MADRID, March 24 — Six of Spain's top-flight clubs have broken ranks and filed a legal suit aimed at stopping the professional football league (LFP) from postponing a round of matches next month over a dispute with the government.

The LFP wants Spain's Socialist administration to scrap a rule that one La Liga game per match day should be shown on free television, arguing the move would strengthen clubs' bargaining power in negotiations on audiovisual rights with media companies.

It also wants guarantees about how much funds it is entitled to receive from betting and lottery revenue.

The league, which represents first and second division clubs, has the backing of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) but six of 20 clubs in the first division — Sevilla, Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, Real Zaragoza and Real Sociedad — filed a legal challenge in a Madrid court yesterday in an attempt to block the postponement.

The six oppose the LFP because they believe a strike would be "disproportionate, innoportune, against the interest of clubs, the competition and supporters and, what's more, against the law," Sevilla said on their website (http://www.sevillafc.es).

"It's not the right moment, politically speaking, to make these demands and, what's more, it should not be the fans who pay the price," Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido was quoted as saying in local media.

Dialogue best

On the weekend under threat, April 23, Sevilla are due to host Zaragoza, while La Liga leaders Barcelona play at Villarreal and second-placed Real Madrid host Sporting Gijon.

The LFP said on Tuesday that the latest talks between league officials, the government and parliamentary groups had failed to produce any progress, and it stood by its decision to strike.

The league has said the free game will not necessarily be dropped but it wants the obligation to show it to be removed.

An LFP spokesman said yesterday that it respected the position of each of its members but would stick to the decision taken at a meeting last month to postpone games unless the government backs down.

Jaime Lissavetzky, secretary of state for sport, appealed for "common sense" and noted a television media law had been voted through a year ago without any of the political groups raising objections.

Speaking at an event in Madrid yesterday, he indicated he was "ready to listen and talk" to try to resolve the dispute.

Villarreal president Fernando Roig expressed support for the league's bid to get the free TV rule lifted but said a strike was the wrong way to go about it, especially at a time when the Spanish economy was struggling.

"It is not a good thing given what this country is going through at the moment for management to go on strike," Roig said on the club's website (http://www.villarrealcf.es).

"I agree that the best way forward is through dialogue," he added. "I do not agree that the right path is a postponement."

According to Sevilla and Villarreal, if the April 23 games are postponed, they would be played on June 11/12, three weeks after the scheduled end of the season.

"If that happens I believe the final weeks of the league will be an authentic disaster," Roig said. "It seems to me a monstrosity and something that would cause a great deal of damage to the competition." — Reuters

Shahid Afridi celebrates after dismissing West Indies' Ravi Rampaul in their quarter-final match in Dhaka, March 23, 2011. — Reuters pic

Afridi took four for 30 as West Indies collapsed to 112 all out from 43.3 overs to take his total to 21 for the tournament and overhaul Imran Khan's Pakistan record at a single World Cup.

Man-of-the-match Mohammad Hafeez, who had taken two cheap wickets with his off-spin, then scored his maiden World Cup half-century with 61 not out as Pakistan reached their victory target from only 20.5 overs.

They will face the winners of Thursday's match between defending champions Australia and co-hosts India in the second semi-final in Mohali.

"Personally I just tried to maintain line and length, these were perfect conditions for spinners if you bowled in the right areas," Afridi told a television interviewer.

"In each game we've tried to make some plans against the players and we tried to stick to our plans and the boys have done a great job doing that. The bowlers have done a great job from the first game to the seventh game."

Nothing went in West Indies' favour. After a pathetic batting display, they were also poor in the field, with Kieron Pollard dropping Kamran Akmal on six before wicketkeeper Devon Thomas grassed Hafeez on 17. Kemar Roach was the unlucky bowler on both occasions.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the only batsman to defy the Pakistan attack, scoring an unbeaten 44 from 106 balls.

Wickets in clusters

West Indies, the 1975 and 1979 champions, never recovered after losing their first three wickets with only 16 on the board.

After Darren Sammy had won the toss and elected to bat, Chris Gayle (8) struck Umar Gul straight to Afridi at mid-off. Devon Smith (7) and Darren Bravo (0) both fell lbw in the space of four balls to Hafeez, who had shared the new ball.

The experienced Guyana pair of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chanderpaul took the total to 58 before Sarwan was caught by Umar Akmal off Afridi for 24.

Afridi then dismissed Pollard (one) and Devon Thomas off consecutive balls.

Sammy was dropped by Younus Khan at slip off Saeed Ajmal on one but lasted only one more ball before he was lbw to the off-spinner. Two balls later, Ajmal bowled Devendra Bishoo for a duck.

Roach recorded his best one-day score of 16, helping Chanderpaul to add 30 for the ninth wicket.

"Definitely not enough runs on the board," said Sammy.

"They bowled well at us. We didn't counter the bowling well and hence we were bowled out for a low total.

"We lost wickets in clusters to spin through the tournament and today was no different. We were on the back foot early and never recovered." — Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR: The players in the national women's squad had to shoulder the brunt of the blame when the squad performed dismally at the Laos SEA Games two years ago.

Having remained silent since the debacle, Angela Kais, who was team captain then, has now come forward to tell their side of the story.

Angela, 31, said the absence of a systematic training programme and lack of exposure were the main factors why the team was not able to perform up to expectations.

"We were only called up for training six to seven months before the Games unlike the teams from other countries which had started training some two years earlier and competed in their local leagues," she told Bernama today.

She said this state of affairs made them the "whipping girls" at Laos and that the situation could have been avoided had there been systematic preparation and exposure.

"My friends and I do not fault others including the FA of Malaysia (FAM) (for our failure). It could be that the focus was more on the men's team then," she said, adding that the absence of a national league for women also did not help in terms of competitions exposure.

Angela suggested that FAM organise a national league for women along the lines of the state league in Sabah to develop women's football.

At the Laos SEA Games, Malaysia lost all the matches they played,  0-14 to Thailand in their opening match, 0-8 to Vietnam, 0-5 to the hosts who are considered minnows and 1-7 to Mynmar in the final round robin match.

Yesterday, FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzudin Ahmad announced that the national women's squad had been disbanded and that FAM's focus would be on grassroots development so that a formidable national women's squad could be built in the near future.

ONE FIERCE DRAGON: Bale is regarded by many to be a fantastic player

Bale, 21, has been hit by a back injury since January, but the Tottenham star has returned to fitness and is expected to start in left midfield for Wales when England visit Millenium Stadium on Saturday.

The winger has been in sensational form since the beginning of 2010. He scored 11 goals for Spurs this season — including an incredible hattrick against Inter Milan in the group stage of this season's Champions League.

England leftback Cole is well aware of the threat Bale possesses, having the ability to be a matchdecider on his day.

"Bale is fantastic. Last season and this season he has shown how good he is," Cole told FATV.

"It shows in football you just need confidence. At one time, he didn't have much confidence as he wasn't playing as much as he would have liked.

"Then he starts to play and now he is proving how good he is."

Bale's Spurs teammate Dawson is even more aware of the Welshman's abilities.

Despite having the advantage of knowing his style, the centreback still believes the Professional Footballer Association's Player-of-the-Year candidate will be a formidable opponent.

"In the Premier League, in the Champions League, Bale has been unbelievable and that's credit to him," said Dawson.

"He's had to work hard but people don't stop talking about him everywhere he goes. He deserves it.

"When we play against him, we're certainly going to have to be prepared for him."

Cole also called on his teammates not to take the threat of Wales — or any home-nation — lightly, saying matches against neighbouring countries are different to every other.

"From when I played against Wales, it's a totally different team.

"But whenever you play against them, Scotland or Ireland it is always going to be a tough game. The atmosphere is electric and no team want to lose," said the Chelsea man.

"We know we have to keep going in qualification and keep picking up points. It will be a big game for us and we have to win."

Meanwhile, Bale declared himself fully fit ahead of the England clash. His availability offers a timely boost to coach Gary Speed, as he attempts to plot England's downfall.

"I had my first 90 minutes on Saturday (against West Ham in the league) and was a bit stiff after the game and the next day. But I have recovered well and am just getting prepared for the weekend now," he said.

Sriwijaya FC vs Persipura (0-0)
Persiba vs Arema (0-0)

Klasemen (main, menang, seri, kalah, selisih gol, poin)

1. PERSIPURA 17 12 3 2 46-12 39
2. PERSIJA 17 10 2 5 29-17 32
3. SEMEN PADANG 18 8 8 2 26-19 32
4. PERSISAM 18 9 2 7 22-23 29
5. AREMA 17 7 6 4 26-16 27
6. SRIWIJAYA FC 18 8 3 7 27-23 27
7. PERSIWA 17 8 3 6 24-25 27
8. DELTRAS 16 7 1 8 25-25 22
9. PSPS 15 6 3 6 21-21 21
10. PERSIBA 17 5 5 7 21-27 20
11. PERSELA 16 5 4 7 16-21 19
12. PERSIB 17 5 4 8 22-31 19
13. PERSIJAP 17 5 2 10 19-35 17
14. PELITA JAYA 17 4 1 12 16-24 13
15. BONTANG FC 17 3 3 11 20-41 12.(*)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
COPYRIGHT © 2011

Ikuti berita terkini di handphone anda di m.antaranews.com

Queiroz dikenai hukuman larangan aktif dalam kegiatan olahraga selama enam bulan oleh badan tersebut setelah menghina para pejabat badan tersebut sewaktu mereka melakukan inspeksi mendadak ke pusat pelatihan Portugal pada Mei sebelum Piala Dunia.

Federasi Sepak Bola Portugal kemudian memecatnya pada September dan menggantinya dengan mantan pelatih Sporting Paulo Bento.

Pengadilan Arbitrasi Olahraga itu dalam putusannya menggambarkan komentar-komentar Queiroz sebagai "keterlaluan" tetapi menyimpulkan bahwa sikapnya tidak mengganggu pekerjaan badan anti doping itu.

Pelatih yang masih memiliki masa kontrak selama dua tahun lagi dengan Federasi Sepak Bola Portugal (FPF) pada saat dipecat, tahun lalu sempat menyatakan bahwa dia akan menuntut kompensasi dari Federasi Sepak Bola itu jika bandingnya diterima.(*)

(H-OKS/I015)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
COPYRIGHT © 2011

Ikuti berita terkini di handphone anda di m.antaranews.com

LONDON (AP) - Japan is still considering a bid to host the 2020 Olympics despite the triple blow caused by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear radiation crisis, a senior national Olympic committee official said Wednesday.

The Japanese Olympic Committee said it was "very surprised" at the recent comments made by Italian IOC member Mario Pescante, who said he was told by Japan's ambassador in Rome that Japan had decided not to pursue a bid because of the disasters.

"The JOC is considering the 2020 bid. We (have) not changed our policy," Yasuhiro Nakamori, the JOC's international relations director, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Nakamori said the JOC will hold a strategy meeting next Tuesday and make a final decision on whether to bid in July.

"We (still) have a lot of things to do to make a decision, even though we have experience, some knowledge and planning through the 2016 bid activities," he said.

Tokyo, which staged the 1964 Olympics, bid unsuccessfully for the 2016 Games, which were awarded to Rio de Janeiro.

The head of the JOC, Tsunekazu Takeda, met with IOC President Jacques Rogge in Lausanne, Switzerland, last week to discuss the relief efforts in Japan. None of the venues from the 1964 Olympics were damaged in the quake.

Pescante, a vice president of the International Olympic Committee who is leading Rome's bid for the 2020 Games, told Italian state radio RAI on Monday that he had discussed the situation with the Japanese ambassador to Italy at Sunday's Rome marathon.

"The Japanese ambassador told me that their country can't put forth the Tokyo bid," Pescante said. "There's a spirit of solidarity with them. If we had been beaten by Tokyo, we would still have had reason to celebrate."

Hiroshima and Nagasaki - the two Japanese cities hit by atomic bombs in World War II - have also expressed interest in a joint Olympic bid.

Japan has been forced to give up the World Figure Skating Championships, which were scheduled to be held in Tokyo this week. National Olympic committees have until Sept. 1 to submit the names of 2020 bid cities to the IOC.

Rome is the only city so far that has been officially nominated by its national committee.

South Africa is expected to submit a bid, with Durban the most likely candidate. Madrid, Istanbul, Doha and Dubai are among other potential contenders.

Japan and others will wait until after the IOC votes on July 6 on the host city for the 2018 Winter Games.

The candidates are Pyeongchang, South Korea; Munich; and Annecy, France. If Pyeongchang wins, it's unlikely Japan would go ahead with a 2020 bid as the IOC would be reluctant to vote for another Asian city.

AHMEDABAD, India (AP) - Ricky Ponting has no plans to retire, rejecting mounting speculation Wednesday that he'll stand down as Australia captain after the World Cup.

Ponting told a packed news conference on the eve of Australia's World Cup quarterfinal against host India that he had no intention of retiring and "will be playing for a few more years."

Calls from critics and some ex-players for Ponting to quit, or at least retire from ODI cricket, have gathered momentum since Australia lost the Ashes test series 3-1 to England at home in January.

The 36-year-old batsman has been out of form and looking increasingly frustrated in the field. He was fined for breaking a TV in a dressing room after being run out in a group match against Zimbabwe, and flung a ball into the ground after a collision with a teammate in another. Australia's unbeaten 34-match run at the World Cup ended last Saturday in a four-wicket loss to Pakistan, when Ponting was criticized for standing his ground to await the umpire's decision despite knowing he was out.

Unsourced reports in Britain and Australia suggested this week that Ponting will either be forced to quit or be fired at the end of the World Cup.

"There has been stuff about me retiring that is completely false, untrue, never contemplated retiring," Ponting told a news conference that was wall-to-wall crowded with more than 100 reporters. "I am enjoying my cricket, quarterfinal against India is a big game ... preparing for that."

Australia has won the last three World Cup titles, including the last two with Ponting at the helm.

Veteran teammate Mike Hussey and ex-deputy Adam Gilchrist said if the retirement speculation was designed to unsettle Ponting ahead of the crucial match against India, it would more than likely have the opposite affect.

"It's just amazing sometimes how champions just rise to the occasion at the right time," said Ponting, who said Ponting had the 100 percent support of the World Cup squad. "Against India in the World Cup is one of those times where I think we'll see the best of Ricky Ponting."

BANGKOK – Kondisi pelatih Timnas Thailand Bryan Robson semakin membaik pascaoperasi kanker beberapa waktu lalu. Berkaca pada nasib buruk yang menimpanya legenda hidup Manchester United mengaku memperoleh keberuntungan.

Robson diketahui terkena kanker tenggorokan. Agar terbebas dari penyakit tersebut, dia memutuskan pergi ke Timur Tengah untuk melakukan operasi pada awal bulan.

Setelah menjalani beberapa tahap pemulihan kini Robson sudah bisa berbicara. Selain mengaku sangat beruntung bisa sehat kembali, pria 54 tahun juga mengutarakan kesediaannya ambil bagian dalam acara amal yang diprakarsai oleh UNICEF.

Robson rencananya akan mengikuti tur dalam rangka penggalangan dana ke tiga tempat berbeda, yakni Bangkok, Hongkong dan Kuala Lumpur selama April mendatang.

"Saya sebut diri saya sangat beruntung. Hal itu membuat saya semakin bersemangat ikut dalam acar pengalangan dana untuk anak-anak," ujar Robson.

"Saya mendapatkan banyak dukungan dari fans Manchester United. Kini saya juga berharap agar setiap orang di kawasan Asia juga memberikan dukungan terhadap kegiatan nanti," cetusnya seperti dikutip The Sun, Kamis (24/3/2011). (msy)

LYON – Jalan Juventus mendapatkan jasa Michel Bastos semakin terbuka. Olympique Lyon sebagai pihak pemegang hak kepemilikan bek asal Brasil itu kini mengundang Bianconeri mengajukan tawaran resmi.

Hal tersebut disampaikan langsung oleh presiden klub Jean-Michael Aulas. Pria yang musim lalu menolak mentah-mentah niatan Juventus, kini malah bersikap sebaliknya.

Alasan utama Aulas hendak melepas Bastos ialah krisis finansial. Los Gones diketahui mengalami penurunan pendapatan seiring anjloknya keuntungan hak siaran televisi untuk Liga Prancis.

"Musim lalu Juventus mengajukan tawaran kongkret dan nyaris mendapatkan Bastos, tapi kemudian kami memblokirnya," ujar Aulas seperti dikutip Football Italia, Kamis (24/3/2011).

"Kini ceritanya berbeda. Jika Juventus kembali mengajukan tawaran dan semua pihak bersedia, kami mungkin melepas Bastos," tandasnya.

La Vecchia Signora sudah sejak lama tertarik kepada Bastos. Pemain asal Brasil diharapkan bisa menjadi penambal sisi kiri pertahanan yang selama ini dianggap sebagai salah satu titik lemah klub asal Turin. (msy)

Kamis, 24/03/2011 01:22 WIB
Jelang Kualifikasi Piala Eropa 2012
Episode Baru Evra Bersama Les Bleus
Mohammad Resha Pratama - detiksport

Nama Evra ada dalam 23 pemain yang dipersiapkan Blanc untuk menghadapi kualifikasi Euro 2012 melawan Luksemburg dan laga persahabatan kontra Kroasia. Ini adalah kali pertama Evra berseragam biru lagi usai dihukum skorsing pasca Afrika Selatan 2010.

Hal yang mana membuat Evra bahagia setelah dirinya menjadi pesakitan lalu. Ia pun mengaku sudah ingin melupakan hal itu dan berusaha tampil sebaik mungkin bersama Manchester United guna dipanggil kembali oleh Blanc.

"Aku ingin membuka lembaran baru. Aku ingin menjadi solusi bukan problem bagi generasi baru ini. Aku tampil seperti orang gila di klub untuk mempertahankan levelku dan mendapat kesempatan dipanggil kembali," tutur Evra seperti dilansir Yahoosports.

"Sebuah kebangaan bisa kembali ke timnas Prancis yang sangat kurindukan ini. Orang yang mengenal dengan baik Patrice Evra tahu aku tidak akan pernah menyerah dan aku siap bersaing untuk kembali," sambungnya.

"Orang yang melihat Patrice Evra, mereka akan berpikir soal Piala Dunia. Aku berusaha untuk menghapusnya namun aku pikir aku akan hidup dengan kenangan buruk itu," tegas bek berusia 29 tahun itu.

Kembali Evra pun sebenarnya bermanfaat bagi Blanc di mana bek kiri tersebut bisa jadi mentor yang baik bagi para pemain muda yang ada di skuad juara dunia 1998 itu. Saat ini Prancis berada di peringkat pertama Grup D dengan sembilan angka dari tiga laganya.

"Laurent Blanc adalah orang yang sangat jujur. Dia mengatakan beberapa hal mengenai kami. Pembicaraan kami berlangsung dengan baik," tutup Evra.

( mrp / nar )

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Kamis, 24/03/2011 01:04 WIB

Sir Alex Dinilai Mengancam Integritas Sepakbola
Narayana Mahendra Prastya - detiksport

Kecaman teraktual yang dilontarkan oleh Ferguson adalah kepada wasit Martin Atkinson, yang memimpin laga antara "Setan Merah" kontra Chelsea. Akibat tindakannya, manajer asal Skotlandia itu dikenai sanksi dilarang mendampingi tim sebanyak lima pertandingan dan denda 30 ribu poundsterling.

Komisi independen regulator FA dalam laporan tertulis yang dirilis hari Rabu (23/3/2011) menilai tindakan Ferguson berpotensi mengancam integritas dari sepakbola.

"Apa pun anggapan yang diambil oleh seseorang terkait kinerja Mr Atkinson, atau juga wasit-wasit yang lain, menghormati integritas wasit adalah hal yang penting dan itu juga demi integritas dari permainan ini," tulis FA dalam laporan tertulis itu, seperti dilansir dari USA Today.

Dalam laporan tersebut juga dijelaskan bahwa sikap Sir Alex yang tak mau minta maaf kepada Atkinson merupakan faktor yang sangat memberatkan hukuman bagi manajer MU sejak 1986 itu.

"Meski pun dia (Ferguson) membantah segala tindakannya yang mempertanyakan integritas Mr. Atkinson, Ferguson seharusnya paling tidak menyadari apa yang dia katakan. Sebenarnya pengakuan bisa membuat sanksi yang didapat oleh Sir Alex berkurang. Namun karena tidak dilakukan, maka kesempatan untuk itu pun hilang."

"Sebagai tambahan, menyusul penolakan dia dari tuduhan tersebut juga tidak ada klarifikasi atau pencabutan dari apa pun pernyataan yang telah dibuat oleh Sir Alex dan tidak ada permintaan maaf yang diajukan kepada Mr.Atkinson, bahkan setelah sanksi dijatuhkan."

Ferguson sendiri memutuskan untuk tidak mengajukan banding atas hukuman ini.
( nar / krs )

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Malaysia belum bersedia

KEMENTERIAN Belia dan Sukan (KBS) belum bersedia untuk membida penganjuran Sukan Asia 2023 kerana kos penganjuran temasya itu adalah tinggi dan dijangka meningkat.

Menterinya, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek berkata, faktor lain yang mengekang pembidaan penganjuran Sukan Asia 2023 itu ialah keadaan ekonomi semasa.

"Kita tidak bersedia untuk membuat bidaan pada masa sekarang kerana menganggap ia melibatkan kos yang berlipat kali ganda besarnya. Saya rasa pada masa akan datang, kos akan meningkat tiga atau empat kali ganda dan kita tidak mahu kos itu ditampung oleh wang subsidi untuk rakyat," katanya.

Ahmad Shabery berkata demikian ketika ditanya mengenai hasrat Indonesia untuk membida penganjuran Sukan Asia 2019 setelah Malaysia tidak mahu berbuat demikian kerana kos penganjuran temasya sukan itu melebihi RM1.6 bilion pada akhir September tahun lepas.

Kos penganjuran yang dianggarkan itu tidak termasuk pembinaan infrastruktur baru seperti stadium, perkampungan sukan untuk penginapan atlet serta penambahbaikan kemudahan sukan yang ada di negara ini.

"Pada masa akan datang sekurang-kurangnya penganjuran temasya itu memerlukan RM4 bilion hingga RM5 bilion, barulah nampak seperti kita tidak ketinggalan dari segi penganjuran," katanya.

Ditanya sama ada kerajaan sedia membida sekiranya rakyat mahu temasya sukan itu diadakan di negara ini, Ahmad Shabery berkata, rakyat boleh bersuara tetapi mereka perlu faham mengenai kos itu.

"Saya percaya kerajaan akan menilai kemahuan rakyat namun mahukah rakyat mengorbankan subsidi minyak dialihkan ke belanja Sukan Asia untuk membuat kemudahan sukan di seluruh negara?

"China melihat penganjuran temasya sukan tersebut sebagai satu proses pembangunan untuk atlet dan rakyat di negara itu," katanya.

Bandar raya Incheon di Korea Selatan akan menjadi tuan rumah edisi ke-17 Sukan Asia pada 2014 manakala tuan rumah bagi 2019 pula menjadi rebutan antara Hong Kong, Emiriyah Arab Bersatu, Vietnam, India dan terkini, Indonesia. – Bernama

Terry bidas kritikan

WATFORD, United Kingdom - John Terry membidas kritikan yang dilemparkan ke atas dirinya berhubung pelantikan semula sebagai kapten skuad kebangsaan England.

Pemain pertahanan Chelsea itu menegaskan, dia tidak sepatutnya tidak dilucutkan jawatan daripada tugas selaku kapten skuad Three Lions itu.

Tahun lalu, tugas kapten England telah diberikan kepada Rio Ferdinand selepas Terry dikaitkan dengan skandal seks bersama bekas teman wanita rakan sepasukannya, Wayne Bridge.

Bagaimanapun, selepas setahun berlalu, jurulatih England, Fabio Capello telah membuat keputusan untuk menyerahkan semula tugas itu kepada Terry.

Namun, ada segelintir pihak tidak bersetuju dengan keputusan yang dibuat Capello itu kerana rekod buruk Terry yang tidak langsung mencerminkan sikap selaku pemimpin di atas padang.

Bagi Terry pula, biarpun dia cuba mengelakkan dirinya daripada dikaitkan dengan berita-berita negatif mengenai kehidupan peribadinya namun pemain itu sebenarnya masih terluka dengan pemecatan selaku kapten pada tahun lalu.

"Ubah cara saya? Ia merupakan suatu perkara yang sukar.

"Apabila saya bercakap dengan Capello, kami tidak boleh berbincang secara mendalam tetapi apabila dia mendapat tahu perkara yang sebenar, dia memahaminya.

"Seperti apa yang saya katakan kepada Capello ketika itu, saya terima keputusan yang dibuat dengan hati yang terbuka.

"Namun, ia tidak bermaksud saya bersetuju dengan keputusan itu dan saya tidak akan bersetuju langsung.

"Selepas setahun berlalu, saya telah mendapat banyak pengajaran yang berguna dan saya merasakan kini saya berada pada landasan yang tepat," jelas Terry.

Terry dijangka memakai lilitan kapten pada aksi menentang Wales dalam saingan Kumpulan G kelayakan Euro 2012 di Stadium Millennium awal pagi Ahad ini. - AFP

UM letak sasaran 500 pasukan

Oleh LUQMAN HAKIM AB. RAHIM
luqmanhakim.rahim@kosmo.com.my

BUAT julung-julung kalinya, Universiti Malaya (UM) akan menganjurkan Karnival Gempak Futsal 2011 yang menawarkan hadiah wang tunai sehingga RM10,000.

Karnival yang bakal berlangsung di Sport Planet (Subang Grand), Subang pada 7 hingga 10 April ini mempertandingkan empat kategori iaitu lelaki terbuka, wanita terbuka dan lelaki serta wanita bawah 18 tahun

Selain kejohanan futsal, antara program yang akan diadakan sepanjang empat hari itu adalah pameran kesihatan, sesi derma darah dan konsert oleh artis popular tanah air.

Pengarah Pusat Sukan UM, Dr. Abdul Halim Mokhtar berkata, kejohanan yang turut mendapat kerjasama daripada Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS) itu meletakkan sasaran sebanyak 500 pasukan.

Bagaimanapun ujarnya, UM bersedia menerima sehingga 900 pasukan jika mendapat penyertaan yang menggalakkan terutamanya daripada peminat futsal tanah air.

"Sehingga kini, kami telah menerima lebih daripada 100 pasukan yang sudah mendaftar hasil daripada iklan di akhbar Kosmo!.

"Saya berharap kejohanan ini akan mendapat perhatian seluruh negara dan boleh diadakan sebagai acara tahunan dalam kalendar UM," katanya kepada pemberita di Kuala Lumpur semalam.

Terdahulu, Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek hadir merasmikan pelancaran kejohanan tersebut.

Abdul Halim berkata, juara bakal membawa pulang hadiah wang tunai sebanyak RM10,000 bagi kategori lelaki terbuka, RM5,000 bagi juara kategori wanita manakala RM3,000 untuk juara kategori lelaki dan wanita bawah 18 tahun.

Sesi pendaftaran khas akan diadakan pada 26 hingga 27 Mac ini di Pusat Sukan UM bermula 9 pagi hingga 5 petang.

Bagi mengetahui maklumat lanjut mengenai program ini, orang ramai boleh melayari laman web sosial, Facebook yang beralamat di www.facebook.com/KARNIVAL GEMPAK FUTSAL UNIVERSITI MALAYA 2011.

BILBAO, KOMPAS.com - Striker timnas Spanyol, Fernando Llorente menyebut rekan setimnya Xavi Hernandez. pemain terbaik Spanyol sepanjang sejarah. Prestasi Xavi bersama timnas dan juga klubnya, Barcelona, jadi tolak ukur Llorente penilaian Llorente.

"Xavi pemain yang luar biasa, pemain terbaik Spanyol sepanjang masa. Dia telah memenangkan segalanya dengan Barca dan Spanyol," kata Llorente kepada Sport.es.

"Sangat indah melihat Xavi bermain. Butuh waktu bertahun-tahun untuk mencapai level yang telah ia lakukan," sambungnya.

Xavi yang bersiap mencapai caps ke-100 bersama Spanyol memang punya kualitas tak terbantahkan. Ia tak hanya jadi roh di lini tengah Barcelona tapi juga timnas Spanyol. Duetnya dengan Andres Iniesta membuat lini tengah "La Furia Roja" sangat menakutkan.

Wajar jika akhirnya Xavi dinominasikan sebagai pemain terbaik dunia 2010. Apalagi dia ikut membawa Spanyol menjuarai Piala Dunia 2010 dan Piala Eropa 2008. Belum lagi pencapaian gemilangnya bersama Barca dengan lima gelar Liga BBVA, dua Liga Champions dan satu gelar Piala Dunia antar Klub. (SCN)

LIVERPOOL, KOMPAS.com - Asisten manajer Liverpool, Steve Clarke, menilai salah satu kelebihan penyerang Luis Suarez adalah pergerakannya yang sulit diduga. 

Penilaiain Clarke tersebut mengacu kepada gol Suarez ke gawang Sunderland dalam laga lanjutan Premier League di Stadium of Light, Minggu (20/3/2011). Saat itu, usai menerima umpan Dirk Kuyt, Suarez berpenetrasi dan dari sudut sempit dan menendang bola masuk ke sudut kanan atas gawang Simon Mignolet. Padahal pada momen tersebut Suarez melakukan pergerakan yang membuatnya tampak akan mengumpan.

Ini menjadi gol ketiga pemain asal Uruguay tersebut sejak di rekrut dari Ajax Amsterdam, Januari lalu.

"Tak bisa ditebak adalah salah satu aset besarnya. Sebagai bek Anda tak akan tahu apa yang akan ia lakukan, jadi itu akan sulit," kata Clarke.

"Ketika dia berada dalam kotak penalti, dia menyerang bek. Dia menusuk dan menekan mereka untuk membuat kesalahan. Para bek tentu tak akan melakukan pelanggaran keras di kotak penalti atau mereka akan menanggung risiko," sambungnya.

Clarke menambahkan," Ini menjadi aset yang sangat besar untuknya dan saya pikir untuk para bek, akan sulit untuk menghadapinya."

Sayang dalam beberapa pekan ke depan Suarez harus beristirahat akibat cedera. Suarez diprediksi mengalami cedera pangkal paha yang mungkin berkaitan dengan masalah punggung.

Liverpool pun meminta Suarez untuk tetap di Liverpool untuk menjalani tahap pemulihan. Ini artinya ia akan absen kala Uruguay menjalani partai persahabatan melawan Estonia dan Republik Iralandia. (SCN)