SPORTS

Real Madrid and Manchester City - two football monsters with a difference

2009-08-17T03:56:00.001-07:00

They are the hottest teams in football when it comes to big spending. But do they really have anything in common?

Last summer, some unknown owners with enormous amounts of money took over Manchester City.

This summer, Florentino Perez, who lost control of Real Madrid, returned to the top of the club.

What the two clubs did after this vital change was very similar. Manchester City had their 'start' by purchasing the promising Brazilian star Robinho from Real Madrid, which Ramon Calderon still had control of.

In the winter market, City continued their hunt by getting players like Nigel de Jong. This summer, they even lifted their pace and attacked Arsenal; stealing two of their stars - Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Roque Santa Cruz had already joined earlier along with Gareth Barry, and the unhappy Carlos Tevez also joined his former club's rivals.

Why Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley are fighting a losing battle in the Premier League

2009-08-17T03:54:00.001-07:00

The three promoted clubs all face a battle for survival against the big boys. Let's hope they don't go the same way as Leeds, Norwich, Charlton and, heaven forbid, Bradford City.

Why Chelsea and Manchester City are on a collision course with UEFA

2009-08-17T03:53:00.000-07:00

The governing body are pushing for financial restraint - but there's bound to be opposition from Europe's elite clubs.

Schumacher agony for Ferrari - but is Badoer the right alternative?

2009-08-17T03:52:00.000-07:00

Piquet or Bourdais would have been more effective as stand-in for the injured Felipe Massa in Valencia.

Michael Schumacher’s much-anticipated return to Formula One with Ferrari this month has been sidelined after he was defeated by an aggravated neck injury.

It was always going to be a battle for the German to come back to F1 after three years away. He remains super fit, but an injury from the result of a motorbike crash back in February was always going to be the most difficult factor for him to overcome.

Ferrari, and indeed F1, will be worse off with both drivers and spectators looking forward to his return.

Ferrari ‘s options to replace injured Felipe Massa have been limited, and while initially overlooked in favour of a return by Schumacher, the Scuderia will now turn to long-time test driver Luca Badoer to pilot the F60 in Valencia.

Despite his extensive testing for Ferrari, Badoer has not been able to test the F60 on track during the season, has not driven a competitive F1 race for 10 years, and failed to win a single point from his previous 48 race starts.

At 38, Badoer’s selection comes from having no alternative at short notice with Ferrari once again repaying loyalty for years of service.

FOUR Manchester United nearly men with so much to prove

2009-08-17T03:51:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson's faith in his squad is unflinching, but is he asking too much of of his second strng?

John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Ji-Sung Park and Nani. Four players who have, at various times, caused groans to echo around Old Trafford.

Not so long ago, when Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were still in their pomp, these were the players Sir Alex Ferguson had filed under 'Carling Cup, dead European ties and home league fixtures only'.

Not any more. As the years have advanced and the last remaining 'fledglings' have grown old, so those who were once merely understudies to the United glitterati are now themselves trusted in leading roles.

The question they have yet to answer convincingly is whether they are up to the job - especially in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Truth be told, United struggled in their league fixtures against the other established members of the Top Four last season, winning only once, against a dispirited and disjointed Chelsea at Old Trafford.

The foundation of their title success was in not dropping points against teams in the bottom half. No side bullies weak opposition quite as efficiently as United.

Britain's World Cup baseball stunners face funding crisis

2009-08-17T03:50:00.000-07:00

Team GB counts the cost as overseas-based stars face KO from September showdown with world champions Japan.

Women boxing brings SHAME to the Olympics

2009-08-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

London 2012 will see women in the ring for the first time. But for this Sportingo writer it's a non-starter.

Watching women boxing is rather like eating chips without fish, spaghetti without bolognese or - if you'll pardon the pun - watching Judy without Punch!

The big questions facing Everton as Manchester City battle for Lescott

2009-08-17T03:47:00.000-07:00

The big spenders of Eastlands may have angered David Moyes - but the Goodison boss must ultimately decide what is best for the club.

The Joleon Lescott transfer saga has turned into a game of tug-of-war and one that might have no victors whatsoever.

Manchester City are desperate for the player and Lescott himself has submitted a transfer request. But Everton manager David Moyes, with the same determination and grit that has characterised his time in the Goodison hot-seat, is refusing to budge.

Lescott – keen to engineer a move – has also formally written to both Moyes and Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright outlining the reasons behind his desire to leave. Let’s hope he had the good taste not to simply handover a piece of paper with '£80k a week' printed on it in preposterously large letters.

After rejecting two bids worth over £15m, Moyes has also publicly chastised Manchester City about their handling of the affair and accused them of ‘lacking class’.

But a few questions have to be raised. Does this posturing exist because a rival club is attempting to sign a key player? Is it merely a tactic to get a cash-rich club to pay (well) above market value? Or is it because players’ contracts are sacrosanct and must be honoured?

Aquilani to Liverpool for £15m - calculated risk or Benitez blunder?

2009-08-17T03:46:00.000-07:00

The signing of the Italian midfielder as replacement for the departed Xabi Alonso may turn out to be an inspired move by Rafa. But the question marks surrounding his long-term fitness are enormous

Liverpool's £21m goldmine: The FOUR players who should be sold!

2009-08-17T03:45:00.000-07:00

Apparently Rafa doesn't have much in the way of cash. If only we could offload this quartet.

Why F1 loser Piquet was always destined to finish behind Alonso

2009-08-17T03:44:00.000-07:00

Since joining Renault for the 2008 season, Nelson Piquet Jnr has struggled in the shadows of Formula One's closest relationship.

"If you listen to the pit-wall radio, it's like a joke. He hasn't got a clue what is happening in the race".

This was Nelson Piquet Jnr's rather frank assessment of Renault figurehead Flavio Briatore after being told in the F1 summer break that he was to lose his race seat with the French team.

Speculation regarding Piquet's future has been rife throughout the 2009 season. To the outside fan, his performances this year have been well below par.

Every avid F1 follower knows that partnering and matching Fernando Alonso, who is widely-regarded as the most complete driver on the grid, is no easy task, especially within the confines of his beloved Renault team.

However, Piquet's performances, especially in qualifying, have stood out like a very sore thumb.

Alonso out-qualified him in every race bar one (the rain-affected session at the Nurburgring), and their differences in grid positions, even with the closest grid in terms of lap times in the sport's history, have been astounding at times to the outsider.

Manchester City's sordid Lescott dealing puts Moyes' Everton job on line

2009-08-17T03:42:00.000-07:00

As discussions move to boardroom level, the Goodison manager's 'Joleon stays' vow may have left him in an impossible situation.

Manchester City's disgusting, relentless pursuit of Everton defender Jeloen Lescott has served to highlight everything that is rotten, degrading and totally unethical about the today's transfer system.

We've always known about the “tapping” and illegal approaches, about the back-handers, the double-dealing with salaries and merchandising.

We also know that a contract is not worth the paper it's written on when it comes to trading players.

But Mark Hughes and Manchester City have dragged the whole procedure down to a new subterranean level that not only guarantees great disruption within the Everton boardroom but actually threatens to unseat manager David Moyes.

Not content with Moyes's clear and unequivocal statement that Lescott would not be allowed to leave Goodison Park, City have continued to pester and pile on the agony – as you might expect from a club to whom the value of the pound means absolutely nothing.

It's ironical, but by no means unusual, that the day after Everton's latest rebuff, Lescott asked for a transfer, which heaped even more pressure on Moyes.

Why Fabregas is staying at Arsenal - and Messi not arriving from Barcelona

2009-08-17T03:41:00.000-07:00

The European champions have made a strong play to take the Gunners skipper home to Spain. But he's staying at the Emirates - at least for now.

Arsene Wenger has made it clear: "How can people think we will sell Cesc Fabregas now, one day before the season starts?"

He's confident about the situation. His skipper is fully committed to the club - and the European kings won't be able to change that, though Barcelona are still hoping to bring back the playmaker to his former club.

"We are not in a weak financial position," claimed the French tactician.

Sure, Arsenal have already sold two of their talented stars. They will not have to sell Fabregas, and that means they won't.

Lose the Spanish ace, and it's practically goodbye to the Premier League trophy and maybe a Champions League position.

The problem, it seems, is with the player himself. There have been rumours about his dream return to Spain circulating for a few months.

Learn from Spurs' mistake, Moyes - and take the Liverpool way over Lescott

2009-08-17T03:40:00.002-07:00

It's inevitable the England defender will join Manchester City, so Everton should be planning for the future now.

Premier League roundup: SIX of the best as Arsenal ruin Everton's day

2009-08-17T03:40:00.001-07:00

And the striker the Gunners cashed in on fires a two-minute warming as Manchester City's big-shots start with a flourish.

Tiger claws out a two-shot lead at the PGA

2009-08-17T03:37:00.002-07:00

CHASKA, Minnesota: What appeared to be a two-day coronation of Tiger Woods turned into a contest on Saturday at the US PGA Championship.

What had appeared an inevitable title, when Woods held a four-shot lead after two rounds, suddenly became filled with possibilities as his margin vanished along the back nine at Hazeltine. Only a late birdie by Woods and a lone bogey from Padraig Harrington gave the final major a familiar look. A conservative Woods wound up with a 1-under 71 and had a two-shot lead over Ireland's Harrington and South Korea's Y E Yang.

That left Woods one round away from capturing his 15th major, with more company than anyone expected. The advantage still belongs to Woods, who has never lost a major when he was leading going into the final round. Only once in his career - nine years ago - had he lost any tournament when leading by two shots or more.

The only fist pump Woods delivered on a blustery afternoon came on the par-4 14th. He hit 3-wood to the back of the green, chipped so poorly that it ran across the green and against the collar, then used the blade of his sand wedge to knock in a 15-foot birdie that allowed him to regain the lead.

Woods will play with Yang, who matched the best round of the tournament with a 67. Yang won his first PGA Tour event earlier this year at the Honda Classic, although he is better known for taking down Woods at the HSBC Champions in China three years ago.

Arsenal enjoy six of best in early title warning

2009-08-17T03:37:00.001-07:00

LONDON: Arsenal hammered out an early English Premier League title warning on Saturday when they crushed Everton 6-1 at Goodison Park, a timely reminder to Manchester United who begin their championship defence on Sunday.

Elsewhere on the opening day of the new season, Chelsea came from behind to defeat Hull 2-1 while moneybags Manchester City beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0.

Arsenal were 3-0 in front before half-time against an Everton side who finished fifth last time out with Brazilian midfielder Denilson putting the Gunners ahead with a 26th-minute curling shot that gave Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard no chance.

Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen marked his debut by heading in from a Robin van Persie free-kick and it was a similar story when the equally unattended William Gallas nodded in from a Cesc Fabregas set-piece four minutes before the break.

Fabregas made it 4-0 early in the second-half when he crowned a rapid, length of the field, counter-attack with a stylish finish before the Spaniard scored his second after being allowed to run free by the Everton defence.

Eduardo added a sixth two minutes from time after Andrei Arshavin's shot came back off the post before Louis Saha pulled one back for Everton.

Trott in for Ashes finale

2009-08-17T03:36:00.001-07:00

LONDON: Jonathan Trott will make his Test debut for England after being called up to the squad for the fifth and deciding Ashes game against Australia.

The 28-year-old South Africa-born Warwickshire batsman was named in a squad of 14 on Sunday with the two teams level at 1-1 going into the match at The Oval starting on Thursday.

"I'm (happy) as hell really," said Trott, who was born in Cape Town, played for South Africa at under-19 level but qualifies for England through his grandparents. "I've been playing pretty well this season so hope I can play well this week.

"I'm pretty much going to try and stay as relaxed as possible. I'd like to think that under pressure I perform. We'll see this week."

National selector Geoff Miller said Trott was close to a call-up for the fourth Test.

"He's a confident lad and he knows how good a player he is," Miller said. "There's no (more) gamble than anyone when you do select them for their debut. He's a quality player. He's got a very strong mental attitude. He's unfazed but you never know until you get thrown into the international arena how you're going to react to it. But we as selectors have every confidence that he will be able to surmount that and do the job he's required to do."

Trott has played in Twenty20 games for England, the backup Lions team and was called up for the fourth Test at Headingley after averaging more than 83 for Warwickshire only to be left out of the starting line-up.

"He was in the squad at Headingley and it's a consistent policy that we've had," Miller said. "He's been in quality form this year - he was the leading run scorer in the Lions. He's been part of the process for a while now and he deserves and merits his inclusion."

The selectors have dropped out-of-form Ravi Bopara after England lost the fourth Test by an innings and 80 runs at Headingley. He had scored only 105 runs in seven Test innings.

"Ravi Bopara has been going through a tough time with the bat in this series and we have decided to leave him out of the squad for this game," Miller said.

"He will be extremely disappointed but remains very much part of our plans for the future and I am sure that he has the talent and temperament to regain his place in the side.

"Ravi's omission means Jonathan Trott will make his Test debut. Having been part of the squad at Headingley, he was the next batsman in line in our view and this rewards him for the excellent form he has shown in county cricket both this summer and with England Lions over the winter."

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who has announced he will retire from Test cricket after the series, was included in the squad and is expected to return after missing Headingley with a knee injury.

England kept faith with Ian Bell, who is expected to bat at No 3 in place of Bopara, and chose Trott ahead of the more experienced Robert Key and veteran Mark Ramprakash, who has been in top form for Surrey in county cricket but hasn't played for England for seven years.

Monty Panesar, who played a dramatic role in the first Test, was brought into the squad but Graeme Swann is likely to be preferred as spinner, while paceman Graham Onions is likely to make way for Flintoff.

Miller said that both Flintoff and paceman James Anderson had improved after their injuries and were expected to be fit for the final Test.

Squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior, Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar.

Shoaib apologises over TV interview

2009-08-17T03:35:00.000-07:00

KARACHI: Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has apologised to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for appearing on a television show without PCB's permission and accepted that he has violated the player's central contract.

A senior official of the board said that the fast bowler, who was served a show cause by the PCB, has replied back on July 31, apologising for his actions.

"Look, now he has to decide either he wants to play for Pakistan again or continue his dispute with the authorities. Both things are not possible," the official said.

The official said Shoaib Akhtar himself is now keen to mend fences with the authorities and wants to get back in the national side as he has realised that he didn't have too many years of cricket left in him.

"That is one reason why the PCB is also not playing up this issue and handling it quietly. In all likelihood they want to end this matter and drop any disciplinary action against him," another source in the board said.

Pakistan captain Younis Khan has said he has no problems having Shoaib Akhtar in the team as long as he performs.

"I am not bothered about what he does in his own time. That is not my concern as long as he is committed to the team and 100 percent fit to perform for the side," Younis said.

Tamim gatecrashes Coventry's party

2009-08-17T03:33:00.000-07:00

BULAWAYO: Charles Coventry made the joint highest individual score in an ODI but his effort was outweighed by a sparkling, cool-headed century from Tamim Iqbal, who broke the record for the most runs made in an innings by a Bangladesh batsman here on Sunday.

Coventry's blockbuster innings pushed Zimbabwe beyond 300, far more than Bangladesh have chased before, but the visitors were rarely troubled as they hunted down the target to take their third consecutive series.

Earlier, Coventry equalled the highest One-day International score, hitting an unbeaten 194 to lead his team to 312-8 in the fourth match against Bangladesh.

Coventry smashed 16 fours and seven sixes in 156 balls to record his maiden ODI hundred and match the score made by Saeed Anwar for Pakistan against India in Chennai in 1997.

Playing in his first series since 2006, the 26-year-old Coventry also surpassed the highest ODI score by a Zimbabwean, previously held by Craig Wishart, who hit 172 not out against Namibia in Harare at the 2003 World Cup.

Despite Coventry's efforts Zimbabwe were unable to defend their total, with Bangladesh romping to victory with two overs and four wickets to spare. The 20-year-old Tamim Iqbal top scored with a personal best 154 from 138 balls.

Kiwis set for tough SL test

2009-08-17T03:32:00.000-07:00




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Kiwis set for tough SL test

Monday, August 17, 2009
GALLE, Sri Lanka: New Zealand face a severe examination of their skill and stamina as they prepare to take on buoyant Sri Lanka in a two-Test series starting on Tuesday (tomorrow).

On top of the challenge of playing on unfamiliar wickets in oppressive heat and humidity, Daniel Vettori's Black Caps will be up against a home side fresh from a 2-0 series win over Pakistan last month.

Vettori admitted holding the hosts to two draws would be a good result for his inexperienced team, whose four Test wins over the past two years have included three against lowly Bangladesh.

"You always want to go into a series wanting to win, but if we can pull off a couple of draws or win the series 1-0, that would be an exciting result for this team," the 92-Test veteran said.

New Zealand last won a Test series in Sri Lanka 25 years ago in 1984, but managed to draw both matches on their last trip under Stephen Fleming in 2003.

Sri Lanka, always formidable opponents at home, defeated Pakistan in spite of missing master spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for the entire series due to a knee injury.

Muralitharan, the world's most successful Test bowler with 770 wickets, is now back to torment the Black Caps, many of whom have not played the wily off-spinner before.

"It will be a learning curve for a number of our players as it will be against Murali as well," said fellow spinner Vettori. "For some of the guys this is the first time they will be seeing Murali."

To counter the problem, the Kiwis hired former Pakistan Test player Saqlain Mushtaq to prepare their batsmen to face the turning ball, especially the 'doosra,' the off-spinner's googly that turns the other way after pitching.

Also bowling to them in the nets ahead of the series was an unknown 19-year-old English player, Maurice Holmes, a bowler whose action resembles Muralitharan's who was discovered by the Kiwis during the World Twenty20 in England.

New Zealand will, however, take heart from Sri Lanka's vulnerable batting. The side only managed to pass 300 once in six innings against Pakistan.

Kumar Sangakkara's home team could also be unsettled by three consecutive losses to Pakistan in the final two one-day matches and a Twenty20 International over the past 10 days, although they took the one-day series 3-2.

"There are a lot of areas we have to work on to become a consistently winning side," Sangakkara admitted. "We were to take the defeats on the chin and move on by learning from the mistakes we made.

"The positive thing is we have a great bunch of players willing to stand up and be counted when the chips are down.

"But it goes without saying that we must put up big scores in the two Tests, something we were not able to do against Pakistan."

New Zealand's best chance in the series lies in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium where seam bowlers took 21 of the 40 wickets during the Pakistan match last month.

The second Test will be played at the Sinhalese sports club in Colombo from August 26-30, followed by two Twenty20 Internationals and a limited-overs tri-series also featuring India.

Hughes stands his ground in Lescott row

2009-08-17T03:31:00.000-07:00

BLACKBURN, England: Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has refused to back down in his growing war of words with Everton counterpart David Moyes over the attempted signing of England defender Joleon Lescott.

All the indications are that City, now one of the wealthiest clubs in the Premier League, will return with an improved bid next week.

City have failed with three official offers for Lescott, earning the contempt of Moyes in the process with the Everton boss launching a vitriolic verbal attack on Hughes on the eve of Saturday's season openers.

But Hughes, speaking after City had won 2-0 away to Blackburn Rovers with goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland, was unrepentant.

"It wasn't a surprise seeing David's comments," Hughes told reporters here at Ewood Park.

"He feels a little bit aggrieved at the situation, you always are when a club comes and tries to acquire your better players.

"But all we're trying to do is conduct our business in the right way through the proper channels. Sometimes trying to ring a player to a club runs its course and you walk away. But maybe at the moment the situation is fluid and there's a chance Everton will change their minds. It's not finished yet as we understand the situation."

Sources indicate that City are still optimistic that they will add Lescott to their near 100 million pounds pre-season spending, possibly in time for Saturday's home game with Wolves and there were times against Blackburn that the team's potential defensive shortcomings were evident.

Sussex clinch English Twenty20 title

2009-08-17T03:30:00.000-07:00

LONDON: Sussex won the English Twenty20 Cup for the first time on Saturday when they defeated Somerset by 63 runs in the final at Edgbaston.

West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Smith hammered 59 off only 26 deliveries with seven fours and three sixes to help Sussex reach 172 for seven after being put into bat.

Somerset never seriously threatened to achieve the highest ever score to win a domestic Twenty20 final once Marcus Trescothick had been dismissed for 33.

But they have the consolation of qualifying with Sussex for the Champions League, which takes place in India in October, where a six million dollar jackpot awaits the winners.

Sussex skipper Michael Yardy was looking forward to the Champions League.

"When you come to finals day, the Champions League is in the back of your mind. You want to win the competition," he said. "But now we have got there, it is something to really look forward to, against top players, and we want to do ourselves justice."

Somerset captain Justin Langer was disappointed with his side's performance.

"We didn't bowl as well as we did in the first game and they probably got a few too many runs. It was a bit different (batting) under lights because the ball spun a bit."

Dilshan ready to take up opening role

2009-08-17T03:29:00.002-07:00

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka are likely to go in with a new opening combination for the first Test against New Zealand beginning on Tuesday (tomorrow) in Galle.

Having sat out the limited-overs leg of the recently concluded home series against Pakistan due to injuries, Tillakaratne Dilshan is likely to feature at the top of the order on his return.

Dilshan, 32, had fractured his right index finger and underwent several stitches above his left eye on the second day of the third Test against Pakistan at the SSC. But following his 68 off 60 balls while opening for Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI against the New Zealanders in the tour game in Colombo, he is likely to replace Malinda Warnapura as Tharanga Paranavitana's opening partner.

"The selectors told me to have a knock here (in the tour match) as opener and I got a great opportunity to bat in the middle facing the new ball," said Dilshan. "It was good practice for me I am now ready for the Test match.

"The coach and Kumar Sangakarra discussed with me and they wanted me to come up the order as an opener to balance the side. I said if you want me to open I will do it. It's a new position for me in Test cricket. It's not easy like in the one-dayers, but I will try to deliver 100%. I am ready to accept the challenge."

It will be the first time Dilshan will be opening the innings during his 55-match Test career, during which he has scored 3166 runs at 41.11. The pressure will also be eased off as he would no longer be required to don the wicketkeeping gloves with Prasanna Jayawardene having recovered from a finger injury.

Dilshan has continually strengthened his reputation as a limited-overs specialist, which has fetched him many accolades, the most recent being named Man of the Tournament at the World T20 in England. However, he was keen to repeat the success in the longest format as well.

"If the ball is in the right area to hit I will go for the shot straight away. I am not thinking whether it's one-day or Test cricket and whether it's the first over, it doesn't matter."

Miandad doesn't want full-time stint

2009-08-17T03:29:00.001-07:00

KARACHI: Pakistan's legendary batsman Javed Miandad has made it clear that he is not interested in a full-time coaching job with the national team as he does not have time to focus on it.

"I was offered to coach the national team by PCB chairman immediately after he took over. But I refused because of time constraints," said Miandad who was recently appointed a batting consultant for national senior and junior teams.

Miandad, whose main job is to prepare Pakistan batsmen for next month's Champions Trophy, said he would take the job as a challenge.

"It is an exciting challenge. To be honest, there is nothing drastically wrong with our batsmen. It is just that they need someone to identify their small problems on a regular basis," Miandad said.

"My job is to identify the small mistakes and help them overcome them. I will help them improve their application and staying powers. At times our batsmen are playing shots too frequently and making the wrong shot selections," he added.

Captain Younis Khan and coach Intikhab Alam have hailed the appointment of Miandad as batting consultant and felt he can be a big help because of his deep insight into the game.

Maindad said more than the senior team he would enjoy working with the younger and under-19 players.