Thu, Dec 31, 2009 page19

• Sports Briefs

  • AGENCIES
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  ■SOCCER

  Ghiggia leaves footprints

  Alcides Ghiggia, whose goal for Uruguay stunned spectators at Maracana stadium in the 1950 World Cup final against Brazil, has been immortalized at the Rio de Janeiro stadium’s sidewalk of fame. The striker on Tuesday became the 100th person to leave his footprints there, joining players such as Franz Beckenbauer, Eusebio, Pele, Romario, Zagallo, Kaka and Dunga. The 83-year-old Ghiggia, only the sixth international honored on the walk, scored the winner in Uruguay’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Brazil in front of nearly 200,000 fans at Maracana. Brazil needed only a draw to win the title and most fans were certain of securing the World Cup until Ghiggia’s go-ahead goal late in the match gave Uruguay its second world title.

  ■FIGURE SKATING

  Champ sues auto shop boss

  Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin has sued an automobile shop owner he hired as his financial manager, saying he stole more than US$1 million from him. Yagudin’s lawsuit was filed in federal court in Brooklyn on Monday. It accused Michael Goldin of Connecticut and an accomplice of squandering US$1.15 million since 2003. The lawsuit seeks more than US$4 million in damages, saying Goldin promised he was investing the money in 13 Florida real estate properties, a dozen of which were never bought. Yagudin, a four-time world champion from Russia, won gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, achieving the best marks of any single skater in the Games.

  ■SOCCER

  Preston sack manager Irvine

  English Championship side Preston North End announced on Tuesday they had sacked Alan Irvine as their manager. Irvine leaves the northwest club just over six months after steering them into the second-tier playoffs, where the winners secure a place in the Premier League. Former Everton assistant manager Irvine had been much praised since arriving at Deepdale in November 2007 but, following last season’s top six finish, the club have struggled this term. Preston chairman Derek Shaw decided a change was needed after Monday’s 1-0 loss away to Sheffield United left North End with just one win in their last 10 league matches. Preston are 16th in the table — eight points away from both the playoffs and the relegation zone. Assistant manager Robert Kelly will be in temporary charge.

  ■CRICKET

  Jayasuriya axed from series

  The world’s most experienced one-day batsman, Sanath Jayasuriya, has been axed from next month’s ­limited-overs tri-series in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka Cricket said yesterday. Jayasuriya, 40, was not named in Sri Lanka’s 15-man squad for the tri-series as selectors made changes after recent defeats to India, the third team taking part in the series to be held in Dhaka from Monday until Jan. 13. Jayasuriya, who just completed 20 years of international cricket, has represented the country in 444 one-day games, scoring 11,825 runs. The selectors also dropped batsman Chamara Kapugedara, fast bowler Lasith Malinga and spinner Ajantha Mendis, who performed poorly on the recent Indian tour. Sri Lanka squad: Kumar Sangakkara (captain and wicketkeeper), Tillakaratne Dilshan (vice-captain), Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Silva, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thissara Perera, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Malinga Bandara, Suraj Randiv, Thilan Thushara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Kulasekara and Chanaka Welagedera.

  ■FOOTBALL

  McCray charged with DWI

  New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby McCray was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), police said on Tuesday. Police spokesman Gary Flot said McCray was stopped by an officer who saw him speeding at about 4:30am on Tuesday. He was booked into Orleans Parish Prison on charges of driving while intoxicated, speeding, careless operation of a motor vehicle and not having his vehicle registration with him. A Saints spokesman said officials of the NFL team were aware of the situation and would let the legal process take its course. McCray’s attorney, Donald Foret, said he planned to talk to McCray later on Tuesday.

  ■SKATING

  Five book places in Games

  Simon Kuipers and Stefan Groothuis have both qualified for the 1,500m speedskating event at the Vancouver Olympics by coming first and second at the Dutch trials in Heerenveen, Netherlands. Kuipers booked his third berth for Vancouver after also qualifying for the 500m and 1,000m. Groothuis has also qualified for the 1,000m. Kuipers finished the 1,500m in 1 minute, 45.39 seconds on Tuesday, 0.33 seconds ahead of Groothuis. Mark Tuitert was third and also qualified to skate the 1,500m at the Feb. 12 to Feb. 28 Winter Olympics. In the women’s 500m, Annette Gerritsen and Margot Boer finished first and second over two races at Thialf Ice Stadium to both qualify for Vancouver.

  ■SKATING

  Young Takagi secures berth

  Fifteen-year-old Miho Takagi became the youngest Japanese speedskater to make an Olympic squad when she won the women’s 1,500m at a qualifying meet in Nagano, Japan, to secure a berth at the Vancouver Games. Takagi won the race with a time of 1 minute, 59.47 seconds yesterday to become the first junior high school student in Japanese speedskating to make an Olympic team. Takagi finished third in the 3,000m on Monday and third in the 1,000m on Tuesday. Takagi, a third-year middle school student, will join Sayuri Yoshii and Nao Kodaira on Japan’s speedskating team for Vancouver.

  ■BASEBALL

  Giants sign DeRosa

  The San Francisco Giants signed Mark DeRosa to a US$12 million, two-year contract on Tuesday, a day after the versatile veteran passed a physical exam. The Giants, hoping DeRosa can provide power in the middle of the lineup, made their first big move of the offseason with the signing. DeRosa, 34, can play several infield spots and the outfield, but is expected to work primarily at third base. DeRosa underwent left wrist surgery after the last season, in which he batted .250 with a career-best 23 homers to go along with 78 RBIs for Cleveland and St Louis.

  ■INDYCAR RACING

  Castroneves becomes father

  Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves has a new title: Dad. Castroneves’ girlfriend, Adriana Henao, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Mikaella Castroneves, on Monday in Atlanta. The baby girl measured in at 48cm and 3.3kg. In a statement released by Penske Racing, Castroneves said his girlfriend and child were doing well and the baby already had him running around “like crazy.” The Brazilian became the first foreigner to win the Indy 500 three times in May. He was fourth overall in the IndyCar Series this year despite missing the season’s first race while fighting US tax evasion charges. Castroneves was acquitted of all but one charge in April, and that was later dropped.
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