Tag Archives: Sports – Asia

TOKYO (AP) — Japan defeated North Korea 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the women’s soccer tournament at the upcoming Paris Olympics. But not without a tiny bit of VAR controversy. The first match in the two-game series to determine one of Asia’s two qualifiers ended in a 0-0 draw on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Japan had three clear standout …

RAJKOT, India (AP) — After a tense 48 hours waiting to secure a visa, Rehan Ahmed was selected by England for the third cricket test against India starting Thursday. The 19-year-old legspinner was initially denied entry to India when England’s squad returned on Monday from a mid-series break in the United Arab Emirates. He only held a single-entrance electronic visa, …

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — Dane Piedt took a career-best 5-89 as South Africa bowled out New Zealand for 211 to take an unexpected first-innings lead Wednesday on the second day of the second cricket test. South Africa was bowled out for 242 after resuming Day 2 at 220-6 and New Zealand conceded a 31 run lead as bowlers dominated …

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Najmul Hossain Shanto has been appointed captain of the Bangladesh cricket team in all three formats for one year, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said Monday. Shanto replaces Shakib Al Hasan, who has been suffering from a vision problem caused by an issue with the retina of his left eye. “We discussed about captaincy at length…after the …

HONG KONG (AP) — The fallout from Lionel Messi’s failure to play in a club exhibition match in Hong Kong has spread with both of Argentina’s friendly matches as part of a tour of mainland China next month canceled by local football authorities. The Beijing Football Association said on Saturday it would not organize Argentina’s scheduled friendly against Ivory Coast …

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Akram Afif has produced some magical performances during the Asian Cup. And after firing Qatar into a 1-0 lead in Saturday’s final against Jordan, he did likewise with his celebration. The forward scored his sixth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot at Lusail Stadium after being brought down by Abdallah Nasib in the first …

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Barry John, the rugby great who played 25 games for Wales and inspired the British and Irish Lions’ famous series victory over New Zealand in 1971 before retiring at the age of 27, has died. He was 79. John’s family announced his death Sunday in a statement released to British media, saying he died peacefully in …