SPORTS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Bayern dominate FIFA Player of the Year nominations

ZURICH: Six players from Bayern Munich’s treble- after leading his side to a Bundesliga, German Cup “The list of 23 male candidates has been drawn Andrea Pirlo (Italy) winning team were included among the 23 nomi- and Champions League treble. up by football experts from the FIFA Football Franck Ribery (France) nees for the World Player of the Year award The omission of Bayern’s Croatian forward Mario Committee and by a group of experts from France Arjen Robben (Netherlands) announced by FIFA yesterday. Mandzukic was a surprise as many critics felt he Football,” said FIFA in a statement. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) Jose Mourinho was included on the shortlist for had made the difference between last season and It said the final decisions would be made by the Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) Coach of the Year despite failing to win any major 2011/12, where Bayern were runners-up in all three captains and coaches of the national teams and Luis Suarez (Uruguay) trophies with Real Madrid last season, a perform- competitions. Brazil’s Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose international media representatives selected by Thiago Silva (Brazil) ance the Portuguese himself described as “disas- side hosted and won the Confederations Cup in France Football magazine. The ceremony takes Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast) trous”. The only British player to make the list was June, was the only South American to make the place in Zurich on Jan. 13. Robin Van Persie (Netherlands) Wales international Gareth Bale. coaching shortlist. Xavi (Spain) African Nations Cup winning coach Stephen Radamel Falcao, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, Players’ shortlist Coaches Keshi of Nigeria was overlooked and Manchester Neymar and Thiago Silva were the South American Gareth Bale (Wales) Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Paris Saint-Germain FC/Real City midfielder Yaya Toure was the only African to nominees for the Player of the Year award, along Edinson Cavani (Uruguay) Madrid) make either list. There were no representatives with Messi. All six are based in Europe. Radamel Falcao (Colombia) Rafael BenÌtez (Spain/Chelsea/Napoli) from Asia or CONCACAF. Although several of the nominated coaches Eden Hazard (Belgium) Antonio Conte (Italy/Juventus) German internationals Manuel Neuer, Bastian failed to win a major trophy last season, Mourinho’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) Vicente Del Bosque (Spain) Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller and Philipp Lahm, nomination was the biggest surprise as his side’s Andres Iniesta (Spain) Alex Ferguson (Scotland/Manchester United FC for- Frenchman Franck Ribery and Dutchman Arjen results fell far short of Real Madrid’s expectations. Philipp Lahm (Germany) mer coach) Robben were the Bayern players on the list. They finished 15 points behind Barcelona in La Robert Lewandowski (Poland) Jupp Heynckes (Germany/Bayern Munich former Joining the Bayern contingent were the usual Liga, lost to smaller neighbours Atletico Madrid in Lionel Messi (Argentina) coach) favourites such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and the Copa del Rey final and were outclassed by Thomas Mueller (Germany) Juergen Klopp (Germany/Borussia Dortmund) Cristiano Ronaldo. Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Manuel Neuer (Germany) Jose Mourinho (Portugal/Real Madrid/Chelsea) Bayern’s former coach Jupp Heynckes, since semi-finals. Atletico’s Argentine coach Diego Neymar (Brazil) Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil/Brazil national team) replaced by Pep Guardiola, was on the coaches list Simeone was overlooked. Mesut Ozil (Germany) Arsene Wenger (France/Arsenal). — Reuters Bilbao halt Getafe charge

MADRID: Athletic Bilbao ended Getafe’s run of four straight wins and climbed above them into fifth place in La Liga when Aymeric Laporte’s early bullet header secured a 1-0 win at the Coliseum in Madrid on Monday. An entertaining game played at frenetic pace was decided in the eighth minute when Laporte met Markel Susaeta’s corner and powered the ball past Getafe goal- keeper Miguel Angel Moya. The home side should have levelled from the penalty spot shortly before halftime after Adrian Colunga was barged to the ground by Carlos Gurpegi but Getafe mid- fielder Diego Castro’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by Gorka Iraizoz. It was Bilbao’s first away win in four attempts since an opening day success at Real Valladolid with midfielder Ander Herrera saying the Basque club had banished the fragility that led to three straight defeats on the road. “Today it wasn’t like that and we didn’t allow them ITALY: Juventus’ Argentine forward Carlos Tevez celebrates after scoring a goal in this file many chances while not creating all that many for our- photo. — AFP selves,” Herrera said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Cuatro. Juventus look to close gap, “We have to challenge ourselves and I think we have the squad for that but we also have to be careful as the Roma keep eye on record season is very long and any team can surprise you,” he added. Castro, who had scored all 15 of his previous penalties MILAN: Juventus host struggling Catania in Juventus striker Carlos Tevez said the scudetto in his La Liga career, said a draw would have been a fairer one of eight Serie A fixtures today when the battle has just begun. champions will be among the sides looking to “There’s a long way to go,” said Tevez, Juve’s result. “It was a combination of a lack of precision and a bit close the gap on record-setting Roma. top scorer with five goals in nine games. of bad luck in front of goal,” he told Cuatro. Bilbao have 19 The Bianconeri have endured a tough two Napoli, who sit second, are also five points points from 10 matches, one fewer than fourth-placed weeks, seeing their Champions League group adrift but unlike Juventus, Rafael Benitez’s Villarreal, with Getafe on 16 points in sixth. hopes nosedive with defeat away to Real side face a tough task away to Fiorentina. ‘La Unbeaten leaders Barcelona with 28 points pulled six Madrid, four days after suffering a first reverse Viola’ sit fifth, a further four points adrift, are clear of Real Madrid when the champions beat their arch of the season in a 4-2 away defeat to unbeaten at home this season and full of con- rivals 2-1 in Saturday’s ‘Clasico’ at the Nou Camp. Atletico Fiorentina. Despite a dominant 2-0 win over fidence following that come-from-behind 4-2 Madrid are a point behind Barca in second after their 5-0 Genoa on Sunday, the spotlight has been win over Juve just over a week ago. drubbing of Real Betis at the Calderon on Sunday. There is directed away from the Turin giants and Any slip-ups at this juncture could prove a midweek round of La Liga games this week including southwards towards league leaders Roma. costly for Napoli, who after facing Catania at Barcelona at Celta Vigo late yesterday. Real host Sevilla SPAIN: Athletic Bilbao’s defender Mikel Balenziaga (left) vies with Getafe’s midfielder Roma’s fairytale start under Frenchman home this weekend are away to Juventus. today and Atletico visit Granada tomorrow. — Reuters Angel Imanol Lafita during the Spanish League football match. — AFP Rudi Garcia continued Sunday when they set “We have a crucial run of fixtures coming a new Serie A record of nine consecutive wins up so we have to focus on every match,” said at the start of a season. Slovakian forward Marek Hamsik, who was Their 1-0 win away at Udinese was all the Napoli’s top scorer until being caught by India postpones new league Al-Rashidi bags more impressive as defender Maicon had Argentinian teammate Gonzalo Higuain fol- been sent off earlier in the second half, and lowing his penalty double in a 2-0 win over NEW DELHI: A new football tournament in teams were to comprise nine foreign and 13 Udinese had not been beaten at home for Torino. India that was to feature former international Indian players each. The made-for-television bronze medal over a year. Reports in Italy suggest it could be a make stars of the game has been postponed after event, sold to Rupert Murdoch-owned Star TV In the absence of injured captain or break week for Milan coach Massimiliano opposition from domestic clubs, organisers network, had already run into trouble over By Abdellatif Sharaa Francesco Totti, likely to be sidelined for Allegri following their 3-2 defeat away to said Monday. fierce opposition from India’s top clubs. another two weeks, Garcia will be relying on Parma. The franchise-based event by the All India The clubs declined to release their players KUWAIT: Kuwait’s shooter Abdullah Al-Rashidi won the Moroccan Mehdi Benarti to marshal his for- Milan striker Mario Balotelli lasted less than Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial for the tournament, saying it would ruin the bronze medal in the skeet event during the finals of the ward line away to the ‘Flying Donkeys’. an hour on his return from injury and suspen- partners IMG-Reliance, which was due to be national I-League competition. world champions tournament in Abu Dhabi, as Spain’s Chievo sit bottom of the table, but having sion on Sunday, when the Rossoneri’s fourth held from January to March next year has now Last year a similar idea by football officials Juan Jose won first place while Brofeld Touri from seen league newcomers Sassuolo pull off a defeat in nine games reportedly infuriated been pushed back until September. “Keeping in West Bengal state for a franchise-based Norway grabbed second place. sensational 1-1 draw at title contenders Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi. Milan should in view of various key factors, including sched- league featuring other retired stars such as President of the Arab and Kuwait Shooting Napoli on September 25, Garcia was quick to welcome back Mattia Di Sciglio but have lost uling conflicts with the (national) I-League, it Crespo and Fabio Cannavaro foundered. India, Federations Engr Duaij Khalaf Al-Otaibi said he is pleased warn his side against complacency in another defender to injury in Matias Silvestre. has been decided to launch the Indian Super ranked a lowly 154th in the world and 28th in with the result and dedicated the victory to HH the Amir, Thursday’s only fixture. Lazio, who recorded their first win in a League on a permanent window of Asia, has seen a surge in football’s popularity HH the Crown Prince, HH the Prime Minister and Sheikh “Although we’ve already won our most dif- month at home to Cagliari on Sunday, will fan- September to November starting from year due to live television coverage of matches Sabah Al-Salem Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, honorary president ficult match of the season so far (against cy at least a share of the points. 2014,” an official statement said. The Kolkata- played around the globe. of Kuwait Shooting Federation and President of the Asian Napoli), everyone thinks we’ve already won Meanwhile Garcia, who has so far talked based Telegraph newspaper quoted unnamed Star TV, which also beams English Premier Shooting Confederation. He also dedicated the win to the game against Chievo,” Garcia told the down Roma’s hopes of winning a title they last sources as saying that possible franchise own- League (EPL) matches into the country, roped the Kuwaiti people. Roma Channel. secured in 2001, appears to be changing tack. ers had told the AIFF that there was not in India’s cricket captain Mahendra Singh Al-Otaibi lauded the spirit of Abdullah Al-Rashidi as “All the games in Italy are tough, and this “I would prefer that people remember us enough time to prepare for such a league. Dhoni to promote football for its sports chan- he performed so well in this tournament under the new one will be even tougher. Look at what hap- for what we do at the end of the season, per- Former international stars such as Thierry nel. rules of the ISSF. pened with Napoli v Sassuolo for example,” haps with a title. That is something that Henry, Robert Pires, Hernan Crespo, Fredrik It also launched Hindi-language commen- added the 49-year-old, who guided unfash- remains,” said the Frenchman. “Nine victories Ljungberg, Dwight Yorke and Louis Saha were tary on EPL games to ensure wider viewership ionable Lille to the 2011 Ligue 1 title. While are exceptional, but we have to keep our reported to have been lined up for the league. in smaller towns where English is spoken less not dismissing Roma’s impressive start, streak going. — AFP Squads for the eight yet undecided city commonly. — AFP Improving McIlroy will win by end of year — Woods

MACAU: Tiger Woods believes Rory McIlroy is “Rory has become a good friend of mine European, so we see each other at big events season. None of his 2013 wins have come in slowly getting his golf game back on track and over probably the past year, year and a half,” and when we do we try and play practice the big four championships but he left little predicted yesterday that the former world explained Woods. “It seems like every tourna- rounds whenever we can.” room for doubt that he still yearns to break the number one would claim a breakthrough first ment we’re paired together, we’re also playing Woods has taken full advantage of the 24- 18-major record of compatriot Jack Nicklaus. victory of the year by the end of December. practice rounds together and we have really hit year-old McIlroy’s form slump, returning to the “It took him until he got to 46 to do it and McIlroy was on top of the world at the end it off. “He plays on both tours, US and top of the world rankings with five victories this this year I’ll be 38 so there’s plenty of time,” said of 2012, having won the orders of merit on Woods. “A lot of guys have won a lot of majors both sides of the Atlantic, but he has had a tur- post 40. bulent season this year on and off the course. “The great thing about staying fit is we’re The Northern Irishman changed his clubs in able to play at a high level for a long period of January, a switch that was criticised by several time so hopefully I can compete at this level for pundits. He is also in the middle of a bitter a very long period of time.” court dispute with his former management Woods said his game was still improving team and, according to media reports, has split and he could now plot his way around courses from girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki. better than before. “I don’t necessarily have the “He is playing better and swinging a lot bet- same whooping power I used to ... but my ter,” 14-times major champion Woods told understanding of how to play, how to manage Reuters in an interview. “You can see that some my game around the golf course has got infi- of the stuff he and his coach are working on are nitely better,” he added. starting to come together. “He’s starting to put “I’m still hitting the ball plenty far but there’s together a few good rounds, now he just has to a next generation of kids out there that are make a few more putts. I can definitely see him taller, bigger, more athletic who absolutely winning sometime this year because his game annihilate it. The game has changed, a lot of has come around.” guys are 6-foot-3 and above and hit the ball for World number one Woods had a close-up miles. “It’s not too often you see shorter, smaller view of McIlroy when he lost to the twice major players who don’t have power doing well. winner in a lucrative head-to-head exhibition You’ve got to have power in our game now,” match on China’s Hainan Island on Monday. said Woods. The two golfers are both based in Florida The American is to miss the final World Golf CHINA: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (left) holds a traditional Chinese weapon during and the 37-year-old American said he and Championship (WGC) event of the season in the photo call for the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament on the historic Bund in world number six McIlroy had formed an excel- Shanghai this week but will compete in next Shanghai. The WGC-HSBC Champions will return to Shanghai’s Sheshan International lent relationship. week’s Turkish Open. — Reuters Engr. Duaij Al-Otaibi with Abdullah Al-Rashidi. Golf Club from tomorrow to Nov 3. — AFP