SOCCER
Diallo extends contract
Manchester United forward Amad Diallo on Thursday signed a contract extension that would keep him with the Premier League club until 2030. The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international has shone this season with six goals and seven assists, including a late winner against Manchester City last month and an equaliser against Liverpool on Sunday. “I am really proud to have signed this new contract,” Diallo said in a statement. “I have had some incredible moments with this club already, but there is so much more to come.” United are 13th in the English Premier League and travel to Arsenal for an English FA Cup third-round tie tomorrow.
SOCCER
Suarez touts Neymar deal
A reunion of Barcelona’s famed trio of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar at Inter Miami would certainly be welcome — if it happens.Suarez addressed rumors that Neymar could be headed to Major League Soccer on Thursday. “Everyone knows what Neymar can offer, and what we achieved together in that special period. Now we are in a different period and older, but the team will certainly feel grateful to have a player like him with us,” he said. “As always, anything is possible in football, but turning these expectations into reality is difficult and complicated.” Neymar, who currently plays for Saudi club Al Hilal, fueled the rumors with comments to CNN Sport earlier this week. “Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible,” Neymar said. “They are my friends. We still speak to each other. It would be interesting to revive this trio. I’m happy at Al Hilal, I’m happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows. Football is full of surprises.” He also posted a selfie on Instagram stories with his son, who was wearing an Inter Miami jersey. In October last year, Neymar bought a waterfront home in Miami’s Bal Harbour for US$26 million. Neymar, Messi and Suarez played together at Barcelona for three memorable seasons from 2014-2017. Known as MSN, the trio combined for 364 goals and had 173 assists.
Nfl
LA Rams’ game moved
The NFL has moved Monday’s playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, after wildfires ravaged the region surrounding the Rams’ SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The league announced the decision on Thursday after another fire broke out several miles from the Rams’ training complex in the Woodland Hills neighborhood, about 20km north of fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades. While none of the fires were burning near the stadium southwest of downtown Los Angeles, the NFL made the decision amid concerns about air quality and whether the community could handle such an event.
NBA
Lakers game postponed
The NBA postponed the Los Angeles Lakers’ home game against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday with several massive wildfires burning across the greater Los Angeles area. It was the second straight day a game slated to be played in downtown Los Angeles was postponed. The NHL’s Los Angeles Kings were scheduled to host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. The dates for the rescheduled games have not been announced.
Taiwan kept its hopes of advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome last night, backed by solid pitching. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The win was crucial for Taiwan, as a loss would have eliminated the team from contention for the next WBC. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸) struck out one and allowed no hits, except for
Taiwan kept their hopes of advancing to next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Saturday, backed by solid pitching. Taiwan last night played against Nicaragua. As of press time, Nicaragua was leading 6-0. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan on Saturday kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen struck out one and allowed no hits, except for a hit-by-pitch over
The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) is considering reducing its pitch clock by two seconds to help players better adjust to the rules applied at the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The proposal aims to shorten the pitch timer from 25 seconds to 23 seconds with the bases empty, and from 20 seconds to 18 seconds with runners on base. Currently, the WBC mandates that pitchers deliver a pitch every 18 seconds with the bases empty and 15 seconds with runners on base. The issue was raised during a pre-season CPBL managers’ meeting on Tuesday by Rakuten Monkeys bench and batting
Team Taiwan are set to face Spain in a win-or-go-home match tonight for the final berth at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), despite losing to Nicaragua 6-0 in the WBC qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Sunday. The home team’s loss on Sunday means Nicaragua finish first in the qualifier round in Taipei with a perfect 3-0 record and advances to next year’s finals. After crushing South Africa 9-1 earlier on Sunday, Spain took second place in the four-team qualifier with a 2-1 record. With a 1-2 record, Taiwan finished third while South Africa placed at the bottom with
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