S p o r t s FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

No more ‘Prince Nice Guy’ as Ali enters the ring MANCHESTER: If Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan is something that never looked likely. This time there will tough fight. Nor have I been brought up to walk away to beat Michel Platini in the race to succeed Sepp be very a different question facing delegates-who do from what I believe in or take the easy way out,” Ali said Blatter as FIFA president he knows he will have to be they want to lead the reforms of FIFA and re-shape the as he announced his candidature on Wednesday. prepared to fight for the job-and all the indications are organisation as it looks to leave its corruption crises It was a speech that, tellingly, was liberally laced that he has taken off his jacket and rolled up his behind? As it stands, if Ali is to win, he has to persuade with tough talk-in what was a clear effort to send the sleeves. In May, Prince Ali politely-some might say FIFA’s voters that not only is he a credible figure but he message that no punches will be pulled in the fight meekly- conceded after winning 73 of the 209 votes has to turn them away from current front-runner with Platini. “I had the courage to fight for change available in the first round, allowing Blatter to secure a Platini, the UEFA president. when others were afraid.they didn’t have the guts to fifth term. It was a thoughtful gesture from the 39- It is a task that looks extremely difficult for the run, but I did,” said Ali, when referring to May’s vote, year-old Jordanian, saving his allies from the very pub- Jordanian. The bulk of his 73 votes in May came from one of several not so disguised digs at Platini. “We all lic act of defying Blatter for the second time in a day at Europe, but with Platini standing, that electoral con- face daily burdens. We must all overcome difficult chal- the ballot box. That election was simply about stituency has slipped away from him. lenges. Be it the fight to feed our families or the fight to whether FIFA’s congress was ready to ditch Blatter- “I was not brought up to walk away in the face of a stand up for what we believe in,” he added. — Reuters

Australian captain Vanna wavers against US boycott MELBOURNE: Australia captain has broken ranks from team mates who have resolved to boycott two matches against the United States women’s soccer team in protest against pay and conditions. Australia’s national players’ association said the Matildas had called off their American tour late on Wednesday, but De Vanna told local media she would play if her coach Alen Stajcic called upon her. “I just want to play for my country. It’s all I want to do,” News Ltd media quoted the 30-year-old striker as saying. “If my coach calls me and asks me to play I will always make myself available. At my age I am not sure if the opportunity to play the world champions will come up again.” De Vanna was named in the All-Star team for the recent women’s World Cup and her reluctance to go on strike is a ham- mer blow for the players union’s hopes of a united front in a long- running dispute against the national soccer authority. News Ltd media said at least another five players had commit- ted to flying to the US for the matches on Sept. 17 in Detroit and Sept. 20 in Birmingham, Alabama, but declined to name them. News Ltd is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, which holds TV rights for the matches in both countries. The Matildas had already boycotted a training camp ahead of the tour as part of the protracted dispute over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The last CBA expired in June, and the players union and governing body Football Federation Australia have been at loggerheads since. “The players are currently uncontracted and are under no obligation to participate in any Matildas related PORTLAND: Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber, center rear, runs into Portland Timbers midfielder Jack Jewsbury activities,” Professional Footballers Australia chief executive Ben during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Portland, Ore., Wednesday. The teams played to a scoreless draw. — AP Vivian said in a statement late on Wednesday. Some 60,000 tick- ets had been sold for the two US fixtures. FFA chief executive David Gallop told reporters the governing body faced a “signifi- Wenger says Arsenal have cant” financial hit if the matches were scuttled. The FFA is also fighting the PFA on other fronts, with the men’s national team and players in Australia’s top-flight A-League competition reject- enough attacking options ing the FFA’s offer for pay and conditions.—Reuters LONDON: After failing to score in their opening two home league is not your only way.” Welbeck, scored only four league goals in games for the first time in 36 years, Arsenal will be looking for his first season at Arsenal following his move from Manchester their first goals and their first win at the Emirates Stadium this United just over a year ago, but knows where the net is as his 14 season when they play Stoke City tomorrow. goals in 33 England appearances prove. Manager Arsene Wenger has been roundly criticised by many Without him, the burden falls on Olivier Giroud, who has of the club’s fans for failing to strengthen his team during the scored once this season, and Alexis Sanchez, who hasn’t scored transfer window, especially in attack. any, as Wenger’s senior front two, although Theo Walcott, Santi Arsenal are sixth in the table with seven points from their Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey have consistently backed up with opening four matches that include a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace, goals from midfield in the past. a 1-0 win at Newcastle and a goalless draw with Liverpool. Wenger said Arsenal did want to sign a forward but couldn’t But two of those three goals were own goals, and Arsenal find one to improve the squad. “It’s about finding an efficient appear to have a lack of firepower up front with Danny Welbeck’s solution,” he said. “They don’t just drop down from heaven.” injured knee keeping him out of the side at least until Christmas Asked about Giroud’s start to the season-he was jeered by time. Including their 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Community French fans for a series of missed chances in France’s friendly Shield in August, Arsenal have only scored four goals in five against Serbia on Monday-he replied: “I have confidence in the games so far. ability and quality of our strikers. “Of course I’m confident that I Wenger though, defended his transfer policy on Thursday, say- have enough cover and enough quality.” NEW BRUNSWICH: In this June 21, 2015, file photo, Australia ing he was satisfied with his squad and had plenty of options in The last time Arsenal failed to score in their opening two players celebrate after scored against Brazil dur- attack too. “I have made over 300 transfers and every time the league matches was in the old First Division in August 1979 when ing the second half of a FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer decision you make is do you buy the player to strengthen your they lost 2-0 to Ipswich Town and drew 0-0 with Manchester match in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Australia’s two- squad, or not. “The solutions we had were not convincing at all United at Highbury-the same sequence they have had this season match series in the United States to face the Women’s World and in the end you do not buy to give wrong hopes. “You want with a 2-0 loss to West Ham followed by the draw with Liverpool. Cup champions has been called off as negotiations continue to buy because the players who come in can help your squad to If they are looking for omens, their third home game ended in over a new collective bargaining agreement, the player’s be stronger. a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough, a result that would delight every- union said Wednesday. — AP “Buying and selling is one way to strengthen your team but it one connected with the club this weekend. — Reuters