CRICKET
Indians win in Taipei
The Taipei Indians won two matches at the Janhong Annual Cup at the Yingfeng Cricket Ground in Taipei’s Songshan District yesterday, downing ICC and the Game Swingers. The Indians bowled out ICC for 48 in the opening 12-over game, and reached their target with eight wickets and 21 deliveries to spare. Indians bowler Chelladurai Karuppiah took 3-9. In the second match, they scored 83-3 against the Game Swingers and bowled them out for 55, with Saran Vignesh claiming 3-6. In the third match, Manikandan Arumugam took 3-22 as the Swingers scored 88-9 and held off the Hsinchu Titans, who made 87-5 in reply, with Arvind Mukundan claiming 3-7.
SOCCER
Bayern sign Harry Kane
England captain Harry Kane — who had one year left on his contract at Tottenham Hotspur — has signed a four-year deal with Bayern Munich until 2027, the German champions announced yesterday. The two clubs have agreed a fee estimated to be worth a Bundesliga record 100 million euros (US$110 million) for the 30-year-old. “I’m very happy to be a part of FC Bayern now,” Kane said in a club statement. “Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I’ve always said that I want to compete and prove myself at the highest level during my career. This club is defined by its winning mentality — it feels very good to be here.”
SOCCER
Valencia and Rayo win
Valencia on Friday defeated Sevilla 2-1 on the opening night of the new La Liga season. Valencia, who only survived relegation by two points in the last campaign, took the lead on the hour mark thanks to a header from Mouctar Diakhaby. Sevilla leveled nine minutes later when striker Youssef en-Nesyri headed in at the far post from a cross. However, Valencia stunned the home side in the 88th minute when Javi Guerra hit the winner. Earlier, Rayo Vallecano beat UD Almeria 2-0.
SOCCER
Infantino probe closed
Special prosecutors in Switzerland are closing a years-long probe of the former attorney-general who had undisclosed meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino during a sweeping investigation of international soccer. Swiss media on Friday reported that Michael Lauber, who lost his job as the top Swiss federal prosecutor in the fallout from the Infantino meetings, was notified of the two special prosecutors’ intention to close their investigation. Special prosecutors Ulrich Weder and Hans Maurer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. FIFA said in a statement that the “intended dismissal of this case is no surprise,” about three years after Infantino was put under suspicion by a previous special prosecutor appointed by Swiss lawmakers to first handle the investigation. Infantino is at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand for one more week and “will speak about this matter only after the tournament has ended and when prosecutors have officially communicated their decision,” FIFA said. Lauber was under investigation for possible abuse of public office and Infantino was implicated in inciting him in a case provoked by complaints from Swiss residents who were not identified.
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in has pleaded with South Korea fans to get behind the team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after more boos were aimed at coach Hong Myung-bo despite leading them to qualification. South Korea reached next year’s finals in North America without losing a game, but that does not tell the whole story. The country’s soccer association has been in the firing line, having scrambled about to find a successor after sacking the unpopular Jurgen Klinsmann in February last year. They eventually settled on Hong, the decorated former skipper who had an unsuccessful stint as coach in 2013-2014, during which
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Ferrari’s F1 fortunes might be flagging, but the Italian team start this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans as favorites, targeting a third consecutive triumph in motorsport’s fabled endurance classic. Roger Federer is acting as celebrity starter with the tennis icon getting the 93rd edition of the jewel in four-wheeled endurance racing’s crown under way tomorrow. Twenty-four hours later, through daylight, darkness and dawn, the 21 elite hypercars are to battle it out over 300 laps (more than 4,000km) in front of a sold-out 320,000 crowd burning the midnight oil with copious quantities of coffee and beer. Ferrari made a triumphant return after
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