Japan's Irie breaks 200m backstroke record

Japan's Ryosuke Irie has set a new world record in the men's 200-meter backstroke at a Japanese-Australian competition in Canberra. The 19-year-old touched the wall at one minute, 52.86 seconds in the Duel in the Pool meet between Japan and Australia, slashing 1.08 seconds of the previous world record set by American Ryan Lochte in the Beijing Olympics last year. "I couldn't think I could go that fast," Irie told Australian television, speaking through a translator. "I can say only one phrase: unbelievable." Irie finished fifth behind Lochte in Beijing, but managed to come within 0.08 second of the American's world record at the Japanese World Championship trials three weeks ago. Irie, who won Sunday's race by more than five seconds from the runner-up, promises to set a new world record at this year's World Championships in Rome.

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Barcelona's Henry may miss Rome final

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is unsure about the availability of his French striker Thierry Henry for the Champions League final against Manchester United. Henry, who sustained a knee injury against Real Madrid last week, also missed the exhilarating second leg of the semifinal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Spanish leaders grasped a last minute victory on Wednesday to destroy Guss Hiddink's hopes for an all-English final against the Red Devils. Barcelona's website cited medics that Henry has suffered from an anterior cruciate ligament strain in his right knee and is undergoing specific treatment. The French international will miss the King's Cup final against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday and the next three La Liga matches against Villarreal, Real Mallorca and Osasuna. Manchester United and Barcelona will take on the final in Rome on May 27.

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Real loss brings Barca closer to league title

Valencia has thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 at home to give Barcelona a chance at winning the Primera Liga for the 19th time on Sunday. Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas made a brilliant early save, but he was beaten after 29 minutes when Juan Mata scored the opener for Valencia, before David Villa netted a second in the 32nd minute. Ruben Baraja's stunning second-half volley made it 3-0 to secure Valencia's position in fourth place with 59 points. However, Los Che still have tough competition ahead, battling with fifth- and six-placed Atletico Madrid and Villarreal for the last qualifying spot for next season's UEFA Champions League. "This was a massive win for us and we just have to keep pushing for the Champions League spot," said Silva. "Atletico and Villarreal are still in the hunt and we will see what they do (on Sunday). We have done our bit." Real remains second with 78 points and three games left, seven points short of Barcelona, which will grab the title if it beats Villarreal on Sunday. Also on Saturday, third-placed Sevilla beat Mallorca 3-1 at home while Athletic Bilbao secured a 1-0 home win over Real Betis. Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros rested a large number of first-team regulars as the Basque side will face Barcelona in the King's Cup final on Wednesday. "We have to have faith in ourselves and if we are fortunate enough to win we will also have the satisfaction of beating the best team in the world," Caparros said.

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Man United signs deal with Indian Telecom firm

The English soccer giant Manchester United has signed a 10m pound ($15m) sponsorship deal with India's mobile phone operator Bharti Airtel. Under the deal, Airtel's 92 million subscribers in India, Sri Lanka and the Seychelles will be able to view the club's content on their phones, including matches and interviews. "We are very proud to have Bharti Airtel as the first Indian company to partner with Manchester United Club. This major partnership will bring the action and passion of Manchester United directly to the millions of fans of Manchester United across India and other Asian countries," said Manchester United chief executive David Gill in a formal statement on Friday. "This is a very exciting development because India is an area of commercial potential," he added. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson also commented on the deal saying that interest in football in India is now 'accelerating fast' behind cricket. "If you give an opportunity to young people they surprise you," Ferguson said. "Football is accelerating fast behind cricket and one day I hope to see a young Indian boy wearing the red strip of United." Meanwhile, the Red Devils are looking for a new shirt sponsor to replace the US insurance company AIG from the 2010-11 season. The insurer AIG was forced to end its shirt sponsorship deal with the club after asking for a multi-billion dollar bailout from the US government.

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