World Sport Briefs Van Nistelrooy to return for final

SINGAPORE – Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to return to action for Real Madrid in Sunday’s return leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla.

The Dutchman, whose 25 goals fired Real to the league title last season, trained normally on Monday for the first time since tearing a thigh muscle in the final game of last season. Real trail Sevilla 1-0 after the first leg of the traditional curtain-raiser to the Spanish season.Tindall and Hodgson miss out on World Cup LONDON – Andy Farrell was included in England’s World Cup squad yesterday as coach Brian Ashton opted for experience in his bid to retain the trophy.As expected there was no place for Mike Tindall or Charlie Hodgson who were both short of fitness after long-term injury absences.Tindall, a member of the 2003 World Cup-winning team, has not played since breaking his leg in April while Hodgson misses a second successive World Cup with a knee injury suffered last November.Astana team barred from Tour of Spain MADRID – The Astana team have been barred from next month’s Tour of Spain after recent failed doping tests by three of their most prominent riders.”We have decided to withdraw the invitation to the team to take part in the Vuelta because of the incidents of doping that have taken place within the team in the 2007 season,” race organisers said in a statement yesterday.Dolphin FC win Nigerian FA Cup ABUJA – Dolphin FC defeated Enugu Rangers 3-2 in a penalty shootout to lift the Nigerian FA Cup on Sunday, the winners coming from behind to force a 1-1 draw after they had been reduced to 10 men.It was the fourth cup triumph in six years for Dolphin FC, who conceded a 20th minute penalty after defender Emma Godwin had punched away a goal-bound shot and was subsequently sent off.Chinedu Efugh slotted home the spot kick to give Enugu the lead before Thankgod Ahameafule equalised four minutes from halftime.The match went straight to penalties after 90 minutes.Searing heat takes toll on spectators TULSA – At least 264 people were treated for heat exhaustion during the US PGA Championship which ended on Sunday after what are believed to be the hottest conditions ever for a major golf championship.Temperatures hit 39 Celsius during the final round as Tiger Woods claimed victory at Southern Hills Country Club.Real trail Sevilla 1-0 after the first leg of the traditional curtain-raiser to the Spanish season.Tindall and Hodgson miss out on World Cup LONDON – Andy Farrell was included in England’s World Cup squad yesterday as coach Brian Ashton opted for experience in his bid to retain the trophy.As expected there was no place for Mike Tindall or Charlie Hodgson who were both short of fitness after long-term injury absences.Tindall, a member of the 2003 World Cup-winning team, has not played since breaking his leg in April while Hodgson misses a second successive World Cup with a knee injury suffered last November.Astana team barred from Tour of Spain MADRID – The Astana team have been barred from next month’s Tour of Spain after recent failed doping tests by three of their most prominent riders.”We have decided to withdraw the invitation to the team to take part in the Vuelta because of the incidents of doping that have taken place within the team in the 2007 season,” race organisers said in a statement yesterday.Dolphin FC win Nigerian FA Cup ABUJA – Dolphin FC defeated Enugu Rangers 3-2 in a penalty shootout to lift the Nigerian FA Cup on Sunday, the winners coming from behind to force a 1-1 draw after they had been reduced to 10 men.It was the fourth cup triumph in six years for Dolphin FC, who conceded a 20th minute penalty after defender Emma Godwin had punched away a goal-bound shot and was subsequently sent off.Chinedu Efugh slotted home the spot kick to give Enugu the lead before Thankgod Ahameafule equalised four minutes from halftime.The match went straight to penalties after 90 minutes.Searing heat takes toll on spectators TULSA – At least 264 people were treated for heat exhaustion during the US PGA Championship which ended on Sunday after what are believed to be the hottest conditions ever for a major golf championship.Temperatures hit 39 Celsius during the final round as Tiger Woods claimed victory at Southern Hills Country Club.