THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS September 28, 2011 GEORGIA’S DERBY DELIGHT MAMUKA GORGODZE’S solitary try enabled Georgia to celebrate a historic 25-9 win over Romania in the battle of the Pool B minnows. The open-side flanker went over 16 minutes into the second period, while fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili kicked 17 points and Malkhaz Urjukashvili three more. The result sees Georgia move up to [...]
Jol searches for winning feeling without Zamora September 28, 2011 ENGLAND striker Bobby Zamora and Mousa Dembele have been left out of the Fulham squad for tonight’s Europa League tie against Odense in Denmark. Manager Martin Jol, whose side were held in their opening group game against Twente, knows his team will soon turn draws into wins. He said: “I think we will turn a corner somewhere,” [...]
Redknapp woe as Huddlestone sent for ankle surgery September 28, 2011 TOTTENHAM midfielder Tom Huddlestone will undergo an ankle operation on Monday, manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash against Shamrock Rovers. Redknapp, who is set to field a much changed side to the one which won at Wigan last weekend, said: “There is still a problem with him. It’s a blow. He [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF September 28, 2011 Paralympic success for Locog OLYMPICS: London 2012 chiefs have announced their “delight” at the record number of applications for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, with over 1m tickets applied for from 100,000 applicants. The demand means ballots to allocate the tickets will now take place for 16 of the 20 sports featured in the Games, as [...]
It’s all over: Mancini will never pick Tevez again as City implode September 27, 2011 BAYERN MUNICH 2 vs MANCHESTER CITY 0 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini insists Carlos Tevez has no future at the club while he is at the helm, after the Argentina striker refused to come on as a substitute during last night’s comprehensive Champions League defeat in Munich. Having taken just one point from their first [...]
Stevens vows England will be ready for Scotch wrath September 27, 2011 Armitage also talks up threat posed by Pool B showdown ENGLAND prop Matt Stevens is ready and itching to return to the pack for a heavyweight World Cup clash with Scotland on Saturday. Stevens missed last week’s drubbing of Romania with an ankle injury but is fit again for the final, decisive fixture in Pool [...]
Ferguson fumes as sloppy United show signs of weakness September 27, 2011 MANCHESTER UTD 3 vs FC BASEL 3 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side were given a “wake-up call” by Swiss outsiders Basel after last night’s draw cemented their worst start to a Champions League campaign for 13 years. After the slightly fortuitous draw against Benfica a fortnight ago, United looked on course for a routine [...]
Anderson rested for India tour but Pietersen returns September 27, 2011 ENGLAND will travel to India for next month’s one-day series without three members of their Ashes winning attack after the selectors opted to rest James Anderson. With Chris Tremlett and Stuart Broad injured, Surrey’s 22-year-old paceman Stuart Meaker (inset) has earned a first call-up and is joined in the squad by his county colleague, and [...]
Villas-Boas maintains his love of Lampard September 27, 2011 VALENCIA vs CHELSEA CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas has launched a passionate defence of Frank Lampard and hit out at suggestions the England stalwart is set for a reduced role at the club this season. The 33-year-old Lampard, who once set a record for consecutive Premier League appearances, has started three of Chelsea’s last four matches on [...]
Wenger won’t dwell on Van Persie contract September 27, 2011 ARSENAL vs OLYMPIACOS ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has attempted to calm fears that captain Robin van Persie could become the latest big name to flee Emirates Stadium. The Holland striker has been in the most prolific form of his career since January, scoring 26 times in his last 31 games for the Gunners. But he [...]