14 Friday 22nd February, 2008 Heavyweights unite Klitschko, Ibragimov Flawless Milan take first step toward 1 champ keep Arsenal NEW YORK (AP) - Wladimir Klitschko walked briskly into Madison Square Garden three days before his heavyweight unification fight with Sultan Ibragimov, sur- at bay rounded by an entourage dressed crisply in black Hugo Boss outfits. his time, the Italians Even Claus Bo Larsen's Only a few curious people on the held on. This time, the pathetic decision to punish busy streets of Manhattan even Tmaster-class in defend- the most gentle of nudges by noticed. ing from visiting Serie A Pato with a yellow could not Not since Lennox Lewis beat experts was flawless. AC dampen the youngster's Evander Holyfield in their rematch Milan last night managed enthusiasm. Yet the first half in 1999 has there been a heavyweight what Inter had failed to do 24 largely saw a stifling of the unification bout, but the relative hours earlier at Liverpool, more stellar talents. Mathieu silence surrounding the massive IBF defending superbly for 90 Flamini and Cesc Fabregas champion Klitschko and the equally minutes rather than 86. Paolo were certainly quick to press nondescript WBO champion Maldini, 39 going on 19, was Kaka whenever the Brazilian Ibragimov is a searing indictment of magnificent. threatened one of those boxing's marquee division. Beginning at left-back, fin- sinewy runs that chill defend- Even Hall of Fame trainer ishing at centre-half, Maldini ers' blood and set alarm bells Emanuel Steward speaks freely of was applauded from the field ringing. the problems plaguing the heavy- by the Londoners' fans after Wenger had also drilled weights: Competing sanctioning bod- frustrating an Arsenal side his players in the importance ies that repeatedly block big fights, a still smarting from their of closing down the space lackluster amateur program in the weekend thrashing in the FA around Andrea Pirlo, Milan's United States that's failed to develop Cup. tempo-setter. Using a 4-4-1-1 worthy challengers, and four title- Arsenal's players had system, Wenger put holders from the former Soviet been determined to remind Alexander Hleb in the hole republics each calling themselves a everyone of their class follow- behind Emmanuel Adebayor champion. ing Saturday's humiliation by with special Pirlo duties. "As soon as I learn the name of a Manchester United. On Midway through a first champion he's lost the next day," said returning from Old Trafford, half more akin to a chess con- Steward, who will be in Klitschko's William Gallas had called a test of move and counter- corner on Saturday."I'm just starting team meeting and delivered a move, Hleb pressurised Pirlo to get out how to pronounce Nikolai few home truths to players into surrendering the ball Valuev ... and they say he's lost to whom the captain admitted which fell kindly for AC Milan's Kaka, right, vies for the ball with Arsenal's Alexander Hleb, left, during their (Ruslan) Chagaev. I said, 'What?"' were "very ashamed" at the 4- Adebayor. As Arsenal sudden- Champions League round of 16 soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London, Just like he never envisioned the 0 reverse. ly sped upfield, with Hleb and Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) day a black man would have a realis- If Wayne Rooney's role as Adebayor leading the charge, tic shot at the U.S. presidency, United's spearhead had only the awareness of ing such a fine season, collect- Hleb set up Eboue, who by Kaka was halted crudely Steward said he never envisioned alarmed Gallas and Kolo Maldini rescued Milan. A ed a delayed pass from wastefully side-footed his shot by a trip from Senderos, who four Eastern Europeans claiming a Toure, they now faced anoth- year short of his fifth decade, Emmanuel Eboue and sent a wide. Then Adebayor arrived was deservedly cautioned. division that was dominated so long er nimble frontrunner in the marvellous Italian defend- low shot through on goal. in the box, racing on to the Wenger attempted to by Americans, from Joe Louis and Pato, the Brazilian nick- er stretched out a leg to flick Milan's Australian keeper, ball, only for Kalac to meet it enliven his attack, sending on Max Baer to Mike Tyson and named the Duck, who was the ball from under the flying Zeljko Kalac, saved with ease. fractionally before him. Nicklas Bendtner for Muhammad Ali. supported by Kaka and feet of Adebayor. Arsenal's Flamini then weaved his way Still Arsenal came. Eduardo, pushing Hleb to the "It just shows you the world is so Clarence Seedorf in Milan's 4- midfielders constantly sought in from the left, but again Eduardo fired over but the left and employing a more much smaller now," Steward said, 3-2-1 formation. Arsenal soon to find Adebayor quickly, Kalac was well-positioned, Croatian international then orthodox 4-4-2 approach. "and the public is accepting this." lost Toure, who limped away attempting to catch out a pushing the danger away.Just let Massimo Oddo get away Frustration seeped into with a knee injury, bringing Milan defence not overly like Inter Milan at Anfield the from him down the other end. Arsenal minds. Flamini even in Philippe Senderos to deal blessed with pace. Eduardo night before, AC Milan lost a Eduardo was relieved when let rip at the prostrate Pato, with the teenaged Pato. occasionally drifted in from key central defender in Nesta the Italian full-back shovelled accusing the Brazilian of Put Lloyd Senderos dealt well on the his left-midfield station, but in the second half and his shot into the crowd. time-wasting when the young- one occasion Pato drilled at the main thrust of Arsenal's Arsenal sensed real vulnera- Maldini was rolling back ster was clearly poleaxed by him in the first half, timing attacking intent revolved bility.Wenger's men quick- the years. Now at centre-half, cramp. Pato neither deserved in charge his dispossession perfectly around Adebayor. ened their tempo, pouring for- Milan's captain and enduring Flamini's derision, nor the It appears as if there is a positive but the promise contained in With Alessandro Nesta ward with the Emirates symbol showed all his experi- verbal abuse and crude ges- effect when Clive Lloyd is around. It the young body of Milan's and Kakha Kaladze seeking crowd coming to sustained ence in guiding Fabregas's ticulations from many is time the West Indies cricket admin- No?7 was obvious. He ran to shackle the Togo interna- life. driven pass away from Arsenal fans behind the istration make use of this cricketing willingly, showed a good tional with typical Serie A Arsenal fans believed the Adebayor. Milan's main men Milan dug-out as he hobbled icon’s knowledge and reward him touch, the occasional step- diligence, Arsenal soon white blanket thrown across were beginning to show, Kaka away. with a portfolio for life with the over and is clearly a star in looked for runners from mid- Milan's box could be ripped briefly threatening Jens administration of West Indies crick- the making. field. Flamini, who is enjoy- away.A wriggling run from Lehmann's goal. Another dart (The Daily Telegraph) et. (Caribbeancricket.com) Symonds will not tour Pakistan UEFA awaiting report before World record holder Asafa Powell from by Russell Palipane acting on Cristiano Ronaldo Jamaica celebrates Australia all-rounder Andrew after winning the Symonds has ruled himself out of his laser beam claim men's 100 meters country's proposed tour to Pakistan, during the even if Cricket Australia decide to press LYON, France (AP) - European soccer's gov- Melbourne Athletics on with the trip to the troubled nation UEFA is awaiting a report erning body needs more Grand Prix at next month, cricket365.com reported on before deciding whether to information before deciding Olympic Park, in its website, Feb. 20. investigate French club whether to open an investiga- Melbourne, Australia, Symonds, who had previously voiced Lyon's fans after a complaint tion, spokesman Rob Thursday, Feb. 21, doubts about the tour, confirmed that he from Manchester United that Faulkner said by telephone 2008. Powell won would turn down the chance to add to winger Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday. with a time of 10.04 his 19 Tests if selected. had a laser beam directed at "We are waiting for the "It's an unstable environment," his eyes. delegate's report from seconds. (AP Photo/Andrew Symonds was quoted as having told Andrew Symonds Manchester United coach (Wednesday) night," Faulkner Australia’s Channel Ten. "I personally Alex Ferguson said the inci- said. "We need to get that first Brownbill) don't see the point of it (going). tions about the tour to Pakistan since dent happened during the before we do anything. So it's "I just dread to think what would former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto warmup for Wednesday's too early to say whether happen if someone got hurt, let alone was assassinated in December. Champions League match. there's action taken. killed. Cricket Australia are continuing to The second round, first leg "Once we have seen and "It's just a situation you would never assess the situation in the wake of this match at Stade Gerland ended reviewed that (we will decide) want to find yourself in, the country in week's elections in Pakistan, which saw in a 1-1 draw. whether we open an investi- or cricket in." the party of president Pervez Musharraf "We reported it to UEFA gation." Asked if he was selected and the suffer sweeping losses.