Sports News

United beat Osaka to book place in World Club Championship final

Manchester United LogoYokohama, Japan - Wayne Rooney came off the bench to score twice as Manchester United beat Gamba Osaka 5-3 Thursday in a highly entertaining semi-final of the World Club Championship in Yokohama.

Headed efforts from Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo gave United a comfortable two-goal cushion at the break before Masato Yamazaki pulled one back for Osaka.

However, the two strikes from Rooney, with an effort from Darren Fletcher sandwiched in-between, countered by a late penalty from Yashuhito Endo and a strike in added time from Hideo Hashimoto, ensured a comfortable win for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Albert Costa named as Spain's new Davis Cup captain

Albert CostaBarcelona - Albert Costa was on Thursday named as the new captain of Spain's Davis Cup team, replacing Emilo Sanchez Vicario who resigned after leading his country to the 2008 title 3-1 over Argentina last month in Mar del Plata.

Costa was favourite to take over the post and receives a one-year contract. Spain begin the defence of their Davis Cup title next year March 6-8 against Serbia in Benidorm.

"For me the nomination is a recognition of my total career," said the 33-year-old, who was part of Spain's Davis Cup winning team in 2000 and is believed to have beaten off competition from former player Alex Corretja.

Brazil star Cafu to play for English non-leaguers

Brazil star Cafu to play for English non-leaguersLondon - Former Brazil defender Cafu has agreed to play for non-league side Garforth Town in 2009, resports said on Thursday.

The 38-year-old left AC Milan in the summer and is currently without a club.

"He's likely to be coming in April and just playing a few games for us," Garforth owner Simon Clifford, who runs the Brazilian Soccer Schools coaching organisation, was quoted as saying by the Guardian daily.

"It's an absolute honour to have someone like him lining up in our shirt. I think he'll also add something on the field."

India calls off cricket tour to Pakistan

BCCI LogoNew Delhi - India's cricket tour to Pakistan was called off on Thursday in the wake of last month's terrorist attacks in Mumbai that have strained ties between the neighbours, officials said.

India's cricket squad led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni were to tour Pakistan in January and February next year but the Indian government refused permission to the team to travel to Pakistan.

The government's decision, based on "diplomatic reasons as well as security concerns" was conveyed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Shashank Manohar, officials in the External Affairs Ministry said.

Nadal, Jankovic lift 2008 ITF honours

Rafael NadalLondon - The world number one pair of Rafael Nadal and Jelena Jankovic lifted top honours for the 2008 season as the each received world champion honours from the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Nadal, winner of a fourth straight Roland Garros title as well as Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal, swept the field on the men's side. The ITF makes the selections based upon ATP and WTA results combined with Grand Slams, Olympics, Davis Cup and Fed Cup play.

Pregnant Davenport could be at career crossroads again

Lindsay DavenportLos Angeles - A second pregnancy could mark the end of the tennis career of Lindsay Davenport after the 32-year-old withdrew from the Australian Open over her good news.

The announcement could have been a surprise for the mother-to-be after the three-time Grand Slam champion decided only a week ago to prepare for an entry next month into the Australian Open.

Davenport gave birth to son Jagger in 2007, saying at the time that she had retired. But she then reversed her decision, returning to tennis three months later and lifting two WTA titles in the autumn and another pair at the start of 2008.

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