World Cup: Golden boy Neymar fires double for battling Brazil June 12, 2014 BRAZIL 3 CROATIA 1 A BRACE from Brazil’s golden boy Neymar saw the World Cup hosts recover from an early setback to win the tournament opener last night. After Real Madrid defender Marcelo scored an early own goal, Barcelona’s Neymar struck the equaliser, then a controversial second-half penalty, before Chelsea playmaker Oscar wrapped up the [...]
Chelsea pounce after Gunners reject Fabregas June 12, 2014 WORLD Cup winner Cesc Fabregas has revealed former club Arsenal turned down a chance to bring him back to north London before Chelsea secured his services in a £27m deal. Fabregas, set to feature in Spain’s World Cup opener against Holland tonight, yesterday finalised a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge. When the 27-year-old moved from [...]
Root and Prior inspire fightback June 12, 2014 ENGLAND’S Joe Root toasted another vintage batting performance at Lord’s after his unbeaten century helped to steer the hosts out of choppy waters on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Root’s 102 not out, allied to Matt Prior’s unbeaten 76, left England in an assured position on 344-5, having suffered early wobbles [...]
All Blacks set to target Tuilagi June 12, 2014 NEW Zealand have vowed to single out England’s Manu Tuilagi for special treatment in tomorrow’s potentially decisive second Test in Dunedin tomorrow. Erstwhile centre Tuilagi is instead set to play on the right wing in a match the tourists must win to stay in the series, and can expect a thorough examination of his speed [...]
Football Comment: Why Hodgson has to select Sterling and ensure England start campaign on front foot June 12, 2014 WHILE it’s hugely important that England do not lose their opening World Cup fixture against Italy, I don’t want them to go into it feeling fearful or for Roy Hodgson to pick a negative line-up. England should be aiming for a win in Manaus. All teams go into the World Cup with fragile confidence, so [...]
Manaus cauldron holds no fear, insists Milner June 12, 2014 ENGLAND’S preparations for dealing with the heat and humidity of Manaus have been so meticulous that the players are more concerned about coming home to inevitable wind and rain, according to midfielder James Milner. Roy Hodgson’s team take on Italy tomorrow in the Amazonian city, where temperatures of 33 degrees celsius are forecast and humidity [...]
World cup in brief June 12, 2014 Five injured in Sao Paolo protests POLICE and anti-World Cup protesters clashed in Sao Paolo yesterday. At least five people were injured when rubber bullets were fired and tear gas released to disperse hundreds of people unhappy with the cost of the tournament while public services are in need of investment. Mexico must beat mental [...]
McDowell in contention with patient display at Pinehurst June 12, 2014 NORTHERN Ireland’s Graeme McDowell felt his patient approach to taking on the testing Pinehurst course was key to his two-under par round of 68 on day one of the US Open. The 2010 champion recovered from a bogey at the fourth hole to roll in an eagle at the fifth, then picked up a further [...]
Shock Queen’s loss for Murray June 12, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray suffered defeat yesterday in only his second match since hiring former grand slam winner Amelie Mauresmo as his coach. Murray lost 7-6 (12-10), 6-2 to Czech veteran Radek Stepanek in the third round of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club in west London. It brought to an end the Scot’s reign as [...]
England target World Cup final June 12, 2014 HOCKEY: England captain Barry Middleton insists Olympic revenge is not on the agenda in today’s World Cup semi-final against hosts Holland. Team GB were denied a bronze medal with a 9-2 defeat by the Dutch team in 2012, but Middleton said: “We are not going out for revenge, we just want to get to the [...]