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Costa fires six-goal Chelsea to victory against Everton

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 31 Agustus 2014 | 22.58

LIVERPOOL: Diego Costa scored twice as Chelsea continued their winning start to the Premier League season with a remarkable 6-3 victory over Everton in a thrilling clash on Saturday.

The Brazil-born Spain striker cost Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho £32 million ($53.1 million, 40.4 million euros) when he joined from Atletico Madrid in the close season and he provided a further illustration of his worth at Goodison Park.

The 25-year-old started and finished the scoring on an extraordinary evening on Merseyside, taking his tally to four goals in three games since his arrival at the club.

Everton's own big-money striker Romelu Lukaku, a £28 million acquisition from Chelsea, lined up against his old club, with another Chelsea old boy, Samuel Eto'o, starting the game on the bench.

Mourinho included Costa in his starting XI after he passed a late fitness test, having not trained in the latter half of the week due to a hamstring complaint.

And the striker showed no ill-effects to give Chelsea the lead after 36 seconds when he latched onto a through-ball from Cesc Fabregas.

Costa let fly with a low angled shot that Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard got a foot to but was unable to prevent going into the net.

Chelsea added a second goal in the third minute when Everton's appeals for offside were ignored by the officials.

Neat interplay between Costa and Brazil midfielder Ramires allowed the latter to slip the ball into Branislav Ivanovic, who had ghosted in behind the Everton defence and clinically dispatched a low shot past Howard.

American goalkeeper Howard was fortunate not to be punished by referee Jon Moss shortly afterwards when he handled outside the area as Eden Hazard chased down a long ball from Fabregas.

Everton improved as the first half wore on. Lukaku rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner and Sylvain Distin bundled the ball into the net, but the assistant referee had already correctly raised his flag for offside.

Everton pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time when Seamus Coleman was released down the right flank and crossed for Kevin Mirallas, who got in front of Gary Cahill to glance a superb header into the top-left corner.

The goal ensured Chelsea were unable to rest on their laurels as a thrilling second half ensued.

Chelsea added a third in the 67th minute when Hazard cut in from the left and saw his low cross-shot inadvertently diverted past Howard at the near post by the sliding Coleman for an own goal.

But Everton refused to lie down and two minutes later reduced the deficit to one goal when Aiden McGeady jinked his way forward and threaded the ball to Steven Naismith, who stabbed a shot past Thibaut Courtois with his right foot.

Chelsea regained the initiative shortly afterwards with their fourth goal when Nemanja Matic arrowed a drive from the edge of the area into the bottom-right corner of the net via a deflection off Distin.

But Everton's never-say-die attitude saw them pull it back again with their third when a Leighton Baines free-kick from wide on the left picked out substitute Eto'o and he directed a clever header past Courtois.

Chelsea bagged their fifth goal of an engrossing contest when Ramires cut in from the left, played a neat one-two with Matic, and poked the ball past Howard.

And Costa made doubly sure that there would be no late drama when he seized onto a clever back-heel from John Mikel Obi, drew Howard from his line, and drove the ball into the net with his left foot.

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Marc Marquez wins British MotoGP

SILVERSTONE: Runaway world championship leader Marc Marquez made it 11 wins from 12 races this season on Sunday as he won the British MotoGP at Silverstone.

The 21-year-old Spanish Honda rider -- who on Saturday claimed his 10th pole position of the campaign -- prevailed in a stunning duel with compatriot and two-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo on a Yamaha.

Lorenzo's team-mate Italian legend Valentino Rossi was third in what was a record 246th MotoGP appearance while Marquez's fellow Honda rider Dani Pedrosa, who won the Czech GP last time out, was fourth.

It was the third successive race Yamaha had filed the minor podium placings.

Marquez has 288 points with Pedrosa, who signed a two year extension with Honda, second on 199 and Rossi, who has also committed himself for another two years to Yamaha, third on 189 while Lorenzo has 157 with six races remaining.

Lorenzo got a terrific start shooting into the lead ahead of Marquez, whose weakest part of his armoury has been his starts, while Pedrosa got an awful one dropping to sixth.

After four laps Marquez started eating into Lorenzo's lead while Rossi moved seamlessly past compatriot Andrea Dovizioso into third.

Marquez was right on Lorenzo's shoulder going over the line with 15 laps remaining with three riders Rossi, Dovizioso and Pedrosa a little bit further back but clear of the pack.

Pedrosa continued his recovery from the poor start by passing Dovizioso and pressurised Rossi, who he succeeded in getting past with 11 laps remaining and set off after the leading two who were almost three seconds clear.

Lorenzo kept Marquez at bay toying with him at times forcing the younger Spaniard to go out wide and costing him ground but Pedrosa was unable to make any inroads into their lead and indeed was four seconds down with eight laps to the chequered flag.

Indeed Pedrosa couldn't shake off either Rossi or Dovisioso and was passed by both of the Italians with just over seven laps remaining.

The duel up front heated up considerably with five laps to go as Marquez passed Lorenzo but the Yamaha rider bit back immediately and passed Marquez almost immediately.

It was a superb and engrossing contest highlighted by the exchange with three laps to go as Marquez looked to have got the better of Lorenzo on one corner only for the door to be shut on him.

However, the irrepressible youngster was not to be denied and took the lead on the next corner and for once Lorenzo had no answer.

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Balotelli misfires but Liverpool wins at Spurs

LONDON: Liverpool's speedy attacking unit produced a 3-0 victory at Tottenham on Sunday though Mario Balotelli failed to score on his return to the Premier League.

While the Italy striker's finishing was wayward, dazzling winger Raheem Sterling netted the opener inside eight minutes, captain Steven Gerrard scored from a penalty at the start of the second half and defender Alberto Moreno opened his account for Liverpool.

The dismantling of Tottenham was the perfect response by last season's runners-up to a loss at Manchester City in the previous game.

For Mauricio Pochettino, who had opened his Tottenham reign with a pair of victories in both the Premier League and Europa League, the collapse showed the size of the gulf that still exists between the London club and its elite rivals.

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Spain's Marin stuns Li to win women's title

COPENHAGEN: Spain's Carolina Marin pulled off a monumental upset as she beat Chinese world number one Li Xuerui to win the women's singles title at the Badminton World Championships in Copenhagen on Sunday.

The 21-year-old ninth seed recovered from dropping the opening game to the top seed and Olympic champion to complete an incredible 17-21, 21-17, 21-18 victory and earn her country its first ever major title in the sport.

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Spain's Marin stuns Li to win women's title

COPENHAGEN: Spain's Carolina Marin pulled off a monumental upset as she beat Chinese world number one Li Xuerui to win the women's singles title at the Badminton World Championships in Copenhagen on Sunday.

The 21-year-old ninth seed recovered from dropping the opening game to the top seed and Olympic champion to complete an incredible 17-21, 21-17, 21-18 victory and earn her country its first ever major title in the sport.

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Alessandro Del Piero signs up with Delhi Dynamos

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 29 Agustus 2014 | 22.58

NEW DELHI: Adding a fair bit of star power to the upcoming Indian Super League, renowned Italian forward Alessandro Del Piero has signed up with Delhi Dynamos FC as its marquee player.

The 39-year-old Italian who has won almost every tournament he has played in for club and country, has many achievements to his name in a career spanning over two decades.

"It's really exciting to be coming to India and playing for the capital of the country. I am thoroughly looking forward to training with my teammates and work together with the coach and the club and I hope to encourage the people of Delhi to follow our games," Del Piero said in a statement.

"My passion has always been to play good football and I think I can definitely identify with my team's philosophy of playing an attacking and attractive game. It is always amazing to visit new countries but I have a feeling India is going to be a really special part of my journey. See you soon, India," he added.

Del Piero, also nicknamed "Il Fenomeno Vero" or The Real Phenomenon, is the 10th all-time top-scorer in the Champions League and has been featured in Fifa 100, a list of the top greatest living footballers compiled by Pele.

Having played alongside some great teammates like Gianluigi Buffon and Zinedine Zidane, del Piero has always managed to stand out.

Footballing legend Maradona once said "He (del Peiro) is different to Zinedine Zidane. He likes to play, he feels it in his soul. Between him and the Frenchman, I choose him."

The Italian great played for Sydney FC for the last two seasons and is credited for putting the A-league onto the world stage and inspiring a new generation of football players in that country.

The free-kick King won Sydney FC Player of the Year Award and Sydney FC Golden Boot in 2013 and also scored the A-League goal of the season for 2012-2013.

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Sindhu in World Championships semis, assured of bronze

COPENHAGEN: Indian teen sensation P V Sindhu assured herself of a second consecutive bronze medal at the World Championship but it was curtains for star shuttler Saina Nehwal after she suffered a straight-game loss in the women's singles quarterfinals on Friday.

The 19-year-old Sindhu, who clinched the bronze at the 2013 World Championship in China, produced another gritty performance to see off All-England champion Shixian Wang of China 19-21, 21-19, 21-15 at Ballerup Super Arena.

Earlier this month, Sindhu had won a bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Earlier, Olympic bronze-medallist Saina, seeded seventh, struggled against World No. 1 Li Xuerui and the Chinese took just 45 minutes to send the Indian packing with an identical 21-15 21-15 scoreline.

However, Sindhu, seeded 11th, showed once again why she is considered one of India's finest shuttlers as she held her nerves in crucial moments during the energy-sapping battle to record her fourth win against Wang. Sindhu will now face the winner of the match between Chinese Taipei's Tzu Ying Tai and and Spaniard Carolina Marin.

In the quarterfinal contest that lasted for one hour and 25 minutes, Sindhu and Wang were locked in a battle of attrition and rode on each other's mistakes to gather points.

Sindhu dominated the net early on and used her height and reach well to lead 11-5 initially. However, Wang soon caught up at 15-15 before getting past the Indian to pocket the first game.

Can PV Sindhu better her 2013 World Championship bronze to gold this time?

Frustrated by the first game loss, Sindhu stepped up her performance in the second and once again opened up a healthy 5-1 lead but Wang made her way back into contention at 6-6 with some precise net shots to lead 11-9 at the break.

A couple of unforced errors helped Sindhu to narrow the gap but the Indian faltered at the forecourt to help Wang keep the lead. The Indian kept fighting and used her smashes and better judgment of the shuttle to draw parity at 16-16.

Wang, however, faltered at the nets to allow Sindhu a 19-16 lead and then hit another miscued shot to give the Indian four-game points.

The Chinese saved three game points with a couple of brilliant shots from the back of the court but Sindhu finally managed to send one away from the outstretched right hand of Wang to bounce back into the contest.

The decider started with a long rally which Sindhu grabbed after Wang hit wide. The Chinese kept hitting wide and long and found the net allowing the Indian to lead 5-2. But Wang once again caught up at 5-5.

Both Sindhu and Wang committed too many unforced errors as the Indian managed to hang on to a fragile one-point lead at the breather with a smash which kissed the nets and fell over.

Back to her winning side, Sindhu grabbed the first point with a sharp smash but she found the net and misjudged the shuttle to allow Wang to draw level at 12-12.

While the Chinese used her deceptive drops and cross court net dribbles to gain points, Sindhu targeted Wang's weak back hand to lead 17-15.

Sindhu grabbed the next four points in a jiffy to not only slam the door on Wang but also assure herself of a consecutive bronze medal.

However, a medal at the prestigious tournament continued to elude Saina once again as she succumbed to her eighth defeat against Olympic champion and top seed Li in another quarterfinal contest that lasted for 45 minutes.

2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Saina, who had to fight her way back from a game down to register a 14-21, 21-18, 21-12 win over Sayaka Takahashi of Japan in the previous round, looked rusty from the start and was trailing Li in the entire first game.

Li took advantage of Saina's erratic play and raced to a 9-4 lead before the Indian brought the gap down to 10-8. But just when it seemed Saina was getting her act together, the Chinese recomposed herself and increased her lead to 18-11 before closing down the first game.

The second game was competitive till the first five points before the Indian pocketed four consecutive points to lead 9-5.

Saina maintained her four point lead till 12-8 before the Chinese shuttler earned four straight points to draw level at 12-12. However, Saina ran out of steam thereafter as she struggled to match her opponent, who raised her game considerably.

From 13-13, Li again won four consecutive points to take the lead for the first time in the game and then sealed the match in her favour without much ado. Li will play 16th seed Minatsu Mitani of Japan in the semifinals.

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Rosberg apologises, disciplined for Hamilton crash

LONDON: Formula One championship leader Nico Rosberg has apologised for colliding with team mate Lewis Hamilton during the Belgian Grand Prix and been disciplined, his Mercedes team said on Friday.

Rosberg hit Hamilton on the second lap at Spa on Sunday and the Briton later retired from the race with a damaged floor after picking up a puncture.

Hamilton told reporters that Rosberg had admitted in a team meeting to hitting him on purpose to "prove a point" although the German later dismissed it as a racing incident.

"(Team bosses) Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton met today in the boardroom of Mercedes Amg Petronas headquarters in Brackley to discuss the events of the Belgian Grand Prix," the team said in a statement.

"During this meeting Nico acknowledged his responsibility for the contact that occurred on lap two of the Belgian Grand Prix and apologised for this error of judgment.

"Suitable disciplinary measures have been taken for the incident," the statement read.

"Mercedes-Benz remains committed to hard, fair racing because this is the right way to win world championships. It is good for the team, for the fans and for Formula One.

Do you think Rosberg should be penalized for crashing at Hamilton's car in Belgian Grand Prix?

"Lewis and Nico understand and accept the team's number one rule: there must be no contact between the team's cars on track."

Rosberg was blamed by the team following the race for causing what was an avoidable collision.

No action was taken by the stewards or the world governing body FIA.

Mercedes said they would not change their policy of allowing the pair to race each other freely.

"It has been made clear that another such incident will not be tolerated," the team added.

"But Nico and Lewis are our drivers and we believe in them. They remain free to race for the 2014 FIA Formula One world championship."

Rosberg holds a 29-point lead over Hamilton with seven races remaining. Red Bull's Australian Daniel Ricciardo claimed his third victory of the season at Spa.

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Arjuna will boost my gold ambitions in Asiad: Luka

NEW DELHI: Top Indian athlete Tintu Luka, who was on Friday conferred with the Arjuna Award, said that the coveted honour came at the right time as she guns for gold in the upcoming Asian Games in South Korea.

Luka, who is the current Asian season leader in 800m (2:00.56 in Doha Diamond League in May), said she wants to make amends for her bronze medal finish in the 2010 Games by winning a gold in Incheon.

Luka also went into the 2010 Asian Games as season leader after smashing Shiny Wilson's 15-year-old national record by clocking 1:59.17 at the IAAF Continental Cup at Split in now Croatia but had failed to win the gold in Guanghzou.

"I want to win gold in Asian Games this time and this Arjuna Award has come at right time. The award has given me the motivation and will boost my confidence," she said in an interview.

"I missed gold in 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and had to settle for bronze. This time I am confident that I will win a gold," she added.

Asked if she had anticipated that she would get the Arjuna Award this time after missing out last year when she was also nominated by the Athletics Federation of India.

"There was nothing like I was expecting or not. It would have been the same had I not got the award this time also. But definitely, every athlete feels happy if his or her achievements are recognised. So I am also happy," said a normally media shy Luka.

The 25-year-old Luka was a disappointment at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as she failed to qualify for the finals but she promised to make amends in Incheon.

"I did not do well in Glasgow and that is why I want to do well in Asian Games. Moreover, I am running in the IAAF Continental Cup in Morocco next month and I feel that event will give a very good opportunity to measure myself among the best in the world," she added.

The IAAF Continental Cup is a competition among the season leaders from four continental regions -- Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and Americas. Luka is representing Asia-Pacific. The quadrennial event, formerly know as Athletics World Cup, will be held in Marrakech in Morocco on September 13-14.

"I broke the national record when I first took part in IAAF Continental Cup in 2010 and I am aiming to run sub two minutes this time also in Morocco. Then I want to repeat that (sub two minute) in the Asian Games and that should give me the gold."

Not many Asian athletes have done particularly well in women's 800m race this season with another Indian Sushma Devi in third spot in IAAF season leaders' list among the athletes from the continent. Sushma has also been named in the 56-member Indian athletics squad for the Asian Games.

Luka may face challenge from Margarita Mukasheva of Kazakhstan who has a season's best of 2:01.65 and who won the gold in 2010 Asian Games.

Usha also exuded confidence that her ward would win gold in Incheon.

"I feel Luka should win a gold in Incheon and that would be a huge improvement from the 2010 edition. It is important for her to do well in Morocco (IAAF Continental Cup)," she said.

"I am expecting that she would run sub two minutes in Morrocco and that would be very important for her to go for gold in Incheon," she added.

Asked about Luka's Arjuna Award, Usha said, "She richly deserves it and I am also feeling happy that my ward's achievement has been recognised by the government.

"When I first spotted her, I knew that she had the potential to bring laurels for the country and win awards. That is happening now and I feel proud of her."

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President bestows controversy-marred Arjuna awards

NEW DELHI: Mired in selection controversies and devoid of a Khel Ratna for the first time in 20 years, the National Sports Awards were on Friday presented by President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in a ceremony which was severely short on star power.

Like the past editions, selection controversies cast a shadow on the ceremony and matters came to a head when boxer Manoj Kumar dragged the Sports Ministry to court after being overlooked for the Arjuna award despite qualifying in the new points system.

Add to this, the awards selection committee did not find any athlete worthy of the country's highest sporting honour -- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna -- this year.

None of the seven candidates, whose names were forwarded to the committee, got the 12-member panel's nod, making it the first time since 1994 when no sportsperson was named for the top award.

Controversies aside, the ceremony followed the long-standing traditions as awardees walked upto to receive their respective honours from the President amid resounding applause from the dignitaries present, including Vice President M Hamid Ansari and Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

A notable absentee from the ceremony was cricketer R Ashwin. The off-spinner could not make it as he is currently on national duty in England in an ongoing ODI series.

The others who were bestowed the honour were Akhilesh Varma (archery), Tintu Luka (athletics), H N Girisha (paralympics), V Diju (badminton), Geetu Ann Jose (basketball), Jai Bhagwan (boxing), Anirban Lahiri (golf), Mamta Pujari (kabaddi), Saji Thomas (rowing), Heena Sidhu (shooting), Anaka Alankamony (squash), Tom Joseph (volleyball), Renubala Chanu (weightlifting) and Sunil Rana (wrestling).

Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awardees received statuettes, citations and cash prize of Rs 5 lakh each. Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar were given trophies.

The awards selection panel, headed by cricket legend Kapil Dev, included the likes of Anju Bobby George and Kunjarani Devi, two mediapersons and three government representatives, including Sports Authority of India Director General Jiji Thomson.

Picking 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Jai Bhagwan and ignoring the gold-medallist from the same event, Manoj Kumar, had led to a massive controversy ahead of the award. 20-year-old squash player Alankamony's inclusion in the list had also raised eyebrows.

Kumar, with 32 points, had maximum points amongst the boxers who applied for the honour and two more than Bhagwan.

Awards list:

Arjuna award: Akhilesh Varma (Archery), Tintu Luka (Athletics), HN Girisha (Paralympics), V Diju (Badminton), Geetu Ann Jose (Basketball), Jai Bhagwan (Boxing), Ravichandran Ashwin (Cricket), Anirban Lahiri (Golf), Mamta Pujari (Kabaddi), Saji Thomas (Rowing), Heena Sidhu (Shooting), Anaka Alankamany (Squash), Tom Joseph (Volleyball), Renubala Chanu (Weightlifting) and Sunil Rana (Wrestling).

Dronacharya award: Mahabir Prasad (Wrestling), N Lingappa (Athletics - Lifetime), G Manoharan (Boxing - Lifetime), Gurcharan Singh Gogi (Judo - Lifetime), Jose Jacob (Rowing - Lifetime).

Dhyan Chand award: Gurmail Singh (Hockey), K P Thakkar (Swimming - Diving), Zeeshan Ali (Tennis).

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar: 1. Employment of sports persons and sports welfare measures Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), 2. Community Sports - identification and nurturing of budding /young talent Jindal Steel Works (JSW), 3. Establishment and Management of sports academies of excellence Guru Hanuman Akhara, Delhi, 4. Other forms of sports activities not covered in the four categories mentioned in the schemes Child Link Foundation of India (Magic Bus).

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Saina survives scare, enters World Championships quarters

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 28 Agustus 2014 | 22.58

COPENHAGEN: Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal fought her way back from a game down to register a 14-21, 21-18, 21-12 victory over Sayaka Takahashi of Japan and enter the quarterfinals of the women's singles event of the World Badminton Championships on Thursday.

World No. 7 Saina, seeded seventh in the tournament, lost the first game, but rallied in a fine fashion to prevail over her 13th seeded Japanese rival in a match that lasted an hour and five minutes at the Ballerup Super Arena.

Saina will take on World No. 1 Li Xuerui of China in the last eight stage of the tournament.

In the opening game on Thursday, the Indian looked completely off colour and was never in contention. From the very beginning she started to trail behind and there was not even one instance in the game when Saina could catch her opponent.

The World No. 14 Japanese straight away opened up a 4-0 lead and throughout the game, Saina was lagging behind. The nearest she could reach her rival was at 5-6.

In the second game, the Indian got her act together and surged ahead with a 7-3 lead, but Takahashi soon earned four consecutive points to make it 7-7 and then moved swiftly to extend the gap.

At one stage the Japanese had opened up a huge 13-8 lead and the Indian was seen playing only the catch-up game.

But just when it was looking as if it was all over for Saina, she maintained her clam to brought the gap down to 15-16 before catching Takahashi at 17-17.

At 18-18, Saina upped the ante and reeled off three straight points to take the match to the decider.

The third and final game turned out to be a cake walk for India's ace shuttler, who broke away from a tied 7-7 situation to topple her rival 21-12 at the end.

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Don't expect miracles from Di Maria, Van Gaal says

MANCHESTER (England): Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says instant miracles shouldn't be expected from Angel Di Maria.

After missing out on European football this season with a disappointing seventh-place finish in the Premier League in May, United slumped to a 4-0 loss to third-tier club MK Dons in the League Cup on Tuesday.

The 20-time English champions were still able to attract one of the world's top players in Di Maria, the Argentina midfielder who joined from Real Madrid for 75 million euros ($99 million).

Di Maria is being hailed as the cure to United's problems but at the player's official presentation Thursday, Van Gaal says "we cannot expect after two days training session that he is the miracle what I already read."

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Sachin Tendulkar backs Indian Super League

MUMBAI: Batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday threw his weight behind the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL), saying it was the way forward to unearth football talent in the cricket-mad country.

"There is a lot of sporting talent in the country, but no platform to showcase the talent. Perhaps ISL is the answer," Tendulkar said in Mumbai at the launch of the eight-city franchise-based tournament to be played in October-December.

Tendulkar, who retired last year as the leading run-getter in both Test and one-day cricket, is co-owner of the Kochi franchise in the new league that has been modelled on the lines of cricket's cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

While the 40-year-old's fame and fortune is due to his exploits on the cricket field, he said that the most important thing was for Indians to develop and nurture a love of sport.

"My vision for India is sport for all. It is not about being professional but staying healthy and fit," he said.

Meanwhile, Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero, 39, was set to play for Delhi Dynamos and also serve as a brand ambassador for the ISL, a source associated with the league said.

"He is on board, a formal announcement will be made shortly," the source added.

Del Piero, who has been playing more recently in Australia, will be the biggest star in the league that will also feature former French international David Trezeguet and ex-England goalkeeper David James.

Eight city-based teams are due to take part in the tournament which runs from October 12 to December 20. Several of the franchises have tie-ups with European football giants such as La Liga champions Atletico Madrid who are the co-owners of Atletico Kolkata.

While India are only 150th in the world rankings, football draws big crowds in some parts of the country -- particularly the east -- and has been dubbed the game's "sleeping giant" by Sepp Blatter, president of the world governing body FIFA.

The English Premier League (EPL) draws big TV audiences and team owners are hoping to replicate the success of the IPL, the domestic Twenty20 cricket tournament that attracts some of the biggest names in the game.

Organised by the All India Football Federation, the ISL is backed by India's Reliance Industries, which is controlled by the country's richest man Mukesh Ambani, sports management giant IMG and Rupert Murdoch's Star TV.

"The Indian Super League is an initiative that aims to revolutionise football in this country," Mukesh Ambani's wife Nita, who chairs the organising committee, told The Times of India in an interview on Thursday.

"We are a nation of billion-plus but today most Indian fans, including my own two sons, only talk of EPL, La Liga or the Arsenals of the world. We are hoping to build a system to nurture talent and make our own national football heroes.

"We all are very excited. However, I must say that these are initial years and we are taking baby steps. The road ahead is long before we take football to its deserving place in Indian sport."

Tendulkar and another recently retired cricket great Sourav Ganguly are among the celebrities who are promoting the tournament while several Bollywood stars are also fronting franchises.

While most attention is on the ageing foreign stars, at least five of the starting line-up for each team must be Indian.

Although some of the country's top players have agreed deals with ISL teams, national captain Sunil Chhetri is among several India internationals who have so far rejected the chance of joining the league.

Although the eight-month long I-League has suspended matches during the ISL, several owners have spoken out against the new tournament, saying it risked undermining grassroots football.

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Yogeshwar expects 3-4 freestyle medals from Asian Games

NEW DELHI: Yogeshwar Dutt, who will lead India's challenge at the upcoming Asian Games in the absence of Sushil Kumar, is expecting the grapplers to win three to four freestyles medals for the country in the mega-event known to have much tougher competition than the Commonwealth Games.

India won an impressive 13 medals in the Glasgow Commonwealth Game last month but the figure is expected to drop drastically at the September 19-October 4 event in Incheon, South Korea. India could only manage three wrestling medals in the 2010 edition.

"Asian Games are much tougher of course with wrestlers from Iran, Japan, North Korea, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan taking part. If you do well at Asian Games, then you get confidence of winning a medal at World Championships. Having said that, the boys are working hard. We should get around three to four medals in freestyle," Yogeshwar said at the sidelines of Samsung promotional event for the Asian Games on Thursday.

Yogeshwar, who won the CWG gold last month in the new 65kg category, is eying his maiden Asian Games title. He missed the 2010 edition in Guangzhou owing to an injury but had won bronze in the 60kg category at Doha 2006.

"I have already won the Asian Championships and now the aim is to win gold at Asian Games," said the 31-year-old Olympic bronze medallist, who is giving the World Championships a miss for success in Incheon.

"I would have competed at worlds had it been after the Asian Games. The continental event comes once every four years and it is really important for India. Plus I am injury prone so could pick only one competition. Hopefully I and the other boys make the country proud," said Yogeshwar.

On the overall men's squad, he added: "Barring myself and Narsingh Yadav (74kg), all boys are young. They are good and they are hungry. I am confident they will be up to the task."

Another medal can certainly be expected from Amit Kumar, who competes in the 57kg category.

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Saina survives scare, enters World Championships quarters

COPENHAGEN: Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal fought her way back from a game down to register a 14-21, 21-18, 21-12 victory over Sayaka Takahashi of Japan and enter the quarterfinals of the women's singles event of the World Badminton Championships on Thursday.

World No. 7 Saina, seeded seventh in the tournament, lost the first game, but rallied in a fine fashion to prevail over her 13th seeded Japanese rival in a match that lasted an hour and five minutes at the Ballerup Super Arena.

Saina will take on World No. 1 Li Xuerui of China in the last eight stage of the tournament.

In the opening game on Thursday, the Indian looked completely off colour and was never in contention. From the very beginning she started to trail behind and there was not even one instance in the game when Saina could catch her opponent.

The World No. 14 Japanese straight away opened up a 4-0 lead and throughout the game, Saina was lagging behind. The nearest she could reach her rival was at 5-6.

In the second game, the Indian got her act together and surged ahead with a 7-3 lead, but Takahashi soon earned four consecutive points to make it 7-7 and then moved swiftly to extend the gap.

At one stage the Japanese had opened up a huge 13-8 lead and the Indian was seen playing only the catch-up game.

But just when it was looking as if it was all over for Saina, she maintained her clam to brought the gap down to 15-16 before catching Takahashi at 17-17.

At 18-18, Saina upped the ante and reeled off three straight points to take the match to the decider.

The third and final game turned out to be a cake walk for India's ace shuttler, who broke away from a tied 7-7 situation to topple her rival 21-12 at the end.

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Odds slashed on Van Gaal leaving Manchester United

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 27 Agustus 2014 | 22.58

LONDON: British bookmakers reacted to Manchester United's humiliating 4-0 defeat by MK Dons in the Capital One Cup by slashing the odds on manager Louis van Gaal leaving the club.

William Hill, who had been offering 66-1 against the Dutchman becoming the next Premier League manager to go, cut those odds to 12-1 on Wednesday.

Corals, meanwhile, are offering 6-1 against him leaving by the end of his first season in England after United lost for the second time in three matches since he took over with the other match ending in a draw.

"The odds suggest that Manchester United will win nothing and the owners might just cut their losses and rebuild again," said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.

Meanwhile, former West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke was installed as odds-on favourite to take the vacant manager's job at Crystal Palace.

Media reports said Palace had interviewed Clarke and their former boss Neil Warnock.

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India's football, TT teams likely to miss Asian Games

NEW DELHI: A cloud of doubt hangs over the Indian football and table tennis teams' participation in the upcoming Asian Games at government cost, with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) today hinting at dropping the two disciplines owing to slim medal hopes.

SAI Director General Jiji Thomson said dropping of some disciplines was necessary after the the Indian Olympic Association came up with a jumbo list of 935 athletes and officials for the September 19-October 4 Games in Incheon, South Korea.

The Indian contingent had 625 athletes at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

India is not sending teams in baseball, bowling, fencing, karate, modern pentathlon, rugby, softball, soft tennis and triathlon. There is a bright chance of a medal in cricket but the BCCI has decided against sending a team.

"Besides the sports we have already decided to drop, we could also add table tennis, football and handball to that list. There is no chance of a medal in these disciplines. Our football team performed quite badly against Pakistan recently. However, the honourable sports minister takes the final call on Monday," Thomson said here at a press meet.

Indian football team has been taking part regularly in the Asian Games and it has never participated in the Games at federation's expense. In 1994, the then federation headed by Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi contemplated taking part at AIFF's expense after failing to get clearance from the government. He eventually did not send the team.

India has been clubbed with United Arab Emirates and Jordan in Group G in the upcoming Asiad and the team has little chance to advance beyond the group stage as only two sides will make it to the next round.

The table tennis team, too, has been a regular at the continental event even though it has not been able to make an impact in the presence of mighty China, South Korea, Singapore and Japan.

"We are okay with cutting down on our contingent if the need arises. Normally, we send a team of 10 but we can also do with sending a team of three for both men and women's event," said Dhanraj Choudhary, secretary general of Table Tennis Federation of India.

As far as the medal expectations go, the government is confident that India will better the 2010 tally of 65 medals.

"We got 64 medals at the recent Commonwealth Games and I must say it was a satisfying performance. For Asian Games, we are confident of touching the 70-medal mark which would be better than last time," said Johnson.

SAI is expecting bulk of the medals from shooting (10-14 medals) and athletics (12-16).

India will feel the absence of cue sports, chess and roller sports in the Games as it had won a combined eight medals in the three disciplines in 2010.

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Sindhu enters third round, Jwala-Ashwini pair bows out

COPENHAGEN: India's teen sensation P V Sindhu stormed into the third round of the World Badminton Championship with a straight game victory over Olga Golovanova of Russia in women's singles match here today.

The men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy B stunned 15th seeded Japanese duo of Hirokatsu Hashimoto and Noriyasu Hirata 21-19 21-19 in 44 minutes to advance to the third round.

However, it was curtains for women's doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa after they lost their second round match to fifth seeded Chinese combination of Qing Tian and Yunlei Zhao without putting up a fight.

Manu and Sumeeth will face the winner of the match between Korea's Yong Dae Lee and Yeon Seong Yoo and Aussie pair of Raymond Tam and Glenn Warfe.

Sindhu, seeded 11th, took 40 minutes to prevail over her Russian opponent 21-12 21-17 in the second round match at the Ballerup Super Arena here.

She will next take on sixth seeded Yeon Ju Bae of Korea. Sindhu won a total of 42 points as compared to 29 by the Russian girl.

The world No. 12 from Hyderabad looked a bit rusty to start with and was initially trailing in the opening game. She was playing the catching-up game till 10-10 before Sindhu managed to reel off four consecutive points and surge ahead to 14-10.

There was no looking back after that, as Sindhu swiftly sealed the game in her favour with Golovanova earning just two more points.

In the second game, the Russian got her act together and opened up a big lead, moving up to 11-6 at the break. But just when it seemed that the match would go into the decider, the Indian earned five points on the trot to level the scores at 11-11.

Thereafter it was a neck-and-neck battle for a brief period but Sindhu used all her experience to take a slight lead and eventually wrapped up the issue quite comfortably to advance to the next round.

Earlier, the world No. 7 Chinese duo outplayed the Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallist combo of Jwala and Ashwini 21-16 21-8 in just 31 minutes.

With this victory the Chinese girls have now extended their unbeaten lead over the Indians to 7-0.

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Sindhu enters third round, Jwala-Ashwini pair bows out

COPENHAGEN: India's teen sensation P V Sindhu stormed into the third round of the World Badminton Championship with a straight game victory over Olga Golovanova of Russia in women's singles match here today.

The men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy B stunned 15th seeded Japanese duo of Hirokatsu Hashimoto and Noriyasu Hirata 21-19 21-19 in 44 minutes to advance to the third round.

However, it was curtains for women's doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa after they lost their second round match to fifth seeded Chinese combination of Qing Tian and Yunlei Zhao without putting up a fight.

Manu and Sumeeth will face the winner of the match between Korea's Yong Dae Lee and Yeon Seong Yoo and Aussie pair of Raymond Tam and Glenn Warfe.

Sindhu, seeded 11th, took 40 minutes to prevail over her Russian opponent 21-12 21-17 in the second round match at the Ballerup Super Arena here.

She will next take on sixth seeded Yeon Ju Bae of Korea. Sindhu won a total of 42 points as compared to 29 by the Russian girl.

The world No. 12 from Hyderabad looked a bit rusty to start with and was initially trailing in the opening game. She was playing the catching-up game till 10-10 before Sindhu managed to reel off four consecutive points and surge ahead to 14-10.

There was no looking back after that, as Sindhu swiftly sealed the game in her favour with Golovanova earning just two more points.

In the second game, the Russian got her act together and opened up a big lead, moving up to 11-6 at the break. But just when it seemed that the match would go into the decider, the Indian earned five points on the trot to level the scores at 11-11.

Thereafter it was a neck-and-neck battle for a brief period but Sindhu used all her experience to take a slight lead and eventually wrapped up the issue quite comfortably to advance to the next round.

Earlier, the world No. 7 Chinese duo outplayed the Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medallist combo of Jwala and Ashwini 21-16 21-8 in just 31 minutes.

With this victory the Chinese girls have now extended their unbeaten lead over the Indians to 7-0.

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Akhil back in men's team, Mary Kom in squad for Asiad

NEW DELHI: All but written off after a string of injuries wrecked havoc on his career four years ago, enigmatic boxer Akhil Kumar staged a remarkable comeback to make the 10-member Indian men's team for the Asian Games scheduled to be held from September 19 in Incheon, Korea.

The 33-year-old, who rose to fame in the bantamweight 56kg category, has moved up a division to 60kg for the September 19 to October 4 event, the two-day trials for which ended in Patiala on Wednesday.

"I am back and I promise temperature inside the ring will go up when I step in," the boxer, known for his daredevil style of fighting with an open guard, said after his selection.

In the women's team, five-time world champion M C Mary Kom (51kg) has made the cut, putting behind the disappointment of her omission from the Commonwealth Games squad. She had lost to eventual bronze-medallist Pinki Jangra in the trials.

CWG silver-medallist L Sarita Devi took the 60kg spot as expected.

But the star of the day was undoubtedly the comeback-man Akhil, a 2006 Commonwealth Games gold-medallist and 2008 Olympic quarterfinalist, who had been laid low by a string of injuries, which forced him to skip the trials for the 2012 London Olympics.

But the experienced pugilist's never-say-die spirit finally paid off as he impressed one and all at the Asian Games trials in Patiala.

Akhil got the better of medallist Vikas Malik in a convincing manner before winning the final bout against Rohit Tokas oN Wednesday.

"It was important to fight hard and prove it to myself and nobody else that what I had been trying for, and all my efforts were working towards the right direction," said the World Cup bronze-medallist, who credited his wife Poonam Beniwal for being his biggest support system through the tough period.

"She has been the backbone of my efforts and I know this is as much her achievement as it is mine.

"Through moments of self-doubt, through times where too many thoughts have cluttered my mind, I feel today I have fought through all of them. It was not about being negative, but at times, your will and your results go in opposite directions. I had to fight through all of it, and I thank God for giving me the strength to be able to do so," he added.

Akhil also thanked national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu for keeping faith in him.

"Without his support, it would have been tough. He backed my abilities and gave me the chances. Besides, my other coaches -- Jaidev Bisht and Amreek Singh -- have taken such good care of my body that I am feeling very confident right now," he said.

"I feel very fit, very determined and very focused. I am glad that I am back in the fold. I have had my share of injury problems and now I am just going to focus on staying fit and giving my hundred per cent," he added.

The ace boxer also thanked Dr. Sanjay Vats, who has been treating him for the past year.

"I met Dr. Vats through Olympic gold-medallist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who is a dear friend. I feel that having people like him and wrestler Ravinder Sangwan, kept me motivated to get back at the top of my game."

Akhil, whose last national appearance was way back in the 2011 World Championships, also thanked Sports Authority of India and Haryana Police, his employers, for their continued support.

"They have supported me and the continue to support so many sportspersons. It is incredible how they let us focus on our sporting requirements, and go all out to ensure that we are aided in every which way by their efforts. I really wish to extend my gratitude for their help in my efforts," said Akhil, who completed his training for the DSP's position during the sabbatical from the ring.

The rest of the men's team does not offer too many surprises. Commonwealth Games silver-medallists L Devendro Singh (49kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg) have expectedly made the cut.

Star boxer Vijender Singh's injury-forced sabbatical opened the gates for Vikas Krishan, the 2011 Word Championship bronze-medallist in the 64kg division.

It is a comeback for Vikas as well after injuries kept him out of the limelight following the 2011 mega-event.

Teams for Asian Games:

Men: L Devendro Singh (49kg), Gaurav Bhiduri (52kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg), Akhil Kumar (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg), Vikas Krishan (75kg), Kuldeep Singh (81kg), Amritpreet Singh (91kg), Satish Kumar (+91kg).

Women: M C Mary Kom (51kg), L Sarita Devi (60kg), Pooja Rani (75kg).

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Saina Nehwal progresses in World Championship

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 26 Agustus 2014 | 22.58

COPENHAGEN: London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal stormed into the third round of the World Badminton Championship with a commanding straight game win over Natalia Perminova of Russia in women's singles on Tuesday.

Saina, seeded seventh, took just 31 minutes to dispose off Perminova 21-11 21-9. The Indian had earlier got a bye in the first round.

She will next play the winner of the match between 13th seed Sayaka Takahashi of Japan and Bulgaria's Petya Nedelcheva.

Another Indian in the fray in women's singles, 11th seed P V Sindhu will take on Russia's Olga Golovanova in the second round tomorrow after she too got a bye in the opening round.

In men's singles, Ajay Jayaram also progressed to the second round after receiving a walkover from fourth seed and higher-rated Kenichi Tago of Japan.

Jayaram will next face Thai shuttler Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, who defeated Scotland's Kieran Merrilees 21-16 21-17 in his opening round.

However, it turned out to be a disappointing outing for Commonwealth Games gold medallist Parupalli Kashyap as he crashed out in the first round of the men's singles event after suffering a shocking defeat against Dieter Domke of Germany last night.

The world number 27 Indian, who had clinched the biggest title of his career at Glasgow early this month, played his heart out before going down fighting 24-26 21-13 18-21 in a nerve-wrecking battle of attrition which lasted an hour and seven minutes.

But the Indian mixed doubles pair of Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan crossed the opening hurdle, beating Brazilian combination of Hugo Arthuso and Fabiana Silva 21-12 21-14. They will next take on sixth seed German pair of Michael Fuchs and Birgit Michels.

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Injury forces Vijender to take a break, out of Asian Games

NEW DELHI: A hand injury sustained during the Commonwealth Games has forced star Indian boxer Vijender Singh out of action for an indefinite period, which includes the upcoming Asian Games where he was the defending champion.

The middleweight boxer had sustained a ligament injury in his left hand during the CWG final in Glasgow, which he lost to settle for a silver medal.

"I thought I could do it and had been training to be ready for the trials but my hand is not holding up. The bone will take some time to settle down. There has been bleeding also so I have decided to play safe," Vijender said.

"My doctors have said that the best way to deal with this injury is to just take rest. I don't know how long it might be but hopefully it is not too long," he said.

Vijender said he would remain in Patiala for the period of his recovery.

"I will remain in Patiala because there is easy access to the doctors and physios here. I hope whoever replaces me in the squad does well and wins a medal at the Asian Games," he said.

The former world number one had won a gold medal in the previous edition of the Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China.

The trials to select the team for the upcoming Asian Games are on in Patiala right now.

The Indian male boxers had won three silver medals in the recent Commonwealth Games. They had won seven medals at the Asian Games in 2010 with Vijender and Vikas Krishan (60kg) bagging the yellow metals.

However, given that they have been denied any worthwhile international exposure owing the Indian Boxing Federation's international suspension, it would be tough to replicate the brilliant show of 2010.

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Benzema, Ronaldo get Real Madrid off to winning start

MADRID: Real Madrid got their La Liga campaign off to an unconvincing start as they beat newly promoted Cordoba 2-0 at home on Monday thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Without the Manchester United bound Angel di Maria, Real missed the Argentine's energy in midfield but went ahead 15 minutes before half-time when Benzema rose highest to head home Toni Kroos' corner.

Cordoba had their chances to equalise after the break as Iker Casillas denied Ryder Matos and Fidel, but Ronaldo sealed the game in stoppage time with a characteristic thumping finish into the bottom corner from 30 yards.

La Liga champions Atletico Madrid also get the defence of their title underway later on Monday when they travel to Rayo Vallecano.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti explained his side's below par performance was down to fatigue.

"There was a bit of tiredness because since the 12th we have played every three days and it is not an easy time of the season to do so," Ancelotti said.

"We suffered a little bit, but we controlled the game. We tried to mix possession with playing a bit more direct and I think we were well-balanced."

Cordoba were playing in their first top flight game for 43 years and nearly had a dream start against Real's galacticos when Mike Havenaar pulled his shot just wide from the edge of the area.

The European champions slowly began to impose themselves on the visitors as the first-half wore on and Juan Carlos had to be alert to parry powerful efforts from Ronaldo and Kroos.

Madrid did go in front on the half hour mark as Benzema ended his four-month goal drought at club level with a thumping header to power Kroos' corner in off the post.

However, Cordoba were nearly level from a corner of their own just before half-time when Havenaar got between Casillas and the Real defence but saw his header fly just off target.

Cordoba appeared to take heart from that opportunity, though, as they were the better team after the break against disjointed Madrid.

Casillas was forced into his first serious save as he pounced on Matos' shot after an error from Alvaro Arbeloa.

James Rodriguez struggled to recreate his stellar World Cup form on his home league debut after a 75 million euro ($99 million, £60 million) move from Monaco, but the Colombian did nearly make the game safe for Los Blancos with a fierce strike that Carlos did exceptionally well to parry to safety.

Madrid were served a warning 20 minutes from time when Casillas could only parry Fidel's effort into Xisco's path, but the former Newcastle United forward's finish was rightly ruled out for offside.

And despite failing to shine, Real did eventually ensure they started with a win as Ronaldo picked up the ball midway inside the Cordoba half and strode forward before unleashing a fine shot low past Carlos.

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Footballer Frank Lampard retires from England duty

LONDON: England midfielder Frank Lampard announced his retirement from international football after a career spanning 15 years on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old's 106th and final cap for his country came on June 23 when he captained England in their final World Cup game against Costa Rica.

Lampard said in a statement released by his management company: "I have taken the decision to retire from international football.

"It has been a very tough decision for me to make which is why I have given it so much thought since the World Cup."

His haul of international caps puts him sixth in the all-time England list behind Peter Shilton, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, who announced his England retirement last month, Bobby Moore and Ashley Cole.

Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer left the Premier League club after 13 years last month, signing for Major League Soccer 2015 expansion side New York City FC.

He agreed a loan move with Manchester City on August 2 until the new MLS season.

In his statement Lampard said he had been "proud and honoured" and enjoyed "every minute" of wearing an England shirt.

Has Lampard's retirement created a huge void in the centre of the England midfield?


He added: "Due to my club career now going in a different direction it is of utmost importance for me to consider my family first.

"Also, to concentrate on how I can perform consistently to the best of my abilities over my next few years in club football.

"It is now the time to move forward and I feel very confident that, with Roy Hodgson in charge, the young players that we have coming through and the changes that are being made throughout the development of the youth system in this country, we will have success in the future and a team that this country deserves."

A representative of the youth teams up to under-21 level, the West Ham midfielder made his first appearance for the senior side in October 1999, starting the 2-1 win over Belgium at the Stadium of Light.

It took a further four years and 11 matches for him to finally score, with that effort against Croatia at Portman Road the first of 29 he would go on to score for his country.

Lampard's best performances in an England shirt came a decade ago in Portugal, where he netted three goals in England's run to the European Championship quarter-finals.

He earned a place in the Euro 2004 team of the tournament and that form continued in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, notching five goals as England topped Group 6.

Lampard's 80th-minute goal against Poland securing qualification by a single point was a high point from which things soon began to go awry.

Voted England Player of the Year by fans in 2004 and 2005, he went on to miss a spot-kick as England crashed out to Portugal at the quarter-final stage of the 2006 finals in Germany.

That devastating experience was compounded when, just two years after being lauded as England's best player, he was jeered by England supporters when he came on 20 minutes from the end of a 3-0 Euro 2008 qualifying win over Estonia.

Lampard picked himself up from that and remained an important member of the side.

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FIA will take no action against Mercedes' Nico Rosberg

LONDON: Formula One's governing body will take no action against championship leader Nico Rosberg despite Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton accusing him of a deliberate collision at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.

"The FIA will not intervene in this issue," said a spokesman for the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA).

He said it would require a 'new element' for stewards to open an investigation once the results had been declared official and discounted Hamilton's post-race comments.

"A comment alleged to have been made in an internal briefing and later denied by the team itself does not constitute such a 'new element'," added the spokesman.

Hamilton said in Spa that Rosberg had admitted hitting him on the second lap during a failed overtaking manoeuvre to 'prove a point'.

The impact left Hamilton with a puncture that damaged his car and led to his eventual retirement. Rosberg damaged his car's front wing but finished second and extended his overall championship lead to 29 points.

Stewards took no action during the race and Rosberg offered a different version of events to Hamilton, saying it was merely a racing incident.

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Tiger Woods splits with swing coach Foley

Written By Unknown on Senin, 25 Agustus 2014 | 22.58

WASHINGTON: Tiger Woods has split with coach Sean Foley, the 14-time major champion said on his website on Monday.

"I'd like to thank Sean for his help as my coach and for his friendship," Woods said in announcing the move.

"Presently, I do not have a coach, and there is no timetable for hiring one," added Woods, who has been hindered by injury throughout the 2014 season.

The 38-year-old missed the cut at the PGA Championship this month, a week after withdrawing from the World Golf Championships event in Akron, Ohio, with similar trouble.

He missed the Masters and US Open while recovering from March 31 back surgery, and finished joint 69th at the British Open.

Woods has ruled himself out of contention for a Ryder Cup berth, saying he won't return to competition until his unofficial World Challenge event in December.

"Sean is one of the outstanding coaches in golf today, and I know he will continue to be successful with the players working with him," Woods said. "With my next tournament not until my World Challenge event at Isleworth in Orlando, this is the right time to end our professional relationship."

Woods had worked with Foley for four years, and under Foley's guidance reworked his swing in a way designed in part to reduce stress and punishment on his surgically repaired knees.

Has Tiger Woods taken a wise decision by splitting with coach Sean Foley?

Foley was Woods' third coach, the US star working with Butch Harmon from 1993-2003 and Hank Haney from 2004-2010.

He began working publicly with Foley at the US PGA Championship in 2010 and in the period they worked together won eight US PGA Tour titles.

However, Woods' pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles has remained stalled, and he has battled a new spate of injuries.

Woods did not give any reason for the split with Foley, who also weighed in on his time working with the American star.

"My time spent with Tiger is one of the highlights of my career so far, and I am appreciative of the many experiences we shared together," Foley said.

"It was a lifelong ambition of mine to teach the best player of all time in our sport. I am both grateful for the things we had the opportunity to learn from one another, as well as the enduring friendship we have built. I have nothing but respect and admiration for him."

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Atletico's Simeone handed 8-match ban for Super Cup

MADRID: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has been given an eight-match touchline ban for his conduct in the Spanish champions 1-0 victory over Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup on Friday.

The Argentine was sent-off for striking the fourth official lightly on the back of the head after Atletico right-back Juanfran had to wait an age to be allowed back onto the field following a facial injury.

Simeone was handed a four-match ban for that action, as well as a further two for protesting, one for sarcastically applauding the decision and a final match for watching the second-half from the front row of the stands just behind the Atletico bench.

The 44-year-old also received a 4,805 euro fine ($6,400, £3,840) with the club being fined 2,800 euros.

Atletico have 10 days to appeal the decision. Simeone was already suspended for his side's La Liga opener against Rayo Vallecano on Monday due to an accumulation of yellow cards last season.

And he will also watch Atletico's opening Champions League game of the campaign from the stands after receiving a one-match ban for storming onto the pitch to confront Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane towards the end of their defeat in the final to Real in May.

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Hamilton wonders whether Rosberg can be trusted

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Lewis Hamilton says he no longer knows whether to trust Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg on the track after they collided at Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix but has ruled out retaliation.

The incident, with Rosberg's front wing making contact with Hamilton's rear tyre and causing a puncture on the second lap of the race, was an avoidable one that wrecked the Briton's afternoon.

Hamilton eventually retired after struggling with a damaged car while Rosberg, now 29 points clear in the Formula One standings with seven races remaining, finished second.

With the Spa paddock swept by the controversy, Hamilton fuelled the flames by telling reporters Rosberg had said in a post-race meeting he did it on purpose to 'prove a point'.

"When you're out there you have to trust people to think with their heads and not do things deliberately. But after that meeting I don't really know how to approach the next race," Hamilton said.

"I'll have to make sure we're not wheel-to-wheel," he added when asked whether he would trust Rosberg in similar circumstances going into the chicane at Monza next week.

"Whatever the case I will always put the team first and I won't take anything into my own hands."

In a potentially lethal sport where drivers go wheel-to-wheel at speeds in excess of 300kph, trust is essential. Racers need to be sure that others will be firm but fair, not weaving more than allowed or closing the door entirely.

Deliberately driving into a rival to gain an advantage or out of revenge is a no-no, even if several examples from the times of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher come to mind.

The Mercedes pairing have banged wheels before this season, without consequences, but Sunday's incident moved their rivalry on to another level.

An accident waiting to happen for some, although not in Hamilton's book, it was the first time they had collided and done serious damage to the prospects of a team that had started one-two and expected to finish that way.

"He basically said he did it on purpose," Hamilton had said on Sunday. "He said he could have avoided it. He said 'I did it to prove a point'."

Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff later attempted to clarify that, explaining that "Nico felt he needed to hold his line. He needed to make a point. It wasn't deliberately crashing. That is nonsense.

"If he could turn back time, Nico would probably not do it again in the way he did."

Wolff indicated there would be more talks before Italy but Hamilton recognised there were no easy answers.

"I can't imagine what the team would do now," he said.

Spa came after a controversy in Hungary at the end of July where Hamilton did not slow to let Rosberg past, in response to a team instruction not to hold him up, and finished ahead of the German after starting last.

The team backed Hamilton and Rosberg seethed.

Asked whether Sunday was a consequence of Budapest, and a subsequent meeting at Spa, Hamilton kept an open mind.

"It's interesting because we had that meeting on Thursday and Nico expressed how angry he was," he said. "I was thinking 'It's been three weeks and you've been lingering (on it)?!'

"He expressed how angry he was, he literally sat there and said how angry he was at Toto and Paddy (Lowe). But I thought we should be good after that and then this result...it's interesting."

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Tiger Woods splits with swing coach Foley

WASHINGTON: Tiger Woods has split with coach Sean Foley, the 14-time major champion said on his website on Monday.

"I'd like to thank Sean for his help as my coach and for his friendship," Woods said in announcing the move.

"Presently, I do not have a coach, and there is no timetable for hiring one," added Woods, who has been hindered by injury throughout the 2014 season.

The 38-year-old missed the cut at the PGA Championship this month, a week after withdrawing from the World Golf Championships event in Akron, Ohio, with similar trouble.

He missed the Masters and US Open while recovering from March 31 back surgery, and finished joint 69th at the British Open.

Woods has ruled himself out of contention for a Ryder Cup berth, saying he won't return to competition until his unofficial World Challenge event in December.

"Sean is one of the outstanding coaches in golf today, and I know he will continue to be successful with the players working with him," Woods said. "With my next tournament not until my World Challenge event at Isleworth in Orlando, this is the right time to end our professional relationship."

Woods had worked with Foley for four years, and under Foley's guidance reworked his swing in a way designed in part to reduce stress and punishment on his surgically repaired knees.

Has Tiger Woods taken a wise decision by splitting with coach Sean Foley?

Foley was Woods' third coach, the US star working with Butch Harmon from 1993-2003 and Hank Haney from 2004-2010.

He began working publicly with Foley at the US PGA Championship in 2010 and in the period they worked together won eight US PGA Tour titles.

However, Woods' pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles has remained stalled, and he has battled a new spate of injuries.

Woods did not give any reason for the split with Foley, who also weighed in on his time working with the American star.

"My time spent with Tiger is one of the highlights of my career so far, and I am appreciative of the many experiences we shared together," Foley said.

"It was a lifelong ambition of mine to teach the best player of all time in our sport. I am both grateful for the things we had the opportunity to learn from one another, as well as the enduring friendship we have built. I have nothing but respect and admiration for him."

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Atletico's Simeone suspended 8 games for Super Cup

MADRID: The Spanish football federation has suspended Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone for eight matches after he was sent off during the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup.

The federation announced its decision on Monday, three days after defending Spanish champion Atletico beat Real Madrid 1-0 to win the Super Cup 2-1 on aggregate.

Simeone was suspended for four games for tapping the back of the assistant referee's head, two games for protesting, one game for applauding his sending off, and one game for remaining in the stands instead of leaving the stadium after his expulsion.

Assistant coach German Burgos will take over for Simeone while he serves his suspension.

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Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo wins Belgian Grand Prix

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 24 Agustus 2014 | 22.58

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS (Belgium): Australian Daniel Ricciardo won the Belgian Grand Prix for Red Bull on Sunday while Mercedes title rivals Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton provided the drama of the day by colliding on the second lap.

F1 stats: Results | Driver standings | Constructor standings

Hamilton failed to finish after fighting with a damaged car but Rosberg, blamed by his bosses and booed by the crowd on the podium, finished second to extend his championship lead to 29 points with seven of the 19 races remaining.

The victory, on a surprisingly dry afternoon at a circuit famed for rapid changes in weather conditions, was Ricciardo's second in succession and third of his first season with the reigning champions.

It was also his team's second in succession in Belgium after four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel triumphed last year and set off a run of nine wins in a row.

Finland's Valtteri Bottas was third for Williams.

Ricciardo's win was almost a sideshow to the major talking point, a further stirring up of already troubled waters at Mercedes.

The two teammates had been expected to dominate the race after qualifying on the front row but the intense rivalry between them blew up in their face.

Do you think Hamilton-Rosberg spat will affect Mercedes performance in remaining races of the season?


Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolf slammed the incident as 'absolutely unacceptable' and blamed Rosberg, who refused to comment on the incident until he had seen replays.

"Lap number two of a long race and a crash between two teammates, we have often discussed the situation and it happened today," he told the BBC.

"You don't try to overtake with the knife between your teeth in lap number two and damage both cars."

The team's non-executive chairman Niki Lauda was also fuming.

"It is unacceptable. If these things happen at the end of the race, when they are fighting for the win then you discuss it but in the second lap to hand the victory to Red Bull," said the former champion.

"I thought they were clever enough to know that but obviously they aren't."

DECISIVE MOMENT

Hamilton had passed pole-sitter Rosberg at the start but his race was effectively over moments later when Rosberg tried to retake the lead in a misjudged move that could cost prove extremely costly for Hamilton.

The German's front wing made contact with Hamilton's rear tyre and punctured it, leaving the Briton having to nurse his car back to the pits in a trail of tyre debris.

He rejoined a minute adrift of Rosberg. After complaining that he had no downforce and repeatedly asking the team to save the engine, the Briton was recalled to the pits five laps from the end and retired.

Mercedes have been struggling to keep the peace between the evenly-matched teammates since the start of the year and arrived at Spa after a controversy in Hungary in July, where a 'team orders' controversy left Rosberg aggrieved.

Hamilton had started last in that race and finished third, with Rosberg going from pole to fourth and complaining that his team mate had not let him through.

Then, as on Sunday, the team made clear their support for Hamilton and they will have their work cut out again in the days ahead.

"This is a decisive moment in the battle between the two of them and for the team. Lewis is very upset, we kept him out there for a long time with a damaged car. He will recover quickly. It is going to be handled," said Wolff.

Rosberg has 220 points to Hamilton's 191 with Ricciardo moving closer on 156. Mercedes remain comfortably in front in the constructors' standings with 411 points to Red Bull's 254.

Kimi Raikkonen finished fourth for Ferrari, the first time he has beaten Spanish team mate Fernando Alonso this season, with Vettel fifth.

Denmark's Kevin Magnussen was sixth, ahead of McLaren teammate Jenson Button in seventh, and Alonso eighth after a thrilling four-way battle in the closing laps.

Mexican Sergio Perez took ninth place for Force India and Russian rookie Daniil Kvyat grabbed the final point for Toro Rosso.

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Di Maria on verge of leaving Real, says Ancelotti

BARCELONA: Angel Di Maria is on the verge of leaving Real Madrid, coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted on Sunday.

"Di Maria has not trained with us today and he came in to say goodbye to the players and people at the club," Ancelotti told a news conference in Madrid.

"We are thankful for what he has done at this club. There is nothing official yet but it is being sorted out. I am very happy with the work that he has done for Madrid but we have the chance to replace him well.

"The decision is his and the club has done what it could to keep him here but he thought differently and so good luck to him."

Di Maria has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United and Ancelotti admitted last week that the Argentine had been offered a new deal but instead asked to leave.

It is believed that he felt under-valued and wanted an improved salary to put him in line with the club's top earners.

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Van Gaal says United title win would be 'a miracle'

LONDON: Louis van Gaal has conceded it would take a miracle for Manchester United to win the Premier League this season.

After finishing seventh last year, United opened their campaign optimistic that Dutch master-tactician van Gaal could oversee a return to the upper echelons of the Premier League table.

However that optimism was punctured by a shock 2-1 loss against Swansea City at Old Trafford last Saturday - their first home league loss to the Welsh club.

It was also their first opening-day loss at home since 1972 and was enough to convince van Gaal that a successful title challenge would be unlikely.

"Would it be a miracle to win the league this season? I think so but it is also possible, always possible but it would be very difficult," van Gaal said.

"It is possible to win a title in the first year but it is very difficult.

"I think [the Manchester United owners] understand [the size of the task] or I would not have accepted the job.

"I have discussed everything, long discussions where I have shown myself as I am always open.

Can Van Gaal change Manchester United fortunes this EPL season?

"It is why we discussed three years and not one year. We discussed the consequences of them hiring me. I told them from my experiences with my former clubs the start was difficult."

Van Gaal won the title in his first season at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich but thinks his current squad lacks balance to do the same.

The 63-year-old has a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal but lacks the defensive strength-in-depth to challenge Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Alexander Buttner all left Old Trafford during the close-season with left back's Luke Shaw and Argentine Marcos Rojo their only replacements.

"When I took over from Bobby Robson at Barcelona he had won three titles so the selection of players was stable at the time.

"When I got to Bayern Munich the selection was not stable. What we did was a miracle.

"The problem I have at United is this selection is not in balance. There are five number nines and six number 10s and so on. And we don't have defenders."

United face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

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Daniel Ricciardo wins Formula One Belgian Grand Prix

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Chadli spurs Tottenham to 4-0 win on Redknapp return

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur made it six points from two games as players condemned as expensive mistakes last season starred in a 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers to ensure Harry Redknapp endured a miserable return to his former club on Sunday.

EPL: Points Table | Schedule & Results | Top Scorers

Nacer Chadli scored twice while record signing Erik Lamela was pivotal in a playmaker role, sparking celebrations for new Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, whose side sit top of the fledgling table, and more gloom for Redknapp.

QPR have no points from their first two games after being promoted back to the Premier League after a season in the second tier.

Ten-man Hull City came within six minutes of holding on for victory over Stoke City but Nikica Jelavic's opener was cancelled out by Ryan Shawcross's scrambled effort late on.

Hull, who had James Chester sent off after 14 minutes, have four points from their first two games of the season, while Stoke's late leveller ensured they got off the mark.

Manchester United will try and get off the mark later on Sunday at Sunderland after a home defeat by Swansea City.

For Redknapp, sacked by Spurs in 2012 after leading them to fourth in the Premier League, an experiment with three central defenders backfired spectacularly with Tottenham scoring three times inside the opening 37 minutes.

Chadli, among the expensive patchwork of players recruited when Gareth Bale left for Real Madrid, chested down and fired home at the far post to put the hosts ahead.

Lamela's corner was then headed powerfully in at the near post by Eric Dier, whose goal proved decisive at West ham United last week, before the man derided as one of the biggest flops in Premier League history added a second assist.

Lamela glided towards the left side of the area before clipping a cross to the far post where Chadli headed in, leaving Redknapp to revert to a back four at halftime, shutting the stable door when the horse had long since bolted.

While they were tighter at the back, Adebayor still rounded off the scoring with a crisp low finish when played in by Danny Rose.

Hull had Chester sent off after 14 minutes against Stoke for a lunging last-man tackle, but opened the scoring before halftime when Jelavic finished from close range after a Tom Huddlestone shot was only parried by Asmir Begovic.

The Tigers' hopes of winning back-to-back league games for the first time in 11 months were shredded when Shawcross scrambled the ball over the line after a Phil Bardsley effort hit the post.

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Rosberg beats Hamilton to pole at Belgian Grand Prix

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 23 Agustus 2014 | 22.58

SPA (Belgium): World championship leader Nico Rosberg turned the screw to gain another advantage over his rival and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton on Saturday when he secured his fourth straight pole for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

On a day of capricious and treacherous conditions at the majestic 7.004km Spa-Francorchamps circuit in the Ardennes forest, the 29-year-old German produced a meticulous performance that delivered an error-free and fastest lap to claim his seventh pole this year and the 11th of his career.

He clocked a best lap of two minutes and 5.698 seconds to outpace Hamilton by two-tenths of a second.

Behind the two Mercedes, defending four time champion Sebastian Vettel was third fastest for Red Bull ahead of two-time former champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and fifth placed Daniel Ricciardo, winner in Hungary a month ago, in the second Red Bull.

Valtteri Bottas was sixth in the leading Williams ahead of Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen of McLaren, Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari, Felipe Massa in the second Williams and Jenson Button in the second McLaren.

Hamilton struggled with his brakes and handling in the slippery conditions, but will start alongside Rosberg on the front row as he seeks to trim his 11 points lead in the drivers' championship with eight races remaining.

It was the Mercedes team's first front row lockout since the Canadian Grand Prix in June, five races previously. For Rosberg, it also brought his first top three qualifying result in Belgium in eight attempts as he seeks to land his first podium finish at the venue.

"It is awesome to achieve this at this track," said Rosberg. "This is one of the most special tracks of the year. It was not quite as difficult out there as some other occasions because the conditions were pretty much always consistent for intermediates."

Asked where he felt he had found an advantage over Hamilton, he said: "In Eau Rouge, I was feeling good through it, really going for it -- and maybe that is where I made my time."

Hamilton, who has not started from pole in seven races since the Spanish Grand Prix in May, controlled his disappointment behind a pair of sunglasses after the session.

"I had a glazed front left brake disc, so the car was pulling to the left or right and there was nothing I could do," he explained.

"I couldn't get rid of it. I had to bring the brake balance further back, losing massive amounts out of Turn One. It's more fun in the dry, but it's still a huge challenge here, just as Nico said, and, considering that, it was quite good today."

"It would have been nice to have finished further up the grid, but obviously the gap is quite big," said Vettel, who had missed most of Friday practice during which a new engine was fitted to his car.

"It was the best we could have done today." Hamilton was not dismayed despite seeing Rosberg take his sixth pole in the seven races since he last took one.

"This is a circuit where you need to have confidence in the brakes. You could see in Q3, when I was going straight on as the left brake wasn't working for some reason, I don't know why.

"It went into glazing. When it glazes, it is very hard to recover, you have to put the brake balance forward. It's not that easy to clear it."

He added that he was confident the problem will be resolved and he will have a trouble-free race.

"Over the evening, you can scrub it and get rid of the glazing. It will be okay for the race tomorrow. I am not too disappointed.

"If you look at previous years, P2 is the best place to start here. I started from pole here last year and got overtaken by (Sebastian) Vettel. I think it gives you the most opportunity at the start so I am happy to be up there."

Rosberg was on top after Q1 when Pastor Maldonado of Lotus, who had a big spin at the chicane, and Nico Hulkenberg of Force India were among those eliminated.

Missing the cut after Q2 were Daniil Kvyat, his Torro Rosso teammate Jean-Eric Vergne, Sergio Perez and his Sauber partner Adrian Sutil, Romain Grosjean of Lotus and Jules Bianchi for Marussia.

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Serena Williams chasing major title No. 18 at US Open

NEW YORK: Serena Williams stopped hiding from history and started making more of it.

Up until a couple of years ago, she practically plugged her ears at any mention of records or firsts. Now she says it out loud: Coming into the US Open, her next goal is matching two tennis greats for the second-most major titles in the Open era with 18.

"Obviously just getting closer to tying with Chris (Evert) and Martina (Navratilova)," she said.

Then she added: "But been doing that all year and still hasn't happened. Not going to stress out about it anymore."

Williams has been stuck on 17 since winning the US Open a year ago. When she started working with coach Patrick Mouratoglou in mid-2012, he urged her to embrace the record chase. Williams went on to capture four of the next six Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal and two straight WTA Championships in a scintillating 16-month run.

But in the first three major tournaments of 2014, she didn't even make the quarterfinals. Her last appearance on the Grand Slam stage took a bizarre turn when an out-of-sorts Williams pulled out of a Wimbledon doubles match, blaming a viral illness.

Evert, for one, figured she'd be looking up at Williams by now. Or that maybe Williams would be chasing Steffi Graf's Open-era record of 22 major titles.

Evert won her 18th and final major title at 31, the same age Williams was when she played at Flushing Meadows in 2013. Motivation gets harder with time because of the mental fatigue season after season.

"You just are not as fresh," Evert said. "Some days you just don't want to get out of bed."

For all that, Williams still has to rate as the heavy favorite at Flushing Meadows when the year's last major tournament starts Monday. She's seeking to join Evert as the only women to win three straight titles here in the Open era, which began in 1968.

Williams is seeded No. 1 in New York for just the third time, a surprisingly low number for someone who has been the world's top-ranked player for 204 weeks in her career. The two previous times, she won the championship.

Williams' five titles in 2014 are the most on the WTA tour; nobody else has more than three. Over the last seven Grand Slam events, the five titles not won by Williams went to five different players, and two of them won't be at Flushing Meadows: the retired Marion Bartoli and the injured Li Na.

Five-time major champ Maria Sharapova makes by far the best case to fill the void, but she hasn't looked that sharp since winning her second French Open title in June.

Petra Kvitova is coming off her victory at Wimbledon, but she's always struggled at Flushing Meadows _ never even reaching the quarterfinals. After her first Wimbledon title in 2011, she promptly lost in the first round at the US Open.

And Victoria Azarenka, the runner-up to Williams the last two years, has been stymied by injuries all season.

This state of affairs isn't too uncommon on the women's side in recent years. What's unusual is that the men's draw looks a bit similar. With Rafael Nadal unable to defend his title because of a wrist injury, the top players come in uncharacteristically shaky.

After winning Wimbledon and getting married, top-seeded Novak Djokovic was, in his own words, "emotionally a little bit flat" in losing early in two hard-court tournaments.

"I was a bit slow, I have to say, to get into the competition mode," Djokovic said. "It was a very unique five, six weeks that I had with the wedding and winning Wimbledon and getting back to No. 1 in the world. I couldn't ask for more. I was extremely fulfilled and happy with where I am in my life."

Meanwhile, Andy Murray has yet to rediscover his championship form after back surgery. Perhaps this is 33-year-old Roger Federer's last, best chance to win another major title.

For more than two years, he's been stuck on No. 17 _ a number Williams is also all too familiar with.

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Phelps wins second gold at Pan Pacific Championships

GOLD COAST (Australia): The second coming of Michael Phelps gained momentum with another gold medal at the Pan Pacific championships on a night when US teenager Katie Ledecky set yet another world record.

The old and the new faces of world swimming delivered on expectations Saturday, with 29-year-old Phelps following up on his relay gold by winning his first individual title since returning to international competition following his retirement. The most decorated Olympian in history won the 100-meter butterfly in 51.29 seconds, edging long-time US teammate Ryan Lochte.

"It definitely feels good to have that sort of confidence back to be able to do it in an individual event," Phelps said. "What it does is really just guarantee me a spot on the world championships team next summer - that's the biggest thing and most important thing."

In the next final, 17-year-old Ledecky won her fourth gold medal of the meet, lowering her world record in the 400 freestyle to 3 minutes, 58.37 seconds.

Ledecky was under world-record splits for much of the race in an outdoor pool at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, then slipped slightly behind the pace before powering home with a last lap of 29.30 seconds to shave 0.49 off the world mark she set at the US nationals earlier this month.

She also holds the world records in the 800 and 1,500 freestyle events, and won all three titles at the last world championships.

"It's a great feeling. It never really gets old," Ledecky said of her run of records. "I have some long-term goals. We're not quite there yet, but we'll get there." She still has the 1,500 meters to swim in Australia, where she has already won the 200, 800 and the 4x200-meter relay.

Tyler Clary won the men's 200 backstroke to give the US its third gold of the night, and 11th for the meet.

Australia was in second spot with eight gold medals after winning the women's 100 butterfly and 200 backstroke and finishing off the third day of competition with victories over the Americans in the men's and women's 4x100 relays.

Alicia Coutts won the 100 butterfly in 57.64 from Lu Ying of China and American Kendyl Stewart, while Belinda Hocking led Australian teammate Emily Seebohm in a 1-2 finish in the backstroke, with American Elizabeth Beisel edging teammate Missy Franklin, the Olympic and world champion, for bronze.

Beijing Olympics gold medalist Park Tae-hwan of South Korea won the 400 freestyle in 3:43.15, more than a second ahead of Japan's Kosuke Hagino and Connor Jaeger of the United States.

Persistent rain that has overshadowed the meet since the opening day - even Phelps remarked about the "crazy, sideways rain" - eased up on Saturday night. Not that it would have bothered Ledecky.

"It was beautiful out there tonight," she said. "There's no rain underwater, so it doesn't really bother me."

Ledecky was the youngest member of the US team at the 2012 London Games, where she won the 800 freestyle and where Phelps won his 18th gold and 22nd medal overall.

Phelps went into retirement and Ledecky's career went into overdrive. After an extended break, Phelps realized that he wanted to compete again and decided he'd try to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

He returned to competition in April with the aim of making the US squad for the Pan Pacs. He achieved that by placing second in the 100 butterfly and the 200 medley, although his seventh in the 100 freestyle was a setback.

A fourth-place finish in the 100 final on Friday night gave him a confidence boost, and he went back into the pool to help the US win the 4x200-meter relay - his first gold medal since returning to international competition.

Phelps added the butterfly gold and another relay medal - silver - to his tally on Saturday and still has the medley to race on Sunday.

"I know there's a lot that can happen in a year with training, and that's what I'm looking forward to," he said. "This is a building year for me after just getting back in the water and going through the ups and downs.

"I haven't been able to hit my walls like I want to, at a high speed. That's just going to have to be something I work on over the next year, and hopefully I'll be able to nail that."

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Newcastle still goalless after Aston Villa stalemate

LONDON: Newcastle United had still to score their first Premier League goal of the season after a 0-0 draw away to Aston Villa in Saturday's early kick-off match.

EPL: Points Table | Schedule & Results | Top Scorers

Magpies boss Alan Pardew tried to perk up his shot-shy attack with a series of pre-season signings, but his new boys have yet to find their form.

They wasted several chances in a 2-0 defeat against champions Manchester City last weekend and created little threat in a tame encounter at rain-lashed Villa Park.

The most notable moment didn't come until stoppage-time when Newcastle defender Mike Williamson was sent off for a second booking, but it was too late for the equally lacklustre Villa to take advantage.

After ending last season amid a chorus of boos from disgruntled fans, Pardew and his players desperately needed to get their first win of the campaign.

Instead they had to be grateful for their first point, even if it was achieved in the most forgettable fashion.

Villa didn't manage a shot on target, but they struggled badly last season, so their unbeaten start at least maintains the signs of improvement for Paul Lambert's team, who won 1-0 at Stoke in their opener and have yet to concede a goal.

Watched from the stands by England manager Roy Hodgson, it was Villa who threatened first when Charles N'Zobgia could only head a decent chance onto the roof of the net.

Newcastle forward Remy Cabella wasted a good opportunity in the 25th minute, shooting wide while off-balance after the ball deflected his way in the Villa area from a cross.

The deadlock was closer to being broken shortly after the interval when Williamson nodded back across the area to the diving Daryl Janmaat, whose header was parried over by Brad Guzan.

Both sides sent on new signings for their debuts, Villa's Carlos Sanchez replacing N'Zogbia and Newcastle's Siem De Jong being introduced for Vurnon Anita.

De Jong almost made a dream start when the Holland midfielder's close-range shot drew a fine stop from Guzan.

The Magpies were then reduced to 10 men when Williamson earned his second booking in the space of just a few minutes following a challenge on Fabian Delph.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Premier League,Newcastle United,Mike Williamson,Manchester City,Aston Villa


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