ENGLAND
MK Dons win Cup showdown
A stoppage-time winner from Jon Otsemobor earned MK Dons a 2-1 home victory against AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup second round on Sunday in a tie loaded with historical significance. MK Dons, as they have been known since 2004 after the original 1988 FA Cup winners Wimbledon were moved about 95km north to Milton Keynes from their southwest London home, took the lead on the stroke of halftime through Stephen Gleeson. AFC Wimbledon, the London club formed in 2002 by disgruntled Wimbledon fans and who have since gained five promotions to return to the Football League, equalized on the hour through Jack Midson and came close to earning a late victory in the first ever match between the two clubs. The fourth-tier side, backed by a large traveling contingent, despite many who boycotted the match in protest at the way MK Dons effectively took Wimbledon’s place in the Football League, seemed set for victory when Steven Gregory went through in the last minute, but his shot crept agonizingly wide. In a thrilling finale, MK Dons, who play in the third tier, then snatched a place in the third round when Otsemobor’s clever flick sent the ball past goalkeeper Neil Sullivan.
ARGENTINA
Velez Sarsfield clinch title
Velez Sarsfield won Argentina’s Inicial championship when they beat Union de Sante Fe 2-0 and Lanus lost 1-0 at River Plate on Sunday. Velez have 38 points from 18 matches, an unassailable five-point lead over second-placed Lanus, clinching their ninth league crown with a match to spare. The season is divided into two 19-match championships, the Inicial and the Final which kicks off in February after the summer recess, with the two winners meeting in a grand final in June unless the same team wins both. In previous seasons there were also two championships, the Apertura and Clausura, but no overall winners.
MEXICO
Tijuana claim first title
Club Tijuana won their first Mexican league championship on Sunday five years after being founded and less than two since their promotion to the first division. Two goals in two minutes from substitute Richard Ruiz and Colombian Duvier Riascos midway through the second half gave the small border town club a shock 2-0 win away to favorites Toluca in the second leg of the final. Tijuana, coached by Argentine Antonio “Turco” Mohamed, won 4-1 on aggregate after beating Toluca, who were looking to equal CD Guadalajara’s record 11 titles, 2-1 at the Caliente on Thursday last week. “This is a huge satisfaction, we’ve been preparing for this for six months, no one gave a cent for this team, but our humility and work were reflected on the pitch today,” Tijuana captain Javier Gandolfi told Televisa.
NETHERLANDS
Vitesse join Twente at top
Brazilian Jonathan Reis scored twice on Sunday to inspire Vitesse to a 3-0 home win over struggling Roda JC Kerkrade in the Dutch League, taking his side level at the top of the table with Twente. Both teams have 34 points from 15 games, but Twente, who beat 10-man ADO Den Haag 2-0 on Saturday, are ahead on goal-difference. PSV Eindhoven, who were beaten 3-1 at Ajax, slipped to third on 33 points, while Ajax are fourth on 30. Marco van Ginkel put Vitesse ahead with a fierce drive after 10 minutes and three minutes before the break a fine pass from Wilfried Bony allowed Reis a free run to double the lead. Reis settled the match after 62 minutes, netting the rebound after a volley from Bony hit the bar.
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