Digest

SOCCER

'Rookie errors' rile Steel Roses coach

Jia Xiuquan conceded his Chinese women's team was beaten by a technically superior opponent after going down 3-0 to Japan at the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Championship in South Korea on Saturday.

Japan captain Mana Iwabuchi netted a hat-trick, with head coach Jia lambasting the Steel Roses for making basic errors.

"My players made several rookie mistakes that led to the Japanese goals," said Jia. "I had repeatedly told them to avoid these mistakes. I think these errors show that my players are technically inferior to the Japanese players."

Jia was also concerned by his team's lack of composure in front of goal.

"My players tried their best and created some chances, but they could not convert them into goals. This is where Japan is better than us," he added.

Cruyff praises fans after Chongqing exit

Jordi Cruyff has left his job as coach of Chongqing Lifan after failing to agree a new contract with the Chinese Super League side.

The 45-year-old, the son of Dutch great Johan Cruyff, had enjoyed a relatively successful 16 months at the helm, transforming Chongqing from relegation candidates last year to 10th-place finishers this term.

Confirming his departure, the former Manchester United and Barcelona midfielder paid special tribute to Chongqing's supporters.

"Without their backing it would have been impossible to achieve the targets we set ourselves as a team," said Cruyff in a statement.

"As I call time on my spell at Chongqing, I wanted my first words of thanks to go to the club's fans for their constant shows of affection, which really touched me, despite the language barrier."

Four bids battling for Women's World Cup

FIFA confirmed on Friday it has received bids from Brazil, Japan, Colombia and a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand to host the 2023 Women's World Cup.

The tournament has generated an unprecedented interest from member associations, with the four bids submitted before last Friday's deadline, FIFA said in a statement.

Soccer's international governing body will now kick off an assessment process, including inspection visits to the bidding countries which are expected to take place in January and February next year.

The victorious bid will be announced following a FIFA Council meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in June 2020, added the statement.

The 2023 edition will feature an expanded field of 32 teams.

BASKETBALL

Ducks stay afloat as FT miss sinks Sharks

Shanghai Sharks star Ray McCallum missed a late free throw to let the Beijing Ducks off the hook on Saturday.

The visiting Ducks prevailed 88-87 after McCallum converted his first effort from the free-throw line but failed to sink his second.

In a closely fought contest, Donatas Motiejunas' dominated at the rim for the Sharks, but the scoring of Jeremy Lin saw the visitor lead 45-41 at the interval.

Beijing stretched its lead to eight points by the end of the third quarter－74-66－before the host cut the deficit to two points with 10 seconds remaining, only for McCallum to blow the chance to force overtime.

Spurs outlast Suns in record overtime game

Patty Mills made a jumper from the free-throw line with 0.3 seconds left in the San Antonio Spurs' record-setting fourth consecutive overtime game, and they outlasted the Phoenix Suns 121-119 on Saturday in Mexico City.

The NBA record book shows 20 instances of teams playing three straight overtime games－but never four straight, like the Spurs have. They're 3-1 in those games, their best stretch since opening the season 4-1.

DeMar DeRozan pulled the Spurs even with a drive and fling－after a foul by Mikal Bridges－down the right side of the lane, but missed the free throw. The ball went out of bounds on a scramble after that miss, and San Antonio kept possession after a replay review.

Mills led the Spurs with 26 points. Ricky Rubio had 25 points and 13 assists for Phoenix.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Burrow wins Heisman with landslide vote

Born into a family of Cornhuskers and raised in the Buckeye state, Joe Burrow left his roots behind and became a Heisman Trophy winner at LSU.

The quarterback won the Heisman on Saturday night in a record landslide vote, becoming the first LSU player to bring college football's most prestigious award back to Baton Rouge in 60 years.

Burrow received 2,608 points and 841 first-place votes, a record 90.7 percent of all the first-place votes available. Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts was second with 762 points. Quarterback Justin Fields of Ohio State was third.

Burrow transferred last year to LSU from Ohio State, where he was a sparingly used as a reserve. After finishing strong for the Tigers in 2018, he broke out this season, setting a Southeastern Conference record with 48 touchdown passes and leading top-ranked LSU to its first College Football Playoff appearance.