JOHANNESBURG: The theory in Germany goes that the loss of Michael Ballack could actually work in their favour, giving an outstanding crop of fresh-faced, fleet-footed players a chance to flourish at this World Cup. The task for Serbia, Australia and Ghana heading into Group D is to show

MILAN: Rafa Benitez was named Inter Milan coach on Thursday, charged with the tough task of matching last season`s stunning treble success under Jose Mourinho. Spaniard Benitez, who last week ended his six-year spell at Liverpool, has penned a two-year deal with the European, Serie A and

SYDNEY: Australia prop Ben Daley will face a baptism of fire Saturday after he was named by coach Robbie Deans to make his test debut against England in Perth. The 21-year-old was named in the starting side after first choice Benn Robinson broke his arm during the Super 14, while Ben

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa and Mexico are likely to go on the attack in the opening game of the World Cup on Friday, hopefully ending a run of cagey and often dour starts to the finals. Against a backdrop of fevered enthusiasm and the deafening noise of vuvuzelas at Johannesburg`s

JOHANNESBURG: "Vuvuzela" trumpets blasted and football chants rang out across South Africa on the eve of the continent`s first World Cup which Africans hope will transform negative global perceptions of them.In hotels and training grounds across the vast and beautiful nation, players and

Dhaka: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president said the national school cricket tournament will run over the country with a festive mood from the next year to build up a platform for hunting talent cricketers and train them as future national players. “School cricket is a heart of the

MAGALIESBURG, South Africa: Portugal`s first World Cup training session in South Africa was watched by around 2,000 fans on Sunday, an indication of the team`s popularity among the local immigrant community.The Portuguese squad landed in the morning and was met by thousands of supporters

JOHANNESBURG: Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar will miss his first Brazil match for two years when he sits out Monday`s friendly against Tanzania.The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Sunday that the 30-year-old would not travel to Tanzania after hurting his back in last week`s

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - England thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 80 runs inside three days at Old Trafford on Sunday as the tourists were bowled out for just 123 after being asked to follow on.Steven Finn claimed five for 42 and his fellow fast bowler James Anderson took

PARIS: Rafa Nadal reclaimed his French Open crown in emphatic style on Sunday when he battered Sweden`s Robin Soderling 6-4 6-2 6-4 to win the title for the fifth time in six years.The 24-year-old Spaniard weathered some fierce early hitting by the powerful Soderling before taking command

JOHANNESBURG: At least 15 people were injured on Sunday when fans tried to push their way into a local stadium to watch a pre-World Cup match between Nigeria and North Korea only five days before the tournament gets underway.The stampede was triggered mostly by Nigeria supporters, holding

PARIS: Robin Soderling knew what to expect when he faced Rafael Nadal for the French Open title on Sunday -- but he just could not cope with the best claycourt player of his generation.For the second year in a row, Soderling came up short in the Roland Garros showpiece and he was beaten

Dhaka: An encounter between Dhaka Abahani and Dhaka Mohammedan always becomes a high-voltage match in domestic soccer leagues, with fans crowding the stadium to see their respective team triumph.The giants in the country’s sporting arena are preparing for a latest fight in the

DHAKA: Bangladesh is going to face mighty England in Test cricket with bitter experiences of conceding two consecutive defeats and a draw in practice matches against the hosts during the tour.The visitors will stage their real show at Lords, beginning at Bangladesh standard time 4:00pm

Dhaka: After the long whistle, players were lapping over the stadium, supporters entered in the field as they shared winning spree as Dhaka Abahani Limited claimed their hat-trick professional league titles of the Citycell Bangladesh League. Beating Farashganj Sporting Club by 4-0 in the

GALLE: The second day`s play in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka on Monday was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to bad weather.The morning start had already been delayed by a wet outfield at the Galle International Stadium when a thunderstorm soon after ensured there

Dhaka: Bangladesh squandered numerous chances before managing a 2-2 draw against Hong Kong in the Asian Games Qualifying Tournament at the hosts’ home-ground Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium Wednesday.They claimed six penalty corners (PC) and a penalty stock before the long whistle, but