P18 3.E$S 4 Layout 1
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017 SPORTS A-League star charged with drug possession SYDNEY: A-League star and former support will be offered to him during this Socceroo Mitch Nichols has been time,” the club said. Football Federation charged with drug possession after a Australia said in a statement it took such police swoop on a Sydney pub, it issues “very seriously”. “The matter has emerged yesterday. Police allege they been referred to the FFA integrity depart- found three bags of a white powder, ment, which has spoken to the club, and believed to be cocaine, on a 28-year-old will be dealt with under the FFA code of when they raided a nightclub with sniffer conduct.” The FFA has no clear precedent dogs on Saturday evening. He was widely for drug offences, with the scourge large- named in local media as Nichols, who ly bypassing the sport until now. The only was released by Western Sydney other incident of note was in 2015 when Wanderers last week, with video footage traces of a recreational drug were found circulating of the raid and the player in the system of Central Coast Mariners being questioned. midfielder Troy Hearfield during a doping Police said the man was issued with a test. He was sacked. field court attendance notice-effectively Known as a creative midfielder, a ticket-for possessing a prohibited drug, Nichols played five times for the national rather than being arrested. He is due to team, making his debut in 2009 with his appear in a Sydney court tomorro. The most recent appearance against Japan in Wanderers said it was committed to a 2014. He played 125 times for Brisbane zero tolerance message when it came to Roar before moving to Melbourne drugs. “While Mitch was released by the Victory. Nichols also had stints at Perth club prior to the incident, the player’s Glory and Japan’s Cerezo Osaka before wellbeing remains a priority and every joining the Wanderers in 2015. — AFP Remodeled Aguero finally gets Guardiola’s seal of approval MANCHESTER: For a player who has to get him involved in our game, to be excelled for years as a penalty-box poacher, involved defensively and especially to help Sergio Aguero found himself doing some us because I think he has a quality not just LONDON: Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud kicks the ball across goal, from which teammate Alexis Sanchez scored their side’s second goal during the unusual things in Manchester City’s final to score a goal but to be involved in the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium. —AP home game of the season. When he wasn’t process. “Get out from the central defend- dropping deep to link up play with flicks ers, create space behind central defenders and one-twos, he was drifting out to the if they decide to follow him. He has the Sanchez keeps Arsenal in wing to leave space in the middle. quality to give that and make the pass. It’s He even took the option to pass instead necessary to feel that your teammates and of shoot on occasions. This is a remodeled manager and staff and the club are happy version of Aguero - and City manager Pep whether you score or don’t score.” Race, City all but there Guardiola wouldn’t want it any other way. For the first goal against West Brom, Aguero didn’t score for City in its 3-1 win whose ultra-defensive tactics were starting over West Bromwich Albion in the Premier to frustrate City, Aguero came short to LONDON: Alexis Sanchez sank Sunderland to farewell appearance in City’s colors. The popular the end of the season. Substitute Hal-Robson League on Tuesday, but that’s no longer receive a pass and carved open the visitors keep Arsenal in the hunt for Champions League Argentine right-back, who has been at the Kanu claimed a consolation goal for West Brom what he is being judged on. At least not by and produced a back-heel flick to play in qualification on Tuesday, while Manchester City Etihad for nine years, is due to leave the club at with three minutes remaining. — AFP Guardiola. Kevin de Bruyne, running through from all but secured a top-four place by beating West “An amazing performance,” the Spanish midfield. De Bruyne crossed and Gabriel Bromwich Albion. Sanchez scored two late coach said. Guardiola stunned reporters Jesus tapped in at the far post. close-range goals to earn Arsenal a 2-0 home and City fans alike at the start of his first For the second goal less than two min- victory over relegated Sunderland, while Kevin Leader Kane has great season in English soccer by publicly calling utes later, Aguero again started from deep, De Bruyne starred as City comfortably defeated out Aguero, saying he expected more from running through and passing to another West Brom 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium. a player who has long been widely regard- midfield runner in Leroy Sane. The ball City climb to third in the Premier League, two expectations for Spurs ed as the best striker in the Premier League. dropped for De Bruyne to side-foot home points above Liverpool and three points clear of Guardiola wanted to see a better pressing from the edge of the area. Arsenal, with only the teams finishing third and LEICESTER: Harry Kane has backed first ethos preached by their manager. game from Aguero, more teamwork and The third goal from Yaya Toure particu- fourth assured to join Chelsea and Tottenham link-up play, a better work ethic. larly pleased Guardiola, who reacted to the Tottenham Hotspur to shake off their reputa- “Everyone just has a special connection here. Hotspur in the Champions League. “We’ve got in tion as title chokers and finally win the It’s a special bond and I don’t think you always Aguero was even dropped for a ball hitting the net by spinning on his heels on the final day many times,” Arsenal manager Champions League game at Barcelona in and punching the air with both fists - as Premier League next season. Mauricio get that at clubs,” Kane said. “That has to moti- Arsene Wenger told BBC Sport at the Emirates Pochettino’s side came up short in the title vate us to hopefully be out there next year lift- mid-October, a decision many could not much for the build-up as for the goal itself. Stadium. “We made 71 points and were second. understand. Was this the end for Aguero at Again dropping deep and dragging two race for the second successive year after ing a Premier League together. “That’s got to We now have 72 and want to go to 75. After that Chelsea repelled their determined challenge be the next step. That’s got to be our aim and City, the club for whom he famously won defenders with him, Aguero played a 1-2 you deal with what happens.” Arsenal must win the league with that 94th-minute goal on with Toure with a deft reverse pass with his in the same way Leicester City frustrated them we’ve got to use this as motivation to get their final game at home to Everton on Sunday 12 months ago. there.” Tottenham said an emotional farewell the final day of the 2011-12 season? If left foot. Toure charged into open space and hope Liverpool slip up at home to relegated Aguero wasn’t prepared to change his and finished between the goalkeeper’s Deposed champions Leicester are to White Hart Lane on Sunday, with a 2-1 win Middlesbrough if they are to guarantee a 20th Tottenham’s next opponents at the King against Manchester United the perfect send- game, it likely would have been, particularly legs. “I like strikers to not be there like a successive season of Champions League foot- with Gabriel Jesus arriving at City in January post,” Guardiola said, straightening up his Power Stadium today, but Kane’s thoughts are off for the 118-year stadium before it is ball. As well as their points advantage over already turning to next term. Watching demolished it make room for a new arena. and immediately displaying the kind of body. “I like when we arrive at the line for Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool also have a attributes Guardiola liked in a striker. them to be there. I like strikers to arrive to Chelsea’s jubilant players celebrate their title Tottenham’s runners-up berth is their best superior goal difference (+33 to +31). triumph was a painful experience for league finish since 1963, but the progress of the positions, not stay in the positions. I A point at Watford on Sunday will guarantee MASTERED THE ROLE think Sergio does that amazing.” That didn’t Tottenham striker Kane, who once again has Pochettino’s side has inevitably prompted a top-four place for Pep Guardiola’s City, but they more than 20 goals to his credit without win- reports that several key players could be lured On the evidence of the West Brom used to be the case. Aguero has scored 31 can secure third place-and, crucially, avoid the game, Aguero has finally mastered how to goals in all competitions and is enjoying ning a major trophy. away by bigger clubs in the close-season. Champions League play-off round-if they win. A Even so, Kane is convinced it will be Kane is unmoved by such talk and says perform the striker role that Guardiola one of his most prolific seasons at City.