Manchester's Pablo Zabaleta (left) and Arsenal's Bacary Sagna clash which led to both players being sent off at The Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. — AFP picture

Mancini's team opted for a safety-first approach to hold onto second place behind Manchester United, two points ahead of the third-placed Gunners.

The Italian believes his side are in a good position heading into the second half of the title race and he said: "I prefer to go home with one point because when you come here, it could be that Arsenal will play better than you and you must defend. This is football.

"Not all teams can play like Arsenal. I think Arsenal also have won some games they don't deserve to win. In the first half they had the chances to score.

"It's not my business. I think they are a good team. It's the same when you play against Barcelona, you must defend well if you don't want to lose the game.

"I think if we had David Silva and Mario Balotelli and all the players were 100 percent it would be another game.

"We are in a good position, like Arsenal and like United. I think the season is very long. Also Chelsea and Tottenham have lost tonight (Wednesday) but both can finish near the top."

Both Mancini and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger were united in their condemnation of referee Mike Jones's decision to send off Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta.

Mancini said: "I don't agree with the sending off because two yellow cards is enough. At that moment at the end of the game the players are tiring and the referee should understand this. I asked the referee why and he said for him it was a red card."

And Wenger added: "The frustrating thing of the night was the sending off. That showed they were happy with the 0-0 when the goalkeeper takes the free kick from the other side. When they were down they were slow to get up."

Wenger refused to be downhearted at his side's failure to score despite dominating the game and he claimed the performance only reinforced his view that the Gunners are potential champions.

"I think we had the performances and not the result. But I take a lot of encouragement from the game even if mathematically we are frustrated and the players are disappointed in the dressing room," Wenger said.

"There is no way we should lose courage or belief in our team, it's the opposite.

"We should come out with more belief in our quality and because we have shown that we have what it takes to be a serious contender in this league.

"The regrets I have is we didn't take our early chances because that would have changed the game.

"They came here to have a 0-0 and in they end they got what they wanted but if we had scored the first goal it would have changed the course of the game.

"We faced long periods in the game when we played against 10 men, even Tevez, I have never seen him so deep.

"And when we lost some freshness and sharpness in our movement we lost our threat. You have to play with sharpness against a team who defend like that.." -- AFP

BRACKLEY - Nico Rosberg menatap optimistis peluangnya di kompetisi Formula One (F1) musim 2011. Pembalap muda Mercedes GP ini meyakini, dirinya mampu dan akan memenangi seri balapan.

Harapan besar memang sempat diusung Rodberg saat dipercaya mengisi kursi pembalap di skuad Mercedes GP yang digadang-gadang bakal jadi salah satu tim kuat, menyusul kehadiran Ross Brawn (yang membawa Brawn GP jadi juara dunia 2009 lalu) sebagai team principal, serta pembalap legendaris Michael Schumacher sebagai pendampingnya.

Namun ternyata, harapan Rosberg untuk bisa memenangi seri grand prix harus dikubur dalam-dalam. Mercedes tak mampu membuat mobil yang bisa bersaing dengan tiga tim tercepat musim 2010, yakni Ferrari, McLaren dan Red Bull Racing yang tampil sebagai juara. Hasilnya, pembalap muda Jerman ini pun gagal meraih satu pun kemenangan di musim kemarin.

Kini, ekspektasi tinggi kembali diusung Rosberg menatap kompetisi musim depan. Berbagai pengembangan yang dilakukan Mercedes selama libur kompetisi, membuat pembalap 25 tahun ini yakin dirinya mampu naik podium teratas.

"Pastinya, itu (memenangi balapan) adalah target yang terpasang dalam benak saya. Memang, itu bukan perkara mudah buat kami mengingat performa kami sepanjang 2010 lalu. Rasanya sulit bagi kami untuk langsung bisa tampil cepat. Jadi kita lihat saaja nanti," papar Rosberg sebagaimana dilansir Autosport, Jumat (7/1/2011).

"Penting bagi saya untuk mendapatkan mobil yang lebih baik di musim depan. Jika saya mendapatkannya, maka saya yakin bisa memenangi balapan," lanjutnya.(acf)

DEPOK - Ketua Umum KONI Jawa Barat Aziz Syarif melantik 42 pengurus baru KONI Cabang Depok, Jawa Barat. Pelantikan digelar di Stadion Merpati, Depok dihadiri oleh Wali Kota Depok Nur Mahmudi Ismail.

Dalam sambutannya, Aziz Syarif berpesan bahwa kepengurusan dan jabatan serta popularitas adalah amanat dan harus mengorbankan waktu dan tenaga. 42 pengurus baru yang terpilih harus bisa bertanggung jawab dalam rangka menciptakan atlet handal.

"Menjadi pengurus bukan gagah - gagahan, numpang hidup, tetapi ada misi yang diciptakan, selamat kepada pengurus baru," ujarnya di Depok, Jumat (07/01/10).

Aziz menargetkan, pengurus KONI yang baru harus mampu membawa Depok masuk peringkat sepuluh besar dalam ajang Pesta Olah Raga Daerah (Porda) selanjutnya. Sebab, sebelumnya Depok hanya mampu berada di peringkat 23 dari 26 kabupaten kota.

"Tak hanya sekedar kepengurusan, tapi harus bisa jadi 10 besar, cabang olahraga juga harus ditambah," tegasnya.

Sementara itu Wali Kota Depok Nur Mahmudi Ismail berjanji akan berusaha dengan sungguh - sungguh untuk lebih baik terutama dalam memaksimalkan anggaran. Nur Mahmudi berdalih, Depok memang masih berkembang dalam bidang olahraga karena baru berdiri 11 tahun.

"Wajar, kami baru 11 tahun, baru ditimang - timang, kami juga sudah menambah dua cabang olahraga baru seperti anggar dan wushu," tandas Nur Mahmudi.(acf)

Sukan

PERSELISIHAN pendapat antara Misbun Sidek dan Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) menjadi punca utama ketua jurulatih perseorangan itu mengambil keputusan mengejut meletakkan jawatannya Isnin lalu.

Perkara itu dinyatakan sendiri Misbun kepada Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek ketika pertemuan tertutup dengan Menteri Belia dan Sukan itu di ibu negara, malam kelmarin.

"Dia ada menyebut beberapa perkara tetapi sebaiknya saya jelaskan perkara utama yang mencetuskan kemelut ini iaitu perbezaan pendapat antara Misbun dengan BAM.

"Misbun memberitahu saya, lebih baik baginya untuk tidak lagi bersama BAM jika perbezaan pendapat itu masih belum dapat diselesaikan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melawat Pusat Akuatik Negeri Sarawak di Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, di Kuching, semalam.

Justeru, Ahmad Shabery akan mengatur pertemuan tiga pihak bersama-sama dengan Misbun dan Presiden BAM Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Salleh hujung minggu ini bagi menamatkan kemelut yang tampak menggoncangkan sukan badminton negara.
"Saya akan mengatur pertemuan tiga orang dengan Misbun dan Datuk Nadzmi sebaik saja saya balik ke ibu negara selepas lawatan ke Sarawak ini berakhir," kata Ahmad Shabery yang sudah menghubungi BAM untuk memaklumkan masalah yang diluahkan Misbun kepadanya.

Ahmad Shabery turut spekulasi kononnya Misbun, meletak jawatan dari BAM kerana mahu menubuhkan organisasinya sendiri.

Sukan

Pengurus Chelsea Ancelotti kehilangan kata-kata selepas juara bertahan itu tersungkur 1-0 kepada pasukan tercorot Wolves, keputusan yang melebarkan rentetan prestasi buruk Blues kepada hanya satu kemenangan dalam sembilan perlawanan.

Kemerosotan Chelsea meletakkan mereka di tangga kelima, sembilan mata di belakang pendahulu liga Manchester United, yang mempunyai kelebihan satu perlawanan.

Ancelotti tampak sudah memadamkan harapan Chelsea mengekalkan kejuaraan berikutan kekalahan itu tetapi menegaskan dia tidak bimbang dipecat.

"Adakah saya akan terkejut jika dipecat? Ya. Jelas ia bukan keputusan saya tetapi saya berharap dapat meneruskan tugas ini," kata Ancelotti.
Pengurus Liverpool, Hodgson, sementara tidak banyak bercakap mengenai spekulasi masa depan selepas pasukannya tunduk 3-1 di Blackburn.

"Saya tidak bersedia bercakap mengenainya kerana jelas sekali saya kecewa dengan persembahan dan keputusan ini," kata Hodgson. "Saya tiada ulasan untuk dibuat dan saya juga tidak berhasrat untuk menjawab sebarang soalan mengenai isu itu." - AFP

"SAYA bukan mengelak media, tapi tidak mahu membuat sebarang kenyataan mengikut emosi," kata jurulatih perseorangan badminton negara Datuk Misbun Sidek ketika diminta mengulas mengenai isu peletakan jawatannya.

Sejak beliau menghantar surat peletakan jawatan menerusi emel kepada Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) pada 31 Disember lalu, Misbun langsung tidak bersuara memberi alasan sebenar peletakan jawatan beliau.

Selepas BAM membuat kenyataan presidennya, Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh akan bertemu Misbun sendiri bagi menyelesaikan kemelut itu, sehingga hari ini pertemuan itu masih gagal menjadi kenyataan.

Namun sudah ada nada positif masalah ini akan berakhir, tidak kira sama ada Misbun kembali atau meninggalkan BAM kerana jurulatih itu sudah mula bersuara.

"Saya tidak akan beritahu apa masalahnya kepada umum, ini masalah dalaman biarlah diselesaikan secara dalaman bukan di dada media.

"Tapi ini bukan masanya untuk saya bertemu sesiapa. Saya perlukan lebih masa untuk bertenang kerana saya mahu pertemuan dengan Nadzmi tidak dipengaruhi kenyataan beremosi," kata jurulatih itu yang berjaya melahirkan dua juara Seluruh England iaitu Muhd Hafiz Hashim dan Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

Misbun bukan hanya tidak mahu menjelaskan punca sebenar masalah itu kepada media, malah enggan mendedahkan butiran perbincangan antara beliau dengan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek di sebuah restoran di Ampang, malam semalam.

Dalam pada itu, Ahmad Shabery di Kuching, Sarawak berkata beliau akan mengatur pertemuan enam mata antara Misbun, Nadzmi dan beliau sendiri.

Pertemuan antara Misbun dan Nadzmi dijangka dapat menyelesaikan kemelut yang sudah berlarutan seminggu itu.

ADA nada positif hasil pertemuan rahsia Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek dengan jurulatih badminton negara Datuk Misbun Sidek, malam kelmarin.

Jodoh jurulatih Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) mungkin dapat diselamatkan sekiranya rancangan Ahmad Shabery mengatur pertemuan enam mata antara beliau, Misbun dan Presiden BAM, Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Salleh, menjadi kenyataan.

Misbun yang 'bercerai' dengan BAM selepas didakwa tidak berpuas hati dengan badan induk badminton negara itu, menjelaskan perkara sebenar kepada Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek ketika mengadakan pertemuan empat mata tanpa kehadiran pegawai BAM.

Namun, usaha mengurangkan suhu dalam BAM masih buntu sehingga memaksa Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) merencana satu pertemuan yang dijangka diadakan hujung minggu ini.

"Saya dimaklumkan sebab utama Misbun meletak jawatan. Beliau (Misbun) menjelaskan terpaksa meletak jawatan kerana wujud perbezaan pendapat antaranya dengan pegawai BAM terutama dalam pelbagai aspek.

"Saya hanya boleh beri jaminan perkara ini mampu diselesaikan sekiranya pertemuan antara (Misbun dan BAM) menjadi kenyataan," katanya yang turut menghubungi BAM mengenai perkara dijelaskan Misbun.

Meskipun banyak perkara mencetuskan rasa tidak puas hati Misbun diluahkan pada pertemuan turut disertai pegawai KBS, Ahmad Shabery tetap mengambil pendekatan menutup mulut.

"Memang ada beberapa perkara yang disebut Misbun (dalam pertemuan itu) tapi, saya tidak mahu mendedahkan semuanya. Cukuplah saya katakan salah satu daripadanya disebabkan perbezaan pendapat," katanya.

Tanpa menyatakan tempat dan masa pertemuan itu, Ahmad Shabery memberi jaminan ia bakal diadakan sekembalinya dari menghadiri lawatan ke Sarawak.

"Saya akan mengatur pertemuan tiga pihak dengan Misbun dan Datuk Nadzmi sebaik saja saya pulang ke ibu negara," katanya ketika mengadakan lawatan ke Pusat Akuatik Negeri Sarawak di Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, semalam.

Beliau mengakui Misbun ada memberi bayangan pegawai dikatakan menyebabkan berlaku salah faham dan menerbitkan rasa tidak puas hati beliau sehingga meletak jawatan.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,JAKARTA -- Persija Jakarta dan Jakmania sebelumnya sudah memberikan dukungan atas Liga Primer Indonesia (LPI). Dukungan tersebut semakin lengkap karena Gubernur DKI Jakarta, Fauzi 'Foke' Bowo, juga ikut mendukung penyelenggaraan LPI.

Fauzi mengatakan setiap usaha yang muaranya bertujuan untuk memajukan, memasyarakatkan dan meningkatkan prestasi olah raga itu perlu disambut baik. "Kalau kita lihat jalur yang satu sudah jalan di tempat, apalagi kalau jalannya mundur, maka kita perlu mencari upaya lain," kata Fauzi pada Jumat (7/1).

Foke mengatakan, tidak sepatutnya ada prasangka-prasangka buruk terhadap munculnya LPI. "Jangan baru mulai, sudah berprasangka," kata dia.

LPI adalah tandingan Liga Super Indonesia (ISL) yang merupakan kompetisi sepakbola di bawah naungan PSSI. Induk organisasi sepakbola Indonesia itu menolak LPI yang dinilai ilegal karena tidak berada di bawah mereka.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,JAKARTA -- Sikap ngotot Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI) yang menolak kehadiran Liga Primer Indonesia (LPI) dinilai hanya akan menghambat prestasi sepakbola tanah air. Ketua Umum Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia (KONI), Rita Subowo, mengatakan, PSSI sebagai induk sepakbola tertinggi seharusnya mengayomi kompetisi-kompetisi baru yang hadir di tanah air.

"PSSI sebagai lembaga tertinggi di sepakbola supaya dapat mengayomi agar tidak ada konflik," kata Rita di Jakarta, Jumat (7/1).

Saat ini, Rita mengatakan, Indonesia masih kekurangan kompetisi. Sehingga, dia melanjutkan, seharusnya bila ada pihak yang membentuk ajang untuk memacu persaingan di Indonesia seharusnya diberi dukungan.

"Kita harus dukung kompetisi. Kita kekurangan kompetisi. Apalagi, ini kompetisi yang tidak bergantung dengan dana dari pemerintah," kata dia.

Untuk itu, Rita mengatakan, PSSI harus segera menghentikan konflik dengan penyelenggara LPI. "Harus satu kesatuan. Katanya kita mau jadi juara. Kita mau rebut emas di SEA Games. Bagaimana bisa kalau justru berkonflik," ujar dia.

Musim perdana LPI yang diikuti 19 klub di seluruh Indonesia akan mulai bergulir pada Sabtu (8/1). Namun, PSSI tidak kunjung memberi restu pada turnamen yang digagas pengusaha Arifin Panigoro itu.

Tidak adanya ijin dari PSSI akan berimbas pada masa depan para pemain yang berlaga di LPI, seperti Irfan Bachdim (Persema Malang) dan Andik Vermansyah (Persebaya Surabaya) di tim nasional Indonesia.

Tidak diakui oleh PSSI membuat LPI juga tidak diakui oleh Federasi Sepakbola Dunia (FIFA). Kondisi ini akan membuat pesepakbola potensial yang memperkuat klub-klub yang berlaga di LPI berpeluang dicoret dari timnas.

Misbun terus kunci mulut

Oleh Norzie Mohd. Khasbi
sukan@utusan.com.my

Misbun Sidek

KUALA LUMPUR - "Buat masa sekarang saya tidak mahu bercakap kerana ia hanya akan mengikut perasaan,'' ujar Datuk Misbun Sidek ketika menjelaskan mengapa beliau dilihat seperti mahu mengelak daripada masalah yang sedang berlaku.

Sehingga hari ini, jurulatih perseorangan negara itu masih enggan bersemuka dengan pegawai kanan Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), malah terus 'mengunci mulut' walaupun diasak bertali arus oleh media yang mahu mendapat penjelasan di sebalik tindakannya meletakkan jawatan.

Beliau hanya bersetuju untuk bertemu Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek kelmarin, yang disifatkan sebagai perjumpaan tidak rasmi dan sekadar sesi bual kosong untuk meluah perasaan.

Bagi Misbun, beliau tidak pernah bermaksud hendak melarikan diri daripada masalah, tetapi hanya memerlukan masa untuk menenangkan fikiran dan keadaan, sebelum bersedia tampil membincangkan masalah dengan pihak yang berkenaan.

"Kami (bersama Menteri) hanya berbual kosong semalam. Saya menjelaskan kepada beliau sebab mengapa saya mahu meletakkan jawatan, itu saja.

"Saya tetap berpegang kepada prinsip bahawa apa yang dibincangkan atau berlaku dalam bilik mesyuarat, sepatutnya kekal di situ dan tidak perlu dibawa keluar. Begitupun saya mengakui, rasa kecewa terhadap persatuan adalah sebab saya mahu berundur.

"Apa pun, ketika ini saya tidak mahu fikir dan berkata apa-apa, kerana saya hanya mahu berehat seketika. Saya harap semua pihak menghormati dan memahaminya,'' ujar Misbun.

Sejak menyerahkan surat perletakan jawatan daripada skuad kebangsaan pada 31 Disember lalu, Misbun hanya memberitahu bahawa beliau kecewa dan tidak gembira di BAM, tetapi tidak pernah mendedahkan secara terperinci apakah yang mengganggu beliau selama ini.

Adiknya, yang juga ketua jurulatih perseorangan, Rashid Sidek mengakui, bahawa abangnya itu sering menganggap dirinya tidak dihargai dan dihormati oleh individu dalam BAM, selain tertekan kerana keupayaannya kerap dipertikaikan apabila Datuk Lee Chong Wei gagal meraih kejuaraan utama seperti Sukan Olimpik, dunia atau Sukan Asia.

Rashid tidak menolak, keengganan BAM bertolak ansur membenarkan Misbun melatih anaknya, Misbun Ramdan Misbun antara punca yang mengeruhkan lagi keadaan, namun menegaskan, isu tersebut bukan perkara pokok dalam masalah ini cuma sebahagian daripadanya.

Sementara itu, BAM semalam mengesahkan isu peletakan jawatan Misbun akan dibangkitkan dalam mesyuarat exco badan badminton negara itu pada 12 Januari depan, yang dijangka dipengerusikan oleh Presiden, Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh.

Mesyuarat tersebut mungkin menjadi platform terbaik untuk menyelesaikan isu Misbun, di mana Nadzmi sebelum ini memberi bayangan menerima perletakan jawatan jurulatih senior mereka itu akan menjadi pilihan utama BAM, seandainya ia dipersetujui oleh majoriti exco.

"Sudah tentu kami akan membincangkan isu Misbun dalam mesyuarat exco minggu depan, namun sehingga hari itu, tiada sebarang kenyataan yang boleh kami keluarkan ketika ini,'' kata setiausaha BAM, Ng Chin Chai selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Kejurulatihan dan Latihan BAM di Bukit Kiara, semalam.

Shabery sudah faham masalah Misbun

Oleh SOPI SAMAILE
sukan@utusan.com.my

KUCHING - Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek berkata, dia telah mendengar semua luahan Datuk Misbun Sidek, yang menyebabkan jurulatih itu meletak jawatan dari Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM).

Menurutnya, beliau kini memahami mengapa Misbun membuat keputusan meninggalkan BAM, selepas kedua-duanya bertemu ketika malam bersama, kelmarin.

Pertemuan tersebut diadakan tertutup, dengan pihak media tidak dimaklumkan di mana pertemuan tersebut diadakan.

''Menerusi pertemuan tersebut, saya memahami apa yang terkandung di dalam hati jurulatih perseorangan negara itu.

''Alhamdulillah, suasana pertemuan dalam keadaan baik dan Misbun menyatakan beberapa perkara mengenai perbezaan antara beliau dengan pihak BAM.

''Ya memang ada perbezaan di antara Misbun dan BAM. Saya akan sampaikan luahan Misbun kepada BAM. Saya akan mengadakan perjumpaan antara kami bertiga (termasuk Presiden BAM, Datuk Seri Mohd. Nadzmi Salleh) dalam masa terdekat, sebaik sahaja pulang dari lawatan di Sarawak," katanya.

Beliau mengadakan lawatan ke tapak pembinaan Pusat Kecemerlangan Akuatik dan Menaiktaraf Kompleks Belia dan Sukan Sarawak, di sini semalam.

Ahmad Shabery bagaimanapun enggan memberitahu butiran terperinci hasil pertemuan beliau dan Misbun, cuma mengakui jurulatih itu hanya menyebut mengenai beberapa perkara mengenai perbezaan antara beliau dan BAM.

Sehubungan itu, Ahmad Shabbery berkata, tidak timbul lagi soal Misbun mahu keluar (BAM) atau sebagainya, tetapi dia telah pun meletak jawatan.

Bagaimanapun katanya, soal peletakan jawatan Misbun adalah disebabkan perbezaan pendapat dengan BAM, bukan disebabkan jurulatih itu mahu menubuhkan satu organisasi tersendiri.

''Kemelut ini hanya perbezaan antara beliau (Misbun) dengan pihak BAM," ujarnya.

The English test cricket team celebrates winning the Ashes test series after they beat Australia in the fifth Ashes cricket test at the Sydney Cricket Ground today, January 7, 2011. — Reuters pic

The tourists, who had already ensured they would retain the famous urn, needed a little more than 17 overs to remove Australia's last three batsmen on day five of the final test to win the series 3-1.

"We came over here desperately wanting to win the series. Obviously in Melbourne we retained the Ashes but we really wanted to finish with a bang over here in Sydney," an ecstatic Andrew Strauss said on the podium.

"All credit to the guys, they've been outstanding again, the way the bowlers bowled on day one, the batsmen dipped their bread in it again and we got another victory.

"So we're delighted with what we've done and we're certainly going to enjoy this evening, that's for sure."

Australia have lost series by bigger margins but in more than 130 years of test cricket they had never conceded three defeats by an innings or more in a series against any country.

Stand-in skipper Michael Clarke had been handed the unenviable task of leading a demoralised Australia side into the final test after Ricky Ponting was ruled out with a broken finger.

"It's been a tough couple of months to be honest, we've been outplayed in all facets of the game," said Clarke, who like Ponting failed to inspire his team with the bat throughout the series.

"I think England have shown us what execution and discipline does with the ball and they've managed to go and make some big scores with the bat as well.

"Obviously I'm very disappointed like all the boys. We didn't perform as well as we'd have liked."

'AMAZING SERIES'

Free entry had ensured a half full house as the tourists performed the final rites but it was dominated by England fans with the Barmy Army's songs and chants echoing around the famous ground.

They celebrated wildly as England, just four years after suffering a first Ashes clean sweep in 86 years, matched the achievement of Mike Gatting's touring party of 1986-87.

Alastair Cook was named Man of the Match and won the Compton-Miller medal as Man of the Series.

The England opener made 189 in Sydney and 766 runs at an average of 127.66 over the fives tests, the second highest by an Englishman in an Ashes series.

"Amazing, just that feeling when Chris Tremlett got that wicket will live long in the memory," said the 26-year-old.

"It's been an amazing series for me, I couldn't imagine this happening seven weeks ago."

Resuming their second innings on 213 for seven, still 151 runs behind England's gargantuan first knock of 644, Australia needed to bat out the last day if they were to claim an unlikely draw.

Morning rain showers looked like being their best hope but once they cleared after a delay of 40 minutes in the first hour, England's march to victory was only a matter of time.

Peter Siddle was the first to go, but not before he had notched his highest test score of 43.

The seamer was furious with himself after spinner Graeme Swann tempted him into a sweep which James Anderson caught at the boundary in front of the massed ranks of England fans.

England took the new ball two overs later and Anderson soon made the second breakthrough with a fizzing ball that Ben Hilfenhaus, who had made seven runs in 14 minutes, got an edge on to be caught behind.

Debutant Michael Beer was the final wicket to fall, bowled by Chris Tremlett for two to leave Australia all out for 281 to add to their first innings 280.

Steve Smith had reached his second test half century and was unbeaten on 54.

After a drawn first test in Brisbane, England won the second in Adelaide by an innings and 71 runs before Australia fought back to claim the third in Perth by 267 runs.

England again dominated the fourth test in Melbourne with an even more comprehensive victory, an innings and 157 runs, to ensure they would retain the urn they won back from Australia last year in England. — Reuters

Photo of David Beckham. — Reuters pic

The 35-year-old midfielder is hoping to clinch a temporary move to the Premier League during the MLS off-season with fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur keen to do business.

However, Keegan said the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player would find it difficult.

"I think it's too high risk. If I were a manager I don't think I would do the deal because there's a chance it could upset the apple cart," Keegan told Reuters at the launch of broadcaster ESPN's FA Cup third round coverage.

"You would get a lot of publicity. It might work but it might backfire. It's a risk. But Harry (Redknapp) may think it's a gamble worth taking.

"There are lots of reasons to do it but just as many reasons not too. I'm sure he still has something to offer because he's a clever player and he is still doing the same things now as he did when he was 20.

CHOOSE CAREFULLY

"If I were him I would choose very carefully what club to go to. Plus, if it's only six or seven weeks I don't think that's long enough. It would take two or three games to pick up the pace of the Premier League and then there's a chance of picking up an injury.

"If I was the LA owners I would be saying to him go and get a rest and come back with your batteries charged but he just wants to play football and you can't criticise him for that."

Steve McManaman, who played alongside Beckham for England, also warned Beckham would not have the chance to show his best.

"He has huge experience, his possession of the ball is still very good and his delivery is still good," said McManaman who won the Champions League with Real Madrid.

"But he would have to hit the ground running and that's the problem for the likes of Tottenham that it would only be a six or eight week thing.

"He would want to show his best form but it would be hard in such a short space of time."

British media have reported that LA Galaxy are happy to allow Beckham to go on loan providing various clauses are met.

Last season the former England captain suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury while on a short-term loan with AC Milan, ruling him out of the World Cup finals. — Reuters

BOS-SED AWAY: Bosingwa's (left) own goal cost Chelsea their title hopes

Jose Bosingwa's own goal after only five minutes decided the contest as Carlo Ancelotti's men saw their faint title hopes all but disappear completely.

Salomon Kalou missed a golden second-half chance, shooting wide when clean through, and chief striker Didier Drogba shot against the outside of the post, but resilient Wolves stood firm and could have had a second goal if Stephen Hunt's freekick had dipped under rather than hit the bar.

The defeat means the Blues have had just two wins from their last 11 league games, and they stand nine points behind leaders Manchester United having played a game more.

However, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists the title race is not over despite his side's shock defeat.

"We have to maintain confidence and move on," the Italian told Sky Sports.

"Nothing is lost in the season. It is difficult to fight for the title but nothing is lost.

"There are a lot of games and we have to keep going."

What about his own position as manager?

"I just can say that I have total support of the club in this moment. Obviously, I have to do better, it is not enough what we are doing in this moment."

The early own goal from Bosingwa knocked the stuffing out of the Blues, but Wolves defended stoutly and their goal was not breached.

"We didn't start the game well, we conceded the goal and after that it was very difficult," said Ancelotti.

"After that, we tried to play our football. We had opportunities to draw but it is difficult to explain what is happening to us. We have to keep going, we have to work hard and have confidence in the future.

"In this moment, we have to stay focussed on the little details because you lose games on the little details.

"The most important thing is to keep going. We have the experience, ability and skill to move on. We don't have to lose confidence in ourselves."

On the club's poor run of form, he said: "It's a very long time, it's too much for our team, for our club. We have to continue to work."

PETALING JAYA: The trip to Malacca this morning by our Karate exponents led by former international R. Puvanesvaran to meet Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) president Datuk Seri Ali Rustam was not fruitful.

The delegation was told to keep mum until Makaf have their meeting with the National Sports Council (NSC) later this month.

"We were told that the proposal to end P. Arivalagan's tenure will stand unless the technical committee changes their mind," said Puvanesvaran.

"Makaf wants us (the karate contingent) to wait until Jan 25 before commenting further. We were also advised not to make matters complicated by staging a walkout as we could face disciplinary action."

It was also learnt that the ruckus could end on a positive note as the meeting with NSC could result in Arivalagan being retained instead of hiring the yet to be named Iranian coach.

Meanwhile, Makaf exco members have decided the informal decision to boot Arivalagan as head coach of the karate squad will stand in an emergency meeting late last night at Ali Rustam's residence.

"The decision to relieve Arivalagan of his duties is purely to improve the sport. His (Arivalagan) four-year contract with Makaf has expired. So has the contract of all the other karate coaches," said Clement Soo, Makaf general gecretary.

"We have decided against retaining their services as we want to take karate to the next stage. The technical committee decided that this is the best method to reach the World Karate Federation level."

When pointing out the fact that under Arivalagan, karate had been improving steadily and any change would only delay success as the athletes have threatened to quit the national set (which would result in finding new talent), Clement was quick to say the improvements had not been pacy.

"We cannot wait for two or three years for change. This is a risk that the committee is prepared to take."

CAGLIARI – Kemenangan AC Milan tak lepas dari dua pemain pengganti, Antonio Cassano dan Rodney Strasser. Allenatore Masimiliano Allegri angkat topi untuk dua pemain tersebut.


Rossoneri mengunci kemenangan atas Cagliari sekaligus mempertahankan posisinya sebagai pemuncak klasemen sementara. Kemenangan tak lepas dari dua pemain pengganti, termasuk pendatang anyar Cassano yang melakoni debut bersama Rossoneri.
 
"Ini hasil fantastis, kemenangan yang didapat setelah berjuang seperti yang kami lakukan hari ini, terutama karena gol dihasilkan pemain muda. Saya yakin ini adalah gratifikasi untuk klub," jelas Allegri kepada Sky Sport.
 
"Ini membuat saya senang, untuk klasemen dan langkah yang bagus tahun ini. Saya pikir ini lebih baik ketimbang bagaimana cara kami menyudahi pertandingan," lanjutnya.
 
Allegri terkesan memaksakan Cassano yang tampil di 15 menit terakhir. Padahal, dia tak tampil selama dua bulan setelah terlibat perang dingin dengan Sampdoria.
 
"Dia tak dalam kondisi normal, tapi itu wajar. Dia melewati latihan selama dua bulan dan baru berlatih sepekan bersama kami. Tapi, yang terpenting adalah dia menunjukkan yang terbaik selama latihan bersama kami," jelas pelatih berkebangsaan Italia.
 
"Saya tak yakin dia bisa main bersama tim di Liga Champions, tapi saya rasa itu suatu keuntungan. Kami punya banyak pertandingan dan tak boleh ada yang gagal," pungkasnya, dilansir Goal, Jumat (7/1/2011).
(wei)

WOLFSBURG – Kegagalan Juventus menggaet Edin Dzeko bukan lantaran kurangnya dana. Dzeko memang tak bisa gabung di Juventus pada musim dingin ini. Mengapa?
 
Menjadi target Bianconeri sejak musim lalu, Dzeko justru memutuskan gabung ke Manchester City. Tak sedikit yang menilai striker Bosnia-Herzegovina ini pemain mata duitan lantaran Citizens memang menawarkan kontrak lebih tinggi ketimbang Juventus.
 
Namun, label ini ditepis agen FIFA Giacomo Petralito. Justru aturan Serie A yang 'menghalangi' niat Dzeko tampil di skuad besutan Luigi Del Neri. Klub Italia hanya boleh mengontrak pemain satu non-Uni Eropa dalam semusim dan Juventus lebih dulu mendatangkan Milos Krasic pada bursa transfer musim panas lalu.
 
Aturan inilah yang memaksa Dzeko tak bisa mendarat di Turin pada bursa transfer musim dingin, apalagi dia mengaku tak sabar hengkang dari Wolfsburg.
 
"Juve bisa saja mendapatkan Dzeko, tapi dia tak mau menunggu hingga Juni. Klub sudah mengizinkan Dzeko hengkang pada Januari, tapi aturan di Italia membatalkan kepindahannya," beber Petralito.
 
"Dezko sangat tertarik hengkang ke Italia tapi sayangnya Italia bukan tempat ideal untuk pemain kelas dunia. Dengan aturan pemain non-UE, Italia telah menghancurkan liganya sendiri," pungkasnya, seperti disitat Goal, Jumat (7/1/2011).
(wei)

PERTH, Australia (AP) - Lleyton Hewitt produced his best performance of the Hopman Cup on Thursday, beating Andrey Golubev 6-3, 6-3 to help Australia beat Kazakhstan in the mixed team competition.

Hewitt won his first singles match of the team tournament against Ruben Bemelmans of Belgium but lost the second to Novak Djokovic. On Thursday, Hewitt said he played aggressive when he needed to.

"I played him at the French Open a couple of years ago and he's a great shot maker, so it was important for me to go out there and weather the storm against him," Hewitt said. "But not get too far back either where he can feel like he's getting a lot of mid-court balls that he can dictate play and put me on the defensive. It was a bit of a balance for me."

Also, Alicia Molik gave the Australians the win by beating Sesil Karatantcheva 6-3, 6-2 in the women's singles match to make it 2-0. The mixed doubles match will follow.

Molik had lost her two previous matches while Karatantcheva was called in to replace the injured Yaroslava Shvedova. In the other match, Justine Henin defeated Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-3 to give Belgium a 1-0 lead over Serbia.

The former top-ranked Henin, who had looked shaky in her earlier victories over Molik and Karatantcheva, seemed to have overcome her lingering elbow injury despite dropping a break early on.

After winning the first set, she took an early lead in the second set and extended it to 4-1 before closing out the match.

Djokovic will next play Bemelmans as Serbia needs to win just one of the three matches to reach Saturday's final.

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Former Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli downed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-2 6-1 to reach the Brisbane International semifinals Thursday.

Fourth-seeded Bartoli, ranked No.16 in the world, trailed 2-1 in the first set before winning the next eight games to take complete control of the match.

"We had a really tough game at 2-2 in the first set and after that I started to really feel better and take control of the match," Bartoli said. "Everything after that was a lot easier."

The Frenchwoman will next face either Australia's Jarmila Groth or German Andrea Petkovic, who play later Thursday.

Posisi kedua Lazio bermain imbang 0-0 di Genoa, yang berarti Milan meningkatkan keunggulannya menjadi lima poin sebelum pertandingan Napoli melawan juara bertahan Inter Milan Kamis petang.

Antonio Cassano, yang dibeli dari Sampdoria untuk menggantikan Ronaldinho, masuk pada babak kedua dalam debutnya dan bekerja sama dengan pemain muda asal Sierra Leone, Rodney Strasser, yang membuat gol penting pada menit ke-86 yang berbau offside.

Pada pertandingan lain pemain pinjamn Parma Sbastian Giovinco mencetak dua gol ketika kembali ke Turin dalam kemenangan 4-1 yang mengejutkan atas klub asal dia, Juventus.

AS Roma menggeser Juve ke posisi keempat setelah menang 4-2 atas Catania.(*)

Reuters/I015/Z002

Pasangan Serbia, Djokovic dan Ana Ivanovic, kalah pada pertandingan terakhir mereka di grup dari Belgia yang diperkuat Justine Henin dan Ruben Bemelmans, tapi mereka masih menempati posisi puncak di Grup A.

Belgia harus menyapu bersih pertandingan untuk menyisihkan Serbia dan ke final, dan Henin memberi mereka awal yang sempurna dengan mengalahkan Ivanovic dua set langsung 6-4, 6-3.

Namun, Djokovic mempertahankan peluang negaranya untuk merebut gelar keduanya pada turnamen itu tetap hidup dengan merebut kemenangan 6-3, 6-2 atas petenis peringkat 178 Bemelmans, yang memastikan tempat Belgia ke final yang akan digelar Sabtu.

Belgia memenangi nomor ganda campuran namun itu sudah tidak berarti untuk mengubah hasil.

Pertandingan lain mempertemukan Australia dan Kazakhstan, dengan tim tuan rumah meraih kemenangan 3-0 atas Kazakhstan, yang tidak meraih satu kemenangan pun pada turnamen itu.

Pada tunggal putra, Lleyton Hewitt mengalahkan Andrey Golubev, 6-3, 6-3. Alicia Molik menundukkan Sesil Karatantcheva 6-3, 6-2, sebelum Australia memenangi ganda campuran.(*)
AFP/I015/Z002