Kiessling: Bayer Leverkusen will be without their German international striker Stefan Kiessling for several weeks after he injured his ankle on Sunday, a club spokesperson revealed yesterday. Kiessling had to be replaced after just 12 minutes of his side’s 0-0 draw at home to Nuremberg following a heavy challenge by Andreas Wolf.
Canales: Real Madrid could be without summer signing Sergio Canales for two to three weeks after he injured his ankle in a training session, sports daily Marca reported yesterday. The 19-year-old midfielder sprained the ankle on Sunday when was trying to control the ball on his chest, without contact with another player, the newspaper said.
Violence: Police detained 55 people and placed 13 under arrest on Sunday after a Bundesliga derby in northern Germany turned violent, injuring 26 people, including eight police officers, they said yesterday. Police had to repeatedly use water cannon to separate battling supporters during the St. Pauli’s home match against bitter Hamburg rivals HSV, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
King: Marlon King has made his return to professional football after finally completing his protracted move to Coventry. The 30-year-old’s future in the game came under scrutiny immediately after he was released from prison back in late July having served half of an 18-month sentence for sexual assault. But after signing at the Ricoh Arena, King said: “I am very grateful for the chance Coventry City have given me.”
Ireland: Four players who missed the Republic of Ireland’s last two Euro 2012 qualifiers have been included in a 26-man provisional squad ahead of the games against Russia and Slovakia. Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Keith Treacy and Darren O’Dea missed the two wins over Armenia and Andorra. Duff, 31, Treacy and O’Dea have been back in action for their clubs Fulham, Preston and Ipswich respectively but Andrews has yet to return for Blackburn.
Primera Liga: Deportivo La Coruna vs Getafe 2-2.
Serie B: Sassuolo vs Vicenza 2-1.
MFA Div. II/III KO: Pembroke vs Siġġiewi 2-1; Birżebbuġa SP vs Żebbuġ 2-0 (Birżebbuġa in QFs).
Boxing: Second-ranked Tomas Rojas of Mexico scored a unanimous points victory against Japan’s Kohei Kono to take the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super-flyweight title yesterday. The 30-year-old Mexican, who became the interim champion in July last year, scored heavily with a barrage of uppercuts and straights against the Japanese. Kono went on the attack in the final round, firing a right hook that put Rojas on the canvas, but the effort could not overturn the wide points margin.
Cycling: Benjamin King became the youngest winner in the event’s 25-year history by capturing the 110-mile USA Cycling Professional Road Race Championship on Sunday. The 21-year-old finished in four hours, 44 minutes, 56.9 seconds. He is also the first winner under the age of 23. Nevada’s Alex Candelario was second in 4:46:30.9.
Rugby Union: The spiritual home of New Zealand’s All Blacks, Eden Park in Auckland, is selling its rugby union goalposts to raise money for Christchurch earthquake victims. The 18-metre (60-foot) steel posts will be listed on online auction site trademe.co.nz on Sep-tember 22, with bids closing on October 3.
Tennis: Belgium won both the reverse singles to defeat Australia 3-2 yesterday to retain their place in the 2011 Davis Cup World Group. The 117th-ranked Steve Darcis overcame Australian Carsten Ball, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-4 in the fifth and deciding singles rubber. The stage was set for Belgium’s comeback when their number one designated player Olivier Rochus held out Peter Luczak 7-6 (10/8), 6-4, 6-7 (0/7), 7-6 (7/2) in almost four and a half hours earlier yesterday.