THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016 SPORTS ‘We’ll shoot ourselves’ if England fail at Euros: Dyke LONDON: England Football Association manager Hodgson after the debacle in in London at the launch of a year of cel- Brazil but they bounced back to record out in the next few days whether I chairman Greg Dyke declared “We’ll all Brazil, but said a repeat this year would ebrations to commemorate the 50th victories in all 10 of their Euro 2016 decide to stand again for another year,” shoot ourselves” if Roy Hodgson’s team mean heads would roll. anniversary of England’s 1966 World qualifiers. Dyke said. fall at the group stage of Euro 2016. “I think we’ll all shoot ourselves if we Cup success. “The FA is the richest FA in Dyke also announced he will decide Dyke was joined by England World England face Wales, Russia and don’t get out of the group,” Dyke said. the world, the most income. The FA has in the next few days whether to stand Cup-winning heroes Geoff Hurst, Slovakia in the tournament in France “We’ve got to get out of that group. If to take some of the blame,” Dyke said. for re-election as FA chairman this sum- Gordon Banks, Martin Peters and from June 10, haunted by the memory we don’t, that really is bad news for “We should have won a tournament in mer. His three-year term ends in July, George Cohen at the event in of the 2014 World Cup where they were English football.” the last 50 years. We haven’t. But we will but he would be allowed to serve one Kensington’s Royal Garden Hotel, where eliminated at the group phase for the The 68-year-old former BBC director- win in the next 50 years, hopefully long year of a new term before exceeding the the draw for the 1966 finals was made first time since 1958. Dyke stood by general was speaking on Tuesday night before.” England failed to win a match in job’s age limit of 70. “We will sort that 50 years ago. —AFP Soriano at the double as Samp edge Genoa in thriller MILAN: Roberto Soriano struck twice as but we never gave up.” visitors Sampdoria edged Genoa 3-2 in a Veteran striker Antonio Cassano, making thrilling city derby on Tuesday that was a rare start for the visitors, played a role in delayed on two occasions due to fans all three of Sampdoria’s goals. The former throwing smoke flares. Genoa had won Italy international’s through ball was only one of the previous six editions of the deflected into Soriano’s path, and the latter ‘Derby della Lanterna’ and Gian Piero smashed a low volley past Mattia Perin for Gasperini’s men were again left second an 18th-minute lead. best at the clubs’ shared Luigi Ferraris Cassano was involved again when ground as Sampdoria held on amid an Carlos Carbonero won back possession in exciting finale. his own half to power down the right. Sampdoria only claimed their first win Carbonero’s cutback was poorly cleared under new coach Vincenzo Montella prior and fell to Eder, who sidestepped his mark- to the festive break, but the visitors fully er to slot the ball inside Perin’s near post. deserved their 2-0 lead at the interval Genoa’s woes deepened only four min- thanks to Soriano’s opener and Eder’s 39th- utes after the restart, Cassano providing an minute strike. Soriano struck again just assist for Soriano that the forward swept after the break, but Sampdoria were lucky easily into the net to claim his second, to claim all three points after Leonardo prompting the ire of the home fans. The Pavoletti twice reduced arrears late in the fixture had already been delayed by several second half to claim his first brace in Serie minutes before kick-off because of the A and inspire the hosts to a grandstand fin- poor visibility caused by smoke flares, and ish. Soriano’s second prompted Genoa fans to The win moved Sampdoria up to 11th throw several flares onto the pitch, prompt- place ahead of the remaining midweek fix- ing the intervention of firemen. tures on Wednesday, while Genoa remain Yet the incident appeared to fire up the in 17th, just one point above the drop hosts, who launched a rousing comeback zone. only to be denied a share of the points at “It’s always good to win, even winning the death. Pavoletti reduced the arrears in like this,” Montella told Sky Sport. “They the 69th minute when he rose above the STOKE ON TRENT: Liverpool’s Jordon Ibe scores past Stoke City’s goalkeeper Jack Butland during the first leg of the English League Cup semifi- suffered more than us and we should focus Samp defence to fire a header into the net, nal soccer match between Stoke City and Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke on Trent, England, Tuesday. — AP on the good points of tonight without for- and moments later Darko Lazovic saw his getting we have to work on the little mis- low drive inch just wide of the post. takes we made. “But we totally deserved Pavoletti grabbed his second nine min- the win.” utes from time when he headed into an Advantage Liverpool as Ibe Gasperini’s men have now lost five on empty net from a yard out after Emiliano the trot, prompting speculation about his Viviano mistimed his attempted intercep- future. tion after rushing out of his goal. downs Stoke in League Cup He said: “This season we have to think Genoa spurned several chances for a about staying up. After five straight defeats, late leveller, Viviano blocking Serge Gakpe it’s obvious that has to be our focus. “We and Pavoletti before palming the ball off LONDON: Jordon Ibe came off the bench to was tempered by yet more injury woe as scuffed shot fell into the path of Ibe who con- made some glaring mistakes tonight which the line when a shot ricocheted dangerous- drive home the winner as Liverpool took a big Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren succumbed trolled the ball neatly before dispatching his left- made it difficult to get back into the match, ly in front of goal. —AFP step towards reaching the League Cup final with to hamstring problems in a high-paced first half, footed shot low into the net. a 1-0 victory at Stoke City in the first leg of their while Toure was limping at the finish. Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino was denied by a last-four tie on Tuesday. Ibe was summoned into “It’s a strange feeling,” Liverpool’s German last-ditch tackle from Ryan Shawcross, but Stoke Italy Serie A results/standings the action early and the winger fired home left- coach told Sky Sports. “I’m proud as it was a per- did finish the half with their best two chances as footed in the first half as Juergen Klopp’s side fect reaction from the last game (a 2-0 defeat to Marko Arnautovic headed wide and former AC Milan 0, Bologna 1; Chievo Verona 3, AS Roma 3; Juventus 3, Verona 0; Lazio 0, Carpi 0; Palermo 1, grabbed a narrow but potentially priceless West Ham United). “But of course we have two Liverpool fullback Glen Johnson drew a good Fiorentina 3; Sassuolo 2, Frosinone 2; Udinese 2, Atalanta Bergamo 1. advantage ahead of the return leg on Jan. 26. bad injuries and that’s why I’m not lucky save from Simon Mignolet. P W D L F A Pts Udinese 18 7 3 8 17 25 24 Liverpool’s hopes of a record-extending ninth tonight.” The eight-times winners were sharp Stoke brought on striker Jonathan Walters for Fiorentina 18 12 2 4 36 16 38 Chievo Verona18 6 5 7 24 21 23 League Cup title were given a stern examination and incisive as they pinned Stoke back in the the second half and piled men forward but cre- Inter Milan 17 11 3 3 23 11 36 Sampdoria 18 6 5 7 27 28 23 in the second half as Stoke piled forward in early stages although they again looked to be ated few chances from a sustained period of Juventus 18 11 3 4 31 14 36 Torino 16 6 4 6 21 20 22 search of an equaliser. However, a makeshift lacking a killer instinct in front of goal. It was pressure, until the substitute pulled an effort Napoli 17 10 5 2 31 13 35 Bologna 18 7 1 10 20 24 22 defence featuring Lucas Leiva and Kolo Toure substitute Ibe who broke the deadlock for the wide in stoppage time. AS Roma 18 9 6 3 35 21 33 Palermo 18 5 3 10 18 29 18 Sassuolo 17 7 7 3 22 17 28 stood firm. The prize on offer is a place in the visitors, putting the finishing touch to a swift At the other end, Liverpool had penalty AC Milan 18 8 4 6 24 22 28 Genoa 18 4 4 10 17 26 16 final against Manchester City or Everton who counter attack after 37 minutes. appeals turned down when Allen and Nathaniel Empoli 17 8 3 6 23 22 27 Frosinone 18 4 3 11 19 36 15 play the first leg of their semi-final at Goodison Adam Lallana beat the offside trap down the Clyne were barged over in the box, while Ibe hit Atalanta 18 7 3 8 20 21 24 Carpi 18 2 5 11 15 33 11 Park on Wednesday.