Sports News (26.06.02010)

Victorious Spain, Chile into World Cup last 16 PRETORIA: David Villa took advantage of a blunder by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and also set up an Andres Iniesta goal to give Spain a spot in the World Cup last 16 on Friday with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Chile. Reigning European champions Spain, trying to avoid joining Italy and France on the World Cup scrapheap after an opening loss to Switzerland, won Group H on two wins and six points, edging Chile on superior goal difference. The Swiss played a goalless draw with Honduras and fell short on four points. Spain booked a date with Portugal on Tuesday in a last 16 match at Cape Town while Chile will meet five-time champions Brazil on Monday at Johannesburg's Ellis Park. "The match against Portugal will not be easy," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. "But we are progressing. Fernando Torres played 60 minutes, Iniesta felt fine. We are in good shape. We are under a lot of pressure but we know this by living in Spain." The Spaniards went ahead in the 24th minute when Villa scored his third goal of the tournament, matching the overall World Cup scoring lead. Xabi Alonso launched a long pass upfield to the onrushing Fernando Torres with Bravo racing off his line to reach the ball first. But the ball deflected into the path of uncovered Villa and the new Barcelona striker chipped it back from 40 yards into the open goal as Chile captain Bravo looked on in horror. In the 37th minute, Villa set up Iniesta and the Barcelona playmaker scored from just inside the area. Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez sent off Chile midfielder Marco Estrada seconds after the goal, having seen him trip Torres in the build-up to the goal. But 10-man Chile refused to quit. Second-half substitute Rodrigo Millar pulled a goal back in the 47th minute, blasting a shot that deflected off the right knee of defender Gerard Pique and past helpless goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Chile's Esteban Parades was ruled offside in the penalty area in the 80th minute to doom their last real chance. The match was physical from the start, a crimson-clad crowd of nearly 42,000 roaring as Spain's Red Fury faced a South American side known as The Red. Rodriguez made three other bookings against Chile in the first 21 minutes, ensuring defenders Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce will not play against Brazil.

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	Shandur set for Polo fest from July 7 ISLAMABAD: It is back again — this time with a bang. The Shandur Polo Festival this fall has been dedicated “to martyrs in uniform” is set t ... more
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	S Korea, Uruguay eye surprising spoils PORT ELIZABETH: South Korea and Uruguay meet on Saturday (today) in a fascinating World Cup last 16 clash that few pundits would have predic ... more
	Italian heroes of ’06 turn zeroes of ’10 KARACHI: For many, Italy’s fall from grace at the 2010 World Cup didn’t come as a surprise. A shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Slovak ... more
	Cannavaro retires after shock exit IRENE: Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is leaving international football with the Azzurri in a state of disgrace after the defending champion’ ... more
	Blue Samurai progress after Danish demolition RUSTENBURG: Japan gave notice of their potential on Thursday when they beat Denmark 3-1 in their final Group E fixture and clinched a place ... more
	QUESTION OF THE DAY Q: Which player holds the record for the most appearances in the World Cup? Send your answer to sportsdesk.thenews@hotmail.com ... more
	Schweinsteiger, Boateng doubtful for England match ERASMIA: Germany’s injured “heart”, Bastian Schweinsteiger, is doubtful for their World Cup last-16 match against England on Sunday and woul ... more
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	briefs... Strauss says Aussie thrashing inspire England England captain Andrew Strauss said last year’s 6-1 humiliation by Australia was behind ... more
	Toothless Swiss suffer World Cup agony BLOEMFONTEIN: Goal-shy Switzerland suffered World Cup heartbreak on Friday when they crashed out of the tournament after a goalless stalemat ... more

• S.Korea and Uruguay eye surprising spoils

  AFP – 2 hrs 55 mins ago  
  AFP/File

  PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AFP) - South Korea and Uruguay meet here on Saturday in a fascinating World Cup last 16 clash that few pundits would have predicted at the start of the tournament. Full Story »
  

• For Bradley, hardly a moment to enjoy at World Cup

  AP – Sat Jun 26, 3:08 am ET  
  AP

  RUSTENBURG, South Africa - When the U.S. team got back to the Irene Country Lodge after the big win over Algeria, players and staff were greeted by family and friends. For a brief moment, Bob Bradley got to savor a victory. Full Story »
  
   
  

• Spain, Portugal, Chile, Brazil advance

  AP – Sat Jun 26, 3:10 am ET  
  AP

  JOHANNESBURG - A 0-0 draw worked well for Portugal and destroyed Switzerland's chances at the World Cup. Full Story »
  

  • Slideshow: World Cup Soccer

• Reunions: Torre and Yanks, Halladay and Jays

  AP – Sat Jun 26, 3:06 am ET  
  AP

  The Yankees practically lined up to greet Joe Torre in Los Angeles. Roy Halladay treated his first start against the Blue Jays like any other. Justin and B.J. Upton's mom didn't know who to cheer for when her sons faced each other for the first time. Full Story »
  

• Giants rookie Chad Jones hurt in New Orleans crash

  AP – Fri Jun 25, 9:22 pm ET  
  AP

  NEW ORLEANS - Chad Jones, a two-sport star at LSU who was drafted by the New York Giants, underwent surgery for a broken left leg and ankle Friday following a dawn wreck in which his SUV smashed into a pole. Full Story »
  
   
  

• Diamondbacks' Edwin Jackson no-hits Rays

  AP – 54 mins ago  
  AP

  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Edwin Jackson was so wild early there was no reason to think he would even finish the game, forget throw the fourth no-hitter of the season. Full Story »
  

• Turner eager to get started with 76ers

  AP – Fri Jun 25, 10:39 pm ET  
  AP

  PHILADELPHIA - New 76ers draft pick Evan Turner says he's looking forward to facing the top players in the world on a nightly basis when the NBA season starts. Full Story »
  

• Purke, Lockwood combine on 4-hitter, TCU wins 6-2

  AP – Fri Jun 25, 10:06 pm ET  
  AP

  OMAHA, Neb. - Matt Purke did it a different way. The result was the same. Full Story »
  

• Boonen out of Tour de France

  AFP – Fri Jun 25, 1:14 pm ET  
  AFP/Getty Images/File

  BRUSSELS (AFP) - Belgian rider Tom Boonen will miss the Tour de France because of a knee injury, his Quick Step team announced on Friday. Full Story »
  

• Coyotes draft defenseman, goalie in 1st round

  AP – Sat Jun 26, 1:13 am ET  
  GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Phoenix Coyotes picked 18-year-old defenseman Brandon Gormley and 17-year-old goaltender Mark Visentin in the first round of Friday's NHL draft. Full Story »
  

• Hanescu storms out after spitting at Wimbledon crowd

  AFP – Fri Jun 25, 7:46 pm ET  
  AFP/File

  LONDON (AFP) - Romanian tennis player Victor Hanescu faces an investigation Saturday after he spat at the crowd and stormed out of his match following an altercation with fans, four of whom were arrested. Full Story »
  

• Kerr in control in LPGA Championship

  AP – Fri Jun 25, 8:49 pm ET  
  AP

  PITTSFORD, N.Y. - As confident as Cristie Kerr is playing, the top-ranked American was left surprised with how she ran away from the pack in the second round of the LPGA Championship on Friday. Full Story »
  
  
   
  

• Franklin knocks out Liddell in 1st round

  AP – Sun Jun 13, 1:08 am ET  
  AP

  VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Rich Franklin used a devastating right hand to knock out Chuck Liddell at 4:55 of the first round in the main event of UFC 115 on Saturday night. Full Story »
  

• Ward beats Green to retain WBA title

  AFP – Sun Jun 20, 2:28 am ET  
  AFP/Getty Images/File

  OAKLAND, California (AFP) - Andre Ward beat Allan Green by unanimous decision on Saturday to retain his World Boxing Association super middleweight title. Full Story »
  
  
  

  AP

  Edmonton takes Taylor Hall with first pick

  AP – 1 hr 21 mins ago LOS ANGELES – Although the Edmonton Oilers agonized over their decision until a few hours before the NHL draft, they eventually decided Taylor Hall was just a bit more irresistible than Tyler Seguin. Full Story »
  

  

  Arizona's Edwin Jackson no-hits Rays

  AP – Sat Jun 26, 3:02 am ET

  

  Henin, Clijsters renew rivalry at Wimbledon

  AP – Sat Jun 26, 3:04 am ET