The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Bradley storms to early lead in Shanghai Posted: 03 Nov 2011 08:36 AM PDT  Keegan Bradley of the US tees off on the 10th hole during the first round of the WGC-HSBC Champions golf tournament in Shanghai November 3, 2011. – Reuters pic Sharing second place after they carded 67s were Swedish duo players Alex Noren and Freddie Jacobson and another American Bo Van Pelt. Bradley, 25, earned his first US Tour card a year ago by winning a second tier Nationwide Tour event in South Carolina and is already ranked 30th in the world on the back of his surprise triumph in the US PGA in August. "I feel like I have to pinch myself out here because of what's been going on" said Bradley, who outplayed world number two Lee Westwood by four shots in a round which included five birdies and an eagle at the par five 18th. "To go out in a strong group and play like that on this course is very rewarding and means a lot to me." Bradley got off to a fast start off the 10th tee, holing a three foot birdie putt and picking up another shot at the par five 14th. He then soared to the top of the leaderboard with an eagle at the 18th, taking on the water in front of the green with a three iron and holing out from 20 feet. Westwood had kept within touching distance until that point with an eagle at the 14th, where his second shot hit the flag and left him with a tap in. But he later slipped back with successive bogeys at the fifth and sixth. While the Englishman felt that the thick, humid atmosphere in Shanghai had affected his ball flight and made judging the distance to hit shots more difficult, Bradley had no such problems. Should the American go on to win the final World Golf Championship event of 2011 it will increase his chances of being voted The US Tour's Player of the Year at Luke Donald's expense after the world number one and this year's PGA leading moneywinner chose to stay at home in Chicago awaiting the birth of his second child. "Maybe I made Luke nervous today," he laughed. "I know there is a lot on the line and some awards to be won. But I just hope to keep playing well and let those fall where they fall." Donald could also see his €1.3 million (RM5.62 million) lead in the European money list halved on Sunday should Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy come through to triumph in Shanghai. However, the US Open champion was five shots off the first round pace after shooting a 70. – Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Manchesters united in Champions League improvement Posted: 03 Nov 2011 08:01 AM PDT  (L to R) Manchester United's Michael Carrick, Danny Welbeck, Anderson, and Ryan Giggs react after FC Basel's Alexander Frei (unseen) scored during their Champions League Group C soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester September 27, 2011. The two Manchester clubs have applied everything they learnt in October's stunning derby to getting themselves on track for the Champions League knockout stage. – Reuters pic The 6-1 mauling by City at Old Trafford showed up United's defensive frailties and Alex Ferguson's side have since strung together three successive wins with clean sheets, including yesterday's 2-0 European win over Otelul Galati. The victory lifted them to the top of Group C and within touching distance of the last 16, while City's 3-0 win at Villarreal in Group A put them one victory away from the next round as both clubs have recovered from indifferent starts. Scoring at least three goals a game has become run of the mill for City, who have managed that in six of their last seven matches. After a draw and defeat in their opening group games, they have brought their league form on to the European stage. "We had 65 per cent of ball possession, we scored three goals. I think this was important for our confidence," City manager Roberto Mancini told reporters. "I think we have improved, not just in the Champions League. It is important for us to go in the second stage, then everything can happen with us because we are a good team. We can improve a lot in the next month." His side travel to third-placed Napoli in their next game later this month and a win would put them through. They then play at home to leaders Bayern Munich in December. United can also wrap up qualification in their next game, when last season's runners-up host Benfica who are level on eight points. Ferguson's side made a lacklustre start to their campaign, despite being in a more straightforward group than City on paper, drawing their first two games before labouring to two 2-0 victories over Galati. PLUS SIGNS They have lacked City's sparkle but in true United fashion are getting the job done, with Ferguson taking their defensive improvements as a good sign. "I am pleased our work rate was very good, we didn't lose any goals and that is an important factor at the moment because there has been a lot of criticism of the team in terms of defending this season," he told reporters. "These are plus signs for us. That is three games in a row without conceding a goal so that is a step forward for us." United's vulnerability has stemmed from injuries that have meant Ferguson has been unable to field a regular back four, while also a tendency to take a rather cavalier approach to attacking when already trailing such as in the derby. There was no such problem yesterday where centre back Rio Ferdinand, stepping in for suspended captain Nemanja Vidic, kept control of his young defensive team mates and barely let the Romanians through. While United defender Phil Jones said "it wasn't the prettiest of games", there were other positives for his team apart from the result. Striker Wayne Rooney took to a central midfield role as if he had played there his whole life as Ferguson, who marks 25 years in the Old Trafford hot seat this weekend, showed he can still keep thinking up new approaches. "I played there a lot (in midfield) when I was younger," said Rooney, who was hailed by Ferguson as the team's best player on the night. "You get a lot of the ball there and we had to defend as well at times tonight. If the manager asks me to do it, I'm happy to do it. I don't know if it's long term, that's down to the manager, so we'll see what he decides." – Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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