NETHERLANDS
Feyenoord move up to fifth
John Guidetti scored twice to guide Feyenoord to a 4-0 win at Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch league on Sunday, while leaders AZ Alkmaar were hit by thick fog which forced officials to abandon their game at Excelsior Rotterdam. Sekou Cisse and Jordy Clasie netted the other two for Ronald Koeman’s side as Feyenoord moved up to fifth in the standings, with 21 points from 13 games. Alkmaar have 31 points from 12 games after their match was called off at halftime following a goalless 45 minutes. “The assistant referees couldn’t see anymore,” referee Kevin Blom said. “The players and the coaches gave their consent to this decision.” PSV Eindhoven, who beat De Graafschap 3-1 on Saturday, are second on 28 points. Twente are two points further back after a 1-1 draw at Heracles Almelo. Ajax, who drew 2-2 against NAC Breda on Saturday, are fourth on 21 points. However, Ajax have been hit by infighting after the current supervisory board invited former Ajax and Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal to chair the management board without consulting fellow board member and club great Johan Cruijff. Van Gaal and Cruijff are known to be sworn enemies. In Sunday’s other matches, ADO Den Haag drew 2-2 with Utrecht and Groningen beat VVV Venlo 2-1.
PORTUGAL
Sporting dump out Braga
Goals by Diego Capel and Emiliano Insua gave Sporting a 2-0 win over 10-man Braga in the Portuguese Cup on Sunday and a place in the round-of-16. Spanish winger Capel rounded Braga goalkeeper Berni to score the opener on 14 minutes and eight minutes later Argentine defender Insua easily tapped in the second after Berni weakly parried Mathias Hernandez’s free-kick. Last year’s Europa League runners-up, Braga, were dealt a further blow when fullback Elderson Echiejile was sent off at the start of the second half. Sporting have returned to form after a poor start to the season. They have already qualified from Group D of the Europa league and have notched up seven consecutive league wins to climb to third place, one point behind leaders Porto and Benfica. Cup holders Porto were knocked out after suffering a shock 3-0 defeat by Academic on Saturday and Benfica edged past Naval 1-0 to advance.
UNITED STATES
Beckham’s Galaxy win Cup
David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy beat Houston 1-0 on Sunday to win the Major League Soccer Cup, giving the English superstar the Hollywood ending he sought to his Galaxy deal. Landon Donovan’s 72nd-minute goal, from a pass by Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane, was enough to secure the victory for the Galaxy. Beckham, who won six English Premier League titles with Manchester United and a Spanish La Liga title with Real Madrid, captured his first MLS championship in the final match of his five-year deal. The triumph put the finishing touches to a season in which the Galaxy produced the best regular-season record in the league and were unbeaten at home. The lone goal of the match came as Beckham headed a ball to Keane, who ran into the area and fed Donovan, who fired home. Donovan paid tribute to his “warrior-like” teammate, saying Beckham injured a hamstring earlier in the week and was “playing on one leg.” Beckham himself was just happy to claim the title so widely predicted when he arrived in the US to great fanfare in 2007. “It’s about time,” said Beckham, who could yet have a sequel with the Galaxy if officials can persuade him to return.
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