MOTOR RACING
Rosberg wins Suzuka pole
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg put himself in the best possible position to widen his lead over Formula One title rival and teammate Lewis Hamilton by securing pole position yesterday for today’s Japanese Grand Prix. Rosberg clocked a time of 1 minute, 30.647 seconds on his final flying lap at the Suzuka circuit to beat Hamilton by just 0.01 seconds. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was a close third followed by teammate Sebastian Vettel, who was handed a three-place grid penalty and is to start in seventh. With five races remaining, Rosberg holds a 23-point lead over Hamilton, who is seeking a third straight victory in Japan. Red Bull pair Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo qualified fifth and sixth.
SOCCER
Eligibility probe opened
FIFA is investigating complaints from Chile and Peru that Bolivia fielded an ineligible player against them in World Cup qualifying matches. FIFA is “gathering the necessary information and documentation to evaluate the situation and decide on potential next steps,” the world soccer body said on Friday. If FIFA rules for Chile, the Copa America champions could gain two points in their ailing bid to reach the 2018 tournament in Russia. Chile, who lost 3-0 against Ecuador on Thursday, are five points off a direct qualification place at the midway stage of the 10-team South American group. The top four advance and the fifth-placed team, currently Argentina, enter a playoff against a team from Oceania. The complaints from Chile and Peru are about Paraguay-born defender Nelson Cabrera, who previously played for Paraguay. Bolivia used the 33-year-old Cabrera as a late substitute in beating Peru 2-0 in La Paz on Sept. 1 and five days later in a 0-0 draw against Chile in Santiago. FIFA typically awards a 3-0 default loss against teams judged to have fielded ineligible players.
SOCCER
China boss urges confidence
The head of Chinese soccer told the national team not to lose confidence after their loss to war-torn Syria jeopardized hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. The national side’s 0-1 defeat on Thursday before a home crowd of 40,000 in Xian enraged fans, spurring many to call for the sacking of Chinese Football Association president Cai Zhenhua. He has ignored the calls so far and sought to reassure Team Dragon players that they “absolutely must not lose confidence because of this loss,” the Xin Kuaibao newspaper reported yesterday. “We still have seven games, you must bring out your fighting spirit. Especially at times like this [after a loss], you mustn’t give up.”
ICE HOCKEY
Transgender player debuts
The National Women’s Hockey League’s first transgender player scored a goal in her debut. Buffalo forward Harrison Browne was named the game’s second star in the Beauts’ 4-1 loss against the Boston Pride on Friday night. “It was unreal,” Browne said. “I’ve never felt something like that before.” Up until the season-opening game on Friday, the 23-year-old went by the name of Hailey Browne. That changed when she announced she prefers to be known as Harrison and identifies as a male in a story first published by ESPN. “I was just excited,” Browne said, adding that she had previously revealed her gender identity, but had not changed her name. “I’ve been out for a long time. I’m not scared about it. It’s nothing new to me.”
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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