is also a matter of personal pride for Vladimir Putin after […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola highlighted Raheem Sterling's growing self-belief after his remarkable run of late goals continued with a superb stoppage-time winner in the 2-1 victory over Southampton. City's quest for a 12th successive league victory seemed to be over when Oriel Romeu's 75th-minute equaliser for the Saints cancelled […]

Moscow (AFP) – Appointed as Russia's new coach right after their Euro 2016 disaster, Stanislav Cherchesov knew he was facing an uphill task. Now he has seven months to turn next year's World Cup hosts into viable opponents. Russia will take the top slot in the first pot of teams at the finals draw on […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Toronto FC get a chance at MLS Cup redemption after beating Columbus Crew 1-0 on Wednesday to reach Major League Soccer's championship match. US international Jozy Altidore shrugged off an ankle injury incurred in the 49th minute to score the game-winner in the 60th, departing the contest eight minutes later. Toronto […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger praised Mesut Ozil's "fight" as well as his skill as a "great football player" after the German's impressive all-round display in a 5-0 thrashing of Premier League new boys Huddersfield Town. The Gunners' seventh win out of seven at home in the league this season was confirmed thanks to an […]

Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manager Jurgen Klopp believes he has the options to nurse Liverpool's squad through their hectic pre-Christmas period after seeing his side win 3-0 at Stoke City. Klopp brought goalscorer Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino back into his starting line-up at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday, with Mohamed Salah […]