WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014 SPORTS North stranded in football wilderness

NICOSIA: Senegalese footballer Ibrahim Faye When he left Senegal seven years ago, Faye FOOTBALL REUNIFICATION headache for organisers as a top division could not moved to Europe dreaming of playing against the thought he was bound for Turkey. Instead, he Erol Cagaloglu, Cetinkaya’s coach, said international accommodate all Turkish- and Greek-speaking clubs. It best teams and ended up in a tiny league isolated arrived in north Cyprus and signed for Nicosia- competition would dramatically improve the Super would also increase competition for lucrative from the rest of the world. based Hamitkoy SK. He signed this year for League. “Our young players cannot progress because European qualification spots. The Super League in Turkish-occupied northern Cetinkaya, the most decorated club in north Cyprus the situation won’t open up in the future. We play only For Hasan Sertoglu, president of the Turkish Cypriot Cyprus is light years away from the Champions with 14 Super League titles. at an amateur level,” said Cagaloglu. Football Federation, the ball is in the south’s box. “We League fever which is sweeping the southern part Faye admits he did not know that there are two Instructing his players with a harsh voice, his back have done what has been asked of us. Now they have of the divided island. Cypruses when he travelled. “It’s not bad here for a straight and arms folded, Cagaloglu is a former star at to react. They must have pity for these poor young While Greek Cypriot clubs face off against start. But if you have a good agent you can go and Cetinkaya and once played for Turkey’s Besiktas. He people,” he said. But a footballing unification also Europe’s elite-with Nicosia’s APOEL playing at Paris look elsewhere,” said the 29-year-old who dreams of regrets that “young people in north (Cyprus) and the depends on a relative peace between Greek-Cypriot St Germain on Wednesday and hosting Barcelona moving on. His teammate Mehmet Simsek shares south cannot get together and meet up”. Such con- and Turkish-Cypriot supporters, which is far from later this month-the breakaway north is caught in a that dream. finement has pushed clubs in the north to seek reunifi- assured. At the end of September, Demetris Vassiliou, dead end. “I want to play against other teams,” said the 23- cation with the federation of Cyprus, which is affiliated 35, became the first Greek-Cypriot to play for a north- Since its creation in 1983, nine years after Turkish year-old defender. “I would like to gain experience with global governing body FIFA and Europe’s UEFA. ern club in nearly 60 years, provoking outrage in the troops occupied a third of the island, the Turkish and earn more money but it’s impossible.” In November 2013, there was a glimmer of hope in south. He claimed to have received death threats. Republic of Northern Cyprus has only been officially For Turkish-Cypriots like Simsek, the best salaries the form of a merger agreement signed under FIFA’s Sertoglu condemned the Vassiliou outcry but insisted recognised by Ankara. So no sporting associations are typically around 1500 Turkish lira (500 euros, auspices. But details of the deal have never been that football reunification is achievable. “Political prob- can join an international federation. And no team $625) a month, and all footballers have a job out- revealed and progress has since ground to a halt. The lems only interest politicians. We’re just footballers,” he can take part in international contests. side of the game. logistics of a single Cypriot federation would be a said. — AFP Bayern target Roma for quick qualification

BERLIN: Bayern Munich are making short Robben said. “We won in Rome 7-1 and we work of the Champions League group beat Dortmund. stage, the German giants aware that a “But we always have to remain critical, home victory over Roma today will improve things, never let off and think that advance them to the knockout round with it will just happen by itself. It does not but two games to spare. we are on a good path.” The Bavarians, who recorded their biggest away win in the competition when TITLE DEFENCE they crushed Roma 7-1 in the Italian capital It is difficult to see how Bayern can last month, are in scintillating form and top improve on current form as they march Group E on a maximum nine points from towards their seventh straight knockout three games. stage in Europe’s premier club competition. The German champions have won 12 of In their three group games so far, they 15 games in the Bundesliga, German Cup have netted nine times and let in just one and Champions League this season, draw- goal. In the league they are equally as ing the other three matches to remain effective, scoring a staggering 23 goals and unbeaten in all competitions. conceding three in 10 matches as they plot They received a further boost to their a smooth course towards a successful confidence on Saturday when they came Bundesliga title defence. from a goal down to edge past fellow Roma had a far less successful weekend, Champions League club and main domes- slumping to a 2-0 defeat at Napoli to slip tic rivals Borussia Dortmund 2-1. three points behind rivals Juventus at the More pleasing for Bayern coach Pep top of Serie A. Coach Rudi Garcia knows his Guardiola was the performances of Arjen team have a mountain to climb at the Robben, back from a minor knock, and fel- Allianz Arena on Wednesday if they are to low winger Franck Ribery, who is gradually maintain their challenge for second place returning to his best form after a long ahead of Manchester City, who are two LONDON: Manchester City’s James Milner in action in this file photo. — AP injury break. Dutchman Robben was a con- points behind them after three matches. stant source of danger and also converted Roma have managed at least one away win an 85th minute spot kick, awarded after in each of their last four Champions League Man City have no margin Frenchman Ribery was brought down fol- group stage appearances and there would lowing a surging run, for the winner. be no better time for a victory on the road “We are playing good football at times to restore some pride after their thrashing but there is still room for improvement,” at the hands of the Germans. — Reuters for errors against CSKA

LONDON: Everyone at Manchester City is flying CSKA on one. Anything less than a home win will Zenit’s winner at CSKA on Saturday. Injuries and high after the 1-0 derby win over Manchester put a huge dent in the home team’s hopes of suspensions have hit CSKA hard in Europe this United at the weekend but they could all come advancing to the last 16. A CSKA victory would season but coach Leonid Slutsky welcomes back crashing back to earth after today’s meeting put the Russians back in the hunt if Bayern, who Alan Dzagoev and Pontus Wernbloom on with CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. handed City a lifeline when they thrashed Roma Wednesday after both served three-match bans. The English top-flight champions, with striker 7-1 two weeks ago, beat the Italian outfit again The Russians will still be without young for- Sergio Aguero in outstanding form, should in today. Despite a surprise recent defeat by West ward Kirill Panchenko and Swedish midfielder theory be too strong for their Russian counter- Ham United, City are third in the , Rasmus Elm who has yet to feature this season parts at the Etihad Stadium, a year to the day six points behind leaders Chelsea, and their form because of a serious stomach problem. since City won the corresponding fixture 5-2. domestically is far superior to their results in “We are treating Elm in Sweden and in The omens are on the side of the home team Europe. Russia,” said club president Evgeny Giner. “I was too. CSKA have never won in England in five told that 10 footballers in the world suffer from appearances while Aguero has scored seven SCHIZOPHRENIC CITY this condition and nine aren’t playing football. goals against Russian clubs in four outings for Midfielders David Silva and Frank Lampard “If Rasmus is allowed to play the minimum he City and previous club Atletico Madrid. are sidelined against CSKA through injury while is risking is to become an invalid...the maximum However, City’s performances in Europe this Aleksandar Kolarov is a doubt after being hurt in risk is he could die.” Seydou Doumbia, who season have produced two draws and a defeat the warm-up against United on Sunday. scored a second-half goal and earned the penal- from three Group E matches and they are now While City are showing somewhat schizo- ty that Bebras Natcho converted in the 2-2 draw battling to stay in the competition. phrenic form in the two biggest competitions with City two weeks ago, is still looking to get MUNICH: Bayern’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer catches a ball during a training session The second of those draws came in Moscow they play in, CSKA travel to Manchester seeking back to full fitness. The Ivorian has been restrict- prior to the Champions League Group E soccer match against AS Roma today. — AP two weeks ago when they let a 2-0 lead slip in to salvage a season that is beginning to slide. ed to appearances as an impact substitute the closing stages, allowing CSKA to recover for The Moscow side trail leaders Zenit St recently as he tries to overcome injury problems. a 2-2 draw, but they have no margin for errors Petersburg by seven points in the Russian top- “His ankle is still not allowing him to play to the PSG keep focus on Europe now. flight after losing 1-0 to Andre Villas-Boas’ side at best of his ability,” said Slutsky. “Seydou did not Bayern Munich lead the way with nine points the weekend. even train with the main squad during the past PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain have their “They get men behind the ball and it followed by AS Roma on four, City on two and Javi Garcia, who used to play for City, scored week.” — Reuters eyes set on sealing a place in the last 16 is difficult to find spaces against them.” In of the Champions League when they recent times, PSG have saved their best entertain APOEL at the Parc des Princes performances for Europe, such as their 3- Suarez seeks first Barca in Group F today. 2 win against Barcelona at the end of The French capital club are unbeaten September, while in Ligue 1 their dis- at home in Europe in eight years and a plays have often been laboured. win against the Cypriot champions will However, this week they could per- goal on familiar territory be enough to take them through to the haps be forgiven for prioritising domes- knockout phase in the competition for tic matters with a crunch home meeting AMSTERDAM: Two defeats in as However, Luis Enrique’s men the third season running providing Ajax with their bitter rivals Marseille-whom many games has not been the will not be taking Ajax lightly hav- fail to beat Barcelona in Amsterdam in they trail by four points at the top of the dream start Luis Suarez sought to ing suffered their first defeat of the night’s other game. table-awaiting on Sunday evening. life as a Barcelona player, but one last season in the Dutch capital 2-1 Laurent Blanc’s side, who have not Blanc’s injury worries have eased of of his old hunting grounds offers despite playing against 10 men for lost at all this season, dream of winning late, with Brazilian centre-back the chance to get up and running the majority of the second-half. the Champions League but their display Marquinhos returning to the side after a as the Catalans travel to Ajax “They started very strongly and against APOEL in Nicosia two weeks ago, month on the sidelines in Saturday’s 2-1 today. over ran us in the early part of the when they required a late Edinson success at Lorient while Zlatan The Uruguayan scored 111 game,” midfielder Sergio Busquets Cavani strike to secure a 1-0 victory, Ibrahimovic is on the road to recovery goals during a four-year spell with said on Monday. “When they went means they will not be taking the group’s from a heel injury. the Dutch champions before mov- down to 10 men and we scored it supposed outsiders lightly. “I think this The Swede, still PSG’s top scorer this ing to Liverpool in 2011, but has changed. We hope that doesn’t match will be similar to when we played season, has been sidelined since yet to find the net since sealing his happen again.” Busquets has been them last time. Nicosia are a difficult September 21, and while he has been club record �75 million ($120 mil- one of a number of Barca players team to play against, aggressive in the called up by Sweden for a Euro 2016 lion, 96 million euro) move to below par in the last two games, right way and with good individual tal- qualifier in Montenegro next week, it Barcelona in July. but he refuted suggestions he was Barca’s star-studded front three still feeling the after effects of a ents,” Paris goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu seems unlikely that he will be ready to of Suarez, Neymar and Lionel hip injury picked up towards the told the club’s website. return just yet. Messi were denied by a fine goal- end of last season and accepted Cavani will therefore once again lead keeping display from Sergio the scrutiny that will come their the home attack while right-back Alvarez and the woodwork four way after back-to-back defeats. Matches on TV Gregory Van der Wiel and midfielder times as Celta Vigo recorded their “It is normal that there is a Thiago Motta will start before sitting out (Local Timings) first away win at Barcelona since debate and everything is looked at the Marseille encounter due to suspen- 1941 on Saturday, just a week after with a magnifying glass. If you lose sion. APOEL may only have one point so Barca were beaten for the first you have to improve because you UEFA Champions League far, from a 1-1 home draw with Ajax, but time in the league this season at are not doing everything well, but they were only beaten 1-0 in Barcelona Real Madrid. we always analyse ourselves, as Man City v Moskva 22:45 before almost holding PSG two weeks “The match against Ajax is the much when we win as when we beIN SPORTS 5 HD ago and they need a result to boost their most important at the moment,” lose. Ajax v Barcelona 22:45 chances of at least finishing third. The said Suarez, who played the full 90 “We need to keep working and beIN SPORTS 2 HD Cypriot club, coached by former Greek minutes against Celta for the first improving, we can’t do anything Bilbao v FC Porto 22:45 international , are four time since his four-month ban for else.” Ajax need to win to retain biting at the World Cup. any realistic hope of reaching the beIN SPORTS 6 HD points clear at the top of their domestic “It is clear that it is a club that last 16 and midfielder Lasse Bayern Munich v AS Roma 22:45 league after beating Ethnikos Achna 4-0 away at the weekend with Irish former gave me everything. “I learned a Schone believes lightning can beIN SPORTS 1 HD lot and I will always be thankful strike twice for Frank de Boer’s PSG v Apoel Nicosia 22 :45 Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan scoring twice. for that. To return and play in the men. “Everyone then had written beIN SPORTS 3 HD Champions League with us off last year, but we won,” Their most dangerous weapon is the NK Maribor v Chelsea 22:45 Barcelona will be great.” A win for Schone, who scored twice in veteran Brazilian , beIN SPORTS 4 HD Barca at the Amsterdam Arena Saturday’s 4-0 win over FC although the former Benfica player is allied to victory for Paris Saint- Dordrecht, told the club’s website. Shakhtar Donetsk v Borisov 22:45 nursing a hamstring problem and Donis beIN SPORTS 7 HD Germain at home to APOEL “The more people say we can’t do has a concern at left-back with Marios Nicosia will see both the top it the better. Barcelona are better Lisbon v Schalke 22:45 Antoniades and one-time Monaco man AMSTERDAM: Barcelona’s Neymar kicks the ball during a training at seeds in Group F into the last 16 than last year, but again there is Arena stadium ahead of the Group F Champions League match beIN SPORTS 8 HD John-Arne Riise injured. — Reuters with two games to spare. always a chance. “ — AFP against AFC Ajax. —AP