THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 SPORTS Asian Cup agony for Gulf countries MONGOMO: Algeria coach Christian Rantie missed a chance to make it 2-0 Vahid Halilhodzic after the World Cup “It was a real test for the players on a Algeria could qualify with a win Gourcuff accepted a missed penalty by from the spot. And a Thulani finals last year. “Given the problems we pitch which does not allow you to keep against Ghana in their next game, also Tokelo Rantie proved crucial as his side Hlatshwayo own-goal restored parity were having in midfield on a pitch that the ball. in Mongomo, on Friday, depending on stormed back to beat South Africa 3-1 in before Faouzi Ghoulam and Islam does not favour passing football, I “It was a very intense match. The the outcome of the other Group C the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday. Slimani secured a big win for the pre- brought on (Ishak) Belfodil to give their penalty was a turning point, because at match between Senegal and South Thuso Phala put Bafana Bafana tournament favourites. defence more problems. We managed 2-0 the game was not over but we Africa. ahead early in the second half in the “Our start to the second half was cat- to gain the upper hand at the end of the would have been in a difficult situation,” Senegal came from behind to beat Group C game in Mongomo, before astrophic,” said Gourcuff, who replaced match. added the 59-year-old Frenchman. Ghana 2-1 earlier on Monday. — AFP Return of the Jedi as Aussies face China BRISBANE: Inspirational captain Mile has enjoyed its best ever start to the Asian Jedinak is set to return for Australia as the Cup, winning all three group matches for Socceroos and undefeated China battle for the first time. a place in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup But Postecoglou said he wasn’t thinking today. about the potential fall-out from a defeat. “I The Crystal Palace midfielder was don’t have a great imagination,” he said. “I injured in Australia’s opening Group A win am pretty boring in that way. All I see is against Kuwait, and sat out the 4-0 drub- what is in front of us.” bing of Oman and Saturday’s narrow loss to South Korea. “If selected, I’ll be ready. That Zheng concern goes without saying,” said Jedinak, nick- China boss Alain Perrin is sweating on named “Jedi”. the fitness of his own captain, Zheng Zhi, “Sitting out the last couple of games after the skipper was substituted complain- hasn’t been easy. But it’s given me a little ing of back pain in Sunday’s 2-1 win over (bit) of time to see what other ways I can North Korea in Canberra. help,” he added. “Do I think I will be affected The 2013 Asian player of the year is one by lack of game time the last couple of of China’s most successful footballing games? Probably not, but that is just me- exports and the 34-year-old lynchpin is we will have to wait and see.” seen as crucial to his side’s chances of win- Jedinak’s return from an ankle injury is a ning a first Asian Cup. massive boost for coach Ange Postecoglou, China-twice Asian Cup runners-up-fin- who is expected to return to his first-choice ished with a perfect three wins out of three attack of record scorer Tim Cahill and Bayer in Group B, two of them in Brisbane, and Leverkusen forward Robbie Kruse. largely thanks to the goals of Sun Ke. Postecoglou rued the decision to bench The winger has netted three times, Cahill, Kruse and striker Mathew Leckie for including a spectacular winner against their game against the Koreans when Uzbekistan, and he said China were fully Australia lost 1-0, leaving them with a quar- focused for the quarter-final. ter-final in hot, humid Brisbane and a “I think if we can focus on the game, and potential semi against holders Japan in keep our concentration to make sure we Newcastle. pay attention to every detail, I think we can The stakes are high on Thursday, with leave the pitch having performed well,” said defeat likely to set back Australia’s push to Sun. Perrin has warned his players to popularise football in a country traditional- expect a backlash from the Socceroos after LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel, center top, competes for the ball with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill during the English League Cup semi-final first ly focused on rugby, cricket and Australian their Korean defeat but thinks his team’s leg soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Tuesday. — AP rules. Aussie summer can continue. China, like Australia, have never won the “Beijing is very cold right now so we Asian Cup and they are seeking a title want to enjoy the warm weather here for a which would finally put football’s “sleeping little bit longer. Australia is a good, strong Brendan Rodgers buoyed by giant” at the top of the regional pecking team but we will continue to move for- order. ward,” he said. “They are at home and have The Socceroos won’t be at full strength quality players like (Tim) Cahill who are and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defender tough and have technical ability. But if our Sterling-inspired Liverpool Alex Wilkinson is expected to replace sus- players play with the spirit they have had pended centre-back Matthew Spiranovic. so far, I think we’re in for a very good result LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Brendan even more. “You see defensively how we were; “I’ve felt the benefit of the break because They must now overcome a China side that tomorrow.” — AFP Rodgers said his side’s stirring display in their really aggressive, really compact. They’ve got there are times you need a bit of rest and the League Cup semi-final first leg with Chelsea had top-class players. I felt the performance tonight manager gave me some time off and it’s convinced him of their ability to win the tie. was a good benchmark for us. helped.” A dazzling solo goal by Raheem Sterling “There is absolutely no doubt we can go to Rodgers felt that Liverpool were twice the earned Liverpool a 1-1 draw on Tuesday after the second leg and get the result that we need.” victims of injustice-first when the ball struck Eden Hazard’s penalty had put Chelsea ahead Liverpool’s late rally, which also saw Steven Diego Costa on the arm inside the Chelsea box and the home side would have prevailed had it Gerrard hit the post, sent their fans out into an (a “clear handball”), and then when Courtois not been for the reflexes of visiting goalkeeper ice-cold night full of optimism and Rodgers appeared to slide out of the penalty area with Thibaut Courtois, who produced a number of gave them further reason to be cheerful by the ball in his grasp late in the second half. excellent stops. revealing that striker Daniel Sturridge could Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claimed not Hazard’s away goal gives Premier League make his long-awaited return from injury in the to have properly seen either incident, but was leaders Chelsea a slender advantage ahead of second leg. more forthcoming on his side’s chances of next week’s return leg at Stamford Bridge, but “He’s really kicked on in his rehab and done reaching the final. Rodgers said that his team will approach the really well today, so we’ll see how that looks Asked if Hazard’s goal made Chelsea the game with no fear. between now and then,” Rodgers said. favourites, he replied: “I don’t know really, but to “It was a big performance from us,” said the play here is obviously difficult and to transform Northern Irishman, whose side have lost only Mourinho lauds goalkeepers the two-leg semi-final into a one-leg semi-final once in their last 15 games in all competitions. Sterling’s moment of magic arrived in the at Stamford Bridge is obviously better for us “I think they know that they were moved 59th minute and saw him gather a pass from because this stadium (Anfield) plays. about the pitch tonight (Tuesday). The space Jordan Henderson, spin away from Nemanja “People don’t come to this stadium to see that was opening up for us-we got the goal and Matic and burn off Gary Cahill before beating football; the people come to play football, to they really had to hang on there. Courtois with a low, left-foot shot. play their way. They cannot kick the ball “They’ll be happier in terms of the scoreline, The 20-year-old forward was recently grant- because they are in the stands, but they come but I’m extremely happy that our performance ed a break by Rodgers, during which he spent to play.” levels are improving all of the time.” time in Jamaica, where he was born, and the He also praised Courtois’s performance and Asked if Liverpool’s showing had reinforced England starlet said that the time in the sun had described the 22-year-old Belgian as one of the his belief in their ability to reach the final, where done him good. “three best goalkeepers in the world” alongside they would face either Tottenham Hotspur or “It’s always good to get on the scoresheet Manuel Neuer and Petr Cech-Chelsea’s second- Sheffield United, he replied: “That’s reinforced it and help the team out,” Sterling told Sky Sports.