CSKA Moscow spring Sevilla surprise

Published>Wed, Mar 17 10 10:23 AM

CSKA Moscow upset Sevilla 2-1 on Tuesday to send the Russian team into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 17 years.

A well-struck Keisuke Honda free kick ended Sevilla's hopes of making their quarter-final debut and secured victory for the well-organised Muscovites to put them into the last eight for the first time since 1992-93.

After a 1-1 draw in Moscow last month, goals from CSKA's Tomas Necid and Sevilla's Diego Perotti had the sides tied at 2-2 on aggregate at the break before Honda's 55th-minute strike flew into the top corner off Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop.

"The players did very well to stop Sevilla getting many clear chances," a beaming CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky told a news conference.

"It's hard to analyse the match much at this early stage but I am very proud that my team has made it through to the quarters."

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano squandered a chance to put the home side ahead in only the third minute at a noisy Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

The Brazilian international collected a whipped Jesus Navas cross from the right but hit his first-time shot straight at CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages and lively Japan midfielder Honda forced a smart save from Palop in the 27th minute.

HONDA POWER

Six minutes before the break, a mistake by Serbian defender Ivica Dragutinovic let in Necid, who rifled a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Sevilla were level within two minutes. A long Palop punt bounced through to Navas and he crossed for Perotti to poke the ball past Akinfeyev.

Honda's winner came from a long-range free kick which Palop failed to deal with as the ball ricocheted into the top corner off the keeper's fists.

Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez threw on Alvaro Negredo to join fellow strikers Frederic Kanoute and Fabiano but CSKA held firm against some desperate attacking in the final stages as the disconsolate home fans drifted away.

"CSKA were very good in defence and didn't give us many chances on goal," Negredo said in a television interview.

"We managed to get an equaliser in the first half but it was a moment of misfortune in the second half that made it difficult."

Failure for the Andalusians will also put pressure on their budget, after club president Jose Maria del Nido warned before the first leg that missing out on the financial reward for reaching the last eight could push the club into the red.

"All we can do is congratulate them and try to qualify for the competition again," Del Nido said in a television interview.

"We need to focus now on getting third or fourth place in La Liga and we have a great King's Cup final against Atletico Madrid to look forward to which we will try to win."

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Guardiola faces probe after accusing referee of lying

Published Wed, Mar 17 10 02:47 AM

The Spanish football federation will investigate comments made by Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola after he accused officials of lying in a match report, the La Liga champions said on Tuesday.

Guardiola was sent off in the 2-2 draw at Almeria on March 6 and was forced to watch Sunday's 3-0 home win over Valencia from the stands, after the club failed in their appeal against the decision.

On Saturday, Guardiola said: "I have seen the footage and I am not very proud. Seeing it I can understand the sending off and I don't like seeing myself like that.

"But when someone lies you have to appeal. They (the officials) lied in the match report and put things in there that I did not say."

Referee Carlos Clos Gomez wrote in his match report that he had sent Guardiola to the stands in the 27th minute for leaving his technical area and putting his face close to that of the assistant referee and shouting and waving his arms.

He quoted Guardiola as saying: "Your decisions are the wrong way around" and "You don't understand anything".

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Woods to make long-awaited return at U.S. Masters

Published>Wed, Mar 17 10 01:57 AM

Tiger Woods will start trying to restore a reputation battered by marital infidelities at next month's U.S Masters, the tournament which helped him become the world's most marketable sportsman.

The world number one has not competed since his victory at the Australian Masters on Nov. 15 and has opted to make his comeback at Augusta National where he won the first of his 14 majors in 1997.

"I view this tournament with great respect," Woods said in a statement on Tuesday. "After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta.

The 34-year-old American, whose golfing dominance has placed him in the pantheon of all-time sporting greats since he turned professional in late 1996, has won the Masters four times.

"The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been a while since I last played," he added.

Woods announced in December he was taking an indefinite break from the game to save his marriage after revelations emerged of his repeated infidelity. He has apologised to his family and fans but had not indicated until Tuesday when he might return to the game.

Woods trails only Jack Nicklaus -- with 18 titles -- in the all-time major standings and has long targeted overhauling the benchmark set by his fellow American who was his golfing idol as a child.

The scandal around Woods erupted after he crashed his car outside his Florida home in the middle of the night in November, a bizarre incident that triggered a storm of media speculation over his private life.

The minor accident led to a parade of women alleging publicly they had had affairs with the golfer.

SPECTACLAR FALL

Last month Woods made a carefully managed first public appearance since his spectacular fall from grace.

He said he was sorry for cheating on his Swedish wife, Elin Nordegren, with whom he has two small children, and that he was undergoing therapy, although he did not give details.

"I have undergone almost two months of in-patient therapy, and I am continuing my treatment," Woods said on Tuesday.

"Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life."

Media reports have said he was treated for sex addiction in Mississippi.

The impending return of Woods has been warmly welcomed by golf officials and sponsors.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said: "He has invested a lot of time taking steps, both in his personal and professional life, in order to prepare for his return. We all wish him and his family the best as he rejoins the Tour."

Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters tournament, added: "Additionally, we support and encourage his stated commitment to continue the significant work required to rebuild his personal and professional life."

PERFECT VENUE

Mark O'Meara, the 1998 Masters champion and a long-time mentor to Woods, told the Golf Channel: "Augusta is the perfect venue for him to do that, he has had such great success there.

A spokesperson for sponsor Gillette said: "Like many sports fans around the world, we're looking forward to seeing Tiger back on the course."

Another sponsor, Nike, said: "We look forward to Tiger's return to the Masters and seeing him back on the course."

David Carter, head of the Sports Institute at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business, said: "He certainly has picked a really manageable tournament to re-emerge in.

"I think if he plays well and is able to align with the pageantry of the Masters, it's a step in the right direction."

Woods, who is believed to be the world's wealthiest athlete, was estimated to earn about $100 million a year in endorsement deals before the scandal led AT&T and Accenture to drop him as a spokesman. Other sponsors, however, stood by him.

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Dhoni expected to play in next IPL match: Fleming

Published Wed, Mar 17 10 01:31 AM

Kolkata, Mar 16 (PTI) Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming said team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is expected to play in their next Indian Premier League match against Delhi Daredevils even though he was hit by a rising delivery from Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler Shane Bond here today. "He (Dhoni) has gone for an X-ray on his arm. We are hopeful that it''s nothing more than a bruising and that he is available. You have just seen how important he is," Fleming said after Dhoni led the team to a 55-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders. Dhoni, who was awarded Man of the Match, resurrected the Chennai Super Kings innings with a 33-ball 66 to help them score 164 for three that proved to be a tall order for KKR who were shot out for 109 in 19.2 overs. "He has love affair in all the venues across the world," We are proud of our finish, we dominated right through the match. We were very smart from the beginning," Fleming said. "With the ball we got it in the right place and created a lot of pressure. It''s a different win then we usually have. We usually win with power and gusto but this time it was subtle. We made the adjustments beautifully," he added. The former New Zealand captain said he was relishing the role of a coach and described Dhoni as super captain. "It''s nice, I am relaxed now. I am enjoying with the strategies. It''s a great honour to be associated with the super captain (Mahendra Singh Dhoni). His ability to perform under pressure is second to none. It''s a good position to be in." .

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Woods can expect 'tough' return at Augusta, says Palmer

Published>Wed, Mar 17 10 12:27 AM

Four-times U.S Masters winner Arnold Palmer said Tiger Woods would be in for a tough time on his return to golf at Augusta next month.

Woods, plagued by revelations about his marital infidelity, is likely to face intense media scrutiny and the response of spectators at one of the most conservative venues in U.S golf is uncertain.

"For Tiger it is going to be tough, it is going to be something that will take him a little time to get used to," Palmer told the Golf Channel when asked about what awaits Woods at the April 8-11 tournament.

"I am sure that he will anticipate all those things before he gets there and I think, as well as he can, he will understand the things that might happen," he said.

Palmer hosts his PGA Tour invitational event next week at his Bay Hill course and there had been rumours Woods might use that occasion to ease himself back in to competitive golf.

But Palmer said he had spoken twice to Woods shortly before the announcement and while he was disappointed not to have the world number one in his field he understood the motives.

"I spoke to him a couple of times, I spoke to him last night and then again this morning just to make sure that everything was the way I got it.

"He expressed his regrets for not being able to play and said that he was sorry but that he really didn't feel his game was up to speed to start playing this early.

"It was a fairly short conversation and of course we are all disappointed that Tiger isn't going to be here to play but certainly under the conditions and the things that have happened we understand," he added.

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Achilles operation was a success, says Beckham

Published Wed, Mar 17 10 12:11 AM

David Beckham has thanked the surgeon who operated on his Achilles tendon and said he was looking forward to returning to full fitness as soon as possible.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their messages of support, they mean a lot to me," Beckham said in a statement on his website (www.davidbeckham.com).

"The operation was a success and I'd like to thank Dr. Orava and all the medical staff who looked after me during my time in Finland. I'm feeling positive and now concentrating on getting back to full fitness over the coming months."

The England midfielder suffered a torn Achilles tendon playing for AC Milan on Sunday and looks certain to miss this year's World Cup.

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Spirited contest turns T20 into a carnival in Bangalore

Published>Wed, Mar 17 10 12:07 AM

Bangalore, March 16 (IANS) The match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kings XI Punjab Tuesday in the Indian Premier League turned into a carnival at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here as the home team overpowered the rivals by eight wickets.

About 30,000 boisterous fans hooted for the home team led by Anil Kumble after Kings XI put up a formidable score (203 runs) in the first session having won the toss and elected to bat.

When RCB fashioned the victory in 18.5 overs, the crowds went into raptures - bursting fire-crackers, whistling and blowing trumpets.

'The atmosphere is simply electrifying! More than a battle between bat and ball, the T20 is essentially a fun game with glorious uncertainty. It doesn't matter who wins and loses as long as the spirit of the game is kept alive,' said D. Lakshman, a software engineer who watched the match.

RCB owner and business tycoon Vijay Mallya, who cheered his team from the royal box, seemed relieved to see his boys back in the reckoning.

RCB official ambassadors Bollywood star Deepika Padukone and Kannada actress Ramya too joined the victory celebrations.

In contrast, Kings XI owner and Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, who was upbeat about her team posting over 200 runs on the board, was clearly disappointed. She made a quick exit from the VIP box into the dressing room to comfort her 'boys'.

'It was worth the money and time I have spent coming all the way from Mysore to see RCB win...I plan to come here again Thursday evening when the home team takes on Rajasthan Royals as I want to see its great spinner Shane Warne bowl and the swashbuckling Yusuf Pathan hit sixes,' said Ram Murthy, a consultant.

Local lad Robin Uthappa, who belted 51 runs in just 21 balls with four mighty sixes and four fours, got a standing ovation from the crowds.

RCB opener Jacque Kallis, who won the 'man of the match' for his 88 runs in 51 balls with five awesome sixes and eight fours, had the fans roaring every time he batted, as he remained unbeaten for the second consecutive time playing through the innings.

Mallya's son Siddhartha presented the 'man of the match' award and a cheque for Rs.100,000 to Kallis.

Karnataka Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath presented RCB captain Kumble the award for winning the match.

Throughout the match lasting over three hours, the 12-member squad of White Mischief Gals, the official cheerleaders of RCB, were the star attraction, as they gave scintillating performance during breaks, dancing to western and native numbers.

Though the stadium has a capacity to seat about 40,000 spectators, there were a few empty patches in the stands priced above Rs.1,600 per ticket.

'The response this time is not as high as it was in the inaugural IPL event in 2007 though we have reduced the ticket price substantially from last time,' said an official of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), coordinating ticket sales with the IPL management.

To ensure youth make it to the stadium in large numbers, the organisers reserved about 500 seats for college students at Rs.220 per ticket in the eastern stands.

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