Djokovic wins rain-hit Dubai final February 28, 2010 TENNIS: World No2 Novak Djokovic successfully defended a title for the first time in his career with victory at the Dubai Championship. The Serb beat Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 in a final that ran into a second day after rain halted play on Saturday. “There are always people who are saying he can’t [...]
Wolves edge out Huddersfield February 28, 2010 RUGBY LEAGUE: Chris Hicks scored the decisive try as Warrington edged a tense Super League clash against Huddersfield 14-10. The sides had gone in 10-10 at half-time after two tries from Warrington’s Matt King either side of a brace of Huddersfield scores by Kevin Brown and Paul Whatuira. But Hicks claimed victory for the visitors [...]
Brawn expects four-way battle February 28, 2010 FORMULA ONE: Mercedes boss Ross Brawn is predicting a tight four-way fight next season. With the first race less than two weeks away, Brawn expects Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari to vie for the titles. “You saw in the beginning of testing that Ferrari were quite dominant but based on this test the teams [...]
Bridge: I won’t play for England any more February 25, 2010 ENGLAND manager Fabio Capello has not given up hope of selecting Wayne Bridge in his World Cup squad despite the defender turning his back on the national team. Bridge yesterday shocked England chiefs by announcing his international retirement, saying he felt his position had become “untenable and potentially divisive”. The left-back, 29, is thought to [...]
Borthwick in no mood to bow to critics February 25, 2010 DEFIANT England captain Steve Borthwick is refusing to back down over his controversial appraisal of the team’s performance against Italy. Borthwick, whose side face Ireland tomorrow, prompted raised eyebrows when he described elements of England’s play during the 17-12 win in Rome as “fantastic”. A workmanlike win drew little praise elsewhere, however, with even England [...]
Gerrard creates history February 25, 2010 UNIREA URZICENI (1) v/s LIVERPOOL (3) LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez hailed his side’s resilience after they came back from an early scare to set up a last 16 tie against Lille. Unirea levelled the tie on aggregate with a Joao Bruno Fernandes header after 18 minutes but the Reds hit back through Javier Mascherano, before [...]
Capello’s is a team in crisis February 25, 2010 FOUR months ago, it was all sweetness and light. Now, it’s a total mess. With the World Cup getting ever closer and England losing another key player in Wayne Bridge, this is suddenly a team in crisis and Capello must be pulling his hair out. Let’s go through the side as it stands. Our No1 [...]
Arsenal’s Gibbs is back in the frame, says Wenger February 25, 2010 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger believes injured left-back Kieran Gibbs could recover in time to sneak into England’s World Cup squad. Wayne Bridge’s international retirement has moved highly-rated Under-21 star Gibbs further up the pecking order. The 20-year-old is still in a cast after multiple operations on a broken foot bone but is on course to [...]
Super 14 ref will make for a lively game February 25, 2010 IRELAND’S trip to face England in the Six Nations this weekend is the most fascinating northern hemisphere match-up there has been in a long, long time. Much of the reason for that is South African official Mark Lawrence, who takes over the whistle for Saturday having officiated in Super 14 matches this season. Mark, as [...]
We must step up our game to beat French, says Williams February 25, 2010 FLANKER Martyn Williams insists Wales have to step up to the mark when they host tournament favourites France in Cardiff tonight. The Cardiff Blues star is set to equal Colin Charvis’ 94-cap Test best for a Wales forward, but knows there will need to be a significant improvement if it is to prove a winning [...]