Honduras defeated Costa Rica 4-0 in CONCACAF 2010 World Cup Qualifying on Wednesday August 12, 2009.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Golf Gets Nod by IOC for 2016 Olympics
International Olympic leaders are recommending golf and rugby for inclusion in the 2016 Summer Games.
The International Olympic Committee executive board selected the two Thursday from a list of seven proposed sports. Failing to make the cut were baseball, softball, squash, karate and roller sports.
The board will submit golf and rugby for ratification by the full 106-member IOC assembly in Copenhagen in October.
Golf was played at the 1900 Paris Olympics and 1904 St. Louis Games. Tiger Woods and other top players have said they would compete if the sport comes back in 2016.
Rugby was last played at the 1924 Olympics in the full 15-a-side format. It proposes to return in the short-format 7-a-side version for both men and women.
The final vote will be in October, requiring a simple majority vote by the full IOC. No word yet on if the two sports will be voted on individually or as a whole.
The International Olympic Committee executive board selected the two Thursday from a list of seven proposed sports. Failing to make the cut were baseball, softball, squash, karate and roller sports.
The board will submit golf and rugby for ratification by the full 106-member IOC assembly in Copenhagen in October.
Golf was played at the 1900 Paris Olympics and 1904 St. Louis Games. Tiger Woods and other top players have said they would compete if the sport comes back in 2016.
Rugby was last played at the 1924 Olympics in the full 15-a-side format. It proposes to return in the short-format 7-a-side version for both men and women.
The final vote will be in October, requiring a simple majority vote by the full IOC. No word yet on if the two sports will be voted on individually or as a whole.
Jermain Defoe 2010 World Cup top goalscorer?
Jermain Defoe is 9/2 with bet365 to be the top England goalscorer at the 2010 World Cup finals.The Tottenham striker bagged two second-half goals as Fabio Capello's side came back from two goals down at half-time to earn a 2-2 draw in their friendly against Holland on Wednesday night.
England have nearly confirmed their place in South Africa next year and Capello could give the Spurs hitman the opportunity to fire England to the final.
bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth: "Defoe looked as clinical as ever against the Dutch and Capello could have a welcome headache in the forward department for South Africa."
The firm also make Defoe 20/1 to win the Golden Boot at next summer's tournament.
SOUTH AFRICA 2010: Mexico and Honduras rack up key qualifying victories
Miguel Sabah’s 81st-minute goal lifted Mexico to a 2-1 victory over the US in a 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, while Honduras felled regional leaders Costa Rica 4-0.
The victory at famed Azteca Stadium kept the US winless on Mexican soil and bolstered Mexico’s chances of advancing from the six-nation final round of qualifying in the North and Central America and Caribbean region.
“Today is a day to celebrate, and then get back to work,” said coach Javier Aguirre, who was brought in to replace Sven Goran Eriksson after a stuttering start to Mexico’s campaign. “Everybody will go to bed tonight a bit more relaxed.”
But Honduras’ victory in San Pedro Sula saw Mexico finish the night still in fourth place in the group, from which only the top three teams advance directly to next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa.
The fourth-placed team will play off for a berth against a team from South America.
The home fixture was a welcome chance for Mexico, who have never lost at home to the US. The only time the US had managed to share the points was in a goalless draw in 1997.
When Charlie Davies put the US ahead with his ninth-minute strike off a through ball from Landon Donovan, it marked the first time the US had ever held the lead at Azteca. But it didn’t last long.
Israel Castro equalized 10 minutes later, his shot from outside the penalty area sailing just under the crossbar and out of reach of Howard.
Castro’s equalizer energized the crowd of 90,000 at Azteca, who were keen to see Mexico repeat their 5-0 rout of a a young US side in the Gold Cup final last month.
While the US fielded a stronger team for this qualifier, they still couldn’t end their history of south of the border futility.
Sabah, who came on in the 78th, needed just minutes to make his presence felt. He took full advantage of a ball from the left from Efrain Juarez and blasted past US keeper Tim Howard.
Honduras seized second place in the standings with their 4-0 triumph over Costa Rica.
Carlo Costly in the 30th and in second-half injury time, Carlos Pavon in the 50th and Melvin Valladares in the 89th delivered the goals that put Honduras on 10 points, two behind Costa Rica. The US also have 10 points, followed by Mexico on nine.
The victory at famed Azteca Stadium kept the US winless on Mexican soil and bolstered Mexico’s chances of advancing from the six-nation final round of qualifying in the North and Central America and Caribbean region.
“Today is a day to celebrate, and then get back to work,” said coach Javier Aguirre, who was brought in to replace Sven Goran Eriksson after a stuttering start to Mexico’s campaign. “Everybody will go to bed tonight a bit more relaxed.”
But Honduras’ victory in San Pedro Sula saw Mexico finish the night still in fourth place in the group, from which only the top three teams advance directly to next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa.
The fourth-placed team will play off for a berth against a team from South America.
The home fixture was a welcome chance for Mexico, who have never lost at home to the US. The only time the US had managed to share the points was in a goalless draw in 1997.
When Charlie Davies put the US ahead with his ninth-minute strike off a through ball from Landon Donovan, it marked the first time the US had ever held the lead at Azteca. But it didn’t last long.
Israel Castro equalized 10 minutes later, his shot from outside the penalty area sailing just under the crossbar and out of reach of Howard.
Castro’s equalizer energized the crowd of 90,000 at Azteca, who were keen to see Mexico repeat their 5-0 rout of a a young US side in the Gold Cup final last month.
While the US fielded a stronger team for this qualifier, they still couldn’t end their history of south of the border futility.
Sabah, who came on in the 78th, needed just minutes to make his presence felt. He took full advantage of a ball from the left from Efrain Juarez and blasted past US keeper Tim Howard.
Honduras seized second place in the standings with their 4-0 triumph over Costa Rica.
Carlo Costly in the 30th and in second-half injury time, Carlos Pavon in the 50th and Melvin Valladares in the 89th delivered the goals that put Honduras on 10 points, two behind Costa Rica. The US also have 10 points, followed by Mexico on nine.
Scotland's Fletcher fumes at ref after thrashing
Darren Fletcher blamed the appointment of a referee from Luxembourg for Scotland's 4-0 thumping in their World Cup qualifier in Norway.
The visitors were on top in Oslo last night before Alain Hamer booked defender Gary Caldwell twice in two minutes, sparking a dramatic collapse.
The result left Scotland's hopes of reaching next summer's finals in South Africa hanging by a thread and even wins in the final two Group Nine games against Macedonia and Holland may not be enough to secure a play-off place.
''We've suffered a 4-0 defeat that we didn't deserve,'' said Manchester United midfielder Fletcher, who captained his country last night.
''The lads played well, everyone gave it their all - but in the end the refereeing decisions have changed the game.
''That's so hard to take because you expect top referees to be in charge of games as important as this one. There's a World Cup at stake. I don't know how many big games he has to take care of every season in Luxembourg.''
Fletcher claimed there was no consistency to Hamer's performance.
''John Arne Riise had three bad tackles before he was booked,'' he said. (John) Carew had three elbows before he was booked for throwing another one into Gary Caldwell's face.
''Gary wins the ball in his first tackle of the night and he gets a yellow card for it. Then the referee forgets he's already booked him and gives him a second yellow card. That's when he realised he had to send him off.
''It was unbelievable. The bottom line is the ref got these big decisions wrong and he has cost us the game because of it.''
Goalkeeper David Marshall, making his competitive debut, helped keep the score down following Caldwell's dismissal.
He said: ''Gary sending off changed the game and then obviously them scoring from the free-kick was a double blow.
''It's a disappointing result, to say the least. We expected to do much better, but circumstances were against us.''
He added: ''I felt okay at the start, not nervous or anything. I just had to get on with it. It's a game of football and we needed everybody, and needed to get a result.
''We feel a bit hard done by. It's hard when you have to pick the ball out of your net four times.
''Obviously, when it went to 2-0 and we were down to 10 men, it was going to be a long second half.''
The visitors were on top in Oslo last night before Alain Hamer booked defender Gary Caldwell twice in two minutes, sparking a dramatic collapse.
The result left Scotland's hopes of reaching next summer's finals in South Africa hanging by a thread and even wins in the final two Group Nine games against Macedonia and Holland may not be enough to secure a play-off place.
''We've suffered a 4-0 defeat that we didn't deserve,'' said Manchester United midfielder Fletcher, who captained his country last night.
''The lads played well, everyone gave it their all - but in the end the refereeing decisions have changed the game.
''That's so hard to take because you expect top referees to be in charge of games as important as this one. There's a World Cup at stake. I don't know how many big games he has to take care of every season in Luxembourg.''
Fletcher claimed there was no consistency to Hamer's performance.
''John Arne Riise had three bad tackles before he was booked,'' he said. (John) Carew had three elbows before he was booked for throwing another one into Gary Caldwell's face.
''Gary wins the ball in his first tackle of the night and he gets a yellow card for it. Then the referee forgets he's already booked him and gives him a second yellow card. That's when he realised he had to send him off.
''It was unbelievable. The bottom line is the ref got these big decisions wrong and he has cost us the game because of it.''
Goalkeeper David Marshall, making his competitive debut, helped keep the score down following Caldwell's dismissal.
He said: ''Gary sending off changed the game and then obviously them scoring from the free-kick was a double blow.
''It's a disappointing result, to say the least. We expected to do much better, but circumstances were against us.''
He added: ''I felt okay at the start, not nervous or anything. I just had to get on with it. It's a game of football and we needed everybody, and needed to get a result.
''We feel a bit hard done by. It's hard when you have to pick the ball out of your net four times.
''Obviously, when it went to 2-0 and we were down to 10 men, it was going to be a long second half.''
Mexico raise qualification hopes
Mexico recorded a 2-1 win over the United States in Mexico City on Wednesday to reinvigorate their World Cup qualification hopes.
El Tri stayed fourth in the final stage of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying section but the three points edged them to within one point of the top three spots, which carry automatic qualification for next year's finals in South Africa.
The USA took an early lead in the ninth minute, as Charlie Davies finished a counter-attack with a shot from the left.
However, Javier Aguirre's Mexico reacted quickly and needed only 10 minutes to draw level with a long-range shot from Israel Castro which crashed in off the crossbar.
The game at the Estadio Azteca looked set to finish a draw, but substitute Miguel Sabah grabbed a winner for the hosts after Tim Howard was unable to hold on to Efrain Juarez's shot.
''We found it very difficult to settle on the field in the opening minutes and the United States took advantage,'' Mexico and PSV Eindhoven defender Carlos Salcido said.
''Then, we became calmer, building our offensive play and our goals finally came.
''We gained three very important points that help keep us alive in the group.''
Honduras rose to second place in the group by beating leaders Costa Rica 4-0 at home.
Carlos Costly started and finished the rout, with Carlos Pavon and Melvin Valladares scoring the goals in between for Honduras, who are now two points behind the Ticos and above the USA on goal difference.
Costly caught the Costa Rica defence napping to head home the opener after half an hour and from then on there was no way back for the visitors in San Pedro Sula.
In Port of Spain, Cornell Glen scored in the seventh minute to give Trinidad & Tobago a 1-0 win over El Salvador. The Soca Warriors drew level with their opponents on five points at the bottom of the standings - four below Mexico.
The top three teams from the group advance directly to South Africa 2010 while the fourth-placed team plays off for a berth against a team from South America.
El Tri stayed fourth in the final stage of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying section but the three points edged them to within one point of the top three spots, which carry automatic qualification for next year's finals in South Africa.
The USA took an early lead in the ninth minute, as Charlie Davies finished a counter-attack with a shot from the left.
However, Javier Aguirre's Mexico reacted quickly and needed only 10 minutes to draw level with a long-range shot from Israel Castro which crashed in off the crossbar.
The game at the Estadio Azteca looked set to finish a draw, but substitute Miguel Sabah grabbed a winner for the hosts after Tim Howard was unable to hold on to Efrain Juarez's shot.
''We found it very difficult to settle on the field in the opening minutes and the United States took advantage,'' Mexico and PSV Eindhoven defender Carlos Salcido said.
''Then, we became calmer, building our offensive play and our goals finally came.
''We gained three very important points that help keep us alive in the group.''
Honduras rose to second place in the group by beating leaders Costa Rica 4-0 at home.
Carlos Costly started and finished the rout, with Carlos Pavon and Melvin Valladares scoring the goals in between for Honduras, who are now two points behind the Ticos and above the USA on goal difference.
Costly caught the Costa Rica defence napping to head home the opener after half an hour and from then on there was no way back for the visitors in San Pedro Sula.
In Port of Spain, Cornell Glen scored in the seventh minute to give Trinidad & Tobago a 1-0 win over El Salvador. The Soca Warriors drew level with their opponents on five points at the bottom of the standings - four below Mexico.
The top three teams from the group advance directly to South Africa 2010 while the fourth-placed team plays off for a berth against a team from South America.
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