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Home , Curva, David Moyes, Matthias Sammer

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 SPORTS Guardiola betters Bayern’s record in debut season

BERLIN: won his first taken the European champions to a new before. last June in German and insisted he would November. Bayer put up a title on Tuesday as record- level. Guardiola has added a “new dimen- But Guardiola’s concerns proved justi- neither poach any Barcelona players, nor fight when Bayern came away from the breaking Bayern were confirmed sion” with his “positive fanaticism” to his fied as Bayern suffered their only defeat make major changes. BayArena with a 1-1 draw in October. German champions with seven games to work, according to chairman Karl-Heinz this season when they lost the following He soon did both as Spain’s Under-21 Bayern claimed a record tenth consecutive spare, bettering predecessor Jupp Rummenigge. day at home to Manchester City. captain Thiago Alcantara was signed from Champions League victory when they beat Heynckes’ record of six. “He has a clear plan and I have never Guardiola showed a ruthless streak Barca and a new 4-1-4-1 system was intro- CSKA Moscow away in December before Having won 14 out of 19 titles in four seen such diligence in any other coach,” when Mario Mandzukic was briefly duced, briefly abandoning the 4-2-3-1 for- lifting the Club World Cup in Morocco. years with Barcelona, Guardiola collects his Rummenigge told German daily Die Welt. dropped at the start of 2014 for poor per- mation which won the treble. The only defeat came in the final third title in his nine months since taking Director of sport Matthias Sammer heaped formances in training. Captain was switched Champions League group stage when charge of Bayern. But he pins the success praise on the Spaniard after the final whis- It was a bold decision to drop the from right-back, where he is one of the Bayern threw away a two-goal lead to lose firmly on his players. “A coach is always tle in Berlin. “We build the foundations team’s top-scorer and the Croatia striker world’s best, to the midfield. Guardiola got 3-2 at home to Manchester City. only good because he’s at a big club with under Heynckes and now we have devel- netted in all six league games before last off to a losing start as Bayern were beaten They still managed to finish as group great players,” said Guardiola before the oped them further,” said Sammer. Saturday’s 2-0 win at Mainz 05. 4-2 at last July in the winners. The closest Bayern have come to Hertha Berlin win. “We have selectively improved the While Bayern dropped only 11 league German Super Cup final, but have not a Bundesliga defeat was at VfB in “I have won many titles, because I have team and Pep Guardiola is not only a spe- points least season, Guardiola’s side have looked back since. January. They were 14 minutes away from had great players, they deserve the praise, cialist, but also an exceptional person.” dropped just four so far. Guardiola recently He got one over old Spanish league losing before Claudio Pizarro headed them they are unbelievable.” Guardiola’s mod- There is no stone left unturned in referred to the Bundesliga as “pizza and rival Jose Mourinho in Prague when level, then Thiago hit a stunning 93rd- esty hides the fact he moulded the likes of Guardiola’s relentless pursuit of perfection. burgers” and likened the Champions Chelsea were beaten on penalties in the minute winner. Barcelona’s , Andres Iniesta He was disgruntled in a press conference League to a “nice restaurant”. UEFA Super Cup final. Bayern’s last league defeat-at home to and into footballing superstars and last December because his players had While the Spaniard drew criticism for Bayern then picked off their Bundesliga Leverkusen in October 21012 — came seems intent on doing the same at Bayern. been subdued during the first 15 minutes his comments, Bayern’s rivals have failed to rivals one by one. Schalke were humbled with Heynckes in charge as the Bavarian The Bavarian giants sent records tum- of a training session. They had trounced serve up a decent challenge. Guardiola 4-0 in Gelsenkirchen in September, while giants currently enjoy a record 52-match bling under Heynckes, but Guardiola has Werder Bremen 7-0 away just 48 hours tackled his first Bayern press conference Dortmund they went down 3-0 at home in unbeaten run.—AFP Hosts Australia draw S Korea in Asian Cup

SYDNEY: Hosts Australia were handed a tricky opening round at the 2015 Asian Cup finals when they were grouped with twice former champions South Korea, Oman and Kuwait in the draw at Sydney Opera House yesterday. The Socceroos open the tournament against Kuwait in Melbourne on Jan. 9 and will hope to be still in the reckoning when the final takes place 23 days later at Sydney’s . Manchester United’s Scottish manager David Moyes. Although two teams will qualify from Group A for the quarter-finals, the hosts could have After brief respite, dark hoped for easier first round opposition than South Korea, who they will play in their final group match in Brisbane on Jan. 17. clouds loom over Moyes “You want to avoid them but are you going to avoid them the whole tournament? At some LONDON: After a brief ray of sunshine in a against the current top four is equally dire point you have to play a team,” Australia coach stormy season, the dark clouds were hovering with one win, two draws and five defeats the Ange Postecoglou told reporters. over again yesterday in the wake sum total of their efforts against Chelsea, “That first game against Kuwait in Melbourne of another humiliation for the champions. , Man City and Arsenal. becomes a real critical one. We need to get off to A 3-0 home defeat by local rivals Moyes had a similarly poor record against a really strong start and if we can get those three Manchester City, their third in a row against the top-four when he was Everton manager points that will put pressure on the other teams.” them at Old Trafford, drained away any opti- but things were supposed to be different Champions Japan were drawn in Group D mism born out of victories against once he was given the controls at United. with Jordan, who they lost against for the first Olympiakos and West Ham United the previ- time in World Cup qualifying last year, 2007 ous week and illustrated once again just how SQUAD DECLINE Asian Cup winners Iraq and the champions of far United have fallen in such a short space of The reality is, however, that he has inherit- this year’s Asian Challenge Cup, which will be SYDNEY: AFC General Secretary Alex Soosay displays Saudi Arabia’s draw in Group B during time. ed a squad in decline, with too many players decided in May. the draw of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 in Sydney yesterday. Hosts Australia will play United manager David Moyes wore a who would struggle to get a place on the “We played against both teams in the World Kuwait in the opening game of the 2015 Asian Cup in the draw. —AFP glazed look as City’s gloating fans mocked bench at the Etihad, Stamford Bridge or Cup qualifiers and both matches were tough, so him with chants of “five more years” while . I can expect it is going to be tough again,” Japan open,” he said. thousands of the home faithful voted with England squad player , who Football Association general secretary Hara “It’s important to have a good start and to Draw for the 2015 Asian Cup their feet, heading for the exits long before has become the whipping boy of the fans, Hiromi said. create a good spirit because the quality of the Yaya Toure put a realistic gloss to the score- was hauled off at halftime on Tuesday but to “We will do our best to play Australia in the teams are very close and maybe the spirit of the SYDNEY: Draw for the group stage of 2015 Asian line with City’s 90th minute third. single him for United’s malaise would be final.” Iran, the top ranked Asian team in the FIFA team can make the difference.” Cup finals, which will take place in Australia from Jan. 9-31 next year: “I am the one who picks the team,” Moyes, unfair. rankings, will play a United Arab Emirates, Qatar Australia progressing is the key to the success portrayed on one Old Trafford banner as the Moyes’ two big signings since taking the and Bahrain in Group C with the talented young of the tournament and Oman coach Paul Le GROUP A “Chosen One”, said after the latest in a series job, and , were Emirati side looking likely to be their biggest Guen, whose team embarrassed the Socceroos Australia of debilitating setbacks. outclassed by City’s midfield slickers while rivals. in a 2-2 draw in Sydney in World Cup qualifying South Korea “I take responsibility and always will do. It laboured in United’s misfiring “Group C is quite balanced with three Arabic last year, said he thought the hosts were Oman is disappointing. I thought it would be a engine room. countries, neighbours, the rivals, a lot of tension favourites. Kuwait tough year but I hoped it would be more While there is some sympathy for Moyes and emotion,” said Iran coach Carlos Queiroz, “They will host the competition, the crowd competitive.” and continued support from Ferguson, who whose contract ends after this year’s World Cup. will be behind them, so we will be outsiders and GROUP B Uzbekistan Club stewards had to step in when some watched from the stands on Tuesday, and for- “It will tough but I think Iran will have a good they will be favorites but we will try to bother fans tried to haul down the “Chosen One” mer players, patience is beginning to wear Saudi Arabia chance. We must play the World Cup intensively them like we did a few months ago,” he said. China banner as their frustration boiled over at thin. as an Asian Cup preparation. And if that hap- “I think it is the toughest group of the compe- North Korea another home humiliation days after United look cumbersome in defence, short pens, I think whoever comes after me has a tition, it will be very difficult for us. We are a little Liverpool thumped them 3-0 there. of guile and pace in midfield and totally good chance to compete for a medal.” bit unlucky but I keep smiling.” GROUP C This season they have lost six times at reliant up front on and Robin South Korea, like Japan, Australia and Iran, Iran their former fortress in the league and on van Persie, who missed Tuesday’s match OPEN GROUP will be playing at the World Cup before the Asian United Arab Emirates home form alone they would be 12th in the because of a knee injury that will keep him Uzbekistan face Saudi Arabia, China and Cup and Brazil was still the focus for their coach Qatar table, rather than the seventh spot they cur- out of next week’s daunting Champions North Korea in Group B and the French coach of Hong Myung-bo. Bahrain rently inhabit with seven games left. While League quarter-final against a rampant the Chinese team, Alain Perrin, said he thought “It’s not an easy group, we’ve been grouped GROUP D league defeats against the likes of West Bayern Munich side. all four teams would fancy their chances of pro- with the home team and as Australia have home Japan Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United, not With no Champions League football, bar- gressing. advantage, it’s going to be a very difficult Jordan to mention an FA Cup exit against Swansea, ring something extraordinary in the next “I know Uzbekistan very well and they are a match,” he said. “First we have to play the World Iraq were hurtful, it is the way they have been out- month or so, next season Moyes faces a big strong team to play but I think in this group, Cup in Brazil and then we can think about play- 2014 Asian Challenge Cup winners classed by Liverpool and Manchester City in challenge attracting the very best to Old everyone can lose points against anyone, so it’s ing in Australia.”—Reuters consecutive home league fixtures that have Trafford in what will be a crucial summer of been most ego-damaging. United’s record rebuilding.—Reuters A modern Colosseum: Roma reveals new stadium plan

ROME: Three-time champion Roma for numerous stadiums and arenas in the United cial areas and training grounds outside the stadi- plans to build a new privately financed stadium States, plus the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. um. Financing will come from naming rights, inspired by the Colosseum on the outskirts of “It’s impossible designing a building here sponsors and priority seating proceeds, while the Italian capital. without considering the architectural history in bank loans and equity will finance construction. Labeled “Stadio della Roma” for now - until Rome,” Meis said. “The stadium will have an outer If the project becomes reality, Roma will naming rights are awarded - the facility will seat wall that will be a new vision of the Colosseum.” become only the second major Italian club to 52,500 spectators and be able to expand to It will be purpose-built for football, the fans own its own stadium. Juventus, which is closing 60,000 for major matches. seated as close as possible to the pitch and a in on its third successive title, opened Juventus Building costs for the stadium itself are esti- three-tiered seating design with a sharp Stadium in 2011. mated at 300 million euros ($414 million) but inclined. “It will be our new home and what I like the overall price, including surrounding infra- Keeping fans in mind, there will be a 14,000- about this home is the garden in the center, on structure and transport, will run far higher. seat detached section behind one of the goals which we’ll need to continue adding pages to TORREON: Javier Toledo (right) of Uruguay’s Penarol celebrates his goal next to The new stadium will be in the Tor di Valle for the hard-core “ultra” supporters, replacing Roma’s history,” Roma coach Rudi Garcia said, a Mexico’s Santos Laguna player Jonathan Lacerda during their Copa Libertadores area in the city’s southwest, about halfway the Curva Sud from the . day after the Giallorossi beat Torino 2-1 to stay football match. —AFP between downtown and Fiumicino airport. There will also be luxury boxes, plus commer- second and keep its faint title hopes alive.—AP Slated to open for the 2016-17 season, the Laguna heap misery on Penarol stadium has been a big goal since Roma was purchased by a four-man group of Boston exec- TORREON: Five-time champions Penarol’s games, ran riot in the second half as they utives, who in 2011 became the first foreign dismal Libertadores Cup campaign contin- repeatedly exposed Penarol’s flat back four. majority owners of a Serie A club. For years, ued when they were thumped 4-1 by ram- Quintero floated a pass over the Penarol Roma has shared the Stadio Olimpico with city pant Mexicans Santos Laguna, leaving the defence to set Javier Orozco clear and he rival Lazio but that stadium features a running Uruguayans on the brink of group stage sidefooted past Juan Castillo in the 59th track and poor sightlines for football. elimination. Colombian forward Darwin minute. Quintero added a third in the 78th “The Stadio Olimpico has been a great place Quintero scored twice as Group Eight lead- minute after running onto a another ball for us to play but it has clearly had its time,” ers Santos made sure of a place in the over the top of the defence and fellow Roma president James Pallotta said on knockout stage with a match to spare while Colombian Andres Renteria completed the Wednesday. “(The new stadium) is clearly going their opponents remain stuck on four scoring one minute later after he also got to give us a competitive advantage.” points, two behind Arsenal of Argentina, away. Third-placed Penarol were left to face Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino sat next to who also have a game in hand. a 20-hour trip home with stops in Mexico Pallotta at the City Hall presentation and sup- Penarol got off to a perfect start at the City and Lima. Venezuelans Zamora kept ported the project, although he warned the sta- Corona stadium in the desert city of up their hopes of qualifying from Group dium would not open until the necessary sur- Torreon when Javier Toledo headed in from Four with a 2-0 win over Paraguay’s rounding infrastructure was in place. close range in the first minute after a mix- Nacional in Tuesday’s other game. “Hopefully we will have an expedited process up in the home defence, who also had a Juan Falcon broke clear to put Zamora and a two-year construction plan,” Pallotta said. player on the ground injured. ahead from a narrow angle in the 58th “I want to see Francesco (Totti, Roma’s 37-year- Quintero replied in the ninth minute minute and John Jairo Murillo added old captain) be the first person to run out on ITALY: This artist rendering provided by Italian Serie A soccer club Roma shows the new when he got in front of the Penarol defence another eight minutes later, leaving the that pitch.” stadium to be built on the outskirts of Rome. Three-time Serie A champion Roma plans to and cleverly volleyed home a long ball into hosts second with seven points and The stadium is being designed by American build a new privately financed stadium inspired by the Colosseum on the outskirts of the the area. Santos, with 13 points from five Nacional third with five.—Reuters architect Dan Meis, who has drawn up the plans Italian capital. —AP