Saturday, July 3, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Live Battle between Paraguay vs Spain in Quarter Final of FIFA World Cup

Posted: 03 Jul 2010 04:56 AM PDT

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup

A battle is just about to go on Saturday, July 3, Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg. Viewers are keenly waiting for this upcoming match. Viewers likes to see the games of main attacking player of Paraguay. They want to see fierce game of Lucas Barrios, the forward player of Paraguay. From two straight games Paraguay could not score a single goal when side needs. All blame goes to Barrios, according to audience. His team waiting for Barrios and forward Roque Santa Cruz to bounce back in a big way to win this match.

On the other side audience are expecting good game by David Villa, The Spanish player. He was the Euro 2008 golden boot winner of tournament so far, tying him for the overall lead in the World Cup.  He is the most dangerous attacker moving forward, making him one of the most dangerous strikers in the tournament. The team depends on Edgar Barreto the mid fielder playing for the Paraguay. On other side, Spain hoping from Xavi.  Striker Lucas Barrios says “It’s really pleasing to be able to make history with this squad. The team’s doing really well, we’re very united and we can go further.”  Coach Vicente Del Bosque says “The Paraguayans have very good defenders but also attackers. We know how difficult it is to be victorious, we can’t take anything for granted. We must be hugely respectful of our next opponents.” The two sides have met twice at the World Cup. In 2002, Spain overturned a 1-0 deficit to defeat Paraguay 3-1 in the group phase.

NFL Passing Game Pioneer Coryell Dead At 85

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:35 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

San Diego, CA, United States (AHN) – Former NFL head coach Don Coryell, popularly known as the man behind the “Air Coryell” offense, passed away Thursday at age 85.

Coryell, who served 14 seasons as an NFL head coach (five with St. Louis Cardinals and nine with the San Diego Chargers), died Thursday at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa.

Considered one of the brightest minds in NFL history, Coryell popularized perhaps the most potent offensive play of all-time: the “Air Coryell” passing game.

Coryell amassed an impressive 111-83-1 career record, while his teams led the league in passing yardage from 1978 to 1983.

The enigmatic head coach also guided the Chargers to three division titles and two AFC championship appearances.

Football followers recognized the “Air Coryell” as a breakthrough offensive play that revolutionized professional football.

“He’s one of just a handful of people who had an impact on this game forever. He changed it,” Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Martz told L.A Times Thursday. “I’m not sure why that hasn’t been acknowledged by the Hall of Fame.”

Although he fell short of winning a Super Bowl title and sadly a place in the Football Hall of Fame, Coryell’s football philosophies inspired football greats like Joe Gibbs and John Madden (both served as his assistants) to take the game into new heights.

Coryell, whose wife died last year, was reportedly battling several ailments at the time of his death.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Nadal Dispatches Murray, To Face Berdych In Wimbledon Final

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:35 PM PDT

Matt Aug – AHN Sports Editor

Wimbledon, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – Using a wicked though powerful top-spin forehand, Spain’s Rafael Nadal dispatched Brit Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6 (6), 6-4 in Friday’s Wimbledon semifinal.

In the other semifinal match, Czech Tomas Berdych upended Serb Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6 (9), 6-3.

If Nadal can defeat Berdych, it would mark his second Wimbledon title and eighth Grand Slam championship.

Berdych, who came in seeded No. 12, defeated the No. 3 seed Djokovic to compete in his first Grand Slam title match.

He will have to come up with a remarkable effort to top Nadal, who racked up 31 winners to just 13 errors.

After dropping three of his first four matches vs. Berdych, Nadal seems to have his foe solved with six straight wins.

As if he doesn’t boast enough quality shots in his repertoire, Nadal even pulled out some rip-roaring backhands that Djokovic could not handle.

Berdych, meanwhile, collected 11 aces and twice as many winners (34) as unforced errors (17).

He will have to be patient, poised and pick his spots even more to be able to defeat the superb Nadal.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Daytona Makes More Repairs To Pothole

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:35 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Daytona International Speedway is scheduled to begin being re-paved Monday, but apparently that won’t be soon enough.

DIS officials announced Friday morning its engineers made “precautionary” repairs to the section of the track where a pothole developed during this year’s Daytona 500.

An inspection of the track after Thursday night’s final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice showed an issue in the same place that delayed the Daytona 500 for more than two hours.

“During an inspection by our team of engineers following yesterday’s track activity, an area of approximately one-foot tall by 4 1-2-feet long in Turn 2 was repaired as a precautionary measure,” said DIS in a statement. “Our track inspections will continue throughout the weekend and we will make any other repairs deemed necessary.”

The entire track will be resurfaced following this weekend’s activities, which include the Coke Zero 400 Saturday night.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Defenseman Paul Martin Inks Pact With Penguins

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:35 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Pittsburgh, PA, United States (AHN) – The Pittsburgh Penguins solidified their defensive wall Thursday after signing defenseman Paul Martin to a five-year pact.

Penguins executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero confirmed Thursday their acquisition of Martin, who will receive an average annual salary of $5 million through the 2014-2015 seasons.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Martin will fill a gaping hole in the Penguins defensive unit, which was exposed last postseason.

Drafted 62nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2000, Martin developed into a sturdy defenseman with solid offensive abilities.

Martin recorded 26 goals, 137 assists, 163 points and a nice plus-55 rating in 400 career games with the Devils.

His postseason output includes 2 goals, 12 assists, and 16 points (2G-14A) in 42 playoff matches.

Although he missed 59 games with a fractured forearm, Martin still contributed two goals, 11 points, and a plus-10 rating last season.

NHL analyst described the former Minnesota Golden Gophers standout as a reliable defenseman that brings toughness and versatility in the lineup.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Red Sox` Varitek Goes On DL Due To Fractured Foot

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:35 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Boston Red Sox veteran catcher Jason Varitek became the latest addition to the team’s disabled list with a severely fractured foot, a league source confirmed Thursday.

The Red Sox’s injury tally continues to rise, as Varitek joined Victor Martinez, Dustin Pedroia, Josh Beckett, Jeremy Hermida, Mike Lowell, Clay Buchholz, and Jacoby Ellsbury in the injury list.

Varitek was supposed to take daily catching role in place for Martinez, who fractured his left thumb in San Francisco Sunday, but the Red Sox captain had been obviously limping in the past few days.

Multiples reports indicated Varitek suffered the injury in Wednesday’s night game against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he was spotted grimacing in pain.

Varitek, three-time MLB all-star, could be out for at least four to six weeks, leaving a gaping hole in the Red Sox roster.

At 38, Varitek is still batting .263 with 7 homers, 16 RBI and 18 runs this season.

Gustavo Molina and returning Red Sox backstop Kevin Cash is expected to step up for their injured teammates.

The Red Sox re-acquired Cash on July 1 by trading shortstop Ángel Sánchez to the Houston Astros, while Molina was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Golf Deja Vu: Rose Rises To Lead AT&T; Tiger 10 Shots Back

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:35 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Newton Square, PA, United States (AHN) – The 36-hole leader last week in Connecticut was Justin Rose.

The 36-hole leader after Friday’s second round of the AT&T National, is, once again, Justin Rose.

Rose had a flawless day at the Aronimink Golf Club. He overcame the difficult conditions and shot 64 for a seven under par total of 133.

His six-birdie, no bogey effort showed no ill effects or aftershock from his Sunday collapse on the final nine holes last week at the Travelers.

Rose, the hottest player on the PGA Tour, found himself a shot in front of Jason Day and Charlie Wi.

Day, the 22-year-old Australian who won for the first time two months ago at the Byron Nelson shot 68 for a 134 total, six-under. Wi hit perhaps the sensational shot of the day when he holed his second shot from the fairway at the 459-yard par four 12th hole for eagle.

He added three more birdies on his way to a 65, second best round of the week.

Three shots back of Rose at 136 were Jeff Overton (68-68) and Charley Hoffman (69-67).

Tiger Woods, the number one player in the world, continued to struggle with his putter. Woods shot an even par round of 70 and made the cut on the number, 143, three-over and 10 shots behind the leader.

Rose, who won for the first time on the PGA Tour last month at The Memorial, had 26 putts en route to his 64, best round of the week. Birdies came in pairs for the tall Englishman. He birdied three and four, 12 and 13 then closed with birdies at 16 and 17.

Rose was an eye-opener after 36 holes last week at the TPC River Highlands with rounds of 64-62 and his Friday round at Aronimink was an attention-getter considering the difficulty of the Donald Ross design.

“It’s tough out there,” said Day, Rose’s closest pursuer with Wi. “It’s getting really firm out there. We were lucky in the afternoon, the wind died down. I didn’t play that well, I missed a lot of fairways and I need to hit some fairways. If I don’t hit fairways, I can’t set myself up.”

Rose, who last week said he felt uncomfortable with his putter during the final round at the Travelers, has been comfortable with his flat stick this week. He’s now gone 238 consecutive holes without a three-putt.

Woods wasn’t as fortunate.

Woods lipped out some short putts late in his round Friday to put himself on the cut line. “If you can’t make putts, no matter how good you hit the ball, you’re not going to shoot a good score,” Woods lamented.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Golfer Wargo, 68, Turns Back Time; Co-Leader In Montreal

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:35 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Montreal, Quebec, Canada (AHN) – Tom Wargo is old, even by Champions Tour standards.

At age 68, his best golf is behind him but he managed to turn back the hands of time Friday.

Wargo, the 1993 PGA Senior champion, beat his age by three shots with a 65 that tied him for the first round lead of the Montreal Championship with lefty Russ Cochran.

Cochran is 16 years younger than Wargo and the newcomers to senior competition, like reigning PGA Senior champ Tom Lehman are nearly 20 years younger.

Wargo is an old-school success story in golf. He was grew up on a Michigan farm, taught himself to play golf at age 25 and has held jobs ranging from iron worker, auto worker, bartender to commercial fisherman in Alaska.

His last victory on the senior circuit came 10 years ago.

There is a long list of contenders packed in behind him at the Club de Golf Fountainbleau.

Jay Haas and John Cook are among a half dozen players at 66.

Keith Fergus and David Frost are in a group of seven at 67.

Lehman and Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin are only three shots behind at 68 while the Champions Tour’s No. 1 player, Fred Couples, finished Friday with a 69.

With all his accomplishments, Wargo, a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member, bettered his age for the first time after 18 years on the senior circuit.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Rain Puts Harvick On Pole At Daytona

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:35 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Mother Nature must be a Kevin Harvick fan.

Friday’s qualifying session for the Coke Zero 400 pole was rained out after only 12 cars took to Daytona International Speedway’s 2.5-mile tri-oval.

As a result, the 43-car starting grid was decided by owner’s points, which put points leader Kevin Harvick and his No. 29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet on the pole for Saturday night’s 160-lap race.

“For us, we didn’t have a lot of speed for qualifying, so it will make things a little easier at the beginning of the race,” Harvick said.

Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will start on outside of the front row in his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

Kyle Busch, third in points, will start behind Harvick and Johnson and Denny Hamlin and Jeff Gordon round out the top-five starters.

“We would have liked to qualified to see how our car stacked up against the field,” Busch said.

Before the time trial session was canceled, Sam Hornish Jr. was the provisional pole-sitter with a lap of 188.194 mph and was followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. (188.088 mph) and Johnson (187.935 mph).

Those speeds were thrown out because the entire 45 entries did not make it to the track.

Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton, Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle comprised the top-10 starters.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Islanders Land Eaton, Jurcina; Leafs Re-sign Kulemin

Posted: 02 Jul 2010 07:35 PM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

United States (AHN) – The New York Islanders inked unrestricted free agents defensemen Mark Eaton and Milan Jurcina.

The Toronto Maple Leafs kept forward Nikolai Kulemin, re-signing him to a $4.7 million, two-year deal Friday.

Eaton, 33, signed a $5 million, two-year deal, and Jurcina signed a one year, $1 million pact.

Eaton has an offensive upside, posting 16 points with a plus-5 rating in 79 games with Pittsburgh last season.

Jurcina, 27, collected seven points with a plus-2 rating in 44 games, splitting time in Washington and in Columbus last season.

New York also tied up scraper Zenon Konopka and forward P.A. Parenteau.

Kulemin, 23, was a restricted free-agent, and posted 36 points in 78 games for Toronto last season.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)