Elephants hopeful over Drogba June 7, 2010 IVORY COAST are hopeful that captain Didier Drogba will be fit to play in the World Cup despite suffering a broken arm in Friday’s 2-0 warm-up victory over Japan on Friday. “His recovery has been very encouraging,” said spokesman Roger Kouassi of the Chelsea striker. “It is suggested that, at this point, all signs are [...]
Robinho at double in Brazil rout June 7, 2010 MANCHESTER City outcast Robinho scored twice as Brazil wrapped up their preparations with a 5-1 drubbing of Tanzania. Real Madrid star Kaka also got on the scoresheet, while Benfica midfielder Ramires opened his international account with a brace. Brazil fielded a full-strength line-up, bar injured goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who was replaced by Tottenham’s Heurelho Gomes.
Fans injured in stadium stampede June 6, 2010 WORLD governing body Fifa last night said it was not to blame after at least 16 people were hurt in a spectator stampede outside a World Cup warm-up match in Johannesburg. In an incident that resurrects concerns over the ability of South Africa to host the sport’s biggest event just days before it begins, fans [...]
Finn stars as England wrap up series win June 6, 2010 MAN of the series Steven Finn snared five wickets as England wrapped up an emphatic victory over Bangladesh – and then insisted he had been the team’s worst bowler. Finn’s haul of 5-42 came as England extinguished the tourists’ second innings for 123 runs inside a single session, having enforced the follow-on at Old Trafford. [...]
Revenge and his fifth title: Nadal takes it all in Paris June 6, 2010 RAFAEL NADAL insists he is not the best clay-court player of all time, despite underlining his utter dominance on the surface by claiming his fifth French Open title in six years. Nadal chalked up his seventh Grand Slam by sweeping past Sweden’s Robin Soderling, the only man ever to beat him at Roland Garros, in [...]
King ready to rule defence with Terry June 6, 2010 ENGLAND defender Ledley King has dismissed fears he will not have time to forge a solid partnership with John Terry, insisting their experience will make up for a shortage of practice. It is three years since King last started a game alongside Terry and, with only five days until the opening match against USA, England’s [...]
Hodgson has Schwarzer and Houllier backing for Reds job June 6, 2010 FULHAM goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer admits he would not begrudge manager Roy Hodgson if he walked away from west London to replace Rafael Benitez at Liverpool. Hodgson is among the favourites to succeed the Spaniard, who accepted a pay-off to quit last week, and is the preferred candidate of ex-Reds chief Gerard Houllier. The well-travelled Englishman, [...]
Kidd proves man of moment to snatch glory for City A.M. June 6, 2010 CAPTAIN Jack Kidd scored in the last minute to hand Team City A.M. New York a dramatic 11-10 victory in the final of the MINT Polo in the Park tournament in London. Kidd swooped to strike the winner in a Square Mile showdown against Team IG Index Paris with just seconds to spare of regulation [...]
Australia’s nemesis Wilko ready to renew hostilities June 6, 2010 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson expects fly-half Jonny Wilkinson to be fit to face his old foes Australia on Saturday. Wilkinson had been considered a major doubt owing to the rib injury he suffered playing for Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup final last month. But the 31-year-old – a key man in the 2003 tour [...]
WINNERS & LOSERS June 6, 2010 A WEEKEND is a long time in sport, as this lot will attest. But while for some it was a few days to remember, others may wish they had never set foot out of the house. WINNER – MICHAEL DAWSON The Spurs man was probably one of the few to consider Rio Ferdinand’s injury good news, [...]