■Soccer
Ireland beats Albania
Ireland's hopes of making the Euro 2004 finals were boosted Saturday with a 2-1 win over Albania thanks to an Adrian Aliaj own goal in injury time. Ireland, which reached the second round of the World Cup last year, now has seven points from five games in Group 10. Albania has five points from five games. Both teams scored within the first eight minutes. Ireland took the lead through Robbie Keane, who headed in a Damien Duff free-kick after six minutes. Albania equalized two minutes later, when Altin Rraklli ran down the right and passed to Ervin Skela in the box with a low cross. Skela was unmarked as he scored past Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given. With a draw seeming likely, Aliaj volleyed the ball into his own net when trying to clear a cross from Gary Doherty in injury time.
■ Horse racing
Five jockeys hurt in fall
Three of the five jockeys injured when two horses fell during a race in Hong Kong remained in hospital on Sunday, the Hong Kong Jockey Club said. Glen Schofield, who rode My Fortune, fractured his left arm, while Brett Prebble, who rode River Centaine, pulled a muscle in his shoulder, said Jockey Club spokeswoman Julia Tsang. The rider of Kimberley Mines, Simon Yim, didn't have any obvious injuries but remained in hospital under observation, Tsang said. All three were in stable condition. My Fortune and River Centaine fell about midway into Saturday's 1,400m Kuk Hung-mui Handicap at the Shatin Racecourse. Local media reported that River Centaine was suspected to have stumbled first because of the slippery race track amid heavy downpour.
■ Soccer
Beckham on the block
Manchester United confirmed on Saturday that clubs from Spain and Italy had made firm approaches to sign England captain David Beckham. The star's future has been the subject of speculation on an almost daily basis after Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and, most recently, Barcelona had declared an interest in hiring him. Although Beckham, who has two years left on his contract at Old Trafford, has said he wants to stay, the Reds owners may be tempted to sell him if they receive a bid of something like ?30 million (US$48 million). Reports in Spain and Italy suggest that interest from Real Madrid and Inter has cooled. But Joan Laporta, who is bidding to become Barcelona's next president, has said he would like to hire Beckham and told reporters on Saturday his talks with Manchester United were "progressing well."
■ Golf
Sorenstam saves life
The sister of Annika Sorenstam missed the cut in the LPGA Championship, yet might have turned in the top performance of the week. Charlotta Sorenstam saved Donna Caponi from choking on an apple. "In my eyes, Charlotta is a hero," said Caponi, a member of the LPGA Hall of Fame who was working for The Golf Channel at DuPont Country Club. Caponi was eating an apple Friday when a piece got stuck in her throat and she couldn't breathe. Sorenstam rushed to the rescue, popping her on the back and performing the Heimlich maneuver until the apple dislodged. "I couldn't just stand there and let her choke," Sorenstam said. The Swede said she choked on a piece of candy as a kid. She said her mother picked her up by her feet, held her upside down and hit her back until the candy popped out.
Agencies
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