■ Cycling
Team denied license
South Africa's Team Barloworld has been refused a license to take part in the next UCI ProTour. Cycling's governing body made the announcement on Friday without providing a reason for the decision, citing the independence of its licensing commission. The licensing commission meanwhile granted new licenses or extensions until 2010 to Caisse d'Epargne, T-Mobile, Unibet, Saunier Duval-Prodir and Gerolsteiner. Team Milram's license to take part in the ProTour was also renewed until 2009.
■ Soccer
Al Ahly clinches third place
Mohamed Aboutrika scored a pair of goals yesterday as Egypt's Al Ahly defeated Mexican side Club America 2-1 to clinch third place in the Club World Cup. Aboutrika scored the winner in the 79th minute after completing a superb give-and-go with Flavio, rifling a low shot past America goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. It was an impressive performance for the African champions, who finished in last place at last year's tournament. European powerhouse Barcelona was due to face Brazil's Internacional in the final later yesterday.
■ Soccer
FIFA to lift ban on Iran
The head of soccer's world governing body said yesterday a competition ban on Iran will be lifted which will allow the country to participate in international events. "We reached an agreement with the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said yesterday. "We will announce tomorrow that Iran can participate in the draw for the Asian Cup which will take place on Tuesday." Iran was suspended from international competition last month after FIFA accused it of government interference in the national soccer federation. The suspension was temporarily lifted by FIFA last month, allowing the team to defend its Asian Games title pending changes at the national federation.
■ Cricket
Bangladesh hammers Scots
Bangladesh beat Scotland by 146 runs yesterday to win the second limited-overs international match, and clinch the series 2-0. Aftab Ahmed and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza smashed half-centuries as Bangladesh reached 278 for the loss of six wickets in their 50 overs. Ahmed (52) hit 50 off 42 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, after Bangladesh lost their first two wickets for 90. After a middleorder collapse, Mortaza hit a quickfire 50 to stage a recovery. He then took two wickets as Scotland tumbled to 132 all out in 41.3 overs. Abdur Razzak claimed 4-23 from his ten over spell.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care