SOCCER
Postecoglou inks contract
Greek-born Ange Postecoglou was yesterday appointed the new Socceroos coach following the sacking of German Holger Osieck and will lead them to the World Cup finals in Brazil next year. Football Federation Australia (FFA) handed Postecoglou, 48, a five-year contract that will also see him take the team to the the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia and beyond. “It was always our plan that one day an Australian would be appointed coach and I said precisely that when we appointed the previous coach,” FFA chairman Frank Lowy said. “The fact that Ange is the best qualified, and an Australian, achieves our objective.”
SOCCER
Gallas signs for Perth Glory
French defender William Gallas yesterday joined Perth Glory in Australia’s A-League after being released by English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. The former Chelsea and Arsenal star said he was looking forward to the challenge, opting for Perth despite reported interest from Manchester City, Crystal Palace and clubs in the Middle East and the US. “I look forward to wearing with pride the jersey of Perth Glory for this season,” he said in a statement after agreeing to a one-year deal, subject to a medical. The 36-year-old spent more than a decade at top clubs Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, where he played 24 matches as vice captain last season. He was also capped 84 times by France and will be the first French player in Australia’s domestic competition, which features several other former greats, led by Italian superstar Alessandro del Piero.
CRICKET
Heal elected NZ chairman
Businessman Stuart Heal has been elected chairman of New Zealand Cricket to lead a new board helping steer preparations for the 2015 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Australia. Heal was elected unanimously at the first meeting of the board in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday. He immediately announced a new shared leadership model which would take advantage of the skills and experience of board members. Former chief executive Martin Snedden, who headed the New Zealand organization that ran the 2011 Rugby World Cup, will represent New Zealand on the International Cricket Council. Former Test players Richard Hadlee, Geoff Allott and Snedden were named on a new cricket advisory committee.
OLYMPICS
Athletes to get smartphones
Samsung Electronics Co is giving the Galaxy Note 3 smartphone to all athletes competing at the Sochi Games in Russia in February. The announcement yesterday was part of the South Korea company’s marketing campaign as a sponsor of the Olympic Winter Games. It reflects Samsung’s growing clout in the smartphone market, and willingness to shell out to promote its brand and products.
BASEBALL
Lincecum agrees new deal
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum has agreed to a reported US$35 million two-year deal to stay with the San Francisco Giants, according to local media on Tuesday. “We see the difference that your starting pitching can make in a make-or-break September or post-season,” Giants assistant general manager Bobby Evans told the San Francisco Chronicle. “The reality is that Tim is a big part of that.” The 29-year-old, who won the World Series in 2010 and last year, enjoyed a sparkling start to his career in San Francisco, but is struggling to recapture his best form.
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