Sports

Carson, December 2: David Beckham bowed out of Major League Soccer on a winning note as L.A. Galaxy retained their title with a 3-1 victory over Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup final on Saturday. L.A. had to come from behind after Calen Carr put Houston ahead a minute before the break but the Galaxy took control in the second half. Defender Omar Gonzalez headed in the equaliser on the hour before

Kolkata, December 2: After having single-handedly fought a 'pitched battle' with BCCI and CAB for five days, Eden Gardens curator Prabir Mukherjee 'retired hurt' on Saturday, but not before lashing out at skipper MS Dhoni's demand for a rank turner for the third Test between India and England starting here on Wednesday. Mukherjee, 83, reluctant to oblige Dhoni's 'unreasonable demand', complained

Former England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff climbed off the canvas to win a points decision over American Richard Dawson on his heavyweight boxing debut. The 34-year-old, who retired from cricket in September 2010, was floored by a short left early in the second. Flintoff was the busier fighter in four scrappy two-minute rounds though and ended 39-38 ahead on the scorecard. "You talk about the

Melbourne, December 1: India made a bright start to their campaign at the Champions Trophy hockey tournament with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over England in Pool A at the State Hockey Centre on Saturday. The new-look Indian team clinched a morale-boosting win through goals from opportunistic field goals from Danish Mujtaba (22nd minute) and Yuvraj Walmiki (38th) before Gurwinder Singh Chandi

Kolkata, December 1: Hitting out at MS Dhoni for demanding a ''square turner from day one'', veteran Eden Gardens' curator Prabir Mukherjee on Saturday termed the demand of Indian cricket captain as ''immoral.'' An upset Mukherjee said, ''if Dhoni asks for the moon, can we get it for him? '' Mukhejee, who has been preparing the pitch of the stadium since 1985, shot a letter to Cricket Association

Australia dismissed South Africa for 225 despite another dogged rearguard action from Faf du Plessis before moving shakily to 33-2 at the close of play on a thrilling first day of the third Test at the WACA on Friday. The overhauled Australian pace bowling unit had reduced the tourists to 6-75 with five quick wickets around the lunch break but du Plessis once again proved unmovable until he ran

New Delhi, December 1: There is something about Eden Gardens: an electric ambience, and an audience that recognises and appreciates quality performance, even if it comes from the visiting team. When full, the venue is transformed into a theatre of joy. A cricket contest at Eden Gardens can be an experience of a life time, for player and spectator. Just ask Mohammad Azharuddin. Or V.V.S. Laxman

Paris, November 30: Saturday's Madrid derby represents an opportunity for Atletico to upstage their city rivals and defending champions, Real, but the showdown also provides a chance for Radamel Falcao to outshine Cristiano Ronaldo. The record goalscoring feats of Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi have largely overshadowed Falcao's prolific 15 months at the Vicente Calderon, but the Colombian

Sydney, November 30: Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has said Ricky Ponting made the right call to deal with his cricket mortality in Adelaide, and added that he is happy that his old pal got a chance to decide on his retirement date. "I am really thrilled for him that he has been able to make a decision regardless of what people think, whether it is too late or premature, his is the

New Delhi, November 30: The Indian government is to issue a record 3,000 visas to Pakistani cricket fans attending a series of limited over matches beginning next month, an official in the interior ministry told AFP Thursday. "We will happily host 3,000 Pakistani cricket lovers for the matches. This is the first time that we have decided to issue so many visas in one go," the source told AFP on