timesofmalta.com

Mourinho, Ronaldo sent off, violence erupts at Atletico stun Real in final

Sat, 18 May 2013 08:25:00 +0200

Atletico Madrid stunned city rivals Real to win their 10th King's Cup when Miranda's extra-time header secured a 2-1 comeback win in an action-packed and ill-tempered clash at the Bernabeu last night in which Real coach Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo were both sent off. Atletico's jubilant fans spilled onto the streets of the Spanish capital to celebrate their first victory over their bitter city rivals in 14 years, while the Real faithful were left to reflect on a season without major silverware and the possible departure of Mourinho at the end of the campaign. Ronaldo, who was shown a straight red card after he kicked out at Atletico captain Gabi in the second half of extra time, apparently catching him in the face, nodded Real ahead in the 14th minute. Diego Costa levelled 10 minutes before the break and after Mourinho was dismissed for furiously protesting a referee's decision with around 15 minutes of regular time left Miranda glanced a 99th-minute header past Diego Lopez to secure a first win against Real since 1999. The match, in which Real hit the post three times, descended into chaos near the end when a mass brawl between substitutes and technical staff erupted on...

Hibs in FA trophy final after beating Valletta in scrappy match

Kevin Azzopardi — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:05:00 +0200

Hibs 3 Valletta 2 In a game of unrelenting drama and controversy, Hibernians edged past rivals Valletta 3-2 in the second semi-final of the U*Bet FA Trophy. Hibs, the holders, will meet Qormi in a repeat of last year's final after coming through a tense clash that featured three red cards and two penalties, all coming in an incredible first half. After starting the game in bright fashion, Valletta looked down and out after they had two players, Jason Lee Vandelannoite and goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo sent off in the space of three minutes, and fell two goals behind. But the dismissal of Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat reopened the issue as the scored on the stroke of half-time. Chasing a win to keep their Trophy hopes alive, more so after missing out on the league title, Valletta pushed forward in the second half but their hopes were extinguished when Hibs went 3-1 up midway into the second half. Valletta goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo produced his first save after four minutes, diving to his left to block Bjorn Kristensen's header from Clayton Failla's free-kick. The Citizens would have taken the lead but for the woodwork as Demba Toure's thunderbolt came off the crossbar after the...

Zarate’s goal floors plucky Lija as Qormi reach final

Paul Cachia, National Stadium — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:14:00 +0200

Qormi 1Zarate 66Lija Athletic 0 Qormi reached their third FA Trophy final in four years after a hard-fought victory over Division One side Lija Athletic. Facing a team from a lower division, Qormi were expected to dominate possession and carry the more threat. Yet, Brian Spiteri’s Lija had an encouraging opening hour of play as they belied the gap between the two sides. A sound tactical organisation and incisive counter-attacks were the hallmarks of a laboured victory as the speed and astute movement of Alfred Effiong ensured that Qormi would avoid a nervy finale as Lija were reduced to nine men. Two additional assistant referees were introduced for the first time in domestic competition yesterday as Marco Borg and Trustan Farrugia Cann stood behind the goal-line at either side of the field. Lija Athletic showed more ambition in a scrappy opening, making a mockery of the gap in divisions between the two sides. As a spectacle, however, the opening minutes were lacking. Qormi were playing 4-2-3-1, Leighton Grech and Joseph Chetcuti trying to spread play but they were not aided by Effiong’s lack of movement up front. Lija were pressing higher up the pitch in a 4-1-4-1 configuration...

Miller unperturbed by speculation over his future

Kevin Azzopardi — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:12:00 +0200

A week after their heartbreaking loss to Birkirkara in the Premier League title decider, Hibernians will be engaged in another do-or-die clash this evening as they take on rivals Valletta in the second semi-final of the U*Bet FA Trophy at the National Stadium (kick-off 6pm). Given that the two clubs’ hopes of silverware hinge on the Trophy, expectations are high that this tie will offer thrilling fare to the fans. It will take more than a week for Hibs to get over the disappointment of their defeat in the title showdown and coach Michael Woods admitted that raising the players’ morale was one of his priorities in the build-up to this evening’s semi-final. “We’ve been working on the psychological aspect to lift the morale of the team,” Woods, who can bank on a full squad, told Times of Malta. “We’ve had a week to prepare for this game and put the defeat in the decider behind us. We had a meeting and analysed our mistakes during the title clash. “Now that we have lost the championship, we must concen-trate more on retaining the Trophy.” In their last meeting with Valletta two weeks ago, Hibs prevailed 2-1 to force a title decider but Woods is expecting a sterner challenge from the...

Qormi reach final

Paul Cachia — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:45:00 +0200

Qormi 1 Lija Athletic 0 Qormi reached their third FA trophy final in four years after a hard-fought win over Division One side Lija Athletic. Two additional assistant referees were introduced for the first time in domestic competition last night as Marco Borg and Trustan Farrugia Cann stood behind the goal-line at either side of the field. Lija Athletic showed more ambition in a scrappy opening period, making a mockery of a division gap between the two sides. As a spectacle, however, the opening minutes were lacking. Qormi were playing 4-2-3-1, Leighton Grech and Joseph Chetcuti tried to spread the play but they were not helped by Alfred’s lack of movement up front. Inside the first two minutes, Beu outpaced Jonathan Bondin on the flank but his attempt was blocked by Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia. The Albanian midfielder offered width and penetration on the left flank and wing-back Andrè Scicluna was always willing to press forward to supplement the attack. In fact, in the 23rd minute, one lovely forward pass by Scicluna dissected Qormi’s back four, Leantiev Konda simply waited for the ball before shooting high over the bar. On the half hour mark, Beu really should have broken...

Allegri doubts cloud Milan’s decisive match in Siena

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:10:00 +0200

Massimiliano Allegri’s future as Milan coach hangs in the balance as his side visit relegated Siena on the last day of the league season tomorrow, still needing a win to clinch third place in Serie A and a berth in the UEFA Champions League play-off round. Allegri’s players have voiced their support for the coach, who has overseen an impressive revival in the second half of the season with only one Serie A defeat since the winter break. The phlegmatic Allegri, who won the Serie A title in his first season at Milan and led them to second place last term, had to cope with a firesale of players in the close season amid belt-tightening at the club. Boosted by the signing of Mario Balotelli in January, Milan’s performance has been better than expected, yet rumours still swirl around the club that owner Silvio Berlusconi has had enough of the coach. On Tuesday, Milan denied suggestions that Allegri was in talks with ambitious Roma. Meanwhile, midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng and forward Stephan El Shaarawy have led the chorus for him to stay. “He has done a great job in these three years and needs to stay,” Boateng told Italian media. “For me, there isn’t a Milan without Allegri. “Next...

Final match of Premier season

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:11:00 +0200

The English Premier League comes to a close tomorrow with a full programme of matches. The title has long been wrapped up by Manchester United and, this week, Wigan Athletic became the third team to be relegated to The Championship. Tomorrow’s outcomes will determine the other team who will join Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea in the Champions League next season with two London sides – Arsenal and Tottenham – still engaged in a tight contest for the fourth and final slot. This has been a season to forget for Manchester City who conceded the title to neighbours United and failed to reach the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the second year running. Last Saturday, they were shocked by Wigan in the FA Cup final and, as a consequence, manager Robert Mancini lost his job. A consolation for City was their fine head-to-head record with the top five teams in the standings. They topped the special classi-fication on better goals than Chelsea with United ending up in third place after claimingthe platonic honour last year. Classification Played - Points Man. City 8 - 14 Chelsea 8 - 14 Man. United 8 - 11 Tottenham 8 - 11 Arsenal 8 - 5 Top-five head-to-head...

Stoke City launch training ground probe

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:09:00 +0200

Stoke have launched “a full internal investigation” into reports of an incident at their training ground yesterday, the club announced. It has been reported that a pig’s head was left in Kenwyne Jones’ locker, and that the striker was furious on discovering it. The Daily Telegraph website reported Jones smashed the windscreen of team-mate Glenn Whelan’s car in retribution, believing he was responsible. Stoke said in a statement: “The club takes seriously reports of an incident at our training ground this afternoon. “A full internal investigation will be carried out and those responsible for any unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with in accordance with the club’s disciplinary procedures.”

Bayern sell out stadium for cup final screening

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:08:00 +0200

Bayern Munich fans queued for more than 12 hours and snapped up all 45,000 tickets to watch a live screening at their Allianz Arena of the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund in London on May 25. Tickets for the all-German final at Wembley sold out in six hours. “The queue, which started at 2200 last night extended for more than 400 metres,” the club said in a statement, announcing there were no more seats available. “Six hours later the tickets were sold out.” Bayern, who won their 23rd German league title weeks ago, are seeking a treble this season. The newly-crowned Bundesliga champions face VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on June 1.

Ferguson seeks anything but a quiet life after retirement

Sonia Oxley — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:07:00 +0200

When Alex Ferguson wakes up on Monday morning without a Manchester United team to manage he will not be putting his feet up and settling into a quiet retirement. The 71-year-old Scot takes charge of his 1,500th and final United game at West Bromwich Albion tomorrow before stepping down after more than 26 years at Old Trafford. He might have had 10 hours’ sleep for the first time ever on Monday night after a huge celebratory open-top bus parade through Manchester to mark his 13th and the club’s 20th top-flight title but rest is not on his agenda. “I don’t think I’m going to be that way, I’m driven to take on some challenges and some other things right away,” he told his final pre-match news conference where he entered to applause from reporters who have not always enjoyed the easiest relationship with him. “I’ve got a league managers’ meeting on Monday, I’m going to Newmarket (races) on Tuesday and Wednesday... it’s the Derby (at Epsom) on June 1, I’m going on holiday for a month, then I’m having the (hip) operation, then I’ve got the recuperation, then the season starts so we’re OK.” Ferguson is staying on at the club as a director and has hand-picked his successor in Everton...

Arsenal – no Rooney move Chasing Auxerre striker Sanogo

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:06:00 +0200

Arsenal have made no approach for Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney but are in “advanced talks” with French side Auxerre to sign 20-year-old striker Yaya Sanogo, manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday. “I don’t know if Manchester United will sell Rooney, and that is the best sign to show you that we have not made any approach for him; the first thing is to phone Manchester United, which we did not do,” the Frenchman told reporters. British media had suggested the Gunners might move for England international Rooney, who has asked United for a transfer and was left out of the champions’ last home game of the season. Arsenal sold Dutch striker Robin van Persie, the league’s top scorer, to United last August. French youth international Sanogo has scored nine goals in 11 league appearances for Ligue 2 side Auxerre. “It is in the advanced stages but it is not done,” Wenger said of a deal. “I’m very confident. He is a young, promising striker who is a big talent.” Arsenal play at Newcastle United in their final match of the season tomorrow to secure a top four place and Champions League football again next year. Fifth-placed North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are at home to Sunderland...

Beckham to play today, Ancelotti still to decide on future

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:05:00 +0200

Retiring David Beckham will feature in Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain’s match at home to Stade Brest today, coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday. “He is going to play,” Italian Ancelotti, who ducked questions about his own future, told a news conference. Beckham, 38, said on Thursday that he would retire from playing at the end of the season after a short stint at PSG, triggering an avalanche of tributes to the former England captain. Ancelotti joined the chorus, saying: “He loves his job, he is a very humble player. He had fantastic passing qualities, he was one of the best in that department.” It will be Beckham’s 10th Ligue 1 appearance this season after he joined PSG in late January. Also yesterday, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi reiterated his desire to see Beckham stay in Paris, although in a non-playing capacity. “I met him yesterday, he believes in the PSG project,” Al-Khelaifi said in a separate news conference. “He enjoyed the last six months, we have time to discuss, we’ll be discussing over the next two weeks and hopefully we will announce an agreement together. I told him ‘the door is open for you’ and he wants to be involved so we will see now.” Al-Khelaifi...

Azzopardi candidate for WCup

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:04:00 +0200

Referee Esther Azzopardi is currently attending a seminar in Switzerland in preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, to be played in Canada in 2015. Azzopardi is one of 40 candidates who were welcomed in Zurich earlier this week by FIFA president Sepp Blatter and FIFA Head of Women’s Referees, Sonia Denoncourt. Until 2015, the 40 referees from 33 different countries will be assessed medically, technically and physically before the final selection is made by the FIFA Refereeing Department and members of the Referees’ Committee. The match officials will also be under scrutiny ahead of appointments for three major women’s football tournaments in 2014, namely the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Costa Rica, the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada and the Youth Olympic Football Tournament which will be played in China.

JHA players train in Sunderland

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:03:00 +0200

Three players from the Justin Haber Academy (JHA) have just spent a week’s training at Sunderland AFC’s academy – The Academy of Light which has recently acquired a Category 1 Status within the Elite Player Performance Plan in England. Leo Agius (10), Steve Farrugia (12) and Nathan Vella (13) were selected by JHA head coach Steve McClarence and SAFC International Development Coach Gordon Chisholm to make the trip to England and have a first exper-ience of what the professional game is like. Agius was selected to play an academy game for Sunderland against rivals Newcastle United. He left a very good impression and scored one of the goals in a 3-0 win for the Sunderland boys. During their stay in England, the three JHA hopefuls also had the opportunity to meet and chat with Sunderland FC manager Paolo Di Canio. Meanwhile, it was announced that the Justin Haber Academy will host an Open Week with a free session for each age-group between May 25 and 31. The new programmes include the ‘Little Dribblers’ session which is specifically designed to work with young beginners. JHA also provide girls-only football sessions and a special goalkeepers’ session with Malta international Justin...

Sporting briefs

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:01:00 +0200

MIGLIORE: Argentine club San Lorenzo and goalkeeper Pablo Migliore, out on bail after 40 days in prison on charges of perverting the course of justice in a murder investigation, have agreed to part ways. The 31-year-old rescinded his contract saying he did not want the club to be affected in any way by his trouble with the law. Migliore was suspected of aiding an alleged member of Boca Juniors’ hard core fan group wanted by police for his role in the death of a man who died from injuries sustained in a 2011 beating. VIEIRA: Manchester City’s blueprint for the future has become a little clearer following the appointment of Patrick Vieira as their new elite development squad coach. Vieira moves from an administrative position to take over what is effectively the reserve team from Attilio Lombardo, who has left the club in a backroom clearout following Roberto Mancini’s sacking. ON THE NET: The possible future of sports broadcasting will be further highlighted tomorrow when New Zealand’s Auckland City and Waitakere United play the Oceania Champions League final, with the winner qualifying for the lucrative FIFA Club World Cup. The match in Auckland will be broadcast not only on...

Football news

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:02:00 +0200

Reading striker Jason Roberts has claimed players were not consulted properly over the FA’s decision to bring in a five-match mini-mum ban for racist or other discriminatory abuse rather than follow UEFA’s 10-game sanction. Roberts, who was critical of the FA and football’s anti-racism group Kick It Out following the John Terry racism case, said there had been a lack of leadership at the English FA. He said on Twitter: “While UEFA propose a 10-match ban for racism, the FA decides on 5! Who do they consult on these decision? Certainly not the players. “The last 18 months regarding equality at the FA has consisted of bad decisions, lack of will, lack of consultation and lack of leadership!” Menez banned for insulting official Paris St Germain forward Jeremy Menez has been given a four-match ban for insulting the referee who booked him during a game against Nice last month. Menez, who scored when PSG won 1-0 at Lyon last weekend to clinch the title, did not appear at the disciplinary hearing. The sanction will take effect next week, leaving Menez free to celebrate the title with PSG fans when the capital club host bottom side Stade Brest tonight. The France forward will then miss the...

Cali claims first title

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:01:00 +0200

Badminton Malta recently organised their 42nd National Championships. Since 1998, the Nationals have been sub-titled as the ‘Paddy Stubbs Memorial Championships’, to keep alive the memory of this well-known philanthropist and sports benefactor. Matches were played mainly at the Cottonera Sports Complex with three of the finals staged at St Martin’s College, Swatar. Due to the comparatively large number of participants, the men’s singles started with a preliminary round. This was won by Matthew Abela. He beat Albert Bezzina over three sets (21/16, 19/21, 21/14) in the final. Stephen Ferrante and Samuel Cali contested the singles final. On his way to the final, Ferrante eliminated Abela and Aldo Polidano while Cali had the better of Edmond Abela and defending champion David Cole. After a balanced start, Cali seemed to gradually gain the edge over his opponent. Ferrante’s anticipated reaction came too late to prevent Cali from taking the first set 21/18. Cali maintained his momentum but realising that the final was slipping from his grasp, Ferrante threw caution to the wind and went into an all-out attacking mode. Despite Ferrante reducing the margin to 14/18, Cali kept his cool to...

Orb is at top of the class

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:01:00 +0200

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas offered an ominous assessment for those hoping Kentucky Derby champion Orb will have his Triple Crown aspirations trampled at the Preakness Stakes today. “If he’ll scratch, I’ll feel better about the whole race,” said Lukas, who will saddle three colts in the nine-horse race though none better than 12-1 odds in the morning line. “That’s an exceptional horse, and in great hands. It’s going to be difficult to beat him. His work this week was great.” Orb, an even-money favourite ridden by Joel Rosario, has been unbeatable this year – literally – with four straight wins and is riding a five-race winning streak. The son of Malibu Moon will break from the one hole but trainer Shug McGaughey saw no problems opening along the rail. “The ‘1’ is different here than it is at Churchill. The race starts at the three-sixteenths pole here and it’s a straight shot. We’ll be fine,” said McGaughey, who has not competed in the Preakness since 1989, when Easy Goer lost to Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence by a nose. “If I got to pick it out, that wouldn’t have been what I picked, but I’m not worried about it.” Orb came from off the pace at Churchill Downs on May...

Ailing Wiggins and Hesjedal abandon Giro d’Italia

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:01:00 +0200

This year’s Giro d’Italia claimed two major victims when pre-race favourite Bradley Wiggins and defending champion Ryder Hesjedal withdrew prior to yesterday’s 13th stage, the pair citing illness as the reason for abandoning the tour. Wiggins enjoyed a stellar 2012 when he became the first Briton to win the Tour de France and backed that up with a time trial gold medal at the London Olympics before turning his attention towards adding to those titles in Italy. He looked strong early in the 21-stage race but gradually slipped out of contention, blaming his poor performance on a chest infection that eventually led to his withdrawal. “Due to a worsening chest infection, the decision was taken for Wiggins not to start the race’s 13th stage from Busseto to Cherasco,” his Team Sky said in a statement, adding that Colombian Rigoberto Uran, third overall, was the new team leader. “We monitored Bradley overnight and this morning we’ve withdrawn him from the Giro after consulting the team doctor,” team principal Dave Brailsford added. “His chest infection has been getting worse and our primary concern is always the health of our riders. “Bradley will return to the UK today for treatment and...

Cavendish surprised by fourth stage win

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:01:00 +0200

A series of small but challenging climbs late on yesterday’s stage of the 2012 Giro d’Italia could not stop Britain’s Mark Cavendish taking his fourth stage win and second in two days. Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali remained overall leader but it was sprinter Cavendish who stole the show again after compatriot and pre-race favourite Bradley Wiggins failed to start the 254 kilometre stage, the longest in this year’s Giro. In a bunch sprint finish Cavendish outgunned Giacomo Nizzolo and Luka Mezgec. After clinching his 40th Grand Tour stage win and 101st of his career, Cavendish told reporters he had not expected to take the victory on a course with such a difficult finale. “It’s a bit of a bonus, an extra trophy, I don’t know how I’m going to recover before the mountains,” a visibly exhausted Cavendish said.