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■ FIELD HOCKEY

Aussies lose to Germany

Australia slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Germany, while the Netherlands saw off China 3-1 on the second day of the women’s Champions Trophy field hockey tournament on Sunday. Australia lacked the determination to win the 50/50 contests, which gave Germany the scoring opportunities to lead 2-0 at the break through a field goal by Anke Kuhn and a penalty corner conversion by Anneke Bohmert. Megan Rivers scrambled a goal five minutes before the end for Australia. The Netherlands’ decisive 3-1 win over China was crafted by Marilyn Agliotti deflecting in two short corners and Minke Smabers converting a penalty stroke following China’s early goal by Yudiao Zhao. Argentina, the world No. 2, were fortunate to win 2-1 over Japan in a low quality match.



■SOCCER

Taiwan win, head to India

Taiwan notched a convincing 5-1 win against BML champions Taipei City FC at Zhongshan Stadium on Sunday. The national side are heading to India where they will take on the hosts in two friendly internationals in Goa on Saturday and Chennai next Tuesday. India are using the games as warm-ups for next month’s South Asian Football Federation Championships. India, ranked by FIFA at No. 151 in world, 19 places ahead of Taiwan, are likely to be well prepared by coach Bob Houghton, who boasts an impressive resume. The Englishman has coached the Saudi Arabia, China and Uzbekistan national sides, and took Malmo to the European Cup final in 1979, as well as earning a number of domestic league and cup triumphs with the Swedish side. He has also coached English club Bristol City and Swiss side FC Zurich.



■FORMULA ONE

MI5 mixed up with Mosley

To a sordid story already dripping with sex and allegations of Nazi role-play, add a dash of espionage. British newspapers reported on Sunday that a call girl involved in a five-girl sex romp with auto racing boss Max Mosley was married to an agent from Britain’s domestic intelligence service MI5. The Sunday Times said the agent left MI5 in April after admitting that his wife was one of five prostitutes who took part in the sex acts, the details of which were splashed across the pages of Britain’s biggest-selling Sunday newspaper for two weeks straight. The ensuing scandal has Mosley struggling to cling to his job as the president of Formula One’s governing body.



■CYCLING

Bennati clinches stage win

Italy’s Daniele Bennati of the Liquigas team clinched the ninth stage of the Tour of Italy on Sunday in a thrilling photo-finish. Bennati just edged fellow Tuscan and world champion Paolo Bettini in a sprint finish which stormed through the final 3,000m at the end of a grueling 218km stage. Australia’s Robbie McEwen was third on the day, just ahead of Germany’s Erik Zabel. Italian champion Giovanni Visconti, of the Quick Step team, stayed in the overall lead.



■MOTOGP

Rossi wins French GP

Valentino Rossi won the French Grand Prix on Sunday to celebrate his 90th victory in all categories and take the lead in the MotoGP world championship. The Italian, who started from the second row on a rainy day, finished comfortably ahead of Spanish teammate Jorge Lorenzo, cleared to race despite injuring both his ankles in a crash in China two weeks ago. American Colin Edwards completed a Yamaha sweep of the podium places with third.


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