As the Lebanon Cedars prepare for their first AFC Asian Cup appearance since 2000, their faithful fans are asking the question. Is this team the best Lebanese team ever? According the latest FIFA World Rankings, the answer is yes.  Lebanon is currently ranked 79th in the world, its highest ranking ever, one behind China and one ahead of the United Arab Emirates. …

Cristiano Ronaldo has received applause and boos after scoring for Juventus as he continues to receive support after allegations of rape surfaced last week. Ronaldo’s powerful, angled goal, the second of the match and his fourth of the season, was met with a mixed response in the Italian league game at the Stadio Friuli, home of Udinese. Juventus won the …

A player has never had as much impact on a grand final with so few touches. In fact, Cooper Cronk, Sydney Roosters star and big-money recruit, rarely touched the ball in his side’s 21-6 grand final win over Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night. Instead, Cronk – battling what was later revealed to be a broken scapula (shoulder) – …

There were fist pumps, furious dropshot chases and four match points saved as the Australian claimed a stunning first ATP tournament victory in three years at China’s Chengdu Open. The oft-maligned 25-year-old dug deep to snatch a brave 6-1 3-6 7-6 (9-7) win over world number 13 Fabio Fognini. He hadn’t played someone ranked as high as Fognini in a …

The US Open final devolved into farce after Serena Williams took odds with the umpire’s treatment of her. It took sheen away from 20-year-old Naomi Osaka beating her idol to claim hers and Japan’s first major title, but there were a lot of moving parts. So, what the hell happened? First violation: Coaching (warning) Having already lost the first set …

Roger Federer has delivered a tennis masterclass to send Nick Kyrgios out of the US Open in New York. The 20-times grand slam champion produced some breathtaking shot-making at times in sweeping past Kyrgios 6-4, 6-1, 7-5 in their much-hyped third-round showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Federer’s emphatic victory set up a last-16 meeting with another Australian, unseeded journeyman John …

And with that, it was over. The clock finally running out on “Timmy Time”. Arguably Australia’s most important player in its footballing history signed off an international career that has featured 107 games, four World Cup Finals and a record 50 goals, with a last public engagement that contained laughter, tears and a leisurely meander down memory lane. And what …

The 1-1 draw against Denmark keeps Australia’s interests alive in the World Cup, but only just, and we need quite a bit to go our way next week. Again, Australia showed it could mix it with the big boys in the score-draw with the Danes, but again it was a night of frustration and what-could-have-beens. So here’s the lay of …

John Roberts has reached his 60s and has decided it’s time to trade in the family home for the apartment lifestyle. “I have quite a bit of what I call memorabilia, my wife calls it something else I won’t mention,” he joked. “You do have to get rid of a lot of stuff that you accumulate over the time.” As …

For years the cards seemed stacked against Australian women footballers. Men stopped them from playing, insults were hurled as they trained, their boots were vandalised, and they couldn’t afford gear that fit. In the lead up to the 2000 Olympics, keen to lift their profile, they even agreed to pose for a nude calendar. The obstacles might have defeated others, …