Sunday, 22 Dec, 2024

Sports

England in disarray as Capello crushes Terry

RUSTENBURG, South Africa: England`s preparations for their pivotal World Cup meeting with Slovenia on Wednesday have been left in disarray after Fabio Capello savaged former skipper John Terry for challenging his authority. Terry will start Wednesday`s must-win match in Port Elizabeth

Villa double seals Spain`s win over Honduras Sports Desk

JOHANNESBURG: Goals either side of half-time by Barcelona`s new signing David Villa saw Spain beat Honduras 2-0 in their Group H clash at Ellis Park on Monday to put their World Cup back on track. After losing their opening game 1-0 to Switzerland, the easy victory puts Spain on course

Donovan thinks the best is yet to come for US

IRENE, South Africa: Landon Donovan thinks the best is yet to come for the U.S. soccer team. Yes, 2006 was a disappointment and even the quarterfinal finish in 2002 wasn`t completely satisfying. "The two World Cups I`d been a part of, we hadn`t strung together three consecutive good

Portugal destroy North Korea`s dream

JOHANNESBURG: Portugal thrashed North Korea 7-0 on Monday in the World Cup`s highest score so far, restoring some bruised pride for Europe`s stuttering soccer powers and dashing the Asians` chances of progress. Little-known North Korea were back at a World Cup for the first time since

Federer back from the brink to beat Falla

LONDON (Reuters) - Six-times champion Roger Federer came back from the brink of a dramatic first-round exit at Wimbledon on Monday, recovering from two sets down to beat gritty Colombian Alejandro Falla 5-7 4-6 6-4 7-6 6-0. Federer, bidding for a record-equalling seventh men`s singles

Brazil beat Ivory Coast 3-1, Kaka sent off

JOHANNESBURG: Brazil showed their true World Cup colours on Sunday, turning on the turbo to beat Ivory Coast 3-1 in Group G with two goals from Luis Fabiano securing their place in the last 16. But Brazil`s delight was curtailed when midfielder Kaka was controversially sent off for a

Paraguay on brink of knockouts after Slovakia win

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: A powerful Paraguay side beat toothless Slovakia 2-0 in Bloemfontein on Sunday to leave the South Americans on the brink of qualification for the World Cup knockout phase. A first-half goal from Enrique Vera and a late strike from Cristian Riveros at a

New Zealand pull off stunning draw with Italy

NELSPRUIT, South Africa: New Zealand achieved their greatest footballing result here on Sunday holding on for a stunning 1-1 draw against defending champions Italy in their World Cup Group F match. The All Whites - who lost all three of their matches on their previous appearance in 1982

Federer has record on his mind

LONDON: Wimbledon champion Roger Federer will step on to Centre Court on Monday (1200 GMT) to face Colombia`s Alejandro Falla with the prospect of a record-equalling seventh men`s title on his mind. Asked if he had been thinking about Pete Sampras`s modern-era record at the grasscourt

South Korea aiming to upset fragile Nigeria

DURBAN: South Korea have targeted the sometimes fragile Nigerian temperament as a route to victory when a tight World Cup Group B reaches a climax on Tuesday with all four teams still in the hunt for a second round spot. Despite a thrashing at the hands of Argentina in their last match,

Troubled France face challenge from focused hosts

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: A big win against a scandal-hit France side on Tuesday might not be enough for South Africa to meet a nation’s wild expectations but is the only way they might avoid making unwanted history. Victory with plenty of goals could save South Africa from becoming

Argentina loom large over Mexico v Uruguay

JOHANNESBURG: Mexico’s attacking flair has been clearly on display at this World Cup so all eyes will be on their tactics against Uruguay on Tuesday when a point will see them into the last 16 and a possible clash with Argentina. The two Latin American sides in Group A are separated on

Chanderpaul, Nash lead West Indies fightback

BASSETERRE: Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brendan Nash cashed in on a flat pitch to score centuries and lift West Indies to 424 for four on day three of the second test against South Africa in St Kitts on Sunday. The Windies finished 119 runs behind the touring side, who declared their

Brazil beat Ivory Coast 3-1, Kaka sent off

JOHANNESBURG: Brazil showed their true World Cup colours on Sunday, turning on the turbo to beat Ivory Coast 3-1 in Group G with two goals from Luis Fabiano securing their place in the last 16.   But Brazil`s delight was curtailed when midfielder Kaka was controversially sent off for a

McDowell ends European drought with U.S. Open win

California: Britain`s Graeme McDowell kept his composure in tough scoring conditions to end a 40-year title drought by Europeans at the U.S. Open with a gutsy one-shot victory on Sunday.   Three strokes behind American playing partner Dustin Johnson going into the final round, the

Police arrest England fan after security breach

JOHANNESBURG: South African police on Sunday arrested an England fan for trespassing after he walked into the players` dressing room following a goalless World Cup draw with Algeria.   Pavlos Joseph, 32, was taken to the Cape Town Magistrate`s court, where was released on 500 rand (45

Pakistan ignore Younus for tour of England

KARACHI: Former captain Younus Khan has been left out of Pakistan`s test and one-day squads for the tour of England despite being eligible for international cricket again after having an indefinite ban for ill-discipline overturned. Pakistan selectors have included several new faces in

All Whites hold champs Italy to shock draw

NELSPRUIT: New Zealand produced one of the great shocks of the World Cup on Sunday by holding Italy to a 1-1 draw, leaving the defending champions with a fight on their hands to make it through to the knock-out stages.   The All Whites took the lead in the seventh minute though Shane

England players prepare for crisis talks

RUSTENBURG, South Africa: England players and management will have a no-holds barred crisis meeting later on Sunday to put their World Cup campaign back on track, central defender John Terry said. England, one of the pre-tournament favourites, need to beat Slovenia in their final Group C

Paraguay sink goal-shy Slovakia

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: Paraguay beat a lacklustre Slovakia 2-0 to move top of Group F on Sunday and close in on a World Cup second round place. Enrique Vera put the South Americans ahead after 27 minutes and Cristian Riveros grabbed a second four minutes from time in a game of few