IRENE, South Africa: England manager Fabio Capello has drilled home the message to his team that set-pieces can be the difference between winning and losing at the World Cup and the United States have clearly taken note. With free-kick specialists Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, the

SOWETO, South Africa: Thousands of people rocked Orlando Stadium in South Africa`s biggest township on Thursday, singing in harmony at the first World Cup concert on the eve of the world`s most watched sporting event. Concert-goers clapped and cheered amidst almost freezing temperatures

RUSTENBURG, South Africa: Fabio Capello, just a child when England last met the United States at the World Cup 60 years ago, is acutely aware a repeat of that famous result on Saturday (1830 GMT) would create another sensation. As a three-year-old growing up in Friuli, close to the

PRETORIA: Seldom has such a big question mark hung over Argentina at the start of a World Cup as that dogging the side Diego Maradona will put out against Nigeria in their Group B opener at Ellis Park on Saturday. Argentina have stayed injury-free, unlike Nigeria who lost key midfielder

JOHANNESBURG: Switzerland captain Alex Frei is doubtful for their opening World Cup game against Spain next week after hurting his right ankle in training on Wednesday, Swiss officials said. However, Frei was allowed to travel with the squad who are expected to arrive in Johannesburg on

DURBAN, South Africa (AP)—Three Greece players at the World Cup have had money stolen from their hotel rooms, police say. Lt. Colonel Leon Engelbrecht said Thursday the unidentified players reported $1,921 had been stolen from their rooms on Tuesday night at the Beverly Hills Hotel in

JOHANNESBURG: The theory in Germany goes that the loss of Michael Ballack could actually work in their favour, giving an outstanding crop of fresh-faced, fleet-footed players a chance to flourish at this World Cup. The task for Serbia, Australia and Ghana heading into Group D is to show

MILAN: Rafa Benitez was named Inter Milan coach on Thursday, charged with the tough task of matching last season`s stunning treble success under Jose Mourinho. Spaniard Benitez, who last week ended his six-year spell at Liverpool, has penned a two-year deal with the European, Serie A and

SYDNEY: Australia prop Ben Daley will face a baptism of fire Saturday after he was named by coach Robbie Deans to make his test debut against England in Perth. The 21-year-old was named in the starting side after first choice Benn Robinson broke his arm during the Super 14, while Ben

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa and Mexico are likely to go on the attack in the opening game of the World Cup on Friday, hopefully ending a run of cagey and often dour starts to the finals. Against a backdrop of fevered enthusiasm and the deafening noise of vuvuzelas at Johannesburg`s

JOHANNESBURG: "Vuvuzela" trumpets blasted and football chants rang out across South Africa on the eve of the continent`s first World Cup which Africans hope will transform negative global perceptions of them.In hotels and training grounds across the vast and beautiful nation, players and

Dhaka: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president said the national school cricket tournament will run over the country with a festive mood from the next year to build up a platform for hunting talent cricketers and train them as future national players. “School cricket is a heart of the

MAGALIESBURG, South Africa: Portugal`s first World Cup training session in South Africa was watched by around 2,000 fans on Sunday, an indication of the team`s popularity among the local immigrant community.The Portuguese squad landed in the morning and was met by thousands of supporters

JOHANNESBURG: Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar will miss his first Brazil match for two years when he sits out Monday`s friendly against Tanzania.The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Sunday that the 30-year-old would not travel to Tanzania after hurting his back in last week`s

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - England thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 80 runs inside three days at Old Trafford on Sunday as the tourists were bowled out for just 123 after being asked to follow on.Steven Finn claimed five for 42 and his fellow fast bowler James Anderson took

PARIS: Rafa Nadal reclaimed his French Open crown in emphatic style on Sunday when he battered Sweden`s Robin Soderling 6-4 6-2 6-4 to win the title for the fifth time in six years.The 24-year-old Spaniard weathered some fierce early hitting by the powerful Soderling before taking command

JOHANNESBURG: At least 15 people were injured on Sunday when fans tried to push their way into a local stadium to watch a pre-World Cup match between Nigeria and North Korea only five days before the tournament gets underway.The stampede was triggered mostly by Nigeria supporters, holding

PARIS: Robin Soderling knew what to expect when he faced Rafael Nadal for the French Open title on Sunday -- but he just could not cope with the best claycourt player of his generation.For the second year in a row, Soderling came up short in the Roland Garros showpiece and he was beaten

Dhaka: An encounter between Dhaka Abahani and Dhaka Mohammedan always becomes a high-voltage match in domestic soccer leagues, with fans crowding the stadium to see their respective team triumph.The giants in the country’s sporting arena are preparing for a latest fight in the

DHAKA: Bangladesh is going to face mighty England in Test cricket with bitter experiences of conceding two consecutive defeats and a draw in practice matches against the hosts during the tour.The visitors will stage their real show at Lords, beginning at Bangladesh standard time 4:00pm