sport

Last weekend in Valencia, Valentino Rossi end the “romance” her with Yamaha. Despite only finishing in the top three in the final 2010 MotoGP series, but “The Doctor” has good memories for seven with the Japanese manufacturer.

Asian Cup “Asia”

It was only in 1988 Japan first qualified for the Asian Cup. Then, in the first Asian Cup held in Qatar, the Blue Samurai finished bottom of a five-team group, taking a single point and failing to score a goal.

U.S. Talent Pool’

The secret is out on Bob Bradley: The U.S. coach has some tactical wanderlust in him, after all. We all raised a curious brow at that dalliance with the 4-2-3-1 formation late last year, a walk on the wild side for a man previously tied to a 4-4-2. Fans wondered if it was just a brief fling. Now they may be nodding with approval at something that looks more like a steady thing.

Madrid & Barca both win semifinals

Real Madrid and Barcelona remain on course to face each other in the final of the Spanish Cup after both claimed semifinal first leg victories on Wednesday.

“Rooney rediscovering his form”

Wayne Rooney didn’t score on Saturday. He did help set up three of Manchester United’s five goals against Birmingham City and generally looked as though he may at last be approaching his best, but he didn’t net himself. So a sub-plot in most of the reviews of the game was the fact that Rooney failed to score, and that he has managed just one goal from open play for his club since March. He is in a “goal-drought,” and no matter what he does between now and scoring half a dozen goals, that will always be the first thing that is mentioned about him after games.

‘Monaco Survive’

Monaco was the last French team to reach the Champions League final, back in 2004, but now it is fighting to stay in Ligue 1 and for its very existence.

Hannover’s success

Hannover 96 is not doing its president Martin Kind any favors at the moment: it’s just too successful. For years, the millionaire owner of a hearing aid manufacturing company has argued that the Bundesliga should change its regulations to allow investors to buy majority shares in clubs, in line with the liberal approach taken by the (English) Premier League. “How can small clubs ever hope to grow otherwise?” complains the 66-year-old Kind.

Madrid and Barcelona’s

When 18 of Spain’s 20 First Division clubs agreed to a collective TV deal that enshrined inequality, giving Madrid and Barcelona more than a third of the money all to themselves, it appeared to be definitive proof that they had finally given up. They might as well offer their congratulations to Madrid and Barcelona for winning the next 50 league titles.

Japan March Into Last Eight

A hat-trick from Shinji Okazaki helped Japan to a 5-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup as Group B winners.

Derby Match

Kenny Dalglish is facing up to the size of his task at Anfield as he prepares struggling Liverpool for its derby match against Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.

Fabrizio Miccoli Palermo Skip Take Chievo

Palermo appeared less satisfactory as host Chievo Verona at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday or Thursday (13 / 1) early morning hrs. Even so, Palermo managed to win 1-0 through penalty Fabrizio Miccoli scored at minute 79.