Hodgson’s warning to Zaha and Sterling November 13, 2012 ENGLAND manager Roy Hogdson has warned dual nationality youngsters Wilfried Zaha and Raheem Sterling not to take their call-ups for granted, insisting they should be thankful for the opportunity. Zaha and Sterling, born in the Ivory Coast and Jamaica respectively, are in the squad to play Sweden tonight as Hodgson looks to bring youth into [...]
Youngsters overhyped, says Hamann November 13, 2012 FORMER Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has warned against the overhyping of young players, following the attention surrounding 20-year-old Wilfried Zaha’s first England call-up. Hamann, who won 59 Germany caps, aired concerns that being shoved into the spotlight too early could hinder the young Crystal Palace forward. He wrote on Twitter: “I don’t like all the [...]
Zlatan in barb at Three Lions’ dearth of skill November 13, 2012 SWEDEN captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic has given England added incentive to win tonight’s Stockholm friendly, after depicting Roy Hodgson’s men as having “big hearts” and “always fighting” but lacking the skill required for international level. The Paris Saint-Germain forward, who has already netted nine goals this season, delivered the slight while praising England skipper Steven Gerrard, [...]
We can take on India without Finn, says Prior November 13, 2012 ENGLAND wicketkeeper Matt Prior has backed the tourists to cope if, as expected, fast-bowler Steven Finn fails to recover from injury in time for tomorrow’s first Test in India. Finn had been tipped to step up his recuperation from a thigh strain by practising in the nets yesterday but did not bowl, leaving Prior resigned [...]
Test form no comfort as England face series November 13, 2012 I EXPECT the England camp has mixed feelings going into this long-awaited series in India, because while the tour has gone reasonably well so far, their recent Test record does not offer much cause for optimism. On the positive side, England’s players will have enjoyed the rest that preceded this trip, while the tour itself [...]
Quarter of a million London 2012 tickets were not sold November 13, 2012 AROUND 264,000 London 2012 Olympics tickets remained unsold this summer, despite the huge public demand to attend events. Customers had difficulty accessing tickets due to the official website crashing, while sections of empty corporate seats at key events angered the public. Football had the most seats unsold with 213,000, while 2,407 seats for athletics and [...]
Ruthless Gayle hits historic six November 13, 2012 WEST Indies batsman Chris Gayle made history yesterday by becoming the first player to smash a six off the first ball of a Test match. The big-hitting left-hander blasted Bangladesh’s Sohad Gazi over long-on in the first Test, although the debutant had the last laugh when he had Gayle caught for 24. West Indies closed [...]
Monye axed as Ashton returns for Aussie date November 13, 2012 ENGLAND rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster has offered sympathy to wing Ugo Monye after leaving him out of his 23-man squad to play Australia on Saturday, as Chris Ashton returns from a suspension. Monye’s omission is the only change from the squad that defeated Fiji 54-12 at Twickenham at the weekend, with Gloucester’s Charlie Sharples [...]
Dettori facing inquiry after failed drug test November 13, 2012 THREE-TIME Champion Jockey Frankie Dettori faces a French horse racing inquiry after returning a positive test for a banned substance at a meeting at Longchamp in September. A solicitor for Dettori, arguably the highest profile rider in flat racing over the last two decades, said the British-based Italian’s case would be heard next week. “On [...]
Flood pretty dry on Ioane taunts November 13, 2012 FLY-HALF Toby Flood has laughed off taunts by Australia’s Digby Ioane that England’s wingers are nothing but pretty boys. “The England wingers are pretty, really good looking. I just can’t wait to go against them,” said Ioane, who will line up against Chris Ashton on Saturday. Flood saw the funny side, saying: “I can see [...]