ENGLAND
Cup hopes low: report
Pessimism about England’s World Cup prospects seems to have reached the highest levels after a government document suggested that the national team faced their customary early exit from the tournament. “While England are certain to be playing in the matches in the first period, there is a high probability that they will not be playing in the later matches,” said a report looking at the arguments for allowing pubs to open later during next month’s World Cup. England are to face Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in a tough opening group from which two teams advance. “England have a 54 percent probability of progressing past the group stage and an 11 percent probability of progressing past the quarter-finals,” it added. The forecast was not based on the predictions of a soccer-loving civil servant, but drawn from the odds offered by online betting exchange Betfair. “The government is of course 100 percent behind the England soccer team and we wish the players every success in the World Cup,” said a spokeswoman for the Home Office, the government department responsible for the report.
PORTUGAL
Ronaldo named in squad
Cristiano Ronaldo is to lead Portugal’s World Cup campaign after being named on Tuesday in their provisional 30-man squad for the finals, despite currently being out with a hamstring injury. The Portugal captain picked up the injury playing for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid last week, and missed their defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday. However, the 29-year-old is expected to recover in plenty of time for Portugal’s opening World Cup match on June 16. Portugal coach Paulo Bento also included Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma in his provisional squad. The 30-year-old former Barcelona player rejoined Porto in January after six months out of the game following his departure from Dubai’s Al-Ahli last year.
JAPAN
World Cup travelers warned
Japanese visitors to the World Cup in Brazil have been told by their government to guard against crimes there such as robbery, kidnapping and credit card skimming. In a safety advisory to overseas travelers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “Crimes occur in Brazil at a very high frequency by world standards, including many organized crimes involving narcotics.” Japan are to play Ivory Coast on June 14 in Recife; Greece on June 19 in Natal and Colombia on June 24 in Cuiaba. The notice said that the number of murders occurring in Recife’s state is 43 times higher than in Japan, while there are about 200 times as many robberies. The frequency of crimes is also high in the other areas. It advised Japanese visitors to move in groups, refrain from going out at night, avoid deserted places, dress modestly and keep cameras and smartphones out of sight. The ministry is to set up temporary offices in the three cities to help Japanese travelers in trouble.
ENGLAND
Sherwood axed by Spurs
Tim Sherwood has been sacked as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, the English Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The 45-year-old replaced the axed Andre Villas-Boas on an 18-month deal in December, but the short-term nature of his contract meant his position was subject to constant speculation. Sherwood, whose final game in charge was a 3-0 league win at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, guided Spurs to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League, ensuring the north London club’s qualification for next season’s Europa League.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
Playing soccer and competing for trophies is the best way that many transplanted Hong Kongers and Macanese have found to stay in touch, and to interact with Taiwanese society, said officials at the Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Football Friendship Cup, which was held on April 13. Twelve clubs, mostly of players and coaches originally from Hong Kong and Macau, took part in the tournament in New Taipei City. The event is sponsored by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council. Participating teams were from the wider Taipei area, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung and other areas. They divided into two