Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Thursday, Nov 20
Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Thursday: - - - - MOTOR RACING Formula One Vettel to replace Alonso at Ferrari ABU DHABI, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Sebastian Vettel looked forward to following in Michael Schumacher's Formula One footsteps after Ferrari confirmed on Thursday that the four times world champion would replace Fernando Alonso next season on a three-year deal. (MOTORRACING-PRIX-FERRARI (WRAPUP 1), moved, by Alan Baldwin, 500 words) -- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Hamilton and Rosberg face the press ahead of title showdown ABU DHABI - Championship leader Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes team mate and rival Nico Rosberg meet the media ahead of Sunday's title deciding season-ender. (MOTOR RACING-PRIX/ (PIX), expect by 1100 GMT/6 AM ET, by Alan Baldwin) - - - - TENNIS Davis Cup final Federer set to face France in Davis Cup final LILLE, France - Switzerland's Roger Federer, who has been hampered by back problems, has been named to play in the second singles rubber of the Davis Cup final against France's Gael Monfils on Friday. (TENNIS-DAVIS/UPDATE 3 (PIX), moved, by Julien Pretot, 400 words) - - - - SOCCER Premier League LONDON - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will delve into the depths of his squad for the visit to Arsenal on Saturday, as an injury crisis engulfs Old Trafford. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/ (PREVIEW), moved, by Sam Holden, 400 words) - - La Liga Real at Eibar, Barcelona host Sevilla MADRID - Leaders Real Madrid play at promoted Eibar, second-placed Barcelona are at home to Sevilla and champions Atletico Madrid, in fourth, host Malaga as Spain's top clubs return to domestic league action after the international break. (SOCCER-SPAIN/ (PREVIEW), moved, by Iain Rogers, 400 words) - - Australia will raise their game at Asian Cup, says Emerton SYDNEY - Australia will raise their game in front of their own fans at the Asian Cup next year and deserve to be among the favourites despite their poor recent form, according to former Socceroos stalwart Brett Emerton. (SOCCER-ASIA/EMERTON (INTERVIEW), moved, by Nick Mulvenney, 400 words) - - SUZUKI CUP Singapore seek Suzuki Cup win at glitzy new home SINGAPORE - The biennial eight team Suzuki Cup kicks off on Saturday with co-hosts Singapore looking to successfully defend the title. (SOCCER-ASEAN/SUZUKI (PREVIEW), expect by 0800 GMT/3 AM ET, by Patrick Johnston 400 words) - - - - CRICKET Pakistan v New Zealand, Dubai, second test (to 21) Pakistan post 393 after Sarfraz's gritty ton DUBAI - Sarfraz Ahmed struck a defiant century and added 81 runs for the last wicket as Pakistan scored 393 in their first innings before being all out in the second test against New Zealand in Dubai on Thursday. (CRICKET-PAKISTAN/, moved, 300 words) - - Clarke 'hopeful' for first India test - physio SYDNEY - Australia are hopeful that captain Michael Clarke will be available for next month's first test against India despite a recurrence of his hamstring injury, physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said on Thursday. (CRICKET-AUSTRALIA/CLARKE, moved, by Nick Mulvenney, 400 words) - - - - RUGBY Speight to make Australia debut against Ireland DUBLIN - Fiji-born winger Henry Speight will make his debut for Australia against Ireland on Saturday after being named in the starting line-up for the third test of the Wallabies' tour of Europe. (RUGBY UNION-AUSTRALIA/TEAM, moved, 400 words) - - McCaw to lead All Blacks for 100th test Richie McCaw will become the first player to captain an international team in 100 tests after New Zealand coach Steve Hansen reverted to virtually his first choice selection to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. (RUGBY UNION-WALES/ZEALAND, moved, 400 words) - - - - GOLF DP World Tour Championship Sublime McIlroy in birdie spree to tie for Dubai lead DUBAI - Rory McIlroy rattled in six birdies in an opening round six-under 66 at the DP World Tour Championship on Thursday, mounting a late surge to share a one-shot lead with Ireland's Shane Lowry. (GOLF-EUROPEAN/, moved, by Matt Smith, 300 words) - - Australian Masters, Melbourne World number two Scott labours on dirty day at Metropolitan MELBOURNE - World number two Adam Scott gritted his teeth in foul conditions for golf on Thursday, scratching out a one-over 73 in the first round of the Australian Masters to be six strokes behind clubhouse leaders Michael Wright and Stephen Allan. (GOLF-AUSTRALIA/, moved, by Ian Ransom, 400 words) - - - - BASKETBALL Underdogs Bayern face stern test against Barcelona BELGRADE - Known for their intense soccer rivalry, Bayern Munich and Barcelona meet in an intriguing Euroleague basketball clash. Barca, as well as fellow former winners Olympiakos Piraeus and CSKA Moscow, can all book Top 16 berths in Europe's premier club competition. (BASKETBALL-EUROLEAGUE/WRAPUP By Zoran Milosavljevic, 400 words, expect by 2300 GMT/6 PM ET). (London desk editor: Ken Ferris)
