Nakata could join Bologna: Report
Nakata could join Bologna: Report
TOKYO: Japan captain Hidetoshi Nakata could leave cash-
strapped Parma and join Italian rivals Bologna on loan, a
Japanese newspaper reported on Saturday.
Bologna are interested in signing the 26-year-old on a six-
month contract running from January until the end of the Serie A
season, according to the Nikkan Sports.
Italian foods group Parmalat, which bought Parma in 1991, has
debts totaling six billion euros. The club itself is almost 40
million euros in the red.
Bologna would have to pay half of the $2.4 million salary
Nakata earns at Parma, the Nikkan Sports said. --Reuters
;AFP;
ANPAs..r.
Putbriefs-Obituary-Gopalan
Oldest Indian cricketer Gopalan dies
JP/9/Briefs
Oldest Indian cricketer Gopalan dies
NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder M.J. Gopalan, one of the
world's oldest cricketers, died at age 97 in the southern
metropolis Madras, the Press Trust of India reported, quoting his
family.
Gopalan played his only Test in 1934 against Douglas Jardine's
Englishmen at Calcutta, taking one wicket and scoring 18 runs.
He was more successful in first-class cricket as he took 194
wickets as a fast bowler and compiled 2,916 runs in 78 matches.
Gopalan was a double international, having represented the
country in field hockey as center-half. --AFP
;RTRS;
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Putbriefs-Gymnastics-Bulgaria
Yovchev voted Bulgaria's Athlete of the Year
JP/9/Briefs
Yovchev voted Bulgaria's Athlete of the Year
SOFIA: Gymnast Yordan Yovchev was voted Bulgaria's Athlete of
the Year on Sunday for his gold-medal performances on the rings
and floor at the world championships in Anaheim in August.
Soccer coach Plamen Markov, whose team qualified for the Euro
2004 finals in Portugal, was voted the coach of the year.
--Reuters
;RTRS;
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Putbriefs-IceHockey-NHL
Vandermeer on target twice in Flyers' win
JP/9/Briefs
Vandermeer on target twice in Flyers' win
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania: Light-scoring defenseman Jim
Vandermeer netted second and third-period goals as the
Philadelphia Flyers snapped a five-game winless skid with a 3-1
victory over the New York Islanders Saturday.
Vandermeer had only three career goals before his outburst
against the Islanders, who went up 1-0 early in the second period
on Alexei Yashin's goal.
Simon Gagne grabbed Philadelphia's third marker midway through
the final frame. The Flyers had dropped three straight games at
home, two in overtime.
In Boston, Eric Staal's seventh goal of the season at 3:33 of
the third period proved the game-winner as the Carolina
Hurricanes edged the Bruins 2-1. --Reuters
;RTRS;
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Putbriefs-AlpineSkiing-Women
Women's World Cup super-G called off
JP/9/Briefs
Women's World Cup super-G called off
ST. MORITZ, Switzerland: Fog and high winds forced Alpine ski
World Cup organizers to call off a women's super-G race on
Sunday.
The race, the last women's event before Christmas, had already
been moved to St. Moritz from another Swiss resort, Laax, because
of a lack of snow in the original venue.
Organizers said there was no immediate decision on when and
where the race would be rescheduled.
The next women's World Cup event will now be a giant slalom in
Lienz, Austria, next Saturday. --Reuters
;RTRS;
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Putbriefs-Soccer-Duff
Chelsea's Duff out for at least two weeks
JP/9/Briefs
Chelsea's Duff out for at least two weeks
LONDON: Chelsea winger Damien Duff will be out of action for
at least two weeks after he dislocated his shoulder in the 1-0
premier league victory over west London rivals Fulham on
Saturday.
The Ireland international sustained the injury when he landed
heavily after being challenged as he shot at goal in the fifth
minute.