Neighbours pose main threat to a home win June 10, 2014 ALL four previous World Cups in South America have been won by teams from the host continent, which goes some way to explaining why Brazil and Argentina are red-hot favourites. Spearheading the European challenge will be ever-improving Germany, while holders Spain, bidding to win an unprecedented fourth international tournament in a row, will also hope [...]
World cup predictions June 10, 2014 TREVOR STEVEN Former England international and City A.M. football columnist WINNERS Brazil RUNNERS-UP Argentina ENGLAND Quarter-finalists GOLDEN BOOT Fred (Brazil) ALAN SHEARER Ex-England captain and top scorer at Euro 96 WINNERS Brazil RUNNERS-UP Spain ENGLAND Quarter-finalists GOLDEN BOOT Neymar (Brazil) FRANK DALLERES City A.M. Sports Editor WINNERS Brazil RUNNERS-UP Spain ENGLAND Quarter-finalists GOLDEN BOOT Cristiano [...]
Sterling set to start after Welbeck is hit by injury June 10, 2014 WINGER Danny Welbeck last night emerged as a major doubt for England’s World Cup opener with Italy on Saturday, after limping out of yesterday’s training session clutching his thigh, leaving Raheem Sterling on standby to take his place. Welbeck earned his 24th England cap in Saturday’s goalless draw with Honduras and had been expected to [...]
World Cup in brief June 10, 2014 Scolari’s nephew dies in car crash THE NEPHEW of Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has been killed in a car accident, local police say. The former Chelsea boss took training as normal yesterday, but could miss today’s pre-match press conference in order to be with his family. Costa gives Spain fitness boost SPAIN striker Diego [...]
Blatter Told: It’s time to go June 10, 2014 FOOTBALL Association chairman Greg Dyke has led a wave of pressure discouraging president of governing body Fifa Sepp Blatter from standing for re-election next year. Dyke, together with governing body Uefa’s vice-president David Gill and Dutch FA president Michael van Praag all expressed concern at Blatter’s leadership. Blatter said earlier this week that allegations of [...]
British pair powerless to stop second round exits at Queen’s June 10, 2014 BRITISH No2 Dan Evans conceded he was powerless against the serve of 6ft 8in Kevin Anderson yesterday, after bowing out of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club in round two. Anderson, seeded seventh, won 94 per cent of first serve points and delivered 10 aces to win 6-2, 6-3 in just 65 minutes. Evans, who [...]
Saracens land tough Euro draw while Quins paired with Wasps June 10, 2014 HEINEKEN Cup runners-up Saracens have been drawn in a testing pool alongside last year’s runners-up Clermont Auvergne in the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup. Sarries must also take on Irish heavyweights Munster and ever-improving Sale Sharks in Europe’s new premier club competition. Harlequins and London Wasps have been paired in pool two with Leinster and [...]
America’s Cup excites Newey June 10, 2014 SAILING great Ben Ainslie says Formula One design guru Adrian Newey wants to join his quest to create the first successful British America’s Cup team. Newey signed a new deal with Red Bull last week, but revealed it would see him take a step back from the team whose success he has masterminded, allowing him [...]
Cricket Comment: Plunkett and Robson primed to shine in England auditions June 10, 2014 ENGLAND’S first Test against Sri Lanka tomorrow at Lord’s may be their debut five-day outing under new head coach Peter Moores, but it is two other men who will be in the spotlight. Middlesex batsman Sam Robson is set to win his first cap and open the batting with captain Alastair Cook, and you have [...]
Inhaler uproar shocks Froome June 10, 2014 TEAM Sky rider Chris Froome has been shocked by uproar caused following his use of an inhaler during the Criterium du Dauphine after retaining his 12-second advantage over rival Alberto Contador in yesterday’s third stage. Froome, who suffers from exercise-induced asthma, puffed on his inhaler with 19km remaining of the second stage, in which he [...]