Jan 8 (Reuters) – A disappointing end to 2012 left Roger Federer’s critics writing his tennis obituary, but the Swiss is confident he can win more grand slam titles after arriving in Melbourne refreshed and refocused following an extended break.

While Federer’s main rivals for a fifth Australian Open title, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, have been getting matches under their belt in Australia, the 31-year-old opted for the practice courts and family time to keep his mind and body fresh.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Weeks of practice and family time have left Swiss maestro Roger Federer fit and refreshed ahead of what the 17-times major winner believes could be an unpredictable Australian Open in the absence of old foe Rafa Nadal.

Federer, 31, opted to skip his usual Australian Open warm-up tournaments in the Middle East this year and instead spent it working on his game and parenting, all part of a shorter 2013 schedule that he hopes will extend his career but has left him hungry for matches.

SINGAPORE, Jan 4 (Reuters) – Weeks of practice and family time have left Swiss maestro Roger Federer fit and refreshed ahead of what the 17-times major winner believes could be an unpredictable Australian Open in the absence of old foe Rafa Nadal.

Federer, 31, opted to skip his usual Australian Open warm-up tournaments in the Middle East this year and instead spent it working on his game and parenting, all part of a shorter 2013 schedule that he hopes will extend his career but has left him hungry for matches.

SINGAPORE, Dec 19 (Reuters) – Singapore took a big step to a record fourth Suzuki Cup title after deservedly beating Thailand 3-1 at home in a niggly first leg of the Southeast Asian Championships on Wednesday.

Defender Baihakki Khaizan smashed home the third goal from centimetres out in the 91st minute of the match played on the artificial turf at the Jalan Besar Stadium to give his side a big advantage ahead of the second leg in Bangkok on Saturday.

SINGAPORE, Dec 12 (Reuters) – Three-times winners Singapore edged into the final of the Suzuki Cup on Wednesday after Khairul Amri’s first-half strike was enough to see off the Philippines 1-0 on aggregate.

With the visitors arranging their backline, Amri collected a quick free kick in the 19th minute before unleashing a 20-metre low right-foot shot which bounced into the corner of the net for the only goal of 180 minutes of cagey football.

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – The two rival factions that are set to land Indonesia a FIFA suspension this week have only got themselves to blame for the mess, AFC executive committee member Prince Ali bin Al Hussein said on Tuesday.

The Indonesian football federation (PSSI) failed to hold a congress attended by the rival Indonesian Soccer Rescue Committee (KPSI) on Monday, a deadline set by FIFA, with the world governing body set to punish the Southeast Asians at its executive committee meeting in Japan on Friday.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Reuters) – The two rival factions that are set to land Indonesia a FIFA suspension this week have only got themselves to blame for the mess, AFC executive committee member Prince Ali bin Al Hussein said on Tuesday.

The Indonesian soccer federation (PSSI) failed to hold a congress attended by the rival Indonesian Soccer Rescue Committee (KPSI) on Monday, a deadline set by FIFA, with the world governing body set to punish the Southeast Asians at its executive committee meeting in Japan on Friday.

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – UEFA President Michel Platini remains ardently opposed to the use of goal-line technology, which is being employed by FIFA for the first time at the Club World Cup, and said on Tuesday the money would be better spent developing the game.

The technology was employed in Thursday’s Club World Cup curtain raiser between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Auckland City in Yokohama as soccer’s governing body FIFA finally answered calls for it to join the 21st century.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Reuters) – UEFA President Michel Platini remains ardently opposed to the use of goal-line technology, which is being employed by FIFA for the first time at the Club World Cup, and said on Tuesday the money would be better spent developing the game.

The technology was employed in Thursday’s Club World Cup curtain raiser between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Auckland City in Yokohama as soccer’s governing body FIFA finally answered calls for it to join the 21st century.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – The Asian Tour could face further legal proceedings from disgruntled golfers in the wake of losing a restraint of trade case last week brought by four players, lawyers have told Reuters.

A Singapore high court judge ruled the Asian Tour’s policy to fine members $5,000, later increased to $10,000, if they competed on the OneAsia Tour was unfair and also said that they had been guilty of ‘sloppy administration’.