Asian games: Afghanistan ready to kick off
Afghanistan is set to return to soccer competition at the Asian Games in South Korea later this month after a 48-year absence. The war-torn country, a founding member of the Asian Football Congress (AFC), was formally re-integrated into the AFC last month for the first time since 1954, paving the way for their participation in the Asian Games. Afghanistan has taken the slot vacated by Mongolia.
Soccer: Villa loses Brummy battle
Newly promoted Birmingham City overwhelmed neighbor Aston Villa 3-0 on Monday on a first-half goal by Clinton Morrison that turned out to be the winner in the first match between the two sides in the top flight of English soccer in 16 years. Morrison's goal in the 31st -- he hooked it in from close-in after scoring twice last week against Liverpool -- was followed by one of the strangest goals of the new season. Off a throw-in by Villa defender Olof Mellberg -- a ball intended for Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman -- Enckelman misjudged the ball and saw it brush over the top of his boot and into the goal.
Chiayi Luka 6: Taichung Agan 5
Yesterday in Taichung
WP: Matt Minter
LP: Enrique Quintanilla
MVP: Hsu Kuo-hui
On the brink of elimination from the playoffs, the visiting Chiayi Luka came from behind toward the end of the game to top Taichung Agan 6-5. Luka jumped to an early three-run lead through the first five innings behind the strong pitching of starter Greg Bicknell. Then came the devastating sixth in which Agan drove home five runs, capped by second baseman Lin Yi-hsian's three-run homer. With the game tied at 5-5 after seven innings of play, Luka first baseman Paul Gonzalez led off the eighth with a double to deep left and reached third base one out later. Third baseman Chang Tsung-kwei then brought the runner home with a sacrifice fly. Luka reliever Matt Minter, who was brought in to start the seventh pitched one-and-one-third scoreless innings for the win.
RSS