WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016 SPORTS Scolari taking nothing for granted in Sydney SYDNEY: Guangzhou Evergrande may be way with a 0-0 draw at home to South one of the biggest spending clubs in the Korea’s Pohang Steelers last week with world but coach Luis Felipe Scolari scoffed Martinez coming under fire in the Chinese at the idea they should be expected to media for a lacklustre display. With the waltz into the knockout stages of the Asian Chinese Super League not kicking off until Champions League. The Chinese champi- next weekend, however, Scolari said this ons, who splashed out $45 million on was a time of year for remaining resolutely Colombian striker Jackson Martinez last pragmatic. “Our main objective is to qualify month, today meet Sydney FC, who are from the group stage,” the Brazilian added. obliged to stay under a salary cap of “This (is) only our second match and we around $3 million a season for their entire got a draw in the first match. We are away squad. World Cup-winning coach Scolari, from home and although we have not whose squad also includes Brazil interna- come here for a draw, a point would not be tionals Paulinho and Ricardo Goulart, bris- the worst result for us.” tled when asked whether it remained a fair In stark contrast to Scolari, Sydney FC contest despite the clear disparity in coach Graham Arnold was more than hap- finances. “We will discover the difference py to talk about the different resources between the two teams after we play the available to the two men, and claim under- match and see the result,” Scolari, shaking dog status. “What they paid for Martinez his head, told reporters at the Sydney would fund the whole league and the Football Ground. “There are no easy match- whole code in this country. They flew in on es in the group stage of the Asian two private jets, we fly economy,” said the Champions League, we are at the start of Australian, whose side lost their ACL open- the season and after our first match we are er 2-0 to Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan last improving physically and mentally. “Only week. “They’re attracting big players and two teams will go through so we will do spending a lot of money but we will not be our best to get a good result.” Chinese intimidated by them. “They’ve got three champions for the last five years, very good foreigners, but the rest are Guangzhou won their second ACL title in Chinese players and we’ve shown at three years by beating Dubai’s Al-Ahli over national level that we’re very good against two legs last November. the Chinese national team. “Anything’s pos- They got their 2016 campaign under- sible.”— Reuters Ronaldo rant forgiven and forgotten MADRID: Real Madrid boss Zinedine stretched by 10 points leading to questions Zidane insists he has put Cristiano Ronaldo’s over Zidane’s position for next season. outburst at his own teammates behind him “When I arrived two months ago everything as he attempts to turnaround a terrible sea- was beautiful and now that we have lost MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s Memphis Depay (right) challenges Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin for the ball during the English Premier League son for the Spanish giants. Madrid sit third one game everything is black,” added the soccer match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England on Sunday, Feb 28, 2016. — AP in La Liga, 12 points adrift of runaway lead- Frenchman. “I understand your concern, but ers Barcelona, after losing 1-0 to Atletico I continue to work with my players because Madrid on Saturday. However, after the I know they will turn this around. The rest Arsenal throwing away golden game Ronaldo said Real would be top if his doesn’t matter to me.” teammates matched his standards. One of the key injuries that Ronaldo The three-time World Player of the Year alluded to has been the absence of Gareth chance to win Premier League later rectified his comments by claiming he Bale. The Welsh star has been out for the was only referring to his colleagues level of past six weeks and featured in just 17 of fitness as Madrid have been ravaged by Madrid’s 34 games this season. Bale LONDON: If he’s celebrating with the Premier things less important,” Puma global marketing past,” Petrick said earlier this month in injuries this season. “Cristiano has spoken returned to training yesterday, but won’t be League trophy in May, Arsene Wenger’s director Adam Petrick said when asked the London. “They have a tremendous winning with everyone. This subject is behind us,” risked for today’s trip to bottom-placed attempts to head off another bout of abuse importance of winning the Premier League tradition.” Wenger has relied on past glory to Zidane said yesterday. “We all know the Levante. Zidane also confirmed that mid- will seem reasonable. “Let’s not go overboard,” and Champions League. “We want everybody remain the Premier League’s longest-serving importance Cristiano has and we are all fielder Luka Modric will miss out in mid- the Arsenal manager cautioned after failing to be successful absolutely in every aspect of current manager, with the last of three title tri- with him. “The issue has been fixed. The week due to a foot injury. “Bale was with us again to win at Manchester United. Despite what they are doing. But it’s not only about umphs in 2004. With Chelsea’s woeful title most important thing is what we have this morning in training. It is the first full Sunday’s 3-2 loss, Arsenal remains third in the winning. It’s also about having a good time.” defense leaving it stranded in the bottom half ahead and we will face that by all sticking session he has done with us and he didn’t Premier League, Leicester is only five points in Recently, the anguish has eclipsed rare of the standings and United erratic under Van together.” feel the injury he had. “He is a fundamental front and there are still 33 points to play for. “I moments of euphoria for fans of a club which Gaal, Wenger has never had a better chance Defeat to Atletico was Zidane’s first in and important player for Madrid. It is clear nine games since replacing the sacked when he isn’t there it is harder for the team. cannot fault our commitment and spirit and has become adept at tossing away chances of to lift the trophy again. At Arsenal, they con- Rafael Benitez in January. However, since “We will see if this weekend he can be with desire,” Wenger said of his players. In reality, winning the title. Arsenal has collected nine stantly talk about potential in the team. The Benitez’s sacking, Barca’s lead over Real has us.”—AFP they lack the fighting spirit and doggedness points from a possible 21 in the last seven players have 11 games to fulfill it. Don’t count to grind out the wins required to end a 12- games. “They have been very successful in the on it.— AP year-old title drought. In the 20th anniversary year of his appoint- ment, Wenger is fast running out of excuses, particularly when the teams above Arsenal Record-signing Teixeira are Leicester and Tottenham. Leader Leicester has never won the league. Tottenham, whose sparks Jiangsu victory last title came in 1961, hosts Arsenal in the north London derby on Saturday. Not even NANJING: China’s record signing Alex Wook nodded Jeonbuk’s second to cut Alex Ferguson’s retirement and the ensuing Teixeira helped kick-start Jiangsu Suning’s the deficit to 3-2. Ramires got his march- disarray under David Moyes and Louis van AFC Champions League campaign yester- ing orders after a shoving match in stop- Gaal has enabled Arsenal to end its Old Trafford hoodoo. Arsenal last won at United in day as the big spenders got off the mark page time but Jiangsu held on-much to the league in September 2006. Since then with a tense 3-2 win over Jeonbuk the relief of their animated coach Dan lesser teams - from Norwich to Swansea - Hyundai Motors. Teixeira started to repay Petrescu-to top Group E. Earlier Brazilian have all emerged victorious at a ground that his giant 50 million euros ($54.4 million) goal-machine Adriano made it seven was renowned as a fortress under Ferguson. transfer fee from Shakhtar Donetsk as he goals in just two AFC Champions League Arsenal has rarely been presented with a grabbed the opener in what became games as FC Seoul destroyed Sanfrecce better chance to win at the record 20-time Jiangsu’s first win of the tournament. Hiroshima 4-1 to stay top of Group F. champions than on Sunday. It was a patched- Former Manchester City forward Jo Adriano, who smashed four in last up United defense and injuries up front forced also got on the scoresheet, but Jiangsu’s week’s 6-0 demolition of Buriram United, Van Gaal into handing Marcus Rashford his victory came at a cost as ex-Chelsea mid- plundered another hat-trick as the Korean first Premier League appearance in place of fielder Ramires saw red during an injury- FA Cup-holders roared back from a goal the sidelined Wayne Rooney. It’s too early to time melee. The well-heeled Chinese side down. After Kazuhiko Chiba’s opener for MADRID: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) vies with declare Rashford a teen sensation.