TOKYO: Gutsy Brazilian-born defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka, who helped Japan reach the World Cup last-16 round, says he has come back from the brink of retirement thanks to advice from his ailing father.The 29-year-old rejoined his J-League club Nagoya Grampus on Thursday after spending

BEIJING: China`s football chief has said now is the "best time" for the country -- still trying to bounce back from a graft scandal that rocked the sport -- to launch a bid for the World Cup in 2026."It really moved us to see all the social benefits South Africa got from hosting the World

MOSCOW: A junior Russian biathlete aged just 15 died Friday in hospital after being shot by his teammate at a training camp, local media reported.Reports said the incident happened at Izhevsk sports base in the central Russian region of Udmurtia, where the students of former star

NEW DELHI: India`s cricket board on Friday revised the schedule of Australia`s Test and one-day tour of the country in September-October.The two Tests have been advanced by a day but the dates continued to clash with the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3-14,

JOHANNESBURG: Nearly 1,000 crimes, mainly thefts and muggings, took place in and around stadiums on match days during the World Cup, South Africa`s police minister said on Thursday.A total of 290 incidents were reported to police inside the 10 venues of the month-long tournament while a

GALLE: India are determined not to join the party as Sri Lanka celebrate world record wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan`s final Test appearance in Galle from Sunday.The off-spinner, 38, will retire after the opening contest of the three-match series at the Galle International Stadium, in

MADRID: The Mourinho Years began for Real Madrid on Thursday as Jose Mourinho met his players for the first time, with one new player arriving amid rumours of possible exits.The Spanish giants announced the signing of winger Pedro Leon on a six-year deal from Getafe.The player, who turns

PARIS: Nicolas Anelka, the Chelsea striker at the eye of the storm that rocked the French team at the World Cup, described Thursday the tensions between the squad and coach as a timebomb waiting to go off.Anelka was sent home from the World Cup in disgrace for verbally abusing France

LONDON: Pakistan fast bowling great Wasim Akram believes new pace sensation Mohammad Aamer is "much cleverer than I was at 18" after watching the teenage quick`s latest impressive Test display..Aamer, like Wasim a left-arm seamer, took four wickets for 72 runs as he led Pakistan`s attack

MUMBAI: Suspended Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi was dealt a fresh blow Thursday after a court dismissed his plea to stay disciplinary proceedings initiated against him by India`s cricket board.The Bombay High Court also rejected Modi`s demand that a three-member panel set up by

CHICAGO: Manchester United, missing many of their big names, began training for their North American tour Wednesday with an hour-long workout at the Chicago Fire`s Toyota Park ground. Some 1,500 fans turned out to watch the training session, which took place in 90-degree heat. The

ST. ANDREWS: Scotsman Paul Lawrie smacked the opening shot off the first tee on a gloomy but wind-less Thursday morning at St. Andrews to launch the 150th anniversary edition of the British Open.Lawrie, who won the 1999 British Open at Carnoustie, was the first of 156 golfers to begin a

LONDON: England star David Beckham insists he has no intention of becoming a manager when he retires from playing. After an Achilles injury ended his dream of playing in a fourth World Cup, Beckham spent the tournament in South Africa as part of England`s backroom staff and sat on the

LONDON: Shane Watson was Australia`s unlikely bowling star as Pakistan collapsed to 141 for nine at tea on the second day of the first Test at Lord`s here on Wednesday.   Medium-pacer Watson`s return of four wickets for 40 runs in seven eventful overs helped leave Pakistan 112 runs

MADRID: Liverpool striker Fernando Torres may miss the start of the season after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on Wednesday that he has a groin injury.   The RFEF said in a statement that Torres had suffered a "grade one" tear to his left adductor muscle, which is

JOHANNESBURG: The successful staging of the World Cup has made South Africans more positive about their nation`s future, according to a poll released Wednesday.   About 85 percent of the 400 people surveyed by telephone on Monday and Tuesday said after the World Cup they have more hope

NEW YORK: French football star Thierry Henry has signed for New York Red Bulls on a long-term deal, the US club announced on Wednesday.   The 32-year-old striker is expected to make his debut for the Red Bulls in a home friendly on July 22 against English Premier League club Tottenham

LONDON: Chelsea defender Ashley Cole could be set to join Real Madrid, according to the Spanish club`s goalkeeper Iker Casillas.   Cole has been linked with a 30 million pounds (36 million euros) move to Real since his former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho took over at the Bernabeu

PARIS: World Cup winners Spain replaced Brazil at the top of the most recent FIFA World Ranking released on Wednesday.Vicente Del Bosque`s side climbed one place to the top of the ranking after beating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in Sunday`s final in Johannesburg.The beaten

PARIS: World Cup winners Spain replaced Brazil at the top of the most recent FIFA World Ranking released on Wednesday. Vicente Del Bosque`s side climbed one place to the top of the ranking after beating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in Sunday`s final in Johannesburg. The beaten