Injury time goals from Reza Ghoochannejhad and Alireza Jahanbaksh secured a dramatic 2-0 win for three-time FIFA World Cup qualifiers Iran over Qatar at the Azadi Stadium yesterday as Carlos Queiroz’s side made a winning start in their attempt to advance to Russia 2018.

A smiling Ariya Jutanugarn has set her sights on Lydia Ko’s world number one ranking as the in-form Thai star chases her sixth win of the season at the Manulife LPGA Classic, which was scheduled to start yesterday, in Cambridge, Ontario.

Lee Westwood has advised the six rookies in Europe’s Ryder Cup team to brace themselves for a difficult atmosphere in the United States but expects the newcomers to draw on their international experience to flourish in Minnesota.

Belgium’s Jens Keukeleire won a bunch sprint to clinch the 12th stage of the Vuelta a Espana yesterday as Nairo Quintana retained the overall lead.

When the US Open began Ryan Harrison was one half of a Flushing Meadows feel good story as he and younger brother Christian become the first siblings to come through qualifying into a grand slam main draw.

Daredevil two-time world champion and current runaway points leader Marc Marquez feels the Silverstone chicanes and curves can help him distance his championship rivals at the British Moto GP on Sunday.

Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa announced yesterday he will retire at the end of the 2016 season.

Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton heads to this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix knowing that a hat-trick of successive wins at Monza will put him in charge of the title race after one of the most rollercoaster seasons of his career.

A formal investigation found no evidence of bribery by Japanese officials yesterday after probing a $2mn payment made during Tokyo’s successful bid to host the 2020 Olympics.

England coach Eddie Jones has said the side’s main task in the Autumn internationals will be to take down South Africa’s ‘bullies’ as he aims to build on his successful start in the role with a first win over the Springboks since 2006.

Pakistan yesterday announced a 13-man squad for the only Twenty20 against England to be played at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

West Indies fast bowling great Courtney Walsh has agreed to become Bangladesh’s bowling coach and will begin his three-year role this week, the country’s cricket board said yesterday.