■SOCCER
Denilson to play in Vietnam
Former Brazilian international Denilson, once the world’s most expensive player, has agreed to play for a mid-table Vietnamese side, newspapers reported yesterday. A member of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning team, Denilson, 31, will join Hai Phong Cement for the second half of the professional V-League season that begins this month, Thanh Nien newspaper said. It said Denilson had his first practice session with the team on Monday. Denilson was capped 68 times and became the world’s most expensive player when he moved to Spanish side Real Betis from Sao Paulo in 1998 for US$35 million. “I don’t know anything about Vietnamese football,” Denilson told Thanh Nien, adding that the game is the same everywhere. He said a Brazilian friend introduced him to the country. “I come to Vietnamese football with my passion,” he said, expressing a hope to play in the communist country for a long time. Earlier this year he was on trial with English Premier League side Bolton Wanderers, after being without a club since his release from Brazilian team Palmeiras. Denilson’s European club career never really flourished despite spending seven seasons in Spain, followed by a spell at French side Bordeaux, Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nasr and US team FC Dallas.
■BADMINTON
Taiwan to host tournament
Taiwan will hold the World Junior Championships in 2011, the Chinese Taipei Badminton Association said yesterday. Association vice president Wu Jun-yan (吳俊彥) said that the championships are one of the sport’s most important tournaments. Wu said the association originally applied to host the World Badminton Championships and Sudirman Cup. However, Wu said Badminton World Federation president Kang Young-joong suggested that Taiwan gain experience by hosting the Junior Championships first. Wu also said Taiwan should work on raising the competitiveness of its players. “If none of our players succeed at the championships, we will be ridiculed by the public,” he said.
■SOCCER
Daum returning to Turkey
German coach Christoph Daum has left FC Cologne after being given an opportunity to return to Turkish side Fenerbahce, the Bundesliga club said yesterday. “We are sad that Christoph Daum is leaving,” Cologne chairman Wolfgang Overath said in a statement. “Christoph thanked us for the collaboration and said he could not refuse the offer because of its very good sports and financial framework. We wish him all the best in his new job.” Daum will join a side who sacked former Spain coach Luis Aragones on Monday after a fourth-place finish. As well as his previous three-year stint at Fenerbahce from 2003, Daum also had two spells at Besiktas, winning a total of three championships and one cup before signing a four-year contract with Cologne in 2006.
■SOCCER
Skipper in dancing spat
India captain Bhaichung Bhutia remains focused on continuing his soccer career despite leaving his club amid controversy over his appearance in a televised celebrity dance competition. “Football remains my first love and I don’t have any plans to even try dancing after this,” Bhutia told the Hindustan Times yesterday. The striker sought immediate release from Mohun Bagan last month after he accused the club of humiliating him after they claimed he appeared keener to participate in the dance show than play in the I-League.
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