Harimau mahu mengaum lagi

Daripada SAHARUDIN MUSTHAFA
saharudin.musthafa@utusan.com.my

Pasukan bola sepak kebangsan tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Soekarno Hatta di Jakarta, semalam.

JAKARTA - Menang atau kalah bukanlah persoalan yang menjadi keutamaan bagi pasukan bola sepak kebangsaan, Harimau Malaya yang bertandang ke sini untuk melengkapkan perlawanan akhir kedua Piala Suzuki AFF, esok.

Sebaliknya, jurulatih kebangsaan, K. Rajagobal berkata, kehadiran beliau bersama anak-anak buahnya ialah untuk bermain atas dasar semangat kesukanan.

"Sudah tentu kami datang dengan keyakinan dan semangat kesukanan yang tinggi. Jika ditanya kepada sesiapa sekalipun, pastinya masing-masing berharap untuk menang.

''Tiada siapa yang mahu tewas. Jadi, lebih baik kita tunggu dan lihat saja perlawanan pada hari Rabu ini," katanya kepada media sebaik tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Soekarno Hatta di sini, semalam.

Rajagobal yang tiba bersama pemain-pemain bimbingannya serta pengurus pasukan Datuk Subahan Kamal disambut pegawai-pegawai kedutaan Malaysia di sini serta sekumpulan pelajar Malaysia.

Tiba dengan pesawat Penerbangan Malaysia, kesemua pemain kebangsaan sempat beramah mesra dengan peminat-peminat mereka biarpun masing-masing masih kepenatan.

Rajagobal juga memberitahu, beliau belum memutuskan sama ada akan menurunkan anak-anak buahnya menjalani latihan di padang Stadium Utama Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) di sini.

Sementara itu, penyerang skuad kebangsaan, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha optimis untuk menguasai GBK pada final kedua Piala Suzuki AFF2010 di gelanggang berkenaan Rabu ini.

"Bagi seseorang penyerang, selagi tidak dapat menjaringkan gol, selagi itu kita tak berasa puas. Samalah seperti saya yang baru menjaringkan dua gol sepanjang kejohanan ini.

"Salah satu gol tersebut dijaringkan di GBK ketika kita tewas 1-5 pada aksi pertama peringkat kumpulan. Mungkin saya lebih ada 'feel' untuk menjaringkan gol di sini," katanya ketika ditemui wartawan Malaysia di Hotel Sultan di sini.

Norshahrul, 24, bagaimanapun tetap memainkan peranan penting mencipta gerakan untuk dua daripada tiga gol Malaysia pada aksi final pertama malam kelmarin apatah lagi dia disifatkan oleh Rajagobal sebagai pemain terbaik sepanjang kejohanan ini.

Pada masa yang sama, dia tidak terlalu berharap untuk memenangi anugerah Pemain Paling Bernilai (MVP) Piala AFF Suzuki 2010 biarpun sebelum ini dia telah memenangi anugerah MVP bagi Liga Malaysia 2010.

"Insya-Allah kalau ada rezeki. Siapa yang tak mahu menang anugerah ini. Saya akan cuba pamerkan aksi terbaik pada final kedua nanti bagi memastikan kejuaraan mutlak milik Malaysia," ujar Norshahrul.

Perasaan hiba pula menguasai pemain sayap kanan kebangsaan, Amirulhadi Zainal yang terpaksa melupakan aksi final kedua Piala Suzuki AFF 2010 di sini kerana digantung perlawanan. - Utusan

Apa sebab Indonesia kalah di Bukit Jalil?

JAKARTA - Jurulatih skuad kebangsaan Indonesia, Alfred Riedl mengkritik media tempatan negara itu yang disifatkannya telah 'merosakkan mental' pemain-pemain bimbingannya.

Apa yang dikesalkan oleh jurulatih yang berasal dari Austria itu juga ialah pemain-pemain pasukan kebangsaan itu serta ahli keluarga mereka diberi sanjungan yang melampau sehingga ke peringkat 'mabuk pujian'.

Riedl menegaskan, beliau hairan kenapa media massa di Indonesia memberikan publisiti yang melampau kepada pemain-pemain bimbingannya.

Pada masa yang sama, Riedl mempersoalkan kenapa Persatuan Sepak Bola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI) menganjurkan aktiviti-aktiviti yang tidak memberi sebarang kepentingan kepada pasukan kebangsaan negara itu.

"Media terlalu banyak meminta wawancara dengan pasukan ini. Bahkan, sejak kebelakangan ini, aktiviti yang dianjurkan oleh PSSI juga mengganggu kami. Banyak kegiatan yang berlebihan dan tidak perlu. Mungkin habis (kekalahan) ini, anda (media massa) baru akan kembali memijak bumi," katanya penuh tegas seperti yang dilaporkan akhbar Warta Kota, semalam.

Laporan yang diberikan oleh media massa negara ini khususnya beberapa hari menjelang perlawanan akhir pertama di Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, kelmarin amat luar biasa.

Ada beberapa saluran televisyen yang menyiarkan laporan yang begitu mengagung-agungkan pasukan kebangsaan itu selain memandang remeh pasukan lawan.

Selain Warga Kota, akhbar-akhbar utama lain turut memberikan liputan meluas terhadap kegagalan pasukan bola sepak Indonesia pada perlawanan akhir pertama Piala Suzuki AFF 2010 kepada pasukan Malaysia.

Seperti yang dijangka, isu pancaran laser oleh penonton ke arah pemain bola sepak Indonesia terus diperdebatkan di dada-dada akhbar sebagai menterjemahkan rasa kecewa mereka terhadap kegagalan yang tidak pernah dimimpikan oleh negara itu.

Akhbar Jakarta Globe dalam laporannya berkata, kegagalan Garuda di tangan Harimau Malaya saling tidak ubah seperti sebuah mimpi buruk bagi negara itu.

Kejayaan pasukan Malaysia juga katanya, meninggalkan tekanan yang bukan kecil kepada pasukan di bawah bimbingan Riedl itu.

Apa lagi dengan persoalan apakah final kedua kejohanan itu akan berlangsung di Stadium Bung Karno di sini pada 29 Disember ini yang terus menjadi tanda tanya akibat rusuhan dan kerosakan prasarana stadium itu juga akan memberi kesan lapor akhbar itu lagi.

Bagi akhbar Kompas dalam laporan muka depannya pula, pasukan Indonesia harus belajar untuk memberi persaingan yang lebih sengit kepada pasukan Malaysia pada pertandingan Rabu ini.

"Kegagalan pada peringkat final pertama semalam harus menjadi pengajaran paling berguna buat pasukan itu untuk melakukan langkah yang lebih signifikan," kata akhbar itu lagi.

Pada masa yang sama, akhbar Kompas melaporkan Presiden Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono menggesa pasukan Garuda serta para penyokong bola sepak agar jangan sama sekali menyalahkan team lawan hanya kerana kegagalan itu.

Susilo kata akhbar itu, meminta rakyat Indonesia tidak berkecil hati dan tetap menyokong pasukan nasional dengan semangat kesukanan yang tinggi.

"Tidak perlu kecil hati, jangan salah-menyalahkan, pastinya timnas (team nasional) kita juga ingin membuat yang terbaik," kata Presiden negara yang dipetik dari akhbar arus perdana itu. - Utusan

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas (centre) celebrates his goal against Chelsea with Theo Walcott (left) during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London December 27, 2010. — Reuters pic

The Italian was left "shocked and surprised" as Chelsea imploded either side of halftime to lose 3-1 against Arsenal — a defeat that left them fourth, six points behind league leaders Man United who have a game in hand. 

No wins in their last six league matches and a meagre haul of six points from 24 which is more in keeping with a side heading for relegation has left Chelsea facing the very real prospect of beginning the New Year outside the top four. 

It also raises the possibility that Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich, not best known for his patience, could dispense with a manager who six months ago was celebrating the double at the end of his first season in charge. 

Tomorrow's home game against Bolton Wanderers has now become the proverbial "must win" for the Italian who said he was confident he would remain in charge. 

"We have to wake up quickly," Ancelotti, well-used to the hiring and firing mentality of Serie A, told reporters as he came to terms with Chelsea's fifth loss of a season that began in a blaze of goals. "Maybe I need to be the first to wake up." 

"I'm worried obviously. It's six or seven games that we haven't won and I haven't seen the team play how we want. We have had difficulty to play our football and so this my worry." 

More worrying was that, apart from the injured Nicolas Anelka, Ancelotti fielded a pretty much full-strength side with Frank Lampard starting for the first time since August. 

Chelsea, however, offered little threat with Lampard, Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien virtually anonymous. 

When Theo Walcott added to goals by Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas to make it 3-0 in the 54th minute Ancelotti, who cut an isolated figure in the technical area for the entire 90 minutes, wore a bemused expression as a team of double winners crumbled in front of his eyes. 

"I've had a very good feeling with my players in the past two weeks and I didn't expect this," said Ancelotti, who thought his misfiring side had turned the corner in a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur 15 days ago before the big freeze. 

"I'm surprised by this performance. I had hoped that the bad moment was over. We worked very well in the two weeks but it was not enough. We didn't play well in this game." 

With Chelsea's bench containing several inexperienced players such as Gael Kakuta and Josh McEachran, it is clear that reinforcements are needed urgently if Chelsea are to revive their flagging season. 

Asked whether he will get the chance to spend Abramovich's money in the transfer window, Ancelotti was said that decision was not up to him. 

"I can't use any new players on Wednesday at Bolton that's for sure," he said. "When the market opens I can answer that. 

"We are sleeping, this is the reality. If you play against a good team like Arsenal you can't win if you don't wake up. 

"I think (Abramovich) will not be happy but I take my responsibility. This is not a question you can ask me about how long he will be a patient. Obviously we have to do better because he's not used to not winning for six games." 

Ancelotti did receive some support from Wenger, whose side beat Chelsea for the first time in more than two years to move second in the table. 

"I have a very high regard for Ancelotti as a coach," Wenger said, suggesting it would be folly for Chelsea to change their manager. "I can't believe that." — Reuters   

Arsenal's Theo Walcott (left) celebrates his goal against Chelsea with Samir Nasri (2nd left), Cesc Fabregas (2nd right) and Alex Song during their English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London December 27, 2010. — Reuters pic

Goals from Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott in a nine-minute spell either side of halftime condemned Carlo Ancelotti's team to another defeat and they have now managed just six points from the last 24 on offer.

Branislav Ivanovic replied for the visitors but the damage was already done as Arsenal ended a run of five consecutive defeats against their London rivals to reclaim second place in the table above Manchester City on goal difference.

"The win had a double impact. First of all it keeps us in touch with the leaders and, secondly, it is the pyschological impact because we were questioned about our ability to win big games," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told reporters.

"We know that to beat the big teams at home will have an important impact on the league (title race)."

Arsenal have moved to 35 points from 18 games with unbeaten leaders Manchester United on 37 having played a game less. Chelsea, who started the season in scintillating form but have forgotten how to win, remain in fourth place on 31.

"The table is not good but this is the reality," said Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti. "We have to play better and wake up. I am not worried. I have to work and you will have to ask the owner (Roman Abramovich about my future)." 

WINTER BREAK

After an unofficial two-week "winter break" caused by the freezing weather conditions in Britain, both sides knew a win was needed to stay in touch with Manchester United.

Chelsea had been impressive in the second half of their 1-1 draw at in-form Tottenham Hotspur 15 days ago and, with Frank Lampard in the starting lineup for the first time since August, there was optimism among the visiting fans that their season could be reignited at a ground that has been kind to them.

However, after 40 minutes of cut and thrust had failed to separate the teams, Chelsea fell apart alarmingly, leaving Ancelotti ashen-face in the technical area where he had stood in a black raincoat for virtually the entire 90 minutes.

If anything Chelsea had looked the more threatening early on with Didier Drogba, scorer of 13 goals in 13 appearances against Arsenal since joining Chelsea, rampaging forward to fire narrowly wide of Lukasz Fabianski's post.

Arsenal's home form has been an irritant this season with three defeats already at The Emirates and there were anxious grumblings around the stadium as their pretty possession football offered little goal threat.

In the end it took some direct action from midfield enforcer Song to lift the psychological shackles Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feared had begun to grip his side against Chelsea.

CHELSEA COLLAPSE

A minute before halftime the Cameroonian barrelled forward, played a one-two with Jack Wilshere and, as the ball bobbled back into his path, tucked a low show past Petr Cech.

Six minutes after the break Chelsea imploded.

Michael Essien's attempt to win the ball in midfield inadvertently sent Walcott racing through on goal and the England winger calmly squared it to Fabregas to make it 2-0.

Three minutes later Chelsea were again engineers of their own downfall with Florent Malouda losing the ball under pressure near the centre circle.

This time the roles were reversed as Fabregas released Walcott with a perfectly weighted pass and the England winger picked his spot and fired past Cech.

Chelsea's players threw bemused glances towards Ancelotti who immediately substituted the disappointing Malouda.

Ivanovic guided a header past Fabianski after 57 minutes to restore a little hope but as the visitors pushed forward to try and salvage something from a hopeless situation Arsenal wasted several chances to increase their pain on the counter-attack.

Defeat means Chelsea are 10 points worse off than at this stage last season with their title chances disappearing fast. — Reuters  

ONE DOWN, JAKARTA NEXT: Safee celebrates with the Malaysian supporters at the end of the game — Pic: Hussein Shaharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Could this be history in the making?

National coach K. Rajagopal and his lads are 90 minutes away from inking their names into the history books as the first team to net the Asean Cup title after a convincing 3-0 win in the first-leg final against Indonesia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Ironically, the critics were harsh on the team especially after the 5-1 thrashing by Indonesia in the curtain raiser of the tournament.

However, playing in front of a packed stadium, the hosts provided sheer entertainment in what can be dubbed as the best match of the decade.

The Malaysian Tigers stunned the Republic with goals from Safee Sali (59th and 71st minutes) and Ashaari Shamsuddin (67th).

The last time Malaysia made it to the final was in 1996 where they lost 1-0 to Thailand.

Now, Rajagopal and Co have the opportunity to better that record and end 2010 on a high.

And things seem to look bright for the Malaysians as Indonesia have raised the white flag ahead of the return-leg in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"This is football. We started the tournament well and now we might miss the chance of winning the tournament," admitted a dejected Indonesia coach Alfred Riedl.

"Our chances of winning the title are between five to 10 per cent. We are the outsiders now."
Riedl pointed out that individual mistakes by his players enabled the Malaysians to capitialise on the situation.

"I don't know why my players looked confused on the pitch today."

Riedl even took a swipe at the Indonesian media, fans and the Indonesian Football Federation for "hyping up the match".

This comes as a shocker after Riedl was quoted by the local Press as saying that the pressure is on Malaysia judging by the wide coverage it received and the fans' expectations.

The Indonesian Press are already gunning the Malaysian fans for the laser beams that supposedly "blinded" the Indonesian players. The Indonesian team even threatened to walk out during the match.

FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Sultan Ahmad Shah had to intervene and headed down to the field to consult with the organisers before the match resumed.

"I will need to talk to the players to get more information. It (laser beams) must not be allowed."

Rajagopal, meanwhile, was all smiles. Nevertheless, he firmly believes that the team have another match at hand before securing the title for the first time.

"We started well but the players were too eager to score and we ended up failing to convert our chances. We managed to do better in the second half and we got the goals.

"We have a comfortable lead but we must do more than just defend in the next match."

BOXING DAY PRESENT: Tevez (right) celebrates his second goal with Milner (centre) and Johnson during their match against Newcastle United this morning

LONDON: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini praised his side for the way they bounced back from their surprise setback against Everton with a 3-1 win at Newcastle yesterday.

City spurned the chance to go top of the Premier League at Christmas as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat last Monday but they hit back in stunning fashion by making a blistering start at St James' Park.

Midfielder Gareth Barry was gifted the opener by home goalkeeper Tim Krul after just 74 seconds before Carlos Tevez put City 2-0 up inside five minutes.

The Magpies battled back with the aerial threat of striker Andy Carroll proving a constant menace, particularly for Joleon Lescott, who returned at centreback for City in place of the suspended Kolo Toure.

Carroll gave the hosts hopes of a comeback with a 72nd minute header but an 81st-minute strike by Tevez deflected in off Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini to seal a welcome win which puts City second ahead of Arsenal before their home game against Chelsea tomorrow (4am).

"I think we started the game very well, scoring two goals," Mancini told Sky Sports. "Newcastle made it very difficult. They are a strong team and the atmosphere here is good. Also because they played maybe 200 long balls to Carroll.

"I think it's difficult for everyone to play against Carroll but I think our defenders did very well.

"I think that it's important to cope when you are under pressure and Newcastle put us under pressure for 20 to 25 minutes. But in the end, it was important that we won this game."

Tevez's two goals were his first since withdrawing his recent transfer request and with his differences with the club seemingly now resolved, there was no questioning his commitment to the City cause.

The Argentine striker led the line superbly, laying on Barry's opener as well as taking his tally to 12 goals this season although James Milner also earned praise off Mancini after putting in a tireless stint on the right of midfield against his former club.

"Tevez is important because he's our main striker and he's scored a lot of goals this season," said Mancini. "I'm happy because he scored two important goals but I can't mention just one player today. I think all players played a fantastic game and I think Milner, in particular, played very well."

The victory was City's sixth from 10 away games this season and they return to Eastlands tomorrow to face struggling Aston Villa.

"We must recover because we play again in 48 hours and it's not easy to do that," said Mancini. I think there will be some changes for that game.

"Every match is a big test and we must keep improving, that's important."

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Australia captain Ricky Ponting was fined 40 percent of his match fee by the ICC on Monday after arguing with umpires over an unsuccessful video review during the second day of the fourth Ashes cricket test against England.

The International Cricket Council said Ponting was found guilty of breaching its code of conduct after getting into a heated argument with match referee Ranjan Madugalle after Kevin Pietersen was given not out while on 49 by the video referee.

The ICC said Ponting pleaded guilty to the charge, meaning the fine could be imposed by disciplinary official Ranjan Madugalle without a full hearing.

"Ricky's actions as captain of his country were unacceptable," Madugalle said.

"A captain is expected to set the example and not get involved in a prolonged discussion with the on-field umpires and question their decision."

Madugalle said Ponting had apologized for his behavior. The incident came after Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin persuaded Ponting to call for a video review after Pietersen appeared to edge a Ryan Harris delivery.

When Pietersen was ruled not out, Ponting argued heatedly, and at length, with on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Tony Hill. Paceman Peter Siddle joined in at one point, waving a finger.

Ponting demanded to know from Dar, then Hill, why it was not out. Ponting also had an angry exchange with Pietersen, amid loud booing from the crowd.

The "hot spot" technology used by the third umpire showed a bright mark on Pietersen's bat, but it was not near where the ball passed between bat and pad.

Pietersen was dismissed by Mitchell Johnson for 51 before fellow South African-born batsman Jonathan Trott led England to 444-5 at stumps for a lead of 346 runs.

Trott, who shared the crease with Pietersen when the incident occurred, claimed to have no knowledge of what was said or why Ponting was angered. "I don't really know much about what was going on, I was talking to K.P. the whole time," he said.

"I didn't see any altercation really. I saw (Ponting) chatting but I'm not sure what about."

Siddle returned figures of 3-58 and took two catches

TOKYO (AP): A Japanese court has handed down a suspended sentence to Australian golfer Wayne Perske for possessing and using cocaine.

Masaaki Ono, an official at the Chiba District Court, said the 36-year-old golfer received a year and six months in prison, suspended for three years.

Perske was arrested in October after inhaling cocaine at a bar in Chiba, east of Tokyo, and carrying some 1.25 grams of cocaine in his pocket. A customer at the bar alerted police, leading officers to search and arrest him.

Japan has strict anti-drug laws. Possession of banned drugs can carry a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment.

BERLIN – Bastian Schweinsteiger mendapatkan penghargaan cukup berharga di musim 2010. Bintang Bayern Munich dinobatkan sebagai pemain sepakbola terbaik Jerman.
 
Sebagaimana dikutip majalah Kicker, Selasa (28/12/2010), Schweinsteiger dianggap pantas mendapatkan penghargaan ini. Pemain 26 tahun itu menjadi salah satu bintang Timnas Jerman di Piala Dunia 2010.
 
Bukan hanya itu, perannya bersama skuad Bayern sendiri tidak tergantikan di musim ini. Terbukti, dari total 24 pertandingan, Schweinsteiger berhasil menjaringkan enam gol buat tim berjuluk FC Hollywood tersebut.
 
Bahkan, akibat penampilan gemilangnya ini, beberapa klub Premier League seperti Manchester United sangat bernafsu ingin mendatangkan Schweinsteiger. Sayang, pemain yang bersangkutan telah menyatakan kesetiaan bersama Bayern.
 
Sejak bergabung pada 1998, pemain yang akrab Schweini ini telah bermain 223 pertandingan di Bundesliga dengan mempersembahkan lima gelar juara dan lima DFB Pokal buat Bayern.
(hmr)

MADRID – Meski produktifitas Real Madrid cukup tinggi, namun Jose Mourinho kembali mengharapkan manajemen untuk mendatangkan penyerang baru.
 
Saat ini Los Blancos memang hanya memiliki dua penyerang murni. Mereka adalah Gonzalo Higuain dan Karim Benzema. Namun, Higuain mengalami cedera sehingga tidak dapat diturunkan dalam beberapa laga terakhir.
 
Tak pelak, Mourinho terpaksa mengandalkan Cristiano Ronaldo untuk mencetak gol, yang bukan seorang penyerang murni. Beruntung, mantan bintang Manchester United mampu menjawab kepercayaan pelatih dengan menghasilkan 17 gol.
 
"Saya memang menyukai cara bermain Higuain dan Benzema setiap mereka bermain. Namun, kebutuhan kami akan seorang penyerang baru memang sangat mendesak," tegas Mourinho dikutip Goal, Selasa (28/12/2010).
 
"Saya ingin ada pilihan di depan ketika saya bermain dengan satu penyerang. Saya suka memiliki dua penyerang di cadangan dan jika salah satu dari mereka cedera, saya menjadi sulit bernafas," sambung pelatih asal Portugal.
 
"Kami memulai kompetisi dengan memainkan dua penyerang. Namun keadaan yang ada saat ini, membuat kami terpaksa kembali mengandalkan satu penyerang," tandas mantan arsitek Chelsea dan Inter Milan itu.
(hmr)

13 Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United)
12 Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
11 Andy Carroll (Newcastle United)
9 Johan Elmander (Bolton Wanderers)

Tim Cahill (Everton)
8 Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur)

Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

Kevin Nolan (Newcastle United)
7 Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal)
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
Darren Bent (Sunderland)

6 Kevin Davies (Bolton Wanderers)
Salomon Kalou (Chelsea)
Peter Odemwingie (West Bromwich Albion)

5 Stewart Downing (Aston Villa)
Marlon Harewood (Blackpool)
Luke Varney (Blackpool)
Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Nani (Manchester United)
Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland)
Danny Welbeck (Sunderland)
Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)
Roman Pavlyuchenko (Tottenham Hotspur)
Frederic Piquionne (West Ham United)
Hugo Rodallega (Wigan Athletic)

AFP/A020

Pemain internasional Belanda yang juga mencetak gol saat Tottenham menang atas Villa pada Oktober lalu, mencetak gol di masing-masing babak saat pertandingan masa Natal Liga utama Inggris.

Kemenangan Spurs itu cukup mengesankan saat pertandingan berjalan satu jam namun seorang pemain mereka diusir ke luar lapangan setelah penyerang Jermain Defoe melanggar James Collins.

Sementara itu Marc Albrighton memperkecil ketertinggalan delapan menit menjelang bubaran pertandingan.

Villa nyaris unggul lebih dulu pada menit awal pertandingan ketika Albrighton yang berusaha mencetak gol diblok oleh Gareth Bale dari jarak enam yard.

Spurs tampak membahayakan bagi lawannya namun villa cukup terbantu oleh Brad Friedel ketika Luka Modric dan Aaron Lennon yang berkerja sama apik mampu dihadang oleh kiper veteran asal AS itu.

selanjutnya Van der vaart membuat kejutan melalui aksinya yang harus dibayar mahal oleh Villa pada menit ke-23, dimana di mendapat umpan silang dari Alan Hutton.

Namun empat menit kemudian Tottenham harus pasrah ketika pemainnya Defoe diganjar kartu merah setelah dia menjatuhkan Collin.

Tottenham kembali menambah keunggulan pada menit ke-67, namun Albrighton mampu memperkecil ketertinggalan bagi Villa menjelang bubaran pertandingan.(*)

AFP/A020/Z002

Selasa, 28/12/2010 01:32 WIB

Afellay Tak Sabar Main Bareng Messi & Iniesta
Meylan Fredy Ismawan - detiksport

Afellay baru saja resmi jadi bagian skuad Barca usai menandatangani kontrak selama 4,5 tahun. Barca diperkirakan butuh mengeluarkan dana sebesar tiga juta poundsterling untuk mendatangkannya dari PSV Eindhoven.

Jika dipercaya pelatih Pep Guardiola, Afellay bisa melakoni debutnya pada 3 Januari mendatang, saat Barcelona bertemu Levante di ajang Liga Spanyol. Saat ditanya soal hal ini, termasuk peluang main bersama pemain seperti Iniesta dan Messi, pemain 24 tahun ini mengaku sudah tak sabar ingin melakukannya.

"Mereka adalah yang terbaik di dunia. Saya tak bisa menunggu untuk bermain bersama mereka. Saya tak bisa dibandingkan dengan Iniesta, dia punya kualitas yang sangat baik. Tiap pemain berbeda dan punya keunggulan masing-masing," ujarnya di situs resmi Barca.

Kehadiran Afellay tentu akan membuat pilihan yang dimiliki Guardiola di lini tengah makin banyak. Terkait hal ini, Afellay mengaku siap dimainkan di mana saja.

"Saya bisa main di banyak posisi. Saya punya banyak pilihan di lini tengah. Terserah pelatih saya akan ditempatkan di mana. Saya akan mencoba melakukan yang terbaik," janjinya.

"Saya akan bekerja keras dan melakukan yang terbaik. Untuk pertama pasti tak akan mudah, tapi saya akan melakukan segalanya yang saya bisa untuk memenangkan satu tempat di tim," tuntasnya.

 
( din / din )

Dapatkan info Bola harian dari HP-mu. ketik REG DB kirim ke 3845. cuma Rp.2000/minggu (khusus pelanggan Telkomsel)

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Selasa, 28/12/2010 00:58 WIB

Paham Italia, Leonardo Pilihan Tepat untuk Inter
Doni Wahyudi - detiksport

Tepat di malam Natal lalu, Inter resmi mengontrak Leonardo sebagai pelatih baru Inter. Pria asal Brasil itu ditunjuk menggantikan Rafael Benitez, yang diberhentikan sehari sebelumnya.

Kedatangan Leonardo memunculkan sedikit kontroversi di Italia mengingat dia adalah mantan pemain dan pelatih AC Milan. Pria 41 tahun itu bahkan tercatat 13 tahun membela Rossoneri baik sebagai pelatih, direktur teknis hingga kemudian jadi pelatih.

Namun kiper Julio Cesar tak mau memusingkan semua hal tersebut. Secara pribadi dia menyambut kedatangan Leo karena selain sudah menjadi teman, mantan gelandang internasional Brasil itu paham benar kondisi sepakbola Italia.

"Dia akan hebat. Dia orang yang tepat untuk Inter dan dia juga teman saya. Sangat penting mengingat dia sudah tahu dengan sangat baik sepakbola Italia. Saya pikir ini semua akan berjalan baik," ungkap Cesar dalam wawancaranya dengan Globo Esporte seperti dikutip dari Football Italia.

Pernyataan Cesar tersebut bisa dianggap sebagai sindiran terhadap Rafa. Meski sempat sukses bersama Valencia dan memberi Liverpool titel Liga Champions, pria asal Spanyol tersebut tak mampu memaksimalkan kekuatan Nerazzurri, yang membuatnya harus rela dipecat setelah baru bekerja selama enam bulan.

( din / din )

Dapatkan info Bola harian dari HP-mu. ketik REG DB kirim ke 3845. cuma Rp.2000/minggu (khusus pelanggan Telkomsel)

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MANCHESTER, KOMPAS.com - Pemimpin klasemen sementara Premier League, Manchester United, dikabarkan tertarik mendatangkan gelandang bertahan milik Real Madrid, Lassana Diara, pada jendela transfer kedua, Januari mendatang.

Diarra kini telah kehilangan tempatnya sebagai pemain inti "El Real". Sejak kedatangan Jose Mourinho, Diarra hampir tak pernah masuk sebagai starting line up. Mourinho lebih memilih duet Xabi Alonso dan Sami Khedira sebagai mesin serangan "Los Blancos".

Jarangnya Diarra mendapatkan kesempatan bermain rupanya mendapat perhatian khusus dari pelatih "The Red Devils", Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie kabarnya ingin mendatangkan Diarra untuk menggantikan posisi Owen Hargreaves yang tak kunjung sembuh dan Paul Scholes yang segera pensiun.

Menurut harian AS, United kabarnya akan menawar Diarra sebesar 12 juta Euro (kira-kira Rp142 miliar) agar bisa mendapatkan jasa pemain berkebangsaan Perancis tersebut di Old Trafford. (AS)

MANCHESTER, KOMPAS.com - Manajer Manchester United (MU), Sir Alex Ferguson, memberi Dimitar Berbatov target 25 gol musim ini. Fergie percaya, jika Berba sanggup meraih target tersebut, maka MU punya peluang besar untuk menjuarai Premier League.

Torehan dua gol yang disumbangkan Berba ke gawang Sunderland, akhir pekan lalu, menambah koleksi gol penyerang Bulgaria itu menajdi 13 gol musim ini. Kini, mantan pemain Bayer Leverkusen dan Tottenham Hotspur itu memimpin daftar pencetak gol terbanyak di Inggris.

Meski senang dengan hal ini, Fergie mengaku belum puas. Ia yakin, raihan gol Berba akan semakin bertambah seiring musim berjalan.

Fergie juga menjelaskan alasannya mencadangkan Berba saat melawan Arsenal. "Ada pertandingan tertentu di mana kami ingin memainkan penyerang tunggal dengan tiga gelandang serang. Dimitar memahami itu," sebut Ferguson.

"Tapi performanya sangat hebat. Dia sudah membuat 13 gol saat ini. Jika dia bisa memberi kami sampai 25 gol, maka kami akan memiliki peluang yang baik untuk juara," sambung Fergie.

Berbatov musim ini memang menjadi mesin gol "Setan Merah". Ini karena Wayne Rooney yang musim lalu tampil gemilang mengalami kemandulan.

Adapun Michael Owen terlalu sering cedera. Sementara Javier Hernandez dan Federico Macheda sebenarnya tampil baik, namun faktor usia yang belum matang menjadi penyebab Ferguson belum mempercayai mereka. (DM)

Sinetron Indonesia

ENTAH apa agaknya yang akan diulas oleh Indonesia andainya mereka menang pada perlawanan akhir pertama Kejohanan Bola Sepak Piala Suzuki AFF 2010 menentang Malaysia di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil malam kelmarin.

Adakah mereka akan menyalahkan sinaran laser atau sebaliknya?

Mungkin pemain, pegawai serta pemimpin tertinggi skuad Indonesia lupa dengan reputasi skuad Malaysia.

Mereka lupa bahawa skuad bola sepak negara adalah yang terbaik di Asia Tenggara ketika ini.

Sukan SEA 2009 di Laos sudah cukup untuk membuktikan tentang kehebatan skuad bimbingan K. Rajagobal itu.

Pada temasya di Laos itu, Malaysia menang pingat emas meskipun 1,001 macam dugaan serta tipu muslihat yang mereka hadapi daripada pasukan lawan.

Namun, mereka tetap meneruskan perjuangan dan akhirnya muncul juara selepas menewaskan Vietnam pada perlawanan akhir.

Kali ini, pada Kejohanan Piala Suzuki AFF, skripnya hampir sama.

Pada aksi pembukaan menentang Indonesia di peringkat kumpulan, mereka dibelasah 5-1 tetapi kekalahan tersebut diterima dengan hati terbuka tanpa membuat kecoh meskipun penjaga gol Malaysia pada perlawanan pertama itu, Sharbine Alawee telah beberapa kali diganggu pancaran laser oleh penyokong Indonesia.

Alasan Rajagobal atas kekalahan tersebut ialah barisan pertahanan mereka goyang dan bukannya disebabkan laser.

Kelmarin, Indonesia tewas 3-0 dan 'laser' dijadikan alasan.

Andai pertahanan Indonesia kental, tidak mungkin gawang mereka dibolosi.

Tetapi sayang, kerenah penjaga gol mereka, Markus Harison yang mendakwa diganggu pancaran laser daripada penonton telah mematikan rentak permainan Indonesia yang dilihat seimbang pada separuh masa pertama.

Lakonan penjaga gol Indonesia hanya berlaku setiap kali Malaysia mendapat sepakan percuma di hadapan pintu gol mereka.

Tetapi jaringan yang dihasilkan oleh pasukan Malaysia bukannya berpunca daripada sepakan percuma, semuanya bermula daripada gerakan padang.

Adakah keempat-empat pertahanan Indonesia itu 'diganggu' oleh pancaran laser sehingga gagal menyekat kelincahan penyerang Malaysia?

Nak menuduh biarlah berasas dan kekalahan itu perlu diterima secara terbuka.

Sebahagian besar akhbar Indonesia pula tidak menyalahkan laser sebagai punca kekalahan itu.

Sedarkah Indonesia bahawa pemain Malaysia pada kejohanan ini dibarisi 'budak mentah' yang sebahagian besarnya berusia bawah 23 tahun.

Mereka juga tidak memiliki pemain import seperti mana yang dipraktikkan oleh skuad Indonesia.

Indonesia boleh dianggap bernasib baik pada kejohanan ini kerana diberi peluang beraksi di tempat sendiri pada dua perlawanan separuh akhir menentang Filipina. Jika tidak, semua peminat akan tahu sejauh mana skuad bimbingan Alfred Riedl boleh pergi.

Pada aksi kedua di Gelora Bung Karno malam esok, Indonesia perlu mencari empat gol untuk muncul juara tetapi persoalannya, mampukah mereka?

Norshahrul tak gentar GBK

Daripada WAN FAKHRUL BAKAR
fakhrul@kosmo.com.my

JAKARTA – Stadium Utama Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) sering menghadirkan gerun buat pemain pasukan lawan setiap kali berdepan skuad Indonesia di gelanggang keramat itu.

Namun, berlainan pula dengan penyerang skuad kebangsaan, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha yang langsung tidak gentar untuk menguasai GBK pada aksi final kedua Piala Suzuki AFF 2010 malam esok.

Jika rakan gandingannya, Mohd. Safee Mohd. Sali menjadikan Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil sebagai gelanggang bertuah dengan meledak dua gol ketika membenam Indonesia 3-0 pada aksi final pertama kelmarin, Nor- shahrul ada misi tersendiri pada aksi kedua ini.

"Bagi seseorang penyerang, selagi tidak dapat menjaringkan gol, selagi itu kita tak berasa puas. Samalah seperti saya yang baru menjaringkan dua gol sepanjang kejohanan ini.

"Salah satu gol tersebut dijaringkan di GBK ketika kita tewas 1-5 pada aksi pertama peringkat kumpulan. Mungkin saya lebih ada 'feel' untuk menjaringkan gol di sini," katanya ketika ditemui Kosmo! di Hotel Sultan, Jakarta semalam.

Norshahrul, 24, bagaimanapun tetap memainkan peranan penting mencipta gerakan untuk dua dari- pada tiga gol Malaysia pada aksi final pertama malam kelmarin.

Dia berjaya menggelecek pemain pertahanan lawan menerusi gerakan di penjuru kanan padang sebelum melorongkan bola untuk Safee menjaringkan gol pertama dan Ashari Samsudin untuk gol kedua.

"Saya cuba memasuki kotak penalti dari penjuru kanan dan kiri. Tapi nampaknya gerakan dari penjuru kanan lebih berhasil dengan dua gol berjaya dicipta," jelasnya.

Sementara itu, pada sidang media selepas perlawanan kelmarin, jurulatih kebangsaan, K. Rajagobal telah menamakan Norshahrul sebagai pemain terbaiknya sepanjang kejohanan tersebut.

Kata Rajagobal: "Semua pemain terlibat membawa kejayaan pasukan. Tetapi Norshahrul layak menjadi pemain terbaik kejohanan. Dia telah melaksanakan segala tugasnya dengan baik."

Namun, Norshahrul sendiri enggan terlalu berharap untuk memenangi anugerah Pemain Paling Bernilai (MVP) Piala Suzuki AFF 2010 biarpun sebelum ini dia telah memenangi anugerah MVP bagi Liga Malaysia 2010.

"Insya-Allah kalau ada rezeki. Siapa yang tak mahu menang anugerah ini. Jadi saya akan cuba mempamerkan aksi terbaik pada final kedua nanti bagi memastikan kejuaraan mutlak milik Malaysia," ujar Norshahrul.

Football / AFF Suzuki Cup: Raja not celebrating yet

But it very nearly did not happen as irresponsible fans aimed laser beams at Indonesia goalkeeper Markus Rihihina and almost caused the game to be called off.

When the match resumed five minutes later though, Malaysia turned on the charm to rifle three goals past previously unbeaten Indonesia, which went some way to make up for the 5-1 mauling in Jakarta on Dec 1.

"I was optimistic before the match that we could get something to take to Jakarta and with Indonesia playing away for the first time, we wanted to see how they reacted under pressure," said Rajagobal.

"The same thing which happened to us in Jakarta, happened to Indonesia here. They made mistakes when we pressured them and after getting the first goal, the second and third goals also came.

"In the first half, we were too eager in front of goal and could not execute our chances. We were sloppy.

"Indonesia gained confidence and threatened on the flanks through Oktovianus (Maniani) and nearly scored but we kept their two strikers (Cristian Gonzales and Yongkry Ari Bowo) quiet.

"In the second half, I told the players we needed to be more aggressive if we were to score and have a chance in the second leg.

"We have done tremendously well to score three goals but it is not finished. We still have another 90 minutes to focus on."

Rajagobal and his counterpart Alfred Riedl both said the disruption to the game had little impact with the latter claiming that it was the first goal which unsettled his team.

"I have to talk to the players if the lasers affected them but I don't think so," said Riedl.

"It was the first goal which changed everything. We had a good first half. But when Malaysia scored, my defenders got confused. One mistake made the difference.

"We had good matches against the Philippines and the performance was fine. But today (yesterday), we were nowhere and were completely confused after the first goal.

"The techniques of the strikers were no good. We could not stabilise ourselves and let in the second and third goals."

Malaysia's Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (left) tries to get past two Indonesian defenders in their AFF Suzuki Cup first leg match at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium yesterday. — Picture by Osman Adnan

The Malaysian team overwhelmed favourites Indonesia with a second half blitz, courtesy of a brace from Safee Sali and a brilliant goal by Ashaari Shamsuddin, to carve out a 3-0 victory in the first leg at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The homesters were quiet in the opening 45 minutes but made it memorable for their fans with a brilliant second half performance to record their biggest win over Indonesia in 30 years.

Malaysia will take a three-goal cushion to Jakarta, where both teams face each other again in the return leg on Wednesday.

Indonesia started the match with full confidence and almost found the opening in the fourth minute when flanker Muhammad Ridwan managed to break free from his markers before making a defence splitting pass, which left the Malaysian team stranded but striker Cristian Gonzales failed to latch onto the ball for a goal kick.

The Indonesian team continued to torment their opponents but in the heat of the moment, Octovianus Maniani was left in tears when he was booked for elbowing right back Mahalli Jasuli a minute later.

The Jayapura midfielder, who has been instrumental in Indonesia's excellent performance in the tournament, will be suspended for the return leg.

The Malaysian team came alive after a shaky opening 18 minutes with S. Kunalan testing Indonesia goalkeeper Markus Harison Rihihina first.

The hard running Negri Sembilan player beat two Indonesian defenders on the left and managed to make an attempt but his shot was well-saved by the keeper.

The homesters began to move forward in numbers and it caught Indonesia off-guard several times in the penalty box.

In the 22nd minute, Malaysia had a good chance to take the lead when captain Safiq Rahim stole the ball from Ridwan inside the penalty box with goalkeeper Markus off his line but the midfielder's looping shot went over the crossbar.

Not to be deterred, Indonesia kept their pressure on Malaysia and were almost punished when midfielder Amar Rohidan lost possession just outside the penalty in the 27th minute.

Striker Yongky Ari Bowo picked up the loose ball from Amar's blunder and played a one-two with Gonzales but his low grounder in the penalty box went wide.

Malaysia's flankers Kunalan and Amirulhadi Zainal were in their element with their fast pace football, which left the Indonesian defenders stranded in a few occasions but they were let down by their poor crosses into the penalty box

In the final minute of the first half, Amirulhadi received a blow when referee Toma Masaaki gave him a yellow card, his second in the tournament, for fouling an Indonesian player. The Selangor player will be suspended for the return leg.

It was an average first half with both team failing to get into their groove to create goal scoring opportunities. Malaysia's midfielders, who are normally dependable, were a huge disappointment as they were regularly losing possession.

National coach K. Rajagobal made a tactical change by substituting Amirul with last season's top scorer Ashaari to beef up his team's attacking options for the second half.

Kunalan, who played on the left wing, was moved to the right while Ashaari took over his teammate's role.

It turned out to be an effective tactical change as Kunalan and Ashaari brought more zest into the Malaysian attack but the match was interrupted by the referee for six minutes due to crowd disturbance.

Some fans threw firecrackers onto the pitch and also used laser light beams on players of both teams.

Malaysia's crowning moment came in the 60th minute, courtesy of a mistake by Indonesia defender Mohammad Nasuha, whose lapse of concentration allowed Norshahrul Idlan Talaha to steal the ball from him on the right.

The Kelantan striker used his trademark burst and dash tactics to confuse his markers before passing to teammate Safee, who made no mistakes to put Malaysia in front.

Indonesia were left in shambles against an inspired Malaysian side and soon found themselves two goals down.

Norshahrul again turned provider seven minutes later when his brilliant pass, also from the right, found Ashaari, whose first-timer just inside the penalty box beat Indonesia keeper Markus.

But Malaysia were not done yet. Safee scored from a header, off a brilliant cross from Mahalli, which left the Indonesian defence rooted in the 72nd minute.

Indonesia tried in vain to reduce the deficit but could not find the opening against a stout Malaysian defence.

And when the final whistle was blown, the Malaysian fans celebrated in sheer delight while the disappointed Indonesian fans left the stadium immediately.