■SOCCER
Shamrocks subdue Ronaldo
The world’s most expensive player, Cristiano Ronaldo, was kept at bay by semi-professional defenders in Dublin on Monday on his debut for Real Madrid as they eked out a 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers. In one of the more unlikely settings for the debut of the world’s most pricey player, Ronaldo — who cost Real around 94 million euros (US$134 million) from Manchester United early last month — was closely attended to and taken off at half-time having failed to sparkle against some muscular defending. Indeed it was one of Real’s other newboys, French international striker Karim Benzema who sealed the narrow victory with an 87th minute goal.
■SOCCER
Galaxy regret exchange
Los Angeles Galaxy coach and general manager Bruce Arena says the team regrets the exchange between David Beckham and a fan at halftime of its friendly against AC Milan, a day after Beckham was the target of booing and derisive banners held up by one of the team’s support groups during Beckham’s first home game since returning from a five-month loan to AC Milan. At halftime in Sunday’s 2-2 draw, Beckham walked toward the LA Riot Squad supporters seating section and motioned to a fan to come closer. A man jumped down from the seats and was arrested by police for trespassing. Arena said in a statement issued by the team that it is important for fans to be able to voice their opinions, but they must do so in an appropriate manner.
■SOCCER
Wife stabs Man U fan
Police have detained a Malaysian woman who allegedly stabbed her husband in the chest for coming home late after watching a soccer match between Manchester United and Malaysia, an official said on Tuesday. The man had promised to come back immediately after the match in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday evening, but his wife was “very angry” when he returned after midnight, district police chief Abdul Jalil Hassan said. The woman stabbed him twice in the chest with a kitchen knife and then took him to a hospital. “He was with friends after the match, so that’s why he came home late,” Abdul Jalil said. The man was recovering in the hospital, he said. Police have not decided whether to charge the woman with any offense. The English Premier League champions defeated Malaysia 3-2 on Saturday in their opening match on a preseason Asian tour.
■FOOTBALL
Vick completes sentence
Former National Football League star Michael Vick completed a federal prison sentence on Monday for his role in a dogfight conspiracy, opening the door for him to seek an NFL return. Vick has been under home confinement in Hampton, Virginia, for the past two months in completing the sentence he received in 2007. He is on three years of probation and has a three-year suspended sentence on state dogfighting charges.
■SOFTBALL
US win World Cup final
Lauren Lappin homered to start a three-run rally in the third inning as the US beat Australia 3-1 on Monday in the World Cup of Softball final in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Alissa Haber and Andrea Duran added RBI singles to push the lead to 3-0, and Monica Abbott and Cat Osterman combined to make it stand up for the Americans’ third straight World Cup title. The unbeaten US team outscored opponents 51-4, reasserting its dominance after losing the gold medal game at last year’s Olympics.
The pressure was already on Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso before their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League raised further questions about his future. Arsenal remain perfect in this season’s competition and three points clear at the top of the standings after a 3-0 win against Club Brugge, while defending champions Paris Saint-Germain were held 0-0 at Athletic Bilbao. The clash between Madrid and City was the standout game of the round amid reports this week that Alonso had lost control of the locker room. Speculation over his position is likely to intensify after the latest
‘HIGH STANDARD’: The Thunder are on track for a Finals-Cup double after they scored 22 three-pointers in equaling the best 25-game start to a season in NBA history The Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday bagged a 16th straight victory, thrashing the Phoenix Suns 138-89 to romp into an NBA Cup semi-final clash with the San Antonio Spurs, who stunned the Los Angeles Lakers 132-119. NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points to lead the reigning NBA champions Thunder, who improved to 24-1 to equal the best 25-game start to a season in league history. They dominated from start to finish to book their place in the final four of the in-season tournament in Las Vegas, where they are tomorrow to take on the Spurs. The New York Knicks and
TOP OF THE TABLE: Evann Guessand put the visitors ahead early in the game and Flavius Daniliuc equalized before Youri Tielemans got the winner in the second half Aston Villa on Thursday extended their winning streak to eight games in all competitions with a 2-1 victory against Basel in the UEFA Europa League to secure at least a playoff spot. Villa were tied with Olympique Lyonnais, who beat Go Ahead Eagles 2-1, and Midtjylland, 1-0 winners over Genk, atop the standings of the second-tier European competition on 15 points with five wins from six games. They have bounced back from a poor start to the season and are third in the Premier League, including a 2-1 victory over leaders Arsenal on Saturday. At St Jakob-Park in Basel, summer signing Evann Guessand
Tony Jefferson intercepted a Jalen Hurts pass in overtime to give the Los Angeles Chargers a 22-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday in an NFL thriller between playoff contenders. Justin Herbert, playing a week after surgery on his broken left (non-throwing) hand, withstood a career-high seven sacks to throw for 139 yards and a touchdown for the Chargers. Cameron Dicker kicked five field goals, including the 54-yard game winner in overtime. The Chargers defenders forced Hurts to throw four interceptions and surrender a fumble for a career-worst five turnovers as the Eagles fell to 8-5 with a third
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