Chong Wei impi angka 7

Oleh NORZIE MOHD. KHASBI dan ZAZALI JAMIAN
sukan@utusan.com.my

Misbun Sidek memberi tunjuk ajar kepada Lee Chong Wei ketika menentang Chen Long dalam separuh akhir badminton Terbuka Malaysia di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil semalam. – Mingguan/Aswad Yahaya

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Lee Chong Wei masih sempat menari di gelanggang ketika tinggal satu mata untuk menumpaskan pemain muda China, Chen Long sebelum melayakkan diri ke perlawanan akhir Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Malaysia di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, semalam.

Tanpa musuh tradisi, Lin Dan dan dengan kemunculan semula jurulatihnya, Datuk Misbun Sidek, pemain No. 1 dunia itu tampak amat tenang sepanjang kejohanan ini, malah cukup berkeyakinan untuk membawa pulang kejuaraan ketujuh.

Chong Wei memenangi semua lima perlawanan awalnya menerusi keputusan straight set.

Malah, semalam, juara edisi 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 serta 2010 itu hanya mengambil masa 39 minit untuk menjinakkan pemain muda China itu 21-9, 21-9, kemenangan yang bakal menemukan beliau dengan satu lagi seteru utama, Taufik Hidayat dari Indonesia.

Kontras dengan Chong Wei yang dilihat mendominasi gelanggang sepenuhnya, malah beberapa kali melakukan gerakan yang mengejutkan lawan, Taufik sebaliknya dipaksa bekerja keras ketika mengetepikan rakan senegara, Simon Santoso 21-15, 21-19 dalam satu lagi saingan separuh akhir.

"Saya sendiri tidak sangka akan menang semudah ini. Seperti yang saya katakan semalam (kelmarin) saya tidak mahu memikirkan tentang lawan dan lebih berminat memberi tumpuan kepada permainan sendiri dan itu yang membolehkan saya lebih relaks dan mudah menguasai perlawanan hari ini.

"Hari ini saya lihat semua serangan Chen Long tidak menjadi. Pada awal permainan saya hanya mahu melihat rentak permainannya selepas dapat membaca, saya tidak langsung membenarkan dia mendapat semula rentak.

"Dia adalah pemain remaja, bahayanya pemain remaja sepertinya adalah apabila mendapat ruang dia tidak akan mensia-siakannya, jadi saya memastikan Chen Long langsung tidak diberi ruang dan peluang untuk memulakan serangan, ia benar-benar berhasil," ujar Chong Wei.

Ditanya apakah dia sudah mula terbayang kejuaraan ketujuh, Chong Wei mengakui, amat mengharapkan kemenangan untuk menggembirakan penyokong tuan rumah tetapi dia perlu berhati-hati dengan Taufik, yang dianggap lebih sukar dan licik hari ini.

Ujar juara All England itu lagi, berbeza dengan Chen Long, Taufik, juara Olimpik 2004 dan juara dunia 2005 lebih berpengalaman dan lebih banyak beraksi menentangnya.

Malah, dia kalah kepada jaguh No. 2 dunia itu pada suku akhir Kejohanan Dunia, tahun lalu.

"Taufik berbeza dengan Chen Long, dia lebih berpengalaman, malah saya lihat keadaan fizikalnya sepanjang kejohanan ini sangat baik. Tetapi sama seperti Chen Long, saya tidak berminat untuk memikirkan tentang permainan lawan, sebaliknya hanya mahu fokus kepada diri sendiri," ujar Chong Wei lagi, yang memegang rekod 10-6 daripada 16 pertemuan ke atas jaguh Indonesia.

Bent (left) celebrates his goal against Manchester City at Villa Park in Birmingham January 22, 2011. — Reuters pic

The England striker, who joined for a club record fee of £18 million (RM90 million) from Sunderland on Tuesday, swept the ball home from six metres in the 18th minute after goalkeeper Joe Hart could only push Ashley Young's shot into his path.

"They always say the first goal is important and we got it early, then defended really well and played really well," the 26-year-old Bent told ESPN.

"It's been a hard week but these are the occasions you enjoy because we have beaten one of the best teams in the country."

Villa manager Gerard Houllier said: "I am pleased for Darren because it's his first goal for us and his first game but I thought the whole team were fantastic and they worked very hard for each other and their spirit of sacrifice was outstanding.

"I must congratulate them for that because we have beaten a very good side."

It was the second time this season Bent has scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over City, having converted a last-minute penalty for Sunderland in August.

The defeat completed a bad day for City whose title hopes took a knock as Manchester United and Arsenal won earlier.

City slipped from second to third, three points behind leaders United having played two more matches than their arch-rivals.

Roberto Mancini's City, who beat Villa 4-0 at Eastlands three weeks ago, hit the post late in the second half when a fierce drive by Nigel de Jong took a deflection off Ciaran Clark and smacked the woodwork.

Apart from his goal Bent did not have any other clearcut chances in front of watching England manager Fabio Capello but his debut will long be remembered by Villa fans who have not had too much to cheer about this season.

The victory moved them up from 17th to 16th, three points clear of the relegation zone.

It was the third time Bent has scored on his debut for a new club following first-game goals for Charlton Athletic and Sunderland. — Reuters

The hat-trick was Berbatov's third of the season. — Reuters pic

Aston Villa's club record signing Darren Bent made his mark with a debut goal for his new club in a 1-0 win that dented Manchester City's hopes.

Spain striker Fernando Torres reproduced his old clinical finishing, which has been largely missing this season, with two goals as a rejuvenated Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 at Molineux.

That gave interim manager Kenny Dalglish, a lethal scorer in his day too, his first win in his second spell as Liverpool boss.

Berbatov's hat-trick — his third of the season — spearheaded unbeaten United to a 5-0 win over Birmingham City at Old Trafford while Van Persie's treble gave Arsenal a 3-0 triumph over Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium where the Dutchman also missed a penalty.

United have 48 points from 22 games, two points ahead of Arsenal who have played one match more than the leaders.

Manchester City slipped from second to third on 45 points having played 24 games.

Bent, who joined Villa from Sunderland this week for £18 million (RM90 million), found City's net after 18 minutes for the only goal of the game at Villa Park, pouncing on a poor flap from goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Champions Chelsea, who have 38 points from 22 matches, will get the chance to close the gap on the leading trio when they travel to Bolton Wanderers tomorrow.

It took Berbatov two minutes to find the net at Old Trafford, heading in from point-blank range as United took a grip of a game they never relinquished.

The Bulgarian, who has scored three against Liverpool and five against Blackburn Rovers this season, was on target again after 31 and 53 minutes to take his league tally to 17 goals.

Berbatov also played a part in Ryan Giggs's goal just before halftime. Nani added the fifth after 76 minutes.

"I was delighted we got a good start, that puts the other team under a lot of pressure. They have a plan and then they have to change it," United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"We played very well, the passing was good and we produced a good performance today."

While Berbatov was banging in the goals in Manchester, Van Persie was doing the same in North London as Arsenal made it six wins out of six in home Premier League matches against Wigan.

Van Persie, who missed two months of the season through injury but is now returning to his best form, has scored six goals in his last three games but could have made that seven after blasting a penalty high over the Wigan bar.

Manager Arsene Wenger said Arsenal could have scored as many as 10 goals such was their command of the match. "But what is most important was the team performance, which was great," he added.

"We know we have eight home games left and it is important we win them. We are hungry and we want to do well."

Fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur lost ground on the leaders but were relieved to leave Newcastle United with a point after Aaron Lennon equalised in stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw.

Fabricio Coloccini celebrated his birthday by putting Newcastle ahead after 59 minutes. — Reuters

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Rafael Nadal didn't let the much-hyped potential future star of Australian tennis stop him in his quest for a fourth consecutive major title.

Overcoming a mostly parochial crowd of 15,000 at Rod Laver Arena, the top-ranked Nadal had a 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 win over 18-year-old wild card Bernard Tomic in an Australian Open third-round match Saturday.

Nadal advanced to a fourth-round match against Marin Cilic, and a continuing date with destiny.

A title at Melbourne Park would make the Spanish star the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam trophies at once, although Laver achieved the true Grand Slam by winning all four in a calendar year.

"I think I started playing well, but he's the kind of player who can make you play bad," Nadal said of Tomic. "I have to play a bit better if I want to get to the quarterfinals."

It wasn't always easy - Nadal trailed 4-0 in the second set before giving Tomic a clinic in comeback tennis. At 5-5, he broke Tomic's service, then held in the next game to clinch the set.

Tomic, who upset Fernando Lopez in the second round and is being touted as a replacement for Lleyton Hewitt in the lean tennis fortunes Down Under, tried his best but ultimately was no match for the polished and experienced Nadal.

Earlier Saturday, it was the first game of Andy Murray's match against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, and the 2010 finalist was doing his best to get into the feel of the third-round match.

Hitting a high lob to the back of the court, he watched as Garcia-Lopez ran it down and, facing the back of the court, hit a between-the-legs shot that passed Murray for a winner.

"It was the first time someone passed me on a through-the-legs shot on the tour," Murray said. "It was a very close one on the line."

Instead of marveling too long at one of the more unusual shots in tennis - like Roger Federer's similar crosscourt winner against Novak Djokovic at the 2009 U.S. Open - Murray broke the Spanish player's serve and went on to beat Garcia-Lopez 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.

Garcia-Lopez might have had the most flamboyant shot of the match, but Murray had more of the most effective ones, putting him closer to his second straight Australian Open final.

"The first game doesn't always dictate the way the match is going to go, but it definitely helped today," said Murray, who lost the 2010 final to Federer. He's only dropped 17 games through three rounds.

In other men's results, No. 4 Robin Soderling advanced, as did Marin Cilic, who beat American John Isner in five sets.

U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters, meanwhile, beat Alize Cornet 7-6 (3), 6-3 of France, getting closer to win her second Grand Slam in a row.

Cornet, trying to celebrate her 21st birthday, provided a tougher challenge for Clijsters, who had only conceded four games in her first two rounds. The French player was presented with a birthday bouquet of flowers after the match, a small consolation for losing to one of the tournament favorites.

"It was tough. She's a tricky player," Clijsters said. "During the match I felt like I was playing two different persons. I had to constantly move my feet, and work harder."

Cornet had trouble enough playing one. "She plays great ... she's always fighting from the first point until the end, and she's very consistent, very powerful," Cornet said. "For me, she's just the favorite of the tournament."

Second-seeded Vera Zvonareva kept alive her bid for a third consecutive Grand Slam final with a 6-3, 7-6 (9) win over Lucie Safarova.

Zvonareva, who lost the U.S. Open final to Clijsters, served for the match twice against Safarova but was extended to the tiebreaker. Safarova led 4-2 and 5-3 in the tiebreaker before Zvonareva finally sealed it on her fourth match point.

Zvonareva has a chance to move into the No. 1 ranking her by winning the title. Her priority now is getting past a fourth-round match against Iveta Benesova, who beat No. 16 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 1-6, 7-5. French Open finalist Sam Stosur lost 7-6 (5), 6-3 to No. 25 Petra Kvitova, ending Australia's hopes in the women's draw.

No. 12 Agnieszka Radwanska beat Simona Halep 6-1, 6-2 and will next play China's Peng Shuai, who had a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win over Japan's Ayumi Morita. Peng, who saved seven break points in the seventh game of the deciding set, will make her first appearance in the fourth round of a Grand Slam.

No. 10 Shahar Peer was ousted, losing 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 to No. 22 Flavia Pennetta. Cilic had a 4-6, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 9-7 win over No. 20 Isner in 4 hours, 33 minutes. It was the first five-set match Isner had played since his epic encounter against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon last year which finished 70-68 in the fifth and was the longest tennis match in history measured by games and elapsed time.

Isner's departure left Andy Roddick as the only American in the men's or women's draws. Two former finalists also went out. Marcos Baghdatis, the 2006 runnerup, retired from his third-round match due to a finger injury when he was trailing No. 11 Jurgen Melzer 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-1, 4-3.

"I don't think it's broken because I could push the ball, but whenever I hit it, it felt like electricity on the joint," said the 25-year-old Baghdatis.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 2008 finalist, lost 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 to Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Milos Raonic, a 20-year-old Canadian qualifier with the fastest serve in the first two rounds of the tournament at 143 mph, fired 31 aces while beating No. 10 Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

"I knew the chances were in his favor, but I knew I was prepared to fight for every point, however long it took," said Raonic, who was born in Montenegro and moved to Canada in 1994. "I can't say I would be shocked if I wasn't here. But I'm not really shocked I am here."

He'll play No. 7 David Ferrer, a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 winner over Richard Berankis, in the next round.

Soderling, who beat Jan Hernych 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 and next plays Dolgopolov, hasn't dropped a set and is on an eight-match winning streak with his three at Melbourne Park after winning the tuneup tournament at Brisbane.

Soderling's match was delayed for about 10 minutes in the third set when a bubble seemed to appear on the court surface at Hisense Arena. A similar bubble delayed the start of a match on the same court the previous night.

Tournament organizers said moisture from recent rains had gathered under the court's Plexicushion layer in the unseasonably cool conditions and evaporated as temperatures rose, causing a pocket of vapor that lifted part of the surface. Stadium staff repaired the problem quickly both times.

There was some heated moments in men's doubles, with match officials stepping in to calm a heated exchange at the net. Spain's Feliciano Lopez accused India's Leander Paes of trying to provoke him and his partner Juan Monaco of Argentina during their second-round match. Paes and partner Mahesh Bhupathi won 7-6 (2), 6-4.

Television footage showed all four players arguing at the net, and Lopez claimed Paes had tried "to provoke us all the time."

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Lee Chong Wei is within reach of his seventh Proton Malaysian Open title after he easily defeated China's Chen Long in the semifinal at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil Saturday.

Chong Wei took just about 40 minutes to down Chen 21-9, 21-9.

"I thought Chen Long would go all out to attack but he chose to be cautious. He also made a lot of mistakes," the world number one told reporters.

Chong Wei who played confidently said he had prepared himself to meet Lin Dan in the semifinal.

However, Lin Dan had to pull out from his quarterfinal match against Chen Long due to abdominal injury.

Chong Wei will meet Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat, who beat compatriot Simon Santoso 21-15, 21-19 in the other semifinal, in Sunday's final.

Korsel akhirnya keluar menjadi pemenang dalam pertemuan kelima kedua raksasa sepakbola Asia di perempatfinal turnamen ini, sehingga kedudukan kini menjadi 3-2 untuk Korsel.

Yoon yang berumur 20 dan pemain muda tahun ini di liga profesional K-League, langsung menyerang di babak tambahan persis di akhir paruh pertama babak tambahan, dengan menusuk ke kotak penalti Iran untuk kemudian memperdaya kiper Iran.

Laga semifinal lainnya adalah antara Australia dan Uzbekistan, yang juga akan diselenggarakan Selasa pekan depan ketika turnamen akbar regional Asia mendekati puncaknya.

Korsel memiliki peluang emas hanya kurang dari semenit sejak peluit babak pertama ditiup, namun tendangan voli bintang Manchester United Park Ji-Sung yang sudah mengenakan 99 tampil untuk timnas melenceng dari gawang Iran.

Pada jumpa pers Jumat pelatih Korsel Kwang-Rae menyatakan dia memperkirakan iran yang diasuh oleh mantan asistennnya di timnas Korsel Afshin Ghotbi  akan mencoba menyulitkan timnya di berbagai kesempatan.

Ghotbi menepis klaim itu dengan mengatakan Cho ketakutakan, tetapi Park dua kali menusuk tajam dalam 10 menit pertama babak pertama.

Sesuai prediksi Cho, Iran memang menciptakan takling-takling keras dalam upayanya mengendalikan pemain-pemain impresif seperti Park dan pemain tengah  Koo Ja-Cheol yang sudah mengoleksi empat gol di penyisihan grup.

Laga kedua kesebelasan terpaksa dilanjutkan ke babak tambahan setelah keduanya tak bisa menciptakan gol.  Kedua tim sepertinya tak benar-benar saling mengancam di babak ini, sampai kemudian pemain tengah Yoon mengakhiri pertandingan kedua tim di menit 105 lewat gol sangat berartinya. (*)

Manchester City harus takluk di tangan penjamunya Aston Villa dengan skor 0-1 hasil kreasi Darrent Bent, sebaliknya hatrik dari Robin van Persie saat menjamu Wigan melambungkan Arsenal ke peringkat dua klasemen sementara Liga Premier Inggris.

Berikut hasil lengkap pertandingan Sabtu waktu setempat.
 
Arsenal 3 (Van Persie 21, 58, 85) - Wigan 0
Aston Villa 1 (Bent 18) - Man City 0
Blackpool 1 (Adam 86-pen) - Sunderland 2 (Richardson 15, 36)
Everton 2 (Bilyaletdinov 77, Fellaini 90) - West Ham 2 (Spector 26, Piquionne
84)
Fulham 2 (Dempsey 33, 56-pen) - Stoke 0
Man Utd 5 (Berbatov 2, 31, 53, Giggs 45, Nani 76) - Birmingham 0
Newcastle 1 (Coloccini 59) - Tottenham 1 (Lennon 90)
Wolves 0 - Liverpool 3 (Torres 36, 90, Meireles 50)
 
Bermain Minggu
Blackburn vs West Brom (16,00 GMT)
 
Bermain Senin
Bolton vs Chelsea (20.00 GMT)

Dan berikut klasemen sementara Liga Premier

Man Utd         22  22    48
Arsenal         23  23    46
Man Citt        23  23    45
Chelsea            22  22    38
Tottenham       23  23    38
Sunderland      24  24    37
Newcastle       23  23    30
Bolton          23  23  30
Stoke City      23  23    30
Liverpool       23  23    29
Blackpool       22  22    28
Blackburn       23  23    28
Everton            23  23  27
Fulham          23  22  26
WBA             22  22  25
Birmingham    22  22  23
Aston Villa     22  22  22
Wigan Athletic  23  23  22
Wolves          23  23  21
West Ham Utd    24  24  21

WOLVERHAMPTON - Pelatih mana yang tidak bangga mengantarkan kemenangan timnya? Tak terkecuali arsitek anyar Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish.

Ya, setelah menggantikan posisi Roy Hodgson dan mendampingi The Reds dalam tiga pertandingan tanpa kemenangan, Dalglish akhirnya memecah kebuntuan saat mengamankan tiga angka dari Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sabtu (22/1/2011) malam.

Meladeni jamuan skuad besutan Mick McCarthy di Molineux Stadium, armada Merseyside meraih kemenangan 3-0. Ketiga gol dicetak Fernando Torres (36', 90') dan Raul Meireles (50').

Tambahan tiga angka sukses mendongkrak posisi Liverpool di papan kalsemen sementara Premier League, yakni di peringkat 10 dengan raihan 29 poin. Sah saja jika Dalglish meluapkan kebahagiaannya usai pertandingan.

"Perasaan gembira karena kami menang 3-0," cetus pelatih berkebangsaan Skotlandia, dikutip dari Goal, Minggu (23/1/2011).

"Semua pemain merasa bahagia, dari pemain bertahan sampai para penyerang. Kami meraih kesuksesan karena bermain baik sebagai tim. Saya berharap kami bisa terus membangunnya," papar pelatih kelahiran Glasgow, 49 tahun silam.

"Wolves sedang dalam performa bagus dan sempat mengalahkan Chelsea di sini. Bagi kami, datang dan bermain seperti tadi, kemudian membawa pulang tiga gol, merupakan usaha yang fantastis.

"Para pemain mendapat hasil yang layak atas keyakinan dan kerja keras mereka. Jika Anda tidak menyuguhkan persaingan di Molineux, maka Anda akan pulang tanpa membawa apa-apa kecuali kekalahan," tandas Dalglish. (far)

BIRMINGHAM - Darren Bent melakoni debut manis bersama Aston Villa. Betapa tidak, striker yang baru dibajak dari Sunderland mengantarkan kemenangan 1-0 Villans atas Manchester City, Minggu (23/1/2011) dini hari WIB.

Melalui bursa transfer musim dingin kali ini, Bent meninggalkan The Black Cats, klub yang dibelanya sepanjang 18 bulan, dan memilih bergabung dengan skuad besutan Gerard Houllier setelah sepakat dengan mahar sebesar 24 juta poundsterling.

Seakan membayar tuntas nilai transfer, yang merupakan rekor tertinggi pembelanjaaan pemain Villa, striker 26 tahun tampil gemilang dalam debutnya di Villa Park. Adalah skuad arahan Roberto Mancini yang menjadi korban pertama.

Bent mencetak gol di menit 18, usai memanfaatkan tembakan Ashley Young yang sempat dimuntahkan kiper nomor satu Inggris Joe Hart. Dari jarak dekat, mantan striker Tottenham Hotspur dengan mudah memperdaya Hart.

Skor 1-0 bertahan hingga turun minum, bahkan tak terbalaskan saat wasit Howard Webb membunyikan peluit panjang tanda berakhirnya pertandingan. Sejumlah peluang emas City di penghujung laga, yang diciptakan Aleksandar Kolarov dan striker anyar Edin Dzeko, tak cukup membantu timnya terhindar dari kekalahan.

Alhasil, kubu Eastlands harus puas menempati peringkat tiga klasemen sementara Premier League, dengan raihan 45 poin, sekaligus gagal menyalip kembali Arsenal (46) dan menyamakan perolehan poin Manchester United (48) yang semakin kokoh di puncak.

Hasil lengkap laga Premier League Sabtu-Minggu (22-23/1/2011):
Wolverhampton W. 0 - 3 Liverpool
Arsenal 3 - 0 Wigan Athletic
Blackpool 1 - 2 Sunderland
Everton 2 - 2 West Ham U.
Fulham 2 – 0 Stoke C.
Manchester U. 5 - 0 Birmingham C.
Newcastle U. 1 - 1 Tottenham H.
Aston Villa 1 - 0 Manchester C. (far)

MANCHESTER, KOMPAS.com - Manajer Manchester United MU), Sir Alex Ferguson, tak cemas Wayne Rooney belum juga mencetak gol. Menurutnya, itu hanya masalah waktu.

Rooney kembali gagal mencetak gol saat timnya menghajar Birmingham City 5-0, Ssabtu (22/1/2011). Bahkan, dia melewatkan kesempatan emas karena sundulannya melebar. Padahal, posisinya dengan gawang lawan amat dekat. Meski begitu, dia ikut membidani gol ketiga dan keempat.

"Kami berharap dia akan segera menemukan ketajamannya. Dia bekerja keras dan saya kira tetap bermain bagus," puji Fergie.

"Gol ketiga (dicetak Ryan Giggs, Red) sangat mengagumkan karena diawali saling kerja sama rapi antara Berbatov dan Rooney," tambahnya.

Setelah kerja sama dengan Berbatov, Rooney menusuk dan menyongsong bola. Dia kemudian memberi umpan silang yang langsung disantap Giggs menjadi gol.

Sementara, gol keempat berawal dari bola sapuan kiper Edwin van der Sar. Rooney mengontrolnya, kemudian memberikan bola kepada Giggs. Dengan baik, Giggs pun memberi umpan kepada Berbatov yang langsung memotongnya menjadi gol.

"Kontrol bola yang dilakukan Rooney dan kemudian umpan Giggs kepada Berbatov juga sangat fantastis," kata Fergie puas. (SKY)

AFP/PORNCHAI

Ekspresi pemain Korea Selatan, Yoon Bit-Garam (kiri), seusai mencetak gol ke gawang Iran, Sabtu (22/1/2011).

DOHA, KOMPAS.com - Korea Selatan berhasil menghantam Iran 1-0 pada babak perempat final Piala Asia 2011, Sabtu (22/1/2011). Kemenangan ini memantapkan langkah Park Ji-Sung dan kawan-kawan ke babak semifinal untuk menantang Jepang.

Korsel tampil menekan sejak awal. Mengandalkan kecepatan Du-Ri Cha di sisi sayap, "Taegeuk Warriors" terus menyerbu pertahanan lawannya. Meski dominan, nyatanya Korsel kesulitan mencetak gol. Hingga 90 menit berakhir, skor masih imbang 0-0. Alhasil, pertandingan pun terpaksa dilanjutkan ke babak perpanjangan waktu.

Malapetaka datang menimpa Iran di menit ke-105. Adalah pemain pengganti, Bit-Garam Yoon, yang menjadi mimpi buruk pertahanan Iran. Mendapat bola di luar kotak penalti, Yoon langsung melepas tembakan keras yang merobek jala kiper Seyed Mehdi Rahmati, 1-0 untuk Korsel.

Iran coba menggempur balik. Namun sayang, hingga wasit meniupkan peluit akhir, Iran gagal mendapatkan gol penyeimbang.

Susunan pemain Iran: Seyed Mehdi Rahmati, Mohammad Nosrati (Khosro Heydari 46), Seyed Jalal Hosseini, Hadi Aghili; Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian, Ehsan Hajysafi, Mohamadreza Khalatbari, Pejman Nouri (Mohammad Gholami 109); Karim Ansarifar (Massoud Shojaei 77)

Korea Selatan: Jung Sung-Ryong; Du-Ri Cha, Lee Young-Pyo, Hwang Jae-Won, Lee Jung-Soo, Yong-Rae Lee; Park Ji-Sung (Yeom Ki-Hun 117), Lee Chung-Yong, Ki Sung-Yueng, Ja-Cheol Koo (Bit-garam Yoon 81); Dong-Won Ji

Minggu, 23/01/2011 02:03 WIB
Piala Asia
Korsel Tantang Jepang di Semifinal
Meylan Fredy Ismawan - detiksport

Dalam laga di Qatar SC Stadium, Doha, Minggu (23/1/2011), kedua tim sama-sama tak mampu membuat gol hingga waktu normal 90 menit berakhir meski banyak sekali peluang yang tercipta. Akibatnya, laga pun harus dilanjutkan ke babak extra time.

Korsel akhirnya berhasil memecah kebuntuan di penghujung babak pertama extra time. Sebuah pergerakan Yoon Bit-Garam di sayap kanan diakhiri dengan sebuah sepakan kaki kiri yang tak mampu dijangkau oleh kiper Iran, Mahdi Rahmati.

Di babak kedua extra time, Iran terus menggempur Korsel. Sejumlah peluang pun didapatkan oleh anak asuhan Afshin Ghotbi tersebut. Namun rapatnya pertahanan Korsel yang digalang oleh Lee Young-Pyo membuat Iran gagal mengejar ketertinggalan mereka sampai laga berakhir.

Korsel akan menantang Jepang di semifinal. Laga akan digelar 25 Januari mendatang di Al-Gharafa Stadium, Doha.

Susunan pemain:
Iran: Rahmati, Nosrati (Heidari 46'), Aghili, Hosseini, Haji Safi, Nekounam, Nouri (Gholami 109'), Teymourian, Khalatbari, Rezaei, Ansari Fard (Shojaei 75')

Korsel: Jung Sung-ryong, Cha Du-ri, Hwang Jae-won, Lee Jung-soo, Lee Young-pyo, Ki Sung-yong (Hong Jeong Ho 111'), Lee Yong Rae, Lee Chung-yong, Park Ji-sung (Yeom Ki Hoon 118'), Koo Ja Cheol (Yoon Bit Ga Ram 81'), Ji Dong Won ( arp / krs )

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

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Minggu, 23/01/2011 01:35 WIB

Fergie: Permainan 'Selesai' Saat Half-Time
Kris Fathoni W - detiksport

MU tampil kesetanan saat menjamu Birmingham, Sabtu (22/1/2011) malam WIB. Lima gol dilesakkan ke gawang tim tamu tanpa berbalas satu gol pun.

Baru dua menit pertandingan berjalan, MU sudah unggul lewat gol Dimitar Berbatov. Gol ini disebut Manajer MU Sir Alex Ferguson sudah berperan penting dalam menguak pertahanan lawan.

"Saya pikir membantu jika Anda bisa bikin gol cepat. Bikin gol setelah sekian menit memaksa lawan untuk membuka pertahanannya," analisa Fergie di situs MU.

Sekitar 29 menit berselang, Berbatov membuat gol keduanya. Sesaat sebelum jeda, giliran Ryan Giggs yang menggetarkan gawang lawan dari sebuah kerjasama tim yang dapat acungan jempol dari Fergie.

"Gol ketiga benar-benar bagus. Pertama Berba memenangi bola, lalu ada pergerakan Wayne dan operan luar biasa dari Wayne ke Ryan."

"Itu sangat bagus dan lahir tepat sebelum turun minum, itu sudah 'membunuh' permainannya," nilai Fergie.

Dengan keunggulan 3-0 di babak pertama, MU memang menjalani babak kedua dengan kepercayaan diri tinggi. Dua gol lagi kemudian masing-masing dibuat Berbatov dan Nani.

( krs / arp )

MMS eksklusif dari Old Trafford, Mau?? ketik Reg REDVIEW kirim ke 333 (khusus pelanggan tri) www.tri.co.id/MU

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

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Chong Wei buru gelaran ketujuh

SEPERTI diramal, jaguh negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei tidak berdepan halangan sukar untuk mara ke pentas final Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Malaysia 2011.

Semalam, pemain ranking No. 1 dunia itu mudah menewaskan pemain muda China, Chen Long 21-9, 21-9 pada aksi separuh di Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil.

Kemenangan itu sekaligus menyaksikan Chong Wei layak beraksi di pentas final dan di jadual berdepan perseorangan Indonesia, Taufik Hidayat hari ini.

Taufik layak ke pentas final selepas menewaskan rakan senegaranya, Simon Santoso 21-15, 21-19.

Pada aksi final hari ini, Chong Wei sudah pastinya ada misi yang tersendiri untuk dilaksanakan.

Sekiranya menang ke atas Taufik, anak jati kelahiran Pulau Pingan itu bukan sahaja berjaya mempertahankan kejuaraan yang dimenanginya tahun lalu malah merekodkan kejuaraan ketujuh secara peribadinya.

"Saya harap saya dapat mempertahankan kejuaraan saya dan melakarkan kejuaran ketujuh dalam kejohanan kali ini," kata Chong Wei yang kini berusia 29 tahun.

Sebagai rekod, Chong Wei menjuarai Terbuka Malaysia pada tahun 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 dan 2010.

Tidak keterlaluan sekiranya kita mengatakan peluang Chong Wei untuk merangkul gelaran juara pada kejohanan kali ini adalah sangat cerah.

Ia berdasarkan rekod pertemuannya dengan Taufik yang nyata lebih memihak kepada pemain negara itu.

Dalam 16 pertemuan sebelum ini, Chong Wei mencatatkan kemenangan sebanyak 10 kali.

Bagaimanapun, Chong Wei tidak mahu terlalu memikirkan mengenai soal tersebut kerana mahu fokus terhadap prestasi dirinya sendiri.

"Saya lebih suka fikirkan mengenai prestasi saya sendiri.

"Apa yang saya harapkan saya mampu tampil dengan prestasi terbaik esok.

"Namun, saya perlu juga berhati-hati kerana Taufik ketika ini dilihat berada pada pretasi terbaiknya juga," jelas Chong Wei.

Sebaik tamat sahaja aksi final hari ini, Chong Wei akan berlepas pula ke Korea Selatan pada sebelah malam bagi menyertai Siri Super Terbuka Korea Selatan 2011 yang akan bermula Selasa ini.

Taufik janji aksi terbaik di final

PEMAIN perseorangan Indonesia, Taufik Hidayat (gambar) berazam untuk tampil dengan prestasi terbaiknya apabila turun beraksi pada aksi final Kejohanan Badminton Malaysia 2011 hari ini.

Pada aksi final yang berlangsung di Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil itu, Taufik akan turun berdepan Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

Sedar dengan kemampuan lawannya, Taufik lebih senang diletakkan sebagai pemain bukan pilihan untuk mencatatkan kemenangan.

Bagaimanapun, Taufik yang merupakan bekas juara dunia 2005 enggan menyerah kalah begitu sahaja.

Sebaliknya, pemain berusia 30 tahun itu berazam untuk tidak memberikan laluan mudah ke atas Chong Wei bagi mencatatkan kemenangan.

"Saya sudah banyak kali tewas ditangan Chong Wei pada pertemuan sebelum ini.

"Jadi... saya berharap saya mampu tampil dengan aksi lebih kali ini dan seterusnya cuba menyekat kemaraan Chong Wei daripada muncul sebagai juara," kata Taufik.

Sebagai rekod, Taufik baru sekali menggenggam gelaran juara Terbuka Malaysia iaitu pada tahun 2000. Sebagai rekod, Taufik baru sekali menggenggam gelaran juara Terbuka Malaysia iaitu pada tahun 2000.

Terdahulu, Taufik mara ke pentas final selepas menundukkan cabaran rakan senegaranya, Simon Santoso 21-15, 21-19 pada aksi separuh akhir semalam.

Chong Wei pula layak setelah menewaskan pemain China, Chen Long 21-9, 21-9.

Dalam pada itu, Taufik gembira apabila Simon menyatakan kesediaan untuk mengambil alih tempatnya selaku perseorangan utama Indonesia.

"Saya gembira apabila Simon mengatakan bahawa dia sudah bersedia untuk menggantikan tempat saya selaku perseorangan utama Indonesia.

"Jika bukan sekarang, ia tetap juga akan berlaku nanti," kata Taufik.

Bagaimanapun, Taufik menjelaskan, bilakah waktunya Simon akan mengambil alih tempatnya itu masih belum pasti lagi.

Ini kerana, Taufik percaya masih belum ada mana-mana pemain muda Indonesia yang layak menggantikan tempatnya selaku perseorangan utama Indonesia ketika ini berdasarkan kedudukan ranking dunia.

"Memang saya berharap dia mampu menggantikan saya tetapi bilakah waktunya, saya masih tidak pasti," jelas Taufik.

Mahathir gembira Langkawi kembali

SELEPAS tiga tahun 'menyepi', Kejohanan Lumba Basikal Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) kembali memeriahkan bumi Langkawi, Kedah.

Ia ibarat sirih pulang ke gagang selepas kali terakhir kejohanan berprestij di pentas Asia itu diadakan pada tahun 2007.

Situasi itu jelas sekali menggembirakan seluruh peminat sukan tempatan khususnya warga Langkawi yang selama ini begitu ghairah menantikan kembalinya LTdL di pulau legenda itu.

Berita gembira itu turut dikongsi bersama mantan Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad yang menjadi pencetus idea kepada kejohanan yang telah memasuki edisi ke-16 tahun ini.

"Alhamdulillah. Saya gembira kerana akhirnya LTdL kembali diadakan di Langkawi. Selepas beberapa tahun tidak diadakan di Langkawi, tahun ini LTdL dapat diadakan semula di Langkawi.

"Tak kena kalau LTdL tidak diadakan di Langkawi kerana kejohanan ini memang bermula di Langkawi.

"Saya mahu mengucapkan syabas dan tahniah kepada pihak penganjur (Kementerian Belian dan Sukan) kerana kembali mengadakan LTdL di Langkawi," katanya selepas majlis pengenalan pelumba LTdL 2011 di Dataran Lang, Langkawi semalam.

Turut hadir, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Penganjuran, Datuk Mohid Mohamed, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif, Mohamed Salleh dan Presiden Persekutuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia, Abu Samah Wahab.

Terdahulu, Mahathir sempat meluangkan masa bagi menghadiri majlis memperkenalkan barisan pelumba setiap pasukan yang bertanding pada saingan LTdL 2011 yang akan membuka tirainya secara rasmi di Dataran Lang hari ini.

Mengulas lanjut, Mahathir berkata, penganjuran LTdL edisi ke-16 tahun ini telah mencapai satu standard yang cukup tinggi dan boleh dibanggakan oleh seluruh rakyat Malaysia.

"Perlumbaan LTdL bukan sahaja disaksikan oleh rakyat tempatan, malah ditonton kira-kira 350 juta peminat sukan lumba basikal di seluruh dunia.

"Jadi inilah peluang kepada kita untuk mempromosikan Malaysia sebagai destinasi pelancongan. Dengan penganjuran LTdL melibatkan beberapa buah bandar yang menarik di negara ini, ia sekaligus memberikan gambaran yang baik kepada pelancong luar," katanya.

Badminton / Malaysia Open: Chong Wei to battle Chen Long

Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif (back) and Hoon Thien How in action against Japan's Naoki Kawamae and Shoji Sato in the semi-finals yesterday. Zakry-Thien How lost 21-15, 21-19.

The Olympic champion from China ace succumbed to an injury before even stepping into court in the Proton Malaysia Open at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Chong Wei, on the other hand, secured a leisurely 21-15, 21-16 win over Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam in 40 minutes to advance to the semi-finals.

His coach, Misbun Sidek, was there to guide Chong Wei again and the latter was at ease throughout the match

Lin Dan conceded a walkover to Chen Long of China in the quarter-finals, much to the disappointment of the fans.

Tournament referee Jane Wheatley confirmed Lin Dan suffered a left abdominal muscle injury during warm-up before a practice session yesterday morning.

"He suffered the injury during his warm-up and Dr. Khairulina Khalid of the National Sports Institute (NSI) confirmed it.

"She had also asked him to seek physiotherapy to avoid aggravating the injury."

However, Chong Wei was as composed as ever and said his aim is to win the title but it doesn't make it any easier even if Lin Dan will not be there to stop him.

"I was enjoying the match and was relaxed today (yesterday). I was surprised with Lin Dan's withdrawal and the fans were expecting it but it was China's call," said Chong Wei.

"I will be playing against Chen Long who is also a good player and I will be wary of him."

Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia has already stated that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) must take action against Lin Dan as this is not the first time he has withdrawn from an event to let his compatriot through.

"BWF has set additional rules but it can't do much if the player refuses to play. The onus is the player to compete," said Chong Wei.

"We are not sure because he was said to be injured and we don't know what China's strategy is behind this."

Lin Dan's coach Xia Xuanze said that despite the injury, Lin Dan will play in the Korea Open next week.

"Lin Dan wil go to Korea. It is the same injury suffered during the Hong Kong Open and the Asian Games (in Guangzhou in November)," said Xuanze.

"A lot will depend on how fast he recovers."

Meanwhile, Taufik secured his berth in the semi-final by easily defeating Kenichi Tago of Japan 21-15, 21-15.

He will meet compatriot Simon Santoso, who defeated fellow Indonesian Alamsyah Yunus 21-19, 21-9, the last four today.

Australia Terbuka 2011

Perancis Terpuruk, Spanyol Berjaya

Penulis : Yulia Sapthiani | Editor : Aloysius Gonsaga Angi Ebo

Sabtu, 22 Januari 2011 | 21:39 WIB

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SEA Games 2011

Emas, Pertina Janjikan Bonus Rp 500 Juta

Editor : Aloysius Gonsaga Angi Ebo

Sabtu, 22 Januari 2011 | 20:48 WIB

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