A Indonesian striker playing in one of the country's top leagues has died after a goalkeeper kicked him in the stomach during a recent match, an official said Tuesday. 

The death of Akli Fairuz, 27, is a further blow to the reputation of Indonesian football, which has been beset by numerous problems in recent years, from leadership tussles to foreign players dying after complaining of going unpaid.

An Australian ultra-marathon runner completed a 1,500-kilometer (900-mile) "Middle East Peace Run" with a final stop in Jerusalem on Monday.

Pat Farmer, 52, reached the finish line Monday afternoon capping a journey that began on May 1 and took him to Lebanon, Jordan, the West Bank and Israel.

Ryan Giggs announced Monday he was retiring from his career as a player following his appointment as assistant manager to newly-installed Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

The 40-year-old one-club man revealed his decision in an open letter to supporters published on United's website.

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal will take over as the new manager of Manchester United after the World Cup with Ryan Giggs as his assistant, the club announced Monday.

Van Gaal, 62, has signed a three-year contract to succeed David Moyes who was sacked in April after a disastrous run of results.

Brazilian organizers acknowledged problems but expressed satisfaction with the final two stadium tests for the World Cup on Sunday, including one at the troubled Sao Paulo arena that hosts the tournament opening game in a few weeks.

Brazilian league matches were played to inaugurate Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo and Arena Pantanal in the western city of Cuiaba.

Victoria Azarenka will miss the French Open because of a left foot injury.

"Unfortunately I will not be able to compete in Roland Garros this year. Working hard on my recovery & getting back on the court," the former top-ranked player said Sunday on Twitter.

He began as a local hero on the foorball field, playing for the most popular team of his home city Homs and rising toward national stardom across Syria. But when the uprising against President Bashar Assad began, Abdelbasit Sarout left all of it to lead peaceful protests, rallying thousands to demand Assad leave power.

More than three years later, the former goalkeeper— now an armed fighter — has become a charismatic icon of the Syria's rebellion after surviving two-and-a-half years under a suffocating military siege of his city. Thin and hollow-eyed from the ordeal, he emerged from the ruins of Homs earlier this month, one of hundreds of rebel fighters evacuated from the city under a ceasefire with government forces, and vowed to continue the fight.

Novak Djokovic believes his Rome Masters triumph over Rafael Nadal is the perfect tonic ahead of his latest bid to win the French Open and complete a career Grand Slam.

The world number two came from a set down to depose seven-time Rome champion Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and capture his third title in the Italian capital.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino announced he will leave the club after failing to win a major title in his one season in charge.

The Catalans' hopes of retaining La Liga were ended on Saturday by a 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid which saw the side from the capital crowned champions for the first time in 18 years.

Aaron Ramsey scored an extra-time winner as Arsenal ended their nine-year trophy drought by coming from two goals down to beat Hull City 3-2 in a gripping FA Cup final on Saturday.

Appearing in their first ever major final, Hull rocked Arsenal by going 2-0 up inside just eight minutes through goals from center-backs James Chester and Curtis Davies.