IN BRIEF (Page 24)
Soccer
Guatemala through to Gold Cup quarters
BOSTON: Guatemala reached the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup on Tuesday after drawing 1-1 with Trinidad and Tobago, while the United States made it three wins out of three by beating El Salvador 4-0.
The United States, who had already qualified for the next round before Tuesday's game, finished top of Group B with the maximum nine points, while Guatemala qualified second with four.
Guatemala had two efforts disallowed before going ahead in the 80th minute thanks to a smart finish from striker Carlos Ruiz.
But their Caribbean opponents drew level within three minutes, towering forward Errol McFarlane rising well to head home a cross from the right.
McFarlane then missed an even easier chance in the final moments of the game, heading wide from close range after being left unmarked.
Inter president confirms interest in Tevez
MILAN: Inter Milan is interested in signing Argentina striker Carlos Tevez from West Ham.
"Tevez has great ability and character. He has all the ingredients to do well in Italy, too," Inter president Massimo Moratti said on the club's website on Tuesday.
"He's among the players we have looked at - he's interesting. We like him, but there's a lot between saying we like him and that we want to buy him."
Tevez is currently preparing for the Copa America with Argentina. He moved to West Ham at the beginning of last season and helped the club avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Basketball
Smith released from hospital after car smash
NEPTUNE CITY, New Jersey: Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith was released from hospital one day after a passenger in his automobile died following Saturday's accident.
Smith suffered a shoulder injury and numerous abrasions and contusions in the accident that claimed the life of 21-year-old Andre Bell, who died Monday.
According to the New Jersey State Police, Bell was thrown from Smith's 2003 GMC Yukon when Smith drove around a stopped car and through a stop sign.
Smith drove through the intersection and was struck by a westbound Jaguar, driven by Lynn Sinatra, 49, of Millstone, police said. The Yukon overturned, and both Smith and Bell were ejected.
Smith was issued summonses for failure to stop at a stop sign and improper passing.
Motorcycling
Stoner extends contract with Ducati - reports
MELBOURNE: MotoGP world championship leader Casey Stoner has extended his contract with Ducati until the end of the 2008 season, Australian media reported yesterday.
The 21-year-old Australian extended his lead at the top of the standings on Sunday with an impressive victory at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, his fourth victory in his first full season with the Italian outfit.
"We plan for Casey to be with Ducati in 2008," team boss Livio Suppo was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press.
The Italian team has exercised an option on Stoner in advance of a September deadline. Stoner's business manager and father Colin confirmed the contract extension and said he was looking to secure a longer-term relationship with Ducati.
Stoner leads the world championship by 14 points after the victory in Barcelona, the seventh race in the 17-round calendar.
(China Daily 06/14/2007 page24)
