Thursday 8 October 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

France train attack hero stabbed in California

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - One of three Americans who helped thwart a terror attack on a Paris-bound train was stabbed in his home state of California -- apparently after coming to a womans rescue, authorities said Thursday.Airman Spencer Stone, 23, was stabbed in Sacramento after he got into a fight with a group of men as he was leaving a bar with friends, Ken Bernard, the citys deputy chief of police told reporters.He said police received a call at 12:46 am from a passerby who witnessed the incident.Bernard said officers who arrived at the scene found Stone with multiple stab wounds to his upper torso.He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was listed as in serious condition.He is currently being treated for what appears to be non-life threatening but very significant injuries, Bernard said, adding that two male Asian suspects were being sought in connection with the attack.A source close to the investigation told AFP that Stone was apparently trying to defend a woman being harassed by a group of men outside the bar when he got stabbed.It was unclear if the woman was with Stone.A woman was being harassed and he got involved, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.The source said several of those in Stones group -- three women and two men including himself -- were drunk but it was unclear if he himself was inebriated.Bernard said the assault was in no way related to a terrorist act or to the train attack that Stone and two of his friends helped foil while vacationing in France.Just weeks ago, the town of Sacramento staged a Heroes Parade in honor of the trio.Stone suffered deep slash wounds as he helped to overpower a heavily-armed gunman, 25-year-old Moroccan Ayoub El Khazzani, on August 21.Armed with a pistol, an assault rifle and 270 rounds of ammunition, Khazzani is accused of seeking to massacre passengers on the Amsterdam-Paris train.Stone was awarded the Legion of Honor, Frances highest decoration, along with Army National Guard Specialist Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler, a civilian, for their role in thwarting the attack.The trio were also invited to the White House by President Barack Obama and Stone received a Purple Heart and Airmans Medal from the Pentagon.Stone had only just returned to work at Travis Air Force Base in California.Skarlatos also had a near miss last week.The 22-year-old had been due to attend the community college in Oregon where a gunman went on a rampage, killing nine people.The only reason he was not at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, he says, was the attention he has been getting since the train attack.Instead, he was in Los Angeles rehearsing for this seasons Dancing With the Stars, in which he has been invited to compete, when he heard of the shooting and rushed back to Roseburg where he is assigned to an infantry unit.If I didnt get called for Dancing I would have been on campus, Skarlatos said.I mean, its just absolutely insane to be in a situation like this, especially in my town, Roseburg, he said.Skarlatos put out a message of support on Thursday in a Tweet that read: Everybody send prayers out to the Stone family today.

Russia denies US claim that four Syria-bound missiles crashed in Iran

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MOSCOW (AFP) - Russias defence ministry denied a claim by a US official Thursday that four Syria-bound Russian cruise missiles fired from the Caspian Sea had crashed in Iran.Any professional knows that during these operations we always fix the target before and after impact. All our cruise missiles hit their target, ministry spokesman General Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the missiles landed in Iran on Wednesday, confirming a story first reported by CNN.But he did not provide details about where they might have landed or whether they caused any damage.Nor would the official say exactly what type of cruise missiles went down, except to say that they were among a salvo fired from Russian warships in the Caspian.In contrast to CNN we do not refer to anonymous sources but we show the path of our missiles and their targets practically in real time, Konashenkov said.The Russian defence ministry posted a graphic on its website on Wednesday showing 26 missiles overflying Iran and Iraq before striking inside Syria.Russia has been conducting air strikes in Syria in defence of the embattled regime of President Bashar al-Assad since September 30.The missile launches were in support of a major ground offensive by the Syrian army on several fronts in the war-torn countrys west.

Football: Blatter, Platini suspended as FIFA descends into chaos

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ZURICH (AFP) - FIFAs ethics watchdog on Thursday suspended the two most powerful men in football, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, for 90 days in a sensational new blow to the sports scandal-tainted governing body.Secretary-general Jerome Valcke was also suspended for 90 days while South Korean tycoon Chung Mong-Joon, a candidate for the FIFA presidency along with Platini, was banned outright for six years.While FIFA said the suspensions were provisional, the action almost certainly signals the end of the reign of FIFA president Blatter and deals a major blow to UEFA leader Platinis hopes of taking over.Issa Hayatou head of the Confederation of African Football, a Blatter ally, was put in charge of the multi-billion dollar body. FIFA said Blatter, who has been its president since 1998, had been relieved of all his duties during the 90 days.Blatter, 79, is under investigation by Swiss prosecutors for criminal mismanagement.The four football powerbrokers are banned from all football activities on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately, a statement said.Lawyers for Blatter said he was disappointed the ethics watchdog had failed to follow its own rules by not letting him give evidence.President Blatter looks forward to the opportunity to present evidence that will demonstrate that he did not engage in any misconduct, criminal or otherwise, said a statement by Zurich lawyers Lorenz Erni, Erni Brun Forrer and US-based Richard Cullen.Blatter and French football legend Platini have faced mounting pressure since Swiss prosecutors started their investigation on September 25.Platini has been named in the investigation because of a two million dollar (1.8 million euros) payment he received in 2011.Platini, 60, registered his candidacy on Thursday for the February 26 vote to find a successor to Blatter.He slammed as farcical the FIFA ban and signalled he would pursue his campaign for the leadership of the world body.I reject all the allegations that have been made against me, he said.The 54-member European body will meet at its Nyon headquarters next Thursday to discuss the crisis.The suspensions handed out on Thursday can be renewed for another 45 days when they run out in January, which would take the exclusion until just before the FIFA election to be held on February 26.Chung, who was also fined 100,000 Swiss francs ($100,000) would be automatically ruled out of the presidential race.The scion of the Hyundai family was found to have contravened rules while lobbying for South Koreas bid for the 2022 World Cup which was awarded to Qatar in a controversial 2010 vote.Chung said he will mobilise all legal means to fight his six-year ban.FIFA is like the sinking Titanic, the billionaire former FIFA vice president said, accusing Blatter of having morally bankrupted FIFA.FIFAs crisis has been mounting since May when US authorities issued charges against 14 FIFA officials and sports marketing executives over more than $150 million in bribes given for broadcasting and marketing contracts.Seven FIFA officials were detained at a Zurich hotel two days before Blatter was reelected for a fifth term on May 29.As the storm grew, Blatter announced that he would stand down, but only when the election is held. Blatter said in an interview with a German magazine this week that he was determined to stay until February 26. I am convinced that evil will come into the light and good will triumph, he said.International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach entered the controversy on Thursday, calling on FIFA to consider a credible external candidate as president.Platini said he had still registered his official papers to be a candidate in the FIFA race. The deadline is October 26.Prince Ali bin al Hussein, a former FIFA vice president from Jordan, and Zico, a former Brazilian footballer and sports minister, are also in the running.But one man who will not enter the race is Juan Angel Napout, the president of Conmebol, the South American federation.I will think about it (being president of FIFA). The most important thing for me is to clean up the house of Conmebol, the Paraguayan told an Asuncion radio station.Observers have predicted that the crisis could bring forward another candidate, with Tokyo Sexwale of South Africa widely touted.Sexwale, a former associate of the late Nelson Mandela, is head of a FIFA commission trying to bring peace between the Israeli and Palestinian football associations.

Tennis: Quickfire Djokovic puts Nadal record in his sights

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BEIJING (AFP) - Novak Djokovic churned towards Rafael Nadals all-time record for unbeaten starts to a tournament as he demolished Chinese number one Zhang Ze in less than an hour in Beijing on Thursday.The world number one showed no mercy to Zhang, ranked 219, in front of his home fans as he ended local hopes 6-2, 6-1 in 55 minutes to reach his sixth China Open quarter-final.Djokovic, unbeaten in five appearances, now equals Jimmy Connors with 26 wins at a tournament before suffering a single defeat, in sight of Nadals record of 31 at the French Open.I guess as I keep coming back each year with that positive record, obviously gives me more confidence knowing that I played so well in the past on this court, he said.I just keep on going. Thats all. There is no particular reason. Theres a few things that play in my favour.Zhang, 25, could only applaud after he was outclassed in all facets by the Serbian 10-time Grand Slam-winner, who has only ever dropped three sets at the China Open.As for his level of play, his game, I think theres no loopholes or shortcomings. Actually, I prepared very well in order to play my game. But he won three major titles (this year), said Zhang.His performance is amazing. He is really good.Earlier Ivo Karlovic bludgeoned his way into the record books for career aces, and Garbine Muguruza had an eventful 22nd birthday as she smashed a racquet, reached the WTA Finals and then celebrated with cake.Muguruza was frustrated by Croatias Mirjana Lucic-Baroni but she gathered herself for a 1-6, 6-2, 6-1 win which qualified her for the glitzy, eight-player season finale in Singapore.Im just really motivated, like I said before, to try to finish good. Its great to be qualified. But tomorrow I have another match, said the Spaniard, who was presented with a cake on court after the win.The days most historic achievement came from Karlovic, who broke Goran Ivanisevics record for career aces as he went down to Uruguays Pablo Cuevas.The 6ft 11ins (2.11m) Karlovic hammered 26 aces in his 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (9/7) defeat, reaching a total of 10,247 and surpassing compatriot Ivanisevics 10,237 along the way.The record was consolation for Karlovic after his loss to 37th-ranked Cuevas, who is enjoying a dream run in Beijing after he beat world number five Tomas Berdych in the first round.Last months US Open finalists both also suffered upsets with New York winner Flavia Pennetta going out 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.Pennettas defeat came after fellow Italian Roberta Vinci was beaten 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 by Bethanie Mattek-Sands, in yet another surprise at the unpredictable Beijing tournament.In the late match, Ana Ivanovic outlasted Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 to set up a quarter-final with Pavlyuchenkova despite needing repeated treatment for a back problem.

Tennis: Spectre of Cilic looms for Nishikori in Tokyo

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TOKYO (AFP) - Marin Cilic produced a masterclass on Thursday as he overpowered American Steve Johnson 6-3, 6-3 to set up a Japan Open quarter-final against defending champion Kei Nishikori.Meanwhile, tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios brutalised Spains Roberto Bautista Agut, the muscular Australian taking less than an hour to complete a 6-4, 6-2 second-round victory in Tokyo with some equally strong-arm tactics.Sixth seed Cilic beat the Japanese superstar in last years US Open final and the Croatian -- who also reached the semi-finals in New York last month -- showed enough against Johnson to suggest Nishikori will face a severe test on Friday.Johnson had no answer to the power and guile of the street-wise Cilic, who clinched the first set with a cleverly disguised chip-and-charge that forced his tormented opponent into a panicked forehand he got horribly wrong.An exquisite lob earned Cilic a break at the start of the second and such was Johnsons frustration he slammed a ball out of the waterside arena to pick up a code violation.His mood darkened as Cilic caught fire, ending with a flurry of passings shots, capped by a thunderous forehand on match point to wrap up victory in just 73 minutes.It will be very special to play Kei in Tokyo for the first time, said Cilic, who is chasing a first title of the year and the 14th of his career.We played a close match in Washington earlier this year and Kei won that one, so Im looking forward to tomorrow. I just hope I can play as well as I did today.Kyrgios has been introduced by the local Japanese cable broadcaster showing the Japan Open this week as: Genius? Or problem child?But despite the controversy that follows the temperamental Aussie around the mens ATP Tour, he behaved impeccably against Bautista Agut, the highlight a between-the-legs half volley to secure a break at the start of the second set.Kyrgios, fined recently for a sexual insult aimed at Stan Wawrinkas girlfriend during a match against the Swiss, closed out the match with a pummelling serve down the middle after just 56 minutes on court.I dont want to get too far ahead of myself, said the Australian when asked about the possibility of capturing his first title. Obviously youve got guys like Stan and Kei who have been in grand slam finals and can play unbelievable tennis.I feel like Im one of the underdogs, added Kyrgios, who faces Frenchman Benoit Paire -- 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 conqueror of Cypruss Marcos Baghdatis -- in the quarters. But I definitely feel like Im maturing. Whatever happens, happens.Top seed Wawrinka is not scheduled to face Kyrgios until the final in Tokyo in what would make for a spicy encounter. He and Nishikori both had the day off after booking their places in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.Wawrinka, the French Open champion, will play American Austin Krajicek in the last eight after he beat Portugals Joao Sousa (POR) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Boxing: Pacquiao says in talks with Mayweather and Khan

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DOHA (AFP) - Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is in negotiations with Floyd Mayweather and Amir Khan for what would probably be the final fight of his illustrious career, he said on Thursday.Speaking in Doha, where he is visiting the AIBA World Boxing Championships, Pacquiao told AFP a final decision on who his last opponent will be, would be taken by November or December.The 36-year-old is on the verge of quitting boxing for politics and is likely to run for a seat in the Philippines senate next May. He also told AFP he would like to be the countrys president if it is Gods will.Pacquiao confirmed he is in negotiations with American Mayweather and Briton Khan but said he had no preference over who to fight.I will fight anybody, anywhere, he said. I am going to fight probably before the election. The election is coming next year, May, and before that I will probably have one fight.He added: We are going to finalise by November or December. Mayweather actually retired with a perfect record of 49 wins and no defeats following his last fight, a near shut-out points victory over the overmatched Andre Berto in September.However, very few people in boxing circles actually believe the brash and controversial Mayweather wont fight again.Any potential fight would take place in March or early April next year, said Pacquiao, who also told Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera that it could take place in the Gulf.Pacquiao has been widely regarded as second only to Mayweather in the theoretical pound-for-pound rankings over the last few years.He has 57 wins, two draws and six losses on his record over a 20-year career.The Filipino is in Qatar at the invitation of AIBA president, Ching-Kuo Wu, a personal friend.Pacquiao, who lost to Mayweather in his last fight, said he was free from a shoulder injury he blamed for his defeat and which subsequently required surgery.Now he insists he is ready for his next challenge.He used to be a stable-mate of Khans before the Briton switched camps, leaving the Freddie Roach Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles to team up with Virgil Hunter at the Kings Boxing Gym in Oakland.Khan lost his last two fights while trained by Roach but under Hunter he has won five in a row, including a decision victory over American Chris Algieri -- a former Pacquiao victim too -- last time out in May.Earlier on Thursday, Taz Khan, the uncle and manager of Amir, told AFP that talks had begun with the Filipinos management team, but at the moment thats all there is.Amir Khan, who has tried unsuccessfully several times to arrange a fight with Mayweather, was keen for the Pacquiao bout to happen, said Taz.Hes always up for any fight if its on the table, hell take it.The British boxer is also expected to visit the championships at the weekend.Away from boxing, Pacquiao confirmed his political ambitions.Despite some criticism from inside the Philippines about his political record so far -- he was elected to the countrys House of Representatives in 2010 -- the boxer, an eight-division world champion, said he was aiming for the top office.Asked if he wanted to be president, he replied: Of course, why not? If thats my destiny, if thats Gods plan. Before I started boxing I never thought I could conquer seven, eight weight divisions, who knows?The AIBA World Championships continue until October 15.

Football: Messi to be tried on tax fraud charges

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BARCELONA (AFP) - Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi and his father Jorge are to stand trial on three counts of tax fraud that could carry prison sentences, a Spanish court confirmed on Thursday.In a court filing, the judge in charge of the case rejected a request by the public prosecutor to try only the footballers father.The pair were accused in 2013 of defrauding the taxman out of 4.16 million euros ($4.69 million) in taxes related to Messis image rights between 2007 and 2009 through the creation of fake companies in Belize and Uruguay.It is alleged they ceded the players image rights to the companies in order to avoid declaring money made from lucrative deals with sponsors in Spain.No date has been set for the trial, which will take place in Vilanova i la Geltru, the town where the player lives 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Barcelona.Prosecutors had asked for the case against the four-time World Player of the Year to be dropped as they consider the alleged fraud was carried out by his father, who has managed his sons affairs since he was a child.They asked for Jorge Messi to be handed an 18-month prison sentence and a fine of half the defrauded amount.However, lawyers acting on behalf of the tax authorities pleaded for the player also to be tried and for both defendants to face a seven-and-a-half month prison sentence for each individual charge, which could lead to an overall sentence of over 22 months.In any case, both are unlikely to end up in jail as sentences of fewer than two years are normally suspended for first time offences in Spain.There are rational signs that the criminality was committed by both accused parties, the judge said in the filing.Both father and son at first denied the accusations and laid the blame on a former financial advisor. However, Jorge Messi subsequently claimed he was in charge of his sons finances and pleaded for charges against the player to be dropped.Jorge also made a corrective payment of five million euros in August 2013 to cover alleged unpaid taxes plus interest, which should mitigate any sentence.The players defence team will present evidence in court that will show that prosecutors were right to recommend that the case against him be dropped, the company that manages Messis image rights, Leo Messi Management, said in a statement.Messi, 28, is the fourth richest sportsman in the world, according to Forbes magazine, which estimates he earns almost $74 million a year.He is widely expected to add a record fifth Ballon dOr for the worlds best player to his collection on January 11 after leading Barca to a treble of Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey titles last season.However, the trial is just the latest blow for the Argentine, who will be out of action for another six weeks with knee ligament damage suffered in Barcas 2-1 win over Las Palmas on September 26.The injury has also forced him to miss the start of Argentinas World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Ecuador on Thursday.On the pitch, Barca have struggled without their talisman as the Catalans squeezed past Las Palmas and Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 before losing 2-1 at Sevilla on Saturday.Meanwhile, a separate investigation is being carried out in Barcelona that could lead to another tax fraud case against Messi related to a number of charity matches in aid of his foundation which were played in South America in 2012 and 2013.Messi is just one of a number of high profile footballers in Spain under scrutiny from the tax authorities for the management of their image rights.His Barcelona and Argentina teammate Javier Mascherano will also face trial on October 29 far failing to declare 1.5 million euros by ceding his image rights to companies he owns in Portugal and the United States.

Football: Aussies stunned as Jordan, Qatar cause World Cup shocks

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DOHA (AFP) - Jordan shocked Australia 2-0 to go top of Group B while Qatar also scored an upset 1-0 victory over China in Group C to maintain their impressive run in the Asian World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.In Amman, Hamza al-Daradreh was the star for the hosts as he earned a penalty and then struck late in the match to help Jordan beat Australia for the second time in World Cup qualifying, their previous win coming in 2012.The Socceroos dominated the first half but failed to breach the Jordan defence before Hassan Abdel Fattah struck from the penalty spot immediately after the resumption following a foul on al-Daradreh by Matthew Sprianovic.Australia strove hard to restore parity but it was Jordan who found the net again, al-Daradreh scoring with six minutes remaining to put his team on 10 points from four matches.In Doha, Karim Boudiaf was the hero as Qatar tightened their grip on Group C with a tense 1-0 victory that put them five points clear at the top.Chinas only hope now looks to be by qualifying as one of the four best runners-up from the current group stage.Thursdays game saw a suitably cautious start but gradually Qatar gained control, notably through some fine surges down the right wing from fullback Mohamed Musa.Their breakthrough came when Boudiaf rose first to a free kick from skipper Hassan al-Haydos to glance the ball home.Qatar were comfortable at this stage and it took China until the 29th minute to produce their first effort on goal.Gradually, though, China exerted a little more pressure and came close in the 44th minute when a diving header from Yu Dubao forced a fine save from Qatars Claude Amin.That set the tone for much of the second half with China increasingly pushing for an equaliser and Qatar looking ever more anxious to close the game out.China, cheered on by a large number of fans in the 7,730 crowd at the Al Sadd Stadium, went closest through Yu Hanchaos fine volley in the 87th minute, which went narrowly wide.Qatar could have made it 2-0 but Uruguay-born Sebastian Soria fluffed his chance when clean through on goalkeeper Ren Hang.Qatar coach, Jose Daniel Carreno, looked worried on the sidelines but his team held on for victory.Hosts of the World Cup in 2022, Qatar are seeking to avoid becoming the first nation since Italy in 1934 to do so without ever playing in a finals beforehand.In Muscat, World Cup regulars Japan beat Syria 3-0 to climb to the top of Group E with Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki, and Takashi Usami netting for the Samurai Blue.Honda put the Japanese ahead in the 55th minute with a penalty after Okazaki was fouled before Okazaki and Usami sealed the wins with goals late in the match.Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, rallied from a goal down to beat the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in Jeddah to maintain their unbeaten run.After Ahmed Khalil had put the visitors ahead in the 18th minute, Mohamed al-Sahlawi equalized for the Saudis on the stroke of half-time before scoring from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to grab a brace. Elsewhere in the tournament South Korea secured a narrow 1-0 win over Kuwait, while Uzbekistan thrashed Bahrain 4-0.Only the winners of the group automatically progress to the next stage of qualification, where 12 teams will compete for four spots in Russia in three years time.

Football: Davis double seals historic Euro berth for Northern Ireland

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BELFAST (AFP) - Northern Ireland clinched a historic place at Euro 2016 on Thursday as captain Steven Davis inspired a 3-1 win over Greece that ended his countrys long wait to reach a major tournament.Daviss heroics guaranteed the Irish their first ever appearance at the European Championships and their first berth in a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.In front of a jubilant 12,000 capacity crowd at Windsor Park that included Northern Irish golf star Rory McIlroy, Southampton midfielder Davis put the Group F leaders ahead late in the first half and Kilmarnock forward Josh Magennis struck after half-time.Davis netted again soon after as Northern Irelands dominant display rendered next weeks final qualifier against Finland irrelevant, leaving boss Michael ONeill and his players to celebrate their remarkable run to next years finals in France.Northern Ireland had never qualified for the European Championships in 13 previous attempts, with even Manchester United legend George Best unable to lead his country to the continents international showpiece.But ONeill has masterminded a fairytale qualifying campaign from an unheralded squad comprised of players drawn from minnows like Hamilton, Melbourne City, Fleetwood, Luton, Ross County and Kilmarnock.Fittingly, ONeill had to prove once again that he could mold a winning unit from disparate parts after the teams leading goal-scorer Kyle Lafferty, Chris Baird and Conor McLaughlin were all suspended against Greece, while key defender Jonny Evans was sidelined with a hamstring injury.The boss was up to the task and Magennis, making his first competitive international start just a few years after being registered as a goalkeeper with Cardiff, was the poster boy for ONeills talents as he ran the Greece defence ragged.With so much at stake, the home side couldnt have wished for better opponents than Greece, who were bottom of Group F and hadnt won a competitive match since last years World Cup.ONeills men tore into the Greeks from the start and threatened in the opening moments when Magennis lashed into the side-netting.They went close again when Stuart Dallass low cross was only cleared to Magennis and he fired in a goalbound effort that Greece defender Vangelis Moras blocked bravely.Jamie Ward drilled just over from 25 yards as the hosts pushed again and their pressure was finally rewarded in the 35th minute.Corry Evans played a sublime angled pass to Dallas on the right-hand side of the penalty area and he pulled a low cross back to Davis, who slid in to score from close-range.Davis came to his teams rescue at the other end before half-time when he hooked clear just as Kostas Mitroglou was about to pull the trigger from six yards out.And with the last kick of the half, Northen Ireland rode their luck again as Mitroglous shot cannoned back off a post.But any doubts that Greece might spoil the script were ended in the 49th minute.Magennis, epitomising the ferocious desire of his team, overpowered his marker to meet a corner with a close-range header that looped up and into the net.That sparked wild celebrations among the green-and-white clad fans and the noise level grew even louder in the 59th minute when Davis met a half-cleared set-piece with a bullet header into the far corner from just inside the area.Christos Aravidis tapped in for Greece in the 86th minute, but his first international goal was an instantly forgotten footnote.

Football: Moutinho fires Portugal to Euro 2016

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BRAGA (AFP) - Portugal booked their ticket to Euro 2016 with a 1-0 win over Denmark in Braga on Thursday.Joao Moutinho scored the only goal of the game midway through the second half as Portugal ensured they would top Group I.Denmark, who have played their last game, will still qualify if Albania fail to win in Armenia on Sunday.Albania lost 2-0 at home to Serbia on Thursday and remain a point behind Denmark but the Scandinavians have the edge on head-to-head, although only by away goals.That means Albania must beat Armenia to secure their first ever qualification to a major championship or they will enter the play-offs.Moutinho came closest to breaking the deadlock in an uneventful first half but his rasping drive from 25 yards whistled just over the top.Just before the hour mark, Kasper Schmeichel came to Denmarks rescue making a great stop to deny former Manchester United winger Nanis left-footed effort.With the hosts enjoying 60 percent of possession, they finally found a goal midway through the second period as Moutinho rifled home low into the corner from 12 yards.Injury time almost saw more action than the rest of the match put together as Schmeichel made smart saves from world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo and veteran winger Ricardo Quaresma before Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio denied Michael Krohn-Dehli at the other end.

Golf: Americans off to fast start in Presidents Cup

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INCHEON (AFP) - The US team got off to a flying start Thursday in the Presidents Cup to lead the International team 4-1 after the first five foursome matches.Third pairing out Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker got the first point on the board for the US with a dominant 5 and 4 victory over rookie duo Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and Anirban Lahiri of India.By then the scoreboard was bathed in US red with only the South African pair of Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace offering resistance with a solid 3 and 2 win over the out-of-sorts Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed.We knew the US always start really strong, said Oosthuizen, a key member of an International side trying to win the trophy at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea, for only the second time in 11 attempts.I said to Branden were the second match out lets get some blue numbers in there and try to maybe pull the other guys along.We played nicely but overall the US have been a bit stronger today.Australias Adam Scott had the honour of the first tee shot of the 11th Presidents Cup but set the tone for a day of scrappy play from the International side by finding the right rough.With former US president and honorary 2015 Presidents Cup chairman George W. Bush leading applause on the opening tee, Bubba Watson struck the first blow for the US with a booming right-to-left drive that landed in the heart of the fairway.Hideki Matsuyama rescued the situation for Scott with a solid approach as the hole was halved in par.But then the Americans caught fire slamming in birdies at the next four holes to race to three up after just five.Scott, in his seventh Presidents Cup, stayed patient and pulled a hole back at the seventh before playing a majestic wedge at the 10th to leave Matsuyama four feet away to cut the deficit to one.The turning point came on the next hole when Scott, reverting to the short putter this week instead of the broomstick he has used for years, faced an eight-footer to square the match but pulled it horribly left under pressure.By contrast Watsons partner J.B. Holmes was impeccable with the putter all day and sank birdies at the 15th and 16th to close out a 3 and 2 win.Holmes, only called into the side last Friday to replace the injured Jim Furyk, gelled wonderfully with the big-hitting double Masters champion.I was just happy to have a chance to play, Holmes said after his round. I felt bad for Jim but excited about the opportunity.We really like how the course is set up so it was a no-brainer to come out here today and play aggressive and we did what we wanted to do.Player of the year Jordan Spieth and partner Dustin Johnson had an uncharacteristic sloppy front nine against the similarly wayward pair of Marc Leishman and Danny Lee.But the American duo showed their class after going to the ninth just one up and eventually ran away with the match 4 and 3.Only one match went to the final hole as Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson led most of the way against Aussie pair Jason Day and Steven Bowditch.Mickelson had an early contender for shot of the week when holing a 45-foot bunker blast at the short 13th to put his side 2 up.But US PGA champion Day would not lie down and holed a monster birdie putt at the 17th to ensure the match went the distance. Day then boomed a drive down the 542-yard par-five 18th to leave Bowditch 230 yards to the pin but an adrenalin-fuelled Mickelson pulled out his own big guns and flew his tee shot past the Australians by almost 60 yards.Johnson had just 186 yards to the flag and obliged with a measured six-iron to eight feet. When Day lagged his 20-foot eagle effort just left of the pin out came the handshakes and the Americans had secured their fourth point of a dominant opening day.

Tennis: Karlovic whacks aces record - but exits anyway

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BEIJING (AFP) - Towering Croat Ivo Karlovic smashed Goran Ivanisevics record to become the all-time leading scorer of aces on Wednesday -- but still exited the China Open as he went out to Pablo Cuevas.The 6ft 11ins (2.11m) Karlovic hammered 26 aces in his 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (9/7) defeat, reaching a career total of 10,247 and surpassing compatriot Ivanisevics 10,237 along the way.The record was consolation for Karlovic after his defeat to 37th-ranked Cuevas, who is enjoying a dream run in Beijing after he beat world number five Tomas Berdych in the first round.The thunderous serve of Karlovic, 36, also yielded 45 aces in this years quarter-final victory over Berdych in Halle -- the most recorded in a three-set match.In the womens draw, Bethanie Mattek-Sands upset US Open finalist Roberta Vinci 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals.

Tennis: Pennetta says she could delay retirement for Olympics

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BEIJING (AFP) - Flavia Pennetta on Thursday admitted she could go back on her very public retirement announcement at the US Open final by making a bid for next years Olympics.The Italian, who declared she would quit this year, moments after winning the biggest title of her career, said she now reserved the right to change her mind.Responding to a question about whether she might play at the Olympics, Pennetta said she didnt have any immediate plans to back out of retirement, but she added: I cannot tell you how Im going to feel in February, January.If I feel I want to play, I play. I dont have to keep just one decision because I said something. I mean, nothing is going to change.Pennetta, 33, was speaking after exiting the China Open in Beijing, where she was still soaking up congratulations for last months US Open win and where her fiance Fabio Fognini is in the mens quarter-finals.Of course, its a good moment of my life. I mean, I have everything that I always would like to have, seventh-ranked Pennetta said. Professionally, Im in the perfect moment. I won one of my favourite tournaments, one of the best tournaments in the world. I have my high ranking.I have the person that I love with me. I mean, I just can say Im really happy.

Golf: Late flurry puts Fitzpatrick top at British Masters

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WOBURN (AFP) - Rookie Matthew Fitzpatrick stormed into a first-round lead at the British Masters after carding a seven-under par 64 on Thursday at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.Fitzpatrick, 21, recorded six birdies, including two at the 17th and 18th holes, and an eagle to take a one-stroke lead over a four-man chasing pack featuring Lee Slattery, Marc Warren, Soren Kjeldsen and Robert Karlsson.Fitzpatrick, tipped as a possible future star of English golf, is in his first full season on the European Tour and has climbed to 36th on the Race to Dubai after three top-three finishes in his last seven tournaments. Same again this week would be lovely, said the 21-year-old former US Amateur champion told Press Association Sport.Its a great start and I just need to keep working hard on my game.It was a tough start to the year and I missed a few cuts in a row, although I felt like I was playing all right, but now I am playing decent and getting the results I am looking for, Fitzpatrick, looking for his maiden European Tour victory, added.Irish duo Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington made up part of a six-strong group on five under, with former world number one Luke Donald a stroke further back and tournament host Ian Poulter shooting a 68.The British Masters returned to the European Tour schedule for the first time since 2008 with Poulter, Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose taking turns to act as tournament host at different venues.Donald is considering options including The Grove in Hertfordshire or links courses in the south east of England, while Westwood favours Close House in the north east. Rose is understood to be hosting the tournament at Walton Heath next year.

Football: Rooney to miss last two England qualifiers

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WATFORD (AFP) - England captain Wayne Rooney will miss his sides last two Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania due to an ankle injury, manager Roy Hodgson revealed on Thursday.The striker, who last month became Englands all-time leading goal-scorer, has missed three days of training after injuring himself during Manchester Uniteds 3-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League last Sunday.In his absence, Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill will captain Hodgsons side against Estonia at Wembley on Friday, with England having already qualified for next years tournament in France after winning all of their eight Group E games to date.Its a disappointment for Wayne, of course, manager Hodgson told a press conference at Englands team hotel in Watford, north of London.Hes not the type of player who likes to miss a game, but unfortunately he received a knock against Arsenal late in the game.Weve been waiting for the ankle to settle down. Its settling down very well, but we dont want to risk him tomorrow (Friday).Hes got lots of important Manchester United games ahead and I would be devastated if we pushed him out there and something happened to increase the problem with the ankle, so weve decided its better if he doesnt play in this game.Hodgson described the injury as minor.Rooney, 29, will remain with the England squad this week, but Hodgson said that he will not travel to Lithuania for their final qualifier on Monday.Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, Leicester Citys Jamie Vardy and Arsenals Theo Walcott are competing to take Rooneys place up front against Estonia, but Liverpools Danny Ings is a doubt with an ankle complaint.Hodgson said that Ings and Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey were more likely to feature against Lithuania, but indicated that Michael Carrick will start against Estonia after sitting out Thursdays training session as a precaution.The Football Association had earlier confirmed that Rooney will attend the game against Estonia in order to collect a commemorative golden boot for breaking Bobby Charltons scoring record.Rooney eclipsed Charltons 49-goal mark with a penalty in a 2-0 win at home to Switzerland and will be presented with the memento by the 1966 World Cup-winner before kick-off.
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