Harrington ends South Africa title drought flatten Ireland

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 201517 18 Liverpool look to maintain Champions League charge Page 19

ROME: Roma’s Francesco Totti (second from right) and Juventus’ Vidal (right) run for the ball during their soccer match. — AP Roma grab point but Juve in control

ROME: Seydou Keita cancelled out a superb Carlos Tevez like this means that we are alive,” said the Frenchman after got to but was unable to keep out. glomerate followed by the Slovenia-based Mapi group, free kick as second-placed AS Roma fought back with 10 his team’s sixth successive home league draw. Meanwhile,stricken Parma face yet another week of were shrouded in mystery. men for a fiery 1-1 draw at home to leaders Juventus who Juventus, missing central Andrea Pirlo and uncertainty with no sign of an end to the financial chaos stayed on course for a fourth successive Serie A title on through injury, were thoroughly unambitious at the once-proud club where the players have not been ALARM BELLS Monday. and content to sit back and defend for most of the first paid all season and even have to do their own laundry. Italians have been left wondering how one of Europe’s Tevez gave Juventus the lead in the 64th minute, curl- half. The hosts, meanwhile, had drawn six of their seven The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) have called off biggest leagues could allow the situation to reach this ing in a free kick for his 15th league goal of the season, league matches since the Christmas break and their lack Parma’s last two matches but said they would not do that point and said the alarm bells should have rung when and Keita replied 14 minutes later as the teams woke up of confidence was palpable. again, effectively giving the club until Sunday’s home Parma were barred from the Europa League over an after a dismal opening hour. Roma, faced with an eight-man defence, showed little game against Atalanta to find a solution. Parma, who won unpaid tax bill of 300,000 euros ($336,840). Although the Malian’s equaliser gave Roma a glimmer urgency and the first half ended without a single shot on two UEFA Cup titles and the European Cup Winners’ Cup Captain Alessandro Lucarelli has blamed the FIGC and of hope in the title race, Juventus stayed nine points clear target, a complete contrast to the season’s previous meet- during their heyday in the 1990s, are due to face a bank- the league for losing control but Serie A president after a bad-tempered match which saw Roma defender ing which ended in a dramatic, controversial 3-2 win for ruptcy hearing on March 19. Maurizio Beretta refuted the criticism on Monday. Vasilis Torosidis sent off and nine other players booked. Juventus. President Giampaolo Manenti said two weeks ago he “At the end of June the control for the registration in Torosidis was dismissed after being given a second yel- Juventus were more dangerous on the break and Vidal would pay salaries but the players have denied that has the championship took place and was carried out, it low card for clipping Arturo Vidal’s heels in the incident nearly put them ahead at the start of the second half happened. Instead the situation has got worse. The latest seems everything was in order,” he told Radio Uno. which led to the Juventus goal. when his angled shot was centimetres wide of the post. media reports said electricity at the Tardini stadium has “There was a further check on Oct. 1 on the salaries, “I’m happy with what we did in the first 70 minutes and Tevez finally brought the game to life with a majestic been cut off due to unpaid bills while vehicles and other taxes and contributions, the problem became apparent we continued playing well for a while after taking the free kick which Pirlo would have been proud of. Juventus equipment have been confiscated by bailiffs. and the measures were taken with penalties.” Beretta said lead, but after six or seven minutes we stopped playing,” goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was finally forced to make a “There are three options: present a recovery plan, take the league would meet on Friday to assess the situation. said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. “We have to save in the 72nd minute when he got down to block the books to the bankruptcy tribunal or sell,” Manenti told “We will look at what we can and cannot do,” he added. start winning again away from home again.” Konstantinos Manolas’ header. Rai Sport on Sunday. “If someone were to come forward “It’s a complex situation to be assessed with clarity with- Roma coach was much happier than his Roma suddenly found some much-needed spark and and present an offer I would be open to selling.” out giving in to emotions and temperaments. “We need a opposite number. “Our reaction was exceptional, to be levelled when Alessandro Florenzi’s free kick was met by Parma have already changed hands twice this season precise analysis from a legal, economic and sporting point one man down and one goal behind, and finish the game Keita with a downward header which Claudio Marchisio and on both occasions the buyers, a Russian-Cypriot con- of view.” — Reuters United take on Magpies Wembley win can boost NEWCASTLE: Manchester United skipper Wayne majority of the season but my record shows that I Chelsea’s title challenge Rooney has insisted that the trip to Newcastle score goals, so I’m not worried about that at all,” today signals the start of a period that could said Rooney. LONDON: Eden Hazard believes Chelsea’s good players, they play very well and it define their season. “I was pleased the manager played me up League Cup final success can provide the will be a war until the end. “So it is impor- The Red Devils travel to St James’ Park hoping front and am delighted to get the two goals, but perfect springboard for the club’s Premier tant for us to keep going, we still have a to hang on to their place in the top four as they the victory was the main thing because after last League title challenge. lot of matches.” push for a return to the Champions League later week it was important we bounced back. The league leaders travel to London The West Ham meeting marks Chelsea’s this year. “Where I play is down to the manager. It’s his rivals West Ham on Wednesday three days last game before they turn their attention After visiting the North East, Louis Van Gaal’s decision where he sees me playing and I respect after beating Tottenham at Wembley to towards the next week’s second leg of the team play Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final, wherever he wants to play me. win the first trophy of manager Jose Champions League tie with Saint before league matches against Tottenham and “I’ve played up front throughout my career so, Mourinho’s second spell in charge at Germain. Liverpool - two clubs also chasing a top-four obviously, I know how to play up front. So I’m Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s victory came And Hazard is keen to maintain the berth. “It’s the start of a big three weeks for us,” ready to play there if and when he wants me to with the added bonus of having been winning momentum through a decisive Rooney said. “We have done OK in the big games do it.” United will again be without the injured achieved on the same day second-placed period in the club’s campaign. “When you this year, we could do better, but it is exciting for Van Persie for match against Newcastle but Manchester City lost at Liverpool. play for Chelsea you have to win trophies us with these big games that you want to be Michael Carrick could start after returning from That result means Mourinho’s side head and get to the semi-final or final of the involved in. “We can’t look past Wednesday. his long-term absence to take a place on the to Upton Park five points clear of the chas- Champions League,” he said. Newcastle away is always a tough game and we bench on Saturday. Van Gaal must also decide ing pack having played a game less. And “We know it’s always difficult because have to try to make sure we come away from whether to start Adnan Januzaj after his impres- Belgium Hazard claims Chelsea there are very good teams in it. The first there with three points.” sive display when he came on in place of the MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s English will resume their bid to clinch the champi- game against PSG finished 1-1, it was Much has been made of how Rooney has ineffective Angel Di Maria for the second half striker Wayne Rooney (right) celebrates in onship for the first time since 2010 with good for us. But the tie is not finished and been used by Van Gaal this season. The Dutch against Sunderland. this file photo scoring a penalty. — AFP the belief that comes from already having we need to win. coach has often opted to use the 29-year-old in Mid-table Newcastle hope to record back-to- lifted silverware. “By winning this trophy, “How far can we go? I hope we can get midfield, instead of his usual position as a centre- back victories after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Aston Newcastle can improve their unimpressive home we can concentrate on the league 100 to the final. We will see. First, we must con- forward. Villa all-but secured another season of Premier record against United. They’ve beaten the Old percent. It’s always important to win tro- centrate on out next game against West Rooney played in attack on Saturday and League football on Tyneside. Trafford club just once in the last 11 visits, and phies when playing for Chelsea,” Hazard Ham.” West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is rewarded his manager’s decision with both goals Midfielder Jack Colback serves the second of a Cisse said: “The Villa win was an important victo- said. in desperate need of a lift ahead of his in a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sunderland. two-match ban after reaching 10 bookings. ry, and sets us up nicely for Manchester United. “Before the game we didn’t feel pres- team’s daunting meeting with the Blues. The double took Rooney’s tally to 11 for the Massadio Haidara, the defender carried off with a “It’s a game we need to be ready for. Every sure or think about the Liverpool-Man City Allardyce has come under growing season and moved him one goal ahead of fellow knee problem at the weekend, hopes to be avail- player in the squad is up for this game and it’s game. Of course when you see the result pressure following a heavy FA Cup defeat striker Robin van Persie. The England internation- able for selection. Top scorer Papiss Cisse secured just been a matter of getting as much rest as pos- and that Liverpool won, it is very good for to West Bromwich Albion and his position al, however, says he is happy to play in either role. the win over Villa with his 11th goal of the sea- sible since the weekend to be at our best on the confidence. “The season is still long. It was further undermined by the weekend “Everyone knows I’ve played midfield for the son, and the international is confident Wednesday.” — AFP is not finished. Manchester City have very home loss to Crystal Palace. — AFP