More injury woes for Liverpool in 2-2 draw

LONDON - Daniel Agger and Ryan Babel added to Liverpool's injury woes on Saturday in a lively 2-2 English Premier League draw with big-spending Manchester City at Anfield. A win, in what under-pressure Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez had described as a potentially make-or-break match for his side's domestic ambitions, would have sent either club temporarily fourth in the standings.

Mercedes play down Schumacher speculation

LONDON - Mercedes have played down, without completely dismissing, media speculation that seven times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher could come out of retirement as Jenson Button's replacement. "It's clear that there will always be speculation as long as one cockpit is still free," said a spokesman for the German carmaker, who have taken over world champions Brawn, on Saturday.

All Blacks record eighth consecutive victory over England

LONDON - New Zealand recorded their eighth successive win over England with a 19-6 victory at Twickenham on Saturday after scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan scampered over for the only try of the match in the 57th minute. The All Blacks lifted the pace in the second half on a treacherous surface which contributed to a series of unforced errors from both sides after heavy rain throughout the week.

Wales coast to 33-16 win over Argentina

CARDIFF - Two Shane Williams tries and a fine all-round display by Stephen Jones earned Wales a comfortable 33-16 victory over Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Wales, who dominated from the start, opened the scoring on nine minutes with a Jones penalty.

South Africa tame Italy for first win of tour

UDINE, Italy - World champions South Africa ran in four tries to overcome a spirited challenge from Italy and record the first victory of their European tour with a 32-10 win in the northern city of Udine on Saturday. The Springboks got off to a bright start after last week's 20-13 loss in France and defeats by English clubs Leicester and Saracens.

Injured Kallis ruled out of South Arica's one-day series

CENTURION, South Africa - South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has been ruled out of the one-day series against England because of a rib injury, Cricket South Africa said on Saturday. Kallis, who has a fracture in the cartilage around the rib, is also doubtful for the first test against England at Centurion from December 16.

Westwood in control as McIlroy flags late on

DUBAI - A flawless round of 66 by Lee Westwood, and late mistakes by his young Race to Dubai rival Rory McIlroy, gave the Englishman a considerable advantage with one round to go in the Dubai World Championship. Westwood, the 2000 European number one, goes into Sunday's final day with a five-stroke lead over McIlroy, the player who heads him on the order of merit, the Race to Dubai.

Federer faces choppy ride to secure top spot

LONDON - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will step on board the riverboat to the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday with the world number one ranking in their sights. After a season that began with Federer in floods of tears at the Australian Open and Spain's Nadal seemingly on the verge of complete domination, men's tennis has come full circle with the Swiss maestro once again leaving the rest in his wake.

Kauto Star battles home on seasonal debut

LONDON led by a length after the last fence but was pressed all the way to the line by 9-1 chance Imperial Commander who was edged out by a nose in the photo-finish.

Iraq appeals FIFA ban, not surprised by it

BAGHDAD - Iraqi authorities were not surprised soccer's world governing body decided to suspend the country from international competition and already have lawyers working on an appeal, officials said. FIFA banned the Asian champions Friday after the country's Olympic Committee disbanded the governing board of the Iraqi Football Association, the culmination of a feud over control of the sport that has lasted for at least a year.