MARRAKESH, Morocco, September 13- Kenyan stars; world women 800m champion, Eunice Sum and Isiah Koech, struck gold for Africa as the IAAF Continental Championships got underway in Marrakech, Morroco Saturday.

Sum, who added the Commonwealth, African and a second IAAF Diamond League titles to her honours list this season, signed off her roaring campaign by uncorking a finishing sprint that powered her clear of her challengers to end victorious in 1:58.21.

She was the only competitor to break the 2:00 barrier as American Ajee Simpson, who handed her a first defeat over 800m this season at the Monaco Diamond League meeting led the challengers home in 2:00.07 for the Americas as European titleholder, Belarusian Marina Arzamasova closed the podium in 2:00.31.

Earlier in the men 5000m final, Commonwealth and African silver medallist Koech, still only 20, added his name to an illustrious list of 5000m champions at the IAAF World and Continental Cup, none more so than Morocco’s own hero Said Aouita, who won this event at the World Cup in 1989.

Aouita held off two Europeans to win 25 years ago, but tonight Koech was faced with a dogged New Zealander as Zane Robertson chased him home to add a Continental Cup silver to the Commonwealth Games bronze he won behind Koech in Glasgow earlier this summer.

Koech’s fellow African Nguse Amlosom, from Eritrea, was third leaving the field’s fastest man, Bahrain’s Albert Rop representing Asia-Pacific, fourth.

It came down to a last lap sprint between these four, but in the end it was a consummate victory for Koech, a former world youth champion, who controlled most of the race before out-kicking Robertson to win in 13:26.86 to finally catch the bouquet after being led to the altar at Glasgow Commonwealth and Morocco African Championships by compatriot Caleb Mwangangi.

Koech led six of the eight starters through 1000m in 2:44.70 and then 2000m in 5:34.60 before Rop took on the front-running duties as they hit 3000m in 8:17.32, with France’s Bouabdellah Tahri and Robertson.

The Kenyan moved to the lead again with three laps to go, as Turkey’s Ali Kaya began to struggle at the back of the pack.

Robertson made his move 800 metres out, dragging the two Africans and Rop away from the two Europeans.

Koech struck as they heard the bell, but Robertson hung on gamely down the back straight, keeping the gap to five metres.

The Kenyan kicked again 200 metres out, and this time it was decisive.

Robertson split the Africans to take seven valuable points for his side in 13:29.27 as Amlosom was rewarded for his persistence with a personal best of 13:31.31.

The third Kenyan on parade on Day 1 of the battle of continents, Janet Kisa, came fourth in the women’s 3000m final in 9:01.72 but Africa, who stamped her supremacy in distance events, still took the glory as Ethiopia’s World Indoor Champion, Genzebe Dibaba, beat the field to gold in 8:57.53.

Europe ended the programme in the lead with 173.5 points ahead of Africa who scored 146, two ahead of the Americas in third.

-Material from IAAF used for this report

MADRID, September 14- Atletico Madrid gained some measure of revenge for their heartbreaking Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid by beating the European champions 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

A second consecutive La Liga defeat for Real leaves them already six points adrift of leaders Barcelona after just three games as they were 2-0 winners over Athletic Bilbao earlier in the day thanks to a double from Neymar.

Atletico got off to the best possible start as Tiago headed home Koke’s corner, but Real were soon level as Cristiano Ronaldo won and then converted a penalty midway through the first-half.

However, with suspended coach Diego Simeone watching on from the stands, Atletico grabbed all three points 13 minutes from time when Arda Turan swept home Juanfran’s low cross.

“I think it is the first time we have won twice in a row in the league at the Bernabeu and that is very important for our fans and a new group of players,” said Simeone.

“We still have difficulties ahead to have the consistency we want, but with the work rate they showed and the play they showed in the second-half I am happy.”

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, was at a loss to explain why his side’s performance dipped so alarmingly in the second-half, just as it did in losing 4-2 at Real Sociedad a fortnight ago.

“It is a problem. We have to analyse it in the next few days and fix it quickly.

“The first-half was good like at Anoeta and the second-half wasn’t. We played with intensity and aggression in the first-half which is what you have to do to beat Atletico, but we didn’t do that in the second-half.”

Ronaldo was playing after a three-week layoff due to injury, but even his return couldn’t cure Madrid’s weakness at set-pieces which was exposed in their 4-2 defeat to Real Sociedad last time out.

Atletico went in front with the first clear opening for either side as Koke’s in-swinging corner was met with a bullet header from Tiago at the near post.

The conceding of the goal led to large swathes of the Bernabeu booing Real captain Iker Casillas when he touched the ball.

However, the hosts responded well to going behind and after Miguel Angel Moya had produced a stunning save to claw away a Gareth Bale free-kick, Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot after he had been felled by Guilherme Siqueira.

Karim Benzema then had a great chance to put Real in front after a neat one-two with Ronaldo but his first touch let him down and Moya flew out from his goal to smother.

And Moya denied the Frenchman once more with a great low save after Benzema had powered a Ronaldo cross towards goal just before the break.

Real’s momentum towards the end of the first-half petered out after the restart, though, as Atletico began to take control after the introduction of substitutes Turan and Antoine Griezmann.

Turan was inches away from restoring Atletico’s lead when he cut inside Alvaro Arbeloa and curled the ball just wide 15 minutes from time.

The Turkish international made amends just two minutes later though as he swept the ball into the far corner at the end of a lovely move involving Griezmann, Juanfran and Raul Garcia.

Atletico now trail Barcelona by two points after the Catalans made it three wins from three under new boss Luis Enrique as Neymar came off the bench to score twice in a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou.

LAS VEGAS, September 14- Floyd Mayweather Jr. refused to allow Marcos Maidana to turn their rematch into a brawl, boxing masterfully to win a 12-round unanimous decision Saturday night in their welterweight title fight.

Mayweather remained unbeaten in 47 pro fights, drawing upon his 18 years of experience and frustrating Maidana the entire night. The fight was a marked contrast to their first bout in May, when Maidana roughed Mayweather up in a close fight.

Two ringside judges scored it 116-111 for Mayweather, while the third had it 115-112. The Associated Press had it 117-110.

”I felt sharper in the first fight, my rhythm was off,” Mayweather said. ”I got hit with some shots tonight I shouldn’t have gotten hit with. But that comes with the sport.”

The fight was held up momentarily in the eighth round when Mayweather said that Maidana bit him on the wrist while the two were tied up. Maidana was penalized for tripping Mayweather in the 10th round.

Mayweather complained long after the first fight in May that Maidana was a dirty fighter, and complained even more when Maidana seemed to try to hit him below the belt in a clinch in the eighth round, then apparently tried to bite him.

Mayweather immediately jumped back and gestured to referee Kenny Bayless that Maidana bit him on the wrist. He went to his corner and showed Bayless where the bite was, then went over to the Showtime announcers table to complain.

”He bit me!” Mayweather yelled.

Maidana would later be penalized a point for tackling Mayweather as he tried desperately to find something that would work against the undefeated champion.

By the end of the ninth round, though, Maidana was so out of sorts he went to the wrong corner when the bell rang.

”I thought I won the fight,” Maidana said.

Maidana didn’t win it because he spent many of the early rounds trying to figure out a way to get inside like he did the first fight in May. Mayweather kept him at a distance, circling around and landing left jabs and hooks, then scampering out of the way before Maidana could respond.

Punch stats showed Maidana throwing far more punches (572-326) while Mayweather landed more (166-128). Mayweather’s defensive genius showed when he was hit with only 22 percent of punches while landing 51 percent of his own.

”I do have some bumps and bruises,” Mayweather said. ”But I listened to my dad (trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.) who always said hit and not get hit. That’s the way you last in this sport.”

Mayweather earned at least $32 million for the rematch, bringing his total purses to more than $100 million in the last year. Though he wasn’t marked up, he was upset over the alleged bite to the wrist.

”We were tangled in the center of the ring and I didn’t realize what it was. Then I saw that he bit me,” Mayweather said. ”After the eighth round my fingers were numb, I couldn’t use my left hand.”

Maidana denied he bit Mayweather.

”How can he say I bit the glove with my mouthpiece?” Maidana asked. ”I’m not a dog.”

Mayweather was a 6-1 favorite in the fight, even though Maidana gave him a tough time in their first bout. He showed why in the early rounds as he moved and boxed while Maidana chased him futilely around the ring.

Mayweather was determined not to let the fight become anything like the first, when Maidana went after him wildly and mauled him at every opportunity. For the second fight, Mayweather came out boxing and did so beautifully during the opening rounds.

Maidana was more cautious early than he was in the first fight, willing to take his time to find Mayweather. He finally began to pick up the pace in the fourth round, trapping Mayweather on the ropes and landing some shots to his body and head.

Mayweather, though, showed he learned his lessons from the first fight, when he was cut over his right eye and took a lot of shots to the top of his head. A defensive wizard, he fought moving sideways and backward, throwing his left jab out and slipping the big punches thrown by the Argentine challenger.

PARIS, September 14- Lille continued their unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season on Sunday, Divock Origi scoring one and setting up another in a 2-0 win over Nantes that moved them provisionally top of the table.

After a goalless first half in which Jordan Veretout hit the post for Nantes, Origi opened the scoring within a minute of the restart, heading home a cross from Florent Balmont.

Three minutes later, the Belgian international, who was bought by Liverpool in the summer before being loaned back to LOSC, provided the pass for Rony Lopes to apply the finish.

It was a first goal for the Portuguese midfielder since he moved to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on loan from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.

Rene Girard’s side, who will face the Russians of FC Krasnodar in the Europa League on Thursday, are a point clear of both Bordeaux and Saint-Etienne at the Ligue 1 summit, with champions Paris Saint-Germain a further point adrift in fourth.

A draw will be enough for Bordeaux to reclaim first place when they go to Guingamp later on Sunday afternoon, before Marseille visit Evian in the day’s late kick-off.

Saint-Etienne beat Caen 1-0 on Saturday while champions Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 at Rennes, despite Zoumana Camara giving them a first-half lead.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 14 – Substitute Andrew Tololwa struck late for Tusker FC to deny new Gor Mahia head coach Frank Nuttall a dream Kenyan Premier League (KPL) debut as the table toppers shared the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate in a pulsating encounter played at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

Goal poacher Dan Sserunkuma put Gor ahead in the 59th minute from the spot to notch his tenth of the season before Tololwa restored parity in the six from full time after tapping home the rebound from keeper Jerim Onyango.

In another encounter at Machakos’ Kenyatta Stadium, Robinson Mwangi notched a brace to help 10-man Mathare United beat KRA 2-0 and leapfrog Ulinzi Stars to seventh on the log on 32 points.

Elsewhere, substitute Crispine Odula scored a last gasp goal to see Bandari salvage a point against hosts Sony Sugar in a match that ended to a 1-1 draw at Awendo’s Green Stadium.

The Tusker versus Gor match had a lot at stake with both sides aiming to take the initiative in the title run in by moving to the top of the log but after the draw, it is Sofapaka who will start the week at the summit on 43 points ahead of Gor on goal difference with Tusker two adrift in third.

Kevin Oluoch swapped places with Ugandan Godfrey Walusimbi in Nuttal’s notable change in the playing formation in his first KPL game after succeeding Scottish compatriot, Bobby Williamson.

Walusimbi who was deployed in a more attacking role partnered well with countryman Sserunkuma who failed to hit the target twice after being denied by keeper Samuel Odhiambo and defender Jockins Atudo in the opening exchanges.

The Brewers got their best chance through Jesse Were who was put through by Ismail Dunga for a one on one with Onyango but the Harambee Stars forward was too slow to react allowing defender Harun Shakava to clear the danger.

Were was at it again this time with a long range shot in the 25th but Onyango was well position to save the champions as both sides headed to the break goalless.

Tusker head coach Francis Kimanzi fortified his midfield by introducing Khalid Aucho for Dunga in the 56th minute but soon saw his side fall behind when centre referee Sylvester Kirwa adjudged Atudo had pushed Sserunkuma in the box and awarded Gor a penalty that the Cranes forward stepped up to convert for the opener.

K’Ogalo could have doubled the lead after Walusimbi picked Otieno but the former Talanta FC striker failed to find the back of the net while on the other end Onyango rescued Aucho’s effort.

Kimanzi did double a substitution, pulling out Robert Omunuk and Athman Buki for Clifford Alwanga and Tololwa while the Dutchman introduced George ‘Black Berry’ Odhiambo for goal scorer Sserunkuma in a switch that did not down well with Gor fans.

Without their main threat Gor waned and invited Tusker to go for it and on the 84th minute, they drew level when Kevin Kimani floated a cross that Alwanga headed goal wards to force Onyango to repel but Tololwa made no mistake to smash the ball home on the rebound for the equaliser.

The dying minutes could have seen Tusker collect maximum points after Osumba unleashed a cracker but Onyango parried before Were set Tololwa who fired a thunderbolt only to be denied by the wood work as both sides held on for the draw.

Gor have a chance of moving back to the top when they face Ulinzi Stars on Wednesday for their game in hand over their top three rivals.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 14 – Baldev Chager and navigator Ravi Soni successfully defended the KCB Safari Rally title as curtains for the 62nd edition that was also the penultimate round of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) came down on Sunday at Batian View in Nanyuki County.

Chager, who took 2:47.13 to win his second career Safari, was pushed all the way to the wire by rival Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo who came second a minute later in a Proton S2000 whist Manvir Baryan sealed the podium dash after trailing Chager by a massive 4.53 minutes.

“Today we knew Loldaiga was going to be a very technical stage. We had a two minute cushion over Tundo and we knew he was going to push very hard.

“Tundo managed to pick over a minute on us which was good because we beat him in wheat lands and Kisima but he beat us by 6 seconds and we again beat him by a second in the section but at the end of the day we still won so I’m very happy on that but I must admit that Tundo has been hot on our heels,” Chager said after the win.

After big guns like Ian Duncan, Rajbir Rai, Issa Amwari and Onkar Rai retired on the second day of the competition; the chase for the coveted title was reduced to a two horse race.

Tundo, the 2012 champion, set the quickest times on the repeat run of the tormenting long Loldaiga stage where he beat Chager by over a minute but the champion upped his game when he checked into last service at Batian view to savour a second straight Safari crown.

The biggest loser was ARC leader Ivorian Gary Chaynes who failed to seal the continental title after he retired with mechanical complications on the notorious Loldaiga hill.

Kenyan Baryan won the ARC seventh round after being the sole finisher in the continental series.

Safari woes for Chaynes means the ARC title goes down to the wire with the Ivorian leading with 101 points, eight ahead of Zambian Essa Mohammed who pulled out of the Safari at the 11th hour.

The last leg of the continental championships heads to Madagascar in November.

Youngster Karan Patel won the S Class after returning his ex-Chager Subaru GC8 in 9th overall position.

Jonathan Somen in a Ford Escort MK2 won the Classic Cup while Eric Bengi in a Toyota RunX won the 2WD class after defending champion Dennis Mwenda retired on Saturday.

The event which also counted towards the 6th round of the Kenya National Rally Championship now heads to Kisumu for the next leg in October.

LEADING RESULTS KCB SAFARI RALLY 2014

1. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (EVOX) 02:47.13
2. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (Proton) 2:48.24
3. Manvir Baryan/Drew Sturrock (Subaru N16) 2:52.06
4. Quentin Mitchell/Nicholas Camara (Scoda Fabia S2000) 2:52.23
5. Azar Anwar/Julius Ngigi (EVO8) 2:57.27
6. Tejvir Rai/Zahir Shah (EVOX) 3:01.59
7. Duncan Mubiru/Musa Nsubuga (Subaru) 3:02.10
8. Jasmeet Chana/Ravi Chana (EVO9) 3:02.50
9. Karan Patel/Tauseef Khan (Subaru GC8) 3:05.29
10. Ronak Shah/Riyaz Ismail (Subaru N12B) 3:05.49

LONDON, September 14- Manchester United cruised to victory over Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford as Louis van Gaal secured his first competitive win as Red Devils boss.

Van Gaal handed debuts to Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Radamel Falcao as the new-look side seized control early on.

Angel Di Maria opened the scoring on 24 minutes when his curling free kick evaded everyone and found its way in at the far post, and Ander Herrera — making his first appearance since the opening-day defeat to Swansea — added a second soon afterwards on his return from injury.

Wayne Rooney fired home a well-taken third just before the break, and Juan Mata made it four just before the hour-mark with a confident finish.

Falcao, who started the game on the bench, replaced Mata on 67 minutes and came close to opening his account when Rob Green spilled a Blind shot, but the QPR keeper reacted quickly to deny the Colombian.

Van Gaal, who had gone four games without a win, will want to use this victory as a springboard for the rest of the season. This certainly felt like the start of a new era at Old Trafford.

United, playing in a 4-4-2 diamond, passed the ball quicker, they were more clinical in front of goal and the atmosphere inside the ground was jubilant.

With 150 million pounds of new talent available to him, and players like Mata, who had an outstanding game, Van Gaal has the potential to achieve a top-three finish, as outlined by his employers, at the very least.

LONDON, September 15-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits that conceding a late equaliser to Manchester City in their 2-2 draw on Saturday came as “a mental blow” to his side.

The Gunners found themselves trailing to Sergio Aguero’s 28th-minute opener at the Emirates, but they fought back after the break to claim the lead courtesy of goals from Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez.

However, Martin Demichelis powered home a header from a corner with seven minutes remaining to clinch a share of the spoils for the defending Premier League champions, who had the ball in the back of the net again in stoppage time, but Samir Nasri’s effort was ruled out for off-side.

Wenger revealed his frustration that the Gunners weren’t able to see the contest out, admitting it is a problem area that needs to be addressed.

“I think we produced a game of top quality,” he said in the post-match press conference. “It was a game of top quality between two very good teams, played at tremendous pace, especially in the first half.

“We were unlucky to be 1-0 down in the first half and we did something remarkable to come back and be in a leading position. The only frustrating thing for me is that we didn’t manage to keep the lead and gave a cheap goal away.

“That’s where we have room for improvement because it was a very encouraging game but the way we conceded the second goal nearly killed our game because we could have lost afterwards – it was just a mental blow. But overall I think it was a top quality game.”

City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini criticised the referee for allowing the hosts’ two goals to stand for what he thought were clear fouls in the build-up, but Wenger felt the visitors got away with numerous fouls to stem the tide.

“Both managers were frustrated because I heard Pellegrini was not happy with some of the decisions of the referee,” the Frenchman said. “All of them? Yes, maybe.

“In the first half they stopped us from going out on the break by systematically fouling. Even if the referee gave the foul, the yellow card came a bit too late in my opinion to be completely satisfied and get rid of that systematic foul that stopped us in our game.

“We had great pace in our game today and they stopped that in an intelligent way. They are a mature team and intelligent but it was not an easy game to referee as well.”

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 15- Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku completed a rare clean sweep of honours as Jairus Kipchoge Birech got into the golden act to continue his meteoric rise in the steeple when the IAAF Continental Championships wrapped up in Marrakech, Morocco on Sunday.

The battle of the continents saw the revered Kenyan distance running stars tally four gold medals for Africa (339), the biggest from a single nation at the event, but the hosts finished third on the overall standings behind winners Europe who scored 447.5 points and Americas (390).

Women world champion, Eunice Sum and Isiah Kiplangat Koech scooped the top medals in the women 800m and men 5000m finals on Saturday.

Two-time world champion, Asbel Kiprop and African 10,000m titleholder, Joyce Chepkirui enjoyed silver linings in the men 1500m and women 5000m races after being led to the altar by African teammates, Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti and rising Ethiopian sensation Almaz Ayana, the continental queen over the 12 and a half laps.

Five-star Mwangangi completes the sweep

Whatever happens in his career, and he is still 21, Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku will have 2014 engraved in gold after completing an amazing year by winning his fifth major honour.

As he prepares to return home for a well deserved rest and go over what has simply been an unbelievable season, Mwangangi stands as the World Indoor (3000m), Commonwealth Games (5000m), African Championships (5000m), Diamond League (3000m/5000m) and on Sunday night added the Continental Championships (3000m) gold to his personal collection.

That haul is enough for him to retire as a notable in distance running.

Fittingly, it was the last event of the two-day programme at the same Grand Stadium he ran to the continental title last month that Mwangangi once again raced to the middle step of the podium when he edged a stiff three-way battle for the gold that included the ‘grand daddy’ of athletics, Bernard Lagat, 40, his former compatriot who has representing America for an age.

Controlling much of the latter stages of the race, Mwangangi powered away from Azerbaijani Hayle Ibrahimov (7:53.14) down the home stretch to take the win unchallenged in 7:52.64.

“I wasn’t expected to come first, but I did it. It was in the last 100 metres when I felt strongly that I could win. The race was not easy, it was very technical, we ran together until the last 100 metres.

“I used my brain to control everything. The tape around my head is not an issue; I wrapped it when I felt the sweat going into my eyes, so I just made the hair band out of first material possible. I didn’t want anything to disturb me to this race,” the flamboyant athlete who was quite a sight with duct tape around his head said humbly.

“I came on the start with the aim to defend my title but I am also glad for the top three because I did not want to disappoint the team. With this team spirit, you have something to deliver and everybody is watching you. I am glad to take part again at the Continental Cup,” the deposed titleholder, Lagat who was third in 7:53.14 added.

Plan B delivers for Birech

World leader, African champion, Diamond Race winner and Commonwealth silver medallist, Jairus Birech, another who’s had an unbelievable 2014, also left Morocco with sweet memories after prevailing in the water and barriers race in 8:13.18.

Birech, 21, made it the eighth African steeple victory in the competition that started as the World Cup in 1977 in what was his ninth triumph of a stellar season.

While the outcome was not surprising since he duly fulfilled his favourite role, the manner the race panned out was strange in the stadium he won at the African Championships last month in his duel with rising American talent, Evan Jager.

After a topsy-turvy race, it was Jager who led from his African rival coming into the final straight, but the North American record-holder couldn’t hold on to his advantage and had to settle for second in 8:14.08, the first American top-three finisher in this event since Henry Marsh finished second in 1985.

“This was a tactical race; I had to use a plan B in order to kill Jager. I am satisfied with my performance today and I plan to maintain my pace,” Birech, who switched from sitting back and running to the front to ground his opponent disclosed.

“It was good race for my experience in steeple. I need to try different races and different tactics for future improvements. Today, I just wanted to be relaxed in the race to manage everything and be strong at the finish. At least, I’m happy with second place and happy to be part of Team Americas.

“It’s absolutely amazing feelings to talk to guys from everywhere and realize that you are the members of the same team, great Team Americas,” Jager added.

Revenge fails for Kiprop

Kiprop was on a mission to turn the tables after finishing runner-up to Souleiman in the African Championships but in the end, the Djibouti luminary once again prevailed over his lanky rival in the African 1-2.

The 2011 and 13 world champion had been content to linger second to the back until just before the bell, when Souleiman slipped into the lead and his Africa team-mate followed close behind.

With 200m to go, Kiprop tried to get past but Souleiman resisted. It was the same as the pair came into the home straight. Again Kiprop attacked and this time Souleiman not only held his ground but pulled ahead to win in 3:48.91.

Kiprop finished runner-up in 3:49.10 with European champion Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad of France claiming third in 3:49.53.

“I am used to fight with Kiprop all the time: all the Diamond League meetings and other events but today, it was a completely different situation.

Despite the fact that we are in the same team, we were running our individual race. When I felt him behind me, it was pushing me to speed up. It is my second victory in Marrakech; I think it is my lucky stadium,” the winner said.

In the women 5000m final, Ethiopia’s Almaz put together the most commanding victory on the track on the penultimate final of the programme as Chepkirui led the challengers home for yet another African gold and silver performance.

“This is a lucky stadium for me,” said Almaz, who reached the finish in 15:33.32 to ahead of Chepkirui, who was rewarded with a 15:58.31 personal best.

The Ethiopian pulled free of her team-mate, building a cushion of some 40 metres on Chepkirui five laps to go, a lead she only kept adding to until she reached the finish.

Down the home straight Chepkirui had to struggle a bit to hold off a powerful closing charge by European 10,000m champion Jo Pavey, who came just 0.36 shy and finished third at age 40.

-Material from IAAF in compiling this report

LAS VEGAS, September 15- Boxer Floyd Mayweather, fresh off his lopsided victory over Marcos Maidana, denied he is trying to safeguard his undefeated record by avoiding Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather has admitted he handpicked opponents in the past but says there is nothing unscrupulous about not fighting Pacquiao, one of the few fighters who can match the American’s hand speed.

“I am not ducking or dodging no opponent,” said Mayweather, who turns 38 in February. “If a Pacquiao fight presents itself then let’s make it happen.”

Mayweather said Saturday after beating Maidana for the second time in four months that he is open to a fight against Pacquiao, but it would have to be on Mayweather’s terms.

On Sunday, Stephen Espinoza, vice president of sports cable channel Showtime, told the Los Angeles Times that Pacquiao is “absolutely” his first choice as Mayweather’s next opponent.

Mayweather is in the middle of a six-fight deal with Showtime.

In the past, Mayweather (47-0) has always tried to sidestep questions about facing Pacquiao, who is getting set to fight in Macau in November against Chris Algieri.

“Pacquiao needs to focus on the guy in front of him. Then we’ll see what the future holds,” Mayweather said.

Pacquiao and Mayweather have held talks about staging a mega-fight before but they always broke down before a deal could be signed.

It is unlikely Pacquiao would agree to the terms that Maidana did for his rematch, allowing Mayweather to handpick his referee, Kenny Bayless, and change two of the three judges from the first fight.

Mayweather says Pacquiao is too worried about fighting him and forgets to train for his regular fights.

“In the past, if you look at Pacquiao when he fought (Juan Manuel) Marquez, he was too focused on Floyd Mayweather instead of the guy in front of him and you saw what happened,” he said, recalling Pacquiao’s knockout defeat.

“I never think about Pacquiao. That’s not my focus. I could care less what Pacquiao does. If it happens, it happens.

“I want to enjoy my time off. We don’t know who we going to be fighting. We are not in a rush. We are the A side and we are going to take our time.”

Another possible opponent is British boxer Amir Khan, who sat ringside at Saturday’s fight.

“Of course, Amir Kahn would be a potential opponent,” said Leonard Ellerbe, chief executive of Mayweather Promotions. “Amir Khan is a very good fighter, just like a lot of other potential opponents.”

LONDON, September 15- Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is confident his side can once again step up to the plate when they take on Bayern Munich in Champions League group stage action this week.

The Citizens get a fourth successive European Cup campaign under way on Wednesday, but face a daunting trip to Germany to face 2013 champions Bayern at the Allianz Arena.

However, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have happy memories from their previous travels against the Bavarians, winning 3-2 at the same stage last year to eventually help them progress to the last 16.

And, ahead of this week’s encounter, an upbeat Kompany told the Daily Mirror: “We’re confident. This is the first game of the Champions League, an away game against one of the hardest teams to play against in the world right now.

“But we should take confidence out of the last game we played in Munich. We’re up for the challenge anyway.

“I don’t think we’ve got a point to prove in Europe. I dissociate Europe from the league. But I just

LONDON, England, September 15-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere has finally put his ankle problems behind him following a stellar performance in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City on Saturday.

The England international pulled the strings in the middle of the Emirates Stadium park this past weekend, scoring a wonderful goal to draw the Gunners level at 1-1, before providing the assist for Alexis Sanchez’s stunning volley.

The performance followed on from some heavy criticism directed at the midfielder, who has struggled with a persistent ankle injury over the past two seasons, and Wenger believes Wilshere has finally moved on from that issue.

“When you have his talent, the most important thing is to go on the pitch every week and show how good you are,” Wenger, whose side are next in action against Borussa Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, told Arsenal’s official website.

“He works on it [his finishing] and I believe for a long time he didn’t kick the ball well because of his ankle.

“Now in training he kicks the ball well and he works on his finishing. Not excessively because first he’s a midfielder and you want him to give good balls.

“He looked dangerous in the first half as well because he has found his pace back. That for a while was not the case so I’m very happy.

“I’ve always told him the best way to answer your critics is on the pitch and he did it.”

LONDON, September 15- Rio Ferdinand has revealed that John Terry never apologised to either him or his brother, Anton, over allegations of racist abuse.

Terry was accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match between Chelsea and QPR in 2011.

The former England skipper was acquitted on racial abuse charges the following year, but was banned for four matches and fined £220,000 by the Football Association.

While Terry made a public apology after being punished by the FA, Ferdinand says that the Blues captain never personally apologised for the damage his actions caused.

“He never apologised to me or Anton and has never hinted he has had a moment of understanding over the damage his stupidity has inflicted on everyone,” Ferdinand wrote in his autobiography, which will be released later in the year.

“There were bullets in the post and unending racist abuse. He could have saved everyone a lot of pain by admitting immediately that he had used the words in the heat of the moment, but was no racist.

“I think that’s probably what happened and what the truth is. Anton and I would have accepted that – instead he never gave us the chance.

“I’ve never actually spoken to John about the case. I no longer talk to him, but even three years later I find it impossible to forgive or forget the pain he put my family through.”

LONDON, September 15- Chelsea striker Diego Costa has paid tribute to his team-mates for his flying start to life in the Premier League, but concedes his goals will dry up at some point.

The summer signing from Atletico Madrid took his tally to seven in four games with a hat-trick in the 4-2 win over Swansea on Saturday.

Costa admits his rich vein of form is beyond his own expectations and he knows that his red-hot run will come to an end at some point.

“I try to play in the best manner, and hopefully things will continue like this, but there will be a moment when I cannot score. That is football,” said Costa.

“Every striker has their way of playing and their strengths and a different team behind them. That is very important.

“If you do not have the team behind you, then you can’t do things on your own. It all depends on the team.

“I am adapting very well, although it’s not just me. The key is the group that we have. It is like a family. The squad and all the people around the team are united in our cause.”

Costa also warned Premier League defenders he is ready for whatever they throw at him as they try to stop him this season.

“I play in the fashion that I have to play. If I have to have a physical battle, then I can fight.

“If I have to play with quality, I can do that too.”

Jose Mourinho also praised Costa’s character for playing through the pain barrier after being a doubt for the Swansea game following an injury sustained on international duty with Spain.

“He was a risk and a doubt before Everton [two weeks ago], a risk and a doubt before Spain’s game [last week], and a risk and a doubt before this game, and he played all three,” said Mourinho.

“The most important thing of a player’s character is what affects his performance as a player. Nobody can stop him. I’ve tried. I tried to be sure, but he keeps going.

“He is a risk and a doubt again for next Wednesday [against Schalke] because of an accumulation of matches, but nobody can stop him.

“It is not about the modern player, it is about the modern society, where people tell them to be selfish, in the sense of themselves first and the team second. But with Diego it is, ‘The team first – they need me – and me second. I am ready to go for the team’.

“When you get guys with this mentality they become special and they can be an influence to the people around them. He is a leader, who knows exactly what the team needs and is ready to give it.”

-Football365.com

MUMBAI, September 15- Controversial French striker Nicolas Anelka sought to relaunch his career Monday by signing up for the nascent Indian Super League, six months after being sacked from English football in an anti-semitism row.

The 35-year-old former Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus and Real Madrid star announced that he would be playing for Mumbai City in the inaugural edition of the eight-team league which begins next month.

“I am pleased to join Mumbai City FC and through it participate in the exciting Indian Super League,” Anelka said in a club statement.

“Talented international players and top Indian talent will make matches thrilling affairs. I look forward to using my ability to do well for my team in the matches we play.”

Anelka is the latest in a string of big name signings for the league, including former Italy star Alessandro del Piero, Spanish striker Luis Garcia and ex-England goalkeeper David James.

The tournament, which runs from October 12 to December 20, is aiming to capitalise on growing interest among Indians in football despite the overwhelming popularity of cricket in the country.

Anelka has been without a club since he was fired by West Bromwich Albion in March for “gross misconduct” after he made an alleged anti-semitic gesture known as a quenelle as a goal-scoring celebration.

His sacking was the latest in a long of history of rows and disputes over the course of a career which has seen him play for 11 different clubs in six different countries before heading to India.

As well as playing in a host of top European clubs, he also had a brief spell with Shanghai Shenhua in China.

- World Cup bust-up -

Anelka also won 69 French caps, scoring 14 goals in an international career which ended in disgrace when he was thrown out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa following a row with coach Raymond Domenech.

He was handed an 18-match ban for that bust-up, which effectively ended his international career.

His signing is a major boost for the Indian Super League after fading Brazilian great Ronaldinho recently passed up the chance to join one of the teams, opting instead to play in Mexico.

Anelka’s fellow Frenchman David Trezeguet will be playing for Pune City while del Piero will line up for the Delhi Dynamos.

The managers include the legendary Brazilian Zico and Peter Reid, a former boss of the reigning English Premier League champions Manchester City.

Some of the franchises have tie-ups with European football giants such as La Liga champions Atletico Madrid who are the co-owners of Atletico Kolkata.

The 10-week tournament is modelled along the lines of cricket’s cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

Several retired cricket stars, including Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, are among the owners along with popular Indian film stars.

Bollywood heart-throb Ranbir Kapoor, who is the owner of Mumbai City, expressed his delight over the signing of Anelka.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Nicolas Anelka and thrilled that a player with a stunning pedigree such as his is part of our team,” Kapoor said.

“His abilities and experience are known the world over and I am certain his presence will give us the firepower required upfront.”

While most attention is on the ageing foreign stars, at least five of the starting line-up for each team must be Indian.

Although some of the country’s top players have agreed deals with ISL teams, national captain Sunil Chhetri is among several India internationals who have so far rejected the chance of joining the league.

While the eight-month long I-League has suspended matches during the ISL, several owners have spoken out against the new tournament, saying it risked undermining grassroots football.

While India are only 150th in the world rankings, football draws big crowds in some parts of the country — particularly the east — and has been dubbed the game’s “sleeping giant” by Sepp Blatter, president of the world governing body FIFA.

LONDON, September 15-Arsene Wenger is unsure of the severity of Mathieu Debuchy’s ankle injury and confirmed Danny Welbeck was replaced due to cramp on his Arsenal debut in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

Debuchy was stretchered off with 10 minutes to go at Emirates Stadium and the France international full-back looked in some pain.

Wenger has conceded Debuchy’s problem ‘doesn’t look good’ and he is waiting to learn the full extent of the summer signing’s injury.

“Debuchy has a badly sprained ankle,” said Wenger. “How long will he be out? I don’t know, but it doesn’t look good.

“People told me they need a bit more time to assess how long he will be out but it’s a bad ankle sprain.”

Deadline day signing Welbeck, meanwhile, was brought off in the closing stages after earlier missing a golden 12th minute chance to put Arsenal in front.

Wenger added of Welbeck: “He had cramps and he should be okay.

“He did well. I believe that he needs to develop his link play with our players but that is a bit normal.

“It’s sad that he couldn’t take his chance but overall every time he had an opportunity to find some space he looked dangerous.

“There are some things to work on with him to integrate him well into our game but I’m happy with his first game.”

Sergio Aguero had given City a first-half lead before goals from Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez turned the game in Arsenal’s behaviour only for Martin Demichelis to head an 83rd-minute equaliser for the Premier League champions.

-Football365.com

LONDON, September 15- First things first: it’s obvious that Mesut Ozil isn’t playing as well as he can for Arsenal. I don’t think there’s anybody who would argue against that.

A player bought to be creative hub of the team is struggling to do what he’s best at — make goals. From Opta comes this rather startling stat:

There are many theories as to why this is. From the role he’s being asked to play, the formation, a lack of fight or desire or not having the players around him on which he thrives.

Some of them make more sense than others, some don’t hold up to much scrutiny. The issue of him starting on the left-hand side, for example.

Ideally, you’d like to see a player like Ozil in a more central role, but the suggestion of him being isolated on the left doesn’t really hold water.

We can see that he’s allowed licence to roam across the attacking part of Arsenal’s midfield and in fact ends up spending as much if not more time on the right than the left, as his heat maps from Manchester City and Leicester show.

This fluid drifting from the wings has always been part of his game, and let’s remember that Germany won the World Cup with him on the left-hand side for most of the tournament. It’s not as if he’s being asked to play in a hugely unfamiliar position.

The German’s languid style is something that causes angst, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care. Not every player charges around at 100 mph in every game. Perhaps he could be stronger at times, but you don’t buy a Ferrari to drive a cross-country rally. It’s just not going to be the way he plays.

It’s also worth pointing out that while Ozil’s displays haven’t been convincing, that’s true of Arsenal as a whole. Arsene Wenger is struggling to find the attacking balance in his team, having lost Olivier Giroud, brought in Alexis Sanchez and signed Danny Welbeck. As a team they haven’t clicked yet this campaign, and that’s not simply down to Ozil.

The fact that Wenger dropped Santi Cazorla against Man City, one of Arsenal’s best players so far this season, is not just an indication of how he’s unsure how to get the best from his players but also of the faith he has in Ozil to have an impact in the team.

He’s played only four times this season after a long campaign and a summer in which he went the distance in the World Cup. Even if he has been disappointing, I think the whole situation is quite simple: Ozil is a fine football player but one badly out of form and lacking confidence.

There was a moment in the second half of the Manchester City game when he had the ball in that central area where people want him to be and he simply lofted it forward into the arms of Joe Hart. For a player with such a clever football brain, it’s like he went into shut-down mode.

It’s certainly understandable that there’s frustration. When you spend 42.5 million pounds on player you expect a level of performance and consistency, but there were very few dissenting voices when Arsenal signed him from Real Madrid last August. Then, the feeling was that at last Arsenal had spent big on a world-class player. He hasn’t become a bad player in the last 12 months.

He needs something to spark him back into life, and it might not take much. Remember, just a few short weeks ago Jack Wilshere was lambasted from all corners for his form. Now, after a cracking display against Man City, he’s the man of the moment. How quickly things change.

And they will change for Ozil, too. I think a bit of patience is required, because he’s just too good a footballer not to turn it around.

-By ANDREW MANGAN, EPSN FC

LONDON, September 16-Former Real Madrid president Vicente Calderon believes Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Manchester United in the not-too-distant future.

Calderon sanctioned the purchase of Ronaldo back in the summer of 2009, after a world record fee of £80 million was agreed by the two clubs.

However, the Portugal captain appears to have become disillusioned with life in the Spanish capital, largely due to the club’s questionable transfer policy.

The likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Mesut Ozil, Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria have departed the club over the past two years, a fact which has led to Ronaldo feeling unsettled at the club.

In an interview with TalkSPORT, Calderon said: “When I signed him in 2009, I remember he said he was grateful to Manchester United.

“He had a marvellous time there, he likes everything. It is a really great club.

“My impression is he is fed up with the policy of the current president (Florentino Perez).

“When he came with (Arjen) Robben, he thought he would be a good colleague for him in the team.

“(Gonzalo) Higuain was sold and he didn’t like that. Last year he thought it was a mistake to let (Mesut) Ozil leave and the last straw was selling Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria this summer.”

Meanwhile, Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague is of the opinion thgat Manchester United already have an offer lined up for the Portuguese forward.

He said: “I do believe Manchester United are preparing an offer, or have got an offer prepared, for Ronaldo and have had for months.

“I do believe he is thinking of going back, but there will undoubtedly be more on that later.”

LONDON, September 16-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that his side are not facing a defensive crisis following the ankle injury suffered by Mathieu Debuchy on Saturday.

The Gunners head into Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund without the services of full-backs Debuchy and Nacho Monreal, while Calum Chambers is struggling with a bout of tonsilitis.

While Kieran Gibbs provides good cover for Monreal, Arsenal look a touch light on the right, where 19-year-old Hector Bellerin may be deployed, with the Spaniard having played just 26 minutes of competitive first-team football for the club.

Despite this, Wenger believes that there is no reason to panic.

“I don’t feel we are stretched. The Debuchy [ankle] injury put us in a position where we do not want more and hopefully we have good news after the scan that he can be back soon,” said the Frenchman.

“We have Chambers who can play in different positions, Monreal who can play centre-back and Hector Bellerin, who I think now is ready to play.”

“He’s a boy with personality who isn’t fazed by the pressure,” Wenger added of Bellerin.

“That’s a very important quality when you’re a young boy playing at a big club. His transition game is fantastic. He’s very quick and his final ball is good as well.

“He lacks a bit of experience as a defender, but he’s very dangerous going forward.”

LONDON, September 16-Manchester United newcomer Daley Blind believes that Louis van Gaal’s brutal honesty is sometimes misinterpreted by outsiders.

Van Gaal is well known for his tough as nails approach, with the Dutchman not scared to speak his mind even if he ruffles a few feathers.

Blind, who knows Van Gaal well through their time together with the Netherlands, feels that the manager is simply honest about what he feels and that this can be good for players.

“He is not frightening – he is just honest,” Blind told the Manchester Evening News. “That can be frightening, but I like it.

“He is very honest to everybody. He knows what he wants and he knows his philosophy.

“He can bring that to the players and he can make a team with everybody in.

“I have really learned a lot from Van Gaal and I like working under him.

“He has helped me a lot and I hope to continue learning from him.

“I think he can make me a better player in terms of positioning, where to stand and tactics in games because midfield is an important position to play and I hope I can get better at it every day.”