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 Uninspiring France struggle to draw with UruguayCAPE TOWN: Former champions France failed to set the World Cup alight on Friday as they struggled to a 0-0 draw against 10-man Uruguay in an uninspiring start to their campaign. Rarely can a team have arrived at a World Cup with more baggage than France, unsettled by rumoured internal strife and criticised at home for poor form.  Reuters France coach Raymond Domenech raised a few more eyebrows by leaving not just Thierry Henry on the bench but also Chelsea's Florent Malouda. Nicolas Anelka was tasked with the main goalscoring duties and Arsenal's Abou Diaby drafted in for Malouda. But they looked far from convincing at a packed Green Point Stadium. Both sides started lively enough with France having a great opportunity to take an early lead on six minutes when the dangerous Franck Ribery gave his defender the slip down the left. The Bayern Munich star sent a low cross into the box with Sidney Govou's outstretched foot sending the ball just past the post, a chance he should have buried. France came into the match under huge pressure after a string of average performances and they looked like they wanted to prove a point, with Diaby keeping the momentum going with a long range drive soon after. Uruguay were struggling to find their groove until Diego Forlan found space just outside the penalty area and curled in a shot that forced a fine save from Hugo Lloris. The game began opening up and minutes later Yoann Gourcuff tested the Uruguay keeper with a swinging free-kick that Fernando Muslera did well to punch away. But just as suddenly the match got bogged down in midfield and the chances dried up, with the teams going to the break all-square. The second half started as the first finished and it was becoming a turgid affair. Forlan showed glimpses of the form that bagged him so many goals last season, effortlessly bringing down a ball on his chest before blasting wide early in the second period. But the goalkeepers were hardly troubled with Anelka all at sea as France's lone striker. He paid the price with Henry replacing him for his 121st cap with 19 minutes left. Malouda also came on for Gourcuff as Domenech threw his last dice, but to no avail with France failing to capitalise when substitute Nicolas Lodeiro was shown a red card for a wild challenge on Bakary Sagna with eight minutes left. |
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| Afridi eyes Asia Cup as launch pad for World Cup KARACHI: Pakistan will leave for a 101-day odyssey on Saturday (today) that will first take them to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup before a long ... more | |
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| Hosts South Africa held to a draw by Mexico JOHANNESBURG: A stunning goal from Siphiwe Tshabalala almost gave hosts South Africa the perfect start to the World Cup before they were hel ... more | |
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| Broad eager for Australia return LOUGHBOROUGH: England quick Stuart Broad cannot wait to return and help boost the team’s Ashes preparations by winning the upcoming ... more | |
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| Strict measures await drug cheats in Sri Lanka ISLAMABAD: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has intimated all the Asia Cup participating teams about the strict measures being adopted to che ... more | |
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| Nadal and Murray crash out at Queen’s LONDON: Rafael Nadal suffered his first defeat in 25 matches as he was beaten by Feliciano Lopez in the quarter-finals at Queen’s Club on Fr ... more | |
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| Sharapova sees off old tormentor BIRMINGHAM: Maria Sharapova once again proved too strong for her old foe Sesil Karatantcheva on Friday as she reached the semifinals at the ... more | |
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| Powell runs year-best in Rome 100m ROME: Jamaica’s Asafa Powell lowered his own year-best time in the 100 metres on Thursday after clinching victory at the Rome leg of the Dia ... more | |
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| Prince, de Villiers get SA back on track PORT OF SPAIN: Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers revived South Africa with an unbroken stand of 83 for the sixth wicket in the opening Test ... more | |
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| Bendtner expected to miss opener KNYSNA, South Africa: Denmark areprepared to launch their World Cup campaign without Nicklas Bendtner as coach Morten Olsen conceded on Frid ... more | |
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| Emotional start to World Cup as JOHANNESBURG: Africa’s first football World Cup began in an explosion of colour and emotion at an opening ceremony in Johannesburg’s Soccer ... more | |
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| ‘Unbelievable Rooney ready to rule World Cup’ RUSTENBURG: Steven Gerrard believes Wayne Rooney can be the player who defines Africa’s first World Cup. All the reports emanating fr ... more | |
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| Brothers line up for Cup campaign PARIS: It will be a case of brothers in arms for three sets of siblings who will take part in the World Cup in South Africa. Portsmou ... more | |
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| Paredes pledges to do his best NELSPRUIT: Chile striker Esteban Paredes is in an unusual position at this World Cup — most of his country’s fans will be hoping he won’t pl ... more | |
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| Portugal squad feeling at home MAGALIESBURG, South Africa: In spite of having travelled thousands of miles from home for the World Cup, Portugal’s squad is finding souther ... more | |
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| Cannavaro confident in Italy’s new generation IRENE, South Africa: When Fabio Cannavaro looks at his side, he no longer sees longtime Azzurri standouts Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta or ... more | |
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| Group-C 11.30 pm PST Players to watch Joe Cole (England) Cole would be on the left side of England’s midfield. Buoyed by his re ... more | |
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| Sorry Barack, I’m watching World Cup, says Biden JOHANNESBURG: An unabashed US Vice President Joe Biden told President Barack Obama on Friday he was sorry for leaving him behind to manage t ... more | |
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| England aiming to make their mark RUSTENBURG: England have been urged to lay down a World Cup marker when they take on the United States in their opening Group C match here o ... more | |
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| North Korea eye toppling mighty Brazil JOHANNESBURG: North Korean players on Thursday talked up their chances of beating five-times world champions Brazil, saying they had a tough ... more | |
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| An wants revenge for ‘66 loss to Portugal “Revenge. We’ll try to get revenge for 1966,” the lanky midfielder said with a grin. “We’ll do our best.” The North Koreans have been ... more | |
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| QUESTION OF THE DAY Q: Which club did South Korea’s Park Ji-Sung play for before moving to Manchester United? Send your answer to sportsdesk.thene ... more | |
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| Brazil-Argentina rivalry heats up as players begin taunts JOHANNESBURG: The rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is already at full steam at the World Cup. A potential match between the South ... more | |
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| Fans tip Brazil to win World Cup: poll JOHANNESBURG: Football fans from 23 countries are tipping five-time world champions Brazil to win the first ever World Cup finals held on Af ... more | |
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| Players to watch Park Ji-Sung (South Korea) Park is his country’s most recognisable face. The Manchester united midfielder is expected to carry their ... more | |
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| Stakes high for Greece and S Korea PORT ELIZABETH: South Korea and Greece, two teams with their best results of the decade well behind them, meet on Saturday (today) in a Worl ... more | |
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| Argentina vs Nigeria 7.00 pm PST Players to watch Lionel Messi (Argentina) The magical Messi carries Albiceleste’s World Cup hopes. Superb f ... more | |
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| Time for Argentina to answer critics PRETORIA: Seldom has such a big question mark hung over Argentina at the start of a World Cup as that dogging the side Diego Maradona will p ... more | |
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| briefs... Pakistan captain backs day-night Tests LAHORE: Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain, has backed the idea of day-night Tests, saying th ... more | |
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Nebraska, Boise move on; Big 12 tries to hang on
AP – Fri Jun 11, 8:06 pm ETNebraska bolted for the Big Ten, Boise State took a spot in the Mountain West and the Big 12 rallied for a last-ditch attempt to stave off its demise Friday, a tumultuous day that pointed toward a massive reconfiguration of college sports. Full Story »
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AP source: Hawks set to hire Larry Drew as coach
AP – Fri Jun 11, 7:47 pm ETATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks were poised to hire Larry Drew as their next head coach, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press Friday. Full Story »
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Westwood, Willis share 1-stroke lead at St. Jude
AP – Fri Jun 11, 9:32 pm ET
AP MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Lee Westwood had heard how challenging the TPC Southwind course is when the wind blows. Now the Englishman knows for himself how true all that talk really is. Full Story »
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Seahawks LB Hill closer to Seattle-area trial
AP – Fri Jun 11, 10:34 pm ET
AP SEATTLE - Seattle Seahawks starting linebacker Leroy Hill is closer to a trial on a domestic violence charge. Full Story »
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Mariners reliever Mark Lowe likely out for year
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Current, former NBA players aiming to improve AAU
AP – Fri Jun 11, 10:32 pm ET
AP DALLAS - Jason Terry has all sorts of fond memories from his AAU basketball days, like finishing fourth in the national tournament as an eighth grader and taking his first plane ride to get to other games. Full Story »
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Cal State Fullerton beats UCLA 4-3
AP – Sat Jun 12, 2:22 am ETLOS ANGELES - Chris Colon had two hits, including his 17th homer, and Cal State Fullerton continued its mastery of UCLA with a 4-3 victory Friday night in the an NCAA Baseball Super Regional at sold-out Jackie Robinson Stadium. Full Story »
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South Korea, Greece, test World Cup water
AFP – Fri Jun 11, 10:29 pm ET
AFP PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AFP) - South Korea and Greece dip their toes into the World Cup water at this Eastern Cape port on Saturday anxious to get precious points on board with Argentina and Nigeria facing off later up in Ellis Park. Full Story »
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Contador to discover Alpe d'Huez
AFP – Fri Jun 11, 1:26 pm ET
AFP GRENOBLE, France (AFP) - Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador will test his reputed climbing skills for the first time on the legendary Alpe d'Huez on Friday. Full Story »
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Chicago celebrates Blackhawks' Stanley Cup win
AP – Fri Jun 11, 9:47 pm ET
AP CHICAGO - Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith asked for the name of a good dentist. Patrick Kane insisted he loved cabbies. And team captain Jonathan Toews hoisted the Stanley Cup to roars from a huge and appreciative crowd. Full Story »
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Li Na wins twice in a day to reach semis
AFP – Fri Jun 11, 4:31 pm ET
AFP/File BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) - Chinese top seed Li Na made it through to the semi-finals of the WTA grasscourt event here at Edgbaston after winning twice on Friday. Full Story »
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Hur takes 1-shot lead at LPGA with 2nd straight 66
AP – Fri Jun 11, 8:43 pm ET
AP SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - M.J. Hur had two chip-in birdies in a second consecutive 6-under 66 that gave her a one-shot lead over Amy Yang after the second round of the LPGA's State Farm Classic on Friday. Full Story »
Will America ever love soccer like Brazilians?
The Newsroom – Thu Jun 10, 11:23 am ET Although more Americans play soccer than ever before, America doesn't love the game the way Brazil loves the game. Full Story »
Messi on stage after spectacular opening
Reuters – Sat Jun 12, 12:03 am ET
Why is the World Cup such a big deal?
The Newsroom – Thu Jun 10, 8:44 am ET
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