Djokovic ousted, Nadal advances in Indian Wells

Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic ousted a weary world number two Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-3 as defending champion Rafael Nadal booked his quarter-final berth at the BNP Paribas Open. While third-seeded Nadal advanced on Wednesday with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 triumph over big-serving American John Isner, Djokovic couldn't keep pace with the blistering serves and clean groundstrokes of Ljubicic, a former world number three now ranked 26th in the world. World number four Andy Murray secured his quarter-final slot with ease as Spain's Nicolas Almagro retired while trailing with an apparent left ankle injury.
Murray led 6-2, 1-0 when Almagro called it quits after receiving treatment on court at the end of the first set. Ljubicic said he was delighted to end a five-match skid against Djokovic, calling some of those defeats "brutal". "I'm really happy to be able to beat him finally," said Ljubicic, whose only prior win against Djokovic was their first meeting in Zagreb in 2006. His most recent defeats to the Serb had come in the first round of last year's US Open, and in the quarter-finals at Dubai last month. "My serve helped me, especially in difficult moments," said Ljubicic, who gave himself both of his match points in the final game with two of his 13 aces. Djokovic saved the first, but on the second Ljubicic came up with another big serve that the Serbian could only sail back across the baseline. "But also two weeks ago in Dubai I was serving unbelievably," Ljubicic said. "You can't beat Novak only with a serve, but it does help you a lot if you can get a lot of free points off that shot."

Djokovic said he knew what to expect. "I don't think any match we play is different," he said. "It's more or less based on the service and returns. As much as I get in the rallies, I think I have more chances to win the point. It wasn't the case today. "My execution was very bad and he played well when he needed to and he served well when he needed to," said Djokovic, who won his second straight Dubai Open title in February then won both of his matches to help Serbia beat the United States in the first round of the Davis Cup in Belgrade. Djokovic had looked far from sharp since arriving in the California desert, having to save three match points to subdue Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round.

"This is a tournament where I definitely didn't feel comfortable on the court," said Djokovic, the 2008 champion. "It's just because I had a very tiring couple of weeks coming from Davis Cup, which was emotionally very exhausting for me." The tournament has now lost its top two men's seeds, after world number one Roger Federer was stunned by Marcos Baghdatis in the third round on Tuesday. That left Spain's Nadal as the highest-ranked player to make it into the quarters as he withstood a barrage of 22 aces from the 24-year-old American Isner.

Nadal closed it out with a forehand winner into an open court. "I am feeling really well, and I am feeling good on court," said Nadal, who is playing his first tournament since retiring injured from the Australian Open. "I felt like I played pretty well," Isner said of his first outing against Nadal. "I might have run out of gas in the third set, but that's what he does. He makes you work so hard for every point." Nadal next faces Czech Tomas Berdych, a 6-1, 6-3 winner over Serbian Victor Troicki, while Ljubicic will take on Argentina's Juan Monaco, who beat Spain's Guillermo Garcia Lopez 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Baghdatis, who saved three match points en route to his triumph over Federer, couldn't hold off Spain's Tommy Robredo, who notched a 7-5, 0-6, 6-4 victory to line up a meeting with seventh-seeded American Andy Roddick, who beat Austraia's Jurgen Melzer 7-6 (7/5), 6-4. Murray will play sixth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling, who beat France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4. Meanwhile women's fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland booked a semi-final berth with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over fourth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva.

Radwanska has reached her second semi-final of the season without dropping a set, and denied Dementieva a shot at a third title of 2010 - after triumphs in Sydney and the Paris Indoors.
Radwanska will play second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, who outlasted China's Zheng Jie 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.

Beckham blow no World Cup blow-out for England

David Beckham's ruptured Achilles may mean the 'end of the world' for him but it is by no means the end of England's dreams of World Cup triumph in South Africa later this year.When Beckham was at Manchester United and at the peak of his football powers, Old Trafford great George Best delivered a damning assessment of the midfielder's ability."He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals," Best said. "Apart from that he's all right."Best's comments were widely dismissed as the words of an embittered former player yet they highlighted how the hype surrounding Beckham has often exceeded his deeds on the pitch.No-one can dispute the 34-year-old Beckham's efforts in trying to become the first England player to appear in four World Cups.He joined Italian giants AC Milan on loan from MLS side LA Galaxy in a bid to maintain match fitness in the run-up to the June start of the tournament.Indeed it was while playing for Milan on Sunday that Beckham suffered the injury that ended his hopes of playing in South Africa.But it is not as if Beckham's three previous appearances did much to end England's wait for a second World Cup title, which has been going on since the late Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley back in 1966.In 1998, Beckham was sent-off for a petulant kick at Diego Simeone during England's quarter-final loss to Argentina, with many fans blaming his reckless act for the defeat.Four years later there were those who highlighted the way he jumped out of a tackle in the build-up to a goal scored by Brazil as being a key moment in another England quarter-final loss, this time against a 10-man Brazil side.The 2006 World Cup in Germany saw Beckham turn in some solid displays yet nowhere near the calibre of those produced by France's Zinedine Zidane or Italy's Fabio Cannavaro in inspiring their sides to World Cup glory.For all that England manager Fabio Capello has spoken warmly about Beckham's ability and positive influence on the rest of the squad, the former captain has largely been reduced to a substitute role during the Italian's time in charge.His free-kick ability remains intact but it is a long time since Beckham had a major influence upon a major match.It may seem harsh on Beckham, but few sides have won Word Cups on the basis of an ageing (he will be 35 when the World Cup starts) dead ball specialist.On the other hand, were England to lose star striker Wayne Rooney in the run-up, that would all but scupper their World Cup hopes.Much of the publicity that surrounds Beckham is not of the player's making.But his global celebrity, which seems to be something his wife, the former pop star Victoria Adams, enjoys more than her husband, has frequently proved an unwanted distraction to England, notably at the 2006 World Cup where the antics of the WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends) of players captivated the press.Beckham's absence may also embolden his rivals for the right hand side midfield berth, with the likes of the much quicker Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips no longer having to look over their shoulder. England have not won a World Cup with Beckham, a player who has given loyal service during a 115 cap career, 58 as captain, that has yielded 17 goals. They may win one without him but, either way, the days when England's fortunes were dependent upon Beckham have passed.

Rampant Rooney puts United back on top

Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League as his double-strike inspired a 3-0 win over Fulham on Sunday.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team had been knocked off top spot by Chelsea's victory against West Ham on Saturday, but Rooney struck 30 seconds after half-time at Old Trafford and added a second in the closing stages.
Dimitar Berbatov headed United's third goal in the last minute to ensure the champions moved two points clear of the Blues and third placed Arsenal. United had lost 3-0 at Fulham earlier this season but Rooney, who has now scored 16 goals in his last 11 United appearances, broke their resistance when he met Nani's cross with a first-time finish that flashed past Mark Schwarzer from 10 yards out.
England forward Rooney put the result beyond doubt when he swept in Berbatov's 84th minute cross to take his goal tally for the season to 32 in all competitions. Berbatov sealed the rout with a diving header from South Korea winger Park Ji-Sung's 89th minute cross. Manchester City will aim to keep their challenge for fourth place on course at Sunderland in Sunday's late game.

Lyon knock Real out; United rout AC Milan

Big-spending Real Madrid was knocked out of the Champions League by Lyon on Wednesday and Manchester United spoiled David Beckham’s return to Old Trafford with a 4-0 win over AC Milan.Madrid were held 1-1 at home by Lyon which meant they went out 2-1 on aggregate and failed to reach the last eight for the sixth season in a row. In Manchester, two more goals by Wayne Rooney — who also scored twice in the first leg in Milan —helped United triumph 7-2 overall and join Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.Nine-time European champion Real spent $340 million on new players to try and win the trophy for the first time since 2002 and now will have to wait at least one more season. It all looked hopeful for Madrid when they wiped out Lyon’s 1-0 first-leg lead within six minutes of the kickoff. A long pass by Jose Maria “Guti” Gutierrez’ released Cristiano Ronaldo down the left and the winger fired through the legs of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for his seventh Champions League goal of the season.It should have been 2-0 in the 26th when Gonzalo Higuain got clear and rounded the goalkeeper but fired against the post when faced by an empty net. Jean II Makoun, who scored Lyon’s spectacular goal in the first leg, squandered a rare chance for the visitor when a cross found him unmarked in front of goal as he miskicked the ball from 10 meters out.Sidney Govou missed a similar chance early in the second half but Miralem Pjanic made it 1-1 in the 75th minute when he got clear down the left and fired past goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Madrid then needed two more goals to avoid going out, but surprisingly took off Kaka, and replaced him with veteran Raul Gonzalez.At Old Trafford, Rooney scored United’s first two and Park Ji-sung and Darren Fletcher added two more. It was 3-0 by the time Beckham, on loan to Milan, went on as a substitute to a big ovation from the United fans and the former England captain.

Blazers rally to beat Warriors 110-105

Brandon Roy scored 41 points, Andre Miller added 15 points and seven assists and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Golden State Warriors 110-105 on Thursday night.
Rudy Fernandez added 12 points including a pair of pivotal 3-pointers during a late 17-3 run by the Blazers, who snapped a nine-game losing streak at Oracle Arena. Portland also avoided what would have been a costly defeat as it tries to hold onto the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Corey Maggette scored 24 points and Monta Ellis added 17 before fouling out in his first game back following a six-game absence for Golden State, which lost its sixth straight. The Blazers won for the fifth time in six games and moved a season-high 11 games above .500. It wasn't easy.
Portland trailed 96-83 entering the fourth quarter after struggling offensively most of the night and didn't show much signs of life before rallying. The Blazers did it despite Roy scoring just three of his points over the final 12 minutes. Aldridge had six points during a 10-2 run to start the comeback in the fourth. Fernandez later hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 102 and Aldridge added a key three-point play to give Portland a 108-102 lead with 1:39 left.
Stephen Curry made a 3-pointer for Golden State but Reggie Williams missed what would have been a tying 3 with 49.9 seconds left. Miller then sealed the win for Portland with a pair of free throws.
The Blazers hadn't done much until then except for Roy. He had 24 points in the first half then added 14 more in the third quarter before topping the 40-point mark for the third time this season. Roy finished 14 of 22 from the floor and added eight rebounds with four assists. Ellis, who had not played since scoring 22 points in a 127-112 loss to Denver on Feb. 25, nearly led the Warriors to an upset after getting cleared to play earlier in the day after sitting out six games due to a strained lower back. He got off to a slow start against the Blazers and had only five points in the first half but scored 12 in the third quarter when Golden State built a 96-80 lead.
The Warriors fell apart after that, however, and were outscored 27-9 in the fourth quarter while losing to Portland at home for the first time since Nov. 3, 2004.

Nischal fires Nepal into semis

Allrounder Nischal Pandey led Nepal to their third consecutive win and a place in the semi-finals of the ACC U-16 Elite Cup with an 85-run win over Bahrain here at the Birendra Sainik Awasiya Mahavidhyalaya grounds today.Electing to bat first, Nepal scored 206-7 before restricting Bahrain to 121-9 in 40 overs. Nepal topped Group B with three wins in as many matches. Friday’s result between Hong Kong and Kuwait will determine the second team to accompany Nepal in the semi-finals from the group.For the third game in a row, it was Nischal who earned the man-of-the-match award. The left-arm spinner starred with the ball taking 4-6 in their six-wicket win over Hong Kong on Monday before excelling his performance with allround contribution the next day, taking 5-15 and scoring 58 runs in their 101-run victory over Kuwait. He also became the first ever Nepali allrounder to take five wickets and score a half century in an international match. He contunued with the form on Thursday as well — scoring 74 runs and returning with the figures of 5-28 from eight overs.Sharad Khadka (26) and Nischal laid the platform for a huge total with the first wicket stand of 86 runs in 13.3 overs. The home team lost three wickets in regular succession but Sushan Bhari Shrestha (20), Satish Bhagat (16) and Hari Chaulagain’s quickfire 27 off 20 balls helped their total cross the 200 mark. Nischal hit 12 boundaries in his 62-ball knock. Nikhil Olar and Lalith Lal were pick of the Bahrain bowlers with two scalps each.Bahrain were on the backfoot from the first over when they lost two batsmen without a single run on the board. Medium pacer Hari Chaulagain trapped Nikhil and Ali Ikram Nadeem leg before wicket with the second and third balls to reduce Bahrain to 0-2. However, Md Faiz Jasnaik (17) and Md Fayyaz (26) consolidated their innings putting on 54 runs for the third wicket. But their dismissal inside three overs meant Bahrain could only muster 121-9 in 40 overs. Aditya Sarkar also chipped in 24 runs. Apart from Nischal, Bibek Chaudhary took 2-6 while Rajiv Shah and Sharad also picked up one wicket each for the hosts.“I am extremely happy with my performance in the tournament,” said Nischal. “I was hoping to play better in the tournament but I have excelled my own expectations,” added the allrounder. “I hope to continue with the same display if am picked up for the U-19 tournaments in future.” Nepal’s coach Roy Luke Dias said he was disappointed for not being able to dismiss Bahrain before 40 overs. “After putting on such a big total, I would have liked them to bowl Bahrain completely out,” said Dias. Indicating to Nischal’s performances, Dias said, “It was pretty much a one-man-show so far in the tournament. He is an intelligent cricketer and with some practice and guidance he has the potential to establish himself as a good allrounder,” said Dias.In Group B matches, Singapore defeated Thailand by 175 runs at the Tribhuvan University Stadium and Malaysia beat Saudi Arabia by six wickets at the Pulchowk Engineering College grounds. Singapore scored 246-5 in 40 overs with contributions from man-of-the-match Vikash Rajgopal (61), Iishan Shekhar (46) and Mohit Kuldarni (44). Thailand were bundled out for 71 runs in 31.4 overs.Saudi Arabia could only muster 125 runs in 36.2 overs and Malaysia overcame the total losing four wickets in 24.1 overs. Man-of-the-match Syahadat Ramli took four and Nik Nabik three wickets for Malaysia. Ahmed Tajudin struck unbeaten 45 to steer Malaysia home.

Pakistan suspend Younis, Yousuf from intl cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has barred Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan from the national team indefinitely and imposed a one-year ban on Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved for behavior they say contributed to Pakistan’s poor performance on their recent tour of Australia.The PCB on Wednesday implemented the recommendations of an inquiry committee formed to evaluate Pakistan’s dismal performance against Australia in December and January. “Younis and Yousuf both cannot represent Pakistan in any international games, but they can play in domestic cricket and compete in county cricket,” PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said.Both Yousuf and Younis were involved in infighting while on tour, which resulted in bringing down the whole team, the PCB said in a statement. “Their attitude has a trickle down effect which is a bad influence for the whole team,” it said. Malik and Naved were also fined two million rupees ($23,500), wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal was handed a fine of three million rupees ($35,200) and Umar Akmal, younger brother of Kamran, was fined two million rupees ($23,500).Shahid Afridi was fined three million rupees ($35,200) for ball tampering during the one-day series against Australia. Afridi and Akmal brothers will be on a probation of six months during which their conduct will be strictly monitored, the PCB said in a statement.The inquiry committee comprised PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari, board member Wazir Ali Khoja, director of cricket operations Zakir Khan, team manager Yawar Saeed and Rizvi. The players who were handed suspensions and fines appeared before the committee while other team officials — coach Intikhab Alam, assistant coach Aaqib Javed, the then manager Abdul Raqeeb, physiotherapist Faisal Hayat and analyst Mohammad Talha — were also interviewed. “All the recommendations of the inquiry committee were unanimous,” Rizvi said.The committee also looked into manager and coaches reports of Pakistan’s tour last year to the United Arab Emirates for a one-day series against New Zealand, their Test series in New Zealand and the disastrous tour of Australia where the team was routed 3-0 in the Test series and 5-0 in the one-day series.The penalties were the largest handed out in almost 10 years, since Justice Qayyum’s report on match-fixing in 2000 when Salim Malik and Ata-ur-Rehman were handed life bans and several players including Wasim Akram and now national coach Waqar Younis were fined.

Rooney fit for Milan clash

Wayne Rooney will be fit for Manchester United's Champions League clash with AC Milan here on Wednesday, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on the eve of the match.
The England forward had been a major doubt with a knee injury but came through training on Tuesday morning and is ready to be unleased against the Italian giants, to the relief of his manager.
"Rooney's fit, I'm glad to say," said the United boss, who had predicted at the weekend that he would be obliged to start with Dimitar Berbatov as a lone striker.
"He has made a rapid improvement since Saturday morning when he was extremely doubtful but he's okay."
Rooney scored twice in the San Siro as United won the first leg of their second round tie with Milan 3-2.

Real overtake Barca atop league

Real Madrid battled back from 2-0 down to beat Sevilla 3-2 on Saturday and go top of the Spanish League with Rafael Van der Vaart grabbing a dramatic stoppage time winner.

After 10-man Barcelona were held 2-2 by Almeria, the incentive was on Real who had the chance to go ahead of the Catalans on goal difference, and they managed it in dramatic fashion at the Bernabeu. They slumped two-goals down an own-goal from Xabi Alonso and a Ivica Dragutinovic free-kick which caught out Real keeper Iker Casillas. But Real piled on the pressure with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos drawing their side level. It appeared as though Real would have to settle for a draw before a grandstand finish saw Van der Vaart slot home from close range.

A brace from Leo Messi rescued a point for Barcelona at Almeria. Domingo Cisma put the home side in front after he beat Carles Puyol in the air to head past keeper Victor Valdes. Messi equalised, though, after a contentious free-kick was awarded for a foul on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. An own-goal from Puyol and then the expulsion of Ibrahimovic for kicking out put Almeria firmly in the driving seat but Messi was Barca's saviour, scoring his second from close range mid-way through the second half.

Earlier, a fine strike from Jose Guardado helped Deportivo la Coruna come from behind to beat Tenerife 3-1. Deportivo had plenty of early possession but poor defending saw Juanlu Hens give Tenerife the lead. Juan Rodriguez headed Deportivo level and while they continued to press forward it was Tenerife that went nearer to scoring again when Juan Nino saw a close-range shot saved by keeper Daniel Aranzubia shortly before half time. A powerful left-footed drive from Guardado found the corner after 55 minutes and from there Deportivo never looked back with Diego Colotto adding to their lead.

Premiership: Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes scored his 100th Premier League goal as reigning champions Manchester United returned to the top of the table with a 1-0 win at gritty strugglers Wolves on Saturday.

Scholes found the target in the 73rd minute when he was first to react after Nani's cross came off Christophe Berra. The victory allowed United to open a two-point gap on both Chelsea and Arsenal although Sam Vokes could have equalised in stoppage-time for Wolves, but he blasted over the top.

Earlier, Arsenal maintained their title push with a 3-1 win at home to Burnley. Arsenal took the lead at the Emirates Stadium with a typically stylish goal 11 minutes before half-time. Cesc Fabregas played the ball to Samir Nasri and continued his run into the box before receiving a superb return pass.

Spain international Fabregas then hit a first-time shot past Clarets goalkeeper Brian Jensen. Five minutes later Fabregas went off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and was replaced by Abou Diaby. Arsenal squandered several chances to double their lead and were made to pay in the 50th minute when Burnley striker David Nugent lifted the ball over Gunners goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

However, 20-year-old Arsenal winger Theo Walcott got the second goal. After being played in by Nicklas Bendtner, he curled a shot inside the far post. Andrey Arshavin sealed Arsenal's victory in the closing seconds. Wenger said club captain Fabregas's fitness ahead of Arsenal's Champions League last 16 second leg tie against Porto on Tuesday was a concern.

Bolton moved further away from the drop zone with a 2-1 win away to West Ham in a match where they played the final 18 minutes a man down after midfielder Tamir Cohen was sent-off for a second bookable offence. South Korean midfielder Lee Chung-yong set up Bolton's opener when he crossed for striker Kevin Davies to head in his eighth goal in 10 appearances against the Hammers in the 10th minute. Bolton did not have long to wait for a second goal when, six minutes later, Davies crossed to Cohen, who headed the ball back for midfielder Jack Wilshere to volley in his first Bolton goal.

But Alessando Diamanti ensured a nervous finish for

the Lancashire side when

he pulled a goal back for West Ham two minutes from time and the Londoners then missed out on a draw when Junior Stanislas hit the crossbar. Victory left Bolton five points above the bottom three.

Carew treble fires Villa into FA Cup semi-finals

Aston Villa staged a stunning second half fightback to reach the FA Cup semi-finals with a 4-2 win at Reading on Sunday.Martin O'Neill's side, beaten in the League Cup final by Manchester United last weekend, looked set for an embarrassing exit at the hands of Championship opposition after Shane Long scored twice in the first half.But three goals in 10 minutes from Ashley Young and John Carew, who ended up with a hat-trick, ensured Villa will return to Wembley in the last four.Long - who had scored the winner in the third round victory over Liverpool - put Reading ahead in the 27th minute when he headed in Matthew Mills' flick-on.The Royals looked on course for a famous victory when Long struck again with a fine finish from Jimmy Kebe's pass three minutes before half-time.But Young restored Villa's belief with a close-range strike two minutes into the second half.Villa's equaliser arrived just four minutes later when Norway striker Carew headed in Stewart Downing's cross.Carew put Villa ahead by cleverly flicking in Stephen Warnock's cross with the outside of his boot in the 57th minute, then scored his third from the penalty spot in stoppage time.Cash-strapped Portsmouth booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 home win over Birmingham on Saturday, while Tottenham were held to a 0-0 draw at Fulham. Holders Chelsea host Stoke in the final last eight tie later on Sunday.

Pak appoints former opener as chief selector

Pakistan's cricket authorities Tuesday appointed former opener Mohsin Hasan Khan as the national team's chief selector following its humiliating defeats in its recent tour of Australia. The post became vacant with the resignation of Iqbal Qasim, who resigned on January 31 shortly after Pakistan lost the tour's one-day series 5-0 and the Test series 3-0.
"Mohsin Hasan Khan has been appointed as chairman of the selection committee with immediate effect," Wasim Bari, the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chief operating officer told AFP. Khan, 54, who has played 48 Tests and 75 limited overs matches for Pakistan, said he had been approached by the PCB to take over the post.
"I will finalise my strategy once I meet chairman of the board," he told AFP after his appointment.
"I have a passion to serve Pakistan cricket and will do my best to select players on merit," he added.
Khan's first task will be to select Pakistan's squad for the World Twenty20 championship, to be held in the West Indies in April-May, when Pakistan will defend the title it won in England last year. The PCB has also formed a committee to investigate the defeats in Australia.

Owen reveals his England pain

Michael Owen has hinted for the first time at the true depth of his frustration at being cast into the shadows by England manager Fabio Capello.Owen has been consistently ignored by Capello since the Italian took charge and will once again be at home in Cheshire when England play Egypt in Wednesday's World Cup warm-up.For nearly two years Owen has maintained a dignified silence over his international exile, but the mask slipped for just a moment in the aftermath of Sunday's bittersweet 2-1 League Cup final win against Aston Villa.After spending much of the season as a bit-part player with United, Owen was handed a rare moment in the spotlight as he started ahead of Wayne Rooney at Wembley.He seemed determined to seize the opportunity and rolled back the years with an effervescent display capped by a superb 13th minute strike to cancel out James Milner's early penalty.With Capello watching from the stands, Owen had proved he still has the ability to make his mark on the game's grandest stages.Yet before the half was over, Owen's day had taken an all too familiar turn as he pulled up with a hamstring injury.Suddenly it was easy to see why Capello isn't prepared to risk gambling on such a fragile player and Owen must have know his faint hopes of going to South Africa were over.Perhaps that was behind his revealing response when he was asked if he felt his England chances had taken another blow."I've said many times it's difficult for me to talk about it or find the right words because one slip of the tongue and I'm going to be on the back page," he said."If I said what I think or how I feel...I would only be lying to you if I spoke about England so there is no point in asking, put it that way."I didn't even know the England manager was watching. I just wanted to play well and win the trophy."After such a day of conflicting emotions, Owen could be forgiven for being in combative form when he faced reporters following the match.Owen admitted the injury is likely to keep him out for several weeks but he insisted he has no regrets about making the move to Old Trafford."It's not been difficult to accept my role here. I would like to play a lot more obviously but you try getting in the team with Wayne Rooney playing like this!" he said."If Wayne hadn't have been scoring two or three in every game then the manager might have rotated a bit more and I would have got more games, so there is no way I am unhappy with my decision or how things have gone."Out of 43 games we've played this year I have been involved in 42. No-one had been writing about injuries for a good while but everyone will have a field day again now."I've played at teams that have not been doing well in the league and I would prefer to play a lesser role if I can play and train with real top-level players every day. Then when you do play you are playing in a game like this. "Obviously it's a little sour note me having to come off and being out for a few weeks but I suppose that can't disguise the pleasure you get from scoring, winning and picking up the trophy. It's days like that you remember for the rest of your career." Although Owen will miss a portion of United's title run-in and Champions League challenge, he hopes to be back in time to play a role in the decisive final matches. "The season is not over and there's everything to play for. I'm not a doom monger. There are plenty of people who want to put a negative spin on things, but I'm too long in the tooth and have seen it all before," he said. "There are plenty of big games coming up, I've just had a child the other day, I've got four kids and I'm playing for one of the biggest teams in Europe. "It's not all doom and gloom is it? I've got every reason to have a smile on my face."

Rooney fires United to League Cup win over Aston Villa

Wayne Rooney came off the bench to ensure Manchester United retained the League Cup by beating Aston Villa 2-1 on a painfully bittersweet afternoon for his team-mate Michael Owen.
With England coach Fabio Capello watching from the stands, Owen had evoked memories of his glory days with a wonderful, instinctive finish to cancel out James Milner's early penalty for Villa. But just as he might have been starting to entertain hopes of an international recall, a hamstring injury ended both his afternoon and any lingering hopes he may have had of making Capello's squad for the World Cup.

"He looked sharp today when he was on and took his goal really well. Hopefully he'll be back soon," Rooney said of his team-mate.
The striker said he was thrilled to earn a second League Cup winners' medal.
"It's a great feeling. I'm delighted," he said.
"I think we probably created the best chances in the game but full credit to Villa, they played well and it was a good final.
"I think we knew there were spaces out wide and if we attacked them out wide then we could create chances.
"My sights are the medals. If the goals come, then great but I'm thinking about winning medals, not scoring," he added.
Gabriel Agbonlahor had scored the winner when Villa won 1-0 at Old Trafford earlier in the season and it was immediately apparent that his pace, unleashed from the left-side of his team's attacking trident, would again trouble a United defence missing Rio Ferdinand.
Within four minutes, Ashley Young's first-time pass had sent him clear of Nemanja Vidic, who resorted first to shirt-pulling and then to a desperate lunge to prevent his opponent from getting a shot away. Vidic, remarkably, escaped sanction but Milner ensured Villa took the lead by sending Thomas Kuszczak the wrong way from the resulting penalty. With both sides displaying a refreshing commitment to attack, the tone had been set for an entertaining, open encounter and United were quickly back on level terms courtesy of a vintage piece of finishing from Owen. The striker had already served notice that he was in the mood to catch Capello's eye when, having robbed Carlos Cuellar, he went past James Collins only to have his progression towards goal arrested by the Villa centreback's crude lunge. There was however nothing anyone could do about his equaliser, which came after Berbatov dispossessed Richard Dunne 30 yards out. The Villa defender recovered the uncharacteristic lapse with a superb tackle on the edge of the area but succeeded only in diverting the ball from Berbatov's toes into the path of Owen, who didn't break his stride as he steered a controlled low shot beyond Brad Friedel's right hand. Milner tested Kuszczak with a drive three minutes later, but as the opening period wore on it was United who looked the more likely to add to their score, with much of their drive coming from the energetic forward thrusts of Park Ji-Sung. The South Korean midfielder sliced one good chance wide after being teed up by Berbatov's back heel and, having broken from deep inside his own half and combined deftly with Antonio Valencia, saw another effort blocked by Stiliyan Petrov before being denied by the woodwork in first-half stoppage time. Valencia was again involved, skipping past Villa's would-be England left-back Stephen Warnock with an ease that will have been noted by Capello before delivering a cross that was deflected to Park 12 yards out. His first-time shot struck the inside of the post and then Cuellar before finally being scrambled to safety. By that stage Rooney had replaced the desperately unlucky Owen but it was Berbatov who continued to look the most likely to open up Villa, and another deft backheel from the Bulgarian gave Michael Carrick the chance to force Friedel into a fine save four minutes into the second period. Villa's best chance of the second half fell to Young, who was unmarked as Berbatov's clearing header fell to him just inside the box but shanked his volley into the turf and wide of the target. Three minutes later, Rooney applied the decisive blow with his 28th goal of the season, beating Friedel with a looping header from Valencia's cross after the Ecuador winger had combined neatly with Berbatov.

Miyazato wins second straight LPGA event

Ai Miyazato won the HSBC Champions on Sunday to become the first LPGA Tour player in 44 years to sweep the first two events of a season, closing with 3-under 69 for a two-stroke victory over Cristie Kerr. Miyazato, the 24-year-old Japanese star who won the LPGA Thailand last week, took the lead with a birdie on the par-4 16th — a hole she played in 5 under for the week — and parred the final two holes to finish at 10 under on Tanah Merah's Garden Course. A 15-time winner on the Japanese tour, Miyazato earned $195,000 for her third career LPGA Tour victory — all outside North America. She won the Evian Masters last year in France for her first LPGA Tour title. "This is obviously a great start for me," Miyazato said. "I try to stay in the present in what I do and that's really helping my game at the moment." Marilynn Smith was last player to win the first two events in a season, accomplishing the feat in 1966. Babe Zaharias (1951), Louise Suggs (1952) and Mickey Wright (1963) also swept season-opening events.
Miyazato admitted she doubted herself before winning the Evian Masters.
"Very much so," she said. "I did have doubts about myself before the Evian. And because this tour is at such a high level, you know, I did lose my confidence. But many people have supported me thus far, and I just want to thank them right now for what they have done for me." Kerr birdied No. 16 to take the lead at 10 under, but bogeyed the final two holes for a 68. Jiyai Shin, the winner last year, closed with a 67 to tie for third at 7 under with Suzann Pettersen (69), Song-Hee Kim (67) and Yani Tseng (69). Kerr's drive on the 17th sailed into the trees and left her battling insects. "I was standing in fire ants," Kerr said. "I was playing great, but it was a disappointing finish." Juli Inkster, the 49-year-old Hall of Famer who began the round tied with Miyazato for the lead, shot a 74 to tie for ninth at 5 under.
Michelle Wie had a 70 to tie for 15th at 4 under.
Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa, tied for the first-round lead after a 68, closed with rounds of 79, 73 and 72 to tie for 38th at 4 over. She won the inaugural event in 2008.

Nepal qualify for WCL Division-IV, just

Nepal qualified for the Division-V at the expense of unlucky Singapore despite losing to the United States of America (USA) by five wickets on D/L method in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division-V match marred by crowd trouble here at the TU Stadium today. Nepal, the USA and Singapore, who also recorded a big win over Jersey, all finished with eight points from five matches but the Marvan Atapattu's team crashed out after ending up third on net run rate. The home team pipped Singapore by just 0.004 in net run rate. Nepal and the USA will meet again on Saturday in the championship match at the same venue.

Electing to bat first, Nepal scored a modest 162-9 in 50 overs and the USA overcame the revised target of 157 runs losing five wickets in 33.3 overs. Four overs were lost due to the trouble. Former skipper Binod Das made way for Anil Mandal to make up for the failure at the top of the batting order. Dipendra and Mandal opened the batting while Mehboob Alam was dropped down to No 8. It was the first time Das was dropped from the team. The change made no difference as both the Chaudhary (seven) and Mandal (four), who made his debut for the senior team, were dismissed cheaply leaving the middle order to take up the batting responsibility once again. But the change allowed Alam (38) to contributed significant runs for the team.

The home team were stuttering at 80-6 by the 32nd over after Shakti Gauchan (naught), skipper Paras Khadka (12), Sharad Vesawkar (15) and Mahesh Chhetri (three) also lost their wickets cheaply. But Gyanendra Malla and allrounder Alam put on 62-run seventh wicket stand to help the hosts post a respectable total. Right-arm medium pace Kevin Darlington was the pick of the USA bowlers with 3-23 off 10 overs.

The USA made a composed start chasing the modest target but lost opener Orlando Baker (seven) at 17-1. Needing outright win to qualify, the USA lost four more wickets but put on significant partnerships in between to cruise home comfortably. Man-of-the-match Sushil Nadkarni remained unbeaten on 57 while skipper Steve Massiah scored 42 runs. Nadkarni struck four sixes and three fours in his fluent 59-ball knock while Massiah hit three fours and two sixes in his 58-ball innings. Aditya Thyagarajan also made not out 16 with one six and as many boundary.

USA skipper Massiah said that they exploited the weakness of Nepal to win the match. "We identified their inability to play seamers and explioted it quite nicely," said Massiah. "They were pretty much the No 1 team coming to this game but it would have more disappointing for us not to have advanced qualified after coming through with the experience of playing in the Twenty20 World Cup qualifers," he added. Nepal skipper Khadka was disappointed after the loss. "We could not take wickets in right time," said Khadka adding that losing Alam and Malla in the 45th over was the turning point. "All credits to them (USA), they batted exceptinally well."

Nepal coach Roy Luke Dias termed the qualification as the biggest achievement. About the game, Roy said, "We were good in all three departments -- batting, bowling and fielding -- in the last four matches. It's just that we could not put enough runs on the board today," said Dias. Of the championship match, Dias said that he would decide on Chaudhary after consulting with skipper Paras (Khadka). Dias also indicated bringing in either Das or Amrit Bhattarai tomorrow. "Tomorrow's match will be played on a new turf, so we will decide on the bowling option after assesing the wicket," he said. "They (USA) bowled really well today, so we will have to survive the first spell tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Singapore defeated Jersey by seven wickets at the BSAM grounds. Jersey were all out for 192 runs in 48.1 overs thanks to Matt Hague (52), Samuel Haye (38), Peter Gough (32) and Ryan Driver (31). Knowing net run rate would come in handy in their qualification bid, Singapore battled explosively to reply with 195-3 in just 26 overs. Opener Buddika Mendis scored unbeaten 85 off 77 with nine fours and four sixes. Chetan Suryawanshi struck a fiery 22-ball 40 with three sixes and as many fours while Munish Arora remaimed not out on 45 off 43 balls.

Also, Bahrain remarkably survived the relegation battle at the expense of Jersey after their 95-run win over already relegated Fiji at the Pulchowk Engineering grounds. Bahrain scored 275-9 with contributions from No 9 batsman Tahir Dar (54), Azeem ul Haq (41), Adil Hanif (37) and Imran Sajjad (30). Fiji were all out for 181 runs in 39.3 overs. Sakaraia Lomani top struck 40 and Iniasi Cakacaka 32. Man-of-the-match Dar claimed 4-19 for Bahrain.

Crowd disturbance mars outcome
The crowd trouble during the Nepal vs the USA match of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division-V at the TU Stadium probably made a huge difference to the overall outcome of the tournament. The USA were chasing 163-run target set by Nepal when the unruly crowd pelted stones and hurled water bottles to halt the game.

When the game resumed after half-an-hour, the USA got a revised target of 157 runs from 46 overs, which they acquired in 33.3 overs. The result despite Singapore's emphatic seven-wicket win over Jersey saw the home team qualify for the Division-IV as runners up to the USA. Nepal were just 0.004 ahead of Singapore in net run rate. If crowd trouble had not reduced the target, Nepal would have probably missed out on the promotion. Also, if USA had won two balls earlier than they did, Singapore would have advanced to the final.

Sachin Tendulkar's worls-record 200 boosts India

Sachin Tendulkar hammered a world-record 200 not out as India posted a massive 401-3 against South Africa in the second one-day international on Wednesday.Zimbabwean Charles Coventry (194 not out) and Pakistan's Saeed Anwar (194) were the joint-record holders for the highest individual score before Tendulkar became the first batsman to hit a double-century in one-dayers.Tendulkar, 36, reached the milestone in the last over when he took a single off paceman Charl Langeveldt, much to the delight of the sizeable crowd at Gwalior.The veteran Indian opener smashed 25 fours and three sixes in his 147-ball knock for his 46th one-day hundred in the day-night match to boost his team's hopes of clinching the three-match series.The hosts lead 1-0 following their one-run victory in the previous game in Jaipur on Sunday.Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan also feasted on the South African attack on a flat track. Dhoni hit a 35-ball 68 not out and Pathan 36 off 23 balls as India posted their highest total against South Africa.But the day belonged to Tendulkar who delighted the spectators with his rich strokeplay, executing breathtaking shots on both sides of the wicket to reduce the South African bowlers to a state of helplessness.India lost Virender Sehwag (nine) in the fourth over after electing to bat, but Tendulkar received valuable support from Dinesh Karthik, who scored a career-best 79 in a record 194-run stand for the second wicket off 29.3 overs.India's previous best for the second wicket against South Africa in one-dayers was 180 between Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in Nagpur in 2000.Tendulkar went for shots early in the innings, racing to his half-century off just 37 balls with nine fours. He took 53 more deliveries to reach his hundred.Runs came thick and fast from both the ends as Karthik also batted aggressively, cracking three sixes -- one each off Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis and Jean-Paul Duminy.Karthik was caught by Herschelle Gibbs at mid-wicket while attempting to pull seamer Wayne Parnell, but not before he had put the hosts on course for a big total with his fourth half-century in one-day internationals.South Africa made three changes from the team that lost the opening match, bringing in Hashim Amla, Duminy and Roelof van der Merwe in place of Loots Bosman, Albie Morkel and Johan Botha.India retained the same team.

Australia beats West Indies

Australia completed a memorable unbeaten home series of internationals against Pakistan and West Indies with another consummate victory today. Openers David Warner (67 from 29 balls) and Shane Watson (62 not out off 33) easily reached the target of 139 in their final Twenty20 international against the West Indies. West Indies were restricted to 138-7, and Australia needed just 11.4 overs to secure an eight-wicket win. All-rounder Daniel Christian, 26, took 2-29 on his senior Australia debut. Australia's bowling attack looked set to bowl the tourists out for barely 100 when Denesh Ramdin was caught behind off Shaun Tait in the 17th over to make it 98-7. Narsingh Deonarine (36 not out) and Darren Sammy (26 not out) injected some much-needed acceleration over the last three overs, but the target was not nearly enough to cause the conAustralia completed a memorable unbeaten home series of internationals against Pakistan and West Indies with another consummate victory today. Openers David Warner (67 from 29 balls) and Shane Watson (62 not out off 33) easily reached the target of 139 in their final Twenty20 international against the West Indies. West Indies were restricted to 138-7, and Australia needed just 11.4 overs to secure an eight-wicket win. All-rounder Daniel Christian, 26, took 2-29 on his senior Australia debut. Australia's bowling attack looked set to bowl the tourists out for barely 100 when Denesh Ramdin was caught behind off Shaun Tait in the 17th over to make it 98-7. Narsingh Deonarine (36 not out) and Darren Sammy (26 not out) injected some much-needed acceleration over the last three overs, but the target was not nearly enough to cause the confident home team any headaches at all. Openers Chris Gayle (12) and Travis Dowlin (31) were the only other Windies players to reach double figures. But in Australia's reply, Warner hit seven sixes in a brutal display of hitting as he and Watson put on 99 in the first 7.4 overs of the run chase. Paceman Kemar Roach endured a particularly bruising experience, with his two overs costing 33 runs. Constantly on the go since 26 November, Australia have recorded 17 wins, a draw and a no-result in their 19 matches against West Indies and Pakistan as their post-Ashes renaissance continues to show no signs of ceasing. But Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke warned they would not be overdoing the celebrations. fident home team any headaches at all. Openers Chris Gayle (12) and Travis Dowlin (31) were the only other Windies players to reach double figures. But in Australia's reply, Warner hit seven sixes in a brutal display of hitting as he and Watson put on 99 in the first 7.4 overs of the run chase. Paceman Kemar Roach endured a particularly bruising experience, with his two overs costing 33 runs. Constantly on the go since 26 November, Australia have recorded 17 wins, a draw and a no-result in their 19 matches against West Indies and Pakistan as their post-Ashes renaissance continues to show no signs of ceasing. But Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke warned they would not be overdoing the celebrations.

New Zealand eased to Test victory over Bangladesh

New Zealand wrapped up a 121-run win over Bangladesh just after lunch on the fifth day of the one-off Test here today. Resuming on 88-5, the tourists were bowled out for 282 despite skipper Shakib Al Hasan’s maiden Test century. Shakib shared stands of 79 with Mushfiqur Rahim (22) and 68 with Mahmudullah (42) to help see his side through the morning session. But he was bowled for 100 by Tim Southee, who added the last two wickets to seal the win and finish with 3-41.

Shafiul Islam was caught behind for 13 and Southee’s next delivery removed last man Rubel Hossain to complete the victory. New Zealand previously won a Twenty20 international and three 50-over games against the opponent. But with an upcoming home series against Australia on the horizon, Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori said there was still work to be done.“It was a comfortable victory but there’s still lots of things that you want to improve on,” said Vettori. “We have to improve dramatically.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand have recalled pace bowler Shane Bond and all-rounder Scott Styris for their forthcoming one-day and Twenty20 series against Australia. They replace Ian Butler and Andy McKay.

Liverpool, Juventus earn Europa advantage

Favourites Liverpool began their Europa League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni in the home leg of their round-of-32 tie on Thursday.

The five-time European champions spurned a series of chances before David Ngog secured the breakthrough in the 81st minute. The Frenchman scored with a close-range diving header after Ryan Babel’s raking cross had been knocked down by Daniel Pacheco, to hand Rafael Benitez’s side a slim advantage ahead of the return leg on February 25.

Shakhtar Donetsk went down to an unexpected 2-1 defeat at Fulham. Serie A title challengers Roma, meanwhile, saw their 20-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt halt in a dramatic 3-2 loss to Greek side Panathinaikos.

Earlier, two headed goals from Amauri earned Juventus a precious 2-1 lead over Ajax. Last season’s beaten UEFA Cup finalists Werder Bremen

lost 1-0 in the away leg of their tie with former England coach Steve McClaren’s FC Twente, who prevailed through Theo Janssen’s 39th-minute goal. German champions Wolfsburg drew 2-2 at Villarreal, while Belgian outfit Club Brugge secured a famous 1-0 victory against 10-man Valencia.

Hamburg defeated Dutch heavyweights PSV Eindhoven 1-0, while Marseille won 3-1 at FC Copenhagen and Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Turkish side Galatasaray. Russian champions Rubin Kazan planted one foot in the last 16 after seeing off Israel’s Hapoel Tel-Aviv 3-0 while French side Lille edging Fenerbahce 2-1.

SAG ENDS with a promise to meet in India

After 12 days of fun, games and togetherness between the eight SAARC nations, the 11th South Asian Games came to end at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.India will host the next edition of the games in 2012 but the organisers are yet to confirm the venue and the dates of the event. India was handed over the initiative after Bhutan, who was in line for the hosting of event, expressed their inability citing lack of infrastructures during a meeting of the Olympic committees of the participating nations held last week.As part of the tradition, Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi was handed over the torch and the Games' flag before the start of the formal programmes.In between, items such as dances depicting the various lifestyle and cultures of the inhabitants of Bangladesh were performed. Participants, mostly school students, attired in traditional dresses of the eight participating nations performed dances and songs of the nations.Like the opening ceremony, the main attraction today, was the laser lights, aquatic dances and fireworks.Bangladesh President Mohammad Zillur Rahman made a formal declaration of the closure of the 12-day Games.More than 1,793 athletes from eight SAARC nations had competed in the event for 158 gold medals in the 23 events. Nepal had sent a total of 278 athletes to compete for 123 gold medals in the various 23 events. India finished at the top of the standing with 90 gold, followed by Pakistan with 19 gold. Bangladesh had 18 gold while fourth placed Sri Lanka collected 16 gold. Nepal climbed to fifth with eight gold just one gold ahead of Afghanistan. Bhutan and Maldives were at the end of the table with no gold medals.

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