■ THAILAND
Hosts make the final
Three times champions Thailand fought back from a goal down to reach the final of the Southeast Asian championships with a 2-1 win over Indonesia on Saturday. Late goals by Teerathep Winothai and substitute Ronnachai Rangsiyo gave the Thais a 3-1 aggregate victory that sets up a final with Singapore or Vietnam. “They were difficult to break down, but I knew Indonesia wouldn’t be able to keep it up,” Thailand coach Peter Reid said. “They put us out of our stride, but we were patient, we worked through it. It takes 90 minutes to win a match.”
■URUGUAY
Championship called off
The Uruguayan championship was once again called off just hours before the 15th and final round of matches yesterday when one of four teams could been crowned champions. The league was also suspended on Nov. 16 following the Danubio versus Nacional game when supporters from both teams invaded the pitch and started fighting in the presence of 160 policemen. Danubio, who are one of the teams with a chance of winning the title, were scheduled to host Penarol yesterday, but police said they could not guarantee security in the stadium and urged the Uruguayan soccer federation to suspend the championship. The previous Sunday a supporter was left in a coma after being hurt at Nacional’s 1-0 victory over Penarol when police, who had four officers slightly injured, made 49 arrests.
■ENGLAND
Wolves go seven points clear
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy believes his side’s 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers could prove the most valuable of their Championship promotion campaign. McCarthy’s men moved seven points clear at the top of England’s second tier thanks to a late winner from Neill Collins at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday. Collins struck with just nine minutes to play, but the goal was harsh on struggling Doncaster, who had dominated for long periods. “One of the lads said afterwards that it could be one of the best wins of the season and I think it could be,” McCarthy said. “It was a fantastic result against a side who are well organized and well coached.” Wolves were able to strengthen their position on top of the table because Reading defeated Birmingham City 3-1 at St Andrews to leapfrog the Blues.
■ARGENTINA
Boca edge closer to title
Late goals from Rodrigo Palacio and Cristian Chavez helped Boca Juniors to a 3-1 win over a San Lorenzo squad weakened by two red cards in the Argentine playoff race on Saturday. The victory puts the Buenos Aires club in position to clinch the Apertura title with just a draw tomorrow when they play Tigre in the final match of a round-robin to break a three-way logjam at the top of the regular season standings. “It was a tough match and we hope to repeat against Tigre,” Boca coach Carlos Ischia said. “We’re almost there.”
■PORTUGAL
Sporting held by Academica
Sporting Lisbon were held 0-0 by visiting Academica and missed the chance to join leaders Benfica on top of the Portuguese league on Saturday. In front of 22,019 spectators at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Sporting were denied a fourth straight win by resolute defense by Academica, who had gained only one point from their five previous away games this season. In Saturday’s other game, Braga rose to fifth place after beating Rio Ave 1-0 courtesy of Wason Renteria’s 75th-minute goal.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen on Thursday said that he is staying with the Red Bull team next year, ending months of speculation over his future. “Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama, but, for me, it’s always been quite clear, and also for next year,” the four-time champion said ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. “I’m discussing with the team already the plans — the things that we want to change for next year, so that means that I’m also staying with the team for next year,” he said. Verstappen has a contract with
Alex Michelsen on Thursday rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 upset victory over third-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in the men’s singles, converting his seventh match point to reach the fourth round of the Canadian Open. Michelsen reached the last 16 of a Masters 1000 for the first time with his second win over a top-10 player in eight attempts. The 20-year-old American survived nearly 50 unforced errors and converted just two of nine break chances, but it was enough to vanquish Italy’s Musetti, a two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist ranked 10th in the world. “It feels really good,” the 26th-ranked Michelsen said. “I’ve put
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