RUSSIA
Lokomotiv rout Rostov
Lokomotiv Moscow inflicted the first league defeat of the season on nine-man Rostov to go three places up to second after thumping the surprise package of the season 5-0 at home on Monday. The result lifted Lokomotiv above third-placed Rostov on goal-difference and left both teams on 13 points from six games, one less than champions CSKA Moscow. Uzbek leftback Vitaly Denisov set up three of the goals as Lokomotiv ran riot in the second half after Ecuadoran striker Felipe Caicedo headed them into a 44th-minute lead thanks to good work by Moroccan midfielder Mbark Boussoufa. Aleksandr Samedov drilled in a penalty in the 53rd minute to make it 2-0 after Caicedo was hauled down by Kamil Agalarov, who was sent off, and Denisov swung in a low cross four minutes later for Brazilian Maicon to sweep in from close range. A brief scuffle broke out between rival players on the hour as Rostov defender Alexandre Lolo was sent off for a second yellow card when he fouled Maicon and Dmitri Tarasov capitalized almost instantly when he headed home a perfect cross by Denisov. The pacy Denisov capped a fine individual performance with another darting run down the left flank in the closing stages, allowing substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko to seal the rout with a scuffed shot.
BRAZIL
Injury-prone Deco retires
Deco, the former Barcelona, Porto and Chelsea midfielder, has blamed injury on his decision to retire at the age of 35. The Brazilian-born former Portugal international hung up his boots on Monday with a clutch of titles to his name, including the UEFA Champions League with Porto in 2003-2004 and again two years later with Barcelona. “With a lot of sadness and hurt I am announcing the end of my professional career,” said Deco, who has had a frustrating final season for his Brazilian club Fluminense. Deco, who had a two-year spell with Chelsea from 2008, returned to his homeland in 2010 where he picked up two national league titles with Fluminense. “I’ve been really happy during this time, I wanted to help Fluminense more, but my body won’t allow that, my muscles can no longer put up [with the demands of professional soccer].”
ECUADOR
Striker Guerron recalled
Ecuador, afflicted by a sudden shortage of strikers, have recalled China-based Joffre Guerron for World Cup qualifiers away to Colombia and Bolivia next month. Guerron, who plays for Beijing Guoan, comes into coach Reinaldo Rueda’s squad following the sudden death last month in Qatar of Christian Benitez and the suspension of Felipe Caicedo. Caicedo, suspended for the Colombia match in Barranquilla on Sept. 6 after accumulating two bookings, is included as he will be available against Bolivia in La Paz four days later. Rueda has also called up 18-year-old defender Gabriel Corozo for the first time.
ITALY
Higuain in boating accident
SSC Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain had 10 stitches inserted in a facial injury following a boating accident on Monday, one day after his competitive debut for the club, Italian media reported. The Argentine striker was reported to have slipped during an excursion to Capri, an island off Italy’s southern coast, and hit his face on the deck, injuring his jaw. He was treated in a hospital on the island and discharged. Higuain will miss Argentina’s World Cup qualifier away to Paraguay on Sept. 10 while he completes a two-match suspension.
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