KUALA LUMPUR - Datuk Ahmad Ismail hanya mahu memandang ke depan selepas bersetuju menerajui semula Persatuan Sepak Takraw Malaysia (PSM), Jumaat lalu atas desakan majoriti ahli Majlis Tertinggi persatuan dengan wawasan utamanya, membangunkan pasukan negeri dan ahli gabungan mereka.

Tanpa menghiraukan tanggapan sinis segelintir pihak luar terhadap keputusan itu, beliau beranggapan inilah masanya untuk PSM bertumpu kepada penyediaan latihan, jurulatih dan pemain negeri dan ahli gabungan yang seterusnya bakal melahirkan sebuah pasukan kebangsaan yang mantap dan berkaliber juara antarabangsa.

"Saya rasa inilah kali pertama program pembangunan pasukan negeri dan ahli gabungan dirancang dan dilaksanakan dalam sejarah PSM sejak ditubuhkan pada 1960. Kali ini peruntukan bagi pemain, jurulatih, program latihan dan elaun mereka akan disediakan oleh PSM," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia, semalam.

Pada 12 Februari lalu, Ahmad atau turut dikenali sebagai Tok Mat mengumumkan pengundurannya dari kerusi panas PSM itu di Bukit Jalil sebagai mengotakan janji kerana skuad negara gagal meraih pingat emas Sukan Asia Guangzhou, November lalu tetapi menimbangkannya semula selama seminggu atas desakan Majlis Tertinggi persatuan.

Sebanyak RM616,000 yang diperuntukkan bagi tujuan itu katanya, bakal membolehkan 17 negeri dan ahli gabungan PSM menyediakan 15 pemain masing-masing dengan elaun latihan mereka serta jurulatih akan dibiayai sepanjang latihan sekurang-kurangnya tiga hari seminggu.

Beliau yang juga Timbalan Presiden I Persekutuan Sepak Takraw Antarabangsa (Istaf) percaya wawasan ini mampu diterima dan dimanfaatkan semua ahli gabungan PSM apatah lagi program latihan pasukan masing-masing turut akan mempunyai matlamat ke pertandingan baru yang diperkenalkan seperti Siri Super dan Piala Presiden.

Malah, Piala Presiden PSM Siri 3 di Kuala Lumpur secara format berpasukan pada 17 hingga 23 April ini bakal dijadikan pusingan kelayakan dalam memilih pasukan terbaik yang menyertai Siri Super dalam tiga sirkit iaitu pada 6 hingga 11 Jun, 13 hingga 18 September dan 19 hingga 25 Disember.

Sementara itu kata Ahmad, PSM turut menjalin perjanjian persefahaman dengan Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) menerusi kerjasama penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) selama lima tahun yang ditandatangani sempena majlis Anugerah Sukan institusi pengajian tinggi awam itu di Shah Alam, Selangor, semalam.

Mengenai penubuhan semula skuad elit negara khususnya bagi menghadapi Piala Dunia Pertama Istaf, Julai ini, Siri Super Istaf (September dan Oktober) dan Sukan SEA Indonesia (November), katanya, seramai 32 pemain yang disenaraikan menerusi Piala Presiden PSM, Januari lalu, akan melapor diri 2 Mac ini.

"Latihan mereka akan dikendalikan Iskandar Arshad dan Amir Abu Bakar dengan mereka akan berlepas ke TLDM, Lumut sehari selepasnya untuk berlatih sehingga 18 Mac sebelum disaring kepada cuma 18 orang.

"Segala program persediaan mereka tahun ini pula akan diputuskan dalam mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Kerja MSN (Majlis Sukan Negara), 8 Mac ini," katanya.

Norshahrul selamatkan Kelantan untuk kekal terajui liga

Oleh SHARIZA ABDULLAH
sukan@utusan.com.my

ALOR SETAR - Jaringan penyamaan Norshahrul Idlan Talaha menyelamatkan rekod tanpa kalah Kelantan daripada dileburkan Kedah dalam persaingan bola sepak Liga Super musim ini di Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar, semalam.

Rembatan voli penyerang negara itu pada minit ke-79, turut mengekalkan Wira Merah sebagai peneraju liga selepas melalui lima perlawanan, sekali gus memadam gol pendahuluan menerusi tolakan jarak dekat Azlan Ismail pada minit ke-57.

Dalam perlawanan yang disaksikan kira-kira 8,000 penonton itu, Kelantan terlebih dahulu mengancam kubu Kedah apabila percubaan S. Chanturu dari luar kotak penalti pada minit ke-7 menggegarkan palang gol.

Pada separuh masa kedua, Kedah yang membariskan kesebelasan terbaiknya semakin bernafsu memburu gol termasuk menerusi sepakan kaki kiri Azlan pada minit ke-53 yang berjaya ditangkap kemas oleh penjaga gol Kelantan, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

Azlan ternyata menjadi duri dalam daging bagi pasukan pelawat apabila cekap menyambar peluang yang terhidang di hadapan gawang lawan dengan menyumbat gol pertama tuan rumah empat minit selepas itu hasil umpanan sebelah kiri daripada Baddrol Bakhtiar.

Sang Kenari nyaris menggandakan jaringan gol pada minit ke-66, namun sepakan Azmi Muslim ditepis keluar Khairul Fahmi.

Sementara itu, Terengganu pula melonjak ke tangga ketiga liga selepas menewaskan Kuala Lumpur 2-1 hasil jaringan Hadi Yahya dan Ashari Samsudin di Stadium Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah, Kuala Terengganu.

Si Penyu terikat lapan mata dengan Perak yang bagaimanapun mempunyai kelebihan perbezaan gol, tiga berbalas dua yang hanya akan bertandang ke Kuantan untuk menentang Pahang, hari ini.

Kedua-dua gol Terengganu pada minit ke-38 dan 52 itu turut merapatkan jurangnya dengan jaringan tunggal Kuala Lumpur oleh Yong Kwong Yong pada minit ke-83 dengan pelawat turut kehilangan Ahmad Jihad Ismail yang dibuang padang.

Sementara itu, Sarawak kian merapati teraju Liga Perdana yang kini dikuasai PKNS sebanyak dua mata dengan membelasah Pos Malaysia 5-1 di Stadium Majlis Perbandaran Selayang, semalam.

DUBAI, Feb 26 — Defending champion Novak Djokovic will face top seed and four-times former champion Roger Federer in the final of the Dubai championships after a dramatic victory over Tomas Berdych yesterday.

The Australian Open winner struggled before overcoming the third-seeded Czech, who retired injured with Djokovic leading 6-7, 6-2, 4-2. Federer defeated unseeded Richard Gasquet 6-2, 7-5 after the Frenchman had served for the second set at 5-3.

Djokovic and Berdych were evenly matched in the opening set with neither earning a break point in the first 11 games. Djokovic then saved two set points at 6-5 but lost the tiebreak 7-5 on Berdych's fifth set point.

The Serbian second seed, who is seeking his third successive Dubai title, had looked sluggish in the first set. But he offered more of a threat in the second, holding a break point for 2-0 and breaking for 3-1 when Berdych netted a backhand.

Both players saved break points in the next two games but Djokovic broke again for the set before Berdych called for the trainer and had his left thigh massaged.

Games went quickly in the final set as both players held serve comfortably until Djokovic broke to lead 4-3. Berdych lost the next two points before retiring.

"The problem was my left quadriceps," he told reporters. "I was not able just to serve, move to the sides. It's no chance to just play this guy in the condition that I was feeling."

Djokovic was upset with his performance.

"I don't know how to explain today's match really. In one word, catastrophe," he said.

Worst match

"I think the match overall and my game, it was the worst match this year for me, worst performance. But I managed to get a win, so I guess that's what matters.

"I hate it when I play this way, but I was still trying to fight within myself and try to stay focussed and at least hold serve."

Federer had no such misgivings about his display against Gasquet.

The Swiss was threatened briefly when Gasquet broke to lead 5-3 in the second set but Gasquet then won just four more points in the match. He failed to serve out the set when he attempted a soft drop shot that fell short on break point, and then netted a forehand to give Federer a further break for 6-5.

"I was very happy about my performance from the start," said Federer. "I felt I was hitting the ball well. He's been playing well here and to play him in the later stages of a tournament, I think, always makes him somewhat more dangerous just because he's found the groove.

"I thought tonight I played the right way. Obviously should have gone or could have gone three sets, but I was able to avoid that. Then he had a bit of a slump towards the end, which I was able to take advantage of." — Reuters

 

MARANA, Arizona, Feb 26 — Long-hitting American Bubba Watson became the first player to reach the quarter-finals of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship after crushing Australian Geoff Ogilvy 6 and 4 yesterday.

Soon after, Matt Kuchar beat fellow American Rickie Fowler 2 and 1 in the third round and South Korean Yang Yong-eun then won 3 and 2 against US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.

British world No. 9 Luke Donald ended the fairytale run of teenager Matteo Manassero, beating the Italian 3 and 2, while pony-tailed Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez hammered American Ben Crane 7 and 6.

In the penultimate match of the day, German world No. 2 Martin Kaymer came from two down after two holes to beat American Hunter Mahan 2 and 1 in a closely fought encounter.

Watson, making his debut in the elite World Golf Championships (WGC) event, charged three up on Ogilvy after just three holes before sealing victory at the par-four 14th.

Ogilvy, a double Match Play champion, conceded the match to his opponent after taking three shots to reach the 14th green on a sun-baked afternoon at Dove Mountain's Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.

Watson, who was effectively eight under par for the first 13 holes, had struck a superb approach there to just under four feet.

"I hit a lot of good putts, a lot of good iron shots," Watson told reporters after booking a place in the last eight against compatriot J.B. Holmes, who beat Australian Jason Day one up.

"I haven't missed that many fairways, probably no more than five all three days. So it's been good so far, and I've won every time."

Never trailed

Kuchar never trailed in his match against U.S. Ryder Cup teammate Fowler, going three up after 12 holes before clinching the win at the par-four 17th.

Fowler had reached the third round with a crushing 6 and 5 victory over world No. 5 Phil Mickelson but the 22-year-old ran out of steam against the rock-steady Kuchar.

"I think I'm lucky I didn't run into him yesterday," a smiling Kuchar said. "It sounded like yesterday he was on fire and would have cleaned me out."

Yang took control against McDowell with three birdies in the first four holes and held off a late fightback by his opponent before ending the match with a chip-in for birdie at the par-three 16th.

"It feels great to win over Graeme," said Yang, who overhauled Tiger Woods to claim his first major title at the 2009 PGA Championship. "I think my overall condition is good, and just because I won today, my condition feels better." — Reuters

 

LONDON: Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny believes they are capable of completing a League and Cup double this season.

The Gunners silenced their doubters by moving to within one point of leaders Manchester United in the Premier League — thanks to a recent 10-match unbeaten run.

Their latest triumph was a 1-0 win over Stoke on Wednesday and came just four days before they will attempt to end their six-year trophy drought against Birmingham in the League Cup final at Wembley on Monday (midnight).

Szczesny admits Arsenal's recent good form has instilled a belief in the camp they are good enough to win the league and cup, and warns United they face a tough challenge when they visit Emirates Stadium on Apr 30.

"We believe we are capable of winning the title," he told London Evening Standard.

"We have been very consistent recently. We are doing very well defensively and not conceding a lot of goals. So we fancy our chances of catching up with them and winning the title this season.

"If we keep playing consistently like we have been, then this will make the difference in the title race. They have still got to come here and we believe we can beat them."

And with Arsenal still competing in the Champions League and the FA Cup, Szczesny feels other trophies may follow if Arsenal beat Birmingham.

"It is the first trophy we can win and it can give us the boost to push on to win the next competition," he said.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger usually reverts to his second-choice goalkeeper for the domestic Cup competitions, but he may go back on that policy to field Szczesny given the Pole's excellent form since edging Lukasz Fabianski and Manuel Almunia out of the team.

If Szczesny is chosen to make his first appearance at Wembley, it will cap a remarkable rise for the youngster who was on loan at League One side Brentford this time last year.

"I would love to play in the final. It will be my first chance to play at Wembley," said the 20-year-old.

"I went there to watch us lose to Chelsea in the semifinal of the FA Cup in 2009. I loved the surrounding atmosphere and the pressure that day.

"It's a stadium that puts a little more pressure on you and there is something special about it.

"Every player who starts playing football dreams of playing in stadiums like Wembley and there are very few stadia in the world that have so much charisma as Wembley. It would be a big honour and pleasure to play there."

Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas, who picked up ankle and hamstring injuries respectively against Stoke, will be out of the clash at Wembley.

Fabregas, reportedly, wants to play as he feels he is fit.

Wenger had earlier said he will not risk fielding the skipper, especially in view of the second-leg last-16 Champions League clash against Barcelona on March 9.

LONDON: Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is hoping to give club owner Carson Yeung "the best birthday present ever" by lifting the League Cup at the expense of Arsenal at Wembley on Monday (midnight).

Hong Kong businessman Yeung, who took control of the club 16 months ago, will be 51 when the two clubs clash.

He will be flying in for the final as Birmingham attempt to secure their first major trophy for 48 years — since winning the first League Cup in 1963.

"Carson has had a great run since he came in here. It's almost like a lucky mascot thing," McLeish told Daily Mirror.

"We had a great finish to last season in finishing ninth in the Premier League and now we are in the League Cup final. I just hope if we win this, he will not be looking for me to win the Champions League next year!

"It's been a great couple of years for the owners and Carson's commitment has been enormous. The final will be momentous for Carson, not least because it is his birthday.

"We would all love to give him the best birthday present ever."

McLeish won 19 trophies in Scotland as a player and manager and believes overcoming the Gunners would be on a par with those achievements.

"It would be a massive success in terms of the size of Birmingham as opposed to a massive club like Glasgow Rangers.

"The successes I had in Glasgow were against a fantastic Celtic team. They were two really good Old Firm teams that could easily have graced the Premier League without question.

"During that time, Celtic, of course, took a couple of English scalps in their run to the Uefa Cup final when they beat Liverpool and Blackburn. That showed their pedigree.

"In relative terms, winning the League Cup would be up there in terms of those triumphs in Scotland."

McLeish is hoping Arsenal's lack of trophy success since 2005 will work in their favour.

"They've not won anything for five years and that has got to be at the back of their minds. I know that maybe they won't talk about that openly but I'm sure it will be at the back of a few of the players' minds.

"They'll see it as a massive opportunity as well but I plan to celebrate my first tilt at a trophy in England by winning it."

LONDON (AP) - Manchester United's American owners denied suggestions of an imminent sale by insisting Friday that they haven't held takeover talks and are committed to the 18-time English champions for the "long term."

The statement from the Glazers, which accompanied United's quarterly update on its financial results, comes amid continuing media reports that the family has been in negotiations with the Qatari royal family.

"The board notes recent press speculation regarding a possible bid for Manchester United," the statement said. "The owners remain fully committed to their long-term ownership of the club.

"No discussions have taken place, Manchester United is not for sale and the owners will not entertain any offers." Qatar Holdings has also denied that it has bid for United, which Forbes magazine has estimated to be worth $1.8 billion - making it the most valuable football team in the world.

Friday's statement is the second time in the past year that the Glazers have used their quarterly financial update to refute persistent claims they are trying to sell the club they bought in a leveraged buyout in 2005.

While an anti-Glazer protest campaign adopted by fans last season has lost its initial impetus, supporters remain furious at the high level of debt they claim is hampering the club's ability to compete in the transfer market.

While United is top of the Premier League and in the last 16 of the Champions League, the team's performances have been inconsistent and several key players who are nearing the end of their careers have yet to be replaced.

The Red Devils gave Wayne Rooney a more lucrative contract in October when he threatened to leave, but they didn't make any significant additions to the squad in the January transfer window as Chelsea spent around 70 million pounds ($112 million) on signing Fernando Torres and David Luiz.

It is 13 months since the Glazers replaced long-term financing and reduced debts to hedge funds through a seven-year bond issue that raised 504 million pounds.

United revealed on Friday that 24 million pounds of those bonds have been bought back as the club's cash reserves dropped to 134.5 million pounds on Dec. 31 from 151.7 million pounds in September. The club can put the bonds back on the market.

The quarterly financial results to Dec. 31 for United's parent company, Red Football, also showed that the club's gross debt dropped to 489.4 million pounds from 509.4 million pounds on Sept. 30.

But the Glazers have still not revealed how they repaid high-interest loans in November reportedly worth 249 million pounds or whether any new debt was incurred.

The club's growth area continues to be the London-based commercial operation. New global sponsorship deals ensured that in the last six months of 2010 the club generated 50.4 million pounds from commercial revenue - an increase of 30 percent compared with the same period in 2009.

This surge enabled United's overall turnover to grow to 156.5 million pounds from 144.7 million in the same six-month period in 2009.

But earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were only up 3 percent year-on-year to 60.6 million pounds in the six months to Dec. 31.

NEW DELHI: Debutant leg-spinner Imran Tahir snared four wickets and AB de Villiers struck 107 not out as South Africa coasted to a seven-wicket win over the West Indies in the World Cup yesterday.

Tahir (4-41) and off-spinner Johan Botha (2-48) shared six wickets to help South Africa bowl out the West Indies for 222 off 47.3 overs before de Villiers slammed his 10th one-day century to seal the fate of their rivals.

JP Duminy (42 not out) hit the winning run as South Africa reached the target with 43 balls to spare in their opening day-night Group B clash at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

De Villers put on 119 runs for the third wicket with captain Graeme Smith (45) after South Africa had been reduced to 20-2 following the dismissal of Hashim Amla (14) and Jacques Kallis (four) in the space of five runs.

Amla was caught by wicketkeeper Devon Thomas off paceman Kemar Roach and Kallis offered a catch in the slips after misjudging a delivery from left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.

De Villiers remained calm despite the twin setback, racing to his half-century with a six off part-time spinner Chris Gayle and carting Benn for another that sailed over long-off.

Tahir and Botha earlier justified the decision of Smith to field three specialist spinners on a ground which was hosting its first international in a year after being banned for a dangerous playing surface.

Darren Bravo led the West Indies fightback with an 82-ball 73 while his older half-brother Dwayne chipped in with a 37-ball 40 with three sixes and a four after the Caribbean side were put in to bat.

Bravo also shared 111 runs for the second wicket with opener Devon Smith after Gayle was dismissed by Botha off the third ball of the innings.

Botha (2-48) struck again in the 24th over, just when Bravo and Devon Smith were threatening to put up a huge partnership.

Tahir, 31, picked up his first wicket in one-day internationals in his third over when he caught Devon Smith (36) off his own bowling and celebrated it by kissing the South African badge on his shirt.

The Pakistan-born bowler picked up another wicket in his next over when he had the veteran Ramnaresh Sarwan (two) trapped lbw.

Sarwan asked for a review of the decision but replays showed the ball would have hit the top of the middle stump.

Tahir, who was warned twice for straying on the pitch, was unlucky not to collect a third wicket just three balls later, grassing a return catch off Dwayne Bravo despite a spirited attempt.

He was not to be denied for long though, removing Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Devon Thomas with his guile and precision before Dale Steyn (3-24) sent back Pollard, Sammy and Benn in a quick three-wicket burst.

West Indies' misery was compounded by a freak injury to Dwayne Bravo who fell in his follow-through, hurting his left knee. He bowled just 2.1 overs and did not take further part in the match. — AFP

Doha (ANTARA News) - Caroline Wozniacki menaklukkan Marion Bartoli dua set langsung 6-1, 6-1 untuk melaju ke babak final turnamen tenis putri WTA Qatar Terbuka, Jumat waktu setempat (25/2).

Petenis peringkat satu dunia yang dalam turnamen ini jarang direpotkan oleh lawan-lawannya, sekali lagi memperlihatkan gaya bermain yang menguasai dan menekan lawan sehingga dengan mudah menang atas Bartoli untuk kemudian siap merebut gelar keduanya pada babak final nanti hanya dalam selang waktu tujuh hari semenjak kemenangannya di Dubai Terbuka Minggu lalu.

"Saya benar-benar puas dengan cara saya bermain hari ini, demikian juga dengan pertandingan-pertandingan lain sepanjang turnamen ini," kata petenis Denmark unggulan pertama itu.

"Saya sangat suka bermain di Doha dan gembira sekali bisa sampai ke babak final," katanya menambahkan.

Wozniacki mengungkapkan bahwa ia mencoba fokus pada gaya bertanding dimana ia merasa nyaman memainkannya, yaitu gaya bermain menyerang dan agresif, sehingga ia bisa meredam permainan Bartoli.

"Sangat penting bagi saya untuk langsung bermain dengan agresif dan mempertahankan momentum sehingga saya bisa mengontrol pertandingan dengan membuat Bartoli harus berlari kesana-kemari mengejar bola," ungkap Wozniacki yang memenangi pertandingan itu hanya dalam waktu 65 menit.

Dalam pertandingan itu Wozniacki berhasil memenangi enam dari delapan break point dan hanya melakukan 13 kali kesalahan sendiri, sementara lawannya melakukan kesalahan sendiri sebanyak 23 kali.

Sewaktu turun ke lapangan pada Jumat itu Wozniacki telah mengoleksi tujuh kemenangan berturut-turut, tetapi kalau melawan Bartoli dia sempat kalah dua kali, yaitu di Stuttgart pada 2009 dan di Cincinnati tahun lalu.

Tetapi harapan Bartoli untuk mencetak kemenangan tiga kali berturut-turut atas Wozniacki yang sekarang merupakan petenis putri peringkat satu dunia itu musnah seketika ketika petenis Denmark itu berhasil menguasai jalannya pertandingan dengan pukulan-pukulan bertenaganya dan jarang sekali memberi lawannya ruang untuk melepaskan tembakan balasan.

Wozniacki di babak final nanti akan berhadapan dengan pemenang dari babak semifinal kedua yang mempertemukan antara petenis Serbia Jelena Jankovic dan petenis Rusia Vera Zvonareva. (OKS/M014/K004)

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono
COPYRIGHT © 2011

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Dubai (ANTARA News) - Juara bertahan Dubai Terbuka Novak Djokovic menggambarkan penampilannya di babak semifinal melawan Tomas Berdych yang akhirnya dimenanginya karena sang lawan harus mundur setelah mendapat cedera paha, Jumat, sebagai suatu "malapetaka".

Djokovic juga menyebut penampilannya itu sebagai "performa terburuk yang pernah ditampilkannya tahun ini" dimana ia hanya mampu bangkit pada set kedua setelah Berdych, pemain yang pernah mengalahkannya di Wembledon tahun lalu, mulai terlihat mengalami kesulitan dalam pergerakannya, demikian AFP melaporkan.

Meskipun Berdych sudah mencoba berjuang melawan cederanya itu, namun pukulan servisnya yang sudah melemah dan kecepatan larinya yang sudah tidak mampu lagi mengejar bola-bola drop shot yang sering dimainkan Djokovic membuat Berdych akhirnya memutuskan untuk mundur di saat Djokovic memimpin pada angka 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 4-2.

"Menang atas lawan yang cedera tidak menggembirakan saya -- itu bukan gaya saya," kata Petenis Serbia yang tinggal di Monte Carlo itu sembari menambahkan bahwa ia bisa saja kalah dalam pertandingan itu.

"Saya hanya beruntung saja bisa menang kali ini," kata Djokovic mengakui jeleknya performanya di tengah temperatur yang panas dan permainan cepat lawan.

"Hanya servis saya yang bisa dibilang memuaskan hari ini, yang lainnya adalah rangkaian kesalahan demi kesalahan dan rasanya kaki saya ini tidak mau digerakkan," keluh Djokovic.

Djokovic berjuang keras di sepanjang set pertama untuk menang, tetapi krisis kepercayaan diri mulai menjangkitinya ketika ia mendapat giliran servis untuk mengejar ketertinggalan 5-6 dimana pada saat itu ia sempat terperosok pada angka 15-40 karena dua kali melakukan kesalahan driving.

Hanya keberuntungan yang menaungi Djokovic pada set pertama itu, sebab dengan berani ia mencoba menyelamatkan set poin kedua dengan mati-matian mengejar bola yang kemudian hanya dapat dikembalikannya dengan tanggung sehingga memberi kesempatan pada Berdych untuk meluncurkan sebuah smash yang sayangnya menyangkut di net.

Tetapi semangat untuk menang pemain Serbia ini tidak diikuti oleh servisnya yang terlihat lambat dan mudah dibaca lawan, apalagi penonton dalam pertandingan itu sepertinya lebih memihak pada Berdych, sehingga dia harus merelakan set pertama itu direbut Berdych dengan angka 7-6.

Pada set kedua Djokovic harus mengumpulkan semua semangat dalam dirinya untuk mencegah Berdych melakukan "break back" pada game ke lima setelah sebelumnya ia sempat mencuri angka Berdych pada game ke empat.

Keberhasilan Djokovic lolos dari ketertinggalan 15-40 pada game kelima itu membuat semangat Berdych yang sedang cedera mulai menurun.

Pada set kedua Djokovic langsung melaju ke angka 4-1 kemudian 5-2 sebelum akhirnya merebut set tersebut setelah mematahkan servis Berdych yang merupakan unggulan ketiga di turnamen ini dengan skor 6-2.

Pada set ketiga Berdych sudah merasa cukup dengan perjuanganya dan memutuskan untuk mundur pada saat kedudukan baru saja berubah 4-2 untuk keunggulan Djokovic.

Sewaktu ditanya apakah ia akan langsung melakukan latihan untuk memperbaiki kesalahan-kesalahan yang dilakukannya dalam pertandingan itu, Djokovic dengan tersenyum menjawab: "Oh tentu saja tidak, saya ingin bersantai dulu."

Di babak final nanti Djokovic mungkin akan bertemu dengan Roger Federer yang akan melakoni pertandingan semifinalnya melawan petenis Perancis Richard Gasquet pada Jumat malam ini. (OKS/A020/K004)

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono
COPYRIGHT © 2011

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WEST BROM - Pelatih anyar West Bromwich Albion Roy Hodgson tak sabar menggiring kesuksesan bagi timnya. Hodgson ingin mencontek kebangkitan mantan klub asuhannya, Fulham.

Dalam liga laga Premier League terakhir, West Brom urung meraih kemenangan. Tak heran jika Hodgson mengincar tiga angka saat harus bertandang ke markas Stoke City, Britannia Stadium, Selasa (1/3/2011) mendatang.

Bukan tanpa alasan, Hodgson ingin mendongkrak posisi The Baggies dari peringkat 17 di klasemen sementara. Pelatih 63 tahun membuka memori saat dirinya masih menukangi Fulham pada 2008 lalu.

"Kami harus tetap berjuang dan yakin seperti Fulham, yang saat itu menorehkan performa sangat buruk tapi mampu memenangi tiga laga tandang, serta mengamankan 12 dari 15 poin di lima laga terakhir. Kami bisa!" ujar Hodgson.

"Anda tidak bisa menilai hanya dengan melihat pada program dan memprediksi hasil. Itulah sebabnya kami harus memastikan diri menunjukkan keteguhan, seperti yang Fulham lakukan," tambahnya.

Hodgson pun berharap anak-anak didiknya saat ini mampu mengantongi hasil memuaskan, setidaknya dalam dua laga kedepan, guna membangkitkan kembali semangat tim.

"Seperti yang West Brom lakukan sepanjang tahun untuk bertahan, dimana sebuah hasil bagus bisa membangkitkan semangat yang Anda butuhkan," imbuh mantan pelatih Liverpool, seperti dilansir Express & Star, Sabtu (26/2/2011). (far)

BIRMINGHAM - Gelandang Birmingham City Sebastian Larsson seakan enggan menabuh genderang perang terhadap Arsenal, jelang partai final Carling Cup. Pemain internasional Swedia justru melempar pujian untuk mantan klubnya tersebut.

Akhir pekan ini, Birmingham akan menantang The Gunners dalam perebutan trofi juara di Stadion Wembley, London, Inggris. Menilik perjalanan skuad besutan Arsene Wenger sepanjang musim ini, Larsson menilai Meriam Muda London Utara tidak akan mudah ditaklukan.

"Arsenal bukan tipe tim yang bisa Anda sepak kapan saja. Saat ini, mereka kuat secara fisik dan Anda boleh sejenak melupakan taktik," ujar Larsson, dikutip dari Press Association Sport, Sabtu (26/2/2011).

Ya, saat ini Arsenal tengah menempati posisi runner-up klasemen sementara Premier League dengan raihan 56 poin, atau hanya tertinggal satu poin dari pemuncak klasemen Manchester United. Sah saja jika Larsson mewaspadai kekuatan armada Emirates.

"Mereka menujukkan kerja keras ekstra sepanjang musim ini. Jadi, bukan pendekatan ini yang kami ambil. Melawan mereka, kami akan berusaha solid," imbuh gelandang yang berseragam The Gunners sepanjang 2004-2007.

"Tapi, kami tidak sedang keluar dari jalur tersebut dan hanya mencoba, serta berusaha menaklukkan mereka. Saya tidak berpikir itu akan berhasil. Salah satu yang paling sulit saat melawan Arsenal adalah pergerakan dan cara mereka menciptakan peluang satu sama lain," tutup gelandang 25 tahun. (far)

Jumat, 25/02/2011 21:56 WIB

Miing: Dipenuhi Orang Parpol, PSSI Tidak Beres
Adi Nugroho - detiksport

Jakarta - Dalam tubuh PSSI terdapat banyak tokoh partai politik. Faktor tersebut dinilai telah menyebabkan jalannya organisasi sepakbola tertinggi di Indonesia itu tidak beres.

"Apabila organisasi olahraga, jangankan oleh orang partai, oleh suasana politik, udah enggak bakal beres, sebab ada kepentingan di situ. Apalagi ada orang partai yang numpuk di sana," ujar Anggota Komisi X DPR, Dedi Gumelar, dalam diskusi bertajuk 'Beranikah FIFA Menghukum Indonesia?' di Resto Sindang Jl Wijaya, Jakarta Selatan, Jumat (25/02/11).

Menurut pria yang akrab disapa Miing ini, terlalu banyaknya politisi di organisasi olahraga seperti PSSI akan memperburuk suasana. Jika mereka tengah bertengkar, bukan kepentingan bangsa dan negara yang dibela, tetapi kepentingan kelompok.

"Kalau mereka yang bertengkar, itu tidak lagi bicara tentang merah putih tapi kepentingan politik dan bisnis pundi-pundi itu," imbuhnya.

Dan tak jarang, jika tengah berprestasi, maka para politisi akan saling klaim. "Bahkan Nurdin pernah mengatakan di luar negeri bahwa kemenangan timnas adalah hasil kader Golkar. Ini apa maksudnya?," tanya Miing heran.

Namun, ketika ditanya apakah demonstrasi menentang Nurdin Halid akhir-akhir ini akan merusak citra Partai Golkar tempat Nurdin bernaung, Miing menjawab hal tersebut tidak berkorelasi.

"Enggak, saya kira itu tidak berhubungan dengan kepartaiannya," jawab kader PDIP ini.

Miing pun berharap agar masyarakat tidak hanya menyalahkan Nurdin atas buruknya prestasi sepakola Indonesia. Ia juga menuntut pertanggungjawaban pengurus provinsi (Pengprov) PSSI yang turut mendukung Nurdin.

"Yang juga mesti diminta pertanggungjawabannya adalah Pengprov. Mereka yang menentukan duduk berdirinya Nurdin. Selama ini mereka hanya memegang suara saja tetapi tidak pernah melakukan pembinaan sepakbola di daerahnya," ujar Miing.
( adi / a2s )

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Jumat, 25/02/2011 21:26 WIB

PSSI Kaltim: Demo Anti Nurdin Direkayasa
Saud Rosadi - detiksport

Samarinda - Pengprov PSSI Kaltim menilai maraknya demo anti Nurdin Halid yang terjadi di berbagai daerah telah direkayasa. Mereka juga mengusulkan kongres PSSI, yang akan berlangsung pada 26 Maret 2011 mendatang di Bali, ditunda hingga situasi mereda.

"Sebaiknya ditunda. Demonya berlebihan. Sudah kelihatan betul rekayasanya. Sejeleknya orang, PSSI punya jasa," kata Ketua Pengprov PSSI Kaltim, Achmad Amins, dalam perbincangan dengan dengan sejumlah wartawan di Kompleks Stadion Segiri, Jl. Kesuma Bangsa, Samarinda, Jumat (25/2/2011).

Amins menyadari, munculnya demo anti Nurdin Halid, disebabkan keputusan tim verifikasi yang hanya meloloskan Nurdin Halid dan Nirwan Bakrie, maju sebagai calon ketum PSSI. Dua bakal calon lainnya, George Toisutta dan Arifin Panigoro, tersingkir dalam proses verifikasi.

"Saya tahu Nirwan dan Nurdin punya prestasi. Tapi saya juga sangat menghargai aspirasi masyarakat tentang Pak George dan Arifin," ujar Amins.

"Kalau saya, maunya (George Toisutta dan Arifin Panigoro) digabung saja karena aspirasi saja. Biarkan saja bertarung fair. Tapi kan ada kriteria-kriterianya," imbuh Amins.

Selain anti Nurdin Halid, suporter di berbagai daerah juga menyuarakan tuntutan revolusi di tubuh PSSI, dengan membenahi kinerja PSSI menuju sepakbola prestasi.

"Nggak usah revolusi lah. Anda jamin 5 hingga 10 tahun Indonesia jadi juara? Tidak ada," sebut Amins.

"Jangan mimpi. Kita terlalu banyak rumahan. Ya uang, organisasi, ya sistem dan segala macam. Jangan mimpi dong. Siapa saja jadi ketua bisa buat Indonesia jadi juara? Belum tentu. Perjuangan sangat panjang," tambahnya.

Amins mengaku PSSI Kaltim belum memutuskan arah dukungannya, meski dinilainya Nurdin Halid dan Nirwan Bakrie banyak berjasa dalam persepakbolaan nasional, khususnya di Kaltim.

"Nanti dilihat dulu. Saya ini tua di bola. Tigapuluh tahun saya di sepakbola. Apa sih program mereka," terangnya.

"Saya tahu uang Nurdin dan Nirwan (untuk sepakbola) dalam satu tahun. Triliunan," tutup Amins.

( a2s / a2s )

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Djokovic Lolos Dramatis

Kirim Komentar Anda

Sampoerna Hijau Voli Proliga 2011

Jakarta TNI AU Tundukkan Petrokimia 3-1

Kirim Komentar Anda

BRITISH Junior Open boys' Under-13 champion Ng Eain Yow intends to take on the big boys in the Under-17 event of the CIMB National Junior Circuit this year.

Eain Yow, Malaysia's first British Junior champion since Ong Beng Hee, has no fear playing against boys several years older.

"My coach (Andrew Cross) feels I should play in the Under-17 event. It's not a problem for me as I'm used to it, having played against the same players in Under-15 tournaments last year," said Eain Yow, 13, after the launch of the sixth CIMB Rising Stars Circuit and second CIMB National Junior Circuit in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

CIMB and the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) are finally beginning to see the fruits of their labour after five years of organising the junior circuit when Eain Yow triumphed at the British Juniors last December.

Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari also won at the Hong Kong Junior Open with the latter then reaching the semi-finals of the girls Under-13 at the British Juniors.

"After three or four years, we have had these success stories," said CIMB Group head of marketing and communications department, Effendy Shahul Hamid.

"We're happy that through the partnership with SRAM we have been able to quantify the result and seen the objective of our involvement in squash coming through."

The Rising Stars Circuit, for players Under-9, Under-11 and Under-13, began with the first leg on Wednesday at the Jalan Duta Squash Courts and ends on Sunday.

Two more legs will be on April 7-10 in Kuantan and May 19-22 at the Astaka Courts in Petaling Jaya.

The National Junior Circuit also began on Wednesday at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil and will be followed by tournaments in Kuching (March 24-27) and Bukit Dumbar, Penang (May 5-8) for the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 events.

The Grand Finals for both circuits take place on June 30-July 3 in Bukit Jalil.