SOCCER
Debutant lasts 90 seconds
Teenager Maximilian Hofmann had the worst possible start to his league career when gave away a penalty and was sent off 90 seconds into his debut on Sunday, although his side Rapid Vienna went on to win the match 4-2. The 19-year-old, playing his first Austrian Bundesliga match after being promoted from Rapid’s second team, was dismissed against SK Sturm Graz for denying Robert Beric a clear scoring opportunity. Nikola Vujadinovic then converted to put Sturm 1-0 head, suggesting the visitors were in for a long, hot afternoon. Instead, Rapid turned the game around with second-half goals from Christopher Trimmel, Guido Burgstaller, Brian Behrendt and Louis Schaub, while Daniel Beichler replied for the hosts.
SOCCER
Injured ’keeper saves penalty
Goalkeeper Mauricio Viana played the last few minutes of a Chilean league game, even saving a last-minute penalty, unaware that he had suffered a perforated intestine, his club Santiago Wanderers said on Sunday. Viana was injured in a clash with rival forward Omar Zalazar in the 78th minute of Saturday’s match against Audax Italiano, the club said on their Web site. There was no obvious injury and the 22-year-old Brazilian-born goalkeeper played on, saving a penalty taken by Cristian Canuhe in the 89th minute to earn his team a 0-0 draw. However, afterwards he complained of severe pain and underwent emergency surgery after it was diagnosed as a perforated intestine. Wanderers said the operation had gone well and Viana is expected to recover in about four weeks.
SOCCER
PEC Zwolle stun Feyenoord
Feyenoord started the Dutch league season by conceding a stoppage-time goal in a shock 2-1 defeat at PEC Zwolle on Sunday. PEC went ahead in the 66th minute when Polish midfielder Mateusz Klich headed home a cross by Jesper Drost. Ruben Schaken equalized four minutes from time, only for Guyon Fernandez, on loan from Feyenoord, to grab the winner for PEC in stoppage-time. “A few weeks ago I learned that I was no longer needed in Rotterdam. I hope that by scoring this goal I showed them what they are missing”, Fernandez said.
BASEBALL
Rodriquez to be suspended
A person familiar with deliberations said that Major League Baseball has informed the New York Yankees that Alex Rodriguez would be suspended yesterday, but could play while he appealed the penalty. The person spoke on condition of anonymity on Sunday because no announcement has been authorized. The Yankees were not told the exact length of the suspension, but were left under the impression it would be through next season, the person said. Rodriguez could get a shorter penalty for violating baseball’s drug agreement if he gives up the right to file a grievance and force the case before an arbitrator, the person added.
CYCLING
Demare wins on The Mall
France’s Arnaud Demare won the inaugural Ride London-Surrey Classic after a tense finish on The Mall in London on Sunday. The 21-year-old benefited from a fine display by his FDJ team to beat Italian Sacha Modolo and compatriot Yannick Martinez in to second and third place respectively after launching his sprint 150m from the finish. Demare was quick to thank his team for making the victory possible. “I am really happy with the race,” he said. “My teammates did a really good job to get me into the perfect position.”
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and