Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Monday, Jan 26

Reuters

Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Monday: - - - - TENNIS Australian Open, Melbourne (to Feb 1) Venus fireworks illuminate Australia Day MELBOURNE - A scintillating fireworks show that illuminated the cityscape and commemorated Australia Day fittingly capped an explosive performance by Venus Williams and the Stars and Stripes brigade at the Australian Open. (TENNIS-OPEN/ (WRAPUP 1, PIX), moved, by Greg Stutchbury, 600 words) - - - - SOCCER Asian Cup (to 31) South Korea beat Iraq 2-0 to reach final SYDNEY - South Korea moved a step closer to burying their 55-year Asian Cup hoodoo when they grabbed a goal in each half to beat Iraq 2-0 and set up a final against Australia or United Arab Emirates. (SOCCER-ASIA/ (PIX), moved, by Nick Mulvenney and Julian Linden, 500 words) - - African Nations Cup (to Feb. 8) DR Congo v Tunisia Bata (1800) Cape Verde v Zambia Ebebiyin (1800) EBEBIYIN, Equatorial Guinea - Tunisia need a draw to advance to the quarter-finals but 2012 winners Zambia must beat Cape Verde to advance. (SOCCER-NATIONS/ (PIX, TV), expect by 2000 GMT/3 PM ET, by Mark Gleeson, 400 words) - - FA Cup fourth round Rochdale v Stoke City (2000) Copy on merit - - La Liga Getafe v Celta Vigo (1945) Copy on merit - - Serie A Empoli v Udinese (1800) Napoli v Genoa (2000) Copy on merit - - U.S. officials discuss women's World Cup U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati and women's coach Jill Ellis discuss this year's World Cup to be held in Canada. (SOCCER-WOMEN/WORLD, expect by 2330 GMT/6:30 PM ET, by Larry Fine, 350 words) - - - - NFL Super Bowl hot seat awaits Patriots arrival PHOENIX - The New England Patriots arrive for the Super Bowl and can expect to be grilled by hundreds of media as the mystery surrounding the deflated footballs used by the team in the AFC championship game continues to swirl. (NFL-SUPER/PATRIOTS, expect by 2300 GMT/6 PM ET, by Steve Keating, 400 words) - - Katy Perry lights way for Super Bowl's girl power moment LOS ANGELES - There is a strong chance of a neon-coloured spectacle, perhaps some flying and definitely songs of female empowerment when pop singer Katy Perry takes the stage during halftime at the Super Bowl, the most-watched 12 minutes on U.S. television. (NFL-SUPER/HALFTIME (PIX), moved, by Eric Kelsey, 490 words) - - - - NBA Trail Blazers hope to rebound behind Aldridge The Portland Trail Blazers, with leading scorer and rebounder LaMarcus Aldridge back in the lineup, try to make up ground on the West-leading Golden State Warriors with a visit of the Brooklyn Nets in one of seven National Basketball Association games on the schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 700 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (expect by 0101 GMT/8:01 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - - - CYCLING FEATURE Out of Africa and ready to roll on Le Tour LONDON - The cut-throat world of professional cycling has produced its fair share of villains and is still saddled with cynicism but even its harshest critics may struggle to sneer when Doug Ryder says "Bicycles Change Lives". (CYCLING-AFRICA/, moved, by Martyn Herman, 870 words) - - - - (Europe desk editor: Tony Jimenez)