Sport

Football

Real survive scare to win Club World Cup

Hat trick hero: Ronaldo celebrates his third goal of the night.

Real Madrid suffered an almighty fright before a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick hauled them back from 2-1 down and gave them a 4-2 win over rank outsiders Kashima Antlers.

Maclaren secures victory for Roar

Jamie Maclaren celebrates his match-winning goal against the Mariners.

Jamie Maclaren's 76th-minute goal secured a 2-1 A-League win for Brisbane Roar over the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Sunday afternoon.

Auckland is an option, but needs imagination from all involved

Spectacular failure: The New Zealand Knights were part of the A-League for the first two seasons.

Less than 6,000 people at Mt Smart Stadium last Saturday afternoon for the match between Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers doesn't bode well for Auckland's case to join the A-League. Truth is, of all the 'bidders' who have signalled their interest, this one is at best luke-warm. Pity, that. New Zealand's biggest city is also the biggest market the competition has left to conquer, but it needs much more than simple metrics. It needs imagination.

Vukovic key to Sydney FC league dominance

'Best in the country': Danny Vukovic has been described as the best goalkeeper in the A-League by coach Graham Arnold.

A lot of factors are behind Sydney FC being unbeaten and seven points clear on top of the A-League but coach Graham Arnold feels none are more important than goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.

Sky Blues too good for Glory in Perth

Another one: Sydney FC players celebrate.

Sydney FC continue to answer all A-League challenges this season, coming from behind to beat Perth Glory 4-1 at nib Stadium to be further clear in top spot.

Chinese money is threat to us all: Conte

Saddened: Antonio Conte is not happy that Oscar has left Chelsea for a big-money move to China.

Antonio Conte has urged Chelsea players not to allow their heads to be turned by the huge sums on offer in China after Oscar's $A102 million move to Shanghai SIPG.

Jones hits back at Jets' critics

'Dumbfounded': Mark Jones has hit back at critics of the Newcastle Jets.

Coach Mark Jones has slammed Newcastle's critics, declaring he's "dumbfounded" by attacks on his side's performances given their recent injury crisis.

Jets beat Reds despite goalkeeper howler

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 16: Newcastle Jets celebrate a goal during the round 11 A-League match between the ...

Danish attacker Morten Nordstrand has spared Jack Duncan's blushes after his disastrous own goal, scoring in the dying seconds to defeat Adelaide 2-1 and thrust Newcastle into the A-League's top six.