Football: Japan coach disappointed but pleased with progress at Asian CupABU DHABI (REUTERS) - Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was naturally disappointed that his side missed out on a winning a fifth Asian Cup title on Friday (Feb 1) but believes the improvement of the squad augurs well for the future.The Samurai Blue went...

New title sponsor AIA wants to promote active lifestyleJust hours before the 2019 Singapore Premier League (SPL) kicked off with the Community Shield last night, the country's only professional sports league received a boost with the unveiling of a new title sponsor.AIA Singapore inked a two-year deal and the insurance...

Football: Guardiola stays cool despite shock Man City defeatMANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he was not disappointed by his players' effort despite suffering a surprise 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday (Dec 22).Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring for the home side at...

Muller sorry for 'gongfu' kick in 3-3 Ajax drawAMSTERDAM • Thomas Muller has apologised for his gongfu-style kick to the head of Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico, which saw the Germany star being sent off in Wednesday's six-goal thriller."No, no - of course I didn't mean to do it," the 29-year-old told reporters over...

Football: Spurs' Pochettino recalls how he cheered United counterpart Solskjaer's 1999 Champions League final goalLONDON - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed on Friday morning (Jan 11) that he was among the 90,245 fans who packed Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium in 1999 to watch Manchester United's fabled...

How champions have lost their way1. MIDFIELD THREE MISSINGManchester City coasted to the title last season because they had the best midfield. Between them, Kevin de Bruyne, Fernandinho and David Silva either scored or assisted in 52 of City's 106 league goals. Silva missed 10 games because of his son's premature birth,...

Football: Quick Foxes could ambush Pep's menPerhaps it is the worst possible place for Manchester City to go after their worst league result for 23 months.Beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace on Saturday, the champions visit the scene of Pep Guardiola's nadir in English football. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading...

Football: Can fading force Jose Mourinho deny Liverpool's title march again?Sometimes the king has fallen so far that the best he can do is to become the kingmaker. Embroiled in a battle for sixth, Jose Mourinho will not win his fourth Premier League title this season. But, for the second time, he could play a pivotal...

Backline conundrum for Arsenal's Emery in Wolves' lairLONDON • Unai Emery is faced with a defensive dilemma that could make or break Arsenal's hopes of a top-four finish in their Premier League campaign.The Gunners travel to Wolves today having missed a chance on tightening their grip on a top-four finish ahead of at...

No hoofing as attacking plan pays off for StagsAFC CUP GROUP FTampines Rovers 1Hanoi FC 1Staring at defeat and with their game plan yet to bear fruit, it would have been tempting for Tampines Rovers to just hoof the ball long and hope for a lucky break.But the Stags stuck to their principle of playing attacking football...