Pumas get Tri-Nations go-ahead September 14, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Argentina have been invited to join South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in an expanded Tri-Nations Championship from 2012. The Pumas are currently ranked sixth in the world having finished third in the 2007 World Cup. The invitation still needs to be formally approved by the broadcasters of the Tri-Nations governing body SANZAR. [...]
Four-match ban looms as FA prepare to hit Adebayor September 13, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY striker Emmanuel Adebayor is today expected to be charged over his behaviour in Saturday’s fiery clash with former club Arsenal and is facing the prospect of a four-match ban. The Football Association is poised to charge Adebayor with violent conduct – which would likely result in a three-game suspension – for a raking-studs [...]
Button hails his return to the podium at Italian GP September 13, 2009 BRITAIN’S Jenson Button toasted a return to form after his first podium finish in six attempts edged him nearer to a maiden world title at the Italian Grand Prix. Button had to watch as Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello took first place at Monza, and shaved two points off his lead in the drivers’ championship. [...]
Del Potro to meet five-time champ Federer in US final September 13, 2009 ARGENTINA’S Juan Martin del Potro will attempt to deny Roger Federer a sixth consecutive US Open title in today’s final after the victory of his career against Rafael Nadal yesterday. Sixth seed Del Potro, 20, thrashed former world No1 Nadal 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 to reach his maiden Grand Slam final. The Spaniard, who missed Wimbledon [...]
KP still has open wound but hopeful over SA tour September 13, 2009 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen insists he is still hopeful of playing a part in the tour of South Africa in November. Pietersen has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy, which takes place in the same country from next week. But he is optimistic the Achilles injury that also kept him out of the last [...]
Agbonlahor claims derby spoils for Villa September 13, 2009 ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill talked up Gabriel Agbonlahor’s World Cup credentials after the England striker snatched a late victory in the Birmingham derby. Agbonlahor nodded past Blues goalkeeper Joe Hart from close range with just five minutes remaining, after John Carew had flicked on Ashley Young’s free-kick. It took Agbonlahor’s tally to three goals [...]
Duff the hero as Fulham seal comeback September 13, 2009 FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson heaped praise on new signing Damien Duff after his winner put paid to Everton at Craven Cottage. The Toffees took a first-half lead through Tim Cahill before Paul Konchesky equalised just after the break. The game looked set to end to end in a draw until 11 minutes from time, when [...]
Armitage shoulder injury is a headache for boss Johnson September 13, 2009 FULL-BACK Delon Armitage looks set to miss England’s autumn internationals after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder in London Irish’s thumping victory over Gloucester. Armitage, 25, has been a major player in Martin Johnson’s England revolution but left the field after scoring a try in the Exiles’ 40-10 victory. “Delon has a suspected dislocated shoulder and [...]
Brawn duo locked in two-horse title race September 13, 2009 THE BATTLE for the drivers’ championship seems certain to be a duel between colleagues Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello after another Brawn GP one-two at yesterday’s Italian Grand Prix. Barrichello took the chequered flag at Monza to cut Button’s lead to 14 points but, with just four races of the season remaining, the pair look [...]
Serena unapologetic at sour end to Open September 13, 2009 WORLD No2 Serena Williams has vowed to learn from the on-court clash with a lineswoman that snuffed out her hopes of defending the US Open title.Williams crashed out at the semi-final stage on Saturday night when she was given a point penalty for launching a tirade at the official. The sanction came as the American [...]