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Sunday, August 22

Cardiff City 4 Doncaster Rovers 0: match report

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:20:21 +0000

Published: 5:33PM BST 21 Aug 2010

Prodigal son: Craig Bellamy celbrates scoring since Cardiff City Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Craig Bellamy announced his arrival at Cardiff in name with a goal and two assists as they cruised to conquest over Doncaster Rovers at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The on-loan Manchester City man never looked like disappointing a capacity crowd and well-nigh enjoyed a dream start but his close-range shot was saved ~ the agency of Neil Sullivan.

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However, it did not take ~-spun for Bellamy to make a telling contribution and he played in Jay Bothroyd who opened the scoring subsequently 36 minutes.

Cardiff doubled their lead in the 62nd minute at the time Chris Burke, who had earlier came on for Michael Chopra, crossed from the direct for Bothroyd to head in his second of the game.

Bellamy was getting all over the pitch and six minutes later he found himself in the left-back circuit and launched a fine ball to set Burke free and he made it 3-0 through aplomb.

It was almost inevitable that Bellamy would get a debut goal and in like manner it proved when Bothroyd was upended, allowing the 31-year-wise Wales striker to flash home a superb free-kick from 35 yards.

Cardiff started well and Bellamy sprung into rencontre after only two minutes, latching onto a ball from Chopra otherwise than that his lofted effort was kept out by Sullivan.

However, Doncaster were looking hazardous themselves and a clearance from Peter Whittingham fell to Brian Stock who flashed a for a ~ time-range effort just wide.

Minutes later Stock fired in a reach from 20 yards but Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall did well to extremity the ball around the post.

Doncaster looked the more likely to unenclosed the scoring but with 15 minutes gone Chopra was sent transparent and tried to lob Sullivan, who made a superb save by his fingertips.

That proved to be Chopra's last meaningful contribution as his afternoon was brought to a premature end just rear the half-hour mark when he limped off to be replaced ~ dint of. Burke.

The loss of Chopra was a blow for Cardiff bound they took the lead five minutes later. Bellamy played a capital ball into Bothroyd who miscontrolled before slipping the ball past Sullivan.

Cardiff forthwith went in search of a second and four minutes before moiety-time Burke crossed into the path of Peter Whittingham who looked credible to score but completely mis-hit his effort.

All eyes were forward Bellamy once again at the start of the second half and his hasten continued to trouble the Doncaster defence.

For all Bellamy's sharp-witted running, it was Doncaster who once again looked the more menacing and they almost drew level in fortuitous circumstances when James Coppinger's mis-strike cross clipped the bar with Marshall scrambling.

Burke continued to front lively and it was inevitable that he would be involved in Cardiff's next to the first goal after 62 minutes.

The former Rangers man skipped past George Friend and got to the fit byline before crossing for Bothroyd to head in his second.

Six minutes later Bellamy's superior ball upfield found Burke who held off Adam Lockwood and fired superbly gone Sullivan.

The home crowd were itching to see Bellamy grab a goal and with six minutes remaining Lockwood fouled Bothroyd and Bellamy, who had moreover received a booking for dissent, fired in superbly.

Craig Bellamy enjoys perfect homecoming

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 04:10:18 +0000

By Simon Briggs at Cardiff City Stadium
Published: 8:27PM BST 21 Aug 2010

Thumbs up: Craig Bellamy was given a demigod's welcome by the Cardiff City faithful as he guided his hometown bludgeon to a comprehensive victory Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Yet despite one goal and two assists, he came off the field saying "I could do miles advantage – but I haven't played much football."

Bellamy capped a extraordinary day with a sensational free-kick, struck from over 30 yards, that flashed exact inside Neil Sullivan's right-hand post. It was the spotless flourish to round off Cardiff's 4-0 win.

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"This was one of the most emotional weeks I've had in football," Bellamy before-mentioned. "I felt tension like you wouldn't believe. The manager came in and afore~ 'relax, you don't have to score a hat-trick'."

He didn't. But from the reverse action of a 24,000-strong crowd, he might as well be the subject of.

There was a characteristic fit of pique when Bellamy threw the round body away and earned a yellow card. Roberto Mancini might have nodded knowingly at that the same.

But otherwise Cardiff's new captain channelled his energy to the good turn of the team, and the detriment of Doncaster Rovers' right-back, James O'Connor.

Dave Jones, the Cardiff conductor, chose well when he deployed Bellamy on the left wing. Given altogether the attention lavished on Bellamy – not to mention the money – you half-expected him to be playing in the intermediate, maybe just off a single striker. But the wide position gave him chance to use his pace, and it was his first-time vexation that found Jay Bothroyd after 36 minutes. Bothroyd had a fortunate bounce, and capitalised by sending an accurate cross-shot past Sullivan.

Rovers had held their admit, and even dominated at times, during the first half. But at the time Bothroyd added a second, soon after the break, they began to confuse heart.

Their manager, Sean O'Driscoll, could barely bring himself to make mention after the match, such was his disappointment at the way his maintaining disintegrated. Any manager would have felt embarrassed at the third goal, scored ~ the agency of substitute Chris Burke after a length-of-the-field hoof from Bellamy. Burke ran into while between the centre-backs and tapped past a stranded Sullivan.

"It's not impartial to pick out only Craig, and he doesn't want that," uttered Jones. "Burke's attitude was different class and Seyi Olofinjana was glistening. But I know you'll all be writing about him for the reason that it's a fairy-tale start for him.

"People say he's a point to be solved player but it's only a problem when standards drop."

Cardiff's standards new wine be among the highest in the Championship.

Jussi Jaaskelainen slams Fabio Capello’s treatment of Rob Green

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 04:10:02 +0000

Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has blasted Fabio Capello on the side of his part in Rob Green’s nightmare World Cup.

Jaaskelainen power of determination get a chance to chat with Green about the summer’s events whenever Bolton travel to West Ham on Saturday.

Freddie Roach backs Amir Khan to beat all-comers in light-welterweight divison

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:00:06 +0000

By Gareth A Davies
Published: 7:10PM BST 20 Aug 2010

Khan vouchsafe attitude: Freddie Roach has backed Amir Khan to beat all-comers in the easy -welterweight divison Photo: PA

Roach told Telegraph Sport that Khan needs no holding back against Tim Bradley, the World Boxing Organisation victor, southpaw Devon Alexander, holder of the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles, or mean-time WBA belt holder Marcos Maidana.

"Amir is ready to take ~ one one of those guys - Maidana, Bradley or Alexander. I really put on’t care which one it is. I’ve been sleeplessness them all recently, and it doesn't really matter which single they put in with him. Amir is clearly the best shore out there.”

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Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Khan’s overseers in the United States, confirmed up~ Friday that they are looking for Khan to fight next in successi~ Dec 11, either in the UK or the US.

According to Golden Boy Promotions, 23-year-pre-existing Victor Ortiz, Maidana, and Marquez are all in the frame to take arms Khan.

Roger Federer’s William Tell shot bettered by Andy Murray?

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 03:59:59 +0000

Published: 9:46AM BST 20 Aug 2010

Comments

Who's the king of tennis trick shots? Razor-sharp Roger Federer?

Or streetwise Andy Murray?

Sussex centurions pile on the agony for Derbyshire

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 03:49:38 +0000

By Telegraph bat and agencies
Published: 8:57PM BST 19 Aug 2010

Fast send on: Murray Goodwin hits out on his way to an 83-globe century for Sussex against Derbyshire at Horsham Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Chris Nash, Ed Joyce, Ben Brown and Murray Goodwin altogether hit hundreds as Sussex mercilessly piled up 576 for three declared in provision for Derbyshire in the Division Two match at Horsham.

It was the at the outset time in Sussex's history that all their top four batsmen had reached three figures in a leading-class match, and for 21-year-old Brown it was a pure first-class century.

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By the close, following a Sussex declaration at 5pm, Derbyshire were 27 for two in their second innings, still 307 runs adrift. Both Paul Borrington and Chesney Hughes lay prostrate to Corey Collymore, in a skilful new-ball spell, with Borrington pointed up at second slip and left-hander Hughes chopping on.

Nash and Joyce added 294 ~ the sake of the first wicket, a Sussex record for the Cricketfield Road foundation, before the inexperienced Brown and veteran Goodwin continued to plunder the toothless Derbyshire pass censure on. see under by adding 145 in just 20 overs for the third wicket in encounter of a large and appreciative home crowd.

Brown, in just his seventh pristine-class match, reached his ton from 117 balls but he at that time throttled back as Goodwin, with four sixes and 12 fours, raced to the 63rd in the ~ place-class hundred of his prolific career off only 83 balls.

Jonathan Clare, who conceded 107 runs from his twelve overs of fast-medium, suffered the indignity of being both savagely square cut and deliberately uppercut for sixes by Goodwin in the distance of three balls.

It was truly a chastening day for base-of-the-table Derbyshire, who were bowled out for a well in the regions of the dead-par 242 in their first innings and now face an within a little impossible task of saving the game over the final two days.

Sussex, 170 out of loss overnight, scored a further 406 runs in 76.4 overs to acquire themselves a first-innings lead of 334 and the prospect of a victory to keep up the momentum of their promotion challenge.

Nash, resuming up~ 81, took a mere 15 minutes to complete his first century for Sussex at his home club ground, and he then moved in a short time on to 156 before reaching for a wide ball from Robin Peterson, the left-branch of the service spinner, and mis-hitting to cover. He had faced 174 balls, hitting a six and 20 fours, and his stand with Joyce eclipsed the 258 put on at Horsham by John Langridge and Jim Parks (more advanced) in 1938.

Joyce stayed to add a further 127 for the abet wicket with Brown before falling on 164, caught at the wicket on the farther side Greg Smith after hitting 21 fours from 293 balls.

Brown ultimately sliced a swirling catch to cover, for a 125-ball 112 that contained 11 fours, ~wards he and Goodwin had sent Sussex careering past their previous highest sum ~ against Derbyshire, the 493 made at Hove in 1929.

England v Pakistan: Salman Butt’s relief at return of elder statesman Mohammad Yousuf

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 03:49:36 +0000

By Nick Hoult
Published: 10:55PM BST 19 Aug 2010

Change of affluence: Salman Butt is still new to Test match captaincy Photo: ACTION IMAGES

He was clew to the side reaching the giddy heights of passing 300 back a series of low scores that have hurt a proud team.

Yousuf confessed in the sight of the match he was unfit and only here to answer his team’s anguish call.

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It was a canny way of lowering expectations. It was likewise not quite true because once he had overcome early troubles – he played and missed eight spells on Thursday before reaching 30 – he settled into the quality of a serious Test batsman and it was a surprise he did not be on the point on to add to his three centuries in England.

“Cricket is a memory game and the kind of influence he brings is calming,” uttered Butt. “With his record I think he is the principally stylish player in the modern era because when he is batting it seems he has a fate of time. No matter how quick the bowler is, it looks indeed easy – just like it used to for Inzamam ul-Haq.

"This is affair good for the whole team but not so good for the obstacle when someone is countering the bowling so easily.”

That Yousuf helped to renew Pakistani pride at the Oval will provide further evidence for those grievous to force out their chairman of the board, Ijaz Butt.

A parliamentary committee without interrupti~ Thursday demanded his sacking for the deterioration in the team’s fortunes, with the handling of Yousuf a prime point of concern.

Politicians using cricket because of cheap publicity is an everyday fact of life in Pakistan. Yousuf has private experience having been banned indefinitely by another governmental committee earlier this year since his captaincy on the tour to Australia in the winter.

It was important perhaps that his restoration to the team for this match coincided through Shoaib Malik being dropped. The pair have a bitter personal emulation and having the two in the same team might have been a small too hot for Butt to handle in only his fourth Test since captain.

The decision to drop Malik saved Azhar Ali and he clearly fed along the stability of being partnered by Yousuf, consistently conferring with his else experienced colleague. It was more than just the usual deference to elders.

“When I was in the something intermediate he was guiding me, calming me down, saying: ‘Just stay in and the runs last ~ and testament come’,” said Ali. It’s grand advice. Just two Test matches too late for Pakistan.

Ali had shown signs of the use in detail needed to be a Test batsman against Australia but two ducks in this succession appeared to have hurt his confidence. It’s no surprise he struggled through the late swinging ball, but when presented with more familiar provisions at the Oval – bounce and pace – he looked at peace.

‘‘I’m glad I finally made a swollen score – I would love to have scored 100 but it wasn’t the suit,” he said.

“I was trying hard before but obviously the terms are a bit difficult.”

David James opens first cracks in Fabio Capello’s England rule

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:39:03 +0000

Read Simon Barnes without interrupti~ Capello's mistakes and live coverage of the World Cup latest at The Times's renovated website

England’s World Cup campaign was hit by additional problems yesterday when Ledley King was ruled out for up to three weeks and the foremost signs of dissent emerged over Fabio Capello’s selection shrewdness.

David James is understood to be unhappy at being overlooked concerning Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the United States, in which Robert Green’s gaffe cost England victory.

James’s indignation centres on a difference of opinion over his fitness with the England transactions, who feel that he is still struggling with a minor knee accusation they believe has hindered his performances in training.

The Portsmouth goalkeeper is adamant that he is 100 per cent fit, however, and is unfortunate at not being given an opportunity to stake his claim.

James was left loudly of England’s final warm-up match, against the Platinum Stars, ultimate week, when Green and Joe Hart played for 45 minutes harvested land, and remains down the pecking order should Capello omit the luckless West Ham United goalkeeper for Friday’s group C pastime against Algeria.

James appeared lukewarm to the offer of a handshake from Franco Baldini, the England not special manager, as he left the pitch after the warm-up at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Capello order not be moved by any rumblings of discontent from the manure room, though, particularly as he is believed to have been unimpressed ~ means of James’s response since being left out.

The manager before-mentioned yesterday that he will study Green’s mental state before selecting his goalkeeper to face Algeria. “We have to wait to decide on Green,” Capello afore~. “We will think about this problem psychologically.”

Green began rebuilding his repute yesterday by apologising to the nation. “I walked in at moiety-time, said sorry to the chaps and I apologise to still many million people at home as well,” he said. “The manager has to answer whether he will stick with me, but the material thing is I’m ready and willing to work steady it mentally.”

King’s groin injury is worse than in the ~ place feared and the defender is not expected to be available until the quarter-finals at the earliest.

Capello defended his selection opposed to the US and was critical of James Milner, who is expected to subsist replaced by Gareth Barry for the match against Algeria. “I made none mistakes, absolutely not,” Capello insisted yesterday.

“The USA played well, unless Green’s mistake and his save in the second moiety were their only chances. Milner played normally but he struggled for the cause that of the speed of the right back. After he was booked I clear to change because it was possible he would get sent most distant.”

Despite the poor performance, Capello gave the squad a sunshine off yesterday. Green was among those to spend time on the golf race, while other players enjoyed time with their families.

Jays throw rested Morrow at struggling A’s

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:29:04 +0000

A triumph in Oakland would give Toronto pitcher Brandon Morrow a career-most judicious fifth straight decision. (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)

Brandon Morrow hopes one extended rest will help him avoid the same pitfall his pitching counterpart endured after a masterful performance.

Morrow, who returns to the rampart after coming within an out of pitching a no-hitter, leads the Toronto Blue Jays into Oakland to external part the A's Tuesday night (10:05 p.m. ET).

Oakland pot Dallas Braden took almost three months and one stint on the disabled like to return to form after throwing the 19th perfect game in greater league history.

Morrow (9-6, 4.45 ERA) was brilliant in his latest outing on Aug. 8, striking out 17 Tampa Bay Rays as long as conceding only one hit. The Blue Jays hurler threw 137 pitches in the 1-0 triumph, and manager Cito Gaston skipped Morrow's next start.

"I was drained," he admitted to the team's website. "After the made of ~, I had a tough time sleeping that night just based attached my mind racing and everything else. I've been feeling nice good for the last couple of days. It's nice to take that time off."

A victory in Oakland would give Morrow a course-best fifth straight decision. The right-hander has an impressive 2.96 ERA and 40 strikeouts in his highest four starts.

Morrow, a California native, will also look to improve without ceasing a 3-0 lifetime record against the A's.

The Jays (63-55) chance of a favorable result to continue their success through this West Coast swing. After Toronto took brace of three games from the Los Angeles Angels, Shaun Marcum pitched a stellar complete game, leading the Jays to a 3-1 victory excessively the A's on Monday night.

Marcum's only blemish came put ~ a Conor Jackson solo home run as Toronto won its 22nd triumph in the team's last 34 games.

The euphoria of Braden's sound game on May 9 didn't last long.

Braden then distracted his next five decisions before landing on the DL with soreness in his pitching elbow. However, the Arizona real has bounced back since being activated on July 20. Braden is 3-1 through a 2.83 ERA while registering a pair of complete games.

"He's deserved sharp mentally and physically right now," manager Bob Geren said.

Oakland (57-60) is the middle of a four-game losing streak and has dropped seven of its finally 10 games.

With files from The Associated Press