WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016 SPORTS You’re off! Ref shows six red cards in fiery clash

SYDNEY: A referee had his hands full as sent off. Anish Khem was the hero for the 81st-minute melee resulted in another Nadi goals and another dismissal. Khem made the game very difficult for the he brandished six red cards during a fiery Fijian team, scoring all four goals. It was a double sending-off-Nadi goalkeeper completed his hat-trick in the sixth remaining players on the field,” he said. Oceania Champions League match that routine game until the 44th minute Vereti Dickson and Kiwi FC’s Lionel Taylor minute of stoppage time to level the “The discipline of some of the players let ended 4-3 and saw nine minutes of stop- when a player from each side was given were both banished by referee Time. scores and made it a four- haul with us down.” While six red cards in one page time. his marching orders by referee George Nadi then pulled a goal back on 87 a 98th-minute winner. In between, Nadi’s match is highly unusual, the world record The clash on Monday between Time from the Solomon Islands for their minutes before there was another send- Napolioni Qasevakatini was ordered off, in a single game is reportedly 36, when Samoa’s Kiwi FC and Nadi FA of Fiji fol- part in a fracas, with Kiwi FC leading 3-1, ing-off seconds later when Kiwi substi- leaving both sides with just eight players. the official dismissed all the players, sub- lowed a match earlier in the day between the Oceania Football Confederation said tute Lawrie Letutusa saw red. Because Nadi coach Kamal Swamy said he didn’t stitutes and coaches in an Argentinian Magenta of New Caledonia and Tefana on their website. of all the interruptions, nine minutes of know what to make of it all. fifth-tier game in 2011, British media from Tahiti in which three players were There was little further drama until an time were added which saw two more “We lacked discipline today which reported at the time.— AFP

Stand-in goalkeeper Vardy hails Leicester camaraderie

LONDON: Jamie Vardy has revealed he were at the start of the season, to be hon- acts as a makeshift goalkeeper in training est,” Vardy said. “It’s a tight-knit squad and as Leicester City’s top scorer gave an insight that’s how we have been from day one. into the camaraderie underpinning their “We always seem to be having a laugh. unlikely Premier League title march. In the warm-up in training, there are sprint ’s side are closing in on contests around different mannequins. English football’s biggest prize and require “For some reason Huthy has ended up in nine points from their five remaining the top group. I don’t know how, but if he matches to confound all the pre-season gets turned round the mannequins first predictions by finishing top of the pile in and puts his arm out then that’s it, you’re May. Vardy has played a major role in their not going to get past him. success, with the 29-year-old’s two goals in “It’s another thing we’re always having a Sunday’s 2-0 victory at Sunderland taking laugh and a joke about. That is how we are, his tally for the campaign to 21. everyone is relaxed. The gaffer (manager) It is almost certain to earn him a place in wants it to be like that. “There’s plenty of Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Euro banter flying round about who gets the 2016, but he says that Ranieri’s desire to most assists in games, and Danny rest his goalkeepers means he has few Drinkwater has killed me, but to be honest opportunities to hone his finishing in train- we all have a few cheeky digs at each other ing. “I don’t really get a chance to practise over it, a little laugh and joke about things.” my finishing that much,” he told reporters Drinkwater is another to have won England after Sunday’s victory at the Stadium of recognition on the back of a fine season in Light. “When we have shooting drills, it’s Leicester’s midfield and caught the eye quite early in the week when the gaffer is wanting us to rest our keepers. with a raking pass from deep that created “So normally when there is a bit of Vardy’s first goal at Sunderland. shooting, he tells me to go in goal! I’m “There isn’t a secret to the dressing- happy to keep doing it if it means I’m help- room camaraderie, it’s just that we’re a ing the keepers remain fresh for the bunch of lads that get along,” said the 26- LONDON: Manchester United’s manager , center, holds his hand to his head, flanked by assistant coach , ight,r with games.” Leicester have carried forward the year-old former Manchester United trainee. the score at 0-0 during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. — AP momentum from last season, when they “We’re all willing to work hard for each oth- pulled off an extraordinary escape from rel- er on the pitch and it shows by how well egation by winning seven of their last nine we graft out results. games. Vardy says that friendly mickey-tak- “We’re guaranteed a top-four place and Man Utd, West Ham in ‘last ing among the squad also plays a central that’s massive. A lot of the lads probably part in helping to keep the mood positive. didn’t realise how close we were to it and German defender Robert Huth, in particu- it’s just another step closer to our ultimate chance’ of FA Cup replay lar, has found himself the butt of some of dream. “People talk about three wins need- the banter fostered by the avuncular ed now, but one thing I was taught as a Ranieri, 64, whose appointment last year youngster at Manchester United was to LONDON: Having each seen their Champions Van Gaal could be boosted by the return of - for us.” Carroll’s time at West Ham has been ham- was met with ridicule in some quarters and keep focused on the job. League qualification hopes fade at the weekend, tain Wayne Rooney, who had a run-out for the pered by injuries and despite the likely unavail- saw the club instantly installed as relega- “My upbringing at that club is probably West Ham United and Manchester United club’s under-21s on Monday after missing 12 ability of fellow striker Diafra Sakho, Bilic refused tion favourites by British bookmakers. something that is going to stand me in approach today’s FA Cup quarter-final replay games with a knee injury. to confirm if he would start on Wednesday. good stead. We’re taking it game by game with special motivation to progress. But given a choice of venues for such a piv- “I’m not blaming him, but it’s a fact that he’s ‘CHEEKY DIGS’ and I can’t see that changing anytime For West Ham, the competition represents a otal encounter in his United tenure, it is reason- out every now and then,” said the Croatian, who “We’re the same bunch of lads as we soon.” — AFP final opportunity to crown their farewell season able to assume that the Boleyn Ground would is bidding to lead West Ham into the last four for at the Boleyn Ground, which stages its last ever have been among the very last names on Van the first time since they last reached the final in FA Cup tie, with a piece of silverware. Gaal’s list. 2006. “The medical team and the club are doing Visiting manager Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, The venerable east London stadium, West everything they can with Andy and he is doing it, may need to win the FA Cup, which his side Ham’s home since 1904, will be charged with but he should be even better if he can stay away hasn’t won since 2004, if he is to stand any emotion and has already provided the scene for from those injuries for a few years. “Because it’s a chance of holding onto his job, after Sunday’s 3- a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Liverpool in a fourth- waste for West Ham, it’s a waste for England, but 0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur left his side four round replay, as well as league wins over it’s the biggest waste for him. “Will he start points off the Champions League places with Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea. against Man United? I hope he’s going to be fit only six games of the season remaining. Arsenal almost became the latest heavy- for Man United. I don’t think Sakho or (Alex) Song “It is the last chance of a title so it is very weights to fall to Slaven Bilic’s side on Saturday, will be fit for that game.” —AP important for the players, for the club, for the when Andy Carroll scored a typically emphatic manager, for the fans,” said the Dutchman, who hat-trick as West Ham came from 2-0 down to is yet to win a trophy in close to two full seasons rescue a 3-3 draw. at Old Trafford. “And still we have one day less Matches on TV than West Ham United, because that’s also ‘THE ANDY CARROLL SHOW’ (Local Timings) important. But we have proved against Arsenal United’s defence was breached three times in and Man City (in the Premier League) that in six fraught minutes at Tottenham and Van Gaal UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE spite of less days to recover we could beat them. could not disguise his discomfort at the thought “So I hope that we shall recover very good, also of the bruising Carroll going up against Chris mentally, because this (losing to Tottenham) is Smalling and the lightweight Daley Blind. Atletico v 21:45 again a blow of course. But everybody knows “I’ve seen the Andy Carroll Show,” he said. beIN SPORTS 1 HD that this is the last chance. “And (against Tottenham) I think our problem “Both teams have to cope with that. Both was also the miscommunication of our central Benfica v Bayern Munich 21:45 teams know that when you are not winning, you defenders. “I hope that we improve our commu- beIN SPORTS 2 HD are out of the cup and you don’t have any title.” nication because it is very important this game

SEIXAL: Benfica’s players take part in a training session at Benfica’s training field in Seixal, yesterday, on the eve of the Champions League quarter final second-leg foot- ball match between SL Benfica and Bayern Munich. — AFP Misfiring Barcelona seek response at Atletico : Barcelona can redress their stuttering Fernando Torres’ opener after the former Chelsea the opposition for the remainder of the game. domestic form by sealing their passage to the striker was sent off in the 35th minute. Despite having seven shots, could Totti assist for Salah, but Champions League semi-finals when they visit “There’s no time for apologies or excuses, we not find a way through and the Argentine talis- Atletico Madrid today. Last season’s treble win- need results. It’s not the time to sink low and man has now gone 362 minutes without scoring, ners Barca are in their worst run of form in think that we’re on a horrible run,” said Luis his longest drought with Barca since 2011. Roma held by Bologna since coach Luis Enrique took charge in August Enrique. “There are reasons to be optimistic Atletico are dreaming of a repeat of their 2014 2014, losing their last two games to Real Madrid although the results have not been what we quarter-final second leg against Barca when an MILAN: Roma coach ball towards the end of the half, he and and drawing with . want.” is out and Rafinha early goal by Koke delivered a 1-0 win and 2-1 remained defiant on the thorny issue of unleashed a drive from 22 yards that Although those results have seen their La Liga doubtful due to injury but Barca top scorer Suarez aggregate victory. captain after the out-of- brushed the bottom of Mirante’s upright. lead over second-placed Atletico cut to three returns after the Uruguayan served a suspension. “The stadium will be buzzing. I’m sure it’s favour club captain provided his first Roma dominated a resolute Bologna points, Barca are still on track to become the first Luis Enrique is also likely to recall , going to be a great night,” said Koke. assist of the season in a frustrating 1-1 throughout, but had to settle for just Spanish team to win the treble two years in a row, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic after starting them “The other day we couldn’t win because of cir- draw with Bologna on Monday. their third draw since Spalletti took over with the King’s Cup final against Sevilla coming on the bench in the 1-0 defeat by Sociedad at the cumstances but at home we’re going to turn it Totti’s future at the club for whom he from sacked Frenchman in up next month. weekend. The plan to rest those players ahead of around.” Atletico defenders Jose Gimenez and has played 23 seasons is a hot topic in February. The visitors take a 2-1 lead from the first leg the trip to Madrid backfired when 18-year-old Stefan Savic are doubtful while Tiago Mendes is Italy as the giants stall on offering “We didn’t win tonight but the lads into the return match at the Vicente Calderon, Mikel Oiarzabal headed Sociedad in front in the definitely out and Torres suspended following his the 39-year-old an extra year’s deal. played good football and Bologna did Luis Suarez’s double having cancelled out fifth minute and Barca struggled to break down dismissal at the Nou Camp. — Reuters Partially due to injury, Totti has made well to take a share of the spoils,” only a handful of appearances this sea- Spalletti told Rai. The Roma coach got son, but when ‘Il Re di Roma’ (the King of irked when it was suggested Totti had ) replaced at half-time made a positive contribution. he made an almost immediate impact. Two months ago, a spat between the Roma were trailing 1-0 after a 25th pair erupted after Totti claimed he minute opener by Luca Rossettini, who should be playing more and deserved capitalised on a moment of hesitation more respect by the club, prompting from Wojciech Szczesny at a free kick to Spalletti to declare the club captain was beat the Roma ‘keeper at his far post. “no better” than many other players at Lively Egyptian winger Mohamed his disposal. Salah had already hit the post in the Spalletti added: “It’s you who says it. opening half and found the woodwork I’ve always had Totti available, and when again minutes after the restart. But Salah I feel he can give me something then he made no mistake when he collected plays, as happened tonight. “He Totti’s through ball moments later. With strengthened the team and gave the only the ‘keeper to beat after Bologna’s fans a little boost.” Juventus remain top offside trap malfunctioned, Salah slid the and on course for a record-equalling fifth ball easily past Antonio Mirante to pull consecutive scudetto after a 2-1 win at the scores level on 50 minutes. AC Milan on Saturday maintained their Lacking pace and looking quickly out six-point lead on second-placed Napoli, of breath, Totti’s vision and pinpoint who beat Verona 3-0 minus Argentine passing to players in better positions striker Gonzalo Higuain as he sat out the helped make amends, all to no avail. On first match of a three-game ban. 54 minutes he curled in a delightful ball Roma remain third at six points SANT JOAN DESPI: (L-R) Barcelona’s defender Gerard Pique, Barcelona’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic, Barcelona’s midfielder Sergio towards the back post but Miralem behind Napoli and five and seven points Busquets, Barcelona’s Brazilian forward , Barcelona’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez and Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi Pjanic slid in just too late. ahead of Inter Milan and Fiorentina take part in a training session at the FC Barcelona Joan Gamper Sports Center in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona yesterday, on the eve of their When Salah collected Totti’s through respectively. — AFP Champions League quarter-final second leg football match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona. — AP