Claudio Ranieri can expect an emotional welcome back to Stamford Bridge this evening, when the Juventus coach makes his first return to Chelsea since his departure in 2004. Players and supporters alike will recognise the part that the Italian played in making Chelsea a force in European football, but Roman Abramovich, the West London club’s owner, and Peter Kenyon, the chief executive — the men who sacked him — will hope that the generosity for their former head coach stops there.
The supporters may recall that as Ranieri left, José Mourinho arrived to usher in the most successful period in the club’s history, but yesterday was a time for Ranieri to emphasise the high points of his spell in England, such as the farewell he received at his final match in charge, a 1-0 home win over Leeds United. “The applause of the fans was great,” he said. “It was a memory that will stay with me all my life. The feeling is good at the moment. I hope I will have a good welcome. Even when the draw was made, I felt good about it. One doesn’t forget four years.”
Indeed, the memories flooded back. He was asked if there is an Italian word for “Tinkerman” — he decided there was not — but a question about which of his four Juventus forwards may play in the first leg of the first knockout round tie turned into a defence of his constant team changes. “I was criticised for my rotation policy here initially, but after we beat Arsenal and reached the Champions League semi-final it changed,” he said. “People began to realise I was right to rotate.”
Ranieri preferred not to dwell on how his eccentric substitutions altered the course of the semi-final against Monaco, when Chelsea conceded two late goals in the away leg in April 2004, losing 3-1 and going out 5-3 on aggregate. “Even if we had won the Champions League, I knew that my days were numbered,” he said.
However, an answer to a question about changes in his years away from England could have been taken as a barb aimed at Abramovich after the recent dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari. “In the past you would have had time to build a team, but that’s not true any more,” he said. “Here in England it’s becoming a bit like Italy. New owners come in and want to win straight away, but football isn’t like that. Money isn’t everything — which is a good thing.”
Ranieri, of course, spent heavily even before splashing out £120 million in the summer after Abramovich’s arrival, as Frank Lampard, the England midfield player, pointed out. “I don’t think I would be sitting here if it hadn’t been for him,” Lampard said. “He spent £11 million on me, which seemed a lot of money at the time. He elevated John Terry to captain and he’s become one of the best in the world since. A lot of things have happened at this club and Claudio Ranieri is part of that history.”
Guus Hiddink, the fourth man to take charge of Chelsea since Ranieri left, was also heaping praise on his predecessor. “He’s a gentleman coach,” the Dutchman said. “He’s very intelligent. Modest is maybe not the word, but he knows how to cope with the press and the pressure in this particular job. I respect him very much. He organises his teams in a very disciplined way, so it’s very difficult to play those teams that he is managing.”
Hiddink has certainly found it hard, coming off worse in most of their head-to-head meetings in Spain and in European competition, including a 5-1 home defeat for his Valencia side by Ranieri’s Napoli. The short time that Hiddink has had in which to prepare for this match — he has been in charge for two weeks today — may give him an excuse for another poor result, but the Dutchman would have none of it.
“It’s easy for me to say that I should have two, three or four weeks to observe the team and everything, and then I’d start working,” he said. “But there’s no time. Every manager would like four, five or six weeks to implement a lot of things. But I have to do that in a reduced time, a pressured time. And we have to do it. We must not give ourselves an excuse because, if we do, there’s a tendency that we go a little bit less and that’s not good in the boys’ minds.”
Deco and Ricardo Carvalho will be missing for Chelsea through injury, along with Michael Essien and Joe Cole, the long-term absentees. Juventus are second in Serie A but have won only two of their past five games. Gianluigi Buffon will be in goal after missing five of the six group matches, but David Trezeguet, the France forward who missed all the group games with a knee problem, is likely to begin on the bench.
Jürgen Klinsmann, the Bayern Munich coach, is hoping that Luca Toni, the Italy striker, will recover from injury in time to give his side an edge against Sporting Lisbon in their Champions League first knockout round, first leg match this evening. Bayern have lost three of their past four Bundesliga games.
Panathinaikos have never won in Spain and will need to be in top form if they are to end Villarreal’s unbeaten home record in the Champions League in their tie.
Source:the times
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Claudio Ranieri set for emotional Chelsea return
Claudio Ranieri can expect an emotional welcome back to Stamford Bridge this evening, when the Juventus coach makes his first return to Chelsea since his departure in 2004. Players and supporters alike will recognise the part that the Italian played in making Chelsea a force in European football, but Roman Abramovich, the West London club’s owner, and Peter Kenyon, the chief executive — the men who sacked him — will hope that the generosity for their former head coach stops there.
The supporters may recall that as Ranieri left, José Mourinho arrived to usher in the most successful period in the club’s history, but yesterday was a time for Ranieri to emphasise the high points of his spell in England, such as the farewell he received at his final match in charge, a 1-0 home win over Leeds United. “The applause of the fans was great,” he said. “It was a memory that will stay with me all my life. The feeling is good at the moment. I hope I will have a good welcome. Even when the draw was made, I felt good about it. One doesn’t forget four years.”
Indeed, the memories flooded back. He was asked if there is an Italian word for “Tinkerman” — he decided there was not — but a question about which of his four Juventus forwards may play in the first leg of the first knockout round tie turned into a defence of his constant team changes. “I was criticised for my rotation policy here initially, but after we beat Arsenal and reached the Champions League semi-final it changed,” he said. “People began to realise I was right to rotate.”
Related Links
Analysis: Matt Hughes
Chelsea set to woo Love if Drogba departs
Chelsea playing from memory
Ranieri preferred not to dwell on how his eccentric substitutions altered the course of the semi-final against Monaco, when Chelsea conceded two late goals in the away leg in April 2004, losing 3-1 and going out 5-3 on aggregate. “Even if we had won the Champions League, I knew that my days were numbered,” he said.
However, an answer to a question about changes in his years away from England could have been taken as a barb aimed at Abramovich after the recent dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari. “In the past you would have had time to build a team, but that’s not true any more,” he said. “Here in England it’s becoming a bit like Italy. New owners come in and want to win straight away, but football isn’t like that. Money isn’t everything — which is a good thing.”
Ranieri, of course, spent heavily even before splashing out £120 million in the summer after Abramovich’s arrival, as Frank Lampard, the England midfield player, pointed out. “I don’t think I would be sitting here if it hadn’t been for him,” Lampard said. “He spent £11 million on me, which seemed a lot of money at the time. He elevated John Terry to captain and he’s become one of the best in the world since. A lot of things have happened at this club and Claudio Ranieri is part of that history.”
Guus Hiddink, the fourth man to take charge of Chelsea since Ranieri left, was also heaping praise on his predecessor. “He’s a gentleman coach,” the Dutchman said. “He’s very intelligent. Modest is maybe not the word, but he knows how to cope with the press and the pressure in this particular job. I respect him very much. He organises his teams in a very disciplined way, so it’s very difficult to play those teams that he is managing.”
Hiddink has certainly found it hard, coming off worse in most of their head-to-head meetings in Spain and in European competition, including a 5-1 home defeat for his Valencia side by Ranieri’s Napoli. The short time that Hiddink has had in which to prepare for this match — he has been in charge for two weeks today — may give him an excuse for another poor result, but the Dutchman would have none of it.
“It’s easy for me to say that I should have two, three or four weeks to observe the team and everything, and then I’d start working,” he said. “But there’s no time. Every manager would like four, five or six weeks to implement a lot of things. But I have to do that in a reduced time, a pressured time. And we have to do it. We must not give ourselves an excuse because, if we do, there’s a tendency that we go a little bit less and that’s not good in the boys’ minds.”
Deco and Ricardo Carvalho will be missing for Chelsea through injury, along with Michael Essien and Joe Cole, the long-term absentees. Juventus are second in Serie A but have won only two of their past five games. Gianluigi Buffon will be in goal after missing five of the six group matches, but David Trezeguet, the France forward who missed all the group games with a knee problem, is likely to begin on the bench.
Jürgen Klinsmann, the Bayern Munich coach, is hoping that Luca Toni, the Italy striker, will recover from injury in time to give his side an edge against Sporting Lisbon in their Champions League first knockout round, first leg match this evening. Bayern have lost three of their past four Bundesliga games.
Panathinaikos have never won in Spain and will need to be in top form if they are to end Villarreal’s unbeaten home record in the Champions League in their tie.
Source:the times
The supporters may recall that as Ranieri left, José Mourinho arrived to usher in the most successful period in the club’s history, but yesterday was a time for Ranieri to emphasise the high points of his spell in England, such as the farewell he received at his final match in charge, a 1-0 home win over Leeds United. “The applause of the fans was great,” he said. “It was a memory that will stay with me all my life. The feeling is good at the moment. I hope I will have a good welcome. Even when the draw was made, I felt good about it. One doesn’t forget four years.”
Indeed, the memories flooded back. He was asked if there is an Italian word for “Tinkerman” — he decided there was not — but a question about which of his four Juventus forwards may play in the first leg of the first knockout round tie turned into a defence of his constant team changes. “I was criticised for my rotation policy here initially, but after we beat Arsenal and reached the Champions League semi-final it changed,” he said. “People began to realise I was right to rotate.”
Related Links
Analysis: Matt Hughes
Chelsea set to woo Love if Drogba departs
Chelsea playing from memory
Ranieri preferred not to dwell on how his eccentric substitutions altered the course of the semi-final against Monaco, when Chelsea conceded two late goals in the away leg in April 2004, losing 3-1 and going out 5-3 on aggregate. “Even if we had won the Champions League, I knew that my days were numbered,” he said.
However, an answer to a question about changes in his years away from England could have been taken as a barb aimed at Abramovich after the recent dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari. “In the past you would have had time to build a team, but that’s not true any more,” he said. “Here in England it’s becoming a bit like Italy. New owners come in and want to win straight away, but football isn’t like that. Money isn’t everything — which is a good thing.”
Ranieri, of course, spent heavily even before splashing out £120 million in the summer after Abramovich’s arrival, as Frank Lampard, the England midfield player, pointed out. “I don’t think I would be sitting here if it hadn’t been for him,” Lampard said. “He spent £11 million on me, which seemed a lot of money at the time. He elevated John Terry to captain and he’s become one of the best in the world since. A lot of things have happened at this club and Claudio Ranieri is part of that history.”
Guus Hiddink, the fourth man to take charge of Chelsea since Ranieri left, was also heaping praise on his predecessor. “He’s a gentleman coach,” the Dutchman said. “He’s very intelligent. Modest is maybe not the word, but he knows how to cope with the press and the pressure in this particular job. I respect him very much. He organises his teams in a very disciplined way, so it’s very difficult to play those teams that he is managing.”
Hiddink has certainly found it hard, coming off worse in most of their head-to-head meetings in Spain and in European competition, including a 5-1 home defeat for his Valencia side by Ranieri’s Napoli. The short time that Hiddink has had in which to prepare for this match — he has been in charge for two weeks today — may give him an excuse for another poor result, but the Dutchman would have none of it.
“It’s easy for me to say that I should have two, three or four weeks to observe the team and everything, and then I’d start working,” he said. “But there’s no time. Every manager would like four, five or six weeks to implement a lot of things. But I have to do that in a reduced time, a pressured time. And we have to do it. We must not give ourselves an excuse because, if we do, there’s a tendency that we go a little bit less and that’s not good in the boys’ minds.”
Deco and Ricardo Carvalho will be missing for Chelsea through injury, along with Michael Essien and Joe Cole, the long-term absentees. Juventus are second in Serie A but have won only two of their past five games. Gianluigi Buffon will be in goal after missing five of the six group matches, but David Trezeguet, the France forward who missed all the group games with a knee problem, is likely to begin on the bench.
Jürgen Klinsmann, the Bayern Munich coach, is hoping that Luca Toni, the Italy striker, will recover from injury in time to give his side an edge against Sporting Lisbon in their Champions League first knockout round, first leg match this evening. Bayern have lost three of their past four Bundesliga games.
Panathinaikos have never won in Spain and will need to be in top form if they are to end Villarreal’s unbeaten home record in the Champions League in their tie.
Source:the times
Tom Hicks camp denies Rafael Benitez is on the brink of leaving Liverpool
Sources close to Tom Hicks, the Liverpool co-owner, have responded with dismay to suggestions that Rafael Benitez is on the brink of leaving the club.
The Spaniard's future as manager appeared more uncertain than ever this morning, as rumours swept Madrid and Liverpool suggesting he was about to leave Anfield. Leading bookmakers suspended all bets on his future at the club, however the Hicks camp has moved swiftly to play down the reports, with sources claiming that despite the antagonism between the owners and Benitez, they will not allow the manager to walk away.
Benitez has been locked in talks over a new contract in recent months and surprised the club’s hierarchy by rejecting a fifth draft of the deal over the weekend. The Liverpool manager has less than 18 months left on his contract at Anfield and believes that if he reaches the end of the season without a commitment from Hicks and George Gillett, he would be forced to look for a new job.
The Americans agreed to offer Benitez a new contract before Christmas but the document remains unsigned. Sources close to Benitez have suggested that the Spaniard has reached agreement with the club on a number of occasions, only to find that, when the written contract arrived, it contained different terms than had been agreed verbally.
The owners have bowed to his requests for more control over transfer policy and the youth academy, but sticking points remain about the job security of his backroom staff and his concern at the delays in the decision-making process, given the dysfunctional relationship between the owners.
Benitez began his career in coaching at the Bernabeu in 1986 and the Liverpool manager has been linked with a return to Madrid, where Juande Ramos is the incumbent. However, Ramos is a short-term appointment and is likely to be replaced in the summer.
Speculation has suggested that Kenny Dalglish has been approached to act in a caretaker capacity in the event of Benitez leaving, but the former Liverpool manager has heard nothing from the club. Dalglish has always been an advocate of the Spaniard, but nevertheless it is thought he would be happy to step forward in any emergency to provide a helping hand at Anfield.
The internal politics of Liverpool have been tortuous since the American owners took over and Benitez has endured a difficult relationship with Rick Parry, the chief executive. The pair have been enbroiled in a power struggle which has worn down the manager. However, Benitez believes he is right and will not depart without a fight.
Jan Molby, the former Liverpool midfielder, said he expected Benitez to remain in charge despite the rumours.
"I'd be surprised if Rafa were to walk out on Liverpool," he said. "We do know for a while he's been unhappy about certain things, but I still think it would take a big man to walk out on Liverpool at such a crucial stage of the season.
"Whereas some people are quite happy to back Rafael Benitez to be gone by the end of the week, I would rather take the odds on him being Liverpool manager next Monday.
"I heard the rumours myself last night, and they have been gathering pace, everyone's talking about it. I think the people who say it can't happen might just prove to be spot-on."
Source:the times
The Spaniard's future as manager appeared more uncertain than ever this morning, as rumours swept Madrid and Liverpool suggesting he was about to leave Anfield. Leading bookmakers suspended all bets on his future at the club, however the Hicks camp has moved swiftly to play down the reports, with sources claiming that despite the antagonism between the owners and Benitez, they will not allow the manager to walk away.
Benitez has been locked in talks over a new contract in recent months and surprised the club’s hierarchy by rejecting a fifth draft of the deal over the weekend. The Liverpool manager has less than 18 months left on his contract at Anfield and believes that if he reaches the end of the season without a commitment from Hicks and George Gillett, he would be forced to look for a new job.
The Americans agreed to offer Benitez a new contract before Christmas but the document remains unsigned. Sources close to Benitez have suggested that the Spaniard has reached agreement with the club on a number of occasions, only to find that, when the written contract arrived, it contained different terms than had been agreed verbally.
The owners have bowed to his requests for more control over transfer policy and the youth academy, but sticking points remain about the job security of his backroom staff and his concern at the delays in the decision-making process, given the dysfunctional relationship between the owners.
Benitez began his career in coaching at the Bernabeu in 1986 and the Liverpool manager has been linked with a return to Madrid, where Juande Ramos is the incumbent. However, Ramos is a short-term appointment and is likely to be replaced in the summer.
Speculation has suggested that Kenny Dalglish has been approached to act in a caretaker capacity in the event of Benitez leaving, but the former Liverpool manager has heard nothing from the club. Dalglish has always been an advocate of the Spaniard, but nevertheless it is thought he would be happy to step forward in any emergency to provide a helping hand at Anfield.
The internal politics of Liverpool have been tortuous since the American owners took over and Benitez has endured a difficult relationship with Rick Parry, the chief executive. The pair have been enbroiled in a power struggle which has worn down the manager. However, Benitez believes he is right and will not depart without a fight.
Jan Molby, the former Liverpool midfielder, said he expected Benitez to remain in charge despite the rumours.
"I'd be surprised if Rafa were to walk out on Liverpool," he said. "We do know for a while he's been unhappy about certain things, but I still think it would take a big man to walk out on Liverpool at such a crucial stage of the season.
"Whereas some people are quite happy to back Rafael Benitez to be gone by the end of the week, I would rather take the odds on him being Liverpool manager next Monday.
"I heard the rumours myself last night, and they have been gathering pace, everyone's talking about it. I think the people who say it can't happen might just prove to be spot-on."
Source:the times
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tiger Woods becomes a father for the second time
Tiger Woods and his wife Elin, have announced the birth of their first son, Charlie Axel.
Mother and baby are healthy and recovering well and Woods admitted he felt blessed to have been able to give Sam Alexis, the couple's first child, a baby brother.
"Both Charlie and Elin are doing great and we want to thank everyone for their sincere best wishes and kind thoughts," Woods said.
"Sam is very excited to be a big sister and we feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. I also want to thank our doctors, nurses and the hospital staff for their personal and professional care.
"We look forward to introducing Charlie to you at the appropriate time."
Woods has been out of golf since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery last June and news of the birth will cast further doubts over his return to the sport. In his absence, television viewing figures have fallen and the PGA Tour's sponsors are no longer guaranteed for the long term.
Woods had been expected to make his return before the Masters, possibly as early as the Accenture Match Play Championship on February 25, but the World No 1 has always maintained that his family would take priority. If he waits another month he could find he is no longer the world number one. With his points average going down because of his long injury lay-off Sergio Garcia has moved to number two and closed the gap to less than three points. Woods's lead was over 11 points last June.
"I have no restrictions - it's just a matter of getting my golf endurance up. I don't have my golf stamina back yet," he said. "I am excited about returning to competition. Early on I didn't miss golf because I enjoyed staying home with Elin and Sam and I knew I wasn't physically able to play.
"The truth is, I would have embarrassed myself. Now I'm getting my feel and practice back. It's just a matter of playing more on the course. I'm working hard to get myself back into tournament shape and will return as soon as I'm ready.
"My family take precedence over anything I do golf-wise. But I must admit, I am also excited about returning to competition."
Source:the times
Mother and baby are healthy and recovering well and Woods admitted he felt blessed to have been able to give Sam Alexis, the couple's first child, a baby brother.
"Both Charlie and Elin are doing great and we want to thank everyone for their sincere best wishes and kind thoughts," Woods said.
"Sam is very excited to be a big sister and we feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. I also want to thank our doctors, nurses and the hospital staff for their personal and professional care.
"We look forward to introducing Charlie to you at the appropriate time."
Woods has been out of golf since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery last June and news of the birth will cast further doubts over his return to the sport. In his absence, television viewing figures have fallen and the PGA Tour's sponsors are no longer guaranteed for the long term.
Woods had been expected to make his return before the Masters, possibly as early as the Accenture Match Play Championship on February 25, but the World No 1 has always maintained that his family would take priority. If he waits another month he could find he is no longer the world number one. With his points average going down because of his long injury lay-off Sergio Garcia has moved to number two and closed the gap to less than three points. Woods's lead was over 11 points last June.
"I have no restrictions - it's just a matter of getting my golf endurance up. I don't have my golf stamina back yet," he said. "I am excited about returning to competition. Early on I didn't miss golf because I enjoyed staying home with Elin and Sam and I knew I wasn't physically able to play.
"The truth is, I would have embarrassed myself. Now I'm getting my feel and practice back. It's just a matter of playing more on the course. I'm working hard to get myself back into tournament shape and will return as soon as I'm ready.
"My family take precedence over anything I do golf-wise. But I must admit, I am also excited about returning to competition."
Source:the times
England find beauty in ugly loss
WALES are still on the road to glory, although this was their least impressive performance for some time. They missed desperately the genius of Shane Williams, they made baffling defensive lapses that infuriated their coaches, but they came home comfortably, their superiority was not remotely reflected on the scoreboard and it may well prove to be that this was their worst performance of the season.
At least England looked and played like a rugby team that cared. Gradually they have turfed out the youngsters and brought back hard-nosed professionals and it showed. England played their hearts out, they had far more momentum, far more to offer in attack and in terms of rhythm than they have shown for some time. They were upset with what they saw was the disdain of reactions to their recent performances but it was up to them to draw a different reaction. There was honour in t h e i r d e f e a t y e s t e r d a y , although it is still to be proved if this performance came from panic at what could have happened to them had Wales clicked or if they are genuinely getting better.
It was a frantic, compelling and enjoyable match. It was no classic because so much of it was the kicking contest you usually get under the experimental laws, but England can have no complaints, especially since they continue to cheat on t h e f l o o r a n d g i v e a w a y penalties. There was, however, a massive step up in the performance of their seasoned hard men such as Joe Worsley, Mike Tindall, Harry Ellis and Phil Vickery. England have finally realised after a terrible period of around five years that international rugby is no place to try out tyros.
Wales will be furious almost beyond belief at their lapses of concentration, which let England in twice when it appeared the match was practically over. They missed Gavin Henson in the midfield where, while Tom Shanklin played beautifully, there was a lack of the normal concert and it was blindingly obvious before and during the game that the great Shane Williams would be horribly missed. Those of us who once did not rate him too highly are now feeling worse and worse because his status grew again in his absence yesterday.
Worsley’s contribution in the tackle and in the battle for the loose ball was tremendous - not that you would have expected anything else. But England must now train on a long way. It is a brutal business and the fighting Irish will be in no mood to give them any quarter in Dublin in two weeks’ time, so if this result was based on passion they will have to add far more technical accomplishment if they are to hold Ireland off.
The Wales lineout was excellent but again there was nothing utterly convincing about them and they will need to step up their own act before they go to Paris a week on Friday. Certainly, their t i g h t f i v e a r e improving all the time but the fact they could so easily have thrown this away against a team as limited as England will be a very salutary reminder that they are by no means there yet, even though their top-four ranking in the world has been earned the hard way.
Wales dominated the opening quarter of play after England’s attempts to put in a massive start had foundered with a feeble attempt at a drop goal from Delon Armitage, and from the early stages the referee was warning England players for killing the ball.
Wales kicked three penalties in the opening quarter, two from Stephen Jones and one from Leigh Halfpenny. The first came after Jones almost walked past the tackle of Andy Goode and England had killed. Martyn Williams took a quick tap and crossed the line but was recalled by the referee.
The second penalty was kicked after Tindall killed the ball, for which the Gloucester centre was sent to the sin-bin. While he was away we had the third successful kick, awarded against Vickery in the scrum.
But we then had some excellent play by England, when they finally managed to clear out effectively and win some quick ball, their first of the season. A side-stepping run by Riki Flutey made some space and after the ball went through some phases, Mark Cueto gave the ball to Goode on the inside pass, Goode kicked ahead and Paul Sackey reached the ball first to score a try that brought the smile back to Sackey’s face after a long absence.
Goode then dropped a long goal to bring it back to 9-8 just after Tindall returned to the field and, even though Wales restored the former pattern of the match, there was an element of forcing about proceedings which helped England hold out until half-time. The 9-8 lead was an awful lot better for England than it could have been and the sight of the powerful Worsley tackling so well and Goode and Flutey starting to conjure gave them hope.
However, Wales decided to start taking the points instead of merely going through the patterns and they came out with eight points in the first six minutes of the second half, an explosive opening. First, Jamie Roberts, who had been well policed by England in the first half, broke straight past Tindall on a searing run. Halfpenny almost made the line but then we had the crudest kill by Goode that you could possibly imagine and the fly-half was sent to the sin-bin, leaving Stephen Jones to kick the penalty. England had revealed earlier in the week that they had been training with 14 men, which seemed to suggest their game-plan included cheating.
A few minutes later, Wales scored a wonderful try. Sackey was turned over with ridiculous ease, then Wales attacked. First they flipped the ball cleverly out of tackles, with Matthew Rees, Ian Gough and Adam Jones conjuring, then came a brilliant run from Lee Byrne. The Welsh full-back veered in, held up the ball beautifully and sent the dangerous Halfpenny over towards the corner. The conversion was missed but Wales were 17-8 ahead and still steaming along. From their next dangerous series of attacks, Stephen Jones was held out only by a desperate tackle by Sackey. However, the referee had spotted another England offence and Stephen Jones kicked the penalty to make it 20-8 as Toby Flood came on to replace the temporarily disgraced Goode.
Stephen Jones then took Wales more than a score ahead with a penalty after yet another England infringement after another series of Wales attacks and as it proved, that was easily enough. Flood missed a penalty which would have brought England to within a score in the last five minutes and England’s rather shapeless attempt to run their way back floundered on a determined Wales defence.
Wales came in comfortably, with their authority not reflected on the scoreboard, on a tidal wave of emotion and singing in the stands, and the Grand Slam champions are still on course.
Passion returned to white jerseys in Cardiff yesterday but excellence is still completely absent. Wales could and should have scored more at the end.
Star man:Tom Shanklin (team)
Scorers: Wales: Try: Halfpenny 44. Pens:S Jones (5), Halfpenny England: Tries:Sackey 24, Armitage 57. Con:Flood DG:Goode Yellow cards: England:Tindall 15, Goode 42
WALES: L Byrne; L Halfpenny, T Shanklin, J Roberts, M Jones; S Jones, M Phillips (D Peel 75min); G Jenkins, M Rees (H Bennett 67min), A Jones, I Gough, AW Jones, R Jones (capt), A Powell (D Jones 61min), M Williams
ENGLAND:D Armitage; P Sackey (M Tait 65min), M Tindall, R Flutey, M Cueto; A Goode (T Flood 53min), H Ellis; A Sheridan, L Mears (D Hartley 65min), P Vickery (J White 65min), S Borthwick (capt), N Kennedy (T Croft 55min), J Haskell (L Narraway 65min), N Easter, J Worsley
Referee:J Kaplan (South Africa) Attendance:75,200
Surce:the times
At least England looked and played like a rugby team that cared. Gradually they have turfed out the youngsters and brought back hard-nosed professionals and it showed. England played their hearts out, they had far more momentum, far more to offer in attack and in terms of rhythm than they have shown for some time. They were upset with what they saw was the disdain of reactions to their recent performances but it was up to them to draw a different reaction. There was honour in t h e i r d e f e a t y e s t e r d a y , although it is still to be proved if this performance came from panic at what could have happened to them had Wales clicked or if they are genuinely getting better.
It was a frantic, compelling and enjoyable match. It was no classic because so much of it was the kicking contest you usually get under the experimental laws, but England can have no complaints, especially since they continue to cheat on t h e f l o o r a n d g i v e a w a y penalties. There was, however, a massive step up in the performance of their seasoned hard men such as Joe Worsley, Mike Tindall, Harry Ellis and Phil Vickery. England have finally realised after a terrible period of around five years that international rugby is no place to try out tyros.
Wales will be furious almost beyond belief at their lapses of concentration, which let England in twice when it appeared the match was practically over. They missed Gavin Henson in the midfield where, while Tom Shanklin played beautifully, there was a lack of the normal concert and it was blindingly obvious before and during the game that the great Shane Williams would be horribly missed. Those of us who once did not rate him too highly are now feeling worse and worse because his status grew again in his absence yesterday.
Worsley’s contribution in the tackle and in the battle for the loose ball was tremendous - not that you would have expected anything else. But England must now train on a long way. It is a brutal business and the fighting Irish will be in no mood to give them any quarter in Dublin in two weeks’ time, so if this result was based on passion they will have to add far more technical accomplishment if they are to hold Ireland off.
The Wales lineout was excellent but again there was nothing utterly convincing about them and they will need to step up their own act before they go to Paris a week on Friday. Certainly, their t i g h t f i v e a r e improving all the time but the fact they could so easily have thrown this away against a team as limited as England will be a very salutary reminder that they are by no means there yet, even though their top-four ranking in the world has been earned the hard way.
Wales dominated the opening quarter of play after England’s attempts to put in a massive start had foundered with a feeble attempt at a drop goal from Delon Armitage, and from the early stages the referee was warning England players for killing the ball.
Wales kicked three penalties in the opening quarter, two from Stephen Jones and one from Leigh Halfpenny. The first came after Jones almost walked past the tackle of Andy Goode and England had killed. Martyn Williams took a quick tap and crossed the line but was recalled by the referee.
The second penalty was kicked after Tindall killed the ball, for which the Gloucester centre was sent to the sin-bin. While he was away we had the third successful kick, awarded against Vickery in the scrum.
But we then had some excellent play by England, when they finally managed to clear out effectively and win some quick ball, their first of the season. A side-stepping run by Riki Flutey made some space and after the ball went through some phases, Mark Cueto gave the ball to Goode on the inside pass, Goode kicked ahead and Paul Sackey reached the ball first to score a try that brought the smile back to Sackey’s face after a long absence.
Goode then dropped a long goal to bring it back to 9-8 just after Tindall returned to the field and, even though Wales restored the former pattern of the match, there was an element of forcing about proceedings which helped England hold out until half-time. The 9-8 lead was an awful lot better for England than it could have been and the sight of the powerful Worsley tackling so well and Goode and Flutey starting to conjure gave them hope.
However, Wales decided to start taking the points instead of merely going through the patterns and they came out with eight points in the first six minutes of the second half, an explosive opening. First, Jamie Roberts, who had been well policed by England in the first half, broke straight past Tindall on a searing run. Halfpenny almost made the line but then we had the crudest kill by Goode that you could possibly imagine and the fly-half was sent to the sin-bin, leaving Stephen Jones to kick the penalty. England had revealed earlier in the week that they had been training with 14 men, which seemed to suggest their game-plan included cheating.
A few minutes later, Wales scored a wonderful try. Sackey was turned over with ridiculous ease, then Wales attacked. First they flipped the ball cleverly out of tackles, with Matthew Rees, Ian Gough and Adam Jones conjuring, then came a brilliant run from Lee Byrne. The Welsh full-back veered in, held up the ball beautifully and sent the dangerous Halfpenny over towards the corner. The conversion was missed but Wales were 17-8 ahead and still steaming along. From their next dangerous series of attacks, Stephen Jones was held out only by a desperate tackle by Sackey. However, the referee had spotted another England offence and Stephen Jones kicked the penalty to make it 20-8 as Toby Flood came on to replace the temporarily disgraced Goode.
Stephen Jones then took Wales more than a score ahead with a penalty after yet another England infringement after another series of Wales attacks and as it proved, that was easily enough. Flood missed a penalty which would have brought England to within a score in the last five minutes and England’s rather shapeless attempt to run their way back floundered on a determined Wales defence.
Wales came in comfortably, with their authority not reflected on the scoreboard, on a tidal wave of emotion and singing in the stands, and the Grand Slam champions are still on course.
Passion returned to white jerseys in Cardiff yesterday but excellence is still completely absent. Wales could and should have scored more at the end.
Star man:Tom Shanklin (team)
Scorers: Wales: Try: Halfpenny 44. Pens:S Jones (5), Halfpenny England: Tries:Sackey 24, Armitage 57. Con:Flood DG:Goode Yellow cards: England:Tindall 15, Goode 42
WALES: L Byrne; L Halfpenny, T Shanklin, J Roberts, M Jones; S Jones, M Phillips (D Peel 75min); G Jenkins, M Rees (H Bennett 67min), A Jones, I Gough, AW Jones, R Jones (capt), A Powell (D Jones 61min), M Williams
ENGLAND:D Armitage; P Sackey (M Tait 65min), M Tindall, R Flutey, M Cueto; A Goode (T Flood 53min), H Ellis; A Sheridan, L Mears (D Hartley 65min), P Vickery (J White 65min), S Borthwick (capt), N Kennedy (T Croft 55min), J Haskell (L Narraway 65min), N Easter, J Worsley
Referee:J Kaplan (South Africa) Attendance:75,200
Surce:the times
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Shortage of options could mean striking role for Carlton Cole
David Beckham expects to be a history-maker this evening by equalling Bobby Moore’s outfield record of 108 England caps, but the feat has already been met with indifference by Fabio Capello. Rather than stopping at milestones, the England manager is seeking to drive his team forward and, to that end, the more significant appearances could be debuts for James Milner and Carlton Cole.
Both would hope to come off the bench on a night when Capello will use his maximum six substitutes, but the sight of Emile Heskey sitting out last night’s training session in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium to protect his sore Achilles tendon has raised the prospect of Cole starting alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor.
It would be a partnership with just one cap between them — from the Aston Villa forward’s bright debut against Germany in November — and England’s striking options, or lack of them, may seem stark when set against those of Spain, the European champions, who have Fernando Torres and David Villa.
In the absence of Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch is another alternative if Heskey is forced to sit on the sidelines, but it was Cole and Agbonlahor who were paired in training yesterday. And if Cole does not get his chance now, on the back of good form for West Ham United, he probably never will.
At 25, it is quite late for Cole to be making his senior debut, but then he did choose a roundabout route, with loan moves to Charlton Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa, after he failed to make the grade at Chelsea through lack of application.
He is playing well under Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park, although his performance against Manchester United on Sunday, in front of Capello, showed both his physical attributes as he brushed off Rio Ferdinand but also the lack of killer instinct as he attempted to score with an overelaborate chip.
Agbonlahor is certain to play some part, and, even without Heskey, there could be an attacking trident made at Villa, with Ashley Young and Milner also hoping to be involved.
“They have a lot of good young players,” Capello said, when asked if he had been keeping a close watch on the side threatening to break up the Barclays Premier League’s “big four”. “They’re in a good position in the Premier League. I’ve followed them and they are very interesting players for me.”
After 40 caps for the under-21s, and the initial disappointment when he was named in the junior squad this week before a late promotion, Milner will feel as though he has served his time. A hard-working, teetotal winger, he has excelled under Martin O’Neill, the Villa manager, on the right flank, but he has strong competition from Beckham and Shaun Wright-Phillips. As someone who can play on either wing, Young will be hopeful of winning his fifth cap.
Capello said that he would take into account the wishes of club managers, although he denied that he was being forced to make compromises. “I know the problems of the managers at the clubs because I was one,” he said. “I can help them. I hope they help me when I need them.”
While Capello concentrates on events on the field, officials from the FA and Uefa, the European governing body, will be sensitive to the behaviour of the crowd after the racist chanting that disfigured England’s last trip to Spain in 2004.
“The referee would have to step in if it gets as bad as it was last time and make a decision,” John Terry, the England captain, said. “If he decides to lead both teams off the field, we’ll have to support that. It’s not nice, but I’m behind my team and my players.” Both camps are confident that it will not come to that.
SOURCE:THE TIMES
Both would hope to come off the bench on a night when Capello will use his maximum six substitutes, but the sight of Emile Heskey sitting out last night’s training session in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium to protect his sore Achilles tendon has raised the prospect of Cole starting alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor.
It would be a partnership with just one cap between them — from the Aston Villa forward’s bright debut against Germany in November — and England’s striking options, or lack of them, may seem stark when set against those of Spain, the European champions, who have Fernando Torres and David Villa.
In the absence of Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch is another alternative if Heskey is forced to sit on the sidelines, but it was Cole and Agbonlahor who were paired in training yesterday. And if Cole does not get his chance now, on the back of good form for West Ham United, he probably never will.
At 25, it is quite late for Cole to be making his senior debut, but then he did choose a roundabout route, with loan moves to Charlton Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa, after he failed to make the grade at Chelsea through lack of application.
He is playing well under Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park, although his performance against Manchester United on Sunday, in front of Capello, showed both his physical attributes as he brushed off Rio Ferdinand but also the lack of killer instinct as he attempted to score with an overelaborate chip.
Agbonlahor is certain to play some part, and, even without Heskey, there could be an attacking trident made at Villa, with Ashley Young and Milner also hoping to be involved.
“They have a lot of good young players,” Capello said, when asked if he had been keeping a close watch on the side threatening to break up the Barclays Premier League’s “big four”. “They’re in a good position in the Premier League. I’ve followed them and they are very interesting players for me.”
After 40 caps for the under-21s, and the initial disappointment when he was named in the junior squad this week before a late promotion, Milner will feel as though he has served his time. A hard-working, teetotal winger, he has excelled under Martin O’Neill, the Villa manager, on the right flank, but he has strong competition from Beckham and Shaun Wright-Phillips. As someone who can play on either wing, Young will be hopeful of winning his fifth cap.
Capello said that he would take into account the wishes of club managers, although he denied that he was being forced to make compromises. “I know the problems of the managers at the clubs because I was one,” he said. “I can help them. I hope they help me when I need them.”
While Capello concentrates on events on the field, officials from the FA and Uefa, the European governing body, will be sensitive to the behaviour of the crowd after the racist chanting that disfigured England’s last trip to Spain in 2004.
“The referee would have to step in if it gets as bad as it was last time and make a decision,” John Terry, the England captain, said. “If he decides to lead both teams off the field, we’ll have to support that. It’s not nice, but I’m behind my team and my players.” Both camps are confident that it will not come to that.
SOURCE:THE TIMES
John Terry reveals split in Chelsea ranks
Chelsea are confident of naming Guus Hiddink as their temporary manager this week, but the Russia coach could be taking on more than he is bargaining for after John Terry revealed the extent of dressing-room divisions at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking for the first time since Luiz Felipe Scolari’s shock sacking on Monday, the Chelsea captain expressed sympathy and admiration for the departed manager, although he added the important caveat that only “two or three” of his team-mates felt the same.
Terry’s carefully chosen words, as he took a detour from discussing England’s friendly international against Spain this evening, go some way to confirming what has long been suspected: that a series of cliques have developed in the camp.
Terry and Frank Lampard have made a point of standing up for Scolari, publicly and privately, all season and Ashley Cole was also sympathetic. But the tone of Terry’s comments suggests that the rest of the team were not. Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Petr Cech are known to have had doubts, telling Roman Abramovich, the owner, of their reservations at an informal meeting last Thursday to which Terry was not party.
“I have sympathy for Scolari,” Terry said. “He had my support, that’s for sure. Two or three other players will say the same thing, I’m sure. Unfortunately we weren’t playing well and it falls on his head. Maybe they should look at some of us. We underachieved. It’s unfortunate because the manager is a great man, but the overall picture needs to be looked at. The powers at the club need to look at that.”
Without naming names, Terry also criticised several of his team-mates’ performances this season, arguing that he and the players should take a greater share of the responsibility for Scolari’s dismissal.
“We’ve not been performing well individually and collectively as a squad, and that falls on the manager’s head, which is unfair because a few of us feel we could have done better in our time with the manager,” Terry said. “We started off very well, but things dipped in form and results. That’s unfortunate for Mr Scolari.”
Hiddink will not be in charge for Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie away to Watford, which will be supervised by Ray Wilkins, the assistant first-team coach. The Dutchman will return to Moscow from Russia’s training camp in Turkey today for talks with the Russian Football Union, which confirmed last night that it would allow him to combine two jobs until the end of the season.
Hiddink is expected to earn £2 million for 15 weeks’ work at Chelsea and is considering bringing in Johan Neeskens, who served as his assistant when he was in charge of Holland and Australia, as his No 2. “I must say that this is an exceptional situation,” Hiddink said. “If it was any other club aside from Chelsea my answer would be a straight ‘no’. But Chelsea is different because I have good relations with the owner. This would be a full managerial role, a day-to-day job, but only for the next two or three months.”
Chelsea also insist that Hiddink will be only a temporary appointment, but sources close to him conceded that he would be willing to discuss continuing to combine both jobs next season, with the proviso that he will stay in charge of Russia.
If Hiddink joins Chelsea, but then leaves the club in the summer, they will turn their attentions to Carlo Ancelotti, the AC Milan coach, who turned down an approach last summer. “If the position is open in July he may consider it,” Umberto Gandini, the Milan vice-president, said.
SOURCE:THE TIMES
Speaking for the first time since Luiz Felipe Scolari’s shock sacking on Monday, the Chelsea captain expressed sympathy and admiration for the departed manager, although he added the important caveat that only “two or three” of his team-mates felt the same.
Terry’s carefully chosen words, as he took a detour from discussing England’s friendly international against Spain this evening, go some way to confirming what has long been suspected: that a series of cliques have developed in the camp.
Terry and Frank Lampard have made a point of standing up for Scolari, publicly and privately, all season and Ashley Cole was also sympathetic. But the tone of Terry’s comments suggests that the rest of the team were not. Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Petr Cech are known to have had doubts, telling Roman Abramovich, the owner, of their reservations at an informal meeting last Thursday to which Terry was not party.
“I have sympathy for Scolari,” Terry said. “He had my support, that’s for sure. Two or three other players will say the same thing, I’m sure. Unfortunately we weren’t playing well and it falls on his head. Maybe they should look at some of us. We underachieved. It’s unfortunate because the manager is a great man, but the overall picture needs to be looked at. The powers at the club need to look at that.”
Without naming names, Terry also criticised several of his team-mates’ performances this season, arguing that he and the players should take a greater share of the responsibility for Scolari’s dismissal.
“We’ve not been performing well individually and collectively as a squad, and that falls on the manager’s head, which is unfair because a few of us feel we could have done better in our time with the manager,” Terry said. “We started off very well, but things dipped in form and results. That’s unfortunate for Mr Scolari.”
Hiddink will not be in charge for Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie away to Watford, which will be supervised by Ray Wilkins, the assistant first-team coach. The Dutchman will return to Moscow from Russia’s training camp in Turkey today for talks with the Russian Football Union, which confirmed last night that it would allow him to combine two jobs until the end of the season.
Hiddink is expected to earn £2 million for 15 weeks’ work at Chelsea and is considering bringing in Johan Neeskens, who served as his assistant when he was in charge of Holland and Australia, as his No 2. “I must say that this is an exceptional situation,” Hiddink said. “If it was any other club aside from Chelsea my answer would be a straight ‘no’. But Chelsea is different because I have good relations with the owner. This would be a full managerial role, a day-to-day job, but only for the next two or three months.”
Chelsea also insist that Hiddink will be only a temporary appointment, but sources close to him conceded that he would be willing to discuss continuing to combine both jobs next season, with the proviso that he will stay in charge of Russia.
If Hiddink joins Chelsea, but then leaves the club in the summer, they will turn their attentions to Carlo Ancelotti, the AC Milan coach, who turned down an approach last summer. “If the position is open in July he may consider it,” Umberto Gandini, the Milan vice-president, said.
SOURCE:THE TIMES
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Victory was only a matter of time for Rory McIlroy, says Darren Clarke
As Rory McIlroy was putting the finishing touches to his maiden victory as a professional at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, Darren Clarke, one of the players who has come to know the teenager better than most, displayed not the slightest surprise.
"I met him for the first time when he was 12 and knew within three minutes that he was something special," Clarke said. "He came to one of my Foundation days (in Northern Ireland) and I could see it as soon as he hit his first shot.
"You could tell straight away, even at that age. He's always had this prodigious talent and was hitting shots way beyond his peers. He was far ahead of the level you would expect him to be and was incredibly mature for his age. Still is."
McIlroy's first win would have been particularly pleasing for Clarke for the way he held his nerve when the pressure was at its most intense. He had led Justin Rose by six shots with six holes to play but came to the last leading the Englishman by just one stroke. But he got down in two shots from a bunker at the back a green that slopes towards water for a par that matched Rose - and the first of what is certain to be many titles was in the bag.
It was Clarke who had taken McIlroy aside and encouraged him after he had lost in a play-off for the European Masters in Switzerland last year, telling him not to get down on himself but to use the experience to become a stronger player. It was good advice.
"He's matured fantastically and I think that when he didn't win in Switzerland when he could have done, it was probably one of the best things that could have happened to him," Clarke said. "I spoke to him immediately afterwards and he was obviously disappointed. It hurt, but he has learnt from it.
"But the best thing about him," Clarke continued, "is his please and thank-yous. He's a very polite young man and will be a great champion, of that there is no doubt."
And what about Clarke partnering him perhaps in the Ryder Cup in 2010? Would he fancy that?
"If I'm anywhere near Rory two years from now, I'll be a very happy man," Clarke replied. It said it all. McIlroy's victory has ushered in the start of a new era. Exciting times lie ahead.
Source:the times
"I met him for the first time when he was 12 and knew within three minutes that he was something special," Clarke said. "He came to one of my Foundation days (in Northern Ireland) and I could see it as soon as he hit his first shot.
"You could tell straight away, even at that age. He's always had this prodigious talent and was hitting shots way beyond his peers. He was far ahead of the level you would expect him to be and was incredibly mature for his age. Still is."
McIlroy's first win would have been particularly pleasing for Clarke for the way he held his nerve when the pressure was at its most intense. He had led Justin Rose by six shots with six holes to play but came to the last leading the Englishman by just one stroke. But he got down in two shots from a bunker at the back a green that slopes towards water for a par that matched Rose - and the first of what is certain to be many titles was in the bag.
It was Clarke who had taken McIlroy aside and encouraged him after he had lost in a play-off for the European Masters in Switzerland last year, telling him not to get down on himself but to use the experience to become a stronger player. It was good advice.
"He's matured fantastically and I think that when he didn't win in Switzerland when he could have done, it was probably one of the best things that could have happened to him," Clarke said. "I spoke to him immediately afterwards and he was obviously disappointed. It hurt, but he has learnt from it.
"But the best thing about him," Clarke continued, "is his please and thank-yous. He's a very polite young man and will be a great champion, of that there is no doubt."
And what about Clarke partnering him perhaps in the Ryder Cup in 2010? Would he fancy that?
"If I'm anywhere near Rory two years from now, I'll be a very happy man," Clarke replied. It said it all. McIlroy's victory has ushered in the start of a new era. Exciting times lie ahead.
Source:the times
Premier League
14.12pm: Wayne Bridge takes a dislike to the advertising hoardings behind the goal and belts the ball at them. He's pretending it was a shot on goal.
14.09pm: Robinho runs around in circles to little effect, and finally manages to get a corner. Chris Riggott takes a knock somewhere in the melee, and has to have treatment just behind the goal. Just as well the corner isn't at all dangerous.
14.04pm: Shaun Wright-Phillips races down the right to chase an optimistic long ball, and he forces Pogatetz to concede a corner.
13.59pm: Free-kick to Boro, close to the corner flag. Downing loops it in, and it's deflected out for a corner-kick. It's swung in, and man of the moment Shay Given claims it.
13.57pm: GOAL! Manchester City 1 Middlesbrough 0 After Robinho makes a rather lacklustre attempt at a strike from outside the area, blocked by Huth, Craig Bellamy gets the ball on the right, and Pogatetz, isolated in defence, can do nothing to stop him from drilling it into the far corner.
13.54pm: Alves simply can't get his feet to a well-placed cross into the box from the right side.
13.53pm: Middlesbrough are tapping it about nicely. No cutting edge as yet - the Manchester City defence are staying tight on them.
13.51pm: Kick-off.
13.49pm: Shay Given salutes the fans as he jogs on to the pitch and into his hutch.
13.34pm: The last touch of the half goes to Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has a shot on goal, but it's an odd angle, and Brad Jones easily saves. So it's goalless at half-time, and Boro will be the happier of the two teams going into the interval.
13.29pm: It's a Boro free kick, but Downing skies it.
13.27pm: It looks like a dead cert for a City goal, but Ireland scrambles Bellamy's cross and somehow the ball goes wide.
Source: the times
14.09pm: Robinho runs around in circles to little effect, and finally manages to get a corner. Chris Riggott takes a knock somewhere in the melee, and has to have treatment just behind the goal. Just as well the corner isn't at all dangerous.
14.04pm: Shaun Wright-Phillips races down the right to chase an optimistic long ball, and he forces Pogatetz to concede a corner.
13.59pm: Free-kick to Boro, close to the corner flag. Downing loops it in, and it's deflected out for a corner-kick. It's swung in, and man of the moment Shay Given claims it.
13.57pm: GOAL! Manchester City 1 Middlesbrough 0 After Robinho makes a rather lacklustre attempt at a strike from outside the area, blocked by Huth, Craig Bellamy gets the ball on the right, and Pogatetz, isolated in defence, can do nothing to stop him from drilling it into the far corner.
13.54pm: Alves simply can't get his feet to a well-placed cross into the box from the right side.
13.53pm: Middlesbrough are tapping it about nicely. No cutting edge as yet - the Manchester City defence are staying tight on them.
13.51pm: Kick-off.
13.49pm: Shay Given salutes the fans as he jogs on to the pitch and into his hutch.
13.34pm: The last touch of the half goes to Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has a shot on goal, but it's an odd angle, and Brad Jones easily saves. So it's goalless at half-time, and Boro will be the happier of the two teams going into the interval.
13.29pm: It's a Boro free kick, but Downing skies it.
13.27pm: It looks like a dead cert for a City goal, but Ireland scrambles Bellamy's cross and somehow the ball goes wide.
Source: the times
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Colin Montgomerie enjoys rich new pickings
THE rest of the world may be going to the dogs, but European golf is booming, with bags of cash, plenty of talent and a new man at the helm of the flagship Ryder Cup team. It has not taken long for Colin Montgomerie to assume his status as diplomat and soldier. The man is courteous, sensible and positive in everything he says and is already brushing up his impersonation of Henry V on the eve of Agincourt.
The word he reiterated most in the press conference to confirm his appointment was “winning”. But he also made it clear that attention to detail will mark his captaincy.
That is good news for Europe, for it signals that of the six captains he played under in his eight Ryder Cup appearances, he will be most like Bernhard Langer, the best there has been.
Of Celtic Manor, the venue for the 2010 match, Montgomerie said he would “get to know every blade of grass on that golf course and where and what should happen down there”.
That too is good news, although not perhaps for the green-keeper, who will be given appropriate and very specific instructions in setting up the course.
At the K Club, the venue for the 2006 match, Ian Woosnam, the Europe captain, ordered the creation of bunkers and the planting of mature trees to help to nullify any advantage the long-hitters in the American team might have had. For length off the tee, Montgomerie has some big guns of his own, but we can be sure the course, and especially the greens, will be thoroughly tweaked to suit his men.
In Dubai, where as well as politicking and graciously receiving tributes, he has been playing in the Desert Classic, Montgomerie even found some decent form of his own, a pair of 70s enabling him to make the cut comfortably.
But he won’t worry for a second that perhaps he should be playing in the cup himself, for all he had to do to see how strong his team will be was to look at those ahead of him on the leaderboard. It is stacked with players who will form his squad, some proven, some with terrific prospects, all talented.
For although the Europe team may not have the charisma and brilliance at the very top that they enjoyed when Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Woosnam and Langer strode the fairways, their strength in depth is greater than it has ever been. Europe has four players in the world’s top 10 and 17 in the top 50. The United States has three in the top 10 and 12 in the top 50.
Montgomerie knows he will have the stronger team on paper, and that he will have no difficulty in blending solid experience with precocious youth.
In Dubai yesterday, with Padraig Harrington the only sure member of the team to be missing, most of the likely men were in contention. There were two strapping Swedes, Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson; two of England’s finest, Paul Casey and Justin Rose, and a clutch of brilliant Spaniards headed by Sergio Garcia. Lee Westwood is as solid as ever, while the return to form of Rose, who has had a poor start to his season, was especially welcome.
It would be tempting, although premature, to begin to jot down some formidable pairings.
But of all of the candidates, it is Rory McIlroy, the 19-year-old from Northern Ireland who is leading the event, who must be pleasing his prospective captain the most. He has not yet won a professional tournament, but McIlroy is the most exciting prospect in the world. It didn’t seem that way towards the end of last season. He had entered the professional arena with an expected flourish, coming third in the 2007 Dunhill Links, his second event on the Tour. But he stumbled and missed 12 cuts last year, so that he was in danger of losing his Tour playing card.
The introduction of a new driver, followed by the benefits of working out in the gymnasium during his Christmas break, added at least 15 yards to the average length of his drives and gave him a boost in confidence. McIlroy may not be quite up there with Alvaro Quiros, the Tour’s longest hitter (and another exciting talent that Montgomerie will be closely watching), but he’s not far behind, and as a shot-maker he has been remarkable since early childhood.
Long off the tee, uncannily accurate with his irons, with a swing that displays the suppleness and carefree mood of youth, McIlroy will surely play a significant part at Celtic Manor.
For those who count the Ryder Cup among the most intriguing and thrilling encounters in sport, pleasurable times lie ahead.
We can be sure that Montgomerie and the US captain, Corey Pavin, will perform tremendously in the propaganda war.
There is every chance that the battle itself will be close and tense, and it is more than likely that Montgomerie will emerge with what he most desires — his hands on the Ryder Cup.
MONTY: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
THE GOOD He has won eight European Tour Order of Merit titles and is undefeated in eight Ryder Cup singles games, winning six and halving two. In total, he has won 23.5 Ryder Cup points, holing the winning putt at Oakland Hills in 2004
THE BAD He has always fallen short in the majors. He has finished runner-up in five, including the US Open on three occasions
THE UGLY Monty often falls out with viewing galleries, snarling his way around the course. Most of his tussles have been in the United States, where they call him Mrs Doubtfire
Source:the times
The word he reiterated most in the press conference to confirm his appointment was “winning”. But he also made it clear that attention to detail will mark his captaincy.
That is good news for Europe, for it signals that of the six captains he played under in his eight Ryder Cup appearances, he will be most like Bernhard Langer, the best there has been.
Of Celtic Manor, the venue for the 2010 match, Montgomerie said he would “get to know every blade of grass on that golf course and where and what should happen down there”.
That too is good news, although not perhaps for the green-keeper, who will be given appropriate and very specific instructions in setting up the course.
At the K Club, the venue for the 2006 match, Ian Woosnam, the Europe captain, ordered the creation of bunkers and the planting of mature trees to help to nullify any advantage the long-hitters in the American team might have had. For length off the tee, Montgomerie has some big guns of his own, but we can be sure the course, and especially the greens, will be thoroughly tweaked to suit his men.
In Dubai, where as well as politicking and graciously receiving tributes, he has been playing in the Desert Classic, Montgomerie even found some decent form of his own, a pair of 70s enabling him to make the cut comfortably.
But he won’t worry for a second that perhaps he should be playing in the cup himself, for all he had to do to see how strong his team will be was to look at those ahead of him on the leaderboard. It is stacked with players who will form his squad, some proven, some with terrific prospects, all talented.
For although the Europe team may not have the charisma and brilliance at the very top that they enjoyed when Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Woosnam and Langer strode the fairways, their strength in depth is greater than it has ever been. Europe has four players in the world’s top 10 and 17 in the top 50. The United States has three in the top 10 and 12 in the top 50.
Montgomerie knows he will have the stronger team on paper, and that he will have no difficulty in blending solid experience with precocious youth.
In Dubai yesterday, with Padraig Harrington the only sure member of the team to be missing, most of the likely men were in contention. There were two strapping Swedes, Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson; two of England’s finest, Paul Casey and Justin Rose, and a clutch of brilliant Spaniards headed by Sergio Garcia. Lee Westwood is as solid as ever, while the return to form of Rose, who has had a poor start to his season, was especially welcome.
It would be tempting, although premature, to begin to jot down some formidable pairings.
But of all of the candidates, it is Rory McIlroy, the 19-year-old from Northern Ireland who is leading the event, who must be pleasing his prospective captain the most. He has not yet won a professional tournament, but McIlroy is the most exciting prospect in the world. It didn’t seem that way towards the end of last season. He had entered the professional arena with an expected flourish, coming third in the 2007 Dunhill Links, his second event on the Tour. But he stumbled and missed 12 cuts last year, so that he was in danger of losing his Tour playing card.
The introduction of a new driver, followed by the benefits of working out in the gymnasium during his Christmas break, added at least 15 yards to the average length of his drives and gave him a boost in confidence. McIlroy may not be quite up there with Alvaro Quiros, the Tour’s longest hitter (and another exciting talent that Montgomerie will be closely watching), but he’s not far behind, and as a shot-maker he has been remarkable since early childhood.
Long off the tee, uncannily accurate with his irons, with a swing that displays the suppleness and carefree mood of youth, McIlroy will surely play a significant part at Celtic Manor.
For those who count the Ryder Cup among the most intriguing and thrilling encounters in sport, pleasurable times lie ahead.
We can be sure that Montgomerie and the US captain, Corey Pavin, will perform tremendously in the propaganda war.
There is every chance that the battle itself will be close and tense, and it is more than likely that Montgomerie will emerge with what he most desires — his hands on the Ryder Cup.
MONTY: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
THE GOOD He has won eight European Tour Order of Merit titles and is undefeated in eight Ryder Cup singles games, winning six and halving two. In total, he has won 23.5 Ryder Cup points, holing the winning putt at Oakland Hills in 2004
THE BAD He has always fallen short in the majors. He has finished runner-up in five, including the US Open on three occasions
THE UGLY Monty often falls out with viewing galleries, snarling his way around the course. Most of his tussles have been in the United States, where they call him Mrs Doubtfire
Source:the times
Renault and Williams look for lift after testing new cars in Portugal
Renault and Williams became the latest teams to unveil their new Formula One cars yesterday. The Britain-based teams carried out low-key launches at the Algarve Motor Park in southern Portugal, where the first official test of the 2009 season began in wet conditions. Among the other teams putting new cars through their paces at the circuit at Portimão were McLaren Mercedes and Toyota.
While Renault and their lead driver, Fernando Alonso, are aiming to contest the podium positions this year, the Williams team were a little more cautious about predicting a jump from their lowly eighth-place finish last season to the top of the field, despite switching their development effort to the new FW31 car earlier than normal.
“It will be a very interesting year,” Sir Frank Williams, the team principal, said. “The new aerodynamic rules mean a different approach to the cars in a number of areas. However, by the time we get to Melbourne [for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March], I would expect the usual suspects to still be dominating the top two positions.
“More importantly, I hope Williams will have made a significantly large step forward with the FW31.”
Ferrari have chosen not to attend the test at Portimão and, instead, ran their new F60 car at the Mugello circuit in similarly wet conditions in Tuscany, Italy, with Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion, at the wheel. The car completed 54 laps with no technical setbacks.
Source:the times
While Renault and their lead driver, Fernando Alonso, are aiming to contest the podium positions this year, the Williams team were a little more cautious about predicting a jump from their lowly eighth-place finish last season to the top of the field, despite switching their development effort to the new FW31 car earlier than normal.
“It will be a very interesting year,” Sir Frank Williams, the team principal, said. “The new aerodynamic rules mean a different approach to the cars in a number of areas. However, by the time we get to Melbourne [for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March], I would expect the usual suspects to still be dominating the top two positions.
“More importantly, I hope Williams will have made a significantly large step forward with the FW31.”
Ferrari have chosen not to attend the test at Portimão and, instead, ran their new F60 car at the Mugello circuit in similarly wet conditions in Tuscany, Italy, with Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion, at the wheel. The car completed 54 laps with no technical setbacks.
Source:the times
Crusaders put their faith on the line
Given the resentment felt in parts of the game’s northern homeland when the Rugby Football League announced that the Bridgend-based Celtic Crusaders would be one of the two new teams admitted to the Super League this season, some people will be awaiting Friday’s season-opening fixture, when the Welsh club take on champions Leeds, with a certain amount of ghoulish relish.
Nobody who suggests the Crusaders, who have been in existence only since 2005, will be under-prepared when they travel to Headingley could be accused of mischief-making.Eight of what is likely to be coach John Dixon’s squad of 17 are not scheduled to arrive in the country until this morning, having been forced to spend the preceding month training with clubs in various parts of Australia while awaiting their new visas. To make matters worse, the Crusaders’ one pre-season friendly, scheduled to be played against the Harlequins at The Stoop last week, was cancelled because bad weather made the pitch unplayable.
Dixon, who has been working on the basis that the late arrivals would not be available, admits it isn’t the best way to approach the biggest match in the club’s short history.
“Our preparation has not been ideal, there’s no denying it,” said Dixon, the former headmaster, who, at 57, will be the oldest coach in the competition. “Coaches work on the basis that plan A might not work, so they always have a plan B and plan C, but in this case, we were down to plans Q and R, so we’re delighted it looks like all the players will be over and ready for the first match.
“They’ve been training hard, so there should be no problems with fitness, and only two of them are new signings, so most are familiar with the routines. Anyway, I come back to the thought that it was only this time three years ago that we played our first game of rugby league, against Hemel Hempstead in Division Two of the National Leagues. The problems we’ve been having pale into insignificance when put against how far the club has come and what we have achieved.”
He has a point, but it also serves to emphasise the manner in which the Crusaders franchise — there is surely no other word — has been fast-tracked by an RFL determined to prove that the game has a future beyond the M62 corridor. Encouraged by the success of the Catalans Dragons, the Crusaders were chosen ahead of clubs in areas where the game’s roots run deep, including Widnes, Leigh and Featherstone. For some, the way they were also given three years to establish themselves without fear of relegation added to the sense of betrayal. And Dixon’s decision to recruit largely from the Australian NRL — six of his nine close-season signings — hasn’t helped. But the coach insists he is acting in the best interests of both the club and the game.
“It’s a huge step we’re taking and we think it’s very important to be as competitive as we can from the start,” he said. “That meant bringing in as many players of proven quality who will not only help us achieve our goals on the field, but also show the younger guys what they need to do to succeed at the higher level.”
Two of those new signings, Adam Peek (Cronulla) and Mark Bryant, whose last game for Manly was their Grand Final win over Melbourne, were already in Britain but props Ryan O’Hara (Wests Tigers) and Jason Chan, who scored a try for Papua New Guinea against England in the World Cup, as well as club captain Jace van Dijk, leading try-scorer Tony Duggan and last season’s player of the year Damien Quinn, are all among the eight due to touch down this morning.
Geraint Rhys Davies, who has been with the club since its inception and has won a place in Dixon’s first-team squad, maintains the Crusaders are going about things the right way. “Look, if John picked a team of Welshmen, we’d be battered,” said the 22-year-old forward. “The local talent is starting to come through, but it takes time, most of us were schooled in rugby union and there are fewer similarities between the games than many people realise. We have to learn, and we are.
“In the meantime, the best rugby league teams in the country will be coming to Bridgend, and that’s pretty exciting, not just for those of us who’ve loved the sport for a long time but for the area as a whole.
“We were getting crowds of between 2,000 and 3,000 last season and that should at least double because I guarantee that once they’ve watched a game or two, people will want to come back. The excitement is non-stop.”
The Crusaders can legitimately claim to enjoy an element of national support. An inaugural Welsh Assembly Rugby League dinner was held at the Millennium Centre last week, attended by the Welsh heritage and sports minister, Alun Ffred-Jones, and the Leader of the House, Carwyn Jones, as well as dual-code rugby legend David Watkins.
With the number of Welsh schools playing the sport also increasing rapidly, and plans for a £40m, 15,000-capacity stadium already submitted to Bridgend borough council, the long-term outlook would appear to be solidly positive.
Friday, however, might be a case of hoping for the best, in every sense.
“I’m confident of one thing. Every player will give their utmost and Leeds will know they’ve been in a game,” said Dixon. “This is what the dream was all about. To be part of the team that sees that dream fulfilled, to go down in history as being the first Crusaders to wear the shirt in Super League, will be a fantastic feeling.
“We’re in this for the long haul and nobody has any false expectations that we’re going to carry all before us but the adrenaline will be pumping.”
Source:the times
Nobody who suggests the Crusaders, who have been in existence only since 2005, will be under-prepared when they travel to Headingley could be accused of mischief-making.Eight of what is likely to be coach John Dixon’s squad of 17 are not scheduled to arrive in the country until this morning, having been forced to spend the preceding month training with clubs in various parts of Australia while awaiting their new visas. To make matters worse, the Crusaders’ one pre-season friendly, scheduled to be played against the Harlequins at The Stoop last week, was cancelled because bad weather made the pitch unplayable.
Dixon, who has been working on the basis that the late arrivals would not be available, admits it isn’t the best way to approach the biggest match in the club’s short history.
“Our preparation has not been ideal, there’s no denying it,” said Dixon, the former headmaster, who, at 57, will be the oldest coach in the competition. “Coaches work on the basis that plan A might not work, so they always have a plan B and plan C, but in this case, we were down to plans Q and R, so we’re delighted it looks like all the players will be over and ready for the first match.
“They’ve been training hard, so there should be no problems with fitness, and only two of them are new signings, so most are familiar with the routines. Anyway, I come back to the thought that it was only this time three years ago that we played our first game of rugby league, against Hemel Hempstead in Division Two of the National Leagues. The problems we’ve been having pale into insignificance when put against how far the club has come and what we have achieved.”
He has a point, but it also serves to emphasise the manner in which the Crusaders franchise — there is surely no other word — has been fast-tracked by an RFL determined to prove that the game has a future beyond the M62 corridor. Encouraged by the success of the Catalans Dragons, the Crusaders were chosen ahead of clubs in areas where the game’s roots run deep, including Widnes, Leigh and Featherstone. For some, the way they were also given three years to establish themselves without fear of relegation added to the sense of betrayal. And Dixon’s decision to recruit largely from the Australian NRL — six of his nine close-season signings — hasn’t helped. But the coach insists he is acting in the best interests of both the club and the game.
“It’s a huge step we’re taking and we think it’s very important to be as competitive as we can from the start,” he said. “That meant bringing in as many players of proven quality who will not only help us achieve our goals on the field, but also show the younger guys what they need to do to succeed at the higher level.”
Two of those new signings, Adam Peek (Cronulla) and Mark Bryant, whose last game for Manly was their Grand Final win over Melbourne, were already in Britain but props Ryan O’Hara (Wests Tigers) and Jason Chan, who scored a try for Papua New Guinea against England in the World Cup, as well as club captain Jace van Dijk, leading try-scorer Tony Duggan and last season’s player of the year Damien Quinn, are all among the eight due to touch down this morning.
Geraint Rhys Davies, who has been with the club since its inception and has won a place in Dixon’s first-team squad, maintains the Crusaders are going about things the right way. “Look, if John picked a team of Welshmen, we’d be battered,” said the 22-year-old forward. “The local talent is starting to come through, but it takes time, most of us were schooled in rugby union and there are fewer similarities between the games than many people realise. We have to learn, and we are.
“In the meantime, the best rugby league teams in the country will be coming to Bridgend, and that’s pretty exciting, not just for those of us who’ve loved the sport for a long time but for the area as a whole.
“We were getting crowds of between 2,000 and 3,000 last season and that should at least double because I guarantee that once they’ve watched a game or two, people will want to come back. The excitement is non-stop.”
The Crusaders can legitimately claim to enjoy an element of national support. An inaugural Welsh Assembly Rugby League dinner was held at the Millennium Centre last week, attended by the Welsh heritage and sports minister, Alun Ffred-Jones, and the Leader of the House, Carwyn Jones, as well as dual-code rugby legend David Watkins.
With the number of Welsh schools playing the sport also increasing rapidly, and plans for a £40m, 15,000-capacity stadium already submitted to Bridgend borough council, the long-term outlook would appear to be solidly positive.
Friday, however, might be a case of hoping for the best, in every sense.
“I’m confident of one thing. Every player will give their utmost and Leeds will know they’ve been in a game,” said Dixon. “This is what the dream was all about. To be part of the team that sees that dream fulfilled, to go down in history as being the first Crusaders to wear the shirt in Super League, will be a fantastic feeling.
“We’re in this for the long haul and nobody has any false expectations that we’re going to carry all before us but the adrenaline will be pumping.”
Source:the times
ICC reverses 2006 Oval Test decision
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has changed the result of England's Test match gainst Pakistan at The Oval in 2006 from a draw to an England win.
The controversial match, which ended with Pakistan refusing to return to the field after a tea break following a decision to award England five penalty runs for alleged ball tampering, was initially called as a forfeit in England's favour.
The ICC amended that decision in July of last year, calling the result as a draw, but the governing body changed it again today at the second day of an ICC board meeting in Perth.
An official statement read: "After reconsideration of the matter, which included consideration of legal advice and input from the MCC, the custodians of the Laws of Cricket, the board decided that the original umpires' decision to award the match to England, should apply."
Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said: "I'm gratified the board reached the conclusion it did as this ensures the integrity of the game and the laws of cricket have been upheld. I am especially grateful to the PCB for its understanding in this matter."
Source:the times
The controversial match, which ended with Pakistan refusing to return to the field after a tea break following a decision to award England five penalty runs for alleged ball tampering, was initially called as a forfeit in England's favour.
The ICC amended that decision in July of last year, calling the result as a draw, but the governing body changed it again today at the second day of an ICC board meeting in Perth.
An official statement read: "After reconsideration of the matter, which included consideration of legal advice and input from the MCC, the custodians of the Laws of Cricket, the board decided that the original umpires' decision to award the match to England, should apply."
Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said: "I'm gratified the board reached the conclusion it did as this ensures the integrity of the game and the laws of cricket have been upheld. I am especially grateful to the PCB for its understanding in this matter."
Source:the times
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