United States win

SANTIAGO: The United States won the women’s U-20 World Cup beating defending champions North Korea 2-1. Sydney Leroux found the net in the 23rd minute with a shot from inside the box and Alex Morgan scored in the 42nd from 20 yards. Cha Hu Nam scored for North Korea in the 90th. Earlier, Marie Pollmann scored a hat-trick to give Germany a 5-3 win over France to finish third. — Agencies

Serena pulls out

PERTH: US Open winner Serena Williams has withdrawn from next month’s Hopman Cup mixed teams event with a hamstring injury. The World No 2 injured her hamstring in the year-ending WTA Championships and has not been able to recover in time to prepare for the Perth tournament. World No10 James Blake will now be partnered by Meghann Shaughnessy. — AFP

Adams denies rumour

LONDON: Portsmouth manager Tony Adams denied suggestions he could be forced to offload stars like Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch after the club was put up for sale by owner Alexandre Gaydamak. Former Arsenal and England defender Adams, who succeeded Harry Redknapp, has received assurances from Gaydamak that he will not have to sell to reduce debt levels and make the club more attractive to potential buyers. — AFP