Spurs beat West Ham

BEIJING: Tottenham Hotspur beat London rivals West Ham on Wednesday to book a place in the Barclays Asia Trophy final after England national Jermain Defoe shot through the legs of keeper Paul Green. Defoe managed to hold off Hammers’ defender Juilein Faubert to fire through advancing keeper Green. Spurs should have converted on several occasions but for all the impressive link-up play and darting runs, they lacked the killer punch, wasting numerous chances before Defoe broke the deadlock on 78 minutes. — AFP

Villa happy to stay

MADRID: Spanish international striker David Villa, a long-time target of both Real Madrid and Barcelona, said on Tuesday he was happy to stay at Valencia. “I was told that I must leave Valencia for the good of the club, then they changed their minds,” he said. Valencia planned to sell top several players, including Villa, to help solve their financial difficulties. The 27-year-old was ready to sign for Real Madrid, but Valencia asked for more money as other clubs, including Barca, expressed interest. — AFP

Sorin retires

RIO DE JANEIRO: Former Argentinian football captain Juan Pablo Sorin announced his retirement on Tuesday bringing to an end a 15 year career. The 33-year-old revealed that he had decided to call it a day after suffering a succession of injuries. Sorin played for Paris Saint Germain, Hamburg, Villarreal and Barcelona. Sorin had only been able to play six games for Cruzeiro in the past seven months and said that constant problems with his right thigh and left calf had resulted in his painful decision. — AFP