Sports

Iran have sacked coach Ali Daei following a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to rivals Saudi Arabia in Saturday's World Cup qualifier.

According to IRNA, Ali Daei, the world's all-time highest international goalscorer, has been sacked as Iran coach after his team's 2-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifying, state media reported on Sunday. The hugely-popular Daei, a former Bayern Munich striker, was dismissed after his side let slip a 1-0 lead with 11 minutes remaining, the IRNA news agency reported on Marh 29, 2009, without giving details.

The two U.S. freestyle wrestlers who will be competing on the first day of the 2009 Takhti Cup have weighed in and received their draws.

2008 U.S. Olympian Mike Zadick (Solon, Iowa/Gator WC) will compete at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. He will face Mostafa Hosein Khani of Iran in his first match on Thursday. If he wins, he will compete in the quarterfinals against an opponent to be determined. Zadick was a 2006 World silver medalist. He is wrestling up one weight class from his usual 60 kg/132 lbs.

A late goal from Javad Nekounam earned Iran a 1-1 draw in Saudi Arabia on Saturday in the opening night of the final round of qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

With North Korea winning 2-1 in UAE earlier, the Saudis and Iranians sit in second and third place in Group B.

Brazilian striker Ronaldo said he has not given up hope of playing again despite a serious knee injury.

The 31-year-old ruptured a tendon while playing for AC Milan and will be out for at least nine months. "I haven't decided yet what I should do but I'm ready for anything," he said after undergoing surgery in Paris.

"I have the will to carry on playing, this is what my heart is telling me to do. But my body is giving me signs that it is tiring and needs rest."  Ronaldo, the three-times World Player of the Year, has suffered two serious knee injuries in the past and this latest setback led to fears that his playing career could be over.

Thousands of fans have greeted the South African rugby team as they arrived home after winning the Rugby World Cup in France on Saturday.

Springbok captain John Smit led his team out of Johannesburg airport holding aloft the Webb Ellis trophy. The Springboks lifted the coveted trophy after a 15-6 win over England. Their victory has been embraced as a symbol of unity and reconciliation in a country still trying to overcome racial tensions left by the apartheid era.

"We expected it to be pretty busy at the airport but this has gone far beyond anything we imagined," said Smit. "We're just happy that we have brought the trophy back where it belongs, with the people of South Africa."