World Cup: Spain sent home from Brazil by brilliant Chile June 18, 2014 SPAIN 0 CHILE 2 HOLDERS Spain crashed out of the World Cup last night becoming the fifth defending champions to fail to progress from the group stage. Following their humiliating 5-1 defeat to Holland, boss Vincent del Bosque’s repeat attempt to move away from the trademark tiki-taka brand of football that had helped Spain win [...]
World Cup: Van Gaal hails Holland as Aussies are brushed aside to reach last 16 June 18, 2014 AUSTRALIA 2 HOLLAND 3 HOLLAND manager Louis Van Gaal hailed the “incredible” strength of character his players displayed to come from behind and seal their progress to the knockout stages. Australia, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, led 2-1 shortly after half-time, but goals from Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay clawed back [...]
World Cup: Croatia crush sorry Cameroon to boost qualifying chances June 18, 2014 CAMEROON 0 CROATIA 4 TWO goals from lethal striker Mario Mandzukic helped Croatia dump 10-man Cameroon out of the World Cup and move to within a point of hosts Brazil at the top of Group A. Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song was sent off after Ivica Olic had given Croatia the lead and they made [...]
Football Comment: Three Lions only require a subtle change in approach to tactics that ruffled Italy June 18, 2014 IT SHOULD be a case of more of the same, with a subtle adjustment when Roy Hodgson issues instructions to his England team for tonight’s match against Uruguay. They need the same attitude and the same style of play that proved effective against a strong Italy side on Saturday, and that means an emphasis on [...]
World Cup in brief June 18, 2014 Portugal sweating on Ronaldo PORTUGAL forward Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to complete yesterday’s full training session as he continues to struggle with a knee injury. The Real Madrid star is doubtful for Sunday’s match against USA in Manaus and Portugal’s final Group G contest against Ghana. Vanishing spray given red card VANISHING spray being used [...]
Lloyd-Webber hits right note at Ascot with Fugue June 18, 2014 TRAINER John Gosden likened The Fugue to a ballerina after the Lord Lloyd Webber-owned 11-2 shot outmanoeuvred fellow filly and hot favourite Treve to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday. Jockey William Buick led home The Fugue by almost two lengths from Magician, with Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Treve, [...]
City handed tough start to Premier League title defence June 18, 2014 CHAMPIONS Manchester City have been handed a tricky start to the 2014-15 Premier League season with head-to-heads against the rest of last season’s top four in their first five games. After travelling to Newcastle when the campaign kicks off on 16 August, City then host last season’s runners-up Liverpool in their opening game at the [...]
Kouyate enticed to West Ham by Carroll presence June 18, 2014 WEST Ham chairman David Sullivan has set manager Sam Allardyce the target of a top-10 Premier League finish after opening the chequebook again for Anderlecht’s Cheikhou Kouyate. The Senegal-born player, 24, can play at centre-back or as a defensive midfielder and is thought to have cost the Hammers in the region of £6m. Kouyate’s signing [...]
McIlroy opts for Ireland in 2016 Games dilemma June 18, 2014 FORMER world No1 golfer Rory McIlroy has brought to an end years of speculation by committing to playing for Ireland and not Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympics. The Northern Irishman, 25, revealed he had agonised over the decision but opted to stick with the country he has previously represented at the World Cup and [...]
England make seven changes June 18, 2014 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster will hand Saracens wing Chris Ashton his first start since November in Saturday’s third and final Test against world champions New Zealand. Ashton’s inclusion is one of seven changes, with Kyle Eastmond set to play at centre alongside Manu Tuilagi, Freddie Burns named at No10 with Owen Farrell out injured [...]