SOCCER
Taiwan women draw
Taiwan secured a 2-2 draw with Jordan yesterday at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. They got off to a good start in the first round opener with goals by Lin Ya-han and Wang Hsiung-huei for a 2-0 advantage after 26 minutes. Jordan’s Stephanie Alnaber scored just before halftime to make it 2-1. Maysa Jbarah netted the equalizer for Jordan in the 49th minute. Taiwan next face China on Thursday.
CRICKET
Roach claims five wickets
Bangladesh ended the second day of the second Test against the West Indies trailing by 276 runs with three first-innings wickets remaining. West Indies pace bowler Kemar Roach took five wickets. Resuming on 246-3, the West Indies were bowled out for 380, an hour after lunch. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was unbeaten on 84, after Al-Amin Hossain finished with 3-80. Roach was quickly among the wickets, removing the top three in the Bangladesh batting order for 62 runs, with Tamim Iqbal the only one to get started with his 48. Jerome Taylor claimed the wicket of Mominul Haque thanks to a brilliant diving catch at short-leg by Jermaine Blackwood. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim was bowled by Taylor for 4. Roach then removed Nasir Hossain and Taijul Islam as the tourists closed on 104-7.
TENNIS
Lucic-Baroni wins in Quebec
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia stunned Venus Williams 6-4, 6-3 to win the Coupe Banque Nationale in Quebec City on Sunday, 16 years after her previous WTA Title. It is a record for the longest gap between titles, following her previous triumph in Bol, Croatia, in 1998. The 32-year-old former Wimbledon semi-finalist disappeared from the WTA Tour from 2004 until 2006, but has rekindled her career and recently reached the US Open fourth round, beating world No. 2 Simona Halep on the way. “It’s been so long,” she said on the WTA Web site. “I’m finally playing the great tennis I always knew I could play.”
CYCLING
Contador cruises to title
Alberto Contador won his third Vuelta a Espana, while Italian Adriano Malori took victory on the 9.7km time trial in Santiago de Compostela on Sunday. Contador finished 1 minute, 40 seconds down on Malori on the rain-affected course as he took no chances. Although he lost 27 seconds to Chris Froome, he did enough to add to his 2008 and 2012 Vuelta victories, taking his Grand Tour successes to six. New Zealander Jesse Sergent and Australia’s Rohan Dennis were second and third on the stage respectively.
SOCCER
Valencia and Sevilla win
Valencia and Sevilla continued their unbeaten starts to the Spanish season to move within two points of leaders Barcelona thanks to victories over RCD Espanyol and Getafe respectively on Sunday. Pablo Piatti fired Valencia to a seventh-minute lead. Dani Parejo then doubled the hosts’ advantage just after the hour mark, and Paco Alcacer made it 3-0 17 minutes from time. A Sergio Garcia penalty in stoppage-time was all Espanyol could muster. Sevilla also moved to seven points from three games with a 2-0 win over Getafe at the Sanchez Pizjuan. Carlos Bacca converted from the penalty spot a minute before halftime, and Aleix Vidal sealed the win late on. Granada also remain unbeaten on five points after they played out a 0-0 draw at home to Villarreal. Earlier, Elche edged Rayo Vallecano de Madrid 3-2.
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