Van Gaal targets instant success May 20, 2014 NEW Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists recapturing the Premier League title is possible next season. United ended the current campaign 22 points behind champions Manchester City in seventh place, their lowest finishing position since 1990. But Van Gaal believes the instant success he experienced at Barcelona and Bayern Munich can be replicated at [...]
Toure quit threat after birthday blues May 20, 2014 MIDFIELDER Yaya Toure’s future at Manchester City was shrouded in doubt last night, after the Ivorian was upset that the club failed to acknowledge his 31st birthday. His agent, Dimitri Seluk, revealed Toure felt the club’s owners had shown him a lack of respect after failing to shake his hand and wish him happy birthday [...]
Morgan makes no excuses as England take eye off the ball May 20, 2014 ENGLAND captain Eoin Morgan last night refused to make excuses for a series of fielding errors which saw his side fall to Sri Lanka by nine runs in their Twenty20 international at the Oval. Morgan opted to bowl first after winning the toss, but his team were made to pay when Thisara Perera was given [...]
Evans beaten in French qualifier May 20, 2014 BRITAIN’S No2 Dan Evans suffered a straight sets defeat in the first round of qualifying for next week’s French Open in Paris yesterday. The 23-year-old lost 6-2, 6-1 to Gastao Elis of Portugal, but Evans’ compatriots James Ward and Dan Cox advanced with victories against Radu Albot and Amir Weintraub. The pair must win two [...]
Groves gets new manager May 20, 2014 ENGLAND’S super-middleweight boxer George Groves hopes to build a worldwide reputation after signing a deal to be managed by promoters Kalle and Nisse Sauerland. The 26-year-old previously managed himself, declaring after a contentious defeat to Carl Froch in November that he “trusted no-one”. Groves said yesterday: “This is a step in the right direction as [...]
Eleven-year-old to play US Open May 20, 2014 THE FIELD at next month’s US Women’s Open will include 11-year-old prodigy Lucy Li, who has become the youngest golfer ever to qualify for the Major. The American won a sectional qualifier in her native California by seven shots to reach the tournament which commences on 19 June at Pinehurst. Li beats the landmark set [...]
Borthwick deserves Heineken Cup final send-off, says McCall May 20, 2014 SARACENS director of rugby Mark McCall hopes captain Steve Borthwick can prove his fitness in time for this weekend’s Heineken Cup final to bring the curtain down appropriately on his career. The 34-year-old lock, set to retire at the end of the season, suffered a pectoral injury in Saturday’s Premiership semi-final victory against London rivals [...]
Cotter selects six new faces May 20, 2014 RUGBY UNION: Six uncapped players have been named by Scotland head coach Vern Cotter in his 43-man party for next month’s bumper tour, but Glasgow captain Al Kellock has been overlooked. Despite having made only two substitute appearances since turning professional hooker Kevin Bryce is named alongside Gordon Reid, Alex Allan, Finn Russell, Blair Cowan [...]
Essex bowled over by Ajmal May 20, 2014 CRICKET: Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal took seven wickets as Essex were dismissed for 136 in their second innings to suffer a 72-run defeat to County Championship Division Two leaders Worcestershire. Ajmal claimed 13 dismissals in all at New Road, with Monty Panesar becoming his 500th first-class wicket.
Pistorius sent for psychiatric tests May 20, 2014 ATHLETICS: Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius has been ordered to undergo up to 30 days of psychiatric tests to determine whether he is suffering from general anxiety disorder. Pistorius denies murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at their home on 14 February last year, insisting he mistook her for an intruder when he shot her through a bathroom [...]