Capello in no mood to bow to detractors June 17, 2010 ENGLAND vs ALGERIA ENGLAND manager Fabio Capello last night defended his selection policy after coming under fire for the first time in two-and-a-half years in charge. On the eve of tonight’s must-win Group C contest with Algeria, Capello vowed to stick with his strategy of only revealing his team two hours before kick-off. And in [...]
Pat’s feeling all Rite after Ascot success June 17, 2010 DUAL-PURPOSE runner Rite of Passage was the toast of Royal Ascot on Ladies’ Day after springing a surprise in the Gold Cup. Sent off at 20-1 in the hands of Pat Smullen, the Dermot Weld-trained six-year-old outpaced Age of Aquarius in a thrilling sprint finish to win in a record time. It was his third [...]
Johnno turns to Youngs guns June 17, 2010 MARTIN JOHNSON insists the door is still open for scrum-half Danny Care after he was left out of the England starting line-up for tomorrow’s second Test with Australia in Sydney. The Harlequins man was criticised for his performance in the 27-17 first Test defeat in Perth last Saturday and now makes way for Leicester’s Ben [...]
Hat-trick hero Higuain sets Maradona on the glory trail June 17, 2010 ARGENTINA(4) vs SOUTH KOREA (1) DIEGO MARADONA lavished praise on his Argentina side after they all but sealed their place in the last 16 with a comfortable victory over South Korea at Johannesburg’s Soccer City. Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain was the hero with a clinical hat-trick as Maradona’s men showed why they are many [...]
France hanging by a thread after Mexican masterclass June 17, 2010 FRANCE (0) vs MEXICO(2) MANCHESTER United new-boy Javier Hernandez helped Mexico run France ragged and usher the 2006 runners-up to the brink of a humiliating first-round exit. Hernandez climbed off the bench to put Mexico in front before fellow substitute Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 37, struck the killer second goal from the penalty spot. It was no [...]
Poulter makes promising start at US Open June 17, 2010 ENGLAND’S Ian Poulter has a first Major title in his sights after bagging a share of the clubhouse lead on day one of the US Open. Poulter was among a clutch of early pace-setters who shot one-under-par rounds of 70 at Pebble Beach in California yesterday. Joining him were Canada’s Mike Weir and South Korea’s [...]
Arsenal to kick off at Liverpool June 17, 2010 CHAMPIONS Chelsea have been handed a gentle start to their Premier League title defence, but London rivals Arsenal will begin their campaign with a daunting trip to Liverpool. The Blues’ tricky run-in includes the visit of Tottenham and a trip to Manchester United and they finish with an away clash at Everton. Arsenal also face [...]
Critics may just create helpful siege mentality June 17, 2010 FROM the very moment the final whistle blew in Rustenburg on Saturday, England’s players will have been yearning to get back on the pitch today against Algeria. Whether they have been training, playing table tennis and darts, going on visits to schools or taking in the other games on television, time will have been dragging [...]
Spanish raider Bannaby can cause Gold Cup upset at a massive 25/1 June 16, 2010 SADLY there is no Yeats in this afternoon’s Ascot Gold Cup which means that there will be a new name engraved on the base of the trophy for the first time in five years. Aidan O’Brien will be hoping that Age Of Aquarius can fill the hoof prints left by his former stablemate, but he [...]
For a top Royal Ascot tip, just Ask June 16, 2010 ASK is a horse that won at the highest level over a mile and a half and when connections stepped him up to two miles last time in France, he was simply devastating. With Yeats no longer in the picture, today’s Ascot Gold Cup looks there for the taking and he can provide Sir Michael [...]