Mere days after Sydney FC unveiled marquee recruit Douglas Costa, rivals Western Sydney have made their own statement, signing former Manchester United star Juan Mata.

A 10-man Socceroos outfit has suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain on the Gold Coast in a disastrous setback to their hopes of direct World Cup qualification.

Unfazed by the rain-soaked course and a delayed start to the race, Lauren Parker completes a famous victory in the women's H1-4 road race, as she wins her second gold across two sports in Paris.

The minor premiership winning Melbourne Storm tune up for the NRL finals series by flogging a desperately poor Brisbane Broncos side at Lang Park.

Geelong produces an inspired qualifying final display, beating Port Adelaide by 84 points to earn the right to host a preliminary final.