■ ENGLAND
Capello recalls ditched stars
Fabio Capello has been forced to recall a host of players he had previously ignored after injuries damaged the England coach’s preparations for the start of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. With Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard and Fulham striker Bobby Zamora all sidelined due to injury, Capello has recalled Matthew Upson, Michael Carrick, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe for the Wembley clash with Bulgaria on Friday and the trip to Switzerland on Sept. 7. Upson had been discarded by Capello for England’s post-World Cup friendly against Hungary after a disappointing showing from the West Ham defender in South Africa. Manchester United midfielder Carrick and Tottenham strikers Crouch and Defoe were also left out of that friendly, as was Manchester City winger Wright-Phillips. Capello also recalled goalkeepers Ben Foster of Birmingham and Scott Carson of West Brom after ignoring both for the World Cup.
■ JAPAN
Okada explains mix-up
Outgoing coach Takeshi Okada, who guided the Blue Samurai to the knockout stage at this summer’s World Cup, says he has been declining unlikely offers to become a farmer. The mix-up is all because of a mistranslation in his interview with a major British soccer magazine, the 54-year-old told a weekend talk show, Japanese media reported yesterday. Okada recalled he had told the magazine before the World Cup in South Africa that he would leave his job to lead a life typified by a Japanese idiom seikou-udoku, meaning “till the land when it shines and read books when it rains.” “That was mistaken to mean ‘I want to be engaged in farming,’” Okada said. The lifestyle has been idealized by intellectual recluses, but the idiom itself has been expanded to mean a life free from worldly affairs. The magazine quoted Okada as saying he would retire to become a “farmer.” As a result, he has received agricultural job offers from a banana plant in Okinawa and the mayor of a town on Hokkaido, Okada said.
■ JAPAN
Zaccheroni takes reins
Former Juventus and AC Milan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has been appointed to lead Japan’s national team. The Japan Football Association made the announcement yesterday, making Zaccheroni the first Italian and the sixth foreigner to coach Japan. The 57-year-old Zaccheroni takes over from Takeshi Okada, who stepped down after taking Japan to the round of 16 at the World Cup in South Africa. Japan play Paraguay and Guatemala at home on Saturday and Sept. 7 respectively. Zaccheroni’s first competitive tournament will be the Asian Cup in Qatar in January.
■ BRAZIL
Hot-shot goalie scores again
Rogerio Ceni, the world’s highest scoring goalkeeper, took his tally to 90 on Sunday as he helped Sao Paulo hold championship leaders Fluminense to a 2-2 draw at the Maracana. Ceni equalized with a free kick after midfielder Deco had put Fluminense ahead with his first goal for the club in his third match since joining them from Chelsea. Sao Paulo striker Fernandao made it 2-1 with a header before half-time but Leandro Euzebio headed Flu’s equalizer on the hour. Flu striker Washington could have scored a winner with a penalty for handball by Richarlyson but Ceni produced a brilliant diving save. “The important thing today was to add a point in this delicate moment we’re going through. What least matters now is the individual,” Ceni said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely