Roofs and rain cause big pain October 16, 2012 ENGLAND’S vital World Cup qualifier away to Poland was last night postponed until 4pm today because of a torrential downpour that left the surface of the £400m national stadium unquestionably unplayable. Upon his first inspection, England manager Roy Hodgson was visibly unhappy with the pitch’s condition after significant storms around Warsaw, and the officials’ damaging [...]
Wales return to losing ways October 16, 2012 CROATIA 2 WALES 0 WALES’S World Cup qualification hopes took a significant blow with defeat away to second-placed Croatia. It had been hoped that Friday’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Scotland would inspire some momentum but a goal for each of Mario Mandzukic and Eduardo gave the home side a lead that would not be threatened. [...]
Scotland keep bad Kompany October 16, 2012 BELGIUM 2 SCOTLAND 0 SCOTLAND last night lost again to effectively end their hopes of qualification for the 2014 World Cup. Under-pressure manager Craig Levein has now led his side to only two points from four matches to leave them bottom of Group A after goals from Christian Benteke and Vincent Kompany for an under-strength [...]
Ireland ease Trap’s pain October 16, 2012 FAROE ISLANDS 1 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 4 REPUBLIC of Ireland last night got their 2014 World Cup qualification campaign back on track with a victory that eased the pressure on manager Giovanni Trapattoni. Marc Wilson gave the away side the lead with a header immediately after half-time and Jonathan Walters added another headed goal less [...]
Stubborn Northern Ireland resist powerful Portugal for vital point October 16, 2012 PORTUGAL 1 NORTHERN IRELAND 1 NORTHERN Ireland produced a defiant defensive display to secure an equally surprising and impressive point in their World Cup qualifier away to Portugal. Niall McGinn chipped Michael O’Neill’s team ahead after 30 minutes before Helder Postiga’s equaliser 10 minutes from time rescued the home side from an embarrassing defeat. Northern [...]
Second Hillsborough inquest set to follow verdict quashing October 16, 2012 HILLSBOROUGH campaigners have welcomed the attorney general’s decision to apply for the original inquest verdicts relating to the 1989 stadium disaster to be overturned. Dominic Grieve QC said yesterday he would apply to the High Court to have the 96 verdicts of accidental death quashed, paving the way for a second inquest likely to be [...]
Pearce proud despite new race row October 16, 2012 SERBIA U21 0 ENGLAND U21 1 ENGLAND WIN 2-0 ON AGGREGATE ENGLAND U21 manager Stuart Pearce said that Serbia had been reported to European football’s governing body Uefa because of the alleged racial abuse directed towards his players as they secured qualification for Euro 2013. Full-back Danny Rose gestured that monkey noises were being made [...]
Mentoring England starlets would show Pietersen’s changed October 16, 2012 JETTING in from the other side of the world for talks with the England hierarchy yesterday shows that Kevin Pietersen is making an effort to build bridges after the text message row that threatened his international career. Having been the cause of the controversy, Pietersen appears to appreciate that the onus is on him to [...]
Ferrari retain Massa as Vettel talk persists October 16, 2012 FERRARI have become the last top-five team to finalise their driver line-up for next season after Felipe Massa signed a one-year contract extension. The 31-year-old’s deal is a reward for his recent upturn in form, which has seen him recover from a slow start to earn points in seven of the last eight races. Massa’s [...]
COE to chair British Olympic Association October 16, 2012 SEBASTIAN Coe is to be elected as the chairman of the British Olympic Association after his only rival for the role withdrew from the race. Richard Leman, the boss of British hockey, was the other potential candidate but was a huge underdog given the success Coe had throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games. Coe will [...]
