World Cup: Last-gasp Varela saves Portugal from elimination June 22, 2014 USA 2 PORTUGAL 2 PORTUGAL snatched a World Cup lifeline in dramatic fashion last night as substitute Silvestre Varela’s 95th-minute equaliser spared them from being eliminated at the group stage with a game to spare. Former Tottenham and Fulham star Clint Dempsey looked to have earned USA all three points just nine minutes from time, [...]
Moeen spin reignites hope of series victory with two late wickets June 22, 2014 TWO late wickets from all-rounder Moeen Ali revived England’s hopes of winning the second Test against Sri Lanka, and with it the series, at Headingley yesterday. The scalps of Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne left the tourists on 214-4 in their second innings, a lead of 106, after they had threatened to take a firm [...]
Murray ready to conquer nerves and win again June 22, 2014 WIMBLEDON champion Andy Murray believes his ability to overcome intense pressure last year and end a 77-year wait for a British male champion bodes well for a successful defence when the tournament begins today. The 27-year-old takes on world No104 David Goffin and will shoulder the hopes of a nation once again, particularly, as he [...]
Sport Comment: Andy at a crossroads as he prepares for historic defence June 22, 2014 ANDY Murray walks on to centre court today for the first time as Wimbledon champion. Just to be able to write that sentence almost brings a tear to the eye. It is unlikely that there is a single person in your vicinity, whether on train, bus or in traffic jam, who has ever been able [...]
Lancaster calls for action over schedule farce June 22, 2014 ENGLAND rugby coach Stuart Lancaster insists the fixture scheduling fiasco that limited his selection for the recent Test series defeat in New Zealand must never be repeated. Saturday’s 36-13 loss completed a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the All Blacks and, though he made clear he was not offering excuses, Lancaster pointed out that [...]
World Cup: Belgium edge to knockout stage June 22, 2014 BELGIUM 1 RUSSIA 0 BELGIUM scraped through to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 12 years yesterday thanks to a late goal from substitute Divock Origi. Having failed to qualify for the last two tournaments, Marc Wilmots’s so-called golden generation arrived in Brazil hoping to make up for lost time. Yet [...]
World Cup: Algeria find shooting boots and take aim at uncharted territory June 22, 2014 SOUTH KOREA 2 ALGERIA 4 ALGERIA took a giant stride towards a place in the World Cup last 16 for the first time with victory over South Korea in a wildly entertaining clash last night. The north Africans, beaten by Belgium in their Group H opener, raced into a three-goal lead before half-time with goals [...]
World Cup in brief June 22, 2014 Van Gaal backing Brazil HOLLAND boss Louis van Gaal admits he will be cheering on Brazil against Cameroon tonight, in the hope of avoiding a potential meeting in the last 16. He said: “At a World Cup the host country always has an advantage.” Cahill eyes Spain win SUSPENDED midfielder Tim Cahill hopes his team-mates [...]
McDowell laments putting failure June 22, 2014 GOLF: Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell admitted poor putting cost him the Irish Open title yesterday. McDowell finished three shots behind winner Mikko Ilonen and said: “That was one of the worst putting weekends of my career. I just couldn’t get the ball in the hole.” Finland’s Ilonen carded a two-under-par final round of [...]
Britain place fifth in Germany June 22, 2014 ATHLETICS: Team GB finished fifth at the European Team Championships in Germany yesterday, after failing to field a winner on the final day of competition. William Sharman registered the best result, finishing second in the sprint hurdles.