AUSTRALIA
Socceroos arrive in Brazil
Australia became the first of the 31 foreign squads to arrive in Brazil for the FIFA World Cup finals on Wednesday. The Socceroos arrived in the southern city of Curitiba, before transferring to another flight to Vitoria, where they will be based. Australia are in a tough Group B alongside World and European champions Spain, Chile and the Netherlands, finalists four years ago in South Africa. “We are the underdogs,” midfielder Tommy Oar said in a FIFA statement. “It will be a good opportunity for the Australian team to surprise, so this is all very exciting, and being in the ‘soccer country’ is an extra motivation, of course.” The tournament kicks off on June 12 when Brazil play Croatia in Sao Paulo, while Australia’s first game is against Chile on June 13 in Cuiaba.
NETHERLANDS
Van der Vaart ruled out
Midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup finals after the experienced international picked up a calf injury at a training camp in Portugal, the Dutch soccer association (KNVB) confirmed on Wednesday. Capped 109 times for his country, the 31-year-old Hamburg SV midfielder suffered the injury at a training camp on Tuesday, with the KNVB saying he was not expected to recover in time to participate in the June 12 to July 13 finals. The former Ajax, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder competed at the last two World Cup finals and was expected to a play a major role for the team in Brazil. His injury means the squad have lost two key midfielders in the run-up to the tournament, with AS Roma’s Kevin Strootman ruled out in March with a serious knee injury.
ENGLAND
United owner Glazer dies
Malcolm Glazer, the self-made billionaire who owned English Premier League club Manchester United and the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has died. He was 85. The Bucs said Glazer died on Wednesday. The reclusive Palm Beach businessman had been in failing health since April 2006 when a pair of strokes left him with impaired speech, and limited mobility in his right arm and leg. Glazer’s unobtrusive management style helped transform the Bucs from a laughingstock into a model franchise that in 2003 won the Super Bowl 48-21 over the Oakland Raiders. He raised his profile in 2005 with a US$1.47 billion takeover of Manchester United that was bitterly opposed by fans.
PORTUGAL
Ronaldo most marketable
Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s most marketable player, according to a study released by an international sports market research company on Wednesday. Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi ranked second in the study conducted by Repucom, ahead of club teammate and surprise third-placed entry Gerard Pique of Spain. The data measured the perceptions of more than 6,500 people in 13 countries, including the UK, the US, Brazil, China and India, which was reportedly claimed to represent the views of more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was also found to be the most well-known player on the planet with 83.9 percent of people aware of who he was. “Ronaldo is an endorser’s dream. His value is as important to the teams he plays for as they are for the companies that endorse him,” Repucom chief executive Paul Smith said. “Global awareness of Ronaldo is what drives his commercial power and with over 82 million Facebook likes and 26 million Twitter followers, he is also one of the most liked in the business.”
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