Wallabies in no rush to call up replacements

WELLINGTON: Australia coach Robbie Deans will wait at least 48 hours before deciding whether to call for replacements to bolster his injury-hit rugby World Cup squad. The Wallabies suffered a raft of injuries in their 67-5 victory over the United States on Friday, with center Anthony Faingaa knocked unconscious in the final minute while fellow midfield backs Rob Horne suffered a fractured cheekbone and Pat McCabe dislocating his shoulder.

Roma denied by late Siena equalizer

ROME: A late equalizer from Siena defender Roberto Vitiello piled the pressure on AS Roma coach Luis Enrique as the Spaniard's team were held to a 1-1 home draw by the Serie A newcomers on Thursday. Vitiello swept the ball home with two minutes to go after Franco Brienza's shot had struck the upright, earning Siena a deserved point after an open encounter at the Stadio Olimpico.

Promoted Betis go top after seven-goal thriller

MADRID: Promoted Real Betis surged to the top of the table after hanging on to beat Real Zaragoza 4-3 despite playing with 10 men for the last 21 minutes of a thrilling La Liga clash on Thursday. Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz scored twice as the hosts raced into a 4-1 lead before a foolish red card for keeper Casto Espinosa sparked a Zaragoza fightback in the second half.

Al-Ahli's crushes Najran

JEDDAH: A brace by Victor Simoes enabled Al-Ahli to score a comfortable 4-0 win over Najran during the third week of the Saudi Professional Soccer League match played at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium on Friday night.

Demare of France celebrates with compatriot Petit after winning the men's under-23 road race event at the UCI World cycling championships in Copenhagen. (Reuters)

Perfect timing as Demare leads French one-two

RUDERSDAL, Denmark: A year after launching his sprint too early, Arnaud Demare timed his effort to perfection to lead a French one-two as he claimed the under-23 road race title at the cycling world championships on Friday.

Red Bull Formula One driver Vettel walks to his garage after the second practice session of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix at the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore. (Reuters)

Vettel lights up Singapore in second practice

SINGAPORE: Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel signaled his intention to secure a ninth victory of the season when the German set a blistering pace in the second free practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday.

Arsenal should not be written off, says Wenger

LONDON: Despite making their worst start to a season for 58 years, Arsenal could still pick up momentum and challenge for the Premier League title, manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday.

Sri Lanka name Australian Marsh as coach

COLOMBO: Former Australian opener Geoff Marsh will take over as head coach of the Sri Lankan team on a two-year contract, the country's cricket board (SLC) said on Friday.

He was a Nawab of all he surveyed

MUMBAI: Royalty not only adorned Indian cricket, but also sustained it in the pre-Independence India, but there was a solitary figure of the Nawab of Pataudi who played an equally dominant role far beyond after the dawn of freedom.

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Flyers' Shelley banned 10 games for hit from behind

NEW YORK: Philadelphia Flyers forward Jody Shelley has been suspended 10 games, including five in the regular season, for a hit from behind in a pre-season game, the National Hockey League said on Thursday.

France clash perfect for 100-cap celebration, says McCaw

AUCKLAND: Playing old rivals France in a World Cup clash at Eden Park is the perfect scenario to become the first All Black to win 100 caps, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said on Friday.

FIFA bans Iraq from playing at home

Iraq will have to play all their home qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup and next year’s London Olympics at a neutral venue due to fears over security, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Friday.

Ljubicic, Muller reach semis at Moselle Open

METZ, France: Gilles Muller of Luxembourg upset second-seeded Richard Gasquet of France 6-3, 6-4 Friday to move into the semifinals of the Moselle Open.

Honors even in Solheim Cup foursomes

DUNSANY, Ireland: Europe's Suzann Pettersen holed an eight-foot birdie putt at the 18th in the final match to win a point and put her team level with the United States at 2-2 after the opening series of foursomes at the Solheim Cup on Friday.

League warns teams of possible fines for faking injuries

NEW YORK: The National Football League (NFL) has urged teams to stamp out any faking of injuries and threatened sanctions against those that do not comply, according to a memo sent to club officials on Wednesday.

Top-seeded Kirilenko into semis at Guangzhou Open

GUANGZHOU, China, top-seeded Maria Kirilenko eased into the semifinals of the Guangzhou Open on Thursday, defeating Tetiana Luzhanska of Ukraine 6-1, 7-5.

Shabab tops group with straight third win

JEDDAH: Al-Shabab scored their third straight win from as many matches when they got the better of Al-Qadasiya by a solitary goal during the third week of the Saudi Professional Soccer League match played at the King Fahd International Stadium on Thursday night.

Former India captain Pataudi dies aged 70

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi has died aged 70 after losing his battle against a lung infection on Thursday.

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Diamondbacks cut magic No. to 2 with 8-5 win

PHOENIX: Miguel Montero had a two-run homer among his three hits and the Arizona Diamondbacks jumped on the Pittsburgh Pirates early in an 8-5 win on Wednesday that cut their magic number for clinching the NL West to two.

Tearful Brazil forward Damiao limps off injured

RIO DE JANEIRO: Leandro Damiao, Brazilian football's most prolific scorer this season, limped off during a match on Wednesday and cried on the touchline as he contemplated missing Brazil's upcoming friendlies.

Manchester's forgotten men make their mark

LONDON: Manchester United's Michael Owen and Manchester City's Owen Hargreaves have made strong cases for inclusion in Saturday's Premier League matches after reminding English football of their ability this week.

Journeyman Ranieri takes over as Inter boss

ROME: Inter Milan have appointed Claudio Ranieri as their new coach, the Serie A club said on their website on Thursday.

Blaine Scully (top) of the US fails to prevent Australia Wallabies' Anthony Fainga'a from scoring during their Rugby World Cup Pool C match at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington on Friday. (Reuters)

Wallabies suffer injury crisis after crushing win

WELLINGTON: Australia coach Robbie Deans faces a severe injury crisis, particularly in the midfield backs, after his side put their surprise loss to Ireland behind them with a 67-5 victory over the United States on Friday.

Almansour brothers win Almarai-Saudi National Day Golf event

RIYADH: The script couldn't have gone wrong as Fahad Almansour and younger brother Abdulrahman led a 1-2 Saudi finish in the Almarai-Saudi National Day Golf Tournament 2011 at the Dirab Golf & Country Club on Friday.

England's Tindall takes part in the Captain's run in Dunedin. (Reuters)

Tindall returns to England team and media scrutiny

DUNEDIN, New Zealand: Mike Tindall returned to England's starting lineup and a barrage of questions Thursday ahead of his team's Rugby World Cup match against Romania.

Rangers Kinsler slides into second base while Athletics Weeks misses the ball during the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Oakland. (Reuters)

A's beat first-place Rangers to avoid 3-game sweep

OAKLAND, California: Coco Crisp hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning and the Oakland Athletics beat the first-place Texas Rangers 4-3 on Thursday to avoid a series sweep.

South Africa Springboks' Pierre Spies (L) fends off the tackle from Namibia's Conrad Marais during their Rugby World Cup Pool D match at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland on Thursday. (Reuters)

Boks run riot as royal buzz hits World Cup

WELLINGTON: Bryan Habana finally claimed the South African record as their highest try scorer as the Springboks thrashed Namibia to all but qualify for the quarterfinals, while New Zealand experienced a rare burst of paparazzi activity with the arrival of British royalty.

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Everton's Denis Stracqualursi (R) challenges West Bromwich Albion's Jonas Olsson during their English League Cup soccer match in Liverpool, northern England, on Wednesday night. (Reuters)

League Cup wins for City, Liverpool and Chelsea

LONDON: Debutant Owen Hargreaves scored his first goal for more than three years and Mario Balotelli grabbed his first of the season as Manchester City beat holders Birmingham City 2-0 in a League Cup third round tie at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

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