THE BIG ONE QNB CUP - Qatar Tribune

WEDNESDAY MARCH 20, 2013
MICHAEL OWEN TO RETIRE AFTER 16
YEARS OF STELLAR CAREER PG 35
LINDSEY
VONN AND
TIGER
WOODS SAY
THEY’RE
DATING
PG 33
THE BIG ONE
QNB CUP: EL JAISH VS LEKHWIYA
AT QATAR SPORTS CLUB
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I now feel it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my
career,” . – Micheal Owen
ARABI STUN GHARAFA
IKOLI VICTOR
DOHA
AL ARABI booked their place
in the QNB Cup Final by
defeating Al Gharafa in a
match that was marred by illtempered
behaviour on parts
of some players.
The Dream Team – who are
second bottom of the QSL –
stunned Gharafa with goals
from Djordje Rakic and
Wanderley.
The victory means Lekhwiya
and El Jaish will go head-tohead
to join them in Sunday’s
showpiece final.
However, the game ended
on a sour note when Abdulla
Maarafiya and Husseine
Kharja were sent off for an
angry confrontation with
Brazilian star Nene.
The former PSG star clashed
with Kharja – which resulted
in an angry confrontation with
all 22 players.
Once the match settled
down the final whistle sounded
as Arabi celebrated their
place in the final.
Gharafa could have taken
the lead early after 12 minutes
following a fumble from Arabi
keeper Rajab Hamza Kassim.
He missed a corner from Alex
but Mustafa Mohammed Abdi
could only head wide.
Minutes later the Cheetahs
had yet another chance to
score first, this time Mark
Bresciano releasing Fahid al
Shammari with a brilliant
through ball. The midfielder
Al Arabi and Gharafa players indulge in a scuffle during the QNB Cup at the Qatar Sports Club, in Doha, on Tuesday.
took too long though and the
chance was gone.
Arabi responded to the
pressure with an attack of
their own but Abdelaziz
Mohamed’s shot was brilliantly
saved by Abdulaziz Ali
Abdulla.
Ten minutes before halftime
Al Arabi took the lead
with a well worked goal.
Brazilian star Wanderley
stormed clear, before feeding
Djordje Rakic. The striker
composed himself before
coolly slotting into the bottom
corner. Gharafa tried to
get back into the game immediately,
but Djibril Cisse
drilled a shot over the bar.
Moments later the French
striker wasted another
chance when he pulled his
shot wide of goal after sprinting
into the box.
Eight minutes after the restart,
Al Arabi went looking
for a second goal. This time
Wanderely cut inside the box
and flashed a shot across goal
that keeper Ali Abdulla did
well to hold.
Just before the hour mark
Gharafa introduced Brazilian
star Nene in place of Jawad
Akeel Ahannach as the
Cheetahs looked for an
equaliser. Within minutes the
former Paris Saint Germain
star almost scored but his shot
trundled just wide of the post.
Gharafa were starting to
dominate and wanted to make
the possession count. Nene
forced a great save from Arabi
keeper Kazim after drilling a
vicious free-kick towards goal.
Despite the pressure it was
Abdulaziz Bennij’s side who
went straight up the park and
almost scored a second. This
time Rakic failed to show the
same composure in front of goal
and sent a wild shot wide of goal.
Eight minutes from time
though, it was Gharafa who
got the goal and it was Nene
who was rewarded for his persistence.
The number 10
weaved into the box before
drilling low into the bottom
corner.
Gharafa were still celebrating
when Al Arabi took the
lead for the second time.
Hussein Kharja whipped in
a dangerous free-kick from the
left which Wanderely got on
the end to glance a great header
into the back of the net.
It was a goal completely
against the run of play but that
wasn’t something that bothered
Abdulaziz Bennij or his
players.
Gharafa came agonisingly
close to an equaliser in the
90th minute but Djibri Cisse's
header crashed back off the
bar before the ball was
cleared to safety.
The second semi-final
between Lekhwiya and El
Jaish kicks off at 6.30pm
tonight at Qatar Sports Club.
PICK OF THE DAY
Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Andre Villas-Boas (centre) speaks next to Valter Di Salvo (right), the director of
Performance and Enhancement and Football Science at the Aspire Academy, and Roberto Olabe, senior sports technical
manager at the Aspire Academy, during a lecture for Aspire soccer coaches, in Doha, on Tuesday.
QUICK READ
Usain Bolt to run
100m at Rome
Herath spins Lanka
to series win
Cyclist Soerensen
admits to doping
WORLD record-holder Usain Bolt
will run the 100 meters at
Rome’s Golden Gala in June.
Local organizers announced on
Tuesday the six-time Olympic
champion will race on June 6,
marking the third consecutive
year the Jamaican will run at the
Stadio Olimpico. Rome is the
opening European meet in the
Diamond League.
Bolt has also committed to run
the 200 at the Bislett Games in
Oslo, Norway, on June 13.
RANGANA Herath celebrated his
35th birthday with a career-best 7-
89 as Sri Lanka clinched the series
against Bangladesh with a comfortable
seven-wicket win in the second
and final Test on Tuesday.
Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan (57)
and left-hander Kumar Sangakkara
(55) put on 94 for the second
wicket to steer the home team
towards their 160-run target on the
penultimate day in Colombo.
SEE ALSO PAGE 36
ROLF SOERENSEN, one of
Denmark’s most successful professional
cyclists, admitted on Monday
to using blood-boosting EPO and
cortisone in the 1990s, ending
more than a year of denials. “I used
EPO periodically in the 90s,”
Soerensen, now 47, said in a statement.
“I have also in some cases
used the substance cortisone. There
is no other excuse than that I did
what I felt compelled to do to be an
equal among peers,” he added.
SEE ALSO PAGE 33

30 Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Stadium
Landmark
agreement
signed at Katara
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
ICSS to help EPFL make major
events safe and secured
THE International Centre for
Sport Security (ICSS) and the
European Professional
Football Leagues (EPFL) will
come closer and work together
to make major football
events safe and secured.
The two bodies signed a
Memorandum
of
Understanding (MOU) on the
second day of Securing Sport
2013 at the Katara Cultural
Village. Under the agreement,
they will work with the goal of
advancing knowledge, sharing
best practices, optimising
security and integrity planning,
besides cooperating to
ensure safer sporting events
in the future.
The MOU was signed by
ICSS President Mohammed
Hanzab, Sir Dave Richards,
EPFL Chairman, ICSS
Executive Director, Helmut
Spahn and Emanuel Macedo
de Medeiros, EPFL CEO. Also
present on the occasion were
La Liga’s Jose Luis Astiazaran
and Dutch League’s Frank
Rutten.
EPFL chairman Richards
commented after the signing
ceremony: “This is really a big
step. We like to believe now
that we have a partner who
will try to bring in the integrity
that the European leagues
were looking for. We believe
that the ICSS is the right partner
with the 30 biggest
leagues in the Europe. It is
very important day.”
ICSS president Hanzab
said: “The ICSS is committed
to the advancement of knowledge
and capabilities in sport
safety, security and integrity,
and is a hub for informationsharing
and expertise across
various aspects of sport security
and integrity. This MOU
with the EPFL is an important
step for the world of football
which will help protect
the integrity of the game and
assist in the staging of safe
sporting events.”
“Football is the most popular
sport in the world. I thank
Sir Dave and the EPFL to
choose us as a partner. It is a
big honour for us. At the same
time, it’s a huge responsibility
and we’ll do our best,” added
EPFL Chairman Sir Dave Richards (second left) and ICSS President Mohammed Hanzab (second right) shake hands after signing the agreement during the Securing Sports 2013 at the Katara Cultural Village,
in Doha, on Tuesday. ICSS Executive Director Helmut Spahn (right) and Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, EPFL CEO, also attended the signing ceremony.
Hanzab.
Talking about who will be
the biggest gainer, Sir Dave
said: “Football is the winner.
We bring 30 best leagues of
the Europe and it is important
for us that each one has
faith, trust and understanding
with the people who we
would like to work with.
“We’d been looking for
four-five years at the safety,
security and integrity issues.
There was no-one who
impressed us in such a manner
as the ICSS did and we
had been given what we were
looking for,” said the EPFL
head.
“There are many issues that
are important to our business
and we think that it is right for
the European leagues. We also
think it is right for the other
world leagues. We’re in discussion
with the world leagues
and they will also be soon
becoming partner with the
ICSS.
“It is a unique organisation.
Nobody brings what the ICSS
brings. They bring a range of
everything – people, tool and
equipment – to do the real job.
It doesn’t matter if the ICSS is
African, Arab, German,
French or English. The call is
we want to work (with the
right people to make the sport
safe),” added Sir Dave.
The ICSS will provide ongoing
advisory services to the
EPFL in relation to security
and integrity infrastructure,
planning and design. The
ICSS will also make available
its capacity to conduct
research projects and access to
its wide network of leading
security and integrity experts.
Information and knowledge
sharing in sport security and
integrity – the ICSS and EPFL
will jointly analyse ways to
increase knowledge sharing.
The ICSS will share with the
EPFL its Knowledge Portal of
information regarding best
practice procedures, and other
valuable insights into mechanisms
used to ensure optimal
security and integrity infrastructure
at major football
events.
Emanuel Macedo de
Medeiros, EPFL CEO said:
“Integrity, safety and security
matters are on the top of our
agenda. We want to provide to
millions of passionate fans
football, which is good, safe
and secured.
“We are truly proud of our
partnership with such a distinguished
and correct partner as
the ICSS. Whatever we saw
here yesterday and today was
demonstration of the organisation
with a vision of working
for the future,” said de
Medeiros.
ICSS Executive Director
Spahn said: “We have the
most professional leagues with
us. It is a great achievement.
We’ll try to do our best to assist
in making football safe and
secured.”
Athlete Anaya wins first Save the Dream Award
QOC, ICSS
unveil ‘Save the
Dream’ logo
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
THE Qatar Olympic
Committee (QOC) and the
International Centre for
Sport Security (ICSS) presented
the first Save the
Dream Award. The new Save
the Dream logo was also
unveiled at a gala dinner on
the first day of Securing
Sport 2013, on Wednesday. .
The first Save the Dream
Award was presented to
Spanish athlete Iván
Fernández Anaya for his
exemplary sportsmanship.
During a cross-country race
in Navarre, Spain in
December 2012, he refused
to take advantage when his
rival and leading runner,
Kenyan Abel Mutai, mistakenly
stopped short of the finishing
line. Instead Anaya
guided Mutai to the finish
line, allowing him to win the
race.
The Save the Dream is a
joint international initiative
to raise awareness amongst
young athletes of the dangers
of sports results manipulation
and its consequences
and it was first launched at
2012 Sorbonne-ICSS Sport
Integrity Symposium in
Paris, France.
The initiative includes a
panel consisting of high-profile
athletes from different
sports and regions around
the world, as well as a multidisciplinary
team composed
of world-leading experts in
education, communications,
sport management and sport
integrity.
Save the Dream’s Athlete
Captain, Italian football star
and 2006 FIFA World Cup
champion, Alessandro del
Piero, delivered a moving
speech as part of a global
video presentation.
The Save the Dream logo
was also unveiled by QOC
Secretary-General Sheikh
Saoud bin Abdulrahman al
Thani and ICSS President
Mohammed Hanzab.
Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary-General Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al Thani (second left),
Iván Fernández Anaya (centre) and Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS (right) with two
young athletes at the Securing Sport gala dinner, in Doha, on Monday.
The design features a character
that is the embodiment
of clean and fair sport.
Confident and joyous with
high standards and ambition,
the character is reaching for
its goal. The strapline for the
initiative is ‘Save the Dream
for Sport Integrity’. The logo
was developed by Londonbased
creative agency,
Imagination.
Speaking at the launch,
Sheikh Saoud said: “The
Save the Dream is a timely
reminder of the true values
of sport. The challenges
sport faces today with
match-fixing and the spectre
of organised crime are
incredibly serious. Integrity
begins at home, in the playground
and on the school
playing fields. Young people
and athletes around the
world need to be aware that
sport integrity is not just
something for the professional
leagues and that is
why the Qatar Olympic
Committee, together with
the ICSS, will strive to ensure
that integrity in sport is not
just a dream but a reality.”
Sheikh Abdullah bin
Mohammed bin Saud al
Thani, Chairman of the
Board of Ooredoo, said:
“Sport is one of the main
focus areas of Ooredoo’s corporate
social responsibility
strategy. Ooredoo is committed
to supporting the ICSS
and QOC in promoting our
shared message of support
for sport - from the football
pitches of Doha to the playing
fields of Jakarta. Together,
we can score a goal for honest
competition and the true values
of sport and I would like
to congratulate Mr. Anaya on
receiving this special award.”
ICSS President Hanzab
said: “The Save the Dream
has been designed as a major
campaign to generate a genuine
dialogue around sports
core values. Together with
the QOC and Alessandro Del
Piero, we will assemble a
team of international ambassadors
from the world of
sport, recognised around the
world for their reputation
and talent, to promote positive
messages around sport
and its positive, characterbuilding
values. This programme
will hopefully
become a powerful instrument
to prevent and protect
the next generation of athletes
and sports stars around
the world.
“I would also like to congratulate
Iván Fernández
Anaya on outstanding sportsmanship.
He is a true worthy
recipient of the first Save the
Dream Award and a role
model to young athletes
around the world.”

The Domain Wednesday, March 20, 2013 31
QATARI TEAM DURING TRAINING SESSION
Al Sadd Club player Raul Gonzalez with the Qatari team players during his visit to the training field, in Doha, on
Tuesday.
Qatari national football team players during their training session at the Al Sadd Club Stadium, in Doha, on Tuesday.
The Qatari team is scheduled to play Bahrain in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier on March 22, in Manama.
Japan and Canada to
play friendly in Doha
QF Radio partners with CHI Al
Shaqab 2013 for live coverage
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
JAPAN and Canada will play
a friendly football match at
the Khalifa International
Stadium on Friday.
Fans may enjoy the match,
which will start at 7:05 pm,
without paying for entrance
ticket. The Gate 2 and 25 will
open at 5:30 pm for the
spectators.
For Japan, the game is a
tune-up ahead of their 2014
World Cup qualifier against
The Japanese football team pose for photograph before a match, recently.
Jordan at Amman on March
26. Japan lead the qualifying
group and seek their fifth
straight appearance in the
World Cup.
A win in Amman will help
Japan qualify for the 2014
World Cup with two games to
spare. Japan are now ranked
26th in the world while Canada
are 68th (as of 14 March). The
last and only time Japan
played Canada was at the 2001
Confederations Cup in Japan
with the latter winning easily
by 3-0.
THE CHI Al Shaqab 2013
proudly announced the signing
of a cooperation agreement
with QF Radio to provide
live coverage throughout
the inaugural edition of the
international equestrian competition.
The highly-anticipated CHI
Al Shaqab 2013 will be held
under the patronage of HE
Sheikh Mohammed bin
Hamad al Thani, Al Shaqab
Chairperson, and HE Sheikha
Al Mayassa bint Hamad al
Thani, Al Shaqab Vice-
Chairperson. It is set to take
place from March 27 to 30
March at Al Shaqab’s state-ofthe-art
facilities at Qatar
Foundation.
Being the first of its kind in
the region, the CHI Al Shaqab
2013 will play host to an
assortment of world-class
show jumping, dressage and
endurance events.
QF Radio, the official Radio
of CHI Al Shaqab 2013 and
voice of Qatar Foundation,
will conduct on-the-spot
interviews with riders from
around the globe and provide
real-time updates during the
four-day competition in both
the English and Arabic stations
of the radio.
Fahad bin Saad al Qahtani,
Al Shaqab Director & CHI Al
Shaqab 2013 President,
expressed his gratitude to the
station, saying, “The CHI Al
Shaqab 2013 is fortunate to
A view of the Al Shaqab arena, in Doha.
have the support of QF Radio.
As a growing network with a
wide reaching audience, it
helps promote the QF values
locally, regionally and internationally.
It is an integral
part of the QF family.”
Commenting on the signing,
QF Radio head Nasser al
Naimi said, “QF Radio aims
to inform the community of
major events in Qatar and the
world in fields such as education,
science, community
development, and sports.
The CHI Al Shaqab 2013 is
the perfect opportunity to
support an event that is not
only in line with this vision,
but also reflects Qatar’s rich
equestrian culture.”
“We are truly honoured to
be part of such a prestigious
event,” he added.
In addition to the equestrian
events, a spectator
plaza will be open to all
members of the public. The
enormous 17,000 square
metres zone will boast an
array of family-orientated
activities, including a fashion
exhibition and trade
market, a dedicated ‘kids
zone’, an international food
court, and a multitude of
cultural presentations and
events.
Khurram blasts unbeaten 131 for Asian Club
Fine all-round
display by
Al Feroz
Youngsters
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
KHURRAM hammered a
stylish unbeaten century in
Asian Club’s 62-run romp
against Commercial Bank in
a latest round of the Division
A match in the Qatar
Airways Cricket Tournament
2013.
Qatar Airways, one of the
world’s fastest growing airlines,
is the sponsor of the
cricket tournament, which is
being organised by the Qatar
Cricket Association at the
West Bay Grounds and the
Industrial Area Stadium.
At the West Bay Grounds,
Khurram cracked 131 and
carried his bat through after
Asian Club batted first.
Apart from his ton, Awais
also joined the run riot and
compiled an 83 not out in
his team’s big 287 for two in
47 overs. Rizlan contributed
38. Sajjad and Umar Taj
shared the wickets to fall.
Asian Club then shot the
bank team out at 225 in
only 36 overs with Abbas
Shah excelling with the ball
to grab five wickets. Abbas
(77) and Habib (45) tried to
the defeat a bit less lopsided
with their good
knocks. Awais and Ali
Ishtiaq picked two each.
Qatari Diar bounced back
from a defeat in the last
match to crush Lions RFC by
a huge 161 runs in another
match. Batting first, Qatari
Diar amassed 310 for nine in
48 overs as three players
slammed half-centuries.
Mannan led the way with
65, while Allah Ditta and
Noman hit 53 apiece.
Tharindu bagged three wickets.
Gyan Buddika and
Nadeesha picked two each.
While chasing a virtually
improbable victory, Lions
RFC collapsed at 149 in 38
overs.
Imtinan ran through the
batting line-up and captured
five scalps. Tahreeb
(three) and Mannan took
the rest five wickets
between them.
Al Feroz Youngsters and
Doha Club also posted lopsided
triumphs in the other
matches.
At the West Bay
Grounds, Khurram
cracked 131 and
carried his bat
through after
Asian Club batted
first. Apart from
his ton, Awais also
joined the run riot
and compiled an
83 not out.
Al Feroz bowled and fielded
superbly to floor
Bangladesh Club for just 105
in 32 overs. Naveed, Mujeeb
and Hafeez Nadeem dismissed
two players each
cheaply. Azad was the best
scorer, getting only 26.
Faisal hit up 70 out of the
target and finished undefeated,while
Enaam made
26 not out after Al Feroz lost
an early wicket.
Doha Club set up a 180-
run target for Qatar Under-
19 Eleven and it turned out
to be too big with the young
players losing the match at
the Industrial Area Stadium
by 67 runs.
Shahid (35) and Faisal
(28) played steadily.
Ramzan (23) and Damit
(21) also came up with useful
knocks. The Qatar
under-19 team could reply
with 112 in 50 overs. Safwan
(26) was the lone fighter for
the losers.
Brief scores
At West Bay Grounds:
Asian Club beat Commercial
Bank by 62 runs
Asian Club: 287 for 2 wkts
in 47 overs (Khurram 131
not out, Rizlan 38, Awais 83
not out, Sajjad & Omar Taj 1
wkts each)
Commercial Bank: 225 all
out in 36 overs (Umar Taj
21, Habib 45, Faisal 22,
Abbas 71, Awais 2 wkts,
Abbas Shah 5 wkts, Ali
Ishtiaq 2 wkts)
Al Feroz Youngsters beat
Bangladesh Club by 9 wkts
Bangladesh Club: 105 all
out in 32 overs (Azad 26,
Mozahid 16, Naveed 2 wkts,
Mujeeb 2 wkts, Hafeez
Nadeem 2 wkts)
Al Feroz Club: 106 for 1
wkt in 11 overs (Faisal 70 not
out, Enaam 26 not out)
Qatari Diar beat Lions
RFC by 161 runs
Qatari Diar: 310 for 9 wkts
in 48 overs (Allah Ditta 53,
Mudassar 21, Tahreeb 25,
Mannan 65, Noman 53,
Waqar 48, Gyan Buddika 2
wkts, Nadeesha 2 wkts,
Tharindu 3 wkts)
Lions RFC: 149 in 38 overs
(Nadeesha 45, Prabath 34,
Imtinan 5 wkts, Mannan 2
wkts, Tahreeb 3 wkts)
At Industrial Area
Stadium:
Doha Club beat Qatar
under-19 by 67 runs
Doha Club: 179 in 50
overs (Shahid 35, Faisal 28,
Ramzan 23, Damit 21,
Jahangir 2 wkts, Uzair 2
wkts, Trishane 2 wkts,
Mujtaba 2 wkts)
QCA under-19: 112 in 50
overs (Safwan 26, Uzair 17)

32 Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Ducks edge
Sharks 5-3 for
12th straight
home win
The Pitch
SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE
AP
ANAHEIM (CALIFORNIA)
ON the same night Corey
Perry spurned free agency
and agreed to an eight-year
contract extension, the
Anaheim Ducks extended the
longest home winning streak
in franchise history by beating
one of their biggest rivals.
What a day to be a Duck.
Emerson Etem had his first
NHL goal and an assist,
defenseman Francois
Beauchemin scored two
goals, and Anaheim beat the
San Jose Sharks 5-3 on
Monday night for its franchise-record
12th consecutive
home victory.
Viktor Fasth made 32 saves
for the streaking Ducks, who
have the NHL’s second-best
record at 21-3-4 while earning
a point in 11 straight games
heading into Wednesday’s
showdown with the leagueleading
Chicago Blackhawks.
The Ducks announced
Perry’s extension to their
crowd in the second period,
getting a roar of approval -
and three goals by his teammates
in blindingly swift succession.
The victory capped another
celebratory night in what’s
been a charmed season for
the Ducks, who have a 12-
point lead over Stanley Cup
champion Los Angeles atop
the Pacific Division with 20
games to play.
‘’That’s pretty good news in
the overall scheme of things,’’
Anaheim coach Bruce
Boudreau said. ‘’I think I’ll
sleep well tonight.’’
Council
approves
Falcons NFL
stadium plan
AP
ATLANTA
Members of the Dominican Republic team celebrate after winning their semi-final game against the Netherlands, during the Championship round of the World Baseball Classic at AT&T Park, in San Francisco,
California, on Monday. (EPA)
Dominicans outplay Dutch
4-1, make it to WBC final
THE Atlanta City Council
voted on Monday night to
approve a financing plan to
build a new stadium for the
NFL’s Falcons, removing one
of the last hurdles for the
downtown project that will
replace the 20-year-old
Georgia Dome.
The council voted 11-4 to
approve using city hotel-motel
tax revenue to cover the $200
million public contribution for
the proposed $1 billion,
retractable roof stadium for
the Atlanta Falcons. The team
is expected to provide $800
million and cover any cost
overruns.
‘’The construction of a new
stadium will lead to the revitalization
of some of the city’s
most historic neighborhoods,
create well-paying jobs and
ensure that the City of Atlanta
remains a competitive, leading
city with world-class attractions,’’
Atlanta Mayor Kasim
Reed said in a statement following
the more than 6-hour
long meeting. ‘’I appreciate this
vote of confidence from the
Atlanta City Council in moving
this vital issue forward.’’
State and city leaders pushed
the plan despite statewide polls
in Georgia showing that less
than a third of residents support
a new stadium, even if
Falcons owner Arthur Blank
covered most of the construction
cost.
Research has casts doubt on
claims that such investments
are a good deal for taxpayers
because they create jobs and
foster economic activity.
Monday’s vote came three days
after the board of the Georgia
World Congress Center
Authority voted unanimously
Friday to move forward with
the stadium plan by entering
into an agreement with the city
and the Falcons franchise.
AP
SAN FRANCISCO
FERNANDO RODNEY surprised
his teammates in the
middle of the game when he
pulled out a lucky plantain,
sent from a family member
back home in the Dominican
Republic just in time for
Monday’s World Baseball
Classic semi-final.
The quirky Tampa Bay closer
sure found the perfect
motivational prop.
Late lineup addition Moises
Sierra hit a tying RBI double
in the fifth, Jose Reyes
added a go-ahead single
two batters later and the
spirited Dominicans
reached the WBC championship
game with a 4-1 win
against the Netherlands on
Monday night.
The banana will be around
for another day.
‘’Keep it, why not?’’ winning
pitcher Edinson
Volquez said. ‘’It’s like we
have this one mission as a
team, winning and winning.’’
Edwin Encarnacion had
an RBI single as the undefeated
Dominicans survived
a rocky start from Volquez,
who benefited from Sierra’s
catch over the left-field wall
in foul territory to end a
first-inning threat.
Now, it’s the Dominican
Republic vs. Puerto Rico, for
the title. The teams will play
for a third time this tournament
Tuesday night at AT&T
Park just three days after the
Dominicans (7-0) won
Saturday in Miami before
each club flew West.
Rodney finished
Monday’s game for
his sixth save as
dozens of seagulls
swirled right above
the field.
One of these proud island
nations will get to throw
quite a party.
‘’Whoever wins the Classic
is really the Caribbeans,’’
Dominican manager Tony
New York Knicks’ J.R. Smith (left) shoots a 3 pointer as Utah Jazz’s Marvin Williams (right) looks
on in the second half during an NBA basketball game, in Salt Lake City, on Monday. (AP)
Pena said. ‘’It could be Puerto
Rico or the Dominican
Republic, but it will belong to
the Caribbeans.’’
Tuesday’s winner will
earn the distinction of world
champion for the first time
in the three-event history of
the WBC.
Puerto Rico eliminated twotime
defending Classic champion
Japan 3-1 on Sunday
night. Rodney finished
Monday’s game for his sixth
save as dozens of seagulls
swirled right above the field.
‘’The platano said, ‘If you
keep me close to you, you’re
going to get the win,’’’
Rodney joked after briefly
putting it on display during
AP
SALT LAKE CITY
KURT THOMAS wasn’t
sure he would even play on
Monday night after X-rays
showed a bone spur in his
right foot.
The New York Knicks veteran
forward not only played,
he earned a game ball for a
gutsy, 27-minute effort that
included six points, three
rebounds and a season-high
three blocks in a 90-83 victory
over the Utah Jazz.
‘’Our defense really shined
tonight, especially in the second
half,’’ Knicks coach Mike
Woodson said of holding
pregame introductions.
Players rushed out of the
dugout as fans chanted
‘’Dominicana! Dominicana!’’
This time, the Dominicans
didn’t let the Netherlands
interfere with their road to
the WBC championship.
They were still fuming four
years after the Netherlands
beat them twice in the 2009
WBC’s first round for a stunning
early exit. They were a
pair of one-run games played
in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
including and 11-inning victory
in an elimination contest.
‘’We kept it in the past,’’
Volquez said. ‘’We’re just
focused on our game.’’
And Pena certainly didn’t
Utah to 28.9 percent shooting
after halftime.
‘’Everybody just seemed to
make plays defensively when
we needed to make stops.
And then we made big shots
when we had to have it.’’
JR Smith scored 20 points,
including 18 in the second
half, and Raymond Felton
had 19 for the short-handed
Knicks, who snapped a fourgame
losing streak.
The Knicks (39-26)
dropped games at Golden
State, Denver, Portland and
the Los Angeles Clippers by
an average margin of 20
points, but salvaged the last
game of their trip with the
mind Rodney’s spontaneous
dugout contribution.
‘’In a game like this, you
have to have a little bit of
fun and find a way to loosen
up,’’ the skipper said. ‘’I’m
glad he did it.’’
Former Oakland and San
Francisco shortstop Miguel
Tejada earned a start at third
base and singled twice and
scored a run. He drew cheers
from the Bay Area fans during
pregame introductions.
Andruw Jones hit a two-out
single in the fourth for the
first Dutch hit against
Volquez, who yielded
Wladimir Balentien’s firstinning
RBI groundout before
settling in to earn the win.
Smith lifts short-handed
Knicks past Utah Jazz
victory over the turnoverprone
Jazz (38-27).
‘’It’s going to be a nice
ride home,’’ Woodson
added. ‘’We have been
struggling out here on the
road and to win at this altitude
and this environment
means we were hungry.’’
New York remains atop the
Atlantic Division and stayed a
game ahead of the Nets for
the No. 3 spot in the Eastern
Conference playoffs.
New York was without
leading scorer Carmelo
Anthony, who practiced earlier
Monday and indicated his
right knee feels better since
he had fluid drained.

The Track Wednesday, March 20, 2013 33
Danish Olympic cyclist Soerensen admits to doping
AFP
COPENHAGEN
ROLF SOERENSEN, one of
Denmark’s most successful
professional cyclists, admitted
on Monday to using
blood-boosting EPO and cortisone
in the 1990s, ending
more than a year of denials.
“I used EPO periodically in
the 90s,” Soerensen, now 47,
said in a statement.
“I have also in some cases
used the substance cortisone.
There is no other excuse than
that I did what I felt compelled
to do to be an equal
among peers,” he added.
Sorensen, who won two
stages of the Tour de France
in 1994 and 1996, refused to
identify other riders who
used performance-enhancing
drugs. “There will not be
any names here. No allegations
against other named
individuals. It’s not my
style,” he said.
“The only thing I will say is
that I, as we all know today,
was not alone in it.”
A professional rider from
1986 through 2002,
Soerensen won the Liege-
Bastogne-Liege race in 1993
and the Tour of Flanders in
1997.
He won a silver medal in
the road race at the 1996
A professional
rider from 1986
through 2002,
Soerensen won the
Liege-Bastogne-
Liege race in 1993
and the Tour of
Flanders in 1997.
Olympic Games, the first year
professionals were allowed to
compete, and came close to
winning the overall World
Cup title on two occasions
with a second place overall
result in 1997 and third in
both 1989 and 1991.
US cyclist Lance
Armstrong, 41, admitted in
January that he used performance-enhancing
drugs
during his record seven Tour
de France victories from
1999-2005.
Armstrong was stripped of
all seven Tour titles last year
after a devastating report by
the US Anti-Doping Agency
(USADA), which accused him
of taking part in one of the
biggest cheating operations in
sports history.
Rolf Soerensen of Denmark (left) wins stage 14 of the 1994 Tour de France, ahead of Australia’s
Neil Stephens.
SUPPORTING A WORTHY CAUSE
Bulgarian chess grandmaster Veselin Topalov (right) looks at a chess timer during a chess match, near to a newsstand in
Montevideo, on Monday. Topalov, 2006 World Chess Champion, is in Uruguay to support a national programme of the Minister
of Education and Culture to promote chess between lower classes.
Tiger Woods is
dating ski star
Lindsey Vonn
Newcastle slam English FA over
lack of McManaman action
AP
ORLANDO (FLORIDA)
SPORT has a new power couple:
Tiger Woods and Lindsey
Vonn confirmed they’re dating.
Two months after rumours
began circulating in Europe,
Woods and Vonn posted separate
items on their Facebook
pages on Monday afternoon to
announce their relationship.
The posts include photos of
golf’s 14-time major winner
and the Olympic and World
Cup downhill ski champion.
“This season has been great
so far and I’m happy with my
wins at Torrey and Doral,”
Woods said. “Something nice
that’s happened off the course
was meeting Lindsey Vonn.
Lindsey and I have been
friends for some time, but
over the last few months we
have become very close and
are now dating.”
Woods made a stop in
Austria, where Vonn was
competing in the Alpine skiing
world championships, in
January on his way to Abu
Dhabi to start his season. Two
weeks ago, after he won the
Cadillac Championship at
Doral for his second win this
year, The Daily Mail published
photos that showed a
woman, who appeared to be
Vonn, in a golf cart at the
marina where Woods’ yacht
“Privacy” was docked.
“I guess it wasn’t a well-kept
secret but yes, I am dating
Tiger Woods,” Vonn said on
her Facebook page. “Our relationship
evolved from a friendship
into something more over
these past few months and it
has made me very happy.”
Both said they wanted to
keep everything else private.
Woods posted four photos
with Vonn on his page, while
Vonn’s had one of those
photos.
Vonn is recovering from
right knee surgery ó something
familiar to Woods ó after a
February 5 crash that ended
her season. Her divorce from
Thomas Vonn after more than
four years became official in
January. They separated in
2011. Vonn, whose maiden
name is Kildow, decided to
keep Vonn as her last name
after the divorce.
The announcement was
one day after the World Cup
season ended. Vonn hopes to
return in time for the
Olympics next year in Sochi.
Woods rarely discusses
any aspect
of his private life,
and it was surprising
that he acknowledged
a relationship
with Vonn
Woods’ past relationships
are far more sensational.
His marriage of five years to
Elin Nordegren of Sweden
collapsed in 2010 after shocking
revelations of multiple
extramarital affairs. His infidelity
was exposed the night
after Thanksgiving in 2009
when he ran his car into a tree
and a fire hydrant outside his
Florida home.
Woods spent the summer of
2010 working out details of a
divorce, which became official
in August that year. They share
custody of their two children.
The 37-year-old Woods
rarely discusses any aspect of
his private life, and it was surprising
that he acknowledged a
relationship with Vonn, much
less post studio photos of him,
in a short-sleeve Nike golf shirt,
and Vonn, in a light blue
warm-up jacket. But this
would preclude paparazzi
making big money when they
are photographed together for
the first time.
He is playing the Arnold
Palmer Invitational this week
at Bay Hill, where he is a
seven-time winner and the
defending champion. Woods
can return to No. 1 in the
world for the first time since
October 2010 if he wins.
After that, Woods is not
expected to play until the
Masters on April 11-14.
The 28-year-old Vonn is
the premier ski racer of her
generation, an owner of four
World Cup overall titles,
along with gold and bronze
medals from the 2010
Vancouver Olympics that
earned her AP Female Athlete
of the Year honours. She is
the only skier, male or female,
to win one of the annual AP
awards that date back to 1931.
Dominant against other top
female skiers, Vonn petitioned
the International Ski
Federation to let her compete
against men in a downhill race,
but the request was rejected
last year. Her 59 career World
Cup race victories is three shy
of the record, and she recently
claimed a sixth consecutive
World Cup downhill title.
Vonn’s season was cut short
when she shredded two knee
ligaments and broke a bone in
her lower right leg in a crash
during this year’s world championships.
She hopes to return
at the start of the next World
Cup season in November and,
if healthy, she would be one of
the top athletes at the Sochi
Olympics next year.
During a conference call
with reporters last month to
discuss her recovery from the
injury, Vonn declined to talk
about rumours of a relationship
with Woods.
AFP
LONDON
An FA statement
on Tuesday said
that as match officials
had seen the
incident, the governing
body was
powerless to take
retrospective disciplinary
action.
NEWCASTLE United
expressed their “disappointment”
on Tuesday with both
the FA and Wigan chairman
Dave Whelan after the governing
body said Callum
McManaman would ecsape
disciplinary action over his
tackle on Magpies’ full-back
Massadio Haidara.
McManaman, who was
making his first league start,
caught Haidara on the knee
with his studs after careering
into a tackle midway through
the first half at the DW
Stadium on Saturday in a
Premier League match Wigan
eventually won 2-1.
The French full-back, 20,
had to be carried off on a
stretcher, but referee Mark
Halsey did not punish 21-
year-old McManaman for
the challenge.
An FA statement on
Tuesday said that as match
officials had seen the incident,
the governing body was
powerless to take retrospective
disciplinary action.
“Where one of the officials
has seen a coming together of
players, no retrospective
action should be taken,
regardless of whether he or
she witnessed the full or particular
nature of the challenge,”
the FA said in a statement.
“This is to avoid the rerefereeing
of incidents,
“In the case of
McManaman, it has been
confirmed that at least one
of the match officials saw the
coming together, though not
the full extent of the challenge.
In these circumstances
retrospective action
cannot be taken.”
Wigan chairman Dave
Whelan defended McManaman’s
conduct on Monday,
telling the BBC: “The ball
was there and McManaman
got the ball as clear as a
whistle, then followed
through and they collided.
Whelan was speaking from
experience, as he had his leg
broken in the 1960 FA Cup
final while playing for
Blackburn Rovers.
The injury curtailed his
playing career, but the Latics
chairman said both Norman
Deeley, the player who tackled
him, and McManaman
were equally blameless.
However, Newcastle managing
director Derek
Llambias said he was “disappointed”
by Whelan’s comments
and urged the FA to
revise their rulebook.
“I am... disappointed and
surprised by the comments
he made yesterday (Monday),
in particular his assertion that
the tackle by Callum
McManaman ‘was a fair challenge’,”
Llambias said.
“It is our strongly held
opinion that the tackle on
Massadio was extremely
dangerous and is the type of
challenge that has the potential
to cause serious harm
and such was the force, and
reckless and dangerous
nature of the challenge, even
end a player’s career.
“We are disappointed to
learn that the FA is not
going to charge the Wigan
player... It is clear from this
decision that the current
disciplinary procedures are
not fit for purpose.”
Haidara suffered potential
knee ligament damage in the
incident, which sparked a
half-time row on the touchline
that saw Newcastle
assistant manager John
Carver and Wigan coach
Graham Barrow sent to the
stands.
Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn pose for a portrait, recently. (AP)

34 Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Turf
Football
Roundup
Inter’s Cassano names son after
Barca’s Messi
MILAN Antonio Cassano has named
his newborn son after “the greatest
player of all time”, namely Lionel
Messi, according to the Inter Milan
striker. Cassano’s wife Carolina gave
birth to the couple’s second son on
Monday. Cassano said he had named
his son Lionel “in honour of the greatest
player of all time, my idol.”
Cassano, who had to temporarily
stop his career last year to undergo
minor heart surgery, already has another
son, Christopher.
Abidal plays in Barca’s reserves
match against French team
MADRID French international defender
Eric Abidal, who underwent a liver transplant
last April, is on his way back and
played in a training match for Barcelona
reserves against French second division
side Istres, his club said on Tuesday. “For
Abidal, it was his first match aside from
training sessions he has been having since
December - he played 65 minutes against
Istres,” Barcelona said on their website.
Abidal is hoping to return to action 11
months on from his surgery, having been
given medical clearance last month.
Spanish clubs trim back debts to
taxman
MADRID Spanish football clubs cut their
debt to the taxman by eight percent last
year from 752.3 million euros (973.8
million dollars) to 690 million (893 million
dollars), the Madrid treasury said on
Tuesday. “The debts of Spanish clubs to
the tax authorities ... stood at 752.3
million euros at the start of 2012. They
now stand at 690 million, which represents
a drop of around eight percent,” a
spokesman said. Of the total, 535 million
euros (692.7 million dollars) concern
first division clubs.
Barca earn full points in AP poll
AP
LONDON
IT WAS difficult to vote for any
other team.
Barcelona received maximum
points in the AP’s latest
global football rankings on
Tuesday, with the team’s striker,
Lionel Messi, coming close
to top marks.
The Catalan team was
rewarded by The Associated
Press’ panel of 20 football journalists
for its 4-0 demolition of
AC Milan to overcome a 2-0
“The biggest nobrainer
in sports.
Putting together this
list every week
involves really just
finding nine names
to type after
Messi’s.”
first-leg deficit and qualify for
the quarterfinals of the
Champions League for the
sixth season in a row.
“We rediscovered the best
Barcelona at the best possible
moment,” Cedric Rouquette of
Eurosport in France said.
Barcelona received the maximum
200 points, with
Spanish rival Real Madrid second
on 106 points and Italian
league leader Juventus third
with 92 points.
Messi, who scored twice in
the Milan victory, received 195
points out of a possible 200,
with AC Milan striker Mario
Balotelli second, a long way
behind on 77 points and
Borussia Dortmund’s Robert
Lewandowski third on 68.
US panelist Tom
Timmermann of the St. Louis
Post-Dispatch said voting for
Messi was “the biggest nobrainer
in sports. Putting
together this list every week
involves really just finding nine
names to type after Messi’s.”
Second-place Balotelli has
scored seven goals in six games
for Milan, including both in a
2-0 win over Palermo this
weekend. Lewandowski also
scored two in Dortmund’s 5-1
crushing of Freiburg in the
Bundesliga. However,
Germany-based panelist
James Thorogood said it was
Nuri Sahin who stood out
more for Dortmund, and the
Turkish player came ninth in
(From left) Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas, Jordi Alba, David Villa, Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez celebrate
a goal during an Spanish first division match, in Barcelona, recently. (REUTERS)
the voting.
“The Turkish international
has had to be patient since
rejoining Dortmund after
unsuccessful spells with Real
Madrid and Liverpool, but was
back to his influential best
against Freiburg, scoring twice
and setting up Robert
Lewandowski’s first,”
Thorogood said.
David Villa, with 64 points,
was the second Barcelona player
in the top four, just ahead of
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, who is
becoming increasingly influential
for the London club. Real
Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain was
sixth and teammate Cristiano
Ronaldo eighth. Both scored in
the Spanish champion’s 5-2
victory over Real Mallorca.
Andres Iniesta was the third
Barca player in the top 10,
sharing 10th spot with
Chelsea’s Frank Lampard.
In the team rankings, Real
Madrid was second, earning
just over half the points collected
by its great rivals, with
Juventus in third as it sits nine
points clear in Serie A and still
in the Champions league.
Dortmund’s impressive victory
saw the second-place
Bundesliga team land in fourth
place with 83, four places
ahead of league leader Bayern
Munich, which is a massive 20
points clear at the top domestically.
The champions-elect
needed a Leverkusen own goal
three minutes from time to eke
out a 2-1 victory at the weekend.
Resurgent Chelsea was
voted fifth, level with Turkey’s
Galatasaray, which is surging
in the domestic league and in
the last eight of the Champions
League.
Paolo Condo of Italy’s
Gazzetta dello Sport pointed
out that Argentina’s San
Lorenzo was perhaps the most
successful team of the week, as
its most influential fan
revealed himself ó the new
Pope Francis, a supporter of
the Buenos Aires club.
AP Global Football Rankings
for the week ending March 17.
Based on 20 voters, using 10
points for top to 1 point for bottom
place. Previous rankings
in parentheses.
PLAYERS
1. Lionel Messi, (3), 195 points.
2. Mario Balotelli, 77.
3. Robert Lewandowski, 68.
4. David Villa, 64.
5. Eden Hazard, 63.
6. Gonzalo Higuain, 57.
7. Edinson Cavani, 54.
8. Cristiano Ronaldo, 50.
9. Nuri Sahin, 39.
10. Andres Iniesta 37.
(tie) Frank Lampard, 37.
TEAMS
1. Barcelona, (5), 200 points.
2. Real Madrid, (1), 106.
3. Juventus, (2), 92.
4. Borussia Dortmund, (7), 83.
5. Chelsea, 79.
(tie) Galatasaray, 79.
7. Manchester United, 68.
8. Bayern Munich, (3), 56.
9. Arsenal, 49.
10. Malaga, 44.
US football team coach Jurgen Klinsmann, speaks to players during a training session at the Olimpico Metropolitano Stadium, in
San Pedro Sula, recently. (AFP)
Klinsmann confident of new players
ahead of Costa Rica WC qualifier
AFP
WASHINGTON
INJURIES and a lack of playing
time have sidelined key
United States players, but
coach Jurgen Klinsmann said
on Monday he is confident a
less experienced squad can
advance to the 2014 World
Cup. The Americans, coming
off a 2-1 qualifying loss in
Honduras, will play host to
Costa Rica on Friday in Denver
and play another high-altitude
North American qualifying
match for Brazil just four nights
later away to arch-rivals
Mexico.
“We have put a roster together
that gives us confidence to
approach both games very positively,”
Klinsmann said. “We
have a roster that enables us to
get the job done. We’re totally
comfortable with this roster.”
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of
Everton is sidelined with a back
injury while Hannover 96
defender Steve Cherundolo is
out with a knee injury and West
Ham defender Jonathan
Spector has a sore ankle.
Nuremberg defender Tim
Chandler and Jose Torres, a
midfielder for Mexico’s
Pachuca, are out with hamstring
injuries while Tijuana left
back Edgar Castillo is suffering
from facial fractures and
Hoffenheim defender Danny
Williams is ill.
All-time US leading scorer
Landon Donovan remains off
the roster as he finishes a fourmonth
break from Major
League Soccer before rejoining
defending champions Los
Angeles Galaxy later this
month. “It depends on how he
comes back and how I look at
his development,” Klinsmann
said.
“As of today right now he’s
not part of things because he’s
simply not playing or training.”
Asked if he thought he
should appeal to Donovan to
come back to play for his country
in the wake of the injuries,
Klinsmann said: “No.”
And 34-year-old defender
Carlos Bocanegra, formerly of
Rangers in the Scottish league,
finds himself on the bench for
Spain’s Racing Santander and
not in shape to help the
Americans this time.
“He’s simply not playing,”
Klinsmann said. “He’s still in
our picture. But he understands
he’s behind other players
right now.”
Players were set to gather on
Monday night in Denver,
where Klinsmann will reveal to
them who will be the new team
captain.
Stoke’s Geoff Cameron’s six
caps in qualifying make him
the most experienced defender
in a line-up that also features
MLS-based duo Tony Beltran
and Juston Morrow.
Roma’s Michael Bradley and
DaMarcus Beasley of Mexico’s
Puebla are the top midfielders
while Tottenham’s Clint
Dempsey will be counted upon
to provide a finishing touch.
“We have enough training
sessions where he can hopefully
get adjusted to the altitude,”
Klinsmann said, before adding
that the changing of the guard
is a must.
Excited Ramos
on course to
win 100th cap
AFP
MADRID
SPANISH central defender
Sergio Ramos was a proud
man on Tuesday as he prepared
to win his 100th cap for
his country in Friday’s World
Cup qualifier gainst Finland.
“Let’s hope everything goes
off well and I can reach the 100
mark. Entering Spanish football
history is not simple and I
would be extremely proud,”
said the Real Madrid star,
World Cup winner and
European champion.
Spain hope to see off the
Finns before taking on France
on Tuesday, having already
dropped points against the latter
in their previous group
meeting.
Assuming he starts against
the Finns in Gijon, Ramos will
join clubmates Iker Casillas
What is more, I
shall celebrate
these 100 appearances
when I am
still young and at a
key moment of my
career,” said
Ramos.
and Xabi Alonso, as well as
Barcelona pair Xavi
Hernandez and Carles Puyol
and Chelsea’s Fernando
Torres in reaching a century of
international appearances.
“What is more, I shall celebrate
these 100 appearances
when I am still young and at a
key moment of my career,”
said Ramos, who joined Real
in 2005, the year he made his
international debut.
He will only turn 27 on
March 30. “These two games
are decisive for our World Cup
qualification hopes,” he added.
Spain are currently joint top
of Group I with France with
seven points from three
games, three clear of Georgia,
while the Finns are bottom
with just one point.
Capello sees
Belfast as
Russia’s
toughest test
AFP
MOSCOW
RUSSIA’S forthcoming
World Cup qualifier with
Northern Ireland in Belfast
will probably be their toughest
test, according to national
squad manager Fabio
Capello.
“I believe it will be the most
important match for us,” the
Italian told the Rossiiskaya
Gazeta daily.
“Northern Ireland have
held Portugal to a 1-1 draw
last year. For our team the
away clash at Belfast will
without doubts be the most
serious test.
“Northern Ireland are very
dangerous on the counterattack
and in dead ball situations.
I expect a very tough
clash on Friday.”
Russia currently top the
2014 World Cup qualifying
Group F with a perfect record
of 12 points from four matches,
five ahead of Israel and
Portugal, who meet in Ramat
Gan, Israel, also on Friday.
Capello, however, said that
Russia still have plenty of
work to do to book their ticket
for Brazil.
“The five-point lead doesn’t
mean anything,” he said. “We
have played just four matches
and the most serious clashes
are still ahead. I expect tough
opposition in every one of the
remaining matches.
“We started well and left
our rivals behind. But the
qualifying tournament is a
Fabio Capello
long way to go and we have no
right to relax until we win our
place in the World Cup
finals.”
Capello added that Russia
would probably play their
home qualifiers with
Luxembourg and Israel in
September in Saint
Petersburg’s Petrovsky stadium,
the home of reigning
Russian champions Zenit.
“Luzhniki stadium, the
2018 World Cup main venue,
will be closed for renovation,
while the pitch at Moscow’s
Lokomotiv arena was in poor
condition when we played our
last qualifier there,” Capello
said.
“I think it’s a good idea to
play at Saint Petersburg in
September. The arena there is
very comfortable with an
excellent pitch. It seems to be
a good choice for us.”

The Field
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
35
16 YEARS OF
STELLAR CAREER
Michael Owen to retire at end of season
Former Real Madrid player Michael Owen (right) celebrates with Ronaldo of Brazil
during a Spanish league match, in Madrid. (AP)
AP
LONDON
Former England striker
Michael Owen will retire at
the end of the Premier
League season, concluding
the 16-year career of a onceprolific
forward that was launched by a
World Cup wonder-goal in 1998 but
dwindled following a barrage of injuries.
The 33-year-old Owen scored 40 times
in 89 England appearances, including a
memorable solo goal from the halfway
line in a World Cup knockout match
against Argentina that announced
him on the world stage as a precocious
teenager. He is fourth on the
country’s all-time scorers list
behind Bobby Charlton, Gary
Lineker and Jimmy Greaves.
Known for his explosive pace and
predatory finishing, he was the
European Player of the Year in 2001
and scored 220 club goals during
stints at Liverpool, Real Madrid,
Newcastle, Manchester United and,
most recently, Stoke.
Injuries, though, have taken their
toll on his body and he is a shadow of
the nippy striker who destroyed
defenses in his prime.
“I now feel it is the right time to
bring the curtain down on my career,”
Owen said Tuesday on his personal
website. “I have been very fortunate
in that my career has
taken me on a journey that
like many young players starting
out, I could only have
dreamt of.”
Aside from that goal against Argentina in
Saint-Etienne, Owen will also be remembered
at international level for his clinical
hat trick in a World Cup qualifier against
Germany in Munich in 2001. He is the only
Englishman to score in four major tournaments.
“He was a baby-faced assassin,” said former
England coach Glenn Hoddle, who was
in charge during the 1998 World Cup. “His
finishing was amazing for a young man. He
had that coolness in the penalty box. Some
players get anxious but he seemed to get
calmer and calmer. “He must have been a
nightmare to defend against.”
Arguably the highlight of his club career
came in the 2001 FA Cup final at Cardiff’s
Millennium Stadium, when he scored twice
for Liverpool in a 2-1 win over a dominant
Arsenal. Liverpool went on to complete the
FA Cup-League Cup-UEFA Cup treble that
season and Owen became the first
Englishman since Kevin Keegan in 1979 to
be named Europe’s best player.
Owen spent eight successful years at
Anfield, scoring 158 goals in 297 games, and
remains the youngest player (23 years, 134
days) to reach 100 goals in the Premier
League. Yet a hamstring injury sustained in
a league match at Leeds in April 1999 set off
a string of problems that would affect the
rest of his career.
His finishing ability never left him but he
lost that raw pace that set him apart from
other strikers.
“That injury has probably changed my
whole career,” Owen said last year. “I’ve
been compromised from the age of 19.”
It didn’t stop him scoring 14 goals in 40
games for Madrid, where he settled for
being the back-up for Brazil striker Ronaldo
after leaving Liverpool following a contract
dispute. He fitted seamlessly into the
“Galacticos” squad also featuring Zinedine
Zidane, Luis Figo and Raul but returned to
England after just one season in Spain, joining
Newcastle after failing to secure a move
back to Liverpool.
Injuries blighted his stints at Newcastle
and Manchester United, although three
years at Old Trafford did see him win the
Premier League for the first time and scoring
the injury-time winner in a 4-3 derby
victory over Manchester City in 2010. He
still had that eye for goal when chances
arose and his build-up play noticeably
improved, sometimes playing as a second
striker.
Owen has played seven games for Stoke,
which he joined last summer after being
released by United, and scored one goal. He
hasn’t played an entire Premier League
match since November 2009 and will finish
his career without ever reaching 20 league
goals in one season. “No doubt about it, if I
hadn’t had as many injuries I would have
been the all-time leading scorer for
England,” Owen said last year.
The English Football Association said it
was already in talks with Owen about using
his “international experience with our
younger players in the future in an ambassadorial
role.”
Ferdinand still has future in England: Lampard
Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand during an English Premier
League match, in Manchester, recently. (AFP)
AFP
LONDON
Frank Lampard believes that
Rio Ferdinand has not yet
played his last game for
England, despite the defender
having withdrawn from the
national squad this week.
England manager Roy
Hodgson had called
Ferdinand up for the first
time for the upcoming World
Cup qualifiers against San
Marino and Montenegro,
only for the 34-year-old to
pull out, citing fitness concerns.
Ferdinand won the last of
his 81 caps in a Euro 2012
qualifier against Switzerland
in June 2011.
Despite his withdrawal, the
Manchester United centreback
insists that he still wishes
to represent his country,
and Lampard says his current
form means he deserves an
opportunity.
“He’s a top-drawer player,
Rio, and he’s certainly not finished,”
Lampard told a press
conference at England’s St
George’s Park training base in
Burton upon Trent, central
England.
“Looking at his performances
against (Real) Madrid,
especially away, he was outstanding.
“Regular performances
week in and week out, he’s a
top performer, has been and
still is.
“I don’t know the ins and
outs of his future, but the way
he’s playing at the minute,
he’s one of the top defenders
in the Premier League for
sure.”
With Ferdinand’s fellow
centre-backs Phil Jagielka,
Michael Dawson and Gary
Despite his withdrawal,
the Manchester
United centre-back
insists that
he still wishes to
represent his country,
and Lampard
says his current
form means he
deserves an opportunity.
Cahill all currently nursing
injuries, Lampard said the
timing of his former West
Ham United team-mate’s
withdrawal was unfortunate.
“(I was) sorry for him and
the team. He’s been in fantastic
form,” the Chelsea midfielder
said.
“We’re losing a player of
quality. As I said, now it’s very
important that the squad gets
the results that it needs so
there are no personal issues -
it’s about all of the team.”
However, Lampard, who is
also 34, said he understood
Ferdinand’s motives.
“Being one of the older
lads, once you pass 30 years
of age you have to manage
yourself differently, maintain
yourself, train more, train
less, rest periods... particularly
lads who have picked up
injuries,” he said.
“I know Rio picked up a few
injuries earlier in his career
and he’s been very disciplined
in keeping on top of himself
to make sure he gets the most
out of his career, so a lot of
respect for that, and everyone
is different.”
England visit Group H’s
bottom side San Marino on
Friday, followed by a trip to
group leaders Montenegro
the following Tuesday.
Hodgson’s side are expected
to make light work of minnows
San Marino, but defeat
by Montenegro would seriously
undermine their
chances of qualifying automatically
for the 2014 World
Cup in Brazil.
England beat Brazil 2-1 at
Wembley in their previous
outing in February and
Lampard’s fellow midfielder
James Milner says it is
important that they harness
the momentum from that
game.

36 Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Arena
Wasim to
help groom
fast bowlers
for Pakistan
AFP
KARACHI
Novak Djokovic (left), Serena Williams (right): Expected to lead the pack at Maimi. (AFP)
Djokovic, Serena lead injury-hit
line-up at ATP Masters Miami
AFP
MIAMI
WORLD number ones Novak
Djokovic and Serena
Williams head the fields in
the WTA and ATP Masters
Miami hardcourt event that
begins on Tuesday, although
several big names will be
among the missing.
Rafael Nadal, who secured
the Indian Wells title on
Sunday for his third title since
his comeback from nagging
knee injuries, and Swiss
World No. 2 Roger Federer
are absent on the men’s side,
which features 45 of the
world’s 50 top players.
Injured World No. 10
Samantha Stosur of Australia
is missing on the women’s
side, having suffered a right
calf injury that forced her to
drop out of her quarter-final
at Indian Wells.
Djokovic will try to claim
his fourth Miami title while
Williams attempts to take her
sixth career crown at the $8.5
million tournament, which
provides first-round byes to
seeded players.
Williams will play her first
event since reclaiming the
World No. 1 ranking at Dubai,
where she reached the final.
Serbian star Djokovic lost
to Argentina’s Juan Martin
del Potro in the Indian Wells
semi-finals, ending his 22-
match winning streak in a run
that included a fourth
Australian Open title, his
sixth career Grand Slam
crown.
“I need a few days off and
I’ll move on to Miami,” said
Djokovic, who could become
the first player since Andre
Agassi in 2003 to lift a third
Miami title in a row.
Del Potro, who also ousted
World No. 2 Andy Murray of
Britain in the Indian Wells
quarter-finals, is looking for
big things at Miami as well
after falling to Nadal in the
Indian Wells final.
“After tomorrow I will be
happy for this tournament
and get motivation for the
future, for the next one, and
be ready, waiting for another
chance like I made in this
tournament,” Del Potro said.
“I’m excited to play Miami.
Many Argentinian fans,
friends, family, come to watch
me there. It’s a very good
tournament. I’m so excited to
be playing there. But first I
need a couple of days for
recovery, for rest, and I wish
to do a similar tournament
there.”
Djokovic won at Miami in
2007 as well as the past two
years and has reached the
final in four of the past six
years. He will play his opener
Friday against either Gilles
Muller or Lukas Rosol and
could face 30th seed Feliciano
Lopez of Spain in the third
round.
Reigning US Open and
Olympic champion Murray,
who lost to Djokovic in last
year’s Miami final, will try to
add to his 2009 title, which
came with a victory over
Djokovic.
Australian Bernard Tomic
or a qualifier will await
Murray in his first match.
Spanish third seed David
Ferrer, in Djokovic’s half of
the draw, looks to bounce
back from a second-round
defeat at Indian Wells. He will
open against a qualifier but
del Potro could be a quarterfinal
opponent for Ferrer.
The South American will
open against against either
Tobias Kamke or Blaz Kavcic.
Czech fourth seed Tomas
Berdych, who could meet
Murray in a semi-final, will
open against either Daniel
Gimeno-Traver or Denis
Istomin.
PAKISTAN pace great
Wasim Akram on Tuesday
promised to help groom a
future generation of speedsters
as his country looks to
recapture former fast bowling
glories.
Wasim was part of a long
line of world-class Pakistani
fast bowlers that began with
Fazal Mahmood in the 1950s
and featured the likes of
Imran Khan, Waqar Younis
and Shoaib Akhtar.
But pace stocks have dwindled
in recent years and
Pakistan currently have no
fast bowlers among the top
10 in either Test or one-day
rankings.
Chief selector Iqbal Qasim
last week expressed disappointment
over the lack
quality fast bowlers, a concern
which Wasim hopes to
Wasim is regarded
as the best left-arm
fast bowler ever to
play at international
level with 414
Test and 502 oneday
wickets
help address by holding a
two-week camp in April to
unearth new talent.
Wasim, who is regarded as
the best left-arm fast bowler
ever to play at international
level with 414 Test and 502
one-day wickets, said
Pakistan need to improve
their bench strength to excel
in the long form of the game.
“I am sure talent is there
but there is no plan B,” he
said. “We don’t have good
bowlers for Tests which was
proved in the series against
South Africa where we
lacked in that department.”
Pakistan were whitewashed
by world number
one South Africa 3-0 last
month in their recently concluded
Test series. The hosts
also hold a 2-1 lead in the
ongoing five match one-day
series.
Wasim added Pakistan’s
inability to make use of
home-advantage, which
allows players to excel, was a
key factor holding back the
development of youngsters.
Clarke, Watson
should sort out
issues: Waugh
Herath spins out Lanka to series win
PTI
MELBOURNE
FORMER skipper Steve
Waugh has urged current
captain Michael Clarke and
his deputy Shane Watson to
sort out their differences for
the betterment of Australian
cricket.
Watson was one of the four
players to be suspended from
the squad ahead of the third
Test against India at Mohali
for failing to submit performance
reviews nine days ago,
fuelling rumours of a possible
rift between the all-rounder
and Clarke.
Former Australian captains
Waugh, Mark Taylor and
Allan Border wanted the Test
skipper to draw intensively on
the advice of his deputy in
assembling the 2011 Argus
review of national team performance.
“Part of the Argus report we
recommended was we wanted
an increased role for the
vice captain as we felt the captain
and vice captain had to
work together in Australia’s
rebuilding phase,” Waugh
told ‘Courier Mail’.
“They will have to work and
fix it up. To Michael and
Mickey’s credit they have said
this is the way we want to do
things, if you want to play for
Australia you have to fall in
line,” said Waugh who won 41
of 57 matches as skipper during
his 168-Test career.
“At the same time they have
to be flexible, got to realise a
cricket team is made up of different
characters. There will
always be clashes of personality,
it is just how you manage
it and get all the people going
in the same direction. The
skill they have to have is to
work together.”
Waugh recalled the time
when he had started his
career 27 years ago, incidentally
against India. The team
was then recovering from
the exits of Greg Chappell,
Rod Marsh and Dennis
Lillee.
“It is not easy to build a culture.
When I first got into the
side in 1985 we were in a
rebuilding phase and whenever
that is the case you lose a
lot of experience and know
how which you almost have to
relearn. I guess that is what
the captain and senior players’
role is.”
Sri Lankan cricketers pose following their victory in the second Test match against Bangladesh, in Colombo, on Tuesday. (AFP)
AFP
COLOMBO
RANGANA HERATH celebrated
his 35th birthday
with a career-best 7-89 as Sri
Lanka clinched the series
against Bangladesh with a
comfortable seven-wicket
win in the second and final
Test on Tuesday.
Opener Tillakaratne
Dilshan (57) and left-hander
Kumar Sangakkara (55) put
on 94 for the second wicket
to steer the home team
towards their 160-run target
on the penultimate day in
Colombo.
The opening Test in Galle
ended in a draw.
Former captain
Sangakkara, who scored
three successive centuries in
the series, cracked eight
fours in his 85-ball knock
before being bowled by offspinner
Sohag Gazi.
He was named man of the
series while Herath was man
of the match.
Dilshan, bowled by paceman
Robiul Islam, hit six
fours in his 73-ball knock.
“What more can you ask
from Herath? After Murali
(Muttiah Muralitharan),
Herath has been the man for
us,” said Sri Lanka captain
Angelo Mathews, leading in
his first Test series.
“We were put under a little
bit of pressure in the first
innings, but Sangakkara and
(Dinesh) Chandimal scored
those useful centuries.
Bangladesh played really
well but I never really doubted
my team.”
Bangladesh, trailing by
106 runs on first innings,
were bowled out for 265 in
their second innings after
adding 107 to their overnight
total of 158-4.
SCOREBOARD
Bangladesh 1st innings 240
Sri Lanka 1st innings 346
Bangladesh 2nd innings (overnight 158-4):
Tamim Iqbal b Eranga 59
Jahurul Islam st Chandimal b Herath 48
Mohammad Ashraful b Herath4
Mominul Haque c Karunaratne b Herath 37
Mohammad Mahmudullah b Herath0
Mushfiqur Rahim c Mathews b Herath40
Nasir Hossain b Herath 0
Sohag Gazi c Lakmal b Herath26
Abul Hasan not out 25
Rubel Hossain b Dilshan7
Robiul Islam b Eranga 10
Extras (b1, lb4, nb4) 9
Total (100.4 overs) 265
Bowling: Kulasekara 12-0-36-0 (nb1),
Lakmal 9-1-26-0, Herath 36-9-89-7,
Dilshan 25-4-62-1, Eranga 15.4-3-39-2
(nb3), Mathews 3-2-8-0
Sri Lanka 2nd innings:
D. Karunaratne lbw b Robiul 16
T. Dilshan b Robiul57
K. Sangakkara b Gazi 55
L. Thirimanne not out 13
A. Mathews not out 13
Extras (b2, lb1, nb3) 6
Total (for three wickets; 41.4 overs) 160
Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Karunaratne), 2-125
(Dilshan), 3-135 (Sangakkara)
Bowling: Robiul 11-0-42-2 (nb3), Abul 4-
0-21-0, Gazi 13-1-47-1, Rubel 3-0-16-0,
Nasir 4-0-11-0, Mahmudullah 3-0-12-0,
Ashraful 3.4-0-8-0
Result: Sri Lanka win by seven wickets
Series result: Sri Lanka clinch two-Test
series 1-0