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Japan first to seal World Cup spot as South Korea, Australia get closer

HONG KONG: Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as South Korea were held but still inched closer along with a rampant Australia. Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half to give Japan a 2-0 home win over Bahrain and take their place alongside hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico at next year’s finals. The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until substitute Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute. In front of nearly 60,000 fans, Kubo added another in the 87th minute as Japan sealed their berth in style. It will be their eighth straight World Cup appearance. “I’m relieved that we could qualify at home in front of our supporters,” said Kubo, before he and his team-mates doused coach Hajjime Moriyasu with water. “This here is not our goal — we want to compete against strong teams at the World Cup.” Australia are in pole position to qualify out of Group C with Japan. Two goals in two minutes helped the Socceroos secure a 5-1 thrashing of Indonesia as Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert was well beaten in his first game in charge. Japan lead on 19 points.

More expansions on horizon for T20 franchise cricket

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League begins on Sunday, March 23, with the final scheduled for May 25. This year, the Pakistan Super League will overlap with the IPL, because it had to make way for Pakistan’s hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy.

NBA roundup: Luka Doncic, Lakers handle Nuggets

Luka Doncic scored 21 of his 31 points in the first quarter, Austin Reaves added 22 total and the Los Angeles Lakers turned a fast start into a 120-108 home victory over the short-handed Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

Al-Ahli crowned SAFF Women’s Cup champions in thriller at Kingdom Arena

RIYADH: Defending champions Al-Ahli beat Al-Qadsiah 2-1 in the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Women’s Cup final on Wednesday, in a game that lived up to all the pre-match hype.

Luka Doncic scores 31 after a big first quarter, and the Lakers rout the depleted Nuggets 120-108

LOS ANGELES: Luka Doncic had 31 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in just three quarters of work, and the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Denver Nuggets 120-108 on Wednesday night in a matchup of injury-depleted Western Conference contenders. Nikola Jokic (elbow) and Jamal Murray (ankle) missed their second straight games for Denver, while LeBron James (hamstring) and Rui Hachimura (knee) continued their longer-term absences for Los Angeles. Austin Reaves had 22 points and eight assists for the Lakers, who have won nine consecutive home games and three straight since finishing their 0-4 road trip last Friday with a loss at Denver. Aaron Gordon scored 26 points for the Nuggets. The Lakers scored a season-high 46 points in the first quarter led by Doncic, who scorched Denver for 21 points in his highest-scoring quarter of the season. He missed the Lakers’ 131-126 loss to Denver last Friday, when the Lakers nearly won without him and James. Los Angeles led by 28 after three quarters, allowing Doncic to get extra rest amid five home games in seven days. Bronny James played the final 3:58.Takeaways Nuggets: Even without Jokic and Murray, offense wasn’t the problem.

Djokovic player union launches legal blitz against governing bodies

MIAMI: A tennis union co-founded by Novak Djokovic on Tuesday announced a series of legal actions aimed at the sport’s governing bodies, alleging “anti-competitive restraints and abusive practices.” The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) said it was suing both tour organizers, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). The International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) were also named as defendants in a series of actions in the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union. Both the ATP and WTA responded by vowing to defend themselves against the claims with the men’s tour saying the PTPA has “consistently chosen division and distraction through misinformation over progress.” The PTPA was set up by Djokovic and Canadian Vasek Pospisil in 2020.

Courtois back and Belgium is looking to turn the page on ‘Courtoisgate’

The appointment of Rudi Garcia as the new coach this year paved the way for Courtois’ returnThe 32-year-old goalie was picked for the Nations League playoff doubleheader against UkraineBRUSSELS: Thibaut Courtois is back with Belgium after a 21-month absence and the Red Devils are hoping the Real Madrid goalkeeper’s return will herald the start of a new era for the national team after a lean spell.Courtois abruptly left the team in June 2023 ahead of a European Championship qualifier after falling out with Belgium’s then-coach, Domenico Tedesco. Their feud, which began over a captaincy dispute and was dubbed “Courtoisgate,” quickly escalated and damaged their relationship beyond repair.The appointment of Rudi Garcia as the new coach this year paved the way for Courtois’ return.

PFL MENA returns to Saudi Arabia as part of Jeddah Season

JEDDAH: The Professional Fighters League has announced that season two of PFL MENA will kick off at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah on Friday, May 9.

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Denver Nuggets Sport News

Japan first to seal World Cup spot as South Korea, Australia get closer

More expansions on horizon for T20 franchise cricket

NBA roundup: Luka Doncic, Lakers handle Nuggets

Al-Ahli crowned SAFF Women’s Cup champions in thriller at Kingdom Arena

Luka Doncic scores 31 after a big first quarter, and the Lakers rout the depleted Nuggets 120-108

Djokovic player union launches legal blitz against governing bodies

Courtois back and Belgium is looking to turn the page on ‘Courtoisgate’

PFL MENA returns to Saudi Arabia as part of Jeddah Season