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Wales all-action girl eager to make her mark at Fighting Chance Dubai

Martyn Thomas — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:39:10 +0000

One of the toughest tasks for the organisers of this Friday’s Fighting Chance Dubai at Dubai Sports City has been finding a bout for Welsh fighter Non Evans.

New Zealand Women’s Sevens captain Huriana Manuel was originally lined up to face the 37-year-old but was forced to withdraw when her union stepped in and since then six fighters have agreed only to get cold feet.

That’s not surprising given Evans’ resume includes not only an 87-cap rugby career for Wales but three appearances at the Commonwealth Games; twice winning silver in Judo before doubling up with Weightlifting at the 2002 event in Manchester.

Luckily for Evans her trip to the UAE has not been wasted as American-born Australian resident Teeny Aiken stepped in at the 11th hour – and with the fight locked in Sport360° caught up with the Welsh wonder.

How did you get involved with Fighting Chance Dubai?

Sililo Martens [former Tonga international rugby player and organiser] contacted me, and I had just finished playing rugby and I used to wrestle, so he said ‘do you fancy training for a fight in Dubai’? I had to think about it for a bit. But it was a new challenge and I agreed to it for some bizarre reason. I’ve never boxed before but here we are.

There are a lot of high profile male rugby players who have turned to boxing recently, such as Sonny Bill Williams and Quade Cooper, will it become a similar path for women?

No I don’t think so. I think I’m the only person who has done it as far as I know. I’ve always done martial arts and things, but I’ve never boxed. So I think I’m slightly different to most female rugby players. Maybe I’m more like the male ones!

I think it’s hard when you retire and I found it really hard to deal with because my whole life I had competed and played rugby, then I retired and it leaves a huge void in your life. So I think that’s the reason that retired people do it and for the men it’s obviously boxing they choose.

It’s nice to have a challenge and something to aim and train for because I was still fit and strong but you pick up injuries as you get older in sports like rugby and wrestling but in boxing you don’t really get hurt when you’re training, in the fight obviously you could.

Have you done any specialist training for the event?

Yes, I’ve been training since Sililo rang me so about the last three months, which isn’t long enough to learn how to box so I don’t know how good or bad I am because all I’ve done is the training. So it remains to be seen. But I’ve had a nightmare as well because I’ve had about five or six opponents pull out because they agree to the fight and then they read my bio and see that I’ve done all these other sports.

But being a wrestler doesn’t make you a good boxer because it’s completely different! So it was strange because all my life I’ve done sports which I’m good at but now I’ve got no idea so I’m going into it dark which is a bit scary.

How does the training differ from what you would have done for rugby or wrestling?

It’s completely different. I did a lot of fitness work some really hard fitness and conditioning work. I had never skipped before but now I can skip quite well! So fitness and conditioning, plus loads of pad and bag work and some sparring. The stance too, in boxing you have to stand with your left foot forward but wrestling and rugby are the complete opposite, the left is back and your moving forward all the time. So that’s the difficult thing to try and stay on your back foot otherwise you walk into everything.

For a lot of people the training is what they love most about boxing, has that been the same for you?

It was hard at the beginning because I was always one of the fittest playing rugby or wrestling but I’ve been retired 18 months. So it was really hard but I feel quite fit now.

Rugby is Wales’ national sport, but was it hard to get into as a girl?

I did Judo from a young age so I started playing rugby when I went to university when I was 18 because there was no girls’ rugby back then. Now there’s girls rugby and touch rugby in schools. But a judo throw is like a tackle in rugby so I was used to the contact side of it and I was quick at running, I ran at school and I could side-step naturally. So I started playing at university and went from there.

Finally, are you confident about winning your bout?

Well I don’t know too much about my opponent, she only came in two weeks ago but she has trained at a boxing club. They keep telling me she hasn’t had a fight but I don’t know how good she is and I don’t know how good I am. So, I’m actually really nervous because I’ve never done it before and it’s in front of a huge crowd. I just hope I don’t get smashed but my defence is quite good now – and I’m fast so I can run around the ring if I have to!

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Al Shabab bow out of Champions League in Tehran

Kenny Laurie — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:16:57 +0000

RESULT: Esteghlal 0 Al Shabab 0
Esteghlal win 4-2 on aggregate

Al Shabab were unable to pull off another away miracle as they crashed out of the AFC Champions League to Iranian side Esteghlal 4-2 on aggregate after a 0-0 draw on the night.

Away in the Esteghlal’s Tehran cauldron, Shabab were unable to make the necessary inroads against an experienced and disciplined home side who progressed to the quarter-finals courtesy of their impressive win in Dubai last week.

Prior to the game Shabab coach Marcos Paqueta had said that “nothing is impossible” but the task of scoring three goals without reply in Tehran was always a tough ask.

Shabab have already shown a great deal of resolve in this year’s tournament, equalising in the final minute and then winning a penalty shootout in a playoff against Iranian side Sabaye Qom to qualify for the groups stages.

They then came back from a seemingly hopeless position in Group D to win their last two games to qualify for the last 16 as runners up.

But this time there was to be no miracle. Essentially a counter attacking team Shabab struggled to take the initiative and impose themselves on the game.

Shabab’s best effort came at the end of the first half when Luiz hit the bar with a volley before Ali Juma slashed wide five minutes after the restart.

Esteghlal manager Amir Ghalenoei has said before the game that his side would adopt a cautious approach and he was as good as his word as the Iranians routinely stuck 10 men behind the ball.

Esteghlal rarely expended energy pressing, preferring to sit and dare Shabab to try to unlock them. Unfortunately for the Dubai club, they simply lacked the personnel and the experience to rise to the challenge.

Paqueta had already let his players off the hook before the game, saying that his side lacked the experience to go deep into the competition but the Brazilian must now ensure that his troops learn the necessary lessons.

Shabab failed to take the early initiative and grab the early goal that could have put the pressure on the home side and unsettled the vast fan base that turned up.

Had Juma’s strike gone in just after half time, the score could have been different with both teams infused by desperation.

As it was, Esteghlal were the only side to get the ball in the net but Hanif Zadeh’s header was harshly ruled out for offside with the defender in line with the last man from a free kick.

Shabab will now turn their attentions to a President’s Cup final against Al Ahli where a win would ensure them a place in next season's AFC Champions League. They'll be better for it after this season's adventure.

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Al Shabab 2-4 Esteghlal: Last UAE hope staring at AFC exit

PSG star Ibrahimovic could follow Ancelotti

Sport 360 staff — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:10:24 +0000

Paris Saint-Germain are facing up the possibility of losing star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to the lack stability behind the scenes at the newly-crowned Ligue 1 champions.

The celebrations of PSG's first French title in 19 years have been overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding the future of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who last weekend admitted publicly that he wishes to leave amid speculation that he has been lined up to replace Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

"We hear talk about the coach and of a heap of players who could be coming or going. I am not used to that," Ibrahimovic told Swedish journalists.

Former Ajax, Juventus, Internazionale and Barcelona striker Ibrahimovic, who signed from AC Milan last summer, has scored 29 goals in PSG's title-winning campaign and was last weekend named Ligue 1's Player of the Year.

"In Barcelona and Milan, there is more stability," he added, in quotes reported by Aftonbladet. "There, the coach stays until he is sacked."

Ibrahimovic, 31, stated clearly that he wanted Ancelotti to stay for a second full season in charge at the Parc des Princes. "It is clear that everyone wants to keep Ancelotti. He is probably the only coach who has helped me have such a good relationship with the rest of the team. It is not just me, everyone feels the same way," Svenska Dagbladet reported him as saying.

"It is not just Ancelotti who would go, but also the seven or eight people in his entourage. It would leave a huge gap. The players who arrived a year ago want security and stability and to feel wanted."

As to his future, Ibrahimovic said: "We will see. Every time I have changed club, I have done so when I said I would stay put.

"Anything can happen, even if I intend to stay. The way things are just now, a lot of things could happen."

- Ancelotti asks to leave for Real Madrid, confirms PSG

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Ex-USA star Reyna to head up Man City's MLS franchise

Sport 360 staff — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:39:07 +0000

Claudio Reyna, the former United States international and Manchester City captain, has been appointed director of football at City's new MLS franchise, New York City FC.

City, in partnership with baseball giants the New York Yankees, announced on Tuesday they had bought a franchise to compete in Major League Soccer from 2015.

The club have wasted little time in beginning work building the new entity by bringing in Reyna, who had a spell with City as a player between 2003 and 2007, and also had stints at Rangers and Sunderland.

Reyna was surprisingly unveiled as New York City's first employee at a press event to formally announce the club's launch at the Lexington Academy in Manhattan.

City chief executive Ferran Soriano said: "Finding the right person for this role and getting him in place from the start was a priority.

"The football culture of New York City FC will be built from this decision, and we believe Claudio is the man who uniquely understands what New York soccer should mean, and how it can benefit from the relationship with Manchester City FC."

Reyna, 39, played for City for four of the 12 years he spent in Europe during his career, from 2003-07, making 87 appearances. He also won 111 caps for the US and played at four World Cups, captaining the national side between 2002 and 2006.

Reyna is leaving a role as youth technical director with US Soccer to take up the position.

Reyna, who also played for Rangers and Sunderland during his eight years in the UK, said: "Having had the privilege of playing both for my country here in the US and for Manchester City, I could not have hoped for a more tailor-made opportunity in soccer.

"I am incredibly excited to again wear City's sky blue as part of the expansion of the MLS and the growth of soccer in the United States, and am honoured to have been offered this opportunity.

"With a large fanbase through the New York area, prime television rights and distribution, sponsorship commitments, and the Yankees as a US partner, the New York City Football Club has everything in place to succeed."

City are to be the majority partner in the new club with the Yankees bringing their considerable commercial clout and knowledge of New York. Reyna will now begin the process of building a squad in time for the 2015 season.

New York City will begin competition at a temporary home as they make plans to build their own stadium.

- FEATURE (Part 1): A great American adventure awaits Sheikh Mansour & Man City

- FEATURE (Part 2): How Man City & Sheikh Mansour have built their American dream

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Euro leagues could force Qatar World Cup re-vote

Sport 360 staff — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:05:43 +0000

Any attempt to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter could lead to legal challenges by European leagues to force a re-vote by FIFA, Bundesliga chief executive Christian Seifert has warned.

Seifert, like many of his contemparies including UEFA president Michel Platini and UAE football chief Yousef Alserkal, says it is "impossible" to play in Qatar in the heat of the summer.

However, he foresees legal action from Europe - where leagues would face disruption to three seasons - if it is moved to the winter as many are in favour of including Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Seifert said at a briefing in London: "This is the crucial point - can they move to the winter without making a re-run again?

"I am not sure legally if you can just say 'we will just play in winter'. As far as I understand, it was an invitation to tender and I'm very sure especially England is watching out for what happens there and I understand that."

Asked if there should be a re-vote, Seifert added: "I cannot say because I did not know the tender. At the end of the day the lawyers decide if there is a re-vote.

"I am absolutely sure if countries like England see a chance of a re-vote they will force a re-vote. "If you do a tender - and we are forced to do a tender by our cartel authorities - then the rules must be clear for all.

"From other leagues I do have the feeling they are also very upset with the situation - that the decision was done and that a four-week tournament affects maybe three years of running of professional football leagues in Europe."

Seifert also criticised FIFA for ignoring the leagues and choosing Qatar in the first place, and welcomed the world governing body's recognition that the summer heat would be an issue.

Speaking tongue in cheek, he added: "We are really happy that FIFA recognises it's warm in the summer in Qatar. This is a great, great finding.

"I am absolutely convinced that it is hard, if not impossible, to play a World Cup in the summer in Qatar. Maybe you can create an artificial second sky over the whole country or over the stadia but what does that mean for the people in the media who need to work there, what does that mean for the fans who are there?

"When I grew up as a kid this is not what I have in mind when I think about a FIFA World Cup. Maybe because of my impressions of 2006 because this was the first time where there were public viewings and people on the street, so many English people in Germany, where it was a special atmosphere in the country. And I doubt if that could work with 48 degrees on the street.

"On the one point you have to leave stadium, again. This is not the right time - summer in Qatar - to play. It shows me which FIFA, as a body which says what's good for the game, ignores completely the day-by-day basis in those leagues who are effectively the core and the heart of football - not the tournament that comes up every four years.

"The priority is always first the health of the players and this is what makes me most upset that the decision was done that ignores probably the health of the players and that ignores what is real in the game.

"I'm not sure of the credibility of FIFA. Maybe first they should change the claim - because this is not for the good of the game."

The Premier League is not believed to be considering any immediate legal challenge but confirmed its opposition to a winter World Cup. Premier League communications director Dan Johnson said: "We think moving the World Cup to winter is fraught with difficulties and not workable or desirable from a European football perspective."

- UAE in World Cup boost as FIFA call for more Asian places

- UAE willing to help Qatar host 2022 World Cup

- Qatar to go it alone in hosting winter World Cup

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Hurtful: Woods responds to Garcia's 'fried chicken' remark

David Clough — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:48:58 +0000

Tiger Woods has responded to Sergio Garcia’s “fried chicken” comments by describing his rival’s ill-judged words as “hurtful,” although the world no1 believes it’s time to move on from the spat.

The animosity between Woods and Garcia began early in their respective careers, but stepped up a level at the recent Players Championships, a tournament the American won ahead of his Spanish counterpart.

Paired together, Garcia blamed a roar from the crowd watching Woods on the par-five second hole after slicing his second shot from the fairway into the trees on the right.

Woods had sliced his tee shot deep into the trees on the left and the gallery had erupted during Garcia's backswing having seen world No 1 Woods reach for his five-wood for a daring escape.

What followed was a succession of criticisms and digs exchanged between the pair, with Woods claiming: “I hear his comments afterwards and [it's] not real surprising that he's complaining about something.”

To which an incensed Garcia responded: “It's fine. At least I'm true to myself."

However, the Spaniard continued the feud and took it to a new level during a question and answer session hosted by the Golf Channel's Steve Sands.

Garcia was asked if he would have the world No1 around for dinner one night during the upcoming US Open to which he replied: "We will have him round every night," Garcia said. "We will serve fried chicken."

Garcia immediately apologised for his comment, issuing a statement that said: "I apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my comment on stage during The European Tour Players' Awards dinner.

"I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner."

Woods has now replied to the comments and Garcia’s subsequent apology, by suggesting his rival’s remark wasn’t a mistake, but has accepted his remorse as genuine.

On Twitter, Woods wrote: "The comment that was made wasn't silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate. I'm confident that there is real regret that the remark was made.

"The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it's long past time to move on and talk about golf."

- Garcia apologies for 'fried chicken' jibe at Woods

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Meydan education programme: Handing the reins to UAE youth

Reem Abulleil — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:35:41 +0000

I made the drive down to Meydan racecourse countless times before but never had I taken that right turn towards the stables, where some of the world’s most pampered racehorses reside.

That was until a few weeks ago when I was invited to check out the new Meydan Equine Education Programme that aims to teach youngsters about the history and heritage of horses in the UAE and the modern sport of horseracing at Meydan.

The pilot programme, which has started with seven schools across Dubai, consists of a series of classroom-based math, science, art and comprehension modules, created for Dubai Racing Club by education development company, Bon Education.

The curriculum focuses on the origins and role of the horse in the Middle East, its influence in the region’s art and literature and the basics of horseracing. So after several classes taken by the students at each school, the programme culminates with a visit to the stables to see firsthand what it takes to be responsible for a champion horse.

I joined a group of 40 girls from Al Mizhar American Academy along with two of their teachers on their trip to the immaculate Green Stables and I was shocked to see none other than acclaimed champion trainer - and handler of the Green Stables - Erwan Charpy himself conducting the stables tour for the children.

The idea was to show the children various aspects of the process of taking care of a horse. Charpy was showing them everything from thoroughbreds to pure Arabians (we got to meet Monsef and Dinner Jacket), how to prepare a horse to be ridden, the feeding room (who knew a horse’s diet included garlic?), horse stalls, and even the swimming pool –called equine pool - where horses can exercise as well as receive rehabilitation and therapy.

“We’re trying to bring something new for all kids, especially here in Dubai,” tells me Mohammed Karam, Community and Education Coordinator of the Meydan Equine Education Programme. “We’re targeting all schools. Most of these kids don’t know much about horses, how they are fed, how they are respected and treated. Some kids didn’t know that the horses are vegetarian.

“We’re showing them what trainers, assistants, grooms and everyone does around here. As of now we’ve started with seven schools and we plan on growing that number in the future depending on the feedback from the schools. Next year we’re targeting 60 to 100 schools. So far I can see that the schools really enjoyed the visits.”

This particular class of students I met was made up of 80 per cent Emiratis and a large majority of them ride horses, but it was clear not many of them knew how to take care of them. The students were walking around with a scavenger hunt list of questions, which they had to be able to answer by the end of their visit. The girls were the most animated when they got to feed the horses and some asked some interesting questions about the horses’ diet.

Charpy gave them some silks to wear for the group photo they took and he also took them to the jockey’s weighing room. The tour ended with a trip to the IMAX theatre where the students watch a short video about the Dubai World Cup.

“I think this is a great visit,” Alisson Burrows, the English and History teacher who was accompanying the students. “I think it’s really important to show these girls – 80 per cent of this class I Emirati – the history of the Arabian horse. So this isn’t just a visit for us, we did a study in the classroom on the history of the Arabian horse and I’m hoping that it teaches a little bit more about their own heritage. So this is a nice culminating activity for them to come see these horses in person.

“They certainly were able to see the grandiose scale of what’s happening in terms of racing here in Dubai and I hope they appreciate that as part of their country. The way the horses are treated, the way this is a serious business and this is a well-run operation. The animals are treated ethically, better than most humans are treated in this world.”

Charpy also believes the visit was a success and says he enjoyed playing tour guide for the children. The Frenchman said: “I think it’s great. These are the future people getting into racing and educating is always good. It’s a fairly private and secure environment we have here so people don’t realise how much work there is behind all this. So it’s fantastic. I think kids are great around horses and horses love kids as well.

“It’s always difficult with young children to keep their attention so I tried to move to different spots and show them a little bit of action. During training it’s very difficult to have them around because there’s a risk factor. So we tried to combine showing them enough without taking any risks.”

The students visiting from all seven schools, aged between eight and 11, will take part in a competition to produce the best short story, poem or artwork, based on what they learnt during the module and the Meydan Racecourse tour.

Anna Batchelder, CEO of Bon Education, who devised the curriculum, explained how the programme was developed. She says: “Our team started working with Meydan about six months ago and they said ‘we want to bring a creative programme that gets kids interested in UAE culture through the horse.

“Either kids that may want to ride, or kids that may want to learn the business side of the horse. So we’ve spent a lot of time at the stables interviewing people of all levels at Meydan and we also looked at the curriculum standards for IB schools, Indian curriculum, MOE curriculum and things like that to make sure that the lessons that we created were in line with what the kids are studying in the third through sixth grades.

“We’ll take the feedback and update the curriculum over the summer and hopefully make the programme even better next fall. “The curriculum is fully arabised, so we have English and Arabic assets of everything.”

For more information about the Meydan Equine Education Programme, or to request for your school to be included in next year’s scheme, contact Dubai Racing Club’s media relations department via Tony Terry at tony.terry@meydan.ae or Sarah Tregoning at sarah.tregoning@meydan.ae.

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Pellegrini announces Malaga exit; Man City switch looms

Sport 360 staff — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:30:08 +0000

Manager Manuel Pellegrini, strongly linked to the vacant Manchester City post, is leaving Malaga at the end of the season, the Chilean announced on Wednesday.

"Professionally, I am living my last hours in Malaga," he said at a function to mark his achievements with the club in a report carried by Spanish Sports daily AS.

He added: "On Sunday I will manage my last game as Malaga coach at La Rosaleda.

"It will be a very emotional occasion and we hope to leave with the club qualified for Europe, with the mission completed and with the misfortune that the project changed.

"The agreement with the club has been gratifying and satisfactory. Everyone has the right to continue on their on path.

"I am not looking for economic ambitions but a sporting project that allows me to feel fulfilled."

Pellegrini, who has been in charge of Malaga since November 2010, guided the club to their highest ever league finish last season as Los Boquerones qualified for the Champions League for the first time.

And despite financial problems that forced them to sell a number of key players before the start of the this season, Pellegrini's men remarkably reached the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition, only just missing out on the semi-finals after conceding two controversial late goals against Borussia Dortmund.

- Pellegrini 'agrees' two-year Man City deal; Isco next?

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Garcia apologises for 'fried chicken' jibe at Woods

Sport 360 staff — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:10:33 +0000

Sergio Garcia has apologised for what could be construed as a racist remark about Tiger Woods at the European Tour's annual awards ceremony.

Garcia, who has been involved in a public row with Woods since the Players Championships at Sawgrass this month, was on stage with the rest of the victorious Ryder Cup team, including captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

During a question and answer session hosted by the Golf Channel's Steve Sands, the Spaniard was asked if he would have the world No1 around for dinner one night during the upcoming US Open.

"We will have him round every night," Garcia said. "We will serve fried chicken."

Garcia later issued a statement through the European Tour, saying: "I apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my comment on stage during The European Tour Players' Awards dinner.

"I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner."

Asked for his reaction to Garcia's comment on Twitter, Graeme McDowell wrote: "private/humor filled environment but he shouldn't have said it #slip," while Lee Westwood felt Woods would not be "particularly bothered" by it.

"It's an awkward situation where they obviously just don't get on," Westwood added. "It's in the public and you guys (the media) will stoke it up and you don't need to. "I get on with both of them but I have no interest of getting in the middle of that relationship. It's nothing to do with me."

Just hours earlier, Garcia told reporters ahead of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth that there was no end in sight to his spat with Woods, which resurfaced after the pair had played together in the third round at Sawgrass.

Garcia felt he had been disturbed on his approach to the second hole when spectators cheered Woods for taking a fairway wood out of his bag, indicating he would try to reach the green from his position in the trees.

"He's not my favourite guy to play with," the Spaniard said. "He's not the nicest guy on Tour. We don't like each other. It doesn't take a rocket engineer to figure that out. He is who he is. I am who I am. It's best we're not playing together again."

Asked on Monday if he would call Garcia to clear the air, Woods simply said 'No'. And Garcia said added: "Obviously you can't like everybody. I think there's people that you connect with and there's people that you don't. It's pretty much as simple as that.

"He doesn't need me in his life, I don't need him in mine, let's move on and keep doing what we're doing. "It's never really been a true connection like I would have with maybe Luke (Donald) or Lee (Westwood) or Adam Scott or some of the other guys that I get along with well. It's fine. It doesn't mean that I cannot play with him. It's just another player, obviously a good player.

"It's just when I'm playing with someone I enjoy, there's a bit more talking going round and when you're playing with someone that you don't fancy as much you're just a little bit quiet."

Garcia could now find himself in hot water with the European Tour.

The Tour handbook lists examples of potential minor or serious breaches of the code, including for 'injurious conduct' which is described as: "Actions or comments that may harm or discredit officials, fellow Members, sponsors, promoters, volunteers, third party contractors or the PGA European Tour and that does cause or is deemed likely to cause significant negative media or long term damage to any of the aforementioned persons."

Possible sanctions include a reprimand, censure, fine, suspension of membership or even expulsion from the European Tour.

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Kimi Raikkonen interview: F1's quiet man suffers for his art

Matt Majendie — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:03:57 +0000

Much has been made of the few words Kimi Raikkonen, the quiet man of Formula One, does in fact say.

He’s admittedly a man prone to short sentences and, when he does speak out, it is often blunt and to the point. Take last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for example where his in-car musings became the stuff of Formula One folklore.

As the team tried to communicate with him over the race radio, he simply responded “just leave me alone, I know what I’m doing”. More instructions following to which he replied, “Yes, yes, yes. You don’t have to remind me every second”.

Other drivers at other teams would most likely not get away with it. If Lewis Hamilton were to do it at Mercedes or Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull then there would be a certain amount of furor.

But then Kimi is, well, Kimi and he has always chosen not to conform to the expectations of a modern-day F1 driver where endless media appearances are the norm. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a more closely-guarded sports star.

Sometimes, it’s what he doesn’t say rather than what he does that is so compelling. He rarely if ever talks about other drivers, he won’t be caught in the sort of media slanging match enjoyed by some of his grid rivals. And don’t expect that to change any time soon. He hits back at suggestions he does not play the game.

“I’m doing an interview right now aren’t I?” he says, ahead of this Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, before adding. “I know I have to do this stuff for sponsors but I won’t do anymore than I have to.”

There is a definite shyness to Raikkonen. He would rather not talk shop or divulge issues about his private life. He hates it and the craving for every tit bit of information is a big reason why he walked away from the sport altogether in 2009.

But Raikkonen the racer was not satisfied. The 2007 world champion wanted to return and last season Lotus took an almighty gamble in signing him. In 2009 at Ferrari, he had looked sluggish, appeared to have fallen out of love with racing.

What Lotus was doing was akin to putting everything in the casino on red, a decision that paid off in some style. Last season, he was the model of consistency, finishing every race and winning one of them, the aforementioned Abu Dhabi GP.

What highlighted his impressive pace even more were the struggles of fellow returnee Michael Schumacher, who never quite delivered following his own sabbatical.

From the moment winter testing began, did he ever have doubts in his own abilities? The short answer is not particularly.

“Ok, there is a bit of worry, of unknown as you’ve not done it for a while,” he admits. “But I’d done Formula One for much of my life and the same people were there and not much had changed. It maybe took a few laps to get up to speed.

“The bigger worry was about the car. The thing is that in winter testing you know very quickly if the car is going to be s***. And if it’s s*** you know you’ll be wasting your time for the season.”

Thankfully for Raikkonen, his Lotus last season and again this looks competitive. He won the season opener in Australia and now lies second in the championship just four points behind Sebastian Vettel.

He knows the team need to improve and don’t have the luxury of throwing as much money at their upgrades as the likes of Red Bull or Ferrari.

He adds: “We need to be faster, we need more downforce. It’s that simple. But we have a budget and we have to work within that.”

An uncertain future

The team’s cause has undoubtedly not been helped by technical director James Allison’s departure. He is currently on gardening leave before an anticipated move across the grid to Ferrari.

Mention of Allison’s exit merely leads to a shrug of the shoulders but it may be a key fact in his decision-making over his future. His current deal runs out at the end of the season and no talks have begun about renewing it.

“I’ve no contract for next year,” he says. “There’s talk about this and that but, in the end, I have to make a decision.”

The decision seems to be either to stick with Lotus or move to Red Bull, where he has been touted as Mark Webber’s replacement.

Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has made no secret of his admiration for Raikkonen but the Finn himself insists: “I haven’t even talked to people about it. There may be some options I don’t know.”

That decision may rest on how much Lotus can push their in-season development. If they fall back, Raikkonen may feel he has no option but to look enviously at the Red Bulls in front of him. As rapid as his return to the sport has been, his exit could be similarly swift.

“F1 is not my life, I just love racing,” he says. “And I could stop tomorrow... if I lose that love. I just don’t have a plan for the future. I have a World Championship, which was my goal from a young age as a driver. If I retire tomorrow, I’m happy. I’ll just go off and do normal things and escape all the bulls***.”

In his remaining time in F1, he has no plans to change his approach to work and life. Lotus talk of a humorous employee – after all post-Abu Dhabi he handed T-shirts out with the slogan “Leave me alone I know what I’m doing” to the entire Enstone team. But he again shrugs his shoulders at the idea that he should change.

“People have their opinions of me and that’s fine,” he says. “This is my work and I’m sure most people are different at work and at home. I’ve a life outside F1 that’s just different.”

The world according to Kimi Raikkonen certainly seems in contrast to the rest of his peers. If he never had to do another interview, he would be a happy man. But he does them – admittedly begrudgingly – as that’s the price he has to pay to pursue his first love.

KIMI'S BEST FIVE DRIVES

1. Brazilian GP – 2007
The most important of his career. He lined up on the grid seven points behind Lewis Hamilton in the championship but took the win and his solitary world title.

2. Japanese GP – 2005
Engine trouble had left him languishing 17th on the grid but he worked his way up the field and pulled off a bold move on the last lap to overtake Giancarlo Fisichella and win.

3. Monaco GP – 2005
Leading after a safety car period, the frontrunners pitted but not Raikkonen after an email from McLaren HQ advised otherwise. He built up a big enough lead to pit safely later in the race to win.

4. Australian GP – 2007
Became the first driver to win on debut for Ferrari since Nigel Mansell 18 years earlier. Later admitted he should have won by more but didn’t because he got bored.

5. Abu Dhabi GP – 2012
His first victory since his return to the sport after a two-year sabbatical. He profited from Lewis Hamilton’s retirement but it highlighted an already impressive F1 comeback.

- Raikkonen a 'candidate' for Red Bull drive in 2014

- Raikkonen like a 'wild animal', insists Lotus chief

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Murray pulls out of Roland Garros; targets Queens return

Sport 360 staff — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:01:52 +0000

Andy Murray will miss the French Open with the back injury that flared up at the Rome Masters, the world number two announced on Tuesday.

After meeting with medical specialists Murray has decided to skip the second Grand Slam of the year at Roland Garros to ensure he is fully fit for Wimbledon.

"It's a really tough decision and I love playing in Paris, but after seeking medical advice, I am not fit to compete," the US Open and Olympic champion explained in a statement to Britain's Press Association.

"After consultation with his team and medical specialists, Andy has reluctantly withdrawn from the French Open and will instead focus on preparation for the grass court season," the statement added.

Murray had raised the possibility of his absence from the French Open after retiring with the back problem in his second-round match against Spain's Marcel Granollers at the Rome Masters last week.

"I'd be very surprised if I was playing in Paris," a subdued Murray said then.

This will be the first Grand Slam he has missed since Wimbledon in 2007. The injury was the same one which required him to take a pain-killing injection in order to play Roland Garros last year where he reached the quarter-finals.

Murray will now aim to return for the start of the grasscourt season at Queens Club on June 10.

"(The back) has not been perfect for a long period, I want it to start feeling good again. Everyone goes into matches with niggles, but this is very frustrating," added Murray after his Rome retirement.

"I don't want to go into details, but I've got a disc problem, it changes week to week. It's been an issue for a while, but I want to make sure it goes away.

"I don't want to be playing with it long-term, it's not enjoyable at all."

The French Open begins on Sunday.

- Down the Line: Nadal is back with a vengeance

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UAE golf round-up: Sharjah kids are showing progress

Joy Chakravarty — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:43:09 +0000

It was graduation day for more than 70 members of Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club’s Junior Development Programme (SGSC JDP), as they went through the final grading and tournament day.

With all juniors eager to try and improve on their current cap grading, they were put through 10 tests, including: putting, iron play, woods, chipping, pitching, golf specific fitness testing and golf knowledge.

Throughout the two hours of grading, the juniors were all trying to reach individual goals set by the professionals. A few of the juniors moving up a cap were German brothers Alex (red**) and Michael Beisenwenger (red*) while Jakob Armstrong (blue*) went up a grade at the third attempt.

Brian Gibbs (stone*) became only the second ‘fundamental junior’ to reach that level, following his friend Adam Karim, who picked up that cap at the last grading day.

Mention must be made of Mannan Attlee, who narrowly missed out on a blue* cap even though he battled through the grading with a broken finger.

After the grading day, all 70 juniors returned to take part in the final tournament day of the winter season. There were three different tournaments based upon the child’s age and ability, and it was five-year-old Kyle Chantler who picked up the winning position in the youngsters fundamentals’ competition.

The five-hole par 3 short course winners were Isaak Armstrong (age seven-and-under) and Juan Echeverri (age eight-and-older). In his first junior golf competition, Ethan Cloete managed to scoop the ‘nearest to the pin’ award by knocking his ball eight feet from the hole on the 95-yard first hole.

The elder and more experienced juniors were out in force for their tournament, with four different teeing grounds laid out for the 32 juniors between the age of six and 16 years.

The Beisenwenger boys once again made it a German one-two. Younger brother Michael claimed the bragging rights as he edged his older brother by just one stroke by firing a gross 20 over the four holes.

Third place went to South African golfer Saeed Kola. Fourth place went to Aziz Chassebi, who beat Omar Karim on a scorecard count back after both boys had shot a gross 25.

The increasingly popular SGSC JDP is supported by Petrofac and Spectrum.

GOLF NEWS IN BRIEF:

Fornazaric and Hoofman strike it rich at Yas Ivan
Fornazaric and Jan Hoofman booked their places in the grand finale of the 2013 Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge when they triumphed in the eighth qualifying round at Yas Links Golf Club.

A total of 43 teams with 86 players participated, but it was Fornazaric and Hoofman (net 65), from HYTEC, who triumphed. Second place were Sungjin Hwang and Inki Kim (67) from Hankook, while third were Olivier Dognon and Jerome Martin (69) from A.Hak Industrial Services ME.

Other winners included Duayne Baron De Wall and Gokul Mani for ‘Nearest to the Pin’ and Muriel Gosselin and William Royce for the ‘Longest Drive’.

The next qualifying round takes place on July 22 at the Johannesburg Country Club, South Africa. The Grand Final of the 15th Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge is at the Emirates Golf Club on October 23.

Michaelides wins Mashreq Medal by four shots
Haris Michaelides produced his best performance over the Majlis course to triumph in the May edition of the Mashreq Medal Championship. The 13-handcapper signed for a gross 78, net 65 to win Division B (handicap 11-20).

His consistent round included eleven pars and seven bogeys, keeping the dreaded double off his card. Both Iain Everingham and Anand Lakhiani recorded three-under par totals of 69 but it was Everingham who took runners-up place in Division B with a superior back nine score.

Tim Evans claimed top prize in Division A (Handicap 0-12) with a net 70, but that was thanks to a countback after Tony Azoulay posted a similar score. Inaan Budhiraja returned to form with the best gross of the day, a 72, and his net 72 won him third in the net section for Division A. Gautam Vir carded a 71 to clinch Division C (Handicap 21-34).

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Ashraf and Ahmed lead the way as Wings soar to Gold Cup

Sport 360 staff — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:14:53 +0000

A five-wicket haul by Waseem Ashraf followed by a splendid half century from Ashfaq Ahmed helped Wings XI win the 5th Al Dhaid Gold Cup 40-over tournament, organised by Sharjah Cricket Council.

Wings XI comfortably dealt with Phoenix Medicine by eight wickets in what was a one-sided game final. After being put in, Phoenix Medicine made a steady start through Ijaz Bashir (17) and Saqlain Haider (14), but once the wickets started falling they never recovered.

Ashraf claimed five wickets in his eight overs, conceding only 37, and Ryan Hinds plucked two quick ones as Phoenix collapsed from 50-2 to to 94-8.

Usman Manzoor (24), Babar Bashir (22) and Saif Janjwa (38) rescued the innings as they finished on 155 all out.

The chase started briskly as Sajjad Khewaraki just took 29 deliveries to smash a fast 46, while Ashfaq compiled a steady 70 from 79 balls. Shaiman Anwar (24no) and Shamruk Brooks (12no) got Wings over the line in the 30th over. Asif Mumtaz claimed both the wickets that fell.

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UAE banking on experience at Asian Snooker Team Champs

Sport 360 staff — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:06:25 +0000

The UAE will once again be banking on the experienced duo of Mohamed Shehab and Mohammed Al Joaker to deliver the goods at the Asian Snooker Team & Six-red Championships.

Young and talented Khalid Kamali will be the third UAE player taking part in the events, which get underway in Doha on Friday.

UAEBSA Vice-President Mohmmed Tamjid Abdulla said that every effort is being made to help the country’s national team players.

“We have acquired the services of leading professional David Roe from the United Kingdom to work as a coach with our players and we hope that this would produce positive results.”

Sultan Al Joaker, UAEBSA Secretary General, added: “The competition in snooker at the Asian level is getting tougher. The toughest challenges will be posed by the players from Thailand and China, but we have the experience as both Moh-amed [Shehab] and Mohammed [Al Joaker] have participated in many such competitions before.”

Mohammed Al Joaker, who captured the bronze medal at the inaugural Asian Six-red Snooker Championship in 2011 in Thailand, has been seeded third and placed in Group C, which also has Wang Yuchen of China and Singapore veteran Ang Boon Chin in it.

Shehab is in Group D with former Asian runner-up Mohammed Sajjad of Pakistan and immensely talented Laxman Rawat of India being in the same group.

Kamali has been placed in Group G with Thai professional Passakorn Suwannawat, Hong Kong veteran Fung Kwok Wai and China’s Wang Zepeng.

For the team competition, the UAE have been drawn in Group D with China, Iraq and Mongolia.

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Barcelona chief labels Mourinho a 'scourge on football'

Andy West — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:47:05 +0000

A senior official from Barcelona has labelled Jose Mourinho a “scourge on football” following confirmation the controversial Portuguese boss will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Mourinho has been involved in a running battle with the Catalan club throughout his three years in charge, once famously suggesting that Barca receive preferential treatment from referees due to their charitable links with Unicef, and on another occasion viciously and without provocation jabbing Tito Vilanova in the eye during a pitchside confrontation.

Mourinho started his coaching career as an interpreter for Bobby Robson during his managerial reign at the Nou Camp, and later progressed to the role of assistant coach under Dutchman Louis Van Gaal before returning to Portugal.

It’s often been argued that Mourinho’s excessive aggression towards Barca stems largely from their subsequent refusal to bring him back to the Nou Camp as manager.

Mourinho was interviewed for the post in 2008 but Pep Guardiola was preferred, and Mourinho has responded with bitterness since.

Until now the Nou Camp hierarchy have maintained a dignified silence, keeping their true feelings on Mourinho and his antics private. But Carles Vilarrubi, one of Barca’s many vice presidents, decided Mourinho’s departure was a good enough reason to break the self-imposed no comment policy.

“Now I can say it, Mourinho has been a scourge on football,” blasted Vilarubi. “Seeing him leave is a positive for Spanish football because he created a negative atmosphere.”

Vilarrubi’s words found plenty of support throughout the Spanish media, with the majority of the country’s journalists delighted to see the back of the Portuguese boss.

The front page headline in Tuesday’s leading sports daily Marca was simply: “The Special End,” with the paper’s website reporting, with some relish, that 73 per cent of voters in a poll had identified Mourinho as the biggest cause of his own downfall.

Another Madrid paper, AS, chose a more colourful headline: “Lots of noise, but few nuts,” a Spanish proverb which can be roughly translated as “Much ado about nothing.”

In Barcelona, Mundo Deportivo's headline stated: “End of an era,” in a provocative reference to the phrase that had been thrown in Barca’s direction following their 7-0 Champions League sem-final defeat against Bayern Munich.

- Real Madrid chief jumps to the defence of Mourinho

- COMMENT: Mourinho was never a Real fit, unlike Ancelotti

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Oxlade-Chamberlain: Arsenal stronger without Van Persie

Kenny Laurie — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:20:06 +0000

Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes the Gunners were unhealthily reliant upon Robin van Persie.

The Dutch striker has just fired Manchester United to the league title 12 months after breaking Arsenal hearts by demanding a move away from the club.

The Gunners, meanwhile, staged a late rally to claim fourth – one place lower than their previous campaign, but three points better off. And despite missing van Persie’s goals, they scored just two fewer than in 2011/12, prompting Oxlade-Chamberlain to describe his departure as “making the team stronger”.

“It’s always going to be a blow when you lose someone like Robin,” the 19-year-old explained on a trip to Arsenal’s Dubai soccer school at 7he Sevens on Tuesday.

“He is a world class striker and he proved that this season and last season. But from a team point of view, it has helped us massively because no team is about one player and this season we have had to find goals from other areas of the pitch.

“A lot of players have had to step up and take the bull by the horns. I think Theo Walcott really stepped up and proved himself with his goalscoring this season.

“Santi Cazorla is another really unbelievable player who has produced goals. Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and some of our defenders have scored key goals throughout the season.

“It’s hard to lose someone like Robin, but from a team point of view that always makes you stronger – you find out different things about different players when they have to step up and take responsibility.

“We have seen that from a lot of our players this season. We have finished in a strong position and a similar one to last season, so we have lost Robin but we still pulled together and did okay.”

Arsenal may have had to settle for creeping into the top four with a late surge, but hopes are high that next term they can make a more serious impact in the title race.

All three teams that finished above them will be led by different managers, with David Moyes replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Manuel Pellegrini the favourite to succeed Roberto Mancini at neighbours City, and Chelsea expected to confirm Jose Mourinho’s return to the club in the coming days.

The Portuguese left the Premier League in 2007 when Oxlade-Chamberlain was just 14, but still made a lasting impression on the emerging Three Lions star.

“Mourinho is a big character who left a stamp on English football,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was joined in Dubai by team-mates Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson.

“I’m sure for many people it is a joy to have him back. I’m sure he will create some stories if he comes back.

“He’s a successful manager so he will bring back a lot of belief in who he joins.”

As for the wholesale changes at the summit of the league handing the Gunners an advantage, the pacy forward isn’t so sure.

“Managers come and go all the time,” he said. “With Sir Alex Ferguson leaving, Mourinho coming back and David Moyes going to United, it will make the Premier League more exciting and it will be interesting to see how everything pans out.

“But everyone in the league is a top manager and had their own successes.

“I think it’s more exciting for the outlook of next season, but for us we know what we’re doing and the continuity is nice.”

- Wenger confident of Arsenal title challenge next season

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Darts stars excited yet wary of competing at Dubai Masters

Reem Abulleil — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:48:00 +0000

Darts legends Phil “The Power” Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld are anticipating a high-quality battle when they step up to the oche at the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters.

The event, which takes place at the Dubai Tennis Stadium across Thursday and Friday, acts as the opening leg the PDC’s World Series of Darts, and pits eight of the top players on the planet against one another.

Aside from 16-time world champion Taylor and five-time champion Van Barneveld – James Wade, Andy Hamilton, Wes Newton, Michael van Gerwen, Simon Whitlock and Adrian Lewis are also in town to battle for the $250,000 (Dh918,000) prize money.

Competing in Dubai for the first time, van Barneveld says he’s wary of the weather but excited to take part in a unique event.

Speaking at a Unicorn promotional event at the Sun and Sand Sports store on Tuesday, the 46-year-old Dutchman said: “We really love it here. Playing outdoors could be a problem. They said it’s not windy but today we were on the roof by the swimming pool and it was windy, so I don’t know what we’re going to get on Thursday, we’ll see.”

The draw will be held today and van Barneveld says he’s not concerned about who he’s paired with but feels that van Gerwen is the man in form at the moment.

He added: “My form isn’t like I wish it was. It’s good but it’s not like a killer. I should be a killer more in all those finishes and doubles. One game could be won or lost on the one dart on a double, if you miss it, your head’s gone down and then you lose the match. If you hit then you can win the tournament.”

Meanwhile, Taylor says he’s been fascinated by what he’s seen of Dubai so far.

The 52-year-old Brit said: “I love it here. It’s like landing on a different planet to be quite honest. It’s awesome. It’s Vegas multiplied by 10, that’s what it is.

“The reception has been fantastic and the people seem to be really interested, because obviously there’s a lot of expats. It’s going well and I think if it goes again next year and the year after it’s going to keep getting better and better.

“I think everybody is playing okay at the minute, so it’s a case of just getting on with it," he added.

“I’m alright, a bit tired today, a bit jet-lagged. But a good night’s sleep tonight and I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

On the prospect of competing outdoors, Taylor said: “I’ve never done it before. So we’ll see how that goes.

“Some people can handle it better I suppose, but we’ve never done it before so it’s new. I’ve been there (Dubai Tennis Stadium) before so I know what to expect, but the lads have not seen it yet.”

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Al Jazira captain Diaky on his way to Al Ahli

Martyn Thomas — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:24:50 +0000

Al Ahli have already started their summer recruitment process as Al Jazira captain Ibrahim Diaky reveals a deal to join the Pro League runners-up is “80 per cent” complete.

But the Red Knights still face competition from two other unnamed UAE clubs, while teams from Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also shown an interest in the Al Jazira club captain.

Diaky, who missed Monday night’s 3-1 win at Bani Yas with sickness, has started just one of Jazira’s last 10 games in all competitions and has decided it’s time for a new challenge.

“We are negotiating with the club, they really want me to come there for the next season,” Diaky told Sport360° about reports linking him with Ahli. “We are still negotiating but I think 80 per cent it will be done.”

The Ivory Coast-born midfielder’s nine years in Abu Dhabi have coincided with Jazira’s rise from perennial underachievers to regular title challengers.

Diaky, the club’s all-time leading scorer, has helped the previously trophy-less outfit to the Gulf Club Champions Cup, UAE Federation Cup, Etisalat Cup, two President’s Cups and the Pro League.

But, while he will leave the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium with a heavy heart, he believes now is the time to use his experience to help another club.

“Jazira is like my family and I have been here for so long. Of course I will be sad but I think it is time for me to have a new challenge and give my best for another team,” he added.

“I still have one year with Al Jazira but why not try to help another team and give them my best and try to win a championship with another team?”

Given he still has 12 months remaining on his contract at Jazira, Ahli will have to agree a fee with the club before Diaky is released. And publicly at least Jazira are insisting they are yet to receive an official approach from their Dubai-based rivals.

First team manager, Ayed Mabkhout, said: “Until now we have not received anything from Al Ahli or any other club and we have heard these things for a long time.

“Every summer we hear these stories but until now we haven’t received anything official.”

Mabkhout added: “Diaky has been at Jazira for a long time, he is our captain and we would like him to stay with us.”

Milla future

Defeat in last week’s Etisalat Cup final against Ajman means Jazira will end the season without silverware for the first time in four years. Monday’s win at Bani Yas means the Abu Dhabi club will at least secure a top three finish – and most probably a place in the 2014 AFC Champions League qualifying round – with a home win over Al Wahda this Saturday.

However question marks over manager Luis Milla’s future refuse to go away with the Spaniard’s name omitted from the official Pro League team list for the second time in his three-month reign ahead of kick-off in Al Shamkha.

Mabkhout, though, insists Milla is going nowhere. “We are working with him and Inshallah we will keep our position in third,” he said.

“We lost the Etisalat Cup but before he came we lost the Super Cup, the league and the President’s Cup so we cannot say it’s because of him we lost the Etisalat Cup. His contract is with us until the end of next season and Inshallah he will be with us.”

- Al Jazira make Pro League history with win at Bani Yas

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IPL: Hussey and Raina lead Chennai's march into final

Sudhir Gutpa — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:02:31 +0000

The Chennai Super Kings remained on course for their third Indian Premier League title on Tuesday, recording a 48-run win over the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1 thanks to big half centuries from Mike Hussey and Suresh Raina.

Chennai scored 192 for one, with Hussey unbeaten on 86 and Raina on 82, and Mumbai were then bowled out for 144.

Mumbai were on track for a win when opener Dwayne Smith was in the middle, but they crumbled from 87 for one to 144 all out 10 overs later. While Chennai advance straight to Sunday’s final, Mumbai will get a second chance in Qualifier 2 against the winner of today’s eliminator between the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

It will be Chennai’s fifth final in six editions. The only time they failed to make it to the title round was in IPL2 held in South Africa where they lost in the semi-finals.

Despite a healthy total on board, Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, felt it was not enough. “We always tell our players that when you get a start, you need to grab it. I thought we were 10 runs short.

“Hussey gave us a good start but Raina gave us the edge in the middle of the innings,” he said.

Hussey was modest about his run charge and said: “It has been nice to be able to contribute to certain team wins and get us into the position of being in the grand final.

“I do not really think too much about how I am going personally. It is more about how much I can contribute to a team win. I always believe the key to batting is partnerships and I am glad we got our partnerships going against Mumbai.”

The Mumbai captain, Rohit Sharma, conceded his team were not up to the mark and hoped to come good in Qualifer 2 in Kolkata on Friday.

“There’s always a second chance, but I am disappointed the way we played. Dinesh (Karthik) and I got out at the wrong time. We had a wonderful start but didn’t capitalise. It is not a good sign.

“Kolkata will be a different surface but we have had a good set of results there so hope it goes well,” he added.

Earlier, Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat first, and aside from the loss of Murali Vijay for 23, they flew along unhindered. Hussey became the tournament’s top run scorer (732 runs) with this knock, and struck 10 fours and two sixes.

Raina did his Champions Trophy preparation a world of good with his effort, striking five sixes and five fours in a 42-ball innings. The fans were treated to a blistering batting display as the duo raised 140 runs in 12.4 overs.

The Mumbai bowlers were at a loss, with four of the six going for more than 10 to the over. Mumbai’s knock suffered an early loss of Aditya Tare, but Smith was superb reaching 68 off 28 balls, including five sixes. Such was Smith’s dominance that in a partnership of 75 runs with Karthik, the latter contributed only nine.

The mayhem couldn’t have continued forever and Dhoni introduced one of his go-to men, Ravindra Jadeja (3-31), which turned out to be the masterstroke. Smith misread the length of a Jadeja delivery and his mistimed shot ballooned up for Raina to complete the formalities. The left-arm spinner then bowled an arm ball which trapped Karthik plumb in front of the wicket trying a sweep shot.

With the run-rate building up, skipper Rohit Sharma tried to force the pace but ended up holing out in the deep off Morris and Mumbai slumped to 101 for four from a relatively strong 87 for one.

Kieron Pollard did hit a couple big sixes off Jadeja but the bowler had the last when the burly all-rounder gave a simple catch to short fine leg fielder while attempting to flick it over the top. With Pollard back in the dug-out, a victory was out of the question. Bravo (3-9) and Mohit Sharma (2-32) then polished off the tail without much difficulty.

Watch highlights of Chennai's convincing win here:

LEADING FIGURES

Top batsmen
1. Michael Hussey (Chennai) 732 runs
2. Chris Gayle (Bangalore) 708 runs
3. Virat Kohli (r) (Bangalore) 634 runs

Top six-hitters
1. Chris Gayle (r) (Bangalore) 51
2. Rohit Sharma (Mumbai) 28
3. Kieron Pollard (Mumbai) 25

Top bowlers
1. Dwayne Bravo (r) (Chennai) 28 wickets
2. James Faulkner (Rajasthan) 26 wickets
3. Vinay Kumar (Bangalore) 23 wickets

Most Valuable Player
1. Shane Watson (Rajasthan) 351 points
2. Chris Gayle (Bangalore) 349 points
3. Dwayne Bravo (Chennai) 289.5 points

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Are you King of the Rock? Represent the UAE at Alcatraz

Jon Turner — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:04:14 +0000

Red Bull are calling all UAE ballers to sign up to their King of the Rock qualifiers for the chance to pit their wits against the world’s top talent in a one-on-one, best-of-the-best tournament at Alcatraz.

Alcatraz, aka The Rock, is the venue for this unique basketball tournament where the best one-on-one players from the United States and the rest of the world battle it out to be crowned the ‘King of the Rock’.

The UAE is one of the countries handed a place in the tournament, but with competition in the Emirates fierce, Red Bull will be hosting three qualifying events before a final to decide who will represent our country in California.

Dubai will host the first qualifying round on June 7 and Sharjah the second on June 14, before Abu Dhabi completes the list of UAE finalists on June 21.

The overall winner - and the player to represent the UAE - will then be discovered in Dubai on June 28 in a final showdown.

The venues for the Dubai and Sharjah qualifiers are yet to be confirmed but if you hope to compete in the capital, then get down to the Family and Skate Park on the Corniche.

Last year’s UAE winner Qais Omar will be back to stake his claim and is again among the favorites to represent the nation in the States.

The King of the Rock for the last two years, Hugh ‘Baby Shaq’ Jones will be looking for his third title and will be the man to beat as the world descends on Alcatraz in September.

If you think you have the skills to compete not just with the UAE’s best, but the world’s then book your place now. You can register online at www.redbullmea.com, call 0559371203 or simply turn up on the day.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Sheikh Mansour & Man City complete MLS club deal

Andy Hampson — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:17:12 +0000

Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has continued to expand his sporting portfolio after it was confirmed Manchester City and the New York Yankees have formed an agreement to purchase an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer.

New York City Football Club will become the 20th club in MLS in 2015 after a deal worth around 100million US dollars (AED367million) was concluded. The two clubs and MLS announced the partnership after a meeting at the league's headquarters in central New York.

Sheikh Mansour purchased City in 2008 and has invested heavily in turning the Premier League club into a major force. His bankrolling of City helped them land the Premier League title in 2012, their first league triumph in 44 years.

And with an eye on the ever-expanding US soccer market, Sheikh Mansour and City, along with the Yankees, will own an MLS franchise, which will hope to be competing from the 2015 season.

City chief executive Ferran Soriano said: "New York is a legendary sports town, as well as a thriving global city with a rapidly expanding soccer fanbase.

"We are thrilled to contribute to the energy and growth of New York City soccer.

"In the Yankees, we have found the absolute best partner for developing a world-class sports organisation and a winning team that will carry the New York City Football Club name with pride."

Majority owner

City will be the majority owner of the new venture, with the Yankees, who previously had a commercial agreement with Manchester United, being an active member of the ownership group.

The new club does not presently have a home but discussions are under way over the construction of a new stadium at Flushing Meadows in the Queens borough of the city. They will play at a temporary location until a development is completed.

MLS commissioner Don Garber said: "We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious global sports organisations to Major League Soccer.

"This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country."

New York City will operate as a separate entity to Manchester City, although there will inevitably be close links between the teams.

Soriano will now begin the process of putting in place a separate administration for the new entity, which will in turn appoint coaching staff and begin player recruitment.

Manchester City's possible expansion into the MLS was rumoured last month, although it was suggested it would be more of an enterprise undertaken by owner Sheikh Mansour rather than the club itself.

Something special

The involvement of the Yankees builds on a partnership City already have with baseball's most famous club through Legends Hospitality, an international catering organisation. City are also due to play at Yankee Stadium in their second match against Chelsea on Saturday.

The Yankees will not be involved in the football side of the business but will bring their considerable commercial expertise to the operation.

Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner of the New York Yankees, said: "We look forward to the opportunity to work with Manchester City to create something very special for the soccer fans of New York - and to bringing another terrific team to this city for all sports fans to enjoy."

The right time

MLS feel the time is right for expansion having seen considerable growth in attendances and viewing figures over the past six years. They also wanted to bring an extra team to New York to build a rivalry with the Red Bulls, who are based in New Jersey.

The new venture has the support of mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said: "Soccer is one of the world's most exciting and popular sports, and it should be played on the world's biggest stage - in New York City.

"New Yorkers are the greatest sports fans in the world, and they will welcome a Major League Soccer franchise with the full-throated and loyal support they are famous for."

Negotiations to potentially build at Flushing Meadows Corona Park began last year and are set to continue.

Soriano said: "New York City FC will have a permanent home in the city in the great traditions of New York sports and world soccer - a home that must be a sports, commercial and civic success.

"But in considering any stadium site, we will listen first.

"This is what we have always done in Manchester and what we will do in New York. Only in this way, can the club truly represent the City whose name it will carry."

- FEATURE (Part 2): How Man City & Sheikh Mansour have built their American dream

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UAE 'lottery winner' to achieve lifelong dream at Iron Man Hawaii

Jon Turner — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:14:05 +0000

UAE resident Michael Haseldine will be tackling a “lifelong goal” when he takes his place at the start line of the Iron Man World Championships in Hawaii.

Haseldine was granted a place at October’s event through the lottery system, which grants 100 athletes – 50 Americans and 50 from the rest of the world – the chance to race alongside the world’s best ultra-triathletes.

Iron Man events are regarded as the ultimate test of physical endurance, with athletes required to take on the gruelling 3.8km ocean swim followed by an often windblown 180km cycle before a full 42.2km marathon to finish.

The Australian has competed in one previous Iron Man – in Nice in 2010 – and having finished just short of an automatic qualifying place, has entered himself for the lottery each year since in the hope of being one of those lucky few to be selected.

And this year Haseldine, who will be the UAE’s sole representative, has got his break and is clearly grateful for the opportunity.

“For many athletes, it is a life-long goal to be able to compete in Hawaii; that is why I have entered the lottery the last few years and luckily my name was drawn this year,” he tells Sport360.

“I’ve maintained a good level of fitness and have been involved in some running and cycling events,” Haseldine adds. “But when that email came through notifying me of my place, I got stuck straight into a higher level of training.”

The higher level of training Haseldine is referring to consists of mostly two sessions a day – morning and evening – where five hour cycles rides, two and a half hour runs and four kilometre swims are the norm.

“Ideally I’d like to go under 11 hours,” Haseldine says of his aim. “But Hawaii is a pretty tough Iron Man course with tough conditions. There is often a strong wind coming in off the sea, and it’s hot.”

The idea of competing in an Iron Man to many is too daunting an experience, with the physical demands too extreme for most people.

And even a proficient competitor like Haseldine admits there will be a few nerves when he takes to the start line.

“To compete in Hawaii is a dream for a lot of people so there is a great deal of excitement at being part of it,” he explains. “In any event like this, there are always a few nerves. You know you’ve done the hard work to get there and get through the course, but then it is difficult to prepare for the unexpected challenges that might occur on the day.”

Physical stamina for such an event is one thing, mental preparation quite another. But Haseldine is confident that he will be ready for whatever the Hawaii course throws at him.

“It always gets tough at certain stages but regardless of how hard it gets, it’s one of those occasions where you dig deep to find that bit extra to make sure you finish,” he says.

“For me knowing I’ve done the physical stuff and the hours of preparation, that goes a long way to helping with the mental side of things.

“Knowing that this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity in itself is plenty of motivation to see you over the finish line.”

As a lottery ‘winner’, Haseldine has avoided qualifying through the conventional means, and it is a system he says has drawn criticism from certain sections of the triathlon community. But it is not about to faze Haseldine, who is staying focused on his own objectives leading up to race day.

“The lottery system is something that is frowned upon by a lot in the triathlon community. They might argue that as it’s the world championships then only the best of the best should be competing in such an event,” he states.

“I’m not too bothered about all of that though, I’m focused on my own thing and achieving my own goals.

"A training friend of mine, who qualified for an Iron Man at the age of 65, told me that it doesn’t matter how you get there, just as long as you perform when you’re there.

“And that is how I’m looking at it.

“If there is a system in place that allows people to enter through a lottery, then they deserve to use that and take their chance.”

Haseldine is the Head of Physical Education at the Australian International School in Sharjah, and thus will be competing as a non-professional. He is looking to raise sponsorship money to help out with travel and accommodation costs.

EFI International and Dr Francine Pinnuck, International Director of EFI International, have been very generous in contributing funds towards a triathlon bike for Michael. EFI International is an Australian company with offices in the UAE. Dr Francine Pinnuck is the manager of World & Olympic champion Australian track cyclist Anna Meares.

If you or your company would like to give some assistance to helping Michael out in this endeavour please contact Wade Lunt at uaelunts@gmail.com. Any assistance will go a long way.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Chelsea? Monaco? Real Madrid? It's up to you, Falcao

Nathan Williams — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:10:41 +0000

Atletico Madrid left this summer's expected blockbuster transfer in Radamel Falcao's hands on Tuesday when they admitted the prolific striker was free to leave and decide his own future.

Chief executive Miguel Angel Gil-Marin said he didn't know if Falcao would still be at the club after his 28 La Liga goals this season reportedly attracted multi-million dollar offers from some of Europe's top clubs.

"Next season? I don't know, it depends on the player," Gil-Marin told reporters in Singapore. "If the player decides to go, Atletico will help him. Or if he prefers to be with us, for us it's perfect."

Chelsea, Monaco, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City -- who are preparing a record £54 million (AED 300m) deal, according to British press -- have all been linked to the long-haired Colombian.

Falcao did little more than give a thumbs-up to waiting media as he arrived for a football clinic with schoolchildren at Singapore's Jalan Besar Stadium, where Atletico will play a friendly on Wednesday.

But last week, the 27-year-old laughed off intense speculation he was about to sign for Monaco.

"If you believe what is being reported, I have already signed for half the clubs in Europe: Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid," Falcao said.

"Last year, before the (Europa League) final in Bucharest (against Athletic Bilbao), people said I was going to leave and that the club didn't have the budget to keep me.

"All I can say is that I have a contract with Atletico and everything else is speculation."

Atletico arrived in Singapore fresh from last week's Spanish Cup victory over arch-rivals Real, in which Falcao set up his team's first goal.

- Torres, Aguero & now Falcao: Atletico admit they will sell talisman

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Napoli to hold talks with Man City over Cavani-Dzeko swap deal

Sport 360 staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:41:21 +0000

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed on Tuesday that he would be willing to discuss a deal with Manchester City that would see strikers Edin Dzeko and Edinson Cavani move in opposite directions.

"I have said to (sporting director Riccardo) Bigon: 'Go and see City to negotiate a bit for Dzeko and see what they are prepared to do for Cavani," De Laurentiis said during a public meeting in Naples.

The Napoli president has already indicated that he would be willing to release the Uruguayan striker, who was the top scorer in Serie A this season with 29 goals, for a fee of 60 million euros (AED 284m).

Cavani has scored 104 goals in three seasons for Napoli since signing from Palermo. His goals have helped Napoli qualify for the Champions League twice. They finished second in Serie A this season behind Juventus and won the Italian Cup last year.

A big-money signing from Wolfsburg in January 2011, Bosnian striker Dzeko scored 15 goals in all competitions in the season just finished, but has often had to make do with a place on the City bench.

Meanwhile, De Laurentiis denied suggestions that he has been in contact with Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez about a move to southern Italy.

"I did not go to London for Benitez...it was to prepare the release of a film about Steve Jobs," said De Laurentiis, a film producer, in response to reports in the Italian press.

- Brazilian star confirms he wants Man City move

- OPINION: Mancini made his mark but now Pellegrini must deliver

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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IPL trio accused of spot-fixing refused bail

Sport 360 staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:25:58 +0000

Three Indian cricket players were refused bail on Tuesday after they appeared in court on spotfixing charges as police announced the arrest of a Bollywood actor over the scandal.

A court in New Delhi agreed a five-day custody extension for former Test paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and two teammates from the Rajasthan Royals who are accused of deliberately bowling badly in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars during the ongoing Indian Premier League, a Twenty20 competition.

"Police said they wanted to interrogate them further and also conduct raids on their houses," said S.K Rai, one of the prosecuting lawyers who was present at the hearing, told AFP.

Eleven other bookmakers who were arrested at the same time as the Rajasthan Royals players were also refused bail during the afternoon sitting.

Investigators told the court they had seized two million rupees (around $37,000) stashed in a cricket kit bag and hidden at the home to a relative of Ajit Chandila, one of the three Rajasthan Royals players in custody.

Police behind the arrests last week of Sreesanth, Chandila and their teammate Ankeet Chavan say the trio were acting under orders from international crime syndicates, whose bosses are based in the Gulf. Sreesanth, who is the most famous of three having played 27 Tests for India, is alleged to have been paid four million rupees (about $75,000) to give away 14 runs in an over in a match against Kings XI Punjab on May 9. His teammates are said to have agreed to similar deals in two other IPL matches.

The Rajasthan Royals on Monday suspended the contracts of the three players and promised to cooperate fully with the authorities in their investigation.

"The franchise is in daily contact with the police authorities in Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai for providing any cooperation or information that they might require," it said in a statement.

As the hearing was taking place in the capital, police in Mumbai said they had arrested the actor Vindu Dara Singh Randhawa, who is the son of the late Bollywood star Dara Singh, as part of the spot-fixing investigation.

"He has been arrested today," Mumbai police spokesman Satyanarayan Choudhary told AFP, without giving further details.

And in a further blow to the IPL, a seven-week competition which is reaching its finale, the struggling Pune Warriors franchise announced it was pulling out of the tournament. The decision is largely symbolic as the team has already finished their matches, finishing second from bottom of the tournament.

- Sreesanth family "shocked" at IPL spot-fixing charge

- Police: More IPL players involved in spot-fixing scandal

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Down the line: Nadal is back with a vengeance

Reem Abulleil — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:51:04 +0000

After less than four months back on Tour following a seven-month injury layoff, Rafael Nadal is back to No1 in the ATP Race and No4 in the world rankings thanks to making eight finals in all eight events he competed in, winning six titles en route.

Here’s a closer look at Nadal’s comeback:

* The Mallorcan will head to Paris as the No4 seed which means all the drama about a possible quarter-final between him and Roger Federer, Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic was unnecessary.

* Nadal has lost twice in 38 matches this year, once to Horacio Zeballos in his first tournament back, and once to Djokovic in Monte Carlo.

* The 25-year-old has had nine top-10 wins since he came back, including two over Federer, but is yet to beat Djokovic or Murray since his return.

* Nadal has saved 68 per cent of the break points he faced so far this season. That’s a higher percentage than any of the other top-five players.

Ultimately, Nadal is the Roland Garros favourite but even after his straight sets drubbing of Federer in the Rome final, he is still not at his very best... showing some vulnerabilities along the way.

If Djokovic gets his act together, he has a real shot at challenging the Spaniard for the Coupe des Mousquetaires.

Thumbs up - Tomas Berdych
The Czech snapped a horrendous 11-match losing streak to Novak Djokovic, a player Berdych told me he considers his “worst nightmare”, by coming back from a set down to beat the world No1 in three and make the semis. To put this win into perspective, Djokovic is 24-2 this season after winning the first set and only Berdych and del Potro have managed to rally against him in 2013.

Thumbs down - Rafa-Federer rivalry
This rivalry, one of the most famous in sport, has gone from giving us epic marathons like the Wimbledon 2008 final, to leaving us with a 69-minute one-sided affair in Rome on Sunday. The Rome final between the pair back in 2006 was so nail-biting, I remember I was on a trip with my friends at the Red Sea, where I left the sun and breathtaking beach for five hours to watch Nadal and Federer push each other to their limits until the Spaniard took the fifth-set tiebreak.

Seven years and 24 showdowns later, it’s getting harder and harder to get excited over a match between those two. Will meeting number 31 bring anything new to the table? I doubt.

Hilarious moment
Jerzy Janowicz’ “how many times” meltdown may have been remixed into a Eurovision song last week, but Viktor Troicki’s outburst during his match with Ernests Gulbis in Rome still topped the charts for me.

The Serb was arguing with the umpire that “even from space you can see there is no space” between the ball and the baseline in a disputed call and went on to grab the TV cameraman towards the mark to show the millions watching on TV that he was right. I’ve definitely never seen anything like this before.

- Federer upbeat for Roland Garros despite Rome drubbing

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Al Nasr chief Eriksson denies claims from Guangzhou R&F

Kenny Laurie — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:04:34 +0000

Al Nasr technical director Sven Goran Eriksson has moved to deny rumours that he is in talks with Guangzhou R & F, telling Sport360 he has had no contact with anyone at the Chinese club.

On Monday, a spokeswoman from Guangzhou, a club based in the capital of the boom southern province of Guangong, had claimed that the club were in talks with Eriksson.

"Eriksson is one of the candidates," said Chen Jie. "The club is currently in talks with him, however (the appointment) has not been finalised yet," before adding that the club's new manager would be “announced at a yet to be confirmed date in the future."

However, Eriksson has disputed the claims from Guangzhou by insisting he is not – and has never at any point been – in talks with the Chinese Super League side.

"I have not spoken to them at all, I don't know [about it]," Eriksson told Sport360. "I don't know anything. No, no one has contacted me."

It is not the first time the former England, Lazio and Manchester City coach has been at the centre of speculation since joining Nasr in January.

The Cameroon FA had publicly declared their interest in the 65-year-old Swede by claiming he was on a “shortlist” for their managerial vacancy.

And on that occasion, Eriksson offered a similar response by saying he had heard nothing from any Cameroonian officials.

Eriksson signed an 18-month contract when he landed in Dubai in January and therefore still has a year left on his deal.

The Swede has previously stated he wants to fulfill his contractual obligations and see through what he described as the “project” at the Maktoum Stadium.

In his role as technical director, Eriksson is tasked with with overseeing the club’s youth development, trying to increase the flow of youth players into the first team, and assisting in the club's transfer policy.

And the Swede is hoping to use his wealth of experience to help Nasr step up a level and begin competing for domestic and Asian honours.

Indeed, in an exclusive interview with Sport360, Eriksson revealed how much he was enjoying life in the UAE and his role at Nasr, suggesting he is not actively seeking to leave.

“I very much enjoy being here, it’s very easy to like the city and the country, Dubai is very, very good,” he said.“The football is better than I thought before I came.

“I have a contract for a year-and-a-half to start with and if things go well then why not stay longer?”

- INTERVIEW: Eriksson settling into Dubai life with Al Nasr

- Eriksson aims to transform Al Nasr into an 'Asian force'

- Setting the record straight: Eriksson on his own Man Utd 'move'

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Have fun in the sun at the Yas Volleyball Challenge

Kara Martin — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:19:29 +0000

Ready for another Yas Beach Challenge? Well, you don’t have to wait long.

Riding on the success of their recent popular Yas Kayak Challenge, Abu Dhabi’s hot, new beach project off island is organising the Yas Volleyball Challenge, the second sporting event in a series planned as part of management’s continuing efforts to encourage healthy outdoor activities and a sport-oriented lifestyle.

The inaugural Yas Kayak Challenge was a hit with serious and amateur kayakers and families alike and saw over 40 participants engage in a 6km race around the Mangrove Island overlooking Yas Beach, before tucking into a chilled atmosphere on the shore with great music and an open bar.

But paddle sports – operated on a daily basis there by local eco-tour specialists Noukhada – aren’t the only attraction at Yas Beach, which also boasts facilities for a thriving beach volleyball scene in the capital.

They have two casual volleyball courts, “which we hope to be in a position to upgrade prior to the Tournament,” said director of Marketing, events and corporate communications, Omar Al-Jaddou.

“The tournament itself will be mixed and is a double-elimination event,” he added. “We hope to attract around 30 teams consisting of four players each (120 participants). A poll on the number of players on each team on Yas Beach’s Facebook Page has already engaged over 3,600 people in the first three days, with the majority voting for a 4-a-side tournament.”

The Yas Volleyball Challenge, to be held on June 8, is expected to attract in excess of 500 people including participants and spectators and if you’re the competitive type, this could very well be your last challenge before it gets too unbearably sticky for outdoor sports in the UAE.

So why not sign on and start practising with peers from now? Registration per team will only set the four of you back by Dh250, and should be done by June 6.

SCHEDULE
June 6:
Registration deadline
June 7:
Playing roster announced
June 8:
Tournament starts: 10:30
Tournament ends: 14:00
Prize giving ceremony: 14:30
Reception: 15:00-19:00

In the mean time, head over to Yas and take to the courts. You could then follow up all that hard work digging and spiking with some R&R on a sun lounger or cabana.

Open till late every day, Yas Beach seeks to balance the requirements of local residents and hotel guests, with a designated family area complete with children’s toys, quiet areas for those seeking relaxation and atmospheric mood music, and even weekly beach-lounge sessions with a DJ in the evening on Fridays.

WHAT: Yas Volleyball Challenge
WHERE: Yas Beach, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
WHEN: Saturday, June 8
CONTACT & INFORMATION: Updates will regularly go up on Yas Beach’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/yasbeach) or you can email info@yasbeach.ae

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Early start for 2013/14 Pro League season

Martyn Thomas — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:50:12 +0000

The 2013-14 UAE football season will kick-off on August 30 with the Super Cup, the Pro League Committee has confirmed.

The curtain-raiser has been moved forward to allow the campaign to finish by May 18 in line with a FIFA directive ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The season proper will get underway a few days later with the first round of games in the revamped Etisalat Cup taking place on September 3 and 4.

Meanwhile the first round of Pro League league action is scheduled to take place on September 14 and 15.

Champions Al Ain have already booked their place in the Super Cup and will face the winners of next Tuesday’s President’s Cup final between Al Ahli and Al Shabab.

With the expansion of the Pro League to 14 teams this season came an initial change to the Etisalat Cup’s format, with two groups of five and one of four instead of the usual two groups of six.

However, the PLC has confirmed that it will be done away with after just one season. For the new campaign, two group of seven teams will play each other once with the top two from each qualifying for the semi-finals.

The fixture schedule for the 2013-2014 season was discussed in the FA & PLC joint committee’s meetings and approved following a workshop held by the Pro League Committee, which included representatives from the UAE’s professional clubs and national team coach Mahdi Ali.

The UAE have a busy schedule of Asian Cup qualifiers from September to November, and head to Saudi Arabia for a friendly tournament (September 6-10) which also features Trinidad & Tobago and New Zealand.

- Pro League relegation fight goes down to the wire

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Jiu-Jitsu flourishes as Abu Dhabi Cup details announced

Kara Martin — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:52:24 +0000

The UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) has announced details for their upcoming season-ending showpiece, the Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Cup, returning for its second edition from May 31 until June 2 at the Al Jazira Cultural and Sports Club.

More than 700 male and female competitors will challenge for medals across various Gi and No-Gi categories, among them around 200 professionals from the UAE and from several other countries including Brazil, Russia, Palestine, the Philippines, Australia, UK, France, USA and Morocco.

For the first time ever, organisers have introduced a class for special needs judokas aged 10-11, and six will take to the mats for their Cup debut next weekend alongside others aged 10-17 in the junior competition.

Looking back on a fruitful 2013 season, which was highlighted on a global scale by yet another outstanding Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championships in April, Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, UAEJJF vice chairman said that if it weren’t for the support and care shown by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to all jiu jitsu athletes, they would not have come this far.

Al Dhaheri said: “All the support and care granted by His Highness has lifted the name of the UAE high in international events. I also praise the unlimited support granted to this sport by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, which helped this sport to reach its highest level of achievement and become the number one sport in the UAE during a very short period.”

Mohamed bin Dalmouk Al Dhaheri, a UAEJJF board member, also highlighted the rapid growth in participation for the Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Cup, which last year welcomed just 250 entrants.

“A record number of male and females from all over the world throughout all ages and categories emphasises the significant development witnessed by this sport in its pursuit to fulfill the aspirations of its participants and champions, resulting in more experience and competition opportunities,” he said.

Entry is still open for competitors, until May 27, and spectators are free to come and watch the events which take place from 14:00-17:00 on day 1 (No Gi).

Day 2 will witness the adult Gi competition from 11:00-14:00 and day 3 the junior competition (11:00-14:00).

- Jiu-Jitsu's popularity on the rise in UAE

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Man City star backs Moyes to be Man Utd success

Alam Khan — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:33:04 +0000

Jack Rodwell has backed his former Everton manager David Moyes to be a big hit at Manchester United.

But the midfielder can’t wait to impress the new man at Manchester City who will be out to claim local bragging rights and reclaim the Premier League title next season.

In a dramatic conclusion to the Premier League campaign, Moyes will replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, while Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini is set to take charge at City following the departure of Roberto Mancini.

And Rodwell is looking forward to the next challenge as he said: “It’s all about the future now. Obviously a new manager will come in and everyone is intrigued to see who that is going to be. It’s a fresh start for everyone and we will all be on it.

“First game of next season everyone will be flying, and we will do our best to prove ourselves to the manager.

“It will be interesting having Moyes at United. It’s great for him to get the job. He is a great manager and I only have good things to say about him. I think he will do really well at United.”

While he will now be in the rival corner, it was Moyes who brought Rodwell through the ranks at Everton and developed him into an England international and one of the country’s most promising talents.

Injury has meant the 22-year-old has had little chance to show that at City, but a fine brace – including a dashing raid and calm finish for his second goal - showed his quality in Sunday’s final-game 3-2 defeat against Norwich.

And Rodwell, who was yesterday called into the England squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil, added: “Once I am fit, I can do what I did for that second goal, and I can do it for 90 minutes.

“I am a great believer in my ability but I’ve not had the chance to prove it. It’s just getting games under my belt, getting match fitness and hopefully next season I can do it a bit more. I have ended the season on a good note personally, now I can put my mind to rest and have a fresh start.”

READ MORE:

- Brazilian star wants Man City move

- FEATURE: A great American adventure awaits Man City and their Abu Dhabi owners

- FEATURE: How Man City and Sheikh Mansour have built their American dream

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Humaira crowned UAE's lady cricketer of the year

Sport 360 staff — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:29:35 +0000

Humaira Tasneem added another feather to her well-decorated cap when she won lady cricketer of the year at the annual Shyam Bhatia awards.

A regular member of the UAE team since 2008, she has played 25 matches and taken 22 wickets at an average of 16.31. Her best display of five for 18 came against a formidable Hong Kong side during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) women’s champonship in 2013.

Humaira, 18, who has led the UAE team in the ACC under-19 tournament in the past said: “I make it a point to practice every day and my aim is to establish women’s cricket here and represent the UAE well.

“This award is a huge boost and will push me to work harder.”

Outstanding players and umpires nominated by every cricket council in the UAE were rewarded with cash prizes in senior and junior divisions.

Local cricket promoter Shyam Bhatia has put on the ceremony for the past 13 years and it remains the only event to honour cricketing excellence in the UAE.

In all, he has honoured players with cash awards totalling Dh214,000, and ensures the prizes are handed by a cricket legend. This time it was former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas.

Zaheer Ul Haq (Abu Dhabi), Syed Zargham (Ajman), Tariq Butt (Dubai), Naveed Ismail (Sharjah) were adjudged best umpires by the respective councils while a special award went to to Akbar Ali, who has officiated 191 matches this season.

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

Division I
Best Player (Abu Dhabi Cricket Council): Mohammed Shafiq (Abu Dhabi Gymkhana).
Best Player (Dubai Cricket Council): Saqib Ali (Ibsons CC) who scored 395 runs and bagged 13 wickets in the Blenheim Champions Trophy .
Best Player (Sharjah Cricket Council): Mohammad Azam (Eurocon Alubond)

Division II
Best Player (Ajman Cricket Council): Nasir Aziz (Eurocon Alubond)
Best Player (Abu Dhabi Cricket Council): Amjad Ali (United Bank Limited)
Best Player (Dubai Cricket Council): Swapnil Patil (Yogi Group)
Best Player (Sharjah Cricket Council): Abdul Shakoor (Afridi CC)

Junior category
Best Junior Cricketer (Inter-school U-15 from Abu Dhabi CC): Justin D’Souza
Best Junior Cricketer (Inter-school U-16 from Dubai CC): Shorye Chopra
Best Junior Cricketer (Inter-school U-16 from Sharjah CC): Salah Shakeel

Best lady cricketer
Humaira Tasneem

- Dubai schoolboys raise money for labour camp cricket gear

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Brazilian star confirms he wants Man City move

Alam Khan — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:12:22 +0000

Fernandinho has confirmed he wants to join Manchester City.

The 28-year-old has been a long-standing target for City, who are looking to bolster their squad ahead of the reported impending arrival of Manuel Pellegrini as coach.

Fernandinho has already claimed that current club Shakhtar Donetsk are pricing him out of the market as they hold out for a fee close to the £42.5million escape clause inserted into his most recent contract, which is not due to expire until 2016.

Having helped Shakhtar to another title, it is clear the player wants to leave in order to boost his chances of making Brazil’s World Cup squad.

He has been left out of Confederations Cup plans by current boss Luis Felipe Scolari and, in responding to a question on Twitter from a City fan on Monday, has confirmed he wants to join the deposed Premier League champions.

When asked: “Do you want to join City? Please answer! Really hope you join”, Fernandinho replied: “yes my friend!!!”

City are currently unavailable for comment as they are flying to the United States for their two post-season encounters with Chelsea.

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Dubai comes to Davis Cup rescue after Myanmar issue

Reem Abulleil — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:09:04 +0000

The UAE has offered to host the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Groups III and IV tournaments, which were due to take place in Myanmar but were cancelled because of security concerns following civil unrest last month.

Tennis Emirates first deputy, Abdulrahman Falaqnaz, says he is almost certain the Davis Cup action will be held in Dubai at the Aviation Club this September, where Omar Behroozian and Hamad Al Janahi will lead the Emirati challenge in Group III.

“We have spoken to the ITF and told them we would like to host it and I would say that 98 per cent it is okay,” Falaqnaz told Sport360° at a board meeting held at the palace of Tennis Emirates president Sheikh Hasher bin Juma Al Maktoum on Monday.

“We also have the backing of the Dubai Sports Council and they will foot the bill for any differences that we might have as far as budget is concerned.”

The meeting rubber-stamped the appointment of Amina Taher and Sara Baqir to the board of Tennis Emirates, which now includes women for the first time.

Taher, who is the head of community engagement at Mubadala and has spearheaded programmes like the Mubadala Tennis in Schools programme as well as several community projects that accompany the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, will be responsible for the Development Council within Tennis Emirates where she aims to target the youth of the UAE and encourage them to take up the sport.

“It’s an honour yet a huge responsibility to be part of the UAE tennis federation,” she said. “What I think I’d like to add is how can we promote tennis among our community in the UAE as a whole, so we’re talking about the geographic and demographic reach.

"And at the same time how can we have Emirati youth take tennis not just as a hobby but also as a profession. We want to see the next Omar Behroozian in terms of women and men.”

Alongside Taher, Baqir will take responsibility for the Women’s Tennis Development Council. One of the biggest challenges facing the federation is the absence of a bespoke facility where UAE national players can practise.

While plans of building or procuring a national tennis centre for the federation are not in place, the board are hoping to use courts in various clubs across the UAE to cater for the players.

“We are trying our best and Sheikh Hasher has presented some ideas of how to go about it,” says Falaqnaz. “We will have various places hopefully where our players can practise but an actual tennis centre for the UAE, that is not there yet and we hope we can get it soon.

“At the moment our players practise in different courts.”

Salah Tahlak, the tournament director of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the financial director at Tennis Emirates, hopes clubs will cooperate and provide regular slots for national team players.

Tahlak said: “It’s important to have courts available and as for the Aviation Club, I will do my best effort to make it happen. The clubs in Dubai along with the Dubai Sports Council also have to make it happen.”

- No plans for Dubai Championships to upgrade to ATP 1000 status

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Real Madrid chief jumps to defence of outgoing Mourinho

Andy West — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:43:33 +0000

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists Jose Mourinho was not a failure as Los Blancos manager despite a turbulent few months at the Bernabeu.

Although he was granted the privilege of managing the most exp-ensively assembled squad in football history, the Portuguese boss only succeeded in claiming three trophies during his three years in charge – one of which was the lowly-regarded Spanish Super Cup.

When you also consider that Mourinho was recruited on the back of his previous Champions League successes with Porto and Inter Milan with the specific target of leading the club to their 10th European crown, it’s hard to escape the conclusion that his three-year reign was anything but successful.

Perez, however, claims to believe otherwise. He said: “I would like to express my gratitude for the hard work undertaken by Jose Mourinho, with whom we have taken a qualitative leap.”

Perez also used exactly the same phraseology to express his apparent satisfaction with the club’s progress during Mourinho’s tenure. “The balance with Jose Mourinho is positive,” he said. “We have made a qualitative leap with him.”

STAT: Mourinho's win ratio at Madrid was 72.16 per cent, second only to his time at Porto

Many Madrid fans and media will disagree with Perez’s repeated ins-istence that Mourinho improved the quality of the team during his time in charge, and they will also take issue with the president’s den-ial that his confrontational manner dented the morale of the club.

“Nine years ago we lived through a turbulent era and we hope that we won’t return to these times,” said Perez on Monday night in an appearance that came across as a stunt for his forthcoming presidential election campaign as much as an announcement of a manager’s departure.

“Madrid fans are more united than ever. This will be a new era and we hope the new coach will be a person who can help us to continue to grow. We have economic stability and high standards that we should never lose.”

POLL: Jose Mourinho - a success or failure at Madrid? Vote HERE

Perez also admitted that Mourinho’s departure has been on the agenda for a long time. “It’s true that we have been thinking about this topic for some time. But we haven’t established any pre-contract agreement with another coach, which is something I would like to make clear,” he added.

- OPINION: Mourinho was never a Real fit at Madrid, unlike Ancelotti

- OPINION: Chelsea return could be a Bridge too far for Mourinho's reputation

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England's Anderson much more skilful than pacy Steyn

David Clough — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:00:58 +0000

England hope Stuart Broad and the “mind-blowing” James Anderson can lead their Test attack for another four Ashes series at least.

The deadly duo already have five campaigns under their belts between them against England’s oldest cricketing foes – and in the 170-run Test victory over New Zealand at Lord’s, both proved they are on top of their game.

Anderson made history by becoming only the fourth Englishman to pass 300 Test wickets, and then on Sunday Broad’s career-best seven for 44 – with two wickets thrown in for good measure by his pace pal – blew the Kiwis away for 68 all out.

It was Broad who rightly hogged the headlines for perhaps his best performance yet, but England bowling coach David Saker shared the superlatives between the two new-ball protagonists – singling out Anderson as the world’s most skilful bowler, in his mind, ahead even of South Africa’s Dale Steyn.

It is Saker’s hope too that 30-year-old Anderson can remain England’s lynchpin seamer for the next “five or six years”. That is a period of time which would take in another four series against Australia, and possibly also bring the Ashes of 2019 – also a World Cup summer in England – into the reckoning.

At 26, of course, there is no reason to suppose Broad will not be around at least that long too.

Broad and Anderson were so supreme on Sunday that captain Alastair Cook did not even need anyone else to bowl.

Saker said of Anderson: “To me, he is the most skilful bowler in the world. I know Dale Steyn is an outstanding bowler – but when you watch Jimmy and the way he went about things here, he has got more skills than Steyn in his locker.

“Obviously Steyn is a little bit quicker – but when you watch Jimmy deliver those skills, it is just mind-blowing.”

The other wonder about Anderson, for Saker, is that he is always seeking self-improvement. “Jimmy, to me, keeps getting better. He is the one player I have coached who is never satisfied with what he has got ... and for him, it would be easy to be satisfied.

“I have never met a guy as good as him who wants to keep getting better. That is one of the reasons why he is as good as he is.”

It is one of the reasons too why Saker can see the athletic Lancastrian continuing for some time yet at the highest level. “He has got a body that can play for a lot longer.

“I hope he can take 400 wickets and be England’s greatest wicket-taker. That would be a great feat for him. He is a seasoned campaigner, who knows how to get the most out of his body.”

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Broad goes ballistic as England crush sorry New Zealand

Federer upbeat for French Open despite Nadal drubbing

Sport 360 staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:56:11 +0000

Roger Federer lost yet another match to Rafael Nadal on clay during their final clash at Rome Masters on Sunday but the Swiss remains positive of his game and form ahead of the French Open which begins on May 26.

Nadal utterly dominated his 30th encounter with his 31-year-old rival to clinch his seventh Rome title in nine years and lead Federer 20-10 in head-to-head encounters.

Since returning from a seven-month injury lay-off, Nadal has made it to eight consecutive finals. Only Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos (in Vina del Mar) and world No1 Novak Djokovic (in Monte-Carlo) have managed to beat Nadal this year.

Federer said despite the defeat, his spirits were up. “I am playing well and I am healthy, so I have everything to play for next week (ahead of the French Open,” said the Swiss maestro. “This week was good to get an idea about what is working.”

After taking a short break, Federer will travel to Paris and this will be the first time in 13 years the Swiss champion travels to Rolland Garros without the title under his belt. However, Federer admitted that given the form Nadal is in, the Spaniard “is now the favourite for Roland Garros”.

“Novak has beaten Rafa once in Monaco, so he knows how to win, but only Robin Soderling has beaten him in Paris. It will be difficult,” Federer explained.

Meanwhile, Nadal said he was looking forward to better performances in the coming weeks and that he was feeling fresh and ready despite the limitations due to his recent injuries.

“It’s true that I am not practicing as much as I did and I am not able to do it,” he said after his comprehensive win over Federer. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t have the chance to play at the very high level, and I am doing it. At the end the mental part is more important than the other things. I am fresh mentally.”

Nadal also said he wanted to only concentrate on his game and was getting tired of fielding questions regarding his fitness. “I said before the tournament, during the tournament, I don’t want to talk about health. I want to talk about tennis. I am what I am and how I am today is that I was able to compete against the best players in the world and have great success. So happy about my performance and happy about everything.”

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Real Madrid axe falls on Mourinho; Chelsea-bound?

David Cooper — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:16:16 +0000

Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea edged closer on Monday after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez confirmed the Portuguese is to leave the club at the end of the season by mutual consent.

Mourinho will take charge of Madrid's final matches of the La Liga season, away to Real Sociedad on May 26 and at home to Osasuna on June 2, after which he will depart the club.

Mourinho, who has been strongly linked with a return to Chelsea - a team he managed between 2004 and 2007, has endured a torrid final season in charge of Los Blancos culminating in Friday's defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final that ensured Real end the season without a major trophy.

However, Perez declared that Mourinho had come to an agreement with the club to rescind his contract meaning would-be suitors Chelsea will not have to pay compensation should the wish to appoint 50-year-old.

Mourinho will also receive no pay-off from the Spanish despite a clause in his contract stipulating that he would be due €20million in the event he was sacked before the expiration of the deal in 2016.

"No one has sacked anyone, it has been a mutual agreement," Perez said. "It is not nice for anyone to have to leave but it is also true that after three years we both decided it was the right moment to break this relationship."

"On behalf of the directors, I would like to thank Jose Mourinho for his hard work over the last three years."

Mourinho's time in charge of the nine-time European champions has been littered with high profile bust-ups with the local media and many of his stellar squad of world class players, but Perez hailed his demanding standards throughout his time in charge.

"He is a very demanding coach, with himself and with the rest and this wears you down," he said. "The important thing is that we have recovered the level that we didn't have before."

Perez added that the club had not come to any agreement, or signed any pre-contract with a coach, declaring they would begin searching for Mourinho's successor in the coming days.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has been touted as the front runner and admitted on Sunday that he had met with his current club's president Nasser Al Khelaifi and director of football Leonardo to inform them of his desire to leave the Ligue 1 champions and join Madrid.

Al Khelaifi confirmed that but reiterated that the club wanted the Italian to see out his contract, which expires in 2014.

Fall from grace

Mourinho's time in charge at the Bernabeu did have its successes as he guided Real to the Spanish title last season and won the club's first Copa del Rey for 20 years back in 2011.

Los Blancos also reached three Champions League semi-finals under Mourinho, but ultimately it was his failure to lead Real to their treasured 10th European title that will mark his legacy in the Spanish capital.

The Portuguese was heavily criticised for his overly defensive approach in a number of meetings with eternal rivals Barcelona during his first year in charge as Madrid were humbled 5-0 at the hands of the Catalans and also dumped out of the Champions League by Barca in a bad tempered semi-final.

The following season was to prove Mourinho's best in Spain as Real finally overcame Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona side on the domestic front to claim their first title in four years. It was also a title won in style as Real racked up 121 goals and a record 100 points.

Mourinho's generally successful first two years in charge has now been blotted by a disruptive final season when he seemed to be in constant conflict with senior members of his squad. Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil were singled out early in the campaign as Real started slowly on the domestic front to hand Barcelona an early advantage in the league which they have never relinquished.

Thereafter, club icon Iker Casillas became the subject of the former Chelsea boss' ire as he was dropped in favour of Diego Lopez and hasn't played at all since January.

Madrid's season did briefly come together in seven days as February turned into March with victories over Barca in the Copa del Rey and Manchester United in the Champions League. However, after also getting beyond Galatasaray, Mourinho's Madrid were once again eliminated in the semi-finals of the Champions League as this time a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in the first-leg gave them too much of a mountain to climb in the return despite a late rally to win 2-0 on the night.

And Madrid's miserable campaign was completed by a first defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu in 17 months in the cup final as Atleti won a derby for the first time in 14 years to force Mourinho to accept it had been the "worst season of his career".

Election

Meanwhile, Perez also announced that Madrid's presidential election will take place the day after Mourinho leaves the club, on Monday June 3.

It is expected that he will be unopposed in the election, with no candidates having put themselves forward two weeks before the election is due to take place.

- OPINION: Mourinho's abrasive manner ensures few will be sorry to see him leave Real Madrid

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Al Jazira make Pro League history at Bani Yas

Martyn Thomas — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:26:33 +0000

RESULT: Bani Yas 1 (Hamad 15') Al Jazira 3 (Mousa 42', Oliveira 55', 61')

Al Jazira assumed control of the race for third as they came from a goal behind to secure their first win at Bani Yas in the Pro League era.

Three previous visits to Al Shamkha since the advent of professionalism in the UAE had produced two draws and a defeat, and that run looked like continuing as Saleh Hamad gave the hosts a 15th-minute lead.

However Jazira were level by the break as Abdulla Mousa headed home and two Ricardo Oliveira goals in the space of six second-half minutes confirmed their win.

Bani Yas would end the game with nine men after both Thamer Mohammed and Amer Abdulrahman were show two yellow cards.

The latter’s dismissal will be particularly alarming given his bookings were for dissent and kicking the ball away. The UAE midfielder had to be restrained by several team-mates having been shown his initial caution in the first period and did not react well to his eventual sending off.

The victory ensured the visitors reclaimed third spot and are now two points clear of their hosts heading into the final round.

Bani Yas caretaker coach Salem Ali Al Orafi must hope defeat is not too damaging to his side’s chances in the second leg of the GCC Champions League final here on Thursday. Although his starting 11 showed nine changes from the side that secured a promising 1-1 draw at Al Khor last Friday.

Kick-off in Al Shamkha was greeted with a loud crash from the main grandstand as a pain of glass fell from the large executive box, and that set the tone for an oft-fractious first 45 minutes.

It was Jazira who had the ball in the back of the net first, but the assistant referee’s flag was raised before Fernandinho dinked deftly over Mohsin Al Hashmi. The Brazilian winger was then denied a penalty as he lost was set clear on goal by a wonderful through ball from Matias Delgado only to lose his footing while taking the ball around Mohsin Al Hashmi.

Less than three minutes later Jazira fell behind as Hamad cut in from the left wing and onto his right foot and unleashed a pin-point drive into the far bottom corner.

As Jazira began to look for a way back into the game and Khamis Esmail particularly began to snap into tackles tempers on the home side began to fray. Nick Carle and Fawaz Awana both had to restrain an aggrieved, and booked, Abdulrahman.

But with three minutes of the half remaining the visitors found an equaliser as Mousa was in the right place to glance Matias Delgado’s centre following a short corner with Oliveira.

Bani Yas thought they should have had a penalty of their own as Salim Ali clattered Khaled Mubarak at the beginning of the second half, but it would be their own defensive lapses that cost them. Having gifted Fernandinho a run on goal only to see his shot hit the upright, Jazira were again handed possession as the Brazilian laid on a goal for his compatriot, Oliveira.

And after Mohammed had collected his second booking for a foul out on the left wing, Fernandinho again squared for Oliveira to wrap up victory.

With 18 minute left Bani Yas were reduced to nine men as Abdulrahman petulantly kicked the ball away and though Jazira had chances to increase their lead they seemed happy to settle for an important win.

TALKING POINTS

Abdulrahman petulance
He is undoubtedly a very gifted footballer but some of the less palatable sides of Amer Abdulrahman’s game were on show here. Perhaps aggrieved that he has lost his place as a first-team regular and definitely perturbed by some tough tackling his reaction was nothing but petulant and he deserved to be sent off.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Fernandinho (Al Jazira)

Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet but set up both second-half goals for Jazira and can be happy with one of his better evenings at the Abu Dhabi club.

KEY CONCLUSION

Bani Yas must hope this doesn’t harm their GCC chances but with a near-reserve side on the field that should not be a problem. For Jazira they now have AFC qualification in their own hands.

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A meeting of minds at Dubai Football Academies Forum

Reem Abulleil — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:47:10 +0000

For a second straight year, the annual Dubai Football Academies Forum returns to the emirate, bringing together some of the top football experts in the world with the goal to help develop youth football in the country.

Members of the sports industry in the UAE are welcome to attend the forum, organised by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), which will take place from June 1-2 at the InterContinental Hotel, Festival City and will include speakers from the UAE, other nations in Asia and Europe, as well as representatives from FIFA.

Dubai household names like ex-Real Madrid star Michel Salgado – now the director of football at Dubai Sports City Football Academy – and former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson – technical advisor to Al Nasr – are also expected to take part in the forum.

Representatives from FIFA, UEFA and the Japan Football Association will discuss details of their youth development programmes and narrate success stories. Topics such as the role of science and research in developing talent and the social role of football academies will also be discussed.

“I have a fantastic story to tell young aspiring players of how I dreamed and made it to the highest stage in football," said Salgado. “It’s an amazing story and I hope it can inspire some of the footballers from the UAE to play on the international stage in the near future.

"The football academies sector is pivotal in the world of professional football and top players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi were all kids at one point and required the proper development.

“The football clubs here are putting a lot of effort into youth development but there needs to be a system that can nurture young talents in the right way and motivate them so those promising youngsters can become professio-nal football players in the long run.

“I’m proud that the Dubai Sports Council has trusted me to take part in this forum,” he added.

Leading up to the forum, the DSC have planned a series of events which they have dubbed the Dubai Football Academies Week. The events kick off today with a visit from some UAE national team players to the youth teams in various clubs across Dubai to share their experiences in a session titled “You are the Future”.

On Tuesday, Al Ahli will make a presentation at the DSC premises on their new football academy that is scheduled to be launched in September.

This Thursday will witness two sessions – one focusing on getting UAE coaches prepared to take over various coaching assignments in professional clubs and the second one on preparing junior goalkeepers for the future and placing them in the clubs.

The week-long activities will culminate at the forum, where all Dubai football clubs will gather and share their own youth development plans.

Members of the football industry in the UAE are encouraged to attend, free of charge, and can register at the InterContinental Hotel Festival City from 8.30am on June 1, with the sessions set to commence at 9am.

WHAT: Dubai Football Academies Forum
WHEN: June 1-2, 2013. Lead up events begin today at DSC.
WHERE: InterContinental Hotel Festival City
INFORMATION: Log on to www.dubaisportscouncil.ae

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Torres, Aguero & now Falcao: Atletico will sell talisman

Simon Foster — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:05:45 +0000

Atletico Madrid have confirmed they have an agreement in place to allow star striker Radamel Falcao to leave the Vicente Calderon this summer.

The 27-year-old Colombian has enjoyed a remarkable two seasons with the club, scoring 70 goals in 90 games and helping the club win the Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and Copa del Rey.

Falcao's goals have also propelled Los Rojiblancos to Champions League qualification for next season, although it it unlikely he will be around to spearhead their campaign as some of Europe's elite clubs chase his signature.

Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City have long been linked, but it is a move to ambitious French side AS Monaco, backed by billionaire Russian Dmitry Rybolovlev, that appears the most likely destination.

And Atletico's CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin admits the Spanish club will not stand in the striker's way should he pursue a move elsewhere.

“Before the start of the season we talked with Falcao and promised him that if he kept the same performance and helped us into the Champions League, we would help him,” Marin admitted.

“Whatever decision he takes, we will be with him. We know what makes a good striker – we have sold and replaced Fernando Torres, Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero.

“And now it is Falcao. I don't exactly who will be here next season, but you can be sure that Atletico will have a strong team.”

Speaking in Dubai last December, Gil conceded it would be impossible for Atletico to match the riches Falcao will likely command in the Principality, London or Manchester.

"I prefer he remains with me, I don’t need to sell the rights of Radamel, but he’s human and if you receive a proposal with seven times your salary I am sure you would decide to go," he said.

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Real Madrid set to announce Mourinho's exit

Sport 360 staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:21:03 +0000

Real Madrid have called a press conference for Monday evening (10pm UAE time) amid growing speculation over the future of coach Jose Mourinho.

Madrid president Florentino Perez will speak to the media at 8pm local time at the club's Bernabeu stadium, the Spanish giants have announced in a statement on their website.

Madrid have not given any details regarding the subject of the press conference but the future of Mourinho has dominated Spanish media since Real's Copa del Rey final loss to Atletico Madrid on Friday night.

Perez is expected to confirm Mourinho's departure after three years at the club with the Portuguese likely to remain in charge for Madrid's final two games of the season against Real Sociedad (away) and Osasuna (home).

Mourinho, who last summer signed a contract extension with Madrid tying him to the club until 2016, has been closely linked with a move back to former club Chelsea.

The 50-year-old Portuguese has helped Madrid claim three trophies during his three years at the Bernabeu, winning the Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercopa.

However, they failed to defend their league title this season, surrendering it to arch rivals Barcelona, and suffered further disappointment with their cup final defeat to Atletico - their first loss to their neighbours in 14 years.

During Mourinho's tenure, Madrid also suffered three successive semi-final exits in the Champions League - a competition the club have been desperate to win since their ninth and last triumph in 2002.

According to reports in Spain, the press conference could also see Perez confirm details about this summer's presidential elections at the club as well as possibly talking about the coaching situation.

Carlo Ancelotti has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Mourinho should the former Inter Milan and Porto boss leave Madrid.

On Sunday night, Ancelotti, another former Chelsea manager, informed Paris Saint-Germain of his desire to leave the newly-crowned Ligue 1 champions.

However, Ancelotti still has a year on his contract at the Parc des Princes and the French club's owners look unlikely to let the Italian go without a fight.

Club president Nasser Al Khelaifi told beinsport.fr: "Yes, we had discussions, he asked to depart for Real Madrid. "I said it is not possible because he has a contract for one year more, so that is our decision.

"It is his problem, it is not our problem. We have offered him another year more on his contract as well as the one he has. When you have a contract, everyone is normally obliged to honour that."

Ancelotti said at Sunday night's Ligue 1 awards evening: "Real is a possibility but I have a year left on my contract. It is the club who will decide.

"We have to decide together. My decision is to leave the club. It is not easy because I have had a very good relationship with everyone.

"It is not the time to explain the reason why I wish to leave the club, and perhaps I will never explain it."

- OPINION: Mourinho's abrasive manner ensures few will be sorry to see him leave Real Madrid

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Encke one of seven more Godolphin horses to test positive

Sport 360 staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:55:29 +0000

The doping scandal surrounding Godolphin deepened on Monday after it was confirmed seven more horses in the care of former trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni tested positive for banned anabolic steroids, including last year's St Leger hero Encke.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) undertook an extensive testing programme at the Moulton Paddocks yard of the trainer following his eight-year suspension after he admitted adminstering banned drugs to 15 horses in his care.

The BHA testing has now uncovered another seven horses, including the Doncaster winner, who have returned positive results for the steroid stanozolol.

Testing at the other Godolphin yard of Saeed bin Suroor returned no positive results for banned substances, the BHA said, clearing the way for the trainer to take temporary charge of the Moulton Paddocks stables.

Encke, a 25-1 outsider for the St Leger last September, will now be banned from running for six months, meaning he cannot return to action until October 29.

The other six horses - Energizer, Genius Beast, Improvisation, Stamford, Steeler and Zip Top - will also be barred from racing until that date.

Al Zarooni has lodged an appeal against the severity of his initial suspension and the BHA has confirmed it will not take any further action until that matter is resolved, with the last week in June currently favoured as a potential hearing date.

Adam Brickell, director of integrity, legal and risk for the BHA, said: "We will not be taking any separate action in respect of these additional positive results whilst Mr Al Zarooni's appeal process is on-going.

"In the meantime, the latest findings from HFL Sport Science will form the subject of further interviews as part of the BHA's continuing investigation.

"From the outset, one of the aims of the investigation, in addition to trying to understand the environment within which such serious breaches came to be committed, has been to identify what measures are needed to ensure the yard operates in accordance with the Rules in future.

"The findings will be shared with Godolphin and will also assist the BHA with regard to the future licensing of the yard."

Paul Bittar, the BHA chief executive, said: "These test results endorse the swift action and measures taken by the BHA in this matter.

"Whatever the outcome of his appeal before the independent Appeal Board, the gravity and scale of the infringements warranted Mahmood Al Zarooni being removed from control of the yard as quickly as possible.

"We welcome the news that Saeed bin Suroor's horses tested negative and this clears the way for him to now take charge of Moulton Paddocks."

- BHA accuses disgraced Godolphin trainer Al Zarooni of being 'untruthful'

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Qatar-bound Messi wants Barca stay & more titles

Sport 360 staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:59:35 +0000

No sooner had Barcelona got their hands on the La Liga title, than Lionel Messi was already turning his attentions to another trophy-laden season next term.

Barca clinched their fourth La Liga title in five years last weekend when nearest challengers Real Madrid failed to beat Espanyol, and they were presented with the trophy following Sunday night's win over Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou.

That was the 22nd time Barca have been crowned Spanish champions and capped a superb league campaign which could yet see them reach the 100-point mark for the first time in their history, needing to win their final two games to reach the milestone.

However, things were not so good in the other competitions, with arch rivals Madrid beating Barca in the Spanish Supercopa and the Copa del Rey semi-finals, while Tito Vilanova's men were humbled 7-0 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals.

With that European final being played at Wembley this weekend, the wounds of that crushing defeat are still raw for Barca, but Messi is keen to move on.

"Winning the league was very good, although the objective is always to win everything. There's no need to dwell any more on what happened against Bayern, this season is over and we need to prepare to return at our best next season."

Speaking after arriving in Qatar where he helped launch new initiative to support mobile health clinics to provide medical aid for children in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, Messi also outlined his desire to remain at Barca for the rest of his career. "I've never thought about playing at any other club than Barca," he said.

On his visit to Qatar to launch the initiative - partnership between Ooredoo and the Messi Foundation - the Barca star added: “Ooredoo and I believe in making a difference in the community, and I’m proud that the Leo Messi Foundation will help Ooredoo provide much-needed healthcare and educational support for at-risk children around the world.

"This unique partnership with Ooredoo is another way that we can help youth make their dreams come true.”

Meanwhile, while Messi seems unlikely to be going anywhere any time soon, the same cannot be said of some of his team-mates at Barca with speculation rife about the futures of a number of them.

Comings and goings

There has also been media suggestions that coach Tito Vilanova might not in charge next season as he continues his fight against cancer, although the club have played down those down.

The 44-year-old underwent a second operation on his parotid gland in December and spent two months in New York at the start of the year undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

He also returned to the United States earlier this month for follow-up tests and is back in New York this week for treatment which was scheduled for this summer but was brought forward due to Barca wrapping up the league with three games to spare.

Vilanova, who replaced Pep Guardiola last season, thanked players and fans last night as Barca's trophy presentation, but his assistant Jordi Roura insisted there was nothing cryptic about his comments or any suggestion it might have been some sort of farewell to the club.

Roura told reporters: "There's no need to search for any more interpretation or go looking for something where there isn't anything, he only wanted to thank the players, the group for the good season they've had."

Sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta added: "I don't know who's said Tito is not going to be the coach."

As well as possible exits, Barca have also been linked with a number of new faces for the coming season, including Brazil star Neymar.

Brazil coach Luiz Filipe Scolari on Sunday claimed Barca were in pole position to land the 21-year-old, although Zubizarreta was giving little away when quizzed on the subject himself.

He told Canal Plus: "Scolari knows more than me then. We will comment on new signings when they happen."

- OPINION: Lack of acclaim just a result of Barcelona's greatness

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Tunisian teen Jabeur captures another ITF title

Reem Abulleil — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:37 +0000

Tunisian teenager Ons Jabeur wrapped up her tour of Japan with an astounding third title in four weeks as she continues her dream run and surge further up in the tennis rankings.

Jabeur, 18, lifted the trophy of the $50K ITF women’s grass event in Kurume, Japan on Sunday with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-0 win over No6 seed An-Sophie Mestach of Belgium, to record a second title win in as many weeks.

She beat the same opponent in Fukuoka last week to break the top-200 for the first time in her career.

The former Roland Garros junior champion, who also triumphed on home soil in Tunis three weeks ago, is expected to rise to around No181 when the new WTA rankings come out today.

She is now the highest ranked Arab female tennis player since her compatriot Selima Sfar last appeared in the top-200 five years ago.

When asked how she felt about capturing yet another title, Jabeur told Sport360°: "I feel so good. I like playing on grass it feels really good.

"It was really tough against An-Sophie. I played my best tennis. I gave everything and it worked."

After losing in the first round of her first three events of the 2013 season, Jabeur has made quite the turnaround winning 20 of her last 21 singles matches.

On the secret behind her recent run, Jabeur added: "Working really hard and finding the good team to work with, finally. That works so good for me.

"I am happy and comfortable and that helped me. We still have got a lot of work to do and as they say ‘we never change a winning team’."

The young Tunisian will now turn her focus to her final exams before resuming her on-court duties at the end of June. Her two titles on grass though do not mean we can expect to see her in the Wimbledon qualifying draw, even though her ranking gives her that opportunity.

"No I won’t be ready for Wimbledon, I want to do everything step by step," says Jabeur. "My next targets will be the $25K in Sweden, then a $50k in Canada then I want to move on to the $75K events."

- BIG INTERVIEW: Mohamed Safwat - Harsh realities facing Egyptian tennis ace trying to make his mark

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Board meeting to decide Mourinho's Real Madrid fate

Sport 360 staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:20:17 +0000

Jose Mourinho's future at Real Madrid is expected to become clearer later on Monday when the club's directors meet to discuss a season described by the Portuguese as the worst of his career.

While a Madrid spokesman said he had "no idea" what would be discussed at the meeting, top of the agenda is likely to be Mourinho's future after the club's trophyless campaign dominated by talk of dressing room unrest.

Defeat to city rivals Atletico in last Friday's Copa del Rey final was yet another stain against Mourinho's reputation with the derby loss Madrid's first in 14 years.

Mourinho continues to insist a decision over his future has not been made, although it is widely assumed his three-year tenure will come to an end sooner rather than later with a return to former club Chelsea expected.

"I have a contract for three more years and I have still not sat down with the president to talk about my future," he said. "I have to be honest. Until the day that the president sits down with me and the club does something official, it has to be like this."

However, there have been reports that Madrid's hierarchy may decide to relieve Mourinho of his duties before the season's end, although the hefty pay-off the Portuguese would be entitled to could yet scupper that.

Despite the uncertainty, Madrid have already made their move to find a successor for the Portuguese after lodging an official approach for Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti.

While their request was turned down by PSG, Ancelotti has since confirmed his desire to quit the Parc des Princes for the Bernabeu, although the newly-crowned French champions are still hoping to convince the Italian to stay.

"My wish is to leave the club," said Ancelotti, 53, after meeting PSG club president Nasser al-Khelaifi. "I have asked the club to leave. We are going to wait for a response from the club who are going to take a few days to decide."

But al-Khelaifi insisted that Ancelotti, who this season led PSG to a first title since 1994, is going nowhere. "He said that he wanted to leave for Real Madrid. I said it's not possible because he has a contract for another year - that is our decision," al-Khelaifi told www.beinsport.fr.

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Moyes begins life at Man Utd with plenty to ponder

David Cooper — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:02:57 +0000

David Moyes has wasted little time in getting on with job at hand after arriving at Manchester United's Carrington training ground on Monday - day after Sir Alex Ferguson bid a fond farewell after 26-and-a-half years in charge.

Despite not offiicially taking up the post until July 1, Moyes arrived at United HQ at 9am this morning as he begins the uneviable task of replacing the most successful manager in British football history.

Moyes was due to meet United players and staff at Carrington for the first time in order to outline his plans for the future.

Top of the agenda for the 50-year-old, who signed a six-year deal with the club earlier this month, will be to sort out the future of star striker Wayne Rooney who has asked to leave.

It is understood the 27-year-old could be persuaded to stay provided Moyes gives him assurances of his future role in the side with Rooney's transfer request stemming from a breakdown in relations with Ferguson.

Also of pressing concern for Moyes will be the makeup of his backroom staff next season. Current United assistant Mick Phelan is likely to depart, although first-team coach Rene Meulensteen - a hugely popular and respected figure among the players - is expected to remain.

Moyes' assistant at Everton, Steve Round, could join the Scot at United, as could long-time coach Jimmy Lumsden and ex-United player Phil Neville, who enjoys a close relationship with Moyes from their time at Goodison Park.

Ryan Giggs could also be given a coaching role after talks with Moyes and Ferguson last week, although the Welshman has expressed his desire to continue playing after penning a new one-year deal earlier this year.

Also up for discussion will be transfer targets with the club likely to strengthen in the summer despite incoming chief executive Ed Woodward insisting their would not be wholesale changes.

Moyes has already been linked with a raid on former side Everton with Leighton Baines, Ross Barkley and Marouane Fellaini all linked with moves to Old Trafford.

Moyes signed off his 11 years at Everton with defeat at Chelsea on Sunday, and after admitting he probably took the club as far as he could, he concedes he will be a busy man over the next week or two as he clears out his desk and begins a new chapter of his career at United.

"I'll probably be doing two jobs for the next week or so," he said. "I'll go into Finch Farm [Everton's training ground] some of the days next week and make sure everything's in place for whoever the incoming manager is.

"Most of it is anyway, but I'll just make sure that everything's as ready as I can leave it."

Meanwhile, as United bid farewell to Ferguson, top scorer Robin van Persie admits there is already a sense of excitment among the United players at the prospect of working with Moyes.

"Everybody wants to work for each other and share the success and I'm 100 per cent sure that we will play for trophies every year and, hopefully, win a few every year. That's our standard for this team," he said.

"Of course, we get a new manager next year and everybody is looking forward to that. It's a new challenge for everyone. We'll have a nice break now and then we go again."

- Rooney ready to make U-turn as Bayern deny interest

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Al Nasr chief Eriksson 'in talks' with Chinese club

Sport 360 staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:13:12 +0000

Al Nasr technical director Sven-Goran Eriksson is in talks to take up the managerial post at Guangzhou R&F, according to the Chinese club.

The Swede has only been in his current role with Dubai club Nasr since January but with the future of boss Walter Zenga in doubt, Eriksson could be set to lead the exodus at Al Maktoum Stadium.

The 65-year old was recently linked with the Cameroon national team position, and while he told Sport360 he had no knowledge of interest from the African nation, a move to China could beckon.

A spokeswoman for Guangzhou R&F, based in the capital of the boom southern province of Guangdong, claims talks are already underway to appoint the former England and Manchester City boss as their new coach.

"Eriksson is one of the candidates," said Chen Jie. "The club is currently in talks with him, however (the appointment) has not been finalised yet," adding the club's new manager would be announced at a yet to be confirmed date in the future.

The appointment would see Eriksson pit his wits against World Cup-winning Italian coach Marcello Lippi, who has been manager of rivals Guangzhou Evergrande since last May and led them to last season's China Super League championship.

Guangzhou R&F - the initials stand for "rich and force" - finished seventh in the competition last season, but clearly have ambitious plans to match the success of their city rivals.

- Setting the record straight: Eriksson on his Man Utd 'move'

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Ex-Monaco boss making use of his survival skills in the UAE

Martyn Thomas — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:26:03 +0000

Al Dhafra coach Laurent Banide has done it before. Having taken over the Western Region club with just 11 Pro League games gone, and as many points garnered, the Frenchman has dragged them well clear of trouble and closer to the top three than the relegation zone.

He did a similar job in his previous spell at Dhafra in 2009 before jumping ship to Al Nasr to help them avoid the drop at the end of the 2009-10 season. Indeed last season he took over winless Al Kharitiyath and guided them to eighth place in the Qatar Stars League.

But while Banide has proven his ability to turn around struggling Gulf clubs, he is yet to master longevity. Of his five previous coaching assignments in Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, none have lasted more than 12 months, and with the summer approaching, a decision on his future looms.

“I am a professional, I have worked in a lot of countries,” he told Sport360°, hinting he could be about to stick around. “I don’t know what my destiny is but I have a good feeling here with a good arrangement, good players and I have a good feeling so I am happy.”

The relationship he enjoys with the management at Dhafra definitely appears to be one of the biggest changes from when he was last at the club.

Referring to the work being done by club chairman, Mussllam Mohamed Al Ameri and ambitious vice-president Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Banide adds: “They are more professional, there is more organisation and I have a good feeling with the president, the vice-president and I think a good mentality is very important.

“Three years ago the club had more difficulties with organisation but now it is better and step-by-step I hope the club becomes a big club.”

One thing that might hold Dhafra back in their bid to become a consistent top-half side, in the short-term at least, is the squad’s reliance on loan signings.

Ahead of last September’s qualifying tournament for the Pro League, the Western Region club, which travels to their home in Madinat Zayed only for matches, conducted a vast recruitment drive as they lured squad players away from the likes of Al Ain and Al Jazira with the promise of first-team football.

Influential players including goalkeeper Khaled Al Sinani, def-enders Saif Mohamed, Hazza Salem and Anas Bani Yassen and winger Bandar Mohammed are all on short-term deals.

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow but I work with the club and it’s important to keep some good players,” Banide says. “After (the season) I don’t know what the situation is with Al Jaizra, with Al Ain and if they want to take the players back.

"For me it is better to talk about the future after the season because if the player plays but thinks about ‘I go there, I go here’ then it is difficult.”

French adventure

There is more to Banide than rescuing medium-sized Gulf football clubs though. His father, Gerard Banide, was assistant coach of France during the time of Michel Platini and Jean Tigana and also managed Monaco, Marseille and Strasbourg.

Banide senior worked for Monaco in two spells that spanned 19 years and various jobs, and led them to a Ligue 1 title as well as Coupe de France success. It is no surprise then that Laurent started his coaching career at the Principality club, at the same time as a certain Arsene Wenger was taking the first team.

“He is a very intelligent coach and he gave a new way for Monaco (to play),” he says of the Arsenal boss.

“In France you have some coaches who give the route and I think in 1988 football changed and he gave a new road for Monaco.

“I try to take in all my experience because I saw a lot of coaches and my father was a coach. So I take a lot of things in, I eat a lot, but I add my personality. I am not Wenger, I am not Gerard Banide, I am not any other coach, I am Laurent Banide and I take what I can, what I understand and I add my philosophy.”

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UAE Pro League new boys headed in different directions

VIDEO: Bale, Van Persie or Suarez? Goals of the EPL season

Sport 360 staff — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:48:51 +0000

It was somewhat fitting that after the season he's had Gareth Bale should go out with a bang.

Ok, Tottenham failed to secure a Champions League spot for next season courtesy of Arsenal's win at Newcastle, but they can console themselves in the knowledge they possess one of the league's leading lights.

Bale, the PFA and Writers' Player of the Year, capped off a memorable season for himself personally with a 25-yard stunner to secure Spurs a last day victory and bow out in style.

But where does it rank alongside these other wonder strikes? And which one would you pick as your Goal of the Season?

Matthew Lowton - Stoke v ASTON VILLA, April 6
They don't come more dramatic as this as the young right-back volleys home a 30-yard stunner to secure a vital win for his relegation-threatened side just three minutes from time at the Britannia. The goal that turned Villa's season around.

Robin van Persie - MAN UTD v Aston Villa, April 22
The Dutchman capped a brilliant first season at united by hitting a first-half hat-trick in the win which clinched the Premier League title. The pick of the bunch was this spectacular volley that would have made his compatriot Marco van Basten proud. The vision of Rooney and execution of RVP. Exquisite.

Gareth Bale - West Ham v TOTTENHAM, February 25
There were plenty of goal-of-the-season contenders from Bale, not least a fine finish against Norwich after a run from halfway. His last-minute winner at Upton Park, however, eclipses it for drama. With the scores level at 2-2 and 30 yards out, Bale took aim...

Luis Suarez - LIVERPOOL v Newcastle, November 4
Public enemy No1 he might be to all apart from his adorning Liverpool fans, but there is no doubting the quality of Suarez's play. He showcased it all with this sublime goal against Newcastle. The control, touch and the finish. Perfection.

Cameron Jerome - STOKE v Southampton, December 29
He's endured a largely frustrating time at the Britannia, but there was no doubting the quality of this strike from Jerome as he clambered off the bench to rescue a point for his side in a 3-3 draw with Southampton. Tony Yeboah eat your heart out.

David Luiz - Fulham v CHELSEA, April 17
Revelling in a new central midfield role, Luiz gave us a glimpse of just what he is capable of with a strike that would have made fellow Brazilian and free-kick master Juninho Pernambucano proud. Dip and swerve. A potent combination.

Let us know which is your favourite from the selections above?

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Man City have fallen short; Tevez waves goodbye?

Alam Khan — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:26:58 +0000

Caretaker boss Brian Kidd admitted Manchester City performed below expectations this season after defeat to Norwich rounded off a disappointing trophyless campaign.

Jonny Howson’s wonderful solo strike sunk a City side still managerless following Roberto Mancini’s dismissal a week ago.

The Italian’s name was sung with affection at the Etihad on Sunday as Norwich claimed a famous 3-2 win and Kidd, who leads the club on their US tour this week before the expected arrival of Manuel Pellegrini from Malaga, said: “I understand the cheers for the boss (Mancini).

"He would have been disappointed if there wasn't for what he did here. The club make the decisions and you abide by it.

“We have fallen short of the standards we set last season, but it hasn't been for a lack of effort. It’s been a really emotional week right through the club, and we can’t hide from that.

“Now is the time to look forward, put this season behind us and then see where we can improve.”

Without the threat of relegation and Kidd deprived of the services of the injured Vincent Kompany (calf) and Matija Nastasic (hamstring), Norwich deserved their first win at City in 20 years with a performance Chris Hughton described as “outstanding”.

Their intent was clear from the start as Joleon Lescott headed off the line from Ryan Bennett. Yaya Toure then got caught in possession in the 26th minute as Wes Hoolahan nudged a pass into the path of Anthony Pilkington who crashed home the opener.

But three minutes later, City levelled as Samir Nasri found Edin Dzeko, who teed up Rodwell to fire past John Ruddy for his first goal in 18 months.

Yet it was Hughton’s side that displayed more class and confidence against one that could be much changed come August. Robert Snodgrass – released by a fabulous volleyed pass from Howson – crossed for Grant Holt to make it 2-1, although Rodwell again provided an immediate riposte, bursting past Steven Whittaker to finish calmly.

But Howson’s winner, picking up the ball inside his own half and easing past four City players before beating Hart, piled on the pain for the home faithful, some of whom vented their fury at Aleksandar Kolarov.

There was also a wave from Carlos Tevez as he was taken off in the 50th minute, a clear signal perhaps that this was his farewell game amid speculation of Radamel Falcao or Edinson Cavani coming in.

Tevez's contract at the Etihad expires at the end of next season and the Argentine has been linked with both Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco in recent days.

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Barcelona's easy win over Valladolid crowns title party

Andy West — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:55:27 +0000

RESULT: Barcelona 2 (Pedro 21’, Valiente (OG) 42’) Real Valladoild 1 (Pérez pen 88’)

Barcelona’s title celebrations turned into a damp squib as their 2-1 victory over Real Valladolid was accompanied by a downpour of torrential rain which significantly dampened the jubilatory mood.

The La Liga trophy was presented to the team after the final whistle, with captain Carles Puyol handing over the honours to Tito Vilanova and Eric Abidal who have battled serious health problems this year.

Sadly fewer than expected were there to see it as the game was played in front of the Nou Camp’s lowest attendance of the season. Vilanova’s men sealed the points in straightforward fashion, with Pedro’s low strike opening the scoring before visiting defender Marc Valiente put through his own net. Victor Perez did pull one back from the spot in the dying minutes on but it was too little too late.

The outcome never looked in doubt, with the game’s first chance coming after three minutes as David Villa received a pass from Andres Iniesta and cut inside to send a curling shot narrowly wide.

The deadlock was broken when Xavi broke forward from midfield and slid a perfectly-weighted pass into the stride of Pedro, and the winger took advantage of the slick surface to fire a low shot beneath goalkeeper Jaime, who will have been disappointed not to have done better.

It was a much-needed goal for Pedro, who had previously failed to score in the league since January. Iniesta then had a shot deflected narrowly wide after a slaloming run from midfield, before the lead was doubled in fortuitous circumstances when Xavi’s corner was sliced into his own net by Valladolid defender Marc Valiente, who can perhaps blame his error on the pouring rain.

Valiente is a product of Barca’s youth academy, playing in the same sides as Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique throughout his teenage years, and certainly wouldn’t have envisaged his first senior appearance at the Nou Camp containing a comical own goal.

Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes had little to do as he reached the milestone of 500 appearances for the club, becoming only the fourth player ever to do so, and it could well have also been one of his last outings in Barca colours following his recent surprise decision to turn down a contract extension.

Full back Martin Montoya and Fabregas came close to a third goal as Barca fans belatedly overcame their drenched state to rouse themselves into something approaching a celebratory atmosphere.

Substitute Cristian Tello livened things up in the final stages with a series of pacy bursts down the left wing, once again suggesting he could merit more regular starts next season, but Valladolid had the last say with Victor Perez’s penalty after Montoya fouled Manucho.

As the title celebrations began, Barca midfielder Alex Song was left red-faced as Carles Puyol sought out Eric Abidal to help lift the title. Watch why here...

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Olaroiu: Al Ain must add new players to defend league title

Martyn Thomas — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:37:13 +0000

Cosmin Olaroiu believes changes will need to be made if Al Ain are to win a third Pro League title in a row next season.

Saturday night’s 2-0 defeat at Al Wahda was the club’s fifth in six games in all competitions since they secured their 11th UAE league crown.

While Oalroiu had used the game at the Al Nahyan to test some of his fringe players, as he did in the 2-2 draw with Bani Yas last week, he was clearly not impressed with another loss.

The Romanian accused some of his squad of having gone on holiday mentally, and reading between the lines it would be easy to surmise several will not be at the Garden City club come September.

He said: “I think Al Ain need some changes and new blood to enhance the power of the team for the coming season.

“We work on evaluating the players’ performance and checking their motivation and how they can act in matches.

“For me it is important to see the team from the other angle during this evaluation process because sometimes bench players may show a better performance than the regulars. So we wanted to check the ability of all players by giving them chances.”

Pressed on the type of changes he felt needed to be made, Olaroiu added: “Certainly there will be many changes but I don’t think our team need such deep ones but I prefer to do some important changes to be ready for the coming season.”

Olaroiu’s opposite number at the Al Nahyan Stadium, Josef Hickersberger, rewarded his players for their win with two days off training.

With Ismail Matar, Hamdan Al Kamali, Marcelinho and Mahmoud Khamis out injured, and Saeed Al Kathiri sitting an exam, the Austrian was forced to shuffle his pack.

Mohamed Al Shehhi is still finding his feet after injury but shone, while Zayed Al Kathiri and Salem Saleh have not featured regularly this season.

Hickersberger said: “There are many players coming back from injury and we know they are not fit to play 90 minutes. But if you don’t have better choices, you play them for as long as you can.”

- Hickersberger eyes Wahda stay as Olaroiu rules out Al Ain exit

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Wenger confident of Arsenal title challenge next season

Damian Spellman — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:26:00 +0000

Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal will make a better fist of next season’s title race after securing a 16th consecutive crack at the Champions League.

The Gunners clinched fourth place in the Premier League and a qualifying tie for the European competition with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Newcastle to end rivals Tottenham’s hopes of overhauling them on the final day of the campaign.

Wenger was thrilled with a high-octane run-in which allowed his side to reel in and eventually overtake Spurs, and is confident that the improvements which enabled them to do that will serve them well once again next season.

He said: “Since February 1, we have taken more points than everybody else in the league, and I don’t believe that’s just down to coincidence, but just to the fact that the group has grown, this team has grown through the season.

“We lacked belief for long periods because we couldn’t win a big game, but the Bayern [Munich] game changed our season away from home.

“In the last three months, I believe we have been remarkably consistent. We have won every away game, so it is a good springboard for next season, to transfer that belief into the start of next season.

“That means we need to have stability and strengthen our group if possible because there are many clubs out there with a lot of money, so the competition is very hard and there is not as much talent as money today in football.”

However, Wenger warned his players that the job is not yet complete, with a potentially tricky qualifier to come before they can install themselves alongside the continent’s elite.

He said: “It means to us to be able to play with the top teams in Europe – that’s what you want.

“It means as well that it’s easier to bring in players when you have a chance to be in the Champions League – let’s not forget, we are not in yet, we have to qualify and that is always a very tricky round for us. But at least we have a chance.”

Laurent Koscielny’s goal early in the second half proved enough on a nervy day for the Gunners.

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IPL: Hyderabad shut the door on Bangalore

Sudhir Gutpa — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:14:31 +0000

Indian Premier League debutants Sunrisers Hyderabad extended their dream run with a tense five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders to grab the last play-off berth.

Hyderabad were locked in a battle for the play-offs with Royal Challengers Bangalore, who had finished on 18 points from 16 matches.

By ending up trumps, Hyderabad sealed their place with 20 points from 16 matches and set up Wednesday’s Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals.

Chasing 131 in their must-win match, Hyderabad overhauled the target with seven balls to spare, for their seventh victory in eight games at home.

Hyderabad were cruising at one stage but lost five wickets for 23 runs to make heavy weather of the chase. However, Darren Sammy (17 not out off 12) smashed two consecutive sixes off Iqbal Abdulla in the penultimate over to steer the side home.

The hosts as always exploited the conditions well to restrict Kolkata Knight Riders to a modest 130 for seven. Yusuf Pathan with his calculative 49-run knock off 29 balls gave Kolkata something to fight for after electing to bat.

Captain Gautam Gambhir had run himself out again, and none of the other batsmen had been able to get the measure of a slow pitch and an attack that had revelled on it through the season.

Dale Steyn and Anand Rajan, who replaced the ill Ishant Sharma, hardly provided any width, and the legspinners Amit Mishra and Karan Sharma tied Kolkata down further. Hyderabad’s chase began in the right earnest with Parthiv Patel (47) and Shikhar Dhawan (42) attacking intelligently to set up the win with their 89-run opening stand.

In no time, Hyderabad were within striking distance of a cherishable win. Left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla broke the opening stand when he trapped Dhawan and the batsman must be cursing his shot selection as he attempted a reverse sweep, missed, and was trapped leg before wicket.

Abdulla struck again dismissing Patel lbw in the 14th over. Cameron White (2) setting off on a suicide single was run out by Eoin Morgan in the 15th over.

Needing 25 from 30 balls, Hanuma Vihari (6) top edged a sweep off Abdulla causing some tension in the Hyderabad camp. Off-spinner Sunil Narine bowled a maiden over in the 17th as the required run rate took a climb. Shami then bowled Thisara Perera (4) with a stunning Yorker in the 18th over.

Needing 15 from two overs, Sammy settled the issue with some lusty blows to see Hyderabad home.

The Hyderabad captain Cameron White said: “Feeling a bit better than what I was about 12 balls earlier. Dhawan and Parthiv set it up for us to scrape through to the win. The guys came together well and then the fans and the franchise supported us well.

“We have nothing to lose now, we are underdogs but we will look to scrap and fight in the playoffs.” Gambhir said: “I congratulate Hyderabad for the way they played and got to the playoffs.

“We didn’t bowl too well in the first 7-8 overs, had we done that, things would have been different. We weren’t consistent throughout the tournament,” he added.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Abu Dhabi Sailing Club coast to Emirates Palace victory

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:51:51 +0000

A five-man crew from Abu Dhabi Sailing Club took top honours in the weekend’s inaugural Emirates Palace Invitational Match Race following a two-day unbeaten run against the region’s leading sailing clubs in some heated matches on the water.

Fighting for supremacy in the gorgeous Emirates Palace bay, they were able to clinch the trophy from Team Duboats of Dubai following a penalty, with Dubai Offshore Sailing Club completing the podium in third place.

The Eden Yachting-sponsored prize for best seamanship went to the winning team’s Barry Jarman, while an array of luxury prizes and experiences donated by Emirates Palace Marina, Eden Yachting, Al Mahara Diving and Emirates Palace Hotel ensured no sailor went home empty-handed.

“Match racing is the ‘five-a-side’ version of sailing: each race is just 15 minutes, the boats are equal and the first across the line is the winner,” explained Capt. Toby Haws, Emirates Palace Marina Manager and event organiser.

“It’s the easiest form of sailing for the spectator and sponsor alike, as the action is all close to the shore for people to watch or take part in.”

Sponsors included Duboats – who supplied the two identical Beneteau 7.5 racing yachts teams competed in – Emirates Palace, ART Marine, and the event, which ended with a chilled Sailor Party and barbecue, was also supported by the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club.

“We developed the Emirates Palace Invitational concept to invite the region’s top sailors to experience the great sailing environment our members have every weekend,” Haws continued.

“We have the unique ability to host and run sailing and powerboat events of all sizes, which of course offers marina members and hotel guests front row seats for all the action.

“With the Volvo Ocean Race returning to Abu Dhabi in 2014, it is a great opportunity to capitalise on the investment in sailing the Emirates has made,” he added.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Islanders storm into Superstars T20 semi-finals

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:31:46 +0000

Globelink Weststar Shipping Kochi Islanders rode on an unbeaten 92 from man-of-the-match Mohammed Aqib to win their one-sided Superstars T20 quarter-finals against Danube Mumbai Warriors at the Fairground Oval of the Dubai Men’s College.

The Warriors made 146-7 from their 20 overs but Kochi Islanders didn’t have any trouble chasing it down, reaching the target in the 17th over with eight wickets in hand. Mumbai Warriors batted first but couldn’t dominate the Kochi bowling attack.

Samiullah tried to give the team a quick start by scoring 17 from 13 balls but his opening partner was sent back early after a mix-up resulted in his run-out.

One-down batsman Andri Berenger (26) and Rohan Mustafa (20) tried to steady the innings but their dismissals, followed by those of Vikranth Shetty (9) and Adnan Mufti (11), put Mumbai in deep trouble at 87-6.

But Mohammad Azam’s (31 from 24 balls) and Yasir Shah (13 not out) ensured they had a decent total to defend. However, that total didn’t prove to be enough as Mohammed Aqib took the hapless Mumbai bowlers to the cleaners.

Blazing away from the word go, Aqib along with his opening partner Laxman Sreekumar toyed with the Mumbai attack.

Laxman scored a quick-fire 31 from 12 balls and after his dismissal, Aqib continued the onslaught and made the bowlers pay for some ordinary bowling.

He hit seven sixes and nine fours during his 45-ball knock of 92 to carry his bat and take his team past 146 in 16.4 overs and into the semi-finals.

Mumbai Warriors 146-in 20 overs (Mohammad Azam 31 n.o., Andri Berenger 26, Rohan Mustafa 20, Anish Pillai 2/24, Shadeep Silva 2/25) lost to Kochi Islanders 152-2 in 16.4 overs (Mohammed Aqib 92 n.o, Laxman Sreekumar 31) by eight wickets

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Yas Marina Circuit launches AMG driving experiences

Martyn Thomas — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:11:12 +0000

Car aficionados have been given another reason to head to the Yas Marina Circuit after the Yas Racing School launched five AMG-themed driving experiences on Sunday.

Designed to give petrolheads the chance to discover the true power of a high performance Mercedes in a safe environment, drivers can get behind the wheel of one of three models of the German sportscar and test them to their limits around the famous track.

Fully-qualified racing instructors are on hand to guide you around the circuit in a C63, CLS63 or SLS Mercedes.

You can also test your safety skills, in wet and dry conditions, in an SLK with the new Dynamic Experience.

A state-of-the-art kickplate tests the driver’s ability to keep the car in a straight line whilst skidding on a water-soaked surface.

If you prefer your speed to be attained in a straight line, it is also possible to take one of the tuned beasts out onto the Yas drag strip, while for those who aren’t so confident behind the wheel, hot laps alongside a professional racer are also available.

And while the track days are sure to prove a hit with the car-loving UAE public, there is also a serious aspect to them as they give participants a safe environment in which to quench their thirst for speed.

Yas Racing School instructor Abbas Al Alawi knows the full cost of reckless driving on the Emirates’ roads, having witnessed friends suffer fatal accidents while street racing in his youth.

“It is very dangerous doing street racing especially as we live in a country with one of the highest incidents of death, especially from our local boys,” Al Alawi said.

“We try to encourage them to come on the track to drive. We also open special track days. People can bring their own cars and can hire their own instructor.”

AMG Driving Experiences start at Dh1,300 with a hot lap available for Dh550.

For more information visit www.yasmarinacircuit.ae

- McLaren give Abu Dhabi boost in hopes of staging F1 testing

- Yas Marina keen on staging F1 testing

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West Brom 5-5 Man Utd: Goal frenzy in Fergie's final game

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:28:40 +0000

English football witnessed the end of an era on Sunday as Alex Ferguson signed off as Manchester United manager with an extraordinary 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion in his 1,500th and final game.

On a sun-kissed afternoon at The Hawthorns, the ground with the highest altitude in the Football League, the 71-year-old Scot who propelled United to the summit of English football on 13 occasions bowed out with a hectic game full of the attacking football that he loves.

The champions led 3-0, and then 5-2, but West Brom scored three times in five minutes, with substitute Romelu Lukaku completing a second-half hat-trick in the 86th minute to prevent Ferguson from signing off with victory.

Ferguson, who amassed 38 trophies in 26 and a half years at Old Trafford, will be joined in retirement by 38-year-old midfielder Paul Scholes, who made his 718th and final appearance for the club as a 69th-minute substitute.

Prior to kick-off, fans queued to buy souvenir edition match-day programmes, which contained a fulsome 40-page tribute to Ferguson from West Brom.

The Scot was welcomed onto the pitch with a guard of honour from both sides and the hosts' generosity did not stop there, as slack defending enabled United to establish a 3-0 lead inside 30 minutes.

In the sixth minute, Javier Hernandez crossed from the right and the untracked Shinji Kagawa beat United old boy Ben Foster with a near-post header. Three minutes later, United were again afforded space on the hosts' left flank and a drilled cross from Antonio Valencia was inadvertently turned in by floundering defender Jonas Olsson.

United's fans were predictably boisterous, throwing a red flare onto the pitch at one point, but their exuberance provoked an angry reaction from the home support, with stewards and police obliged to intervene.

In contrast, the game itself was almost completely devoid of needle, and Alexander Buttner exploited further inattention from the home defence to dispatch a crisp shot into the bottom-right corner from Tom Cleverley's pass on the half hour.

James Morrison pulled a goal back in the 40th minute by sweeping in a Graham Dorrans cross and Lukaku cut the deficit to a single goal by steering a low shot past United goalkeeper Anders Lindergaard five minutes after coming on at the break.

United responded immediately, however, with Robin van Persie converting a Valencia cut-back to claim his 26th league goal of the season before Hernandez turned in a low cross from substitute Ryan Giggs to make it 5-2.

Olsson compounded a dreadful afternoon by hoisting a volley over the bar from only four yards, before the self-effacing Scholes came off the bench for the final game of his long and distinguished career.

Victory would have seen United equal their best-ever Premier League points tally of 91 in a 38-game season, but instead, Youssouf Mulumbu and Lukaku scored twice within a minute before Lukaku bundled in Marc-Antoine Fortune's cross with four minutes left to complete an incredible comeback.

It was a disappointing end to the game for Ferguson, who wore a rueful smile as he shook hands with opposite number Steve Clarke before walking onto the pitch to say goodbye to the United fans for the very last time.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Arsenal pip Tottenham to fourth in final day drama

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:58:25 +0000

The battle for fourth place in the Premier League went right down to the wire on the final day of the season as Arsenal claimed the final Champions League berth ahead of fierce rivals Tottenham.

A 1-0 victory against Newcastle at St James’ Park – courtesy of a Laurent Koscielny finish – ensured the Gunners collected the points they needed to guarantee a top-four finish.

Koscielny's goal meant more heartache for Spurs, who have developed an unfortunate habit of missing out on Champions League action on the last day of the season, and once again had to settle for the place in the Europa League that comes with finishing fifth despite their 1-0 win against Sunderland.

The victory secured Arsenal's 16th consecutive Champions League qualification and will ease the pain of another trophyless season for the Gunners, who trailed Tottenham by seven points at the start of March.

At White Hart Lane, Gareth Bale scored his 21st – and arguably best – goal of the season late in the game to give Spurs a fighting chance. However, they needed a helping hand from Newcastle, but an equaliser but never looked likely such was their lack of invention in attack.

Despite being on the receiving end of a barrage by Tottenham, Sunderland did well to hold on for the majority of the contest. That was until the final 15 minutes when they were reduced to 10-men after midfielder David Vaughan was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

They finally took the lead when Bale, who had earlier been booked for diving in a bid to win a penalty, cracked a stunning strike into the top corner from long range in the 90th minute, but Arsenal were just seconds away from victory by then.

Delight

Afterwards, Arsenal boss Wenger praised his "special" players and pledged to strengthen his squad in the summer.

"It [qualification] means that we are able to play with the top teams in Europe, it means it's easier to bring in players," he said. "Let's not forget that we are not in yet, we have to qualify and that is always a tricky round, but at least we have a chance.

He added: "We want to make additions to the squad but keep the structure and spirit of the team we have now," Wenger said. "There are many clubs out there with a lot of money and the competition is very hard. There is not as much talent as money today in football.

"I'm proud of the character and spirit after all we have had to deal with through this season. They are special, they have showed it in the last two months. They have been absolutely exceptional.

"I'm happy because the exceptional attitude and determination of this group of players has been rewarded, they continued to believe when we were seven points behind Tottenham in mid-March. You could never see a sign of giving in.

"I have had many groups in my life and this is one, on that front, that has been absolutely outstanding, showing a combination of quality and attitude. I have always admired the way they have behaved and their focus every day training."

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Ancelotti asks to leave for Real Madrid, confirms PSG

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:38:05 +0000

Carlo Ancelotti has asked to leave Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid, PSG's sporting director Leonardo said on Sunday.

Ancelotti, who has long been rumoured to be a target for Real, whose current boss Jose Mourinho is tipped to return to Chelsea next season, had a meeting with club bosses earlier on Sunday.

A subsequent report on television channel BeInSport, whose Qatari owner Nasser al-Khelaifi is also PSG president, said Ancelotti would be leaving PSG. But Leonardo denied that, claiming the Parisians want to keep hold of the Italian.

"What happened is that Carlo has asked to leave for Real Madrid. We want to keep him, he has (another) year on his contract with us. No decision has been taken," said Leonardo.

Ancelotti has spent just 18 months at the club from the French capital and this season led them to a first Ligue 1 title since 1994. But rumours that he is set to replace Mourinho at Real when this season finishes had been gathering pace in recent weeks.

Those were only enhanced on Sunday morning when several Spanish newspapers claimed the Portuguese boss would leave before the end of the current campaign. Madrid sports daily Marca ran the headline "he is going to Chelsea" on Sunday morning, adding that "Real Madrid could make his goodbye official this week".

Another Spanish newspaper, broadsheet El Mundo, also reported that Mourinho may not even be in charge for Real's final two games of the season against Real Sociedad and Osasuna.

"Madrid want to sack Mourinho now," it claimed. "The board and the president, Florentino Perez, have had enough after the defeat in the final of the Copa del Rey and the tense situation in the dressing room, and are planning to bring to an end the Portuguese's reign immediately."

With confirmation that Ancelotti has asked to be allowed to join Real, it would seem some deal has already been done behind the scenes.

On Saturday night, Ancelotti had refused to comment on his future, saying only that he would meet with the club's president in the next few days. That meeting took place on Sunday, after which BeInSport claimed a decision had indeed been made.

"Following a meeting with Nasser al-Khelaifi and Leonardo, Carlo Ancelotti will no longer be Paris Saint-Germain coach next season," said a message that ran across the bottom of the screen on the TV channel.

Ancelotti's first six months at PSG were largely disappointing as he took over a team at the top of Ligue 1, only to see them overhauled by Montpellier to miss out on the title.

However, this season he delivered on the club's twin objectives of winning the league and reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.

He was greatly aided, though, by a huge financial investment from the club that allowed PSG to sign the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi, as well as bringing in David Beckham on a short-term deal in January.

Ancelotti won two Champions League titles and one Serie A crown with AC Milan while he also completed a league and cup double at Chelsea. He has won titles in three different countries and is one of the most respected coaches in European football.

- Mourinho laments "worst ever season" as Ancelotti nears Real switch

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Ruthless Rafa blows away Federer to conquer Rome

Nathan Williams — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:15:03 +0000

Rafael Nadal produced a majestic display to blow away old rival Roger Federer 6-1, 6-3 in little over an hour in the final of the Rome Masters.

The 30th meeting in their long standing rivalry saw Nadal dominate from start to finish as Federer stuggled to find any rhythm against the Spaniard's punishing groundstrokes.

Victory saw Nadal, competing in his eighth final in a row since making a comeback from a seven-month injury lay-off in February, capture his third straight title and sixth of 2013.

It also means the 26-year-old now leads Federer in head-to-head meetings 20-10, with 13 of his wins coming on his preferred surface of clay.

"He played very aggressively from the start, he didn't make too many mistakes and had a good match overall," said Federer, who admitted the change in class from his previous challengers this week had been a factor.

"Rafa has much more topspin than all the guys I played this week, so the change was quite a big one," added the Swiss.

"I tried to play offensively, but unfortunately I didn't have the best day. It didn't go the way I was hoping it to go."

It was the first time the pair, who have won 28 grand slam titles between them, have met in a final since the 2011 French Open, an encounter Nadal won, and the fifth seed showed his great rival no mercy again today.

The clay court master was at his clinical best, converting five out of six break-point opportunities, while the Swiss had to settle for one out of two.

In all, the Federer finished with 32 unforced errors while Nadal made just eight en route to a record 24th ATP Masters title in just one hour and nine minutes.

Nadal clinically broke the Swiss twice on his way to a 6-1 first set score inside 23 minutes.

Federer put up more resistance in the second but despite breaking back to 5-2 in the seventh game, and then holding serve to close to 5-3,

Nadal brought up three championship points in the ninth game and required only one to seal the match with a cross-court forehand winner.

It was all a far cry from the last time the two men met in Rome in 2006 when Nadal eventually emerged victorious 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 in a stunning exhibition of tennis.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Serena sweeps aside Azarenka to claim Rome title

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 15:58:16 +0000

World number one Serena Williams swept Belarusian Victoria Azarenka aside 6-1, 6-3 to win her second Rome Open title on Sunday a week before a fresh tilt at the French Open.

Williams broke Azarenka's serve three times in a one-sided first set and despite a tighter second set the American prevailed to stretch her career-best winning streak to 24 matches.

It was Williams's 51st career title and took her victory tally over Azarenka, who beat the American earlier this season in the final of the Doha hardcourt event, to 12-2 in their series.

Azarenka had swept Sara Errani aside in the semi-final on Saturday with a powerful display of tennis which left the Italian, who only made the last four after Russian second seed Maria Sharapova pulled out, struggling to mount any kind of challenge.

However the tables were promptly turned on the third-seeded Belarusian, who found herself on the end of a Williams masterclass that has installed her as the favourite for next week's French Open at Roland Garros.

Williams, however, said the match was closer than the score suggested.

"It was very close, the first three games were over 20-25 minutes or so, so it wasn't really easy out there. Nothing is really easy," said the American.

"I just took the opportunities when I had them. I know she (Azarenka) did as well, but I came up with the good shots sometimes."

Williams had complained after her semi-final over Romanian qualifier Simona Halep that she had been unhappy with several elements of her game, prompting a lengthy practice after her match on Saturday.

Any hint of rustiness or nerves before the final were quickly put to bed. Williams started in stunning fashion, breaking Azarenka's serve in the first game and going on to repeat that twice more on her way to a crushing 6-1 score.

Azarenka upped her game in the second but despite showing some signs of resistence early on, Williams's far more powerful serve and return left the Belarusian frustrated.

More often than not, the American required only two shots on her service game to take the required point, and Azarenka was given a warning by the umpire for an obscenity early in the second set.

Azarenka did earn herself a lifeline when she broke Williams in the seventh game after the American sent a backhand just outside the line. But the top seed rattled off three consecutive games, including a break in the eighth game, before finishing off the job with a backhand winner down the line following two aces.

Azarenka agreed the match had been closer than the score suggested: "She played a very good match but I don't think the score tells the true story of the game."

But she admitted Williams had made the difference in the key moments.

"She definitely showed some more incredible tennis today... she's been playing her best tennis for the past year and a half or so," added the Belarusian. "But today she played much better in the key moments of the match."

It is Williams's second title at Rome, having first won the event in 2002. And after conceding defeat to Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano in last year's first round at Roland Garros, the American said she is taking a different approach this year.

"It's definitely different. It has to be," she said. "I was feeling excellent last year and didn't do great. This year I'm more cautious. I want to work hard and stay focused and win every point hard and not slack at all."

- She's no mentor: Stephens launches attack on Serena

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Broad goes ballistic as England crush sorry New Zealand

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 15:11:29 +0000

Stuart Broad produced an "nightmare" spell of new-ball bowling to kickstart New Zealand's collapse to 68 all out as England won the first Test by 170 runs.

Broad put Tim Southee's 10-wicket match haul for the Kiwis entirely in the shade on an astounding fourth day at Lord's with career-best figures of 7-44 which fast-tracked England to victory and a 1-0 lead in this two-match series with more than four sessions to spare.

New Zealand must have thought Southee (6-50) had given them a chance of following up three draws on home soil two months ago against England, after their hosts had lost their last four wickets for 33 this morning and eight for 54 since they began to hit trouble last night.

But the tourists' recent fragilities returned - they were blasted out for 45 at the start of this year by South Africa's world-beating pace attack in Cape Town - as Broad made the most of conditions which have favoured swing throughout here.

Broad's sensational day began with some valuable late-order batting, helping England to 213 all out - and then by lunch he had near single-handedly reduced the tourists to 29 for six in pursuit of what had at first seemed a perfectly feasible, if taxing, 239 to win.

BJ Watling, batting in pain after injuring his knee yesterday, and Neil Wagner rescued a little respectability - and took New Zealand clear of ground and country low-scoring records at least.

But there was to be no remarkable recovery to extend the contest significantly as only Broad and James Anderson were required to bowl for England in an innings which lasted under two hours.

One of world's best

England captain Alastair Cook hailed Broad as "an absolute nightmare" after watching the bowler dismantle the Black Caps almost single-handedly.

"He's got all the attributes of being a world-class bowler and when he gets it totally right like he did today he's an absolute nightmare (to face)," said Cook. "He bowls in the mid to high 90s and swings it away...it's hard to face."

Broad was modest in his assessment of the match, declaring that his man-of-the-match award should have gone to new ball partner James Anderson, who took seven wickets in the match and passed 300 Test scalps along the way.

"This award should have gone to Jimmy, he was fantastic in this Test, he picked up his 300th wicket and he's a pleasure to bowl with," he said.

"We knew there was enough there for the bowlers. We talked about getting it full enough to give the ball a chance.

"Lord's is a special place to do it, it's great to be back on that honours board.

"I like Lord's, I like the Nursery End. It can be a great place to bat but when conditions are in your favour it can be a great place to bowl."

No answer

Broad had earlier hit four fours in a run-a-ball 26 not out, and then dramatically seized the moment with the ball on another cloudy morning to see off openers Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford and the dangerous Ross Taylor in under three overs.

Fulton appeared a little compliant, edging behind on the back foot. But Broad then uprooted Rutherford's off-stump with a very good delivery which went up the slope off the pitch, and had Taylor edging low to slip for a second-ball duck.

Broad had to wait another two overs for the wicket of Kane Williamson, caught at extra-cover as he tried in vain to give New Zealand's second innings some impetus.

Anderson, who two days ago became only the fourth Englishman to take 300 Test wickets, got in on the act with a perfect one-two to Dean Brownlie - following up an inswinger with one that went the other way up the slope for another edge to slip.

Broad was not done with either, completing his five-wicket haul with the last ball of the morning - and another big scalp too, when Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum was pinned in front lbw. After lunch, he soon had Southee - caught at deep square-leg, one ball after being dropped in the slips by a combination of Anderson and Alastair Cook - and Anderson had Watling edging low into the cordon.

Bruce Martin missed a mow at Broad and lost his middle-stump, before New Zealand's innings ended in a tragi-comic run-out for Wagner.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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The Heynckes touch: How Bayern became Europe's biggest force

Ross Dunbar — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:41:59 +0000

When asked what has made FC Bayern so special this season in the aftermath of their 4-0 destruction of FC Barcelona, chief-trainer Jupp Heynckes pointed to one specific characteristic of his squad: “Teamwork”.

In a two-year spell, Heynckes has altered the dynamics of the Bayern dressing room. The 68-year-old took office in July 2011 from interim-coach Andries Jonker who had begun the cleaning-up process in the aftermath of a messy ending to the Louis Van Gaal era.

Van Gaal’s reign started well enough, with the former Ajax coach returning the proverbial swagger back to Bayern. His first season garnered a domestic double, while the Bavarians were denied the treble by Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in the Champions League final.

All wasn’t well in Munich though and cracks soon began to emerge between Van Gaal and his players, with influential captain Philipp Lahm describing him as “unwilling to budge from his philosophy.” The Dutchman’s defiance when it came to the potential signing of Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also irked some within the club.

Meanwhile, results on the pitch began to suffer and the Dutchman was sacked following a 1-1 draw with Nuremburg in April that left Bayern behind Hannover 96 in the race for the third Champions League position.

"Football should be enjoyable, but there has been nothing enjoyable about football at FC Bayern for a while now.” Club president Uli Hoeness said in April 2011. "And to say that he had the players behind him was a myth.”

Referring to the Neuer saga, Hoeness added: "Problems were created which were totally unnecessary and which have ripped the club to pieces. Louis Van Gaal should consider what he has done."

Van Gaal – and his only backer in sporting director Christian Nerlinger who was eventually sacked – made some frustrating moves in the transfer market. The arrivals of Edson Braafheid, Nils Petersen and Danijel Pranjic failed to work and despite being offered funds to invest after their Champions League final loss in 2010, the head coach stood firmly by his additions, and the club’s emerging young talent.

Lost control

Essentially, it was Van Gaal’s inability to control a dressing room packed full of big players and bigger personalities during his second season that proved his ultimate downfall.

And this is crucially where Heynckes has succeeded; bringing together a multi-national squad of immensely talented players that have gone on to earn the tag of ‘best Bayern side of all-time’.

Heynckes won the hearts of his players and re-introduced the squad cohesion lost under Van Gaal. German magazine KICKER led with a front-page feature in January on why the intense competition between attacking quartet Mario Mandzukic, Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben was creating stress in the camp.

However, there was never friction in the squad, with all four understanding the value of the team, while still being encouraged to show the individualism that makes Bayern a force.

Naturally, Robben and Gomez have expressed their unhappiness about being on the bench, but this hasn’t detracted from the overall picture in Munich.

Indeed, Robben and fellow attacker Franck Ribery have shown unfamiliar characteristics of playing for the sake of the team.

Their overall contribution this season is telling; Ribery contributes directly to a goal – by either scoring or assisting – every 109 minutes, while Robben does so every 81 minutes. And this is all thanks to the “teamwork” Heynckes has demanded of his players during his time in charge.

Impressive record

Heynckes has battled for self-recognition for some time, despite a CV illustrious enough to rival the very best managers in the game. The diversely-travelled German won back-to-back Bundesliga titles in his first spell at Bayern, before guiding Real Madrid to Champions League glory.

After spells at Benfica and Athletic Bilbao, he returned to his homeland and successfully carried out short-term stabilising missions at Schalke 04 and Bayer Leverkusen. Heynckes’ patience has been an integral asset to Bayern’s success of the last 18 months.

He has bitten his lip on many occasions when defied by the Bayern chiefs above him. The appointment of Pep Guardiola certainly annoyed the 68-year-old who hadn’t planned on retiring from his position, contrary to the official comments from the club.

Yet he hasn’t dug his heels in or looked to actively seek a move to a new club, and he will leave in the summer having turned down other roles within Bayern.

Instead, his remarkable shaping of this side, still on course for a treble – or quadruple if you include the DFL Super Cup – has alerted others of his unconfirmed future.

Perfect present

His 32nd season as a head coach will come to an end in potentially glittering style. He celebrated his 68th birthday on May 9, and the only present he will want is the Champions League trophy.

In the first-ever all-German final, Heynckes will take charge of the penultimate match of his career when his Bayern charges take on rivals Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on May 25.

From London it’s on to Berlin for the German Cup final and Heynckes’ swansong.

If Bayern prove triumphant at Wembley – and with the Bundesliga title already tucked firmly into their belt –VfB Stuttgart will be the last remaining hurdle to overcome in Bayern's search of the treble.

And success in the domestic cup final will consolidate what has already been a remarkable season for both coach and club.

* Ross Dunbar is the editor of bundesligafootball.co.uk and avid follower of German football. Follow him on Twitter @rossdunbar93.

- VIDEO: Contrasting tales for Dortmund and Bayern on final day

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Dubai-based Saudi woman makes Mount Everest history

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:14:31 +0000

Dubai-based Raha Moharrak has made history by becoming both the first Saudi woman and youngest Arab to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain.

The 25-year-old, who is a university graduate originally from Jeddah, was part of a four-person expedition to the top of Everest that also included the first Qatari man and the first Palestinian man attempting to reach the summit.

"I really don't care about being the first. So long as it inspires someone else to be second," said Moharrak, whose group are trying to raise $1million (£660,000) for education projects in Nepal.

Hailing from Saudi Arabia - a conservative Muslim country where women's rights are very restricted - Moharrak had to convince her family to agree to her climb, calling it "as great a challenge as the mountain itself", though they fully support her now.

Moharrak was one of 64 climbers to successfully scale Mount Everest from Nepal's side of the mountain.

Tilak Padney of Nepal's Mountaineering Department says 35 foreigners accompanied by 29 Nepalese Sherpa guides reached the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) peak on Saturday morning after climbing all night from the highest camp on South Col.

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Nadal - Federer: History points to Rome final classic

David Cooper — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:30:38 +0000

On Sunday evening, one of the great rivalries in sport will produce its latest showdown when Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer face-off in Rome in the Internazionali BNL d'Italia final.

Rome is the last - and most prestigious - tournament before Roland Garros and it is no surprise to see seven-time French Open champion Nadal take his place in the final.

After a torrid seven months out with injury, the Spaniard has resumed his career with aplomb; collecting five ATP titles in 2013, including four on the red surface.

Nadal, who is a six-time champion in Rome and will contest his fifth successive final and ninth overall, will start as heavy favourite against his old rival Federer and all the statistics justify exactly why.

Nadal dominates his Swiss counterpart in overall head-to-heads – 19 to 10 – but what is more worrying for the ‘Fed Express’ is his record against the 26-year-old on clay. The pair have played each other 14 times on the red stuff with Nadal emerging victorious on 12 of those occasions.

Looking beyond the clay, Nadal continues to lead Federer in overall finals. Of the 18 times the duo have faced each other in showpiece matches, the Spaniard has gone on to lift 12 trophies.

All the signs point to a one-sided Nadal victory, but those inside the stadium will be hoping for a similar spectacle to the last time these two met in a Rome final.

The year was 2006 and although Nadal was the victor, spectators were treated to a feast of stunning tennis.

In a match that lasted a whopping 305 minutes, the Spaniard won his second Rome title 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 in what was a genuine clay court classic.

It was the last year the event’s final was contested best of five sets so a repeat of their gruelling, marathon match is ot possible. But neutral tennis fans will be hoping for a similarly tightly-contested affair.

- 'Nice to see him back': Federer welcomes return from injury of rival Nadal

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Police: More IPL players involved in spot-fixing scandal

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:16:22 +0000

The fallout from the Indian Premier League spot-fixing scandal is set to continue with Indian police admitting they had widen their investigation after the arrest of three players and 11 bookmakers, warning that more teams were under the microscope.

Test discard Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was among a trio of players from the Rajasthan Royals arrested on Thursday over allegations they agreed to bowl badly during the IPL in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars.

But Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said players for some of the other eight teams involved in the ongoing domestic Twenty20 competition were now under suspicion.

"It is still early but some other teams are also involved" in the rigging, Kumar told AFP news agency by phone. "It is not established yet but we are looking into that," the police chief added.

Sreesanth, who has played 27 Tests for India, is alleged to have been paid four million rupees (about $75,000) to give away 14 runs in an over while playing for the Rajasthan Royals against the Kings XI Punjab on May 9.

His teammate Ankeet Chavan had also allegedly agreed to give away the same number of runs in a match Wednesday against the Mumbai Indians in exchange for $110,000.

The third player, Ajit Chandila, was believed to have been paid $36,000 for giving away a set number of runs in a match between the Royals and the Pune Warriors.

Kumar did not disclose the identity of teams now under the widened police investigation but said he was "hopeful" of a breakthrough.

The Mail Today newspaper also quoted Kumar as saying "there could be much more grime and dirt than we anticipated."

"Many more players and teams have now come under our microscope; the conspiracy is much, much larger," Kumar told the daily.

The three players have already been suspended and authorities were expected to impose lifetime bans at a meeting later Sunday.

- Sreesanth and two others arrested for alleged spot-fixing

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English football to bid farewell to a series of greats

Simon Foster — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:34:01 +0000

The English Premier League season is set for its conclusion today and while it's always sad to see the end of any campaign, this year is sure to bring added emotion as we bid farewell to a succession of its memorable characters.

Aside from the battle for Champions League qualification between Arsenal and Tottenham, there is little else left to play for, and as such most of the attention will be directed at the swansongs of some Premier League greats.

Today will represent the final outings for Manchester United midfield great Paul Scholes, Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher and Stoke – and former Liverpool and Manchester United – striker Michael Owen.

And of course, it’s farewell to the greatest presence of them all; Sir Alex Ferguson, who will take charge of United for the 1,500th and final time at West Brom.

An 87th-minute goal from Rio Ferdinand against Swansea City last weekend gave Ferguson victory in his final home game on an emotional afternoon at Old Trafford, and he is desperate to bow out with another win at The Hawthorns.

"Now the match on Sunday, 1,500 games, it has been quite incredible," said the 71-year-old Scot, whose immediate post-retirement plans include a trip to the races at Newmarket on Tuesday, a holiday and surgery on his hip.

"It could not be more difficult. West Brom have done terrific this season and they (United's players) will want to win this one more than last week's, even, so hopefully we can do that."

Ferguson's successor-in-waiting, David Moyes, will end his 11-year association with Everton at Chelsea, who on Wednesday claimed a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Benfica in the final of the Europa League. Moyes, who will take over from Ferguson on a six-year contract on July 1, said he was grateful to the players who have played under him.

"The memories I've got from Everton are going to live with me for a long time," he said. "The character the players here have had is great. All the players in my time here have been great."

United veteran Ryan Giggs believes Moyes will be warmly welcomed by Old Trafford.

"What David Moyes is coming into is a good atmosphere, a really good bunch of lads, very good players and a really strong squad, so it is a strong position to be in. But the downside is that you have to follow the most successful manager that has ever lived," said Giggs.

United and Liverpool old boy, Owen, will hope to feature in Stoke game at Southampton after announcing that he, too, will retire at the end of the season.

Liverpool's fans, meanwhile, are preparing to say goodbye to long-serving defender Carragher, who is set to make his 737th and final appearance at home to QPR before taking up a position as a television pundit next season.

Asked how he would like to be remembered, Carragher said: "A decent lad who had a go. Everyone has an opinion as to whether you are a good or a bad player -- as long as everyone thought I put a shift in, home or away.

"I've not been a flash type of fella. As a player you improve with experience but I've been the same sort of player (throughout his career)."

Carragher will captain Liverpool and the club have also announced that he will be honoured with a guard of honour from both teams before the game.

The only source of real suspense on the final day will be the tussle for Champions League qualification. Tottenham Hotspur hope to pip Arsenal to the fourth and final qualifying place, but to do that they must win at home to Sunderland and hope their north London rivals drop points at Newcastle United.

There is also a possibility that Chelsea and Arsenal will end the season level on points, goal difference and goals scored, which would necessitate a play-off to decide which club finishes third and qualifies automatically for the Champions League.

For that to happen, Chelsea would need to draw 0-0 at home to Everton and Arsenal would need to win 2-1 at St James' Park, but Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez says he does not envisage such a scenario.

"It's too early to talk about that," he said. "If we have to do it, the rules are the rules. I don't think it's ideal, but in trying to avoid this situation, we will score goals and we will try to win."

Wigan Athletic's loss at Arsenal on Tuesday consigned them to relegation alongside Reading and QPR, but the clubs above the bottom three still have a financial incentive to finish the season as high up the table as possible due to the incremental allocation of end-of-season prize money.

Fixtures Sunday (7:00pm UAE time):
Chelsea v Everton
Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers
Manchester City v Norwich City
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Southampton v Stoke City
Swansea City v Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United
West Ham United v Reading
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa

- Got it wrong: Ferguson slams Manchester City for Mancini sacking

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VIDEO: Contrasting tales for Dortmund & Bayern on final day

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:22:23 +0000

Borussia Dortmund suffered an injury scare ahead of next Saturday's Champions League final, while Wembley opponents Bayern Munich won a seven-goal thriller to bring the curtain down on a record-breaking Bundesliga season.

Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels is a major doubt after damaging ankle ligaments in his side's shock 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim at the Westfalenstadion on Saturday.

The German international picked up the injury in the process of fouling Hoffenheim's Kevin Volland in the area, which led to the first of Sejad Salihovic's two penalties in the last 13 minutes.

Hummels limped off, was taken to hospital and Dortmund are now waiting anxiously to discover the extent of the damage.

"He went over on it, which rarely means there is good news," said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp. "The ankle looks thick, but with a view for the final, there is definitely a chance he can play, according to the team doctor."

There was some good news for Dortmund, though, as playmaker Mario Gotze told German daily Bild his hamstring injury is healing well and he is positive of his chances of playing at Wembley.

But Klopp was far from happy as the side likely to start at Wembley failed to take their chances against Hoffenheim, whose victory took them out of the bottom two and into a relegation play-off for Bundesliga survival.

"We played great football for the first hour, but we didn't take our chances," he said after his team were denied a late equaliser by Marcel Schmelzer which the referee ruled offside.

"The penalties were no problem, but I can't say anything about the goal for 2-2 which wasn't given. We can draw a thick line under the Bundesliga season and we just want to see who we have fit now for Wembley."

Both Dortmund and Bayern fielded teams likely to start at Wembley, with differing results. Having lifted the German league shield last weekend, Bayern came from two-goals down to secure a 4-3 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach with Franck Ribery scoring twice and creating the other goals.

The champions dug deep for their 29th league victory in 34 matches as Dutch wing Arjen Robben hit the second-half winner after Gladbach had scored three goals in the opening 10 minutes.

"We have seen from the result in Dortmund, that you can not rule it out that minds are already thinking about the final," admitted Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes. "I certainly saw that with my team. Everything revolves around the final.

"It was important for us to win today and maintain self-confidence. Gladbach caught us out, they have a good system, a good counter-attack and they press well, they were a decent opponent to practice for Wembley."

Having started as a 19-year-old striker at Moenchengladbach in 1963, before coaching the team, Heynckes said he had "closed the circle" of his career after his 1,011th and final Bundesliga game at 'Gladbach.

Heynckes was reduced to tears in the post-match press conference after bringing the curtain down on a managerial career that also saw him win the European Cup with Real Madrid back in 1998.

His Bayern team are still bidding for the treble of European, league and cup titles and after the Champions League final take on VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final in Berlin on June 1.

Bayern finish the league season with 25 Bundesliga records, including most wins (29), most points (91), fewest goals conceded (18) and the biggest points lead over the side in second (25).

- BIG INTERVIEW: Havard Nordveit on turning his back on Arsenal for Gladbach

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How Man City & Sheikh Mansour have built their American dream

Steve Brenner — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:46:27 +0000

In part two of our special feature - Manchester City in the MLS - Steve Brenner looks at the stellar work already being carried out by the Abu Dhabi-club that has perhaps gone unnoticed...

PART I: A great American adventure awaits Man City and Sheikh Mansour

Anyone thinking Manchester City’s American push is just a wild stab in the dark only needs to scratch the surface of what Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister of the UAE and minister of presidential affairs, has been doing away from the watchful gaze of planet football.

He may have invested millions on helping City conquer the Premier League and become a heavyweight rival to Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, but the money quietly spent in the US on community programmes – no more than $10million (Dh36.7m) – has laid some fantastic foundations which have reverberated strongly in the Big Apple.

This coming Saturday, Sheikh Mansour is expected to be announced as the new owner of the much coveted 20th MLS franchise in New York. It’s a bold, new adventure for Abu Dhabi.

Three years in the making

Yet May 25 isn’t the day this all begins. In fact, you need to turn the clock back three years to identify the moment when City signalled their intentions to become a force in the United States.

In 2010 following the Abu Dhabi United Group’s takeover, the club began establishing their non-profit City soccer in the community programmes, reaching out to over 4,000 children in the inner cities, providing them with coaching and pitches.

What began with the building of a soccer centre in Harlem, complete with a blue dome enabling play any day and in any conditions, has grown into a project which has touched many areas of this vast country. The soccer centres in East LA, Miami, New York, Chicago and Washington have all gone down a storm.

City are the only club in world football providing such a dedicated, driven project to children in the US or beyond.

Forget the idea of Sheikh Mansour just rolling into the Big Apple, grabbing the franchise and beginning to plot for the future. This is a plan, from both a business and sporting viewpoint, which makes perfect sense. It’s about building the foundations.

They know the American market is booming like never before. The scope for millions to be made by marketing and sponsorship alone is monumental. Furthermore, all the best young talents will be found in the areas City are touching right now. Places where children can only dream of making it out of the depravity and head towards a meaningful future.

Head into the big City: The Abu Dhabi-owned club making great stides in the US.

Gary Hopkins, City’s International development supremo, a man with over 25 years experience of working in the American soccer scene, paints an enthusiastic, driven picture of just what the Abu Dhabi money has done for the future of the club in the States.

The net is being cast far and wide in anticipation of the club becoming the global brand to rival their cross city rivals in red – with a superbly solid framework already in place which is leaving other European superpowers in its wake.

“Speak to anyone involved in US soccer and they will all say the same thing – Manchester City have come here and they are doing things right. We’ve been working alongside them for three years now, helping soccer grow,” Hopkins told Sport 360°.

“This all began with the takeover. City came out in 2010, trained in Portland, played games in New York, Atlanta and Baltimore. When we were in New York it was a mandate from the UAE that they wanted us to leave a legacy behind. So we started to look at the possibilities of what we could do and we came up with the idea of building a soccer field for inner city kids.

“We got a clear mandate from the UAE that we have to be working in the community, we have to be giving something back, doing good things with the kids. Sheikh Mansour, together with Yousef Al Otaiba ambassador for the UAE in Washington is a co-founder, part of the project and is a huge football fan.

“You get the aura of being one of the richest clubs in the world and that’s great. You can buy all the best players in the world and that is great for the fans and the club. But you can also do great things. And what we have found is there has been a real desire from the Sheikh to want to do good things in the community.

"All our focus in the US has been about giving something back while laying down things at the same time. The ambassador plays football with the kids when he gets the chance – they think he’s a cool guy – and he is. It breaks down barriers. What better way to smash stereotypes than soccer? They are fully engaged. This isn’t just a press moment for them.”

Market leaders

It’s a massive time for the MLS though – their chance to start really getting their claws into a top European team. Matt Higgins, CEO of New York based RSE Ventures – a sports entertainment holding company – is an expert on what makes American teams tick and has been blown away by City’s boldness.

“It’s a visionary move by Manchester City in terms of setting out their youth programmes and extending their brand through the MLS and I will be surprised if more clubs don’t follow them in the future,” said Higgins who has played major executive roles at the likes of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets in the NFL.

“There is a fan base to be cultivated in the United States and now, because of the new NBC TV deal (which begins from next season) there is more content available now than ever before. It’s a great time to do it. Making sure the clubs are reaching out to the kids is vitally important too.

“People think its a smart move. You can’t think locally – it has to be global. The marketplace in the US is very strong right now. Chelsea have been doing a lot of work, PSG are getting more involved while AC Milan have become very interested as to how they can enter the marketplace. Look at what is happening. City’s game v Chelsea in St Louis on Wednesday sold out in three hours.”

In Queens – the highly culturally diverse melting pot where the New York City FC will be based – matches are likely to be the hottest tickets around too. The thousands of football mad Mexicans, Colombians and Hondurans cannot wait for kick-off in 2016. It’s a marketing man’s dream – something the Red Bulls have failed to nail.

The new generation: Children at one of City's many soccer schools.

Milton Ospina, a Colombian who has played in Flushing Meadow Park – the area where the new stadium will be built – for over 20 years knows what a positive affect it will have on the community.

People in Queens won’t go to New Jersey to see the Red Bulls while the Cosmos, who will play in the division below the MLS after failing to outbid City, will struggle to capture the imagination performing away from the big time.

He said: ”It will fantastic for Queens and the people here. There have been no efforts from the Red Bulls to try and get us to the stadium. This will be different though. I can’t wait to take my kids to the matches and it will create jobs.

“There are thousands of people playing amateur soccer here. The interest will be massive. “Football is a passion for us in Queens and having Manchester City’s franchise playing in the area will be brilliant.”

Soccer schools in New York City... and beyond

NEW YORK
Bronx
Manhattanville
4x Harlem
Hell's Kitchen
Midtown West
2x Chelsea
West Village
Lower East Side
3x Chinatown
Brooklyn
MIAMI
CHICAGO
LOS ANGELES

- Man City plan global growth on Abu Dhabi model

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Josef eyes Wahda stay; Olaroiu denies Al Ain exit talk

Martyn Thomas — Sun, 19 May 2013 07:32:22 +0000

Al Wahda caretaker coach Josef Hickersberger has given the clearest indication yet that he would accept an offer to stay with the club beyond the end of the season.

The Austrian answered an SOS call on April 29 and is due to end his third spell in the capital in just six days, following the final game of the campaign against Al Jazira.

Hickersberger has so far insisted he was only in the UAE on a temporary basis, but replying to a question on his future following his side's 2-0 win over Al Ain on Saturday night, the 65-year-old said: “All I know is I have a ticket to Vienna on June 1 and I will go back to Vienna and wait and see.

“Maybe I will get an offer from a club in the UAE. OK, I will consider it and it would be really good for me to work again as a coach, not on an interim basis or as a caretaker coach.

“I would like to work with a team and start the season with a team because I believe in hard work, I don’t believe in magic as a coach or quick fixes; they do not work.”

Hickersberger had just one week to prepare Wahda for their President’s Cup semi-final defeat to Al Shabab but has overseen two Pro League wins in a row since then.

“I know the team, I know the club and for that reason I am here because I wanted to help them out of the situation they were in,” he added.

“Of course it is much easier for a coach who has worked with all the players for the past three-and-a-half years and knows most of the players really well.”

Al Ain’s Cosmin Olaroiu was also forced to clarify his future given recent speculation of interest from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli.

“I still have one year of my contract with Al Ain,” Olaroiu said. “I haven’t negotiated with anyone, I still have a year left on my contract with Al Ain and I will stay and will see afterwards if the club want me.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Al Ahli wrapped up second place in the league with a resounding 3-0 win over Etisalat Cup winners Ajman at the Zabeel Stadium.

UAE international Ahmed Khalil was on the scoresheet, and said: “These matches are tough because you’re really focused on trying to get those three points, but thankfully we passed this test with flying colours, and we still have one more against Dhafra next week.

“We also face Shabab in the President’s Cup final, but we are taking it one match a time. It’s important to finish your current task before looking ahead.”

Ajman’s Ismail Al Jasmi felt the side’s cup exertions had taken their toll. He said: “Perhaps we’re a bit tired mentally and physically. We weren’t taking this match lightly, we were just exhausted.”

- Al Ahli see off Ajman to book Champions League spot

- Pro League relegation goes down to the last day

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VIDEO: Beckham bids adieu in tearful PSG send-off

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:49:14 +0000

With the Beatles ringing in his ears and tears in his eyes, David Beckham admitted that his starring role in Paris Saint-Germain's French title party "couldn't have been any more perfect" as his decorated career came to an end on Saturday night.

The 38-year-old former England captain, one of the most high-profile players to shuffle between football and celebrity, made his final home appearance for the Ligue 1 champions on Saturday before heading into retirement.

Although PSG have one more game left to play, next weekend's meaningless fixture on an unforgiving plastic pitch at humble Lorient will almost certainly see Beckham watching from the sidelines.

"We have one more game officially, but it's a plastic surface and it was only a few years ago that I ruptured my Achilles (tendon). So whether or not I play, who knows?," said Beckham after PSG marked their Ligue 1 triumph with a 3-1 win over relegated Brest.

PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi, the helmsman of Qatar's huge financial stake in the Paris club, is convinced that the Beckham story is over.

"Up to the coach but basically, I think that will be the last match for him," Al-Khelaifi told BBC Sport.

Beckham, who rose from modest beginnings in east London to amass a fortune of £165 million has been linked with a raft of future career possibilities. They range from promotional roles with PSG and China and British Sky Sports television, to buying a stake in an American club in Major League Soccer where he has already played for Los Angeles Galaxy.

But, as befits a sports diplomat in the making, Beckham preferred to concentrate on the end of his brief, five-month stay with PSG rather than the unfamiliar challenges of retirement.

The stadium gave him a standing ovation as he left the pitch 10 minutes from time in floods of tears at the end of an evening which had seen him handed the captain's armband by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

He was saluted by a guard of honour from his teammates before he climbed the podium to receive his Ligue 1 title medal. Draped in an English flag and serenaded by the Beatles' "Hello, Goodbye", a laser show accompanied a brief video highlights reel of his time with the club. It concluded with the words: "Thank you David".

"The emotions started kicking in about 20 minutes before I went off. It was hard to even run and kick the ball. And to see the reaction of the players was really special," he said.

With 25 members of his family looking on - including his parents and wife Victoria - Beckham admitted that his own sons had already made off with the match-day souvenirs.

"The boys nicked my boots and shorts and medal," Beckham told Sky Sports. "The experience has been the best. I feel so lucky to have had this profession for 20 years. It's very special and to go out like this, it could not be any more perfect."

Beckham said he felt humbled by being named captain for the match. "When the manager told me, it was really special. To be an Englishman as captain on a night which meant so much to the fans. It was an amazing gesture and I will always be thankful for it."

Last week, Beckham had helped PSG to their first league title since 1994 with a win over Lyon, and then announced he would retire at the end of the season having captured a championship in a fourth different league - he had already succeeding with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Galaxy.

"Thanks to everyone in Paris, to all of my teammates, the staff and fans," said Beckham at the trophy presentation. "It's been very special to finish my career here. I now want to enjoy time with my family. I have all the memories I need.

"Paris has always been one of the world's most beautiful places for me and I am very sad to be leaving."

On the pitch, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice while Beckham had a hand in the other PSG goal, a trademark, inch-perfect corner finding Blaise Matuidi to hit the target.

- Emirates and PSG pen new five-year sponsorship deal

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Atletico's Cup joy short-lived as Falcao’s exit looms

Andy West — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:22:56 +0000

Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey triumph rounded off a remarkable season for Diego Simeone’s side, who have also enjoyed tremendous success in La Liga by securing a third place finish to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

However, a dark cloud looms on the horizon with continuing speculation that star striker Radamel Falcao – who did brilliantly to set up Diego Costa’s equalising goal on Friday night – will be sold to Ligue 1 newcomers Monaco.

The Principality club are believed to be on the verge of clinching a €60million (Dh282.8m) move for the Colombian striker, despite reports in the UK press on Sunday suggesting Manchester City have joined the chase.

Monaco boss Claudio Ranieri remains hopeful the prolific marksmen will head for France: “Who wouldn’t want a striker that always scores? “We hope he’ll come and play with us. Players like him will allow us to start building our future.”

Rather than worrying about the future, Atletico boss Simeone understandably preferred to hail the fortitude of his players after watching them make history by beating Real Madrid for the first time in 26 games to lift the Copa del Rey trophy at the Bernabeu.

Los Rojiblancos showed tremendous resolve – and enjoyed more than a little fortune – to take the game into extra time after withstanding a second half battering from their more illustrious neighbours.

Simeone’s men then found extra energy to dominate the early exchanges of extra time, fully meriting their match-winning goal which arrived via the head of Brazilian defender Miranda.

And despite some desperate Real attacks in the final 15 minutes, Atletico held firm to secure their first major domestic trophy since 1996.

“I don’t have enough words for these players,” said Simeone. “It was an incredible game. We had the luck that you need to become champions, but the work done by these players is incredible and this title is unforgettable.

“We represent hope for society, a reference point for people who are suffering and who are not enjoying the best of times. We show people that if you work hard, your moment will come.”

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Wilkinson: Toulon glory better than Rugby World Cup win

Sport 360 staff — Sun, 19 May 2013 05:44:41 +0000

Jonny Wilkinson described winning the Heineken Cup with Toulon as a bigger achievement than his Rugby World Cup triumph a decade ago.

English fly-half Wilkinson kicked three penalties and the decisive conversion following Delon Armitage's try in a thrilling 16-15 victory over Clermont Auvergne in Dublin.

"It is right up there," said Wilkinson after Toulon's win over their French Top 14 rivals. "In fact, it goes beyond [winning the World Cup] because life is in the now, it is not in the past. The next thing you search for, the next goal you set, life just gets better and better if you are in a club as good as this.

"It has been hugely important [to win this]. You ask yourselves the questions all the time: whether you still merit being there, whether you still deserve to be in teams like this. Moments like this give you that opportunity to look at it and realise what an amazing opportunity we all have."

Story of the match

Clermont dominated the first half and appeared to take control of the final with quick-fire tries after the interval from Fijian wing Naipolioni Nalaga and the Australian fly-half Brock James.

But Wilkinson had said before the game that European glory was all he had left to play for and Toulon epitomised the desire of their captain. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe pilfered a crucial turnover, Armitage streaked clear to score and Wilkinson’s conversion edged Toulon into the lead for the first time after 65 minutes.

And they would not relinquish it with Wilkinson charging out to block a drop goal attempt from David Skrela with fewer than two minutes remaining. That charge-down sealed Toulon’s victory and Wilkinson his first title and his first winners’ medal since the 2003 Rugby World Cup final.

Toulon players were in tears at the Aviva Stadium after a contest every bit as tight, intense and ferocious as expected.

Clermont took the lead with a third-minute penalty from Morgan Parra, drilled through the posts from 45 metres.

Wilkinson had his usual pre-match routine disrupted when stadium officials turned down his request for an early morning kicking session but he made no mistake to draw Toulon level.

But Clermont dominated the first half. They were the more dangerous outfit with the ball in hand as danger-man Wesley Fofana and Sitiveni Sivivatu carved through the Toulon line.

Their opponents defended for long periods of the first half but their rearguard held firm, although they were fortunate not to be punished by a Clermont counter-attack from a Rudi Wulf knock-on.

James chipped ahead, edged in front of Chris Masoe and dived for the ball but television match official Marshall Kilgore ruled he had grounded it on the dead ball line, so no try. But 96 seconds after the interval, the rampaging Fijian wing Nalaga broke the deadlock. His captain Aurelien Rougerie attracted two defenders and slipped the ball to Nalaga, who put his foot down to storm through a tackle from Sebastien Tillous-Borde and beat Armitage to the corner.

Wilkinson scored Toulon’s second penalty but it was temporary respite as Clermont struck again immediately. This time Rougerie collected James’ clever chip over the Toulon defence and slipped the pass back to the Australian fly-half, who out-paced Masoe and Matt Giteau to score.

Wilkinson reduced the arrears with a third penalty and Toulon then raced into the lead, for the first time in the game, with Armitage’s try after 65 minutes.

Toulon then defended with their lives and it was fitting – or perhaps inevitable – that Wilkinson was the man to secure the victory by charging down Skrela’s drop-goal attempt.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

IPL: Kings XI thrash Mumbai to bow out on a high

Sudhir Gutpa — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:47:11 +0000

Kings XI Punjab gave captain Adam Gilchrist a perfect parting gift at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala yesterday as they thrashed table-toppers Mumbai Indians by 50 runs.

Even though Gilchrist managed just five runs with the bat, he had his moment to cherish with the ball as he took the last wicket of the match – that of Harbhajan Singh – to spark wild celebrations among his team-mates and the crowd.

With Mumbai assured of a top-two finish and Punjab already eliminated, there were fears the match might be short on intensity, but that wasn’t the case.

Punjab batted freely and ran away with the game through a magnificent stand of 148 off just 86 deliveries between Shaun Marsh (63 off 47 deliveries) and Azhar Mahmood (80 off 44 balls) for the third wicket.

They ended with a massive total of 183-8. During the chase, Mumbai changed their batting order and sent Ambati Rayudu at No3, but Punjab’s bowlers always had the match under control. Aditya Tare (22), Rayudu (26), captain Rohit Sharma (25) and Kieron Pollard (22) all threatened briefly but never got going.

Piyush Chawla got rid of both Rohit and Pollard to ensure there was no late twist in the game. Gilchrist chose to bowl the last over of the game and picked up Harbhajan’s wicket with his first delivery, which was his 13th in competitive senior cricket and which gave him his only wicket, as Mumbai were restricted to 133 with pacer Dhawal Kulkarni unable to bat due to a side strain.

The result is a wake-up call for Mumbai ahead of the first qualifier against Chennai Super Kings in New Delhi on Tuesday, May 22. After the match, Gilchrist looked back at his stint with the Kings XI Punjab.

“Eight wins and eight losses, that sums up our cricket in the last three years. It will be interesting to see how careers go over the next few years. I am just happy to watch now and be entertained. I have had wonderful memories with Kings XI.”

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Dravid pleased with Royals response after spot-fixing row

Sport 360 staff — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:34:14 +0000

Rajasthan Royals skipper Rahul Dravid is busy picking up the pieces after three of his players – S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan – were named in the IPL spot-fixing scandal.

The Royals lost Friday’s game to Sunrisers Hyderabad and captain Dravid said that his team did well to put up a fight in the first place.

“There is no point brushing things under the carpet. It was a tough couple of days for everyone concerned. But, I was happy the way the boys responded to this challenge. It was not easy for all of them,” Dravid said after his team’s 23-run defeat.

“But, I think once we crossed the line, I could sense that everyone was playing to win, everyone wan-ted to do their best, everyone was trying to put up a really good show for our fans.

“We had some great support. It was really a pleasure to lead the team,” he added.

Lending his support to the emb-attled Dravid was another former India captain – Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly said he felt bad for Dravid who had to ‘contend with people like Greg Chappell and Sreesanth” during his captaincy stints for the country and IPL respectively.

“I really feel bad for Rahul. It’s his sheer bad luck. First he had Greg Chappell (as India coach) when he led India. Now he has to contend with Sreesanth. These two people have created confusion.”

Police recover belongings
Mumbai police yesterday revealed they had seized mobiles, iPhones, laptops, data cards and other personal belongings of S Sreesanth and his relative-cum-bookmaker Jiju Janardhan.

Sreesanth was arrested by Delhi police from a five-star hotel in south Mumbai on Thursday. Mumbai Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) Himanshu Roy, who is heading the investigations, added that they are also analysing the diaries belonging to Sreesanth.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Predict360: Man Utd on cusp of inaugural league title

Sport 360 staff — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:27:03 +0000

It barely feels like yesterday we were all gearing up for the start of the season. Manchester City were Premier League champions, Roberto Di Matteo was in charge at Chelsea, and Robin van Persie was an Arsenal player.

But as they say, a year is a long time in football and so it has proved this year. Along with the customary dramatics of the football season, this year saw the inaugural Predict360 league get underway. Seven UAE-based football fans battled it out with weekly predictions in an attempt to be crowned the finest predictor in the Emirates.

So we at Sport360 will take this opportunity to congratulate Moe for guiding Manchester United to the Predict360 title. Whether Simon joins our United die-hard in sharing top honours will depend on a correct final day forecast and Moe failing to collect a point.

Elsewhere, an end-of-season fightback from Mark has seen Everton rise from the foot of the table and another correct score will see our resident Toffee move into mid-table.

Meanwhile, this season’s wooden spoon looks like it’s heading to Chelsea unless Shivam can pull off a three-point week this week.

Gentlemen, for one last time this season; best of luck. It’s been our pleasure. And until next year…

CURRENT LEAGUE TABLE (after 34 rounds)
Man United (Moe) – 31pts
Tottenham (Simon) – 28
Man City (Darren) – 25
Arsenal (Ted) – 25
Everton (Mark) – 24
Liverpool (Obaydah) – 23
Chelsea (Shivam) – 21

TED TOTSIDIS - @TedTots (Arsenal)

What went wrong last week? Diddly-squat! Arsenal got the three points that mattered most and set themselves up for a great end to the season. I'm sitting in joint 3rd on the Predict360 table knowing that a perfect result this week could propel me to second. Here's hoping!

This week: DESTINY IS IN OUR HANDS!! With the Gunners traveling north to the Tyne, it's essentially three points or bust if Arsenal want Champions League football next season. However I'm taking confidence in the fact that Newcastle have been shambolic at home lately, having conceded nine goals in their last two home matches.

With everything to play for, something tells me Arsenal may meet some good ol' fashioned Geordie-French resistance rather than the lax Newcastle of late... never fear though, our own French d-i-c-t-a-t-o-r, I mean professor, will make sure all is right in the world of the Gunners once again. Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal

On a side note, it's David Moyes' last match in charge of Everton and I have a sneaking suspicion his lads will step up to send their gaffer off in emphatic fashion. Chelsea's gaffer already had his emphatic sendoff with the mid-week Europa League win so I'm hedging my bets in the hope that Arsenal claim third spot by the end of tomorrow's matches and then beyond that, nothing else matters really... I'm annoying aren't I?!

Lastly, a big thank you to Sport360 for all the laughs and banter throughout the season and big thanks to all the competitors. It was a heap of fun and I hope to see you all on the Predict360 field next season too!

SHIVAM MANGHNANI - @ShivamLM (Chelsea)

What happened last week? Frank-ly speaking last week couldn't have been any better (minus that Aston Villa goal); Lampard getting to 203 goals and Chelsea securing Champions League football. Not to mention winning the Europa League in Chelsea style. It should create a positive atmosphere around the club heading into Rafa Benitez's last game.

This week: The match itself shouldn't be too much of a problem given David Moyes' record away at the bigger clubs. The only concern for me would be how out of ideas we looked against Benfica without Eden Hazard. We will miss his ingenuity in breaking down a sturdy Everton side but with the club on a high I don't think this match will be too much of a problem. As much as I would enjoy beating Arsenal for the third time this season it would be best to avoid a silly play off. Chelsea 2-0 Everton

MARK SCHUMANN - @MarkSchuey (Everton)

Mr Schumann is a busy man this week but has still found time to get his prediction over ahead of David Moyes' final game in charge of Everton. After an emotional farewell to the Goodison Park faithful last week, Moyes will bow out unbeaten, according to Mark. Chelsea 1-1 Everton

OBAYDAH AL-NAMER - @LFCArabia (Liverpool)

What went wrong last week? Unbeaten in our last six games, Liverpool responded quickly with Daniel Sturridge scoring an immediate equaliser. Philippe Coutinho was immense once again and that pass to Sturridge for his third goal was brilliant, this lad has a great future ahead of him with us. The score line doesn’t reflect Liverpool’s dominance. We must have won at least 6-1.

This week: After 16 years, Liverpool will be looking to celebrate Jamie Carragher's career in style as they round off the season at Anfield. The veteran Liverpool defender will captain the side against QPR on his 737th and final appearance before retirement in the absence of Steven Gerrard.

The fact that Liverpool aren’t competing for top honors and are out of the race for Europe, “Mr. Liverpool” will be the centre of attention. A modern Liverpool legend. Liverpool will have no problems against QPR. Liverpool 3-0 QPR

DARREN BALL - @AbuDhabiDaz (Man City)

What went wrong last week? After totally missing my 2-0 prediction win over Reading midweek I'm really just like City this year and fighting for nothing. I think we should play next goal wins type thing and whoever guesses correct wins the lot!!

City dominated Reading in what was a tepid display all round which is what was expected with everything surrounding both clubs. Now Bobby has departed and we wait the news on who is lined up for the hot seat we secured 2nd place which is not a bad season really.

This week: This weekend sees the curtain fall on a hard season as champions with the visit of Delia's Canaries. With our Kidd at the reigns we are looking to go out on a high and give the fans what they have become accustomed to and grab the last three points of the season. I'm sure we are all a bit taken back with Mancini going but it's time to move on with the new. Man City 4-0 Norwich

MOHAMMED ANABTAWI - @MoeAnabtawi (Man Utd)

What happened last week? Last week was an emotional outing for the Reds. A fitting ending for the gaffer having his boys win it late in the match and have Rio become the squad’s 20th goal scorer! It has been quite a send off for Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford! I have never seen the Theatre of Dreams so Red in my life! Sir Alex’s final messages were quite clear: 1-) Stand by your new manager! 2-) We were the most wonderful experience of his life. Thank You Sir Alex.

This week: 1500 matches later, United travel to West Brom for Sir Alex Fergusons final match of the season. Every team wants to win their final home match of the season, but I doubt Fergie wants to leave on a low. I believe Sir Alex will field out a youthful squad on Sunday emphasizing on the legacy & pool of talent he leaves behind.

The boys will be adamant to try and give the Gaffer the sendoff he deserves from their side. Expect the away Red Army to casually outclass the home team. This will not be so easy though. It has also been a privilege for me to be part of the #Predict360 panel. I really look forward to next season with possible new members? I hope I can wrap things up as Champion come the fixtures on Sunday. Come on United! West Brom 2-3 Man Utd

SIMON THURSTON - @SimonPThurston (Tottenham)

What went wrong last week? A hard-earned yet deserved victory at Stoke last week leaves Spurs and myself on the brink of something special. If we both get it right this weekend, and depending on other results, fourth place for Spurs and joint top of the Predict 360 League table is still a possibility. Fingers crossed eh.

This week: I just know that come 7pm UAE time on Sunday, what is left of my finger nails will be chewed further as all eyes will be on proceedings at both White Hart Lane and St James' Park. Of course to have any chance of leapfrogging Arsenal, the Lilywhites have to win, and looking at the likely squads for this match up I can't see anything other than three points for my team. As we have already seen this season however, football can be a funny old game.

Although depleted with injuries and suspensions, the Black Cats are safe from relegation and have no need to 'go for it' -- so they may just park a big red and white striped bus and look to frustrate the home team. Spurs will have as close to a full strength squad as they've had for most of the season (minus long term absentees Sandro and Kaboul) which is why I think they'll just have too much for Sunderland on the day. Tottenham 2-0 Sunderland

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Federer the final barrier in Rome for tired Nadal

Sport 360 staff — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:15:01 +0000

Rafael Nadal set up a final showdown with Roger Federer after dominating Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-4 in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Second seed Federer made it to the final after a hard-fought 7-6 (5), 6-4 win over Frenchman Benoit Paire late on Saturday night.

Berdych had caused the first major upset of the tournament when he ousted world No1 Novak Djokovic on Friday. However, despite an improved second set performance against the fifth seed, the Czech could not match Nadal’s power as the Spaniard put himself within touch of a second title inside a week following his Madrid Masters triumph last Sunday.

Nadal admitted he was “very tired” after being pushed to three-set matches on his way to the semi-final. But the Spaniard sent his rivals a veiled warning when he said this display was the best he had produced since his comeback.

“I think I did almost everything well,” said Nadal. “Changing direction, playing inside the court, going to the net when I had the chance.

“I am very happy about the way I played. I played one of my best matches since I came back, that’s my feeling.”

Berdych had beaten Djokovic with a combination of big serves and smart shots from the middle of the second set. But the big Czech was given little chance by six-time champion Nadal, who made good on his intention to get this semi-final over and done with as quickly as possible.

Nadal, who has now reached eight finals in as many events since his return from a seven-month injury lay-off, collecting five titles in the process, broke Berdych twice in the opening set, including in the opening game.

Berdych’s chances of victory looked slim considering the statistics – he had beaten Nadal only three times in 16 previous encounters. Only four of those were on clay, and all were won by the Spaniard.

Berdych started the second set positively by holding serve, but squandered his first break point in the next. This was a much tighter set, but Berdych’s slim hopes were tempered by a Nadal forehand winner in the ninth game which gave him the break.

The Spaniard sealed the win in the 10th game when Berdych sent a backhand return long.

“He starts really well and, of course, it’s Rafa and we know how he plays on clay,” said Berdych. “It was a good start for him. Yesterday I had one chance that I did take and I won, and today I had one chance that I didn’t take and I lost.”

Nadal, who will be looking for a 24th Masters title today, added: “Eight finals in a row is more than a dream for me. Five months ago it was completely impossible to think about something like this.

“Tomorrow, I hope to play very well. If I win, it will be fantastic. But if I lose it will be okay as well.”

Federer

Federer trails 10-19 in their head-to-head and will attempt to beat the Spaniard on clay for just the third time in 15 attempts.

It will be their second contest of the season, with Nadal having won in straight sets when they met in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March.

Seven years ago, they played out one of the greatest clay-court finals in Rome, with Nadal prevailing in a fifth set tie-break after five hours and five minutes.

Paire has been one of the sensations of the tournament and pushed his Swiss rival to a first set tiebreak. However, Federer raised his game in an equally tight second set to secure his place in Sunday's final.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Bakaro Bull edge Ahli in Shabab Club International clash

Angel Tesorero — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:39:29 +0000

American import Michael Singletary and guard-forward Allein Maliksi led the last quarter charge for Barako Bull Energy Cola to get past Al Ahli-Libya 80-75 in the 2nd Al Shabab Club International Basketball Tournament.

Singletary registered a double-double performance, leading all players with 31 points and 14 rebounds. He also made five of his seven attempts from the three-point area and went 10 out of 13 from the free throw line, while Maliksi scored 14 of his total 21 points in the fourth period.

Barako Bull started strong and established a nine-point lead, 25-16, at the end of the first period but Al Ahli’s American imports Craig Winder and Ryan Holmes combined with brothers Mohamed and Osama Yusuf Abdelqader to take control in the next two quarters and went up by four, 58-54, going into the third quarter.

Maliksi’s gutsy play gave back the lead to Barako Bull after he capped a 14-2 run with a triple to give the visiting PBA team an eight-point lead, 68-60, in the middle of the fourth period.

But the Libyan team refused to go out quietly and retaliated with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to just one, 68-67.

Barako Bull then employed a suffocating defence to force Al Ahli to commit several turnovers as Singletary took the offensive cudgels in his own hands en route to their first win.

Elsewhere, Hoops Lebanon registered a 94-91 overtime win over hosts Al Shabab Club.

Barako Bull-Philippines 80 – Michael Singletary 31; Allein Maliksi 21; Doug Kramer 8; Jonas Villanueva 7; Keith Jensen 5; Mark Macapagal 6; Emman Monfort 2
Al Ahli Libya 75 – Craig Winder 26; Mohamed Yusuf Abdelqader 13; Ryan Holmes 11; Yehya Mohomed Ibrahim 8; Osama Yusuf Abdelqader 7; Zakerya Mohamed 4; Khaled Mohamed 3; Mohamed Ramadan Ali 3

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Round-up: Relegation fight goes down to the wire

Martyn Thomas — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:15:58 +0000

Dibba Al Fujairah stormed back from a goal down in the final 20 minutes to beat relegated Ittihad Kalba 2-1 and keep their faint hopes of Pro League survival alive.

Kalba took the lead in only the sixth minute at the Kalba Union Sports and Cultural Club through Amer Deeb Mohammed.

Defeat would have condemned Dibba to Division 1 only a season after gaining promotion, but substitute Najem Mohamed Ahmed gave the visitors a lifeline in the 70th minute before Brazilian Alex Medeiros secured an unlikely win with only eight minutes left.

Safety is still a long way off for the side from the Northern Emirate though as Al Shaab’s 0-0 draw with Al Wasl at the Khaled bin Mohamed Stadium kept the Sharjah-based club two points clear of the relegation places.

Shaab’s superior goal difference means they only need a point on the final day against Al Shabab to secure their place in the top flight for next season.

The Hawks have the second leg of their AFC Champions League round of 16 tie against Esteghlal to think about before that though and rested several key players in their 2-0 win at Dubai.

Shabab did need star trio Edgar, Ciel and Luiz Henrique to come off the bench though, with the latter two bagging the goals in the final 15 minutes.

In the night’s other game, Al Dhafra climbed back above Wasl and into eighth with a 2-1 defeat of Al Nasr at the Al Maktoum Stadium.

The home side fell two goals behind as Bander Mohammed Alhbabi and Makhete Diop scored either side of half-time while substitute Bruno Cesar grabbed a late consolation for the hosts.

- Al Ahli cruise past Ajman to secure second in Pro League

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Dubai Falcons fly off with Kartdrome endurance crown

Sport 360 staff — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:34:35 +0000

Led by Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, the Dubai Falcons soared to victory in the Dubai Kartdrome 600 Laps, Round 2 of the Kartdrome Endurance Championship driven by MINI.

Dubai Falcons recovered from a mediocre start to take command of the race and cross the chequered flag at 09:20 on Saturday.

With Sheikh Hasher, Saeed Al Mehairi and Mohammed Al Mutawaa on driving duty for the Skydive Dubai and TAG Heuer backed kart, the team made few mistakes and kept a relentlessly consistent pace throughout the 600 laps.

Sheikh Hasher said afterwards: “It feels really great to win here. The last race before summer, we go away on a high.

"We had very tough competition from CG Racing throughout. We could not relax at all. We did not have the best start, but managed to stay in touch with the top three.

"CG Racing 2 was very strong early in the race. But as the race developed we started to get an advantage with the second and then the third stint. From then on I think we started to control the race.”

Apart from the overall win, and Pro Category top points score, as an all Emirati team they also took the Nations Cup prize.

Chasing hard all night long were CG Racing Pro with Alban Varutti, Ramez Azzam, David Terrien and Rami Azzam in the line up CG Racing 2 finished third overall with Magid Traboulsi, Omar Moukachar, Salem Salem and Piers Pakenham-Walsh doing driving duty for the team.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Al Ahli 3-0 Ajman: Red Knights secure second spot

Reem Abulleil — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:41:38 +0000

A brace from Luis Jimenez helped Al Ahli secure second place in the Pro League and a possible spot in the 2014 AFC Champions League qualifying round after handing freshly-crowned Etisalat Cup champions Ajman a hefty 3-0 defeat.

Playing their “home” game away at the Zabeel Stadium, the Red Knights have built up an unassailable lead over Bani Yas and Al Jazira to finish second behind Pro League champions Al Ain, thanks to two goals from Jimenez on either side of the break and a second half goal from Ahmed Khalil.

Quique Sanchez Flores’ men hung a banner in the stands congratulating Ajman on winning the Etisalat Cup last week but that was the extent of their compassion as they held nothing back against the Orange Brigade.

Ahli started off the stronger side but it was Ajman’s Driss Fettouhi who sent out the loudest threat first as he fired a bullet from just outside the box that went inches wide, 10 minutes in.

Three minutes later, Grafite tried to add a 25th goal to his Pro League tally but after pushing past two defenders, the Brazilian released a tame shot from close range that found the hands of Ajman ‘keeper Youssef Abdullah.

Founeke Sy tried to respond with his own strike from a distance moments later but his effort went wide.

Ahli broke the deadlock in the 26th minute with a combined effort when Ismail Al Hammadi, who smoothly received a long ball from midfield at the edge of the penalty area, tapped it with his chest to the adjacent Jimenez, who didn’t think twice before blasting a shot that found the upper left corner of the net.

Boris Kabi had the perfect opportunity to equalise for Ajman in the 37th minute when he latched onto a long throw in from the arms of Salem Obaid but the Ivorian’s right-footed low strike was way off target as he failed to outsmart advancing ‘keeper Majed Nasser.

Back from the break, Ajman tried to take the initiative through the tireless Fettouhi, who sent in a dangerous cross from the corner, three minutes after the restart, but Salem Obaid’s header flew over the bar.

Fettouhi’s crosses proved a real pain for Ahli throughout but Saeed Al Kas also failed to capitalise on a brilliant looping effort from the Moroccan as another header sailed high.

Ahli doubled their lead in the 66th minute with a slick combination from Grafiti and Ahmed Khalil. The Gulf Cup hero led a one-two attack down the left side with Grafite, who drew in two defenders to make way and feed the ball to the sprinting Khalil, and as he dribbled into the box the Emirati’s left-footed low strike beat the ‘keeper and assured Ahli second place in the Pro League.

Ajman tried to shake things up and replaced Fawzi Basheer and Founeke Sy with Abdulla Abdulqader and Mohamed Zahran and the latter got to work immediately, firing a monstrous long range effort which was punched away by Nasser.

Khalil almost sealed a brace for himself in the 78th minute when he sent in an ambitious 30-yard cannonball but Youssef Abdulla managed the save. Two minutes later, it was Jimenez who put the final nail in Ajman’s coffin when his sly free kick disguised as a cross fooled everyone and went directly into the net to make it 3-0 for Ahli.

The Red Knights almost scored a fourth through Tariq Ahmad but he failed to take advantage of a perfect pass gifted from Grafite and fired wide only a couple of yards away from the goal.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Al Wahda win Abu Dhabi Clasico to extend Al Ain slump

Martyn Thomas — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:11:48 +0000

Trophyless Al Wahda ensured their fans at least finished the season with local bragging rights as they won their Abu Dhabi derby against Al Ain 2-0.

Salem Saleh’s deflected strike gave the hosts the lead shortly before half-time and after the break Papa Waigo’s header put the seal on victory with 15 minutes left.

The visitors may well feel aggrieved they were made to make the trek back across the emirate without at least a point but found Wahda keeper Adel Mohamed in fine form.

Victory means the hosts can still finish the season in the top six, while the Boss slipped to their fifth defeat in six games in all competitions since securing their 11th Pro League title.

This was supposed to an Abu Dhabi clasico in name only. But while there was little riding on the game and the attendance was smaller than would usually turn out for the contest, the action in the first half was far from dull.

Wahda were robbed of the likes of Ismail Matar, Hamdan Al Kamali and Marcelinho due to injury yet they started on the front foot and could have taken an early lead had Mohamed Ahmed not got back to divert Papa Waigo’s goalbound effort behind.

Waigo then produced another block, this time from Ismail Ahmed, and was involved as the hosts put together the move of the match. Having been found by some slick passing on the right side of the area, the Senegalese forward’s early cross fell perfectly for Saleh but his shot on the turn dribbled wide.

And as Al Ain – shorn of Omar Abdulrahman, Alex Brosque and Helal Saeed themselves – grew into the game it seemed as though a lack of quality in front of goal would again be Wahda’s Achilles heel.

Asamoah Gyan, Ismail Ahmed and Mirel Radoi all went close for the Boss but as half-time approached it was Wahda who took the lead.

Having struggled all season in front of goal it was apt that when the opener came it owed itself to a huge slice of luck as Mahmoud Al Mas was wrong-footed as Saleh’s strike deflected off Ismail Ahmed before nestling in the opposite corner.

Dino Djulbic had to be alert early in the second half to deny Jires Kembo Ekoko a sight of goal before Mohamed did well to keep out Mohamed Abdulrahman’s drive. And it would not be the last time the Wahda keeper thwarted the visitors.

With 25 minutes left the one-time UAE custodian produced a fine double tipping Sultan Nasser’s effort away from goal before reacting quickly to smother Gyan’s follow up, unaware of the assistant referee’s flag.

The hosts made sure of victory with 15 minutes left as Waigo rose highest to head Mohamed Al Shehhi’s corner past Al Mas. Although Mohamed was still required to make a few more fine saves to keep a clean sheet.

TALKING POINTS

Adel keeps form going
The Wahda keeper carried on where he left off against Al Shabab – bar the one mistake – with a performance that kept his side in the game at times. It was barely two years ago that Mohamed found himself in the UAE squad. Continue like this and he may well be back there.

Al Ain slump
The slump continues for Al Ain who have now lost five games in all competitions since they were crowned champions. Having wrapped up the title so early it is understandable that the players’ focus has slipped but they must halt the slide before it seeps into next season.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Papa Waigo (Wahda)
The club’s striking department has come into criticism this season but the Senegalese forward was at his best here. Dropping deep and drifting wide to create space, Waigo’space was a constant threat to Al Ain and he took his winner well.

KEY CONCLUSION

The season for both teams appeared over before kick-off but the win for the hosts has at least raised their hopes of a top six finish. Al Jazira stand in their way on the final day.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Azarenka and Serena set for Rome final clash

Sport 360 staff — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:39:23 +0000

World number one Serena Williams said she hoped to improve her game for the French Open despite easing into the Rome Open final after ending qualifier Simona Halep's dream week in the Italian capital with a 6-3, 6-0 victory.

Williams, the 15-time Grand Slam winner, stretched her consecutive wins to 23 ahead of her first final meeting with Victoria Azarenka since her defeat to the Belarusian earlier this year in Doha.

Azarenka, the third seed, proved too strong for home hopeful Sara Errani in a 6-0, 7-5 win in the other semi-final that was interrupted by rain twice and once by the Italian, who called for her coach after losing the first three games.

The Belarusian will go to Paris with high hopes as one of Williams's biggest threats. However she was keen to point out she is not the only one to have beaten the American.

"She has lost to somebody else too before," said Azarenka. "I don't really think about it, I just think about what I can do. She's definitely in good form right now so it's a big test for me tomorrow to be playing at that level again."

Williams, meanwhile, will head to the French Open a week on Sunday as one of the favourites and with revenge on her mind after a shock defeat in last year's tournament to Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano.

Ahead of that challenge the 30-year-old American will be hoping for a more telling workout against Azarenka after a limpid semi-final in which Romanian Halep failed to offer any kind of challenge.

Williams was so unhappy with her match that she went to practise for two hours before speaking to reporters, and said: "I am only unhappy with the way I played and I need to work on a few things and be able to do well here and next week."

Asked about Azarenka and their last final encounter in the Gulf, the American indicated she expects an altogether different challenge on Sunday.

"She played well in that match (in Doha) and I was happy in the final," said Williams. "It was a tough tournament and I had opportunities that I wasn't able to use, and Viki plays well in the vital points."

Errani had been gifted a place in the semi-final when defending and two-time champion Maria Sharapova of Russia withdrew early on Friday citing a fever. However it was clear from the start that the Italian would be up against it.

In spite of the hot and humid conditions, Azarenka barely broke sweat on her way to a first set whitewash. Errani, who had beaten the Belarusian only once in their six previous encounters, emerged with bigger ambitions in the second set.

But despite battling all the way, she was ultimately broken in the 10th game before Azarenka served to take a 6-5 lead. Errani valiantly saved three match points in the final game but was finally broken by the more powerful Belarusian.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Philippines defeat relegates UAE from Asian 5 Nations

Martyn Thomas — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:12:24 +0000

The Asian 5 Nation’s elite division will have no representation from the Gulf region for only the second time in its six-year history next season after the UAE lost their relegation decider 24-8 to the Philippines in Manila.

Duncan Hall’s side had been confident ahead of kick-off of getting the victory that would have secured their Top 5 safety but they got off to a bad start with the hosts scoring twice in the opening 14 minutes through Chris Hitch and Gareth Holgate, the latter converted by Alexander Aronson, to build a 12-0 lead.

The UAE’s hopes were not helped by three missed penalty attempts in the opening half, but they did cut the deficit at the break as captain Renier Els’ touched down following a rolling maul on the stroke of half-time to make the score 12-5 at the break.

Fly-half Andy Russell, making his first appearance for his adopted country in over a year, landed a penalty early in the second period to put the Emirates within four points of the Philippines.

However tries for Graeme Hagan, converted by Aronson, and Matt Saunders killed off the visitors’ hopes of survival and secured a try bonus point for the hosts to further rubber stamp their own safety.

Victory was the Philippines’ first ever in the Top 5 having only won their promotion to the elite division ahead of this season.

For the UAE the result ended their three-year stay in the top flight, having taken the Arabian Gulf’s place in the competition following their disbandment following the 2010 tournament.

In that time the UAE have won just two of 12 matches – both against Kazakhstan – while drawing their first ever match in the competition against Sri Lanka and losing the other nine.

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Mourinho laments 'worst season' as Ancelotti nears Real switch

Simon Foster — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:37:58 +0000

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho described his side's season as the worst of his trophy-laden career as Paris St Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti becomes increasingly likely to take over the Bernabeu role.

Real had already surrendered their La Liga title to Barcelona and were eliminated by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-finals, before their Copa del Rey defeat to city rivals Atletico last night, leaving the former Chelsea boss to lament a return of just the Spanish Supercup in terms of silverware.

"A career is made up of many years, not just one. I don't know anyone who always has fantastic seasons, winning important titles," said Mourinho, whose desperation was illustrated when he was sent to the stands on Friday.

"This is the worst season of my career with a title that is not sufficient to satisfy Real Madrid and therefore it is a bad season.

"With a final, a semi-final, second place in the league and the Supercup, what for many would be a good season, for me is the worst."

Numerous reports have claimed PSG coach Ancelotti is the preferred replacement should Mourinho, as expected, vacate the hotseat.

Last month, PSG director Leonardo said Real had been interested in Ancelotti for a “long time”, while more recently the club’s Qatari owner Nasser Al Khelaifi revealed he had been contacted by Madrid to talk to the Italian, but rejected their advances by asking them to “respect us and respect his contract.”

Ancelotti himself added to the speculation when he admitted he was “50/50” about whether he would still be in charge of the newly-crowned French champions next season.

And today, Al Khelaifi revealed “it wouldn’t be a big problem if Ancelotti asked to leave” suggesting a departure is the likely outcome.

Mourinho, who is widely expected to be back in charge at Chelsea next season, refused to speculate on whether or not he would be in the Real hot-seat for a fourth year.

"I have a contract for three more years and I have still not sat down with the president to talk about my future," he said. "It is normal to me that they talk about Ancelotti or someone else. Also that they speak about me going to Chelsea, or here or there.

"I have to be honest. Until the day that the president sits down with me and the club does something official it has to be like this."

- PSG boss Ancelotti 50/50 over Real Madrid switch

- Money problems hold up Mourinho & Ancelotti moves

- Emirates and PSG seal new five-year contract

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Football & Ferrari: Meet UAE's soccer heroes at Ferrari World

Kenny Laurie — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:58:27 +0000

UAE residents are in for a treat as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is offering an experience that will combine football and entertainment rides on one incredible Thursday afternoon.

As part of its Celebrate Zayed’s Nation initiative, which recognises and celebrates national champions and their success stories, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will host the UAE national football team on Thursday, May 23, where visitors to the theme park will have a rare opportunity to get up, close and personal with their stars.

Fans can watch the members of the UAE national team perform freestyle football as well as join them on some of the park’s amazing rides, including a thrilling experience aboard Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster.

The Whites team-members, including prominent players like Saeed Al Katheeri, Ali Mabkhout and Taufeeq Al Hosani, will be visiting Ferrari World Abu Dhabi from 13:30 to 15:30.

After a ride on Formula Rossa, the stars will tour the park, performing freestyling stunts as they move around and engage the fans. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s own players will challenge the footballers with some freestyling. Fans will also have the opportunity to take pictures with their stars and get their autographs.

Celebrate Zayed’s Nation is a community-focused initiative launched by Ferrari World Abu Dhabi to celebrate the winning spirit of the nation’s champions.

As the world’s first and only Ferrari-branded theme park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi provides the perfect platform for these champions and their success stories to be celebrated in a unique and fun way.

The UAE national football team boasts a record of achievements and victories and recently created history when they won the Gulf Cup in Bahrain, bringing joy and pride to every home in the UAE.

Commenting on the visit, Park manager Andy Keeling said: “We are pleased to welcome the national football team as part of our initiative to celebrate the nation’s champions and provide an opportunity to fans to interact with their stars.

“All Emiratis are proud of the national footballers’ determination and spirit of challenge that recently enabled the UAE to sit on the throne of Gulf football.

“As an iconic attraction in the UAE and a theme park committed to the local community, we recognise these champions and are proud to highlight their success stories through our Celebrate Zayed’s Nation initiative.”

To facilitate fans’ meeting with their football stars, the park is offering UAE residents a special discount on entrance fees valid on Thursday. Visitors only need to show their Emirates ID to get the discount. So if you feel like hanging out with some of the UAE’s most popular heroes, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi should be your destination.

WHAT: A meeting with the UAE national football team Where: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
WHEN: Thursday, May 23, from 13:30 to 15:30
COST: Discounted prices for UAE residents (Emirates ID required)
INFORMATION: Log on to www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com

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Always in my heart: Mancini thanks Man City fans with newspaper ad

David Cooper — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:26:19 +0000

Roberto Mancini may have made his exit from Manchester City, but the Italian coach has not forgotten about the fans that supported him throughout his three-year tenure.

Mancini was relieved of his managerial duties last week following a season that saw City lose their Premier League title to rivals United, lose the FA Cup final to Wigan, and fall at the Champions League group stages for the second successive year.

Despite a disappointing campaign for City, the club’s fans remained faithful to the man that delivered their first top-flight league title in 44 years, as well as the 2011 FA Cup.

And Mancini has thanked them for their loyal support by taking an advert out in local Manchester newspaper, Manchester Evening News, to express his appreciation.

The message read: “Manchester City Supporters, 3 unforgettable years. You will always be in my heart. Ciao. Roberto Mancini.”

The message is sure to resonate with City fans, who will now look to the future under a new manager, likely to be Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini.

The Chilean is widely expected to move to the Etihad at the end of the current season after he admitted it was unlikely he would still be in charge of the Champions League quarter-finalists next season.

- Got it wrong: Ferguson slams Man City for Mancini dismissal

- OPINION: Mancini made his mark but Pellegrini must now deliver at Man City

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Vieira survives Man City cull to become Academy chief

Andy Hampson — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:14:38 +0000

Manchester City’s blueprint for the future has become a little clearer following the appointment of Patrick Vieira as their new elite development squad coach.

Vieira moves from an administrative position to take over what is effectively the reserve team from Attilio Lombardo, who has left the club in a backroom clearout following Roberto Mancini’s sacking as manager.

The 36-year-old former City, Arsenal and France midfielder has spent the past two years since retiring as a player working as the club’s football development executive.

He is therefore likely to be well attuned to the “holistic approach” at all levels City said they intended to develop in the statement that confirmed Mancini’s dismissal on Monday.

In making the appointment, chief executive Ferran Soriano also added substance to rumours that he and director of football Txiki Begiristain intend to implement the same system through all the club’s sides.

Soriano and Begiristain, who arrived at City earlier this season, have previously enjoyed conspicuous success at Barcelona.

Soriano said: “Patrick is a world champion and it is a great honour that he has chosen Manchester City to begin his football management career. I have seen him carefully considering options and choosing to coach for the best reasons; he has a love of the game and a willingness to continue to learn and transmit his knowledge and experience to young footballers.

“Patrick’s role is of the highest long-term importance for the club.

“The ability of the Academy, the elite development squad and the first team to work together using the same football concepts is key to our success and sustainability.”

The next major piece of the club’s restructure is to bring in a new first-team manager to replace Mancini.

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini remains the clear favourite but there may be no developments until after the Spanish season ends on June 1.

Brian Kidd remains in interim charge for tomorrow’s final Premier League game against Norwich at the Etihad Stadium.

- Got it wrong: Ferguson slams Man City for Mancini dismissal

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Carle vows to bow out at Bani Yas a winner

Martyn Thomas — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:57:06 +0000

Nick Carle has vowed to sign off from Bani Yas as a GCC Champions League winner.

The Australian was a late substitute as Al Samawi took the upper hand in the two-legged final on Friday night with a 1-1 draw against Al Khor in Qatar.

Carle has confirmed he will not renew his one-year loan with the Al Shamkha side having signed a new contract with parent club Sydney FC and will instead join team-mate Mohamed Abou-Treika in leaving the UAE at the end of the month.

However, he has set his sights on leaving his mark on the club before he does eventually bid farewell to Bani Yas, who are looking for their first major trophy since lifting the President’s Cup in 1992.

“It’s always nice to win a trophy and I feel it would be a special one for the club because they haven’t won a trophy for so long,” Carle told Sport360°.

“The new group that have come in are very good people, it’s a great little club and I’ve really enjoyed my time here. But as always I would have liked to have done better in certain areas, but leaving here I’ve known I’ve done my best.

“I’ve met some great people, played with some great team-mates and it would just top it off getting the cup. I really don’t want to leave here without achieving anything.”

Al Samawi must now turn their attention to Monday’s game against Al Jazira and the fight for a top three spot, and possible AFC Champions League qualification.

Carle added: “I think in the league we’ve done exceptionally well this season, especially considering the first half; for most of the rounds, due to certain circumstances, we only played with two foreigners.

“Unfortunately Zizou [Mohamed Zidan] had a few injuries that ruled him out and he only managed to play a few rounds.

“He was a massive loss because he was such a good talent. And Ismail [Belmaalem] left after a few games.

“So we only really played with two foreigners and the locals did really exceptionally well and we’ve managed to stay near the top of the table for most of the year so we don’t want to let that slip either.”

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

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Al Ahli eye runners-up spot against buoyant Ajman

Martyn Thomas — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:48:25 +0000

Al Ahli will tie up second place, and a possible spot in the 2014 AFC Champions League qualifying round, if they beat Ajman at the Zabeel Stadium this evening.

The Red Knights play the last of their two ‘home’ games away from the Rashed Stadium knowing victory would put them out of reach of both Bani Yas and Al Jazira, who meet in Al Shamkha on Monday.

Three points could also prove vital for their hopes of lifting the President’s Cup on May 28 as having their league position decided by the weekend would give coach Quique Sanchez Flores the opportunity to rest several key players. The final round of Pro League fixtures being just three days before the final.

Ahli have been in fine form over the last three months with 10 wins from 13 games in all competitions, including the abandoned game against Al Ain that was 0-0 at the time. However, their shock 1-0 defeat to Dibba Al Fujairah last time out has opened the door, however slightly, to the chasing pack.

And if they are to secure victory they will of course have to do so without any home support while Ajman’s own supporters could be out in force to celebrate their team’s unlikely Etisalat Cup success.

The Orange Brigade secured their first piece of silverware for 29 years in beating Jazira 2-1 at the same ground just four days ago while the feel-good factor is still gripping the emirate with an open-top bus parade planned for Sunday.

In the wake of Tuesday night’s triumph, an agent working on behalf of goalscorer Boris Kabi and Moroccan defender Driss Fettouhi claimed the pair had attracted offers from several clubs in the UAE and Qatar.

However, Ajman first team manager Sanad Humaid Rashid has insisted the club has not received any bids for the pair. He said: “The news that clubs from Qatar and clubs from the UAE had enquired to buy Boris Kabi and Driss Fettouhi is just news.

“It naturally occurs at the end of each season with brilliant players, but Ajman has not had received any offers, not heard of any negotiations, and both players are linked to contracts with club.” Rashid, who also professed the club’s desire to keep hold of the four loan players currently at the club, also praised the contribution of Fawzi Bashir since his arrival from Al Dhafra.

The Oman international began the season without a club having been released by Bani Yas but ended it an Etisalat Cup winner, starting the win over Jazira.

“Fawzi is one of the best known players in the Gulf, and despite his short time with Ajman, has been one of our most loyal players,” Rashid added. “His participation in the final was not a surprise, but maybe some feared him after he was injured in the match against Al Nasr.”

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Juventus & France legend Trezeguet set to retire

David Cooper — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:24:41 +0000

Juventus and France legend David Trezeguet has become the latest player to announce his retirement, bringing an end to an illustrious and varied career.

Trezeguet, 35, is currently plying his trade in Argentina for River Plate and will call time on his playing days at the end of the season.

A career that began at Argentine club Platense, the prolific striker went on to enjoy stints at Monaco and Hercules, but he will be best remembered for his 10 seasons with Juventus.

During his time in Turin, Trezeguet found the back of the net with regularity, scoring 171 goals in 317 league appearances, collecting two Scudettos and a Serie B title in the process.

Trezeguet earned his move to Juve after a starring role in Monaco’s Ligue 1 title triumph in the 1999-00 season, during which he led the club’s attack with 24 league goals.

The striker is also a major trophy winner with his national team, helping Les Bleus to claim the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.

Trezeguet will also be well known to fans of the UAE Pro League for his ill-fated stint at Bani Yas. The Frenchman joined the Sky Blues from Spanish club Hercules in the summer of 2011 on a lucrative one-year deal, but just three months into the season mutually terminated his contract due to a persistent injury that limited him to just six appearances and produced no goals.

However, contrary to the official reason of injury being the primary factor for his premature exit, it was revealed to Sport360 that Trezeguet was struggling to enjoy life in the UAE.

Six months after his Bani Yas stint, Trezeguet joined boyhood heroes River, helping the club back into the Primera Division following their shock relegation, scoring 14 times in 21 games.

- Trezeguet terminates contract at Bani Yas

- Bani Yas flop Trezeguet wants to finish career at River Plate

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Got it wrong: Ferguson slams Man City for Mancini axe

Alam Khan — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:08:18 +0000

Sir Alex Ferguson says he was not surprised Roberto Mancini was sacked as Manchester City boss – but didn’t feel it was right.

The Italian was dismissed last Monday, just 12 months to the day he led the club to the Premier League title – their first top-flight championship for 44 years.

City pipped rivals Manchester United on goal difference in a dramatic final day of the campaign, and that proved the spur for Ferguson’s side to reclaim the title in commanding fashion this season.

Ferguson said the decision to sack Mancini was “quite amazing” given his track record, which also included winning the FA Cup in 2011 two years after taking charge.

“He (Mancini) has won the FA Cup, been in the final, second in the league and won the league and it’s not good enough?” said Ferguson. “I was surprised, but actually no, you can’t say you are surprised not with some owners today. You can’t be surprised, but I still don’t think it was right.”

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is being lined up as Mancini’s replacement, making it two new managers in Manchester following Ferguson’s own decision to step down after 27 years at Old Trafford.

David Moyes will make the switch from Everton and Ferguson does not think changes at City will affect his fellow Scot.

“I don’t think that matters to David,” he added. “What happens at Man City won’t have any bearing on David, he’s got the structure here, he’s got the experience, he’s had to handle things at Everton that are more difficult probably.

“When we were assessing the job here we had to look at someone that has longevity and experience for a long time to manage this club. That is where David was above everyone else. He’s got a good squad of players and he will want to add to that I’m sure himself, he will have his own ideas and that’s good.”

Ferguson says Moyes will deal with Wayne Rooney over the future of the disgruntled striker who has had a transfer request rejected. He feels the biggest challenge for the new man could be understanding the “enormity of the club” as a global brand, but hopes he could be here for 15 years.

“I hope so, I think this is one club that could do that,” added Ferguson, who also lauded David Beckham as “amazing” after the former United man’s own retirement from football.

“We have shown great quality to our managers. The global brand and number of sponsors we have, he has to fit into that. The priority is the football team. Without that they would not have all the sponsorships. That is the priority.”

While Moyes will take Everton to Chelsea, expected to be pushing United more closely for the title next season, in tomorrow’s final games, Ferguson will bow out at the Hawthorns as United face West Brom.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

Atletico win battle of Madrids to clinch Copa del Rey

Andy West — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:57:06 +0000

RESULT: Real Madrid 1 (Ronaldo 14') Atletico Madrid 2 (Costa 35' Miranda 98')
Atletico win the Copa del Rey after extra-time

Atletico Madrid finally ended their 14-year barren run against neighbours Real Madrid, and it was well worth the wait as an extra-time header from Miranda sealed the Copa del Rey on a night of high drama at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring but Atletico levelled with a low strike from Diego Costa, before Jose Mourinho was sent off as frustration mounted with his team striking the woodwork on three occasions.

Atletico rode their luck but were the better team in injury time and Ronaldo was sent off after a clash with Gabi, who saw red later.

Real started much the better of the two teams and had the game’s first effort on goal after five minutes, when a long-range strike from Ronaldo deflected off a defender and looped dangerously towards goal, forcing the excellent Thibaut Courtois into a scrambling save underneath his crossbar.

There was only one team in it and Real duly took a lead that always looked likely when a mistake from Mario Suarez gifted a corner. Mesut Ozil swung it in from the right and Ronaldo escaped the attentions of Diego Godin to send a characteristically brilliant header into the left corner, giving Courtois no chance.

Atletico had looked tense and unsure of themselves, but going behind seemed to spark them into life and gradually they took over, winning a series of set-pieces in dangerous areas while Gabi sent a long-range strike over the bar.

Diego Simeone’s side were visibly growing with belief and they deservedly levelled when Radamel Falcao did brilliantly to hold up the ball in midfield and slide a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Costa, who took one touch before firing a low left-footed strike into the right-hand corner.

Real rallied shortly before half-time and were unfortunate not to retake the lead when Ozil latched on to a loose ball and crashed a 20-yard shot against the upright, but 1-1 was a fair scoreline at the interval.

Both teams had dangerous moments as the second half resumed at the same fast and furious pace as the opening period, with Atletico defender Miranda squandering a decent opportunity when he miscontrolled a fizzing low cross from Koke. At the other end Ozil’s whipped free-kick forced Courtois into a hasty back-pedalling save.

Atletico’s Brazilian full-back Filipe Luis then came close as he ran on to a deep cross and volleyed into the side-netting, and as the game ticked past the hour mark it was perfectly poised. But Atletico had an enormous double let-off as Ronaldo pulled back a low cross which Karim Benzema prodded on to the post and when Ozil fired the rebound goalwards, Juanfran made a remarkable desperate goalline clearance with his knee.

Then Benzema was fouled by Godin and incredibly Real hit the post for the third time as Ronaldo’s low set-piece beat the wall but not the woodwork, and Michel Essien blazed the rebound high over the bar.

The pace of the game was unrelenting and Real were building towards a big finish as Atletico increasingly found themselves on the back foot, but Mourinho was then dismissed from the sidelines after vigorously protesting a decision from the under-pressure referee Carlos Clos Gomez.

Atletico nearly claimed a shock injury-time winner when Gabi’s cross was deflected into the side-netting, but the game proceeded to an additional half-hour.

Atletico started extra time powerfully and Costa wasted a golden opportunity by shooting straight at Lopez after being released by Koke, before Essien made a last-ditch challenge to deny Koke. Then came Miranda’s moment of glory, rising high at the near post to flick home Koke’s right-wing cross, and Atletico had 20 minutes to hang on.

Falcao curled a free-kick narrowly over and Courtois saved with his legs from Gonzalo Higuain as the thrills kept coming. In the final quarter-hour Courtois produced a simply miraculous low save to deny Ozil from close range before Ronaldo and Gabi saw red as the clash became increasingly heated in the closing stages.

Real lost their cool as a sense of injustice enveloped the Bernabeu. Substitute Angel Di Maria wanted a penalty for a completely non-existent handball and was lucky only to be booked for massively over the top protests.

Courtois then hit the deck after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd as things started to get ugly. None of that mattered to Atletico though, who were soon celebrating a memorable triumph.

MAN OF THE MATCH - Miranda (Atletico)
The experienced Brazilian was a colossal defensive presence all night, displaying calm assurance to nullify the threat of Karim Benzema with a series of timely and composed interventions. And then he rounded it off by popping up with a dramatic extra-time goal to send his team ahead.

MATCH VERDICT
A magnificent night of dramatic rough and tumble cup football. Goals, red cards, saves, woodwork...this game had it all and it’s difficult to begrudge Atletico their triumph after a tremendously committed performance. But Real will rue hitting the frame of the goal three times.

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Emirates and Paris St Germain seal new five-year deal

Alam Khan — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:39:03 +0000

Emirates Airline has secured a new five-year sponsorship deal with newly-crowned French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The Qatar-owned outfit will bear the Dubai-based carrier’s name on their shirts until 2018 after agreeing an extension to their current partnership, as exclusively revealed by Sport360 in December.

Emirates, who already sponsor a host of top European football clubs including AC Milan, Arsenal and Hamburg, are also set to secure an agreement with Spanish giants Real Madrid this month.

Thierry Antinori, executive vice president Passenger Sales Worldwide for the airline, said: “This is the perfect time for Emirates to re-sign with Paris Saint-Germain given the club’s new international players and ongoing success in the French championship, as Ligue 1 Champions, as well as the Champions League.”

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi added: “This agreement strengthens the relationship between Paris Saint-Germain and Emirates and gives to each partner the opportunity to achieve worldwide brand recognition, simultaneously enhancing the image of each partner through increased global awareness.”

As part of his ambition to make PSG a bigger global player and challenge Europe’s leading clubs, Al-Khelaifi is keen for David Beckham to remain part of the club once he retires from the game at the end of the season.

But Al-Khelaifi has witnessed the impact Beckham has made during his short stint at the Parc des Princes, and said: “He’s very interested to continue being involved with the big project of Paris Saint-Germain.

“In the next two weeks we are hopefully going to announce if we’re going to reach an agreement together. I hope we will, because honestly I want him."

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti, who also worked with Beckham at AC Milan, paid tribute to the 38-year-old, who has won four titles in four different countries after spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy.

“The football world lost a fantastic player a professional player, a good man,” he said. “I will remember him as a fantastic passer. He was one of the best in the world at passing.

“His career was fantastic he played for the best clubs in the world, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Milan, Paris Saint-Germain. He went to America and won the championship. He was a fantastic midfielder who could play in any position.”

- Emirates to help Arsenal's finances soar to new heights

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Royals bowler Tait strongly denies role in spot-fixing case

Sport 360 staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:14:25 +0000

Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait has strongly denied any link to the arrest of three Indian team-mates allegedly involved in spot-fixing in the IPL.

Test player Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and fellow Rajasthan Royals bowlers Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were all arrested on Thursday by Delhi police, with 11 bookmakers also detained in connection with the inquiry.

Former Test star Tait, who also plays for the Royals, saw his name circulated in social media, on radio and a number of websites along with the three Indians, but robustly denied any wrongdoing.

“I’m bewildered, I’m angry and I’m upset at the false suggestions I’ve been involved in any wrongdoing,” Tait said in a statement. “While I welcome the recent statements from police clearing me of any involvement, for a few hours I was deeply distressed by the rumours that were rapidly circulating about me, most of which were aired in the social media space.

“Not only were they without foundation, they highlight the danger of a medium that deals with innuendo rather than fact, the result of which has brought my name into question,” he added. “At no stage in my career have I engaged in spot or match fixing and I’m in discussions with my manager and legal representatives to examine how this episode unfolded and any further action I may take.”

Cricket Australia said the head of its anti-corruption unit Sean Carroll had spoken to Tait. “Shaun reiterated to CA that he had absolutely no involvement in any of the issues that are currently being investigated,” CA said in a statement.

“CA reminds those who have been speculating on the ongoing investigations to base their comments on known facts.”

Sreesanth, who has played 27 Tests for India, is alleged to have been paid Rs4 million (Dh275,000) to give away 14 runs in an over against Kings XI Punjab on May 9.

Chavan also allegedly agreed to give away 14 runs against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday for Rs6 million (Dh404,000). Chandila, is accused of accepting Rs2 million (Dh132,000), for giving away a set number of runs in a match against the Pune Warriors.

* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

IPL: Sunrisers heap more misery on Rajasthan

Sport 360 staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:09:32 +0000

James Faulkner’s second five-wicket haul of the season went in vain as Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Rajasthan Royals by 23 runs in Uppal yesterday to improve their chances of making it to the next stage of the IPL.

The Royals were playing their first match after three of their players were found allegedly involved in spot-fixing.

Paceman Faulkner, who became the first bowler in IPL to grab five wickets twice in a season, helped restrict Hyderabad to 136-9, but his side failed to chased down the target on a slow pitch.

Biplab Samantray held the Hyderabad innings together with a mature knock of 55 from 46 balls with six hits to the fence and one over it. He was ably supported by Darren Sammy, who hit 23 off 19.

Sunrisers then produced a disciplined bowling effort to restrict Rajasthan to just 113-9 and seal their ninth win. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra returned with impressive figures of two wickets for eight runs from his four overs. Pacers Dale Steyn and Thisara Perera and spinner Karan Sharma picked up two wickets each.

For Rajasthan, who were playing their last league match, Kevon Cooper top-scored with 26 while skipper Rahul Dravid made 25. Sunrisers jumped to fourth spot on the table with 18 points.

They play their last match against Kolkata Knight Riders tomorrow. Rajasthan have booked a play-off berth. The Royals had a steady start with Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane (12) adding 39 runs for the opening wicket in 7.3 overs but they struggled after the duo departed.

Dravid was out while running for a single off a misfield by Mishra. Seven balls later, Rahane departed as was caught by Shikhar Dhawan at deep cover. Sanju Samson (5) and Shane Watson (11) struggled on a slow pitch with Rajasthan reaching just 44-2 at the halfway stage.

Samson was out in the 12th over when he played a big shot but failed to clear Steyn at long-off. Rajasthan’s chase virtually ended with Watson and Stuart Binny (8) departing in the space of three balls in the 14th over.

There was still some hope with Brad Hodge (8) in the middle, though the asking rate had shot up to more than 15 by the end 16th over. Steyn, however, clean bowled Hodge with before taking the wicket of Kevon Cooper in the last over to claim his second wicket.

Earlier, Faulkner grabbed five wickets for 16 runs as Rajasthan restricted Sunrisers to 136-9. Faulkner dismissed Sunrisers openers Parthiv Patel (2) and Shikhar Dhawan (1) in second over before returning to scalp the wickets of Sammy, Samantray and Dale Steyn (0). Watson and Siddharth Trivedi took a wicket each for Rajasthan.

For Sunrisers though, it was a fairly decent recovery after they were reduced to 5-3 in the third over itself with Samantray rescuing them. Faulkner rattled the stumps of Parthiv off his first delivery as the batsman tried to steer the ball to third man.

Five balls later, Dhawan chipped one straight to point fielder Ajinkya Rahane. Hanuma Vihari and Samantray tried to repair the innings by taking ones and twos. Vihari was out in the 11th over after the two added 44 runs from 7.5 overs.

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Russell returns to UAE squad for crunch Philippines tie

Martyn Thomas — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:49:28 +0000

Andy Russell will make a dramatic return to Test rugby as the UAE go in search of the win that will guarantee their Top 5 survival against the Philippines on Saturday.

The Jebel Ali Dragons fly-half has not played for his adopted nation since he broke a bone in his leg last April at the end of only his second appearance for the UAE, their 85-10 defeat to Hong Kong.

In the intervening 12-and-a-half months a mixture of the injury and the South Africa-born back’s work commitments at the ICC Global Cricket Academy have made a return to the international stage impossible.

However, Russell remained highly-regarded in the UAE set-up and having secured his release from his cricketing duties this weekend has been parachuted into the starting XV in Manila, with James Ham dropping to the replacements bench.

And the Emirates will need the Dragons No10’s skills as they head into what will be a cauldron-like atmosphere at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. A full house is expected at the national stadium, which has room for up to 30,000 fans.

“Away matches are always difficult, the advantage is with the home team. We expect they are going to have a good crowd,” UAE performance manager Duncan Hall said.

“I remember going to see a soccer game here when the Filipinos played Australia in an under-23 match. The Filipinos were certainly very loud and supportive. I know from my time coaching in England that you’d go to a place like Gloucester and it was always very challenging because they were definitely very one-eyed down there.”

And Hall is wary of their ability to score tries out of nothing.

“They’ve got a very good backline,” he added. “We saw them improve a lot over the sevens season. So it looks like they’ve had a fairly stable starting side and they managed to, against adversity, score two tries against Hong Kong that came from nowhere, so when they get an opportunity they are certainly ready to take it.”

- OPINION: Given their unique problems, the UAE rugby team need to be lauded for effort

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MANA sting Wasps to book place in league final

Martyn Thomas — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:15:24 +0000

MANA Dubai recovered from a mid-game slump to beat Dubai Wasps 34-30 and book a Rugby League Cup final against Abu Dhabi Harlequins on May 31.

The UAE’s only rugby league-specific club raced into an early 10-0 lead at Dubai Sports City but found themselves pegged back by the break as the sides turned round level at 10-10.

Wasps then opened the second half with three unanswered tries to give themselves an imposing 26-10 lead. But a return to the basics of getting through their sets of six and executing a good kick paid dividends.

MANA stormed back in the final 10 minutes to seal their place in the showpiece in two weeks time.

“To come back and win a game like that is a tremendous achievement,” victorious coach Steve Emm said. “To go four tries down and come back just shows the character of the guys and the will to win.

"I wouldn’t say Wasps were arrogant in their behaviour but they were putting comments on social media, on the MANA website saying it would be a walkover for them and an easy game after our loss [against Quins] two weeks before."

Wasps coach Alistair Field said: “We got our heads up and just relaxed a little bit, then they scored a few quick tries, got their heads up again and then it’s hard to get back into it.”

Meanwhile, Quins marched into the final with a dominant 54-12 defeat of Al Ain Amblers in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

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