Sports News Roundup: Soccer-Australia captain Kerr to miss Canada friendlies; Soccer-Wolves manager O'Neil losing faith in VAR and more

The 34-year-old eventually crossed the line in 18th place before rushing to the tents where the athletes were warming themselves back up. Soccer-Venue renamed 'Christine Sinclair Place' for Canada soccer great's final game BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, will be renamed "Christine Sinclair Place" for one night next week in honour of the captain's final match with the women's international team, Canada Soccer said on Monday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Australia captain Kerr to miss Canada friendlies

Matildas captain Sam Kerr will miss Australia's upcoming international friendlies against Canada in Langford and Vancouver because of a foot injury. Striker Kerr will stay in London with her club Chelsea to receive treatment on the injury and has been replaced in the squad by uncapped 20-year-old midfielder Sarah Hunter, the team said.

Soccer-Wolves manager O'Neil losing faith in VAR

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil has always been a fan of VAR but on Monday he joined the growing chorus of coaches complaining about the review system after his side had two penalties given against them in a 3-2 loss at Fulham. The spot kicks, converted by Willian, were awarded after a Nelson Semedo challenge on Tom Cairney and a late Joao Gomes challenge on Harry Wilson, the latter given after a VAR review.

Cross-country skier's private parts freeze in sub-zero Finland event

The sub-zero temperatures in Ruka in northern Finland took their toll on Swedish cross-country skier Calle Halfvarsson during a 20 km mass start event on Sunday as he lost all feeling in his private parts. As the race began the mercury plummeted to minus 15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit). The 34-year-old eventually crossed the line in 18th place before rushing to the tents where the athletes were warming themselves back up.

Soccer-Venue renamed 'Christine Sinclair Place' for Canada soccer great's final game

BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, will be renamed "Christine Sinclair Place" for one night next week in honour of the captain's final match with the women's international team, Canada Soccer said on Monday. Sinclair, who is the world's all-time leading international goalscorer, announced her retirement from the Canada women's national team in October and her final game will be on Dec. 5 against Australia.

Tennis-'We'll be back', say Australia's Davis Cup nearly-men

Australia's Davis Cup players have vowed to return to Malaga and claim the title next year after losing a second successive final in the international men's team tournament on Sunday. The Australians had the misfortune to come up against a red-hot Jannik Sinner on Sunday and it was his 6-3 6-0 singles victory over Alex De Minaur that secured a first title for Italy in 47 years and rendered the doubles rubber superfluous.

NBA roundup: Ex-Blazer Damian Lillard seals Bucks win

Giannis Antetokounmpo tipped in Bobby Portis' missed shot with 18.1 seconds remaining for the game-winning points, and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied past the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 108-102 Sunday in Damian Lillard's first game against his old team. Lillard totaled 31 points and capped his big game with four clinching free throws for his sixth 30-point game of the season.

NHL roundup: Connor McDavid posts 5 points in Oilers' win

Connor McDavid had a goal and four assists for the Edmonton Oilers in an 8-2 win against the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. It's the ninth five-point game of McDavid's NHL career, surpassing Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the most among active NHL players.

Tennis-Sabalenka, Rybakina to open new season in Brisbane

World number two Aryna Sabalenka and number four Elena Rybakina will open their 2024 seasons at the Brisbane International warm-up for the Australian Open, organisers said on Tuesday. Former world number one Naomi Osaka was already announced for the WTA 500 event, which is returning in the first week of January after a three-year hiatus forced initially by the COVID pandemic.

NFL roundup: Eagles improve to 10-1 in OT thriller vs. Bills

Jalen Hurts rushed for a 12-yard touchdown in overtime to lift the Philadelphia Eagles to a thrilling 37-34 win against the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon. Hurts' final score capped off an incredible performance in which he passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two more for Philadelphia (10-1). Jake Elliott drilled a 59-yard field goal to tie the game with 20 seconds in regulation, and DeVonta Smith finished with seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Motor racing-Room for improvement for Red Bull? Rivals hope not

Red Bull principal Christian Horner joked after Formula One's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that, with his team winning 21 of 22 races in 2023, there was room for improvement next year. If the quip raised only a hollow laugh after the most dominant season ever, with triple world champion Max Verstappen setting a string of records including 10 wins in a row and 19 in total, it was because it contained an underlying truth.