FRIENDLY
Sweden held 1-1 at home
Sweden, buoyed by the return of captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic as both sides continued their preparations for Euro 2016 on Tuesday. The home side took the lead in the 14th minute when Marcus Berg converted a cross with a first-time effort past Czech goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik. The Czech Republic leveled in the 26th minute through Matej Vydra’s diving header. Sweden controlled much of the game and created a number of chances throughout, forcing Vaclik into several sharp saves. Czech Republic coach Pavel Vrba used a number of young players as he continues to experiment with different lineups ahead of Euro 2016.
FRIENDLY
ROI draw with Slovakia
Paul McShane’s own-goal denied the Republic of Ireland (ROI) a win over Slovakia in Dublin as both sides used Tuesday’s 2-2 draw to fine-tune their preparations for Euro 2016. Slovakia, who are to face both England and Wales alongside Russia in Group B at the tournament, grabbed a 14th-minute lead when Miroslav Stoch fired home Erik Sabo’s cross. To add insult to injury, goalkeeper Rob Elliot was stretchered off with a knee injury after appearing to catch his studs in the turf, delivering a potentially cruel blow to both his Euro hopes and Newcastle United’s bid to avoid relegation from the English Premier League. Ireland, though, responded seven minutes later after Long went to ground in a challenge with Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik, with the Southampton striker tucking away the resulting spot-kick. Long won a second penalty within three minutes after he was upended by Skrtel, but this time, he gave way to James McClean, who beat Kozacik to put Martin O’Neill’s side 2-1 in front. However, McShane, who endured a torrid evening in his first international start in almost three years, handed Slovakia an equalizer in first-half stoppage-time when he turned in Peter Pekarik’s cross at the near post.
FRIENDLY
Scotland defeat Denmark
Scotland earned victory as Matt Ritchie’s early goal saw off Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday. AFC Bournemouth’s Ritchie took advantage of hesitation between Denmark captain Daniel Agger and visiting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to slot home after seven minutes. Denmark, who, like Scotland, are looking ahead to the World Cup qualifiers after missing out on Euro 2016, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but were lightweight in attack.
FRIENDLY
Turkey beat Austria
Turkey fired another warning to their Euro 2016 rivals when Arda Turan scored with a delightful lob to give them a 2-1 win away at fellow qualifiers Austria on Tuesday. Turkey extended their unbeaten run to 13 games since their home defeat against Brazil in a friendly in November 2014. Austria goalkeeper Ramazan Ozcan, given a rare outing by coach Marcel Koller, sent a clearance straight to Turan, who floated the ball back over him from long range, with the goalkeeper stranded on the edge of his area 11 minutes into the second half. Koller, who rarely experiments, made four changes to his usual lineup, with Rubin Okotie replacing Marc Janko in attack. Austria went ahead when Zlatko Junuzovic scored from a chance set up by Marko Arnautovic in the 22nd minute. Turkey equalized two minutes before halftime with a trademark free-kick from midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from
After nearly six years away from the NBA, New Taipei Kings player Jeremy Lin (林書豪) is set to participate in the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars mini-tournament as the coach of Team G League. The NBA announced Monday (U.S. time) that the Taiwanese-American player will join a trio of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers – Tim Hardaway Sr., Chris Mullin, and Mitch Richmond – as honorary coaches for four teams featuring 28 rising talents. "See you soon in the Bay," Lin wrote in an Instagram story sharing the news. As the All-Star Weekend will take place at
The former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani on Thursday was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly US$17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account. Ippei Mizuhara, who was supposed to bridge the gap between the Japanese athlete and his English-speaking teammates and fans, was sentenced in federal court in Santa Ana to four years and nine months after pleading guilty last year. He was ordered to pay US$18 million in restitution, with nearly US$17 million going to Ohtani and the remainder to the US Internal Revenue Service. He was
The 40-year-old LeBron James on Thursday became the oldest player to score 40 points in an NBA game, putting up a season-high 42 in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors. James passed the record held by Michael Jordan, his idol and the only other NBA player to score 40 after his 40th birthday. “I’m old, that’s my take,” James said when asked about his latest achievement. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep, that’s what I think.” Jordan did it for the Washington Wizards just three days after turning 40 in February 2003. James is 38
RSS