Schumacher Happy Not To Be Racing Vettel........!

Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher hailed Sebastian Vettel`s record-breaking Formula One season on Friday and said the gulf between his fellow German and his Red Bull team mate Mark Webber had been `shocking`.

Vettel ended the year as the first driver to win nine races in a row in a single season. His total of 13 for the championship equalled Schumacher`s record 2004 haul with Ferrari.

"He won all those races, 13 this year; Mark Webber, he won none. That is pretty shocking," Schumacher said in a season review posted by the Mercedes team on You Tube on Friday.

"I`m glad I`m not his (Vettel`s) team mate."

Webber departed Formula One at the end of the season to join Porsche in endurance racing, with Australian compatriot Daniel Ricciardo replacing him.

Schumacher said he was happy for Vettel, the youngest quadruple champion at 26.

"If somebody can break all these records I prefer it to be him, than somebody else," added the German, who left the sport at the end of last season after coming out of retirement for three years with Mercedes.

Mercedes ended last season as overall runners-up to Red Bull, a big improvement on fifth place in 2012, with Germany`s Nico Rosberg and Britain`s Lewis Hamilton both winning races.

Schumacher, who is good friends with Vettel and races with him in the annual race of Champions event as Team Germany, said he had no regrets about his second retirement.

He felt Mercedes, who announced on Thursday that his old friend, ally and principal Ross Brawn was leaving at the end of the year, would be able to launch a real championship challenge in 2014.

"Everything now is there to have the base to fight the championship in the future. And that`s what I think can happen," he said.

David Moyes Say Best Is Yet To Come From Improving United...........!

It was short and sweet but the five minutes that Manchester United manager David Moyes spent in his weekly news conference on Friday offered the clearest sign yet that he is settling into the job.

It has been a testing period for the former Everton manager since he replaced Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, with United making their worst start to a Premier League season.

However, they are unbeaten in all competitions since a 2-1 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion on September 28 and have climbed to sixth in the Premier League, one point off the top four.

Conceding a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Cardiff City last week was a jolt, but United responded with a 5-0 thrashing away to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday -- a result that could prove to be a defining moment in the season.

United visit Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday when the London club will be anxious to bounce back from the 6-0 mauling they suffered at Manchester City last week.

A relaxed-looking Moyes said he felt there was still room for improvement from his United side.

"The best is to come and I still think we can continue to improve and progress," he said.

"We had some little bits of inconsistency at times, which we need to try to do better with, but there have been moments that have shown we are beginning to come right back into form.

"That is what I hope. Midweek certainly showed what we are capable of when we are playing well and the job is to do that week in, week out."

Experienced left back Patrice Evra said United were determined to use the Leverkusen result as a springboard.

"We were so disappointed about the Cardiff draw. We are in good form but for that silly goal at Cardiff," he said.

"We want to keep winning and winning. We cannot wait for Tottenham."

Evra said that the champions would again be pushing for the Premier League title despite their slow start.

"People always write Manchester United off," he said. "Remember last year people were saying the same then, but in the end we won the league by 11 points."

Pep Guardiola Admits To Injury Worries.......!

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola admitted Friday to having concerns about his team`s mounting injury problems.

Last season`s treble winners have not yet lost in this campaign, winning 11 and drawing two matches in the Bundesliga while winning all five Champions League encounters. 

But ahead of Saturday`s visit of Eintracht Braunschweig, Guardiola said they would be fighting a rearguard battle until Christmas. 

"We`re going to need to survive for two or three weeks," said the Catalan coach, who will lead his side to Morocco in a couple of weeks time for the Club World Cup. 

"But we have to make do, that`s why we have a second team." 

Captain Philipp Lahm is the latest addition to the treatment table with a hamstring injury, joining the likes of vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, France winger Franck Ribery, Peru striker Claudio Pizarro, Switzerland wideman Xherdan Shaqiri and Germany defender Holger Badstuber. 

Guardiola does at least have first choice Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic and full-back Diego Contento back for the clash with the Bundesliga`s basement sitters, as the reigning champions seek to extend their record unbeaten run in the league to 39 matches.

David Beckham Prefers Brad Pitt For His On-Screen Avatar......!

David Beckham has confessed that Brad Pitt will be perfect to play the lead character if a movie is ever made on the football player.

Former football player David Beckham says that if a film is ever made on him, actor Brad Pitt will fit the bill to play his on screen version to the T.

"I think Brad would be the obvious choice. I would like Brad to be playing me - him or Leonardo DiCaprio, one of the two or Bradley Cooper. They are not bad looking guys," Beckham said during a radio show, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The 38-year-old, who retired from playing soccer professionally in May, says he has had plenty of opportunity to stay in shape. His children Brooklyn, 14, Romeo, 12, Cruz, nine, and two-year-old Harper, with wife Victoria are keeping him on his toes.

"I had four months where I literally did not do one bit of any physical activity but then I gradually started to do it, I am chasing four kids around," he said.

"I think Victoria is waiting for me to get a couple of tires around my waist but right now it is not happening, thankfully," he added.

Cristiano Ronaldo Ruled Out At Least Another Two Weeks......!

A muscle strain will keep the Real Madrid forward on the sidelines until at least December 14.

Real Madrid host Valladolid on Saturday, but they'll have to do it without the help of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward injured his hamstring in last weekend's win over Almeria, limping off the pitch. It was thought that Ronaldo would only need to miss the midweek Champions League clash against Galatasaray, but although further tests have shown the muscle is completely healed, he won't even be on the bench for this week's tie, primarily because Carlo Ancelotti wants his star 100% fit once more.

Fortunately, Real Madrid have a relatively easy schedule ahead. Valladolid are barely out of the relegation zone, only ahead on goal difference, and there's no Champions League next week. Instead, the galácticos face Olimpic de Xàtiva in the Copa del Ray, and they'll likely not need their stars to beat the third-division side. Then it's on to Copenhagen, who are already eliminated from the Champions League, before facing Osasuna, currently one point above the relegation zone, in La Liga action.

Sure, it's never nice to see one of the world's best players sitting on the sidelines, but it's best to allow Ronaldo to heal completely rather than risk him on matches that can probably be won by Madrid's b-side.

Nadal-Djokovic French Open Semi Announced `Best Grand Slam Match of The Year`......!

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has recognized the French Open semifinal encounter between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as the Best Grand Slam Match of the Year.

According to TennisWorldUSA.org, Nadal, better known as the `King of Clay,` triumphed in a marathon encounter against his Serbian counterpart, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(3), 9-7 in a grueling five-set match.

Moreover, the conquest of the Slam by the Spaniard played a huge role in Nadal`s success of clinching the year-ending number one ranking, the report said.

However, Djokovic later went on to win the ATP World Tour Finals event in London, beating Nadal in straight sets in the final.

Former Indian Vricketer Vinod Kambli Suffers Heart Attack, Condition Stable........!

Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli has suffered a heart attack, a report said on Friday.

He has been admitted to Mumbai`s Lilavati hospital. Kambli was driving when he complained of chest pain and was taken to the hospital by a lady traffic officer.

But now there is a sign of relief for Kambli as doctor has said that there is nothing to worry about and his condition is stable now. 

Kambli, 42-year-old, underwent angioplasty on two of his blocked arteries at the same hospital in July 2012.

Southpaw Kambli, who will turn 42 on January 18 next year, played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India.

Kambli is the childhood friend of the batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who recently bid adieu to International cricket. Vinod and Sachin came in the limelight for the very first time when they shared an unbroken partnership of 664 runs in a school match against St Xavier`s School. 

However, Kambli, in his recent interview, told Zee Media that he is quite hurt with the differences that have surfaced between him and Tendulkar. Tendulkar and Kambli were known to be very close friends during their playing days. 

“I haven’t heard Sachin’s sound for a long time and it hurts me. It’s been seven long years and we haven’t met with each other. In between we just shared few text messages and that’s all. It seems as if we have become enemies now,” Kambli said.

However, Kambli said that he felt bad and became emotional when he saw Sachin crying during his farewell ceremony on November 16. “My eyes also welled up with tears when I saw my friend crying at Wankhede, during his last match.”

Redmond Back For New Zealand After Five-Years Test Wait.......!

Top-order batsman Aaron Redmond has earned a New Zealand test recall, five years after he last played the longest form of the game, for the series against West Indies that starts next week.

The 34-year-old has been named in a 13-man squad for the three-match series that starts at the University Oval in Dunedin on December 3 ostensibly to provide cover for the injured Kane Williamson who broke his thumb last month.

Redmond, who last played a test against Australia in 2008, has been in good form in Plunket Shield first-class cricket for the past two seasons and batted well in a warm-up match in Christchurch.

"Aaron has made a good start to the Plunket Shield to date and on top of the 67 he scored yesterday for the New Zealand XI we felt he was the best top order batting cover," selection manager Bruce Edgar said on Friday.

Williamson broke his thumb on the tour of Bangladesh and medical staff had thought his injury may take up to six weeks to heal. He will undergo a fitness check before the team is finalised. "Kane has been in the nets batting and bowling and getting his intensity levels up," Edgar said. "We`re confident he should be right come Tuesday."

Pace bowler Tim Southee is also back in the squad after ankle surgery in July. He was gradually eased back when he played in the limited- overs portion of New Zealand`s tour to Bangladesh.

All-rounder Corey Anderson has also been included but is battling against a rib injury he sustained in Bangladesh and may play as just a batsman in Dunedin if the home side decide to pick an all-seam attack and not include leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

The 20-year-old Sodhi impressed on the Bangladesh tour and Edgar said if the conditions suited him he would be given another chance. Williamson, if fit, is likely to fill the spinning role if New Zealand go with a four-pronged pace attack of Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell.

New Zealand - Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Peter Fulton, Aaron Redmond, Hamish Rutherford, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

South Africa Rest Steyn And Kallis For Final Pakistan ODI......!

South Africa, who have already lost the series, will rest Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis for the third and final one-day international against Pakistan at Centurion on Saturday.

Paceman Steyn has a mild side strain while all-rounder Kallis has a badly sprained little finger.

South Africa start a three-match 50-over series against India next Thursday followed by two tests.

"Dale and Jacques will play a key role in the series against India so we felt it was necessary to take precautionary measures so that they are in prime condition," team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said on Thursday.

Pakistan lead the ODI encounter 2-0, their first bilateral series win over South Africa home or away.

Pakistan Vs South Africa 2nd ODI: Proteas Choke Again As Pakistan Win Series.......!

Shehzad century spurs Pakistan to 262 in 45 overs

Junaid Khan bowled an excellent last over as Pakistan pulled off a nail-biting one-run victory in the second ODI at Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Pakistan who were humbled 4-1 in the UAE recorded a historic series triumph with a memorable victory.

Chasing a challenging target of 263 in 45 overs, South Africa ended on 261-6 in 45 overs.

Skipper AB de Villiers smashed 74 off 45 balls with eight boundaries and two sixes to put South Africa on track.

AB de Villiers shared an enterprising 110-run stand for the fourth wicket with Amla who laid the foundation with a 87-run stand for the second wicket with Quinton de Kock (47).

South Africa needed a run a ball after the depature of AB de Villiers but Amla choked two short of a century and Duminy fell two balls later.

Junaid Khan had the best return of three for 42.

Felipe Massa Leaves Ferrari Frustrated After Brazilian GP Penalty...........!

An angry Felipe Massa completed his final race for Ferrari on Sunday, disappointed that he was unable to depart in glory after being handed a mid-race drive-through penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

On an emotional day in the Interlagos paddock, the local hero was just one of many drivers saying goodbye to his team or the sport while others ended the season not knowing where they may be next year.

For Massa it was a last outing after eight years with Ferrari and for Australian Mark Webber his last race in Formula One.

"It was a real shame about what happened," said Massa of his punishment for crossing white lines at the pit-lane entry.

"I was doing well and overtaking cars and then I got a drive through and I didn't do anything wrong and it was a shame.

"Sometimes these guys think they have all the power and they can do what they want so I feel more sorrow for them than for me.

"I didn't do anything that other cars didn't do, but I was the only one punished.

"I feel very emotional for what I have achieved and what we have achieved together, I have made a lot of friends and I want to thank them all.

"It will be really tough to say goodbye but I am ready to do it and I am ready to celebrate."

Massa joins Williams next year, but Nico Hulkenberg and Adrian Sutil, Paul Di Resta and Max Chilton, Heikki Kovalainen, Mexicans Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez, Pastor Maldonado, Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde have yet to finalise their futures.

Hulkenberg, of Sauber, has been linked with a return to his former team Force India.

Massa, touchingly, was given a guard of honour by his mechanics as he pulled out of the garage for the grid and his final race.

Ashes 2013: Michael Clarke Sees No Animosity After Arm Break Sledge.........!

Australian skipper Michael Clarke insists there is no animosity with England despite the final day of the first Test turning nasty with tailender James Anderson warned to expect a broken arm.

The home team`s huge 381-run victory on Sunday was tarnished by constant sledging as frustrations boiled over, culminating in Clarke being caught by a stump microphone telling Anderson to "get ready for a broken fucking arm".

England skipper Alastair Cook was also upset at David Warner calling England frightened, singling out batsman Jonathan Trott as "weak".

The media lapped up the tense war of words with the Sydney Daily Telegraph screaming on its front page: "Poms Mitch-slapped as rampant Aussies bring back the sledge," referring to fast bowler Mitch Johnson tearing through the England innings.

The usually mild-mannered Clarke also wagged his finger at Anderson, one of England`s worst sledgers, with the umpires needing to step in to cool tempers.

But the skipper said it was simply his competitive nature and had nothing to do with Australian bitterness over England`s 3-0 Ashes win sealed in August

Instead, it showed Australia were up for the fight.

"I think it is because both teams want to win so badly," Clarke said. "I respect that there is a line and both teams shouldn`t overstep that line.

"I think the rivalry and the banter on the field, it is give and take both ways. It is not one team dictating the other. It is about when you have momentum, run with it for as long as you possibly can."

"And when you don`t, fight your backside off to try and get it back. In this Test match, we have grabbed the moment and tried to run with it for as long as possible."

The defeat at the Gabba in Brisbane was one of the heaviest-ever in the Ashes for England with the tourists crumbling under the searing pace of Johnson to be all out for 179 late on the fourth day. They were skittled for 136 in the first innings.

With four more Tests to play, Australian selectors will stick with the same squad for the next clash in Adelaide starting on December 5, with Johnson vowing to keep bowling his fearsome short-pitched deliveries.

"I think you can get inside a batsman`s head," he said. "I`ll keep doing it. It`s working."

The fragility of England`s batting will be a concern for Cook with just a two-day game in the searing heat of Alice Springs against a Chairman`s XI to get it right ahead of the second Test.

"We`ll go away, regroup, be honest with ourselves and come back. We`ve done it before. There won?t be any hiding," said the defiant skipper.

But former England captain Michael Vaughan said it was not looking good for Cook`s team.

"England`s batting was consistently poor. To only score 315 on a decent wicket ... it was just the pace of Johnson," he said.

"I just feel the Australians have got this energy, this real hurt from the last three Ashes series and they want to make sure this series goes their way.

"There are some real issues in England`s top seven batting line-up," he added. "They`ve got a lot of soul searching to do."

Mahela Jayawardene To Miss Sri Lanka`s Tour of Pakistan.......!

Mahela Jayawardene will miss Sri Lanka`s tour of Pakistan in Dubai next month as the senior batsman has requested for leave on personal grounds, Sri Lanka Cricket said on Monday.

Pakistan is set to host Sri Lanka for two T20s, five ODIs and three Tests between December 6 and January 21.

Dinesh Chandimal will lead the T20 squad, while Angelo Mathews is the captain of the ODI side.

Left-handed opener Dimuth Karunaratne will replace Jayawardene in the ODI squad, while all-rounder Ashan Priyanjana has also been included in the team.

Rangana Herath replaces Ajantha Mendis as the front line spinner.

T20 Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Lasith Malinga, TM Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanna, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis and Ramith Rambukwella.

ODI squad: Lasith Malinga, TM Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews (Captain), Lahiru Thirimanna, Dinesh Chandimal Kithuruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath and Ashan Priyanjana.

Pakistan Fight Back To Choke South Africa In 1st ODI..........!

Bilawal and Anwar Ali propel Pakistan to 218-9

Pakistan pulled off a spectacular 23-run victory over South Africa with 11 balls to spare in the first one-day international at Cape Town on Sunday to take a 1-0 ead in the three-match series.

Chasing a target of 219, South Africa appeared to be coasting at one stage but Pakistan fought back tenaciously with the spin trio of Hafeez, Afridi and Ajmal throttling their run chase.

Kallis (50) and Duminy (49) kept them in the hunt but from a comfortable 115-4 in the 26th they stumbled losing their last six wickets for 80 runs.

Debutant Bilawal claimed three for 37 but Ajmal had the excellent figures of 10-0-28-2.

Newcomers Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti put together a match-winning partnership and shared in five wickets as Pakistan beat South Africa by 23 runs in the first one-day international at Newlands on Sunday.

The two bowlers, making their ODI debuts, put on 74 runs for the eighth wicket to take Pakistan to a respectable 218 for nine off their 50 overs before bowling out South Africa for 195 in their second-last over.

Pakistan take the lead in the three-match series after losing 4-1 to South Africa earlier this month in a five-match ODI series in the United Arab Emirates.

Man of the match Ali produced a swashbuckling 43 to remain unbeaten at the end of the innings while Bhatti added a valuable 39 as they took Pakistan from 131 for seven to a defendable total.

"I was really happy with the effort of the two debutants, they really won the game for us," said captain Misbah-ul-Haq at the post-match presentation. "They gave us some hope to take us past 200."

Jacques Kallis scored 50 on his return to the one-day international arena after an absence of almost two years, but early wickets kept tumbling about him as South Africa struggled in their reply before eventually being bowled after 48.1 overs.

A perfect yorker from Bhatti bowled Morne Morkel for the last wicket to give the paceman figures of 3-37. Ali bowled Kallis as he took 2-24.

The next match is in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

India Vs West Indies 2nd ODI: Windies Win Thriller By Two Wickets......!

INDIA INNINGS

It was not the best of starts for India with Rampaul dismissing Rohit Sharma 12 and Dhawan being sent back 35 LBW by Permaul.

Rampaul struck the heart of the Indian batting dismmising the danger men.

Virat Kohli was denied his ton at 99 by Rampaul attempting a huge shot taken by Holder while Raina was dismissed at 24 by Rampaul.

Yuvraj Singh added 28 runs before being dismissed by Sammy.

Dhoni and Ashwin escallated the score by some brilliant knocks.

Ashwin 19 was dismissed by Holder attempting a reverse shot behind the wickets to Charles.

Dhoni played a captains knock and was not out at 51.

Jadeja added 10 runs before Rampaul getting him clean bowled.

The new batsman Kumar was not out at 1 with India piling 288-7 in their allotted 50 overs match.

WEST INDIES INNINGS

West Indies showed a lot of character in their batting building quick partsnerships with Darren Sammy emerging the Man of the Match in today's nail biting finish.

Powell 59 and Bravo 50 led well the Windies attack.

Simmons 62 and Sammy 63 n.o ensured West Indies were on the right track.

Charles 12 and DJ Bravo 18 contributed well to the score. Holder 7 was dismissed by Shami attempting a bold shot.

India showed some fielding lapses with Bravo being dropped on three ocassion and Dhawan failing to see the ball as Sammy hit a four as the game drew to a end..

Kumar, Ashwin and Shami claimed two wickets each while Jadeja and Sharma had to be content with one wicket.

Man City Hit Six Past Hapless Spurs, Man Utd Held..........!

Rampant Manchester City shredded the Premier League's meanest defence with a 6-0 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday while Manchester United's surge up the table stalled after a 2-2 draw at Cardiff City.

Sergio Aguero and Jesus Navas both struck twice as City, who have scored 13 goals in their last two home games, roared into the top four. Hapless Tottenham conceded as many in one match as they had in their previous 11 league outings.

A sixth home win in six gave Manuel Pellegrini's team 22 points from 12 games. United were poised to move above them when they led Cardiff in south Wales with goals from Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra.

The visitors were then denied a fourth consecutive league victory when Kim bo-Kyung's late header earned Cardiff a deserved share of the spoils and left United in sixth spot with 21 points, seven behind leaders Arsenal.

England striker Rooney was at the centre of controversy when he escaped with a yellow card for a wild kick at Jordan Mutch but the performance of a goal-laden weekend came from Manchester City.

Oddly enough Tottenham enjoyed territorial superiority but having fallen behind after 15 seconds they were ripped apart by a home side bursting with goalscoring potential.

City have scored 34 league goals already this season and manager Pellegrini was glowing in his praise.

"It's not normal to win by six goals against a strong team like Tottenham. I think today we played really well, not just attacking but defending," he told Sky Sports television.

"Spurs have very important players in attack so to not concede is very good."

City were gifted the lead straight from the kickoff when Tottenham played the ball back to Hugo Lloris and the France keeper hit his clearance straight to Aguero.

Lloris, playing for Spurs for the time since suffering concussion against Everton at the start of the month, parried the Argentine striker's effort but the ball rolled to Navas whose chip curled over the out-of-position keeper.

It was the second fastest goal of the season after the wind-assisted one scored by Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic against Southampton in 13 seconds.

F1: Vettel Takes Record Ninth Win In A Row.......!

Red Bull's quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel won the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday to chalk up a record ninth victory in a row and 13th of the year.

Australian team mate Mark Webber bowed out of Formula One with second place, anchoring a Red Bull one-two in his 215th and final race for the champions before heading to Le Mans sportscars with Porsche. 

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, this season's overall-runner-up, finished third on a day when the skies over Interlagos failed to deliver the rain that had forced delays to qualifying on Saturday. 

Vettel is the first Formula One driver to win nine successive races in a single season although Italian Alberto Ascari strung together nine in a row over two campaigns in 1952-53. 

"Guys, I am so proud of you. I love you. Remember this, enjoy this moment. Yes. We did it. This is unbelievable," the 26-year-old German said, his voice wavering over the team radio after he took the chequered flag. 

Vettel's victory equalled compatriot Michael Schumacher's 2004 record with Ferrari of 13 wins in a season. 

"I am actually quite sad that this season is coming to an end," he said in a podium interview after he and Alonso had doused Webber, who ends the year third in the championship, in champagne. 

Vettel and Red Bull had secured their fourth successive drivers' and constructors' titles in India last month. 

Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion and last before Vettel, finished fourth for McLaren - a result that rescued the team from suffering their worst season since their debut in 1966 even if they failed to stand on the podium at any point in 2013. 

Nico Rosberg was fifth for Mercedes, who end the championship as overall runners-up and six points ahead of Ferrari. 

Mexican Sergio Perez was sixth, after starting 19th following a five place grid penalty, in his final appearance for McLaren with his future uncertain. 

Brazilian Felipe Massa, angry and incredulous after being handed a drive-through penalty, brought down the curtain on eight years as a Ferrari driver with seventh place in front of his home fans. 

Mercedes's Lewis Hamilton was ninth and was also handed a drive-through penalty for a coming together with Finland's Valtteri Bottas that left the Briton limping back to the pits with a puncture while the Williams shed a rear tyre and retired. 

Marussia won the battle with Malaysian-owned Caterham for 10th place in the constructors' championship - a position with considerable financial implications for both with only the top 10 getting a share of the revenues.

Pacquiao's Win Brings Cheers In Typhoon-Hit Philippines.....!

Filipinos at temporary shelters in typhoon-ravaged central Philippines erupted in jubilation after boxing hero Manny Pacquiao thumped American Brandon Rios to clinch the WBO welterweight crown in Macau on Sunday.

Displaced families, aid workers and soldiers jumped from their seats and broke into thunderous applause as Pacquiao, the only boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions, comprehensively beat his younger and taller opponent.

"I am so very, very happy. Manny gave us something to cheer about in these times of despair," Sonia Reyes, 35, whose house was severely damaged by the surge brought by typhoon Haiyan two weeks ago, told Reuters.

"Manny's victory is an inspiration for us to get back on our feet again. Like our 'national fist', Tacloban City will rise again," she added, referring to Pacquiao's local moniker.

Typhoon Haiyan, the most powerful storm to make landfall this year, struck the central Philippines on November 8, killing more than 5,200 people, displacing 4.4 million and destroying an estimated 12 billion pesos ($274 million) worth of crops and infrastructure.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma issued a statement congratulating Pacquiao for winning another title, saying "the victory will serve as a fountain spring of strength and inspiration for the country after the typhoon devastation".

Pacquiao, a second-term congressman and an army lieutenant-colonel in the reserve force, dominated all 12 rounds with superior hand speed and footwork, leaving Rios' eyes swollen and bloodied.

"From the start to finish, Manny showed his champion form. For a moment, I forgot the miseries around me. Manny helped pull a painful thorn on our side," Vicente Olang, 66, a retired village watchman, said.

Local authorities set up wide screens in three locations in Tacloban City, including one at the damaged airport for foreign and local aid workers and security forces helping clear debris and collect dead bodies.

At an open-air plaza, the size of a football field, surrounded by parked dump trucks, fork lifts and buses, a large crowd gathered to watch the fight under a hot sun. Some climbed on trees.

At one point, heavily-armed soldiers emerged from a tank, sat on top of the armoured vehicle and craned their necks to watch the bout.

At temporary shelters, there was no sign of the pain of disaster on their faces as they cheered noisily and clapped every time Pacquiao landed a blow on Rios' head, face or body.

In capital Manila, streets were deserted during the fight as Filipinos tuned into see the action. Cinemas, bars and public parks were packed.

Police authorities have said crime rates drop every time Pacquiao enters the ring.

Pakistan Vs South Africa 2nd T20: Pakistan Win Thriller To Share Honours.........!

Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Akmal went on a six-hitting spree before Shahid Afridi sealed a series-levelling victory for Pakistan in the second and final Twenty20 international against South Africa at Newlands on Friday.

Hafeez hit 63 off 41 balls with three sixes and Akmal hammered 64 off 38 deliveries with four sixes as Pakistan made 176 for four, easily their best total in four 20-overs matches in the space of ten days against the same opponents - two of them in the United Arab Emirates. South Africa won all three previous matches.

Afridi took three for 28 with his brisk leg-spinners after South Africa had raced to 58 for no wicket in the first seven overs of their reply.

The hosts finished with 170 for four - losing by six runs - thanks largely to an unbroken stand of 53 off 28 balls between JP Duminy and David Miller. But they were never really in contention, despite scoring 19 off the penultimate over, bowled by Junaid Khan.

Seventeen were needed off the final over and Sohail Tanvir bowled a series of yorkers and low full tosses to restrict South Africa to 10 runs, which included a boundary off the last ball.

"We have been working hard," said Pakistan captain Hafeez, who was named man of the match and man of the series. "We knew we had to win this game to stay positive for the rest of the series."

Pakistan, who were beaten 4-1 in a one-day series and 2-0 in a Twenty20 series in the United Arab Emirates before travelling to South Africa, start a three-match one-day series at the same venue on Sunday.

Hafeez and Akmal put on 102 off just 57 balls for the third wicket as the South African bowlers were put to the sword.

The innings gained momentum when Wayne Parnell was no-balled in the seventh over and Hafeez slammed the free hit over the square leg fence for the first six.

Hafeez hit two successive straight sixes off left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso in the 12th over before Akmal followed suit in an over which cost 21 runs.

Three overs later Morne Morkel conceded 22 runs as Akmal hit successive deliveries for six, four and six again.

Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock gave South Africa a fast start but Afridi struck with his first delivery when De Kock swept him to deep backward square leg. Afridi took wickets in both his next two overs, having Faf du Plessis caught at midwicket and bowling AB de Villiers.

Amla went on to make 48 before he was caught in the deep off Saeed Ajmal, leaving Duminy (47 not out) and Miller (22 not out) with an improbable task.

Leighton Baines To Undergo X-rays On His Toe After Leaving Merseyside Derby Early........!

Everton and their fans will be collectively holding their breath as defender Leighton Baines is facing an x-ray to determine the extent of the damage done to his toe during Saturday's 3-3 draw against Liverpool.

Baines' foot was landed/stepped on by Liverpool's Jordan Henderson in the first half and despite his attempt to play through the pain, he was forced off early in the second half. At this point there's no official word on the injury or what Everton are thinking might be wrong. We only have this tweet to guide us along with Roberto Martinez saying the same thing in his post-match comments.

Hopefully there's no serious damage to Baines' toe as a fracture or break could cost him significant time, something Everton can ill afford at the moment.

Barcelona Vs. Granada: Final Score 4-0, Barca Rolls Despite Missing Rwo Key Starters........!

No Lionel Messi, no Victor Valdés, no problem for Barcelona as the Spanish giants remained on top of La Liga thanks to a comfortable win over Granada at the Camp Nou. Two first half penalties from Andrés Iniesta and Cesc Fábregas and a second half strikes from Alexis Sanchez and Pedro Rodriguez led theBlaugrana to victory.

As you might expect Barcelona were all over Granada early, forcing them back into their own end for a majority of the opening 15 minutes. Barca's best chance early came in the 14th minute when Neymar's free kick found Alexis free in space right in front of the goal. The Chilean's header was not hit well but still forced an excellent point blank save from Roberto to keep the match scoreless.

Barcelona were given a penalty in the 19th minute after Granada's Dimitri Foulquier impeded Cesc Fábregas as he made a run into the box. Andrés Iniesta cooly stepped up and beat Roberto low to the right to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Fun fact, it was Iniesta's first ever penalty kick goal for Barcelona. His only other attempt came back in 2004 and he missed.

Granada came ever so close to pulling even in the 24th minute on the counter attack, nearly catching Barcelona stretched out. Piti found some space 25-yards out and sent a rising blast that skipped off the crossbar. It was hard to tell if Jose Manuel Pinto got a touch on the ball, but either way Granada was denied.

Barcelona were warded another penalty in the 39th minute when Fran Rico clipped Iniesta inside the area. Fábregas stepped up this time and beat Roberto with a shot up and into the right top corner to make it 2-0 just before the halftime break.

Things didn't improve at all for Granada in the second half. In the 66th minute Manuel Iturra, already carrying yellow, made a foolish and unnecessary challenge as he dove in on Pedro Rodriguez, tripping up the striker. Iturra knew he was doomed as soon as he made the tackle and the referee wasted no time showing him his second yellow and sending him off.

Two penalties and a red card, both completely correct calls but that won't stop MARCA from going ballistic for the rest of the weekend.

Four minutes later Alexis Sánchez finished things off with, receiving a ball from Neymar on the right side of the Granada box before sliding it past Roberto to make it 3-0. The really depressing part for Granada was the fact that the goal came on a counter attack created after Allan-Roméo Nyom was denied at the near post by Pinto.

Pedro added a fourth in the 90th minute, just for fun.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has hired Sven Groeneveld as her new coach for the 2014 season.

The Russian world number four made the announcement on her Facebook page on Thursday after being without a coach since parting ways with Jimmy Connors in August.

Connors lasted just a month after joining the 26-year-old following the Wimbledon tournament in July.

"I`m happy to announce my official partnership with Sven Groeneveld," Sharapova wrote.

"We`ve been working together since I got back on the court and after seeing him on the opposing side for so many years, I`m excited to have him become a part of my team.”

"It has been a very seamless transition and I have had a lot of fun with the hard work we have put in so far. Looking forward to the year ahead."

Groeneveld has previously worked with other top players in Monica Seles, Mary Pierce and Ana Ivanovic.

Sharapova withdrew from the US Open with a shoulder injury and has not played since.

She is scheduled to return to competition at the Brisbane International tournament as she finalises her preparations for the Australian Open, the year`s first grand slam.

The Ashes: England On The Ropes In Massive Run Chase.......!

England were fighting to save the opening Ashes Test after a demoralising third day dominated by Australia at the Gabba on Saturday.

Skipper Michael Clarke left the tourists toiling in the field chasing after the ball before calling a halt with just over an hour left and setting England an improbable 561 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.

England will have to create Ashes history to win the Gabba Test with their previous highest winning fourth innings score at 332 for seven in Melbourne in 1928.

The world record for the highest successful run chase is the West Indies` 418 for seven against Australia in Antigua in 2003, while the highest winning chase at the Gabba is Australia`s 236 for seven against the West Indies in 1951.

England had a wretched start to their marathon salvage operation when Michael Carberry was bowled by Ryan Harris for a duck in the fifth over and Jonathan Trott completed a sorry match when he pulled straight to Nathan Lyon at deep square leg for nine.

Carberry, England`s topscorer in the first innings with 40, played back to Harris only for the ball to trickle through his legs and dislodge the bails.

England went to stumps at 24 for two with Alastair Cook on 11 and Kevin Pietersen not out three.

Pietersen almost ran out his skipper when he darted off for a quick single on his first ball faced and Cook just made his ground.

Clarke held on to his declaration decision seemingly to inflict maximum mental damage on Cook`s team to set the tone for the rest of the Tests, after England`s 3-0 series win three months ago for their third straight Ashes triumph.

Clarke and David Warner hit centuries as Australia accumulated an imposing 401 for seven, representing an overall lead of 560 as the home side set out to protect their 25-year unbeaten run at the Gabba ground.

Dashing opener Warner scored his first Ashes Test century and skipper Clarke raised his 25th Test ton and sixth against England as the Australians rammed home their 159-run innings lead to seize control.

Clarke bounced back strongly from his first innings batting failure when he was caught off a Stuart Broad lifter for one and has now scored 1,029 runs at the Gabba at an average of 114.33.

Warner raised his fourth Test ton with three runs off part-time spinner Joe Root a half-hour after lunch but later became another victim of Broad when he was caught behind for 124 off 154 balls with 13 fours and a six.

Lionel Messi Reveals His Favourite Teams To Win 2014 World Cup In Brazil......!

Argentine football star Lionel Messi said his favourite teams to win the 2014 Brazil World Cup are Germany, Brazil, Spain, France and Argentina.

"Germany, Brazil, Spain, France and us also," said the Barcelona forward Friday during an interview with Buenos Aires` radio station La Metro in Spain, when he was asked on his favourite teams to win the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

Messi, winner of the Golden Shoe as the maximum scorer in the European football, said he is confident that he will recover from the muscle injury and will "come back in good shape" in January.

He will travel to Argentina for the last part of his rehabilitation, he added.

Messi was injured on Nov 10 in a match between Barcelona and Betis, during which he tore his right-leg femoral biceps and had to leave the tournament for six to eight weeks.

This week Messi received his third Golden Shoe. He said "more than anybody" he wants to win the 2014 World Cup.

Messi also told La Metro that he was in pain for being criticised by some fans in Argentina, who questioned his performance in the national soccer team, saying that "they did not love me".

Rosberg Fastest In Wet Brazil Practice........!

Nico Rosberg splashed through spray and standing water to put Mercedes on top in both practice sessions for the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix at a rainswept Interlagos on Friday.

The German was quickest in the morning with a best time of one minute 24.781 seconds, set early on before track conditions became more treacherous, and saw off the Red Bulls in the afternoon with a lap of 1:27.306.

Team mate Lewis Hamilton had been second quickest before lunch but Red Bull`s quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber completed the top three in the second session.

Webber, preparing for his final Formula One race with both world titles already won by his team and Vettel, suffered another of the KERS failures that have plagued his recent career.

Finland`s Heikki Kovalainen, filling in at Lotus for compatriot Kimi Raikkonen, was fourth fastest in the afternoon ahead of Hamilton.

The times were largely meaningless with the weather triggering plenty of slides, spins and off-track excursions as cars aquaplaned and drivers were unable to do any long-run preparation.

More rain is expected on Saturday for final practice and qualifying.

Vettel was alone in trying out Pirelli`s slick 2014 development tyre in the morning, completing a cautious lap with sensors on the car before being told by his race engineer that they had all the data they needed.

The German can equal compatriot Michael Schumacher`s 2004 record of 13 wins in a season as well as Italian Alberto Ascari`s 60-year-old record of nine victories in a row if he triumphs on Sunday.

Vettel already holds the record for eight successive wins in a single season.

BATTLE FOR SECOND

With the championships wrapped up last month, the main focus for his rivals this weekend is the battle for second place between Mercedes, Ferrari and Lotus as well as various farewells.

Mercedes are 15 points ahead of Ferrari with Lotus a further 18 behind.

McLaren`s Jenson Button - last year`s winner at the Sao Paulo circuit - was fourth quickest in the morning but last in the second practice ahead of a weekend that could see his team`s season confirmed as their worst in decades.

If 2009 world champion Button or Mexican Sergio Perez fail to finish in the top three on Sunday, it will be the first time since 1980 that McLaren have gone a whole season without a podium appearance.

Ferrari`s Fernando Alonso was fifth and 11th, while Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa was 11th and seventh for his last race in the Italian team`s colours before moving to Williams.

Russian teenager Daniil Kvyat stood in for Australian Daniel Ricciardo, the man he is replacing full time next year, at Toro Rosso for the first session and was an impressive eighth in his second involvement in a grand prix weekend and first in wet conditions.

Paul Di Resta also sat out the morning at Force India, with British reserve James Calado in his car.

Pakistan vs South Africa, 2nd T20I.........!

Pakistan vs South Africa, 2nd T20I, Dubai (D/N)

South Africa won by 6 runs

Pakistan Innings - 144/9 (20 overs)

Batting	Out Desc	R	B	4s	6s	SR
Nasir Jamshed	c Amla b H Davids	19	20	3	0	95.0
Ahmed Shehzad	c McLaren b Parnell	21	14	3	0	150.0
Mohammad Hafeez (c)	lbw b Parnell	0	1	0	0	0.0
Shoaib Malik	b Tahir	15	18	1	0	83.3
Sohaib Maqsood	c de Kock b Parnell	37	26	2	1	142.3
Umar Akmal (wk)	c Tahir b McLaren	11	12	1	0	91.7
Abdul Razzaq	b Tahir	0	1	0	0	0.0
Shahid Afridi	c du Plessis b Steyn	14	10	0	1	140.0
Sohail Tanvir	b Steyn	6	5	1	0	120.0
Saeed Ajmal	not out	7	10	0	0	70.0
Mohammad Irfan	not out	2	4	0	0	50.0
Extras		12	(b - 2 w - 7, nb - 1, lb - 2)
Total		144	(20 Overs, 9 Wickets)
Did not bat:

Bowler	O	M	R	W	ER
Dale Steyn	4	1	20	2	5.0
Lonwabo Tsotsobe	3	0	30	0	10.0
Ryan McLaren	4	0	38	1	9.5
Wayne Parnell	4	0	25	3	6.2
Henry Davids	1	0	6	1	6.0
Imran Tahir	4	0	21	2	5.2

FOW	Batsman	Score	Over
1	Ahmed Shehzad	39/1	5.1
2	Mohammad Hafeez	39/2	5.2
3	Nasir Jamshed	46/3	6.3
4	Umar Akmal	101/4	13.3
5	Shoaib Malik	112/5	14.5
6	Abdul Razzaq	112/6	14.6
7	Sohaib Maqsood	112/7	15.1
8	Sohail Tanvir	121/8	16.3
9	Shahid Afridi	139/9	18.4

South Africa Innings - 150/5 (20 overs)

Batting	Out Desc	R	B	4s	6s	SR
Quinton de Kock (wk)	c (sub)U Amin b Ajmal	30	19	6	0	157.9
Hashim Amla	c S Malik b Ajmal	48	41	3	2	117.1
Faf du Plessis (c)	not out	58	48	1	3	120.8
AB de Villiers	c Jamshed b Tanvir	5	6	1	0	83.3
David Miller	lbw b Ajmal	4	4	0	0	100.0
Henry Davids	b Tanvir	0	2	0	0	0.0
Extras		5	(b - 0 w - 3, nb - 0, lb - 2)
Total		150	(20 Overs, 5 Wickets)
Did not bat:	Ryan McLaren, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Imran Tahir

Bowler	O	M	R	W	ER
Mohammad Irfan	1.4	0	12	0	7.2
Abdul Razzaq	1	0	14	0	14.0
Shoaib Malik	1.2	0	12	0	9.0
Sohail Tanvir	4	0	21	2	5.2
Saeed Ajmal	4	0	25	3	6.2
Mohammad Hafeez	4	0	21	0	5.2
Shahid Afridi	4	0	43	0	10.8

FOW	Batsman	Score	Over
1	Quinton de Kock	37/1	4.4
2	Hashim Amla	115/2	14.4
3	AB de Villiers	137/3	17.2
4	David Miller	147/4	18.6
5	Henry Davids	150/5	19.6