Brazil’s 1970 World Cup keeper Felix, 74, dies
SAO PAULO, Brazil ● Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Felix, nicknamed “Paper” for his slight frame and the way he flew through the air to make spectacular saves, died of complications from emphysema on Friday. He was 74. Felix Mieli Venerando played in all six of Brazil’s matches in the 1970 tournament, making [...]
Balotelli has ‘nothing to proof’
KIEV, Ukraine ● Errant frontman Mario Balotelli insisted he has nothing to prove when Italy tackle his adopted home England in the Euro 2012 quarter-final here on Sunday. Manchester City’s Balotelli has spent the last two seasons terrorising defences — and occasionally youth team players and bathrooms — in England and will now come up [...]
Barton: I tried to take one of theirs with me
MANCHESTER, England ● Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton apologized to his fans and his team mates after being send off in the all important game against Manchester City. “Can do nothing but apologise to the players and the fans. Still don’t think its a sending off. ..”, he tweeted after the game. “Still not [...]
Ince gives Blackpool the edge
BLACKPOOL, England ● A deflected first-half strike from Thomas Ince sealed a 1-0 win for Blackpool over Birmingham in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Friday. Blackpool, who were relegated from England’s top flight after the 2010-2011 season, will now take their slender advantage to St Andrews next Wednesday for the second [...]
Adebayor shows Spurs the way
BOLTON, England ● Tottenham Hotspur strengthened their bid for Champions League football next term with a 4-1 win away to Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium here on Wednesday. Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice as Spurs, a day after manager Harry Redknapp was overlooked for the England job in favour of Roy Hodgson, enjoyed their first [...]
Throne awaits Dortmund
MUNICH, Germany ● Borussia Dortmund look set to defend their German league crown after their 1-0 win over title-rivals Bayern Munich on Wednesday put them six points clear at the top with four games left. Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored his 20th goal of the season in the second-half to give Dortmund three more priceless [...]
Real trash neighbour’s party
MADRID, Spain ● Leaders Real Madrid restored their four-point advantage over chasing Barcelona when Cristiano Ronaldo netted his seventh hat-trick of the La Liga campaign in a 4-1 drubbing of city neighbours Atletico on Wednesday. Real had seen their lead over their arch rivals whittled down to one point after Sunday’s [...]
Perfect ‘rehearsal’ Everton
LIVERPOOL, England ● Everton enjoyed the perfect preparation for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool as they routed Sunderland 4-0 at Goodison Park on Monday. David Moyes’ team will head south to Wembley later this week in good heart after their fourth win in five games in all competitions. The Toffees are now four points [...]
Game, set and match United
BLACKBURN, England Brilliant late goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young put Manchester United five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. After being frustrated for 81 minutes, the visitors took the lead with a wonder-goal by winger Valencia, whose swerving, rapid effort [...]
