Daily Post

Cahill anger over Aussie vendetta

Murray still the centre of attention

Howard suffers some more final heartache

Brazil 3 USA 2 TIM HOWARD suffered his second final defeat in the space of a month as the USA blew a twogoal lead in last night's Confederations Cup final.

Pearce hoping to lay ghosts to rest

STUART PEARCE has told his England Under-21s that heroic failure counts for nothing - and they must create a new chapter of history when they face Germany in the European Championship final in Malmo tonight. Pearce has been part of several near misses - losing as a player in semi-finals against Germany on penalties at Italia 90 and Euro 96 - and he is not satisfied by qualifying for this tournament, travelling to Sweden and reaching the final.

Central perk is just right for Walcott

THEO Walcott is expected to play as a central striker for England Under-21s in their European Championship final - and he predicts that position will be his long-term role for club and country. Walcott has started his career mainly stationed on the flanks but Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer Campbell suspended for the clash against Germany in Malmo.

Rovers Mersey Masters again

TRANMERE emerged as top dogs for the second year in a row at the Mersey Masters indoor football tournament at the Echo Arena over the weekend. The Rovers squad, drawn from former Prenton Park veterans, boasted a 100% record in four games against similar teams from Liverpool, Everton and Wigan Athletic.

Bayern desperate to keep hold of French ace Ribery

BAYERN Munich sporting director Christian Nerlinger believes the club can convince Franck Ribery to stay by matching his lofty ambition. Ribery has made no secret of his desire to play for the likes of Real Madrid or Barcelona while Chelsea and Manchester United are also tracking the Frenchman, who Bayern claim is one of the best three players in the world at present.

Eto'o keen on City move after 'stratospheric' bid

MANCHESTER CITY have made a staggering offer to Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o which would make the Cameroon international the highest- paid player in Britain. It is understood The Barclays Premier League club have made a pounds 25million bid to the European champions and have already been in contact with Eto'o, who is keen to move to Eastlands..

Extra special Alonso seals third for Spain

Spain ....................... 3 South Africa ............... 2 (aet; full time 2-2) XABI ALONSO'S free-kick in extra-time enabled Spain to see off the plucky challenge of South Africa and clinch third place in the Confederations Cup. European champions Spain, whose 35-match unbeaten run came to a shock end against the United States in the semifinals, were lethargic for much of the encounter and appeared to be heading for another defeat when Katlego Mphela put Bafana Bafana ahead after 73 minu...

Roddick's feeling so happy to lead charge of the Wimbledon old timers

ANDY RODDICK is not surprised the fourthround draw has an experienced look about it. At 26, the American sixth seed is far from the oldest competitor in the last 16, with Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt and Juan Carlos Ferrero all in their late 20s, while Tommy Haas, Radek Stepanek and Ivo Karlovic have already celebrated their 30th birthdays.

Time for Murray to forget friendships

ANDY MURRAY will put friendship aside on Centre Court today in a bid to continue his ruthless quest to reach the Wimbledon final. After a first week which could hardly have gone any better, Murray is pitched against Stanislas Wawrinka - one of his biggest pals on the tennis tour - in the fourth round.

Shooting star Ivanovic confident of stealing the limelight from Venus

ANA IVANOVIC is relishing the prospect of facing five-time champion Venus Williams today in the fourth round at Wimbledon - a repeat of their semi-final clash in 2007. Williams won that match 6-2 6-4 on her way to the title and, after beating sister Serena in last year's final, the third seed is chasing a hat-trick of victories at the All England Club.

Test was 'brutal' blasts Robson

THE second Test against South Africa was described as "brutal" by Dr James Robson after it left five of the British and Irish Lions in hospital. Props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones both had to undergo surgery and will miss the third and final Test of the series in Johannesburg next weekend.

Lions' pride beaten and bruised by Springboks

South Africa ..................28 British Lions..................25 MIKE PHILLIPS has slammed the "punching and gouging" Springboks as the British and Irish Lions painfully licked their wounds following one of Test rugby's most ferocious matches.

Coach McGeechan claims defeats were unjust

BRITISH and Irish Lions boss Ian McGeechan claimed his team "didn't deserve" to be 2-0 down after world champions South Africa took Test series glory at Loftus Versfeld. The Lions lost 28-25, denied a draw by Springboks substitute Morne Steyn's 54-metre penalty with the game's last kick.

Smith salute as Harrison leads Wolves' power drive

Warrington Wolves .................. 24 Hull .................................... 12 WARRINGTON coach Tony Smith paid tribute to Irish World Cup forward Ben Harrison after their engage Super League defeat of Hull.

We found the right formula - Smith

Hull KR .............28 Wigan................ 36 WIGAN coach Brian Noble felt his team's 36- 28 victory against Hull KR was evidence that they had coped admirably in a week full of negative headlines.

Potter's praise as Saints complete a points crusade

St Helens..................30 Celtic Crusaders . . . . . . . . . . 0 ST HELENS coach Mick Potter praised his side's professionalism after they kept bottom club Celtic Crusaders scoreless in their 30- 0 victory at Knowsley Road.

Collingwood sends out mind games warning to Australia

PAUL COLLINGWOOD has warned Australia that attempts to expose any chinks in England's psychological armour during the Ashes series will prove futile. Engrained into their culture from an early age, Collingwood believes Australians are masters at sledging, who pounce as soon as they detect any weakness.

Vaughan expected to announce retirement

MICHAEL VAUGHAN will hold a press conference tomorrow when he is expected to confirm his retirement from cricket. The former England captain's future has been the subject of speculation since he was left out of England's 16-man Ashes training squad last week.