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Open Insider: rage in placid great

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 26 Januari 2013 | 14.23

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Raging Roger ... his temper is usuall in check. Source: Mark Kolbe / AAP

Effing Stop! That's what Roger Federer shouted across the net at Andy Murray.

He dropped the F-Bomb because Murray kept pausing during rallies when one of Federer's missiles landed near the line. Federer thought Murray was trying to con an out call from the linesman, and baulk the Swiss, by pulling up as if the point was over. Or as if he was about to request a video challenge.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round SF, 25/01/13

Mur (3) 6 6 6 6 6
Fed (2) 4 7 3 7 2

At 6-5 to Murray in the fourth set, Federer fanned a backhand that speared the line. Murray paused ever-so-slightly, which made Federer hesitate. The rally continued, Murray hit a passing shot and Federer walked straight at him. Effing stop.

Federer's major concern was that he was unable to handle Murray's effing serve. That he had this nagging feeling of chasing his effing tail all night. That there was a sense of effing inevitability about the result. In moments like this, overpowered and becoming very effing desperate, Federer has blown up before. He's spun on his heels and told the parents of Novak Djokovic, "Shut up!". He's razzed Toni Nadal for illegal coaching of Rafael.

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His largest tempest, however, came in the 2009 US Open final against Juan Martin del Potro. Federer thought the Argentine had taken too effing long to challenge an effing call. "No, no, no!" Federer yelled at the umpire. "We have to challenge a call after, like, two seconds and this guy takes 10 - every time."

Said the umpire to the crowd: "Del Potro is challenging the call. The ball was called out." Federer marched to his seat, looked up and barked: "Do you guys have any rules in there, or what?"

The umpire motioned for Federer to be quiet. Federer: "Don't show me your hand. Don't tell me to be quiet, OK? When I want to talk I'll talk, alright? I don't give a shit. I'm just saying he waited too long. Don't f***ing tell me the rules." The umpire was aghast. "But Roger..." Federer: "Don't talk to me."

Upon further review, the effing ball was ruled out. Murray responded to Federer's advice by smirking. As if to say, you cannot beat me. Inside Rod Laver Arena, he was howled down. A video replay of the smirk was shown, but not Federer's comment. The patrons were led to believe Murray had thumbed his nose without provocation. The niggle and raw emotion was brilliant; an extraordinary little exchange given men's tennis is such a love-in at the top.

"It wasn't a big deal," Federer said afterwards. "We just looked at each other one time. That's OK, I think, in a three-and-a-half hour match. We were just checking each other out for a bit. That wasn't a big deal for me. I hope not for him."

Murray was shaken. Being admonished by Federer is akin to be dissed by Mother Theresa. The Scot lost his nerve, his serve and the fourth set before steadying his ship to rip through the fifth. "I mean, stuff like that happens daily in tennis matches," Murray said. "In sport, the stuff that some people say on football pitches and in basketball and in all sorts of sports - I mean, it was very mild in comparison to what happens in other sports. Just one of those things. I think it raised his game. That's what happens. Sometimes guys need to get emotion into the match."

Federer needs something, or he will never win another slam. Preposterous, yes, to dismiss a living legend. But that's the feeling. His five-set loss encapsulated his plight. He can still fly higher than any player ever has, but he goes missing in 10-minute patches that enable the Murray's and Djokovic's to pounce. They weather his perfect storms and slowly grind him into the dust. He's trying to read his poetry but they shout him off the stage.

Time is running out for Federer because yet another slam final is about to be held without him - it is a common occurence - and the surprise is that it no longer comes a surprise. Even when Federer snatched the second set; even when he whipped himself into enough of an effing rage to pinch the fourth set; even on the rare occasions the scoreboard had him level-pegging, there was a very effing real sense that Murray had him covered.

"I think, overall, he probably did create more chances than I did," Federer admitted. "I had difficulties getting into his service games, again and again. I think he played a bit more aggressively because he did create more opportunities, over and over again. I was down in the score from the start. Definitely it was more of a chase. He beat me fair and square tonight."

Ever gracious, and realistic. Just supposing he won. He would still need to beat Djokovic. Two tall mountains to climb. A couple of bridges too far. Of the last 12 majors, spanning three years, he has won only one.
 

What to do? Sage effing advice to Murray was followed by his most intense, passionate and untouchable tennis of a rollicking night. The obvious conclusion is that he should start whipping himself into a frenzy more effing often. We asked John Patrick McEnroe about Federer's demeanour during the French Open last year. Similar scenario, then: Federer had been in strife against del Potro on Court Suzanne Lenglen. He trailed by two sets. He netted a backhand and kaboom. He slogged the ball to the far end of the court, nearly decapitating a ball girl. If the girl was struck, Federer would have been disqualified. It missed her by millimetres. He was jeered and hissed ... after another missed  backhand, he told the French crowd what he had told Djokovic's parents: "Shut up!".

He stomped home to win in five set and afterwards, the consensus was that he should let it all hang out more often. That his on-court politeness made him too passive in the demolition era of Djokovic and Murray. Should he unleash aggro? "You don't even need to ask me that," McEnroe grinned. "One of the few times we saw him show emotion and anger was at the end of that second set against Juan Martin. And then he won the next three sets. I don't know if it was a coincidence but if I was coaching him, I'd say, 'Look what happened after that.' He won three straight sets and he won them easily."

But then McEnroe fell short of suggesting Federer should release his inner Superbrat. That he should start telling linesmen they're bumps on a log, the pits of the world. That he should turn to the crowd and scream, as McEnroe once did at Queens, "I'm disgusting! Don't watch me!". He said Federer had done alright for himself while restrained. Just as McEnroe was what he was, Federer is what he is.

"I go from here with a good feeling for the year," Federer said before packing up the caravan and leaving Melbourne. "Andy was better than I was tonight ... but I have even more time to work on my game, work on my fitness this year. It's something I'm excited about."

Which is terrific, because we need G.O.A.T to stay in the hunt. A fist pump from Federer is more electrifying than any other fist pump on Earth.


14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thomas: Let's avoid Cloke-style circus

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Out of contract ... Dale Thomas in action for Collingwood last season. Source:AAP

Off-contract Collingwood star Dale Thomas is in no rush to re-sign with the AFL powerhouse, but is wary of letting his negotiations turn into the circus which disrupted Travis Cloke's season last year.

Talk surrounding Cloke's contract dragged on for a year, coinciding with a form slump for the star forward before he finally put pen to paper on a new five-year deal with the Magpies.

Thomas says he won't begin contract talks until he fully recovers from off-season ankle surgery, but is desperate to avoid the saga which engulfed Cloke and the club last season.

''Hopefully it doesn't turn into some sort of circus like has happened at other clubs and a little bit last year with Trav Cloke,'' Thomas said on Saturday.

''It's one of those things that'll play out. There's a lot of things that I have to do first before I would even start talking contracts with the Pies.

''Hopefully I play some good footy and it'll all take care of itself.

''... At the minute I don't think they'd be too keen to talk contracts and I don't know if I would be either with a bung foot and obviously coming off not a great season.''

The 25-year-old's foot hampered him throughout last year and could yet rule him out of the NAB Cup - but he remains confident of playing North Melbourne on Easter Monday in round one.

''Round one is the aim .. it would be nice to play NAB Cup if I could, but I'll aim for round one - that's the real stuff,'' he said.

''If I can get a game in before, we'll see how we go.

''(Last year) was just injury interrupted. It's hard to find consistency at the best of times, at the level of the AFL.

''But when you're not quite at your physical best it does make it a lot tougher, in that regard it was quite frustrating.

''But I've had the ankle fixed up now, hopefully I'll be ready to go and I can get stuck into it, stay injury free and hopefully have a good season.''


14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

700k Facebook likes from Webley

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 25 Januari 2013 | 14.23

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Delirious ... Bradford City fans are on top of the world. Source:AAP

A Melbourne man has started a Facebook campaign so he can see Bradford City play in the League Cup final.

David Bowers, originally from Bradford, wants to make the League Cup game on February 24 against Swansea but his wife will only let him go if he gets a million Facebook 'likes'. 

"I'm originally from Bradford and now live in Melbourne, Australia, but I have been a City fan for as long as I can remember, please help me get to Wembley just like our awesome BRADFORD CITY!!!!!,'' he wrote on Facebook.

Mr Bowers currently has about 300,000 Facebook likes and has been helped by the media, including the Telegraph in London, running stories on his plight.

Delirious ... Bradford City fans are on top of the world.

He says whether Bradford wins, loses or draws he wants to be there to see 'history in the making.'

"After reading so many comments regarding 'save my money', Swansea are going to win. This is not about getting to Wembley to see BRADFORD CITY win, but more for the fact that in years to come I will be able to look back and say I was there when Bradford went to a CUP FINAL," he wrote.

Bradford City's players struggled to suppress their amazement after pulling off an astonishing 4-3 aggregate win over English Premier League club Aston Villa to reach the League Cup final.

Bradford, from English football's fourth division and with a squad assembled for barely 7,500 pounds ($A11,400), had already eliminated Arsenal and Wigan Athletic earlier in the competition and they stood on the brink of the final after winning 3-1 in the first leg.

They were made to endure a nervy finish at Villa Park, however, with Andreas Weimann's 89th-minute goal taking Villa to within one goal of forcing extra time before the final whistle sounded to confirm Bradford's ticket to Wembley.

FA Cup winners in 1911, Bradford have not reached a major final since and will become the first fourth-tier club since Rochdale in 1962 to grace a League Cup final.

Given that the Bantams were quoted at odds of 10,000-1 to win the tournament at the start of the season, their giant-killing run represents one of the most remarkable achievements in English football history.

"This is dreamland," said goalkeeper Matt Duke, whose razor-sharp reflexes played a pivotal part in Bradford's success over the two legs.

"Hopefully we will have a great following at Wembley and do the club proud. I am not convinced it will ever sink in.

"You dream of this as a kid, playing at Wembley, and like I say, I just want to do the club proud." 


14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aussie pair into Open mixed final

Surprise packets ... Matthew Ebden and Jarmila Gajdosova. Source: Michael Klein / Herald Sun

Australians Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden are through to Sunday's Australian Open mixed doubles final after clinching a tight two-set semi-final on their fourth match point.

The Australians beat Kazakhstan's Yaroslava Shvedova and Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin 7-5 7-6(7-5), coming from a break down in the second set to win it.

Ebden and Gajdosova grabbed the ascendancy late in each set.

In the first set, they broke Shvedova's serve in the last game.

In the second, they were down 2-4, but fought back by again breaking Shvedova's serve to level at 4-4.

Upon reaching the tiebreaker, they raced ahead 6-2 to give themselves four match points, but then faced some nervous moments.

An unfortunate deviation off the net cord caught Ebden off guard at the net on the first match point.

Unforced errors off groundstrokes from first Ebden, then Gajdosova, off the next two points left the Australians with just one match point up their sleeve.

But Gajdosova clinched the match by passing Istomin at the net with a well-hit backhand down the line.

Australian tennis legend Margaret Court was cheering the Australians on and Ebden said she had been a big help in his career.

"I want to thank her for helping me out and being a bit of a mentor to me," he said.

Gajdosova said Ebden had guided her through the tournament.

"He tells me what to do. I just make it happen. He's a good coach," she said.

The other semi-final, between Czech pair Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak and another Czech player Kveta Peschke, partnering Poland's Marcin Matkowski, was to be played later on Friday.


14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

A-League squads: round 18

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 24 Januari 2013 | 14.23

Back on deck ... Bernie Ibini returns for the Mariners' clash with Adelaide. Source: Tracey Nearmy / AAP

The 2012-2013 A-League season is creeping towards the business end and we have all the squads for the 18th round of action.

Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United, Bluetongue Stadium, Friday, 7:30pm (EDT) - Fox Sports 1HD

Central Coast Mariners: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Zachary Anderson, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson (c), 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 9. Bernie Ibini, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 13. Brent Griffiths, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Anthony Caceres, 18. Nick Montgomery, 19. Mitchell Duke, 20. Justin Pasfield, 21. Mile Sterjovski, 23. Adam Kwasnik, 26. Nick Fitzgerald *six to be omitted

Ins: 9. Bernie Ibini (returns from overseas), 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 13. Brent Griffiths, 15. Brad McDonald, 19. Mitchell Duke (all promoted), 26. Nick Fitzgerald (new signing)

Outs: Nil 

Unavailable: 22. James Oates (ankle – 2 months)

Adelaide United: 1.Eugene Galekovic (gk) (c), 3.Nigel Boogaard, 4.Jon McKain, 6.Cassio, 8.Marcelo Carrusca, 10.Dario Vidosic, 12.Antony Golec, 14.Cameron Watson, 16.Daniel Bowles, 17.Iain Ramsay, 18.Fabian Barbiero, 19.Jake Barker-Daish, 20.Paul Izzo (gk), 21.Jeronimo Neumann, 23.Evan Kostopoulos

Ins: Nigel Boogaard (returns from injury), Marcelo Carrusca (returns from injury), Paul Izzo (gk) (returns from injury)

Outs: Iain Fyfe (omitted), Zenon Caravella (released), John Hall (gk) (returns to NYL)

Unavailable: Bruce Djite (groin – 2 weeks), Fabio Ferreira (groin – 2-3 weeks)

Referee: Peter O'Leary

Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC, AAMI Park, Saturday, 5:30pm (EDT), Fox Sports 1HD

Melbourne Victory: 1. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 3. Adama TRAORE, 5. Mark MILLIGAN, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 8. Jonathan BRU, 9. Marcos FLORES, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Marco ROJAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 18. Francesco STELLA, 22. Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 23. Adrian LEIJER, 24.Nick ANSELL, 25. Luke O'DEA, 26. Andrew NABBOUT, 39. Nathan COE (GK) *two to be omitted

Ins: 18. Francesco STELLA, 22. Jesse MAKAROUNAS (new signings), 14. Billy CELESKI (returns from suspension), 24.Nick ANSELL (returns from injury)

Outs: 21. Spase DILEVSKI (injured), 17. Jimmy JEGGO (injured)

Unavailable: 7. Gui FINKLER (knee)

Sydney FC: 2. Sebastian Ryall, 3. Fabio, 6. Jason Culina, 7. Brett Emerton, 8. Adam Griffiths, 9. Paul Reid, 10. Alessandro Del Piero, 12. Blake Powell, 13. Tiago Calvano, 15. Terry McFlynn, 17. Terry Antonis, 18. Trent McClenahan, 20. Vedran Janjetovic (gk), 21. Yairo Yau, 22. Ali Abbas, 23. Rhyan Grant, 29. Joel Griffiths, 33. Matthew Nash (gk) *three to be omitted

Ins: Adam Griffiths (returns from injury), Paul Reid, Terry Antonis (both promoted). 

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Pascal Bosschaart (heel, season), Ivan Necevski (ankle, 1 week ), Kruno Lovrek (knee, 8 weeks), Joel Chianese (thigh, 2 weeks).

Referee: Chris Beath 

Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Heart, Parramatta Stadium, Saturday, 7:45pm (EDT), Fox Sports 1HD

Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1.Ante Covic (GK), 2. Shannon Cole, 3. Adam D'Apuzzo, 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 5. Michael Beauchamp, 6. Jerome Polenz, 7. Labinot Haliti, 8. Mateo Poljak, 9. Dino Kresinger, 10. Aaron Mooy, 11. Tarek Elrich, 13. Joey Gibbs, 14. Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, 15. Reece Caira, 16. Rocky Visconte, 17. Youssouf Hersi, 18. Iacopo La Rocca, 19. Mark Bridge, 20. Jerrad Tyson (GK), 21. Shinji Ono, 23. Jason Trifiro *six to be omitted

Ins: 15. Reece Caira, 11. Tarek Elrich, 13. Joey Gibbs, 23. Jason Trifiro,  16. Rocky Visconte, 14. Kwabena Appiah-Kubi (all promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Tahj Minniecon  (foot indefinite)

Melbourne Heart FC: 1.Clint Bolton (GK), 4.Simon Colosimo, 6. Patrick Gerhardt, 8. Matthew Thompson, 10. Josip Tadic, 11. Richard Garcia, 13. Jonatan Germano,14. Golgol Mebrahtu, 15. David Williams, 17. Jason Hoffman,18. David Vrankovic, 19. Ben Garuccio, 20. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 21. Steven Gray, 22. Nick Kalmar, 24. Sam Mitchinson, 25. Jeremy Walker, 31. Vince Grella, 36. Eli Babalj

Ins: 18. David Vrankovic, 19. Ben Garuccio, 21. Steven Gray, 24. Sam Mitchinson, 36. Eli Babalj (pending transfer from Red Star Belgrade)

Outs: 5.Fred (quad – three weeks), 16. Aziz Behich (suspended – one week), 9.Dylan Macallister (groin strain – two weeks)

Unavailable: 23.Mate Dugandzic (broken foot – season)

Referee: Strebre Delovski 

Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar, nib Stadium, Saturday, 7:00pm, Fox Sports 1HD

Perth Glory: 1.Danny Vukovic (gk), 2.Jack Clisby, 3.Bas van den Brink, 5.Steve Pantelidis, 6.Nick Ward, 7.Jacob Burns (c), 8.Dean Heffernan, 9.Shane Smeltz, 11.Adrian Zahra, 12.Ryo Nagai, 13.Travis Dodd, 14.Steven McGarry, 15.Brandon O'Neill, 17.Chris Harold, 18.Jesse Makarounas, 21.Scott Jamison, 22.Ndumba Makeche, 23.Michael Thwaite, 30 Lewis Italiano (gk) *four to be omitted

Ins: 2.Jack Clisby, 11.Adrian Zahra, Brandon O'Neill, 22.Ndumba Makeche (all promoted), 23.Michael Thwaite (returns from injury).

Outs: 10.Liam Miller, 19.Josh Risdon (both suspended – 1 game)

Unavailable: Nil

Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael Theo (gk) (c), 4. Matt Jurman, 5. Ivan Franjic, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 11. Ben Halloran, 12. Julius Doe, 13. Jade North, 15. James Donachie, 17. Mitch Nichols, 18. Luke Brattan, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Matt Acton (gk), 21. James Meyer, 22. Thomas Broich, 25. George Lambadaridis, 26. Corey Brown *one to be omitted

Ins: 13. Jade North (promoted), 19. Jack Hingert (returns from injury)

Outs: 3. Shane Stefanutto (suspended – 1 week), 7. Besart Berisha (suspended – 1 week)

Unavailable: Do Dong-Hyun (knee – 1 week), Henrique (hip injury – 1 week), Matt Smith (hip injury – 2 weeks)

Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets, Westpac Stadium, Sunday, 4:30pm, Fox Sports 1HD

Wellington Phoenix: 1.Mark Paston (GK), 2. Manny Muscat,  3. Tony Lochhead,  6. Alex Smith, 7. Leo Bertos, 8. Paul Ifill, 9. Benjamin Totori, 10. Stein Huysegems, 11. Jeremy Brockie, 12. Tyler Boyd, 14, Ian Hogg, 16. Louis Fenton, 18. Ben Sigmund, 20. Glen Moss (GK), 21. Dani Sanchez, 22. Andrew Durante (C) *one to be omitted

In: 2. Manny Muscat (returns from suspension), 14. Ian Hogg (promoted).

Out: 17. Vince Lia (suspended)

Unavailable: 17. Vince Lia (suspended)

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben Kennedy (gk), 2. Scott Neville, 3. Zenon Caravella, 7. James Brown, 9. Emile Heskey, 11. Connor Chapman, 12. Josh Brillante, 13. Sam Gallaway, 14. Taylor Regan, 15. Craig Goodwin, 16. Jobe Wheelhouse, 17. James Virgili, 18. Jacob Pepper, 19. Michael Bridges, 20. Mark Birighitti (gk), 22. Adam Taggart, 23. Ryan Griffiths, 25. Mitch Cooper, 26. Andrew Hoole.

Ins: Zenon Caravella (new signing), Taylor Regan (returning from injury), Adam Taggart, Jacob Pepper, Michael Bridges, Mitch Cooper (all promoted)

Outs: Josh Mitchell (suspended), Ruben Zadkovich (suspended)

Unavailable: Ben Kantarovski (knee), Dominik Ritter (hamstring), Josh Mitchell (suspended), Ruben Zadkovich (suspended)

Referee: Ben Williams


14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Your ultimate Sydney FC-Victory XI

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Stoke the fire ... who makes your ultimate Sydney FC-Melbourne Victory XI? Source:AAP

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It's time to stoke the fires of competitive passion ahead of a tantalising round of A-League.

The season's second installment of the Big Blue between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC arrives with both teams in form and set to play in front of a sell-out crowd at AAMI Park.

Both clubs are in the proverbial 'big city key market' for the A-League – and both giants, who have won two titles each, claim to be the league's biggest club.

So what happens when you go through the A-League annals and come up with your ultimate, all-time Big Blue XI? 

Who gets the most votes? 

It's caused great debate at Fox Sports HQ, where Simon Hill, Mark Bosnich and Andy Harper have taken up the challenge, while News Limited's David Davutovic and Tom Smithies have nominated their best individual Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory outfits of all-time. 

Bozza joined foxsports.com.au to discuss his Big Blue XI – check out the video at the top of the page! 

Join the debate by leaving a comment below or by using the #bigblueXI hash tag. 

Your poll results will be revealed on Kick Off, 6.30pm (EST) on Friday night.


How do you split the likes of Archie Thompson, Alessandro Del Piero, Juninho and Dwight Yorke? 

"The most difficult area was midfield/attack," Fox Sports football expert Simon Hill said. "There's much more choice in those areas.  Juninho would be an automatic pick but for his lack of impact at Sydney, while Mark Milligan and Marco Rojas probably should be in on current form."

But what do you value in your ultimate XI? Longevity over impact? Pedigree over performance? 

What about versatility compared to where they succeeded at the club? 

Hill adds: "The full-back positions (in fact, the defence in general), was really tough to pick.  That's why I went for Muscat at right-back (although he didn't really play there in the "Big Blues") - there was no other outstanding candidate.

"Even going back through the annals only throws up names such as Simon Storey, Andrew Packer or Matthew Kemp.  Ditto at left-back, although a case could be made for Byun. 

"So I put Carney in there!  I didn't select Popovic because he only played in this fixture twice, although on pure talent, he would have been ahead of both Leijer and Vargas."

The fascinating split below is a great springboard to start the debate. And so are the omissions. Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton barely rate a mention. 

Have a look at our panel's teams, then let the debate begin.

It's over to you. In a 4-3-3 formation, who is the dominant force? Sydney? Or Melbourne? 

Andy Harper's XI: Ante Covic; Brett Emerton, Kevin Muscat, Mark Rudan, Adama Traore; Jason Culina, Mark Milligan, Alessandro Del Piero; Marco Rojas, Dwight Yorke, Archie Thompson.

Mark Bosnich's XI: Clint Bolton; Mark Milligan, Kevin Muscat, Mark Rudan, Adama Traore; Steve Corica, Dwight Yorke, Carlos Hernandez; Alessandro Del Piero, Alex Brosque, Archie Thompson.

Simon Hill's XI: Clint Bolton; Kevin Muscat, Adrian Leijer, Rodrigo Vargas, David Carney; Fred, Steve Corica, Carlos Hernandez; Alessandro Del Piero, Dwight Yorke; Archie Thompson. 

Tom Smithies's all-time Sydney FC XI (4-4-2 diamond – 10 games minimum): Clint Bolton; Andrew Packer, Simon Colosimo, Jacob Timpano, Alvin Ceccoli; Dwight Yorke; Steve Corica, Dwight Yorke, Juninho, David Carney; Alessandro Del Piero; Alex Brosque. 

David Davutovic's all-time Melbourne Victory XI (4-2-3-1 – 10 games minimum): Michael Theo; Rodrigo Vargas, Adrian Leijer, Kevin Muscat, Matt Kemp; Grant Brebner, Billy Celeski; Robbie Kruse, Carlos Hernandez, Archie Thompson; Danny Allsopp.


Tune into Kick Off, 630pm (EST) on Fox Sports 1 HD on Friday night for all the build-up to a blockbuster round. 

Tom Smithies and David Davutovic will be in the studio to debate their all-time XI and take the Sydney v Melbourne debate head-to-head. 

And if the Big Blue isn't enough for you, it's 1 v 2 between Adelaide United and Central Coast on Friday night, Sydney v Melbourne old and new on Saturday, with a grand final replay thrown in as well. 


14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Benitez blasts 'liar' Materazzi

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 23 Januari 2013 | 14.23

LIES, LIES: Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez says former player Marco Materazzi is lying. Picture: Sang Tan Source: Sang Tan / AP

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has described Marco Materazzi as "a liar" after the former Inter Milan defender criticised the Spaniard's brief spell in charge of the Italian giants.

Materazzi was quoted by France Football as saying that if he had the choice, he would never appoint Benitez as a manager, that he made players feel like schoolboys and that he had tried to undo everything that had made Inter successful under predecessor Jose Mourinho.

"The Inter that won the treble in 2009-10 was well behaved, hard working, disciplined, knew how to go about things," Materazzi said.

"A great coach, like Jose Mourinho or Lippi, lays down unwritten rules on a squad. But Benitez wanted to have 10 or 12 written rules. It was like the highway code or being at school."

Materazzi also said that Benitez had all the photographs at Inter's training ground featuring Mourinho, one of his Chelsea's predecessors who continues to be linked with a return to Stamford Bridge, removed.

But Benitez had no time for Materazzi's account on Tuesday, telling reporters: "He's lying. Marco Materazzi is lying. He's lying, just lying.

"Everything that he said is a lie."

Tuesday's news conference was called, as far as Benitez was concerned, to discuss Chelsea's League Cup semi-final second leg away to Swansea on Wednesday, where the Blues will look to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit.

And that meant the manager, whose Liverpool links allied to the fact he replaced fans' favourite Roberto di Matteo have seen him repeatedly jeered by Chelsea supporters, was in no mood to talk about reports that current Real Madrid boss Mourinho was in regular contact with the London club's owner, Roman Abramovich.

The Portuguese was a popular, trophy-winning, figure during his time at Stamford Bridge and has long been linked with a return to Chelsea.

However, Benitez said: "In Spain, as in England, we have the same situation: we have a window for football, tactics and Swansea; there is another window for other issues.

"We talk about contracts and other things at the other window. This window is for football and tactics."

Benitez added England left-back Ashley Cole had agreed a one-year contract extension, something both Chelsea and the player confirmed later Tuesday on the European champions' website.

However, doubt remains over the future of two more Chelsea stalwarts in midfielder Frank Lampard and club captain John Terry.

Former England skipper Terry, who has 18 months left on his contract, has made just one brief substitute appearance since suffering a knee injury in the first half of a draw with Liverpool.

Asked if, as a result, the 32-year-old central defender was annoyed, Benitez replied: "No. I think he knows he will need time. He'll be involved in the squad and is an option."

Chelsea's first-leg loss to Premier League rivals Swansea means they must win the second leg against the Welsh club by three clear goals if they are to take the tie on the away goals rule.

However, Benitez said he did not plan to field both Fernando Torres and fellow striker Demba Ba in his starting line-up.

"It's not easy for us to play both at the same time given the quality of the players playing behind," Benitez said. "It's an option for 15 minutes, and we can do it if necessary.

"We have to go there and try to win. Not just 1-0 -- we have to do a bit better than that. But we can do it. We have enough quality."


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Re-sign Price, Creagh tells Dragons

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Feeling the heat ... Dragons coach Steve Price. Source: COLIN WHELAN / AAP

Embattled St George Illawarra coach Steve Price has the full support of the NRL club's playing group and should be re-signed by the Dragons, according to newly-minted captain Ben Creagh.

Price has been under enormous pressure to keep his position, with Melbourne's premiership-winning coach Craig Bellamy heavily courted.

Bellamy reportedly knocked back a $5 million offer from the Dragons, who remain interested - but Creagh believes they have the right man sitting in the hot seat already.

Speaking at the Charity Shield launch on Wednesday, Creagh was defiant when asked if he wanted Price to continue beyond this season: "100 per cent - he was great for us last year and he's doing a great job right now."

The Dragons misfired in Price's first season after he took over from seven-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett - missing the finals for just the second time since 2003.

But Creagh said Price was in no danger of losing the support of the playing group, suggesting he had learned from his debut season and had developed into a top-line coach.

"I don't need to speak to him and reassure him. He knows it," Creagh added.

"He's doing a great job for us at the moment.

"Pre-season has been the toughest I've been involved in, in every aspect.

"On the field, in our training drills with the coach, it's been extremely tough.

"He's doing all the right things. And the players are doing all the right things getting behind him with the attitude and work ethic towards training too.

"... I thought he was really good in his first season ... He's definitely got a bit more of a spring into his step this pre-season with how he approaches his training and how he's coaching us at the moment."

Price has refused to be drawn on the saga and, on Wednesday, he reiterated that it had not been a distraction during pre-season.

The 35-year-old admitted he could understand why his superiors at the Dragons would enquire about Bellamy.

"At the end of the day, it's like all clubs. They've got a responsibility when players come off contract that they can look at other players when they come off contract," he said.

"So it's no different to what position I'm in but, at the end of the day, my sole focus is this year, 2013, and I'm really looking forward to kicking off our first two trials and getting down to Melbourne in round one.

"It's not a distraction to me whatsoever."

Bellamy has said he'll have his future settled before Melbourne set off for the World Club Challenge against Leeds in England on February 12.

Price said he wanted to stay at the Dragons long term.

"I'm a very driven sort of guy but I don't buy into all that media speculation that's been surrounding us since prior to Christmas,'' he said.

"As I said, my sole focus is 2013. I love this footy club, I'd love to be part of it for many years to come but I'm very focused on this year."


14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ferrer advances after huge comeback

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 22 Januari 2013 | 14.23

King of Spain ... David Ferrer during his quarter-final win over Nicolas Almagro. Source: AAP

Spain's Nicolas Almagro blew three chances to serve out his match against compatriot David Ferrer, who pounced on the opportunity to seal an unlikely Australian Open semi-final berth.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round QF, 22/01/13

Fer (4) 4 4 7 7 6
Alm (10) 6 6 5 6 2

Almagro had never beaten world No.5 Ferrer in 12 meetings but looked a near certainty to make it through to the last four at a grand slam for the first time after winning the opening two sets and then serving for the match.

Instead Ferrer clawed his way back to triumph 4-6 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.

Almagro injured his groin midway through the tiebreak and never troubled Ferrer in the deciding set.

"He had a lot of chances to win," Ferrer said.

"I tried to fight every point, it's in my game."

In a stunning showing in the opening two sets, the 27-year-old world No.11 dominated Ferrer with his huge serve and devastating one-handed backhand.

However, just when it appeared Almagro would wrap it up in straight sets, serving for the match up 5-4, Ferrer showed his fighting qualities to break back with a belting forehand down the line.

He then held his serve and broke Almagro again as he won four straight games to wrap up the third set.

The pair traded breaks early in the fourth before Almagro had the chance to serve for the match but crumbled again.

Ferrer gave him yet another chance to wrap up the match but he was unable to take it and the contest went to a tiebreak, where Almagro injured his groin stretching for a drive volley.

Ferrer, who reached the semi-finals at Melbourne Park in 2011, will play the winner of Tuesday night's match between world No.1 Serb Novak Djokovic and fifth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych.
 


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Pattinson picked for Shield return

Return ... James Pattinson has been picked to play for Victoria. Source: Julian Smith / AAP

Test quick James Pattinson returns to first-class cricket on Thursday in Victoria's Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia after a two-month layoff.

The 22-year-old speedster broke down with a rib injury in the second Test against South Africa in Adelaide in November but has made a successful return via grade cricket and picked up 3-38 for Dandenong last weekend.

Pattinson's return is a boost for Australia's selectors as they attempt to finalise a squad due to be named next week for the upcoming four-Test tour of India.

David Hussey, who is hoping at 35 to force his way into Test calculations despite averaging only 17.14 at Shield level this season, has been named to play for the Bushrangers in a busy week which includes Wednesday night's fifth one-day international against Sri Lanka in Hobart.

However, Victoria have not included Clint McKay, who's also part of Australia's ODI squad for the Hobart game.peIt's understood Cricket Australia were happy for a batsman such as Hussey to back up the following day for a four-day game but not a pace bowler.

McKay and Hussey were both left out of Australia's T20 squad for clashes against Sri Lanka on Saturday in Sydney and in Melbourne two days later.

Hussey's 39-game tally of T20I matches is the second-highest by an Australian, trailing only David Warner's 42.

Hussey's role as a batsman/offspinner has been taken by Glenn Maxwell in the national T20 side and Maxwell's potential Test-squad selection is also a threat to Hussey's India tour hopes.

Legspinners Fawad Ahmed and James Muirhead are both in line for their Shield debuts after being named in Victoria's squad.

Ahmed, 33, played 10 first-class games in Pakistan before being granted asylum in Australia.

The 19-year-old Muirhead has been 12th man in two Shield games this season.

Victorian coach Greg Shipperd said the second-placed Bushrangers were thrilled to have Pattinson back in the side for the clash with the fifth-placed Redbacks.

"His presence at the start of the (season) led to us putting points on the board and we're hoping his impact against South Australia can be just as dramatic," Shipperd said on Tuesday.

"We'll assess the conditions before we decide on the final make-up of the team but, from a national selection perspective, we've selected two legspinners who may come into calculations in the future."

The spin duo of Ahmed and Muirhead and pace bowlers Will Sheridan and Scott Boland are potential candidates for the 12th-man role as they compete for three available spots.

Victorian squad: Cameron White (capt), Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, Michael Hill, David Hussey, James Muirhead, James Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Will Sheridan.


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Chardy, Tsonga through to last eight

Written By Unknown on Senin, 21 Januari 2013 | 14.23

Impressive ... Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is through to the last eight. Source: Mark Dadswell / AAP

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has joined fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Tsonga accounted for another French player, ninth seed Richard Gasquet 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2 in a fourth-round clash.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 21/01/13

Tso (7) 6 3 6 6
Gas (9) 4 6 3 2

Tsonga will play the winner of the match between Roger Federer and young Canadian Milos Raonic.

Earlier, Chardy won through to his first grand slam quarter-final after beating Italian Andreas Seppi.

Chardy booked a berth in the final eight with a 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over the 21st seed.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 21/01/13

Cha 5 6 6 6
Sep (21) 7 3 2 2

Missed a result? Catch all the Australian Open scores here!

In five previous appearances at Melbourne Park, he'd never made it further than the second round, with his former best grand slam effort the fourth round at the French Open back in 2008.

The world No.36 will play the winner of the fourth-round meeting between third seed Andy Murray and another Frenchman, 14th seed Gilles Simon.


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Tomic Jnr out of Aussie Open

Brave fight ... Bernard Tomic's sister, Sara, bows out. Source: Mark Dadswell / AAP

An encouraging text from big brother Bernie wasn't enough to help Sara Tomic upset German fourth seed Antonia Lottner in the second round of the Australian Open junior girls tournament.

Wildcard Tomic tested Lottner, who was a semi-finalist at both the French Open and US Open juniors last year, before succumbing 6-1 2-6 6-3.

The 14-year-old sister of Australia's top men's player Bernard said she was happy to take a set off her 16-year-old big-serving rival.

"I'm proud of the way I played,'' said Sara.

"I had some chances in the first set that I didn't take and the same in the third but overall I feel like I'm progressing really well the last couple of months and that's the main thing for me.''

Former Australian Open junior champion Bernard, who was eliminated by grand slam guru Roger Federer last week, flew out of Melbourne and missed Sara's match.

But he sent her a text to inspire her for the challenge.

'He said 'Work hard, focus on what you need to do and you can do anything'.

"I had tears in my eyes with him saying that.''

She said she intended to seek him out for some tips on improving her court movement - something notably better in his recent game.

Despite bowing out early, Sara, who is also intent on being the world No.1, said the Tomics rated the Open as a success.

"My mum is so proud of my brother and me.

"We're working so much harder and we're improving a lot.''

In other junior results by Australians, wildcard Oliver Anderson almost caused a boilover against top seed Nikola Milojevic in their second round match.

The 14-year-old pushed the Serb before bowing out 6-2 1-6 8-6.

Marc Polmans lost to Croatian 11th seed Borna Coric 6-1 6-1 and another wildcard Akira Santillan fell to Japan's 14th seed Yoshihito Nishioka.


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Ferrer, Almagro to face off in quarters

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 20 Januari 2013 | 14.23

Quiet achiever ... Ferrer is moving through the draw in fine style. Source:AAP

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The forgotten man of the Australian Open served up a reminder of his quality on Sunday.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 20/01/13

Fer (4) 6 6 6
Nis (16) 2 1 4

No.4 seed David Ferrer obliterated 16th seed Kei Nishikori on Rod Laver Arena 6-2 6-1 6-4 to move into the quarter-finals and a showdown with No.10 seed Nicolas Almagro, who was the beneficiary of Janko Tipsarevic's retirement.

Ferrer's magnificent chasing and defensive play was a feature of the two hour, 10 minute fourth-round encounter.

A tough first service game was as hard as it got for the Spaniard early as he broke Asia's highest ranked player to go up 3-1 in the first set and closed it out with relative ease.

But what followed in the second set was at times breathtaking as Ferrer steamed to a 5-0 lead, the Japanese player allowed no chance to find rhythm.

As if to put an exclamation point on his dominance, Ferrer saved three break points before eventually serving out the set.

Nishikori, who appeared to be hampered by a knee problem late in the match, battled hard in the third set.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round 4, 20/01/13

They traded breaks of serve throughout - the decisive one coming in the ninth game on Nishikori as Ferrer grabbed a 5-4 advantage, before he comfortably served out the match.

"I played really good the first two sets - I didn't have any mistakes," Ferrer told the Rod Laver Arena crowd post-match.

"So now I am in the quarter-final of the Australian Open. I am very satisfied."

Barely mentioned as the Melbourne Park focus has been squarely on the men's big three of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer, Ferrer remains on track for a semi-final with top seed Djokovic should the pair keep winning.

But he will first have to get past countryman Almagro, who had an even easier path to the quarter-finals.

The Spaniard was leading 6-2 5-1 when Tipsarevic retired hurt with what appeared to be a foot injury from late in the first set.

The Serb called a medical time-out when down 5-2 in the first and returned to the court with his ankle and foot heavily strapped and padding on his heel.

But the No.8 seed was unable to finish the second set, calling it quits just past the one hour mark.

Tipsarevic had been involved in an epic five-setter in the previous round before prevailing over France's Julien Benneteau and that may have contributed to his injury.
 


14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Arnie denies breaching touchline ban

Trouble? ... Graham Arnold has been accused of breaching his ban. Source: Mark Scott / News Limited

Central Coast Mariners are unconcerned by accusations coach Graham Arnold breached a one-match A-League touchline ban by allegedly communicating with his bench during Saturday's draw with Newcastle.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond attempted to raise the matter with the fourth official during the game and mentioned it in the post-match press conference, questioning match officials' ability to enforce the ban.

Arnold was banished to the stands for abusing officials in the round 16 draw with Melbourne Victory and van Egmond became suspicious when he noticed Mariners assistant coach Phil Moss and goalkeeping coach John Crawley on the sideline communicating with a third party via an earpiece.

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"The rules are the rules ... if I was the fourth official and I saw one of the assistant coaches with an earpiece and a walkie talkie and, you know, the coach isn't actually on the bench, what would you think?" van Egmond said.

For much of the first half Arnold was in the private box of stadium lease-holder John Singleton while assistant Moss called the shots. The former Socceroos coach later moved to sit on his own.

Moss denied any contact with Arnold in the post-match press conference, saying he was instead speaking with midfielder Adriano Pellegrino, who was their designated eyes in the stand and the Mariners repeated those assertions on Sunday.

"There was no contact between Graham Arnold and the sideline," a club official told AAP.

"It is not the first time we have used someone to read a game up high in the stands ... Patrick Zwaanswijk also did it recently."

An investigation into the matter will result if the incident is mentioned in the match report of the Match Commissioner or the fourth official, which is lodged on Monday, or the Jets make an official complaint.

If Arnold is hauled before the league, sanctions would include a further, lengthier ban and a hefty fine.

"FFA will wait for the reports of the Match Commissioner and the Match Officials, which is the normal course in these matters," said an FFA spokesman.

"If the Newcastle Jets wish to make a formal submission that will be dealt with on its merits, but at this stage FFA has no basis to make any comment on the speculation about a breach of disciplinary regulations."

Arnold has been sailing close to the wind for a little while now.peHe had a running battle with a Western Sydney fan during his team's 2-0 loss to the Wanderers in round 15 and there were suggestions that he continued communicating with his bench despite being sent from the field against the Victory.

But it would surprise if he so openly flouted the one match ban.

The accusations were the main talking point in the aftermath of a rather subdued F3 derby which resulted in the Mariners extending their lead at the top of the A-League ladder, after both sides failed to make the most of a series of chances to break the 0-0 deadlock in the final 20 minutes.


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