THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS September 21, 2011 ALL BLACKS COOL ON ROW New Zealand’s coaching staff have attempted to defuse the simmering row over France’s selection for their clash with the hosts on Saturday. Critics believe Les Bleus have named a second string team as part of a fiendish ploy to lose and therefore enjoy an easier draw in the knockout stage. [...]
THIRD TIME LUCKY | TONGA BREAK DUCK September 21, 2011 TONGA claimed their first 2011 World Cup win at the third attempt with a hard-fought 31-18 victory over Japan yesterday in Whangarei. Viliami Ma’afu, Tukulua Lokotui and Fetu’u Vainikolo scored the tries to maintain the Pacific Islanders’ slim hope of progressing from Pool A. Although they stayed in touch with Tonga throughout, Japan’s defeat confirmed [...]
Wiggins happy to settle for end of season silver September 21, 2011 BRITAIN’S Bradley Wiggins claimed to be satisfied with a silver medal after German rival Tony Martin proved a class above the field to lift his first time trial world title in Copenhagen yesterday. Pre-race favourite Martin lived up to his billing, covering the 46.3km course in 53 minutes 43.85 seconds. Wiggins finished one minute 15.83 [...]
Whitmarsh eyes Button deal September 21, 2011 FORMULA ONE: Team principal Martin Whitmarsh hopes Jenson Button will sign a new long-term contract that will keep him at McLaren for the rest of his career, amid growing interest from Ferrari. Button admitted ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix that it was his childhood dream to drive for the Italians. But Whitmarsh said: [...]
Barton was close to Arsenal move September 21, 2011 FOOTBALL: Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton has revealed he was close to signing for Arsenal. The midfielder claimed an incident that saw Arsenal’s Gervinho sent off scuppered a deal. Barton was criticised for going to ground too easily as the Ivory Coast forward was red-carded in the Premier League opening day 0-0 draw with [...]
Ranieri favourite for Inter job September 21, 2011 FOOTBALL: Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is favourite to succeed sacked Inter Milan coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who was dismissed yesterday after just five games in charge of the Serie A giants.
England draw India at World T20 September 21, 2011 CRICKET: Defending champions England have been drawn with India and a qualifying nation in the group stages of the 2012 World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. If the competition then follows the pre-tournament seedings, England can expect to come up against West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the Super Eight stage.
Taming of the Shrews: Young Gunners avert a major crisis September 20, 2011 ARSENAL (3) vs SHREWSBURY (1) ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger called for his detractors to gain a measure of perspective after watching his side avoid a major Carling Cup upset at the hands of League Two Shrewsbury. For the first time during his tenure Wenger has been forced to field questions about his ability to take [...]
Spurs sunk in Stoke shoot-out September 20, 2011 STOKE (0) vs TOTTENHAM (0) Stoke win 7-6 on penalties TEENAGE midfielder Massimo Luongo missed in a sudden-death penalty shoot-out as Tottenham crashed out of the Carling Cup at the first hurdle. Roman Pavlyuchenko and Stoke’s Jermaine Pennant also failed to convert spot-kicks as the shoot-put ended 4-4, following a goal-less 120 minutes. Manager Harry [...]
Owen and Giggs roll back the years September 20, 2011 LEEDS UNITED (0) vs MANCHESTER UTD (3) MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Michael Owen still has a vital role to play at the club after watching the England international roll back the years with a clinical brace in last night’s Carling Cup third round win at Leeds. Owen settled the tie with two goals [...]