SPORTS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013

Milan leave stadium after players meet angry ‘ultras’

MILAN: An angry protest launched by hardline “ultra” Despite having the man advantage, Milan went on who returned to the club at the start of the season, in charge, in 2011, and a runner-up place in 2012 had fans finally ended outside AC Milan’s San Siro stadium to spurn a series of chances in a dominant second-half and veteran goalkeeper Christian Abbiati meeting to drag Milan fighting and kicking to a third-place fin- on Saturday nearly two hours after a 1-1 draw with to claim an unwelcome share of the points. Subjected with fans in a bid to calm the situation. ish last season. Genoa, but only after demands to speak to players to angry banners in the hardline Curva Sud (South Reports on domestic agency ANSA said during the Ironically, Allegri may have benefited from had been met. Stand) throughout the game, almost the entire San meeting an ultras “leader” hit out at the “unprofession- Saturday’s incident, which appeared to show that a Milan have endured a disastrous start to the cam- Siro turned against Milan at the final whistle when al” attitude of a number of Milan’s side and demanded growing number of fans are angry with the perform- paign for the second successive season and had tar- jeers and insults rained down on Massimiliano improvements. ances of players and not necessarily the coach’s tacti- geted a win against Genoa to end a run of four games Allegri’s men. It added that Kaka, who scored in the fourth cal choices. without a win that has left the Serie A giants in the A reported 400 fans then gathered outside the sta- minute for the Rossoneri, and Abbiati-who had failed Allegri, who escaped a pre-Christmas sacking last second half of the table. dium to block the exit of Milan’s squad bus, in doing to stop an eighth-minute penalty strike from Alberto year, was given immediate backing by club vice-presi- But despite Genoa being reduced to 10 men just so preventing the small party of fans who had trav- Gilardino-had pledged to pass on the message to the dent Adriano Galliani, who called on fans to support after the half hour when Thomas Manfredini was sent elled to support Genoa from leaving the stadium. squad. Milan’s fifth draw in 13 games left the seven- the club in a difficult time. off for a foul on Mario Balotelli in the box, Milan failed Milan, and the Genoa supporters, were finally times European champions 18 points off the pace of “The fans shouldn’t get dramatic, because all of to capitalise. Italy striker Balotelli, who has not scored allowed to leave shortly after midnight (2315 GMT) leaders Roma and 14 behind the first Champions this is not just down to the last game (that was a league goal in two months, stunned the hosts when but not before the disgruntled supporters’ demands League qualifying place occupied by Napoli. played),” Galliani he told the Milan Channel. “We have he missed from the penalty spot for only the second for an audience with key players was met. The pressure has increased on Allegri, who, after to stand up and be proud of this Milan squad, even if time in 23 career attempts. Television pictures later showed club icon Kaka, winning the scudetto (league title) in his first season things are not going well at the moment.” — AFP Llorente, Tevez send Juvetus top

MILAN: Second-half strikes from Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez secured a 2-0 win away to Livorno yesterday to send champions Juventus top of Italy’s Serie A for the first time this season. Elsewhere, Lazio escaped with a 1-1 draw away to 10-man Sampdoria while Fiorentina’s hopes of challenging for a place in Europe next season were dented by a 1-0 defeat away to dominant Udinese. Juventus now have a two-point cushion on overnight leaders Roma ahead of the capital side’s home game against struggling Cagliari on Monday. Napoli, stunned 1-0 at home by Parma on Saturday, are now six points off the pace in third and could see Inter Milan match them on 28 points if the Nerazzurri win away at Bologna in Sunday’s late game. Llorente, who also set up Tevez’s strike, said: “We have to take it a game at a time but, for sure, overtaking Roma can add a little pressure to them. “But we have to keep on winning, concentrate on our own jobs and continue doing what the CAPE TOWN: ’s cricketer and Ahmed Shahzad (back) celebrates the coach asks us to do.” Juventus travelled to Tuscany LIVORNO: Juventus’ Argentinian foward Carlos Alberto Tevez vies with Livorno’s defender of South Africa’s David Miller during the first (ODI) looking for their fourth successive league win, Match between Pakistan and South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town yes- Federico Ceccherini during the Serie A footballmatch Livorno vs Juventus at Armando Picchi with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, making his stadium yesterday in Livorno. — AFP terday. — AFP 500th Serie A appearance, having kept clean sheets in their three previous games. Although Roma could regain top spot with a However, with new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic in Debutants spur Pakistan Despite missing several defenders due to injury win on Monday, results elsewhere would be wel- charge, the hosts rallied and substitute Roberto and suspension, prompting coach Antonio Conte comed by Juventus, who host FC Copenhagen on Soriano headed Samp into a shock 67th minute to slot midfielder Arturo Vidal in the middle of his Wednesday in a Champions League clash they lead after keeper Federico Marchetti had fumbled to victory over S Africa back three, the Bianconeri weathered a frustrating cannot afford to lose if they harbour any hopes of at the crossbar following a poor clearance. first period and made the difference in 12 second- qualifying from Group B. Samp looked to have secured all three points half minutes. Two weeks after a 3-0 rout away to Juve, until their defence allowed Lorik Cana to weave CAPE TOWN: Debutants Bhatti (39) and Ali (43 ) pros- Goalscoring action was scarce in a frustrating Napoli’s second successive defeat also left them his way towards the edge of the area where he and Anwar Ali spurred Pakistan to victory pered after Pakistan’s recognised bats- first half for both sides. However, Juventus saw without influential midfielder Marek Hamsik, who beat Angelo Da Costa at his near post with a low after their team had been in deep trou- men struggled against a strong South claims for a penalty waved away just before the suffered a foot injury, ahead of their crucial drive. ble in the first one-day international African pace attack. Bhatti, 22, took three hour despite the ball clearly coming off the arm of Champions League clash away to Borussia Mihajlovic, who appeared as a player for both against South Africa at Newlands yester- for 37 in South Africa’s innings, while Ali, Federico Ceccherini. Dortmund. Sampdoria and Lazio, was disappointed but day. 25, claimed two for 24, including the cru- Minutes later Llorente broke the deadlock Fiorentina were dominated throughout a 1-0 buoyed by his side’s performance. The newcomers shared an eighth cial wicket of Kallis, bowled for 50. Bhatti when he smashed a volley past Francesco Bardi defeat away to Udinese that left ‘La Viola’ with their “It’s never pleasing to concede a goal in the wicket stand of 74 to rescue Pakistan and Ali shared the man of the match from Paul Pogba’s cross from the right, and the third defeat of the campaign, but still in fifth place. dying seconds. I’m more sorry for the lads because from a precarious 131 for seven, then award and earned high praise from cap- Spaniard then held up several defenders to lay the Coach Vincenzo Montella said: “We just they showed how they can play, how they can shared five as Pakistan won by 23 tain Misbah-ul-Haq. ball off for Tevez to hit a low drive past the goal- couldn’t get going in the second half. We were far fight,” said Mihajlovic, who quit as Serbia coach in runs. Pakistan made 218 for nine in their “I am very happy, especially as the two keeper at his near post. too frenetic.” Sampdoria suffered a blow from the midweek. 50 overs after winning the toss. Despite youngsters set it up. The plan was to Conte said: “We struggled to find the openings opening minute of the second half when Nenad “But we shouldn’t let the heads go down, we’ve a half-century from returning veteran negotiate the new ball, then accelerate at first, but when the goals came it was from situa- Krsticic saw red for a challenge on Cristian shown what we’re capable of and I’m sure we will Jacques Kallis, South Africa were bowled but we kept losing wickets at the wrong tions that we had worked on in training.” Ledesma which left the Italian midfielder. fight our way back up the table.” — AFP out for 195. time. It was not a good total but the bowlers did really well,” said Misbah. For the first time since South Africa England crumble to SCOREBOARD began their rise to the top of the Test rankings, the hosts fielded all three of defeat against Australia their leading fast bowlers - Dale Steyn, CAPE TOWN: Final scores in the first one-day Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel - in international between South Africa and BRISBANE: England suffered one of their looked at one stage as if they might be saved the same one-day side. Pakistan at Newlands yesterday. heaviest-ever Ashes Test defeats yesterday by the weather, when a fierce hailstorm drove With Kallis returning for his first one- when Australia trounced them by 381 runs at the players from the field and an early tea was Pakistan day international since February 2012, the Gabba and went one-up in the series with called with the tourists on 142 for four. c Kallis b Steyn 24 South Africa applied relentless pressure a day to spare. The tourists collapsed under But it was only a brief respite and the c De Kock b Kallis 35 as Pakistan struggled. But Bhatti and Ali, the searing pace of Mitchell Johnson and relentless Australians pushed on to a well- c Amla b Steyn 5 who have both scored first-class cen- were all out for 179 late on the fourth day deserved victory ahead of the second Test c b Kallis 22 turies despite primarily being picked as after they were skittled out for 136 off 52.4 starting in Adelaide on December 5. Kevin Misbah-ul-Haq c De Kock b Morkel 13 bowlers, went for their shots to keep overs in the first innings. Pietersen and Cook had safely negotiated the c De Kock b Philander 0 their side in the game. It was England’s second-biggest loss at the opening hour of the day. But Johnson struck b Steyn 26 Steyn took three for 33 and Morkel Gabba, after the tourists crashed by 384 runs two balls after the first drinks break, when Bilawal Bhatti lbw b Morkel 39 three for 39, while Philander claimed there in 2002. Johnson, the match of the man, Pietersen on 26 injudiciously hooked a Anwar Ali not out 43 one for 37. Bhatti and Ali put on 74 off finished with five for 42 in the second innings bouncer straight to backward square leg. c Duminy b Morkel 3 70 balls. Bhatti made his 39 off 25 and nine wickets for 103 for the match, along Substitute fielder Chris Sabburg, on for not out 0 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, with his spirited knock of 64 in Australia’s first Harris, claimed the catch to a huge roar from Extras (b2, lb1, w5) 8 while Ali hit six fours in a 55-ball innings. the home crowd. England’s situation wors- Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 218 innings. It was Australia’s first Test victory after nine ened when Ian Bell was beaten by Peter Fall of wickets: 1-49 (Jamshed), 2-58 (Hafeez), “We spoke about out the 50 win-less matches. They lost the last Ashes Siddle’s extra bounce in the 54th over and 3-73 (Shehzad), 4-97 (Misbah), 5-98 (Akmal), overs,” said Ali. “We have played together series 3-0 in England in July-August. “It was edged to Haddin for 32.—AFP 6-124 (Maqsood), 7-131 (Afridi), 8-205 a lot in domestic cricket so that helped.” obviously a long time between drinks, but (Bhatti), 9-213 South Africa suffered an early blow when the boys are very excited,” said skipper (Ajmal) Michael Clarke. Hashim Amla exposed his leg stump and SCOREBOARD Bowling: Steyn 10-2-33-3 (2w), Philander 10- “A good victory. A lot of hard work has 0-37-1 (2w), Morkel 10-0-39-3, Duminy 5-0- was bowled by Junaid Khan in the third gone into preparation ... we’ve been prepar- BRISBANE: Scoreboard after Australia 23-0, Imran Tahir 7-1-30-0, Kallis 8-0-53-2 (1w) over of their innings. Graeme Smith fol- ing since losing the series in England. But we lowed in the next over, by Umar beat England by 381 runs on the fourth know England will come back harder.” Alastair day of the first Ashes test at the Gabba South Africa Akmal off Mohammad Hafeez, although Cook’s dismissal for 65, six balls after play yesterday: G. Smith st Umar Akmal b Mohammad it was a fortuitous dismissal for the wick- resumed following a heavy afternoon hail- Hafeez 12 etkeeper as the ball bounced off his storm, signalled the end for England. Australia won the toss and elected to bat H. Amla b Junaid Khan 3 gloves, onto the ground and into the The England skipper tried to cut spinner Australia 295 & 401-7 declared Q. de Kock b Bilawal Bhatti 19 stumps while Smith’s foot was momen- Nathan Lyon, only to edge to wicketkeeper England first innings 136 J. Kallis b Anwar Ali 50 tarily off the ground. Brad Haddin, exposing his team’s tail-end to A. de Villiers b Shahid Afridi 10 Kallis and Quinton de Kock put on 42 the fired-up Australian bowlers. Wicketkeeper England second innings (overnight 24-2) J. Duminy c Umar Akmal b Saeed Ajmal 49 for the third wicket before De Kock was Matt Prior followed two overs later, caught A. Cook c Haddin b Lyon 65 D. Miller c Umar Akmal b Anwar Ali 4 bowled by Bhatti. Batting with calm close in by David Warner off Lyon for four. M. Carberry b Harris 0 V. Philander c Sohaib Maqsood b Saeed assurance, Kallis reached 50 for the 103rd Stuart Broad (4) and Graeme Swann (0) went J. Trott c Lyon b Johnson 9 Ajmal 14 time in one-day internationals but was in the next over from firebrand Johnson. K. Pietersen c sub b Johnson 26 D. Steyn b Bilawal Bhatti 15 then bowled by Ali, edging an in-swing- Another burst of rain kept the players off I. Bell c Haddin b Siddle 32 M. Morkel b Bilawal Bhatti 17 ing from Ali off the bottom of his the field for 45 minutes and then Chris J. Root not out 26 Imran Tahir not out 0 bat into the stumps. Tremlett fell to a short ball from Ryan Harris M. Prior c Warner b Lyon 4 Extras (w2) 2 When David Miller edged Ali to for seven. James Anderson was the last man S. Broad c Haddin b Johnson 4 Total (48.1 overs) 195 Akmal, South Africa were 123 for six. JP to fall, top-edging high into the air for G. Swann c Smith b Johnson 0 Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Amla), 2-20 (Smith), 3-62 Johnson to take the catch off his own bowl- C. Tremlett c Bailey b Harris 7 (De Kock), 4-79 (De Villiers), 5-115 (Kallis), 6- Duminy made 49 before he was caught ing. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 26 off 86 J. Anderson c & b Johnson 2 123 (Miller), 7-155 (Philander), 8-168 behind, attempting a reverse sweep balls. Extras (lb-2, w-1, nb-1) 4 (Duminy), against Saeed Ajmal and Bhatti claimed “It’s just one loss, it’s a five-match Test Total (all out, 81.1 overs) 179 9-192 (Steyn) the last two wickets to seal a memorable series so there’s plenty of time to fight back,” Fall of wickets: 1-1 2-10 3-72 4-130 5-142 Bowling: Junaid Khan 8-0-38-1, Anwar Ali 6-0- win for the tourists, who were beaten 4-1 Cook said. “We all need to be honest with 6-146 7-151 8-151 9-172 24-2 (1w), Mohammad Hafeez 10-0-34-1, by the same opponents in a recent series each other as a group, it’s not just three play- Bowling: Harris 19-4-49-2, Johnson 21.1- Bilawal Bhatti 7.1-0-37-3, Saeed Ajmal 10-0- in the United Arab Emirates. BRISBANE: England’s Stuart Broad (C) fails to plays a deliv- ers who have had a bad game. We really need 7-42-5 (w-1), Siddle 15-3-25-1 (nb-1), 28-2, Shahid Afridi 7-0-34-1(1w). “The bowlers did a brilliant job in get- ery off Australian players Mitchell Johnson (R) and caught to improve if we want to win this series. Lyon 20-6-46-2, Smith 4-1-15-0, Watson Result: Pakistan won by 23 runs ting them seven down but we let it slip behind out during the day four of the first Ashes cricket “We’ll go away, regroup, be honest with 2-2-0-0 Series: Pakistan lead the three-match at the end,” said South African AB Test match between England and Australia at the Gabba ourselves and come back. We’ve done it Australia lead five-match series 1-0. series 1-0. de Villiers. — AFP Cricket Ground in Brisbane yesterday. — AFP before. There won’t be any hiding.” England