TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 SPORTS Wenger’s Arsenal harvest finally bears fruit

LONDON: After eight fallow years with- Arsenal’s play with his vision and deft- together and their association already Although much of the media’s atten- however, may have been his decision to out silverware, Arsenal manager Arsene ness of touch, and his artistry appears to promises much, but no-one symbolises tion has focused on the signing of Ozil, bring French holding Wenger has seen his side reap a spec- have rubbed off on the players around the Arsenal revival more strongly than Giroud believes it was also vitally impor- Mathieu Flamini back to the club on a tacular harvest in the first month of the him. Aaron Ramsey. tant that Arsenal did not lose any of free transfer after a four-year exile at AC English autumn. was initially exiled to The Welsh midfielder’s career their major players during the close sea- Milan. His return was decried by some Saturday’s stylish 4-1 win over the left wing following Ozil’s arrival from seemed to be stuck in second gear after son. “We kept our best players and it’s fans as a sign of a lack of ambition, but Norwich City sent the north London Real Madrid, but he demonstrated his he sustained a double leg break in a something that Arsenal hadn’t done for his tigerish attitude and dogged deter- club two points clear at the Premier worth in a central role by breaking the challenge by Stoke City’s Ryan a few years because they lost four or five mination have given Arsenal a bite in League summit and extended their deadlock against Norwich with a Shawcross in February 2010, but he is of their best players,” the France striker central midfield that they have not had unbeaten run to 12 games in all compe- breath-taking goal that Wenger now playing with arresting self-assur- told AFP. for several seasons. titions ahead of today’s Champions described as “one of the best” of his 17- ance. His sharply taken goal against “The club has shown its intentions. “Mathieu Flamini is just as valuable League clash with Borussia Dortmund. year tenure. Norwich, after a slalom past two You feel stronger next to players like to his team right now as Mesut Ozil,” Such a sequence seemed a remote Having started the move deep in his defenders, took his tally to nine in 12 Ozil. He’s the player who we needed.” wrote former Arsenal striker Alan Smith possibility in the aftermath of a shock own half, Wilshere was involved in a games and a roulette turn shown in While the scarcity of strikers in the in a column for The Daily Telegraph. defeat at home to Aston Villa on the sea- razor-sharp passing exchange on the slow-motion on popular BBC highlights squad means that Giroud is assured of Giroud says that his countryman “bal- son’s opening day, but Arsenal were edge of the Norwich area that went programme Match of the Day moved his starting place, Wenger has a wealth ances everything”. Arsenal’s fans have revitalised by the club-record £42.4 mil- Cazorla, Wilshere, Cazorla, Giroud, the pundits to liken him to Zinedine of options in midfield, with Ozil, not had a trophy to celebrate since the lion ($66 million, 50 million euros) Wilshere, Giroud, Wilshere, culminating Zidane. The adroit Olivier Giroud, mean- Wilshere, Ramsey, Mikel Arteta, Tomas 2005 FA Cup, but after years of mana- acquisition of Mesut Ozil on transfer in the England midfielder volleying past while, now appears the perfect foil for Rosicky and the injured trio of Theo gerial patience, financial restraint and deadline day. goalkeeper John Ruddy from 10 yards. It the busy cluster of attacking Walcott, and Alex the loss of a succession of cherished The German playmaker, who scored was the first time that Ozil, Wilshere and operating behind him, who thrive on his Oxlade-Chamberlain jostling for only players, the Gunners finally seem ready twice against Norwich, has illuminated Santi Cazorla had started a league game precise lay-offs and penetrative flicks. four places. Wenger’s real masterstroke, to fire again. —AFP

World Cup playoffs Portugal get Sweden test as France take on Ukraine

ZURICH: Continental giants Portugal and Sweden were drawn together in the pick of the World Cup qualifying play-offs in Europe made by football’s governing body FIFA yesterday. Former champions France were given a favorable pairing as they travel to Ukraine for the first leg on November 15 while Greece will host Romania and Croatia play their first leg in Iceland. Alejandro Donatti The second round of the two- legged ties will be played on November 19. Former World Cup Rosario dent Newell’s semi-finalists Portugal and Sweden were the first two countries pulled out of the hat as Cristiano Ronaldo second title charge will defy Zlatan Ibrahimovic in what will be a battle of star-stud- BUENOS AIRES: Newell’s Old Boys’ charge goalkeeper Mauricio Caranta got a touch ded line-ups. towards a second successive Argentine and it came back off his left-hand post only “We have been drawn against a league title was interrupted by promoted for Rodriguez to steal in and touch it home. team against whom we will be arch-rivals Rosario Central who beat them It was Rodriguez’s seventh goal in six playing two complicated matches, 2-1 in the Rosario derby on Sunday. Arsenal successive matches including Argentina’s two relatively balanced matches,” failed to profit when they lost 2-1 at Tigre World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on explained Portugal coach Paulo and remained on 23 points, three behind Tuesday when he scored two. Bento. “Besides having one of the Newell’s and level with San Lorenzo. Central scored the winner just before best strikers in the world All three goals at the Gigante de the half hour thanks to a poor kick out of (Ibrahimovic), the quality of their ZURICH: A screen shows the matches to be played during the draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup European Arroyito came during a pulsating first half his box by goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman. team (Sweden), is their collective zone play-off matches yesterday, at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich.—AP in the first Rosario “clasico” in three and a The ball fell to the unmarked Antonio spirit. “They finished second in a half years following Central’s relegation in Medina, who steered a low pass back into group that had one of the best Euro 2012 co-hosts where they stage. After that every single opponents. “I would have preferred 2010. the box where striker Carlos Luna stumbled European teams and potential win- defeated Ukraine 2-0 in group play. match for us was like the final, like the first match to be away, but The victory took Central’s unbeaten run but managed to head it towards the right ners Germany. “We were not seeded and could a do-or-die mission. again, it does not matter. The mes- to five while ending Newell’s five-match where Hernan Encina raced in to score. “However regardless of the have played Portugal or Croatia “Now we have serious experi- sage I send to the Greek fans is to winning streak. Defender Alejandro Donatti Newell’s striker Victor Figueroa missed a opponent, we will be playing these who have a long history, but ence of playing the most impor- believe in this team, to support us, headed home side Central into the lead chance for another equaliser when his shot two matches with the aim of play- Ukraine is not a simple draw either,” tant matches. We are a cohesive to fill the stadium to push the team from a free kick in the 12th minute. hit the post on the stroke of halftime. ing at the World Cup,” continued Deschamps told Eurosport tv. team now and, I believe, we have a and help us,” he concluded. Newell’s responded with a fine lob from San Lorenzo recovered from losing 3-0 Bento. Ibrahimovic believes “They are on a run of seven fair chance to go through,” he Finally, Iceland look to qualify Pablo Perez that was just wide before Maxi to Arsenal in the final of the Copa Sweden are the underdogs. matches without defeat and they added. for the first time in their history Rodriguez equalised in the 16th. Argentina knockout competition on “Portugal are favorites, but they concede very few goals as well as a Romania are bidding to return against a Croatia side coming off The winger came into the box from the Wednesday with a 3-0 home victory over are going to be two fantastic long trip over there,” he continued. to the final stages for the first time back to back defeats against left, nudged the ball towards the net but All Boys on Saturday.—Reuters matches,” said the Paris Saint “It’s good to have the return leg since 1998 and will fancy their Scotland and in the midst of a Germain star. “We’re playing at home but one team will qualify chances against goal-shy Greece, managerial change. against a good team with many and the other will be staying home who were beaten to top spot in The four winners will qualify for good players. Play-off matches are for the World Cup.” added the 1998 their pool by Bosnia-Herzegovina. the 2014 World Cup in Brazil from Bradley hopes for dignified like two finals, it’s completely dif- World Cup winning captain. Greece coach Fernando Santos June 12 to July 13. Nine teams ferent from group matches. “I think Ukraine’s key player Artem feels the 2004 European champi- have already qualified from Europe end to World Cup campaign we have to reduce our errors and Fedetsky of Dnepropetrovsk ons can fulfil their dream and - Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, the team who makes the most will believes in his side’s chances called on their fans to get behind Germany, Switzerland, Spain, CAIRO: With Egypt still reeling from a 6-1 loss in decades will restore some national pride miss the World Cup.” despite a tough draw. “We’ve the team. England, Russia and Bosnia. to Ghana in a World Cup playoff, the team’s and help bridge deep political and social divi- Didier Deschamps’ French side, already been buried after the poor “No matter who the opponent, The draw for the eight groups of American coach is hoping to restore some sions. who were narrowly beaten to top start in the qualifying campaign. the level of all the teams are very four that will feature in the first pride to the bruised national side. Egypt had only begun to hope for a recov- spot in their pool by defending “However, we managed to strong. The Romanians are of great round of the tournament will take It’s unclear, however, if Bob Bradley will ery from the 2011 uprising that forced long- champions Spain, travel to the come back and reach the play-off quality and dangerous and difficult place on December 6 in Bahia, even get the chance to do that. “Our team has term president Hosni Mubarak from office worked very, very hard to try and make a when Bradley arrived to the country that year dream, an important dream for all Egyptians,” to revive a team that missed out on the 2010 Bradley said in an interview with The World Cup and then the African Cup of Nations Henry, Pires lined up Associated Press. “I am sad that we’ve put our- for the first time in 33 years. selves in a position right now where that Managing the team amid political chaos for India tournament dream is at risk. “It’s going to be difficult, but has been Bradley’s main challenge, particularly we still have 90 more minutes.” after violence consumed the game following MUMBAI: Former football superstars , and Bradley spoke to the AP ahead of a meeting the deaths of 74 people in a stadium riot in Hernan Crespo are being lined up to play in a new Indian tournament of the Egyptian Football Association’s board of Port Said last year. aimed at cashing in on growing domestic interest in the sport, organ- directors yesterday that will discuss the Ghana More violence erupted earlier this year, isers said yesterday. match. Bradley’s immediate future is also likely when seven police officers were acquitted in a Fredrik Ljungberg, Dwight Yorke and Louis Saha are among other to be on the agenda amid reports that he will trial over the melee while death sentences foreign players in the fray for the franchise-based event organised by be asked to step aside for second leg of the against 21 alleged rioters were confirmed. the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partners two-match playoff. Angry fans rampaged through the heart of IMG-Reliance. Egypt is set to host the return leg in Cairo Cairo, storming the Egyptian football federa- The Indian Super League is scheduled to be held between January on Nov. 19. But it’s the first leg, held last week tion’s headquarters before setting it ablaze. and March across India and feature eight city teams whose squads in the Ghanaian town of Kumasi, that is still Then in July, Egypt’s first democratically will comprise nine foreign and 13 Indian players. causing fury in Egypt. Much of the blame for a elected president, Mohammed Morsi, was “The idea of the league is to revolutionise Indian football,” said a surprisingly one-sided defeat has been pinned ousted in a military coup, prompting his sup- spokesman for IMG-Reliance, a joint venture between global events on Bradley, putting the future of the former porters to stage near-weekly protests for his management group IMG and Indian conglomerate Reliance. United States coach in doubt and raising spec- reinstatement and their rivals to demonstrate “The Indian youth follows a lot of European football. So we defi- ulation that he might not be with his team for in support of the military-backed leadership. the second match because of fears over his “When we went on the field in Kumasi last nitely want to bring in their expertise, experience and fan following,” safety. The final decision on his role in the week, these were some of the things that the the spokesman told AFP. Ghana match and whether the return match players were carrying on their shoulders,” Yorke, Saha, Ljungberg, Pires and Crespo had been confirmed to will be played in the Egyptian capital was “out Bradley said. “It’s a lot to ask of the players in a play, the spokesman said, adding that Henry “could be a potential”. of my hands,” Bradley said. football match.” The format will steal extensively from India’s top limited-overs “If it is left to me I would be with the team Bradley shrugged off criticism that ranges cricket tournament, which has been copied in other sports including because we had been together throughout from accusations that he made bad lineup badminton and hockey. this period with a dream,” Bradley said. “It’s choices ahead of the Ghana match and failed Top businessmen have been invited to buy the new football clubs important that we can stand together one to make tactical decisions and fortify Egypt’s and take part in players’ auctions which will be held next month. more time.” defense as his side was being hammered. The Among the nine cities in line to grab the eight teams are Mumbai, The Ghana Football Association has asked fans back home said the coach’s mistakes Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Guwahati, Goa, Bangalore and Pune. FIFA to move the return leg to a neutral venue, humiliated the team. The made-for-television event, to be broadcast by the Rupert citing security concerns. Football’s governing “I am strong in these situations,” Bradley Murdoch-owned Star TV network, has already run into trouble over body has given Egypt a deadline of Oct. 28 to said. “As a national coach you have some peo- fierce opposition from India’s top clubs. provide “comprehensive security assurances.” ple on your side and some who are against The clubs have declined to release their players for the tourna- Bradley was doubtful of Ghana’s motivation you,” he said. “I understand the disappoint- ment, saying it will threaten their existence and ruin the national I- for the request. “I can’t speak to whether or not ment. I see it when I see people in the street.” League domestic competition. this was out of real security concerns or But sometimes, the American said, people Last year a similar idea by football officials in West Bengal state for whether or not they were also trying to work also come up to him and say: “Thank you for a franchise-based league featuring fading stars like Crespo and Fabio things in their favor,” Bradley said. Egypt’s giving everything at the time when the coun- Cannavaro foundered. upheavals that have resulted in the fall of two try is going through so much trouble, so much India, ranked a lowly 154th in the world and 28th in Asia, has seen presidents in as many years have often turned turmoil.” a surge in football’s popularity due to live television coverage of violent. Political unrest has also spilled into Short of a “miracle” in second leg, the matches played around the globe. football, killing dozens in a deadly stadium riot American is aware that his time in Egypt is Star TV, which also beams English (EPL) matches last year that traumatized the nation. coming to an end. “If we don’t manage to in to the country, roped in India’s cricket captain Mahendra Singh Through it all, football-crazed Egyptians make a miracle, then I’ll be finished,” Bradley Dhoni to promote football for its sports channel. were banking on the Pharaohs to earn a spot said. “I will leave feeling sad for everyone but It also launched Hindi-language commentary on EPL games to at next year’s World Cup in Brazil, hoping that also knowing that we gave everything we had ensure wider viewership in smaller towns where English is spoken qualifying for the tournament for the first time to try and make it happen.” —AP Thierry Henry less commonly.—AFP