International Sport

Asian champions Japan are poised to become the first country to join hosts Brazil at the 2014 World Cup, when they take their unbeaten re¬cord in the final qualifying round to Jordan today. Read more about Rampant Japan poised to seal world cup berth

Dutchman Clarence Seedorf was bizarrely sent off in Botafogo’s 2-1 win over Madureira on Sunday for arguing with the referee over where he should leave the pitch after being substituted. Read more about Seedorf sent off for leaving pitch the wrong way

Fresh off a rousing comeback against Brazil in a friendly, Cesare Prandelli’s Italy side face a trip to Malta today, as they look to extend their lead over Bulgaria in Group B and move one step closer to World Cup qualification.

Prandelli will be hoping Italy carry that second half form into the match at the Ta’Qali National Stadium, especially given that Pietro Ghedin’s men have yet to win in this qualification campaign and have only scored one goal in the four matches they have played. Read more about Italy attack-minded for Malta match

Multiple Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis has backed Tokyo’s bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games, hailing the Japanese city’s strong pediree for organising big sporting events. Read more about American track great Lewis backs Tokyo’s 2020 bid

Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says his side’s crucial 2-0 victory over Central African Republic (CAR) in their World Cup qualifier will set the tone, as they look to book their place in the 2014 showpiece in Brazil.

In his first qualifying game in charge, after Bafana had played to two lacklustre draws under former coach Pitso Mosimane, Igesund’s men played with confidence, and vitally managed to get the ball in the back of the net at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night. Read more about Win will pave Bafana’s way - Igesund

Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel stormed to victory in a thrilling Malaysian Grand Prix yesterday, leading a Red Bull one-two ahead of team mate Mark Webber in a race packed with intrigue, incident and plenty of bad blood.

The Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crossed the line in unison 12 seconds behind Vettel, while last year’s winner Fernando Alonso crashed out on the second lap when his damaged front wing buckled under the Ferrari’s chassis. Read more about Vettel leads Red Bull one-two in Malaysia thriller

The ACT Brumbies’ winning start to Super Rugby ended at four matches, when they were beaten 35-22 by the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday, leaving the tournament with no unbeaten teams after six rounds.

The Brumbies’ first loss away from home in eight matches trimmed their lead in the overall standings to two points from the Hamilton-based Chiefs and in the Australian conference to six points over the Queensland Reds. Read more about Physical Stormers end Brumbies’ unbeaten run

Mario Balotelli scored a stunning goal as Italy came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Brazil in an entertaining friendly in Geneva on Thursday. Read more about Balotelli earns Italy a draw

Libya are pushing hard to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which it sees as a chance to showcase the footballing prowess of its youth and mark a return to normal times in a country plagued by post-revolutionary unrest.

The North African country was to host the 2013 tournament, but the revolution which overthrew Muammar Gaddafi two years ago saw South Africa step in, ahead of its scheduled hosting of the 2017 event. Read more about Libya determined to host 2017 AFCON

Wallabies’ legend George Gregan has tipped an unlikely rugby nation, possibly China, to cause an upset at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro when the sevens format debuts at the Games. Read more about Legend Gregan expects Olympics sevens upset