SPORTS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

Ethiopia 2 games away from football history

JOHANNESBURG: In African football, it’s usually the ballers of any great renown. But sport loves underdogs and the World Cup To reach the last 10 African teams in the World unexpected marvels that capture the world’s atten- There still aren’t - although that could be about loves African success stories. Milla became a global Cup playoffs, came through a qualifying tion. In 1990, it was Cameroon’s stunning win over to change. To become one of five African teams that star in 1990 at the age of 38 as his Indomitable Lions group containing 2010 host South Africa, Central Argentina and its subsequent path to the quarterfi- will travel to the World Cup in Brazil next June, shook world football, and Senegal went on to reach African Republic and Botswana. It also overcame nals of the World Cup, highlighted by Roger Milla’s Ethiopia must beat current African champion the quarterfinals in 2002 after beating old colonial being docked three points for fielding ineligible iconic hip-wiggling dance at the corner flag. In 2002, Nigeria in the qualifying playoffs. The first match is power France in its first World Cup. In South Africa Minyahile Beyene while he was sus- it was Senegal defeating world champion France at this coming Sunday in Stadium. The three years ago, Ghana provided one of the most pended. Sellout crowds in Addis Ababa drive the the showcase tournament, prompting fans to return fixture is Nov 16. Nigeria, Africa’s most popu- gripping story lines as the entire continent rallied team on. What players lack in technique they slaughter cockerels, the French mascot, on the lous country, has played in four of the last five World behind the Black Stars on their march to the knock- make up for with endurance. This is a country of streets of Dakar. Now, Ethiopia is just two games Cups. It can call upon stars including Chelsea’s John out round in the first World Cup held in Africa. runners, after all, although sometimes it only away from achieving another feat that once seemed Obi Mikel, Liverpool’s Victor Moses and players from Having reached the quarterfinals, only Luis takes a single event for a sport to take a larger inconceivable - simply reaching the 2014 World Cup. the Italian and Spanish leagues. Suarez’s infamous deliberate handball on the goal foothold. Champion of Africa in 1962, Ethiopia fell off the Ethiopia has never played in football’s showcase line and Asamoah Gyan’s subsequent missed penal- In 1980, around the last time Ethiopia qualified football map for three decades. Civil war ravaged competition. Its appearance at the Africa Cup of ty that rebounded off the crossbar prevented Ghana for a major football tournament, future Olympic the country, and terrible famine killed nearly half a Nations this January was its first at a major tourna- from becoming the first African nation to reach the distance running champion million people in the early 1980s. Sport still played a ment in 31 years. And few outside of Ethiopia will semifinals. The passion for easily was 7 years old. He stole his father’s radio and ran part in the country, as world-beating runners hard- have heard of , its top player. The striker matches those West African nations. At the African into the fields around his home to listen to com- ened by poverty and high altitude continued to has made the biggest mark - if it can be called that - Cup this January, Ethiopia fans unfurled a banner mentary from Moscow of Miruts Yifter winning come out of Ethiopia. After barefoot Abebe Bikila of any player on Ethiopia’s national team by playing that read: “We’re sorry for our behavior but we love the 10,000-meter gold at the Summer Games. won back-to-back marathon golds at the 1960 for Belgian club Lierse. A couple of other squad the game.” That was after supporters hurled plastic That day, Gebrselassie decided that he, too, want- and 1964 Tokyo games, successive genera- members play in Libya and Kazakhstan. Ethiopia is bottles onto the field, furious at a straight red card ed to be an Olympic champion. If they get past tions of Ethiopian Olympic champions inspired the the only team that coach Sewnet Bishaw, a school- shown to Ethiopia’s goalkeeper for a flying chest- Nigeria, it could be Saladin and his teammates next. But there were no longer any Ethiopian foot- teacher, has ever managed. high kick on a Zambia striker. leaving a similar legacy next year in Brazil.— AP Southampton’s rise highlights intrigue

LONDON: Southampton’s unlikely rise to fourth in the encapsulates a start to the season that is making the race for the title one of the most entertaining and unpre- dictable in years. Following a two-week break for World Cup qualifiers, the Saints will travel to champions Manchester United on the back of three straight victories and five clean sheets in seven outings, a remarkable effort for a side spending just its second season back in English soccer’s top tier after a seven-year absence. A trip to Old Trafford is one that many teams fear but given United have already lost three league games under new manager David Moyes, including a 4-1 thrashing by Manchester City, the south coast club will head north with a renewed sense of optimism and expectation. “I always look forward to this kind of pressure in my career, it is what I thrive on, what I relish,” manager Mauricio Pochettino said after his side’s 2-0 win over Swansea City on Sunday. “The players need to be a lot more self-demanding, very ambitious and learn how to withstand the great expectation that is being placed on them.” Southampton are not the only team ignoring expectations, with Arsenal, buoyed by the record-signing of : Juventus’ defender (right) and Juventus’ defender celebrate after scoring dur- German Mesut Ozil, sitting on top of the league after ing the football match against AC Milan. — AFP a rare goal from Jack Wilshere secured a point at West Bromwich Albion. Milan undone by Pirlo’s majestic free kicks Arsenal had been expected to struggle, but have not lost a match since the opening day defeat to Aston Villa and lead Genoa grab late draw; Sampdoria goal ruled out Liverpool on goal difference at the Premier League summit. It is a sign of the progress being made under Brendan Rodgers that MILAN: ’s majestic free kicks and a stunning entrance in a typically exquisite free kick. The game was evenly-balanced, the Liverpool manager was upset with his side’s 3-1 win over from undid AC Milan as Juventus recovered tense and niggly until a disastrous six-minute spell for the visitors. Crystal Palace on Saturday. “I was probably as disappointed as from conceding a goal after only 20 seconds to beat their bitter Giovinco replaced in the 67th minute and I’ve ever been because we played counter-attack football and rivals 3-2 in Serie A on Sunday. Pirlo, who spent ten seasons at put Juventus in front two minutes later, brilliantly twisting past we didn’t keep the ball so well,” the Northern Irishman told the Milan, cancelled out Sulley Muntari’s lightning strike by scoring Cristian Zapata and slotting in from close range. Milan defender club’s website (www.liverpoolfc.com). direct from a free kick and saw another effort hit the bar and fall for Philippe Mexes was sent off for a second booking, Pirlo crashed the Giorgio Chiellini to fire home for Juve’s third. resulting free kick against the crossbar and Chiellini volleyed home ‘BIG DOUBTS’ In between, substitute Giovinco put Juventus 2-1 ahead two the rebound from the edge of the area. Muntari gave Milan hope Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 home loss to West Ham United and minutes after coming on as the titleholders kept up the pressure when he dispossessed Paul Pogba and blasted a deflected shot Manchester City’s reverses to Cardiff City and Aston Villa have on AS Roma, who made it seven wins out of seven on Saturday past but it was too late. reinforced the message that nothing can be taken for granted. with a 3-0 victory at previously unbeaten . Napoli also Napoli made light of injured striker Gonzalo Higuain’s absence Everton are also going well, starting the season with a six- stayed in touch with the leaders by brushing aside Livorno 4-0 ear- due to a calf muscle injury against Livorno. After suffering their first match unbeaten run, which included a win over Chelsea, and SOUTHAMPTON: Southampton’s Kenyan midfielder Victor lier on Sunday while there was plenty of drama elsewhere. There defeat of the season in the Champions League at Arsenal on Hull have surprised many by taking 11 points in their opening Wanyama celebrates a goal which was then disallowed in were shades of the 1978 World Cup when Sampdoria had a goal Tuesday, Napoli were quickly back on track when Goran Pandev seven games to sit one place above Manchester United in the this file photo during the English Premier League football cancelled out at home to Torino because the referee had blown for fired them ahead after three minutes. Switzerland midfielder table. “I think the league will be open until the end,” Chelsea match. — AFP halftime seconds before the ball entered the net. Gokhan Inler added the second when his curling 30-metre shot manager Jose Mourinho said. Genoa snatched a late 1-1 draw at Catania as coach Gian Piero slipped through Francesco Bardi’s hands in the 26th minute before “Some teams are being helped by the fixtures, because Not all are convinced that the early-season pace-setters Gasperini returned for a second stint at the club after some atro- Jose Callejon and Marek Hamsik completed the rout in the second some fixtures are more difficult than others. I think Manchester have the quality to last the distance, however. “People are say- cious defending by both teams while Parma played the entire sec- half. Winless Sampdoria took a first-half lead against Torino United had the most difficult ones, playing at home against ing it is the most open Premier League for years but, as far as I ond half with 10 men and still beat Sassuolo 3-1. There were ugly through Gianluca Sansone and thought they had added a second Chelsea, away against Liverpool and Manchester City. “Some am concerned, the favorites at the start are still the favorites - scenes at Bologna where visiting Hellas fans chanted when Nicola Pozzi tapped the ball in after ’s free other teams not so much. By the end of November, beginning the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea,” former Liverpool throughout the minute’s silence for victims of the Lampedusa kick was spilled by goalkeeper Daniele Padelli. But referee Andrea of December, everybody basically played everyone and then defender Alan Hansen told the BBC. “Early on in the season, migrant boat disaster before seeing their team win 4-1. Gervasoni had already blown for halftime and ruled out the goal we will find someone in a better situation than others. But I teams will start slowly and others like Southampton start really Other games were also preceded by a minute’s silence, impec- amid furious protests. The incident was reminiscent of a match at believe this is a situation that could go all the way with big well. The table only starts to tell a story when we are 15-20 cably observed elsewhere, after a boat carrying around 500 the 1978 World Cup when Brazil had a last-minute winner ruled doubts about positions and that is good.” games in,” former Wales striker John Hartson added. — Reuters migrants sank off the island of Lampedusa on Thursday. The Italian out against Sweden because the referee blew for time while the authorities say 181 bodies have been recovered and more than a ball was in the air after a corner had been taken. hundred are still missing. Roma top the table with 21 points, fol- and , from a penalty, put Torino 2- lowed by Napoli and Juventus on 19. There is then five-point gap 1 ahead after the break, only for Sampdoria to be on the right to Inter while Milan are down in 12th place on eight points. end of a controversial decision when Eder won and converted a stoppage-time penalty. Genoa, who fired after NIGGLY MATCH three games and brought back Gasperini last week, grabbed a Milan kicked off and were immediately in front when Ghana point when Catania defender got in front of midfielder Muntari turned in ’s deflected shot. his goalkeeper and a forward at the near post to head a cross But Juve were level after 15 minutes when playmaker Pirlo curled into his own net. —Reuters Boca upset River in ‘superclasico’

BUENOS AIRES: Striker Emmanuel Gigliotti scored his third goal in two games to give Boca Juniors a 1-0 win at River Plate in the ‘supercla- LONDON: This handout picture received from the Football Association shows Referee Howard Webb makes the coin toss sico’ and lift them to third in the Argentine as Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in his role as The President of The Football Association attends the first ever foot- ‘Inicial’ championship on Sunday. The 23rd- ball match at Buckingham Palace between Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC as part of The FA’s 150th anniversary and minute goal and Boca’s victory celebrations an awards ceremony celebrating football’s grassroots heroes at Buckingham Palace. — AFP met with an eerie silence from the crowd of 60,000 at the Monumental stadium, with away ‘Mind the windows!’ William fans banned at first division matches since the end of last season in an effort to curb hooligan violence. tells Buckingham footballers Boca, who have gone four matches without conceding a goal and picked up 10 points in LONDON: Britain’s Prince William warned footballers to watch the the head groundsman from Wembley Stadium, Tony Stones. Civil the process, are on 19, four behind leaders and Buckingham Palace windows yesterday as Queen Elizabeth II’s Service are the sole surviving football club from the 11 teams who title-holders Newell’s Old Boys halfway official residence staged the first football match in its 308-year his- founded the FA in a public house in central London in 1863 and through the first of two championships in the tory. A match between two of England’s oldest amateur teams later drafted the game’s 13 original laws. Polytechnic were formed season. Newell’s won 2-0 at Quilmes on took place in the 39-acre gardens of the famous central London in 1875. Prior to kick-off, William shook hands with the players and Saturday with San Lorenzo second on 20 landmark as part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of spoke to match referee Howard Webb, Britain’s most high-profile points after a 0-0 draw at home to Tigre. River the Football Association. referee, who previously took charge of the 2010 World Cup final. dropped to seventh, nine points off the pace, William, president of the FA and second in line to the British With Owen standing nearby, the Duke of Cambridge joked: after Racing Club’s woeful season worsened throne, was on hand to oversee the event, although the Queen, “Michael’s available as a super sub.” Although William did not play with a 1-0 home loss at El Cilindro to Atletico his grandmother, was not present. “This magnificent home, in the match, which took place beneath bright autumnal sun- Rafaela, who are now fifth. Racing are bottom Buckingham Palace, is at the heart of the nation, and so there can- shine, he did take part in a training session alongside members of with two points and have a 3-18 goals record not be a more fitting setting to celebrate our national game, and the palace’s own football squad. in 10 matches. Boca, who weathered an early to celebrate all of you,” he told volunteers and guests including FA The self-proclaimed Aston Villa fan sported a pair of orange storm of River attacks, went ahead when Juan chairman Greg Dyke and former England striker Michael Owen. Nike football boots for the occasion, which were reportedly given Roman Riquelme sent a pass out wide to the William said he was “excited” to see “football on my grand- to him as a gift by Manchester United and England striker Wayne right, Juan Manuel Martinez crossed low and mother’s lawn,” before joking: “One warning, though: if anyone Rooney. The Civil Service team presented William with two minia- Gigliotti deflected the ball past goalkeeper breaks a window, you can answer to her.” ture football shirts for his new son, Prince George-one red and into the net. “We didn’t want The palace has played host to pop concerts in the past, as well one white, both with ‘HRH 1’ on the back. It was Polytechnic who ARGENTINA: River Plate forward Rodrigo Mora (left) vies for the ball Newell’s to get away from us. We’re going to as two boxing matches, but never a game of football. prevailed in the Southern Amateur League game, however, win- with Boca Juniors’ defender Nahuel Zarate during their Argentine fight for the title to the end,” former Argentina Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC, both from Chiswick in west ning 2-1. Polytechic’s manager, Geoff Brown, said the experience First Division football match. — AFP playmaker Riquelme told reporters.—Reuters London, faced off on a pitch specially prepared by a team led by was “something very special”.—AFP