Football Comment: Hodgson got the result that selection deserved June 19, 2014 IF ENGLAND don’t make it past the World Cup group stage now they can’t have any complaints. You get what you deserve in football and last night they deserved to lose. Everything they did right against Italy they did wrong against Uruguay. Their passing was poor; they moved the ball too slowly; they took too [...]
Suarez revels in chance to silence his haters June 19, 2014 URUGUAY striker Luis Suarez said his brace to virtually end England’s stay in Brazil was payback for his mistreatment while playing for Liverpool. The 27-year-old was named Players’ Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Player of the Year after a stellar season in the Premier League. But Suarez has endured a chequered past, serving [...]
World Cup: Japan fail to capitalise on Greece red card as stalemate leaves both teams in dire straits June 19, 2014 JAPAN 0 GREECE 0 TEN-MAN Greece held Japan to a frustrating goalless draw that leaves both team’s chances of reaching the last 16 in the balance. Japan dominated possession in the opening period, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resilient Greece defence. On 38 minutes Greece captain Kostas Katsouranis was shown a second [...]
World Cup in brief June 19, 2014 Inquiry into Mexico fans’ behaviour WORLD governing body Fifa have opened an inquiry into “improper conduct” by Mexico fans following claims of homophobic chants during last Friday’s match against Cameroon. Meanwhile, Cameroon coach Volker Finke has vowed to discover why defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto aimed a headbutt at team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo during Wednesday’s defeat to Cameroon. [...]
Leading Light outshines Queen’s Estimate in Ascot Gold Cup thriller June 19, 2014 ODDS-ON favourite Leading Light denied the Queen a second Ascot Gold Cup winner in as many years yesterday, but was made to scrap all the way by the monarch’s Estimate. It was a record sixth Gold Cup win for trainer Aidan O’Brien and a first for his jockey son Joseph, 21, and came by only [...]
Henman surprise at Murray Mauresmo move June 19, 2014 FORMER British No1 Tim Henman admits he was stunned by Wimbledon champion Andy Murray’s choice of Amelie Mauresmo as coach, but believes they will form a winning team if she can tap into his aggressive side. Murray is working with former women’s world No1 Mauresmo on his SW19 title defence having caused a stir earlier [...]
Cook at boiling point following Warne criticism June 19, 2014 UNDER-FIRE England cricket captain Alastair Cook has accused former Australia spinner Shane Warne of harbouring a personal agenda against him. Cook gave vent to his frustration yesterday, on the eve of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley today, when asked about growing criticism of his performance, notably from the outspoken Warne. “Something needs [...]
England chase elusive victory June 19, 2014 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster believes victory in tomorrow’s final Test will make their time in New Zealand a success, despite having already lost the three-game series. Lancaster has made seven changes to the team narrowly beaten in the second Test as they continue to search for a first win in New Zealand since 2003. [...]
McIlroy struggles at Irish Open June 19, 2014 GOLF: World No6 Rory McIlroy shot a disappointing three-over par on the opening day of the Irish Open, trailing leader Mikko Ilonen of Finland by 10 shots. Defending champion Paul Casey carded a two-under-par round of 69.
Watson reaches semi-finals June 19, 2014 TENNIS: British No1 Heather Watson has been given a walkover into the Aegon International semi-finals, after second seed Petra Kvitova was forced to withdraw from their last-eight clash with a hamstring injury.