Sports

Salvador/Brazil, Jul 2: It felt as if Tim Howard would never go down. As if the United States would never go down, standing there, taking shots like an undersized fighter clinging to a puncher's chance. Howard saved with his hands, his feet, his legs, his chest. Trying to figure out where soccer fits into the fabric of America is a popular topic these days but, on Tuesday, sports fans across the

Sao Paulo, Jul 2: Angel Di Maria scored deep into extra time to give Argentina a 1-0 win over Switzerland early today, sealing the South Americans a place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. After a tense 0-0 draw at 90 minutes and a scoreless first period of extra time, Lionel Messi broke quickly and released Di Maria, who swept the ball home before wheeling away in delight. Blerim Dzemaili

The Hague (The Netherlands), July 1: In an 'out of the world' incentive, a Dutch aerospace engineering company has offered the entire Netherlands team a flight into space if they win the World Cup. After finishing runners-up on three occasions, the Netherlands are keener than most to secure their elusive maiden World Cup title. If that motivation is not enough for the players, this year's squad

Wellington, Jul 1: Disgraced former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent said Tuesday he had received a life ban from cricket for match-fixing. “My name is Lou Vincent and I am a cheat. I have abused my position as a professional sportsman on a number of occasions by choosing to accept money through fixing,” he said in a statement confirming the ban. The punishment, which is expected to be formally

Porto Alegre, Jul 1: The opening goal of the Porto Alegre contest came two minutes into extra-time when Schuerrle directed a lovely backheel flick into the far corner. A delightful goal from Andre Schuerrle and a counter-attack converted by Mesut Oezil carried a sloppy Germany into the World Cup quarterfinals on Monday, 2—1 in extra-time against Algeria. The opening goal of the Porto Alegre

Porto Alegre, Jun 30: Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic on Sunday turned on reporters repeatedly asking whether his players are observing Ramazan on the eve of their World Cup clash with Germany. Germany take on the Algerians in Porto Alegre on Monday in their last 16 clash, but repeated questions about the Muslim month of fasting drew the coach's wrath. “Stop asking me about Ramazan or I will get

Fortalez, Jun 30: The Netherlands scored twice in the dying minutes through Wesley Sneijder and a Klaas Jan Huntelaar penalty to move into the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Mexico on Sunday. In a match conditioned by the baking heat and humidity in Fortaleza, Giovani dos Santos looked to have Mexico on the way to their first quarter-final appearance on foreign soil when he

Sydney, Jun 29: Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal produced a dominating performance to lift her second title of the season, winning the USD 750,000 Star Australian Super Series after beating Spain's Carolina Marin in the summit clash here today. The sixth seeded Indian, who had won the India Open Super Series earlier this year, prevailed 21-18 21-11 in a 43-minute contest which left her richer by

Belo Horizonte, Jun 29: Nervous Brazil beat Chile 3-2 on penalties to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday after an epic battle that left Neymar and his teammates in tears. Two first half-goals and were all the teams managed in a fast-paced and tense 90 minutes and extra time in the Mineirao Stadium. Gonzalo Jara missed the decisive penalty for Chile, crashing his shot against the post

Jun 28: In his first interview after last December’s Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup™, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari told TV Globo that the one team he wanted to avoid in the Round of 16 was Chile – not South Africa 2010 Finalists Spain and the Netherlands, but Chile. “I’d prefer any other side,” said Felipão at the time. “They’re an awkward team to play. They’re organised and their system