Sanfrecce target Club World Cup final

TOYOTA, Aichi Pref. — Sanfrecce Hiroshima hope to go where no J. League or Asian team has gone before — the Club World Cup final.

Not even their big-budgeted predecessors Urawa Reds (2007), Gamba Osaka (2008) and Kashiwa Reysol (2011) were able to reach the final, but Hiroshima believes it has every chance of making it to Nissan Stadium on Dec. 16 once it beats Egypt's Al-Ahly in Sunday's quarterfinal.

"Urawa, Gamba and Kashiwa all made it to the semifinals," Sanfrecce captain Hisato Sato said. "If we beat Al-Ahly, we give ourselves an opportunity to top what they achieved."

Sato and J. League champions Sanfrecce are coming off a 1-0 win over Auckland City in the opening match on Thursday.

Hiroshima dominated for the most part against the amateurs from New Zealand, but J. League Player of the Year Sato is expecting a completely different proposition from African champions Al-Ahly at Toyota Stadium.

"We were able to win our first match on the world stage, but Al-Ahly and Corinthians — who we could later face — will be on an entirely different level from Auckland City," Sato said.

"We made some minor errors in the Auckland game which we'll have to avoid if we want to stand a chance against Al-Ahly. Looking back on the last game, I thought Auckland paid us too much respect.

"I can't see that happening with Al-Ahly, who are African champions. I expect us to see less time on the ball in our next game."

Victory over Al-Ahly would pit Hajime Moriyasu's men versus Corinthians, the inaugural Club World Cup champions, in the last four. A win against the Sao Paulo side would take Hiroshima to the final, where it will likely meet European champions Chelsea.

Chelsea will play either Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai or Monterrey of Mexico — who also clash Sunday — in Thursday's semifinal at Yokohama.

Al-Ahly will make its fourth Club World Cup appearance after winning the African Champions League on the heels of a cancelled Egyptian season due to the Port Said Stadium disaster in which 72 fans were killed.

Moriyasu admitted Al-Ahly remains something of a mystery to him, but was confident his troops would come through, just as they did on Thursday.

"We don't have a great deal of information on our next opponents because there's only so much film available on them," first-year coach Moriyasu said.

"It will come down to how well we can execute, knowing little about the other team. But the boys held their nerves and played well enough to win it, which was the most important thing. I expect us to build on the performance next time out."

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Terry ruled out of Club World Cup

LONDON — Chelsea captain John Terry has been ruled out of the Club World Cup because of an ongoing knee injury.

The defender damaged ligaments in his right knee a month ago, and Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez says the long flight to Japan wouldn't help his recovery.

"The inflammation during the flight will not be the best thing for him so he will not travel," Benitez said. "He wanted to go and to help, but it's better that he stays here.

"We don't know when he will play. We have to wait and see how he reacts."

Chelsea's first game at the Club World Cup is the semifinal match Thursday against either Ulsan Hyundai or Monterrey in Yokohama.

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Club World Cup draw announced

ZURICH — Mexico's Monterrey will play the Asian champion for a chance to face Chelsea at the Club World Cup.

Copa Libertadores champion Corinthians of Brazil is in the other half of the draw.

The tournament, to be played from Dec. 6-16 in Japan, involves six continental champions plus the host country's league winner. Chelsea and Corinthians get byes to the semifinals.

In the quarterfinals, CONCACAF champion Monterrey will play the Asian Champions League winner, which will be decided in November.

The tournament begins with a playoff between Oceania champion Auckland City and the J. League title-holder. The winner advances to a quarterfinal against the African Champions League winner for the right to play Corinthians.

FIFA will use the Club World Cup to test goal-line technology at stadiums in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, and Yokohama.

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New J. League champs to face Auckland City in Club World Cup

ZURICH — The 2012 J. League champion will open the Club World Cup against New Zealand's Auckland City at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama after the draw was held for the Dec. 6-16 tournament on Monday.

European champion Chelsea has a bye to the Dec. 13 semifinals, also in Yokohama, where it will face either Monterrey of Mexico or the winner of the Asian Champions League, which will be determined in November.

The J. League season ends Dec. 1. With eight games left, Sanfrecce Hiroshima lead Vegalta Sendai by just two points with former Asian champion Urawa Reds another three points back.

The new J. League champion or Auckland City will play the African champion to be crowned in November, with the winner of that matchup to face Copa Libertadores holder Corinthians in the last four on Dec. 12 at Toyota Stadium, Aichi Prefecture.

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England thrashes Afghanistan in World Twenty20

COLOMBO — Luke Wright hammered an unbeaten 99 to steer defending champion England to a crushing 116-run win over Afghanistan in their World Twenty20 match on Friday.

England expects: England's Alex Hales plays a shot against Afghanistan at the World Twenty20 in Colombo on Friday. AFP-JIJI

England made a formidable 196 for five in its 20 overs after being sent in to bat, and then bowled out Afghanistan for 80 in the 18th over at R. Premadasa Stadium. Wright and Alex Hales joined in a 69-run stand, and Wright shared 72 runs with Eoin Morgan.

The game ended Afghanistan's short campaign in the tournament after losing to India by 23 runs in its first Group A match on Wednesday.

Wright said that England knew the Afghans were a dangerous team after watching their spirited effort against India on television. But he added: "The way we came back and bowled them out was a superb effort."

Wright played down any frustration at missing out on England's first Twenty20 century by a single run.

"I was just tired by the end, I was just happy to keep the ball going," he said. "The most important thing was that we got a big total. I think the scoreboard pressure really had big importance going into bowling."

Afghanistan seam bowler Shapoor Zadran, who gave his team an ideal start with a wicket maiden against England and also picked up two early wickets against India, asked fans not to get too downcast.

"My message would be not to get too disappointed," he said. "That was our tough day in the field, we have learned a lot and hopefully we can come up with good results."

The Afghans were eight down for 26 at one stage and facing the prospect of being bowled out for the lowest Twenty20 international score — worse than Kenya's tally against Ireland in 2008. However, they avoided that prospect thanks to late resistance from Gulbodin Naib, who made 44.

Seam bowler Steven Finn picked up the first wicket for England with Afghanistan's total on two and the rest followed on a regular basis, thwarting any chance of a recovery.

Left-arm spinner Samit Patel returned the best figures for England with 2-6 with three other bowlers, captain Stuart Broad, Jade Dernbach and Graeme Swann also picking up two wickets each.

Naib hit three sixes and five boundaries in his 35-ball innings as the other batsmen failed to reach double figures.

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka — Brendon McCullum's superb record-setting century led New Zealand to a thumping 59-run win over Bangladesh in the World Twenty20 on Friday.

McCullum pummelled 123 off 58 balls and hammered 11 fours and seven sixes in a strong Kiwi total of 191-3.

Nasir Hossain played a lone fight and scored 50 off 39 balls as Bangladesh settled for 132-8 with Tim Southee (3-16) and Kyle Mills (3-33) doing the damage.

McCullum was dropped by Mashrafe bin Mortaza on 92 but in the same over he hit left-arm spinner Elias Sunny for two successive boundaries and raised his century off 51 balls, the second-fastest ever.

McCullum became the first man to score two T20 centuries — and the highest ever — before he holed out in the deep off the last ball of the innings. His previous best T20 knock came against Australia at Christchurch in 2010 when he remained unbeaten on 116.

Bangladesh bowlers had no answer to McCullum's brilliance as he ruthlessly smashed seamers and spinners after New Zealand was asked to bat at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

"Some days it comes off, some days it doesn't, you've got to be prepared to take risks," McCullum said. "In this game you've got to keep trying, and when it comes off it helps the team."

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Vonn ready to defend latest World Cup title

NEW YORK — Lindsey Vonn is in a good place heading into the World Cup season — a "really happy place" as she's fond of calling it.

Collecting hardware: Lindsey Vonn hopes to add more World Cup trophies to her collection this season. AP

Just a year ago, her personal life was turned upside down when she separated from her husband of four years.

Since then, the U.S. skier has put the split behind her and rekindled relationships with teammates. She's also feeling as strong as ever after taking a different training approach this offseason to save wear and tear on her balky left knee.

And sure, defending her overall title this season remains at the top of her to-do list. So is this: eclipsing the 2,000-point plateau after finishing just 20 away last season. She would like nothing more than to join Austrian great Hermann Maier as the only skiers to attain that lofty mark.

"I want to try to improve on what I did last year," Vonn said in an interview from Portillo, Chile, where she's training with the U.S. squad. "That may not be possible. But that's what I'm going to try and do."

In the midst of her personal strife last season, Vonn found solace in the one place that's always been her sanctuary — the slopes. Once she clicked into her skis, Vonn was all business as she captured 12 World Cup races, putting her within striking distance of becoming the all-time winningest female skier. She has 53 career victories, trailing only Annemarie Moser-Proell of Austria (62) and Vreni Schneider of Switzerland (55).

"She has raised the bar as to what is capable for a female ski racer," women's speed coach Chip White said. "The scary thing now is she is showing no signs of slowing down."

What helped last season was having family and friends constantly around, taking her mind off any problems away from the race course. This year, her younger sister, Laura, will take a year off from school and travel around the circuit with her.

"Life is very, very different for me right now," said Vonn, a four-time World Cup overall winner from Vail, Colo. "But I am in a really happy place. This is a new chapter. I'm ready for it."

She wasn't ready for this — intense tabloid speculation.

Vonn is used to making headlines for wins, not over whom she may be dating. It's been a difficult adjustment, especially since most of the rumors have been way off the mark. None more than reports linking her with quarterback Tim Tebow after "Tebowing" following her super-G win in Beaver Creek last December.

"I guess that's a new part of my life, too," she said. "It seems like whoever I'm friends with, people start to think I'm dating them. It's all crazy to me. I'm just happy being single."

By Vonn's standards, this summer was a low-key break from the snow. There were no trips down the red carpet or guest appearances on "Law & Order."

Instead, she traipsed through Europe with her sisters, culminating with a visit to the luxurious beaches in the southern French resort town of Saint Tropez, attended a Rascal Flatts concert in North Carolina and ventured over to London for the Olympics.

While there, she watched Gabby Douglas win the gymnastics all-around, saw Missy Franklin and Michael Phelps capture gold in the pool, caught a few Team USA men's basketball games and was in the stands when her favorite tennis player, Roger Federer, fell in the Olympic final to Andy Murray.

"It's so different when you're actually there to watch — you get to see more emotion," Vonn said. "I actually knew the stories behind all the athletes, instead of just being in my own bubble and focusing on my own competition."

Being there, though, made her antsy for the 2014 Sochi Games.

"I was wondering why I wasn't competing," said Vonn, who captured the Olympic downhill gold medal in Vancouver. "I'm ready to race."

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Teen breaks 200 breast world record

GIFU — Schoolboy Akihiro Yamaguchi set a new world record in winning the men's 200-meter breaststroke final on Saturday at the National Sports Festival.

Special achievement: Swimmer Akihiro Yamaguchi shatters the world record in the 200-meter men's breaststroke on Saturday in Gifu, finishing his race in 2 minutes, 7.01 seconds at the National Sports Festival in Gifu. KYODO

Yamaguchi, 18, powered home in 2 minutes, 7.01 seconds at Nagaragawa Swimming Plaza, slicing 0.27 off the previous world mark set by Hungary's Daniel Gyurta at the London Olympics.

The third-year high school student, who had earlier reached the final with a meet record, broke the national mark of former two-time 100 and 200 Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima had held for 11 years by 0.50.

"To be honest, I was aiming to go under 2.7," said Yamaguchi. "I am looking forward to next year's world championships (in Barcelona, Spain). I want to be a successor to Kitajima-san, a swimmer I look up to. I think I can cut it in the 200 at the world level and want to challenge in the 100, too."

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Japan, Israel tied up after first day of David Cup World Group playoff

Japan and Israel are deadlocked 1-1 following the opening day of play in their Davis Cup World Group playoff at Ariake Colosseum on Friday.

Japan No. 2 Go Soeda beat Israel No. 1 Dudi Sela in four sets 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the opening match, while Israel No. 2 Amir Weintraub downed Japan No. 3 Tatsuma Ito 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the second singles contest.

Ito was playing in place of Japan No. 1 Kei Nishikori, who was ruled out Friday morning with a shoulder injury. Nishikori has not been completely scratched from the tie and could play in the reverse singles matches on Sunday.

Israel captain Eyal Ran was pleased to have the tie even after the first day of action.

"This was a classical day of Davis Cup with the players going all out and fighting for their country," he commented. "We are in this tie and I think we can do it now."

Soeda, ranked 55th in the world, displayed a strong forehand and played solidly from the baseline in recording the victory under a blazing sun on the hardcourt.

The win was the first for Soeda against Sela in four career matches.

"I knew I had to win. I couldn't lose," said Soeda. "I was under pressure to show my best. It was a tough match and a big win for me."

After Sela broke Soeda's serve to open the match, the Japanese broke right back. Following the fifth game, Sela took an injury timeout.

Soeda broke in the sixth game with a volley to go up 4-2. He then broke again in the eighth game to take the set 6-2 in 46 minutes.

Soeda had eight winners in the first set, while Sela committed 21 unforced errors.

Sela, ranked 98th, served better in the second set, getting in 74 percent of his first serves, but after breaking Soeda in the first game and holding serve to go up 2-0, he came undone with several more unforced errors.

Soeda took six of the next eight games, breaking Sela in the 10th game to claim the set in 43 minutes.

Sela had 19 unforced errors in the second set.

The Israeli battled back in the third set, using an effective backhand to help record 14 winner's to Soeda two and claimed the set 6-3 in 34 minutes.

Sela broke twice and saw Soeda rack up 14 unforced errors in the set.

"I was tired in the third set and then Sela started playing really well," Soeda commented. "There was an overrule on a call and I lost focus and he took the momentum from me. Then in the fourth set I started playing aggressively again and was able to get it back."

The 28-year-old Soeda closed out the match by getting in 74 percent of his first serves in the fourth set and converting several key points to clinch the victory.

"The start of the match was tough," noted Sela. "I was short with my balls and he was aggressive. I felt better in the second set, but he was solid and didn't give me any free points."

Sela recognized fatigue in his opponent in the third set and capitalized on it.

"I was more aggressive in the third set. He was getting tired at the end of that set. If he kept playing like that, I thought I could win the match, but then he took the first two games of the fourth set at love. He deserved to win."

Weintraub routed Ito in the second match, registering the triumph in just 1 hour, 55 minutes. Weintraub didn't let his lower ranking (223) hold him back against Ito (67th), dominating in every phase of the game.

Weintraub exhibited a strong serve (11 aces) and excellent groundstrokes in the clinical victory. Ito was bedeviled by his 49 unforced errors in the defeat.

"I was surprised when I heard that Nishikori wasn't going to play, but I was concentrating on myself," said Weintraub. "It was good news for us. It wasn't easy against Ito, but of course Nishikori has a higher ranking."

In analyzing his performance, the 25-year-old Weintraub gave himself high marks.

"My serve was very good. He didn't break me the whole match," he said. "I used good combinations, mixing up speeds and playing strong from the baseline. This was one of the better wins in my career."

Saturday's doubles match will see Ito and Yuichi Sugita take on Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram.

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Germany, United States ready to clash for Under-20 Women's World Cup title

Defending champion Germany and the United States have both lived up to their pre-tournament heavyweight billings and go toe-to-toe for top honors on Saturday in the final of the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Tokyo.

The showcase match at National Stadium features the undisputed giants at this level, with both teams having won the title twice, but it is the Germans that have the psychological edge after coasting past the Americans 3-0 in the group phase behind a double from hotshot Lena Lotzen.

Germany has yet to allow a goal on Japanese soil and the European starlets have not conceded for six games at this level, a run stretching back to the final in 2010. They have also scored 15 times in their five outings so far, with Lotzen, the second top scorer in the tournament, bagging six goals.

Yet despite those impressive stats, Germany coach, Maren Meinert, whose team broke Japanese hearts with a 3-0 defeat of Young Nadeshiko in the semis, was eager to play down her team's status as favorites to take the title.

"I am not sure whether the win over the U.S. in the group stage gives us an advantage," she said. "In the final there are just two teams and for us it doesn't matter who we are playing tomorrow. We start again at zero. How we got to the final is irrelevant."

"I don't think there will be any need to motivate the players, but I don't want to think we have peaked too early as if we make mistakes now it will all be in vain. We are not champions yet but we are in good shape for tomorrow's final."

U.S. coach Steve Swanson admitted he is still figuring out how to try and break down the Germans but said he was pleased with the improvement his players have shown in the knockout phase of the competition, and that being in the final was all the motivation his team need.

"Although we didn't score against Germany in our group play I think we created enough quality chances to get something out of it. We are focusing on that and I think we have the kind of team and the kind of players that can be dangerous," said Swanson.

"It's a World Cup final so there is enough motivation for the players. They are very excited to play against Germany again. For us there were a lot of positives in that first game and we have kind of fixated on those during the course of the time we have been preparing for this game. I think there are a lot of things that we have shown we can do better in the quarterfinal and semifinals so I think we are a team that has improved throughout this tournament."

Before the final, Japan will meet Nigeria in the match for third place with both sides looking to bounce back from disappointment and end their campaigns on a high.

Japan's youngsters failed to match the feats of the country's senior side at the 2011 Women's World Cup and were left shell-shocked after their defeat to Germany.

Nonetheless they have made history by advancing to the semis for the first time and will be eager to put smiles back on the faces of their supporters by taking bronze.

"Losing is sometimes a positive thing because the issues you have are identified," said Japan coach Hiroshi Yoshida.

"I don't want the players to forget about the loss (against Germany) as it will serve as a good experience for them in the future. Tomorrow will be our last game and I just hope that we can put on a good performance."

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Young Nadeshiko stumbles in U-20 Women's World Cup semifinals

Two-time champion Germany ended Japan's bid to reach the Under-20 Women's World Cup final for the first time with a 3-0 win in Tuesday's semifinal.

A goal in the opening minute from Melanie Leupolz got the Germans off to a flying start at National Stadium, and it was a blow from which the Young Nadeshiko would not recover as two more from Dzsenifer Marozsan and Lena Lotzen with less than 20 minutes on the clock put the Europeans safely on the road to Saturday's final.

Germany will play the United States in the title match after the Americans beat Nigeria 2-0 in the day's earlier semifinal, but Japan manager Hiroshi Yoshida was left to rue his side's nightmare start having gone on to create the better second-half chances in front of a home crowd of 28,306.

"We wanted to win this game but we weren't able to do anything at the beginning," said Yoshida. "We lost the first goal and after that we weren't able to stay calm. The first goal really shook our confidence, and no one was able to even touch the ball.
"The players were feeling down, but at halftime we said we just had to start again. We had to be confident, but even though we had our moments we weren't able to take our chances."

Japan got off to the worst possible start when Leupolz got between Japan's central defenders to latch onto a slide-rule pass and calmly fire across goalkeeper Sakiko Ikeda for her third goal of the tournament.

Japan reacted with a series of nimble attacks that threatened to find an equalizer, but the hosts were dealt a huge setback when Marozsan doubled Germany's lead in the 13th minute. The forward rushed through to lift a bouncing through ball over Ikeda with her first touch, and there was nothing the goalkeeper could do as the ball dropped under the crossbar and into the net.

Lotzen then rose unchallenged to power home a header for Germany's third, prompting Yoshida to reshuffle his pack and replace midfielder Mina Tanaka with Kumi Yokoyama with only 25 minutes gone.

The change allowed Japan to steady the ship until halftime, and the home side returned from the break with renewed purpose as first Asuka Nishikawa then Hanae Shibata went close to pulling a goal back.

But there was to be no way through as Germany held firm to the final whistle, leaving Japan to contest the third-place playoff against Nigeria on Saturday in the undercard before the headline event.

"The players are feeling really down at the moment," said Yoshida. "Starting tomorrow we have to pick ourselves up and get ready for the next game."

Goals from Morgan Brian and Kealia Ohai either side of halftime were enough to send the U.S. into the final for a third time, seeing off a determined effort from the previously unbeaten Nigerians in the day's earlier semifinal.

"I'm exhausted, and I didn't even do anything," said U.S. manager Steve Swanson. "We are obviously very happy to be moving on. It was a difficult match physically. It wasn't pretty at times but getting the first goal was critical. It was a good result for us.

"If we play Japan then it will be quite a treat for their country for their team to do so well, but if it's Germany then we have had good games against them in the past. We will be ready to play either one. We have played a few games against Germany and we have played against Japan, and we have respect for both."

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'King Kazu' mulling Futsal World Cup invitation

Kazuyoshi Miura could finally realize his dream of playing in a World Cup — the Futsal World Cup, that is.

Miura, the oldest player ever in the J. League at 45 currently with Yokohama FC of the second division, has been asked to play for Japan at the Nov. 1-18 Futsal World Cup in Thailand, Japan Football Association president Kuniya Daini said on Monday.

According to Daini, Miura is leaning toward accepting the offer provided that he remains fit. Yokohama is ninth in J2 with 10 games left in the season, and Miura has appeared in only 14 of the club's 32 matches with one goal to show for.

"I've been told he's up for it," Daini said. "It will come down to his physical condition and the circumstances of his club."

Miura, arguably the most popular player in Japanese soccer history, helped Japan qualify for its first World Cup in 1998 but failed to make the cut for Takeshi Okada's final squad.

Harboring World Cup dreams, Miura had dropped out of high school to become a professional in Brazil, returning in time to help launch the J. League in 1993.

He made his futsal debut for Espolada Hokkaido in the Japanese F-League in January, playing one game. Japan is the Asian champion in futsal.

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Japan ousted at World Team Cup

Japan was eliminated Thursday from the tennis World Team Cup after losing its third consecutive match in the round robin phase.

Japan dropped its final best-of-three matchup to the United States as doubles pair James Blake and Ryan Harrison topped Tatsuma Ito and Bumpei Sato 4-6, 6-0, 10-3, followed by Harrison's straight-sets singles win over Ito 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

Go Soeda managed a 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) victory over Andy Roddick in the second singles match.

The United States also failed to advance past the round-robin phase of the eight-team tournament.

Group leaders Argentina and the Czech Republic face off on Friday, with the winner advancing to the finals on Saturday against either Serbia or defending champion Germany.

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Cuba prevails over Japan in World League volleyball

Hamamatsu — The Japan men's volleyball team got off to a losing start in Pool A action in the World League on Friday night, going down in straight sets to Cuba.

Led by Leon Venero Wilfredo's 19 points, the Cubans, ranked fifth in the world, prevailed 25-22, 28-26, 25-20 to leave home fans disappointed at Hamamatsu Arena.

Shigeru Kondo also scored 19 points for the 15th-ranked Japanese, who held set point in the second set, only to lose the momentum and allow their opponents to take control.

In the other Pool A game, Russia beat Serbia in full sets 25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 20-25, 15-9.

Japan, which is involved in London Olympic qualifiers being played in Tokyo from June 1-10, plays Russia on Saturday and meets the Serbs on Sunday.

Featuring 16 teams across four pools, the World League is played across four weeks with each country hosting all four teams in their respective pool on one weekend each.

The finals in Sofia, in July will feature the winner of each group and the two best runnersup.

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Hendry eyeing world title triumph

SHEFFIELD, England — Stephen Hendry believes he can be king of the snooker world once more after completing a 13-4 rout of defending champion John Higgins at the Crucible on Saturday.

Hendry, who won the last of his seven world titles way back in 1999, had no difficulty in clinching the solitary frame required to oust Higgins after racing into a 12-4 lead on Friday in the best-of-25 clash.

It capped a remarkable transformation in fortunes for Hendry, who had come close to retiring from snooker 12 months ago after suffering a humiliating 13-4 defeat to Mark Selby in the second round in Sheffield.

Although Hendry faces a tricky test in the quarterfinals against fellow Scot Stephen Maguire, the 43-year-old insists there is no reason why he can't go on to claim an eighth world crown.

"I don't feel like the oldest player in the tournament. I don't feel like that at all," said Hendry, who lit up the Crucible earlier this week with a maximum 147 break.

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U.S. dominates World in Penn Relay blowout

PHILADELPHIA — The United States swept all six relays against a World team in a hoped-for preview of the London Olympics in the Penn Relays at Franklin Field on Saturday.

Down the stretch: U.S. runner Maggie Vessey (right) beats Great Britain's Marilyn Okoro to the finish line on Saturday in Philadelphia. AP

USA Track and Field has set the lofty goal of 30 medals in the Olympics.

Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards-Ross, Walter Dix, Justin Gatlin, and Lashawn Merritt showed they want their share.

"London, here we come," Merritt said.

On a chilly and windy day, the men and women simply did what they wanted on the track against teams from Belgium and the Bahamas to Venezuela and Kenya, keeping the thrilling finishes to a minimum and giving a decisive glimpse into what they expect in the Olympics.

The women won the sprint medley relay, the 400-meter relay and the 4x400. The men won the 400 relay, the distance medley relay and the 4x400 in the 118th running of the renowned meet.

"We're in the right direction heading to London," 2008 Olympics bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson said. "Just for America to come out on top 6-0, that says that America is coming this year."

The relays belonged to Felix, a three-time Olympic medalist, who flashed the speed that's long made her a fan favorite at the Penn Relays.

Felix teamed with Tianna Madison, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter to set a Penn Relays record in the 400 with a time of 42.19 seconds.

She also was on a relay with Francena McCorory, Natasha Hastings and Richards-Ross that set the mark in the 4x400 with a time of 3 minutes, 21.18 seconds.

"It just really makes me look forward to London 2012," Jeter said.

The final day of the Penn Relays is traditionally the biggest — in both crowds and marquee names. The public address announcer told the crowd the United States had swept the All-Star event 6-0 at the end of the 4x400 to a roaring pro-U.S. crowd.

"It was exciting for us to cross the line and kind of finish it off for Team USA. It was amazing," Richards-Ross said. "Usually the Jamaicans give us some trouble in one of the relays."

Jamaican stars Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell did not compete in the relays.

They'll be a force in London. Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller watched several "U.S.A. vs. the World" relays from the stands and blew kisses to the crowd.

The U.S. women opened the series with a win in the sprint medley relay. Porscha Lucas, Barbara Pierre, Phoebe Wright and Maggie Vessey took the relay in 3:42.85. The American women trailed until Vessey made a perfectly timed pass to get by Britain on the anchor leg.

From there, the home country rolled.

Led by Mike Rodgers, Gatlin, Doc Patton and Dix, the men won the 400 relay in 38.40.

Suspended for four years in 2006 after testing positive for excessive testosterone, Gatlin's second chance has the 2004 gold medal winner in contention for another spot in the Olympics.

"I wouldn't call it so much redemption. I guess that's the word everyone has titled my journey back," Gatlin said. "It just feels like I'm back at home among some good teammates that I definitely believe in."

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San Jose loses ATP World Tour event

SAN JOSE, California — The 123-year-old ATP World Tour event in San Jose will move to Memphis in 2014, with the Memphis tournament being sold and shifted to Rio de Janeiro.

The ATP Board of Directors approved the sale of the Memphis membership this week to IMX for operation of the 500-level event in Brazil. The ATP will determine the calendar and format for the events in 2014 and 2015 later this year.

The SAP Open began as the Pacific Coast Championships in Monterey in 1889 and has been played indoors recently at the home of the NHL's San Jose Sharks in February before dwindling crowds.

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McIlroy arrives on world stage after surviving rollercoaster 2011 season

LONDON — A year that witnessed the passing of one European golfing legend may have heralded the arrival of another.

The death of Spanish great Seve Ballesteros in May following a three-year battle with a brain tumor hit the golfing fraternity hard, although the outpouring of grief for the popular winner of five majors extended far beyond sport.

It was fitting, then, that the player who did so much to revive a flagging European game in the 1980s, thanks to his flamboyant style and good looks, should die in a year in which the continent's leading players maintained their hold over the Americans.

By becoming the first player to officially top the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic in the same year, England's Luke Donald comfortably ended a breakthrough 2011 as the world's top-ranked player.

However, it was Rory McIlroy, a mop-haired Northern Irishman, who triggered frenzied talk of becoming a genuine successor to Tiger Woods by powering to an eight-shot win at the U.S. Open at Congressional. At 22, he was the second-youngest player to win a major since 1934.

What made McIlroy's first Grand Slam success all the more remarkable was that it came two months after he blew a four-shot lead in the final round of the Masters, shooting a closing 80 in one of golf's more memorable meltdowns.

"He's a breath of fresh air for the game," said Graeme McDowell, McIlroy's close friend who won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2010. "Perhaps we're ready for golf's next superstar and maybe Rory is it."

One of the sport's cleanest hitters, McIlroy has every shot in his bag and the clinic he produced at Congressional brought back memories of Woods' 15-shot win at Pebble Beach in 2000.

The American's haul of 14 majors — four short of Jack Nicklaus — is now in the sights of McIlroy, who finished the year as the world's second-ranked player.

"I was trying to go out there today and emulate him in some way," McIlroy said of Woods after his final round at the U.S. Open.

So what of the former No. 1? By his very high standards, it was another year to forget.

No major wins, more injuries (leg, knee, Achilles tendon) and even a fine for spitting on the green during the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic in February, further tarnishing his name almost a year after vowing to improve his behavior following the sex scandal that ended his marriage.

What's more, he fired longtime caddie Steve Williams — much to the New Zealander's dismay.

Woods did at least break a winless streak of 107 weeks by capturing the Chevron World Challenge in December, lifting him to No. 22 in the rankings.

Now, it is Donald who is leading the way.

Shrugging off his "underachiever" tag, the 34-year-old Englishman won four titles, demonstrated amazing consistency by compiling 20 top-10 finishes from 26 tournaments played and topped both money lists.

Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer held the No. 1 spot early in the year, but were soon topped by Donald, whose imperious short game often made up for a lack of distance off the tee.

A failure to land that elusive major will still dog Donald, however, especially when players are capitalizing on Woods' troubles.

All four major winners in 2011 were first-timers — and no champion was more popular than 42-year-old Darren Clarke at a wet and windy British Open.

Puffing away on a cigarette as he ambled along the undulating fairways of Royal St. George's in often stormy conditions on the southeast coast, Clarke was a picture of contentment as he sealed a three-shot win, adding another name to the roll call of recent major champions from tiny Northern Ireland.

Charl Schwartzel of South Africa profited from McIlroy's misfortune to win at Augusta.

In the final major of the year, rookie Keegan Bradley finally gave the U.S something to shout about by winning the PGA Championship to end the longest American drought in the majors.

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Kashiwa beats Auckland City to open Club World Cup

TOYOTA, Aichi Pref. — J. League kings Kashiwa Reysol marked their international debut with a controlling win on Thursday, beating Auckland City 2-0 in the opening match of the Club World Cup.

Best foot forward: Kashiwa's Leandro Domingues competes against Auckland City's Manel Exposito Presseguer during their Club World Cup match on Thursday. Reysol won 2-0. KYODO PHOTO

First-half goals from Junya Tanaka and Masato Kudo sent Nelsinho's side into the last eight on Sunday, when Reysol will face Monterrey of Mexico for a shot against South American champion Santos in the semifinals.

Kashiwa picked up right where it left off five days ago, when Reysol triumphed in the domestic campaign with victory at Urawa Reds on the final day of the season.

The visitors from New Zealand, who won twice at the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi two years ago, looked nervous and never threatened in the first half, failing to produce a single shot on target.

Reysol's dominance translated into a goal in the 37th minute when left-back Wataru Hashimoto set up a brilliant strike by Tanaka, who wheeled into the box past Alex Feneridis before blasting into the net at the near post.

Three minutes later, Kashiwa found the net for a second time with Hashimoto again supplying the final pass, this time for Kudo.

From a Leandro Domingues cross, Hiroki Sakai rose above the Auckland defense to glance a header off the right post. Hashimoto was in the right place at the right time to collect the rebound and pick out Kudo, who scored with ease past keeper Jacob Spoonley.

Kudo's goal all but sewed up Kashiwa's progress to Sunday's quarterfinal against the North, Central American and Caribbean champions even before halftime.

Toyota Stadium grew murky as heavy fog began to settle over the ground after the break, but there was nothing unclear about the poise and purpose of the newly crowned J. League champions on this night.

Kudo came within inches of a brace three minutes into the second half, striking the top of the bar with a header.

Auckland City finally settled into the game, showing signs of life on the attack.

They created a great opportunity in the 74th minute as Manel Exposito had a free shot from a Dave Mulligan free kick, but the Spaniard fired well over the bar.

Takanori Sugeno was eventually called into action five minutes later, when the Kashiwa custodian made splendid back-to-back saves to keep Auckland off the scoreboard.

Sugeno first batted away a curling Mulligan free kick that appeared destined for the top corner and from the following corner kick, denied a close-range header by captain Ivan Vicelich.

But that was as close as the Oceania champions would get as Reysol reasserted command to seal the victory.

NYON SWITZERLAND — Wayne Rooney was cleared to play in England's final group match at next year's European Championship after UEFA decided Thursday to reduce his three-match ban to two.

The UEFA appeals panel deferred the final match of the England striker's three-match suspension on condition of his good behavior for four years.

Rooney remains banned for England's games against France and Sweden, but he will be able to face Euro 2012 co-host Ukraine in Donetsk on June 19.

Rooney did not speak with reporters after leaving UEFA headquarters with England coach Fabio Capello, who helped present his case in a 90-minute session before an appeals panel.

Capello smiled and nodded in agreement when asked if his star player's hearing had gone well.

"It's a very positive result," Club England managing director Adrian Bevington said. "It would have been a huge challenge for Fabio and the team (to be without Rooney)."

UEFA said that Rooney's third suspended match will be activated only if he is sent off for violent conduct while playing for England in a European Championship match.

"Rooney will also spend a day supporting a UEFA project as part of the sentence," UEFA said in a statement.

Rooney, who wore a Manchester United blazer and tie, addressed the appeals body, which was chaired by Swiss official Michel Wuilleret.

"He has been very professional and mature in the way he answered everything that has been said to him by the UEFA panel," Bevington said.

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Koki Kameda retains world title

OSAKA — Koki Kameda successfully defended his WBA bantamweight title, but his brother Daiki lost a unanimous decision to WBA super flyweight champion Tepparith Kokietgym in the main event of a world championship doubleheader Wednesday.

Koki, the oldest of the three Kameda boxing brothers, stopped 12th-ranked Mexican Mario Macias in the fourth round with a flurry of body blows in his third title defense at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Koki sent Macias to the canvas with a left hook in the opening round and again with a left in the third round before finishing him off 2 minutes, 4 seconds into the fourth.

"It feels so good to fight in my native Osaka," Koki said. "It was my best bout ever in the bantamweight class. I was in good form. I was able to see all of his punches."

He improved to 27-1 with 17 knockouts.

Later in the night, top-ranked Daiki and the Thai champion exchanged hard punches throughout the bout, but Tepparith was more effective in his first title defense.

The judges scored the bout 115-113, 116-112 and 119-110 in favor of Tepparith. Daiki dropped to 22-3 with 14 KOs.

If Daiki had won, he and Koki would have become the first Japanese boxing brothers to win world belts in multiple weight classes.

"I'll accept my defeat," Daiki said. "As a challenger, I wanted to give him a good fight. I just wasn't good enough against him."

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Reysol ready to take on world after shock title

It would have taken a brave person to tip Kashiwa Reysol for the 2011 J. League title before the season had begun. But as the newly crowned champions prepare to take on Auckland City in the Club World Cup on Thursday, it would take an even braver person to deny they deserved it.

Kashiwa captured its first-ever championship with a nerveless 3-1 victory over Urawa Reds last Saturday, pulling off the extraordinary feat of winning the second- and first-division titles in successive seasons. The Chiba side began the campaign as many people's dark horse to make an impact after a year away from the top flight, but what we got instead was a thoroughbred that charged out the gate and never let up until it had crossed the finish line ahead of the rest.

Reysol served notice of their intent with a 3-0 thrashing of Shimizu S-Pulse on the first day of the season, and went on to drop only five points from their opening nine fixtures. That strong start was soon proven to be founded on genuine quality rather than simple promotion momentum, but to make it stick until the end of the campaign must go down as one of the most remarkable achievements in J. League history.

Kashiwa's strength was its organization, with attack and defense working in perfect synch and the team slipping effortlessly between playing styles as the ebb and flow of each game dictated. No team in the country looked as well-drilled as Reysol, and manager Nelsinho deserves enormous credit for the work he has done since taking over midseason in 2009.

The Brazilian's appointment came too late to arrest the club's slide toward the second division that year, but with the less-demanding environment of J2 providing ideal conditions for his methods to take root, Kashiwa's relegation turned out to be something of a blessing in disguise.

Don't stop: Jorge Wagner and Kashiwa Reysol head into the Club World Cup on Thursday as surprise J. League champions. KYODO

Nelsinho rebuilt a team that had been overly reliant on the gifted but ponderous Franca, shifting the emphasis to a more dynamic style and bringing in playmaker Leandro Domingues to run the midfield. The success this season of Leandro — named J. League Player of the Year on Monday — and fellow Brazilian Jorge Wagner proved how important it is to choose one's foreign players wisely, and their effort was backed up by a similarly outstanding contribution from their teammates.

Forward Junya Tanaka, who chipped in with 13 goals, and force-of-nature right back Hiroki Sakai both caught the eye, but it was the unflashy, cast-iron reliability of players like defender Naoya Kondo, captain Hidekazu Otani and spiritual leader Hideaki Kitajima who laid the foundations. Kitajima's tears at Saitama Stadium showed just how much it meant to a player who almost took the club to the title in 2000, and in recent weeks there has been a quiet determination about Reysol that this opportunity would not go to waste.

With this season's championship also bringing qualification for the Club World Cup, Kashiwa's story is not finished yet. Nelsinho has experience of the tournament in its previous Toyota Cup incarnation, losing to Borussia Dortmund as manager of Cruzeiro in 1997, and the lack of a pause in action means Kashiwa goes into Thursday's match against the Oceania representatives still bubbling with title-winning intensity.

The prospect of meeting Santos in a semifinal and Barcelona in the final is surely not one that anyone at the club seriously entertained at the start of the year, but with success comes belief and Reysol now know that anything is possible.

Other teams at the Club World Cup may underestimate the surprise J. League champions, but they will do so at their peril.

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