Eksperimen positif - Rajagobal

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia terlepas peluang meneruskan rentak kemenangan sejak kejayaan menjuarai Piala Suzuki AFF, Disember lalu, namun berjaya mengekalkan rekod tanpa kalah apabila mengikat juara Liga Singapura (Liga-S), Etoile FC 1-1 dalam perlawanan yang menyaksikan jurulatih, K. Rajagobal menguji hampir kesemua pemainnya di Stadium Jalan Besar, Singapura semalam.

Ini merupakan perlawanan persahabatan kedua buat skuad Harimau Malaya sejak menjuarai Piala AFF.

Perlawanan pertama menentang Hong Kong, bulan lalu berakhir dengan kemenangan 2-0.

Biarpun mencatat kemenangan selepas mendahului menerusi Ahmad Fakri Saarani seawal minit ketujuh, namun anak-anak buah Rajagobal meraih pengalaman berguna berdepan pemain-pemain Etoile yang memiliki fizikal dan corak permainan berbeza, apatah lagi mereka adalah kelab Perancis yang berorientasikan permainan Eropah.

"Keseluruhan saya berpuas hati dengan persembahan pemain-pemain negara, terutama peluang menguji ramai pemain. Mungkin kerana melakukan banyak pertukaran ia menganggu sedikit rentak permainan tetapi yang penting kita berjaya mendapat ujian yang bagus.

"Semua pemain mempamer persembahan dan komitmen yang baik, termasuk pemain gantian, ini perkara paling positif buat skuad negara. Saya fikir, kita kena lebih banyak beraksi dalam perlawanan seperti ini untuk mendapat pengalaman baru kerana corak permainan dan fizikal Etoile yang berasal dari Perancis berbeza dengan corak permainan kita,'' kata Rajagobal ketika ditemu bual oleh Astro Arena, semalam.

Gol pembukaan Malaysia berpunca menerusi sepakan sudut pendek Mohd. Syafiq Rahim kepada Mohd. Asraruddin Putra Omar yang kemudian melakukan hantaran tinggi untuk Ahmad Fakri menewaskan penjaga gol lawan, Antonin Trilles.

Biarpun membuka jaringan awal, namun kealpaan benteng pertahanan Harimau Malaya hampir membawa padah apabila Jonathan Tolo yang tidak dikawal melepaskan tandukan pada minit ke-18, namun tandukannya tersasar dan pada minit ke-27 rembatan Kevin Lefranc hanya menyentuh tepi jaring gol negara.

Rajagobal melakukan tiga pertukaran pada awal separuh masa kedua, termasuk mengeluarkan Khairul Fahmi untuk digantikan dengan Sharbinee dan dia bertindak cemerlang pada awal saingan apabila menepis rembatan cantik Sinira Camara minit ke-49.

Babak kedua berlangsung lebih menarik dengan kedua-dua pasukan saling berbalas serangan, Malaysia terdahulu beroleh peluang menerusi gerakan dari sebelah kanan Mohd. Amirul Hadi Zainal tetapi Salim Kaabi pantas menyekat pergerakannya, namun pada minit ke-62 kelonggaran bahagian tengah dan pertahanan Malaysia membenarkan Etoile menyamakan kedudukan menerusi pemain gantian, Hicham Bouchemial yang merembat bola menewaskan Sharbinee buat kali pertama.

Benteng pertahanan Malaysia longgar dan hampir dibolosi sekali lagi pada minit ke-65, mujur sepakan Stan Fougeroud tersasar tinggi.

Argentina's Lionel Messi (2nd from right) is challenged by Jay DeMerit (right), Maurice Edu (7) and Timothy Chandler of the US, during their international friendly match in East Rutherford, New Jersey on March 26, 2011. — Reuters pic

Argentina dominated the match from start to finish, with Lionel Messi (picture) teasing and tormenting the Americans with his full bag of tricks, but they only converted one of their numerous chances.

That came late in the first half when Messi threaded the ball between the legs of the US captain Carlos Bocanegra and Esteban Cambiasso blasted home a rebound from the edge of the six-yard box.

Despite being heavily marked, Messi threatened to extend his team's lead on several occasions, but the Americans scrambled well in defense and then snatched an equalizer in the 59th minute against the run of play.

"I think we had a great first half. At times, we were brilliant," Argentina coach Sergio Batista, speaking through a translator, told a news conference.

"I think the soccer we want to see was there.... but we didn't finish that well."

A lapse in concentration was all it took for the Americans to square the ledger in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 79,000, which had been bolstered by the appearance of Messi.

A KNACK

Carlos Bocanegra headed a free kick from Landon Donovan straight at the Argentine goalkeeper Mariano Andujar, who fumbled the ball at the feet of Agudelo.

The 18-year-old, who came on as a second half replacement, reacted first, slamming the ball into the net to register his second goal in just three international appearances.

"He's had a knack now for turning up in some good spots to score goals," American head coach Bob Bradley said.

Bradley admitted his team had been mostly outplayed by an Argentina side that controlled the ball for long periods, leaving the home side to survive off scraps off possession.

Messi had provided Bradley and his tacticians with headaches in defense but the coach said he was impressed with the way his players coped while under constant pressure.

"We came away with a good result against a very good team," Bradley said.

"We understood that the first half didn't go the way we wanted, but I was pleased with the way we responded."

For both teams, the match was the first of two games they are playing in three days to help prepare themselves for their respective continental championships they are hosting later this year.

The US, hosts of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June, face Paraguay in Nashville on Tuesday while the Argentineans will travel to Costa Rica as part of their build-up to the Copa America in July. — Reuters

Martin Laird of Scotland tees off on the second hole during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando on March 26, 2011. — Reuters pic

The Scotsman wobbled with bogeys on the 14th and 15th but recovered to birdie the next hole and finish the day with a two-under 70 and a 54-hole total of 11-under par.

It is the third time Laird has led after 54 holes in a PGA Tour event — and he does not have fond memories of the last occasion.

At the Barclays in August, taking a three-shot lead into the final day, he three-putted the final hole and lost to American Matt Kuchar in a playoff.

Laird said he had taken the positives out of that disappointing experience.

"It kind of showed me you don't have to play perfect to win. I came so close while not having my perfect game.

"You don't have to have every aspect of your game firing on all cylinders to win tournaments. There's just something — you need a couple of breaks here or there and really make some putts," he said.

Spencer Levin of the US ended the round in outright second place, two behind Laird, after shooting 71. Levin briefly shared the lead with Laird but made successive bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes to slip behind.

Americans Bubba Watson (68) and Steve Marino (71) were tied for third place, four shots behind Laird, who was searching for just his second PGA Tour victory but has nine players within six strokes of him.

Tiger Woods' hopes of a seventh win at Bay Hill were effectively sunk when he twice found the water in a disappointing round of 74, leaving him 10 strokes behind Laird.

On the 13th, Woods made a mess of a routine approach from the middle of the fairway, finding the water short of the green and double bogeying.

The former world number one was in damp trouble again on the par-5 16th when he went for an ambitious shot from a fairway bunker 184 yards from the hole and ended up with a bogey.

"The round kind of turned at 13. I had to get aggressive there," Woods said.

"I figured I needed to probably shoot three or four under par at least to have a chance going into tomorrow. I paid the price for it."

Rickie Fowler also had problems, double bogeying after a wayward tee shot into the water at the sixth, then three-putting the par-three seventh, but the 22-year-old American recovered to card a 70 and end the day tied with David Toms at six-under. — Reuters

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - World champion Sebastian Vettel will start from pole position for Sunday's season-opening Formula One Australian Grand Prix after a dominant performance by the Red Bull driver in Saturday's qualifying.

Vettel had a time of 1 minute, 23.529 seconds, more than three-quarters of a second quicker than nearest rival Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.

Red Bull's Mark Webber will start from third in front of his home crowd, with Jenson Button of McLaren fourth as he attempts to win the race for a third straight year.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso qualified fifth while Mercedes' Michael Schumacher was 11th.

The Red Bulls and McLarens were consistently fastest after the first Q1 session, switching between the firmer 'prime' tires and the options to try and feel their way to faster lap combinations.

Troubled constructor Hispania could become the first team to miss out on the race under the reintroduced 107 percent rule, after both its drivers failed post a time under the cut off mark set at seven percent higher than the fastest time in Q1.

With the cut-off time set at 1:31.266, Vitantonio Liuzzi could manage only 1:32.978 and Narain Karthikeyan had 1:34.293.

However, Hispania could yet take its place at the back of the grid if other teams agree to give it a reprieve.

Renault's Nick Heidfeld, who ninth fastest in final practice earlier in the day, was also eliminated in Q1 and will start from a disappointing 18th.

In Q2, Renault's Rubens Barrichello ruined his chances of qualifying in the top-10 when he touched the grass coming into turn three, losing control and spinning into the gravel.

Adrian Sutil of Force India was also eliminated, but had a lucky escape when he spun his car 360 degrees coming out of the final turn and narrowly missed a wall before regaining control and continuing his lap.

Renault's Vitaly Petrov put in a strong performance to qualify in sixth place, ahead of Mercedes' Nico Rosberg and Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber and Toro Rosso's Sebastian Buemi also impressed by making it into the Q3 session, and will start ninth and tenth respectively.

KEY BISCAYNE, Florida (AP) — Andy Murray's post-Australian Open slump shows no sign of ending. The three-time Grand Slam runner-up lost Friday in his opening match at the Sony Ericsson Open to American qualifier Alex Bogomolov Jr., 6-1, 7-5.

"I was trying to get myself back into the match, trying to find ways," Murray said. "But I just didn't have that spark."

The Scotsman hasn't won a set in three matches since he was routed in the Australian Open final by Novak Djokovic.

Following Murray's departure, Djokovic improved to 19-0 in 2011 by drubbing Denis Istomin 6-0, 6-1. Djokovic's record is the best to begin a year since Ivan Lendl started 25-0 in 1986.

"I know it has only been a couple of months of the year," Djokovic said, "but I have been playing great, and I want to keep on doing that."

Murray, meanwhile, has lost nine consecutive sets, a remarkable drought for a player ranked fifth in the world.

"The same thing happened around the same time last year," Murray said. "I have been practicing well, training well, and then in the matches can't get anything going."

A year ago Murray lost opening-round matches in back-to-back tournaments, including at Key Biscayne as defending champion. This swoon is worse, with consecutive defeats against players ranked outside the top 100.

Donald Young was ranked 143rd when he upset Murray two weeks ago at Indian Wells. Bogomolov is ranked 118th, and his only other win over a top 10 player came in 2002, his senior year in high school, when he beat No. 3 Tommy Haas in Los Angeles.

Born in Moscow, Bogomolov moved to the United States at age 11 and lives in New Jersey. He has never been ranked higher than 97th but has played well this year on the minor-league circuit.

An hour after his big victory, Bogomolov said the news had spread quickly.

"I was just checking the 20 text messages I received from people I haven't heard from for 20 years," he said.

While his victory gave U.S. tennis fans something to brag about, the last American in the women's draw was eliminated in the second round when Varvara Lepchenko lost to Petra Kvitova 6-1, 6-2.

Defending champion Kim Clijsters needed only 50 minutes to win her opening match, beating qualifier Anastasiya Yakimova 6-1, 6-1. The No. 2-seeded Clijsters was playing for the first time since retiring two weeks ago in the fourth round at Indian Wells with a right shoulder injury.

"It's not fully healed, but it's healing," she said. "After Indian Wells I was pretty worried. Now I feel that I'm almost able to do everything that I want."

Reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone advanced by beating Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-4. No. 3-seeded Vera Zvonareva rallied to defeat former No. 1 Dinara Safina 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

In other men's play, No. 4 Robin Soderling earned his 20th victory this year — most on the men's tour — by beating Ivan Dodig 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Americans Mardy Fish, John Isner and James Blake also reached the third round. Fish, seeded 14th, won his opening match against Julien Benneteau, 6-4, 6-3. The unseeded Blake edged No. 27 Thomaz Bellucci 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6), while Isner, seeded 30th, defeated Russia's Igor Andreev 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (2).

Juan Martin del Potro took another step in his comeback from right wrist surgery by edging No. 29 Philipp Kohschreiber 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-5.

No. 9 Fernando Verdasco lost to fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4. No. 31 Milos Raonic, at 20 the youngest player in the men's top 50, lost to Somdev Devvarman 7-6 (5), 7-5.

Murray's biggest problem against Bogomolov was serving. His first serves ranged from 133 mph to 95, and he complained of being unable to find a rhythm after holding only three times in 10 service games.

"You serve one at 130 and then the next one at 95 and then one at 115," he said. "There's no consistent sort of hitting the serves and feeling good about them. There was no consistency on any part of my game, really."

Murray looked sluggish with his footwork and repeatedly steered groundstrokes into the middle of the court, allowing to Bogomolov to take charge of rallies.

"In the second set I definitely felt like he's missing something," Bogomolov said. "Everybody goes through that."

Murray couldn't catch a break, either. In the final game, Bogomolov hit a forehand that kissed the net cord and dropped over for a winner.

That one left Murray mumbling.

"It's not unlucky, but ... " Murray said. "When you're not playing that well and you're struggling a little bit, you start to miss balls by a few inches, and net cords, challenges and stuff seem to go against you more." - AP

KEY BISCAYNE, Florida (AP) — Andy Murray's post-Australian Open slump shows no sign of ending.

The Scotsman was upset Friday in his opening match at the Sony Ericsson Open by American qualifier Alex Bogomolov Jr., 6-1, 7-5. Murray hasn't won a set in three matches since he was routed in the final of the Australian Open by Novak Djokovic.

Murray, seeded fifth, lost his opening match at Key Biscayne for the fourth time and for the second straight year.

Against Bogomolov, ranked 118th, Murray held only three times in 10 service games. On match point, Bogomolov mis-hit a forehand that floated over the net, and Murray pushed an easy backhand wide for his 32nd unforced error.

In women's play, defending champion Kim Clijsters needed only 50 minutes to win her opening match, beating qualifier Anastasiya Yakimova 6-1, 6-1. The No. 2-seeded Clijsters was playing for the first time since retiring two weeks ago in the fourth round at Indian Wells with a right shoulder injury.

Yakimova committed 17 unforced errors and had only one winner.

The last American in the women's draw was eliminated in the second round when Varvara Lepchenko lost to Petra Kvitova 6-1, 6-2. The Uzbekistan-born Lepchenko became a U.S. citizen this year.

No. 9 Agnieszka Radwanska reached the third round by beating Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-0.

In men's play, No. 4 Robin Soderling earned his 20th victory this year — most on the men's tour — by beating Ivan Dodig 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. No. 31 Milos Raonic, at 20 the youngest player in the men's top 50, lost to Somdev Devvarman 7-6 (5), 7-5.

Also, Americans Mardy Fish and James Blake reached the third round. Fish, seeded 14th, won his opening match against Julien Benneteau, 6-4, 6-3. The unseeded Blake edged No. 27 Thomaz Bellucci 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6).

Results Friday from the Sony Ericsson Open, an ATP-WTA event on outdoor hard-courts at The Tennis Center at Crandon Park (seedings in parentheses):

Singles

Men

Second Round

Michael Llodra (23), France, def. Xavier Malisse, Belgium, 6-2, 6-3.

Robin Soderling (4), Sweden, def. Ivan Dodig, Croatia, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Somdev Devvarman, India, def. Milos Raonic (31), Canada, 7-6 (5), 7-5.

Mardy Fish (14), United States, def. Julien Benneteau, France, 6-4, 6-3.

Kevin Anderson, South Africa, def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (24), Spain, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

Viktor Troicki (16), Serbia, def. Marsel Ilhan, Turkey, 6-3, 6-3.

James Blake, United States, def. Thomaz Bellucci (27), Brazil, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6).

Pablo Andujar, Spain, def. Fernando Verdasco (9), Spain, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4.

Alex Bogomolov Jr., United States, def. Andy Murray (5), Britain, 6-1, 7-5.

Marcel Granollers, Spain, def. Stanislas Wawrinka (12), Switzerland, 6-0, 6-7 (4), 6-3.

David Ferrer (6), Spain, def. Igor Kunitsyn, Russia, 6-2, 6-1.

Richard Gasquet (17), Russia, def. Paolo Lorenzi, Italy, 6-2, 6-3.

Sam Querrey (19), United States, def. Mikhail Kukushkin, Kazakhstan, 6-3, 6-2.

Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina, def. Philipp Kohlschreiber (29), Germany, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-5.

John Isner (30), United States, def. Igor Andreev, Russia, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (2).

Novak Djokovic (2), Serbia, def. Denis Istomin, Uzbekistan, 6-0, 6-1.

Women

Second Round

Petra Kvitova (12), Czech Republic, def. Varvara Lepchenko, United States, 6-1, 6-2.

Agnieszka Radwanska (9), Poland, def. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-0.

Jarmila Groth (28), Australia, def. Yaroslava Shvedova, Kazakhstan, 6-4, 3-1 retired.

Dominika Cibulkova (25), Slovakia, def. Timea Bacsinszky, Switzerland, 6-1, 5-7, 7-5.

Ekaterina Makarova, Russia, def. Alisa Kleybanova (22), Russia, 7-5, 6-3.

Kim Clijsters (2), Belgium, def. Anastasia Yakimova, Belarus, 6-1, 6-1.

Maria Kirilenko (24), Russia, def. Sania Mirza, India, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0.

Lourdes Dominguez Lino, Spain, def. Tsvetana Pironkova (31), Bulgaria, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (27), Spain, def. Anna Tatishvili, Georgia, 6-1, 6-4.

Virginie Razzano, France, def. Kaia Kanepi (14), Estonia, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Marion Bartoli (15), France, def. Ayumi Morita, Japan, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.

Francesca Schiavone (5), Italy, def. Angelique Kerber, Germany, 6-4, 6-4.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (17), Russia, def. Agnes Szavay, Hungary, 6-1, 6-2.

Vera Zvonareva (3), Russia, def. Dinara Safina, Russia, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Victoria Azarenka (8), Belarus, def. Lucie Hradecka, Czech Republic, 7-5, 4-6, 6-0.

Ana Ivanovic (19), Serbia, def. Kimiko Date-Krumm, Japan, 6-2, 6-0.

Doubles Men First Round

Jurgen Melzer, Austria, and Philipp Petzschner (4), Germany, def. Kei Nishikori, Japan, and Donald Young, United States, 6-2, 6-3.

Marin Cilic and Ivan Ljubicic, Croatia, def. Kevin Anderson, South Africa, and Ivo Karlovic, Croatia, 6-3, 6-3.

Michal Mertinak, Slovakia, and Dick Norman, Belgium, def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Albert Montanes, Spain, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 10-8.

Oliver Marach, Austria, and Janko Tipsarevic, Serbia, def. Nicolas Almagro, Spain, and Alexandr Dolgopolov, Ukraine, 6-7 (7), 6-4, 10-8.

Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, Israel, def. Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski (5), Poland, 7-5, 6-4.

Women

First Round

Daniela Hantuchova, Slovakia, and Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland, def. Vera Dushevina and Ekaterina Makarova, Russia, 6-3, 1-6, 10-7 tiebreak.

Gisela Dulko, Argentina, and Flavia Pennetta (1), Italy, def. Olga Govortsova, Belarus, and Alla Kudryavtseva, Russia, 6-1, 6-1.

Sloane Stephens, United States, and Yanina Wickmayer, Belgium, def. Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears, United States, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 11-9.

Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (6), Czech Republic, def. Klaudia Jans and Alicja Rosolska, Poland, 6-2, 7-5.

Alisa Kleybanova, Russia, and Yan Zi, China, def. Jill Craybas, United States, and Rennae Stubbs, Australia, 7-6 (7), 6-2.

Liezel Huber, United States, and Nadia Petrova (3), Russia, def. Petra Martic and Ajla Tomljanovic, Croatia, 6-1, 6-4.

Frank Lampard dan Darren Bent masing-masing mencetak satu gol untuk memastikan kemenangan timnya yang sekaligus mengembalikan posisi Inggris ke puncak klasemen Grup G melalui keunggulan selisih gol.

Pelatih Inggris Fabio Capello tidak sia-sia mengembalikan John Terry menjadi kapten setelah mencoret Rio Ferdinand, dan hasil itu cukup untuk mengembalikan kepercayaan Capello atas kritik yang dilancarkan kepadanya.

Inggris membuka gol awal melalui Frank Lampard pada menit ketujuh, setelah pemain itu mampu bekerjasama apik dengan pemain yang baru dimasukkan Jack Wilshere yang bermain di depan.

Inggris menambah gol kedua melalui Darrent Bent pada menit ke-15, dan itu sekaligus sebagai gol penutup, demikian AFP.

(SYS/A020/S026)

Editor: Suryanto
COPYRIGHT © 2011

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Capello memanggil pemain tengah West Ham Scott Parker dan striker Aston Villa Darren Bent dan rekan setimnya Ashley Young.

Parker akan bergabung di lapangan tengah bersama pemain Chelsea Frank Lampard dan pemain muda Arsenal Jack Wilshere.

Sedangkan Bent akan berpasangan dengan Wayne Rooney.

Di barisan pertahanan kapten John Terry akan berpasangan dengan pemain Tottenham Michael Dawson, dan Ashley Cole dengan Glen Johnson untuk mengisi fullback, demikian dilaporkan AFP.

(A020/S026)

(Uu.SYS/C/A020/C/Z002) 26-03-2011 23:59:23

Editor: Suryanto
COPYRIGHT © 2011

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MALANG - Pertarungan dua tim bergengsi bakal tersaji di Stadion Kanjuruhan, nanti sore. Juara bertahan Indonesia Super League (ISL) bakal meladeni tamunya Sriwijaya FC (SFC). Duel yang dipastikan sarat gengsi sekaligus tensi tinggi.

Selain sama-sama pernah mengangkat trofi ISL, kedua tim juga bertabur bintang yang bertebaran di tim nasional (timnas). Alasan lain, tentunya lebih penting, adalah persaingan untuk merebut posisi lebih baik di papan atas klasemen.

Arema FC dan SFC sejauh ini masih 'rukun' di papan atas klasemen sementara dengan menempati urutan 5 dan 6. Siapa pun pemenangnya, hasil di Stadion Kanjuruhan bakal mengangkat posisi menjadi lebih baik. Di sini tuan rumah agaknya lebih diunggulkan.

Selain faktor supporter Aremania yang militansinya tak perlu diragukan, tim berjuluk Singo Edan dalam kondisi bagus. Secara teknis tak ada masalah berarti, sedangkan mental sudah membaik seiring hasil imbang 0-0 di Balikpapan dan tuntasnya persoalan finansial.

"Sriwijaya tim bagus dan punya banyak pemain berbahaya. Ada Okto (Maniani), Kayamba (Gumbs) dan Budi (Sudarsono). Jadi kita harus kerja keras untuk memenangkan pertandingan. Saya rasa pemain bisa melakukannya," demikian optimisme Manager Coach Arema FC Miroslav Janu.

Miro sendiri telah mempelajari kekuatan milik Ivan Kolev yang di pertandingan sebelumnya tertahan imbang Persipura Jayapura. Arema sedikit diuntungkan karena gelandang Firman Utina dan Ponaryo Astaman tidak dibawa ke Malang karena masih cedera.

Kendati demikian Miro tak mau terlena berkurangnya kekuatan SFC. Ia meyakini tim berjuluk Laskar Wong Kito mempunyai pemain lain yang potensial. Apalagi di sana masih bercokol pemain sekelas M Ridwan dan Arif Suyono yang mantan punggawa Arema.

Kekuatan Arema sendiri juga agak tereduksi dengan absennya centre back Waluyo. Sementara kondisi Purwaka Yudhi dan Noh Alam Shah juga masih diragukan untuk tampil sepanjang laga. Skenarionya, Arema menyiapkan Roman Golian sebagai palang pintu.

Bek tengah ini belum pernah dimainkan sejak bergabung dengan Singo Edan, julukan Arema di akhir putaran pertama lalu. Memainkan Roman sejatinya juga berisiko karena belum teruji di pertandingan resmi, apalagi lawan yang dihadapi tim sebesar Sriwijaya FC.

"Waluyo terkena akumulasi kartu kuning. Noh Alam Shah dan Purwaka masih kita lihat perkembangannya. Apa pun kondisi tim, yang pasti kita ingin menang," tandas Miro. Jika Noh absen, kemungkinan besar Miro tetap akan memasang Yongki Ariwibowo sebagai target man.

Sementara itu, kubu Sriwijaya FC lebih merana menghadapi laga penting di Malang. Sejumlah pemain kunci dipastikan absen, sehingga pelatih Ivan Kolev dipaksa memutar otak mencari komposisi yang pas menghadapi agresifitas juru gedor Singo Edan.

Patut disayangkan adalah cedera bersamaan Firman Utina dan Ponaryo Astaman. Kekuatan mereka sejatinya tak terbantahkan karena mempunyai pengalaman dan jam terbang tinggi. Pengalaman membaca permainan juga menjadi nilai plus bagi SFC.

"Ada beberapa pemain yang cedera. Ada Firman, Ponaryo dan Diano (Claudiano Alves). Kita memaksimalkan kekuatan yang ada dan saya yakin masih ada peluang mendapatkan poin di Malang," kata Ivan Kolev saat latihan di Stadion Kanjuruhan kemarin pagi.

Menurutnya, kekuatan Arema FC tetaplah menakutkan karena tidak ada perubahan besar setelah menyabet juara musim lalu. Apalagi saat mereka tanding di markas yang tentunya didukung Aremania. Kolev paham benar bagaimana suasana di Kanjuruhan.

Menurutnya dukungan Aremania yang begitu besar menjadi kekuatan tersendiri bagi Arema. Terkait materi pemain yang diturunkan, Kolev belum buka kartu. Hanya saja ia memastikan bakal menurunkan 4-3-3 yang dianggap paling realistis untuk mewujudkan poin di Malang.

Yang pasti, trisula di lini depan nampaknya 'haram' dirombak, yakni Budi Sudarsono, Okto Maniani dan Kayamba Gumbs. Di belakang ketiganya masih ada kekuatan mentereng seperti Arif Suyono dan Korinus Finkrew maupun Jajang Mulyana.

Mereka akan disokong kekuatan lini tengah yang dipadati Dirga Lasut, Lim Joon Sik maupun M Ridwan. "Kita masih punya kekuatan bagus dan menurut saya masih berimbang dengan kekuatan Arema. Yang pasti pemain harus waspada karena lawan jelas akan tampil menyerang," tandas Ivan Kolev.

Prakiraan Formasi Pemain:
Arema FC (4-2-3-1): Kurnia Meiga (gk), Zulkifli Syukur, Leonard Tupamahu, Roman Golian, Benny Wahyudi (belakang), Esteban Guillen, Ahmad Bustomi, Roman Chmelo, M Ridhuan, Sunarto (tengah), Yongki Ariwibowo (depan)

Sriwijaya FC (4-3-3): Ferry Rotinsulu (gk), Bobby Satria, Terry Gattusy, Ahmad Jufrianto, Supardi (belakang), M Ridwan, Lim Joon Sik, Dirga Lasut (tengah), Budi Sudarsono, Kayamba Gumbs, Okto Maniani (depan). (acf)

CARDIFF - Timnas Inggris mendapat sambutan sinis jelang duel melawan Wales pada lanjutan kualifikasi Euro 2012, Sabtu (26/3/2011) malam tadi. Menurut kapten tim John Terry, cemoohan inilah yang membangkitkan semangat rekan setimnya untuk meraih kemenangan 2-0.

Inggris memang mendapat cemoohan dari Fans Wales yang memadati Stadion Millenium, Dardiff, saat lagu kebangsaan Inggris tengah di putar. Terry sendiri mengaku sangat menyayangkan sikap tidak sportif dari fans Wales. Meski begitu, kapten Chelsea ini mengaku senang karena pada akhirnya Inggris sukses membungkam publik tuan rumah lewat gol penalti Frank Lampard (7') dan Darrent Bent di menit ke-14.

"Ini sangat tidak nyaman (mendengar cemoohan saat lagu kebangsaan)," keluh Terry kepada Sky Sports selepas laga, Minggu (27/3/2011).

"Itu lagu kebangsaan kami dan kami bangga dengan itu. Dan saat anda mendapat cemoohan saat menyanyikannya, itu memberikan efek kepada mereka (para pemain) dan hal itu jelas malah membuat adrenalin kami semakin terpompa," lanjutnya seraya menyebut kemenangan tersebut berkat luapan emosi rekan-rekannya.

"Normalnya, dalam setiap pertandingan, anda pasti bersemangat. Akan tetapi, saat lagu kebangsaan anda dicemooh, maka itu akan memberikan ekstra semangat," sambungnya.

Dalam kesempatan ini, Terry juga memberikan apresiasinya terhadap penampilan solid rekan-rekannya yang tampil dominan atas tuan rumah. Lebih dari itu, Terry juga memberikan pujian khusus kepada pelatih Fabio Capello yang pada laga kali ini mengusung formasi baru 4-3-3.

"Kami berhasil mengatur tempo sejak awal, dan kami berhasil membungkam fans tuan rumah dengan dua gol cepat. Kami memang sedikit kelelahan di babak kedua sehingga tak mampu mencetak gol tambahan. Tapi, untungnya kami berhasil mengawalinya dengan sangat baik," imbuh bek 30 tahun ini.

"Saya juga merasa sistem baru ini sangat positif. Dengan kehadiran Wayne (Rooney) dan Ashley (Young) di sisi penyerangan, kami tampil lebih bertenaga. Kami berhasil menekan dan membuat mereka tidak bisa membuat kejutan," tandas Terry yang baru ditunjuk kembali sebagai kapten setelah insiden perselingkuhannya. (acf)

Minggu, 27/03/2011 00:43 WIB

Formasi Baru Menangkan Inggris
Narayana Mahendra Prastya - detiksport

Inggris mengatasi Wales 2-0 dalam laga di Stadion Millenium, Sabtu (26/3/2011) malam WIB. Dua gol anak buah Fabio Capello dikemas oleh penalti Frank Lampard dan Darren Bent. Hasil ini membuat tim "Tiga Singa" berhasil memuncaki klasmen sementara Grup G.

"Ini formasi baru bagi kami, namun orang sudah paham apa yang kami lakukan dan bagaimana formasi itu bekerja. Kami bekerja untuk mendapatkan bola kembali dan ketika kami kehilangan bola, kami bisa langsung menekan lawan," ujar gelandang Inggris Ashley Young seperti dikutip dari BBC.

Pelatih Inggris Fabio Capello menilai bahwa formasi 4-3-3 ini berhasil membuat Young tampil maksimal. Meski tak mencetak gol, namun peman Aston Villa itu merupakan arsitek dari seluruh gol St.George Cross. Dalam pertandingan tersebut, Don Fabio memainkan Young sebagai tiga penyerang bersama Bent dan Wayne Rooney.

"Saya memutuskan memakai formasi itu setelah melihat pertandingan Wales. Formasi itu sangat bagus karena pemain seperti Ashley Young sangat berkembang," ujar Capello dilansir dari Reuters.

"Ada posisi baru untuk Rooney dan Ashley Young. Ketika kami bertahan, kedua pemain itu masih tetap bermain melebar. Formasi ini sangat bagus, namun saya masih belum tahu apakah ini saya gunakan lagi di pertandingan selanjutnya atau tidak. Semua tergantung siapa lawan kami."

Arsitek asal Italia itu juga memuji spirit tim secara keseluruhan. "Kami bekerjasama untuk merebut bola, pemain saling bantu satu sama lain," tutup dia.

===

Foto: Pemain Inggris Ashley Young berusaha mempertahankan bola dari upaya pemain Wales Danny Collins dalam laga lanjutan kualifikasi Euro 2012 di Stadion Millenium, Cardiff, Sabtu (26/3/2011) malam WIB (Getty Images)

( nar / roz )

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, 27/03/2011 00:18 WIB

'Pemilik Suara PSSI Juga Harus Bertanggung jawab'
Narayana Mahendra Prastya - detiksport

Demonstrasi dan kecaman terus mendera Nurdin Halid seiring dengan buruknya prestasi timnas. Selain itu pria berjuluk Sang Puang dituding mempermainkan peraturan FIFA sehingga melanggengkan jabatannya. Padahal dia pernah menjadi narapidana.

Kekacauan di PSSI semakin memuncak menyusul batalnya kongres PSSI di Pekanbaru, Riau. Kongres ini sedianya membentuk komite pemilihan dan komite banding untuk pemilihan ketua umum April mendatang. Nurdin Halid sendiri sudah meninggalkan Riau dan tidak jelas ke mana ketua umum PSSI sejak 2003 itu pergi.

Tindakan ini boleh jadi semakin menguatkan kecaman kepada Nurdin Halid. Namun "dosa" di PSSI bukan hanya milik Nurdin semata. Anggota Komisi X DPR Dedi Gumelar mengatakan bahwa para pemilik suara sah PSSI juga harus ikut bertanggungjawab atas kekacauaan yang terjadi.

"Kalau Nurdin Halid maju lagi, berarti ini karena anak buahnya. 108 orang tanggung jawab. Dalam dekade ini, apa yang dilakukan kepengurusan Nurdin Halid ini sejarah hitam. Kalau berpegang pada moral dan aturan, tahun 2007 seharusnya Nurdin Halid sudah tidak boleh. Kalau begitu, mengapa mereka (para pemilik suara--red) tidak gelar KLB?" ujar Dedi dalam perbincangan dengan detikSport.

Pria yang akrab disapa Miing itu mengaku heran mengapa ada pihak yang sangat ngotot mempertahankan kekuasaannya di PSSI.

"Ada apa sih di PSSI kok keukeuh banget. Yang terjadi sudah keluar dari prinsip olahraga. Yang terjadi adalah tidak menyehatkan, tidak sportif, tidak fair. Cita-cita Suratin dirikan PSSI itu apa? Sebagai pemersatu, perjuangan. Ini sudah keluar dari itu semua," tukas dia di ujung sambungan telepon.

( nar / a2s )

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MADRID, KOMPAS.com - Dalam sebuah acara Adidas Open Day, legenda sepak bola Perancis, Zinedine Zidane, mempermalukan seorang kiper muda.

Dari rekaman video terlihat, Zidane melakukan pergerakan tanpa bola masuk kotak penalti berhadapan dengan kiper tersebut.

Kemudian, datanglah umpan dari sisi kiri pertahanan tim kiper itu. Zidane dan kiper itu sama-sama berusaha merebut bola.

Sementara kiper itu terjatuh, Zidane menguasai bola dan menggoceknya menjauhi sang kiper. Kiper itu bangkit dan berusaha merebut bola dari Zidane.

Zidane sangat berpeluang membobol gawang. Namun, ia lebih memilih mengerjai sang kiper dengan menggoceknya sebanyak dua kali, sebelum mencungkil bola masuk ke sudut kanan atas gawang. (TEL)

ROMA, KOMPAS.com - Pemilik baru AS Roma, Thomas Di Benedetto, sudah menyiapkan strategi untuk memperkuat timnya musim depan. Dua nama tenar sudah ia bidik untuk direkrut. Mereka adalah kiper Juventus, Gianluigi Buffon, dan winger Werder Bremen, Marko Marin.

Di Benedetto sendiri baru akan menyelesaikan proses pembelian Roma pada pekan depan. Meski demikian, pengusaha asal Amerika Serikat ini sudah sesumbar bisa mendapatkan Buffon dan Marin.

Namun, ambisi Di Benedetto tersebut tampaknya sulit terwujud. Buffon secara resmi membantah isu yang mengaitkan dirinya dengan seteru Juventus tersebut.

"Aku pikir mereka tim yang besar dan dalam beberapa tahun terakhir berhasil memberikan ancaman kepada Inter. Namun, itu tak berarti apa-apa tentang masa depanku," kata Buffon.

Sementara untuk Marin, Roma harus bersaing dengan Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, dan Tottenham Hotspur yang juga mengincarnya. (FBI)

National coach K Rajagobal giving instructions to a player during training at Wisma FAM on Monday. — Picture by Osman Adnan

Safiq has faith in his teammates and said coach K. Rajagobal could do the job.

"We have a lot of fantastic players in the team and a great coach. Everyone in the team is raring to start their World Cup Qualifying campaign.

"Our victory in the AFF Cup has given us the self-belief and confidence for the qualifiers," said Safiq after the national team training session at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya on Thursday.

"There is a lot of hype about our success in the AFF Cup and it is important that we remain focused on our next mission. We should build upon that success for bigger tournaments."

Malaysia will start their 2014 World Cup Qualifying campaign as the 28th ranked nation in Asia. The team, by virtue of being the lowest 16 ranked teams in the continent, will begin their challenge in the first round of qualifiers.

Afghanistan, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Mongolia, Pakistan, Palestine, Timor Leste, Macau, Taiwan, Myanmar, the Philippines and Laos are the other lowest ranked teams in Asia.

The draw for this first round takes place on March 30 at the Asian Football Confederation headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The home-and-away first round matches are on June 29 and July 3.

Malaysia are expected to justify their rankings as the highest ranked team in the first round.

The optimism and enthusiasm surrounding the national team are at an all time high after their AFF Cup success but Safiq warned that his teammates must not get overconfident in the World Cup Qualifiers.

"Let's not get overconfident. The World Cup Qualifiers are not a different ball game. We are not the only ones with dreams as other teams also want to make an impact in the qualifiers.

"It is important, however, we get past the first round. If we can do that then it is great progress for the team. Of course, the main target is to progress as far as possible in the qualifiers," said the midfielder.

Safiq said the team must now concentrate on maintaining their consistency and game plan ahead of the qualifiers.

"We must make use of all our friendly matches to maintain our rhythm. Every match from now until the qualifiers is important to form our strategies," he added.

The national team will play their second friendly match of the year against Singapore League side, Etoile FC at the Jalan Besar Stadium today.

Etoile, who are the S-league defending champions, are a French club.

Except for goalkeeper Farizal Marlias, who is down with an eye infection, the other 23 players left for Singapore yesterday.

The core of the team comprise mostly players from the victorious AFF Cup side. Rajagobal is using the friendly match to gauge his players before he decides on his team for the World Cup Qualifiers.

PJCC's Ibnu Fatta Illah (in black) goes past three BJSS defenders in their Division 1 match at the Ministry of Education pitch yesterday. — Picture by Osman Adnan

Virtually parading their Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) side, UniKL were shocked in the ninth minute when Rasyid Hazar scored off a penalty corner attempt..

However, the early setback was overcame with efforts from Zulhairi Hashim (19th, 31st) and Nor Aqmal Ghaffer (43rd). The other Ipoh goal was scored by Azrul Fazrin in the 62nd minute.

"We expected Ipoh to defend in the early stages, but they shocked my players by playing an attacking game and scoring the first goal instead.

"I salute their grit, and the match turned difficult after that as my players struggled to settle down, but the end result was in favour of us," said UniKL manager Amir Azhar.

Bukit Jalil Sports School, whose players also just completed the MHL fixtures, were a disappointing lot when they let in a goal, before edging Petaling Jaya City Council 2-1 at the Ministry of Education pitch.

PJCC took the lead through Syamil Zulkifli off a ninth minute penalty corner, but BJSS sealed the three points with goals from Faridzul Afiq (12th) and Haziq Samsul (20th).

"I am shocked with the level of play today (yesterday) as we missed many sitters and were on the receiving end for no reason.

"We had practised many set-pieces but my players just failed to execute them, so instead of winning comfortably, we started our campaign on a shaky note," said BJSS coach S. Prakash whose players will meet Ipoh Juniors tomorrow.

In Division Two, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) also took the lead via Hakim Azarha's field attempt in the 27th minute, but shared points on a 1-1 score when Luqman Hakim scored for Padang Midin in the 43rd minute.

GP Australia

Hamilton-Schumi Lolos dari Penalti Grid

Kirim Komentar Anda

MELBOURNE – Kembali merebut pole position tak membuat Sebastian Vettel jumawa. Juara dunia Formula One (F1) termuda menyebut hasil ini bukan jaminan sukses dirinya.
 
Vettel sukses mendominasi semua sesi kualifikasi di Sirkuit Albert Park, siang tadi. Tak heran jika dia akhirnya mengamankan pole position yang kemudian disusul Lewis Hamilton dan Mark Webber.
 
Tapi, bukan berarti Vettel memiliki kepercayaan diri tinggi jelang balapan seri pembuka, GP Australia, Minggu (27/3/2011).
 
"Kami akan lihat apa yang kita dapat, tapi kami telah melakukan langkah pertama mengawali musim ini dengan baik," tutur Vettel selepas sesi kualifikasi.
 
"Kami bekerja keras demi mendapatkan performa RB7 seperti sekarang, terutama kepada orang-orang di tim yang membuat semuanya siap," lanjutnya, seperti dikutip Yahoo Sports, Sabtu (26/3/2011).
 
"Ini hari yang menyenangkan, saya sangat cepat dan senang dengan hasil ini. Tapi, kami belum mendapat poin sama seperti tim lainnya jadi kita lihat bagaimana kami mendapatkan itu (poin)," pungkasnya.
(wei)

MELBOURNE – Sukses menjadi yang tercepat kedua pada sesi kualifikasi di seri pembuka GP Australia siang ini membuat Lewis Hamilton bangga. Andalan McLaren ini pun tak lupa mengucapkan terima kasih kepada timnya.
 
Hamilton berhak memulai balapan dari grid depan di Sirkuit Albert Park, Minggu (27/3/2011), setelah tampil impresif di sesi kualifikasi. Tak hanya itu, tim juga melakukan perubahan signifikan pada bagian knalpot yang dianggap Hamilton berperan besar meningkatkan performanya.
 
"Saya sangat senang dengan hasil ini. Mereka melakukan tugas dengan luar biasa. Kami membuat tim ini berada di jalur yang benar," tandas Hamilton selepas sesi kualifikasi.
 
"Usaha yang fantastis dilakukan tim, ini adalah keputusan berani untuk kembali atas apa yang dilakukan selama tes musim dingin. Ini sangat aneh, kami tak pernah melakukannya sebelumnyam, tapi hasil dari wind tunnel sangat baik," lanjutnya, seperti dikutip Autosport, Sabtu (26/3/2011).
 
"Tim bekerja lebih keras daripada sebelumnya, perkembangan besar terasa pada mobil dan ini langkah besar. Ini merupakan fondasi bagi kami untuk terus melangkah," kata pembalap asal Inggris.
(wei)