U.S. to play Euro teams in tune-up for basketball worlds

(Reuters) – The U.S. national team will play France at New York’s Madison Square Garden in an August tune-up for the FIBA world championships, USA Basketball announced Wednesday.

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China will meet Puerto Rico in the second game of the August 15 exhibition double-header, USA Basketball said in a statement.

The games are part of a four-day New York festival ahead of the August 28-September 12 world championships in Turkey.

The Americans also will meet top teams Lithuania, Spain and Greece in tune-up games for the championships, USA Basketball said.

The Lithuanian game will be played August 21 in Madrid with Spain to face the United States the following day in the Spanish capital.

The Greece game is set for Athens on August 25.

“In order to get our team as best prepared as possible for the world championships we believe it is important to face top competition in challenging settings,” USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said.

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, editing by Justin Palmer)

Four Corners Reports Financial Results for the Fiscal Second Quarter of 2010 and the Sale of its Interest in Eclipse Gaming Systems, LLC

DALLAS–(Business Wire)–
Four Corners, Inc. (FCNE.PK) (the “Company”) today reported unaudited financial
results for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended May 2, 2010 and the sale of
its interest in Eclipse Gaming Systems LLC (“Eclipse”).

The Company had consolidated net income of $14,714 and a consolidated net loss
of $42,819, respectively, for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended May 2, 2010,
including losses attributable to the noncontrolling interest in Eclipse for
those periods. For the 13 weeks ended May 2, 2010, Four Corners had net income
from continuing operations of $243,741, a net loss from discontinued operations
of $146,328 and net income of $97,413. For the 26 weeks ended May 2, 2010, Four
Corners had net income from continuing operations of $421,719, a net loss from
discontinued operations of $319,901 and net income of $101,818. Discontinued
operations for both periods were comprised principally of the operating results
of Eclipse.

As of May 2, 2010, Four Corners had approximately $560,000 of cash and total
debt of approximately $6.3 million, net of discounts.

On May 7, 2010, Four Corners sold its 61.5% ownership interest in Eclipse for
approximately $1.9 million in cash to a group of investors headed by Eclipse`s
management. Four Corners also received a payment of approximately $700,000 for
past indebtedness and expenses owed by Eclipse. As part of this transaction,
Four Corners also obtained an exclusive license in most of Oklahoma and Texas to
distribute Eclipse`s Class II, Oklahoma Compact-Class III, and Video Lottery
Terminals products. The Company also assumed Eclipse`s agreement to supply games
to an Indian Tribe in Oklahoma. Four Corners is licensed by that Tribe and has
supplied 76 machines running Eclipse games to certain of its casinos under a
revenue-participation agreement. The machines were acquired as part of the
Eclipse transaction.

“On behalf of the entire management team and board of directors, I would like to
thank everyone for their support. We remain excited about the future and believe
that our recent changes at the Company have positioned us well for future growth
and success,” said John J. Schreiber, the Company`s president, chief executive
officer and chairman of the board of directors.

The unaudited operating results for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended May 2,
2010 are shown below together with accompanying statements of financial position
and cash flows. These financial statements were prepared for internal use, have
not been reviewed by the Company`s auditors and are subject to change. Also
shown below are Aces Wired`s condensed financial statements for fiscal years
2009 and 2008. Although these statements are based on audited financial
statements for those periods, they do not contain required informative
disclosures and thus are not intended to be in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.

About Four Corners

Four Corners (FCNE.PK) is a holding company of certain subsidiaries whose
primary focus is the gaming industry. The Company`s wholly-owned subsidiary, K&B
Sales, Inc., distributes bingo supplies and related equipment to charity bingo
licensees in Texas. FC Distributing LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company distributes gaming machines and other gaming related equipment to the
Native American casino market.

Four Corners, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)

May 2, 2010
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 560,069
Trade accounts receivable, net 1,092,270
Inventory, net 1,192,800
Other current assets 370,906
Discontinued operations (Eclipse) 2,136,807
Total current assets 5,352,852
Property and equipment, net 1,573,620
Other noncurrent assets 25,971
Total assets $ 6,952,443

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY
Current liabilities
Current maturities of notes payable to related parties $ 195,315
Trade accounts payable 307,856
Liabilities of discontinued amusement-with-prize operations 431,414
Other current liabilities 1,025,104
Discontinued operations (Eclipse) 919,026
Total current liabilities 2,878,715
Notes payable to related parties, less current maturities and discount 5,192,919
Other notes payable, less current maturities 14,197
Other noncurrent amounts due to related parties 414,547
Noncurrent liability of discontinued amusement-with-prize operations 214,335
Total liabilities 8,714,713
Stockholders’ deficiency
Total Four Corners, Inc. stockholders’ deficiency (1,617,633 )
Noncontrolling interest in Eclipse (144,637 )
Total stockholders’ deficiency (1,762,270 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficiency $ 6,952,443

Four Corners, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the 13-week and 26-week Periods ended May 2, 2010
(Unaudited)

Period ended May 2, 2010
13 weeks 26 weeks
Revenue
Bingo supply and services $ 4,443,709 $ 8,212,056
Expenses
Cost of sales (bingo products) 2,318,538 4,287,979
Bingo supply and services 1,134,623 2,127,133
Corporate overhead 628,401 1,147,766
Total expenses 4,081,562 7,562,878
Operating income 362,147 649,178
Other income (expense)
Interest income – 150
Interest expense (110,006 ) (210,809 )
Total other income (expense), net (110,006 ) (210,659 )
Income from continuing operations before income taxes 252,141 438,519
Income tax expense (Texas margin tax) (8,400 ) (16,800 )
Net income from continuing operations 243,741 421,719
Net loss from discontinued operations (229,027 ) (464,538 )
Net income (loss) 14,714 (42,819 )
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (82,699 ) (144,637 )
Net income attributable to Four Corners, Inc. $ 97,413 $ 101,818
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Four Corners, Inc.
common stockholders – Basic and Diluted
Net income from continuing operations $ 0.02 $ 0.04
Net loss from discontinued operations (0.01 ) (0.03 )
Net income $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Weighted average number of Four Corners, Inc. common shares outstanding
Basic 10,479,658 10,479,658
Diluted 10,494,719 10,512,489
Net income (loss) attributable to Four Corners, Inc. common stockholders
Net income from continuing operations $ 243,741 $ 421,719
Net loss from discontinued operations (146,328 ) (319,901 )
Net income $ 97,413 $ 101,818

Four Corners, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the 26-week Period ended May 2, 2010
(Unaudited)

Net cash provided by Operating Activities of Continuing Operations $ 192,313
Cash flows from Investing Activities of Continuing Operations:
Deposit on sale of Eclipse Gaming Systems, LLC 100,000
Insurance proceeds from casualty loss of property and equipment 9,033
Acquisitions of property and equipment (201,531 )
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations (92,498 )
Cash flows from Financing Activities of Continuing Operations:
Repayments of notes payable to related parties (108,937 )
Repayments of other notes payable (3,476 )
Payments of installment purchase agreement (202,442 )
Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations (314,855 )
Net cash used in Discontinued Operations (248,908 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (463,948 )
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of the period 1,024,017
Cash and cash equivalents – end of the period $ 560,069

Aces Wired, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

November 1, November 2,
2009 2008
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,024,017 $ 835,056
Trade accounts receivable, net 978,527 857,607
Inventory, net 932,763 820,708
Other current assets 257,747 450,580
Total current assets 3,193,054 2,963,951
Property and equipment, net 2,799,463 2,388,733
Intangible assets, net 569,618 714,249
Other noncurrent assets 30,720 55,691
Total assets $ 6,592,855 $ 6,122,624

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable $ 631,763 $ 1,459,044
Current maturities of notes payable to related parties 164,634 1,366,584
Current maturities of other notes payable 252,382 –
Liabilities of discontinued amusement-with-prize operations 493,414 1,882,344
Other current liabilities 769,955 495,739
Total current liabilities 2,312,148 5,203,711
Notes payable to related parties, less current maturities and discount 5,251,563 233,959
Other notes payable, less current maturities 125,840 –
Other noncurrent amounts due to related parties 432,031 345,842
Other noncurrent liabilities 204,810 15,846
Total liabilities 8,326,392 5,799,358
Total stockholders’ equity (deficiency) (1,733,537 ) 323,266
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficiency) $ 6,592,855 $ 6,122,624

Aces Wired, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the 52-week and 53-week Periods ended November 1, 2009 and November 2, 2008

Period ended
November 1, November 2,
2009 2008
Revenue
Bingo supply and services $ 15,763,878 $ 14,918,125
Game development and sales 1,580,202 27,092
Total revenue 17,344,080 14,945,217
Expenses
Cost of sales (bingo products) 8,521,918 8,144,671
Bingo supply and services 3,837,332 3,827,638
Game development and sales 2,316,871 1,009,805
Corporate overhead 1,753,913 3,067,783
Amusement-with-prize legal proceedings 2,701,667 1,604,804
Net loss resulting from the shutdown of amusement-with-prize operations 28,238 1,081,974
Total expenses 19,159,939 18,736,675
Operating loss (1,815,859 ) (3,791,458 )
Other income (expense)
Interest income 935 26,182
Interest expense (including interest on related party indebtedness of $502,202 in 2009
and $69,602 in 2008) (535,799 ) (73,310 )
Other – (31,145 )
Total other income (expense), net (534,864 ) (78,273 )
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest (2,350,723 ) (3,869,731 )
Income tax benefit (expense) 126,680 (20,444 )
Minority interest in net loss from continuing operations – 187,750
Net loss from continuing operations (2,224,043 ) (3,702,425 )
Net loss from discontinued operations (44,009 ) (10,261,194 )
Net loss (2,268,052 ) (13,963,619 )
Deemed dividend on Series A convertible preferred stock – (399,250 )
Net loss available to common stockholders $ (2,268,052 ) $ (14,362,869 )
Net loss per common stock share – Basic and Diluted
Net loss from continuing operations $ (0.21 ) $ (0.40 )
Net loss from discontinued operations – (1.11 )
Deemed dividend on Series A convertible preferred stock – (0.05 )
Net loss available to common stockholders $ (0.21 ) $ (1.56 )
Weighted average number of common stock shares outstanding – Basic and Diluted 10,479,658 9,222,632

Aces Wired, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the 52-week and 53-week Periods ended November 1, 2009 and November 2, 2008

Period ended
November 1, November 2,
2009 2008

Net cash used in Operating Activities of Continuing Operations $ (1,180,127 ) $ (1,223,014 )
Cash flows from Investing Activities of Continuing Operations:
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 530,585 22,200
Acquisitions of property and equipment (1,020,296 ) (1,373,321 )
Capitalized expenditures for game software development (37,175 ) (325,936 )
Deferred acquisition costs – (557,132 )
Other (54 ) (105 )
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations (526,940 ) (2,234,294 )
Cash flows from Financing Activities of Continuing Operations:
Loan proceeds allocated to notes payable issued under credit facility with related party,
net of issuance costs 4,583,149 –
Proceeds from issuance of other notes payable to related parties 1,316,731 227,850
Proceeds from sale of Series A convertible preferred stock – 1,040,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of issuance costs – 679,791
Loan proceeds allocated to detachable warrants issued under credit facility with related party 243,061 –
Capital contributions from minority interest – 156,250
Proceeds from issuance of other notes payable 112,950 –
Repayments of notes payable to related parties (3,139,933 ) –
Repayments of other notes payable (132,144 ) –
Repayments of installment purchase agreement (49,520 ) (345,564 )
Distributions to minority interest (20,000 ) –
Net cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations 2,914,294 1,758,327
Net cash used in Discontinued Operations (1,018,266 ) (1,076,008 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 188,961 (2,774,989 )
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of the period 835,056 3,610,045
Cash and cash equivalents – end of the period $ 1,024,017 $ 835,056

Four Corners
Christopher C. Domijan, 214-261-1963
or
ICR
Don Duffy, 203-682-8200

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Simon Cowell thinks he’s too old to become a father

London, May 21 (ANI): Music mogul Simon Cowell has confessed that the thought of becoming a father troubles him because of his age.

Cowell, 50, proposed to the make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy earlier this year (10), and the couple is currently planning its wedding.

However, Cowell is wary of having children with his fiancee because he would feel too old to play with them.

“I worry about that (having children) because of my age. When I was younger, my dad used to play soccer and games with me and I worry – I worry that if I was 70…” the Daily Star quoted him as telling Oprah Winfrey. (ANI)

Clarke adamant about keeping Oz Twenty20 captaincy

Sydney, May 20 (ANI): Twenty20 skipper Michael Clarke, whose tenure comes in for review over his poor batting in the shortest version of the game, is adamant about retaining the Australian Twenty20 captaincy.

Clarke has already conceded that his position might come under review following Australia’s seven-wicket loss to archrivals England in the final of the World Twenty20 Cup.

He finished with 92 runs in the tournament at 15.33. White on the other hand scored 180 runs at 45, with a strike rate of 146.34 compared with Clarke’s strike rate of 80.7.

“No doubt (I want to continue), I’m disappointed we couldn’t win the World T20, win the final, but I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity,” Clarke said on Wednesday.

“I’ve loved playing with the guys, I’ve had a lot of support from people back at home, the people who came and watched the games in the West Indies, and family and friends, so it’s been great and I’m enjoying it (the captaincy),” he said.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke as saying it might be time he re-acquainted himself with the aggressive and nimble-footed technique he first brought to the Australian team.

“Who knows? Maybe I need a little bit of that back,” said Clarke of his former, youthful approach.

“Everybody has a different role in our team though and that is one thing that players certainly are aware of, and you need to do your role to the best of your ability. For me my role is not the same as Dave Warner or Shane Watson.

“I always want to perform, I always want to score runs, it doesn’t matter what form of the game I’m playing, but like I said in this game, sometimes you can’t always make those runs,” Clarke added. (ANI)

Ancelotti’s ‘two long conversations’ help Cole get selected in Capello’s squad

London, May 19 (ANI): Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has urged Fabio Capello to select midfielder Joe Cole, despite starting in only 11 games for the club this season.

Cole has already been selected in the final 23 who will go to South Africa and is considered to be named in Capello’s final squad on June 1.

“Fabio has always been keen on Cole but he needed to know he wasn’t taking a risk picking him. He had two long conversations with Ancelotti who convinced him Cole is in great shape physically and mentally,” The Sun quoted a senior England source, as saying.

“The plan now is to monitor him in training and he will also get game-time against Mexico and Japan. As long as he performs he will be on the plane to South Africa,” the source added.

Cole, who has not played for the Three Lions for 18 months because of injury, is due to arrive at England’s pre-tournament training camp in Austria today.

Along with Chelsea teammates Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole, plus Portsmouth keeper David James, Cole has been given extra two days to recover from Saturday’s FA Cup final.

Cole joked: “I’m looking forward to seeing the boys again, I just hope they still remember me.” (ANI)

Lampard determined to be England”s nominated penalty taker

London, May 18 (ANI): Ace midfielder Frank Lampard has insisted he would not shy away from taking spot-kicks during the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer and is determined to be England”s nominated penalty taker.

“Frank Lampard has promised he can beat England”s World Cup penalty curse. England fans would have been left fearing the worst at the sight of the Chelsea star missing a penalty in the FA Cup final at Wembley,” reports Mirror.

“I have missed penalties for England, I have missed penalties for Chelsea and it comes with the territory. But it would not put me off,” said Lampard.

“I am big enough to stand up. I missed [in the final] and it will play on my mind a little, but it will be completely overshadowed by the fact that we won the game and won the Double,” he added.

“It”s quite good for me too because that kind of thing makes me address it and look at it and when I go away with England I will work on that kind of stuff. Sometimes you need a little reminder of what you have got to do,” claimed Lampard.

Despite Lampard missing two penalties for his club this season, he still has an exceptional record from the penalty spot for club and country.

“England, World Cups and penalties do not go well together as Lampard will remember from seeing his spot-kick saved in the shoot-out with Portugal in the 2006 quarter-final defeat. He has not missed for England since being given penalty duties after the last World Cup, scoring four out of four,” reports Mirror.

The midfielder has managed a season”s best tally of 26 goals in 50 games for Chelsea this term and the two missed penalties are unlikely to play on his mind too much.

“It was a disappointing penalty at Wembley to say the least. I actually changed my mind in the run-up, which is a bit of a sin. Once you do that, you are probably going to miss and I did that,” admitted Lampard. (ANI)

Sophomore outing for city U-14 footballers

With just a day left to board flight to Tehran, Iran to take part in the AFC Under-14 Football Festival, both Mohammad Sajid Dhot and Jimmy Singh Maibam are far from the pre-big tournament nervousness syndrome. Exactly a year ago, these two talented players had got the first taste of international tournament in the form of AFC Under-13 Football Festival in Iran- their maiden international outing.

“They both know that they have to go out there and perform well. That’s what they have been doing.

They have worked hard on their games with sincerity and dedication and they have performed to the best of their abilities. That’s why they have earned their second international duties,” said a brimming Surinder Singh, coach, St Stephen’s Football Academy, under whom both these players learned the basics of the game.

After attending the Under-14 football camp at Goa in March. The boys made in into the 30-probable team and then joined six-week camp.

The Indian team will leave to Iran on May 16. The 13-year-old Sajid holds the helm of the defence as a centra-back, while Jimmy plays as a right-back.

Capello keen to stay on as England coach

Fabio Capello wants to continue as England coach through to the 2012 European Championships, the Italian said as he prepares for next month’s World Cup finals.

“I see my name in a lot of newspapers in Spain, in Italy,” Capello was quoted in Britain’s Sunday newspapers.

“I am happy here with the FA. I like this job, I like this country, I don’t think about the future.

“I have a contract with the FA, my contract will finish whenever, whatever happens unless the FA decide to sack me.”

The 63-year-old has transformed England since taking over after they failed to qualify for Euro 2008, winning 16 of the 22 games under his command.

England qualified easily for next month’s showpiece in South Africa and Capello is in confident mood as England prepare for their high-altitude training camp in Austria.

“Now we are arriving at the most important moment. I understand the pressure, the confidence of the country in this team and it is really exciting. I am very focused,” he said.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Peter Rutherford; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Henry all set to play soccer in US league

London, May 14 (ANI): Barcelona striker Thierry Henry is all set to join David Beckham to play in Major League season in the United States.

The ex-Arsenal striker has signed a pre-contract agreement to join New York Red Bulls for the summer’s Major League season.

He has been unable to hold down a regular playing slot at Barcelona this term behind the likes of Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, The Sun reports.

Henry was a hero at the Gunners with 174 goals in 254 appearances before switching to the Barcelona three years ago, where he has scored 35 in only 78 games. (ANI)

Man U still in hunt for Karim Benzema

London, May 11 (ANI): Manchester United has still not given up hope of getting French striker Karim Benzema.

United boss Alex Ferguson lost out in his first attempt to sign the 22-year-old last summer, when he was outbid by Real Madrid.

Benzema made a 31 million pounds switch from Lyon. But he has been a flop for the Spanish giants, who are now ready to sell for around 25 million pounds.

The French striker has started only in 14 La Liga games this season and scored just eight league goals, The Sun reports.

United’s owners, the Glazers, are desperate to make a big-name signing to silence some of the opposition to their reign.

Nemanja Vidic could be used as a 10 million pounds makeweight in a Benzema deal. (ANI)

Manchester United will be back, says Ferguson

Manchester United will bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on an unprecedented fourth successive league title, manager Akex Ferguson said on Sunday.

United eased to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Stoke City on the final day of the Premier League campaign but missed out on the title by a point following Chelsea’s 8-0 drubbing of Wigan AtHletic.

“Of course we’ll come back next year,” Ferguson told reporters. “It is what Manchester United do.

“We’re going to try and bring the title back to the best place in the world.”

Ferguson was full of praise for Chelsea’s efforts under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“The title winners deserve it,” added Ferguson, who has won the Premier League 11 times in 18 seasons.

“It’s the hardest league in the world. To Carlo, I congratulate him.”

Ferguson said he was not concerned by the situation at Old Trafford.

“It is a good structure we have in place here,” he said. “We have worked very hard over the course of the season and we will assess everything over the summer.”

Ferguson thanked the United fans for their magnificent support.

“It has been something of a roller coaster but then it usually is and while we can look back with regret at the outcome of certain games — losing twice to Chelsea certainly ranks as a huge disappointment — there have also been some outstanding achievements and thrilling matches,” he said.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Gayle 98 drives Windies to 169 v India

West Indies captain Chris Gayle struck a powerful 98 off 66 balls against India to lead his team to 169 for six in the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday.

Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted with caution in the early stages on a dampish wicket that was turning but they went on to make an opening partnership of 80 before the latter went in the 12th over for 23.

Darren Sammy (19) and Kieron Pollard (17) made useful contributions in support of Gayle, who struck seven sixes and was run out in the final over, two short of what would have been his second century in a Twenty20 international.

West Indies and India both lost their opening games in Group F and need to win to keep alive realistic hopes of reaching the last four.

(Editing by Kevin Fylan. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Waiting to win title is like sitting on a lottery ticket: Lampard

London, May 8 (ANI): Chelsea’s ace midfielder Frank Lampard has said that waiting to win the Premier League title is like sitting on a winning lottery ticket.

Table toppers Chelsea can clinch their third Premier League championship with a win over Wigan at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling right now but I guess it might be a bit like having a winning lottery ticket and waiting for someone to tell you you”ve won to make it real,” he said.

Lampard said that everyone must stay focused on the job or risk losing the crown. “This is the league but, in effect, we are playing a cup final.”

“We have played 37 games this season and now it all comes down to one match. Everything that has gone before almost counts for nothing. To put in a sloppy performance is unthinkable,” The Sun quoted him, as saying.

Lampard has not allowed himself to dream about what winning a third title might be like, as there is work still to be done. \

“I’m superstitious and I don’t let myself visualise situations. But I remember what it was like to celebrate when we won the league before. I know how good that felt.

“It has been a nervous few weeks. You go into every game knowing any little slip will give heart to Manchester United. When I think about it, this has been a nerve-wracking month. Sunday is the culmination of it,” he added. (ANI)

Vettori confident about New Zealand facing must-wins

Barbados (West Indies), May 8 (ANI): New Zealand is suddenly facing the prospect of having to win four consecutive matches if they are to claim the Twenty20 cricket World Cup.

Having lost to South Africa in their first Super Eights match in Barbados yesterday means New Zealand must win their final two group matches – against Pakistan tomorrow morning and England on Tuesday – to be assured of a semi-finals spot.

Skipper Daniel Vettori believes his side has the quality to take on Pakistan at the Kensington Oval tomorrow.

“We weren”t as good as we normally are. It”s a very small ground and when you”ve got a destructive hitter like Albie Morkel, it”s a bad combination if you miss. I think if we reflect back on it, those last five overs put us in a bit of trouble, but we fought pretty hard,” the New Zealand Herald and stuff.co.nz quoted Vettori, as saying.

“If we could do anything again, it would be doing that better,” he added.

He expressed confidence about New Zealand turning things around for the two “must-win” Super Eights games.

“We”re hoping for a quick turnaround from some of the guy”s performances and the continuation of some guys who bowled really well. It”s hard to know exactly what turns it around but I think guys adapt pretty quickly and hopefully with one game out here we”ll be better for it in the next game against Pakistan,” Vettori said. (ANI)

Anelka all set to stay at Chelsea for another two years

London, May 6 (ANI): French striker Nicolas Anelka is all set to stay at Chelsea for another two years after getting an extension to his existing contract after the FA Cup final.

Anelka has agreed a deal, which will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2013, but will see no great advance on his 80,000 pound-a-week wages.

Anelka, who has scored only one goal in his last 17 games, had one year left on his contract and seemed expendable in any planned summer clear out.

But he does not want to move and is ready to accept younger players being brought in to provide increased competition, the Daily Express reports.

“At the end of the season every contract will be discussed, but I want Nicolas to stay,” Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said.

Michael Ballack has also been offered a one-year deal with a one-year extension, but wants a straight two-year contract.

Schalke coach Felix Magath, whose club are set for Champions League football next season, hopes to lure him home.

“I think Michael Ballack would be willing to accept a drop in salary for the chance to return to Germany,” said Magath. (ANI)

Over 100 turn up for wild lesbian party in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, May 3 (ANI): A lesbian party that was held at a nightspot in Kuala Lumpur saw more than 100 people turning up and even underage customers being allowed to enter, it has emerged.

According to Kosmo!, the party held on May 2 included games where blindfolded participants placed stickers on their bodies where they wanted to be licked.

And while some participants were reported to have also taken off their clothes to take part in the games, sexy dancers also entertained guests.

A woman, who has been identified as only Misha, revealed the nightspot in Jalan Munshi Abdullah was open from 9pm to 3am every day.

“Underage patrons can enter without showing even their MyKads. The charge for entrance is only RM20 and if somebody comes with a date, they get a special price of RM35,” the Star Online quoted her as saying.

She also revealed that she had sent an e-mail to religious authorities complaining of the matter but no action has been taken so far. (ANI)

Ferrer ends Murray’s good run at Rome Masters

London, Apr 30 (ANI): British tennis ace Andy Murray’s hopes of an extended run at the Rome Masters where dashed by David Ferrer who defeated him in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in the third-round.

Murray was satisfied with his performance in the second round but was unable to break down the stout defences of the world No 17, who has now won more matches than anyone else on the circuit in 2010.

Ferrer has also recorded more victories on clay than anyone else and he notched up another here to prevent Murray regaining the world No.4 ranking from Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, The Telegraph reports.

“I played well today. I had a lot of 0-30 games on his serve and the only disappointing thing was that I couldn’t take advantage. But the way I was striking the ball was way, way better than in my last two matches and if I keep playing like that I will start going deep in tournaments again soon,” Murray said.

One break in each set was enough to give Ferrer victory but his speed around the court made him dominate the match.

Murray hit seven aces but was never able to dominate on serve and the Spaniard continually put him under pressure. (ANI)

Head of Chinese football eyes return to World Cup, SOC

BEIJING (AP) The head of China’s football association is revamping the country’s lowly national team with a goal of qualifying for the World Cup in 2014. Wei Di said Wednesday in an exclusive interview with AP Television News that China should be a top team in Asia within five years and represent the region at the tournament in Brazil.

Wei said football officials will schedule more training matches and friendlies. China currently only plays 10 games a year.

China has qualified for the World Cup only once, failing to score a single goal in three straight losses in 2002. Wei was appointed in January amid a sweeping probe into deeply ingrained corruption in Chinese football.

China stripped of Sydney gymnastics bronze

Dubai, Apr.29 (ANI): China has been stripped of their women”s gymnastics team bronze medal from the Sydney 2000 Olympics after one of the athletes falsified her age, the International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday.

According to a China Daily report, an International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) probe had found in February that Dong Fangxiao was younger than the minimum age requirement of 16 after registering different ages at Sydney and the Beijing Games eight years later.

“The medal and diplomas of Dong Fangxiao are withdrawn and reallocated accordingly,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters after an IOC Executive Board meeting.

The United States, fourth-place finishers in Sydney, are now upgraded to third place and will be awarded the bronze medal.

The IOC ordered the Chinese Olympic Committee to return the medal and her diplomas so they can be re-awarded and told the committee it must ensure rules regarding age-limits are strictly kept. (ANI)

Gerrard vows to beat Chelsea to give rivals Man U title boost

London, Apr 27 (ANI): Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has vowed to give bitter rivals Manchester United a massive Premier League title boost by beating Chelsea on Sunday.

Gerrard said Liverpool will not roll over, even if it hands United a fourth straight Premier League crown.

“We have a couple of games left and the idea is to take maximum points and see if we can get into the Champions League through the back door,” The Sun quoted him, as saying.

“If we take maximum points, who knows? The teams above us might slip up. All we have done is keep the pressure on. We won’t give up but it would be stupid of me to say this or that is going to happen – it’s important to be realistic.

“We are underdogs for fourth position but our fans also know we’ve got Everton breathing down our necks and we certainly don’t want them finishing above us,” Gerrard said.

Kop fans know even a draw would make United, who play at Sunderland later in the day, favourites for a 19th title, one ahead of Liverpool. (ANI)