Five Great Sporting Comebacks

All Blacks Late Show Upsets Smitt

New Zealand faced world champions South Africa, who had faltered throughout the tri nations tournament without winning a game in Johannesburg with their tenth title in sight.

However, a combination of Schalk Burger's try and the boot of Morne Steyn had given the Springboks a 22-16 lead with John Smitt's 100th test set to be marked with a win. But New Zealand rallied and scored controversially in the corner through captain Richie McCawn with two minutes left, despite his foot looking out of play.

Dan Carter missed the resulting conversion, and even with a draw good enough to claim the tri-nations title, New Zealand snatched victory in the final minute, as Ma's Nonu fed Israel Dagg who went clear.

Capriati Shocks Hingis

Upon reflecting on her career, Martina Hingis will surely surmise that the 2002 Australian Open final was very much the one that got away.

Seeking a fourth title down under in her fifth successive final and revenge for her defeat 12 months previous, Hingis went into a one-set lead over defending champion Jennifer Capriati, who had claimed the title in 2001 as the lowest seed in the tournament's history.

Hingis strolled into a first set lead in scorching conditions, and at 4-0 in the second looked set to avenge her defeat last year, and later manufactured a spate of championship points.

Capriati clung o nhowever, saved four match points, and having won the tie-break stormed to a three set victory, winning 6-2 in the third in one of the greatest finals in the open era.

Headingley '81

England were 1-0 down in the five-match Ashes series, and at 135 for 7 at Headingley, required 92 to prevent an innings defeat against Australia. Bookmakers had England at 500/1 to win with Mike Brearley's side having already checked out of their hotel such was their confidence.

But Ian Botham had other ideas. The all-rounder flayed wildly with the bat and made a courageous 149 to give England hope, as they set Australia 130 to win.

At 56 for 1 Botham's innings looked to have been in vain, but Bob Wills etched his name in Ashes history with a brilliant 8 for 43 as Australia were bowled out for 111.

The victory sparked a thrilling series between the two sides, which saw England win 3-1 and inflict upon Australia a third successive series defeat.

Miracle at Medinah

One way traffic for much of the first two days had put USA 10-6 ahead at Medinah, with Europe requiring the biggest comeback in the history of the Ryder Cup to retain the trophy.

Ian Poulter had kept Europe in the hunt with two points in the foursomes and fourballs on Saturday, and his success appeared to be the catalyst for thrilling final day in the singles.

Jose Maria Olazabel's team quickly regained parity, winning the first five matches, with Justin Rose beating Phil Mickelson with two birdies in the final two holes.

Sergio Garcia then scrapped a victory from his match with Jim Furyk, leaving Martin Kaymer to hole the winning putt as Europe used the memory of former player and captain Seve Ballesteros to shock one of the most decorate USA teams in history.

That Night in Istanbul

Two sides bathed in European honours went head-to-head in the Turkish capital, in the most memorable of Champions League finals.

AC Milan stormed into a three-goal lead at the interval, with Paulo Maldini and Hernan Crespo's double putting the Italian's on the brink.

But inspired by the club's loyal support during the half-time interval, Milan's belief the second half would be a procession and captain Steven Gerrard, Liverpool staged an epic comeback.

Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso had Liverpool level, and after Jerzy Dudek had saved brilliantly in extra time from Andrey Shevchenko, the Pole repeated the trick in the penalty shoot-out to hand the club their fifth major European triumph.