SOCCER
Lee Man down Tainan City
Tainan City lost 1-3 to Hong Kong Premier League outfit Lee Man in their AFC Cup Group J opener at Buriram Stadium in Thailand on Monday. Lee Man defender Yung Hui-to and forward Junior Dutra gave the Hong Kong club a two-goal lead with strikes in the 55th and 69th minutes respectively. Tainan’s Marc Fenelus clawed one back from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, after Yao Ko-chi was brought down in the box by Lee Man defender Tsui Wang-kit. Substitute Chang Hei-yin restored the Hong Kong side’s two-goal lead six minutes later, with Lee Man holding on to defeat Tainan for the second consecutive year in the AFC Cup. The victory put Lee Man level on points with fellow Hong Kong side Eastern Long Lions. Eastern sit atop the three-team Group J after defeating Lee Man 3-1 on Friday. Tainan face the Lions tomorrow, with the winner of the single round-robin group advancing to the inter-zone playoff semi-finals.
BASKETBALL
Griner ordered to stand trial
Shackled and looking wary, WNBA star Brittney Griner was on Monday ordered to stand trial by a court near Moscow on cannabis possession charges, about four-and-a-half months after her arrest at an airport while returning to play for a Russian team. The Phoenix Mercury center and two-time US Olympic gold medalist was also ordered to remain in custody for the duration of her criminal trial, which is to begin on Friday. Griner could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. Fewer than 1 percent of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, and unlike in the US, acquittals can be overturned. At Monday’s closed-door preliminary hearing at the court in the Moscow suburb of Khimki, Griner’s detention was extended for another six months, to Dec. 20. Photographs obtained by The Associated Press showed the 31-year-old in handcuffs and looking straight ahead, unlike a previous court appearance where she kept her head down and covered with a hood. She declined to answer questions from reporters in English as she was led through the courthouse, Russian media footage showed.
CRICKET
Windies thrash Bangladesh
The West Indies wasted no time on a day when more than five hours were lost to the elements to complete a 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh on the fourth day of the second and final Test in St Lucia on Monday. Frustrated by torrential overnight showers that left a sodden outfield and prevented play until the mid-afternoon, the home side claimed the last four wickets swiftly, despite an entertaining, unbeaten 60 by Nurul Hasan, to dismiss the visitors for 186 in their second innings after they resumed play in the already precarious position of 132-6. That left captain Kraigg Brathwaite and opening partner John Campbell with the formality of knocking off the 13 runs required for victory in less than three overs for another comprehensive triumph and a 2-0 sweep of the series. “Our confidence levels were very high coming into this game after that win in the first Test,” Brathwaite said. “There is always room for improvement, but it was good to see the way we fought back from a difficult position against the Bangladesh bowlers on the second day.”
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