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■ CRICKET
Dyson to coach Windies
Australian John Dyson has been appointed as West Indies coach, the West Indies Cricket Board said on its Web site yesterday. Dyson, who played 30 Tests and 29 one-dayers between 1977 and 1984, coached Sri Lanka for nearly two years from 2003. "The rest of the team management will be identified and appointed subsequently," the Web site added. Dyson succeeds fellow Australian David Moore, who was coach on a temporary basis after Bennett King quit in March.

■ Soccer
Pompey fans get free ride
Portsmouth fans had two reasons to be cheerful on Saturday thanks to an act of generosity from the club's owner Alexandre Gaydamak. More than 3,000 Pompey fans took advantage of the 40 coaches provided by Gaydamak to get them to the match for nothing and they got to celebrate a 2-0 victory that keeps the club fifth in the Premier League. The club said the gesture was a way of thanking supporters for their backing in matches at Blackburn Rovers and Burnley little more than 48 hours later last month. "We wanted to thank the fans and the response has been incredible," Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie said.

■ Soccer
Fatima stun Sporting
Sporting suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat at the hands of second division Fatima in the first leg of their League Cup fourth round match on Saturday. Fatima, who beat a second-string Porto side on penalties after a goalless draw in the last round, grabbed the winner in the 82nd minute with a 20m shot by substitute Falardo. Brazilian Cicero had put the visitors ahead with a penalty in the 15th minute after Sporting's forward Milan Purovic handled the ball inside the area. Brazilian Liedson equalized for Sporting with a crisp volley eight minutes after the break before Falardo's late strike.

■ Cricket
Sports minister intervenes
Sri Lanka's former captain Marvan Atapattu said yesterday he was determined to prove himself on the upcoming Australian tour after being dramatically picked through political intervention. "I have been out of the game for sometime and I know I have to perform and prove myself because I was invited due to my ability," Atapattu said on a radio chat show. The 36-year-old, who was not selected in the original touring squad, was brought in on Thursday following the intervention of Sri Lankan Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge. The veteran accused the Sri Lankan selectors of affecting team morale. "Team spirit decreased because the players became insecure," Atapattu said. "They were performing for themselves to remain in the team."

■ Soccer
Benzema scores again
Karim Benzema scored his 11th goal in as many games to help Lyon beat Monaco 3-1 on Saturday in the French league. Benzema put the ball out of goalkeeper Flavio Roma's reach after a one-two with winger Sidney Govou to make it 3-1 in the 50th minute. Juninho had converted a penalty kick in the 12th minute after Govou was fouled in the area by Jeremy Berthod to give Lyon a 1-0 lead. Anthony Reveillere made it 2-0 in the 18th by shooting into the top right corner after a through ball from Juninho. Monaco cut Lyon's lead in the 42nd when Sylvain Monsoreau headed in a free kick. Lyon lead the table with 25 points from 11 games.


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